how_o his_o body_n have_v be_v form_v of_o the_o earth_n be_v i_o confess_v a_o thing_n difficult_a to_o be_v conceive_v but_o the_o production_n of_o a_o infant_n like_v to_o himself_o by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n which_o he_o afterward_o be_v assure_v of_o by_o experience_n be_v sufficient_a to_o confirm_v his_o mind_n in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n the_o way_n of_o generation_n be_v at_o least_o as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o difficult_a to_o comprehend_v as_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o creation_n we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o as_o it_o be_v adam_n duty_n that_o so_o he_o do_v real_o make_v those_o reflection_n i_o have_v attribute_v to_o he_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n give_v he_o a_o law_n proportion_v to_o the_o state_n in_o which_o he_o be_v create_v for_o this_o law_n suppose_v that_o adam_n own_a himself_o god_n subject_a that_o he_o consider_v god_n as_o his_o great_a benefactor_n that_o he_o hope_v for_o reward_n from_o he_o and_o fear_v to_o be_v punish_v by_o he_o and_o last_o if_o i_o shall_v grant_v that_o these_o reflection_n do_v not_o at_o first_o make_v so_o deep_a a_o impression_n in_o his_o heart_n yet_o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o after_o his_o fall_n he_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n necessitate_v to_o meditate_v on_o these_o truth_n god_n appear_v to_o he_o in_o a_o visible_a manner_n god_n pass_v sentence_n upon_o he_o his_o wife_n and_o the_o serpent_n god_n condemn_v the_o serpent_n and_o afford_v his_o grace_n to_o man_n god_n make_v he_o a_o promise_v proportion_v to_o the_o evil_a into_o which_o he_o be_v fall_v the_o woman_n have_v deceive_v her_o husband_n which_o do_v natural_o tend_v to_o disunite_v they_o but_o god_n unite_n himself_o again_o with_o adam_n make_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o promise_n to_o depend_v upon_o adam_n reunion_n with_o his_o wife_n have_v assure_v he_o that_o the_o offspring_n of_o his_o wife_n shall_v be_v his_o redeemer_n god_n threaten_v the_o woman_n with_o extreme_a pain_n in_o child-bearing_a he_o drive_v they_o out_o of_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n and_o place_v a_o flame_n of_o fire_n to_o guard_v the_o entrance_n there_o all_o this_o without_o doubt_n will_v never_o suffer_v adam_n slight_o to_o pass_v over_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o his_o creation_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o be_v form_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n thing_n be_v thus_o state_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v whether_o we_o have_v suppose_v adam_n too_o subtle_a and_o contemplative_a by_o attribute_v the_o foresay_a reflection_n to_o he_o chap._n x._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v arrive_v to_o year_n of_o understanding_n they_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o make_v reflection_n on_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o production_n according_a to_o the_o information_n receive_v of_o their_o parent_n they_o be_v able_a to_o compare_v the_o twofold_a original_a of_o man_n the_o one_o in_o which_o the_o body_n be_v immediate_o take_v from_o the_o earth_n the_o other_o in_o which_o it_o be_v produce_v by_o generation_n and_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v if_o either_o of_o they_o be_v improbable_a and_o in_o particular_a whether_o the_o formation_n of_o their_o parent_n with_o other_o matter_n consequent_a and_o depend_v on_o it_o can_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v and_o confirm_v for_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o they_o to_o judge_v that_o their_o parent_n of_o who_o tenderness_n and_o care_n they_o have_v so_o great_a experience_n can_v not_o have_v have_v the_o least_o design_n to_o deceive_v they_o in_o what_o they_o have_v deliver_v to_o they_o concern_v the_o creation_n they_o have_v also_o leisure_n enough_o during_o the_o long_a life_n they_o enjoy_v to_o examine_v the_o solidity_n of_o those_o reason_n which_o persuade_v their_o parent_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o creation_n for_o instance_n they_o can_v easy_o inform_v themselves_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o more_o man_n and_o woman_n than_o their_o father_n and_o mother_n that_o have_v be_v before_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v produce_v from_o the_o earth_n or_o by_o a_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o other_o language_n beside_o that_o which_o they_o speak_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o ruin_n of_o building_n or_o other_o remain_v which_o signify_v that_o art_n have_v be_v former_o cultivate_v and_o in_o a_o word_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o reason_n to_o persuade_v they_o that_o the_o world_n have_v not_o its_o beginning_n at_o the_o time_n which_o their_o parent_n assign_v for_o it_o neither_o be_v they_o only_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o their_o sense_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o it_o as_o for_o instance_n by_o see_v the_o first_o tree_n the_o production_n of_o other_o from_o they_o and_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o their_o growth_n but_o beside_o all_o this_o they_o can_v experience_v most_o of_o these_o thing_n in_o their_o own_o person_n they_o can_v know_v whether_o god_n have_v assign_v to_o man_n the_o fruit_n of_o tree_n and_o grain_n for_o their_o food_n as_o moses_n have_v record_v only_o by_o examine_v their_o own_o mouth_n which_o be_v form_v to_o chew_v fruit_n and_o not_o to_o tear_v the_o raw_a flesh_n of_o animal_n which_o require_v sharp_a and_o strong_a set_v of_o tooth_n than_o those_o they_o find_v themselves_o provide_v with_o the_o eat_n of_o flesh_n not_o be_v introduce_v till_o after_o the_o deluge_n thus_o after_o the_o act_n of_o generation_n they_o see_v their_o child_n bear_v as_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o they_o that_o they_o themselves_o have_v be_v form_v they_o have_v also_o before_o their_o eye_n sensible_a sign_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n relate_v to_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o continual_a miracle_n of_o a_o flame_n of_o fire_n which_o keep_v they_o from_o enter_v into_o paradise_n be_v a_o certain_a argument_n of_o the_o first_o sin_n of_o which_o they_o have_v not_o be_v eye-witness_n the_o pain_n of_o a_o woman_n in_o child-bearing_a do_v the_o more_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o divine_a sentence_n because_o it_o be_v not_o obvious_a for_o they_o to_o apprehend_v such_o consequence_n from_o a_o act_n which_o be_v please_v to_o their_o sensual_a appetite_n and_o last_o forasmuch_o as_o they_o keep_v a_o solemn_a day_n to_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o world_n nativity_n on_o which_o seven_o day_n their_o parent_n repeat_v to_o they_o no_o less_o than_o two_o and_o fifty_o time_n a_o year_n the_o same_o thing_n inform_v they_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o formation_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v that_o they_o shall_v let_v these_o thing_n pass_v without_o make_v any_o reflection_n on_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o we_o can_v rational_o conceive_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v serious_a in_o any_o duty_n of_o religion_n without_o have_v first_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o redeemer_n which_o be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o all_o religious_a act_n whatsoever_o chap._n xi_o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o the_o immediate_a posterity_n of_o adam_n can_v easy_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o manner_n how_o their_o parent_n have_v be_v produce_v from_o who_o they_o derive_v their_o being_n they_o can_v likewise_o be_v full_o satisfy_v about_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o promise_n god_n have_v make_v they_o that_o one_o of_o their_o posterity_n shall_v destroy_v the_o enemy_n of_o mankind_n my_o business_n therefore_o next_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v actual_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n this_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o matter_n be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o their_o meditation_n because_o of_o their_o extraordinary_a importance_n so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o act_v as_o person_n full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o the_o other_o be_v that_o as_o they_o have_v be_v instruct_v in_o these_o truth_n by_o their_o parent_n so_o they_o deliver_v the_o same_o to_o their_o posterity_n to_o who_o they_o transmit_v the_o belief_n of_o these_o matter_n as_o of_o thing_n altogether_o unquestionable_a i_o say_v then_o that_o they_o act_v as_o those_o who_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n which_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o life_n not_o only_a when_o they_o do_v
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
marriage_n or_o rather_o incest_n with_o herod_n he_o have_v reprove_v before_o s._n john_n be_v behead_v he_o send_v his_o disciple_n to_o jesus_n christ_n to_o inform_v himself_o whether_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n which_o our_o saviour_n prove_v to_o they_o by_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o their_o presence_n and_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n which_o s._n john_n have_v before_o allege_v as_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o call._n all_o these_o fact_n be_v so_o illustrious_a and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o s._n john_n constant_o pass_v for_o a_o great_a prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o pharisee_n themselves_o not_o dare_v to_o question_v it_o he_o receive_v public_a deputation_n from_o the_o jew_n who_o demand_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o ministry_n and_o he_o himself_o send_v one_o to_o jesus_n christ_n that_o his_o disciple_n may_v be_v acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o that_o they_o may_v give_v he_o a_o second_o public_a testimony_n and_o last_o of_o 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the_o lxx_o add_v to_o the_o text_n the_o word_n thisbite_n in_o the_o passage_n of_o malachy_n therefore_o jesus_n christ_n declare_v that_o it_o be_v indeed_o he_o of_o who_o malachy_n have_v speak_v i_o acknowledge_v that_o john_n the_o baptist_n do_v not_o do_v any_o miracle_n but_o then_o he_o utter_v 1._o so_o plain_a a_o oracle_n concern_v the_o miraculous_a effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o disciple_n that_o we_o find_v nothing_o so_o great_a or_o so_o clear_a in_o all_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n he_o that_o come_v after_o i_o say_v he_o shall_v baptize_v you_o with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n 2._o he_o give_v a_o second_o oracle_n though_o not_o so_o plain_a as_o the_o former_a concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o fan_n be_v in_o his_o hand_n and_o he_o will_v thorough_o purge_v his_o floor_n and_o will_v burn_v up_o the_o chaff_n with_o fire_n these_o two_o oracle_n contain_v the_o end_n of_o the_o old_a dispensation_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o new_a the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v to_o facilitate_v the_o publish_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o temple_n happen_v as_o well_o to_o punish_v the_o crime_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v commit_v when_o they_o put_v the_o messiah_n to_o death_n as_o to_o take_v away_o all_o their_o pretence_n of_o believe_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o come_v who_o be_v to_o appear_v whilst_o that_o temple_n stand_v but_o before_o i_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n i_o must_v observe_v three_o or_o four_o thing_n which_o be_v very_o necessary_a to_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o testimony_n which_o this_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v give_v to_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v a_o maxim_n among_o the_o jew_n legis_fw-la maimonid_n de_fw-fr fundam_fw-la legis_fw-la that_o he_o who_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o a_o prophet_n may_v confirm_v 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disciple_n of_o the_o one_o be_v very_o jealous_a of_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o other_o and_o endeavour_v to_o inspire_v their_o master_n with_o the_o jealousy_n that_o possess_v themselves_o the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n be_v the_o person_n that_o write_v the_o history_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n which_o they_o do_v as_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v for_o his_o glory_n and_o reputation_n though_o at_o first_o they_o do_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o least_o by_o he_o but_o rather_o by_o that_o mean_v inflame_v herod_n hatred_n against_o they_o who_o contribute_v to_o the_o death_n of_o s._n john_n as_o well_o as_o of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o three_o be_v that_o when_o s._n john_n be_v behead_v who_o never_o have_v any_o correspondence_n with_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v extravagant_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v have_v forge_v the_o testimony_n which_o they_o say_v this_o great_a man_n give_v to_o christ_n because_o this_o will_v have_v be_v to_o employ_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o man_n who_o never_o have_v wrought_v any_o miracle_n and_o be_v long_o since_o behead_v by_o the_o order_n of_o herod_n seem_v to_o be_v quite_o forget_v the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o they_o can_v ever_o entertain_v a_o design_n of_o impose_v on_o the_o world_n in_o such_o a_o matter_n as_o this_o which_o relate_v to_o public_a fact_n know_v to_o all_o judea_n to_o all_o the_o priest_n yea_o to_o the_o whole_a nation_n assemble_v at_o their_o public_a feast_n to_o herod_n the_o king_n and_o to_o the_o disciple_n of_o john_n themselves_o who_o will_v not_o have_v be_v want_v to_o refute_v and_o convince_v they_o whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o see_v that_o by_o the_o disposition_n which_o s._n john_n have_v wrought_v in_o they_o they_o be_v easy_o win_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o example_n of_o apollo_n a_o disciple_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n 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this_o truth_n the_o first_o be_v the_o kindred_n which_o be_v between_o elizabeth_n and_o the_o bless_a virgin_n whence_o it_o appear_v that_o her_o relation_n be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o juda_n and_o that_o she_o be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n one_o ought_v to_o observe_v here_o a_o thing_n which_o though_o at_o first_o sight_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o small_a importance_n yet_o we_o can_v but_o think_v that_o s._n luke_n write_v it_o without_o design_n and_o that_o be_v the_o journey_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n to_o one_o of_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n after_o her_o conception_n to_o visit_v elizabeth_n her_o kinswoman_n the_o wife_n of_o zachariah_n and_o the_o mother_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n i_o shall_v not_o mention_v at_o present_a any_o other_o reason_n of_o this_o journey_n which_o
fact_n which_o they_o have_v assert_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n and_o even_o until_o death_n that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v down_o upon_o his_o apostle_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o witness_n fifty_o day_n after_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n when_o jesus_n christ_n be_v crucify_v it_o be_v as_o remarkable_a a_o fact_n as_o ever_o happen_v twelve_o fisherman_n of_o galilee_n maintain_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o the_o whole_a nation_n have_v demand_v to_o be_v crucify_v but_o fifty_o day_n before_o and_o who_o do_v actual_o suffer_v upon_o a_o infamous_a cross_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n after_o he_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o they_o and_o have_v appear_v several_a time_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o that_o he_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o of_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n that_o they_o speak_v divers_a language_n be_v a_o fact_n most_o notorious_a the_o truth_n whereof_o appear_v from_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v fill_v with_o their_o disciple_n but_o a_o few_o year_n after_o this_o fact_n be_v do_v that_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o heal_v all_o disease_n as_o well_o as_o their_o master_n be_v a_o fact_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v establish_v upon_o indisputable_a testimony_n insomuch_o as_o their_o successor_n receive_v the_o same_o gift_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o their_o hand_n two_o hundred_o year_n after_o tertullian_n mention_n this_o gift_n as_o be_v at_o that_o time_n well_o know_v among_o christian_n that_o the_o apostle_n after_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o jew_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n who_o also_o receive_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o there_o be_v so_o many_o proof_n in_o 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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 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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
examine_v their_o principle_n and_o confute_v they_o which_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o wise_a man_n have_v former_o acknowledge_v as_o they_o also_o own_o to_o this_o very_a day_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god._n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o philosopher_n do_v own_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n only_o in_o compliance_n with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n which_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o contradict_v and_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o christian_n and_o mahometan_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n we_o be_v only_o to_o prove_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la one_o may_v prove_v this_o against_o the_o jew_n without_o any_o trouble_n because_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o most_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n suppose_v so_o likewise_o it_o be_v easy_o establish_v against_o the_o mahometan_n who_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n but_o pretend_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o mahometanism_n as_o the_o law_n ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o the_o gospel_n preach_v by_o jesus_n christ_n my_o design_n be_v not_o to_o prosecute_v every_o one_o of_o these_o way_n in_o particular_a there_o be_v book_n enough_o in_o the_o world_n which_o solid_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o atheist_n as_o well_o those_o who_o be_v so_o through_o ignorance_n as_o those_o who_o profess_v themselves_o such_o from_o love_n to_o libertinism_n and_o to_o pass_v for_o man_n of_o a_o mighty_a reach_n there_o be_v also_o several_a famous_a author_n who_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o reason_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o overthrow_v all_o pagan_a religion_n whatsoever_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o follow_v a_o more_o compendious_a and_o sure_a method_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n consider_v by_o itself_o in_o short_a it_o be_v impossible_a consider_v the_o opposition_n there_o be_v between_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v the_o true_a but_o that_o all_o other_o must_v be_v false_a in_o those_o article_n wherein_o they_o essential_o differ_v from_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n one_o can_v explain_v those_o argument_n which_o clear_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o convict_v all_o other_o religion_n of_o falsehood_n because_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o proof_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o there_o be_v several_a way_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o end_n which_o i_o propose_v man_n that_o think_v much_o wish_v that_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v from_o reflection_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o it_o which_o to_o they_o will_v be_v a_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a proof_n other_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o speculative_a examination_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v their_o conformity_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o reason_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o both_o these_o employ_v themselves_o usual_o in_o this_o sort_n of_o study_n and_o that_o truth_n find_v a_o considerable_a support_n from_o their_o meditation_n but_o how_o useful_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v i_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o follow_v another_o course_n as_o think_v it_o of_o more_o advantage_n solid_o to_o establish_v the_o fact_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v which_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v more_o proper_a to_o persuade_v all_o sort_n of_o reader_n and_o better_o level_v to_o the_o ordinary_a capacity_n of_o those_o who_o new_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n be_v general_o own_a by_o heathen_n and_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n i_o think_v it_o a_o thing_n altogether_o unnecessary_a to_o enter_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o several_a abstract_a question_n such_o as_o these_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n whether_o man_n be_v natural_o incline_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o the_o like_a when_o i_o shall_v have_v firm_o prove_v that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o that_o he_o prescribe_v a_o service_n to_o the_o first_o man_n who_o leave_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o to_o all_o their_o posterity_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v derive_v i_o shall_v have_v prevent_v many_o very_a unprofitable_a dispute_n and_o which_o can_v only_o perplex_v the_o mind_n by_o their_o obscurity_n i_o have_v therefore_o confine_v myself_o to_o certain_a consideration_n which_o do_v so_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o by_o their_o union_n they_o firm_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o hope_v that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o abolish_v the_o christian_n as_o the_o christian_n pretend_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n abrogate_a the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n as_o soon_o as_o a_o understand_a reader_n shall_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o god_n never_o frame_v the_o model_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o the_o mahometan_n will_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o first_o volume_n chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n page_n 1_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v upon_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n 5_o chap._n 3._o some_o general_n remark_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n 8_o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a 16_o chap._n 5._o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 23_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n 27_o chap._n 7._o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n 34_o chap._n 8._o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n 44_o chap._n 9_o that_o adam_n be_v confirm_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n in_o the_o persuasion_n he_o have_v entertain_v concern_v his_o creation_n 49_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o creation_n 52_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v actual_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 54_o chap._n 12._o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n 61_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n 64_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n be_v child_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n 67_o chap._n 15._o that_o we_o find_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n till_o jacob_n full_o persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n 71_o chap._n 16._o that_o this_o very_a persuasion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o among_o the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n until_o moses_n be_v time_n 81_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o persuasion_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n before_o moses_n can_v be_v suspect_v 86_o chap._n 18._o a_o explication_n of_o moses_n be_v way_n of_o write_v where_o it_o be_v show_v that_o in_o write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n he_o mention_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v 89_o chap._n 19_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world._n 95_o chap._n 20._o a_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o china_n against_o the_o mosaic_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o newness_n of_o the_o world._n 106_o chap._n 21._o wherein_o the_o
re-establishment_n in_o the_o say_a country_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3600._o here_o we_o read_v the_o conquest_n of_o palestina_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n how_o it_o be_v divide_v among_o the_o tribe_n after_o they_o have_v destroy_v drive_v out_o or_o subdue_v the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o how_o often_o they_o be_v bring_v into_o bondage_n by_o the_o border_a nation_n who_o rise_n and_o pretension_n moses_n set_v down_o here_o we_o have_v record_v the_o several_a name_n and_o action_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n raise_v to_o the_o israelite_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o first_o estate_n here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o kingly_a government_n among_o they_o which_o happen_v about_o the_o year_n 2909_o as_o likewise_o of_o the_o division_n of_o this_o people_n into_o two_o kingdom_n which_o for_o three_o age_n together_o be_v most_o opposite_a in_o their_o interest_n and_o make_v great_a war_n against_o each_o other_o as_o well_o as_o against_o their_o neighbour_a state_n we_o find_v here_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o the_o most_o puissant_a of_o these_o two_o state_n viz._n that_o of_o israel_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3283_o and_o after_o that_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o of_o judah_n by_o nebuchadnezar_n king_n of_o the_o chaldean_n anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3283._o and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n restoration_n by_o cyrus_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n under_o his_o successor_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a be_v that_o in_o the_o remain_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o find_v several_a historical_a relation_n relate_v to_o both_o kingdom_n with_o several_a prophecy_n relate_v to_o their_o decay_n and_o restoration_n as_o likewise_o many_o discourse_n of_o morality_n and_o piety_n and_o that_o all_o these_o relation_n and_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o with_o those_o circumstance_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o what_o the_o other_o book_n recite_v to_o we_o and_o a_o essential_a relation_n to_o the_o book_n and_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o prophecy_n relation_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o find_v there_o concern_v their_o government_n or_o religion_n the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n together_o with_o some_o dispute_n with_o the_o jew_n who_o refuse_v to_o own_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n promise_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o last_o prophecy_n declare_v what_o in_o in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v to_o happen_v both_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n until_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n these_o book_n take_v the_o truth_n of_o moses_n write_n every_o where_n for_o grant_v as_o also_o of_o all_o the_o other_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n both_o historical_a prophetical_a and_o moral_a these_o four_o particular_n do_v in_o a_o manner_n give_v we_o a_o entire_a idea_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o we_o shall_v scarce_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o aught_o else_o to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o write_n if_o we_o consider_v those_o undisputable_a matter_n of_o fact_n i_o be_o now_o to_o speak_v of_o and_o will_v but_o make_v some_o very_a natural_a reflection_n upon_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a sect_n and_o party_n present_o after_o our_o saviour_n time_n have_v and_o do_v still_o in_o all_o place_n every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o their_o respective_a language_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o spurious_a write_n shall_v have_v be_v slip_v in_o among_o they_o the_o second_o be_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n have_v have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n among_o they_o in_o greek_a these_o 1600._o year_n so_o the_o heathen_n have_v they_o in_o that_o language_n 300._o year_n before_o be_v translate_v by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ptolomy_n king_n of_o egypt_n whither_o a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v after_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v conquer_v the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v overthrow_v the_o empire_n of_o persia_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n the_o three_o be_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n they_o that_o follow_v the_o party_n of_o jeroboam_n and_o form_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n have_v only_o have_v the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o their_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o the_o house_n of_o david_n they_o have_v most_o religious_o preserve_v the_o say_v book_n from_o anno_fw-la mundi_fw-la 3030._o in_o which_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n happen_v even_o until_o this_o day_n the_o four_o and_o last_o be_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o at_o this_o day_n read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n each_o sabbath_n day_n which_o be_v also_o observe_v by_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o christian_n read_v they_o every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o continue_v to_o read_v they_o for_o a_o long_a series_n of_o age_n as_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o sabbath_n beside_o which_o they_o also_o solemn_o read_v they_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o obedience_n to_o a_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o say_v that_o the_o sole_a consideration_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o general_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n first_o then_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a to_o maintain_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n cite_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o author_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o various_a dispute_n from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o soon_o after_o shall_v be_v supposititious_a as_o to_o aver_v that_o the_o book_n of_o justinian_n or_o mahomet_n alcoran_n have_v be_v false_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n under_o their_o name_n i_o speak_v now_o only_o of_o the_o book_n themselves_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n they_o contain_v second_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v forge_v since_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o ever_o since_o that_o time_n three_o it_o be_v as_o inconsistent_a to_o suppose_v they_o contrive_v since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o judah_n because_o we_o find_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o the_o samaritan_n who_o have_v preserve_v they_o ever_o since_o their_o revolt_n without_o any_o other_o change_n but_o what_o be_v incident_a to_o all_o manuscript_n that_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o samaritan_n have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o effect_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n it_o can_v in_o the_o least_o shake_v the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o those_o book_n for_o first_o the_o three_o other_o tribe_n have_v they_o and_o preserve_v they_o with_o the_o great_a care_n esteem_v they_o of_o divine_a authority_n second_o there_o be_v also_o reason_n of_o state_n which_o make_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o to_o regard_v the_o division_n make_v by_o joshuah_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o priesthood_n which_o reason_n of_o state_n hereafter_o mention_v where_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o ten_o tribe_n will_v not_o allow_v the_o same_o authority_n to_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o their_o revolt_n as_o those_o of_o samuel_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o pentateuch_n of_o moses_n most_o of_o the_o other_o we_o know_v be_v pen_v since_o the_o division_n of_o the_o two_o kingdom_n and_o so_o do_v more_o particular_o respect_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o some_o they_o after_o the_o
carry_v away_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n by_o the_o assyrian_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n and_o more_o especial_o those_o of_o moses_n confirm_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o confirm_v beyond_o exception_n at_o least_o far_o beyond_o the_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world._n it_o remain_v only_o now_o to_o examine_v whether_o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n we_o find_v not_o the_o same_o certainty_n when_o we_o look_v back_o from_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o any_o part_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o about_o 580_o year_n i_o say_v then_o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v they_o forge_v during_o that_o period_n first_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o form_n we_o now_o see_v they_o but_o that_o the_o forgery_n must_v have_v be_v apparent_a to_o all_o the_o world._n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o all_o their_o family_n or_o synagogue_n and_o every_o seven_o year_n beside_o nothing_n be_v of_o more_o easy_a observation_n than_o whether_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o three_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o passover_n pentecost_n and_o of_o tabernacle_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o whether_o the_o jew_n do_v obey_v the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n whether_o relate_v to_o particular_a person_n to_o tribe_n or_o their_o land_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o possess_v of_o they_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o suppose_v a_o insensible_a change_n wrought_v either_o in_o in_o the_o form_n of_o their_o civil_a 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we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n moreover_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n first_o that_o these_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o rise_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o fiction_n which_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n second_o that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v evident_o confirm_v by_o the_o follow_a book_n of_o joshuah_n and_o judge_n which_o have_v a_o essential_a reference_n to_o the_o same_o and_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o the_o public_a act_n of_o many_o nation_n attest_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o that_o the_o say_a book_n be_v so_o close_o link_v and_o relate_v to_o those_o public_a and_o know_v action_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o separate_v the_o law_n they_o contain_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n attest_v by_o pagan_a history_n or_o to_o be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o pentateuch_n which_o equal_o lay_v down_o that_o platform_n of_o their_o policy_n and_o worship_n my_o business_n at_o present_a only_o be_v to_o hint_n these_o general_a reflection_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o sequel_n will_v oblige_v i_o to_o make_v some_o more_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o each_o book_n when_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o consider_v the_o several_a relation_n they_o contain_v i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n begin_v with_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n where_o we_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o fall_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o deluge_n with_o other_o matter_n until_o the_o death_n of_o joseph_n which_o contain_v the_o history_n of_o the_o world_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 2369_o year_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v unquestionable_a forasmuch_o as_o among_o those_o matter_n which_o moses_n relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o seven_o day_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v depend_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o i_o must_v make_v it_o my_o business_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o one_o of_o which_o be_v that_o god_n create_v a_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o due_a time_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n for_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n i_o shall_v propose_v these_o follow_a remark_n moses_n the_o great_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n lay_v these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o law_n he_o be_v to_o publish_v and_o he_o relate_v they_o to_o we_o as_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o know_v to_o he_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n but_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o whole_a nation_n among_o who_o he_o live_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o must_v mind_v three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n themselves_o the_o other_o be_v the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o relate_v they_o and_o the_o three_o the_o use_n moses_n make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o be_v more_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v than_o these_o two_o thing_n before_o we_o they_o be_v matter_n which_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o of_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o be_v inform_v they_o be_v matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v every_o one_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o they_o and_o of_o which_o consequent_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v most_o thorough_o inform_v i_o dare_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o fact_n in_o profane_a history_n of_o importance_n comparable_a to_o these_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o moses_n have_v relate_v they_o 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o author_n who_o relate_v these_o point_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o his_o character_n do_v wonderful_o contribute_v to_o the_o make_n of_o his_o book_n famous_a he_o be_v a_o man_n illustrious_a as_o well_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o education_n as_o the_o rank_n he_o hold_v among_o man_n a_o man_n equal_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o enemy_n and_o friend_n and_o who_o can_v not_o vent_v thelea_v thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n without_o see_v himself_o immediate_o refute_v or_o rather_o without_o expose_v himself_o to_o public_a scorn_n beside_o i_o aver_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o we_o find_v no_o author_n of_o so_o illustrious_a a_o character_n as_o moses_n be_v or_o who_o be_v distinguish_v with_o so_o many_o essential_a mark_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o veracity_n as_o appear_v throughout_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o write_n 3._o this_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o use_n to_o which_o moses_n design_v these_o two_o relation_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o word_n his_o design_n be_v not_o in_o furnish_v his_o book_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o these_o important_a fact_n to_o engage_v other_o to_o read_v they_o with_o more_o attention_n or_o to_o
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
to_o show_v that_o all_o their_o objection_n do_v in_o effect_n serve_v for_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o make_v a_o more_o lively_a impression_n of_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o set_v forth_o in_o a_o full_a and_o clear_a light_n chap._n v._n that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o can_v with_o reason_n contest_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o tradition_n which_o have_v those_o character_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o relation_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v question_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v whether_o moses_n the_o great_a captain_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o founder_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v solid_o to_o evince_v though_o it_o seem_v that_o we_o may_v dispense_v with_o this_o trouble_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a event_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v general_o believe_v by_o other_o as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o these_o matter_n have_v give_v occasion_n to_o most_o of_o their_o fable_n viz._n to_o that_o of_o the_o chaos_n to_o that_o of_o the_o marriage_n of_o peleus_n and_o thetis_n for_o the_o form_n of_o man_n to_o that_o of_o prometheus_n to_o that_o of_o jupiter_n continue_a laughter_n for_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n of_o his_o life_n which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n know_v among_o the_o heathen_n to_o that_o of_o the_o golden_a age_n and_o of_o the_o deluge_n to_o the_o name_n of_o deucalion_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o janus_n to_o that_o of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o world_n among_o saturn_n son_n to_o the_o name_n of_o jupiter_n hammon_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o titan_n and_o of_o the_o change_n of_o woman_n into_o statue_n of_o stone_n to_o the_o story_n of_o the_o incest_n the_o god_n commit_v with_o their_o daughter_n to_o that_o of_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o world_n by_o phaeton_n and_o to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o fiction_n which_o can_v be_v otherwise_o explain_v as_o the_o learned_a have_v show_v at_o large_a whosoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n whether_o moses_n or_o another_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v exact_o inform_v of_o the_o matter_n he_o relate_v and_o that_o he_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n first_o then_o i_o say_v that_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v full_o inform_v of_o those_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o treat_v he_o set_v down_o the_o name_n of_o the_o head_n or_o father_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v it_o so_o that_o what_o he_o say_v do_v very_o well_o agree_v with_o what_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n have_v leave_v we_o concern_v that_o matter_n he_o speak_v of_o these_o nation_n of_o the_o country_n they_o possess_v and_o their_o king_n as_o of_o thing_n he_o be_v perfect_o inform_v of_o he_o very_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o original_a of_o these_o several_a nation_n and_o the_o same_o be_v at_o that_o time_n common_o know_v no_o historian_n can_v represent_v they_o otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v without_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o laughter_n of_o all_o by_o endeavour_v to_o mix_v fable_n with_o relation_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o second_o place_n i_o say_v that_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o a_o man_n that_o live_v soon_o after_o joseph_n he_o speak_v very_o exact_o of_o what_o joseph_n do_v in_o his_o place_n of_o chief_a minister_n to_o pharaoh_n in_o particular_a he_o set_v down_o the_o first_o original_a of_o the_o five_o penny_n which_o the_o egyptian_n so_o many_o age_n after_o continue_v to_o pay_v to_o their_o king_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o not_o egyptian_a can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o last_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o this_o book_n serve_v for_o a_o introduction_n to_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n which_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o there_o and_o do_v throughout_o allude_v and_o refer_v to_o the_o several_a passage_n of_o it_o and_o that_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n and_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o other_o succeed_a matter_n of_o fact_n until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n into_o egypt_n when_o joseph_n be_v chief_a favourite_n and_o minister_n of_o pharaoh_n but_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o more_o easy_a way_n to_o make_v out_o that_o moses_n who_o history_n be_v contain_v in_o exodus_fw-la and_o the_o follow_a book_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n for_o first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v acknowledge_v moses_n for_o the_o most_o ancient_a lawgiver_n for_o this_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o plato_n polemus_n artapanus_n pythagoras_n theopompus_n and_o diodorus_n siculus_n who_o place_v moses_n in_o the_o front_n of_o six_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a law_n giver_n thus_o moses_n sauchnis_n sesonchosis_n bachoris_n amasis_n and_o darius_n father_n of_o xerxes_n but_o further_a if_o when_o the_o lacedaemonian_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o law_n of_o their_o lawgiver_n lycurgus_n and_o the_o athenian_n of_o those_o of_o their_o solon_n we_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o because_o natural_o every_o nation_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o faithful_a depositary_a of_o the_o law_n of_o he_o who_o first_o found_v their_o government_n yea_o if_o we_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o these_o relation_n though_o there_o be_v no_o people_n at_o this_o day_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o lycurgus_n or_o solon_n can_v any_o valuable_a reason_n be_v imagine_v for_o we_o to_o doubt_v whether_o moses_n write_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n when_o a_o entire_a nation_n have_v constant_o aver_v that_o he_o do_v so_o i_o say_v when_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o continue_v at_o this_o day_n do_v in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o the_o world_n equal_o and_o with_o one_o consent_n maintain_v that_o they_o receive_v this_o book_n from_o he_o together_o with_o the_o law_n and_o worship_n therein_o contain_v nay_o when_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o many_o of_o they_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n i_o omit_v now_o to_o mention_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o descend_v of_o abraham_n and_o do_v not_o observe_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yet_o do_v not_o cease_v high_o to_o defend_v this_o truth_n throughout_o the_o world_n the_o gospel_n in_o their_o sense_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o literal_a accomplishment_n of_o that_o promise_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o head_n of_o the_o serpent_n i_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o these_o my_o reflection_n with_o how_o much_o justice_n they_o assent_v to_o this_o truth_n but_o at_o present_a i_o tie_v myself_o only_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o which_o confirm_v the_o authority_n thereof_o chap._n vi_o that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n i_o shall_v never_o have_v do_v shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o set_v down_o all_o the_o observation_n which_o may_v be_v make_v incompare_v this_o book_n of_o genesis_n with_o other_o history_n common_o know_v to_o the_o world_n and_o who_o faithfulness_n be_v unquestionable_a without_o enter_v upon_o this_o comparison_n we_o may_v bold_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n who_o author_n we_o can_v be_v so_o sure_a of_o as_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o penman_n of_o genesis_n but_o i_o go_v further_o and_o assert_v that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o testimony_n they_o give_v to_o this_o truth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o two_o remark_n the_o first_o be_v that_o their_o observation_n both_o civil_a and_o religious_a be_v at_o this_o day_n found_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o those_o which_o we_o find_v in_o genesis_n as_o for_o instance_n they_o compute_v the_o beginning_n of_o their_o day_n from_o the_o precede_a evening_n they_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n they_o observe_v circumcision_n they_o abstain_v from_o eat_v the_o muscle_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hollow_a of_o the_o thigh_n etc._n etc._n the_o observation_n of_o which_o law_n be_v indeed_o
to_o who_o he_o write_v have_v no_o need_n of_o have_v the_o follow_a word_n quote_v to_o they_o which_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o hallow_v it_o that_o be_v he_o consecrate_a the_o same_o to_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n forasmuch_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o public_o and_o universal_o know_v among_o they_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o thing_n general_o receive_v even_o before_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law._n and_o indeed_o the_o philo_n the_o jew_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o solemnize_n that_o day_n have_v suffer_v some_o interruption_n and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v give_v to_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v first_o of_o all_o 12._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 13._o c._n 12._o that_o aristobulus_n the_o peripatetic_a in_o a_o treatise_n dedicate_v by_o he_o to_o ptolemy_n surname_v philadelphus_n cite_v several_a passage_n of_o homer_n hesiod_n and_o linus_n heathen_a poet_n which_o mention_v the_o seven_o day_n as_o a_o festival_n and_o solemn_a day_n because_o all_o thing_n be_v finish_v in_o the_o same_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o if_o some_o of_o the_o father_n as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n have_v deny_v that_o the_o patriarch_n observe_v the_o seven_o day_n they_o do_v so_o rather_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o rigour_n of_o that_o law_n which_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o that_o day_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n which_o be_v superad_v by_o god_n to_o the_o first_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n than_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n as_o it_o be_v a_o day_n appoint_v to_o make_v a_o solemn_a commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n in_o a_o word_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o difference_n which_o god_n make_v between_o the_o sabbath_n observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n and_o that_o which_o he_o appoint_v to_o the_o jew_n do_v consist_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o in_o that_o god_n do_v impose_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n upon_o the_o jew_n to_o abstain_v from_o all_o manner_n of_o work_n even_o to_o the_o very_a dress_n of_o meat_n necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o life_n we_o find_v this_o distinction_n clear_o express_v in_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v concern_v the_o first_o and_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o unleavened_a bread_n for_o he_o absolute_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o work_n on_o these_o two_o day_n as_o much_o as_o on_o the_o sabbath_n even_o the_o prepare_n of_o necessary_a food_n which_o he_o permit_v the_o five_o other_o day_n forbid_v only_o servile_a laborious_a work_n second_o in_o that_o the_o work_n on_o that_o day_n by_o the_o law_n be_v make_v punishable_a with_o death_n which_o be_v not_o so_o before_o which_o innovation_n and_o new_a rigour_n of_o the_o law_n establish_v by_o god_n be_v authorize_v by_o the_o punish_n of_o he_o who_o have_v gather_v stick_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n whereas_o we_o find_v that_o before_o the_o law_n be_v give_v upon_o mount_n sinai_n god_n do_v not_o command_v those_o jew_n to_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n who_o go_v forth_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o gather_v manna_n according_a to_o their_o ancient_a custom_n of_o dress_v their_o meat_n on_o that_o day_n let_v i_o add_v this_o further_a that_o though_o the_o apostle_n have_v abolish_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n concern_v the_o sabbath_n introduce_v by_o moses_n yet_o they_o themselves_o observe_v it_o which_o practice_n of_o they_o in_o all_o probability_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o christian_n for_o almost_o four_o century_n to_o keep_v the_o sabbath_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n solemnize_n both_o those_o day_n the_o one_o as_o a_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o other_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n but_o what_o ever_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v on_o this_o last_o remark_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la first_o that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v observe_v before_o moses_n second_o that_o this_o observation_n be_v by_o the_o first_o patriarch_n propagate_v among_o the_o heathen_n also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n or_o as_o the_o practice_n of_o sacrifice_v with_o the_o other_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n the_o original_a whereof_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o shall_v make_v appear_v in_o our_o follow_a discourse_n after_o all_o this_o we_o must_v conclude_v against_o the_o atheist_n that_o either_o moses_n must_v imprudent_o have_v lay_v a_o snare_n for_o himself_o in_o forge_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o not_o only_o the_o jew_n but_o all_o the_o world_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v he_o since_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o but_o must_v needs_o be_v conscious_a whether_o they_o have_v observe_v the_o sabbath_n in_o commemoration_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o he_o relate_v it_o or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o general_o know_v and_o the_o memorial_n of_o it_o solemnize_v every_o seven_o day_n by_o all_o those_o who_o precede_v he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o uncontested_a and_o immovable_a truth_n which_o i_o shall_v far_o evince_v by_o those_o observation_n which_o i_o shall_v raise_v from_o the_o dependence_n and_o connexion_n which_o the_o matter_n relate_v by_o moses_n in_o genesis_n have_v with_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v my_o business_n at_o present_a in_o perform_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o rational_a and_o coherent_a than_o the_o relation_n of_o moses_n in_o which_o the_o atheist_n imagine_v that_o they_o discover_v so_o great_a absurdity_n chap._n viii_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n by_o reason_n and_o authority_n though_o it_o may_v be_v think_v more_o natural_a in_o these_o our_o disquisition_n about_o the_o history_n of_o genesis_n to_o begin_v with_o those_o matter_n which_o happen_v near_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o from_o they_o to_o pass_v to_o those_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n yet_o i_o have_v choose_v rather_o to_o follow_v the_o thread_n of_o moses_n his_o discourse_n hope_v that_o this_o method_n will_v afford_v more_o light_n to_o these_o our_o reflection_n at_o least_o it_o will_v spare_v i_o the_o trouble_n of_o frequent_a repetition_n which_o in_o the_o other_o way_n i_o shall_v be_v necessary_o oblige_v to_o i_o begin_v then_o with_o this_o that_o adam_n be_v convince_v of_o his_o creation_n both_o by_o reason_n and_o authority_n the_o creation_n of_o adam_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o he_o must_v first_o be_v convince_v of_o it_o himself_o before_o he_o can_v persuade_v his_o posterity_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o enquiry_n to_o know_v what_o way_n he_o have_v to_o assure_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v indeed_o create_v in_o that_o manner_n as_o moses_n relate_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o tradition_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o adam_n who_o moses_n suppose_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o deliverer_n of_o it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o must_v be_v assure_v that_o adam_n can_v not_o deceive_v himself_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o he_o will_v not_o deceive_v his_o child_n when_o he_o take_v care_n to_o instruct_v they_o concern_v it_o as_o to_o his_o own_o existence_n he_o can_v not_o but_o be_v as_o strong_o persuade_v of_o it_o as_o we_o be_v of_o we_o all_o the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o the_o manner_n how_o he_o come_v to_o exist_v now_o there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o adam_n may_v inform_v himself_o of_o this_o viz._n by_o reason_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o authority_n he_o can_v easy_o find_v out_o this_o secret_a by_o a_o rational_a reflection_n or_o he_o may_v also_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o by_o god_n himself_o who_o have_v create_v he_o not_o to_o mention_v now_o any_o information_n which_o he_o may_v have_v from_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o creation_n it_o appear_v that_o adam_n who_o tradition_n moses_n have_v record_v suppose_n that_o he_o have_v learn_v of_o god_n himself_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o own_o formation_n god_n speak_v to_o adam_n and_o sanctify_v the_o seven_o day_n that_o be_v oblige_v adam_n to_o keep_v the_o memorial_n of_o his_o creation_n he_o tie_v he_o by_o a_o law_n to_o commemorate_v his_o creation_n fifty_o two_o time_n a_o year_n and_o to_o render_v he_o continual_a thanks_o for_o the_o be_v he_o have_v receive_v but_o forasmuch_o as_o
that_o which_o be_v good_a but_o when_o they_o be_v overtake_v with_o sin_n and_o this_o alone_a methinks_v be_v sufficient_a to_o evidence_n the_o deep_a impression_n the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v make_v on_o their_o heart_n sacrifice_n be_v act_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o this_o custom_n therefore_o of_o sacrifice_v which_o we_o find_v among_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n be_v a_o evident_a mark_n of_o their_o piety_n and_o this_o their_o religious_a inclination_n be_v without_o doubt_n the_o effect_n of_o their_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o first_o promise_n the_o sin_n of_o cain_n in_o kill_v his_o brother_n show_v the_o same_o persuasion_n the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v bruise_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n be_v applicable_a either_o to_o the_o first_o son_n of_o eve_n or_o to_o his_o posterity_n or_o else_o to_o some_o other_o who_o may_v be_v call_v her_o seed_n because_o bear_v from_o one_o of_o her_o posterity_n it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o pass_v from_o one_o meaning_n to_o another_o when_o we_o be_v in_o search_n for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o such_o general_a proposition_n as_o these_o now_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o name_n which_o eve_n give_v to_o cain_n that_o she_o take_v the_o word_n of_o this_o oracle_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n that_o be_v she_o look_v upon_o cain_n to_o be_v the_o son_n that_o have_v be_v promise_v she_o as_o appear_v from_o she_o own_o word_n 1._o gen._n iu._n 1._o i_o have_v say_v she_o get_v a_o man_n from_o the_o lord_n and_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v that_o be_v in_o this_o opinion_n herself_o she_o be_v not_o want_v to_o cherish_v and_o flatter_v this_o hope_n in_o her_o son_n that_o he_o be_v to_o fulfil_v the_o first_o prophecy_n or_o divine_a oracle_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o whit_n stranger_n to_o suppose_v this_o than_o to_o imagine_v that_o mandane_n do_v instil_v into_o her_o son_n cyrus_n aspire_a thought_n for_o the_o empire_n of_o asia_n from_o the_o dream_n of_o his_o father_n astyages_n which_o she_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o divine_a foreboding_a when_o we_o read_v therefore_o that_o cain_n slay_v his_o brother_n see_v he_o prefer_v of_o god_n by_o a_o very_a distinguish_a mark_n in_o the_o act_n of_o their_o sacrifice_a through_o the_o jealousy_n and_o hatred_n he_o have_v conceive_v against_o he_o may_v we_o not_o very_o natural_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o as_o he_o have_v never_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o promise_n so_o he_o can_v not_o endure_v to_o see_v another_o come_v to_o dispute_v his_o pretension_n of_o be_v the_o fulfiller_n of_o that_o first_o oracle_n a_o like_a reflection_n we_o may_v make_v upon_o the_o name_n which_o eve_n give_v to_o seth_n and_o indeed_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o ancient_a commentary_n on_o genesis_n lead_v we_o to_o it_o she_o call_v his_o name_n seth_n alibi_fw-la rabboth_n fol._n 27._o col_fw-fr 2._o par_fw-fr 23._o &_o alibi_fw-la for_o god_n say_v she_o have_v appoint_v i_o another_o seed_n r._n tanchuma_n follow_v the_o notion_n of_o r._n samuel_n say_v that_o she_o have_v regard_n to_o that_o seed_n which_o be_v to_o proceed_v from_o another_o or_o a_o strange_a place_n and_o what_o seed_n be_v that_o say_v he_o it_o be_v the_o king_n the_o messiah_n i_o pretend_v not_o to_o maintain_v the_o solidity_n of_o the_o reflection_n they_o make_v upon_o the_o word_n another_o seed_n they_o seem_v rather_o to_o have_v please_v themselves_o in_o sport_v with_o a_o word_n which_o admit_v of_o both_o signification_n other_o and_o strange_a than_o to_o give_v we_o a_o exact_a and_o distinct_a notion_n of_o the_o importance_n of_o that_o word_n thus_o much_o at_o least_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o eve_n consider_v her_o son_n seth_n as_o he_o who_o god_n have_v give_v she_o instead_o of_o abel_n she_o can_v do_v no_o less_o than_o acquaint_v he_o with_o her_o hope_n and_o indeed_o this_o information_n be_v that_o which_o not_o only_o dispose_v seth_n and_o his_o posterity_n for_o piety_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o religion_n but_o do_v also_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n incline_v they_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o race_n of_o cain_n as_o from_o those_o who_o god_n have_v bereave_v of_o the_o right_n of_o fulfil_v the_o first_o oracle_n to_o which_o natural_o they_o may_v pretend_v it_o appear_v from_o the_o example_n of_o enoch_n that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n live_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o we_o know_v that_o the_o say_a worship_n suppose_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o promise_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o all_o the_o act_n of_o religion_n be_v employ_v either_o in_o commemorate_n these_o truth_n every_o seven_o day_n or_o in_o unfolding_a the_o wonder_n therein_o contain_v or_o in_o testify_v our_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n for_o the_o same_o we_o may_v add_v here_o that_o the_o instance_n of_o lamech_n polygamy_n do_v in_o some_o sort_n make_v out_o to_o we_o the_o force_n of_o this_o persuasion_n cain_n be_v reject_v by_o god_n and_o distinguish_v by_o a_o exemplary_a punishment_n for_o kill_v his_o brother_n abel_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v any_o long_o interpret_v that_o promise_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n by_o apply_v it_o to_o adam_n first_o son_n or_o his_o posterity_n this_o be_v so_o plain_a as_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o it_o be_v therefore_o natural_a to_o seek_v for_o another_o meaning_n of_o that_o promise_n and_o to_o place_v the_o fulfil_n of_o it_o in_o a_o posterity_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n or_o more_o numerous_a and_o indeed_o so_o it_o happen_v for_o the_o exemplary_a punishment_n which_o god_n inflict_v on_o cain_n during_o the_o seven_o first_o generation_n according_a to_o those_o word_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v punish_v sevenfold_a make_v his_o posterity_n apprehend_v that_o god_n for_o the_o sin_n he_o have_v commit_v have_v just_o debar_v he_o of_o the_o right_n he_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v of_o fulfil_v the_o promise_n but_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o conceive_v also_o that_o this_o right_n which_o belong_v more_o proper_o to_o the_o elder_a or_o first-born_a than_o to_o the_o young_a brother_n be_v now_o to_o return_v to_o his_o posterity_n after_o the_o seven_o generation_n and_o in_o this_o view_n it_o seem_v that_o lamech_v affect_v polygamy_n as_o if_o by_o multiply_v his_o posterity_n he_o have_v hope_v to_o see_v that_o promise_v fulfil_v by_o some_o one_o or_o other_o of_o they_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o he_o imitate_v the_o crime_n of_o cain_n and_o therefore_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v leven_v also_o with_o his_o false_a maxim_n but_o how_o great_o soever_o he_o be_v corrupt_v yet_o forasmuch_o as_o he_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o his_o father_n and_o in_o converse_n with_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n who_o many_o age_n before_o have_v form_v public_a assembly_n for_o religious_a exercise_n we_o can_v well_o imagine_v but_o that_o he_o must_v have_v have_v the_o same_o pretension_n it_o appear_v therefore_o that_o the_o polygamy_n of_o lamech_v may_v just_o be_v esteem_v a_o effect_n of_o his_o misapprehension_n concern_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o first_o promise_n those_o mean_n which_o he_o conceive_v most_o likely_a he_o make_v choice_n of_o to_o give_v he_o a_o share_n in_o the_o fulfil_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o point_v at_o a_o son_n to_o be_v born._n so_o that_o the_o irregularity_n he_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o marry_v two_o wife_n at_o the_o same_o time_n may_v pass_v for_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o be_v persuade_v not_o only_o of_o the_o promise_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n but_o also_o of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world._n it_o seem_v that_o according_a to_o these_o principle_n we_o may_v give_v a_o very_a plausible_a account_n as_o well_o of_o those_o violence_n which_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o old_a world_n and_o of_o their_o strong_a inclination_n to_o sensuality_n as_o of_o those_o alliance_n between_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o that_o of_o cain_n which_o do_v not_o happen_v till_o seven_o generation_n after_o cain_n that_o be_v to_o say_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o family_n of_o cain_n pretend_v to_o be_v restore_v again_o to_o his_o ancient_a right_n from_o which_o he_o have_v be_v suspend_v during_o seven_o generation_n the_o family_n of_o seth_n by_o these_o alliance_n with_o the_o family_n of_o cain_n seem_v desirous_a to_o secure_v their_o hope_n and_o pretension_n it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v strange_a that_o i_o look_v upon_o the_o jealousy_n of_o cain_n towards_o
his_o brother_n as_o think_v himself_o supplant_v by_o he_o of_o his_o right_n to_o accomplish_v the_o promise_n and_o the_o polygamy_n of_o lamech_v as_o a_o effect_n of_o this_o persuasion_n if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o in_o all_o likelihood_n this_o belief_n be_v more_o strong_a at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o promise_n be_v more_o fresh_a and_o lively_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o a_o thing_n at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o those_o time_n and_o that_o we_o find_v in_o the_o holy_a family_n in_o general_n manifold_a instance_n of_o this_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n and_o burn_a desire_n of_o a_o posterity_n we_o find_v also_o much_o about_o the_o same_o time_n another_o lamech_v the_o father_n of_o noah_n declare_v by_o the_o name_n he_o give_v his_o son_n the_o hope_n he_o have_v that_o he_o may_v probable_o be_v the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o comfort_v mankind_n concern_v all_o the_o misery_n sin_n have_v bring_v into_o the_o world._n 29._o gen._n v._o 29._o thus_o it_o appear_v clear_o that_o for_o above_o sixteen_o age_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o deluge_n we_o find_v in_o all_o the_o action_n of_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n a_o strong_a impression_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o till_o this_o time_n we_o find_v not_o the_o least_o instance_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o convince_v the_o relation_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o least_o absurdity_n we_o see_v man_n act_v from_o the_o persuasion_n of_o these_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o must_v conclude_v therefore_o that_o they_o be_v distinct_o inform_v of_o they_o yea_o we_o see_v all_o man_n in_o general_a act_v according_a to_o this_o persuasion_n it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o and_o the_o weekly_a observance_n of_o the_o sabbath_n day_n continual_o represent_v those_o truth_n to_o the_o eye_n and_o mind_n of_o all_o take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o forgery_n in_o these_o matter_n let_v we_o now_o inquire_v whether_o after_o the_o deluge_n these_o idea_n be_v efface_v or_o whether_o they_o have_v not_o exert_v the_o same_o efficacy_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o noah_n and_o the_o action_n of_o all_o his_o posterity_n chap._n xii_o that_o noah_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n if_o we_o find_v that_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n and_o their_o posterity_n can_v be_v exact_o inform_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o indeed_o they_o be_v so_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o noah_n can_v not_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o the_o same_o truth_n noah_n be_v six_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o the_o deluge_n come_v he_o have_v converse_v with_o lamech_v his_o father_n who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o child_n as_o be_v fifty_o six_o year_n of_o age_n when_o adam_n die_v he_o have_v converse_v with_o methusalem_n his_o grandfather_n who_o die_v that_o very_a year_n the_o flood_n come_v and_o who_o be_v three_o hundred_o and_o forty_o three_o year_n old_a when_o adam_n die_v have_v without_o doubt_n instruct_v noah_n during_o so_o vast_a a_o interval_n of_o time_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o himself_o have_v be_v instruct_v by_o adam_n for_o many_o age_n and_o as_o methusalem_n have_v live_v a_o long_a time_n with_o seth_n who_o die_v in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1042_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o noah_n who_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o year_n 1056_o have_v not_o only_o see_v lamech_v and_o methusalem_n but_o many_o also_o of_o their_o ancestor_n who_o discourse_n he_o hear_v examine_v their_o tradition_n and_o imitate_v their_o way_n of_o worship_n moreover_o noah_n see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n in_o his_o time_n who_o do_v not_o deduce_v their_o genealogy_n from_o adam_n all_o his_o contemporary_n can_v convince_v he_o of_o it_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v as_o exact_v a_o knowledge_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o he_o can_v have_v of_o he_o now_o that_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n which_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o assure_v of_o appear_v on_o these_o two_o account_n the_o one_o be_v the_o long_a life_n which_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n enjoy_v and_o the_o other_o the_o short_a interval_n of_o time_n which_o be_v between_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o deluge_n the_o whole_a amount_v only_o to_o 1656_o year_n adam_n die_v in_o the_o year_n 930_o and_o the_o deluge_n happen_v in_o the_o 600_o year_n of_o noah_n life_n adam_n die_v 126_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o noah_n so_o as_o adam_n must_v have_v be_v see_v and_o know_v by_o methusalem_n lamech_v and_o thousand_o of_o other_o who_o be_v contemporarys_n with_o noah_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v a_o three_o remark_n and_o that_o be_v the_o jealousy_n and_o hatred_n which_o be_v between_o the_o two_o family_n of_o cain_n and_o seth_n cain_n posterity_n be_v altogether_o corrupt_v and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o seth_n also_o noah_n be_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o seth_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o call_v those_o matter_n in_o question_n which_o he_o see_v general_o own_a and_o receive_v of_o those_o to_o who_o their_o wickedness_n and_o crime_n suggest_v objection_n against_o they_o and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o i_o may_v not_o suppose_v that_o noah_n have_v before_o his_o eye_n paradise_n with_o the_o cherubim_n who_o guard_v the_o entrance_n thereof_o and_o make_v it_o inaccessible_a which_o if_o so_o be_v a_o authentic_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o question_n that_o garden_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v judge_v be_v not_o destroy_v nor_o the_o guardian_n angel_n discharge_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o flood_n be_v it_o as_o it_o will_v yet_o noah_n be_v a_o man_n fear_v god_n be_v honour_v with_o a_o extraordinary_a call_v to_o exhort_v man_n to_o repentance_n he_o be_v command_v to_o build_v a_o ark_n he_o see_v the_o deluge_n happen_v according_a to_o what_o god_n have_v foretell_v he_o see_v the_o beast_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n gather_v themselves_o together_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o ark_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o he_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o they_o come_v to_o adam_n he_o see_v the_o deluge_n cease_v according_a to_o the_o divine_a declaration_n he_o see_v fire_n from_o heaven_n consume_v the_o sacrifice_n he_o offer_v in_o acknowledgement_n to_o god_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n seem_v to_o imply_v that_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o abel_n he_o see_v himself_o choose_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n to_o be_v the_o depositary_a of_o the_o promise_n which_o adam_n have_v leave_v to_o his_o posterity_n though_o he_o never_o have_v the_o satisfaction_n of_o see_v it_o fulfil_v himself_o god_n have_v reserve_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o for_o another_o time_n and_o to_o one_o of_o his_o posterity_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o all_o these_o particular_n can_v not_o but_o conduce_v to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o these_o first_o most_o important_a matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o that_o noah_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o certainty_n and_o truth_n of_o they_o let_v we_o now_o see_v whether_o noah_n offspring_n have_v the_o same_o persuasion_n concern_v these_o thing_n chap._n xiii_o that_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n the_o child_n of_o noah_n be_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o the_o deluge_n happen_v and_o consequent_o have_v converse_v a_o long_a space_n of_o time_n with_o methusalem_n and_o many_o other_o of_o their_o ancestor_n and_o relation_n of_o the_o old_a world_n and_o have_v frequent_v the_o religious_a assembly_n observe_v every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n whence_o they_o be_v descend_v and_o have_v be_v instruct_v there_o by_o those_o who_o have_v see_v adam_n and_o his_o posterity_n it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o beyond_o all_o contest_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o creation_n and_o promise_v of_o the_o messiah_n now_o that_o they_o have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o those_o matter_n we_o may_v evident_o conclude_v not_o only_o because_o they_o have_v see_v god_n when_o he_o bless_v they_o and_o a_o second_o time_n say_v to_o they_o as_o after_o a_o new_a creation_n 1._o gen_n ix_o 1._o increase_n and_o multiply_v nor_o only_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o give_v they_o a_o positive_a law_n forbid_v they_o to_o eat_v the_o blood_n of_o live_a creature_n 5._o gen._n ix_o 5._o who_o flesh_n they_o be_v permit_v to_o feed_v on_o as_o he_o have_v forbid_v adam_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n
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
little_a more_o than_o forty_o year_n interval_n betwixt_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n by_o joshua_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o israelite_n under_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o fit_a time_n then_o to_o cast_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o to_o publish_v the_o pretend_a lie_n and_o imposture_n of_o his_o history_n be_v not_o the_o comparison_n which_o the_o israelite_n can_v easy_o make_v betwixt_o the_o mosaic_a write_n and_o the_o tradition_n general_o receive_v in_o the_o country_n of_o their_o captivity_n a_o natural_a and_o ready_a mean_n to_o undeceive_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o see_v that_o they_o obstinate_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o several_a transaction_n record_v by_o moses_n and_o stand_v firm_o to_o all_o their_o pretension_n nay_o we_o see_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o remedy_n of_o repentance_n which_o moses_n prescribe_v they_o to_o use_v in_o those_o sad_a misfortune_n which_o he_o foretell_v shall_v befall_v they_o and_o out_o of_o which_o he_o promise_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o god_n will_v miraculous_o deliver_v they_o which_o indeed_o be_v do_v according_o even_o fourteen_o time_n within_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n that_o if_o moses_n make_v it_o death_n by_o one_o of_o his_o sanction_n for_o any_o of_o the_o israelite_n to_o contest_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o his_o write_n or_o of_o his_o oracle_n and_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o force_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o without_o examination_n but_o rather_o only_o to_o prevent_v the_o corruption_n of_o that_o people_n and_o their_o mingle_n and_o confound_v themselves_o with_o the_o heathen_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o hinder_v on_o purpose_n because_o he_o will_v have_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v according_a to_o his_o promise_n out_o of_o that_o nation_n which_o to_o effect_v he_o think_v fit_a in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o employ_v the_o rigour_n of_o some_o capital_a law_n to_o keep_v that_o people_n unmixed_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n till_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v chap._n xxii_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o our_o forego_v observation_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n these_o several_a observation_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v all_o i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v solid_o the_o truth_n of_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o conclusion_n that_o i_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n be_v that_o first_o i_o assert_v that_o moses_n that_o famous_a hebrew_n who_o be_v design_v to_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n be_v the_o true_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v he_o can_v not_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o write_v record_v those_o important_a transaction_n he_o relate_v otherwise_o than_o they_o real_o come_v to_o pass_v three_o i_o maintain_v that_o though_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o have_v make_v the_o description_n of_o it_o according_a to_o such_o a_o authentic_a tradition_n as_o can_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v of_o because_o it_o be_v then_o the_o universal_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moabite_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o of_o the_o edomite_n who_o be_v all_o of_o sem_n posterity_n and_o among_o who_o he_o have_v be_v travel_v for_o forty_o year_n together_o but_o also_o of_o the_o egyptian_n of_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o a_o word_n of_o all_o man_n then_o live_v in_o the_o world._n four_o i_o maintain_v that_o he_o never_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o nor_o contradict_v till_o true_a reason_n and_o sense_n if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o be_v lose_v and_o banish_v from_o among_o mankind_n till_o the_o egyptian_n for_o example_n they_o who_o use_v before_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o greek_n as_o mere_a child_n and_o idiot_n be_v fall_v into_o so_o great_a a_o stupidity_n and_o deprivation_n of_o sense_n as_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n because_o forsooth_o frog_n do_v natural_o as_o they_o think_v breed_v out_o of_o their_o muddy_a fen_n and_o marsh_n five_o i_o maintain_v that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o moses_n no_o body_n do_v ever_o public_o declare_v for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o for_o its_o fortuitous_a production_n these_o opinion_n be_v mere_a absurdity_n and_o chimaera_n bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o chaldean_n and_o greek_n only_o about_o alexander_n time_n or_o perhaps_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o i._n e._n about_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n after_o moses_n decease_n six_o i_o maintain_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a time_n to_o be_v find_v wherein_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n be_v interrupt_v and_o discontinue_v for_o any_o considerable_a time_n among_o the_o jew_n see_v it_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o very_a hour_n among_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n in_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o be_v disperse_v and_o see_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o perceive_v and_o declare_v present_o the_o novelty_n and_o supposition_n of_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v relate_v see_v all_o this_o be_v certain_a i_o do_v positive_o maintain_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v never_o be_v better_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v by_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n because_o in_o it_o moses_n have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o the_o age_n that_o precede_v he_o and_o only_o record_v in_o write_v what_o be_v then_o general_o know_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o a_o time_n when_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o run_v his_o own_o pedigree_n up_o to_o adam_n last_o i_o maintain_v that_o as_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o without_o reject_v at_o the_o same_o time_n all_o those_o proof_n from_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o strengthen_v my_o assertion_n so_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v indisputable_a as_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n confirm_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n believe_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a people_n of_o the_o world_n who_o do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o but_o also_o have_v always_o have_v according_a to_o god_n command_n the_o memory_n of_o it_o celebrate_v among_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n in_o all_o their_o generation_n fifty_o two_o time_n in_o a_o year_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world._n reflection_n upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n preface_n when_o i_o begin_v at_o first_o these_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o design_v only_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man_n and_o so_o to_o show_v by_o argument_n from_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o neither_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n make_v to_o man_n after_o his_o sin_n can_v reasonable_o be_v dispute_v or_o doubt_v of_o i_o design_v after_o that_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n by_o such_o another_o undeniable_a argument_n viz._n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o and_o institute_v a_o solemn_a day_n in_o every_o week_n to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o among_o man_n from_o their_o time_n down_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o as_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n every_o week_n can_v easy_o run_v back_o to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v by_o the_o weekly_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n prove_v christ_n resurrection_n which_o occasion_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o
long_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o 2000_o year_n as_o they_o have_v do_v till_o moses_n time_n god_n be_v of_o necessity_n oblige_v to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n he_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o several_a before_o among_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o find_v prescribe_v deut._n xxvii_o where_o he_o order_v the_o build_n of_o a_o altar_n with_o rough_a stone_n whereupon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n and_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v to_o be_v ingrave_v he_o afterward_o follow_v other_o method_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o samuel_n follow_v moses_n and_o joshuah_n example_n repeat_v before_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v at_o gilgal_n for_o the_o consecration_n of_o saul_n the_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v during_o the_o government_n of_o bedan_n or_o samson_n of_o jepthah_n and_o his_o own_o but_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n be_v to_o fix_v this_o people_n to_o one_o tabernacle_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o beside_o the_o monument_n which_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n as_o the_o pot_n of_o manna_n aaron_n rod_n that_o blossom_a the_o plate_n of_o the_o altar_n that_o have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o censer_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o their_o confederate_n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v deposit_v there_o by_o god_n order_n and_o the_o principal_a transaction_n and_o deliverance_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o that_o people_n be_v continual_o celebrate_v with_o hymn_n and_o other_o token_n of_o public_a thankfulness_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o there_o with_o many_o ceremony_n and_o expiation_n and_o that_o he_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n every_o seven_o year_n one_o see_v we_o that_o he_o command_v that_o every_o family_n shall_v read_v this_o book_n continual_o and_o that_o all_o shall_v entertain_v their_o wife_n and_o child_n from_o their_o tender_a year_n with_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o the_o town_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n one_o see_v we_o that_o god_n engage_v they_o to_o it_o not_o only_o by_o a_o express_a command_n but_o also_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n because_o he_o make_v it_o death_n for_o any_o man_n to_o violate_v any_o of_o those_o ceremonial_a law_n from_o a_o principle_n of_o obstinacy_n no_o pardon_n can_v be_v obtain_v for_o the_o transgression_n commit_v through_o ignorance_n before_o they_o be_v expiate_v by_o certain_a sacrifice_n the_o form_n whereof_o be_v scrupulous_o prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n and_o which_o can_v be_v violate_v upon_o no_o account_n whatever_o if_o one_o consider_v those_o thing_n he_o may_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v scarce_o one_o moment_n free_a in_o their_o life_n so_o press_v be_v the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o regulation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a and_o particular_a that_o there_o no_o action_n public_a or_o private_a can_v happen_v but_o what_o be_v regulate_v and_o determine_v by_o those_o constitution_n if_o a_o beast_n be_v bear_v the_o owner_n be_v to_o examine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o first-born_a or_o no_o whither_o it_o be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a and_o whither_o it_o be_v to_o be_v redeem_a with_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o a_o woman_n be_v big_a with_o child_n there_o be_v many_o question_n to_o be_v ask_v when_o she_o come_v to_o lie-in_a several_a very_a different_a ceremony_n be_v practise_v according_a as_o the_o child_n be_v a_o first-born_a or_o not_o the_o law_n enjoin_v various_a purification_n according_a as_o the_o woman_n bring_v forth_o a_o son_n or_o a_o daughter_n god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n for_o marriage_n for_o succession_n for_o funeral_n for_o mourn_v for_o unforeseen_a accident_n as_o the_o death_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v kill_v without_o the_o design_n of_o his_o murderer_n for_o the_o several_a crime_n that_o may_v be_v commit_v in_o their_o several_a pollution_n and_o sequestration_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o this_o whole_a people_n from_o the_o time_n that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v still_o continual_o oblige_v to_o keep_v up_o a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n who_o god_n have_v for_o this_o purpose_n disperse_v among_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o consult_v the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o particular_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o the_o centre_n of_o their_o whole_a religion_n and_o how_o can_v they_o do_v this_o without_o carry_v their_o prospect_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o those_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o which_o the_o israelite_n be_v depositary_n i_o say_v upon_o those_o promise_n which_o raise_v up_o so_o many_o jealousy_n betwixt_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o ancestor_n of_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n with_o who_o they_o have_v always_o some_o controversy_n and_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a to_o the_o whole_a nation_n chap._n xxii_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o whole_a model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v be_v to_o last_v but_o until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n law_n a_o severe_a restriction_n in_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o show_v that_o god_n intend_v to_o have_v that_o nation_n distingnish_v from_o all_o other_o till_o the_o bless_a seed_n be_v come_v if_o we_o find_v that_o he_o restrain_v that_o promise_n to_o one_o tribe_n one_o town_n one_o family_n one_o particular_a individual_a person_n in_o that_o family_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o a_o confuse_a crowd_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n make_v up_o of_o several_a million_o of_o person_n or_o in_o a_o whole_a tribe_n or_o even_o in_o a_o city_n fill_v up_o with_o several_a family_n if_o upon_o this_o account_n his_o birth_n be_v restrain_v to_o one_o people_n one_o tribe_n one_o little_a town_n and_o one_o single_a family_n which_o be_v settle_v there_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n design_n to_o break_v all_o those_o restriction_n and_o to_o follow_v quite_o another_o method_n when_o the_o messiah_n be_v once_o come_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v express_v in_o very_o general_a term_n which_o mention_v a_o common_a benefit_n to_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n this_o promise_n be_v make_v before_o god_n have_v reject_v cain_n posterity_n by_o prefer_v that_o of_o seth_n it_o be_v make_v before_o the_o restriction_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n in_o seth_n family_n and_o to_o shem_n in_o noah_n family_n second_o god_n who_o by_o circumcision_n have_v distinguish_v abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o family_n of_o sem_fw-mi do_v express_o promise_v to_o abraham_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bless_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v also_o before_o god_n have_v restrain_v the_o promise_n to_o the_o person_n isaac_n in_o prejudice_n of_o ishmael_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o the_o person_n of_o jacob_n in_o the_o prejudice_n of_o esau_n three_o one_o see_v we_o this_o same_a truth_n yet_o more_o clear_o explain_v out_o of_o jacob_n oracle_n concern_v judah_n gen._n xlix_o wherein_o jacob_n express_o foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o comfort_n the_o glory_n the_o hope_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o this_o be_v a_o capital_a truth_n so_o god_n propose_v it_o by_o balaam_n at_o the_o israelite_n enter_v into_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o understand_v that_o all_o those_o distinction_n which_o their_o separation_n live_v in_o canaan_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n may_v keep_v up_o be_v not_o always_o to_o last_v but_o this_o particular_o appear_v out_o of_o moses_n law_n which_o allow_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o proselyte_n receive_v some_o without_o tie_v they_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o all_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o law_n which_o it_o will_v never_o have_v do_v
if_o it_o have_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v a_o jew_n before_o they_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o promise_n second_o it_o suppose_v that_o god_n be_v to_o remove_v that_o people_n out_o of_o canaan_n into_o remote_a country_n and_o to_o disperse_v they_o as_o it_o be_v into_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v do_v by_o divine_a providence_n only_o to_o publish_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o establish_v the_o belief_n in_o the_o prophet_n and_o so_o to_o facilitate_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith._n three_o he_o declare_v express_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v to_o call_v his_o people_n that_o which_o be_v not_o his_o people_n that_o he_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n provoke_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o jealousy_n this_o notion_n of_o jealousy_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o with_o very_o great_a care_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o reign_v among_o the_o israelite_n and_o their_o neighbour_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n of_o david_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a although_o he_o otherwise_o insult_v upon_o the_o moabite_n and_o edomite_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o show_v as_o much_o aversion_n and_o jealousy_n against_o those_o nation_n as_o be_v possible_a for_o one_o that_o live_v in_o a_o continual_a war_n with_o those_o people_n i_o shall_v also_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o solomon_n marriage_n with_o the_o princess_n of_o tyre_n of_o sidon_n and_o of_o egypt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o ham_n which_o be_v unite_v to_o that_o of_o judah_n to_o take_v a_o part_n with_o they_o in_o the_o blessing_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o song_n that_o be_v write_v upon_o that_o marriage_n be_v preserve_v as_o a_o piece_n divine_o inspire_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o happy_a presage_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o messiah_n one_o may_v also_o join_v here_o the_o manner_n of_o solomon_n give_v to_o hiram_n subject_n who_o have_v help_v he_o in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o country_n of_o chabul_n which_o be_v enclose_v within_o judea_n although_o those_o people_n be_v of_o the_o canaanite_n posterity_n upon_o who_o noah_n have_v particular_o pronounce_v ix_o gen._n ix_o curse_v be_v canaan_n one_o may_v also_o see_v that_o as_o god_n have_v permit_v his_o people_n to_o be_v transport_v into_o chaldea_n and_o babylon_n and_o have_v raise_v up_o there_o prophet_n among_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o glorious_a hope_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o greek_a about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n not_o only_o to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o gentile_n if_o they_o be_v produce_v of_o a_o sudden_a after_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o to_o instruct_v the_o heathen_n by_o little_a and_o little_a of_o the_o right_n which_o all_o nation_n have_v as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n to_o that_o promise_n that_o they_o may_v take_v their_o share_n in_o it_o whenever_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o it_o by_o god_n and_o especial_o to_o take_v away_o the_o scandal_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v upon_o god_n destroy_v the_o form_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n by_o the_o roman_n according_a to_o daniel_n prediction_n all_o these_o thing_n no_o doubt_n engage_v the_o jew_n who_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o make_v particular_a remark_n upon_o they_o but_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v observe_v three_o thing_n especial_o the_o first_o be_v that_o although_o god_n have_v at_o first_o choose_v their_o whole_a nation_n yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o disperse_v afterward_o almost_o ten_o part_n of_o thirteen_o which_o plain_o show_v that_o this_o choice_n which_o he_o have_v make_v be_v only_o a_o oeconomical_a choice_n and_o for_o a_o particular_a design_n the_o second_o be_v that_o although_o he_o be_v very_o severe_a and_o punctual_a in_o exact_v obedience_n to_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n yet_o he_o have_v fix_v the_o most_o part_n of_o their_o observance_n to_o certain_a place_n to_o certain_a time_n and_o to_o certain_a person_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v that_o when_o god_n bound_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v only_o for_o a_o oeconomical_a service_n prescribe_v only_o upon_o a_o particular_a prospect_n which_o be_v one_o day_n to_o have_v a_o end_n the_o three_o be_v that_o experience_n convince_v they_o that_o although_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v fix_v his_o service_n to_o the_o temple_n yet_o he_o suffer_v the_o chaldean_n to_o destroy_v the_o first_o and_o do_v not_o restore_v to_o the_o second_o the_o first_o mark_n of_o his_o presence_n when_o it_o be_v rebuilt_a by_o the_o order_n of_o cyrus_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o glory_n as_o retire_v by_o little_a and_o little_a from_o that_o place_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v be_v only_o design_v to_o be_v there_o for_o a_o time_n till_o god_n shall_v extend_v his_o service_n by_o call_v all_o the_o world_n to_o his_o religion_n and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a universe_n his_o temple_n as_o we_o see_v it_o do_v in_o our_o day_n by_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o saviour_n finis_fw-la reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n volume_n ii_o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o preface_n in_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n i_o have_v show_v the_o mean_n god_n make_v use_n of_o to_o imprint_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n during_o that_o long_a tract_n of_o 2500_o year_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n depart_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o before_o the_o history_n of_o it_o be_v pen_v by_o moses_n they_o that_o consider_v that_o god_n at_o first_o prescribe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o fix_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o law_n have_v be_v constant_o observe_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n and_o be_v still_o to_o this_o day_n observe_v among_o the_o jew_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o this_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n can_v not_o be_v more_o incontestable_o prove_v or_o more_o firm_o ground_v in_o like_a manner_n a_o attentive_a reflection_n upon_o the_o oracle_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o which_o alone_o at_o first_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o be_v afterward_o record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o one_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v deep_o engrave_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o israelite_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o jealousy_n which_o god_n have_v raise_v among_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n do_v not_o much_o contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v show_v very_o careful_o that_o it_o be_v very_o useful_a for_o that_o purpose_n i_o have_v in_o my_o reflection_n afterward_o prove_v upon_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o god_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n in_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o peculiar_a form_n and_o regulation_n of_o their_o government_n and_o religion_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o rule_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v unquestionable_o know_v whoever_o shall_v read_v the_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o this_o matter_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v of_o great_a efficacy_n to_o make_v so_o fresh_a and_o lively_a a_o impression_n of_o those_o illustrious_a fact_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o very_o frequent_a oracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o same_o as_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 2553_o year_n only_o five_o or_o six_o principal_a oracle_n be_v give_v which_o have_v a_o particular_a relation_n to_o the_o messiah_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o now_o this_o reflection_n be_v once_o suppose_v as_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v afterward_o
be_v very_o short_a i_o will_v confine_v myself_o to_o some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o those_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v since_o moses_n but_o such_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v a_o equitable_a and_o intelligent_a reader_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n page_n 1._o chap._n 2._o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n 8_o chap._n 3._o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n 15_o chap._n 4._o that_o how_o common_a soever_o oracle_n may_v have_v be_v among_o the_o pagan_n yet_o nothing_o among_o they_o can_v just_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o which_o be_v find_v among_o the_o jew_n 24_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o we_o may_v find_v these_o oracle_n be_v never_o forge_v 28_o chap._n 6._o that_o the_o manner_n of_o write_v the_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n show_v that_o those_o oracle_n can_v not_o have_v be_v forge_v after_o their_o completion_n 35_o chap._n 7._o for_o what_o reason_n the_o oracle_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n be_v interweave_v with_o other_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o wide_o distant_a 45_o chap._n 8._o general_a rule_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o ancient_a oracle_n and_o for_o the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o messiah_n 51_o chap._n 9_o of_o those_o oracle_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n 60_o chap._n 10._o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n 71_o chap._n 11._o consideration_n upon_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o upon_o his_o glorious_a ascension_n into_o heaven_n foretell_v by_o david_n in_o the_o xxii_o and_o cx_o psalm_n 80_o chap._n 12._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o have_v a_o forerunner_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v his_o character_n 89_o chap._n 13._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v before_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n 93_o chap._n 14._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n 101_o chap._n 15._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o private_a state_n 107_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o work_v great_a miracle_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n 111_o chap._n 17._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o illustrious_a prophet_n 114_o chap._n 18._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o propound_v a_o new_a covenant_n from_o god_n with_o all_o man_n 119_o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o dreadful_a effect_n of_o their_o blindness_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o messiah_n 125_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o die_v and_o a_o account_n of_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o his_o death_n 130_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v soon_o after_o to_o rise_v again_o 136_o chap._n 22._o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o send_v down_o from_o thence_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o prophecy_n language_n etc._n etc._n 140_o chap._n 23._o that_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god._n 144_o chap._n 24._o that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n 152_o chap._n 25._o of_o the_o time_n which_o succeed_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o prophecy_n till_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n 157_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o second_o volume_n chap._n 1._o that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a page_n 175_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n continue_v very_o fresh_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 183_o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v still_o subsist_v and_o follow_v the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a know_v of_o the_o messiah_n 189_o chap._n 4._o that_o all_o the_o distinction_n necessary_a for_o discover_v of_o the_o messiah_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o lord_n 197_o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o time_n point_v out_o by_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o the_o world._n 202_o chap._n 6._o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v precise_o such_o a_o forerunner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v describe_v to_o precede_v the_o messiah_n 207_o chap._n 7._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v of_o the_o family_n of_o david_n then_o reduce_v to_o a_o mean_a condition_n as_o have_v be_v aforetold_v by_o the_o prophet_n 213_o chap._n 8._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v conceive_v by_o the_o virgin_n mary_n without_o any_o operation_n of_o man._n 222_o chap._n 9_o that_o jesus_n christ_n live_v and_o preach_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o messiah_n shall_v do_v 229_o chap._n 10._o that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n clear_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n 237_o chap._n 11._o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n clear_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n 242_o chap._n 12._o that_o jesus_n christ_n die_v precise_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v die_v 250_o chap._n 13._o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v raise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n and_o afterward_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n 258_o chap._n 14._o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n 270_o chap._n 15._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 277_o chap._n 16._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o 284_o chap._n 17._o that_o it_o can_v be_v question_v whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n 292_o chap._n 18._o that_o one_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v 298_o chap._n 19_o more_o reason_n to_o manifest_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n 304_o chap._n 20._o that_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o entire_o destroy_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v 311_o chap._n 21._o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n can_v be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 317_o reflection_n upon_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o historical_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n for_o more_o than_o ten_o age_n the_o first_o general_a proof_n which_o i_o make_v use_n of_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n may_v be_v lawful_o draw_v from_o the_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o those_o author_n who_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o state_n and_o church_n of_o israel_n we_o may_v observe_v several_a considerable_a epocha_n of_o this_o history_n which_o take_v in_o about_o one_o thousand_o and_o forty_o year_n
syria_n obtain_v over_o the_o king_n of_o samaria_n one_o find_v that_o the_o story_n of_o phaeton_n be_v sole_o found_v upon_o the_o translation_n of_o elijah_n in_o a_o chariot_n of_o fire_n ii_o two_o king_n ii_o all_o that_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o happen_v before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o olympiad_n from_o whence_o the_o learned_a varro_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o first_o knowledge_n of_o history_n begin_v among_o the_o greek_n whence_o also_o it_o be_v that_o they_o call_v all_o the_o precedent_a time_n fabulous_a the_o greek_n have_v before_o nothing_o but_o fable_n into_o which_o they_o have_v turn_v whatever_o ancient_a history_n they_o be_v acquaint_v with_o since_o that_o time_n we_o do_v not_o find_v few_o mark_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a history_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o pagan_a writer_n the_o reign_n of_o tiglah-pilese_a who_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o young_a ninus_n as_o also_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o syrian_a monarchy_n by_o his_o mean_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v to_o we_o in_o the_o sacred_a historian_n nicholas_n damascenus_n in_o josephus_n antiq._n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o one_o see_v we_o among_o the_o heathen_n euseb_n castor_n in_o euseb_n the_o succession_n of_o shalmaneser_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o scripture_n one_o see_v we_o the_o manner_n of_o sennacherib_n conquer_a the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o town_n of_o palestina_n ult_n menander_n apud_fw-la joseph_n lib._n ix_o cap._n ult_n of_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n describe_v in_o heathen_a writer_n particular_o as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o manner_n of_o sennacherib_n succession_n to_o shalmaneser_n of_o his_o desolate_v the_o country_n of_o palestine_n while_o he_o carry_v on_o his_o victory_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n herodot_n lib._n ii_o &_o berosus_n in_o josephus_n lib._n x._o c._n 1._o exact_o as_o the_o sacred_a historian_n relate_v it_o the_o memory_n of_o tirbakah_n king_n of_o aethiopia_n xv._o strabo_n lib._n i._n &_o xv._o as_o of_o a_o great_a conqueror_n be_v preserve_v among_o the_o heathen_n for_o it_o be_v his_o come_n in_o short_a which_o oblige_v sennacherib_n to_o arise_v from_o before_o libna_fw-la whence_o he_o intend_v to_o go_v and_o besiege_v jerusalem_n one_o find_v among_o the_o heathen_n the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o all_o sennacherib_n army_n for_o his_o blasphemy_n against_o god_n which_o the_o egyptian_n disguise_v to_o appropriate_a to_o themselves_o herodot_n lib._n ii_o cap._n 141._o one_o find_v the_o ruin_n of_o ashdod_n by_o king_n psammetichus_n describe_v by_o heathen_a author_n 10._o herodot_n lib._n i._o cap._n 104._o lib._n ii_o cap._n 1._o lib._n vii_o cap._n 10._o as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n herod_n lib._n ii_o one_o find_v a_o account_n of_o the_o way_n by_o which_o the_o mede_n lose_v the_o empire_n of_o asia_n under_o cyaxares_n after_o his_o conquest_n over_o the_o assyrian_n in_o the_o heathen_a writer_n much_o the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o nahum_n h._n 5._o the_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o ninive_n by_o nabopollasar_n syncellum_n alexand._n polyhistor_n ap_fw-mi syncellum_n and_o by_o astyages_n be_v much_o the_o same_o in_o heathen_a author_n with_o the_o description_n of_o it_o in_o nahum_n esaiah_n and_o ezekiel_n the_o manner_n of_o josia_n undertake_v a_o war_n against_o pharaoh-necho_n king_n of_o egypt_n when_o he_o be_v overthrow_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o megiddo_n ii_o herodot_n lib._n ii_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n agree_v with_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o victory_n of_o nabuchadnezzar_n over_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o jew_n 30._o two_o king_n xxiii_o 29_o 30._o the_o carry_v away_o of_o the_o consecrate_a vessel_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o jew_n to_o babylon_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o heathen_n the_o manner_n of_o the_o yield_n up_o of_o tyre_n to_o nabuchadnezzar_n as_o they_o describe_v it_o apionem_fw-la annal._n phoenicic_n ap_fw-mi joseph_n lib._n i._o contra_fw-la apionem_fw-la agree_v with_o what_o ezekiel_n say_v chap._n xxviii_o 18_o 19_o one_o find_v in_o heathen_a author_n a_o account_n of_o the_o stately_a build_n of_o babylon_n by_o nebuehadnezzar_n abyden_n beros_n abyden_n which_o be_v describe_v exact_o in_o the_o scripture_n one_o find_v also_o in_o they_o 169._o herodot_n lib._n two_o cap._n 163_o &_o 169._o that_o the_o death_n of_o pharaoh-hoptha_a or_o vaphre_n as_o they_o call_v he_o happen_v according_a to_o jeremiah_n prediction_n chap._n xl._n 30._o one_o find_v also_o the_o take_n of_o babylon_n by_o cyrus_n 178._o herod_n lib._n i._o cap._n 178._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n chap._n li._n 46._o one_o find_v also_o that_o the_o death_n of_o belshazzar_n happen_v exact_o as_o daniel_n have_v describe_v it_o vii_o xenophon_n histor_n lib._n vii_o chap._n v._n one_o see_v we_o there_o a_o account_n of_o xerxes_n great_a undertake_n against_o greece_n 6._o herod_n lib._n vii_o cap_n 5_o 6._o as_o daniel_n have_v foretell_v it_o chap._n xi_o here_o then_o be_v a_o agreement_n which_o be_v perfect_a enough_o in_o several_a article_n to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v a_o great_a number_n if_o we_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o pagan_a historian_n but_o as_o we_o can_v find_v after_o the_o reign_n of_o artaxerxes_n longimanus_fw-la history_n among_o the_o jew_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o and_o after_o moses_n as_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n observe_v so_o we_o can_v compare_v the_o jewish_a and_o pagan_a history_n together_o afterward_o in_o that_o form_n we_o have_v do_v hitherto_o but_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v four_o thing_n which_o be_v very_o considerable_a upon_o this_o head._n i._o that_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n may_v be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a number_n of_o remark_n we_o have_v make_v already_o or_o else_o nothing_o will_v ever_o establish_v it_o for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o historian_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o all_o age_n babylonian_n assyrian_n tyrian_n egyptian_n and_o greek_n can_v agree_v so_o exact_o with_o the_o jew_n in_o those_o fact_n they_o relate_v if_o the_o jewish_a author_n have_v not_o exact_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o truth_n ii_o that_o as_o the_o prophecy_n of_o zechariah_n and_o daniel_n describe_v with_o a_o almost_o incredible_a exactness_n the_o considerable_a event_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o country_n near_a to_o judea_n and_o in_o judea_n itself_o in_o a_o time_n which_o be_v not_o expire_v until_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v give_v over_o write_v among_o the_o jew_n so_o there_o be_v need_n of_o almost_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o look_v over_o the_o book_n of_o daniel_n to_o see_v what_o happen_v from_o day_n to_o day_n and_o here_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o porphyry_n think_v the_o book_n of_o daniel_n be_v forge_v after_o the_o time_n of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n be_v because_o this_o book_n seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o history_n than_o a_o prediction_n which_o he_o justify_v in_o make_v a_o sort_n of_o commentary_n upon_o this_o prophecy_n by_o compare_v with_o it_o the_o pagan_a historian_n which_o be_v then_o extant_a iii_o that_o as_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n come_v under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o greek_n who_o be_v master_n of_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o art_n of_o write_v history_n so_o there_o be_v little_a need_n of_o any_o other_o witness_n beside_o the_o greek_a author_n as_o josephus_n demonstrate_v in_o effect_n by_o prove_v that_o the_o greek_n be_v well_o enough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n iv_o that_o we_o do_v real_o find_v after_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n a_o very_a great_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n compose_v by_o the_o care_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n with_o sufficient_a exactness_n though_o it_o be_v not_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o sacred_a writer_n chap._n iii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o uninterrupted_a series_n of_o event_n foretell_v by_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o very_a great_a number_n accomplish_v in_o every_o age._n as_o we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o say_v that_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v a_o very_a exact_a dependence_n upon_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a legislator_n so_o we_o may_v also_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o considerable_a event_n which_o make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o this_o history_n which_o do_v not_o deserve_v a_o particular_a remark_n either_o as_o a_o fulfil_n of_o moses_n prophecy_n or_o of_o those_o other_o prophet_n who_o god_n raise_v up_o after_o he_o to_o reform_v the_o error_n of_o that_o nation_n and_o
reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v truth_n not_o to_o be_v question_v and_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o messiah_n continue_v vigorous_o all_o the_o time_n that_o precede_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n we_o have_v see_v afterward_o in_o the_o remark_n which_o i_o have_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v man_n in_o the_o expectation_n of_o this_o messiah_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o may_v certain_o know_v he_o whenever_o he_o shall_v appear_v in_o the_o world._n i_o have_v take_v notice_n in_o the_o three_o part_n of_o these_o reflection_n of_o the_o care_n which_o god_n take_v to_o give_v a_o great_a number_n of_o oracle_n to_o explain_v particular_o all_o the_o character_n of_o this_o messiah_n the_o place_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o birth_n the_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o to_o foretell_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o gentile_n their_o call_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o last_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o whole_a model_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o be_v no_o long_o of_o any_o use_n after_o the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n my_o present_a business_n be_v now_o to_o show_v that_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v find_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o this_o whole_a design_n wherein_o god_n have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n instruct_v the_o world_n so_o long_o before_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a if_o we_o will_v but_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o read_v these_o book_n attentive_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o model_n which_o god_n himself_o make_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o describe_v it_o to_o make_v this_o truth_n yet_o more_o evident_a i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o do_v two_o or_o three_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o important_a for_o my_o present_a design_n and_o first_o i_o be_o to_o observe_v that_o there_o appear_v a_o most_o perfect_a coherence_n between_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o these_o book_n a_o perfect_a unity_n of_o design_n notwithstanding_o the_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n who_o preserve_v the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o preserve_v the_o new._n second_o i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o very_a time_n that_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v in_o the_o world._n this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o they_o may_v not_o have_v wherewith_o to_o accuse_v those_o who_o receive_v christ_n for_o the_o messiah_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o their_o choice_n for_o not_o have_v have_v the_o exact_a idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v i_o shall_v upon_o this_o account_n show_v in_o the_o three_o place_n that_o when_o jesus_n christ_n do_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n whereby_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v plain_o know_v do_v then_o subsist_v in_o the_o manner_n wherein_o god_n have_v frame_v it_o after_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o prooss_n which_o be_v indeed_o unquestionable_a that_o in_o examine_v all_o the_o character_n which_o the_o prophet_n give_v by_o which_o the_o messiah_n may_v be_v know_v we_o can_v conceive_v a_o more_o exact_a execution_n of_o god_n design_n as_o to_o the_o messiah_n than_o that_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n whereof_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v give_v we_o the_o history_n last_o i_o shall_v show_v clear_o that_o this_o model_n which_o god_n have_v frame_v in_o give_v the_o law_n and_o in_o form_v the_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o so_o proper_a a_o manner_n to_o make_v the_o messiah_n certain_o know_v be_v not_o in_o be_v at_o this_o day_n but_o that_o it_o be_v so_o destroy_v by_o the_o total_a dispersion_n of_o that_o people_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o messiah_n if_o he_o shall_v now_o appear_v again_o in_o the_o world._n and_o that_o indeed_o the_o principal_a event_n which_o according_a to_o the_o oracle_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n be_v already_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o part_n and_o do_v still_o come_v to_o pass_v every_o day_n i_o hope_v to_o evince_v these_o truth_n beyond_o all_o contest_v indeed_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n plain_o discover_v the_o coherence_n which_o they_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old._n it_o show_v clear_o that_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v at_o that_o time_n very_o strong_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o suppose_v without_o any_o affectation_n that_o that_o model_n which_o god_n have_v make_v so_o necessary_a to_o distinguish_v the_o messiah_n stand_v at_o that_o time_n entire_a in_o particular_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o four_o evangelist_n by_o the_o relation_n of_o unquestionable_a matter_n of_o fact_n have_v prove_v that_o jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o messiah_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v saint_n luke_n show_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o effusion_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o heathen_n the_o epistle_n be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o this_o vocation_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o of_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v undertake_v they_o unanimous_o conspire_v to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o call_v the_o heathen_n to_o partake_v of_o salvation_n that_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o great_a part_n shall_v be_v just_o deprive_v thereof_o because_o they_o obstinate_o reject_v the_o messiah_n several_a question_n be_v examine_v which_o arise_v either_o from_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n or_o from_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n the_o succession_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n justify_v that_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n all_o people_n embrace_v the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o receive_v he_o for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o patriarch_n and_o to_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v resume_v all_o these_o article_n one_o by_o one_o in_o that_o natural_a order_n in_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v they_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n chapter_n i._n that_o there_o appear_v a_o very_a just_a connexion_n bètween_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a the_o latter_a borrow_a light_n from_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v not_o much_o the_o character_n of_o romance_n even_o then_o when_o they_o be_v most_o tie_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o probability_n to_o borrow_v either_o the_o style_n or_o idea_n of_o those_o author_n from_o who_o they_o take_v their-subject_a so_o i_o suppose_v that_o in_o this_o my_o undertake_n to_o show_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o old_a it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o make_v out_o that_o at_o the_o first_o read_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o apostolical_a write_n one_o find_v in_o they_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n of_o idea_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n one_o may_v to_o this_o purpose_n observe_v in_o general_a that_o the_o gospel_n suppose_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o unquestionable_a truth_n the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n have_v the_o same_o coherence_n with_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n which_o the_o write_n of_o the_o latter_a prophet_n have_v with_o those_o of_o the_o former_a and_o which_o the_o book_n of_o all_o the_o prophet_n together_o have_v with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o with_o the_o prophecy_n law_n and_o history_n which_o be_v contain_v therein_o one_o may_v take_v notice_n afterward_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v a_o essential_a relation_n to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a in_o their_o most_o principal_a design_n i_o have_v show_v that_o their_o design_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o raise_v man_n to_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o paint_v he_o to_o the_o life_n who_o god_n
care_n which_o he_o afterward_o take_v to_o confirm_v this_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o be_v a_o declare_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o soon_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n he_o preach_v he_o up_o for_o the_o messiah_n how_o come_v this_o sudden_a change_n he_o assert_n that_o he_o have_v see_v in_o heaven_n this_o jesus_n who_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o receive_v from_o he_o the_o apostleship_n according_o we_o find_v he_o preach_v by_o these_o order_n without_o any_o communication_n have_v with_o the_o first_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o relate_v these_o matter_n in_o a_o manner_n so_o little_o affect_v to_o advance_v his_o ministry_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o galatian_n who_o prefer_v s._n peter_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n before_o he_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n leave_v to_o doubt_v of_o they_o one_o ought_v to_o make_v a_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o conversion_n of_o cornelius_n the_o centurion_n he_o be_v a_o proselyte_n that_o be_v a_o gentile_a by_o birth_n but_o a_o jew_n by_o profession_n and_o by_o the_o employment_n he_o be_v in_o he_o have_v occasion_n of_o be_v more_o particular_o inform_v of_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o soldier_n who_o probable_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o he_o for_o he_o be_v in_o the_o garrison_n at_o caesarea_n which_o be_v not_o far_o from_o jerusalem_n yet_o however_o this_o cornelius_n after_o he_o have_v a_o vision_n which_o command_v he_o to_o send_v to_o joppa_n a_o place_n make_v famous_a because_o jonah_n the_o prophet_n set_v sail_n from_o thence_o who_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n this_o cornelius_n i_o say_v embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n become_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o caesarea_n and_o die_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o great_a affection_n which_o s._n luke_n have_v for_o s._n paul_n confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n s._n luke_n have_v never_o see_v our_o saviour_n he_o be_v bear_v at_o antioch_n where_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o exercise_v his_o profession_n of_o physic_n yet_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o follow_v s._n paul_n in_o all_o place_n and_o write_v the_o history_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o preach_a who_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v because_o he_o have_v see_v the_o dead_a who_o christ_n have_v raise_v to_o life_n and_o have_v see_v s._n paul_n who_o jesus_n christ_n have_v dignify_v with_o the_o apostleship_n raise_v other_o also_o from_o the_o dead_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o who_o be_v first_o convince_v by_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o apostle_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v very_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o the_o jew_n have_v sadducee_n among_o they_o who_o deny_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o resurrection_n in_o general_a the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n especial_o have_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o decry_v the_o conduct_n the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o in_o particular_a to_o make_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n suspect_v and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o jesus_n christ_n have_v foretell_v it_o and_o his_o apostle_n maintain_v that_o it_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v according_o if_o in_o opposition_n to_o these_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la there_o have_v only_o be_v the_o deposition_n of_o two_o or_o three_o person_n to_o confirm_v this_o fact_n there_o will_v have_v be_v reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o but_o we_o find_v that_o this_o thing_n which_o of_o it_o self_n seem_v hard_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o be_v otherwise_o so_o much_o contest_v be_v 1._o prove_v by_o ten_o several_a apparition_n 2._o it_o be_v attest_v by_o above_o five_o hundred_o disciple_n 3._o it_o be_v public_o preach_v by_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n at_o jerusalem_n itself_o and_o throughout_o all_o judea_n where_o it_o be_v most_o of_o all_o dispute_v 4._o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o very_a enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o s._n paul_n and_o cornelius_n and_o by_o thousand_o of_o those_o who_o have_v demand_v his_o death_n be_v convert_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n 5._o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o and_o 6._o it_o be_v not_o not_o only_a authorise_a by_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o three_o person_n who_o christ_n have_v raise_v to_o life_n and_o who_o live_v one_o of_o they_o at_o bethany_n fifteen_o furlong_n from_o jerusalem_n where_o jesus_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n another_o at_o naim_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v further_o verify_v by_o several_a resurrection_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o who_o christ_n have_v vouchsafe_v that_o astonish_a power_n it_o be_v also_o a_o very_a considerable_a thing_n that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n continue_v near_o forty_o year_n after_o the_o time_n that_o the_o apostle_n undertake_v open_o to_o preach_v up_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o capital_a article_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o yet_o in_o all_o that_o time_n it_o be_v never_o oppose_v by_o any_o public_a write_v either_o of_o the_o jew_n or_o gentile_n if_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o unjust_a intrigue_n against_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o abuse_v the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n with_o calumniate_a story_n neither_o have_v the_o apostle_n be_v want_v to_o accuse_v the_o principal_a man_n of_o their_o nation_n of_o imposture_n and_o they_o have_v despise_v the_o most_o cruel_a of_o their_o punishment_n to_o maintain_v the_o justice_n of_o their_o charge_n and_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o will_v undertake_v to_o justify_v the_o calumny_n of_o their_o council_n though_o they_o see_v christianity_n spread_v itself_o not_o only_o over_o all_o judea_n but_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world._n to_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v this_o conduct_n of_o they_o be_v a_o manifest_a betray_n of_o their_o cause_n or_o rather_o a_o open_a acknowledgement_n that_o what_o they_o have_v publish_v against_o the_o innocency_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n be_v without_o all_o ground_n i_o foresee_v only_o one_o probable_a difficulty_n which_o can_v be_v oppose_v to_o the_o solidity_n of_o these_o reflection_n a_o jew_n may_v demand_v why_o jesus_n christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n do_v not_o converse_v as_o open_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o before_o that_o so_o he_o may_v have_v be_v know_v by_o those_o who_o have_v crucify_v he_o which_o will_v have_v put_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n out_o of_o doubt_n but_o to_o speak_v truth_n this_o objection_n be_v not_o reasonable_a for_o 1._o jesus_n christ_n have_v threaten_v the_o unbelieve_a jew_n they_o shall_v see_v he_o no_o more_o and_o he_o ought_v to_o make_v good_a his_o threaten_n 2._o who_o see_v not_o that_o they_o will_v have_v look_v upon_o his_o appear_v among_o they_o as_o a_o fantastic_a apparition_n after_o they_o have_v see_v he_o work_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o have_v attribute_v they_o to_o the_o devil_n 3._o i_o say_v that_o such_o a_o apparition_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o rich_a man_n 31._o luke_n xvi_o 29_o 31._o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n if_o they_o hear_v not_o they_o neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a 4._o jesus_n christ_n have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n converse_v in_o galilee_n at_o nazareth_n and_o capernaum_n it_o be_v to_o the_o galilean_n and_o his_o disciple_n that_o he_o be_v chief_o to_o show_v himself_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o they_o as_o be_v the_o person_n who_o be_v particular_o to_o bear_v witness_n of_o this_o truth_n after_o so_o strong_a a_o presumption_n as_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o people_n have_v of_o christ_n resurrection_n found_v upon_o the_o earthquake_n which_o accompany_v it_o and_o upon_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o soldier_n to_o who_o the_o angel_n have_v appear_v have_v not_o they_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v this_o truth_n which_o they_o hear_v several_a time_n attest_v by_o they_o in_o full_a council_n and_o see_v confirm_v by_o miraculous_a cure_n which_o they_o can_v not_o question_v in_o the_o least_o last_o be_v not_o this_o objection_n the_o most_o ridiculous_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o these_o consideration_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o justify_v our_o saviour_n conduct_n when_o he_o give_v these_o proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o he_o do_v not_o make_v choice_n of_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o persuade_v the_o jew_n which_o they_o
prefer_v before_o other_o use_v by_o he_o without_o any_o solid_a reason_n that_o therefore_o we_o must_v reject_v the_o deposition_n of_o so_o many_o witness_n who_o unanimous_o attest_v it_o since_o jesus_n christ_n have_v raise_v three_o person_n to_o life_n again_o which_o then_o live_v in_o judea_n since_o jerusalem_n have_v continue_v forty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n since_o sixty_o solemn_a feast_n be_v celebrate_v in_o that_o time_n where_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o occasion_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o fact_n and_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o the_o accusation_n charge_v upon_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v convert_v at_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o reduce_v all_o to_o this_o question_n of_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o this_o a_o invincible_a proof_n against_o all_o the_o accusation_n and_o suspicion_n of_o the_o synagogue_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o witness_n who_o maintain_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o attest_v his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o assert_v it_o with_o the_o same_o proof_n and_o the_o same_o zeal_n the_o reflection_n here_o set_v down_o may_v serve_v for_o that_o also_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o be_o next_o to_o consider_v the_o send_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o ascension_n and_o that_o these_o very_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n enable_v the_o jew_n to_o write_v preach_v and_o publish_v throughout_o all_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n of_o that_o christianity_n which_o we_o now_o profess_v chap._n fourteen_o that_o jesus_n christ_n send_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n as_o he_o have_v promise_v 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have_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n which_o s._n luke_n give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o acts._n he_o tell_v we_o therefore_o that_o fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n have_v continue_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v assemble_v there_o they_o receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n to_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o nation_n and_o to_o explain_v the_o most_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o our_o saviour_n religion_n every_o thing_n be_v considerable_a in_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n 1._o that_o he_o relate_v this_o fact_n as_o happen_v fifty_o day_n only_o after_o the_o jewish_a passover_n when_o christ_n be_v crucify_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v witness_n of_o his_o death_n 2._o that_o he_o relate_v it_o as_o happen_v in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o jesus_n christ_n be_v condemn_v that_o the_o same_o multitude_n who_o after_o fifty_o day_n be_v again_o assemble_v there_o at_o this_o feast_n may_v be_v witness_n of_o this_o miraculous_a event_n in_o short_a it_o plain_o appear_v that_o this_o new_a law_n from_o mount_n zion_n be_v solemn_o promulge_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v assemble_v from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o old_a law_n be_v when_o all_o the_o people_n assist_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n 3._o that_o these_o gift_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n gift_n which_o till_o that_o time_n have_v be_v whole_o unheard_a of_o and_o whereof_o some_o part_n only_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o some_o prophet_n and_o to_o some_o priest_n and_o of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v make_v partaker_n since_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n god_n have_v so_o order_v it_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v be_v the_o more_o inflame_v for_o the_o messiah_n come_v as_o also_o that_o upon_o his_o come_n he_o may_v the_o more_o easy_o be_v discern_v 4._o that_o this_o be_v a_o fact_n open_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o different_o interpret_v by_o they_o some_o say_n they_o they_o be_v full_a of_o new_a wine_n 5._o that_o the_o apostle_n assert_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o s._n peter_n that_o this_o be_v a_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 6._o that_o they_o declare_v that_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n and_o this_o miraculous_a donative_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o david_n and_o joel_n it_o be_v certain_o therefore_o very_o natural_a to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n upon_o the_o relation_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o event_n the_o first_o will_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o miraculous_a fact_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o s._n luke_n a_o wise_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o relate_v a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o have_v convince_v his_o reader_n thereof_o also_o nothing_o more_o be_v require_v for_o their_o conviction_n but_o the_o presence_n of_o one_o of_o those_o first_o christian_n and_o to_o make_v a_o trial_n of_o this_o supernatural_a virtue_n bestow_v on_o they_o for_o which_o there_o be_v frequent_a occasion_n 2._o we_o must_v observe_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o s._n luke_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n which_o he_o lay_v down_o to_o make_v his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n to_o appear_v just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o to_o justify_v the_o apostle_n conduct_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o whole_o exclude_v from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o also_o contrary_a to_o the_o seem_a maxim_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o act_v only_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o circumcision_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o pretension_n of_o many_o christian_n who_o after_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n take_v it_o very_o ill_o that_o s._n peter_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n 3._o s._n luke_n suppose_v that_o this_o fact_n come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v follow_v by_o consequence_n as_o illustrious_a as_o they_o be_v incredible_a twelve_o poor_a fisherman_n undertake_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o their_o master_n who_o fifty_o day_n before_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o prosecution_n of_o the_o whole_a synagogue_n and_o by_o order_n of_o one_o of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v not_o only_a live_n not_o only_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o that_o he_o also_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n of_o cure_v all_o disease_n and_o even_o of_o raise_v the_o dead_a 4._o they_o go_v yet_o further_o they_o bold_o maintain_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o a_o privilege_n of_o communicate_v the_o same_o power_n to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n and_o this_o without_o any_o other_o mystery_n but_o the_o bare_a lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v they_o by_o baptism_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o contrary_a unless_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o assertion_n by_o the_o miraculous_a consequence_n of_o that_o first_o miracle_n the_o fact_n be_v public_o acknowledge_v simon_n magus_n be_v convince_v thereof_o and_o
he_o who_o have_v make_v himself_o so_o famous_a by_o his_o sorcery_n become_v a_o disciple_n s._n luke_n in_o a_o history_n of_o the_o action_n of_o thirty_o year_n relate_v the_o continual_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o particular_o by_o s._n paul_n who_o he_o constant_o follow_v it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o if_o one_o consider_v the_o history_n itself_o and_o the_o person_n who_o make_v it_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v a_o true_a and_o faithful_a relation_n however_o there_o be_v other_o testimony_n which_o invincible_o establish_v the_o same_o truth_n 1._o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o effect_n establish_v in_o most_o of_o the_o province_n and_o great_a city_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n s._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o christian_n of_o thessalonica_n corinth_n and_o ephesus_n to_o the_o galatian_n colossian_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v christian_n every_o where_o that_o be_v disciple_n of_o these_o twelve_o fisherman_n who_o understand_v nothing_o but_o their_o native_a syriack_n language_n how_o then_o be_v all_o these_o nation_n convert_v without_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o pentecost_n 2._o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o they_o of_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n as_o of_o a_o common_a thing_n s._n paul_n employ_v some_o part_n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o regulate_v those_o disorder_n which_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o abuse_n of_o those_o gift_n s._n james_n speak_v of_o the_o power_n that_o the_o priest_n have_v to_o cure_v the_o sick_a and_o s._n paul_n wish_v for_o a_o opportunity_n of_o go_v to_o rome_n to_o communicate_v those_o gift_n to_o the_o roman_n 3._o they_o take_v occasion_n to_o raise_v the_o dignity_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o that_o of_o the_o law_n in_o call_v it_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n notwithstanding_o the_o table_n of_o the_o law_n have_v be_v give_v to_o moses_n in_o so_o very_o illustrious_a a_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n here_o to_o consider_v three_o thing_n which_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o first_o be_v that_o this_o mission_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v alone_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v mankind_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n god_n give_v to_o adam_n a_o power_n of_o speak_v one_o language_n and_o afterward_o he_o divide_v the_o same_o to_o make_v a_o confusion_n among_o the_o builder_n of_o babel_n and_o jesus_n christ_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o confirm_v the_o glory_n and_o belief_n of_o his_o divinity_n god_n vouchsafe_v the_o power_n of_o miracle_n to_o some_o jesus_n christ_n communicate_v it_o to_o a_o far_o great_a number_n miracle_n not_o have_v be_v so_o general_o wrought_v because_o no_o people_n ever_o have_v that_o power_n in_o all_o the_o forego_n age_n the_o father_n wrought_v so_o few_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v leave_v to_o the_o son_n this_o mean_n of_o make_v himself_o know_v the_o son_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o pour_v forth_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o a_o great_a abundance_n than_o the_o father_n thereby_o to_o supply_v the_o shame_n of_o his_o humiliation_n this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o the_o spirit_n be_v not_o yet_o give_v because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o yet_o glorify_v the_o second_o be_v that_o from_o this_o miracle_n one_o ought_v to_o infer_v these_o two_o conclusion_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n be_v full_o pacify_v by_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n constant_o represent_v the_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o sacrifice_n offer_v by_o he_o the_o other_o be_v that_o from_o that_o time_n forward_a mankind_n be_v conscerate_v to_o god_n as_o his_o temple_n jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o prayer_n before_o his_o death_n express_v himself_o much_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o solomon_n do_v at_o his_o dedication_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n and_o fire_n from_o heaven_n fall_v down_o on_o his_o sacrifice_n jesus_n christ_n consecrate_v his_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o live_a stone_n of_o his_o temple_n and_o cause_v the_o heavenly_a flame_n to_o fall_v down_o upon_o they_o as_o have_v former_o be_v grant_v at_o solomon_n dedication_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n the_o three_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n themselves_o can_v conceive_v a_o more_o glorious_a or_o magnificent_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n concern_v the_o effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o what_o we_o find_v relate_v by_o s._n luke_n whereof_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v see_v the_o visible_a effect_n in_o the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o whence_o one_o may_v rational_o conclude_v that_o jesus_n christ_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v for_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v chap._n xv._o that_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v call_v the_o gentile_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o have_v already_o see_v what_o be_v the_o design_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o distinction_n which_o he_o make_v of_o the_o jew_n from_o other_o nation_n be_v only_a that_o the_o messiah_n may_v by_o that_o mean_n be_v the_o more_o certain_o know_v in_o who_o all_o mankind_n have_v a_o right_a as_o be_v promise_v to_o adam_n god_n renew_v the_o idea_n of_o this_o truth_n in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n when_o he_o assure_v abraham_n before_o he_o give_v he_o the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n that_o in_o his_o seed_n all_o nation_n shall_v be_v bless_v jacob_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n on_o his_o deathbed_n plain_o take_v this_o truth_n for_o grant_v when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o messiah_n who_o he_o call_v shiloh_n be_v to_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o gentile_n gen._n xlix_o why_o do_v he_o not_o say_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o because_o he_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v and_o the_o gentile_n call_v in_o their_o stead_n one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o psalm_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n until_o malachi_n inclusive_o a_o thousand_o declaration_n of_o this_o future_a call_v of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o though_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o idea_n which_o the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o figurative_a describe_v the_o messiah_n as_o a_o conqueror_n who_o be_v to_o subdue_v the_o whole_a world_n to_o his_o dominion_n by_o the_o force_n of_o arm_n yet_o we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o other_o interweave_v with_o they_o which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o which_o not_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n sufficient_o determine_v the_o other_o so_o as_o not_o to_o perplex_v the_o reader_n with_o those_o seem_a obscurity_n but_o jesus_n christ_n very_o distinct_o declare_v this_o in_o divers_a place_n and_o above_o all_o in_o the_o xxiv_o of_o s._n matthew_n this_o gospel_n say_v he_o shall_v be_v preach_v throughout_o all_o the_o world._n now_o nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v more_o exact_o fulfil_v than_o these_o ancient_a oracle_n have_v be_v let_v the_o jew_n cavil_v as_o long_o as_o they_o please_v about_o our_o application_n of_o many_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o our_o saviour_n let_v they_o put_v a_o sense_n upon_o the_o scripture_n which_o treat_v of_o this_o subject_a contrary_a to_o what_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o jesus_n christ_n ever_o do_v and_o to_o the_o most_o of_o those_o with_o who_o the_o first_o christian_n as_o justin_n tertullian_n and_o other_o from_o time_n to_o time_n dispute_v yet_o at_o least_o they_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o thing_n have_v be_v exact_o fulfil_v it_o be_v clear_a than_o the_o day_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o exact_a all_o christian_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o another_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n jesus_n christ_n subject_v they_o to_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o mahometan_n themselves_o have_v learn_v of_o the_o christian_n to_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o god_n but_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n the_o multitude_n of_o false_a god_n which_o the_o world_n worship_v be_v vanish_v from_o all_o place_n where_o christianity_n have_v be_v plant_v and_o very_o few_o be_v leave_v in_o comparison_n of_o those_o which_o be_v already_o destroy_v so_o that_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o thing_n as_o already_o go_v very_o far_o in_o truth_n while_o thing_n continue_v thus_o one_o may_v reasonable_o maintain_v against_o the_o
palsy_n to_o the_o dead_a upon_o this_o all_o be_v convert_v and_o the_o cross_n of_o jesus_n christ_n triumph_v there_o be_v three_o sort_n of_o people_n in_o the_o world_n wise_a man_n man_n of_o a_o middle_a sort_n and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o low_a capacity_n and_o several_a of_o these_o three_o order_n of_o man_n make_v profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o heathen_n chap._n xvii_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v found_v on_o proof_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o consequent_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o certain_a as_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o reflection_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v more_o than_o once_o because_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o proper_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n beyond_o all_o contest_v or_o that_o will_v confound_v atheist_n profane_a person_n and_o jew_n who_o endeavour_n to_o oppose_v it_o more_o effectual_o i_o say_v then_o that_o the_o chief_a article_n on_o which_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v be_v confirm_v by_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v by_o witness_n who_o evidence_n can_v be_v question_v without_o shake_v all_o the_o certainty_n which_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n and_o without_o reject_v all_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o can_v assure_v ourselves_o of_o the_o knowledge_n which_o we_o enjoy_v many_o particular_a event_n which_o be_v perfect_o divine_a happen_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o be_v know_v throughout_o all_o the_o hill_n country_n of_o judea_n they_o happen_v to_o a_o priest_n that_o be_v a_o public_a person_n and_o it_o be_v when_o he_o be_v employ_v in_o his_o public_a function_n in_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v second_v by_o miracle_n which_o be_v know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v follow_v by_o the_o public_a ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n a_o man_n who_o censure_v all_o judea_n who_o open_o declare_v himself_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o who_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n who_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v spread_v throughout_o all_o judea_n and_o who_o continue_v after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n these_o be_v disciple_n of_o a_o man_n who_o beside_o all_o this_o do_v not_o keep_v up_o any_o correspondence_n with_o our_o saviour_n and_o who_o at_o last_o fall_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o herod_n for_o censure_v his_o incest_n and_o lust_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n under_o augustus_n a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o roman_a commissioner_n be_v witness_n and_o which_o the_o record_n of_o that_o empire_n preserve_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v in_o be_v that_o the_o angel_n testify_v their_o joy_n at_o his_o birth_n be_v a_o fact_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o shepherd_n of_o bethlehem_n long_o before_o jesus_n christ_n have_v any_o disciple_n that_o a_o new_a star_n conduct_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o east_n to_o bethlehem_n be_v a_o illustrious_a fact_n and_o of_o which_o herod_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o great_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v exact_o inform_v and_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v find_v it_o a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o impose_v this_o upon_o they_o if_o the_o thing_n have_v not_o be_v distinct_o know_v that_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o arrival_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n affright_v herod_n be_v a_o public_a thing_n confirm_v by_o the_o murder_n of_o the_o infant_n of_o bethlehem_n and_o report_v to_o augustus_n together_o with_o the_o death_n of_o antipater_n whereof_o macrobius_n a_o heathen_a who_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o a_o story_n have_v preserve_v the_o memory_n neither_o can_v this_o fact_n be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o josephus_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o since_o so_o famous_a a_o heathen_a atte_v it_o augustus_n say_v he_o have_v hear_v that_o among_o the_o infant_n which_o herod_n the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v kill_v in_o syria_n under_o two_o year_n of_o age_n he_o have_v kill_v his_o own_o son_n say_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n be_v hog_n than_o his_o son._n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o egypt_n and_o that_o he_o return_v from_o thence_o be_v a_o fact_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n reproach_v our_o saviour_n as_o if_o he_o have_v learn_v there_o the_o secret_a of_o work_a miracle_n that_o he_o confound_v the_o doctor_n at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v inform_v because_o it_o happen_v at_o one_o of_o those_o three_o solemn_a feast_n which_o bring_v up_o the_o whole_a nation_n to_o jerusalem_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v by_o s._n john_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v a_o most_o glorious_a testimony_n from_o he_o be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o all_o those_o jew_n who_o the_o ministry_n of_o s._n john_n have_v draw_v to_o the_o river_n jordan_n be_v witness_n that_o jesus_n christ_n choose_v for_o his_o apostle_n man_n without_o learning_n and_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n that_o he_o live_v with_o they_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a preach_v his_o doctrine_n correct_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n work_v miracle_n and_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n and_o all_o the_o roman_n that_o be_v in_o judea_n be_v full_o inform_v of_o they_o yea_o they_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o world._n the_o jew_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o who_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o celebrate_v ten_o solemn_a feast_n according_a to_o the_o law_n during_o the_o time_n in_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v act_v and_o from_o thence_o carry_v the_o report_n of_o they_o into_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n where_o they_o be_v disperse_v it_o be_v evident_a also_o that_o jesus_n christ_n labour_v to_o persuade_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a fact_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o which_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o most_o important_a point_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o touch_v they_o the_o near_a a_o fact_n which_o happen_v at_o a_o time_n when_o all_o be_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o consultation_n of_o herod_n when_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o roman_n do_v most_o earnest_o sigh_v for_o his_o appearance_n a_o fact_n confirm_v by_o public_a oracle_n and_o know_v to_o the_o whole_a nation_n yea_o to_o the_o heathen_a themselves_o for_o near_o three_o hundred_o year_n that_o jesus_n christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o his_o miracle_n be_v crucify_v at_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o by_o the_o order_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v witness_n because_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n that_o be_v at_o a_o solemnity_n where_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v assemble_v it_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o no_o heathen_n ever_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v they_o reproach_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o who_o be_v so_o little_a ashamed_a of_o it_o that_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o same_o jesus_n they_o celebrate_v the_o memorial_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n that_o there_o be_v thick_a darkness_n over_o all_o the_o land_n at_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o three_o hour_n till_o the_o six_o that_o be_v from_o nine_o of_o the_o clock_n till_o twelve_o according_a to_o our_o way_n of_o compute_v the_o time_n be_v a_o fact_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v easy_o have_v convince_v the_o apostle_n of_o this_o imposture_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v as_o confess_v a_o truth_n 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