little_a more_o than_o forty_o year_n interval_n betwixt_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n by_o joshua_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o israelite_n under_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fit_a time_n then_o to_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o to_o publish_v the_o pretend_a lie_n and_o imposture_n of_o his_o history_n be_v not_o the_o comparison_n which_o the_o israelite_n can_v easy_o make_v betwixt_o the_o mosaic_a write_n and_o the_o tradition_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o country_n of_o their_o captivity_n a_o natural_a and_o ready_a mean_n to_o undeceive_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v that_o they_o obstinate_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o several_a transaction_n record_v by_o moses_n and_o stand_v firm_o to_o all_o their_o pretension_n nay_o we_o see_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o remedy_n of_o repentance_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v they_o to_o use_v in_o those_o sad_a misfortune_n which_o he_o foretell_v shall_v befall_v they_o and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o promise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o god_n will_v miraculous_o deliver_v they_o which_o indeed_o be_v do_v according_o even_o fourteen_o time_n within_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n that_o if_o moses_n make_v it_o death_n by_o one_o of_o his_o sanction_n for_o any_o of_o the_o israelite_n to_o contest_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o his_o write_n or_o of_o his_o oracle_n and_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o without_o examination_n but_o rather_o only_o to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n of_o that_o people_n and_o their_o mingle_n and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o the_o heathen_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o hinder_v on_o purpose_n because_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n out_o of_o that_o nation_n which_o to_o effect_v he_o think_v fit_a in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o employ_v the_o rigour_n of_o some_o capital_a law_n to_o keep_v that_o people_n unmixed_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v chap._n xxii_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n these_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v all_o i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v solid_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o conclusion_n that_o i_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v that_o first_o i_o assert_v that_o moses_n that_o famous_a hebrew_n who_o be_v design_v to_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n be_v the_o true_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v he_o can_v not_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o write_v record_v those_o important_a transaction_n he_o relate_v otherwise_o than_o they_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v three_o i_o maintain_v that_o though_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v the_o description_n of_o it_o according_a to_o such_o a_o authentic_a tradition_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v of_o because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o universal_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o of_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v all_o of_o sem_n posterity_n and_o among_o who_o he_o have_v be_v travel_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o but_o also_o of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o man_n then_o live_v in_o the_o world._n four_o i_o maintain_v that_o he_o never_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o nor_o contradict_v till_o true_a reason_n and_o sense_n if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o be_v lose_v and_o banish_v from_o among_o mankind_n till_o the_o egyptian_n for_o example_n they_o who_o use_v before_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_n as_o mere_a child_n and_o idiot_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o great_a a_o stupidity_n and_o deprivation_n of_o sense_n as_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n because_o forsooth_o frog_n do_v natural_o as_o they_o think_v breed_v out_o of_o their_o muddy_a fen_n and_o marsh_n five_o i_o maintain_v that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o moses_n no_o body_n do_v ever_o public_o declare_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o for_o its_o fortuitous_a production_n these_o opinion_n be_v mere_a absurdity_n and_o chimaera_n bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o greek_n only_o about_o alexander_n time_n or_o perhaps_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o i._n e._n about_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n decease_n six_o i_o maintain_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a time_n to_o be_v find_v wherein_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n be_v interrupt_v and_o discontinue_v for_o any_o considerable_a time_n among_o the_o jew_n see_v it_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o very_a hour_n among_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o be_v disperse_v and_o see_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o perceive_v and_o declare_v present_o the_o novelty_n and_o supposition_n of_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v see_v all_o this_o be_v certain_a i_o do_v positive_o maintain_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v better_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v by_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n because_o in_o it_o moses_n have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o the_o age_n that_o precede_v he_o and_o only_o record_v in_o write_v what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o a_o time_n when_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o run_v his_o own_o pedigree_n up_o to_o adam_n last_o i_o maintain_v that_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o without_o reject_v at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o those_o proof_n from_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o strengthen_v my_o assertion_n so_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a as_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n confirm_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n believe_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o but_o also_o have_v always_o have_v according_a to_o god_n command_n the_o memory_n of_o it_o celebrate_v among_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n in_o all_o their_o generation_n fifty_o two_o time_n in_o a_o year_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world._n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n preface_n when_o i_o begin_v at_o first_o these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o design_v only_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man_n and_o so_o to_o show_v by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o neither_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n after_o his_o sin_n can_v reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o i_o design_v after_o that_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n by_o such_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n viz._n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o and_o institute_v a_o solemn_a day_n in_o every_o week_n to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o among_o man_n from_o their_o time_n down_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o as_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n every_o week_n can_v easy_o run_v back_o to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v by_o the_o weekly_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n prove_v christ_n resurrection_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o thing_n in_o itself_o there_o be_v no_o less_o absurdity_n to_o dispute_v our_o saviour_n resurrection_n than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man._n now_o if_o this_o argument_n hold_v as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o easy_o so_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o
to_o show_v that_o all_o their_o objection_n do_v in_o effect_n serve_v for_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o make_v a_o more_o lively_a impression_n of_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o set_v forth_o in_o a_o full_a and_o clear_a light_n chap._n v._n that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o can_v with_o reason_n contest_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o tradition_n which_o have_v those_o character_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o relation_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v question_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v whether_o moses_n the_o great_a captain_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o founder_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v solid_o to_o evince_v though_o it_o seem_v that_o we_o may_v dispense_v with_o this_o trouble_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a event_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v general_o believe_v by_o other_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o these_o matter_n have_v give_v occasion_n to_o most_o of_o their_o fable_n viz._n to_o that_o of_o the_o chaos_n to_o that_o of_o the_o marriage_n of_o peleus_n and_o thetis_n for_o the_o form_n of_o man_n to_o that_o of_o prometheus_n to_o that_o of_o jupiter_n continue_a laughter_n for_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n of_o his_o life_n which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n know_v among_o the_o heathen_n to_o that_o of_o the_o golden_a age_n and_o of_o the_o deluge_n to_o the_o name_n of_o deucalion_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o janus_n to_o that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o saturn_n son_n to_o the_o name_n of_o jupiter_n hammon_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o titan_n and_o of_o the_o change_n of_o woman_n into_o statue_n of_o stone_n to_o the_o story_n of_o the_o incest_n the_o god_n commit_v with_o their_o daughter_n to_o that_o of_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o world_n by_o phaeton_n and_o to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o fiction_n which_o can_v be_v otherwise_o explain_v as_o the_o learned_a have_v show_v at_o large_a whosoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n whether_o moses_n or_o another_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v exact_o inform_v of_o the_o matter_n he_o relate_v and_o that_o he_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n first_o then_o i_o say_v that_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o those_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o treat_v he_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o the_o head_n or_o father_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v it_o so_o that_o what_o he_o say_v do_v very_o well_o agree_v with_o what_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n have_v leave_v we_o concern_v that_o matter_n he_o speak_v of_o these_o nation_n of_o the_o country_n they_o possess_v and_o their_o king_n as_o of_o thing_n he_o be_v perfect_o inform_v of_o he_o very_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o original_a of_o these_o several_a nation_n and_o the_o same_o be_v at_o that_o time_n common_o know_v no_o historian_n can_v represent_v they_o otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o laughter_n of_o all_o by_o endeavour_v to_o mix_v fable_n with_o relation_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o second_o place_n i_o say_v that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o a_o man_n that_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n he_o speak_v very_o exact_o of_o what_o joseph_n do_v in_o his_o place_n of_o chief_a minister_n to_o pharaoh_n in_o particular_a he_o set_v down_o the_o first_o original_a of_o the_o five_o penny_n which_o the_o egyptian_n so_o many_o age_n after_o continue_v to_o pay_v to_o their_o king_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o not_o egyptian_a can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o last_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o this_o book_n serve_v for_o a_o introduction_n to_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n which_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o there_o and_o do_v throughout_o allude_v and_o refer_v to_o the_o several_a passage_n of_o it_o and_o that_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n and_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o other_o succeed_a matter_n of_o fact_n until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o egypt_n when_o joseph_n be_v chief_a favourite_n and_o minister_n of_o pharaoh_n but_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o more_o easy_a way_n to_o make_v out_o that_o moses_n who_o history_n be_v contain_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n for_o first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v acknowledge_v moses_n for_o the_o most_o ancient_a lawgiver_n for_o this_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o plato_n polemus_n artapanus_n pythagoras_n theopompus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o place_v moses_n in_o the_o front_n of_o six_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a law_n giver_n thus_o moses_n sauchnis_n sesonchosis_n bachoris_n amasis_n and_o darius_n father_n of_o xerxes_n but_o further_a if_o when_o the_o lacedaemonian_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o law_n of_o their_o lawgiver_n lycurgus_n and_o the_o athenian_n of_o those_o of_o their_o solon_n we_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o natural_o every_o nation_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o faithful_a depositary_a of_o the_o law_n of_o he_o who_o first_o found_v their_o government_n yea_o if_o we_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o these_o relation_n though_o there_o be_v no_o people_n at_o this_o day_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o lycurgus_n or_o solon_n can_v any_o valuable_a reason_n be_v imagine_v for_o we_o to_o doubt_v whether_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n when_o a_o entire_a nation_n have_v constant_o aver_v that_o he_o do_v so_o i_o say_v when_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o continue_v at_o this_o day_n do_v in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o world_n equal_o and_o with_o one_o consent_n maintain_v that_o they_o receive_v this_o book_n from_o he_o together_o with_o the_o law_n and_o worship_n therein_o contain_v nay_o when_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o many_o of_o they_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n i_o omit_v now_o to_o mention_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o descend_v of_o abraham_n and_o do_v not_o observe_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yet_o do_v not_o cease_v high_o to_o defend_v this_o truth_n throughout_o the_o world_n the_o gospel_n in_o their_o sense_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o head_n of_o the_o serpent_n i_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o these_o my_o reflection_n with_o how_o much_o justice_n they_o assent_v to_o this_o truth_n but_o at_o present_a i_o tie_v myself_o only_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o which_o confirm_v the_o authority_n thereof_o chap._n vi_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 i_o shall_v never_o have_v do_v shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o set_v down_o all_o the_o observation_n which_o may_v be_v make_v incompare_v this_o book_n of_o genesis_n with_o other_o history_n common_o know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o who_o faithfulness_n be_v unquestionable_a without_o enter_v upon_o this_o comparison_n we_o may_v bold_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n who_o author_n we_o can_v be_v so_o sure_a of_o as_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o penman_n of_o genesis_n but_o i_o go_v further_o and_o assert_v that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o testimony_n they_o give_v to_o this_o truth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o two_o remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o their_o observation_n both_o civil_a and_o religious_a be_v at_o this_o day_n found_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o those_o which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n as_o for_o instance_n they_o compute_v the_o beginning_n of_o their_o day_n from_o the_o precede_a evening_n they_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n they_o observe_v circumcision_n they_o abstain_v from_o eat_v the_o muscle_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hollow_a of_o the_o thigh_n etc._n etc._n the_o observation_n of_o which_o law_n be_v indeed_o
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
last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v 120_o chap._n 22._o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 126_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o of_o the_o three_o other_o follow_v book_n page_n 137_o chap._n 2._o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n 146_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o 153_o chap._n 4._o a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n 158_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n give_v he_o his_o law_n be_v evident_o true_a 164_o chap._n 6._o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v 169_o chap._n 7._o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o moses_n be_v history_n in_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o have_v record_v in_o his_o book_n 173_o chap._n 8._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o constant_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o oracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n 177_o chap._n 9_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 180_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o same_o persuasion_n appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o moses_n until_o his_o death_n 185_o chap._n 11._o that_o balaam_n be_v prophesy_v which_o moses_n relate_v be_v a_o further_a argument_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n in_o he_o 188_o chap._n 12._o that_o one_o may_v see_v also_o in_o moses_n be_v law_n plain_a footstep_n of_o god_n design_n in_o distinguish_v these_o from_o who_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v born._n 194_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgate_a his_o law_n among_o the_o israelite_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 200_o chap._n 14._o that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v design_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n 206_o chap._n 15._o that_o circumcision_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o distinguish_v the_o israelite_n from_o other_o nation_n 212_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n engage_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o study_n of_o their_o genealogy_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v that_o of_o the_o messiah_n 219_o chap._n 17._o a_o solution_n of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o these_o genealogy_n 223_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o manner_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n fix_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n 228_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o law_n tie_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o by_o several_a other_o mean_v establish_v the_o distinction_n betwixt_o tribe_n and_o family_n among_o they_o 234_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n make_v coneern_v the_o state_n of_o virginity_n do_v principal_o relate_v also_o to_o the_o messiah_n which_o hold_v also_o as_o to_o several_a other_o law_n 241_o chap._n 21._o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n by_o all_o these_o ceremony_n and_o particular_o by_o that_o veneration_n which_o he_o inspire_v the_o jew_n with_o for_o the_o tabernacle_n to_o preserve_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o their_o mind_n by_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n 249_o chap._n 22._o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n 256_o to_o the_o courteous_a reader_n the_o errata_n be_v so_o small_a that_o they_o will_v not_o disturb_v the_o sense_n any_o where_o and_o so_o few_o that_o we_o need_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o a_o table_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o hope_v he_o will_v take_v such_o inconsiderable_a pain_n upon_o himself_o and_o excuse_v the_o author_n reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v three_o thing_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o for_o true_a the_o promise_v it_o afford_v we_o and_o the_o worship_n it_o command_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o true_a be_v that_o god_n create_v the_o world_n that_o he_o form_v the_o first_o man_n from_o who_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n have_v be_v propagate_v that_o a_o while_n after_o this_o man_n be_v create_v he_o violate_v the_o law_n god_n have_v give_v he_o and_o that_o whereas_o he_o deserve_v to_o have_v perish_v for_o this_o his_o disobedience_n god_n be_v please_v instead_o thereof_o to_o comfort_v he_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o saviour_n which_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o his_o wife_n that_o god_n have_v actual_o send_v this_o saviour_n into_o the_o world_n which_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o christ_n viz._n his_o birth_n life_n preach_v miracle_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n the_o promise_v it_o vouchsafe_v be_v the_o forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o body_n and_o a_o state_n absolute_o happy_a for_o ever_o in_o heaven_n and_o last_o the_o worship_n or_o divine_a service_n it_o prescribe_v consist_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o prayer_n for_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o his_o protection_n and_o in_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o what_o we_o owe_v he_o for_o all_o his_o benefit_n towards_o we_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o relate_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o other_o two_o viz._n the_o promise_n and_o command_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n have_v create_v this_o world_n in_o which_o we_o live_v and_o make_v mankind_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o blood_n that_o after_o the_o fall_v he_o promise_v to_o save_v man_n and_o do_v actual_o redeem_v they_o in_o send_v jesus_n christ_n who_o suffer_v death_n and_o be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o look_v upon_o these_o fact_n as_o true_a without_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n will_v accomplish_v the_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o we_o can_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n without_o be_v sensible_a of_o a_o strong_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o we_o to_o perform_v all_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o man_n reflect_v upon_o his_o be_v god_n creature_n he_o find_v himself_o natural_o oblige_v to_o obey_v god_n universal_o according_a to_o his_o utmost_a ability_n but_o when_o he_o come_v further_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o first_o man_n for_o his_o disobedience_n but_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o promise_v he_o a_o saviour_n for_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o posterity_n and_o when_o moreover_o he_o be_v assure_v that_o god_n have_v real_o send_v this_o saviour_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n the_o gospel_n relate_v to_o we_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o that_o he_o must_v find_v himself_o under_o the_o high_a engagement_n imaginable_a of_o render_v to_o god_n a_o religious_a obedience_n and_o believe_v his_o promise_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o obligation_n whereby_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o to_o offer_v he_o all_o manner_n of_o religious_a worship_n god_n by_o redeem_v he_o have_v obtain_v a_o new_a claim_n to_o and_o right_a over_o he_o and_o a_o more_o indispensable_a obligation_n be_v lay_v upon_o man_n to_o submit_v himself_o to_o god_n in_o all_o religious_a concern_v as_o be_v not_o only_o create_v but_o also_o redeem_v by_o he_o reason_n acknowledge_v that_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v once_o admit_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o just_a and_o natural_a than_o those_o consequence_n which_o the_o christian_n thence_o infer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n
therefore_o that_o occur_v in_o this_o matter_n consist_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propound_v to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o prove_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n his_o miracle_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o indeed_o these_o be_v the_o very_a matter_n of_o which_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n require_v a_o solid_a proof_n and_o it_o do_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o satisfy_v their_o demand_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v oppose_v our_o assertion_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v already_o accomplish_a though_o they_o agree_v upon_o the_o matter_n with_o we_o in_o all_o other_o article_n moreover_o the_o perform_v this_o task_n may_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bad_a christian_n who_o shall_v and_o continuance_n in_o vice_n and_o licentiousness_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o their_o be_v so_o weak_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o fundamental_o and_o that_o because_o they_o have_v never_o consider_v of_o they_o with_o sufficient_a attention_n chap._n ii_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 forasmuch_o as_o in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o confine_v ourselves_o at_o present_a to_o those_o proof_n which_o make_v out_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o propose_v omit_v all_o other_o argument_n which_o may_v evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o though_o possible_o no_o less_o convince_a it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o proof_n we_o be_v to_o produce_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o be_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v if_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o the_o event_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o it_o may_v be_v just_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v produce_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v matter_n long_o since_o past_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o history_n which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o relation_n of_o those_o who_o where_o eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o confirm_v our_o belief_n of_o thing_n at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o i_o be_o behold_v to_o history_n only_o for_o the_o knowledge_n i_o have_v of_o a_o cyrus_n a_o alexander_n or_o a_o caesar_n and_o yet_o have_v read_v the_o account_n they_o give_v i_o of_o they_o i_o find_v they_o matter_n i_o can_v no_o way_n rational_o doubt_v of_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n confirm_v to_o we_o by_o eye-witness_n nevertheless_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o event_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v be_v confirm_v but_o by_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o have_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o to_o account_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o man_n as_o cyrus_n and_o alexander_n for_o fable_n upon_o the_o pretence_n that_o none_o now_o alive_a do_v ever_o see_v they_o or_o because_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o trace_n leave_v of_o those_o empire_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o founder_n indeed_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o nothing_o can_v be_v superad_v to_o it_o for_o though_o it_o be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o historian_n who_o live_v many_o age_n ago_o yet_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n relate_v do_v not_o only_o carry_v the_o idea_n of_o probability_n and_o truth_n along_o with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o history_n of_o follow_a age_n which_o can_v be_v question_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o thing_n relate_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o reason_n a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o be_v account_v certain_a when_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o when_o record_v by_o a_o historian_n who_o live_v among_o those_o who_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o it_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o gainsay_v or_o contradict_v by_o any_o if_o we_o find_v it_o pen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v relate_v by_o any_o otherwise_o than_o indeed_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o public_a derision_n and_o last_o of_o all_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o either_o because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o every_o one_o to_o be_v inform_v of_o it_o or_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v hide_v from_o any_o or_o last_o because_o of_o its_o natural_a connexion_n with_o all_o those_o other_o event_n which_o necessary_o depend_v on_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a it_o be_v very_o unjust_a to_o demand_v either_o more_o proof_n or_o such_o as_o be_v of_o another_o nature_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o be_v require_v to_o verisie_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact._n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o noah_n child_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o methusalem_n in_o case_n they_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o or_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o methusalem_n be_v of_o credit_n enough_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o adam_n if_o he_o aver_v that_o he_o see_v he_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o do_v we_o every_o day_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o account_n which_o old_a man_n give_v we_o of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o we_o find_v that_o what_o they_o relate_v have_v a_o exact_a reference_n and_o connexion_n with_o those_o thing_n we_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o proof_n which_o evidence_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o our_o religion_n propose_v be_v infinite_o more_o strong_a and_o convince_a all_o the_o circumstance_n we_o can_v imagine_v proper_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o relation_n do_v concur_v to_o place_v the_o matter_n record_v in_o holy_a scripture_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n we_o account_v the_o single_a testimony_n of_o a_o historian_n a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v once_o a_o very_a famous_a temple_n at_o delphos_n or_o ephesus_n notwithstanding_o that_o all_o the_o monument_n remain_v at_o this_o day_n to_o confirm_v his_o relation_n be_v very_o doubtful_a and_o defective_a whereas_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o entire_a nation_n yea_o many_o nation_n do_v attest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v and_o that_o all_o the_o action_n discourse_n and_o whole_a series_n of_o event_n thereto_o relate_v do_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o character_n which_o invincible_o signalise_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scrïpture_n chap._n iii_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 forasmuch_o as_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n it_o will_v be_v proper_a in_o order_n to_o the_o execute_n of_o my_o design_n to_o begin_v with_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a book_n which_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o one_o make_v the_o follow_a remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_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 of_o the_o deluge_n the_o rise_n and_o pedigree_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o particular_a the_o history_n of_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n until_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o palestina_n 2552_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o follow_a book_n viz._n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n the_o four_o book_n of_o king_n of_o chronicle_n with_o the_o book_n of_o ezrah_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o say_a history_n from_o the_o enter_v of_o the_o jew_n into_o palestina_n until_o their_o
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a government_n or_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o unsufferable_a piece_n of_o boldness_n to_o charge_v the_o jew_n with_o forge_v these_o book_n of_o moses_n or_o adulterate_v of_o they_o in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o appear_v they_o have_v keep_v they_o without_o any_o alteration_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2700_o year_n as_o have_v be_v show_v already_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o kingdom_n and_o disperse_v into_o distant_a country_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o forge_v or_o adulterate_v any_o of_o the_o say_a book_n because_o it_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v discover_v it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o same_o reason_n take_v place_n in_o this_o interval_n of_o 580_o year_n for_o from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rehoboam_n they_o be_v not_o only_o great_o divide_v among_o themselves_o but_o almost_o continual_o subject_a to_o neighbour_a state_n who_o subdue_v they_o by_o turn_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n 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 forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_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 in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o
country_n his_o people_n and_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n how_o can_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v disperse_v over_o all_o his_o kingdom_n in_o a_o instant_n to_o inform_v the_o people_n about_o the_o ceremonial_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o soon_o after_o be_v so_o solemn_o celebrate_v by_o they_o or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o levite_n the_o priest_n and_o people_n can_v have_v be_v all_o of_o the_o sudden_a instruct_v in_o all_o the_o point_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o perform_n of_o that_o holy_a solemnity_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n do_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o book_n find_v be_v of_o moses_n own_o hand_n write_v but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o devout_a respect_n for_o this_o book_n be_v not_o whole_o stifle_v as_o have_v be_v by_o they_o careful_o hide_v from_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o idolatrous_a king_n and_o lay_v up_o in_o some_o secret_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n where_o now_o they_o have_v so_o happy_o find_v it_o again_o over_o and_o above_o what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n be_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o their_o subject_n yet_o the_o same_o general_o consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o their_o neighbour_n natition_n as_o to_o some_o particular_n which_o though_o they_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o law_n yet_o they_o leave_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o full_a force_n this_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ahab_n where_o we_o find_v elijah_n reproach_v the_o israelite_n with_o the_o monstrous_a alliance_n they_o have_v make_v betwixt_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o of_o baal_n which_o queen_n jesabel_n have_v introduce_v all_o this_o clear_o prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o be_v the_o first_o of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v never_o forge_v under_o his_o name_n since_o it_o be_v always_o own_v as_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a author_n and_o be_v still_o so_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n chap._n vii_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 the_o other_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n suppose_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o have_v now_o prove_v be_v this_o that_o it_o seem_v absurd_a to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o relation_n of_o a_o person_n who_o live_v so_o many_o age_n distant_a from_o the_o thing_n he_o recite_v to_o answer_v this_o objection_n we_o must_v first_o of_o all_o declare_v to_o they_o by_o what_o mean_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v preserve_v so_o lively_a and_o entire_a as_o to_o give_v moses_n so_o distinct_a a_o knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n know_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o there_o be_v no_o way_n whereby_o we_o can_v more_o solid_o evince_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v forge_v by_o moses_n than_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v always_o constant_o observe_v from_o that_o time_n until_o moses_n the_o same_o also_o will_v help_v we_o clear_o to_o conceive_v after_o what_o manner_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v be_v preserve_v so_o distinct_a among_o those_o that_o live_v since_o the_o creation_n until_o moses_n we_o be_v no_o soon_o inform_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o solemn_a day_n ordain_v at_o first_o to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o we_o judge_v it_o impossible_a that_o so_o important_a a_o event_n commemorate_a every_o seven_o day_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n shall_v be_v a_o imposture_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o this_o impossibility_n be_v ground_v on_o these_o two_o proposition_n the_o one_o that_o god_n give_v this_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o the_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v by_o his_o posterity_n ever_o since_o till_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o god_n only_o renew_v it_o in_o the_o law_n give_v from_o mount_n sinai_n these_o be_v the_o truth_n i_o be_o now_o to_o clear_v and_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v prove_v because_o though_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n ancient_a and_o modern_a jew_n as_o well_o as_o christian_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o christian_a father_n who_o seem_v to_o deny_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v ever_o observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o prove_v from_o moses_n that_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v such_o as_o i_o assert_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o in_o a_o manner_n immediate_o follow_v it_o moses_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n 3._o gen._n ii_o 3._o express_v himself_o thus_o and_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o because_o that_o in_o it_o he_o have_v rest_v from_o all_o his_o work_n which_o he_o have_v create_v which_o word_n clear_o evince_v a_o solemn_a consecration_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o god_n service_n by_o its_o be_v make_v a_o commemoration_n of_o his_o finish_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o intent_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o place_n be_v only_o to_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n set_v apart_o this_o day_n of_o all_o other_o to_o his_o service_n by_o the_o law_n at_o mount_n sinai_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o appointment_n be_v make_v for_o man_n sake_n already_o place_v in_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n this_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o order_n moses_n observe_v for_o he_o set_v down_o first_o the_o formation_n of_o man_n on_o the_o six_o day_n and_o his_o be_v place_v in_o paradise_n which_o he_o give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n and_o after_o these_o he_o relate_v god_n rest_v from_o his_o work_n and_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o impose_v on_o man_n and_o then_o add_v these_o be_v the_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o earth_n when_o they_o be_v create_v in_o the_o day_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n all_o that_o precede_v these_o word_n be_v only_o a_o relation_n of_o what_o pass_v in_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n and_o that_o which_o moses_n set_v down_o concern_v god_n blessing_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o his_o consecrate_v it_o aught_o as_o well_o to_o be_v account_v a_o law_n appoint_v the_o seven_o day_n for_o his_o service_n as_o those_o other_o blessing_n give_v to_o the_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o kind_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o inviolable_a law_n of_o god_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o subsist_v and_o be_v perpetuate_v each_o according_a to_o their_o kind_n by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o patriarch_n maintain_v a_o public_a worship_n at_o least_o since_o the_o time_n of_o seth_n which_o it_o be_v necessary_a shall_v be_v determine_v to_o some_o certain_a day_n and_o since_o we_o find_v that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n they_o distinguish_v between_o beast_n clean_a and_o unclean_a with_o respect_n to_o their_o sacrifice_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v but_o from_o revelation_n we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v apart_o a_o time_n for_o own_o worship_n and_o service_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v many_o evident_a sign_n that_o even_o then_o the_o 7_o day_n be_v observe_v psalmos_fw-la kimchi_fw-la praefat_fw-la in_o psalmos_fw-la i_o will_v not_o here_o peremptory_o assert_v that_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o ninety_o second_o psalm_n who_o title_n be_v a_o psalm_n for_o the_o sabbath_n be_v make_v by_o adam_n himself_o who_o be_v make_v on_o the_o evening_n of_o the_o sabbath_n but_o this_o i_o dare_v assert_v that_o it_o be_v apparent_a 10.12_o gen._n viii_o 10.12_o that_o what_o
to_o who_o he_o write_v have_v no_o need_n of_o have_v the_o follow_a word_n quote_v to_o they_o which_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o hallow_v it_o that_o be_v he_o consecrate_a the_o same_o to_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n forasmuch_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o public_o and_o universal_o know_v among_o they_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o thing_n general_o receive_v even_o before_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law._n and_o indeed_o the_o philo_n the_o jew_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o solemnize_n that_o day_n have_v suffer_v some_o interruption_n and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v give_v to_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v first_o of_o all_o 12._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 13._o c._n 12._o that_o aristobulus_n the_o peripatetic_a in_o a_o treatise_n dedicate_v by_o he_o to_o ptolemy_n surname_v philadelphus_n cite_v several_a passage_n of_o homer_n hesiod_n and_o linus_n heathen_a poet_n which_o mention_v the_o seven_o day_n as_o a_o festival_n and_o solemn_a day_n because_o all_o thing_n be_v finish_v in_o the_o same_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o if_o some_o of_o the_o father_n as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n have_v deny_v that_o the_o patriarch_n observe_v the_o seven_o day_n they_o do_v so_o rather_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o rigour_n of_o that_o law_n which_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o that_o day_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n which_o be_v superad_v by_o god_n to_o the_o first_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n than_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n as_o it_o be_v a_o day_n appoint_v to_o make_v a_o solemn_a commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n in_o a_o word_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o difference_n which_o god_n make_v between_o the_o sabbath_n observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o that_o which_o he_o appoint_v to_o the_o jew_n do_v consist_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o that_o god_n do_v impose_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n upon_o the_o jew_n to_o abstain_v from_o all_o manner_n of_o work_n even_o to_o the_o very_a dress_n of_o meat_n necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o life_n we_o find_v this_o distinction_n clear_o express_v in_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v concern_v the_o first_o and_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o unleavened_a bread_n for_o he_o absolute_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o these_o two_o day_n as_o much_o as_o on_o the_o sabbath_n even_o the_o prepare_n of_o necessary_a food_n which_o he_o permit_v the_o five_o other_o day_n forbid_v only_o servile_a laborious_a work_n second_o in_o that_o the_o work_n on_o that_o day_n by_o the_o law_n be_v make_v punishable_a with_o death_n which_o be_v not_o so_o before_o which_o innovation_n and_o new_a rigour_n of_o the_o law_n establish_v by_o god_n be_v authorize_v by_o the_o punish_n of_o he_o who_o have_v gather_v stick_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n whereas_o we_o find_v that_o before_o the_o law_n be_v give_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n god_n do_v not_o command_v those_o jew_n to_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n who_o go_v forth_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o gather_v manna_n according_a to_o their_o ancient_a custom_n of_o dress_v their_o meat_n on_o that_o day_n let_v i_o add_v this_o further_a that_o though_o the_o apostle_n have_v abolish_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n concern_v the_o sabbath_n introduce_v by_o moses_n yet_o they_o themselves_o observe_v it_o which_o practice_n of_o they_o in_o all_o probability_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o christian_n for_o almost_o four_o century_n to_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n solemnize_n both_o those_o day_n the_o one_o as_o a_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o other_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n but_o what_o ever_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v on_o this_o last_o remark_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la first_o that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v observe_v before_o moses_n second_o that_o this_o observation_n be_v by_o the_o first_o patriarch_n propagate_v among_o the_o heathen_n also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n or_o as_o the_o practice_n of_o sacrifice_v with_o the_o other_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n the_o original_a whereof_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o shall_v make_v appear_v in_o our_o follow_a discourse_n after_o all_o this_o we_o must_v conclude_v against_o the_o atheist_n that_o either_o moses_n must_v imprudent_o have_v lay_v a_o snare_n for_o himself_o in_o forge_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o not_o only_o the_o jew_n but_o all_o the_o world_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v he_o since_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o but_o must_v needs_o be_v conscious_a whether_o they_o have_v observe_v the_o sabbath_n in_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o he_o relate_v it_o or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o general_o know_v and_o the_o memorial_n of_o it_o solemnize_v every_o seven_o day_n by_o all_o those_o who_o precede_v he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o uncontested_a and_o immovable_a truth_n which_o i_o shall_v far_o evince_v by_o those_o observation_n which_o i_o shall_v raise_v from_o the_o dependence_n and_o connexion_n which_o the_o matter_n relate_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n have_v with_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v my_o business_n at_o present_a in_o perform_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o rational_a and_o coherent_a than_o the_o relation_n of_o moses_n in_o which_o the_o atheist_n imagine_v that_o they_o discover_v so_o great_a absurdity_n chap._n viii_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n though_o it_o may_v be_v think_v more_o natural_a in_o these_o our_o disquisition_n about_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n to_o begin_v with_o those_o matter_n which_o happen_v near_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o from_o they_o to_o pass_v to_o those_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n yet_o i_o have_v choose_v rather_o to_o follow_v the_o thread_n of_o moses_n his_o discourse_n hope_v that_o this_o method_n will_v afford_v more_o light_n to_o these_o our_o reflection_n at_o least_o it_o will_v spare_v i_o the_o trouble_n of_o frequent_a repetition_n which_o in_o the_o other_o way_n i_o shall_v be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o i_o begin_v then_o with_o this_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n both_o by_o reason_n and_o authority_n the_o creation_n of_o adam_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o he_o must_v first_o be_v convince_v of_o it_o himself_o before_o he_o can_v persuade_v his_o posterity_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o enquiry_n to_o know_v what_o way_n he_o have_v to_o assure_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v indeed_o create_v in_o that_o manner_n as_o moses_n relate_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o tradition_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o adam_n who_o moses_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o deliverer_n of_o it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o must_v be_v assure_v that_o adam_n can_v not_o deceive_v himself_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o he_o will_v not_o deceive_v his_o child_n when_o he_o take_v care_n to_o instruct_v they_o concern_v it_o as_o to_o his_o own_o existence_n he_o can_v not_o but_o be_v as_o strong_o persuade_v of_o it_o as_o we_o be_v of_o we_o all_o the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o come_v to_o exist_v now_o there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o adam_n may_v inform_v himself_o of_o this_o viz._n by_o reason_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o authority_n he_o can_v easy_o find_v out_o this_o secret_a by_o a_o rational_a reflection_n or_o he_o may_v also_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o by_o god_n himself_o who_o have_v create_v he_o not_o to_o mention_v now_o any_o information_n which_o he_o may_v have_v from_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o creation_n it_o appear_v that_o adam_n who_o tradition_n moses_n have_v record_v suppose_n that_o he_o have_v learn_v of_o god_n himself_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o formation_n god_n speak_v to_o adam_n and_o sanctify_v the_o seven_o day_n that_o be_v oblige_v adam_n to_o keep_v the_o memorial_n of_o his_o creation_n he_o tie_v he_o by_o a_o law_n to_o commemorate_v his_o creation_n fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n and_o to_o render_v he_o continual_a thanks_o for_o the_o be_v he_o have_v receive_v but_o forasmuch_o as_o
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
probable_a that_o a_o prince_n especial_o of_o his_o temper_n will_v have_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o confinement_n and_o meek_o resign_v his_o crown_n to_o his_o son_n if_o that_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o he_o have_v not_o full_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v transgress_v and_o violate_v by_o his_o temerity_n and_o presumption_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o a_o irreconcilable_a aversion_n against_o all_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o they_o be_v go_v to_o settle_v they_o be_v so_o frame_v as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o egypt_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v but_o also_o to_o those_o receive_v among_o the_o hivites_n amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n of_o who_o country_n they_o be_v go_v to_o possess_v themselves_o thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o leviticus_n law_n against_o all_o incestuous_a marriage_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v ordinary_a among_o the_o canaanite_n and_o egyptian_n who_o therein_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o marry_v within_o those_o forbid_a degree_n there_o we_o find_v also_o the_o sacrifice_n to_o moloch_n forbid_v the_o practice_n whereof_o those_o nation_n in_o all_o likelihood_n defend_v by_o the_o example_n of_o abraham_n sacrifice_n now_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v think_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n will_v of_o a_o sudden_a receive_v such_o law_n as_o deprive_v they_o of_o a_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n they_o have_v always_o hitherto_o enjoy_v and_o condemn_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n those_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v the_o fair_a pretence_n of_o religion_n imaginable_a and_o to_o use_v many_o ceremony_n contrary_a to_o those_o receive_v among_o they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o strong_a and_o extraordinary_a motive_n for_o so_o do_v there_o be_v another_o thing_n beside_o that_o challenge_v our_o consideration_n viz._n the_o exact_a description_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o that_o sacred_a place_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o tabernacle_n with_o all_o its_o appurtenance_n utensil_n and_o ornament_n be_v finish_v for_o as_o this_o tabernacle_n be_v then_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a religion_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v afterward_o by_o succeed_v to_o it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n that_o be_v perform_v there_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v contribute_v to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o shall_v see_v it_o consecrate_a and_o take_v to_o piece_n and_o set_v together_o again_o every_o day_n and_o shall_v read_v all_o the_o particular_n relate_v to_o its_o construction_n and_o not_o discern_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n and_o reality_n in_o all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o concern_v the_o religion_n which_o their_o governor_n fix_v in_o that_o place_n wherein_o he_o pretend_v many_o revelation_n be_v make_v chap._n vi_o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgation_n as_o moses_n relate_v it_o we_o may_v further_o collect_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o join_v these_o follow_a reflection_n to_o those_o already_o make_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n certain_o if_o moses_n have_v be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o a_o kingdom_n and_o have_v be_v succeed_v in_o it_o by_o his_o own_o child_n and_o posterity_n for_o many_o generation_n one_o after_o another_o we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o his_o successor_n consult_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o honour_n will_v have_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o persuade_v their_o subject_n that_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o their_o kingdom_n have_v some_o communication_n with_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v from_o he_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o he_o give_v they_o concern_v civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o moses_n be_v so_o far_o from_o invest_v his_o own_o child_n with_o the_o supreme_a authority_n after_o himself_o that_o he_o translate_v it_o into_o another_o tribe_n and_o constitute_v joshuah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n as_o for_o his_o posterity_n he_o take_v little_a care_n of_o it_o but_o reduce_v it_o to_o a_o rank_a inferior_a to_o that_o of_o aaron_n family_n which_o he_o prefer_v to_o the_o most_o honourable_a function_n of_o the_o priesthood_n leave_v to_o his_o own_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o inconsiderable_a employment_n all_o which_o show_v evident_o that_o none_o of_o those_o who_o come_v after_o moses_n be_v move_v by_o any_o private_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o to_o defend_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n and_o write_n but_o only_o by_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n they_o have_v that_o they_o be_v all_o divine_a neither_o ought_v we_o to_o omit_v to_o consider_v here_o the_o manner_n how_o moses_n decide_v beforehand_o such_o question_n and_o determine_v such_o controversy_n as_o can_v not_o be_v raise_v but_o after_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v make_v by_o his_o successor_n only_o after_o his_o death_n and_o how_o those_o law_n be_v constant_o observe_v in_o all_o the_o succeed_a generation_n of_o that_o people_n and_o submit_v unto_o by_o the_o very_a judge_n and_o king_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o a_o conqueror_n such_o as_o joshua_n be_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o other_o fundamental_a law_n in_o that_o state_n he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o than_o those_o which_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nothing_o be_v more_o usual_a than_o for_o statesman_n to_o affect_v the_o expose_v the_o conduct_n of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v alter_v and_o from_o democratical_a or_o aristocratical_a be_v change_v into_o monarchical_a as_o it_o happen_v among_o the_o israelite_n how_o then_o can_v moses_n law_n still_o keep_v up_o their_o authority_n in_o all_o change_n and_o revolution_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n there_o be_v never_o any_o of_o they_o attempt_v to_o suspend_v or_o annul_v moses_n law_n much_o less_o to_o enact_v and_o give_v any_o other_o contrary_a to_o they_o again_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o division_n and_o faction_n that_o nation_n fall_v into_o there_o be_v never_o any_o jew_n endeavour_v with_o any_o success_n to_o undeceive_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o own_o people_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n no_o doubt_v only_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o that_o nation_n never_o dispute_v the_o divine_a origin_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o in_o moses_n write_n be_v inlay_v one_o within_o another_o and_o represent_v as_o occasion_v by_o several_a transaction_n relate_v there_o have_v all_o be_v equal_o receive_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o have_v all_o be_v put_v together_o in_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o before_o moses_n death_n as_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o xxxi_o of_o deuteronomy_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v public_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n among_o that_o people_n to_o who_o god_n give_v they_o upon_o who_o he_o lay_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o read_v they_o every_o day_n and_o to_o consult_v they_o upon_o every_o emergent_a business_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v know_v equal_o of_o all_o degree_n of_o man_n sex_n and_o age_n which_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o pay_v obedience_n to_o they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v not_o only_o public_o keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n but_o also_o private_o read_v in_o every_o family_n we_o see_v that_o a_o whole_a tribe_n viz._n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o explain_v they_o and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n and_o exempt_v from_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n that_o necessary_o attend_v husbandry_n by_o the_o plentiful_a provision_n of_o tithe_n and_o offering_n that_o be_v allot_v to_o they_o we_o see_v that_o god_n oblige_v all_o jew_n to_o read_v and_o meditate_v
if_o it_o have_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v a_o jew_n before_o they_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o promise_n second_o it_o suppose_v that_o god_n be_v to_o remove_v that_o people_n out_o of_o canaan_n into_o remote_a country_n and_o to_o disperse_v they_o as_o it_o be_v into_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v do_v by_o divine_a providence_n only_o to_o publish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o establish_v the_o belief_n in_o the_o prophet_n and_o so_o to_o facilitate_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith._n three_o he_o declare_v express_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v his_o people_n that_o which_o be_v not_o his_o people_n that_o he_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n provoke_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o jealousy_n this_o notion_n of_o jealousy_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o with_o very_o great_a care_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o their_o neighbour_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n of_o david_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a although_o he_o otherwise_o insult_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o edomite_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o show_v as_o much_o aversion_n and_o jealousy_n against_o those_o nation_n as_o be_v possible_a for_o one_o that_o live_v in_o a_o continual_a war_n with_o those_o people_n i_o shall_v also_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o solomon_n marriage_n with_o the_o princess_n of_o tyre_n of_o sidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n which_o be_v unite_v to_o that_o of_o judah_n to_o take_v a_o part_n with_o they_o in_o the_o blessing_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o song_n that_o be_v write_v upon_o that_o marriage_n be_v preserve_v as_o a_o piece_n divine_o inspire_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o happy_a presage_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o messiah_n one_o may_v also_o join_v here_o the_o manner_n of_o solomon_n give_v to_o hiram_n subject_n who_o have_v help_v he_o in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o country_n of_o chabul_n which_o be_v enclose_v within_o judea_n although_o those_o people_n be_v of_o the_o canaanite_n posterity_n upon_o who_o noah_n have_v particular_o pronounce_v ix_o gen._n ix_o curse_v be_v canaan_n one_o may_v also_o see_v that_o as_o god_n have_v permit_v his_o people_n to_o be_v transport_v into_o chaldea_n and_o babylon_n and_o have_v raise_v up_o there_o prophet_n among_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o glorious_a hope_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o greek_a about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n not_o only_o to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o gentile_n if_o they_o be_v produce_v of_o a_o sudden_a after_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o to_o instruct_v the_o heathen_n by_o little_a and_o little_a of_o the_o right_n which_o all_o nation_n have_v as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o may_v take_v their_o share_n in_o it_o whenever_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o it_o by_o god_n and_o especial_o to_o take_v away_o the_o scandal_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o god_n destroy_v the_o form_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n by_o the_o roman_n according_a to_o daniel_n prediction_n all_o these_o thing_n no_o doubt_n engage_v the_o jew_n who_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o make_v particular_a remark_n upon_o they_o but_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v observe_v three_o thing_n especial_o the_o first_o be_v that_o although_o god_n have_v at_o first_o choose_v their_o whole_a nation_n yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o disperse_v afterward_o almost_o ten_o part_n of_o thirteen_o which_o plain_o show_v that_o this_o choice_n which_o he_o have_v make_v be_v only_o a_o oeconomical_a choice_n and_o for_o a_o particular_a design_n the_o second_o be_v that_o although_o he_o be_v very_o severe_a and_o punctual_a in_o exact_v obedience_n to_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n yet_o he_o have_v fix_v the_o most_o part_n of_o their_o observance_n to_o certain_a place_n to_o certain_a time_n and_o to_o certain_a person_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v that_o when_o god_n bound_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v only_o for_o a_o oeconomical_a service_n prescribe_v only_o upon_o a_o particular_a prospect_n which_o be_v one_o day_n to_o have_v a_o end_n the_o three_o be_v that_o experience_n convince_v they_o that_o although_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v fix_v his_o service_n to_o the_o temple_n yet_o he_o suffer_v the_o chaldean_n to_o destroy_v the_o first_o and_o do_v not_o restore_v to_o the_o second_o the_o first_o mark_n of_o his_o presence_n when_o it_o be_v rebuilt_a by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o glory_n as_o retire_v by_o little_a and_o little_a from_o that_o place_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v be_v only_o design_v to_o be_v there_o for_o a_o time_n till_o god_n shall_v extend_v his_o service_n by_o call_v all_o the_o world_n to_o his_o religion_n and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a universe_n his_o temple_n as_o we_o see_v it_o do_v in_o our_o day_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o saviour_n finis_fw-la reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n volume_n ii_o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o preface_n in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v the_o mean_n god_n make_v use_n of_o to_o imprint_v the_o idea_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 during_o that_o long_a tract_n of_o 2500_o year_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n depart_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o before_o the_o history_n of_o it_o be_v pen_v by_o moses_n they_o that_o consider_v that_o god_n at_o first_o prescribe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o fix_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o law_n have_v be_v constant_o observe_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n observe_v among_o the_o jew_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o this_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v not_o be_v more_o incontestable_o prove_v or_o more_o firm_o ground_v in_o like_a manner_n a_o attentive_a reflection_n upon_o the_o oracle_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o which_o alone_o at_o first_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o be_v afterward_o record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o one_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v deep_o engrave_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o god_n have_v raise_v among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n do_v not_o much_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v show_v very_o careful_o that_o it_o be_v very_o useful_a for_o that_o purpose_n i_o have_v in_o my_o reflection_n afterward_o prove_v upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o god_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n in_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o peculiar_a form_n and_o regulation_n of_o their_o government_n and_o religion_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o rule_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v unquestionable_o know_v whoever_o shall_v read_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o this_o matter_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n to_o make_v so_o fresh_a and_o lively_a a_o impression_n of_o those_o illustrious_a fact_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o very_o frequent_a oracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o as_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 2553_o year_n only_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n be_v give_v which_o have_v a_o particular_a relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o now_o this_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v as_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v afterward_o
be_v very_o short_a i_o will_v confine_v myself_o to_o some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o those_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v since_o moses_n but_o such_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a and_o intelligent_a reader_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n page_n 1._o chap._n 2._o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n 8_o chap._n 3._o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n 15_o chap._n 4._o that_o how_o common_a soever_o oracle_n may_v have_v be_v among_o the_o pagan_n yet_o nothing_o among_o they_o can_v just_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n 24_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v 28_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n 35_o chap._n 7._o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a 45_o chap._n 8._o general_a rule_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o for_o the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o messiah_n 51_o chap._n 9_o of_o those_o oracle_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 60_o chap._n 10._o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n 71_o chap._n 11._o consideration_n upon_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o upon_o his_o glorious_a ascension_n into_o heaven_n foretell_v by_o david_n in_o the_o xxii_o and_o cx_o psalm_n 80_o chap._n 12._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o have_v a_o forerunner_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v his_o character_n 89_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v before_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n 93_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n 101_o chap._n 15._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n 107_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o work_v great_a miracle_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n 111_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n 114_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o propound_v a_o new_a covenant_n from_o god_n with_o all_o man_n 119_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n 125_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o die_v and_o a_o account_n of_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o his_o death_n 130_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v soon_o after_o to_o rise_v again_o 136_o chap._n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o send_v down_o from_o thence_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prophecy_n language_n etc._n etc._n 140_o chap._n 23._o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god._n 144_o chap._n 24._o that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 152_o chap._n 25._o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n 157_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a page_n 175_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 183_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n 189_o chap._n 4._o that_o all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a for_o discover_v of_o the_o messiah_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o lord_n 197_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o time_n point_v out_o by_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o the_o world._n 202_o chap._n 6._o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v precise_o such_o a_o forerunner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v describe_v to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n 207_o chap._n 7._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n then_o reduce_v to_o a_o mean_a condition_n as_o have_v be_v aforetold_v by_o the_o prophet_n 213_o chap._n 8._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v conceive_v by_o the_o virgin_n mary_n without_o any_o operation_n of_o man._n 222_o chap._n 9_o that_o jesus_n christ_n live_v and_o preach_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o messiah_n shall_v do_v 229_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n clear_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n 237_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n clear_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n 242_o chap._n 12._o that_o jesus_n christ_n die_v precise_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v die_v 250_o chap._n 13._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n 258_o chap._n 14._o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n 270_o chap._n 15._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 277_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o 284_o chap._n 17._o that_o it_o can_v be_v question_v whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n 292_o chap._n 18._o that_o one_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 298_o chap._n 19_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n 304_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v 311_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 317_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n the_o first_o general_a proof_n which_o i_o make_v use_n of_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n may_v be_v lawful_o draw_v from_o the_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o those_o author_n who_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o state_n and_o church_n of_o israel_n we_o may_v observe_v several_a considerable_a epocha_n of_o this_o history_n which_o take_v in_o about_o one_o thousand_o and_o forty_o year_n
the_o history_n down_o to_o cyrus_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o persia_n who_o give_v the_o jew_n their_o liberty_n again_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v under_o his_o successor_n to_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n for_o almost_o eighty_o two_o year_n it_o be_v in_o this_o interval_n that_o the_o deliverance_n happen_v which_o the_o jew_n receive_v under_o esther_n wife_n to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o powerful_a king_n of_o persia_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n celebrate_v every_o year_n in_o all_o place_n the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o february_n by_o virtue_n of_o esther_n law._n after_o these_o general_a remark_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a i_o ought_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o take_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n from_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o history_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v neglect_v by_o a_o people_n who_o in_o their_o religious_a and_o civil_a conduct_n be_v absolute_o regulate_v by_o those_o very_a law_n the_o second_o be_v that_o all_o the_o action_n relate_v in_o this_o history_n have_v pass_v altogether_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o people_n the_o extent_n of_o who_o country_n be_v not_o twenty_o league_n in_o breadth_n nor_o eighty_o in_o length_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n and_o of_o the_o first_o year_n or_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o law_n you_o have_v in_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o leviticus_n from_o their_o first_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o country_n forty_o seven_o year_n after_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n this_o observation_n have_v serve_v for_o a_o double_a cycle_n to_o fix_v the_o remembrance_n of_o those_o action_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o so_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o hezekiah_n esai_n xxxvii_o 30._o and_o two_o king_n xix_o 29._o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v that_o although_o sennacherib_n invasion_n will_v in_o all_o probability_n lie_v waste_v all_o judea_n yet_o they_o may_v eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quietness_n the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o the_o next_o year_n they_o shall_v eat_v the_o fruit_n that_o will_v grow_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o tillage_n and_o that_o on_o the_o sixteenth_o year_n they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o till_o the_o ground_n as_o former_o which_o show_v without_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o word_n that_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v the_o sabbathical_a year_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v forbid_v to_o cultivate_v the_o ground_n the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v in_o effect_n by_o the_o series_n of_o this_o whole_a story_n that_o thing_n be_v write_v so_o as_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n which_o be_v extant_a among_o the_o people_n this_o be_v manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v how_o often_o the_o sacred_a penman_n refer_v we_o to_o the_o history_n and_o annal_n of_o those_o king_n of_o who_o they_o speak_v and_o of_o who_o they_o only_o quote_v the_o principal_a story_n in_o short_a in_o pursue_v their_o design_n which_o be_v entire_o to_o bring_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o israelite_n under_o one_o view_n let_v we_o go_v on_o to_o other_o proof_n to_o establish_v this_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n as_o there_o be_v but_o few_o very_a ancient_a writer_n of_o profane_a history_n and_o as_o we_o have_v but_o small_a fragment_n of_o they_o disperse_v here_o and_o there_o preserve_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o care_n of_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n and_o of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praeparatione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v surprise_v if_o but_o few_o of_o the_o more_o illustrious_a passage_n and_o event_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o pagan_a writer_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v otherwise_o engage_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o keep_v close_o to_o that_o country_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v this_o make_v their_o neighbour_n have_v less_o knowledge_n of_o their_o history_n however_o there_o be_v enough_o leave_v to_o show_v with_o how_o great_a fidelity_n and_o exactness_n the_o sacred_a writer_n pen_v the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n in_o short_a we_o may_v find_v among_o the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o poet_n who_o be_v their_o first_o historian_n several_a relation_n which_o show_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v well_o enough_o know_v to_o they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o be_v relate_v in_o those_o historical_a book_n which_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n the_o memory_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o conquest_n be_v famous_a among_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v ancient_a monument_n extant_a which_o prove_v that_o the_o carthaginian_n be_v a_o colony_n of_o the_o tyrian_n who_o escape_v from_o joshua_n as_o also_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o leptis_n in_o africa_n come_v original_o from_o the_o zidonian_o who_o forsake_v their_o country_n jugurthino_n procop._n van_n dalicorum_fw-la lib._n ii_o c._n 10._o polybius_n frag._n cxiv_o sallust_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jugurthino_n because_o of_o the_o misery_n which_o afflict_v it_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o phoenician_n hercules_n arise_v from_o the_o history_n of_o joshua_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o the_o famous_a typhon_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o og_n the_o king_n of_o bashan_n and_o of_o the_o anakim_v who_o be_v call_v giant_n the_o tempest_n of_o hail_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o eleven_o of_o joshua_n be_v transform_v by_o the_o poet_n into_o a_o tempest_n of_o stone_n with_o which_o as_o they_o say_v jupiter_n overwhelm_v the_o enemy_n of_o hercules_n in_o arim_n which_o be_v exact_o the_o country_n where_o joshua_n fight_v with_o the_o child_n of_o anak_n one_o find_v the_o memorial_n of_o the_o action_n of_o gideon_n preserve_v by_o sanchoniathon_n a_o tyrian_a writer_n who_o live_v soon_o after_o he_o and_o who_o antiquity_n be_v attest_v by_o porphyry_n one_o find_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o jephtha_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n after_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o ammonite_n the_o original_a of_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o iphigenia_n 3._o variae_fw-la historiae_fw-la lib._n v._o cap._n 3._o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o heathen_n as_o aelian_a judicious_o observe_v to_o attribute_v to_o their_o late_a hero_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o action_n of_o those_o who_o live_v long_o before_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o a_o feast_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o heathen_a roman_n in_o april_n the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a harvest_n iu._n ovid._n fastorum_fw-la lib._n iu._n in_o which_o they_o let_v loose_a fox_n with_o torch_n fasten_v to_o their_o tail_n which_o certain_o come_v from_o the_o story_n of_o samson_n and_o be_v bring_v into_o italy_n by_o the_o phoenician_n one_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o samson_n and_o dalilah_n i._n ovid._n metam_fw-la lib._n viii_o fab._n i._n the_o original_a of_o the_o story_n of_o nisus_n and_o his_o daughter_n who_o cut_v off_o those_o fatal_a hair_n upon_o which_o the_o victory_n depend_v nicolaus_n damascenus_n have_v preserve_v the_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o david_n obtain_v over_o the_o syrian_n of_o zoba_n 6._o joseph_n antie_n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o upon_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o euphrates_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v monument_n extant_a which_o describe_v the_o part_n which_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n have_v in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n almost_o the_o same_o with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o sacred_a author_n give_v we_o of_o his_o part_n in_o the_o erection_n of_o that_o great_a work._n one_o find_v in_o herodotus_n a_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o sesostris_n king_n of_o egypt_n 6._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n one_o find_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n relate_v by_o nicholaus_fw-la damascenus_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o the_o king_n of_o
reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v truth_n not_o to_o be_v question_v and_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o messiah_n continue_v vigorous_o all_o the_o time_n that_o precede_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n we_o have_v see_v afterward_o in_o the_o remark_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o the_o expectation_n of_o this_o messiah_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v he_o whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n i_o have_v take_v notice_n in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o these_o reflection_n of_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n to_o explain_v particular_o all_o the_o character_n of_o this_o messiah_n the_o place_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o birth_n the_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o to_o foretell_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o gentile_n their_o call_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o last_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o be_v no_o long_o of_o any_o use_n after_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n my_o present_a business_n be_v now_o to_o show_v that_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v find_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o whole_a design_n wherein_o god_n have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n instruct_v the_o world_n so_o long_o before_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a if_o we_o will_v but_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o read_v these_o book_n attentive_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o model_n which_o god_n himself_o make_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o describe_v it_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n yet_o more_o evident_a i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o do_v two_o or_o three_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a for_o my_o present_a design_n and_o first_o i_o be_o to_o observe_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o most_o perfect_a coherence_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o these_o book_n a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n notwithstanding_o the_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n who_o preserve_v the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o preserve_v the_o new._n second_o i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o very_a time_n that_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v in_o the_o world._n this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o they_o may_v not_o have_v wherewith_o to_o accuse_v those_o who_o receive_v christ_n for_o the_o messiah_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o their_o choice_n for_o not_o have_v have_v the_o exact_a idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v i_o shall_v upon_o this_o account_n show_v in_o the_o three_o place_n that_o when_o jesus_n christ_n do_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n whereby_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v plain_o know_v do_v then_o subsist_v in_o the_o manner_n wherein_o god_n have_v frame_v it_o after_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o prooss_n which_o be_v indeed_o unquestionable_a that_o in_o examine_v all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v by_o which_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v know_v we_o can_v conceive_v a_o more_o exact_a execution_n of_o god_n design_n as_o to_o the_o messiah_n than_o that_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n whereof_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v give_v we_o the_o history_n last_o i_o shall_v show_v clear_o that_o this_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o give_v the_o law_n and_o in_o form_v the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o so_o proper_a a_o manner_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n certain_o know_v be_v not_o in_o be_v at_o this_o day_n but_o that_o it_o be_v so_o destroy_v by_o the_o total_a dispersion_n of_o that_o people_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o messiah_n if_o he_o shall_v now_o appear_v again_o in_o the_o world._n and_o that_o indeed_o the_o principal_a event_n which_o according_a to_o the_o oracle_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o part_n and_o do_v still_o come_v to_o pass_v every_o day_n i_o hope_v to_o evince_v these_o truth_n beyond_o all_o contest_v indeed_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n plain_o discover_v the_o coherence_n which_o they_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old._n it_o show_v clear_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v at_o that_o time_n very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o that_o model_n which_o god_n have_v make_v so_o necessary_a to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n stand_v at_o that_o time_n entire_a in_o particular_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o four_o evangelist_n by_o the_o relation_n of_o unquestionable_a matter_n of_o fact_n have_v prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v saint_n luke_n show_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o heathen_n the_o epistle_n be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o this_o vocation_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o of_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v undertake_v they_o unanimous_o conspire_v to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o call_v the_o heathen_n to_o partake_v of_o salvation_n that_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o great_a part_n shall_v be_v just_o deprive_v thereof_o because_o they_o obstinate_o reject_v the_o messiah_n several_a question_n be_v examine_v which_o arise_v either_o from_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n or_o from_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n justify_v that_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n all_o people_n embrace_v the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o receive_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o patriarch_n and_o to_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v resume_v all_o these_o article_n one_o by_o one_o in_o that_o natural_a order_n in_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v they_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n bètween_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v not_o much_o the_o character_n of_o romance_n even_o then_o when_o they_o be_v most_o tie_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n to_o borrow_v either_o the_o style_n or_o idea_n of_o those_o author_n from_o who_o they_o take_v their-subject_a so_o i_o suppose_v that_o in_o this_o my_o undertake_n to_o show_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o old_a it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o make_v out_o that_o at_o the_o first_o read_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o apostolical_a write_n one_o find_v in_o they_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o idea_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n one_o may_v to_o this_o purpose_n observe_v in_o general_a that_o the_o gospel_n suppose_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o unquestionable_a truth_n the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n have_v the_o same_o coherence_n with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n which_o the_o write_n of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n have_v with_o those_o of_o the_o former_a and_o which_o the_o book_n of_o all_o the_o prophet_n together_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o with_o the_o prophecy_n law_n and_o history_n which_o be_v contain_v therein_o one_o may_v take_v notice_n afterward_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a in_o their_o most_o principal_a design_n i_o have_v show_v that_o their_o design_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o raise_v man_n to_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o paint_v he_o to_o the_o life_n who_o god_n
palsy_n to_o the_o dead_a upon_o this_o all_o be_v convert_v and_o the_o cross_n of_o jesus_n christ_n triumph_v there_o be_v three_o sort_n of_o people_n in_o the_o world_n wise_a man_n man_n of_o a_o middle_a sort_n and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o low_a capacity_n and_o several_a of_o these_o three_o order_n of_o man_n make_v profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o heathen_n chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o reflection_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v more_o than_o once_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o proper_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n beyond_o all_o contest_v or_o that_o will_v confound_v atheist_n profane_a person_n and_o jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o oppose_v it_o more_o effectual_o i_o say_v then_o that_o the_o chief_a article_n on_o which_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v be_v confirm_v by_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o evidence_n can_v be_v question_v without_o shake_v all_o the_o certainty_n which_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n and_o without_o reject_v all_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o can_v assure_v ourselves_o of_o the_o knowledge_n which_o we_o enjoy_v many_o particular_a event_n which_o be_v perfect_o divine_a happen_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o be_v know_v throughout_o all_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judea_n they_o happen_v to_o a_o priest_n that_o be_v a_o public_a person_n and_o it_o be_v when_o he_o be_v employ_v in_o his_o public_a function_n in_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v second_v by_o miracle_n which_o be_v know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v follow_v by_o the_o public_a ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n a_o man_n who_o censure_v all_o judea_n who_o open_o declare_v himself_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o who_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n who_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v spread_v throughout_o all_o judea_n and_o who_o continue_v after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n these_o be_v disciple_n of_o a_o man_n who_o beside_o all_o this_o do_v not_o keep_v up_o any_o correspondence_n with_o our_o saviour_n and_o who_o at_o last_o fall_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o herod_n for_o censure_v his_o incest_n and_o lust_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n under_o augustus_n a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o roman_a commissioner_n be_v witness_n and_o which_o the_o record_n of_o that_o empire_n preserve_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v in_o be_v that_o the_o angel_n testify_v their_o joy_n at_o his_o birth_n be_v a_o fact_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o shepherd_n of_o bethlehem_n long_o before_o jesus_n christ_n have_v any_o disciple_n that_o a_o new_a star_n conduct_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o east_n to_o bethlehem_n be_v a_o illustrious_a fact_n and_o of_o which_o herod_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o great_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v exact_o inform_v and_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v find_v it_o a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o impose_v this_o upon_o they_o if_o the_o thing_n have_v not_o be_v distinct_o know_v that_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o arrival_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n affright_v herod_n be_v a_o public_a thing_n confirm_v by_o the_o murder_n of_o the_o infant_n of_o bethlehem_n and_o report_v to_o augustus_n together_o with_o the_o death_n of_o antipater_n whereof_o macrobius_n a_o heathen_a who_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o a_o story_n have_v preserve_v the_o memory_n neither_o can_v this_o fact_n be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o josephus_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o since_o so_o famous_a a_o heathen_a atte_v it_o augustus_n say_v he_o have_v hear_v that_o among_o the_o infant_n which_o herod_n the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v kill_v in_o syria_n under_o two_o year_n of_o age_n he_o have_v kill_v his_o own_o son_n say_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n be_v hog_n than_o his_o son._n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o egypt_n and_o that_o he_o return_v from_o thence_o be_v a_o fact_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n reproach_v our_o saviour_n as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v there_o the_o secret_a of_o work_a miracle_n that_o he_o confound_v the_o doctor_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v inform_v because_o it_o happen_v at_o one_o of_o those_o three_o solemn_a feast_n which_o bring_v up_o the_o whole_a nation_n to_o jerusalem_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v by_o s._n john_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v a_o most_o glorious_a testimony_n from_o he_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o those_o jew_n who_o the_o ministry_n of_o s._n john_n have_v draw_v to_o the_o river_n jordan_n be_v witness_n that_o jesus_n christ_n choose_v for_o his_o apostle_n man_n without_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n that_o he_o live_v with_o they_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a preach_v his_o doctrine_n correct_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n work_v miracle_n and_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n and_o all_o the_o roman_n that_o be_v in_o judea_n be_v full_o inform_v of_o they_o yea_o they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o world._n the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o who_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o celebrate_v ten_o solemn_a feast_n according_a to_o the_o law_n during_o the_o time_n in_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v act_v and_o from_o thence_o carry_v the_o report_n of_o they_o into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n where_o they_o be_v disperse_v it_o be_v evident_a also_o that_o jesus_n christ_n labour_v to_o persuade_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a fact_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o most_o important_a point_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o touch_v they_o the_o near_a a_o fact_n which_o happen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o all_o be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o consultation_n of_o herod_n when_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o roman_n do_v most_o earnest_o sigh_v for_o his_o appearance_n a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o public_a oracle_n and_o know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n yea_o to_o the_o heathen_a themselves_o for_o near_o three_o hundred_o year_n that_o jesus_n christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o his_o miracle_n be_v crucify_v at_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o by_o the_o order_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n because_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n that_o be_v at_o a_o solemnity_n where_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v assemble_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o no_o heathen_n ever_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v they_o reproach_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o who_o be_v so_o little_a ashamed_a of_o it_o that_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o same_o jesus_n they_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n that_o there_o be_v thick_a darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n at_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o three_o hour_n till_o the_o six_o that_o be_v from_o nine_o of_o the_o clock_n till_o twelve_o according_a to_o our_o way_n of_o compute_v the_o time_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v easy_o have_v convince_v the_o apostle_n of_o this_o imposture_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v as_o confess_v a_o truth_n as_o the_o darkness_n in_o egypt_n before_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v the_o three_o day_n be_v a_o fact_n attest_v by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o witness_n the_o memorial_n whereof_o they_o celebrate_v every_o eight_o day_n as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v by_o a_o constant_a law_n because_o they_o consider_v this_o resurrection_n as_o the_o seal_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v teach_v they_o it_o be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o they_o have_v maintain_v before_o magistrate_n before_o the_o people_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world._n it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v public_o preach_v up_o notwithstanding_o all_o prohibition_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o short_a it_o be_v a_o
become_v christian_n it_o be_v also_o of_o great_a importance_n to_o observe_v further_o as_o i_o have_v already_o do_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v pen_v before_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n there_o be_v only_o some_o of_o the_o work_n of_o s._n john_n which_o be_v write_v after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n i_o have_v before_o observe_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n order_v it_o so_o that_o all_o the_o jew_n for_o five_o and_o thirty_o year_n together_o repair_v thrice_o a_o year_n to_o jerusalem_n at_o their_o three_o solemn_a festival_n may_v have_v great_a opportunity_n to_o inform_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o this_o remark_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v two_o weighty_a consideration_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n for_o some_o year_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o repair_v with_o the_o jew_n to_o jerusalem_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v engage_v to_o examine_v the_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v that_o after_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o that_o custom_n as_o well_o as_o the_o observe_n of_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o set_v the_o christian_n in_o a_o great_a opposition_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o so_o increase_v the_o necessity_n of_o examine_v very_o scrupulous_o on_o both_o side_n whatsoever_o be_v for_o or_o against_o they_o in_o those_o matter_n of_o religion_n this_o observation_n lead_v we_o natural_o to_o another_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o imposture_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v not_o be_v discover_v when_o there_o arise_v a_o difference_n between_o those_o who_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o forgery_n and_o those_o who_o after_o they_o endeavour_v to_o gain_v credit_n to_o it_o now_o if_o we_o find_v that_o one_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n betray_v he_o without_o accuse_v he_o of_o the_o least_o crime_n or_o imposture_n if_o we_o have_v see_v the_o christian_n at_o first_o unite_v in_o the_o same_o assembly_n with_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o there_o be_v several_a contest_v and_o dispute_v between_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o first_o christian_n yet_o without_o call_v those_o fact_n which_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o question_n by_o either_o side_n s._n paul_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o contest_v which_o happen_v betwixt_o he_o and_o s._n peter_n s._n luke_n relate_v the_o heat_n between_o s._n paul_n and_o barnabas_n upon_o very_o slight_a occasion_n he_o set_v down_o also_o the_o dispute_n which_o arise_v about_o the_o distribution_n of_o alm_n to_o the_o greek_a and_o jewish_a widow_n one_o see_v we_o that_o there_o arise_v a_o dispute_n among_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o about_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o gospel_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o maintain_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o submit_v to_o circumcision_n and_o s._n paul_n opposition_n set_v down_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n we_o need_v no_o more_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o concert_n nor_o collusion_n between_o they_o to_o deceive_v or_o impose_v upon_o those_o to_o who_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n let_v we_o go_v a_o little_a further_o a_o dispute_n happen_v about_o a_o capital_a point_n of_o christian_a religion_n about_o the_o resurrection_n insomuch_o that_o s._n paul_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o write_v concern_v it_o to_o the_o corinthian_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n again_o now_o we_o find_v that_o s._n paul_n to_o confirm_v this_o doctrine_n in_o general_n chief_o make_v use_v of_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o he_o prove_v by_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o fact_n itself_o that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o he_o produce_v whereupon_o i_o make_v this_o considerable_a reflection_n that_o in_o compare_v this_o dispute_n of_o s._n paul_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n it_o clear_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v not_o allege_v all_o the_o proof_n they_o may_v have_v do_v none_o of_o they_o relate_v in_o particular_a the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o see_v jesus_n christ_n in_o galilee_n upon_o the_o holy_a mountain_n but_o s._n paul_n who_o have_v examine_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o know_v the_o witness_n specify_v the_o number_n and_o observe_v that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v yet_o alive_a if_o perhaps_o any_o of_o they_o be_v already_o dead_a i_o shall_v add_v only_o two_o consideration_n more_o which_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n on_o this_o occasion_n the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o their_o state_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v no_o great_a lord_n who_o power_n may_v terrify_v any_o one_o from_o examine_v their_o write_n or_o who_o reputation_n can_v not_o have_v be_v call_v in_o question_n without_o danger_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v man_n of_o mean_a condition_n employ_v in_o base_a profession_n often_o cast_v into_o prison_n and_o from_o time_n to_o time_n oblige_v to_o appear_v before_o magistrate_n for_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o the_o same_o fact_n which_o they_o publish_v to_o the_o world._n let_v we_o consider_v then_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o s._n paul_n for_o instance_n i_o say_v for_o this_o s._n paul_n a_o maker_n of_o tent_n this_o s._n paul_n without_o reputation_n without_o riches_n this_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v seize_v at_o jerusalem_n after_o divers_a persecution_n this_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v send_v a_o prisoner_n to_o rome_n and_o imprison_v there_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n and_o who_o at_o last_o lose_v his_o life_n by_o nero_n order_n to_o make_v those_o blind_o believe_v all_o he_o say_v who_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o examine_v whether_o all_o that_o luke_n relate_v as_o happen_v to_o he_o at_o jerusalem_n at_o maltha_n at_o philippi_n at_o athens_n be_v indeed_o true_a or_o only_o a_o frame_a story_n the_o second_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o observe_v be_v that_o not_o only_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v public_o read_v every_o lord_n day_n by_o a_o constant_a law_n of_o which_o we_o have_v most_o authentic_a witness_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o in_o other_o ancient_a book_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a but_o also_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o write_v not_o in_o hebrew_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v a_o dead_a tongue_n nor_o in_o syriack_n a_o language_n speak_v in_o a_o very_a few_o place_n but_o in_o greek_a which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v the_o language_n common_o receive_v throughout_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o beside_o be_v the_o language_n into_o which_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v cause_v the_o old_a testament_n to_o be_v translate_v about_o three_o age_n before_o that_o man_n may_v compare_v the_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o their_o accomplishment_n together_o chap._n xx._n that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v what_o i_o have_v before_o set_v down_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v certain_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v the_o design_n which_o i_o form_v in_o write_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o i_o believe_v i_o may_v with_o justice_n conclude_v that_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o contestable_a than_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o book_n and_o of_o the_o fact_n in_o they_o relate_v so_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a than_o the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o now_o i_o have_v only_o two_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o which_o i_o conceive_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o conclude_v these_o reflection_n the_o one_o be_v to_o show_v the_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o conceive_v any_o other_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n than_o what_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v that_o concern_v the_o division_n among_o christian_n which_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o concern_v the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o mystery_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o stumble_a block_n to_o they_o which_o hinder_v they_o from_o discern_v those_o character_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o by_o
the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n appear_v therein_o with_o so_o much_o lustre_n the_o former_a of_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o and_o the_o latter_a of_o the_o next_o chapter_n as_o the_o pull_n down_o of_o the_o scaffold_n which_o be_v only_o set_v up_o to_o build_v a_o palace_n be_v a_o infallible_a sign_n that_o the_o building_n be_v finish_v so_o one_o may_v say_v that_o the_o total_a deface_v of_o the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o the_o law_n that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o come_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a proof_n that_o he_o be_v already_o come_v it_o be_v worth_a our_o pain_n to_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o this_o overthrow_n that_o we_o may_v conclude_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o if_o the_o messiah_n be_v yet_o to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o know_v he_o according_a to_o the_o character_n which_o god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o before_o his_o appear_v in_o the_o first_o place_n therefore_o whereas_o god_n have_v confine_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n of_o who_o one_o part_n that_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n possess_v egypt_n and_o africa_n the_o posterity_n of_o japhet_n europe_n and_o the_o lesser_a asia_n and_o those_o of_o shem_n the_o rest_n of_o asia_n the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v drive_v from_o that_o country_n and_o far_o from_o be_v restore_v to_o it_o after_o seventy_o year_n as_o they_o be_v by_o cyrus_n they_o have_v be_v for_o ever_o banish_v thence_o by_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n who_o forbid_v they_o so_o much_o as_o to_o turn_v their_o eye_n towards_o judea_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 135._o the_o heathen_a celsus_n insult_v over_o they_o in_o these_o remarkable_a word_n they_o have_v no_o more_o say_v he_o either_o land_n or_o house_n remain_v to_o they_o second_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o remainder_n of_o a_o temporal_a power_n 21._o disperse_v palabunâ—_n 〈◊〉_d coeli_fw-la 〈…〉_o svi_fw-la extâ—_fw-it 〈◊〉_d vagantâ—â—_fw-la per_fw-la orb_v fine_a homine_fw-la sine_fw-la deo_fw-la rege_fw-la quibus_fw-la nec_fw-la advenarum_fw-la jure_fw-la terram_fw-la patriam_fw-la saltem_fw-la vestigio_fw-la sâ—lutare_fw-la comeditur_fw-la apolog_fw-la cap._n 21._o that_o they_o be_v then_o whole_o deprive_v of_o it_o see_v what_o tertullian_n say_v of_o they_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n 204._o they_o wander_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n like_o despersed_a vagabond_n banish_v from_o their_o climate_n and_o country_n without_o man_n without_o god_n for_o their_o king_n and_o be_v not_o permit_v as_o stranger_n to_o set_v foot_n on_o their_o native_a soil_n we_o read_v a_o decree_n of_o honorus_n the_o emperor_n which_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o right_n of_o nominate_v their_o patriarch_n or_o of_o pay_v they_o any_o tribute_n which_o show_v that_o their_o authority_n whas_fw-ge whole_o extinct_a three_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v in_o the_o seventieth_n year_n of_o our_o lord_n as_o that_o in_o egypt_n call_v onion_n be_v the_o year_n follow_v it_o can_v never_o be_v build_v again_o notwithstanding_o that_o julian_n the_o apostate_n out_o of_o his_o hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n favour_v that_o enterprise_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n 363._o there_o be_v a_o letter_n still_o extant_a which_o julian_n write_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o assure_v they_o of_o his_o protection_n and_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o that_o work_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o his_o death_n which_o dash_v that_o undertake_n as_o a_o very_a memorable_a opposition_n from_o heaven_n marcelinus_n a_o heathen_a give_v we_o this_o account_n of_o it_o inceptum_fw-la lib._n 23._o imperiique_fw-la svi_fw-la memoriam_fw-la magnitudine_fw-la operum_fw-la gestiens_fw-la propagare_fw-la ambitiosum_fw-la quondam_a apud_fw-la hierosolymam_fw-la templum_fw-la quod_fw-la post_fw-la multa_fw-la &_o interneciva_fw-la certamina_fw-la obsidente_fw-la vespasiano_n posteaque_fw-la tito_n aegre_fw-la est_fw-la expugnatum_fw-la instaurare_fw-la sumptibus_fw-la cogitabat_fw-la immodicis_fw-la negotiumque_fw-la maturandum_fw-la alypio_fw-la dederat_fw-la antiochensi_fw-la qui_fw-la olim_fw-la britannias_fw-it cur_n averat_o pro-praefectis_a cum_fw-la itaque_fw-la rei_fw-la idem_fw-la fortiter_fw-la instaret_fw-la alypius_n juvaretque_fw-la provinciae_fw-la rector_n metuendi_fw-la globi_fw-la flammarum_fw-la prope_fw-la fundamenta_fw-la crebris_fw-la assultibus_fw-la erumpentes_fw-la fecere_fw-la locum_fw-la exustis_fw-la aliquoties_fw-la operatibus_fw-la inaccessum_fw-la hocque_fw-la modo_fw-la elemento_fw-la destinatius_fw-la repellente_fw-la cessavit_fw-la inceptum_fw-la and_o be_v desirous_a to_o propagate_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o government_n by_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o work_n he_o with_o vast_a expense_n design_v to_o rebuild_v the_o splendid_a temple_n which_o be_v former_o at_o jerusalem_n which_o after_o many_o and_o bloody_a battle_n be_v besiege_v by_o vespasian_n and_o afterward_o by_o titus_n be_v at_o last_o take_v with_o difficulty_n he_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o hasten_v the_o business_n to_o alypius_n of_o antioch_n who_o have_v former_o be_v pro-praefect_a of_o britain_n as_o therefore_o this_o alypius_n be_v vigorous_o prosecute_a the_o work_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o lieutenant_n of_o the_o province_n terrible_a ball_n of_o fire_n frequent_o break_v forth_o near_o the_o foundation_n sometime_o burn_v the_o workman_n and_o make_v the_o place_n inaccessible_a thus_o the_o design_n be_v lay_v aside_o the_o element_n itself_o beat_v they_o back_o on_o purpose_n julian_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o their_o religion_n will_v perish_v and_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v restore_v without_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o four_o place_n the_o observation_n of_o some_o of_o their_o law_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v as_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n thus_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v to_o have_v many_o wife_n upon_o this_o overthrow_n many_o inconvenience_n follow_v which_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o represent_v at_o one_o view_n 1._o they_o no_o long_o know_v those_o person_n who_o at_o the_o first_o division_n of_o the_o land_n by_o joshua_n be_v owner_n of_o the_o different_a part_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n 2._o their_o family_n and_o tribe_n be_v confound_v their_o jubilee_n which_o can_v not_o be_v keep_v but_o in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o which_o oblige_v they_o to_o study_v their_o genealogy_n have_v cease_v long_o since_o 3._o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v at_o this_o day_n utter_o unknown_a 4._o they_o have_v no_o more_o lawful_a priest_n to_o observe_v the_o primogeniture_n to_o examine_v the_o token_n of_o virginity_n though_o it_o appear_v that_o according_a to_o god_n design_n these_o law_n be_v give_v on_o purpose_n to_o ascertain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o be_v like_o enclosure_n about_o this_o important_a truth_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v the_o better_o examine_v certain_o if_o the_o jew_n be_v still_o in_o possession_n of_o judea_n if_o they_o have_v their_o king_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n if_o they_o have_v their_o priest_n if_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o their_o genealogy_n if_o they_o still_o enjoy_v all_o the_o other_o necessary_a mean_n for_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o their_o descent_n if_o their_o temple_n have_v still_o subsist_v in_o its_o former_a lustre_n and_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n appoint_v by_o the_o law_n be_v still_o offer_v there_o the_o jew_n may_v bold_o answer_v that_o the_o shiloh_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v that_o be_v they_o ought_v not_o to_o despair_v of_o see_v the_o messiah_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o david_n and_o enter_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n which_o determin_n 490_o year_n for_o the_o term_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v and_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o a_o violent_a death_n and_o punishment_n will_v seem_v to_o be_v elude_v but_o the_o term_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_n be_v past_a the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v overturn_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v 1600_o year_n since_o there_o be_v no_o more_o genealogy_n among_o the_o jew_n they_o do_v not_o know_v their_o tribe_n much_o less_o their_o family_n how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v be_v true_a in_o his_o oracle_n as_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v if_o they_o be_v never_o answer_v by_o the_o event_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v the_o argument_n we_o have_v allege_v to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o especial_o those_o demonstration_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o without_o acknowledge_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o examine_v whether_o he_o
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o maintain_v against_o the_o christian_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o about_o the_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o these_o character_n the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v come_v the_o christian_n maintain_v that_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o prove_v it_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o these_o character_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o proper_a character_n to_o know_v he_o by_o and_o so_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v elude_v and_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n equal_o deceive_v in_o take_v that_o for_o a_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v not_o or_o else_o that_o both_o the_o messiah_n be_v certain_o come_v and_o and_o that_o he_o be_v no_o other_o than_o that_o jesus_n who_o we_o worship_v chap._n xxi_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o double_a stumble_a block_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o religion_n say_v they_o propound_v doctrine_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n that_o of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o jew_n reject_v as_o absolute_o incompatible_a with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o answer_v this_o objection_n 1._o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o total_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o solidity_n of_o those_o proof_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v allege_v jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o be_v a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o soul_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v oblige_v to_o attribute_v several_a faculty_n to_o it_o which_o the_o common_a people_n look_v upon_o as_o very_o different_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o unity_n and_o simplicity_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o christian_n prove_v very_o solid_o that_o these_o mystery_n have_v be_v clear_o propose_v by_o the_o apostle_n who_o receive_v their_o light_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o these_o truth_n and_o so_o may_v necessary_o be_v believe_v upon_o their_o word_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v former_o believe_v moreover_o they_o assert_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v first_o express_v though_o not_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o christian_n i_o add_v to_o these_o remark_n that_o most_o of_o those_o fact_n who_o truth_n be_v so_o invincible_o establish_v suppose_v these_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o religion_n do_v so_o necessary_o require_v they_o that_o we_o rob_v it_o of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o its_o glory_n in_o question_v or_o contest_v any_o of_o they_o these_o reflection_n may_v suffice_v in_o general_a to_o resolve_v this_o difficulty_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o for_o a_o more_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o those_o book_n which_o purposely_o treat_v of_o these_o mystery_n desire_v he_o to_o observe_v careful_o that_o common_o the_o most_o difficult_a objection_n of_o heretic_n against_o these_o matter_n do_v rather_o oppose_v the_o term_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o or_o the_o notion_n which_o man_n follow_v in_o speak_v of_o these_o truth_n than_o the_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n at_o least_o one_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v constrain_v to_o resolve_v several_a parallel_n objection_n to_o which_o one_o can_v scarce_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n without_o borrow_v some_o distinction_n and_o notion_n from_o the_o christian_n neither_o can_v the_o second_o objection_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v we_o any_o more_o disturbance_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v division_n among_o christian_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n what_o can_v we_o conclude_v thence_o can_v we_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n be_v doubtful_a concern_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o support_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a upon_o a_o attentive_a observation_n one_o may_v find_v 1._o that_o heresy_n have_v only_o serve_v to_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n more_o incontestable_a by_o oblige_v those_o that_o have_v consider_v of_o they_o to_o examine_v their_o certainty_n with_o more_o care_n and_o application_n this_o be_v the_o judgement_n one_o ought_v to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o more_o spiritual_a relish_n which_o they_o have_v acquire_v by_o study_v the_o prophecy_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n 3._o we_o find_v that_o this_o division_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o some_o fool_n have_v endeavour_v to_o decry_v some_o of_o they_o or_o to_o falsify_v some_o particular_a place_n we_o see_v that_o both_o party_n unite_v to_o repel_v that_o violence_n by_o produce_v their_o copy_n and_o beat_v back_o the_o impostor_n with_o their_o unite_a strength_n one_o see_v we_o that_o tertullian_n though_o a_o montanist_n write_v prescription_n against_o heretic_n and_o epiphanius_n take_v notice_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o some_o that_o be_v orthodox_n of_o their_o crime_n in_o blot_v out_o of_o their_o copy_n that_o christ_n have_v weep_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o karaite_n and_o thalmudist_n the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la