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this_o question_n there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o ascertain_v man_n in_o their_o reception_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n when_o it_o first_o become_v public_a first_o by_o some_o outward_a visible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o that_o service_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o commissionated_a from_o god_n or_o second_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o write_n themselves_o and_o herein_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o those_o time_n and_o season_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o the_o then_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o order_n of_o write_v it_o will_v much_o inform_v we_o moses_n who_o lay_v the_o first_o and_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a fabric_n in_o the_o five_o book_n that_o he_o write_v he_o have_v a_o justification_n personal_n beyond_o all_o question_n his_o commission_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v be_v sufficient_o 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his_o ripe_a year_n and_o as_o plutarch_n tell_v the_o athenian_n if_o themistocles_n have_v be_v punish_v as_o the_o enormity_n of_o his_o youth_n deserve_v and_o miltiades_n for_o his_o rebellion_n in_o chersonesus_n where_o have_v be_v say_v he_o those_o great_a victory_n those_o two_o afterward_o obtain_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o marathon_n on_o the_o coast_n of_o arlesia_n and_o at_o the_o river_n eurimedon_n the_o truth_n be_v in_o all_o humane_a judgement_n we_o be_v bound_v by_o particular_n individual_a action_n be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o man_n proceed_v nor_o can_v they_o look_v forward_o to_o know_v what_o any_o will_v be_v hereafter_o but_o god_n have_v the_o whole_a of_o every_o man_n before_o he_o and_o have_v not_o only_a respect_n to_o the_o all_o of_o every_o action_n but_o to_o the_o all_o of_o every_o man_n in_o the_o whole_a of_o of_o his_o act_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o three_o there_o be_v a_o harmony_n in_o providence_n which_o unless_o we_o 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to_o persuade_v we_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v found_v in_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o common_a sentiment_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v as_o a_o undeniable_a truth_n that_o the_o existence_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o be_v of_o a_o future_a state_n have_v a_o necessary_a dependency_n each_o upon_o other_o and_o be_v no_o way_n separable_a if_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n there_o must_v be_v a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o state_n hereafter_o it_o must_v relate_v to_o a_o providence_n here_o the_o epicurean_o therefore_o deny_v both_o epicurus_n under_o all_o his_o pressure_n make_v his_o retreat_n to_o this_o maxim_n that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o be_v not_o in_o be_v and_o there_o will_v be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o shall_v exist_v no_o more_o of_o how_o little_a a_o signification_n to_o the_o world_n the_o bare_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n will_v prove_v abstract_v from_o the_o 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good_a ground_n be_v also_o the_o first_o beginner_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a learning_n every_o where_n all_o other_o speech_n whether_o historical_a or_o rhetorical_a be_v but_o the_o progeny_n of_o poetry_n the_o ancient_n know_v no_o other_o artificial_a or_o set_a form_n of_o speech_n but_o what_o be_v in_o verse_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o same_o author_n say_v poetry_n be_v ancient_o call_v prima_fw-la quaedam_fw-la philosophia_fw-la these_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o innumerable_a fable_n mythologize_v upon_o every_o thing_n and_o do_v great_o promote_v their_o theological_a vanity_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o all_o true_a story_n three_o from_o the_o wild_a speculation_n and_o multiply_v theory_n of_o the_o philosopher_n of_o who_o there_o be_v some_o hundred_o of_o sect_n which_o serve_v great_o to_o puzzle_v and_o mislead_v man_n there_o be_v as_o cicero_n say_v no_o absurdity_n but_o have_v some_o philosopher_n for_o its_o patron_n four_o from_o their_o oracle_n by_o which_o the_o world_n lie_v subject_v to_o all_o diabolical_a delusion_n and_o five_o from_o their_o corrupt_a legislator_n such_o as_o numa_n in_o rome_n and_o other_o who_o find_v the_o world_n sequacious_a in_o point_n of_o religion_n and_o mankind_n apt_a to_o adore_v every_o fiction_n impose_v upon_o their_o belief_n whatever_o they_o think_v most_o conduce_v to_o their_o own_o politic_a ends._n nor_o have_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n be_v free_a from_o defect_n in_o its_o moral_n though_o man_n attain_v far_o therein_o and_o their_o morality_n much_o outgo_v their_o divinity_n cicero_n wrought_v with_o much_o better_a success_n de_fw-fr officiis_n than_o he_o he_o do_v the_o nat._n deorum_n yet_o the_o bible_n have_v great_o improve_v the_o world_n herein_o let_v any_o man_n extract_v the_o most_o exact_a scheme_n he_o can_v of_o morality_n out_o of_o the_o best_a philosopher_n and_o the_o acute_a moralist_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o doctrine_n the_o bible_n propose_v to_o we_o about_o those_o thing_n and_o the_o defect_n of_o it_o will_v be_v visible_a amiraldus_n observe_v in_o his_o treatise_n of_o religion_n that_o scarce_o can_v there_o be_v find_v any_o commonwealth_n among_o those_o which_o have_v be_v esteem_v the_o best_a policy_v in_o which_o some_o grand_a and_o signal_n vice_n have_v not_o be_v excuse_v or_o permit_v or_o even_o sometime_o recommend_v by_o public_a law_n plato_n make_v a_o community_n of_o woman_n one_o of_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o his_o republic_n socrates_n and_o cato_n i_o think_v be_v agree_v to_o be_v two_o as_o famous_a moralist_n as_o ever_o be_v in_o graece_fw-la or_o in_o rome_n cato_n the_o great_a exemplar_n for_o virtue_n and_o justice_n among_o the_o roman_n and_o socrates_n the_o phoenix_n of_o graece_fw-la for_o virtue_n and_o piety_n of_o who_o xenophon_n give_v this_o admirable_a account_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr socratis_n memorabilibus_fw-la dictis_fw-la nemo_fw-la autem_fw-la unquam_fw-la socratem_n
in_o themselves_o moral_o good_a and_o moral_o evil._n no_o man_n reason_n determine_v about_o the_o positive_a use_n of_o any_o such_o outward_a medium_n of_o worship_n nor_o can_v assure_v i_o of_o god_n distinguish_a acceptance_n in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v upon_o certain_a ground_n of_o acceptance_n with_o god_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n in_o all_o our_o worship_n nor_o be_v any_o man_n by_o nature_n a_o clear_a and_o certain_a law_n to_o himself_o about_o such_o thing_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v because_o there_o be_v no_o intrinsical_o religious_a good_a as_o to_o matter_n of_o worship_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o all_o such_o goodness_n result_v pure_o from_o institution_n god_n have_v not_o sanctify_v any_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n to_o his_o service_n in_o such_o a_o way_n by_o any_o unalterable_a obligation_n arise_v from_o the_o rational_a nature_n no_o such_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n be_v found_v in_o reason_n but_o all_o in_o institution_n it_o be_v true_a the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v direct_v i_o to_o that_o behaviour_n of_o myself_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o worship_n which_o i_o think_v most_o decent_a and_o reverent_a but_o for_o any_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v give_v i_o no_o certain_a direction_n at_o all_o if_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o worship_n as_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n it_o have_v be_v declare_v necessary_a that_o some_o shall_v be_v we_o must_v then_o both_o for_o the_o choice_n and_o the_o use_v of_o such_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o guide_v and_o steer_v by_o revelation_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v every_o man_n own_o reason_n be_v impregnate_v with_o obligation_n to_o a_o further_a degree_n of_o worship_n and_o divine_a homage_n than_o reason_n itself_o be_v able_a to_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o a_o certain_a guide_n to_o we_o in_o and_o direct_v we_o to_o many_o duty_n which_o we_o want_v revelation_n to_o teach_v we_o how_o to_o perform_v which_o have_v in_o all_o age_n make_v the_o world_n so_o inquisitive_a after_o it_o and_o show_v we_o how_o rational_o we_o tend_v upward_o in_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o great_o our_o own_o nature_n prepare_v we_o to_o expect_v and_o receive_v instruction_n from_o above_o second_o shall_v this_o be_v admit_v that_o divine_a worship_n may_v be_v confine_v simple_o to_o thought_n gesture_n and_o word_n yet_o will_v not_o our_o natural_a light_n enable_v we_o to_o acquit_v ourselves_o as_o we_o ought_v in_o this_o matter_n nor_o well_o to_o perform_v such_o a_o service_n as_o that_o without_o supernatural_a help_n there_o be_v two_o great_a end_n of_o all_o worship_n which_o though_o inseparable_a in_o their_o attainment_n be_v yet_o distinct_a in_o their_o application_n and_o if_o not_o attain_v the_o whole_a of_o man_n attempt_n that_o way_n will_v prove_v altogether_o useless_a and_o fruitless_a first_o in_o a_o right_a manner_n to_o give_v to_o god_n the_o honour_n due_a from_o we_o to_o he_o and_o second_o to_o provide_v sufficient_o for_o our_o own_o welfare_n by_o a_o acceptance_n with_o he_o for_o the_o first_o how_o can_v we_o honour_n god_n with_o the_o honour_n due_a to_o he_o unless_o we_o have_v a_o right_a knowledge_n of_o he_o and_o such_o a_o discovery_n of_o his_o be_v as_o may_v full_o inform_v and_o ascertain_v our_o mind_n about_o he_o which_o we_o never_o can_v have_v nor_o to_o this_o day_n the_o world_n never_o have_v without_o revelation_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o honour_n god_n as_o we_o ought_v unless_o according_a to_o our_o measure_n we_o know_v he_o as_o in_o truth_n he_o be_v and_o it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a to_o know_v what_o god_n be_v unless_o it_o be_v tell_v we_o by_o himself_o it_o be_v not_o simple_o sufficient_a to_o capacitate_v i_o for_o a_o due_a address_n to_o the_o deity_n to_o know_v in_o the_o general_a that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o power_n above_o i_o that_o some_o way_n or_o other_o exist_v which_o be_v all_o my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o but_o i_o must_v have_v some_o direct_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o that_o be_v wherein_o all_o those_o attribute_n do_v exist_v upon_o which_o as_o the_o object_n of_o my_o worship_n my_o mind_n may_v terminate_v and_o without_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o form_v a_o idol_n to_o myself_o in_o the_o room_n of_o that_o be_v and_o then_o apply_v those_o attribute_n to_o it._n to_o which_o fatal_a mistake_n and_o idolatrous_a delusion_n the_o world_n have_v by_o nature_n no_o certain_a account_n what_o god_n be_v not_o after_o what_o manner_n the_o deity_n do_v exist_v in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v too_o apparent_o subject_a second_o how_o can_v we_o sufficient_o provide_v for_o our_o own_o welfare_n unless_o we_o can_v be_v safe_o assure_v of_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o total_a removal_n of_o natural_a guilt_n and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v so_o assure_v unless_o we_o know_v the_o term_n of_o god_n forgiveness_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n to_o he_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a satisfy_a account_n give_v we_o by_o any_o dictate_v of_o nature_n nor_o can_v they_o ever_o be_v find_v out_o until_o they_o be_v tell_v we_o from_o above_o man_n must_v needs_o make_v strange_a prayer_n and_o have_v very_o wild_a and_o uncertain_a meditation_n about_o god_n and_o their_o own_o condition_n that_o be_v benight_a with_o ignorance_n in_o such_o thing_n prayer_n and_o whatever_o else_o be_v itself_o a_o part_n of_o natural_a worship_n will_v be_v very_o lame_o perform_v without_o some_o revelation_n to_o guide_v it_o the_o pagan_a devotion_n be_v a_o medley_n of_o strange_a sentiment_n found_v in_o horrible_a ignorance_n of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o own_o condition_n and_o the_o way_n of_o man_n restoration_n have_v plato_n or_o aristotle_n or_o the_o wise_a among_o they_o but_o leave_v we_o a_o liturgy_n of_o their_o own_o composition_n it_o will_v with_o great_a effect_n have_v convince_v we_o what_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o some_o revelation_n to_o guide_v even_o the_o best_a understanding_n in_o all_o divine_a address_n two_o thing_n about_o worship_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v teach_v we_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n first_o that_o mankind_n have_v general_o acknowledge_v it_o necessary_a that_o some_o supernatural_a direction_n shall_v be_v give_v for_o the_o manage_n of_o that_o intercourse_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o have_v subscribe_v to_o the_o shortness_n and_o defficiency_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n about_o it_o and_o second_o that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o certain_a complete_a systeme_n of_o worship_n that_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n man_n do_v uniform_o agree_v in_o the_o one_o result_v from_o their_o constant_a recourse_n to_o supernatural_a inquiry_n and_o the_o many_o enthusiastic_a pretension_n thereupon_o the_o other_o from_o their_o great_a and_o eminent_a disagreement_n among_o themselves_o for_o the_o pagan_a world_n who_o be_v only_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o naturallight_n and_o have_v in_o truth_n no_o revelation_n at_o all_o but_o be_v still_o abuse_v with_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o it_o fall_v by_o that_o guidance_n into_o endless_a diversity_n in_o practice_n and_o into_o a_o numberless_a variety_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v and_o approach_v the_o deity_n and_o be_v universal_o engage_v in_o multiply_v medium_n and_o method_n of_o worship_n no_o way_n prescribe_v by_o any_o natural_a law_n connate_a with_o man_n being_n or_o any_o general_a uniform_a issue_n of_o right_a reason_n nor_o indeed_o be_v they_o under_o any_o direction_n at_o all_o either_o for_o their_o choice_n or_o their_o use_n further_o than_o what_o their_o own_o fancy_n or_o best_a guess_n or_o some_o enthusiastic_a impostor_n can_v suggest_v to_o they_o which_o plain_o declare_v there_o be_v not_o a_o ability_n in_o nature_n sufficient_o to_o guide_v man_n in_o divine_a worship_n so_o far_o as_o their_o own_o devotion_n do_v natural_o steer_v they_o and_o we_o that_o indeed_o have_v revelation_n be_v instruct_v by_o that_o revelation_n itself_o sufficient_o to_o know_v the_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o revelation_n for_o we_o find_v that_o god_n by_o his_o reveal_v law_n do_v not_o only_o revive_v in_o general_a the_o whole_a of_o nature_n law_n about_o worship_n and_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o true_a extent_n thereof_o which_o he_o do_v and_o much_o inlighten_v our_o natural_a knowledge_n therein_o which_o we_o find_v be_v great_o defective_a even_o about_o natural_a duty_n and_o give_v we_o a_o complete_a view_n of_o our_o natural_a obligation_n
can_v be_v admit_v as_o such_o be_v all_o 〈◊〉_d they_o find_v peculiar_o appertinent_a to_o the_o â—iblâ—_n and_o can_v belong_v to_o any_o other_o book_n or_o write_n or_o to_o any_o other_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o have_v thus_o establish_v these_o two_o general_a point_n first_o that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o reasonable_a and_o fit_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o revelation_n make_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n some_o supernatural_a law_n promulge_v as_o the_o great_a rule_n of_o man_n life_n here_o and_o god_n judgement_n hereafter_o and_o that_o these_o law_n shall_v be_v somewhere_o or_o other_o extant_a upon_o record_n that_o mankind_n may_v be_v full_o assure_v and_o ascertain_v about_o they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o such_o book_n as_o the_o bible_n pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v great_o unreasonable_a to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n and_o second_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n there_o be_v many_o general_a qualification_n that_o must_v necessary_o be_v appertinent_a to_o such_o a_o revelation_n wheresoever_o it_o be_v extant_a and_o by_o which_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o mankind_n shall_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o every_o pretence_n to_o it_o and_o that_o all_o those_o qualification_n be_v find_v punctual_o and_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o the_o bible_n and_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o extant_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n propose_v which_o be_v a_o more_o distinct_a and_o particular_a proof_n and_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o send_v we_o from_o heaven_n and_o be_v in_o truth_n that_o revelation_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o expect_v from_o above_o and_o that_o we_o have_v all_o those_o reason_n concur_v to_o make_v we_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o as_o such_o from_o whence_o a_o judgement_n in_o such_o a_o case_n ought_v final_o to_o result_v that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o evidence_n to_o be_v give_v in_o to_o prove_v its_o divinity_n as_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o desire_v nor_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v more_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o so_o much_o that_o where_o man_n corrupt_a interest_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v not_o predominant_a will_v appear_v sufficient_a to_o every_o impartial_a enquiry_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v prosecute_v in_o this_o method_n i_o will_v these_o several_a way_n consider_v this_o book_n first_o in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o the_o world_n second_o in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n three_o in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conveyance_n and_o last_o in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o we_o now_o find_v it_o and_o from_o each_o of_o these_o consideration_n will_v a_o signal_n testimony_n be_v give_v in_o to_o its_o divinity_n and_o when_o we_o have_v take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o whole_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o book_n both_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v at_o any_o time_n attend_v it_o do_v eminent_o relate_v itself_o to_o god_n as_o its_o author_n and_o can_v be_v reasonable_o judge_v the_o product_n of_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n whatsoever_o for_o the_o first_o when_o we_o reslâ—ct_v upon_o the_o â—â—me_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n we_o shall_v find_v two_o thing_n of_o very_a great_a weight_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o consideration_n first_o the_o antiquity_n of_o those_o thing_n it_o relate_v to_o we_o and_o inform_v we_o of_o and_o second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o 〈◊〉_d iâ—â—â—lâ—_n since_o compose_v and_o deliver_v to_o we_o with_o such_o a_o relation_n the_o content_n of_o this_o book_n â—â—ch_a aâ—_n far_o as_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o heaven_n and_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o god_n revelation_n to_o man_n since_o his_o first_o mâ—â—â—_n and_o original_a and_o of_o a_o oral_a and_o â—erâ—all_a intâ—â—â—â—â—â—se_n between_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o two_o thousand_o four_o hundred_o and_o old_a year_n before_o it_o be_v any_o where_o extant_a upon_o râ—â—â—â—d_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o write_v which_o no_o other_o bâ—â—â—_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v so_o much_o as_o make_v 〈◊〉_d â—â—â—â—â—â—ce_n to_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o revelation_n historical_o contain_v in_o this_o book_n it_o be_v wat_fw-mi be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o beginning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o 〈…〉_o the_o world_n itself_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o edition_n of_o it_o in_o this_o book_n and_o the_o time_n 〈◊〉_d this_o book_n aâ—â—ual_a publication_n with_o all_o the_o aâ—â—â—tional_a revelation_n contain_v in_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v this_o book_n to_o be_v the_o first_o bear_v in_o its_o kind_n to_o precede_v all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o and_o in_o truth_n to_o be_v extant_a while_n thales_n mileâ—â—us_n hamer_n hâ—rmes_n and_o the_o most_o primative_a writer_n the_o world_n have_v be_v unborn_a and_o unthought_a of_o moses_n write_v of_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n long_o before_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a god_n have_v a_o write_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o god_n please_v so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o although_o the_o revelation_n he_o make_v to_o the_o world_n be_v not_o write_v from_o the_o beginning_n yet_o they_o be_v write_v long_o before_o any_o other_o write_n be_v extant_a and_o his_o own_o law_n be_v first_o record_v and_o all_o other_o write_n be_v of_o a_o subsequent_a date_n to_o this_o holy_a book_n first_o i_o will_v evidence_n this_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o that_o to_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o due_a the_o right_n of_o primogeniture_n and_o that_o all_o other_o book_n be_v of_o a_o much_o after-edition_n and_o becond_o examine_v what_o reasonable_o result_v from_o thence_o towards_o that_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n we_o be_v about_o to_o all_o which_o this_o must_v be_v premise_v that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o thus_o ancient_n we_o intend_v actual_o no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v above_o four_o thousand_o year_n in_o a_o gradual_a publication_n and_o the_o bible_n itself_o above_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n in_o writing_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o the_o time_n that_o moses_n write_v to_o st._n john_n the_o revealer_n nor_o need_v we_o intend_v more_o to_o justify_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o whole_a because_o it_o be_v all_o there_o virtual_o contain_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o as_o its_o â—oâ—ndation_n and_o every_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n after_o moses_n till_o the_o top-stone_n be_v lay_v appear_v evident_o to_o be_v write_v in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o deliver_v and_o so_o much_o st._n paul_n 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and_o religion_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n to_o look_v with_o great_a contempt_n upon_o other_o prove_v against_o they_o out_o of_o pagan_a author_n and_o those_o chief_o their_o own_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v of_o much_o great_a antiquity_n than_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n they_o can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o natural_a issue_n of_o those_o write_n found_v upon_o they_o and_o derive_v from_o they_o be_v no_o new_a or_o upstart_a invention_n but_o indeed_o the_o first_o and_o most_o ancient_a write_v and_o unwritten_a truth_n the_o world_n be_v possess_v of_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v afterward_o more_o large_o and_o distinct_o prove_v and_o make_v good_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n who_o thus_o conclude_v quare_fw-la omnibus_fw-la diis_fw-la ac_fw-la heroibus_fw-la graecorum_n multo_fw-la vetustior_fw-la
mouth_n of_o most_o man_n concern_v those_o passage_n there_o express_v paulus_n fagius_n who_o seem_v to_o give_v the_o right_a account_n of_o it_o differ_v not_o much_o from_o this_o of_o junius_n only_o read_v it_o in_o the_o futuretense_n and_o suppose_v it_o to_o intend_v a_o future_a relation_n his_o word_n be_v ideo_fw-la dicetur_fw-la est_fw-la enim_fw-la verbum_fw-la hebraicum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d futuri_fw-la temporis_fw-la in_o commemoratione_n bellorum_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la bella_fw-la deicommemorabuntur_fw-la recensebuntur_fw-la a_o posteris_fw-la quae_fw-la bella_fw-la pro_fw-la israel_n in_o mari_fw-fr rubro_fw-la gesscrit_fw-fr &_o quae_fw-la ad_fw-la hos_fw-la torrentes_fw-la quasi_fw-la dicat_fw-la hi_o avo_fw-la locitanquam_fw-la memorabiles_fw-la ab_fw-la omni_fw-la posteritate_fw-la repetentur_fw-la in_o quibus_fw-la deus_fw-la pro_fw-la israel_n dimicavit_fw-la ubi_fw-la prodigia_fw-la coeleslia_n ostâ—nsa_fw-la sunt_fw-la that_o be_v in_o the_o relation_n that_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o famous_a mention_n among_o all_o posterity_n of_o what_o god_n do_v for_o israel_n in_o those_o two_o place_n wheresoever_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v speak_v of_o what_o god_n do_v in_o those_o two_o place_n shall_v have_v a_o eminent_a mention_n the_o hebrew_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sepher_n signify_v proper_o any_o rehearsal_n or_o enarration_n recensionem_fw-la aut_fw-la enarrationem_fw-la quamcunâ—_n recensionem_fw-la scriptam_fw-la but_o per_fw-la accidens_fw-la if_o we_o understand_v it_o not_o to_o relate_v to_o any_o book_n but_o only_o to_o a_o relation_n verbal_a as_o it_o seem_v most_o probable_o to_o do_v because_o moses_n speak_v only_o of_o a_o rehearsal_n in_o general_n but_o not_o direct_o of_o a_o write_a rehearsal_n it_o reach_v not_o this_o matter_n and_o if_o it_o do_v i_o see_v no_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o by_o that_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v not_o be_v mean_v either_o some_o succeed_a book_n part_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o else_o that_o very_a book_n of_o number_n itself_o but_o second_o which_o way_n soever_o this_o text_n be_v take_v it_o can_v never_o be_v reasonable_o urge_v to_o prove_v there_o be_v letter_n or_o book_n before_o moses_n because_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o book_n relate_v a_o story_n of_o thing_n do_v in_o moses_n his_o own_o time_n for_o those_o war_n call_v the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n commence_v but_o at_o the_o people_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n under_o his_o conduct_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v a_o write_a story_n of_o they_o before_o moses_n himself_o be_v extant_a to_o the_o last_o objection_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o egyptian_n be_v a_o learned_a people_n probable_o the_o most_o learned_a the_o world_n than_o have_v the_o continue_a clearness_n of_o their_o sky_n and_o the_o constant_a overslow_v of_o nile_n natural_o tend_v to_o render_v they_o learned_a in_o those_o two_o noble_a science_n of_o astrology_n and_o geometry_n yet_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o believe_v they_o have_v any_o use_n of_o alphabetical_a letter_n before_o moses_n his_o time_n or_o any_o other_o way_n to_o express_v or_o communicate_v their_o learning_n but_o what_o be_v symbolical_a and_o hycroglyphycal_a nor_o be_v there_o the_o least_o record_n any_o where_o extant_a to_o evince_v the_o contrary_n aristotle_n say_v the_o ancient_a way_n of_o the_o egyptian_n write_v be_v per_fw-la hiâ—roglyphycas_n literas_fw-la saxis_fw-la incisas_fw-la and_o he_o add_v conceptus_fw-la aâ—imalium_fw-la scrâ—bunt_fw-la uti_fw-la occulata_fw-la side_n legimus_fw-la in_o lapidibus_fw-la per_fw-la figuras_fw-la idem_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la scientijs_fw-la artibusque_n sacientes_n quos_fw-la locabant_fw-la in_o templis_fw-la tanquam_fw-la paginas_fw-la perlegendas_fw-la talesque_fw-la illis_fw-la pro_fw-la libris_fw-la extant_a tacitus_n tell_v we_o primi_fw-la per_fw-la siguras_fw-la animaâ—ium_fw-la egypti_n sensus_fw-la mentis_fw-la efsingebant_fw-la &_o antiqâ—â—ssima_fw-la monumenta_fw-la memoriae_fw-la humanae_fw-la impressa_fw-la saxis_fw-la cernuntur_fw-la diodorus_n sicalus_fw-la long_v before_o in_o the_o four_o part_n of_o his_o history_n have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n of_o this_o symbolical_a way_n of_o write_v among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o ethiopian_n which_o be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n imitativa_n tropica_fw-la &_o enigmatica_fw-la nor_o do_v we_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o any_o other_o write_v among_o they_o till_o moses_n his_o time_n who_o in_o all_o probability_n first_o discover_v to_o they_o that_o way_n of_o transfer_v their_o mind_n one_o to_o another_o by_o alphabetical_a letter_n and_o this_o artapanus_n a_o most_o ancient_a historian_n tell_v we_o who_o speak_v of_o moses_n say_v ut_fw-la quasi_fw-la deas_fw-la ab_fw-la egyptijs_fw-la coleretur_fw-la &_o propter_fw-la literarum_n inventionem_fw-la mercurium_fw-la appellatum_fw-la that_o he_o be_v reverence_v by_o the_o egyptian_n as_o a_o god_n and_o for_o his_o first_o invent_v of_o letter_n call_v mercury_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v thus_o clear_v it_o be_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o be_v consider_v what_o testimony_n to_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v in_o truth_n result_v from_o thence_o and_o herein_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o one_o very_o remarkble_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o other_o first_o in_o the_o general_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o a_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v universal_a all_o man_n in_o all_o age_n seem_v to_o have_v rise_v up_o and_o pay_v respect_n to_o the_o hoary_a head_n of_o antiquity_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o what_o be_v most_o ancient_a have_v undergo_v the_o great_a trial_n every_o man_n be_v ready_a to_o venerate_v what_o have_v endure_v the_o test_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o last_v through_o most_o age_n because_o nothing_o correct_v mistake_n like_o experience_n not_o distinguish_v falsehood_n and_o truth_n like_o time_n time_n we_o say_v and_o true_o say_v be_v index_n as_o well_o as_o edax_fw-la rerum_fw-la second_o every_o man_n reason_n tell_v he_o all_o secundary_a truth_n must_v needs_o lie_v near_a to_o the_o eternal_a truth_n and_o so_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n error_n of_o every_o kind_n be_v of_o a_o late_a edition_n than_o truth_n a_o apostasy_n from_o it_o and_o a_o corruption_n of_o some_o prime_a principle_n though_o error_n and_o falsehood_n may_v be_v very_o ancient_a yet_o truth_n be_v still_o the_o elder_a brother_n and_o have_v this_o still_a to_o say_v to_o all_o its_o opposer_n non_fw-la fuit_fw-la sic_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la and_o therefore_o the_o far_a we_o wade_v into_o antiquity_n the_o near_a still_o we_o come_v to_o truth_n in_o religion_n most_o especial_o that_o maxim_n prevail_v antiquitate_fw-la nihil_fw-la verius_fw-la veritate_fw-la nihil_fw-la antiquus_fw-la in_o the_o present_a case_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n carry_v in_o it_o a_o very_a signal_n proof_n of_o its_o divinity_n that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a religion_n be_v like_a to_o be_v the_o true_a great_a antiquity_n in_o religion_n be_v a_o eminent_a mark_n of_o great_a truth_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o very_a forcable_a consideration_n first_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n since_o the_o beginning_n and_o a_o supernatural_a inter_fw-la course_n since_o man_n first_o defection_n that_o god_n revelation_n be_v as_o early_o as_o man_n necessity_n that_o there_o be_v no_o time_n wherein_o man_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o supernatural_a instruction_n and_o help_n but_o that_o god_n afford_v it_o to_o he_o if_o the_o supposal_n of_o revelation_n in_o the_o general_n be_v reasonable_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a it_o be_v the_o other_o will_v follow_v and_o we_o shall_v find_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n since_o there_o be_v first_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o such_o a_o constitution_n as_o supernatural_a religion_n in_o order_n to_o man_n happiness_n and_o recovery_n that_o bear_v a_o equal_a date_n with_o his_o first_o apostasy_n to_o think_v otherwise_o be_v to_o deny_v what_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n goodness_n very_o open_o affirm_v to_o we_o and_o this_o be_v so_o no_o religion_n can_v be_v true_a that_o be_v not_o clothe_v with_o great_a antiquity_n and_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v most_o ancient_a and_o can_v derive_v itself_o from_o the_o beginning_n must_v needs_o be_v most_o true_a the_o bible_n therefore_o give_v we_o historical_o a_o account_n of_o god_n first_o intercourse_n with_o man_n and_o of_o the_o constant_a continuation_n of_o it_o in_o all_o age_n and_o be_v itself_o the_o first_o account_n that_o ever_o be_v give_v of_o religion_n in_o such_o a_o write_a way_n upon_o all_o account_v the_o most_o ancient_a the_o world_n
reach_v exercise_v the_o world_n with_o the_o great_a trial_n even_o trial_n from_o a_o appearance_n of_o his_o almighty_a power_n so_o long_o as_o he_o still_o afford_v a_o plain_o superior_a evidence_n to_o truth_n and_o so_o circumstantiate_n thing_n that_o there_o be_v abundant_a ground_n of_o distinction_n to_o make_v this_o appear_v be_v of_o chief_a concern_n in_o discourse_v of_o this_o matter_n how_o god_n miracle_n can_v be_v a_o infallible_a evidence_n if_o the_o devil_n and_o ill_a man_n be_v sometime_o enable_v for_o so_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v for_o by_o no_o inherent_a power_n of_o their_o own_o can_v they_o do_v it_o to_o act_v also_o in_o a_o supernatural_a and_o miraculous_a way_n for_o if_o a_o miracle_n by_o whosoever_o wrought_v be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o any_o doctrine_n it_o be_v wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o will_v then_o be_v say_v the_o testimony_n from_o miracle_n seem_v to_o to_o be_v much_o invalidated_n and_o mankind_n to_o be_v leave_v at_o great_a uncertainty_n about_o it_o that_o god_n when_o he_o be_v please_v to_o establish_v divine_a truth_n to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n do_v make_v that_o testimony_n unquestionable_a and_o clear_o distinguish_v the_o witness_n give_v by_o his_o miracle_n from_o any_o witness_n the_o devil_n or_o his_o instrument_n can_v give_v by_o any_o either_o seem_a or_o real_a operation_n of_o that_o kind_n will_v very_o evident_o appear_v these_o three_o way_n first_o from_o the_o order_n of_o his_o proceed_n second_o from_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o proceed_n and_o three_o from_o the_o maâ—ter_n about_o which_o he_o proceed_v first_o god_n make_v the_o miracle_n he_o work_v from_o heaven_n a_o infallible_a testimony_n by_o the_o order_n of_o his_o proceed_n he_o primary_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n before_o false_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n can_v have_v any_o such_o pretence_n by_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n settle_v and_o fix_v his_o 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aâ—ter-propâ—ecie_a be_v not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o single_o by_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n god_fw-we himself_o have_v direct_v the_o contrary_a but_o also_o by_o its_o conformity_n to_o that_o establish_a rule_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o prophet_n arise_v though_o attend_v with_o a_o miraculous_a power_n and_o endeavour_v to_o introduce_v a_o doctrine_n destructive_a to_o whâ—t_n be_v so_o already_o establish_v and_o to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o the_o worship_n of_o that_o god_n to_o who_o by_o moses_n his_o law_n they_o be_v primary_o subject_v they_o be_v oblige_v not_o to_o hearken_v to_o he_o but_o to_o reject_v his_o doctrine_n as_o a_o vile_a and_o wicked_a temptation_n and_o it_o be_v of_o great_a remark_n and_o a_o eminent_a justification_n of_o god_n proceed_n in_o this_o kind_n that_o the_o most_o that_o ever_o the_o devil_n be_v suffer_v to_o do_v be_v at_o first_o in_o opposition_n to_o moses_n when_o he_o by_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n come_v to_o settle_v that_o divine_a law_n for_o never_o any_o false_a prophet_n after_o can_v reach_v to_o do_v what_o the_o magician_n than_o do_v and_o god_n in_o that_o very_a way_n plain_o and_o open_o to_o satisfy_v the_o world_n for_o ever_o after_o in_o this_o matter_n determine_v the_o cause_n against_o he_o and_o moses_n so_o far_o out_o go_v the_o magician_n in_o a_o miraculous_a way_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o this_o confession_n this_o be_v the_o singer_n of_o god_n by_o which_o expression_n seem_v not_o to_o be_v mean_v that_o this_o particular_a work_n of_o turn_v dust_n into_o louse_n in_o which_o the_o magician_n faâ—led_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o a_o power_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a and_o all_o that_o be_v do_v before_o both_o by_o moâ—es_n and_o we_o which_o be_v work_v every_o whit_n as_o great_a be_v do_v by_o a_o power_n meeâ—ly_o natural_a but_o this_o be_v the_o singer_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o stop_v we_o that_o now_o we_o have_v try_v to_o do_v the_o like_a we_o find_v we_o can_v that_o we_o shall_v â—e_v able_a to_o go_v no_o â—â—â—ther_n that_o our_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n shall_v fail_v we_o and_o be_v take_v from_o we_o and_o moses_n shall_v be_v still_o able_a to_o proceed_v so_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o gospel_n be_v first_o eminent_o establish_v by_o uncoâ—â—ollable_a miracle_n as_o the_o great_a standard_n and_o rule_n of_o all_o suture_a doctrine_n and_o acquaint_v we_o that_o there_o be_v no_o further_a revelation_n to_o be_v expect_v before_o the_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n of_o seducer_n be_v extant_a and_o when_o god_n have_v by_o a_o miraculous_a power_n once_o unquestionable_o establish_v his_o own_o truth_n all_o pretence_n to_o miracle_n be_v they_o feign_v or_o real_a they_o come_v too_o late_o truth_n be_v in_o possession_n and_o by_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o whatever_o be_v find_v opposite_a to_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_o to_o be_v reckon_v as_o a_o trial_n and_o a_o temptation_n only_o to_o prove_v we_o the_o broad_a seal_n of_o heaven_n be_v already_o solemn_o and_o open_o set_v and_o let_v the_o devil_n bring_v what_o show_v he_o can_v of_o the_o same_o impression_n they_o be_v still_o to_o be_v reject_v and_o whatever_o the_o devil_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n able_a to_o do_v of_o that_o kind_n have_v be_v but_o this_o second_o hand_n work_v and_o to_o seduce_v man_n from_o a_o truth_n beforehand_o unquestionable_o establish_v and_o to_o which_o there_o be_v reason_n sufficient_a whatever_o can_v be_v do_v to_o persuade_v to_o the_o contrary_a for_o all_o man_n to_o adhere_v and_o this_o make_v st._n austin_n when_o the_o donatist_n much_o urge_v upon_o he_o in_o their_o justification_n a_o power_n they_o have_v of_o work_a miracle_n to_o tell_v they_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o way_n full_o settle_v before_o and_o we_o have_v warning_n enough_o not_o to_o be_v seduce_v from_o the_o orthodox_n doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o any_o such_o pretension_n second_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n proceed_v in_o his_o work_n of_o miracle_n to_o ascertain_v the_o world_n do_v sufficient_o secure_v we_o against_o the_o danger_n of_o be_v seduce_v by_o impostor_n that_o way_n and_o any_o miracle_n they_o can_v produce_v if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o grand_a occasion_n upon_o which_o god_n still_o work_v they_o of_o how_o vast_a concernment_n be_v the_o rear_n up_o of_o both_o testament_n and_o justify_v the_o descent_n of_o christ_n into_o humane_a nature_n second_o the_o number_n of_o they_o how_o far_o have_v divine_a miracle_n outgo_v all_o other_o in_o that_o kind_n three_o the_o eminency_n of_o they_o four_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o they_o to_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n five_o their_o performance_n without_o the_o least_o outward_a mean_n wherein_o there_o may_v possible_o lie_v a_o deceit_n six_o the_o long_a and_o last_a continuance_n of_o they_o in_o all_o these_o respect_n be_v divine_a miracle_n difference_v from_o all_o diabolical_a act_n that_o way_n which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n have_v be_v fictitious_a and_o discoverable_a so_o to_o be_v and_o when_o real_a comparative_o but_o few_o and_o in_o no_o sort_n bear_v any_o proportion_n to_o any_o of_o these_o circumstance_n wherewith_o divine_a miracle_n have_v be_v open_o accompany_v and_o it_o be_v also_o to_o be_v note_v that_o very_o many_o of_o those_o miracle_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o among_o the_o heathen_n admit_v they_o true_a be_v not_o wrought_v to_o confirm_v or_o justify_v their_o religion_n but_o upon_o other_o occasion_n often_o for_o end_n conceal_v and_o wrap_v up_o in_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n which_o we_o know_v not_o of_o and_o sometime_o for_o other_o end_n then_o to_o establish_v their_o religion_n visible_a as_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o vespasian_n who_o god_n have_v design_v
according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o can_v conceive_v after_o seventy_o year_n they_o can_v so_o exact_o have_v do_v or_o will_v ever_o have_v attempt_v to_o have_v do_v it_o have_v not_o they_o have_v the_o law_n with_o they_o while_o esdras_n himself_o be_v yoten_n babylon_n and_o when_o esdras_n do_v come_v to_o jerusalem_n we_o find_v in_o the_o 8_o of_o nehemiah_n the_o people_n be_v so_o far_o from_o want_v the_o law_n or_o stay_v for_o any_o such_o restoration_n or_o re-penning_a of_o it_o by_o he_o as_o be_v pretend_v that_o they_o desire_v he_o only_o to_o read_v the_o law_n open_o to_o they_o which_o he_o immediate_o do_v as_o a_o thing_n they_o be_v then_o possess_v of_o and_o which_o be_v notorious_a among_o they_o five_o it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o esdras_n shall_v so_o repen_n the_o bible_n because_o we_o find_v his_o own_o writing_n full_a of_o caldee_n word_n as_o also_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n but_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v in_o pure_a hebrew_n and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n conceivable_a but_o that_o if_o he_o have_v re-penned_a the_o whole_a he_o will_v have_v write_v it_o in_o the_o same_o way_n he_o write_v his_o own_o book_n and_o according_a to_o the_o idiom_n that_o be_v then_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n either_o whole_o in_o caldee_n or_o else_o with_o some_o mixture_n of_o caldee_n and_o hebrew_n together_o the_o whole_a of_o this_o story_n do_v evident_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o romantic_a fable_n take_v out_o of_o a_o book_n souse_v with_o many_o vain_a and_o ridiculous_a folly_n and_o be_v contradict_v by_o another_o apecryphal_a book_n of_o much_o better_a credit_n 〈◊〉_d we_o will_v depend_v upon_o such_o evidence_n for_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n we_o be_v there_o tell_v that_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o ark_n in_o the_o side_n of_o which_o the_o law_n we_o know_v be_v place_v be_v secure_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n and_o hide_v in_o a_o cave_n at_o mount_n nebo_n when_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v though_o the_o law_n be_v not_o particular_o mention_v yet_o be_v always_o keep_v in_o the_o ark_n â—â—s_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o jeremy_n preserve_v it_o with_o the_o ark_n and_o have_v a_o especial_a reference_n to_o the_o secure_n of_o it_o in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v this_o we_o affirm_v as_o a_o truth_n to_o which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v assent_v that_o at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o people_n out_o of_o babylon_n the_o care_n of_o esdras_n about_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n that_o be_v then_o according_a to_o moses_n his_o first_o institution_n assemble_v in_o which_o be_v present_a haggai_n zacharie_n malachy_n nehemias_n and_o zerubbabel_n be_v very_o eminent_a and_o great_a and_o to_o this_o day_n we_o derive_v singular_a advantage_n from_o it_o for_o first_o with_o great_a diligence_n they_o make_v a_o exact_a separation_n between_o such_o write_n as_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o be_v to_o be_v a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o whether_o write_v by_o true_a prophet_n or_o false_a for_o even_o true_a prophet_n and_o such_o as_o be_v most_o eminent_a might_n and_o without_o doubt_n many_o of_o they_o do_v write_v diverse_a thing_n without_o any_o immediate_a assistance_n or_o direction_n from_o god_n and_o consequent_o which_o be_v nor_o of_o divine_a authority_n they_o collect_v all_o the_o sacred_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n together_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n lie_v disperse_v in_o private_a hand_n no_o public_a use_n be_v make_v of_o they_o incorporate_v the_o whole_a into_o one_o entire_a volumn_n a_o admirable_a work_n in_o the_o order_n we_o now_o have_v it_o which_o before_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v for_o several_a psalm_n several_a of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o some_o other_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o people_n into_o babylon_n and_o it_o do_v no_o where_n appear_v that_o those_o part_n write_v before_o be_v conjoin_v in_o one_o entire_a volumn_n more_o of_o they_o then_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o original_a copy_n whereof_o moses_n himself_o deliver_v in_o a_o public_a assembly_n to_o the_o levite_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o peculiar_a archive_n god_n have_v by_o his_o special_a command_n appoint_v for_o it_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o unite_v they_o rank_v under_o three_o class_n and_o divide_v into_o three_o part_n which_o division_n be_v continue_v among_o the_o jew_n till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o st._n luke_n refer_v to_o it_o when_o he_o say_v all_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n second_o their_o care_n in_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v eminent_o great_a and_o most_o high_o be_v it_o to_o be_v applaud_v in_o add_v point_n to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o facilitate_v the_o read_n and_o learn_v of_o it_o divide_v the_o sacred_a write_n into_o verse_n with_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n most_o probable_o first_o begin_v by_o they_o of_o which_o the_o jewish_a writer_n give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o whole_a of_o their_o endeavour_n this_o way_n and_o of_o those_o among_o the_o jew_n that_o succeed_v they_o therein_o be_v call_v the_o massora_n which_o god_n wonderful_o bless_v to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o deliver_v the_o old_a testament_n safe_o and_o entire_o over_o to_o we_o what_o a_o useful_a and_o most_o laborious_a enterprise_n this_o massora_n be_v we_o may_v know_v by_o the_o description_n buxtorffe_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o his_o most_o excellent_a commentarius_fw-la massorethicus_n massora_n say_v he_o est_fw-la doctrina_fw-la critica_fw-la a_o priscis_fw-la hebraeorum_n sapientibus_fw-la circa_fw-la textum_fw-la hebraeum_n sacrae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la ingeniosâ—_n inuenta_fw-la quâ—_n versas_fw-la voces_fw-la &_o literae_fw-la ejus_fw-la nâ—meratae_fw-la omnisque_fw-la ipsarum_fw-la variet_fw-la as_o notata_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la locis_fw-la cum_fw-la singulorum_fw-la versuum_fw-la recitatione_n indicata_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la sic_fw-la constans_fw-la &_o genuina_fw-la ejus_fw-la lectio_fw-la conservetur_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la mutatione_n aut_fw-la corruptio_fw-la e_fw-la aeternum_fw-la preservetur_fw-la &_o valide_fw-la premuniatur_fw-la the_o massora_n be_v a_o critical_a learning_n about_o the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n ingenios_o invent_v by_o the_o ancient_a wise_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o which_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n be_v all_o number_v and_o all_o their_o variation_n particular_o note_v and_o set_v down_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n with_o a_o recital_n of_o the_o particular_a verse_n that_o so_o the_o constant_a and_o genuine_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v preserve_v and_o for_o ever_o secure_v against_o all_o change_n or_o corruption_n and_o that_o ezra_n and_o this_o great_a synagogue_n be_v most_o probable_o the_o first_o author_n and_o contriver_n of_o the_o massora_n however_o augment_v by_o other_o in_o after_o age_n and_o not_o some_o learned_a jew_n at_o tiberias_n that_o long_o live_v after_o ouâ—_n saviour_n as_o some_o have_v suppose_v buxtorffe_n in_o the_o eleven_o chap._n of_o the_o samebook_n have_v large_o and_o learned_o prove_v from_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o thus_o conclude_v upon_o the_o whole_a haec_fw-la communis_fw-la est_fw-la hebraeorum_n sententia_fw-la massoram_fw-la a_o viris_fw-la synagogae_fw-la magnae_fw-la prosectam_fw-la esse_fw-la this_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o massora_n come_v from_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n three_o that_o ezra_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n to_o render_v the_o sacred_a text_n more_o intelligible_a and_o make_v the_o truth_n of_o some_o historical_a relation_n more_o evident_a do_v make_v some_o small_a addition_n and_o some_o verbal_a alteration_n in_o some_o place_n be_v great_o probable_a and_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v do_v but_o no_o re-penning_a the_o bible_n nor_o the_o least_o violation_n offer_v to_o the_o sacred_a record_n nor_o to_o the_o credit_n of_o its_o authority_n nor_o can_v the_o least_o objection_n though_o many_o have_v endeavour_v it_o be_v raise_v from_o hence_o to_o that_o purpose_n when_o so_o many_o person_n of_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n be_v present_a in_o that_o assembly_n and_o who_o be_v without_o doubt_n divine_o direct_v about_o what_o they_o do_v in_o that_o matter_n in_o
such_o attempt_n have_v still_o be_v discover_v and_o open_o shame_v how_o many_o heretic_n have_v carry_v about_o their_o own_o confutation_n while_o they_o possess_v this_o book_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o change_v or_o alter_v such_o passage_n as_o have_v be_v most_o cogent_n against_o themselves_o the_o bible_n pass_v through_o the_o arian-world_n with_o all_o those_o plain_a evidence_n it_o contain_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o emperor_n council_n and_o indeed_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o whole_a christian-world_n wâ—â—etainted_v with_o that_o heresy_n the_o bible_n escape_v the_o infection_n when_o the_o alteration_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plain_a text_n will_v have_v do_v they_o more_o service_n than_o all_o the_o volume_n they_o write_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o great_a design_n be_v on_o foot_n that_o way_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o disappoint_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n need_v no_o other_o confutation_n than_o their_o own_o bible_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v be_v theiâ—_n great_a accuser_n all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o this_o day_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o uriaâ—_n be_v of_o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n which_o contain_v his_o own_o ruin_n and_o as_o goliaâ—_n be_v of_o hiâ—_n sword_n which_o serve_v at_o last_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o own_o head_n second_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o book_n since_o its_o conveyance_n give_v in_o a_o signal_n and_o most_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o its_o divinity_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v gain_v that_o reception_n we_o find_v it_o have_v have_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o a_o religion_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corrupt_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o call_v man_n to_o the_o high_a mortification_n and_o self-denial_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o invisible_a world_n to_o come_v naked_o propose_v by_o man_n upon_o a_o worldly_a account_n always_o inconsiderable_a without_o any_o the_o least_o earthly_a support_n a_o religion_n period_v the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o total_o subvert_v all_o other_o religion_n a_o religion_n oppose_v &_o disow_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o though_o it_o derive_v itself_o whole_o from_o they_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a completion_n of_o all_o they_o believe_v and_o expect_v a_o religion_n in_o oppostion_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v agree_v and_o indeed_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n perfect_o concur_v i_o say_v it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n so_o circumstance_v against_o all_o the_o religion_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o first_o make_v its_o entrance_n and_o be_v embrace_v by_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n and_o within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o after_o its_o first_o publication_n for_o so_o it_o be_v be_v spread_v not_o only_o throughout_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o also_o among_o the_o parthian_n and_o remote_a heathen_n to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o it_o be_v own_o innate_a worth_n and_o the_o divine_a evidence_n from_o heaven_n attend_v it_o can_v it_o with_o any_o tolerable_a colour_n of_o reason_n be_v ascribe_v the_o zeal_n man_n have_v for_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v sufficient_o prompt_v they_o to_o hate_v abhor_v and_o persecute_v it_o the_o learning_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v employ_v to_o render_v it_o despicable_a and_o to_o bring_v it_o under_o contempt_n and_o all_o the_o force_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v every_o where_o violent_o at_o 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truth_n be_v visible_o concenter_v in_o it_o here_o be_v indeed_o a_o perfect_a rendesvouz_n of_o all_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v any_o where_o scatter_v and_o the_o world_n imperfect_o have_v have_v and_o all_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o need_n to_o have_v all_o such_o natural_a truth_n both_o of_o a_o moral_a and_o divine_a nature_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o world_n do_v acknowledge_v and_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o all_o such_o supernatural_a truth_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n natural_o pursue_v and_o be_v inquisitive_a after_o whatever_o be_v write_v in_o man_n heart_n or_o upon_o the_o work_n that_o god_n have_v make_v be_v here_o after_o a_o excellent_a manner_n transscribe_v justify_v and_o improve_v and_o many_o defect_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n supernatural_o supply_v by_o a_o most_o suitable_a revelation_n so_o that_o if_o â—_z judge_v of_o this_o book_n either_o by_o what_o we_o certain_o do_v know_v or_o by_o what_o we_o need_v and_o desire_v to_o know_v and_o 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pythogorean-philosopher_n who_o we_o find_v quote_v in_o origens_n four_o book_n against_o celsus_n tell_v we_o he_o have_v read_v the_o life_n of_o moses_n in_o many_o good_a history_n and_o relate_v many_o particular_n of_o he_o as_o his_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o water_n his_o be_v breed_v up_o in_o the_o court_n that_o he_o wrought_v many_o miracle_n and_o that_o certain_a magician_n call_v janne_n and_o jambres_n attempt_v to_o do_v the_o like_a no_o one_o story_n among_o the_o heathen_a of_o any_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o witness_v unto_o by_o writer_n foreign_a to_o that_o nation_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v who_o from_o their_o great_a enemy_n have_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a testimony_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n and_o what_o he_o write_v and_o indeed_o consider_v how_o great_a and_o eminent_a a_o commonwealth_n be_v at_o first_o first_o establish_v by_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o what_o a_o notorious_a and_o visible_a conâ—mâ—â—nce_n and_o succession_n there_o be_v of_o it_o '_o tiâ—_n moral_o impossible_a that_o the_o business_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o write_n in_o those_o time_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n shall_v be_v fictitious_a and_o false_a of_o so_o much_o of_o the_o history_n write_v by_o moses_n as_o relate_v to_o thing_n transact_v before_o the_o flood_n we_o can_v expect_v to_o find_v any_o exact_a and_o punctual_a account_n in_o a_o traditional_a way_n because_o of_o the_o great_a disadvantage_n of_o oral_a tradition_n especial_o by_o the_o confusion_n of_o babel_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o some_o considerable_a remainder_n of_o the_o ancient_a story_n of_o the_o first_o world_n about_o the_o creation_n the_o long_a life_n of_o man_n in_o those_o first_o time_n and_o divers_a other_o thing_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o several_a nation_n after_o the_o dispersion_n at_o babel_n and_o we_o find_v many_o thing_n relate_v thereto_o in_o hermes_n orpheus_n homer_n hesiond_v and_o the_o most_o primitive_a writer_n of_o which_o vossius_fw-la bochartus_fw-la and_o many_o other_o have_v give_v a_o very_a satisfy_a account_n concern_v the_o flood_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o deluge_n nothing_o have_v be_v more_o universal_o credit_v and_o because_o the_o tradition_n of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o befall_v in_o the_o prime_a time_n of_o the_o world_n and_o man_n be_v general_o ignorant_a of_o the_o right_a account_n of_o time_n therefore_o they_o apply_v it_o still_o to_o that_o time_n they_o think_v most_o ancient_a so_o the_o theban_n to_o the_o time_n of_o ogyges_n and_o the_o thessalian_n to_o the_o time_n of_o deucalion_n which_o flood_n of_o ogyges_n and_o deucalion_n be_v not_o two_o other_o distinct_a flood_n as_o some_o have_v suppose_v but_o the_o same_o flood_n of_o noah_n apply_v to_o those_o time_n and_o call_v by_o those_o name_n which_o they_o think_v of_o great_a antiquity_n one_o say_v well_o what_o nation_n have_v not_o believe_v it_o even_o among_o the_o remote_a indian_n we_o find_v the_o tradition_n of_o it_o have_v remain_v and_o what_o author_n have_v not_o speak_v of_o it_o among_o the_o egyptian_n phoenicians_n grecian_n and_o roman_n nothing_o more_o common_a and_o well_o may_v we_o suppose_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o those_o who_o attempt_v the_o rear_n of_o that_o structure_n at_o babel_n have_v probable_o a_o particular_a respect_n in_o what_o they_o do_v to_o the_o flood_n that_o be_v past_a resolve_v to_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o another_o which_o spring_v from_o their_o own_o infidelity_n for_o god_n by_o his_o promise_n to_o noah_n have_v secure_v they_o against_o all_o fear_n of_o that_o kind_a and_o therefore_o have_v sufficient_a occasion_n wheresoever_o they_o come_v to_o preserve_v and_o continue_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o berosus_n one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n after_o
the_o sun_n upon_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o consider_v the_o position_n of_o the_o moon_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n passeover_n must_v needs_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v prodigious_o supernatural_a be_v mention_v in_o many_o heathen_a writer_n which_o eusebius_n say_v he_o himself_o have_v read_v both_o eusebius_n in_o his_o chronology_n and_o origen_n in_o his_o second_o book_n against_o celsus_n tell_v we_o that_o phlegon_n trallianus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n in_o the_o thirteen_o book_n of_o his_o chronicle_n write_v of_o this_o eclipse_n and_o say_v that_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o the_o two_o hundred_o and_o ten_o olympiad_n there_o be_v the_o great_a eclipse_n of_o thâ—â—an_n that_o ever_o be_v behold_v and_o withal_o a_o strange_a earthquake_n and_o that_o year_n be_v exact_o the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n suffer_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o tertullia_n â—â—â—loâ—y_n and_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n in_o those_o first_o age_n that_o this_o and_o divers_a other_o passage_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o stoâ—â—_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o those_o time_n reâ—â—red_v among_o the_o roman_n for_o they_o ofâ—en_o appeal_v to_o their_o own_o record_n to_o â—â—ove_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o and_o many_o other_o particular_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n which_o â—e_n write_v but_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n persuade_v the_o emperor_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n refer_v he_o to_o the_o act_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n then_o register_v at_o rome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o our_o saviour_n say_v he_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o register_n of_o the_o act_n do_v under_o pontius_n pilate_n josephus_n who_o be_v bear_v about_o five_o or_o six_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n suffering_n and_o survive_v the_o reign_n of_o both_o the_o vâ—spatians_n relate_v much_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n story_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n of_o his_o holy_a life_n and_o also_o of_o his_o death_n tell_v we_o of_o herod_n and_o give_v a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o strange_a and_o remarkable_a death_n of_o pilate_n of_o festus_n foelix_n gamaliel_n and_o other_o indeed_o neither_o jew_n nor_o heathen_n do_v ever_o in_o those_o time_n contradict_v or_o deny_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n story_n judge_v it_o certain_a beyond_o all_o denial_n julian_n himself_o admit_v the_o fact_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o miracle_n and_o plain_o acknowledge_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o those_o time_n and_o by_o those_o very_a man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v that_o we_o have_v no_o full_a and_o exacter_n a_o account_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o judea_n in_o his_o time_n in_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v not_o to_o be_v much_o wonder_v at_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o peaceable_a posture_n that_o country_n be_v then_o in_o news_n which_o best_o please_v the_o roman_n from_o any_o of_o their_o province_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v most_o concern_v tacitus_n observe_v that_o judea_n be_v most_o quiet_a in_o the_o reign_n of_o tâ—berius_n as_o well_o it_o may_v all_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o follower_n do_v tend_v high_o to_o peace_n and_o subjection_n now_o we_o find_v that_o the_o roman-writer_n chief_o apply_v themselves_o to_o write_v of_o some_o famous_a war_n the_o suppression_n of_o some_o eminent_a mutiny_n or_o some_o such_o accident_n as_o in_o their_o issue_n redound_v much_o to_o the_o roman-glory_n the_o peaceable_a condition_n of_o any_o province_n usual_o shorten_v their_o relation_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o neither_o of_o the_o jew_n not_o of_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o age_n have_v they_o vouchsafe_v to_o say_v much_o nor_o do_v the_o christian_n at_o any_o time_n such_o be_v their_o peaceable_a and_o submissive_a behaviour_n give_v historian_n occasion_n to_o mention_n much_o more_o of_o they_o than_o their_o patient_a suffering_n but_o in_o the_o aftertime_n of_o vâ—spatian_n trajan_n &_o adrian_n when_o the_o roman-sword_n be_v draw_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o there_o be_v great_a mutiny_n rebellion_n and_o war_n among_o they_o the_o roman-historian_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o ample_a relation_n of_o all_o those_o affair_n two_o thing_n there_o be_v of_o great_a eminency_n in_o themselves_o and_o of_o most_o public_a nature_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n the_o fact_n of_o which_o have_v have_v such_o signal_n justification_n as_o do_v great_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o to_o which_o a_o very_a peculiar_a remark_n be_v due_a the_o one_o be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o and_o the_o repeopling_a of_o the_o world_n after_o it_o by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o other_o be_v those_o prophetical_a prediction_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o affliction_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o jew_n utter_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o flood_n nothing_o i_o have_v show_v have_v have_v a_o more_o universal_a belief_n that_o the_o earth_n according_a to_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v again_o repeopled_n by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n and_o that_o the_o nation_n be_v divide_v in_o the_o earth_n from_o his_o three_o son_n and_o their_o issue_n as_o moses_n tell_v we_o we_o have_v from_o the_o record_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o history_n abundant_a cause_n to_o believe_v and_o that_o upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n first_o we_o find_v that_o in_o those_o eastern_a part_n where_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n be_v say_v first_o to_o land_n and_o settle_v themselves_o after_o the_o deluge_n the_o grandeur_n of_o the_o world_n first_o begin_v of_o which_o the_o greatness_n and_o splendour_n of_o the_o assyrian-empire_n be_v a_o sufficient_a instance_n those_o eastern_a country_n arrive_v to_o much_o state_n and_o pomp_n and_o to_o much_o greatness_n in_o dominion_n and_o government_n long_o before_o either_o in_o greece_n italy_n or_o any_o of_o the_o western_a part_n any_o such_o thing_n be_v attain_v to_o or_o know_v which_o evident_o show_v that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o country_n be_v the_o first-born_a and_o heir_n of_o the_o world_n who_o have_v the_o great_a court_n and_o metropolis_n among_o they_o and_o that_o other_o nation_n be_v of_o the_o young_a house_n and_o colony_n of_o a_o latter_a edition_n second_o the_o earliness_n of_o learning_n of_o art_n science_n and_o invention_n among_o â—he_n assyrian_n chaldaeâ—ns_n and_o egyptian_n before_o they_o so_o much_o as_o bud_v forth_o or_o appeat_v in_o other_o conntry_n do_v argue_v that_o those_o part_n be_v first_o inhabit_v that_o they_o be_v the_o elder_a possessor_n oâ—_n the_o world_n have_v be_v long_a in_o it_o werâ—_n of_o great_a experience_n and_o that_o other_o nation_n &_o people_n be_v gradual_o deriveâ—_n and_o plant_v from_o those_o country_n anâ—_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n three_o we_o find_v that_o those_o in_o honour_n of_o who_o the_o nation_n receive_v their_o first_o name_n be_v the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n that_o moses_n tell_v we_o of_o from_o japhet_n most_o probable_o the_o elder_a son_n of_o noaâ—_n call_v by_o hesiod_n and_o other_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n japito_n and_o his_o posterito_fw-la japeâ—â—onides_n come_v the_o gomerian_o or_o â—ymbrians_n from_o his_o son_n gomer_n the_o magogim_n from_o magog_n the_o mede_n or_o madian_o from_o madus_n the_o jones_n after_o call_v graeâ—â—ns_n from_o javan_n in_o greek_a jovan_n and_o so_o from_o the_o posterity_n of_o the_o other_o two_o the_o canaanite_n from_o canaan_n the_o sabaeâ—ns_n from_o seba_n which_o the_o grecian_n write_v saba_n the_o philistines_n from_o palesthim_n the_o thracian_n from_o thyras_n the_o sidonâ—ans_n from_o sidon_n the_o egyptian_n from_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n egypt_n be_v call_v mizraim_n from_o mizraim_n one_o of_o his_o son_n mizraim_n in_o hebrew_a be_v the_o name_n of_o egypt_n and_o ancient_o even_o to_o the_o time_n of_o josephus_n the_o egyptian_n he_o say_v be_v call_v chuseans_n from_o cush_n or_o chus_n the_o elder_a son_n of_o cham_n and_o so_o throughout_o all_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n we_o find_v the_o several_a nation_n by_o their_o ancient_a denomination_n to_o be_v original_o descend_v from_o that_o posterity_n of_o noab_n set_v down_o in_o the_o ten_o of_o genesis_n seem_v posterity_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o planter_n of_o asia_n cham_n of_o africa_n and_o japhet_n of_o most_o part_n of_o europe_n with_o asia_n the_o less_o
of_o the_o first_o people_n of_o america_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v first_o people_v or_o at_o what_o time_n little_a account_n can_v be_v expect_v nor_o can_v any_o objection_n be_v reasonable_o make_v from_o thence_o in_o this_o matter_n because_o of_o the_o perfect_a silence_n in_o all_o ancient_a story_n of_o any_o such_o place_n and_o because_o of_o our_o total_a ignorance_n of_o it_o till_o of_o late_a but_o there_o be_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v of_o a_o much_o late_a plantation_n than_o the_o other_o three_o part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v not_o record_n find_v among_o the_o people_n of_o that_o country_n that_o exceed_v a_o thousand_o year_n and_o as_o most_o tell_v we_o from_o thence_o not_o above_o eight_o hundred_o the_o exact_a and_o punctual_a account_n of_o this_o whole_a matter_n we_o have_v from_o josephus_n and_o eusebâ—us_n heretofore_o and_o from_o many_o learned_a man_n since_o but_o especial_o from_o the_o most_o excellent_a bochart_n who_o have_v herein_o far_o exceed_v they_o all_o and_o who_o most_o successful_a endeavour_n this_o way_n have_v not_o only_o most_o evident_o clear_v the_o truth_n of_o sacred_a history_n in_o this_o particular_a but_o indeed_o the_o whole_a of_o what_o moses_n have_v write_v be_v very_o great_o justify_v thereby_o second_o those_o prophetical_a prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n concern_v the_o misery_n of_o the_o jew_n their_o be_v lead_v captive_a into_o all_o nation_n the_o besiege_v of_o jerusalem_n and_o such_o a_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o that_o one_o stone_n shall_v not_o be_v leave_v upon_o another_o with_o many_o other_o prophecy_n relate_v to_o that_o business_n have_v have_v such_o a_o eminent_a and_o notorious_a fulfil_n in_o the_o time_n of_o vespasian_n trajan_n adrian_n and_o since_o as_o great_o justify_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o much_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o our_o saviour_n have_v speak_v what_o we_o find_v in_o tacitus_n hegysippus_fw-la and_o other_o heathen_a writer_n but_o especial_o the_o story_n of_o josephus_n their_o own_o historian_n have_v write_v of_o that_o which_o happen_v to_o the_o jeus_fw-la their_o city_n and_o temple_n about_o forty_o year_n after_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o exact_o correspond_v to_o what_o he_o himself_o foretell_v and_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o st._n matthew_n that_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v that_o any_o future_a event_n be_v ever_o so_o plain_o and_o full_o foretell_v and_o so_o punctual_o fulfil_v in_o any_o age_n nor_o can_v any_o impartial_a man_n consider_v that_o strange_a agreement_n there_o be_v in_o every_o particular_a between_o what_o then_o happen_v and_o what_o our_o saviour_n foretell_v so_o many_o year_n before_o without_o be_v great_o affect_v with_o it_o and_o how_o full_o competent_a josephus_n be_v to_o write_v that_o story_n may_v be_v judge_v by_o what_o he_o himself_o say_v in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n i_o myself_o say_v he_o have_v compose_v a_o most_o true_a story_n of_o those_o war_n and_o of_o every_o particular_a thing_n there_o do_v as_o well_o i_o may_v have_v be_v present_a in_o all_o those_o affair_n for_o i_o be_v captain_n of_o the_o galilaeanâ—_n among_o our_o nation_n so_o long_o as_o any_o resistance_n can_v be_v make_v against_o the_o roman_n and_o than_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o i_o be_v take_v by_o the_o roman_n and_o be_v prisoner_n unto_o titus_n and_o vespasian_n they_o cause_v i_o to_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o pass_v first_o in_o bond_n and_o fetter_n and_o afterward_o free_v from_o they_o i_o be_v bring_v from_o alexandria_n with_o titus_n when_o he_o go_v to_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v then_o pass_v whereof_o i_o have_v not_o notice_n for_o behold_v the_o roman_a army_n i_o commit_v all_o thing_n to_o write_v with_o all_o possible_a diligence_n myself_o do_v only_o manage_v all_o matter_n disclose_v unto_o the_o roman_n by_o such_o as_o yield_v themselves_o for_o that_o i_o only_o do_v perfect_o understand_v they_o last_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o have_v now_o leisure_n all_o business_n be_v past_a i_o use_v the_o help_n of_o some_o for_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o so_o i_o publish_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o have_v happen_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a war_n which_o history_n of_o i_o be_v so_o true_a that_o i_o fear_v not_o to_o call_v vespasian_n and_o titus_n emperor_n in_o those_o war_n to_o witness_v for_o they_o i_o first_o give_v a_o copy_n of_o that_o book_n to_o they_o after_o to_o many_o noble_a roman_n present_v in_o those_o war_n i_o sell_v also_o many_o of_o they_o to_o our_o own_o nation_n to_o such_o as_o understand_v the_o greek_a language_n among_o who_o be_v julius_n archelaus_n herod_n the_o honest_a and_o the_o most_o worthy_a king_n agrippa_n who_o do_v all_o testify_v that_o my_o history_n contain_v nothing_o but_o truth_n who_o will_v not_o have_v be_v silent_a if_o any_o thing_n either_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o flattery_n i_o have_v change_v or_o omit_v in_o any_o particular_a the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v about_o forty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n time_n by_o vespation_n and_o titus_n total_o ruin_v and_o demolish_a the_o jew_n after_o that_o three_o time_n endeavour_v to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n the_o first_o time_n be_v under_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o the_o year_n after_o christ_n 136._o which_o attempt_n have_v no_o other_o effect_n but_o the_o slaughter_n of_o fifty_o thousand_o of_o they_o with_o many_o other_o sad_a desolation_n which_o we_o find_v set_v down_o at_o large_a by_o that_o noble_a historian_n dion_n cassius_n their_o second_o attempt_n be_v under_o constantine_n which_o he_o soon_o quash_v but_o not_o without_o great_a expression_n of_o his_o displeasure_n against_o they_o cut_v off_o their_o ear_n and_o brand_a their_o body_n and_o make_v most_o of_o they_o slave_n and_o vagabond_n their_o last_o attempt_n to_o rebuild_v it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o julian_n when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o way_n hinder_v that_o they_o be_v high_o encourage_v by_o julian_n himself_o with_o money_n and_o all_o material_n on_o purpose_n as_o sozomon_n tell_v we_o to_o vilify_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o confront_v our_o saviour_n prediction_n the_o story_n of_o it_o we_o have_v from_o one_o that_o we_o be_v sure_o can_v have_v no_o design_n to_o befriend_v the_o christian_n ammianus_n marcellinus_n a_o heathen-historian_n and_o a_o soldier_n at_o that_o time_n in_o julian_n army_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o what_o immoderate_a expense_n and_o indefatigable_a industry_n the_o jew_n by_o the_o help_n of_o julian_n set_v about_o it_o intend_v to_o make_v it_o more_o famous_a than_o ever_o and_o that_o to_o expedite_v the_o work_n julian_n appoint_v one_o alyppius_fw-la a_o person_n of_o great_a quality_n in_o his_o army_n to_o oversee_v it_o and_o assist_v in_o it_o and_o at_o last_o conclude_v his_o whole_a relation_n with_o these_o word_n cum_fw-la itaque_fw-la rei_fw-la idem_fw-la fortiter_fw-la instaret_fw-la alyppius_fw-la juvaretque_fw-la provinciae_fw-la rector_n metuendi_fw-la globi_fw-la flammarum_fw-la prope_fw-la fundamenta_fw-la crebis_fw-la assultibus_fw-la erumpentes_fw-la fecere_fw-la locum_fw-la exustis_fw-la aliquoties_fw-la operantibus_fw-la inaccessum_fw-la hocque_fw-la modo_fw-la elemento_fw-la destinatius_fw-la repellente_fw-la cessavit_fw-la incaeptum_fw-la am._n marcel_n lib._n 23._o when_o therefore_o this_o alyppius_fw-la set_v eager_o on_o the_o work_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o province_n dreadful_a ball_n of_o fire_n burst_v forth_o with_o often_o assault_n near_o the_o foundation_n make_v the_o place_n the_o workman_n be_v several_a time_n devour_v with_o the_o flame_n inaccessible_a and_o after_o this_o manner_n the_o element_n resist_v as_o with_o some_o kind_n of_o destiny_n the_o design_n be_v give_v over_o this_o be_v that_o final_a stroke_n from_o heaven_n that_o put_v a_o period_n to_o all_o endeavour_n of_o rebuild_v that_o place_n and_o to_o all_o future_a attempt_n of_o restore_v again_o the_o jewish_a church-state_n and_o polity_n and_o how_o great_a a_o evidence_n be_v it_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o what_o our_o saviour_n have_v speak_v to_o sin_v all_o these_o prediction_n against_o his_o great_a opposer_n and_o crucifier_n so_o strange_o and_o so_o exact_o and_o in_o so_o visible_a and_o notorious_a a_o manner_n fulfil_v and_o in_o truth_n that_o general_a prophetic_a spirit_n we_o find_v throughout_o the_o bible_n those_o manifold_a plain_a and_o direct_a prediction_n it_o be_v every_o where_o fill_v with_o of_o thing_n future_a and_o to_o come_v tell_v we_o much_o of_o its_o divinity_n and_o great_o assure_v we_o it_o can_v not_o be_v a_o effect_n
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that_o have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n since_o more_o dexterous_a then_o heretofore_o be_v celsus_n juliâ—n_n porphiry_n and_o faustus_n the_o manichee_n how_o mean_v their_o attempt_n be_v and_o how_o little_a impression_n they_o make_v will_v appear_v by_o the_o instance_n of_o some_o of_o their_o chief_a objection_n in_o this_o kind_n first_o they_o object_n against_o the_o bible_n because_o we_o be_v tell_v therein_o of_o divers_a incredible_a thing_n as_o that_o a_o serpent_n shall_v speak_v to_o eve_n a_o ass_n reprove_v his_o master_n that_o the_o sun_n shall_v stand_v stâ—â—â—_n and_o a_o woman_n be_v turn_v into_o salt_n with_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n that_o the_o devil_n shall_v speak_v in_o a_o serpent_n or_o that_o god_n shall_v open_v the_o mouth_n of_o a_o ass_n can_v seem_v impossible_a and_o so_o incredible_a to_o none_o that_o acknowledge_v such_o superior_a and_o invisible_a power_n especial_o it_o be_v absurd_a in_o celsus_n and_o julian_n and_o other_o of_o the_o heathen_n so_o to_o object_n because_o nothing_o be_v more_o common_o believe_v among_o they_o then_o story_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v the_o devil_n speak_v daily_o to_o they_o through_o image_n philostratus_n give_v a_o large_a account_n how_o a_o elm-tree_n speak_v to_o apollonius_n porphyry_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o river_n salute_v pythagoras_n &_o julian_n himself_o and_o his_o philosopher_n maximus_n have_v oft_o hear_v the_o devil_n speak_v with_o divers_a kind_n of_o voice_n and_o therefore_o no_o such_o thing_n can_v seem_v impossible_a to_o they_o nay_o julian_n acknowledge_v a_o possibility_n of_o the_o high_a point_n in_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o himself_o give_v a_o instance_n of_o it_o in_o esculapius_n who_o he_o suppose_v to_o descend_v from_o heaven_n and_o assume_v humane_a nature_n that_o he_o may_v instruct_v the_o world_n in_o the_o art_n of_o physic_n it_o be_v in_o truth_n in_o itself_o a_o thing_n childish_a and_o absurd_a to_o object_n against_o the_o bible_n for_o the_o relation_n of_o any_o such_o passage_n if_o the_o be_v of_o god_n be_v once_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v true_a that_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v make_v the_o sun_n stand_v still_o turn_v a_o womanâ—â—â—o_o â—â—â—o_z salt_n or_o effect_v any_o thing_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o shall_v the_o scripture_n ascribe_v any_o such_o thing_n to_o any_o humane_a ability_n the_o objection_n be_v well_o ground_v but_o they_o be_v thing_n possible_a and_o easy_a with_o god_n to_o effect_v and_o the_o fact_n of_o they_o when_o ascribe_v to_o he_o of_o a_o easy_a belief_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n reasonable_o object_n against_o the_o scripture_n upon_o any_o such_o account_n that_o do_v not_o first_o deny_v the_o actual_a existence_n of_o god_n second_o they_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n
method_n by_o which_o mankind_n come_v since_o to_o be_v save_v thing_n beyond_o all_o natural_a kenn_n and_o which_o only_o serve_v to_o reproach_n the_o wise_a thought_n and_o to_o tell_v man_n how_o little_a they_o can_v discover_v of_o what_o they_o be_v most_o concern_v to_o know_v moses_n have_v tell_v we_o more_o in_o two_o page_n then_o the_o whole_a world_n ever_o discover_v by_o the_o utmost_a of_o all_o humane_a search_n nor_o have_v the_o world_n any_o way_n improve_v itself_o in_o this_o kind_n of_o sience_n to_o this_o day_n however_o man_n by_o experience_n and_o industry_n have_v meliorate_v the_o condition_n of_o humane_a affair_n in_o other_o thing_n whatever_o advance_v they_o have_v make_v in_o natural_a theory_n or_o in_o any_o mechanic_n contrivance_n whatever_o rust_n of_o error_n or_o ignorance_n that_o stick_v to_o former_a age_n may_v be_v wear_v off_o by_o a_o improvement_n of_o natural_a speculation_n in_o this_o yet_o where_o the_o scripture_n be_v either_o not_o know_v or_o reject_v they_o be_v at_o the_o same_o loss_n in_o point_n of_o divinity_n they_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a god_n as_o ever_o and_o the_o result_n of_o all_o natural_a theology_n without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o revelation_n have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v no_o other_o than_o this_o that_o while_o man_n have_v be_v most_o busy_o contemplate_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v and_o contrive_v way_n to_o gain_v acceptance_n with_o he_o they_o have_v lose_v themselves_o in_o the_o crowd_n of_o their_o own_o vain_a imagination_n second_o such_o have_v be_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o all_o age_n that_o it_o evident_o appear_v the_o world_n man_n themselves_o have_v general_o find_v and_o acknowledge_v a_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n and_o out_o of_o a_o experimental_a sense_n of_o their_o own_o impotency_n without_o it_o have_v still_o live_v in_o expectation_n of_o somewhat_o supernatural_a to_o be_v reveal_v from_o above_o mankind_n since_o the_o fall_n have_v be_v still_o listen_v after_o some_o further_a discovery_n of_o god_n then_o what_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n do_v afford_v they_o and_o some_o more_o perspicuous_a notice_n of_o his_o pleasure_n then_o what_o their_o own_o natural_a ability_n can_v dictate_v to_o they_o as_o that_o which_o god_n goodness_n and_o his_o own_o excellent_a nature_n seem_v to_o promise_v to_o the_o world_n and_o man_n natural_a tendency_n to_o some_o supernatural_a happiness_n as_o the_o great_a end_n of_o his_o be_v continual_o call_v for_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o suit_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o revelation_n and_o man_n thought_n have_v be_v so_o constant_o take_v up_o with_o a_o expectance_n of_o some_o divine_a instruction_n that_o they_o have_v be_v still_o in_o danger_n to_o fall_v into_o all_o the_o extreme_n of_o delude_a enthusiasm_n not_o only_o their_o religion_n but_o whatever_o else_o they_o think_v well_o off_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o father_n it_o still_o upon_o revelation_n scarce_o be_v there_o a_o mechanic_n invention_n but_o they_o ascribe_v it_o to_o a_o discovery_n make_v by_o the_o go_n pythagoras_n when_o he_o have_v find_v out_o a_o excellent_a demonstration_n in_o geometry_n sacrifice_v a_o hundred_o ox_n in_o gratitude_n to_o the_o god_n who_o have_v favour_v he_o with_o such_o a_o discovery_n whatever_o be_v in_o itself_o difficult_a or_o excellent_a they_o impute_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o to_o a_o supernatural_a power_n homer_n the_o great_a oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a divinity_n not_o only_o ascribe_v to_o the_o god_n the_o invention_n of_o all_o abstruse_a matter_n and_o all_o the_o heroical_a motion_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o refer_v our_o ordinary_a cogitation_n to_o divine_a impulse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d talis_fw-la nempe_fw-la mens_fw-la est_fw-la terram_fw-la incolentium_fw-la hominum_fw-la qualem_fw-la in_o dies_fw-la indit_fw-la pater_fw-la hominumque_fw-la deumque_fw-la and_o his_o book_n be_v fill_v throughout_o with_o enthusiastic_a advertisement_n direct_v to_o man_n from_o the_o go_n cicero_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 2._o book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n be_v large_a in_o his_o expression_n this_o way_n nec_fw-la unquam_fw-la magnus_fw-la vir_fw-la sine_fw-la aliquo_fw-la afflatu_fw-la divino_fw-la never_o be_v there_o any_o great_a man_n say_v he_o without_o some_o inspiration_n not_o only_o be_v the_o poet_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o divine_n of_o the_o pagan_n and_o the_o priest_n of_o their_o mystery_n all_o inspire_a man_n but_o not_o a_o eminent_a physician_n or_o a_o soldier_n be_v there_o among_o they_o nor_o a_o man_n any_o way_n excellent_a but_o they_o derive_v his_o ability_n from_o some_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o think_v his_o quality_n from_o above_o socrates_n that_o excellent_a person_n often_o say_v that_o virtue_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o thing_n to_o be_v learn_v as_o art_n and_o science_n be_v but_o to_o be_v have_v by_o inspiration_n be_v divine_a and_o heavenly_a gift_n he_o avow_v himself_o raise_v up_o by_o god_n to_o philosophize_v and_o by_o his_o precept_n to_o reform_v the_o athenian_a manner_n and_o when_o condemn_v to_o die_v and_o sentence_v to_o the_o poisonous_a cup_n resolute_o protest_v though_o the_o prison-dore_n shall_v be_v open_v to_o he_o with_o a_o injunction_n never_o more_o to_o philosophize_v he_o will_v whole_o refuse_v his_o liberty_n upon_o those_o term_n and_o will_v choose_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o then_o men._n we_o read_v not_o of_o a_o eminent_a legislator_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o pretend_v he_o receive_v his_o law_n from_o the_o god_n solon_n law_n be_v say_v to_o come_v from_o minerva_n lycurgus_n derive_v his_o law_n from_o jupiter_n and_o much_o more_o be_v their_o religion_n and_o the_o rite_n thereof_o still_o father_v upon_o some_o deity_n or_o other_o and_o hand_v down_o to_o the_o world_n with_o a_o supernatural_a stamp_n numa_n pompilius_n the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o roman_a ceremony_n declare_v he_o receive_v they_o from_o the_o goddess_n egeria_n no_o religion_n in_o any_o nation_n but_o have_v make_v some_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n that_o absurd_a imposter_n mahomet_n be_v wise_a enough_o to_o father_n his_o medley_n divinity_n and_o all_o the_o confuse_a trash_n of_o his_o koran_n upon_o revelation_n nothing_o else_o can_v have_v cheat_v so_o many_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o that_o they_o be_v first_o persuade_v it_o come_v from_o above_o and_o that_o mahomet_n have_v it_o reveal_v to_o he_o from_o heaven_n the_o heathen_a world_n be_v in_o truth_n without_o any_o revelation_n in_o religious_a affair_n that_o be_v they_o have_v no_o divine_a law_n give_v they_o from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v their_o religious_a obedience_n whether_o it_o please_v god_n to_o reveal_v any_o particular_a matter_n at_o any_o time_n to_o any_o of_o they_o i_o dispute_v not_o but_o he_o give_v his_o statute_n his_o divine_a law_n to_o israel_n and_o he_o do_v not_o deal_v so_o witâ—_n any_o nation_n beside_o and_o yet_o nothing_o more_o general_a than_o the_o expectation_n of_o it_o and_o nothing_o more_o common_a than_o pretension_n to_o it_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o catholic_n maxim_n that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v he_o must_v be_v reveal_v from_o above_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n seem_v to_o have_v concenter_v in_o this_o belief_n that_o divine_a revelation_n and_o a_o supernatural_a intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o present_a and_o future_a good_a of_o mankind_n it_o be_v well_o express_v by_o the_o learned_a camero_n omnium_fw-la gentium_fw-la etiam_fw-la barbararum_fw-la consensu_fw-la receptum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la homini_fw-la bene_fw-la sit_fw-la praeter_fw-la eam_fw-la rationem_fw-la quam_fw-la nimis_fw-la magnifico_n &_o superbo_fw-la titulo_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la ducem_fw-la vocant_fw-la requiri_fw-la coelestem_fw-la quandam_fw-la sapientiam_fw-la inde_fw-la nata_fw-la est_fw-la religio_fw-la ritus_fw-la cerimoniae_fw-la quae_fw-la sola_fw-la sanctitate_fw-la se_fw-la commendant_fw-la praelect_v de_fw-fr verb._n dei_fw-la it_o be_v a_o thing_n say_v he_o agree_v to_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n yea_o the_o most_o barbarous_a that_o in_o order_n to_o man_n well_o be_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o heavenly_a wisdom_n to_o direct_v he_o beside_o the_o guide_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o come_v religion_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v from_o this_o general_a apprehension_n that_o the_o world_n come_v to_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o easy_o impose_v upon_o by_o delude_a pretension_n to_o inspiration_n and_o the_o many_o gross_a cheat_n of_o enthusiasm_n the_o great_a impostor_n still_o set_v up_o for_o enthusiast_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o heathen_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v so_o enslave_v to_o their_o oracle_n
and_o do_v so_o greedy_o embrace_v whatever_o they_o think_v come_v from_o above_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v in_o every_o man_n not_o besot_v with_o sensuality_n and_o brutish_o degenerate_v a_o earnest_a thirst_n after_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o supernatural_a thing_n and_o there_o be_v as_o clear_v a_o conviction_n upon_o every_o reasonable_a man_n that_o without_o some_o further_a discovery_n from_o god_n himself_o than_o what_o this_o world_n and_o our_o own_o contemplation_n thereupon_o will_v afford_v we_o no_o satisfy_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n can_v be_v attain_v three_o man_n be_v a_o creature_n design_v by_o his_o own_o faculty_n for_o a_o converse_n with_o the_o deity_n and_o by_o natural_a obligation_n tend_v to_o a_o intercourse_n with_o god_n to_o serve_v he_o acceptable_o and_o to_o pay_v the_o homage_n due_a from_o we_o in_o such_o away_o as_o we_o may_v be_v full_o ascertain_v be_v please_v to_o he_o and_o will_v be_v reward_v by_o he_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o all_o humane_a welfare_n that_o be_v the_o great_a concern_n we_o have_v in_o this_o world_n be_v to_o be_v full_o instruct_v about_o divine_a worship_n and_o this_o seem_v no_o way_n attainable_a without_o some_o revelation_n that_o god_n be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v serve_v my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o but_o what_o he_o be_v and_o after_o what_o manner_n he_o exist_v the_o knowledge_n whereof_o be_v indispensible_o necessary_a in_o all_o our_o approach_n to_o he_o as_o that_o without_o which_o we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o debase_v his_o excellency_n and_o to_o represent_v to_o ourselves_o some_o vain_a idea_n and_o phantasm_n of_o our_o own_o imagination_n i_o must_v be_v teach_v from_o above_o and_o for_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o be_v to_o be_v serve_v and_o what_o will_v be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o therein_o i_o must_v look_v upward_o and_o expect_v a_o full_a and_o complete_a direction_n from_o thence_o mankind_n seem_v una_fw-la voce_fw-la to_o have_v concenter_v in_o this_o as_o a_o thing_n most_o sit_v yea_o necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v from_o heaven_n reveal_v to_o we_o the_o way_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n and_o teach_v we_o the_o method_n of_o our_o converse_n with_o he_o where_o can_v we_o find_v a_o religion_n in_o any_o nation_n not_o found_v upon_o some_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n and_o establish_v upon_o this_o admission_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o most_o irrational_a thing_n and_o a_o great_a indignity_n offer_v to_o the_o supreme_a majesty_n to_o make_v man_n their_o own_o judge_n in_o that_o case_n and_o to_o suppose_v it_o leave_v to_o the_o arbitrary_a determination_n of_o humane_a discretion_n how_o god_n shall_v be_v worship_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n and_o our_o own_o dependence_n upon_o he_o be_v single_o sufficient_a to_o evince_v this_o truth_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v under_o a_o law_n and_o a_o state_v rule_n for_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o serve_v of_o he_o without_o which_o we_o can_v never_o entitle_v the_o best_a of_o our_o service_n to_o obedience_n or_o upon_o any_o good_a ground_n be_v secure_v of_o acceptance_n not_o aught_o we_o to_o judge_v that_o any_o worship_n ever_o find_v favour_n with_o god_n that_o have_v not_o the_o stamp_n of_o his_o own_o command_n and_o be_v not_o by_o himself_o some_o way_n or_o other_o appoint_v though_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v well_o please_v with_o the_o moral_a goodness_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o any_o real_a conformity_n there_o be_v among_o they_o to_o that_o natural_a divinity_n that_o be_v original_o annex_v to_o every_o man_n be_v and_o great_o displease_v with_o the_o contrary_a and_o reward_v and_o punish_v they_o upon_o their_o good_a and_o ill_a behaviour_n in_o those_o thing_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o whole_a of_o their_o own_o contrive_a worship_n with_o all_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n to_o god_n most_o odious_a and_o detestable_a and_o of_o this_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v not_o only_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n consider_v in_o itself_o but_o from_o a_o very_a authentic_a determination_n that_o tell_v we_o the_o whole_a of_o that_o worship_n be_v a_o service_n perform_v to_o devil_n nor_o can_v any_o the_o best_a intention_n that_o any_o man_n ever_o yet_o have_v since_o the_o world_n begin_v sufficient_o excuse_v for_o will-worship_n and_o idolatry_n there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n by_o which_o any_o worship_n can_v be_v appoint_v by_o god_n either_o by_o a_o law_n natural_a give_v to_o we_o in_o our_o first_o constitution_n or_o by_o some_o reveal_v law_n since_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o worship_n must_v be_v either_o in_o nature_n or_o institution_n the_o point_n then_o to_o be_v prove_v will_v be_v this_o that_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o natural_a law_n give_v to_o mankind_n a_o sufficient_a direction_n about_o his_o worship_n and_o that_o intercourse_n between_o himself_o and_o the_o world_n that_o respect_v either_o his_o own_o honour_n or_o man_n happiness_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v maintain_v and_o all_o mankind_n natural_o tend_v to_o but_o have_v leave_v we_o to_o expect_v it_o in_o a_o supernatural_a way_n that_o god_n by_o a_o law_n natural_a bind_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v his_o be_v and_o have_v give_v we_o sufficient_a notice_n of_o it_o in_o general_n and_o bind_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o honour_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o his_o be_v and_o have_v give_v we_o some_o general_n innate_a direction_n about_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o i_o grant_v and_o have_v also_o oblige_v we_o to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o rational_a nature_n which_o show_v to_o we_o good_a and_o evil_a by_o that_o very_a nature_n which_o become_v obligatory_a to_o itself_o in_o these_o thing_n our_o own_o reason_n be_v our_o law_n and_o according_a to_o that_o law_n man_n without_o revelation_n be_v reward_v and_o punish_v and_o so_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o all_o the_o heathen_a nation_n be_v but_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o dictate_v of_o the_o best_a reason_n be_v not_o entrust_v with_o such_o a_o plenary_a direction_n about_o worship_n as_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o have_v and_o we_o all_o tend_v to_o nor_o can_v any_o man_n be_v a_o sufficient_a law_n to_o himself_o in_o those_o thing_n and_o that_o may_v be_v thus_o make_v to_o appear_v all_o worship_n must_v either_o be_v confine_v to_o word_n thought_n and_o bodily_a gesture_n and_o simple_o terminate_v there_o or_o else_o it_o must_v be_v extend_v to_o some_o further_a expression_n of_o service_n by_o a_o appropriation_n of_o some_o other_o medium_n unto_o it_o first_o no_o part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v ever_o yet_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n reasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v no_o otherwise_o serve_v then_o by_o thought_n gesture_n and_o word_n both_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o nation_n have_v in_o all_o time_n declare_v the_o contrary_n nor_o have_v any_o worship_n in_o any_o place_n be_v establish_v or_o such_o a_o constitution_n frame_v as_o that_o we_o call_v religion_n without_o some_o other_o expression_n of_o service_n and_o some_o other_o external_n medium_n appropriate_v to_o it_o and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v arisen_a from_o two_o thing_n first_o man_n have_v never_o suppose_v their_o word_n or_o their_o thought_n or_o their_o gesture_n to_o be_v alone_o a_o sufficient_a expression_n of_o that_o homage_n they_o be_v natural_o sensible_a they_o owe_v to_o the_o greatness_n and_o bounty_n of_o god_n for_o their_o own_o being_n and_o the_o donation_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o have_v visible_o bestow_v upon_o man_n in_o make_v the_o whole_a in_o a_o subserviency_n to_o he_o and_o give_v he_o the_o plenary_a and_o quiet_a possession_n of_o it_o but_o they_o still_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o a_o further_a expression_n of_o gratitude_n and_o subjection_n second_o mankind_n in_o every_o age_n have_v apply_v to_o god_n under_o a_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o of_o gild_n contract_v by_o it_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n have_v still_o adjudge_v it_o as_o necessary_a to_o make_v some_o further_o offer_v to_o god_n for_o their_o sin_n and_o by_o some_o other_o medium_n then_o bare_a thought_n and_o naked_a expression_n to_o apply_v to_o he_o about_o they_o no_o man_n ever_o yet_o imagine_v such_o a_o service_n a_o sufficient_a compensation_n for_o sin_n but_o have_v still_o attempt_v a_o further_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o justice_n above_o and_o by_o some_o other_o way_n have_v endeavour_v to_o appease_v divine_a anger_n now_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o world_n do_v not_o issue_v itself_o into_o any_o positive_a certainty_n about_o such_o thing_n as_o it_o do_v about_o thing_n