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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A38026 Polpoikilos sophia, a compleat history or survey of all the dispensations and methods of religion, from the beginning of the world to the consummation of all things, as represented in the Old and New Testament shewing the several reasons and designs of those different administrations, and the wisdom and goodness of God in the government of His church, through all the ages of it : in which also, the opinion of Dr. Spencer concerning the Jewish rites and sacrifices is examin'd, and the certainty of the Christian religion demonstrated against the cavils of the Deists, &c. / by John Edwards ... Edwards, John, 1637-1716. 1699 (1699) Wing E210; ESTC R17845 511,766 792

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give_v belong_v to_o no_o mortal_a man_n for_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o mighty_a god_n the_o everlasting_a father_n and_o of_o the_o increase_n of_o his_o government_n and_o peace_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o end_n ver_fw-la 7._o which_o be_v parallel_n with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o angel_n concern_v our_o saviour_n luke_n 1._o 32_o 33._o all_o th●_n circumstance_n relate_v to_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messias●re_o ●re_z particular_o specify_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n as_o that_o his_o ancestor_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o family_n of_o david_n and_o consequent_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v of_o that_o stock_n mic._n 5._o 2._o isa._n 11._o 10._o jer._n 23._o 5._o and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o targum_fw-la on_o these_o three_o place_n understand_v they_o of_o the_o messiah_n therefore_o when_o christ_n ask_v the_o scribe_n and_o doctor_n of_o what_o lineage_n and_o race_n the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v they_o answer_v he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o david_n mat._n 22._o 42._o it_o be_v a_o thing_n it_o seem_v well_o know_v according_o the_o genealogy_n of_o both_o joseph_n and_o mary_n be_v deduce_v by_o the_o evangelist_n st._n matthew_n and_o st._n luke_n from_o abraham_n along_o by_o david_n as_o to_o the_o place_n of_o his_o birth_n it_o be_v prophesy_v he_o shall_v ●e_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n mic._n 5._o 2._o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n though_o thou_o be_v little_a among_o the_o thousand_o of_o judah_n yet_o out_o of_o thou_o shall_v he_o come_v forth_o unto_o i_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ruler_n in_o israel_n some_o obstinate_a jew_n say_v zorebabel_n be_v mean_v here_o but_o they_o be_v silence_v by_o other_o more_o learned_a of_o that_o nation_n who_o confess_v that_o he_o be_v not_o bear_v at_o bethlehem_n but_o babylon_n beside_o they_o contradict_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v and_o of_o the_o rabbin_n who_o general_o by_o moshel_n the_o ruler_n in_o israel_n here_o 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there_o be_v gnalmah_n three_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n for_o a_o maid_n or_o virgin_n this_o only_a signify_v a_o pure_a untouched_a virgin_n nor_o be_v otherwise_o understand_v in_o any_o text_n of_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v mention_v as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o 8._o six_o place_n beside_o this_o of_o isaiah_n therefore_o the_o septuagint_n who_o well_o understand_v the_o force_n and_o signification_n of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n translate_v it_o by_o a_o fuit_fw-la greek_a one_o which_o signify_v a_o virgin_n proper_o so_o call_v whereas_o they_o may_v have_v use_v 〈◊〉_d other_o word_n and_o the_o hebrew_n word_n be_v with_o a_o hagnalmah_n demonstrative_a article_n before_o it_o which_o make_v it_o emphatical_a and_o denote_v some_o certain_a definite_a and_o peculiar_a thing_n or_o person_n it_o be_v find_v but_o thrice_o in_o the_o bible_n with_o this_o prepositive_a article_n viz._n in_o gen._n 24._o 43._o and_o in_o exod._n 2._o 8._o and_o in_o this_o place_n of_o isaiah_n in_o the_o two_o first_o it_o point_v at_o particular_a person_n and_o signify_v a_o pure_a virgin_n not_o know_v by_o man_n why_o shall_v we_o not_o think_v it_o do_v so_o in_o the_o three_o moreover_o it_o be_v say_v the_o lord_n shall_v give_v you_o a_o sign_n behold_v here_o be_v then_o some_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a thing_n speak_v of_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o a_o woman_n conceive_v i._n e._n of_o a_o woman_n that_o be_v no_o virgin_n for_o as_o a_o celsum_fw-la ancient_a father_n observe_v what_o wonder_n have_v it_o be_v for_o a_o young_a woman_n not_o a_o virgin_n to_o conceive_v and_o indeed_o the_o old_a rabbin_n who_o believe_v the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n have_v signalise_v this_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n in_o the_o cabala_n and_o ionathan_n targum_fw-la you_o will_v find_v that_o it_o be_v write_v with_o a_o man_n clausum_fw-la in_o the_o middle_n to_o signify_v something_o extraordinary_a here_o mean_v to_o intimate_v that_o it_o be_v a_o virgin_n shut_v up_o to_o denote_v the_o wonderful_a mystery_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n conception_n if_o it_o be_v say_v what_o r._n kimchi_n and_o other_o modern_a jew_n suggest_v that_o this_o 7_o the_o chap._n of_o isaiah_n and_o this_o verse_n more_o particular_o refer_v to_o the_o time_n of_o king_n ahaz_n and_o so_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v about_o 700_o year_n afterward_o i_o answer_v by_o deny_v the_o consequence_n for_o this_o chapter_n and_o text_n may_v have_v reference_n to_o king_n ahaz'_v day_n and_o likewise_o point_n at_o something_o do_v a_o long_a time_n after_o that_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o assertion_n be_v because_o there_o be_v oftentimes_o a_o double_a sense_n in_o scripture_n any_o one_o that_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o holy_a book_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o this_o and_o the_o jew_n themselves_o acknowledge_v a_o literal_a and_o mystical_a sense_n of_o scripture_n so_o then_o these_o word_n a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v be_v verify_v in_o the_o first_o and_o literal_a sense_n in_o isaiah_n time_n a_o virgin_n bring_v forth_o a_o child_n it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n to_o be_v a_o sign_n and_o assurance_n of_o the_o deliverance_n of_o judah_n from_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n and_o israel_n this_o virgin_n it_o be_v likely_a be_v afterward_o isaiah_n wife_n and_o at_o that_o time_n betroth_v or_o to_o be_v betroth_v to_o he_o and_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o prophetess_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 8_o the_o chapter_n of_o this_o child_n it_o be_v say_v butter_n and_o honey_n shall_v he_o eat_v that_o he_o may_v know_v how_o to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_n for_o before_o the_o child_n shall_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a the_o land_n that_o thou_o abhor_v shall_v be_v forsake_v of_o both_o her_o king_n ver_fw-la 15_o 16._o that_o be_v this_o child_n shall_v be_v nourish_v and_o bring_v up_o as_o child_n be_v use_v to_o be_v butter_n and_o honey_n be_v the_o food_n of_o these_o little_a one_o to_o eat_v these_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o be_v use_v as_o a_o child_n whence_o the_o ancient_n give_v these_o to_o child_n at_o baptism_n to_o taste_v of_o as_o tertullian_n and_o jerom_n testify_v this_o child_n shall_v fare_v as_o other_o little_a one_o be_v wont_n to_o do_v and_o we_o shall_v all_o of_o we_o in_o this_o land_n live_v in_o peace_n and_o plenty_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v disturb_v by_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n or_o israel_n for_o before_o the_o child_n shall_v know_v to_o refuse_v the_o evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a in_o as_o short_a a_o time_n as_o this_o or_o any_o other_o child_n shall_v be_v grow_v up_o they_o shall_v both_o of_o they_o forsake_v this_o land_n which_o they_o now_o threaten_v and_o they_o shall_v die_v in_o their_o own_o kingdom_n this_o you_o shall_v see_v happen_v before_o the_o 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three_o patriarch_n who_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o that_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v which_o be_v above_o 2000_o year_n be_v able_a to_o keep_v their_o family_n and_o all_o other_o people_n that_o be_v near_o they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o where_o they_o err_v and_o offend_v to_o correct_v they_o thus_o religion_n and_o divine_a worship_n may_v be_v faithful_o transmit_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n to_o above_o twenty_o century_n by_o three_o person_n only_o the_o church_n be_v then_o sufficient_o teach_v by_o tradition_n from_o father_n to_o son_n vive_n u●c●_n because_o of_o the_o longevity_n of_o the_o patriarch_n some_o of_o who_o live_v 700_o year_n other_o 800_o or_o 900._o for_o this_o reason_n the_o church_n be_v without_o scripture_n almost_o five_o and_o twenty_o hundred_o year_n but_o afterward_o when_o the_o year_n of_o man_n life_n be_v shorten_v god_n use_v another_o method_n he_o teach_v man_n by_o a_o write_a law_n 2._o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o world_n be_v another_o reason_n why_o the_o law_n be_v commit_v to_o write_v the_o world_n at_o first_o have_v many_o pious_a as_o well_o as_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o be_v as_o philo_z note_n abrahamo_n living_n and_o rational_a law_n and_o so_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o write_a one_o for_o these_o be_v but_o ibid._n commentary_n on_o those_o old_a father_n life_n but_o the_o vice_n of_o man_n grow_v proportionable_a to_o their_o number_n and_o when_o mankind_n be_v spread_v wide_o up_o and_o down_o the_o earth_n immorality_n and_o sin_n be_v disperse_v likewise_o and_o the_o world_n become_v notorious_o wicked_a the_o deluge_n do_v not_o wash_v away_o the_o contagion_n but_o in_o a_o considerable_a time_n after_o man_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o ever_o and_o the_o very_a dictate_v of_o their_o reasonable_a nature_n be_v discard_v by_o they_o when_o they_o have_v thus_o obliterated_a the_o law_n write_v on_o their_o mind_n god_n 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virtue_n and_o obedience_n that_o when_o god_n himself_o have_v write_v down_o their_o duty_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n they_o may_v be_v inexcusable_a 3._o the_o law_n be_v commit_v to_o write_v that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v forget_v 〈…〉_z one_o repute_v to_o be_v a_o judicious_a writer_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o patriarch_n be_v happy_a without_o the_o write_a law_n than_o with_o it_o it_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o god_n love_n and_o favour_n that_o they_o have_v no_o book_n and_o write_n i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v because_o they_o do_v not_o need_v they_o but_o afterward_o there_o be_v occasion_n for_o they_o for_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v almost_o deface_v and_o obliterated_a the_o instruction_n and_o tradition_n of_o their_o father_n be_v neglect_v and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o their_o duty_n can_v not_o be_v keep_v pure_a by_o oral_a tradition_n when_o not_o only_o their_o life_n be_v short_a but_o corrupt_v and_o miserable_o deprave_v therefore_o a_o exact_a write_a law_n be_v want_v to_o set_v before_o their_o eye_n and_o to_o remind_v they_o of_o what_o they_o be_v to_o do_v to_o put_v they_o constant_o in_o remembrance_n of_o what_o god_n require_v of_o they_o hereupon_o the_o moral_a precept_n be_v write_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o deliver_v to_o m●s●s_n that_o the_o may_v communicate_v they_o to_o the_o people_n and_o they_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v out_o of_o kindness_n to_o they_o it_o be_v design_v to_o be_v a_o remedy_n against_o their_o forgetfulness_n and_o negligence_n last_o which_o comprehend_v all_o the_o law_n be_v write_v that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v corrupt_v tradition_n be_v unsafe_a when_o the_o number_n of_o man_n be_v increase_v and_o the_o world_n be_v disperse_v and_o arrive_v to_o a_o great_a height_n of_o impiety_n therefore_o god_n think_v it_o necessary_a to_o preserve_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o law_n by_o engrave_v it_o on_o table_n of_o stone_n which_o be_v solid_a and_o du●able_a and_o by_o lodging_n it_o in_o the_o a●k_n as_o in_o a_o safe_a treasury_n by_o order_v it_o to_o be_v transcribe_v and_o to_o be_v read_v to_o all_o the_o people_n and_o that_o they_o themselves_o shall_v read_v it_o continual_o this_o be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o prevent_v all_o error_n and_o imposture_n all_o fraud_n and_o corruption_n about_o the_o law_n this_o make_v it_o a_o thing_n impossible_a to_o deprave_v and_o pervert_v the_o letter_n and_o plain_a sense_n of_o it_o for_o these_o reason_n that_o word_n which_o for_o near_o 25_o century_n of_o year_n be_v deliver_v and_o promulge_v by_o tradition_n be_v commit_v to_o write_v in_o moses_n time_n and_o not_o before_o for_o these_o reason_n the_o common_a law_n of_o nature_n be_v turn_v into_o this_o statute_n law_n of_o the_o commandment_n i_o will_v not_o here_o speak_v particular_o of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n because_o in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o work_n which_o i_o intend_v i_o be_o oblige_v to_o insist_v upon_o every_o one_o of_o they_o distinct_o and_o large_o and_o also_o because_o it_o be_v the_o write_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n of_o which_o i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o account_n not_o the_o law_n itself_o that_o be_v part_n of_o this_o mosaic_a dispensation_n as_o it_o be_v different_a from_o those_o which_o go_v before_o the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v give_v now_o not_o that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o force_n before_o this_o time_n but_o now_o they_o be_v write_v on_o table_n and_o more_o solemn_o promulge_v this_o be_v it_o which_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o new_a and_o proper_a to_o this_o judaical_a period_n if_o any_o man_n think_v that_o these_o ten_o commandment_n because_o they_o be_v deliver'●_n to_o the_o jew_n be_v draw_v up_o for_o that_o body_n of_o people_n only_o and_o be_v not_o of_o universal_a concernment_n i_o can_v silence_v that_o surmise_n by_o show_v that_o these_o commandment_n be_v in_o force_n before_o the_o law_n give_v by_o moses_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o be_v a_o law_n before_o the_o mosaic_a oeconomy_n and_o that_o those_o who_o live_v in_o all_o the_o former_a dispensation_n observe_v these_o commandment_n nay_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o except_v only_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o sabbath_n day_n the_o very_a law_n of_o nature_n write_v on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n at_o his_o creation_n they_o be_v dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v though_o they_o be_v not_o command_v for_o this_o reason_n likewise_o it_o be_v not_o proper_a to_o insist_v upon_o they_o in_o this_o place_n for_o they_o be_v no_o special_a part_n of_o this_o oeconomy_n but_o the_o ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a law_n be_v the_o grand_a thing_n which_o make_v this_o a_o distinct_a and_o peculiar_a administration_n of_o those_o therefore_o i_o will_v hasten_v to_o speak_v the_o ceremonial_a or_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o precept_n give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o jew_n concern_v external_n rite_n belong_v to_o religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n of_o these_o ceremonial_a usage_n several_a be_v in_o use_n before_o moses_n time_n viz._n priest_n altar_n sacrifice_n oblation_n tithe_n distinction_n of_o clean_n and_o unclean_a animal_n not_o eat_v blood_n circumcision_n but_o now_o all_o the_o former_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n be_v digest_v into_o one_o body_n and_o be_v become_v more_o fix_v and_o certain_a the_o ceremonial_a service_n of_o the_o i●ws_n be_v now_o precise_o determine_v and_o there_o be_v no_o vary_v from_o it_o again_o whereas_o in_o some_o age_n one_o ceremony_n be_v use_v in_o another_o another_o now_o they_o be_v all_o together_o and_o be_v observe_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o by_o the_o same_o person_n
the_o true_a say_v he_o they_o be_v fabulous_a poet_n and_o dissent_v philosopher_n that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o gentilism_n but_o both_o of_o they_o be_v ridiculous_a whereas_o the_o doctor_n and_o author_n of_o christianity_n be_v prophet_n divine_o inspire_v and_o those_o even_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o first_o and_o most_o ancient_a be_v design_o show_v by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n and_o again_o in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a history_n he_o maintain_v that_o toto_fw-la the_o way_n of_o religion_n and_o piety_n preach_v by_o christ_n be_v no_o ne●_n and_o strange_a thing_n more_o particular_o it_o be_v maintain_v by_o 13._o 〈◊〉_d that_o abraham_n faith_n and_o we_o be_v the_o same_o and_o this_o be_v assert_v by_o augustin_n other_o father_n christianity_n be_v on_o foot_n always_o in_o the_o wo●ld_n it_o be_v not_o only_o under_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o law_n but_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o old_a patriarch_n and_o of_o those_o before_o the_o flood_n and_o of_o our_o first_o parent_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_n concern_v the_o redeem_v and_o save_v of_o man_n by_o christ_n jesus_n now_o this_o religion_n be_v in_o be_v present_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n then_o and_o ever_o afterward_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o salvation_n but_o this_o viz._n by_o jesus_n the_o messiah_n indeed_o we_o may_v in_o some_o sense_n say_v it_o be_v all_o along_o a_o gospel-dispensation_n this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n 1_o joh._n 1._o 1._o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n which_o the_o apostle_n preach_v be_v the_o first_o truth_n the_o doctrine_n and_o duty_n teach_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o same_o in_o substance_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o the_o most_o ancient_a age_n second_o though_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n agree_v with_o the_o forego_n dispensation_n of_o grace_n as_o to_o the_o main_a yet_o it_o differ_v from_o they_o all_o and_o more_o especial_o from_o the_o mosaic_a and_o legal_a oeconomy_n as_o to_o sundry_a thing_n as_o love_v our_o brethren_n be_v say_v by_o 8._o st._n john_n to_o be_v a_o old_a commandment_n and_o yet_o a_o n●w_a one_o so_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n be_v both_o old_a and_o new_a in_o different_a respect_n i_o have_v show_v in_o what_o respect_n it_o be_v the_o former_a now_o i_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v also_o that_o it_o be_v the_o latter_a i._n e._n that_o it_o differ_v on_o several_a account_n from_o the_o former_a one_o 1._o it_o differ_v as_o to_o the_o auth●r_n not_o as_o if_o there_o be_v another_o author_n but_o this_o i_o mean_v that_o the_o author_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o 〈◊〉_d respect_n i._n e._n he_o be_v not_o incarnate_a before_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v not_o then_o the_o son_n of_o man_n he_o have_v not_o assume_v 〈◊〉_d this_o 〈◊〉_d therefore_o be_v new_a and_o peculiar_a on_o the_o account_n of_o christ_n incarnation_n he_o now_o appear_v in_o human_a shape_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o notice_n that_o this_o appear_v of_o christ_n be_v signal_o and_o eminent_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o dispensation_n by_o the_o ancient_a christian_n sometime_o it_o be_v 69._o bare_o style_v so_o and_o at_o other_o time_n with_o some_o addition_n as_o the_o 5._o dispensation_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n 3._o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o word_n according_a to_o man_n ibid._n the_o human_a dispensation_n 44._o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o manhood_n 46._o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o mediator_n 46._o the_o glorious_a save_v dispensation_n brief_o not_o only_a christ_n incarnation_n but_o the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n by_o he_o and_o whatever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o submit_v and_o condescend_v to_o in_o his_o human_a nature_n ●or_a the_o good_a of_o mankind_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o greek_a father_n and_o be_v say_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o take_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o some_o of_o the_o latin_a father_n likewise_o may_v be_v observe_v to_o use_v the_o word_n oeconomia_fw-la in_o this_o emphatical_a way_n as_o hilary_n in_o his_o 9th_o book_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o it_o be_v say_v by_o st._n jerom_n that_o the_o heretic_n apollinaris_n 65._o introduce_v the_o half_a oeconomy_n of_o christ_n i._n e._n he_o do_v in_o a_o manner_n deny_v the_o assumption_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n in_o christ._n and_o you_o may_v further_a remark_n that_o this_o word_n be_v very_o singular_o apply_v to_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o st._n paul_n in_o several_a place_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n it_o be_v probable_a of_o the_o father_n use_v it_o in_o that_o way_n he_o call_v this_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n eph._n 1._o 10._o the_o mystery_n of_o salvation_n be_v decree_v by_o god_n from_o eternity_n but_o he_o choose_v out_o a_o fit_a and_o convenient_a opportunity_n to_o dispense_v and_o exert_v his_o eternal_a counsel_n and_o this_o be_v here_o in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n call_v the_o dispensation_n in_o the_o full_a and_o complete_a time_n the_o apostle_n also_o call_v it_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n eph._n 3._o 2._o and_o the_o dispensation_n of_o god_n col._n 1._o 25._o and_o bare_o a_o dispensation_n 1_o cor._n 9_o 17._o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n then_o that_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o emphatical_o call_v the_o dispensation_n and_o suidas_n the_o incarnate_a dispensation_n which_o make_v it_o a_o peculiar_a one_o and_o different_a from_o all_o the_o rest_n 2._o it_o differ_v from_o all_o other_o dispensation_n because_o now_o be_v the_o actual_a perform_v and_o fulfil_v of_o that_o which_o be_v only_o foretell_v and_o promise_v under_o the_o other_o oeconomic_v the_o law_n be_v a_o shadow_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v col._n 2._o 17._o the_o hebrew_n have_v no_o present_a tense_n the_o jewish_a dispensation_n look_v forward_o to_o what_o be_v to_o be_v accomplish_v afterwards_o but_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n look_v backward_o and_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o what_o be_v already_o do_v and_o finish_v the_o saint_n before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v save_v by_o christ_n that_o be_v to_o come_v but_o the_o saint_n since_o be_v save_v by_o christ_n that_o be_v already_o come_v there_o be_v this_o different_a aspect_n in_o these_o dispensation_n 3._o the_o evangelical_n administration_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o as_o to_o this_o that_o they_o be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a but_o this_o be_v plain_a and_o clear_a they_o abound_v with_o mere_a shadow_n and_o representation_n but_o this_o present_v we_o with_o a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o be_v shadow_v forth_o the_o salvation_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o whole_a undertake_n birth_n life_n and_o death_n be_v obscure_o and_o mystical_o deliver_v under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o that_o proposition_n of_o st._n peter_n 12._o there_o be_v no_o other_o name_n under_o heaven_n give_v among_o man_n whereby_o w●_n must_v be_v save_v be_v no_o less_o true_a before_o the_o birth_n and_o come_v of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n than_o it_o be_v now_o since_o his_o come_v but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o manifest_o reveal_v as_o it_o be_v since_o god_n lead_v israel_n by_o a_o cloud_n they_o be_v entertain_v with_o shadow_n mystical_a and_o dark_a representation_n that_o be_v they_o be_v undiscernible_a by_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o person_n who_o have_v not_o time_n or_o opportunity_n to_o search_v into_o they_o and_o who_o mind_n be_v take_v up_o with_o gross_a and_o inferior_a matter_n and_o as_o for_o those_o holy_a and_o good_a man_n among_o they_o who_o see_v through_o these_o shadow_n and_o grasp_v at_o the_o very_a substance_n they_o can_v not_o at_o that_o distance_n understand_v the_o thing_n concern_v the_o messiah_n which_o we_o now_o have_v a_o perfect_a notice_n of_o the_o mosaic_a rite_n be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a delineat_n of_o that_o which_o the_o gospel_n give_v we_o a_o lively_a portray_v of_o which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o evangelist_n the_o law_n wa●_n by_o moses_n but_o grace_n and_o truth_n come_v by_o jesus_n christ_n joh._n 1._o 17._o the_o gracious_a dispensation_n of_o the_o messiah_n under_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o true_a real_a and_o substantial_a thing_n oppose_v to_o the_o mosaic_a shadow_n and_o resemblance_n thus_o you_o will_v find_v truth_n oppose_v to_o typ●s_n and_o figure_n in_o dan._n 7._o 16_o 19_o heb._n 8._o 2._o &_o 9_o 24._o truth_n than_o come_v by_o jesus_n christ_n not_o as_o truth_n stand_v in_o opposition_n to_o falsehood_n and_o lie_n but_o to_o type_n and_o
condition_n and_o so_o do_v we_o because_o it_o be_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o satisfaction_n make_v by_o christ_n that_o give_v we_o right_a and_o title_n to_o pardon_n and_o life_n and_o eternal_a glory_n but_o none_o of_o the_o reform_v church_n ever_o doubt_v whether_o faith_n and_o obedience_n be_v condition_n of_o the_o evangelical_n covenant_n in_o the_o sense_n above_o propound_v viz._n that_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n without_o the_o performance_n of_o which_o we_o shall_v never_o obtain_v the_o blessing_n promise_v to_o we_o and_o this_o be_v ingenuous_o confess_v by_o justification_n one_o who_o be_v think_v by_o some_o to_o incline_v whole_o to_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n speak_v of_o the_o true_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n condition_n in_o this_o present_a matter_n he_o have_v these_o express_a word_n if_o it_o be_v intend_v that_o these_o thing_n viz._n faith_n and_o obedience_n though_o promise_v in_o the_o covenant_n and_o wrought_v in_o we_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n ar●_n ye●_n duty_n require_v of_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o participation_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o full_a end_n of_o the_o covenant_n it_o be_v the_o truth_n that_o be_v assert_v i._n e._n they_o be_v proper_o condition_n and_o thus_o in_o some_o respect_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o work_n i._n e._n so_o far_o as_o it_o require_v certain_a condition_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o we_o though_o not_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n require_v they_o for_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o meritorious_a and_o impulsive_a cause_n as_o they_o be_v then_o but_o only_o as_o a_o instrument_n or_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n but_o otherwise_o as_o have_v be_v say_v there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o of_o grace_n for_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o former_a be_v that_o our_o first_o parent_n and_o in_o they_o all_o mankind_n shall_v without_o the_o least_o defect_n and_o transgression_n perform_v the_o law_n which_o god_n give_v they_o and_o that_o upon_o the_o sole_a account_n of_o this_o performance_n they_o shall_v purchase_v happiness_n but_o if_o they_o be_v deficient_a in_o their_o duty_n they_o shall_v perish_v without_o any_o hope_n of_o mercy_n there_o be_v no_o provision_n of_o forgiveness_n in_o case_n they_o shall_v break_v god_n law_n there_o be_v no_o promise_n of_o be_v receive_v into_o god_n favour_n again_o but_o the_o term_n of_o the_o latter_a be_v that_o god_n will_v not_o be_v exact_a with_o we_o and_o require_v a_o obedience_n void_a of_o all_o sin_n but_o that_o for_o the_o worth_n of_o christ_n sinless_a obedience_n for_o the_o value_n of_o his_o perfect_a righteousness_n we_o shall_v be_v reward_v with_o life_n and_o bliss_n and_o this_o covenant_n allow_v of_o hearty_a repentance_n after_o we_o have_v transgress_v the_o divine_a law_n and_o assure_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v reconcile_v unto_o god_n and_o be_v restore_v to_o his_o favour_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o our_o bless_a mediator_n our_o sin_n and_o fail_n shall_v be_v forgive_v we_o if_o we_o sincere_o repent_v of_o they_o and_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o contrary_a duty_n this_o be_v the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o salvation_n under_o this_o covenant_n instead_o of_o exact_a righteousness_n i._n e._n whole_o live_v without_o sin_n god_n accept_v of_o our_o do_v according_a to_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o capacity_n and_o our_o act_n with_o sincerity_n and_o uprightness_n and_o the_o defect_n of_o this_o personal_a righteousness_n and_o obedience_n be_v supply_v by_o the_o meritorious_a righteousness_n and_o obedience_n of_o christ_n jesus_n thus_o you_o see_v how_o these_o two_o covenant_n differ_v and_o that_o they_o answer_v to_o the_o different_a state_n of_o man_n innocence_n and_o of_o his_o fall_n and_o that_o the_o second_o covenant_n be_v make_v because_o we_o can_v observe_v the_o strict_a condition_n of_o the_o first_o the_o second_o covenant_n or_o covenant_n of_o grace_n make_v with_o adam_n first_o be_v a_o long_a time_n after_o that_o repeat_v to_o ●●ra●am_n gen._n 22._o 18._o and_o afterward_o renew_v and_o in_o a_o solemn_a manner_n confirm_v to_o the_o israelite_n at_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n on_o m●●nt_n sinai_n there_o be_v then_o this_o 9_o covenant_n make_v between_o god_n and_o they_o god_n promise_v life_n and_o they_o obedience_n therefore_o moses_n who_o transact_v this_o on_o the_o mount_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o they_o it_o be_v say_v mos●s_n take_v the_o book_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o read_v it_o in_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o people_n exod._n 24._o 7._o which_o refer_v to_o all_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o moses_n write_v ver_fw-la 4._o i._n e._n all_o those_o law_n precept_n and_o judgement_n which_o god_n give_v to_o the_o people_n and_o which_o they_o unanimous_o accept_v of_o and_o promise_a obedience_n to_o but_o the_o decalogue_n be_v the_o sum_n of_o this_o covenant_n as_o appear_v from_o deut._n 4._o 13._o god_n declare_v to_o you_o his_o covenant_n which_o he_o command_v you_o to_o perform_v even_o ten_o commandment_n some_o hold_n that_o this_o covenant_n make_v with_o the_o israelite_n be_v the_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o main_n which_o be_v make_v with_o adam_n before_o the_o fall_n i_o grant_v there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o go_v back_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v before_o a_o seem_a revive_a of_o the_o old_a covenant_n of_o work_n and_o so_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v as_o it_o be_v after_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n or_o rather_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o work_n seem_v to_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o this_o be_v not_o so_o in_o reality_n but_o only_o in_o appearance_n there_o be_v a_o evangelical_n promise_v to_o adam_n and_o abraham_n viz._n that_o they_o shall_v be_v justify_v by_o the_o messiah_n and_o there_o be_v a_o promise_n also_o to_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o shall_v live_v i._n e._n be_v save_v if_o they_o perform_v the_o law_n but_o these_o two_o promise_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a neither_o do_v the_o latter_a of_o these_o abrogate_v the_o former_a as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v in_o gal._n 3._o 17._o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v confirm_v before_o of_o god_n in_o christ_n the_o law_n which_o be_v four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o can_v not_o disannul_v that_o it_o shall_v make_v the_o promise_n or_o covenant_n of_o none_o effect_n but_o as_o the_o apostle_n subjoin_v the_o law_n which_o look_v something_o like_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v add_v to_o it_o because_o of_o transgression_n until_o the_o bless_a seed_n shall_v come_v ver_fw-la 19_o the_o law_n be_v to_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o to_o be_v a_o schoolmaster_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o christ._n hereby_o 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and_o death_n st._n luke_n have_v st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_n be_v write_n to_o direct_v he_o and_o he_o profess_v moreover_o chap._n 1._o 1_o 2._o that_o he_o receive_v all_o he_o write_v from_o those_o very_a person_n who_o be_v eye-witness_n beside_o he_o be_v a_o constant_a companion_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o have_v all_o those_o thing_n reveal_v to_o he_o by_o god_n in_o heaven_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v they_o as_o for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n st._n luke_n can_v not_o but_o give_v a_o full_a and_o perfect_a account_n of_o the_o action_n relate_v there_o because_o he_o be_v a_o inseparable_a attendant_n and_o associate_n of_o st._n paul_n about_o who_o most_o of_o that_o book_n be_v spend_v the_o epistle_n contain_v chief_o holy_a doctrine_n divine_a counsel_n seasonable_a reproof_n and_o pathetic_a exhortation_n but_o they_o be_v not_o whole_o destitute_a of_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o be_v write_v either_o by_o those_o that_o be_v proper_o style_v apostle_n as_o st._n peter_n st._n james_n st._n john_n and_o st._n jude_n who_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o they_o deliver_v concern_v christ_n and_o the_o thing_n he_o do_v or_o they_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n who_o be_v a_o apostle_n extraordinary_a immediate_o call_v and_o send_v by_o god_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v first_o full_o instruct_v in_o all_o matter_n relate_v to_o christ_n and_o it_o by_o divine_a revelation_n it_o may_v be_v yet_o further_o make_v evident_a that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o what_o they_o write_v and_o that_o they_o be_v sufficient_a witness_n of_o what_o they_o relate_v because_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v so_o frequent_a and_o so_o often_o repeat_v as_o also_o because_o they_o be_v do_v near_o they_o and_o not_o far_o off_o and_o so_o they_o can_v easy_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o moreover_o because_o they_o be_v do_v public_o and_o in_o the_o open_a light_n and_o not_o in_o a_o corner_n because_o they_o be_v do_v before_o so_o many_o witness_n before_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o thousand_o of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v spectator_n and_o auditor_n of_o what_o happen_v i_o may_v add_v that_o the_o evangelist_n publish_v the_o story_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o do_n when_o thousand_o be_v alive_a who_o know_v the_o fact_n and_o may_v have_v oppugn_v they_o if_o they_o will_v but_o they_o do_v not_o especial_o st._n matthew_n publish_v his_o history_n while_o yet_o the_o person_n live_v on_o who_o christ_n miracle_n be_v wrought_v and_o innumerable_a other_o who_o be_v witness_n thereof_o be_v then_o survive_v hence_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v difficult_a for_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n to_o conspire_v and_o combine_v together_o in_o a_o lie_n and_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n if_o they_o have_v have_v a_o mind_n to_o it_o they_o may_v soon_o have_v be_v confute_v if_o the_o thing_n they_o attest_v have_v be_v false_a the_o cheat_n be_v easy_o to_o be_v find_v out_o among_o so_o many_o witness_n and_o in_o thing_n so_o often_o act_v and_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o cheat_n and_o delusion_n these_o thing_n be_v thus_o 2._o the_o personal_a quality_n of_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n and_o other_o christian_n who_o attest_v these_o thing_n argue_v that_o they_o be_v credible_a witness_n and_o that_o their_o testimony_n be_v worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n this_o be_v clear_a from_o such_o consideration_n as_o these_o viz._n that_o most_o of_o they_o be_v simple_a and_o unlearned_a man_n and_o so_o be_v not_o fit_a person_n to_o devise_v these_o thing_n it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o they_o can_v invent_v such_o high_a and_o mysterious_a matter_n yea_o indeed_o no_o humane_a wit_n be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o this_o show_v that_o they_o be_v not_o deceiver_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o voluntary_o deliver_v a_o falsehood_n likewise_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o they_o be_v no_o idle_a and_o loose_a person_n but_o be_v of_o a_o honest_a condition_n and_o way_n of_o life_n they_o be_v poor_a tradesman_n and_o fisherman_n that_o live_v on_o their_o work_n and_o lawful_a calling_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v altogether_o improbable_a that_o they_o be_v design_v man_n and_o that_o they_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o cheat_v and_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n again_o their_o integrity_n candour_n and_o simplicity_n appear_v most_o signal_o in_o their_o write_n see_v they_o relate_v their_o own_o fail_n and_o impartial_o set_v down_o the_o gross_a miscarriage_n of_o their_o brethren_n as_o thomas_n infidelity_n peter_n deny_v of_o his_o master_n the_o apostle_n fly_v from_o christ_n at_o his_o passion_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o none_o but_o honest_a plain_a and_o truehearted_n man_n will_v have_v record_v and_o transmit_v to_o posterity_n further_o what_o they_o do_v be_v not_o out_o of_o ambition_n and_o love_n of_o honour_n for_o pride_n self-seeking_a vain_a glory_n overvalue_a of_o man_n cry_v up_o paul_n and_o apollo_n and_o cephas_n be_v vice_n and_o practice_n which_o they_o both_o preach_v and_o write_v against_o and_o to_o let_v you_o see_v that_o this_o be_v not_o counterfeit_v their_o life_n answer_v to_o what_o they_o profess_v in_o their_o carriage_n and_o behaviour_n none_o be_v more_o humble_a and_o self-denying_a which_o prove_v that_o they_o act_v not_o out_o of_o applause_n and_o affectation_n of_o honour_n from_o the_o people_n but_o be_v sincere_a and_o faithful_a in_o what_o they_o do_v nor_o can_v they_o speak_v or_o act_v for_o gain_n and_o worldly_a profit_n for_o they_o be_v man_n that_o despise_a riches_n as_o much_o as_o honour_n they_o live_v mean_o and_o poor_o and_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o charity_n of_o other_o for_o a_o subsistence_n which_o show_v that_o they_o have_v no_o design_n to_o enrich_v themselves_o and_o to_o grow_v great_a in_o the_o world_n they_o foresee_v and_o know_v and_o persuade_v themselves_o of_o this_o beforehand_o that_o their_o profession_n will_v expose_v they_o to_o the_o great_a danger_n and_o hazard_n and_o that_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n and_o death_n itself_o will_v attend_v they_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o resolve_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o to_o follow_v their_o master_n whatever_o befall_v they_o and_o last_o to_o give_v you_o a_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n of_o their_o integrity_n and_o sincerity_n most_o of_o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o testify_v and_o confirm_v what_o they_o have_v deliver_v they_o seal_v the_o gospel_n with_o their_o blood_n they_o die_v for_o what_o they_o preach_v and_o write_v this_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v in_o earnest_n thus_o if_o you_o consider_v the_o personal_a qualification_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o christ_n action_n you_o must_v necessary_o grant_v that_o they_o be_v person_n to_o be_v believe_v that_o their_o evidence_n be_v authentic_a and_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v they_o be_v delude_v themselves_o or_o delude_v we_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o fact_n consist_v chief_o in_o witness_n who_o must_v be_v know_v and_o honest_a men._n this_o make_v they_o to_o be_v credible_a person_n and_o such_o be_v the_o relator_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v our_o saviour_n wherefore_o to_o have_v they_o attest_v by_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o person_n of_o that_o character_n be_v enough_o to_o assure_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o dispute_v whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o no_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o have_v good_a foundation_n for_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o they_o but_o though_o the_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n do_v not_o cheat_v we_o yet_o perhaps_o we_o be_v delude_v by_o th●se_a that_o come_v after_o they_o it_o may_v be_v 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be_v to_o no_o purpose_n they_o be_v a_o enticement_n rather_o than_o a_o discouragement_n to_o christianity_n and_o that_o when_o they_o come_v to_o take_v a_o view_n they_o shall_v find_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n increase_v by_o their_o murder_n of_o they_o for_o the_o seed_n of_o this_o wonderful_a increase_n be_v the_o blood_n of_o christian_n and_o legib_n another_o very_o excellent_o say_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o slay_v christian_n be_v but_o the_o water_v of_o the_o new_a plant_n i._n e._n the_o new_a convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v daily_o increase_v and_o thrive_v by_o the_o bloody_a persecution_n which_o be_v raise_v against_o they_o out_o of_o the_o ash_n of_o the_o dead_a martyr_n spring_v up_o new_a advocate_n for_o christianity_n and_o those_o elegant_a word_n of_o 2._o another_o author_n be_v very_o remarkable_a who_o speak_v of_o the_o persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n say_v thus_o at_o that_o time_n the_o whole_a world_n almost_o be_v die_v with_o the_o sacred_a blood_n of_o martyr_n for_o they_o strive_v who_o shall_v run_v fast_o to_o those_o glorious_a prize_n martyrdom_n by_o glorious_a way_n of_o die_v be_v more_o greedy_o court_v in_o those_o day_n than_o bishopric_n be_v now_o hunt_v after_o with_o wicked_a ambition_n the_o world_n be_v never_o more_o exhaust_v by_o all_o its_o war_n nor_o do_v we_o christian_n ever_o conquer_v with_o more_o triumph_n than_o when_o we_o can_v not_o be_v conquer_v by_o ten_o year_n bloody_a persecution_n here_o be_v to_o be_v discern_v the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o christianity_n and_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v infer_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o as_o theolog._n one_o say_v well_o there_o be_v not_o a_o more_o powerful_a and_o convince_a testimony_n in_o the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n than_o die_v for_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o testimony_n which_o be_v abundant_o give_v to_o christianity_n thousand_o of_o martyr_n have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o with_o their_o blood_n and_o that_o blood_n be_v the_o advancement_n of_o christianity_n this_o thrive_v and_o prosper_v upon_o it_o and_o proselyte_n be_v continual_o gain_v to_o it_o by_o their_o observe_v the_o patient_a suffering_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o jesus_n thus_o it_o be_v even_o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n great_a multitude_n of_o people_n flock_v to_o the_o baptismal_a water_n and_o enter_v themselves_o into_o christianity_n because_o they_o behold_v the_o undaunted_a courage_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o even_o at_o their_o die_a hour_n and_o be_v move_v thence_o to_o embrace_v the_o faith_n which_o they_o see_v they_o so_o zealous_o maintain_v even_o unto_o death_n these_o be_v the_o baptize_v for_o the_o dead_a who_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o 1_o cor._n 15._o 29._o as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o another_o place_n where_o i_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o word_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o baptism_n of_o water_n and_o that_o the_o preposition_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o our_o translator_n render_v for_o be_v as_o much_o as_o because_o of_o or_o by_o reason_n of_o or_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o and_o consequent_o the_o genuine_a purport_n of_o the_o word_n be_v that_o several_a be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n by_o reason_n of_o those_o martyr_n who_o die_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v discourage_v that_o they_o be_v excite_v to_o christianity_n by_o their_o behold_v the_o deportment_n of_o the_o suffer_a saint_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v afterward_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o sufferer_n bring_v in_o great_a number_n of_o convert_v to_o the_o evangelical_n faith_n and_o thereby_o the_o cause_n of_o jesus_n be_v mighty_o advance_v they_o be_v remarkable_a word_n of_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n who_o be_v afterward_o crown_v with_o martyrdom_n orthodox_n the_o torment_n which_o the_o pagan_n use_v faith_n he_o in_o hope_n of_o preserve_v themselves_o and_o their_o paganism_n entire_a be_v not_o only_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o paganism_n but_o of_o the_o establishment_n of_o christianity_n and_o in_o another_o place_n epist._n do_v you_o not_o see_v say_v he_o that_o the_o more_o numerous_a the_o punisher_n be_v the_o more_o the_o number_n of_o other_o increase_v which_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o a_o human_a work_n but_o whole_o from_o god_n and_o demonstrate_v his_o power_n and_o certain_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a proof_n of_o the_o verity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o therefore_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n and_o particular_o by_o st._n chrysostom_n in_o deus_fw-la several_a place_n it_o be_v insist_v upon_o and_o urge_v most_o pathetical_o that_o the_o church_n be_v miraculous_o establish_v notwithstanding_o the_o universal_a opposition_n it_o meet_v with_o and_o that_o at_o last_o the_o patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o christian_n make_v a_o final_a conquest_n and_o glorious_o triumph_v over_o all_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o unlearned_a and_o weak_a get_v the_o better_a of_o the_o wise_a and_o potent_a and_o we_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostle_n word_n god_n have_v choose_v the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v the_o wise_a and_o weak_a thing_n to_o confound_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v mighty_a 1_o cor._n 1._o christianity_n prevail_v against_o policy_n and_o power_n against_o the_o wisdom_n of_o statesman_n against_o the_o eloquence_n of_o orator_n and_o the_o sagacity_n of_o philosopher_n against_o the_o edict_n of_o prince_n the_o decree_n of_o senate_n and_o the_o force_n of_o emperor_n the_o more_o it_o be_v strike_v at_o the_o strong_a it_o grow_v the_o more_o furious_o it_o be_v oppose_v either_o by_o the_o inward_a indisposition_n and_o antipathy_n in_o man_n mind_n to_o receive_v it_o or_o by_o the_o outward_a endeavour_n of_o the_o world_n to_o silence_v it_o the_o more_o do_v it_o prosper_v and_o flourish_v no_o lawgiver_n can_v ever_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o other_o nation_n shall_v receive_v their_o law_n neither_o among_o greek_n nor_o barbarian_n can_v this_o be_v do_v though_o they_o endeavour_v what_o they_o can_v to_o effect_v it_o so_o origen_n discourse_v in_o his_o philocalia_n but_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v receive_v by_o many_o nation_n both_o greek_n 〈◊〉_d barbarian_n renounce_v their_o own_o law_n and_o 〈◊〉_d and_o embrace_v the_o institution_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o although_o the_o sacred_a script_n ure_n especial_o those_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v the_o christian_a law_n be_v seek_v for_o by_o the●_n emperor_n especial_o by_o dioclesian_n as_o 2._o eusebius_n who_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o it_o testify_v and_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o market-place_n and_o there_o commit_v to_o the_o fire_n as_o 56._o antio●●us_n before_o labour_a to_o destroy_v the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o although_o the_o christian_n themselves_o be_v force_v to_o deliver_v up_o their_o bibles_n to_o be_v burn_v yet_o these_o ho●y_a write_n be_v not_o extinguish_v but_o be_v in_o many_o place_n preserve_v with_o great_a care_n and_o diligence_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n keep_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o design_v their_o utter_a extirpation_n yea_o the_o more_o this_o holy_a book_n be_v hunt_v after_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n the_o more_o it_o be_v prize_v by_o the_o christian_n the_o more_o its_o divine_a truth_n be_v admire_v love_a and_o embrace_v and_o the_o more_o christianity_n itself_o be_v depress_v the_o high_a it_o rise_v and_o lift_v up_o its_o glorious_a head_n above_o all_o its_o persecutor_n in_o a_o word_n like_o some_o mighty_a river_n the_o more_o it_o be_v stop_v in_o its_o course_n the_o high_a it_o swell_v and_o with_o its_o impetuous_a wave_n carry_v all_o before_o it_o this_o wondrous_a prevalency_n of_o the_o gospel_n against_o the_o wit_n and_o wisdom_n the_o strength_n and_o power_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o divine_a testimony_n of_o the_o authority_n and_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o plain_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o device_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n but_o that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n and_o from_o he_o alone_o fifthy_a let_v i_o add_v the_o severe_a hand_n of_o god_n in_o remarkable_o markable_o punish_v the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n as_o another_o divine_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o king_n herod_n surname_v the_o great_a who_o seek_v for_o the_o young_a child_n jesus_n to_o destroy_v he_o and_o murder_v the_o infant_n at_o bethlehem_n for_o his_o sake_n feel_v a_o particular_a judgement_n from_o heaven_n upo●_n he_o for_o as_o 8._o josephus_n acquaint_v we_o he_o
as_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o art_n and_o science_n but_o be_v still_o impregnate_v and_o be_v still_o teem_a with_o they_o and_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o as_o to_o religion_n only_o there_o be_v a_o decay_n there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o such_o a_o surmise_n shall_v divinity_n which_o be_v the_o great_a art_n of_o art_n remain_v unimproved_a shall_v we_o think_v that_o all_o knowledge_n but_o that_o which_o be_v the_o best_a of_o all_o increase_v and_o prosper_v no_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o contrary_a and_o thence_o entertain_v hope_n of_o great_a increase_v yet_o to_o come_v the_o first_o christian_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v do_v not_o understand_v some_o part_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o so_o well_o as_o they_o do_v afterward_o or_o so_o well_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v understand_v they_o be_v not_o exact_v in_o point_n but_o epist._n live_v better_a than_o now_o the_o ancient_a writer_n such_o as_o clement_n of_o alexandria_n origen_n athanasius_n jerom_n augustin_n chrysostom_n hilary_n ambrose_n theodoret_n theophylact_fw-mi and_o the_o rest_n have_v do_v excellent_o towards_o the_o explain_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o the_o modern_n especial_o since_o the_o reformation_n have_v wonderful_o add_v to_o they_o and_o yet_o the_o great_a harvest_n of_o truth_n be_v yet_o to_o come_v not_o for_o discover_v any_o new_a doctrine_n but_o for_o explain_v the_o old_a one_o and_o penetrate_v further_o into_o difficult_a place_n of_o scripture_n who_o see_v not_o what_o a_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o these_o and_o the_o former_a time_n in_o point_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n how_o little_o be_v there_o of_o it_o heretofore_o among_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v have_v a_o large_a stock_n of_o it_o i_o mean_v the_o clergy_n who_o ignorance_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a theology_n be_v scandalous_a and_o even_o ridiculous_a indeed_o some_o of_o they_o be_v verse_v in_o school-divinity_n but_o this_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n so_o far_o from_o make_v they_o more_o know_v in_o the_o useful_a and_o practical_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n that_o it_o rather_o darken_v and_o confound_v they_o in_o the_o former_a day_n of_o popery_n hebrew_n and_o greek_a the_o language_n in_o which_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v be_v mere_a unintelligible_a jargon_n to_o the_o generality_n of_o churchman_n and_o as_o for_o the_o people_n their_o ignorance_n and_o blindness_n be_v yet_o grosser_n and_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v to_o make_v any_o enquiry_n into_o religion_n then_o that_o politic_a maxim_n prevail_v keep_v man_n in_o ignorance_n and_o thereby_o enslave_v they_o it_o be_v a_o unpardonable_a crime_n for_o man_n to_o think_v their_o own_o thought_n much_o more_o to_o speak_v or_o write_v they_o ramus_n have_v publish_v some_o new_a notion_n of_o logic_n and_o particular_o against_o aristotle_n who_o be_v at_o that_o time_n in_o great_a credit_n be_v murder_v among_o the_o calvinist_n in_o the_o parisian_a massacre_n the_o poor_a man_n be_v a_o martyr_n for_o logic_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n then_o that_o so_o many_o be_v for_o divinity_n there_o be_v no_o liberty_n for_o scruple_n in_o those_o peremptory_a time_n for_o the_o roman_a doctor_n cut_v out_o man_n belief_n and_o then_o force_v it_o upon_o they_o a_o strange_a kind_n of_o casuist_n that_o solve_v all_o controversy_n in_o religion_n as_o alexander_n do_v the_o gordian-knot_n by_o the_o sword_n by_o mere_a violence_n thus_o man_n soul_n and_o body_n be_v injure_v the_o former_a be_v blind_v the_o latter_a enslave_v they_o may_v be_v true_o say_v to_o be_v bind_v in_o chain_n of_o darkness_n but_o we_o by_o the_o divine_a blessing_n be_v free_v from_o that_o ignorance_n and_o bondage_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o the_o reformation_n whereby_o that_o darkness_n be_v dispel_v and_o that_o vassalage_n remove_v and_o now_o we_o be_v no_o long_o tie_v up_o in_o the_o dark_a we_o both_o see_v and_o walk_v and_o we_o daily_o make_v progress_n in_o divine_a learning_n a_o undeniable_a eviction_n of_o which_o be_v the_o discourse_n and_o write_n of_o those_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n especial_o of_o divine_n for_o from_o these_o we_o may_v gather_v the_o vast_a improvement_n in_o sacred_a knowledge_n they_o general_o argue_v with_o close_a reason_n they_o talk_v great_a sense_n they_o show_v a_o deep_a insight_n into_o the_o inspire_a write_n they_o clothe_v their_o matter_n with_o fit_a word_n they_o use_v a_o intelligible_a and_o easy_a method_n they_o be_v happy_a in_o apply_v of_o divine_a truth_n in_o brief_a their_o notion_n be_v amend_v and_o all_o the_o important_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v more_o plain_o and_o clear_o deliver_v than_o before_o and_o the_o people_n knowledge_n be_v proportionable_a they_o hear_v with_o judgement_n they_o discourse_v with_o understanding_n they_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n they_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v gainsayers_a in_o the_o country_n where_o protestantism_n have_v take_v good_a foot_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o difference_n between_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o chief_a and_o practical_a point_n of_o our_o most_o holy_a religion_n these_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o inferior_a and_o most_o ordinary_a people_n as_o well_o as_o by_o gentleman_n merchant_n and_o tradesman_n yea_o the_o other_o sex_n study_n read_v and_o discourse_n of_o they_o thus_o humane_a mind_n be_v enlighten_v and_o enfranchise_v the_o elastic_a power_n be_v restore_v to_o they_o they_o act_n without_o restraint_n and_o fill_v the_o earth_n with_o knowledge_n and_o truth_n judge_v now_o whether_o the_o world_n grow_v old_a and_o decay_n and_o be_v sink_v into_o a_o degenerate_a posture_n say_v rather_o that_o it_o be_v much_o amend_v and_o be_v like_a to_o be_v improve_v yet_o further_o in_o future_a time_n for_o from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o we_o may_v infer_v what_o shall_v be_v afterward_o we_o see_v divine_a knowledge_n and_o learning_n have_v be_v continual_o in_o the_o increase_n allow_v only_o for_o some_o interruption_n that_o be_v violent_a and_o last_v not_o long_o and_o yet_o we_o be_v sensible_a they_o be_v not_o come_v to_o the_o full_a whence_o therefore_o we_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v far_o and_o great_a augmentation_n in_o succeed_a age_n and_o where_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n prevail_v there_o religion_n will_v get_v sure_a foot_n and_o virtue_n and_o piety_n will_v be_v powerful_o advance_v and_o the_o church_n edify_v and_o enlarge_v these_o be_v the_o ground_n i_o lay_v of_o that_o expectation_n which_o i_o have_v of_o a_o more_o complete_a and_o improve_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n here_o on_o earth_n before_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o because_o our_o thought_n and_o reason_n concern_v this_o matter_n may_v be_v shallow_a and_o vain_a or_o too_o dare_v and_o presumptuous_a i_o will_v build_v my_o hope_n and_o belief_n of_o that_o more_o perfect_a state_n of_o christianity_n on_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o grant_v that_o some_o be_v too_o forward_o to_o press_v text_n to_o this_o purpose_n they_o be_v wont_n to_o allege_v several_a place_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v n●_n relation_n to_o this_o matter_n especial_o those_o that_o 〈◊〉_d for_o christ_n personal_a reign_n on_o earth_n quote_v 〈◊〉_d out_o of_o every_o book_n of_o the_o bible_n several_a passage_n which_o they_o interpret_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o opinion_n wherever_o they_o find_v the_o word_n king_n or_o kingdom_n if_o they_o respect_v the_o messiah_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o present_o snatch_v at_o they_o and_o apply_v they_o this_o way_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n overlook_a the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n which_o have_v be_v all_o this_o while_n under_o the_o gospel_n and_o be_v speak_v and_o prophesy_v of_o so_o often_o in_o the_o sacred_a write_n but_o though_o they_o be_v to_o be_v blame_v for_o this_o that_o they_o strive_v to_o make_v all_o scripture_n speak_v their_o opinion_n and_o according_o force_v they_o to_o do_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o undeniable_a that_o this_o future_a state_n which_o i_o be_o now_o speak_v of_o be_v foretell_v in_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n in_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a term_n and_o particular_o in_o some_o of_o those_o place_n where_o christ_n be_v mention_v as_o a_o king_n and_o his_o administration_n under_o the_o gospel_n be_v call_v a_o kingdom_n but_o first_o i_o will_v produce_v some_o other_o text_n where_o this_o new_a and_o last_o dispensation_n be_v speak_v of_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o this_o be_v mean_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mat._n 24._o 3._o th●_n consummation_n or_o end_n of_o the_o age_n i._n e
thing_n as_o idolatry_n in_o those_o day_n but_o that_o its_o date_n be_v afterward_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v mean_v of_o religious_a invoke_v of_o god_n and_o the_o solemn_a use_n of_o it_o there_o be_v other_o who_o though_o they_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v render_v begin_v not_o profane_v yet_o understand_v what_o follow_v according_a to_o 〈◊〉_d aquila_n translation_n and_o therefore_o read_v the_o whole_a thus_o then_o man_n begin_v to_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n i._n e._n seth_n and_o enos_n for_o their_o great_a piety_n be_v the_o first_o that_o have_v the_o honour_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o divine_a appellation_n whence_o they_o that_o be_v their_o offspring_n be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o they_o be_v call_v by_o god_n name_n i._n e._n they_o be_v repute_v and_o celebrate_v as_o eminent_a worshipper_n of_o god_n as_o his_o profess_a servant_n and_o votary_n but_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o force_a interpretation_n and_o be_v build_v upon_o a_o wrong_a translation_n of_o the_o word_n the_o plain_a and_o genuine_a meaning_n both_o according_a to_o the_o original_a the_o seventy_o and_o other_o version_n which_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v most_o exact_a be_v this_o that_o though_o adam_n ab●l_n seth_n and_o other_o have_v call_v on_o god_n in_o their_o house_n and_o family_n long_o before_o this_o time_n yet_o now_o they_o meet_v together_o public_o and_o the_o rite_n of_o religion_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v they_o be_v fix_v here_o be_v the_o first_o infancy_n of_o the_o more_o visible_a church_n now_o holy_a assembly_n be_v set_v up_o and_o perhaps_o as_o cain_n then_o build_v city_n so_o enos_n build_v temple_n or_o place_n for_o divine_a worship_n sacrifice_n be_v settle_v before_o now_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o invoke_v god_n aright_o be_v establish_v or_o if_o you_o will_v take_v call_v on_o the_o lord_n as_o a_o general_a expression_n for_o religion_n than_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o these_o holy_a man_n the_o true_a worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n begin_v to_o flourish_v open_o though_o cain_n and_o his_o seed_n live_v atheistical_o and_o profane_o yet_o those_o of_o the_o family_n of_o seth_n and_o enos_n promote_v all_o piety_n and_o virtue_n they_o general_o ●eared_v god_n and_o walk_v upright_o and_o religion_n be_v in_o great_a esteem_n among_o man_n there_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o law_n under_o this_o patriarchal_a period_n not_o to_o marry_v with_o infidel_n this_o be_v imply_v in_o gen._n 6._o 2._o the_o son_n of_o god_n see_v the_o daughter_n of_o man_n and_o they_o take_v they_o wife_n of_o all_o that_o they_o choose_v the_o child_n of_o seth_n be_v join_v in_o wedlock_n with_o the_o wicked_a posterity_n of_o cain_n which_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v be_v forbid_v they_o because_o this_o be_v reckon_v as_o the_o great_a sin_n which_o provoke_v god_n wrath_n and_o bring_v the_o devour_a flood_n v_o 3._o here_o it_o may_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o whereas_o marriage_n the_o join_v of_o one_o man_n and_o one_o woman_n only_o have_v prevail_v hitherto_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o primitive_a order_n and_o institution_n in_o gen._n 2._o 24._o now_o at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o adamick_a dispensation_n polygamy_n begin_v to_o be_v introduce_v lam●ch_o take_v unto_o he_o two_o wife_n gen._n 4._o 19_o and_o be_v the_o fir●●_n person_n that_o transgress_v against_o that_o conjugal_a law_n i_o find_v a_o very_a reverend_n and_o worthy_a 4._o person_n ●avourable_a to_o he_o and_o think_v his_o ●arnest_a desire_n of_o see_v that_o bless_a seed_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o eve_n may_v induce_v he_o to_o take_v more_o wife_n than_o one_o hope_v by_o multiply_v of_o his_o posterity_n some_o or_o other_o of_o th●m_n may_v prove_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o produce_v that_o seed_n this_o be_v a_o very_a learned_a and_o pious_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o polygamy_n here_o i_o may_v mention_v the_o seven_o precept_n which_o the_o jew_n much_o talk_n of_o and_o say_v w●re_o give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n and_o n●ah_n before_o moses_n time_n but_o rabbi_n maimon_n be_v more_o distinct_a and_o ●aith_o six_o of_o these_o precept_n be_v give_v to_o adam_n and_o those_o that_o immediate_o come_v of_o his_o loin_n and_o so_o they_o fall_v in_o under_o this_o patriarchal_a dispensation_n and_o afterward_o these_o six_o with_o another_o add_v i._o ●_o of_o abstain_v from_o blood_n be_v deliver_v to_o noah_n and_o his_o son_n of_o the_o seven_o i_o be_o not_o to_o speak_v in_o this_o place_n it_o belong_v to_o the_o noac●ical_a dispensation_n but_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o give_v you_o some_o account_n of_o the_o other_o six_o both_o the_o talmud_n and_o other_o write_n of_o the_o hebrew_n doctor_n recite_v they_o in_o this_o order_n the_o first_o precept_n be_v of_o judgement_n of_o politic_a and_o civil_a government_n of_o administration_n of_o justice_n in_o public_a tribunal_n and_o court_n of_o judicature_n and_o that_o those_o who_o offend_v in_o the_o kind_n after_o name_v aught_o to_o be_v severe_o punish_v the_o second_o be_v of_o curse_v the_o most_o holy_a name_n or_o blasphemy_n that_o god_n name_n be_v not_o to_o be_v profane_v the_o three_o be_v of_o strang●_n worship_n or_o idolatry_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o worship_v idol_n the_o four_o be_v of_o uncover_v of_o nakedness_n or_o unlawful_a copulation_n as_o adultery_n incest_n and_o the_o like_a that_o these_o be_v absolute_o unlawful_a the_o five_o be_v of_o sh●dding_n of_o blood_n or_o homicide_n the_o six_o be_v of_o theft_n and_o rapine_n clandestine_v or_o open_v steal_v take_v away_o what_o be_v another_o that_o none_o of_o these_o be_v to_o be_v practise_v those_o that_o will_v see_v these_o precept_n large_o comment_v upon_o may_v consult_v the_o learned_a gent._n seld●n_n who_o have_v almost_o fill_v a_o whole_a volume_n with_o they_o that_o which_o i_o be_o to_o inquire_v into_o at_o present_a be_v whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o common_a assertion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o say_v that_o these_o precept_n be_v give_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o adam_n and_o the_o patriarch_n before_o noah_n first_o i_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o jew_n agree_v not_o full_o about_o the_o number_n of_o the_o precept_n give_v to_o adam_n for_o though_o seven_o general_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o number_n of_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v babylon_n those_o who_o dissent_v here_o and_o so_o in_o some_o sort_n bring_v the_o give_v of_o the_o precept_n as_o well_o as_o th●_n number_n of_o they_o into_o question_n second_o we_o read_v no_o where_o in_o genesis_n nor_o in_o any_o of_o the_o inspire_a book_n afterward_o that_o any_o of_o these_o precept_n be_v give_v by_o god_n to_o adam_n or_o his_o immediate_a child_n we_o meet_v with_o nothing_o like_o they_o before_o noah_n and_o moses_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v with_o any_o certainty_n and_o confidence_n assert_v that_o god_n deliver_v these_o before_o that_o time_n i_o know_v it_o be_v say_v and_o that_o by_o the_o learnede_a that_o all_o fact_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o the_o bible_n the_o scripture_n refer_v to_o some_o as_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v though_o no_o where_o express_o record_v thus_o these_o precept_n be_v refer_v to_o in_o act_n 15._o 20._o but_o i_o answer_v though_o one_o thing_n do_v at_o this_o time_n and_o another_o at_o another_o may_v be_v omit_v in_o scripture-history_n as_o adam_n observe_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o god_n injunction_n about_o bloody_a sacrifice_n etc._n etc._n yet_o it_o be_v folly_n to_o think_v that_o a_o whole_a body_n of_o precept_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o adam_n and_o his_o son_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v open_o divulge_v as_o the_o jew_n say_v there_o be_v a_o formal_a promulgation_n of_o they_o and_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v mention_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o hint_v at_o in_o the_o history_n which_o purposely_o treat_v of_o those_o thing_n credat_fw-la i●da●●_n etc._n etc._n and_o as_o to_o what_o some_o say_v that_o these_o precept_n be_v refer_v to_o in_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostolical_a council_n at_o jerusalem_n it_o be_v but_o a_o surmise_n and_o there_o be_v no_o real_a ground_n for_o it_o only_o the_o matter_n or_o substance_n of_o two_o or_o three_o of_o those_o precept_n be_v there_o enjoin_v as_o we_o find_v in_o some_o other_o place_n and_o that_o be_v all_o three_o not_o only_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a writ_n be_v silent_a concern_v the_o give_v of_o these_o precept_n but_o joseph_n the_o learned_a jewish_a antiquary_n who_o comment_v upon_o the_o moysaicall_a write_n and_o be_v wont_a to_o insert_v
and_o add_v what_o he_o think_v be_v leave_v out_o say_v not_o one_o word_n concern_v these_o four_o these_o precept_n be_v all_o of_o they_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o most_o easy_o reducible_a to_o they_o they_o be_v prohibition_n against_o injustice_n blasphemy_n idolatry_n uncleanness_n bloodshed_n rapine_n all_o which_o be_v general_a dictate_v of_o nature_n and_o reason_n and_o write_v in_o man_n mind_n original_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v remember_v that_o these_o precept_n obtain_v not_o only_o among_o the_o hebrew_n but_o among_o all_o nation_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a then_o that_o god_n do_v oral_o deliver_v these_o to_o the_o patriarch_n before_o the_o flood_n for_o in_o that_o early_a time_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o requisite_a though_o afterward_o some_o of_o these_o precept_n be_v give_v to_o noah_n viz._n after_o the_o corruption_n and_o gross_a degeneracy_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o old_a world_n and_o when_o a_o new_a world_n of_o man_n be_v to_o be_v set_v up_o and_o though_o these_o and_o the_o like_a precept_n be_v make_v up_o afterward_o into_o ten_o commandment_n and_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n i_o e._n when_o the_o world_n be_v more_o corrupt_v and_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o morality_n be_v almost_o lose_v and_o when_o it_o be_v as_o necessary_a to_o rouse_v man_n mind_n and_o to_o keep_v religion_n from_o decay_v and_o when_o god_n be_v erect_v a_o new_a oeconomy_n and_o choose_v a_o peculiar_a people_n to_o himself_o though_o in_o these_o circumstance_n the_o give_v of_o such_o precept_n be_v necessary_a yet_o now_o in_o the_o patriarch_n day_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o deliver_v they_o they_o have_v they_o fresh_a on_o their_o mind_n there_o be_v no_o ground_n then_o for_o we_o to_o credit_v the_o hebrew_n doctor_n when_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o those_o six_o precept_n be_v deliver_v solemn_o to_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n it_o be_v only_o a_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o what_o truth_n and_o reality_n their_o tradition_n general_o be_v be_v know_v to_o those_o who_o be_v sober_a and_o unprejudiced_a person_n they_o be_v usual_o mere_a fancy_n and_o conceit_n dream_n and_o dotage_n lie_n and_o forgery_n thus_o you_o see_v how_o it_o go_v with_o the_o world_n from_o adam_n to_o the_o flood_n which_o be_v reckon_v to_o be_v about_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n you_o see_v how_o the_o state_n of_o religion_n stand_v what_o communication_n the_o world_n have_v from_o god_n and_o here_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o groundless_a assertion_n of_o that_o 28._o socinian_n writer_n who_o declare_v that_o before_o the_o flood_n there_o be_v no_o general_n precept_n give_v to_o man_n by_o god_n they_o have_v only_o some_o injunction_n which_o appertain_v to_o certain_a particular_a person_n and_o particular_a affair_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o general_a promise_v make_v to_o they_o he_o say_v 8._o episcopius_n be_v more_o large_a tell_v we_o that_o they_o live_v almost_o 2000_o year_n without_o any_o law_n without_o any_o promise_n without_o any_o precept_n from_o god_n and_o he_o further_o add_v that_o the_o religion_n from_o adam_n to_o abraham_n be_v mere_o natural_a and_o have_v nothing_o but_o right_a reason_n for_o its_o rule_n and_o measure_n all_o which_o be_v mistake_v notion_n for_o from_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v concern_v this_o oeconomy_n before_o the_o flood_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a precept_n which_o be_v general_a concern_v sacrifice_n and_o there_o be_v a_o promise_n and_o that_o a_o general_a one_o concern_v the_o bless_a seed_n and_o there_o be_v other_o law_n and_o prescription_n beside_o those_o that_o be_v found_v on_o mere_a reason_n for_o it_o appear_v that_o this_o antediluvian_n dispensation_n be_v mix_v partly_o guide_v by_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n partly_o by_o revelation_n religion_n consist_v both_o of_o natural_a principle_n and_o positive_a command_n these_o be_v all_o along_o interweave_v with_o one_o another_o thus_o the_o old_a world_n be_v govern_v in_o which_o period_n there_o be_v these_o ten_o patriarch_n who_o be_v all_o long-lived_a but_o one_o adam_n be_v the_o first_o who_o when_o abel_n be_v dead_a beget_v seth_n who_o son_n be_v enosh_n who_o beget_v cainan_n and_o he_o mahalalel_v and_o this_o jare_v who_o son_n be_v enoch_n who_o be_v translate_v then_o methusala●_n the_o long_a liver_n of_o they_o all_o adam_n and_o he_o take_v up_o all_o the_o time_n between_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o flood_n then_o lamech_v not_o he_o of_o that_o name_n who_o be_v of_o cain_n race_n and_o noah_n be_v the_o last_o of_o the_o ten_o antediluvian_n father_n chap._n iu._n the_o noachical_a oeconomy_n the_o first_o positive_a law_n under_o it_o be_v about_o eat_v of_o flesh._n it_o be_v prove_v that_o this_o prevail_v not_o till_o after_o the_o flood_n objection_n against_o it_o answer_v the_o testimony_n of_o pagan_n to_o confirm_v it_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o prohibition_n the_o second_o positive_a law_n be_v concern_v not_o eat_v flesh_n with_o the_o blood_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o the_o three_o positive_a law_n be_v concern_v not_o shed_v of_o man_n blood_n with_o the_o penalty_n of_o it_o and_o the_o sanction_n of_o magistracy_n servitude_n not_o introduce_v under_o this_o dispensation_n the_o longevity_n of_o the_o patriarch_n be_v common_a to_o all_o in_o those_o time_n the_o month_n and_o year_n be_v of_o the_o same_o length_n then_o that_o they_o be_v now_o they_o be_v solar_a not_o lunar_a year_n the_o cause_n of_o the_o long_a life_n of_o those_o that_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n the_o abrahamick_a oeconomy_n with_o its_o several_a step_n and_o advances_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n now_o the_o faithful_a be_v separate_v and_o distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n why_o they_o be_v call_v hebrew_n the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o circumcision_n under_o this_o dispensation_n altar_n be_v erect_v tithe_n pay_v etc._n etc._n of_o polygamy_n and_o concubine_n and_o other_o usage_n the_o second_o patriarchal_a dispensation_n or_o the_o noachical_a oeconomy_n begin_v in_o noah_n day_n and_o last_v till_o abraham_n immediate_o after_o the_o flood_n the_o covenant_n which_o be_v make_v with_o our_o first_o parent_n be_v renew_v to_o noah_n the_o law_n of_o grace_n which_o have_v be_v give_v to_o they_o be_v now_o confirm_v to_o this_o eminent_a person_n and_o to_o the_o ●est_n of_o mankind_n in_o he_o and_o the_o ●ow_o in_o the_o cloud_n be_v make_v a_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n gen._n 9_o 9_o it_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v that_o a_o far_a discovery_n of_o the_o m●ssias_n be_v make_v to_o noah_n though_o the_o sacred_a history_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v express_o record_v that_o this_o renew_n and_o confirm_v of_o the_o dispensation_n of_o grace_n be_v accompany_v with_o some_o positive_a institution_n and_o law_n which_o be_v a_o addition_n to_o those_o that_o be_v before_o give_v to_o adam_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o this_o and_o the_o former_a oeconomy_n the_o first_o positive_a law_n be_v concern_v ●ating_a of_o flesh._n eu●ry_o move_a thing_n that_o live_v shall_v b●_n meat_n for_o you_o gen._n 9_o 3._o the_o discrimination_n of_o meat_n be_v take_v away_o and_o flesh_n be_v grant_v to_o be_v eat_v and_o indeed_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o it_o at_o that_o time_n because_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v destroy_v by_o the_o flood_n before_o the_o deluge_n there_o be_v not_o a_o liberty_n give_v to_o eat_v flesh_n for_o they_o be_v limit_v by_o that_o injunction_n in_o gen._n 1._o 29._o which_o appoint_v herb_n and_o fruit_n to_o be_v their_o meat_n god_n say_v b●h●ld_a i_o have_v give_v you_o every_o h●rb_n bear_v s●●d_v which_o be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o every_o tree_n in_o th●_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o a_o tree_n yield_v seed_n to_o you_o i●_n shall_v b●_n for_o meat_n here_o be_v the_o lex_fw-la cibaria_fw-la man_n be_v confine_v as_o to_o his_o diet_n herb_n and_o fruit_n be_v appoint_v his_o food_n and_o no_o other_o but_o now_o this_o restraint_n be_v take_v off_o by_o the_o same_o hand_n that_o lay_v it_o on_o and_o god_n permit_v noah_n and_o his_o posterity_n to_o eat_v flesh_n as_o well_o as_o herb_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o controversy_n among_o writer_n whether_o eat_v of_o flesh_n be_v grant_v just_a after_o the_o flood_n and_o be_v altogether_o prohibit_v before_o the_o hebrew_n general_o say_v that_o the_o people_n before_o the_o deluge_n feed_v only_o upon_o what_o the_o earth_n produce_v and_o abstain_v from_o all_o live_a creature_n most_o of_o the_o christian_a father_n hold_v