of_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n upon_o they_o have_v the_o light_n shine_v thou_o have_v multiply_v the_o nation_n thou_o have_v increase_v the_o joy_n they_o joy_v before_o thou_o according_a to_o the_o joy_n in_o harvest_n and_o as_o man_n rejoice_v when_o they_o divide_v the_o spoil_n i_o shall_v afterward_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v by_o a_o incredible_a abundance_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o so_o this_o shall_v suffice_v at_o present_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o very_a great_a prophet_n chap._n xviii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o propound_v a_o new_a covenant_n from_o god_n with_o all_o man_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o be_v easy_o gather_v 1._o because_o all_o nation_n before_o they_o can_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n by_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n make_v to_o abraham_n be_v first_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o covenant_n 2._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o covenant_n itself_o of_o which_o moses_n be_v the_o mediator_n the_o end_n of_o which_o be_v to_o separate_v the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n some_o of_o which_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v receive_v among_o they_o till_o after_o several_a generation_n whereas_o they_o be_v to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o this_o blessing_n by_o the_o messiah_n 3._o because_o in_o effect_n all_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v only_o add_v to_o the_o moral_a as_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n principal_a intention_n and_o only_o upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o jew_n worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n as_o st._n 3.19_o gal._n 3.19_o paul_n observe_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n beside_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n at_o divers_a time_n have_v give_v sufficient_a hint_n concern_v this_o 1._o he_o have_v propose_v a_o new_a priesthood_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o abolish_v the_o levitical_a priesthood_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a forasmuch_o as_o david_n who_o pronounce_v that_o oracle_n psalm_n cx_o be_v he_o who_o first_o form_v the_o design_n of_o build_v the_o temple_n to_o which_o all_o the_o levitical_a service_n be_v annex_v 2._o we_o find_v he_o reject_v in_o some_o sort_n the_o levitical_a ministry_n after_o he_o have_v despise_v it_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o spiritual_a worship_n psalm_n xl._n vers_fw-la 6._o sacrifice_n and_o offer_v thou_o do_v not_o desire_v my_o ear_n have_v thou_o open_v burnt-offering_a and_o sin-offering_a have_v thou_o not_o require_v and_o psalm_n l._n vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o i_o will_v not_o reprove_v thou_o for_o thy_o sacrifice_n or_o thy_o burnt-offering_n which_o have_v be_v continual_o before_o i_o i_o will_v take_v no_o bullock_n out_o of_o thy_o house_n nor_o he-goat_n out_o of_o thy_o fold_n for_o every_o beast_n of_o the_o forest_n be_v i_o and_o the_o cattle_n upon_o a_o thousand_o hill_n and_o psalm_n li._n verse_n 17._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o god_n be_v a_o break_a spirit_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n which_o the_o law_n prescribe_v and_o to_o signify_v their_o imperfection_n the_o law_n have_v appoint_v none_o for_o the_o expiation_n of_o murder_n or_o adultery_n isaiah_n follow_v david_n chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o and_o 15._o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o multitude_n of_o your_o sacrifice_n unto_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n i_o be_o full_a of_o the_o burnt-offering_n of_o ram_n and_o the_o fat_a of_o feed_a beast_n and_o i_o delight_v not_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o bullock_n or_o of_o lamb_n or_o of_o he-goat_n when_o you_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o i_o who_o have_v require_v this_o at_o your_o hand_n to_o tread_v my_o court_n bring_v no_o more_o vain_a oblation_n incense_n be_v a_o abomination_n unto_o i_o the_o new_a moon_n and_o sabbath_n the_o call_n of_o assembly_n i_o can_v away_o with_o it_o be_v iniquity_n even_o the_o solemn_a meeting_n your_o new_a moon_n and_o your_o appoint_a feast_n my_o soul_n hate_v they_o be_v a_o trouble_n unto_o i_o i_o be_o weary_a to_o bear_v they_o and_o when_o you_o spread_v forth_o your_o hand_n i_o will_v hide_v my_o eye_n from_o you_o yea_o when_o you_o make_v many_o prayer_n i_o will_v not_o hear_v your_o hand_n be_v full_a of_o blood_n and_o jeremiah_n speak_v much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chap._n vii_o v._o 21_o 22_o &_o 23._o but_o beside_o god_n direct_o promise_v this_o new_a covenant_n by_o isaiah_n chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 6_o 7._o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thy_o hand_n and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n from_o the_o prison_n house_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o observe_v that_o in_o this_o place_n where_o god_n speak_v of_o the_o messiah_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o confess_v he_o express_o declare_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v mediate_v a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o the_o people_n 2._o that_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o extend_v to_o the_o gentile_n which_o plain_o imply_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o old_a covenant_n forasmuch_o as_o from_o it_o several_a be_v exclude_v the_o same_o covenant_n be_v also_o mention_v chap._n xlix_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n in_o a_o acceptable_a time_n have_v i_o hear_v thou_o and_o in_o a_o day_n of_o salvation_n have_v i_o help_v thou_o and_o i_o will_v preserve_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n to_o establish_v the_o earth_n to_o cause_v to_o inherit_v the_o desolate_a heritage_n that_o thou_o may_v say_v to_o the_o prisoner_n go_v forth_o to_o they_o that_o be_v in_o darkness_n show_v yourselves_o they_o shall_v feed_v in_o the_o way_n and_o their_o pasture_n shall_v be_v in_o all_o high-place_n he_o pursue_v the_o same_o notion_n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 3_o 4._o incline_v your_o ear_n and_o come_v unto_o i_o hear_v and_o your_o soul_n shall_v live_v and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o you_o the_o sure_a mercy_n of_o david_n behold_v i_o have_v give_v he_o for_o a_o witness_n to_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o particular_a and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o speak_v chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o for_o i_o the_o lord_n love_v judgement_n i_o hate_v robbery_n for_o burnt-offering_a and_o i_o will_v direct_v their_o work_n in_o truth_n and_o i_o will_v make_v a_o everlasting_a covenant_n with_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n shall_v be_v know_v among_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o offspring_n among_o the_o people_n all_o that_o see_v they_o shall_v acknowledge_v they_o that_o they_o be_v the_o seed_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v bless_v it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o day_n that_o god_n in_o these_o oracle_n promise_v a_o irrevocable_a covenant_n because_o he_o call_v it_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o former_a he_o take_v notice_n also_o in_o the_o same_o book_n that_o the_o say_a covenant_n be_v to_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o that_o then_o that_o blessing_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v know_v according_a to_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n which_o be_v promise_v universal_o to_o all_o nation_n this_o be_v that_o which_o god_n more_o particular_o explain_v afterward_o by_o the_o voice_n and_o pen_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o order_n of_o priest_n thereby_o to_o prevent_v all_o sort_n of_o exception_n jeremiah_n in_o effect_n speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chap._n xxxi_o vers_fw-la 31_o 32_o 33_o 34_o 35_o and_o 36._o behold_v the_o day_n come_v say_v the_o lord_n that_o i_o will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o with_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n that_o i_o make_v with_o their_o father_n in_o the_o day_n that_o i_o take_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o my_o covenant_n they_o break_v although_o i_o be_v a_o husband_n to_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n but_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o covenant_n that_o i_o will_v make_v with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n after_o those_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o inward_a part_n and_o write_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o i_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n and_o they_o shall_v
fact_n which_o they_o have_v assert_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n and_o even_o until_o death_n that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v down_o upon_o his_o apostle_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o witness_n fifty_o day_n after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n when_o jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v it_o be_v as_o remarkable_a a_o fact_n as_o ever_o happen_v twelve_o fisherman_n of_o galilee_n maintain_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o the_o whole_a nation_n have_v demand_v to_o be_v crucify_v but_o fifty_o day_n before_o and_o who_o do_v actual_o suffer_v upon_o a_o infamous_a cross_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n after_o he_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o they_o and_o have_v appear_v several_a time_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o that_o he_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o of_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n that_o they_o speak_v divers_a language_n be_v a_o fact_n most_o notorious_a the_o truth_n whereof_o appear_v from_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v fill_v with_o their_o disciple_n but_o a_o few_o year_n after_o this_o fact_n be_v do_v that_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o heal_v all_o disease_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v establish_v upon_o indisputable_a testimony_n insomuch_o as_o their_o successor_n receive_v the_o same_o gift_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o their_o hand_n two_o hundred_o year_n after_o tertullian_n mention_n this_o gift_n as_o be_v at_o that_o time_n well_o know_v among_o christian_n that_o the_o apostle_n after_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o jew_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n who_o also_o receive_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o there_o be_v so_o many_o proof_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n that_o the_o convert_a jew_n strong_o oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n pretend_v as_o the_o jew_n now_o do_v that_o the_o messiah_n with_o his_o gift_n and_o grace_n be_v confine_v to_o their_o nation_n be_v a_o fact_n so_o well_o attest_v that_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o first_o dispute_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o first_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o contest_v of_o s._n paul_n with_o those_o of_o his_o own_o nation_n that_o since_o that_o time_n the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n have_v maintain_v by_o their_o write_n and_o dispute_n and_o final_o by_o their_o martyrdom_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n that_o they_o have_v constant_o stand_v to_o this_o claim_n allege_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o gospel_n propose_v and_o maintain_v that_o the_o matter_n there_o relate_v be_v exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n that_o all_o this_o be_v unquestionable_a one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o sermon_n and_o speech_n set_v down_o by_o s._n luke_n and_o their_o epistle_n one_o needs_o only_o peruse_v the_o heathen_a history_n and_o the_o work_n of_o those_o that_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n who_o follow_v their_o footstep_n in_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o apostle_n discharge_v their_o follower_n from_o the_o ceremony_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v oblige_v they_o only_o to_o the_o essential_o of_o morality_n that_o they_o annul_v the_o law_n which_o permit_v divorce_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n and_o polygamy_n these_o be_v thing_n which_o none_n who_o have_v read_v their_o write_n or_o those_o of_o their_o first_o disciple_n can_v in_o the_o least_o question_n last_o that_o they_o foretell_v many_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n that_o they_o publish_v their_o prediction_n which_o they_o have_v extend_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o return_n of_o jesus_n from_o heaven_n to_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o that_o they_o have_v record_v the_o particular_n of_o many_o considerable_a event_n observe_v by_o the_o christian_n which_o have_v happen_v from_o time_n to_o time_n these_o be_v fact_n as_o well_o know_v and_o as_o incontestable_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v in_o the_o world_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n whole_a nation_n be_v witness_n of_o it_o differ_v sect_n interpreter_n who_o have_v several_a opinion_n concern_v these_o prophecy_n the_o contest_v of_o the_o jew_n the_o opposition_n of_o atheist_n the_o cavil_n of_o heretic_n the_o cruelty_n of_o tyrant_n all_o these_o concur_v to_o prove_v clear_o that_o the_o christian_n receive_v these_o prophecy_n from_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o since_o even_o these_o opposition_n be_v foretell_v as_o well_o as_o the_o persecution_n thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o view_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o important_a article_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o i_o think_v that_o they_o be_v so_o solid_o ground_v upon_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o i_o can_v assert_v with_o reason_n that_o no_o fact_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v produce_v so_o well_o establish_v as_o these_o be_v which_o be_v the_o fundamental_o of_o our_o religion_n what_o fact_n be_v there_o which_o be_v attest_v by_o whole_a nation_n as_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v what_o fact_n be_v there_o about_o which_o man_n be_v so_o careful_a to_o inform_v themselves_o as_o when_o a_o man_n pretend_v to_o the_o title_n of_o the_o messiah_n what_o thing_n can_v we_o suppose_v that_o require_v a_o strong_a conviction_n because_o of_o the_o difficulty_n it_o involve_v than_o that_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o crucifixion_n that_o be_v who_o have_v see_v he_o punish_v by_o the_o magistrate_n the_o horror_n of_o all_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o all_o appearance_n forsake_v of_o heaven_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n as_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a instance_n of_o fanatical_a folly_n than_o to_o attribute_v to_o twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n who_o master_n be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n by_o public_a order_n and_o by_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n i_o say_v to_o attribute_v to_o they_o the_o design_n of_o persuade_v that_o people_n and_o the_o gentile_n also_o that_o this_o man_n be_v raise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a that_o he_o rule_v in_o heaven_n that_o he_o have_v bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n if_o this_o jesus_n have_v be_v never_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a nor_o have_v bestow_v such_o gift_n upon_o they_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n not_o be_v capable_a of_o so_o great_a folly_n so_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o conclude_v that_o since_o they_o have_v attest_v this_o fact_n and_o confirm_v it_o by_o all_o the_o proof_n which_o may_v convince_v those_o who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o prejudice_v yet_o be_v astonish_v at_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o so_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a than_o fact_n so_o confirm_v as_o we_o pretend_v that_o these_o actual_o be_v chap._n xvii_o that_o it_o can_v be_v question_v whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n before_o we_o allege_v those_o argument_n which_o will_v invincible_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o make_v these_o three_o or_o four_o reflection_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a design_n the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o can_v scarce_o conceive_v a_o more_o simple_a and_o strong_a way_n of_o prove_v a_o fact_n than_o what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n here_o mention_v the_o design_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n for_o instance_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o that_o in_o his_o birth_n his_o life_n his_o doctrine_n his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n we_o meet_v with_o all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n how_o do_v the_o evangelist_n execute_v this_o their_o design_n in_o the_o most_o proper_a way_n imaginable_a to_o convince_v other_o and_o most_o proportionable_a to_o their_o design_n they_o simple_o relate_v the_o fact_n and_o fact_n so_o clear_a that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o we_o can_v doubt_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n they_o relate_v the_o most_o important_a of_o these_o fact_n as_o thing_n that_o happen_v in_o
who_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v so_o indeed_o so_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o examine_v it_o or_o know_v it_o since_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o model_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o god_n at_o first_o frame_v it_o for_o the_o determine_n of_o this_o question_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v it_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n exact_o follow_v this_o divine_a model_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o exact_o correspond_v with_o it_o and_o which_o answer_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n in_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v it_o well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o question_n of_o fact_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n but_o such_o a_o question_n as_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o 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several_a witness_n it_o appear_v from_o tacitus_n that_o jesus_n christ_n suffer_v death_n under_o tiberius_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v know_v that_o claudius_n banish_v the_o christian_n from_o rome_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 54._o it_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n in_o his_o life_n of_o nero_n that_o he_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o burn_a the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_n therefore_o make_v a_o considerable_a body_n in_o the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 64._o suetonius_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o pliny_n in_o trajan_n time_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o meeting_n 3._o dion_n cassius_n set_v down_o the_o accusation_n bring_v in_o against_o flavius_n and_o domitilla_n as_o against_o atheist_n which_o be_v the_o title_n julian_n the_o apostate_n give_v to_o constantine_n because_o the_o christian_n reject_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a gods._n 4._o it_o appear_v by_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 63_o and_o yet_o this_o book_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o s._n luke_n to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o it_o and_o s._n luke_n gospel_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v already_o publish_v 5._o it_o appear_v from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v then_o write_v and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o book_n of_o s._n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o s._n justin._n these_o fact_n which_o be_v certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n as_o eye_n witness_n maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n after_o this_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v dispute_v by_o what_o power_n he_o be_v raise_v whether_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o by_o his_o own_o but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o dispute_v the_o fact_n by_o reason_v draw_v from_o preten_v absurdity_n which_o one_o may_v think_v to_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o these_o mystery_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o the_o trinity_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o idea_n of_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o which_o not_o be_v distinct_o know_v by_o we_o may_v raise_v difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o i_o will_v discourse_v with_o one_o bear_v blind_a of_o the_o sun_n of_o its_o light_n and_o heat_n and_o shall_v attribute_v to_o the_o sun_n the_o production_n of_o light_n and_o afterward_o of_o heat_n he_o will_v find_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n not_o to_o imagine_v three_o sun_n it_o be_v know_v how_o the_o philosopher_n who_o agree_v 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to_o make_v upon_o all_o those_o heresy_n in_o the_o second_o age_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o death_n from_o thence_o man_n take_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o collect_v with_o great_a care_n all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o both_o these_o fact_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o contest_v do_v not_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o the_o several_a consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n continue_v still_o beyond_o dispute_n this_o we_o find_v in_o the_o dispute_v raise_v about_o the_o millennium_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v equal_o believe_v by_o both_o the_o dispute_a party_n but_o different_o understand_v according_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o those_o that_o consider_v of_o they_o some_o form_v gross_a and_o sensual_a conception_n concern_v they_o other_o have_v a_o more_o spiritual_a relish_n which_o they_o have_v acquire_v by_o study_v the_o prophecy_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n 3._o we_o find_v that_o this_o division_n which_o have_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o solid_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o some_o fool_n have_v endeavour_v to_o decry_v some_o of_o they_o or_o to_o falsify_v some_o particular_a place_n we_o see_v that_o both_o party_n unite_v to_o repel_v that_o violence_n by_o produce_v their_o copy_n and_o beat_v back_o the_o impostor_n with_o their_o unite_a strength_n one_o see_v we_o that_o tertullian_n though_o a_o montanist_n write_v prescription_n against_o heretic_n and_o epiphanius_n take_v notice_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o some_o that_o be_v orthodox_n of_o their_o crime_n in_o blot_v out_o of_o their_o copy_n that_o christ_n have_v weep_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o division_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o karaite_n and_o thalmudist_n the_o jealousy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o samaritan_n and_o the_o division_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o hinder_v its_o corruption_n each_o party_n be_v very_o vigilant_a to_o hinder_v their_o adversary_n from_o attempt_v any_o thing_n to_o its_o prejudice_n in_o corrupt_v a_o book_n which_o they_o consider_v as_o common_a to_o they_o all_o i_o may_v observe_v many_o other_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o the_o truth_n from_o these_o human_a fail_n but_o i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o which_o have_v always_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o considerable_a and_o that_o be_v that_o these_o heretic_n distinct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n a_o impious_a person_n will_v have_v reason_n to_o accuse_v our_o oracle_n as_o false_a if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o heresy_n but_o truth_n triumph_v in_o see_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v the_o more_o she_o see_v we_o herself_o confirm_v and_o establish_v this_o be_v the_o reason_n induce_v god_n to_o permit_v so_o great_a a_o increase_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o the_o truth_n meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o persecution_n stand_v in_o the_o great_a need_n of_o sensible_a character_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v know_v i_o conclude_v this_o work_n with_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o consider_v these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n here_o propound_v with_o a_o serious_a attention_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o coherence_n and_o indissoluble_a connexion_n of_o they_o and_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o have_v propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o finis_fw-la
examine_v their_o principle_n and_o confute_v they_o which_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o wise_a man_n have_v former_o acknowledge_v as_o they_o also_o own_o to_o this_o very_a day_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god._n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o philosopher_n do_v own_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n only_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n which_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o contradict_v and_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o christian_n and_o mahometan_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n we_o be_v only_o to_o prove_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la one_o may_v prove_v this_o against_o the_o jew_n without_o any_o trouble_n because_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o most_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n suppose_v so_o likewise_o 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be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n consider_v by_o itself_o in_o short_a it_o be_v impossible_a consider_v the_o opposition_n there_o be_v between_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v the_o true_a but_o that_o all_o other_o must_v be_v false_a in_o those_o article_n wherein_o they_o essential_o differ_v from_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o can_v explain_v those_o argument_n which_o clear_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o convict_v all_o other_o religion_n of_o falsehood_n because_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o proof_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o there_o be_v several_a way_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o end_n which_o i_o propose_v man_n that_o think_v much_o wish_v that_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v from_o reflection_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o it_o which_o to_o they_o will_v be_v a_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a proof_n other_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o speculative_a examination_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v their_o conformity_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o reason_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o both_o these_o employ_v themselves_o usual_o in_o this_o sort_n of_o study_n and_o that_o truth_n find_v a_o considerable_a support_n from_o their_o meditation_n but_o how_o useful_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v i_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v another_o course_n as_o think_v it_o of_o more_o advantage_n solid_o to_o establish_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v which_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v more_o proper_a to_o persuade_v all_o sort_n of_o reader_n and_o better_o level_v to_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n of_o those_o who_o new_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n be_v general_o own_a by_o heathen_n and_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n i_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n altogether_o unnecessary_a to_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o several_a abstract_a question_n such_o as_o these_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n whether_o man_n be_v natural_o incline_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o the_o like_a when_o i_o shall_v have_v firm_o prove_v that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o that_o he_o prescribe_v a_o service_n to_o the_o first_o man_n who_o leave_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o to_o all_o their_o posterity_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v derive_v i_o shall_v have_v prevent_v many_o very_a unprofitable_a dispute_n and_o which_o can_v only_o perplex_v the_o mind_n by_o their_o obscurity_n i_o have_v therefore_o confine_v myself_o to_o certain_a consideration_n which_o do_v so_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o by_o their_o union_n they_o firm_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o hope_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o abolish_v the_o christian_n as_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n abrogate_a the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o understand_a reader_n shall_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o god_n never_o frame_v the_o model_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o the_o mahometan_n will_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n page_n 1_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n 5_o chap._n 3._o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 8_o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a 16_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 23_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n 27_o chap._n 7._o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n 34_o chap._n 8._o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n 44_o chap._n 9_o that_o adam_n be_v confirm_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n in_o the_o persuasion_n he_o have_v entertain_v concern_v his_o creation_n 49_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n 52_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 54_o chap._n 12._o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 61_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n 64_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n 67_o chap._n 15._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n 71_o chap._n 16._o that_o this_o very_a persuasion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n until_o moses_n be_v time_n 81_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o persuasion_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n before_o moses_n can_v be_v suspect_v 86_o chap._n 18._o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v 89_o chap._n 19_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n 95_o chap._n 20._o a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n 106_o chap._n 21._o wherein_o the_o
get_v himself_o reputation_n by_o exciting_a a_o curiosity_n in_o people_n for_o his_o book_n this_o will_v not_o have_v be_v become_v the_o gravity_n and_o wisdom_n of_o so_o great_a a_o legislator_n of_o who_o all_o succeed_a age_n have_v borrow_v their_o law_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o his_o end_n in_o the_o record_v of_o these_o matter_n be_v to_o inspire_v with_o a_o sense_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n those_o who_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n this_o be_v that_o which_o in_o general_a we_o may_v observe_v about_o these_o matter_n but_o more_o particular_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o moses_n his_o end_n in_o record_v the_o oracle_n by_o which_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o establish_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v to_o represent_v to_o the_o jew_n the_o right_a they_o have_v to_o that_o land_n according_a to_o the_o design_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n but_o without_o make_v this_o particular_a reflection_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o law_n take_v its_o beginning_n at_o the_o twelve_o of_o exodus_fw-la where_o god_n prescribe_v to_o his_o people_n the_o manner_n of_o celebrate_v the_o passover_n at_o least_o this_o be_v the_o first_o law_n which_o god_n give_v they_o through_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o moses_n his_o end_n be_v to_o justify_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o his_o people_n the_o design_n he_o have_v to_o make_v they_o leave_v egypt_n as_o well_o as_o their_o pretension_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n whither_o he_o be_v to_o lead_v they_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o he_o to_o lay_v before_o they_o the_o ground_n of_o those_o pretension_n which_o he_o can_v not_o do_v without_o relate_v the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o history_n until_o the_o time_n of_o their_o bondage_n in_o egypt_n which_o we_o read_v in_o genesis_n the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o only_o concern_v the_o ancestor_n of_o that_o people_n after_o that_o moses_n have_v first_o lay_v down_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o which_o be_v know_v to_o all_o nation_n let_v we_o now_o imagine_v to_o ourselves_o a_o man_n endeavour_v all_o of_o a_o sudden_a to_o introduce_v into_o the_o world_n the_o belief_n of_o thing_n so_o far_o distant_a from_o common_a apprehension_n as_o these_o two_o point_n must_v needs_o be_v viz._n that_o of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n in_o case_n we_o suppose_v they_o general_o unknown_a let_v we_o yet_o further_o conceive_v a_o man_n not_o only_o relate_v those_o thing_n but_o make_v they_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o new_a sort_n of_o law_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o be_v there_o any_o wit_n or_o judgement_n in_o such_o a_o undertake_n can_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o moses_n who_o write_n testify_v his_o great_a wisdom_n shall_v ever_o have_v entertain_v such_o unaccountable_a thought_n i_o dare_v aver_v that_o there_o be_v any_o never_a legislator_n so_o stupid_a and_o inconsiderate_a as_o to_o pretend_v to_o engage_v a_o whole_a people_n to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o yoke_n of_o obedience_n and_o to_o receive_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n respect_v their_o civil_a government_n and_o religion_n by_o declare_v to_o they_o two_o fiction_n of_o which_o they_o have_v never_o before_o have_v the_o least_o idea_n it_o be_v also_o very_o considerable_a that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o recite_v by_o moses_n as_o a_o preface_n to_o the_o decalogue_n as_o if_o then_o first_o they_o have_v be_v propose_v to_o moses_n or_o the_o people_n by_o god_n but_o moses_n set_v they_o down_o as_o truth_n know_v to_o they_o all_o and_z as_o principle_n universal_o admit_v and_o such_o as_o the_o mere_a mention_v of_o they_o can_v not_o but_o strong_o engage_v the_o jew_n to_o render_v a_o ready_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n in_o their_o presence_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o which_o their_o very_a sense_n be_v convince_v let_v we_o also_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o those_o thing_n the_o relation_n of_o which_o moses_n have_v join_v with_o these_o two_o general_a point_n to_o make_v a_o impression_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o account_n he_o give_v they_o of_o their_o ancestor_n near_a or_o far_o off_o who_o he_o represent_v as_o equal_o inform_v of_o these_o matter_n as_o have_v several_o deliver_v the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o to_o their_o child_n and_o have_v join_v to_o these_o first_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o saviour_n many_o other_o notion_n thereon_o depend_v and_o which_o tie_v their_o hope_n and_o expectation_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o now_o judge_v whether_o moses_n be_v not_o to_o be_v accuse_v of_o great_a folly_n and_o senselesness_n if_o he_o have_v proceed_v to_o make_v such_o a_o vast_a people_n all_o of_o the_o sudden_a to_o receive_v for_o truth_n public_o and_o general_o own_v what_o indeed_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o most_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a cohere_a romance_n that_o ever_o be_v broach_v now_o since_o as_o it_o be_v visible_a take_v in_o the_o circumstance_n i_o have_v hint_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o a_o historian_n and_o lawgiver_n as_o moses_n be_v relate_v such_o importent_fw-la matter_n can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o atheist_n can_v have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o his_o testimony_n with_o the_o least_o shadow_n or_o pretence_n of_o reason_n so_o that_o we_o may_v already_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o better_o attest_v than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o immovable_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nevertheless_o for_o a_o more_o evident_a conviction_n we_o be_v willing_a before_o we_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o weak_a and_o inconsiderable_a all_o those_o objection_n be_v which_o atheist_n can_v possible_o frame_v against_o what_o moses_n relate_v concern_v these_o matter_n what_o can_v they_o with_o reason_n object_n perhaps_o they_o will_v say_v that_o moses_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o genesis_n but_o that_o it_o be_v foist_v in_o under_o his_o name_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o evidence_n be_v all_o without_o ground_n or_o they_o may_v object_v that_o if_o moses_n be_v indeed_o the_o author_n of_o genesis_n that_o he_o live_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o relate_v that_o it_o make_v void_a the_o authority_n of_o his_o write_n they_o may_v moreover_o allege_v that_o moses_n relate_v thing_n impossible_a and_o of_o which_o therefore_o those_o that_o mention_v they_o before_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o do_v can_v not_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o and_o that_o they_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v great_o change_v and_o alter_v by_o a_o tradition_n of_o so_o many_o age_n they_o may_v also_o allege_v that_o according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n moses_n pen_v not_o these_o thing_n as_o a_o historian_n but_o as_o a_o prophet_n and_o that_o the_o apprehension_n of_o most_o concern_v his_o book_n be_v that_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n whereof_o the_o knowledge_n before_o his_o time_n be_v very_o obscure_a and_o confuse_v or_o rather_o be_v general_o unknown_a they_o may_v object_v against_o these_o relation_n of_o moses_n that_o which_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n such_o as_o the_o egyptian_n chaldean_n and_o chinese_n allege_v for_o their_o antiquity_n which_o far_o surpass_v the_o date_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o moses_n these_o be_v the_o principal_a way_n to_o assault_v the_o truth_n which_o moses_n relate_v either_o by_o maintain_v with_o the_o atheist_n on_o one_o hand_n that_o the_o thing_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v indeed_o mention_v by_o other_o author_n but_o that_o they_o forge_v they_o themselves_o or_o that_o moses_n be_v a_o able_a and_o refine_a politician_n design_v by_o create_v a_o belief_n of_o these_o matter_n in_o the_o jew_n to_o make_v they_o more_o submissive_a and_o obedient_a to_o he_o in_o a_o word_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o suppose_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n to_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o he_o to_o dictate_v whatsoever_o he_o please_v to_o a_o people_n who_o be_v under_o a_o law_n that_o make_v it_o capital_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o his_o relation_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n this_o certain_o be_v the_o far_a to_o which_o the_o height_n of_o obstinacy_n can_v carry_v this_o matter_n and_o the_o very_a last_o refuge_n of_o the_o strong_a prejudice_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o confound_v the_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o article_n and_o
make_v appear_v elsewhere_o the_o three_o and_o last_o thing_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o impose_v a_o forgery_n upon_o those_o time_n because_o their_o life_n be_v yet_o of_o a_o great_a extent_n though_o inferior_a to_o those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v this_o further_a consideration_n that_o as_o the_o jealousy_n which_o be_v between_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o of_o cain_n be_v a_o great_a mean_n to_o preserve_v inviolable_o the_o important_a truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n a_o like_a jealousy_n now_o be_v rise_v among_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n cham_n be_v accurse_v of_o his_o own_o father_n in_o the_o person_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o same_o be_v propagate_v to_o their_o posterity_n it_o can_v not_o but_o effectual_o contribute_v to_o rescue_v these_o important_a truth_n from_o oblivion_n and_o particular_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n conceive_v in_o these_o word_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n in_o a_o word_n 1069._o judg._n viii_o 23._o &_o ix_o 8._o talm._n hier._n fol._n 11_o col_fw-fr 4_o &_o gloss_n in_o h._n l._n &_o avodazara_n c._n iii_o fol._n 43._o col_fw-fr 1._o de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syr._n p._n 1069._o we_o may_v not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n take_v notice_n of_o what_o lucian_n relate_v concern_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o assyrian_n which_o do_v so_o lively_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o noah_n by_o his_o son_n cham_n when_o he_o scoff_v at_o the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n but_o also_o that_o the_o god_n of_o the_o sichemite_n be_v call_v baalberith_n who_o symbol_n be_v the_o figure_n of_o the_o privy_a part_n of_o a_o man_n which_o seem_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o their_o descent_n from_o the_o family_n of_o cham_n the_o sichemite_n be_v some_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o canaan_n it_o be_v also_o very_o natural_a to_o conceive_v first_o of_o all_o that_o it_o be_v from_o those_o old_a pretension_n that_o the_o canaanite_n take_v occasion_n to_o profane_v the_o most_o â—oly_a thing_n with_o such_o shameful_a idea_n second_o that_o it_o be_v in_o detestation_n of_o these_o idea_n that_o god_n order_v the_o kill_n of_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n and_o three_o that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v command_v to_o destroy_v they_o utter_o four_o this_o be_v also_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o israelite_n be_v so_o often_o desirous_a of_o imitate_v their_o crime_n in_o the_o five_o place_n as_o we_o see_v that_o upon_o the_o like_a account_n the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n take_v chemosh_fw-mi for_o their_o god_n and_o that_o the_o woman_n of_o those_o nation_n be_v very_o zealous_a to_o propagate_v their_o religion_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n in_o jezabel_n the_o wife_n of_o ahab_n so_o god_n be_v also_o willing_a to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o horror_n and_o detestation_n for_o their_o religion_n or_o any_o alliance_n with_o they_o last_o as_o there_o do_v appear_v a_o very_a great_a conformity_n and_o resemblance_n between_o the_o first_o birth_n of_o the_o world_n from_o the_o first_o chaos_n and_o its_o be_v bear_v again_o after_o the_o deluge_n between_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n and_o noah_n the_o second_o and_o between_o the_o jealousy_n spring_v up_o in_o both_o their_o family_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o this_o conformity_n can_v not_o but_o very_o natural_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o ancient_a event_n which_o noah_n and_o his_o child_n have_v deliver_v to_o their_o posterity_n with_o all_o the_o care_n which_o be_v take_v to_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n chap._n xv._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o these_o truth_n be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n hand_v down_o to_o jacob_n and_o his_o posterity_n this_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v i_o need_v not_o take_v notice_n here_o that_o the_o religion_n practise_v by_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n suppose_v these_o matter_n as_o constant_o own_a and_o know_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o lot_n have_v follow_v terah_n and_o abraham_n when_o god_n call_v the_o latter_a out_o of_o chaldea_n may_v thence_o suppose_v that_o this_o heavenly_a call_n do_v separate_v and_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n and_o give_v he_o a_o right_a as_o well_o as_o abraham_n to_o pretend_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o at_o least_o to_o see_v it_o fulfil_v in_o his_o posterity_n this_o we_o may_v infer_v from_o the_o incest_n of_o lot_n daughter_n their_o crime_n which_o in_o another_o view_n appear_v very_o monstrous_a do_v clear_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v strong_o possess_v with_o this_o hope_n which_o their_o father_n have_v raise_v in_o they_o i_o know_v that_o some_o interpreter_n suppose_v xix_o lyra_n in_o genes_n xix_o that_o they_o be_v move_v to_o commit_v this_o incest_n from_o a_o pious_a intention_n of_o preserve_a mankind_n as_o imagine_v to_o themselves_o that_o as_o the_o deluge_n have_v drown_v all_o man_n beside_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n so_o the_o flame_n which_o destroy_v sodom_n have_v consume_v all_o mankind_n which_o they_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o believe_v because_o they_o may_v have_v hear_v from_o their_o father_n that_o the_o world_n one_o day_n be_v to_o perish_v by_o fire_n 23._o beres_n rab._n part_n 23._o but_o indeed_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o proceed_v from_o a_o very_a different_a motive_n the_o jewish_a doctor_n plain_o aver_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o they_o in_o hope_n of_o bring_v forth_o the_o promise_a redeemer_n and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o action_n of_o they_o in_o this_o view_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o grand_a object_n of_o the_o hope_n of_o all_o those_o that_o fear_v god_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o consider_v their_o father_n as_o one_o who_o god_n have_v peculiar_o choose_v from_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o shem_n to_o execute_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o see_v that_o their_o mother_n be_v change_v into_o a_o statue_n of_o salt_n they_o conceive_v themselves_o in_o some_o sort_n authorise_a to_o surprise_v their_o father_n in_o that_o manner_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o conceive_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o none_o of_o the_o canaanite_n upon_o who_o god_n have_v now_o begin_v to_o pour_v forth_o so_o hideous_a a_o vengeance_n as_o a_o beginning_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o curse_n against_o cham_n have_v any_o part_n in_o this_o chief_a of_o blessing_n can_v ever_o marry_v they_o after_o that_o god_n have_v so_o manifest_o separate_v and_o call_v forth_o their_o father_n from_o among_o they_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n suppose_v that_o god_n will_v dispense_v with_o the_o irregularity_n of_o this_o action_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o extremity_n there_o be_v three_o circumstance_n which_o great_o confirm_v this_o my_o remark_n upon_o the_o motive_n of_o their_o incest_n the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o those_o who_o have_v behave_v themselves_o very_o chaste_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o impurity_n of_o sodom_n and_o that_o beside_o we_o find_v they_o design_v no_o such_o thing_n till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o mother_n the_o other_o be_v that_o we_o see_v they_o contrive_v the_o thing_n together_o and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n which_o natural_o be_v apt_a to_o separate_v the_o great_a friend_n where_o the_o motive_n proceed_v from_o a_o spirit_n of_o uncleanness_n nor_o indeed_o do_v we_o find_v that_o they_o continue_v in_o this_o incest_n the_o three_o be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v ashamed_a of_o a_o action_n in_o itself_o so_o criminal_a or_o conceal_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o from_o posterity_n that_o they_o give_v those_o name_n to_o the_o child_n bear_v of_o this_o their_o incest_n that_o may_v perpetuate_v and_o divulge_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o their_o action_n the_o one_o call_v her_o son_n moab_n as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v bear_v of_o my_o father_n and_o the_o other_o she_o benammi_n a_o name_n of_o a_o like_a signification_n with_o the_o former_a this_o observation_n be_v very_o necessary_a because_o these_o two_o son_n become_v the_o head_n of_o two_o great_a people_n the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n who_o kingdom_n last_v above_o 1300_o year_n and_o live_v on_o
all_o write_n with_o public_a allowance_n after_o every_o king_n decease_n may_v indeed_o be_v so_o about_o the_o latter_a time_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o egypt_n but_o that_o it_o be_v as_o absolute_o false_a that_o the_o chinese_n have_v ever_o in_o former_a time_n such_o public_a historian_n and_o as_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v former_o any_o such_o although_o they_o be_v as_o confident_a to_o say_v they_o have_v in_o alexander_n time_n as_o the_o chinese_n be_v now_o but_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o clear_n of_o that_o matter_n we_o must_v now_o answer_v the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n chap._n xxi_o wherein_o the_o last_o objection_n of_o atheist_n be_v answer_v as_o i_o intend_v to_o clear_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v arise_v about_o this_o important_a matter_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v peruse_v these_o observation_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o prevent_v and_o resolve_v the_o only_a plausible_a objection_n i_o know_v remain_v after_o all_o what_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o reply_v here_o that_o they_o indeed_o confess_v moses_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n and_o that_o if_o that_o book_n have_v real_o be_v supposititious_a it_o can_v never_o have_v go_v under_o his_o name_n nor_o be_v receive_v as_o he_o in_o after_o age_n but_o that_o yet_o all_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v sufficient_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n record_v in_o that_o book_n because_o moses_n may_v have_v force_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n the_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o those_o law_n that_o he_o enact_v among_o they_o by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o dare_v to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v write_v in_o his_o book_n this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o that_o the_o most_o contentious_a atheist_n can_v think_v of_o to_o undermine_v the_o authority_n of_o moses_n history_n but_o this_o objection_n be_v easy_o answer_v for_o it_o consute_v itself_o for_o first_o it_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o great_a miracle_n by_o which_o god_n establish_v moses_n the_o head_n and_o captain_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n which_o miracle_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o several_a account_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n we_o find_v according_o among_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o many_o monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o egypt_n as_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o other_o four_o book_n of_o moses_n second_o they_o must_v at_o least_o suppose_v that_o moses_n have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o several_a passage_n in_o which_o he_o can_v not_o impose_v upon_o other_o nation_n which_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v his_o authority_n as_o for_o example_n all_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o great_a piece_n of_o architecture_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o raise_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n the_o great_a building_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o part_n of_o which_o be_v yet_o extant_a for_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v three_o they_o must_v likewise_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v relate_v several_a other_o passage_n as_o exact_o as_o he_o do_v those_o as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v a_o appendix_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n the_o original_a of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n of_o canaan_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o conceive_v that_o this_o lawgiver_n shall_v ever_o hope_v to_o persuade_v other_o nation_n to_o believe_v any_o false_a story_n about_o matter_n so_o well_o and_o so_o general_o know_v as_o those_o be_v among_o themselves_o four_o they_o must_v suppose_v further_a that_o he_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n who_o head_n and_o governor_n he_o be_v how_o great_a and_o absolute_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n may_v be_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o ever_o he_o will_v have_v derive_v the_o original_a of_o the_o israelite_n from_o any_o other_o than_o from_o their_o true_a ancestor_n this_o appear_v the_o more_o necessary_a in_o that_o we_o see_v by_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n and_o pedigree_n in_o genesis_n that_o he_o write_v that_o book_n especial_o from_o the_o history_n of_o abraham_n on_o to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o only_o to_o show_v the_o right_n and_o just_a pretension_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n five_o they_o must_v yet_o further_o acknowledge_v whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o give_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o the_o pretension_n and_o division_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n now_o these_o pretension_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o his_o history_n they_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o oracle_n against_o all_o the_o pretension_n and_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n what_o violence_n soever_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o moses_n may_v use_v to_o force_v a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o his_o history_n and_o blind_a obedience_n to_o his_o law_n yet_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v have_v fill_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o lie_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v expect_v that_o his_o false_a account_n of_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v credit_v by_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n or_o even_o by_o his_o own_o subject_n but_o without_o urge_v here_o several_a other_o absurdity_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v betwixt_o the_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o moses_n recite_v as_o public_o know_v and_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v of_o his_o own_o head_n and_o private_a knowledge_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v betwixt_o all_o those_o several_a account_n such_o a_o natural_a coherence_n and_o necessary_a concatenation_n that_o they_o can_v be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o without_o destroy_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o his_o history_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o narration_n shall_v make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o suspect_v i_o do_v not_o urge_v here_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o moses_n will_v ever_o have_v relate_v together_o all_o those_o transaction_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v absolute_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n before_o he_o neither_o do_v i_o mention_v here_o that_o suppose_v moses_n have_v be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o attempt_v such_o a_o undertake_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o a_o very_a numerous_a one_o will_v have_v long_o persevere_v in_o a_o profession_n force_v upon_o they_o by_o mere_a violence_n and_o tyranny_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v neither_o so_o patient_a nor_o so_o easy_o persuade_v by_o moses_n nor_o yet_o so_o submissive_a to_o he_o as_o these_o objector_n do_v imagine_v that_o be_v plain_a and_o apparent_a enough_o from_o all_o their_o sedition_n and_o conspiracy_n against_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o observe_v here_o what_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o viz._n that_o moses_n have_v no_o successor_n any_o way_n concern_v to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v these_o pretend_a fiction_n and_o fable_n of_o his_o history_n joshua_n his_o immediate_a successor_n be_v of_o another_o tribe_n and_o so_o be_v all_o the_o succeed_a governor_n of_o israel_n until_o the_o maccabee_n come_v but_o what_o i_o think_v deserve_v best_a to_o be_v observe_v here_o be_v that_o after_o moses_n and_o joshua_n decease_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o consequent_o free_v from_o the_o terror_n of_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n make_v by_o which_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o contest_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n â—nd_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o his_o write_n there_o be_v but_o a_o
moses_n shall_v find_v in_o they_o several_a passage_n record_v which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a consideration_n as_o first_o of_o all_o the_o miraculous_a birth_n the_o extraordinary_a education_n the_o heroical_a courage_n and_o the_o divine_a call_n and_o commission_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o several_a miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o egypt_n to_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o it_o and_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o border_n of_o canaan_n then_o second_o all_o the_o moral_a ceremonial_a and_o political_a law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o that_o people_n from_o god._n and_o last_o moses_n his_o prophecy_n concern_v their_o future_a condition_n their_o victory_n their_o captivity_n their_o transportation_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n all_o which_o passage_n have_v as_o evident_a and_o authentic_a proof_n of_o their_o certainty_n as_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o let_v we_o first_o begin_v with_o the_o narration_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o exodus_fw-la wherein_o we_o see_v that_o after_o moses_n have_v represent_v the_o death_n of_o joseph_n and_o of_o all_o the_o generation_n that_o come_v down_o with_o jacob_n into_o egypt_n he_o write_v his_o own_o history_n and_o represent_v himself_o as_o another_o noah_n save_v out_o of_o the_o water_n to_o save_v and_o deliver_v that_o holy_a family_n the_o whole_a relation_n which_o he_o make_v of_o all_o those_o particular_n be_v very_o strange_a and_o extraordinary_a but_o yet_o his_o circumcision_n and_o the_o instruction_n of_o his_o mother_n to_o who_o he_o be_v give_v by_o the_o daughter_n of_o pharaoh_n to_o be_v nurse_v up_o and_o the_o conversation_n of_o that_o princess_n who_o have_v adopt_v he_o and_o make_v herself_o a_o proselyte_n as_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v rab._n jalk_v in_o h._n l._n ex_fw-la vaiikra_fw-mi rab._n from_o 1_o chron._n iu_o 18._o and_o his_o education_n in_o the_o court_n of_o egypt_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o all_o the_o grandee_n of_o that_o court_n do_v concur_v together_o to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o that_o remarkable_a preservation_n of_o his_o person_n and_o persuade_v he_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o for_o how_o can_v either_o moses_n impose_v or_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o matter_n be_v not_o that_o barbarous_a cruelty_n of_o the_o egyptian_n by_o which_o they_o compel_v the_o jew_n about_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n birth_n to_o throw_v their_o child_n into_o the_o river_n nilus_n notorious_o know_v of_o all_o man_n be_v not_o the_o public_a building_n and_o strong_a city_n viz._n pythom_n and_o ramese_n so_o call_v from_o the_o name_n of_o king_n rameses_n miamum_n stand_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n and_o be_v it_o not_o public_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world_n that_o the_o poor_a israelite_n be_v the_o slave_n and_o drudge_n who_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o erect_v those_o building_n neither_o can_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o education_n be_v unknown_a to_o he_o nor_o yet_o to_o any_o of_o the_o hebrew_n for_o we_o do_v not_o join_v here_o to_o moses_n narration_n what_o josephus_n relate_v of_o his_o person_n of_o his_o feat_n in_o meroe_n and_o of_o his_o marry_v a_o aethiopian_a princess_n etc._n etc._n as_o moses_n miracle_n be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o jew_n so_o they_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v real_o receive_v his_o call_v and_o commission_n from_o god_n in_o the_o desert_n and_o that_o just_a in_o the_o manner_n as_o he_o describe_v it_o himself_o now_o no_o man_n can_v dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n if_o he_o but_o mind_v the_o follow_a consideration_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o egypt_n by_o moses_n their_o law_n which_o the_o present_a jew_n do_v still_o observe_v speak_v every_o where_n of_o that_o famous_a action_n of_o he_o there_o be_v never_o any_o man_n dispute_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o achievement_n all_o ancient_a author_n make_v mention_n of_o it_o 1._o joseph_n contra_fw-la app._n l._n 1._o manethon_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o of_o many_o other_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o that_o exploit_n trogus_n pompeius_n justinus_n and_o tacitus_n do_v also_o speak_v of_o it_o only_a tacitus_n do_v groundless_o i_o suppose_v of_o his_o own_o head_n relate_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v expel_v out_o of_o egypt_n because_o of_o their_o leprosy_n i_o say_v groundless_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o on_o the_o contrary_a leprosy_n be_v a_o common_a distemper_n among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o they_o infect_v the_o israelite_n with_o it_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n they_o shall_v be_v expel_v by_o the_o egyptian_n for_o a_o distemper_n that_o they_o get_v from_o they_o we_o know_v beside_o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o call_v the_o leprosy_n the_o distemper_n of_o egypt_n do_v banish_v the_o leper_n out_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o people_n and_o then_o the_o nature_n of_o david_n curse_n against_o joab_n because_o of_o his_o murder_a abner_n show_v sufficient_o that_o the_o leprosy_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o distemper_n most_o common_o send_v immediate_o from_o god._n nay_o trogus_n pompeius_n himself_o 36._o justin_n l._n 36._o observe_v that_o the_o magician_n cause_v moses_n with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v expel_v because_o they_o themselves_o be_v strike_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o scab_n and_o itch_n and_o that_o they_o be_v afraid_a lest_o the_o contagion_n of_o it_o shall_v infect_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n of_o egypt_n 8._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 9_o c._n 8._o and_o here_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v the_o mention_v the_o testimony_n of_o numenius_n a_o pythagorean_n philosopher_n who_o relate_v that_o both_o janne_n and_o jambres_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o egyptian_n to_o oppose_v moses_n and_o hinder_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o prayer_n which_o have_v bring_v down_o many_o grievous_a plague_n upon_o egypt_n just_a about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n banishment_n out_o of_o that_o country_n but_o second_o if_o the_o leprosy_n which_o the_o israelite_n bring_v from_o egypt_n be_v a_o indisputable_a proof_n of_o their_o sojourn_v there_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o the_o go_v out_o of_o that_o mix_a multitude_n of_o egyptian_n who_o so_o far_o espouse_v the_o israelite_n interest_n as_o to_o leave_v and_o forsake_v egypt_n their_o own_o country_n to_o accompany_v they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o cause_n or_o pretence_n than_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n whereof_o they_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n so_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o those_o egyptian_n that_o be_v thus_o incorporate_v into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v in_o after_o age_n as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o former_o persuade_v their_o father_n to_o join_v with_o moses_n and_o so_o to_o share_v fortune_n with_o the_o hebrew_n three_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v any_o of_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o pretend_v be_v do_v former_o for_o the_o deliverance_n of_o their_o father_n without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o all_o the_o world_n if_o all_o those_o miracle_n and_o their_o deliverance_n have_v not_o be_v certain_o and_o general_o know_v to_o the_o egyptian_n and_o to_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n by_o who_o they_o be_v often_o subdue_v and_o bring_v into_o subjection_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o moses_n and_o joshuah_n to_o all_o these_o reflection_n we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o commemoration_n of_o the_o israelite_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n be_v renew_v yearly_o not_o only_o by_o the_o solemnize_n the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o the_o israelite_n do_v constant_o keep_v to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o dispersion_n and_o which_o they_o do_v still_o keep_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o also_o by_o two_o other_o very_a sensible_a way_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v the_o separation_n which_o god_n make_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n in_o order_n to_o consecrate_v it_o to_o his_o service_n instead_o of_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n who_o he_o have_v spare_v and_o preserve_v in_o egypt_n with_o great_a solemnity_n in_o regard_n both_o of_o man_n and_o beast_n as_o we_o read_v numb_a iii_o so_o that_o every_o levite_n be_v as_o a_o live_a memorial_n of_o that_o great_a miracle_n wrought_v at_o the_o israelite_n go_v forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n and_o the_o second_o be_v the_o law_n concern_v the_o redemption_n of_o every_o first-born_a both_o of_o man_n 16._o numb_a xviii_o 16._o
and_o unclean_a beast_n which_o be_v observe_v to_o this_o hour_n among_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v clear_a and_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v in_o all_o those_o law_n a_o deep_a impression_n of_o those_o several_a great_a miracle_n which_o compel_v pharaoh_n to_o let_v the_o israelite_n go_v last_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a here_o that_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n wrought_v as_o by_o many_o miracle_n so_o especial_o by_o the_o death_n of_o all_o the_o first-born_a of_o egypt_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n continue_v among_o the_o egyptian_n till_o after_o jesus_n christ_n for_o till_o then_o they_o use_v to_o mark_v with_o red_a their_o sheep_n their_o tree_n their_o house_n and_o land_n the_o day_n before_o the_o passover_n as_o one_o may_v see_v in_o epiphanius_n which_o custom_n can_v proceed_v from_o no_o other_o cause_n than_o from_o the_o egyptian_n fear_v of_o the_o like_a plague_n and_o mortality_n that_o be_v once_o inflict_v upon_o their_o forefather_n and_o from_o their_o hope_n of_o prevent_v it_o by_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o talisman_n whereby_o they_o think_v moses_n have_v former_o save_v the_o israelite_n harmless_a from_o that_o great_a plague_n only_o by_o sprinkle_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n of_o the_o passover_n on_o the_o upper_a door_n post_n of_o their_o house_n chap._n iu._n a_o continuation_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n these_o argument_n may_v be_v think_v sufficient_a for_o the_o evince_a the_o truth_n of_o these_o miracle_n which_o moses_n relate_v but_o yet_o something_o more_o may_v be_v add_v as_o those_o stupendous_a miracle_n by_o which_o the_o famous_a deliverance_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v effect_v can_v not_o be_v doubt_v of_o by_o those_o who_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o they_o so_o they_o be_v afterward_o confirm_v by_o several_a other_o miracle_n which_o be_v as_o great_a and_o almost_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n continue_v for_o many_o year_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n god_n make_v a_o pillar_n of_o fire_n and_o of_o a_o cloud_n attend_v upon_o the_o israelite_n to_o guide_v they_o the_o one_o by_o day_n and_o the_o other_o by_o night_n he_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n to_o open_v a_o passage_n through_o it_o for_o his_o people_n ult_n l._n 9_o praep_n eu._n cap._n ult_n the_o memory_n whereof_o say_v eusebius_n be_v preserve_v to_o his_o time_n by_o those_o of_o memphis_n the_o israelite_n take_v the_o spoil_n of_o the_o egyptian_n drown_v in_o the_o red_a sea_n as_o they_o be_v pursue_v they_o they_o make_v a_o song_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o wonderful_a deliverance_n they_o be_v feed_v with_o manna_n a_o kind_n of_o heavenly_a and_o miraculous_a food_n they_o drink_v of_o that_o brook_n of_o water_n that_o be_v follow_v they_o wherever_o they_o go_v all_o those_o miracle_n with_o many_o other_o continue_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o without_o any_o interruption_n and_o do_v therefore_o firm_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o other_o miracle_n which_o moses_n relate_v because_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o wherein_o the_o people_n can_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o any_o trick_n or_o illusion_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n whereof_o every_o one_o can_v not_o satisfy_v himself_o by_o his_o own_o experience_n i_o do_v not_o speak_v now_o of_o several_a public_a monument_n of_o those_o miracle_n as_o for_o example_n the_o rod_n of_o aaron_n which_o blossom_a in_o a_o night_n the_o manna_n which_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n the_o brazen_a serpent_n which_o have_v continue_v to_o hezekiah_n time_n be_v break_v down_o by_o he_o only_o because_o the_o people_n offer_v incense_n to_o it_o from_o all_o which_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n both_o many_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o miracle_n and_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n which_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o moses_n do_v the_o better_a confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o which_o he_o relate_v as_o do_v by_o he_o on_o purpose_n to_o vindicate_v and_o defend_v the_o liberty_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n because_o i_o do_v just_a now_o intimate_v that_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o jewish_a deliverance_n do_v continue_v for_o many_o age_n after_o among_o the_o egyptian_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o add_v here_o some_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o neither_o such_o a_o transaction_n as_o that_o be_v nor_o yet_o any_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o importance_n can_v ever_o be_v forget_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o in_o outward_a appearance_n seem_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o what_o be_v relate_v concern_v the_o gibeonite_n come_v to_o joshuah_n camp_n their_o equipage_n show_v that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o persuade_v the_o israelite_n that_o they_o come_v from_o a_o far_a country_n the_o treaty_n which_o they_o extort_a from_o joshuah_n by_o fraud_n be_v very_o singular_a and_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o remarkable_a than_o their_o subsistence_n among_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o nation_n which_o god_n have_v command_v to_o be_v destroy_v and_o their_o be_v destine_v by_o joshuah_n appointment_n to_o carry_v the_o wood_n and_o the_o water_n necessary_a for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v denominate_v nethinim_n and_o thereby_o for_o ever_o after_o distinguish_v from_o the_o israelite_n but_o after_o all_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n wisdom_n than_o the_o preservation_n of_o that_o people_n among_o the_o israelite_n their_o father_n be_v the_o witness_n of_o moses_n and_o joshuah_n miracle_n those_o miracle_n oblige_v they_o to_o seek_v the_o alliance_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o to_o cheat_v they_o into_o it_o by_o a_o fraudulent_a treaty_n because_o they_o despair_v of_o compass_v their_o design_n by_o any_o other_o mean_n therefore_o their_o subsist_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o servile_a office_n which_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o be_v of_o a_o extraordinary_a use_n to_o make_v that_o people_n preserve_v and_o cherish_v up_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o glorious_a action_n which_o every_o gibeonite_n have_v perpetual_o before_o his_o eye_n the_o same_o remark_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o continue_n of_o rahab_n family_n among_o the_o israelite_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jericho_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o believe_v that_o beside_o those_o first_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n many_o other_o have_v be_v do_v since_o for_o their_o sake_n both_o to_o possess_v they_o of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o to_o keep_v or_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o possession_n of_o it_o nay_o of_o those_o latter_a miracle_n many_o be_v very_o like_a unto_o the_o former_a as_o for_o example_n the_o death_n of_o 185000_o man_n in_o the_o army_n of_o sennacherib_n the_o return_v of_o the_o shadow_n backward_o ten_o degree_n upon_o the_o sundial_n of_o ahaz_n the_o wonderful_a preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o esther_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o purim_n among_o they_o and_o several_a other_o miraculous_a transaction_n relate_v in_o the_o jewish_a author_n of_o which_o i_o will_v only_o name_v three_o which_o do_v preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o important_a miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n the_o first_o be_v the_o continual_a miracle_n of_o the_o urim_n and_o thummim_n of_o the_o highpriest_n which_o by_o its_o frequency_n do_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n relation_n concern_v the_o several_a apparition_n of_o god_n in_o order_n to_o lead_v his_o people_n and_o to_o give_v they_o law_n the_o second_o be_v the_o miracle_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n xxv_o levit._fw-la xxv_o during_o which_o though_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n do_v neither_o sow_n nor_o reap_v god_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n do_v supply_v they_o with_o plenty_n of_o provision_n by_o make_v every_o six_o year_n extraordinary_o plentiful_a now_o this_o miracle_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o memorial_n of_o that_o other_o great_a miracle_n whereby_o god_n do_v feed_v his_o people_n with_o manna_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o in_o the_o desert_n still_o double_v the_o proportion_n of_o manna_n every_o six_o day_n in_o effect_n as_o that_o law_n which_o command_v a_o sabbath_n of_o rest_n unto_o the_o land_n every_o seven_o year_n be_v constant_o observe_v which_o will_v never_o have_v be_v do_v long_o if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o always_o be_v full_o convince_v
by_o their_o own_o experience_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o again_o as_o that_o miracle_n be_v so_o public_o know_v that_o god_n by_o his_o prophet_n do_v often_o threaten_v the_o jew_n to_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o fertility_n of_o the_o six_o year_n because_o of_o their_o transgress_v the_o sabbath_n so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o doubt_v or_o dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o continual_a miracle_n which_o that_o law_n both_o suppose_v and_o promise_v the_o three_o be_v the_o miracle_n of_o a_o continual_a protection_n during_o the_o time_n of_o those_o three_o great_a solemn_a feast_n in_o which_o the_o people_n be_v oblige_v by_o god_n command_n to_o attend_v his_o service_n in_o the_o tabernacle_n or_o at_o jerusalem_n for_o this_o law_n require_v attendance_n from_o all_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o age_n of_o twenty_o and_o upward_o it_o engage_v they_o to_o leave_v the_o frontier_n of_o their_o country_n naked_a and_o destitute_a of_o man_n and_o so_o expose_v to_o the_o inroad_n of_o their_o enemy_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o give_v they_o occasion_n to_o experience_n the_o same_o divine_a protection_n which_o as_o they_o read_v in_o moses_n write_n their_o father_n have_v former_o so_o often_o experience_v against_o all_o their_o enemy_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n which_o have_v any_o such_o fundamental_a law_n the_o danger_n to_o which_o a_o country_n be_v expose_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o be_v too_o visible_a not_o to_o be_v avoid_v therefore_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v sure_a will_v never_o have_v acknowledge_v that_o law_n to_o be_v divine_a nor_o yet_o submit_v to_o it_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v secure_a of_o god_n protection_n to_o prevent_v all_o the_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o their_o observation_n of_o that_o law_n so_o that_o suppose_v they_o have_v be_v at_o first_o so_o stupid_a and_o unwary_a as_o to_o receive_v it_o from_o moses_n yet_o they_o will_v never_o have_v observe_v it_o so_o constant_o and_o so_o long_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o constant_a trial_n of_o god_n protection_n on_o all_o occasion_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n and_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o promise_n which_o he_o have_v make_v both_o to_o they_o and_o their_o father_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o the_o jew_n shall_v altogether_o rely_v upon_o that_o miraculous_a protection_n of_o he_o nay_o the_o distrust_v of_o it_o be_v so_o offensive_a to_o he_o that_o he_o inflict_v a_o exemplary_a punishment_n upon_o david_n for_o a_o action_n which_o though_o innocent_a of_o itself_o in_o a_o prince_n do_v yet_o direct_o contradict_v that_o trust_n which_o the_o israelite_n be_v bind_v to_o set_v upon_o god_n protection_n for_o when_o david_n cause_v the_o people_n to_o be_v number_v god_n send_v a_o pestilence_n among_o his_o people_n which_o abate_v his_o pride_n and_o thus_o teach_v he_o effectual_o to_o rely_v more_o upon_o god_n for_o the_o future_a than_o upon_o the_o multitude_n of_o his_o people_n chap._n v._n that_o moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n give_v he_o his_o law_n be_v evident_o true_a it_o be_v also_o equal_o easy_a to_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o promulgation_n of_o god_n law_n in_o the_o desert_n and_o of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o moral_a political_n ceremonial_a i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o consider_v here_o the_o admirable_a equity_n and_o most_o absolute_a perfection_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o show_v that_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o author_n but_o god_n alone_o neither_o will_v i_o urge_v in_o this_o place_n the_o extraordinary_a care_n god_n have_v to_o regulate_v the_o most_o minute_n ceremony_n that_o there_o may_v be_v nothing_o leave_v undetermined_a in_o all_o the_o act_n of_o religion_n as_o also_o the_o great_a and_o divine_a wisdom_n that_o be_v discernible_a in_o all_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o beside_o their_o useful_a opposition_n to_o the_o then_o pagan_a custom_n do_v most_o of_o they_o either_o mind_n man_n of_o their_o duty_n or_o represent_v and_o typisie_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v under_o the_o gospel_n in_o short_a i_o will_v not_o aggravate_v any_o far_a the_o consideration_n of_o the_o admirable_a wisdom_n that_o appear_v every_o where_n in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o political_a law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o settle_v they_o into_o a_o firm_a and_o solid_a form_n of_o government_n that_o wisdom_n be_v such_o and_o so_o visible_a that_o it_o plain_o demonstrate_v the_o divinity_n of_o they_o to_o any_o man_n that_o will_v but_o compare_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o and_o their_o absolute_a perfection_n with_o the_o defect_n of_o all_o human_a law_n and_o the_o several_a change_n and_o alteration_n they_o have_v receive_v from_o time_n to_o time_n but_o i_o shall_v lay_v aside_o these_o remark_n and_o choose_v to_o come_v to_o those_o that_o do_v not_o require_v so_o much_o learning_n nor_o so_o great_a a_o intention_n of_o thought_n the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v that_o the_o moral_a law_n be_v give_v in_o the_o sight_n and_o hear_n of_o all_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o that_o the_o promulgation_n of_o it_o upon_o mount_n sinai_n be_v accompany_v with_o extraordinary_a mark_n of_o glory_n and_o make_v only_o after_o many_o previous_a purification_n prescribe_v to_o the_o whole_a congregation_n in_o order_n to_o receive_v it_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o be_v annex_v to_o it_o be_v not_o deliver_v to_o the_o people_n with_o so_o much_o pomp_n and_o majesty_n but_o as_o they_o be_v also_o give_v in_o the_o same_o desert_n and_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n assemble_v together_o near_o the_o tabernacle_n after_o they_o have_v earnest_o entreat_v moses_n that_o god_n will_v no_o more_o speak_v to_o they_o himself_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v no_o less_o authentic_a than_o the_o moral_a law_n therefore_o we_o see_v that_o they_o be_v according_o receive_v by_o that_o people_n notwithstanding_o the_o trouble_n expense_n avocation_n strait_n and_o hardship_n which_o they_o may_v meet_v with_o by_o it_o now_o be_v it_o in_o the_o least_o probable_a that_o if_o this_o people_n have_v not_o be_v convince_v that_o moses_n do_v real_o familiar_o converse_v with_o god_n for_o forty_o day_n and_o forty_o night_n upon_o mount_n sinai_n they_o will_v foolish_o without_o any_o cause_n of_o a_o sudden_a have_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o law_n many_o whereof_o be_v opposite_a both_o to_o their_o opinion_n and_o ancient_a custom_n it_o be_v well_o know_v for_o example_n what_o jealousy_n there_o be_v all_o along_o among_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n even_o from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ancestor_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o in_o those_o law_n there_o be_v any_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o or_o regard_n have_v to_o it_o but_o that_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o seem_v to_o foment_n that_o spirit_n of_o division_n when_o they_o deprive_v reuben_n of_o his_o birthright_n in_o favour_n of_o joseph_n posterity_n and_o of_o the_o priesthood_n in_o favour_n of_o levi_n and_o of_o the_o kingdom_n in_o favour_n of_o juda._n nay_o we_o see_v that_o even_o after_o moses_n have_v compose_v the_o difference_n that_o be_v once_o betwixt_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o the_o follower_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n they_o be_v hardly_o bring_v to_o acquiesce_v to_o his_o decision_n and_o how_o can_v he_o then_o possible_o have_v raise_v his_o own_o tribe_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n to_o such_o prerogative_n and_o to_o such_o a_o plentiful_a condition_n above_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n as_o he_o do_v by_o assign_v the_o first_o fruit_n and_o offering_n to_o the_o levite_n and_o priest_n how_o can_v he_o i_o say_v have_v do_v that_o without_o meet_v with_o some_o opposition_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n except_o they_o have_v all_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o miracle_n that_o god_n wrought_v to_o decide_v that_o question_n when_o it_o be_v dispute_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o constitution_n thus_o we_o read_v that_o long_o after_o when_o king_n uzziah_n bold_o presume_v to_o act_v against_o moses_n law_n numb_a xxv_o and_o to_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o dignity_n of_o priesthood_n and_o to_o do_v the_o function_n of_o it_o he_o present_o receive_v the_o punishment_n due_a to_o his_o presumption_n so_o that_o be_v strike_v with_o a_o sudden_a leprosy_n he_o be_v confine_v to_o his_o die_a day_n be_v it_o any_o way_n
by_o moses_n but_o least_o any_o body_n shall_v think_v it_o strange_a that_o i_o shall_v build_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v restrain_v its_o authority_n of_o it_o within_o just_a and_o certain_a bound_n first_o although_o the_o jew_n bear_v witness_n in_o their_o sacred_a book_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n be_v already_o fulfil_v yet_o they_o say_v some_o be_v not_o as_o for_o instance_n those_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v but_o their_o obstinate_a blindness_n be_v not_o a_o just_a prejudice_n against_o such_o a_o important_a truth_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o which_o we_o need_v only_o to_o compare_v moses_n word_n with_o the_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n thus_o for_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o need_v only_o compare_v moses_n prophecy_n of_o it_o with_o the_o description_n josephus_n their_o own_o historian_n have_v make_v of_o the_o same_o in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o siege_n and_o ruin_n of_o that_o city_n and_o of_o the_o dissipation_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o without_o the_o jew_n testimony_n in_o what_o regard_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n whereof_o the_o execution_n be_v defer_v for_o a_o very_a long_a time_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o convince_v any_o the_o most_o incredulous_a man_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o divinity_n if_o he_o please_v but_o to_o make_v this_o one_o reflection_n which_o be_v that_o when_o moses_n relate_v among_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n a_o particular_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n come_v and_o when_o he_o mention_n that_o of_o balaam_n concern_v the_o rise_n of_o that_o divine_a star_n he_o subjoin_v also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o bring_v it_o in_o as_o a_o certain_a sign_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world._n now_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o meaning_n of_o moses_n prediction_n about_o the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n which_o the_o prophet_n that_o come_v after_o he_o do_v better_o explain_v and_o illustrate_v we_o shall_v be_v apt_a from_o thence_o to_o conclude_v that_o he_o in_o effect_n foretell_v that_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n will_v follow_v quite_o another_o method_n than_o that_o which_o he_o have_v use_v before_o until_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n viz._n that_o whereas_o god_n may_v seem_v to_o restrain_v then_o the_o privilege_n of_o his_o covenant_n to_o one_o people_n alone_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o restrain_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o messiah_n birth_n to_o one_o sole_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o one_o sole_a tribe_n of_o that_o nation_n to_o one_o sole_a family_n of_o that_o tribe_n to_o one_o sole_a branch_n of_o that_o family_n and_o so_o to_o one_o sole_a person_n of_o that_o branch_n he_o will_v after_o the_o messiah_n come_v take_v a_o contrary_a method_n and_o call_v all_o man_n to_o salvation_n in_o he_o now_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n can_v be_v question_v and_o whatever_o the_o jew_n opinion_n be_v concern_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o that_o they_o have_v careful_o and_o faithful_o preserve_v the_o book_n wherein_o those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o see_v so_o exact_o fulfil_v be_v contain_v for_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suspect_v moses_n or_o any_o other_o jew_n of_o forge_v the_o prophecy_n which_o foretell_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n not_o moses_n see_v all_o his_o law_n do_v tend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o more_o at_o large_a to_o establish_v that_o restriction_n i_o be_v just_a now_o speak_v of_o which_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o messiah_n come_v not_o the_o jew_n see_v that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v still_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o the_o removal_n of_o that_o restriction_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o possess_v with_o such_o a_o spirit_n of_o envy_n and_o jealousy_n against_o all_o other_o nation_n that_o they_o perfect_o hate_v and_o abominate_a they_o but_o beside_o we_o can_v desire_v a_o better_a nor_o a_o more_o authentic_a accomplishment_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v so_o opposite_a to_o the_o jewish_a principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la than_o that_o which_o we_o ourselves_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o same_o reflection_n belong_v to_o the_o other_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o total_a dissipation_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n as_o also_o to_o the_o dreadful_a accomplishment_n of_o they_o in_o our_o day_n the_o most_o resolve_a obstinacy_n can_v suggest_v but_o one_o objection_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o either_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o jew_n have_v falsify_v moses_n write_n and_o insert_v those_o prophecy_n which_o we_o now_o find_v there_o concern_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o those_o thing_n be_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o first_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n which_o both_o christian_n and_o jew_n have_v be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o pen_v in_o such_o a_o style_n as_o evidence_n their_o antiquity_n and_o as_o will_v be_v inimitable_a now_o second_o that_o these_o book_n have_v be_v all_o translate_v into_o greek_a almost_o 300_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n and_o about_o 350_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n neither_o the_o jew_n nor_o yet_o the_o christian_n be_v any_o long_a sole_a master_n of_o they_o when_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o also_o in_o their_o hand_n beside_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n from_o judaisme_n and_o heathenism_n do_v not_o only_o find_v these_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n long_o before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o do_v also_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o evince_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o all_o moses_n prophecy_n which_o we_o find_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n chap._n ix_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o relation_n that_o moses_n have_v the_o messiah_n in_o view_n when_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o former_a reflection_n upon_o genesis_n that_o those_o who_o live_v before_o moses_n time_n have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n that_o god_n will_v certain_o raise_v up_o a_o deliverer_n among_o they_o although_o they_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o appearance_n and_o i_o have_v beside_o i_o think_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o various_a idea_n which_o the_o ancient_n entertain_v of_o he_o upon_o the_o first_o promise_v make_v by_o god_n of_o his_o come_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o several_a criminal_a action_n commit_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o by_o those_o of_o other_o nation_n who_o have_v the_o same_o pretension_n with_o they_o i_o be_o now_o to_o prove_v that_o moses_n himself_o have_v the_o same_o knowledge_n and_o live_v in_o the_o same_o expectation_n with_o the_o ancient_n that_o precede_v he_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v show_v and_o that_o henceforth_o no_o body_n may_v wonder_v if_o i_o pretend_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n he_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o prophecy_n as_o also_o those_o other_o mention_v by_o prophet_n that_o live_v after_o he_o in_o that_o jewish_a commonwealth_n do_v all_o suppose_v a_o distinct_a relation_n to_o the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o to_o make_v this_o evident_a i_o beg_v leave_n to_o offer_v to_o the_o reader_n be_v consideration_n some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o moses_n history_n in_o genesis_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a historian_n that_o ever_o be_v there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a design_n nor_o a_o more_o difficult_a task_n than_o his_o be_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o 2400_o year_n he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o general_a and_o in_o particular_a of_o that_o of_o man_n of_o his_o sin_n of_o the_o promise_n god_n make_v he_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v in_o his_o time_n his_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v be_v also_o very_o extraordinary_a the_o majesty_n of_o his_o style_n be_v temper_v with_o a_o admirable_a plainness_n he_o describe_v all_o sort_n of_o passion_n to_o the_o life_n he_o be_v admirable_a in_o his_o character_n of_o the_o man_n he_o speak_v
the_o first_o part_n take_v in_o all_o that_o happen_v after_o moses_n till_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n judge_n ruth_n and_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n till_o the_o destruction_n of_o samaria_n and_o jerusalem_n the_o three_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o the_o jewish_a captivity_n and_o after_o their_o re-establishment_n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o book_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o this_o people_n in_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o epocha_n which_o have_v not_o certain_a character_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o relation_n by_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n which_o it_o have_v either_o with_o those_o event_n which_o go_v before_o it_o or_o with_o those_o which_o follow_v it_o and_o this_o by_o a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a dependence_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o observation_n the_o book_n of_o joshua_n which_o contain_v the_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v the_o execution_n of_o moses_n design_n who_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o go_v and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o a_o country_n which_o the_o jew_n pretend_v that_o god_n promise_v to_o abraham_n the_o division_n of_o this_o land_n among_o the_o tribe_n be_v the_o title_n which_o each_o tribe_n have_v to_o its_o possession_n in_o it_o and_o this_o division_n subsist_v a_o great_a while_n very_o distinct_a and_o well_o know_v by_o the_o several_a tribe_n of_o this_o people_n there_o happen_v no_o considerable_a change_n but_o only_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n carry_v the_o ten_o tribe_n into_o captivity_n after_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o three_o year_n of_o the_o world_n the_o country_n continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n under_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n without_o any_o change_n ensue_v upon_o their_o transportation_n into_o babylon_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o chapter_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n this_o book_n have_v a_o very_a natural_a influence_n upon_o the_o follow_a book_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o alliance_n which_o the_o gibeonite_n get_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o surprise_n it_o serve_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o all_o that_o happen_v for_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o in_o david_n reign_n under_o who_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v already_o change_v into_o a_o monarchical_a government_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n undergo_v a_o great_a alteration_n the_o book_n of_o judge_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o joshua_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o captivity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v a_o consequence_n of_o their_o quarrel_n with_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v subdue_v or_o with_o their_o neighbour_n as_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n descend_v from_o lot_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o this_o people_n that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n there_o we_o may_v see_v for_o instance_n the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n because_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o set_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n whereas_o these_o last_o pretend_v that_o israel_n have_v usurp_v some_o part_n of_o their_o country_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a markable_a as_o the_o action_n of_o these_o judge_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o those_o different_a captivity_n through_o which_o they_o pass_v for_o three_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o year_n together_o but_o we_o may_v find_v the_o memory_n of_o some_o of_o they_o preserve_v by_o those_o public_a hymn_n which_o be_v famous_a throughout_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o these_o illustrious_a monument_n of_o their_o judicial_a authority_n which_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o and_o which_o keep_v up_o a_o remembrance_n of_o they_o among_o the_o israelite_n and_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n for_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v observe_v with_o care_n that_o since_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o invent_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o will_v not_o be_v well_o know_v by_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n as_o the_o tyrian_n who_o keep_v up_o their_o own_o government_n till_o alexander_n time_n who_o subdue_v they_o entire_o and_o the_o moabite_n who_o empire_n continue_v for_o fourteen_o age_n after_o lot_n time_n until_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o any_o fabulous_a relation_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o obtain_v authority_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o thing_n considerable_a but_o the_o conversion_n of_o ruth_n a_o moabitess_n who_o rely_v upon_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o house_n of_o juda_n out_o of_o which_o she_o have_v marry_v her_o husband_n but_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n beside_o 1._o of_o the_o exact_a practice_n of_o that_o law_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o marry_v the_o widow_n of_o a_o relation_n who_o die_v without_o issue_n 2._o of_o their_o lively_a remembrance_n of_o the_o deed_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o juda_n incest_n with_o thamar_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o however_o as_o a_o fountain_n and_o a_o pattern_n of_o blessing_n 3._o of_o the_o lineage_n of_o david_n who_o this_o author_n represent_v as_o derive_v his_o pedigree_n from_o a_o moabitess_n which_o not_o make_v much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o eli_n and_o samuel_n judicature_n of_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o a_o monarchy_n under_o saul_n of_o david_n anoint_v saul_n rejection_n and_o death_n the_o second_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o david_n his_o victory_n his_o design_n of_o build_v a_o temple_n a_o design_n which_o god_n leave_v to_o solomon_n to_o execute_v his_o war_n with_o the_o ammonite_n his_o crime_n with_o bathshebah_n his_o son_n absalom_n insurrection_n against_o he_o and_o his_o great_a success_n against_o his_o enemy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o two_o book_n which_o have_v not_o a_o exact_a connexion_n with_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v one_o see_v we_o throughout_o a_o exact_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o see_v we_o throughout_o monument_n set_v up_o in_o several_a place_n to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o particular_a action_n one_o see_v we_o also_o in_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n with_o their_o neighbour_n a_o constant_a series_n of_o those_o old_a difference_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o jealousy_n of_o these_o nation_n against_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n which_o the_o jew_n reckon_v but_o as_o one_o book_n contain_v a_o abridgement_n of_o solomon_n establishment_n in_o the_o place_n of_o david_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o empire_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o david_n to_o the_o bank_n of_o eüphrates_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o his_o marriage_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n daughter_n of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o his_o own_o palace_n with_o the_o help_n of_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n visit_n to_o solomon_n of_o his_o alliance_n with_o the_o moabite_n the_o ammonite_n the_o edomite_n the_o zidonian_o and_o the_o hittite_n think_v by_o these_o marriage_n to_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o old_a quarrel_n between_o his_o people_n and_o these_o nation_n who_o be_v jealous_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n all_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o solomon_n reign_n and_o as_o there_o never_o be_v so_o famous_a a_o reign_n in_o judea_n so_o never_o be_v there_o any_o of_o which_o there_o be_v leave_v so_o many_o monument_n as_o well_o there_o as_o in_o the_o neighbour_a country_n one_o see_v we_o afterward_o in_o the_o same_o book_n the_o division_n of_o solomon_n empire_n into_o two_o government_n that_o of_o juda_n which_o continue_v from_o solomon_n death_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o eighteen_o successor_n for_o three_o hundred_o eighty_o six_o year_n to_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o nebuchaanezzar_n and_o that_o of_o israel_n form_v by_o jeroboam_n which_o last_v two_o hundred_o fifty_o four_o year_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o nineteen_o successor_n until_o the_o take_n of_o samaria_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n the_o history_n of_o the_o chronicle_n which_o be_v write_v about_o twenty_o six_o year_n after_o that_o of_o the_o king_n carry_v
be_v either_o false_a or_o forge_a this_o eusebius_n have_v clear_o prove_v de_fw-la praepar_n evangelicâ_fw-la lib._n ix_o cap._n 5._o the_o proverb_n of_o the_o sibyll_n or_o delphic_a priestess_n favour_v of_o philip_n be_v common_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a for_o these_o heathen_a prince_n to_o bias_n their_o people_n with_o such_o prediction_n initiò_fw-la lib._n iu._n de_fw-fr praeparat_fw-la evangel_n lib._n iv_o initiò_fw-la but_o what_o eusebius_n say_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o question_n for_o he_o express_o show_v that_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v put_v to_o the_o rack_n they_o confess_v the_o whole_a contrivance_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o they_o pronounce_v to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n v._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o we_o can_v find_v great_a number_n of_o oracle_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n follow_v as_o it_o be_v moses_n model_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o they_o frequent_o concur_v in_o foretell_v the_o same_o fact_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o vi_o we_o ought_v to_o remember_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v not_o keep_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o one_o single_a state_n or_o nation_n vii_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o public_o know_v have_v be_v only_o propose_v in_o private_a place_n before_o a_o very_a few_o and_o in_o short_a that_o they_o be_v not_o actual_o know_v to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o neighbour_a people_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a prophet_n give_v their_o oracle_n in_o the_o most_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o when_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o commerce_n with_o that_o nation_n so_o that_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v questionless_a know_v to_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n who_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o design_v by_o god_n to_o restore_v their_o liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n we_o may_v make_v the_o same_o judgement_n of_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n which_o be_v know_v to_o alexander_n without_o all_o question_n as_o one_o may_v collect_v from_o the_o favourable_a reception_n the_o jew_n find_v from_o he_o viii_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o these_o pretend_a oracle_n be_v give_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o prince_n who_o can_v satisfy_v the_o greediness_n of_o the_o priest_n whereas_o the_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n live_v in_o the_o most_o disinterested_n manner_n in_o the_o world_n and_o usual_o pronounce_v nothing_o but_o reproach_n and_o menace_n of_o cruel_a calamity_n to_o those_o prince_n who_o have_v the_o government_n in_o their_o hand_n their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o a_o courageous_a opposition_n to_o the_o corruption_n in_o their_o law_n and_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o censure_v their_o prince_n and_o governor_n with_o a_o singular_a intrepidity_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o most_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o boldness_n and_o make_v trial_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torture_n ix_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v mention_v in_o heathen_a author_n be_v only_o of_o fact_n of_o small_a importance_n to_o those_o people_n among_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v pronounce_v so_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o much_o concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n whereas_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o oracle_n with_o which_o they_o be_v entrust_v that_o nothing_o to_o this_o very_a day_n can_v ever_o oblige_v they_o to_o discontinue_v the_o read_n of_o they_o whatever_o dispute_v they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v with_o the_o christian_n who_o make_v use_v of_o they_o to_o establish_v their_o pretension_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o synagogue_n when_o this_o be_v lay_v down_o it_o will_v seem_v as_o if_o i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o wonderful_a variety_n of_o oracle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n can_v be_v at_o all_o weaken_a by_o those_o oracle_n of_o which_o we_o find_v so_o frequent_a mention_n in_o pagan_a writer_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v further_o in_o explain_v two_o thing_n which_o will_v perfect_o clear_v this_o matter_n one_o be_v that_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n can_v be_v no_o forgery_n the_o other_o be_v that_o in_o truth_n those_o oracle_n which_o we_o find_v insert_v in_o those_o book_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n chap._n v._n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v i_o have_v observe_v former_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o these_o oracle_n be_v insert_v be_v establish_v before_o we_o can_v build_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o can_v clear_o show_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v and_o public_o know_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v accomplishment_n of_o those_o precede_a oracle_n it_o will_v be_v natural_a to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o oracle_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a reader_n herein_o and_o to_o establish_v in_o general_a or_o several_o the_o existence_n of_o these_o prophetical_a write_n before_o the_o time_n in_o which_o those_o fact_n happen_v which_o we_o propose_v as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o two_o sort_n of_o reflection_n to_o establish_v my_o proposition_n the_o first_o consist_v in_o general_a consideration_n upon_o the_o book_n themselves_o the_o second_o have_v respect_n to_o particular_a fact_n which_o be_v uncontested_a and_o whence_o the_o same_o truth_n very_o natural_o result_v i._o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o whereas_o in_o genesis_n moses_n make_v use_v of_o no_o other_o epocha_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o any_o event_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o life_n of_o some_o famous_a patriarch_n as_o for_o instance_n he_o fix_v the_o flood_n to_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n 38._o exod._n xix_o numb_a xxxiii_o 38._o in_fw-la exodus_fw-la and_o number_n he_o use_v the_o time_n of_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n for_o his_o epocha_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o follow_a author_n the_o year_n from_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v careful_o set_v down_o till_o the_o four_o year_n of_o king_n solomon_n reign_n which_o be_v 480_o year_n after_o their_o departure_n this_o be_v a_o character_n to_o fix_v the_o time_n of_o all_o those_o who_o live_v after_o that_o epochâ—_n ii_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n begin_v a_o new_a epocha_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o appear_v from_o two_o chron._n viii_o 1._o though_o they_o begin_v after_o that_o time_n to_o reckon_v by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o prophet_n which_o be_v a_o character_n sufficient_o certain_a to_o distinguish_v those_o who_o live_v after_o solomon_n with_o the_o time_n when_o they_o live_v iii_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n and_o afterward_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o persian_a empire_n oblige_v they_o to_o fix_v their_o event_n and_o to_o date_n their_o prophecy_n by_o the_o year_n of_o the_o government_n of_o those_o foreign_a king_n see_v daniel_n ezechiel_n zechariah_n and_o haggai_n so_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o maccabee_n refer_v to_o the_o year_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n now_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o perceive_v the_o force_n of_o this_o observation_n we_o must_v remember_v three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o author_n who_o live_v after_o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o jew_n into_o babylon_n make_v use_n of_o some_o chaldee_n term_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o forego_n prophet_n for_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o haggai_n 1._o ezech._n xl._n 1._o daniel_n x._o zach_n i._n hagg._n 1._o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n the_o same_o style_n with_o ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o daniel_n 2._o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n give_v name_n to_o the_o month_n which_o they_o have_v not_o before_o the_o captivity_n the_o jew_n only_o call_v their_o month_n 1._o talm._n rosch_n hassanah_n c._n 1._o first_o and_z second_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o they_o give_v name_n which_o be_v unheard_a of_o before_o 3._o the_o author_n of_o these_o prophecy_n take_v particular_a notice_n of_o any_o new_o institute_v fast_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n mention_v those_o fast_n of_o which_o we_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o law_n but_o which_o be_v
to_o establish_v their_o authority_n whereas_o the_o prediction_n of_o other_o want_v this_o character_n be_v neglect_v and_o at_o last_o absolute_o lose_v it_o appear_v plain_o that_o those_o which_o remain_n be_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a reputation_n among_o the_o jew_n beside_o i_o may_v add_v that_o one_o needs_o only_o read_v their_o book_n to_o see_v that_o they_o not_o only_o foretell_v obscure_a thing_n or_o what_o particular_o concern_v their_o state_n but_o also_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o splendid_a nature_n the_o overthrow_n of_o kingdom_n of_o city_n the_o destruction_n of_o whole_a nation_n the_o destruction_n of_o their_o own_o city_n with_o its_o re-establishment_n matter_n which_o will_v render_v their_o book_n very_o illustrious_a and_o which_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o be_v read_v not_o only_o by_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o by_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n the_o ammonite_n moabite_n assyrian_n persian_n egyptian_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o this_o therefore_o a_o very_a particular_a thing_n and_o that_o which_o make_v the_o prophet_n very_o illustrious_a that_o the_o great_a lustre_n of_o the_o prophet_n continue_v but_o for_o a_o certain_a time_n there_o have_v be_v none_o since_o the_o year_n 3553._o their_o glory_n appear_v in_o the_o history_n of_o eight_o age_n but_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v itself_o any_o far_o now_o why_o i_o pray_v shall_v there_o be_v no_o impostor_n after_o malachy_n as_o well_o as_o there_o be_v impostor_n before_o he_o one_o may_v imagine_v perhaps_o that_o the_o prophecy_n be_v immediate_o disperse_v some_o be_v utter_v in_o one_o place_n and_o some_o in_o another_o some_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o other_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n some_o in_o babylon_n other_o in_o egypt_n which_o may_v give_v opportunites_n for_o impostor_n but_o i._o this_o objection_n may_v be_v strong_o retort_v back_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o in_o the_o division_n which_o separate_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o jew_n those_o of_o judah_n will_v charge_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n publish_v in_o a_o kingdom_n so_o much_o a_o enemy_n to_o they_o without_o examination_n when_o every_o thing_n which_o come_v from_o thence_o aught_o to_o appear_v suspect_v ii_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o particular_a volume_n but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o hosea_n isaiah_n and_o jeremy_n and_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o rest_n be_v preserve_v in_o book_n which_o contain_v many_o other_o thing_n iii_o they_o be_v all_o exact_o join_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n each_o one_o in_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a concern_v to_o preserve_v and_o to_o gather_v they_o together_o but_o beside_o they_o be_v all_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n in_o short_a the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n translate_v they_o into_o greek_a in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3727._o and_o so_o submit_v they_o to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o this_o also_o keep_v we_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o truth_n this_o translation_n be_v make_v but_o one_o hundred_o thirty_o and_o eight_o year_n after_o malachy_n the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n but_o what_o judgement_n soever_o may_v be_v make_v of_o these_o reflection_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v only_o to_o establish_v the_o reputation_n of_o these_o prophecy_n and_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v that_o so_o no_o room_n may_v be_v leave_v for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o forgery_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o consideration_n to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o which_o ought_v to_o appear_v convince_a to_o every_o attentive_a man._n i._o one_o can_v suspect_v none_o but_o the_o jew_n as_o forger_n of_o these_o oracle_n now_o not_o to_o say_v any_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o suppose_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v have_v subscribe_v to_o such_o a_o imposture_n all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n be_v after_o their_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n strong_o prepossess_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o great_a temporal_a king_n and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o belief_n to_o this_o very_a hour_n in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n wherever_o they_o be_v disperse_v this_o be_v once_o lay_v down_o i_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v oracle_n which_o assert_v express_o that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o so_o very_o odious_a a_o manner_n for_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v the_o old_a doctor_n attribute_v to_o the_o messiah_n all_o those_o oracle_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o christian_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v force_v to_o interpret_v of_o two_o messiah_n one_o expose_v to_o a_o world_n of_o misery_n and_o the_o other_o only_o glorious_a or_o at_o least_o i_o may_v say_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v consent_v to_o a_o forgery_n which_o thwart_v their_o common_a idea_n and_o pretension_n in_o so_o very_o sensible_a a_o manner_n ii_o the_o second_o consideration_n establish_v the_o same_o truth_n with_o no_o less_o firmness_n which_o be_v that_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n from_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o great_a aversation_n they_o look_v upon_o the_o blessing_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o communicate_v as_o advantage_n entire_o reserve_v for_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n how_o then_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n shall_v forge_v so_o many_o oracle_n which_o shall_v thwart_v their_o prejudices_fw-la so_o sensible_o or_o how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o a_o whole_a people_n will_v authorise_v with_o their_o approbation_n a_o imposture_n so_o contrary_a and_o so_o very_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o it_o be_v no_o hard_a thing_n to_o imagine_v that_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v once_o persuade_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o prophet_n either_o by_o their_o miracle_n or_o by_o the_o ready_a accomplishment_n of_o every_o oracle_n which_o they_o have_v public_o pronounce_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o book_n with_o a_o profound_a submission_n and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o utmost_a care_n but_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o incomprehensible_a thing_n for_o a_o people_n to_o receive_v imposture_n contrary_a to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o imposture_n reiterated_a so_o often_o without_o any_o ground_n but_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o record_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o will_v produce_v but_o i_o suppose_v these_o reflection_n will_v suffice_v to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o allege_v particular_a proof_n which_o may_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o each_o book_n in_o particular_a which_o will_v carry_v i_o out_o to_o too_o great_a a_o length_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v the_o oracle_n themselves_o and_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o light_n of_o this_o revelation_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o this_o progress_n may_v be_v the_o better_o observe_v i_o shall_v do_v three_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v former_o observe_v without_o which_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o wise_a reader_n will_v not_o receive_v satisfaction_n i._o i_o shall_v explain_v in_o a_o few_o word_n the_o reason_n why_o these_o oracle_n be_v interweave_v with_o several_a history_n or_o prophecy_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n ii_o i_o shall_v give_v such_o rule_n as_o will_v serve_v to_o justify_v the_o application_n which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v equal_o make_v of_o several_a oracle_n only_o to_o the_o messiah_n iii_o i_o shall_v set_v the_o oracle_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n which_o will_v manifest_v the_o advancement_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o light_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o revelation_n itself_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v explain_v himself_o more_o clear_o in_o this_o matter_n in_o proportion_n as_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v near_o to_o their_o completion_n chap._n vii_o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a one_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n which_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v that_o surprise_v mixture_n which_o one_o see_v we_o of_o those_o oracle_n and_o of_o other_o subject_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v wide_o distant_a from_o any_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n there_o be_v none_o
of_o the_o messiah_n whereas_o hitherto_o god_n have_v only_o describe_v he_o under_o the_o figure_n of_o a_o bare_a man_n though_o the_o other_o be_v make_v sufficient_o intelligible_a when_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o tempter_n and_o the_o right_n of_o procure_v a_o blessing_n unto_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o he_o be_v personal_o to_o enjoy_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o thing_n infinite_o beyond_o the_o power_n and_o condition_n of_o mankind_n to_o perform_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o ii_o he_o observe_v that_o this_o person_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v such_o magnificent_a thing_n ought_v however_o to_o be_v descend_v from_o jacob_n which_o ratify_v jacob_n prophecy_n in_o favour_n of_o judah_n iii_o though_o he_o hint_n very_o clear_o at_o the_o effect_n of_o those_o blessing_n and_o temporal_a victory_n which_o jacob_n posterity_n be_v to_o obtain_v over_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o insinuate_v plain_o enough_o that_o the_o bestow_n of_o the_o blessing_n which_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v obtain_v be_v to_o be_v reserve_v to_o jacob_n seed_n when_o he_o refuse_v to_o retract_v those_o promise_n of_o blessing_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n to_o which_o oracle_n he_o make_v a_o sensible_a allusion_n and_o it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o consider_v that_o the_o jew_n always_o apply_v this_o oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o their_o chaldee_n paraphra_v and_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v so_o general_o that_o the_o famous_a achiba_n who_o live_v under_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n pretend_v that_o barchocheba_n be_v the_o messiah_n because_o his_o name_n be_v chochab_n which_o be_v a_o star_n in_o hebrew_n as_o if_o god_n intend_v to_o mark_v that_o impostor_n for_o the_o true_a messiah_n by_o foretell_v what_o name_n he_o shall_v be_v call_v by_o the_o oracle_n which_o moses_n utter_v a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n be_v very_o considerable_a the_o people_n be_v terrify_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o they_o upon_o mount_n sinai_n desire_v that_o god_n will_v no_o long_o speak_v as_o he_o have_v do_v before_o but_o that_o moses_n shall_v give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o whatever_o god_n shall_v command_v hereupon_o god_n consent_v to_o their_o request_n and_o promise_v they_o by_o moses_n that_o he_o will_v raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n like_o unto_o moses_n to_o who_o they_o ought_v to_o hearken_v upon_o pain_n of_o be_v cut_v off_o he_o that_o make_v the_o addition_n to_o the_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n wherein_o his_o death_n be_v describe_v take_v notice_n that_o there_o never_o rise_v up_o afterward_o a_o prophet_n in_o israel_n like_v to_o moses_n if_o it_o be_v ezra_n who_o make_v that_o addition_n than_o here_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o clear_a decision_n against_o the_o jew_n some_o of_o who_o assert_v that_o joshua_n or_o jeremiah_n be_v the_o prophet_n who_o moses_n promise_v if_o it_o be_v eleazar_n who_o live_v in_o joshua_n time_n then_o here_o joshua_n at_o least_o be_v exclude_v from_o this_o privilege_n of_o be_v design_v by_o moses_n but_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o stop_v at_o such_o frivolous_a objection_n one_o need_v only_o observe_v moses_n character_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o four_o certain_a mark_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n which_o advance_v he_o infinite_o above_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n i._o he_o have_v all_o the_o sort_n of_o revelation_n which_o be_v general_o find_v among_o all_o the_o prophet_n ii_o he_o be_v illustrious_a for_o great_a number_n of_o miracle_n iii_o he_o not_o only_o reform_v the_o error_n and_o false_a way_n of_o worship_n then_o prevail_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o he_o set_v up_o a_o new_a worship_n and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o religion_n iv_o he_o introduce_v this_o law_n and_o this_o way_n of_o worship_v god_n by_o such_o a_o conversation_n with_o god_n as_o one_o see_v we_o among_o two_o intimate_a friend_n in_o which_o of_o the_o prophet_n may_v these_o four_o character_n be_v find_v the_o galilean_n themselves_o testify_v plain_o that_o these_o character_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o messiah_n when_o they_o see_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n john_n vi_o 14._o and_o the_o jew_n acknowledge_v the_o same_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n when_o they_o apply_v that_o oracle_n to_o the_o messiah_n john_n i._n 45._o but_o if_o these_o oracle_n be_v obscure_o hint_v at_o in_o this_o oracle_n one_o may_v see_v they_o clear_o apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o follow_a oracle_n proportionable_o as_o the_o revelation_n increase_v and_o as_o god_n unravel_v the_o idea_n of_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n by_o explain_v they_o more_o particular_o by_o those_o prophet_n who_o he_o afterward_o raise_v up_o this_o may_v clear_o be_v see_v if_o we_o pass_v on_o to_o those_o oracle_n which_o be_v utter_v by_o david_n and_o the_o other_o prophet_n who_o live_v about_o his_o time_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n these_o be_v the_o oracle_n which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o meditation_n of_o the_o faithful_a from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 2553_o in_o which_o moses_n die_v until_o david_n time_n who_o be_v particular_o choose_v by_o god_n to_o be_v the_o only_a man_n of_o his_o family_n which_o be_v also_o separate_v from_o all_o the_o other_o family_n of_o judah_n who_o come_v from_o pharez_n from_o who_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v descend_v i_o have_v observe_v in_o another_o place_n that_o in_o all_o probability_n god_n raise_v david_n to_o the_o throne_n only_o to_o make_v the_o genealogy_n of_o that_o family_n better_o know_v from_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o spring_v as_o this_o double_a advancement_n of_o david_n one_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o israel_n the_o other_o to_o be_v the_o father_n to_o the_o messiah_n aught_o to_o have_v inspire_v he_o with_o lively_a resentment_n of_o gratitude_n and_o as_o his_o oracle_n will_v be_v much_o more_o famous_a be_v utter_v by_o a_o royal_a prophet_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o god_n employ_v he_o in_o the_o make_v a_o just_a regulation_n of_o the_o service_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n so_o we_o see_v that_o david_n employ_v his_o pen_n in_o give_v more_o distinct_a idea_n of_o that_o messiah_n which_o he_o promise_v they_o the_o name_n messiah_n proper_o signify_v a_o person_n consecrate_v by_o anoint_v to_o be_v king_n priest_n or_o prophet_n this_o name_n be_v particular_o apply_v by_o david_n and_o the_o prophet_n who_o live_v after_o he_o to_o that_o holy_a seed_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o abraham_n family_n by_o isaac_n by_o jacob_n by_o judah_n and_o by_o david_n and_o one_o may_v observe_v in_o david_n psalm_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o time_n that_o they_o give_v the_o name_n of_o messiah_n to_o the_o promise_a seed_n under_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o three_o sense_n the_o character_n both_o of_o a_o prophet_n and_o a_o priest_n though_o each_o of_o they_o be_v august_n enough_o yet_o yield_v to_o that_o of_o a_o king._n these_o be_v the_o different_a idea_n which_o david_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o that_o time_n follow_v in_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o their_o description_n but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o all_o those_o oracle_n which_o describe_v these_o different_a character_n for_o fear_v of_o be_v excessive_o long_a so_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o observe_v two_o thing_n i._o that_o david_n alone_o utter_v more_o oracle_n than_o all_o the_o prophet_n who_o come_v before_o he_o ii_o that_o these_o oracle_n of_o david_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v clear_a than_o all_o the_o precedent_a one_o now_o i_o say_v that_o david_n alone_o utter_v more_o oracle_n than_o any_o one_o prophet_n who_o come_v before_o he_o thus_o in_o the_o xl_o psalm_n he_o explain_v the_o decree_n by_o which_o the_o messiah_n become_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n and_o clothe_v himself_o with_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n to_o offer_v unto_o god_n a_o more_o perfect_a obedience_n than_o that_o which_o have_v former_o be_v offer_v by_o burnt-offering_n and_o sacrifice_n he_o describe_v the_o measure_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o ministry_n which_o be_v to_o consist_v in_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n in_o righteousness_n truth_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o god._n psalm_n xl._n 7._o 11._o sacrifice_n and_o offer_v thou_o do_v not_o desire_v my_o ear_n have_v thou_o open_v burnt-offering_a and_o sin_n offering_z have_v thou_o not_o require_v then_o say_v i_o lo_o i_o come_v in_o the_o volume_n of_o the_o book_n it_o be_v write_v of_o i_o i_o delight_v to_o do_v thy_o will_n
expression_n of_o this_o psalm_n the_o image_n of_o a_o death_n which_o be_v equal_o shameful_a and_o cruel_a the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o that_o person_n who_o be_v mention_v in_o this_o holy_a hymn_n i._o he_o oblige_v himself_o to_o praise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o most_o numerous_a assembly_n ii_o he_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o this_o deliverance_n that_o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o all_o the_o kindred_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o he_o iii_o at_o last_o he_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v spread_v itself_o over_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world._n one_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o history_n of_o david_n whe-this_a psalm_n be_v applicable_a to_o he_o therein_o we_o may_v see_v all_o the_o cross_n which_o he_o undergo_v particular_o represent_v during_o all_o the_o former_a year_n of_o his_o reign_n but_o there_o we_o have_v no_o account_n that_o david_n ever_o suffer_v any_o thing_n like_o that_o which_o be_v so_o exact_o describe_v in_o this_o psalm_n and_o this_o may_v be_v say_v further_o that_o when_o david_n take_v any_o occasion_n to_o paint_v out_o his_o suffering_n to_o we_o he_o have_v put_v in_o several_a stroke_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o which_o show_v we_o in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n that_o he_o be_v to_o pass_v through_o much_o great_a trial_n than_o any_o of_o those_o from_o which_o david_n have_v be_v deliver_v the_o late_a jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o verify_v this_o prophecy_n in_o esther_n or_o mordecai_n agree_v with_o we_o at_o the_o bottom_n that_o david_n carry_v his_o view_n further_o than_o bare_o his_o own_o suffering_n and_o those_o also_o who_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o poople_n of_o israel_n must_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o truth_n even_o against_o their_o will_n but_o the_o more_o ancient_a jew_n be_v more_o equitable_a in_o their_o application_n of_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n to_o the_o messiah_n they_o apply_v it_o to_o he_o in_o earnest_n even_o after_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n when_o the_o comparison_n of_o these_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o may_v be_v find_v so_o exact_o in_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n lead_v they_o to_o a_o opposition_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o certain_o there_o need_v very_o little_a equity_n to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o oracle_n or_o rather_o this_o heap_n of_o oracle_n belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o the_o confession_n and_o agreement_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n i._o they_o have_v not_o then_o resolve_v to_o make_v their_o advantage_n of_o the_o writer_n fault_n who_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d like_o a_o lion_n instead_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v pierce_v my_o foot_n as_o they_o have_v do_v since_o in_o short_a aquila_n who_o live_v 100_o year_n after_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o other_o jewish_a interpreter_n symmachus_n and_o theodotion_n translate_v that_o passage_n as_o we_o now_o read_v it_o ii_o the_o notion_n which_o the_o synagogue_n always_o have_v of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n oblige_v they_o to_o suppose_v two_o messiah_n one_o suffering_n and_o the_o other_o glorious_a rather_o than_o to_o contradict_v that_o truth_n open_o which_o be_v express_v by_o these_o oracle_n in_o soparticular_a a_o manner_n iii_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o be_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o to_o suppose_v that_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v quote_v the_o first_o word_n of_o this_o psalm_n upon_o the_o cross_n thereby_o to_o engage_v all_o mankind_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o this_o ancient_a oracle_n in_o all_o his_o suffering_n if_o we_o suppose_v that_o this_o psalm_n even_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n the_o same_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v concern_v the_o apostle_n who_o have_v quote_v so_o many_o passage_n of_o this_o psalm_n to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n because_o one_o may_v find_v in_o his_o death_n and_o in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o such_o a_o literal_a and_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o ancient_a prophecy_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v object_v that_o after_o all_o this_o agreement_n of_o the_o synagogue_n can_v make_v no_o more_o than_o a_o strong_a prejudice_n this_o may_v be_v easy_o answer_v by_o consider_v that_o when_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o kingdom_n over_o the_o whole_a earth_n it_o be_v that_o circumstance_n which_o determine_v the_o synagogue_n in_o their_o application_n of_o this_o whole_a psalm_n to_o the_o messiah_n because_o as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o acknowledge_v this_o extent_n of_o empire_n be_v one_o of_o those_o character_n which_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v applicable_a to_o none_o but_o the_o messiah_n in_o short_a because_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n i_o shall_v repeat_v it_o here_o again_o common_a sense_n lead_v those_o who_o consider_v these_o ancient_a oracle_n to_o compare_v they_o as_o natural_o they_o ought_v with_o those_o that_o go_v before_o and_o to_o determine_v the_o scope_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o late_a one_o by_o the_o relation_n which_o they_o have_v to_o the_o precedent_a one_o and_o there_o be_v only_o need_v of_o one_o considerable_a clause_n to_o make_v a_o certain_a determination_n after_o they_o have_v make_v such_o a_o comparison_n this_o the_o jew_n be_v certain_o convince_v of_o when_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o last_o word_n of_o david_n two_o sam._n xxiii_o 1-8_a be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o balaam_n oracle_n of_o the_o messiah_n numb_a xxiv_o we_o may_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o david_n do_v not_o absolute_o speak_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o xxii_o psalm_n and_o that_o he_o carry_v his_o view_n as_o far_o as_o the_o messiah_n that_o he_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o character_n to_o his_o posterity_n whereby_o they_o may_v distinguish_v notwithstanding_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o suffering_n and_o even_o the_o better_a by_o his_o very_a suffering_n than_o which_o no_o clear_a mark_n can_v possible_o be_v give_v because_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o involuntary_a than_o endure_v of_o misery_n nor_o nothing_o which_o depend_v less_o upon_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o undergo_v they_o than_o the_o particular_a kind_n of_o punishment_n or_o than_o the_o circumstance_n which_o must_v accompany_v his_o death_n when_o it_o be_v once_o leave_v to_o the_o unjust_a power_n of_o violent_a enemy_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o cx_o psalm_n which_o in_o a_o very_a few_o word_n contain_v several_a very_o important_a character_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v very_o distinct_o express_v if_o one_o consider_v it_o exact_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v compose_v after_o that_o nathan_n have_v acquaint_v david_n with_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o son_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v he_o such_o a_o son_n who_o shall_v build_v a_o house_n wherein_o god_n shall_v dwell_v for_o ever_o and_o who_o shall_v sit_v upon_o a_o throne_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v overturn_v whereas_o david_n have_v only_o form_v a_o design_n of_o building_n a_o temple_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o short_a one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v give_v he_o a_o view_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o this_o august_n king_n who_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o his_o seed_n and_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o kingdom_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v destroy_v david_n advance_v this_o king_n not_o only_o above_o all_o man_n by_o call_v he_o his_o lord_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o king_n but_o also_o above_o the_o angel_n by_o make_v he_o sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n this_o be_v personal_a he_o also_o describe_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o office_n by_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o priest_n of_o a_o high_a order_n than_o that_o of_o aaron_n from_o who_o melchisedech_n receive_v tithe_n in_o the_o person_n of_o abraham_n and_o in_o a_o word_n he_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o progress_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o victory_n let_v we_o examine_v all_o these_o character_n by_o themselves_o i._o he_o bring_v in_o god_n speak_v to_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v his_o lord_n sit_v thou_o at_o my_o right_a hand_n until_o i_o make_v thy_o enemy_n thy_o footstool_n this_o point_n out_o to_o we_o 1._o that_o the_o messiah_n ought_v to_o be_v advance_v to_o glory_n 2._o that_o god_n intend_v to_o subdue_v his_o enemy_n by_o little_a and_o little_a whilst_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v in_o his_o glory_n as_o it_o be_v
shall_v prepare_v the_o way_n before_o i_o and_o the_o lord_n who_o you_o seek_v shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n even_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n who_o you_o delight_v in_o behold_v he_o shall_v come_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v two_o very_a considerable_a thing_n in_o this_o prophecy_n the_o first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o come_v sudden_o the_o second_o that_o malachy_n express_o point_v to_o we_o that_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v during_o the_o second_o temple_n the_o word_n of_o the_o prophecy_n distinct_o express_v it_o and_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o all_o who_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o these_o oracle_n do_v understand_v they_o so_o for_o first_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n look_v for_o the_o messiah_n during_o the_o second_o temple_n we_o find_v a_o passage_n express_v to_o the_o purpose_n in_o tacitus_n and_o it_o be_v on_o this_o ground_n that_o josephus_n give_v the_o title_n of_o messiah_n to_o vespasian_n 2._o they_o expect_v he_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n which_o be_v the_o three_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o be_v delude_v by_o so_o many_o false_a messiah_n about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o a_o little_a after_o 3._o they_o never_o despair_v of_o his_o come_n take_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v to_o be_v conditional_a when_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v absolute_a until_o they_o begin_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o term_n set_v down_o by_o god_n himself_o be_v expire_v 4._o the_o reason_n of_o their_o curse_v those_o that_o compute_v the_o time_n set_v down_o so_o distinct_o and_o precise_o by_o daniel_n be_v because_o they_o find_v themselves_o disappoint_v in_o his_o calculation_n find_v that_o the_o time_n which_o daniel_n have_v point_v at_o for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n seem_v to_o be_v already_o expire_v 5._o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_a that_o they_o have_v try_v to_o evade_v it_o by_o maintain_v that_o the_o temple_n will_v be_v build_v a_o three_o time_n and_o that_o then_o the_o messiah_n shall_v appear_v but_o this_o evasion_n be_v unanswerable_o refute_v 1._o because_o daniel_n assign_v a_o certain_a term_n which_o be_v expire_v 1600_o year_n since_o 2._o because_o he_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o desolation_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v to_o be_v for_o ever_o as_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n and_o three_o because_o haggai_n in_o effect_n call_v the_o temple_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v the_o second_o or_o three_o house_n by_o which_o expression_n he_o so_o distinct_o point_v out_o the_o second_o temple_n to_o we_o that_o it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v it_o mean_v of_o a_o three_o temple_n to_o be_v build_v 1700_o year_n after_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o of_o which_o he_o prophesy_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n hitherto_o we_o have_v see_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o isaac_n of_o that_o of_o isaac_n by_o jacob_n and_o of_o that_o of_o jacob_n by_o juda._n this_o have_v be_v sufficient_o make_v out_o already_o i_o have_v also_o show_v from_o the_o oracle_n in_o the_o i_o sam._n chap._n vii_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n and_o we_o find_v the_o same_o very_o particular_o and_o full_o set_v down_o in_o the_o lxxxix_o psalm_n the_o follow_a prophet_n have_v express_v themselves_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n isaiah_n xi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n have_v pursue_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n xxiii_o vers_fw-la 5_o 6._o and_o chap._n xxxiii_o vers_fw-la 15_o 16_o 17._o neither_o do_v the_o prophet_n only_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n by_o his_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n but_o also_o by_o determine_v that_o virgin_n to_o the_o house_n of_o david_n neither_o need_v i_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n the_o ground_n whereof_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o in_o his_o first_o promise_n viz._n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n where_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n only_o without_o name_v that_o of_o the_o man_n the_o word_n of_o seed_n or_o posterity_n very_o evident_o design_v a_o man_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o woman_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o another_o prophecy_n and_o the_o same_o which_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n take_v notice_n of_o as_o a_o maxim_n general_o own_v by_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o synagogue_n iii_o galat._n iii_o it_o be_v also_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n woman_n plain_o denote_v the_o sex_n of_o which_o this_o person_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v bear_v it_o be_v obvious_a to_o judge_v that_o something_o miraculous_a be_v to_o attend_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n we_o see_v isaac_n bear_v of_o a_o barren_a mother_n past_o the_o age_n of_o child-bearing_a we_o find_v also_o something_o very_o singular_a at_o the_o birth_n of_o samson_n and_o samuel_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v something_o far_o great_a than_o the_o birth_n of_o these_o now_o mention_v how_o illustrious_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v and_o that_o therefore_o probable_o his_o birth_n be_v to_o be_v attend_v by_o a_o great_a miracle_n but_o because_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n whole_o new_a we_o ought_v to_o observe_v in_o what_o manner_n god_n do_v particular_o foretell_v it_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n express_v it_o thus_o chap._n vii_o vers_fw-la 10_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17._o moreover_o the_o lord_n speak_v again_o unto_o ahaz_n say_v ask_v thou_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n ask_v it_o either_o in_o the_o depth_n or_o in_o the_o height_n above_o but_o ahaz_n say_v i_o will_v not_o ask_v neither_o will_v i_o tempt_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o say_v hear_v you_o now_o o_o house_n of_o david_n be_v it_o a_o small_a thing_n for_o you_o to_o weary_a man_n but_o will_v you_o weary_v my_o god_n also_o therefore_o the_o lord_n himself_o shall_v give_v you_o a_o sign_n behold_v a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v and_o bear_v a_o son_n and_o shall_v call_v his_o name_n immanuel_n butter_n and_o honey_n shall_v he_o eat_v that_o he_o may_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a for_o before_o the_o child_n shall_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a the_o land_n that_o thou_o abhor_v shall_v be_v forsake_v of_o both_o her_o king_n the_o lord_n shall_v bring_v upon_o thou_o upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o father_n house_n day_n that_o have_v not_o come_v from_o the_o day_n that_o ephraim_n depart_v from_o juda_n even_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o promise_v here_o be_v make_v to_o a_o wicked_a king_n but_o of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n to_o who_o the_o prophet_n particular_o address_v himself_o 2._o that_o this_o prophecy_n be_v give_v at_o a_o juncture_n of_o time_n very_o capable_a of_o awaken_n their_o attention_n to_o it_o at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v reduce_v to_o the_o great_a extremity_n and_o the_o house_n of_o david_n in_o particular_a in_o a_o very_a great_a consternation_n 3._o the_o prophecy_n be_v utter_v by_o a_o very_a illustrious_a prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o royal_a family_n 4._o it_o be_v seal_v and_o confirm_v with_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o a_o child_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v according_o 5._o it_o be_v set_v forth_o as_o a_o very_a extraordinary_a sign_n instead_o of_o that_o which_o the_o wicked_a king_n refuse_v to_o ask_v when_o isaiah_n offer_v it_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o the_o modern_a jew_n deny_v that_o this_o character_n of_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n belong_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o confute_v they_o for_o first_o will_v it_o not_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o go_v about_o to_o apply_v this_o oracle_n to_o their_o messiah_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o thing_n universal_o own_a by_o the_o jew_n that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o isaiah_n prophecy_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a that_o this_o character_n so_o difficult_a to_o gain_v belief_n will_v rather_o perplex_v than_o strengthen_v their_o proof_n and_o yet_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o st._n matthew_n have_v do_v so_o chap._n i._o verse_n 23._o as_o likewise_o st._n luke_n chap._n i._o verse_n 31._o justin_n martyr_v observe_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o this_o
of_o one_o that_o be_v blind_a and_o another_o that_o be_v lame_a at_o alexandria_n he_o that_o will_v know_v the_o particular_n may_v consult_v tacitus_n his_o history_n and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o observe_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o only_o agree_v that_o this_o oracle_n of_o isaiah_n refer_v to_o the_o messiah_n but_o they_o also_o still_o propose_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n as_o a_o character_n which_o will_v render_v the_o messiah_n very_o illustrious_a and_o certain_o know_v chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n this_o truth_n i_o have_v already_o assert_v in_o the_o reflection_n i_o make_v on_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n deut._n xviii_o but_o one_o ought_v to_o explain_v this_o character_n of_o the_o messiah_n more_o particular_o god_n have_v be_v please_v further_a to_o illustrate_v this_o oracle_n of_o moses_n first_o then_o we_o say_v that_o the_o word_n messiah_n imply_v anoint_v which_o be_v common_a to_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n and_o since_o david_n time_n we_o find_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o this_o title_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n be_v dignify_v with_o this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o that_o samuel_n communicate_v the_o same_o to_o saul_n and_o david_n when_o he_o anoint_v they_o to_o be_v king_n yea_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o elias_n the_o prophet_n shall_v anoint_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v initiate_v he_o in_o his_o prophetical_a as_o well_o as_o his_o royal_a function_n second_o god_n more_o precise_o signify_v this_o isai_n xi_o verse_n 1_o 2_o &_o 3._o where_o he_o declare_v he_o will_v communicate_v all_o the_o necessary_a gift_n of_o the_o prophetical_a function_n to_o the_o messiah_n there_o shall_v come_v forth_o a_o rod_n out_o of_o the_o stem_n of_o jesse_n and_o a_o branch_n shall_v grow_v out_o of_o his_o root_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o may_v the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o judge_v after_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o eye_n neither_o reprove_v after_o the_o hear_n of_o his_o ear_n these_o word_n need_v no_o commentary_n for_o the_o jew_n refer_v they_o constant_o to_o the_o messiah_n and_o they_o plain_o import_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o character_n which_o be_v there_o give_v to_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v to_o rest_v on_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o same_o which_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v attribute_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o may_v easy_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o prophet_n especial_o of_o david_n and_o solomon_n and_o much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o passage_n isai_n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o have_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o truth_n he_o shall_v not_o fail_v nor_o be_v discourage_v till_o he_o have_v set_v judgement_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n thus_o say_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o that_o create_v the_o heaven_n and_o stretch_v they_o out_o he_o that_o spread_v forth_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o which_o come_v out_o of_o it_o he_o that_o give_v breath_n to_o the_o people_n upon_o it_o and_o spirit_n to_o they_o that_o walk_v therein_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v thou_o in_o righteousness_n and_o will_v hold_v thou_o and_o will_v keep_v thou_o and_o give_v thou_o for_o a_o covenant_n of_o the_o people_n for_o a_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o open_v the_o blind_a eye_n to_o bring_v out_o the_o prisoner_n from_o the_o prison_n and_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n out_o of_o the_o prison_n house_n in_o which_o oracle_n one_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n particular_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o jew_n apply_v to_o the_o messiah_n 1._o that_o god_n propose_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o bestow_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o choice_n he_o have_v make_v of_o he_o 2._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o as_o rule_n for_o reform_v the_o country_n and_o propound_v god_n covenant_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o clear_o suppose_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o such_o great_a undertake_n 3._o that_o contrary_a to_o the_o thunder_a character_n which_o distinguish_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v as_o so_o many_o public_a censor_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o speak_v with_o all_o meekness_n and_o sweetness_n to_o the_o nation_n which_o shall_v receive_v his_o preach_v one_o see_v we_o that_o isaiah_n repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n chap._n lxi_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o and_o 7._o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v good_a tiding_n unto_o the_o meek_a he_o have_v send_v i_o to_o bind-up_a the_o break_a heart_a to_o proclaim_v liberty_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o prison_n to_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o proclaim_v the_o acceptable_a year_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n of_o our_o god_n to_o comfort_v all_o that_o mourn_v to_o appoint_v unto_o they_o that_o mourn_v in_o zion_n to_o give_v unto_o they_o beauty_n for_o ash_n the_o oil_n of_o joy_n for_o mourn_v the_o garment_n of_o praise_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o heaviness_n that_o they_o may_v be_v call_v tree_n of_o righteousness_n the_o plant_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v be_v glorify_v and_o they_o shall_v build_v the_o old_a waste_v they_o shall_v raise_v up_o the_o former_a desolation_n and_o they_o shall_v repair_v the_o waste_a city_n the_o desolation_n of_o many_o generation_n and_o stranger_n shall_v stand_v and_o feed_v your_o flock_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o alien_n shall_v be_v your_o plowman_n and_o your_o vine_n dresser_n but_o you_o shall_v be_v name_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o lord_n man_n shall_v call_v you_o the_o minister_n of_o our_o god_n you_o shall_v eat_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o their_o glory_n shall_v you_o boast_v yourselves_o for_o your_o shame_n you_o shall_v have_v double_a and_o for_o confusion_n they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o their_o portion_n therefore_o in_o their_o land_n they_o shall_v possess_v the_o double_a everlasting_a joy_n shall_v be_v upon_o they_o in_o short_a he_o represent_v in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a oracle_n the_o gentile_n as_o a_o people_n be_v in_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o misery_n of_o a_o prison_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o infer_v first_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n how_o vile_a and_o abject_a soever_o that_o character_n may_v appear_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o it_o be_v where_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o prophet_n in_o general_n second_o that_o he_o be_v to_o discharge_v these_o function_n during_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v his_o chief_a employment_n here_o upon_o earth_n david_n have_v before_o signify_v psalm_n xxii_o verse_n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o declare_v the_o name_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o brethren_n viz._n the_o jew_n by_o exercise_v his_o prophetical_a function_n in_o judea_n but_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v something_o more_o when_o he_o seem_v to_o point_v out_o galilee_n as_o the_o place_n where_o this_o sacred_a doctor_n be_v chief_o to_o fix_v his_o abode_n this_o be_v in_o effect_n insinuate_v when_o god_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v to_o begin_v his_o ministerial_a function_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o naphtali_n and_o zebulon_n isai_n ix_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o and_o 3._o nevertheless_o the_o dimness_n shall_v not_o be_v such_o as_o be_v in_o her_o vexation_n when_o at_o the_o first_o he_o light_o afflict_v the_o land_n of_o zebulon_n and_o the_o land_n of_o naphtali_n and_o afterward_o do_v more_o grievous_o afflict_v she_o by_o the_o way_n of_o the_o sea_n beyond_o jordan_n in_o galilee_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o people_n that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n have_v see_v a_o great_a light_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o land_n
a_o new_a society_n which_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v not_o by_o the_o law_n give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n but_o by_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v publish_v from_o mount_n zion_n chap._n xxiii_o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n this_o article_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o important_a and_o most_o visible_a character_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o also_o the_o great_a effect_n of_o his_o ministry_n we_o see_v that_o god_n have_v a_o particular_a care_n to_o divulge_v the_o same_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o prophetical_a representation_n of_o it_o for_o not_o only_o have_v he_o declare_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n 15._o gen._n iii_o 15._o that_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o error_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o vice_n which_o arise_v from_o thence_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o sin_n which_o this_o unhappy_a spirit_n bring_v into_o the_o world._n it_o be_v not_o only_o foretell_v that_o god_n will_v persuade_v japhet_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o sem_fw-mi 27._o gen._n ix_o 27._o by_o unite_n the_o posterity_n of_o both_o those_o patriarch_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o religion_n not_o only_o have_v he_o signify_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v over_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n that_o be_v over_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n not_o except_v not_o only_o have_v he_o foretell_v that_o all_o nation_n kindred_n xxii_o gen._n xii_o &_o ch._n xviii_o &_o xxii_o and_o family_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n but_o god_n go_v much_o further_o afterward_o for_o as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o revelation_n increase_v so_o the_o same_o be_v declare_v more_o distinct_o for_o 1._o the_o patriarch_n jacob_n tell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n gen._n xlix_o verse_n 10._o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n until_o shiloh_n come_v and_o unto_o he_o shall_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n be_v 2._o moses_n threaten_v the_o jew_n that_o if_o they_o despise_v the_o law_n of_o god_n stranger_n that_o be_v gentile_n shall_v be_v prefer_v before_o they_o deut._n xxviii_o verse_n 43._o the_o strange_a that_o be_v within_o thou_o shall_v get_v up_o above_o thou_o very_o high_a and_o thou_o shall_v come_v down_o very_o low_a the_o same_o prophet_n menace_v they_o from_o god_n that_o he_o will_v stir_v up_o their_o jealousy_n by_o call_v a_o foolish_a people_n to_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n deut._n xxxii_o verse_n 21._o they_o have_v move_v i_o to_o jealousy_n with_o that_o which_o be_v not_o god_n they_o have_v provoke_v i_o to_o anger_n with_o their_o vanity_n and_o i_o will_v move_v they_o to_o jealousy_n with_o those_o which_o be_v not_o a_o people_n i_o will_v provoke_v they_o to_o anger_n with_o a_o foolish_a nation_n nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o express_a and_o particular_a than_o these_o last_o word_n of_o that_o great_a law_n giver_n and_o founder_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n 3._o david_n set_v forth_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o that_o which_o be_v to_o reach_v over_o all_o the_o earth_n psalm_n ii_o verse_n 8._o ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v give_v thou_o the_o heathen_a for_o thy_o inheritance_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n and_o psalm_n xxii_o vers_fw-la 27_o 28_o 29_o 30._o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v remember_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v worship_v before_o thou_o for_o the_o kingdom_n be_v the_o lord_n and_o he_o be_v the_o governor_n among_o the_o nation_n all_o they_o that_o be_v fat_a upon_o the_o earth_n shall_v eat_v and_o worship_n all_o they_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o dust_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o a_o seed_n shall_v serve_v he_o it_o shall_v be_v account_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o a_o generation_n psalm_n lxxii_o vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o he_o shall_v have_v dominion_n from_o sea_n to_o sea_n and_o from_o the_o river_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n they_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o wilderness_n shall_v bow_v before_o he_o and_o his_o enemy_n shall_v lick_v the_o dust_n the_o king_n of_o tarshish_n and_o of_o the_o isle_n shall_v bring_v present_n the_o king_n of_o sheba_n and_o seba_n shall_v offer_v gift_n yea_o all_o king_n shall_v fall_v down_o before_o he_o all_o nation_n shall_v serve_v he_o which_o prophecy_n be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a because_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n be_v there_o repeat_v in_o so_o many_o word_n viz._n that_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v bless_v in_o the_o messiah_n psalm-cii_a verse_n 15._o so_o the_o heathen_a shall_v fear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o all_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n thy_o glory_n and_o psalm_n cx_o verse_n 2._o the_o lord_n shall_v send_v the_o rod_n of_o thy_o strength_n out_o of_o zion_n rule_n thou_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o thy_o enemy_n one_o ought_v to_o transcribe_v almost_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o all_o the_o passage_n which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n the_o prophet_n hosea_n declare_v in_o general_a term_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v god_n people_n to_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o or_o for_o those_o that_o be_v not_o his_o people_n to_o become_v his_o people_n chap._n i._o verse_n 10._o yet_o the_o number_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o sand_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o can_v be_v measure_v or_o number_v and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v not_o my_o people_n there_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v unto_o they_o you_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god._n isaiah_n mention_n this_o so_o often_o and_o in_o such_o a_o emphatical_a manner_n that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n he_o drive_v at_o in_o all_o his_o write_n chap._n ii_o verse_n 2_o 3._o he_o speak_v thus_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o last_o day_n that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o many_o people_n shall_v go_v and_o say_v come_v you_o and_o let_v we_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o of_o his_o way_n and_o we_o will_v walk_v in_o his_o path_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o chap._n xi_o verse_n 10._o in_o that_o day_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o jesse_n which_o shall_v stand_v for_o a_o ensign_n of_o the_o people_n to_o it_o shall_v the_o gentile_n seek_v and_o chap._n xviii_o verse_n 7._o he_o make_v a_o manifest_a allusion_n to_o the_o expectation_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o chap._n xlii_o vers_fw-la 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o he_o repeat_v the_o same_o thing_n behold_v my_o servant_n who_o i_o uphold_v my_o elect_a in_o who_o my_o soul_n delight_v i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n upon_o he_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n to_o the_o gentile_n he_o shall_v not_o cry_v nor_o lift_v up_o nor_o cause_v his_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o street_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o judgement_n unto_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o isle_n shall_v wait_v for_o his_o law._n chap._n lv._o vers_fw-la 4_o 5._o behold_v i_o have_v give_v thou_o for_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o people_n a_o leader_n and_o a_o commander_n to_o the_o people_n behold_v thou_o shall_v call_v a_o nation_n that_o thou_o know_v not_o and_o nation_n that_o know_v not_o thou_o shall_v run_v unto_o thou_o because_o of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o for_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n for_o he_o have_v glorify_v thou_o but_o one_o see_v we_o these_o truth_n in_o their_o great_a lustre_n in_o the_o lx_o chap._n of_o his_o prophecy_n vers_fw-la 3_o 4_o 5._o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v to_o thy_o light_n and_o king_n to_o the_o brightness_n of_o thy_o rise_n lift_v up_o thy_o eye_n round_o about_o and_o see_v all_o they_o gather_v themselves_o together_o they_o come_v to_o thou_o thy_o son_n shall_v
that_o it_o be_v jesus_n christ_n himself_o the_o angel_n repeat_v to_o the_o woman_n the_o command_n which_o jesus_n christ_n before_o his_o death_n have_v give_v to_o his_o disciple_n to_o go_v into_o galilee_n jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o mary_n magdelen_n repeat_v the_o same_o to_o she_o and_o give_v she_o a_o particular_a commission_n for_o s._n peter_n to_o comfort_v he_o in_o his_o affliction_n for_o have_v deny_v his_o master_n appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n as_o they_o go_v to_o emmaus_n he_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o prophecy_n which_o speak_v of_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o moreover_o when_o he_o break_v bread_n with_o they_o they_o hear_v the_o same_o prayer_n which_o he_o ordinary_o use_v at_o the_o blessing_n of_o it_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o the_o same_o day_n the_o five_o time_n and_o show_v they_o his_o foot_n and_o his_o hand_n he_o repeat_v the_o grant_n of_o the_o authority_n which_o the_o father_n have_v give_v he_o he_o breathe_v upon_o they_o say_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n a_o week_n after_o he_o let_v thomas_n touch_v he_o he_o appear_v afterward_o to_o seven_o of_o his_o apostle_n upon_o the_o lake_n of_o tiberias_n where_o he_o confirm_v s._n peter_n in_o his_o charge_n from_o which_o his_o deny_v of_o christ_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v exclude_v he_o after_o he_o have_v wrought_v a_o miracle_n in_o the_o draught_n of_o the_o fish_n which_o be_v like_o some_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v wrought_v before_o his_o death_n afterward_o he_o appear_v upon_o the_o same_o mountain_n in_o galilee_n where_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o have_v be_v transfigure_v before_o and_o be_v there_o see_v of_o five_o hundred_o of_o his_o disciple_n at_o once_o and_o last_o of_o all_o he_o appear_v to_o they_o at_o jerusalem_n after_o their_o return_n from_o galilee_n and_o from_o thence_o go_v with_o they_o to_o bethany_n where_o after_o he_o have_v tell_v they_o of_o the_o absolute_a power_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o he_o command_v they_o to_o go_v and_o baptise_v in_o his_o name_n he_o foretell_v the_o miracle_n which_o they_o shall_v work_v and_o the_o gift_n which_o they_o shall_v receive_v at_o jerusalem_n all_o these_o so_o very_o different_a circumstance_n be_v only_o design_v to_o assure_v their_o eye_n their_o hand_n their_o mind_n their_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v always_o follow_v it_o be_v worth_a our_o take_a notice_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o these_o circumstance_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o fact_n which_o absolute_o prevent_v all_o pretence_n of_o doubtfulness_n jesus_n christ_n appear_v ten_o several_a time_n after_o his_o death_n he_o appear_v five_o time_n on_o the_o very_a day_n of_o his_o resurrection_n he_o appear_v at_o several_a hour_n to_o different_a person_n in_o several_a place_n but_o always_o to_o person_n to_o who_o he_o be_v familiar_o know_v to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o at_o all_o credulous_a the_o first_o news_n they_o have_v of_o his_o resurrection_n seem_v only_o to_o raise_v their_o scruple_n if_o the_o testimony_n of_o their_o sense_n which_o see_v he_o and_o touch_v he_o have_v not_o remove_v all_o suspicion_n jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o they_o in_o place_n where_o he_o have_v wrought_v many_o miracle_n and_o where_o he_o have_v often_o before_o converse_v with_o they_o but_o one_o may_v make_v another_o more_o important_a reflection_n upon_o the_o time_n and_o the_o day_n wherein_o our_o saviour_n rise_v again_o of_o the_o ten_o several_a time_n in_o which_o he_o appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n he_o appear_v five_o time_n on_o the_o day_n of_o his_o resurrection_n he_o appear_v to_o they_o eight_o day_n after_o and_o after_o that_o the_o eight_o day_n which_o he_o signalise_v by_o his_o frequent_a appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n be_v consecrate_v to_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o event_n every_o week_n one_o find_v certain_a token_n hereof_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v know_v that_o all_o christian_n after_o they_o do_v inviolable_o observe_v this_o law._n now_o let_v any_o one_o consider_v whether_o it_o will_v have_v be_v possible_a to_o introduce_v this_o custom_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n have_v not_o be_v a_o fact_n confess_v of_o all_o hand_n can_v any_o one_o conceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o who_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n thereof_o by_o a_o sacrament_n can_v have_v be_v so_o stupid_a to_o establish_v a_o custom_n which_o will_v put_v people_n upon_o examine_v the_o fact_n and_o have_v convince_v they_o in_o a_o little_a time_n since_o none_o of_o those_o that_o follow_v they_o will_v have_v submit_v to_o this_o practice_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v convince_v by_o their_o eye_n and_o their_o other_o sense_n and_o by_o a_o thousand_o other_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o so_o capital_a a_o fact_n which_o be_v so_o much_o dispute_v by_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o make_v a_o solemn_a commemoration_n two_o and_o fifty_o time_n every_o year_n as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v let_v we_o add_v to_o this_o remark_n which_o we_o have_v elsewhere_o urge_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o creation_n another_o reflection_n upon_o a_o fact_n which_o the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v accompany_v with_o very_o peculiar_a circumstance_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v usher_v in_o with_o a_o earthquake_n with_o apparition_n of_o angel_n to_o the_o soldier_n that_o guard_v the_o sepulchre_n of_o jesus_n and_o be_v fright_v thereby_o yet_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n contrive_v with_o the_o soldier_n a_o most_o impudent_a lie_v to_o outface_v it_o and_z according_o the_o soldier_n come_v before_o pilate_n tell_v he_o that_o the_o disciple_n have_v steal_v away_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n whilst_o they_o sleep_v and_o his_o disciple_n tell_v we_o that_o since_o this_o have_v be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n here_o of_o the_o palpable_a falsity_n of_o this_o deposition_n for_o if_o the_o soldier_n be_v asleep_a how_o can_v they_o depose_v concern_v a_o fact_n which_o be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o they_o be_v not_o asleep_o why_o do_v not_o they_o hinder_v the_o disciple_n from_o take_v the_o body_n of_o their_o master_n away_o how_o can_v they_o affirm_v that_o thief_n have_v take_v he_o away_o when_o the_o linen_n clothes_n wherein_o his_o body_n be_v shroud_v be_v leave_v in_o the_o grave_a and_o the_o napkin_n that_o be_v about_o his_o head_n be_v fold_v up_o in_o a_o place_n by_o itself_o do_v absolute_o evince_v that_o he_o be_v not_o take_v away_o by_o person_n that_o be_v in_o fear_n of_o a_o surprise_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o in_o short_a to_o suspect_v that_o his_o disciple_n who_o forsake_v jesus_n christ_n whilst_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a who_o flee_v from_o he_o at_o that_o time_n shall_v undertake_v such_o a_o hazardous_a attempt_n to_o have_v his_o body_n only_o neither_o will_v i_o insist_v upon_o a_o representation_n of_o the_o apostle_n sincerity_n which_o make_v they_o give_v we_o in_o their_o history_n a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o report_n which_o be_v spread_v against_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n before_o ever_o that_o the_o disciple_n have_v attest_v the_o same_o but_o i_o observe_v another_o very_a particular_a character_n in_o their_o relation_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o establish_v this_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n without_o accuse_v thereby_o the_o whole_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o most_o shameful_a and_o cry_a imposture_n that_o ever_o be_v to_o write_v a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n against_o the_o head_n of_o that_o religion_n be_v to_o sacrifice_v themselves_o to_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o public_a and_o to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o inevitable_a ruin_n in_o short_a let_v we_o imagine_v whether_o after_o a_o charge_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v easy_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o publish_v their_o book_n and_o preach_v public_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v what_o they_o do_v with_o a_o surprise_v diligence_n when_o they_o insert_v this_o terrible_a accusation_n into_o their_o book_n and_o sermon_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o be_v infinite_o convince_v of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o also_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o convince_v all_o gainsayer_n as_o we_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o one_o may_v add_v to_o this_o proof_n the_o conversion_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o the_o
care_n which_o he_o afterward_o take_v to_o confirm_v this_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o be_v a_o declare_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o soon_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n he_o preach_v he_o up_o for_o the_o messiah_n how_o come_v this_o sudden_a change_n he_o assert_n that_o he_o have_v see_v in_o heaven_n this_o jesus_n who_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o receive_v from_o he_o the_o apostleship_n according_o we_o find_v he_o preach_v by_o these_o order_n without_o any_o communication_n have_v with_o the_o first_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o relate_v these_o matter_n in_o a_o manner_n so_o little_o affect_v to_o advance_v his_o ministry_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o galatian_n who_o prefer_v s._n peter_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n before_o he_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n leave_v to_o doubt_v of_o they_o one_o ought_v to_o make_v a_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o conversion_n of_o cornelius_n the_o centurion_n he_o be_v a_o proselyte_n that_o be_v a_o gentile_a by_o birth_n but_o a_o jew_n by_o profession_n and_o by_o the_o employment_n he_o be_v in_o he_o have_v occasion_n of_o be_v more_o particular_o inform_v of_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o soldier_n who_o probable_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o he_o for_o he_o be_v in_o the_o garrison_n at_o caesarea_n which_o be_v not_o far_o from_o jerusalem_n yet_o however_o this_o cornelius_n after_o he_o have_v a_o vision_n which_o command_v he_o to_o send_v to_o joppa_n a_o place_n make_v famous_a because_o jonah_n the_o prophet_n set_v sail_n from_o thence_o who_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n this_o cornelius_n i_o say_v embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n become_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o caesarea_n and_o die_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o great_a affection_n which_o s._n luke_n have_v for_o s._n paul_n confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n s._n luke_n have_v never_o see_v our_o saviour_n he_o be_v bear_v at_o antioch_n where_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o exercise_v his_o profession_n of_o physic_n yet_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o follow_v s._n paul_n in_o all_o place_n and_o write_v the_o history_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o preach_a who_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v because_o he_o have_v see_v the_o dead_a who_o christ_n have_v raise_v to_o life_n and_o have_v see_v s._n paul_n who_o jesus_n christ_n have_v dignify_v with_o the_o apostleship_n raise_v other_o also_o from_o the_o dead_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o who_o be_v first_o convince_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v very_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o jew_n have_v sadducee_n among_o they_o who_o deny_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o resurrection_n in_o general_a the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n especial_o have_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o decry_v the_o conduct_n the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o in_o particular_a to_o make_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n suspect_v and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o jesus_n christ_n have_v foretell_v it_o and_o his_o apostle_n maintain_v that_o it_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v according_o if_o in_o opposition_n to_o these_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la there_o have_v only_o be_v the_o deposition_n of_o two_o or_o three_o person_n to_o confirm_v this_o fact_n there_o will_v have_v be_v reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o but_o we_o find_v that_o this_o thing_n which_o of_o it_o self_n seem_v hard_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o be_v otherwise_o so_o much_o contest_v be_v 1._o prove_v by_o ten_o several_a apparition_n 2._o it_o be_v attest_v by_o above_o five_o hundred_o disciple_n 3._o it_o be_v public_o preach_v by_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n at_o jerusalem_n itself_o and_o throughout_o all_o judea_n where_o it_o be_v most_o of_o all_o dispute_v 4._o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o very_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o s._n paul_n and_o cornelius_n and_o by_o thousand_o of_o those_o who_o have_v demand_v his_o death_n be_v convert_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n 5._o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o and_o 6._o it_o be_v not_o not_o only_a authorise_a by_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o three_o person_n who_o christ_n have_v raise_v to_o life_n and_o who_o live_v one_o of_o they_o at_o bethany_n fifteen_o furlong_n from_o jerusalem_n where_o jesus_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n another_o at_o naim_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v further_o verify_v by_o several_a resurrection_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o who_o christ_n have_v vouchsafe_v that_o astonish_a power_n it_o be_v also_o a_o very_a considerable_a thing_n that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n continue_v near_o forty_o year_n after_o the_o time_n that_o the_o apostle_n 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