probable_a that_o a_o prince_n especial_o of_o his_o temper_n will_v have_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o confinement_n and_o meek_o resign_v his_o crown_n to_o his_o son_n if_o that_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o he_o have_v not_o full_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v transgress_v and_o violate_v by_o his_o temerity_n and_o presumption_n the_o three_o reflection_n be_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o inspire_v his_o people_n with_o a_o irreconcilable_a aversion_n against_o all_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o they_o be_v go_v to_o settle_v they_o be_v so_o frame_v as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o egypt_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v but_o also_o to_o those_o receive_v among_o the_o hivites_n amorites_n and_o other_o nation_n of_o who_o country_n they_o be_v go_v to_o possess_v themselves_o thus_o we_o find_v in_o the_o xviii_o of_o leviticus_n law_n against_o all_o incestuous_a marriage_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v ordinary_a among_o the_o canaanite_n and_o egyptian_n who_o therein_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o marry_v within_o those_o forbid_a degree_n there_o we_o find_v also_o the_o sacrifice_n to_o moloch_n forbid_v the_o practice_n whereof_o those_o nation_n in_o all_o likelihood_n defend_v by_o the_o example_n of_o abraham_n sacrifice_n now_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v think_v that_o a_o whole_a nation_n will_v of_o a_o sudden_a receive_v such_o law_n as_o deprive_v they_o of_o a_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n they_o have_v always_o hitherto_o enjoy_v and_o condemn_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n those_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v the_o fair_a pretence_n of_o religion_n imaginable_a and_o to_o use_v many_o ceremony_n contrary_a to_o those_o receive_v among_o they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o strong_a and_o extraordinary_a motive_n for_o so_o do_v there_o be_v another_o thing_n beside_o that_o challenge_v our_o consideration_n viz._n the_o exact_a description_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o that_o sacred_a place_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o tabernacle_n with_o all_o its_o appurtenance_n utensil_n and_o ornament_n be_v finish_v for_o as_o this_o tabernacle_n be_v then_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a religion_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v afterward_o by_o succeed_v to_o it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o solemn_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n that_o be_v perform_v there_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o a_o whole_a nation_n shall_v contribute_v to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o shall_v see_v it_o consecrate_a and_o take_v to_o piece_n and_o set_v together_o again_o every_o day_n and_o shall_v read_v all_o the_o particular_n relate_v to_o its_o construction_n and_o not_o discern_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n and_o reality_n in_o all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o concern_v the_o religion_n which_o their_o governor_n fix_v in_o that_o place_n wherein_o he_o pretend_v many_o revelation_n be_v make_v chap._n vi_o some_o other_o proof_n that_o confirm_v moses_n be_v description_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o law_n be_v give_v and_o promulgate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o establish_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o show_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n promulgation_n as_o moses_n relate_v it_o we_o may_v further_o collect_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o join_v these_o follow_a reflection_n to_o those_o already_o make_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n certain_o if_o moses_n have_v be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o a_o kingdom_n and_o have_v be_v succeed_v in_o it_o by_o his_o own_o child_n and_o posterity_n for_o many_o generation_n one_o after_o another_o we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o his_o successor_n consult_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o honour_n will_v have_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o persuade_v their_o subject_n that_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o their_o kingdom_n have_v some_o communication_n with_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v from_o he_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o he_o give_v they_o concern_v civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o moses_n be_v so_o far_o from_o invest_v his_o own_o child_n with_o the_o supreme_a authority_n after_o himself_o that_o he_o translate_v it_o into_o another_o tribe_n and_o constitute_v joshuah_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n for_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n as_o for_o his_o posterity_n he_o take_v little_a care_n of_o it_o but_o reduce_v it_o to_o a_o rank_a inferior_a to_o that_o of_o aaron_n family_n which_o he_o prefer_v to_o the_o most_o honourable_a function_n of_o the_o priesthood_n leave_v to_o his_o own_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o inconsiderable_a employment_n all_o which_o show_v evident_o that_o none_o of_o those_o who_o come_v after_o moses_n be_v move_v by_o any_o private_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o to_o defend_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n and_o write_n but_o only_o by_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n they_o have_v that_o they_o be_v all_o divine_a neither_o ought_v we_o to_o omit_v to_o consider_v here_o the_o manner_n how_o moses_n decide_v beforehand_o such_o question_n and_o determine_v such_o controversy_n as_o can_v not_o be_v raise_v but_o after_o the_o conquest_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v make_v by_o his_o successor_n only_o after_o his_o death_n and_o how_o those_o law_n be_v constant_o observe_v in_o all_o the_o succeed_a generation_n of_o that_o people_n and_o submit_v unto_o by_o the_o very_a judge_n and_o king_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o a_o conqueror_n such_o as_o joshua_n be_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o other_o fundamental_a law_n in_o that_o state_n he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o than_o those_o which_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nothing_o be_v more_o usual_a than_o for_o statesman_n to_o affect_v the_o expose_v the_o conduct_n of_o their_o predecessor_n especial_o when_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v alter_v and_o from_o democratical_a or_o aristocratical_a be_v change_v into_o monarchical_a as_o it_o happen_v among_o the_o israelite_n how_o then_o can_v moses_n law_n still_o keep_v up_o their_o authority_n in_o all_o change_n and_o revolution_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o judge_n and_o king_n there_o be_v never_o any_o of_o they_o attempt_v to_o suspend_v or_o annul_v moses_n law_n much_o less_o to_o enact_v and_o give_v any_o other_o contrary_a to_o they_o again_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o the_o division_n and_o faction_n that_o nation_n fall_v into_o there_o be_v never_o any_o jew_n endeavour_v with_o any_o success_n to_o undeceive_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o own_o people_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o moses_n law_n no_o doubt_v only_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o that_o nation_n never_o dispute_v the_o divine_a origin_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n that_o all_o those_o law_n which_o in_o moses_n write_n be_v inlay_v one_o within_o another_o and_o represent_v as_o occasion_v by_o several_a transaction_n relate_v there_o have_v all_o be_v equal_o receive_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o have_v all_o be_v put_v together_o in_o a_o body_n by_o themselves_o before_o moses_n death_n as_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o xxxi_o of_o deuteronomy_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v public_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n among_o that_o people_n to_o who_o god_n give_v they_o upon_o who_o he_o lay_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o read_v they_o every_o day_n and_o to_o consult_v they_o upon_o every_o emergent_a business_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v know_v equal_o of_o all_o degree_n of_o man_n sex_n and_o age_n which_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o pay_v obedience_n to_o they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n it_o appear_v that_o those_o law_n be_v not_o only_o public_o keep_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n but_o also_o private_o read_v in_o every_o family_n we_o see_v that_o a_o whole_a tribe_n viz._n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o explain_v they_o and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o canaan_n and_o exempt_v from_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n that_o necessary_o attend_v husbandry_n by_o the_o plentiful_a provision_n of_o tithe_n and_o offering_n that_o be_v allot_v to_o they_o we_o see_v that_o god_n oblige_v all_o jew_n to_o read_v and_o meditate_v
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
thing_n in_o itself_o there_o be_v no_o less_o absurdity_n to_o dispute_v our_o saviour_n resurrection_n than_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o first_o man._n now_o if_o this_o argument_n hold_v as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o easy_o so_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o provide_v we_o be_v once_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o consequent_o embrace_v his_o religion_n but_o it_o seem_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o meditation_n i_o be_v insensible_o carry_v further_a in_o my_o observation_n upon_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n than_o i_o think_v at_o first_o to_o be_v therefore_o instead_o of_o pass_v now_o as_o i_o propose_v in_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n which_o be_v a_o solid_a and_o compendious_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n i_o find_v myself_o engage_v according_a to_o my_o present_a method_n to_o continue_v to_o make_v the_o like_a reflection_n upon_o the_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o i_o may_v yet_o more_o full_o demonstrate_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n who_o god_n promise_v to_o man_n immediate_o after_o his_o sin_n and_o this_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v so_o plain_o as_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n have_v real_o accomplish_v his_o first_o design_n and_o exact_o perform_v all_o his_o promise_n relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n according_a to_o the_o first_o idea_n he_o give_v of_o his_o come_n to_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n first_o then_o i_o design_v to_o trace_v up_o the_o method_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o use_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v without_o mistake_n when_o ever_o he_o shall_v come_v into_o the_o world._n second_o i_o will_v make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o several_a notion_n he_o give_v of_o he_o long_o before_o in_o his_o oracle_n to_o characterise_v his_o person_n his_o office_n his_o action_n his_o suffering_n his_o glory_n etc._n etc._n last_o of_o all_o i_o will_v show_v that_o we_o have_v all_o this_o whole_a project_n and_o design_n exact_o accomplish_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v write_v by_o christ_n disciple_n now_o as_o this_o method_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o choose_v to_o make_v the_o messiah_n know_v appear_v also_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n so_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o i_o particular_o to_o view_v and_o examine_v these_o book_n that_o i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o illustrate_v several_a thing_n in_o they_o which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a attention_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v consider_v together_o and_o as_o it_o be_v at_o one_o view_n for_o the_o prophecy_n be_v thus_o consider_v together_o in_o their_o connexion_n and_o progress_n do_v more_o plain_o evidence_n god_n design_n and_o may_v better_o convince_v or_o confound_v the_o jew_n therefore_o i_o intend_v according_o to_o consider_v those_o oracle_n with_o attention_n and_o to_o join_v they_o together_o that_o so_o they_o may_v in_o their_o conjunction_n cast_v forth_o the_o bright_a beam_n of_o light_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o infidel_n who_o may_v happen_v to_o peruse_v this_o book_n for_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o after_o the_o perusal_n of_o my_o observation_n in_o it_o a_o ordinary_a attention_n in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v any_o man_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n which_o be_v all_o i_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o treatise_n now_o as_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o patriarch_n religion_n according_a to_o the_o account_n moses_n have_v give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o genesis_n have_v take_v up_o the_o first_o part_n of_o it_o so_o i_o design_v to_o examine_v in_o this_o second_o part_n the_o israelite_n religion_n and_o to_o follow_v in_o my_o search_n the_o account_n which_o moses_n give_v of_o it_o in_o his_o other_o four_o book_n and_o as_o to_o effect_v this_o it_o be_v very_o important_a to_o establish_v beforehand_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o four_o book_n so_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v first_o of_o all_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o true_a author_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v intrinsic_a character_n of_o undeniable_a certainty_n then_o second_o it_o will_v be_v natural_a for_o i_o to_o show_v that_o moses_n in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o view_n as_o particular_o promise_v of_o god_n to_o the_o patriarch_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n and_o as_o be_v consequent_o the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o sole_a object_n of_o their_o hope_n three_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v that_o if_o we_o serious_o examine_v moses_n law_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o such_o a_o method_n observe_v as_o be_v both_o very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n s_o design_n in_o genesis_n and_o very_o worthy_a of_o his_o wisdom_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reveal_v unto_o we_o of_o his_o intention_n by_o the_o prophet_n who_o follow_v moses_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 chapter_n i._n that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o exodus_fw-la and_o of_o the_o three_o other_o follow_v book_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o may_v be_v ground_v upon_o several_a solid_a argument_n i_o may_v observe_v that_o moses_n have_v always_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o very_a heathen_n themselves_o not_o only_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n but_o also_o the_o most_o ancient_a legislator_n in_o the_o world._n i_o may_v likewise_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a connexion_n betwixt_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o well_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o general_a design_n of_o their_o author_n as_o of_o the_o matter_n treat_v of_o in_o they_o for_o example_n we_o see_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o transaction_n which_o we_o find_v write_v and_o record_v there_o derive_v their_o original_a from_o those_o transaction_n and_o passage_n that_o we_o read_v of_o in_o genesis_n thus_o we_o may_v plain_o discern_v that_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o israelite_n upon_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o promise_n that_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n to_o give_v it_o to_o his_o posterity_n in_o the_o four_o generation_n thus_o we_o may_v see_v that_o the_o amalekite_n can_v have_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o make_v war_n against_o the_o israelite_n than_o the_o old_a alliance_n that_o be_v former_o make_v betwixt_o amalek_n and_o the_o canaanite_n which_o without_o doubt_n engage_v his_o posterity_n to_o be_v the_o first_o opposer_n of_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o sedition_n of_o the_o israelite_n against_o moses_n under_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o in_o genesis_n because_o the_o elder_a think_v themselves_o wrong_v of_o their_o birthright_n think_v they_o may_v just_o rebel_v against_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o recover_v it_o but_o i_o haste_v to_o thing_n more_o material_a than_o these_o and_o first_o it_o be_v here_o observable_a that_o those_o book_n be_v not_o only_o religious_o keep_v in_o every_o family_n of_o israel_n but_o that_o they_o be_v also_o once_o solemn_o deposit_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n as_o a_o public_a record_n and_o that_o by_o moses_n himself_o a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o testimony_n against_o that_o people_n as_o we_o read_v it_o deuteronomy_n xxxi_o 26._o second_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o moses_n do_v straight_o charge_v both_o joshuah_n and_o the_o head_n of_o the_o people_n to_o read_v they_o frequent_o and_o careful_o for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v so_o joshua_n 1.8_o nay_o we_o see_v about_o 500_o year_n after_o the_o holy_a man_n david_n who_o have_v make_v during_o his_o life_n i._o psal_n i._o the_o supreme_a felicity_n of_o a_o man_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o read_n the_o law_n of_o god_n day_n and_o night_n we_o see_v i_o say_v that_o holy_a man_n give_v in_o his_o deathbed_n the_o same_o charge_n to_o solomon_n i_o king_n three_o moreover_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v many_o law_n and_o sanction_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o succeed_a time_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o read_v nothing_o in_o the_o book_n of_o
any_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v it_o deuteronomy_n iu._n 2._o it_o be_v then_o impossible_a see_v that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v attempt_v the_o alteration_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o without_o wonder_n that_o after_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v transport_v into_o assyria_n those_o that_o be_v send_v from_o assyria_n to_o inhabit_v their_o country_n do_v receive_v that_o law_n and_o that_o their_o posterity_n have_v keep_v it_o all_o along_o to_o this_o day_n as_o uncorrupted_a as_o the_o jew_n although_o they_o continue_v their_o mortal_a enemy_n and_o have_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n that_o can_v befall_v a_o nation_n during_o the_o long_a interval_n of_o 2400_o year_n the_o three_o observation_n which_o deserve_v a_o singular_a attention_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o many_o corruption_n which_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n fall_v into_o yet_o these_o book_n have_v still_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o same_o form_n that_o we_o have_v they_o now_o it_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o josiah_n relate_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n own_o writing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o king_n command_v all_o the_o people_n to_o keep_v the_o passover_n unto_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n now_o we_o have_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n exod._n xii_o which_o show_v that_o josiah_n by_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n mean_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n such_o as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o adays_o and_o such_o as_o they_o be_v when_o moses_n deposit_v they_o into_o the_o sanctuary_n it_o be_v important_a to_o consider_v well_o all_o that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o forementioned_a chapter_n of_o two_o king_n for_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o this_o law_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o reform_v all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o their_o religion_n and_o countenance_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n from_o solomon_n time_n to_o josiah_n this_o chapter_n relate_v and_o commend_v the_o proceed_n of_o josiah_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ill_a government_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o to_o the_o public_a monument_n of_o their_o superstition_n which_o he_o abolish_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o impose_v herein_o upon_o posterity_n for_o first_o the_o transaction_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o also_o to_o most_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o continue_v so_o lively_a and_o universal_a that_o almost_o 1500_o year_n after_o moses_n the_o name_n of_o those_o magician_n speak_v of_o exod._n vii_o 11._o be_v as_o yet_o know_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v it_o by_o a_o express_a passage_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o 1._o hist_o nat._n l._n 30._o c._n 1._o and_o mention_v their_o name_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 8._o but_o also_o among_o the_o heathen_n as_o both_o pliny_n and_o numenius_n do_v attest_v it_o i_o point_v only_o at_o those_o general_a proof_n at_o present_a because_o i_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o show_v their_o force_n in_o my_o observation_n upon_o genesis_n and_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o repeat_v and_o improve_v some_o of_o they_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n but_o now_o in_o order_n to_o follow_v my_o present_a design_n i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o will_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n the_o subject_a of_o some_o book_n be_v such_o as_o that_o alone_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o the_o attention_n of_o any_o reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v no_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o beside_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o subject_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v famous_a and_o of_o great_a repute_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o never_o fail_v to_o be_v read_v with_o serious_a attention_n and_o preserve_v with_o as_o great_a a_o care_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v both_o these_o advantage_n so_o that_o they_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suspect_v of_o the_o least_o alteration_n or_o forgery_n the_o first_o character_n that_o we_o discover_v in_o these_o book_n at_o the_o first_o view_v of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a singularity_n and_o admirable_a diversity_n of_o their_o style_n and_o of_o the_o matter_n they_o treat_v of_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o other_o legislator_n do_v ever_o affect_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o historian_n no_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o absolute_a power_n to_o make_v law_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o sanction_n of_o they_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v common_o nothing_o more_o dry_a and_o sapless_a than_o all_o their_o regulation_n about_o both_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o moses_n we_o see_v have_v follow_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a method_n all_o his_o regulation_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v he_o enact_v no_o law_n of_o any_o consequence_n but_o he_o intimate_v to_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o reason_n which_o challenge_v their_o obedience_n and_o make_v they_o by_o that_o mean_n reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o several_a mercy_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o great_a miracle_n they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o the_o use_n and_o scope_n of_o some_o of_o his_o regulation_n be_v very_o abstruse_a especial_o now_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a heathen_a custom_n which_o god_n design_v to_o abolish_v from_o among_o that_o people_n new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n where_o during_o their_o captivity_n they_o have_v comply_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o the_o rite_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o master_n the_o egyptian_n but_o yet_o how_o abstruse_a soever_o the_o design_n of_o some_o of_o those_o law_n may_v now_o appear_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o general_a scope_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o people_n from_o idolatry_n in_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n as_o also_o to_o quicken_v their_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o promise_n of_o who_o come_v have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o renew_v several_a time_n to_o the_o head_n of_o their_o nation_n however_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o those_o law_n religion_n and_o policy_n so_o interweave_v together_o that_o the_o latter_a seem_v to_o subsist_v only_o by_o the_o support_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o former_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o human_a legislator_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o the_o tradition_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o old_a moses_n have_v preserve_v it_o with_o such_o care_n with_o so_o many_o mark_n of_o fidelity_n and_o so_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o history_n beside_o he_o that_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a information_n about_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n all_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o heathen_n which_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n they_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n that_o moses_n relate_v in_o his_o history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o see_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o common_a wealth_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n moses_n give_v a_o accurate_a account_n of_o they_o if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o mankind_n or_o what_o be_v the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n and_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o partaker_n of_o that_o happiness_n moses_n teach_v all_o that_o with_o great_a evidence_n and_o exactness_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o occasion_n of_o
those_o song_n that_o be_v so_o much_o in_o fashion_n among_o those_o of_o his_o nation_n he_o may_v easy_o satisfy_v his_o curiosity_n by_o read_v moses_n history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v what_o sort_n of_o exhortation_n they_o be_v which_o the_o founder_n both_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o commonwealth_n have_v former_o make_v to_o their_o forefather_n moses_n relate_v a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o in_o his_o book_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o receive_v instruction_n about_o the_o original_a and_o cause_n of_o those_o temporal_a blessing_n he_o enjoy_v in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o god_n have_v possess_v his_o nation_n of_o after_o the_o expulsion_n of_o those_o people_n that_o have_v be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o for_o many_o age_n moses_n give_v as_o good_a account_n of_o all_o that_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o the_o several_a calamity_n that_o befall_v his_o nation_n on_o several_a occasion_n moses_n acquaint_v they_o both_o with_o the_o cause_n and_o remedy_n of_o all_o their_o affliction_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n desire_v to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o future_a condition_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n in_o after_o age_n moses_n foretell_v it_o in_o so_o particular_a and_o clear_a a_o manner_n that_o they_o may_v look_v upon_o his_o prophecy_n not_o as_o certain_a prophecy_n only_o but_o as_o a_o plain_a history_n of_o future_a event_n begin_v and_o trace_v out_o before_o their_o accomplishment_n all_o this_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o considerable_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n with_o care_n that_o we_o may_v just_o observe_v three_o thing_n in_o his_o person_n which_o as_o they_o raise_v he_o above_o all_o common_a author_n so_o they_o can_v but_o strengthen_v the_o belief_n and_o increase_v the_o esteem_n and_o veneration_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v for_o his_o history_n the_o first_o be_v that_o whereas_o all_o man_n be_v careful_a to_o conceal_v their_o own_o infirmity_n and_o whatever_o be_v dishonourable_a to_o their_o famille_n moses_n on_o the_o contrary_n seem_v to_o have_v affect_v to_o record_v all_o the_o thing_n that_o can_v blemish_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o derogate_v to_o his_o own_o reputation_n he_o blemish_n jacob_n memory_n by_o his_o relate_n how_o he_o prefer_v joseph_n the_o son_n of_o his_o belove_a wife_n to_o reuben_n his_o elder_a who_o he_o unjust_o deprive_v of_o his_o birthright_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o other_o which_o injustice_n be_v express_o forbid_v by_o one_o of_o moses_n law_n thus_o he_o lay_v a_o eternal_a blot_n and_o reproach_n upon_o the_o memory_n of_o levi_n the_o head_n of_o his_o own_o family_n when_o he_o mention_n his_o cruelty_n and_o violence_n against_o the_o sichemite_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o his_o posterity_n among_o the_o other_o tribe_n of_o israel_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o he_o vilify_v his_o own_o birth_n by_o forbid_v any_o marriage_n betwixt_o a_o aunt_n and_o her_o nephew_n see_v he_o relate_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v bear_v of_o jocabed_a both_o aunt_n and_o wife_n to_o his_o father_n amram_n he_o describe_v his_o own_o incredulity_n with_o all_o the_o ingenuity_n imaginable_a when_o he_o represent_v the_o several_a miracle_n which_o god_n wrought_v by_o he_o he_o seem_v to_o speak_v of_o himself_o only_o to_o lay_v open_a his_o own_o fail_n and_o sin_n such_o a_o sincerity_n and_o impartiality_n we_o know_v confirm_v and_o increase_v mighty_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o author_n the_o second_o thing_n be_v that_o moses_n not_o regard_v the_o advantage_n and_o honour_n of_o his_o own_o family_n leave_v the_o government_n of_o israel_n to_o joshuah_n one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o ephraim_n and_o so_o reduce_v his_o own_o child_n and_o their_o posterity_n to_o the_o low_a condition_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v of_o a_o inferior_a rank_n to_o that_o of_o priest_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o they_o ever_o after_o renew_v the_o pretension_n which_o they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v to_o succeed_v moses_n now_o such_o neglect_n of_o his_o family_n show_v that_o moses_n principle_n be_v raise_v much_o above_o the_o ordinary_a pitch_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o law_n giver_n who_o be_v absolute_a and_o supreme_a over_o their_o people_n the_o three_o thing_n observable_a here_o be_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o share_n in_o the_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n it_o all_o be_v subdue_v after_o his_o death_n nay_o it_o be_v that_o conquest_n that_o fix_v and_o settle_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n which_o be_v before_o unsettle_a and_o as_o it_o be_v ambulatory_a in_o the_o desert_n now_o how_o can_v such_o a_o singular_a design_n as_o moses_n describe_v in_o his_o law_n be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o any_o other_o than_o by_o he_o that_o form_v it_o it_o be_v joshua_n that_o make_v this_o conquest_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o possess_v the_o jew_n of_o it_o now_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o that_o people_n have_v not_o be_v then_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o moses_n law_n they_o will_v never_o have_v fail_v after_o so_o great_a a_o alteration_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o power_n and_o liberty_n in_o throw_v off_o the_o troublesome_a yoke_n of_o his_o law_n nor_o yet_o will_v joshua_n and_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o government_n ever_o have_v maintain_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o law_n if_o they_o have_v not_o look_v upon_o moses_n not_o only_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a man_n but_o also_o as_o one_o particular_o commissionated_a by_o god_n to_o make_v that_o body_n of_o law_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o his_o people_n we_o read_v in_o those_o book_n of_o moses_n die_a in_o the_o mountain_n of_o moab_n now_o that_o be_v suppose_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o if_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o god_n himself_o give_v their_o law_n to_o moses_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n mention_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v continue_v to_o keep_v up_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o ill_a ground_a conceit_n if_o he_o have_v real_o by_o his_o tyrannical_a authority_n force_v the_o israelite_n into_o a_o compliance_n to_o his_o law_n during_o his_o life_n why_o do_v they_o not_o assoon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a with_o the_o fear_n of_o his_o authority_n shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o his_o law_n and_o all_o respect_n for_o his_o memory_n one_o thing_n we_o may_v remark_n as_o very_o surprise_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o that_o legislator_n death_n which_o be_v that_o his_o body_n be_v not_o find_v after_o his_o death_n for_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o that_o people_n which_o otherwise_o keep_v up_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o so_o much_o care_n the_o bone_n of_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n in_o order_n to_o bury_v and_o deposite_n they_o in_o the_o sepulcher_n of_o their_o ancestor_n for_o both_o joseph_n and_o his_o brethren_n be_v inter_v in_o judaea_n do_v ever_o build_v a_o tomb_n to_o their_o lawgiver_n or_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o show_v his_o sepulchre_n josephus_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o moses_n write_v himself_o the_o account_n of_o his_o own_o death_n for_o fear_v the_o jew_n shall_v ever_o imagine_v and_o so_o give_v out_o that_o god_n have_v take_v he_o up_o into_o heaven_n i_o see_v i_o confess_v no_o solidity_n in_o that_o conjecture_n of_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o may_v give_v we_o occasion_n to_o make_v a_o reflection_n hereupon_o i_o think_v more_o natural_a and_o easy_a which_o be_v that_o god_n have_v a_o mind_n as_o joshua_n intimate_v it_o to_o confirm_v the_o many_o character_n of_o divinity_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n by_o take_v away_o from_o before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o jew_n his_o corpse_n which_o they_o will_v certain_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o prevent_v have_v keep_v with_o more_o care_n than_o those_o of_o all_o their_o patriarch_n and_o king_n the_o description_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n death_n show_v evident_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o in_o great_a esteem_n during_o his_o life_n but_o that_o even_o his_o death_n do_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v man_n look_v upon_o he_o as_o one_o glorious_o raise_v up_o above_o the_o common_a condition_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o infirmity_n and_o misery_n incident_a to_o human_a nature_n but_o after_o these_o general_a reflection_n i_o must_v come_v to_o those_o that_o be_v more_o particular_a chap._n iii_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n relate_v by_o moses_n can_v reasonable_o be_v doubt_v of_o whoever_o will_v examine_v with_o attention_n the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o
moses_n shall_v find_v in_o they_o several_a passage_n record_v which_o deserve_v a_o particular_a consideration_n as_o first_o of_o all_o the_o miraculous_a birth_n the_o extraordinary_a education_n the_o heroical_a courage_n and_o the_o divine_a call_n and_o commission_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o several_a miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o egypt_n to_o bring_v the_o israelite_n out_o of_o it_o and_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o border_n of_o canaan_n then_o second_o all_o the_o moral_a ceremonial_a and_o political_a law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o that_o people_n from_o god._n and_o last_o moses_n his_o prophecy_n concern_v their_o future_a condition_n their_o victory_n their_o captivity_n their_o transportation_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o their_o whole_a nation_n all_o which_o passage_n have_v as_o evident_a and_o authentic_a proof_n of_o their_o certainty_n as_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o let_v we_o first_o begin_v with_o the_o narration_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o exodus_fw-la wherein_o we_o see_v that_o after_o moses_n have_v represent_v the_o death_n of_o joseph_n and_o of_o all_o the_o generation_n that_o come_v down_o with_o jacob_n into_o egypt_n he_o write_v his_o own_o history_n and_o represent_v himself_o as_o another_o noah_n save_v out_o of_o the_o water_n to_o save_v and_o deliver_v that_o holy_a family_n the_o whole_a relation_n which_o he_o make_v of_o all_o those_o particular_n be_v very_o strange_a and_o extraordinary_a but_o yet_o his_o circumcision_n and_o the_o instruction_n of_o his_o mother_n to_o who_o he_o be_v give_v by_o the_o daughter_n of_o pharaoh_n to_o be_v nurse_v up_o and_o the_o conversation_n of_o that_o princess_n who_o have_v adopt_v he_o and_o make_v herself_o a_o proselyte_n as_o the_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v rab._n jalk_v in_o h._n l._n ex_fw-la vaiikra_fw-mi rab._n from_o 1_o chron._n iu_o 18._o and_o his_o education_n in_o the_o court_n of_o egypt_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o all_o the_o grandee_n of_o that_o court_n do_v concur_v together_o to_o acquaint_v he_o with_o that_o remarkable_a preservation_n of_o his_o person_n and_o persuade_v he_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o for_o how_o can_v either_o moses_n impose_v or_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o matter_n be_v not_o that_o barbarous_a cruelty_n of_o the_o egyptian_n by_o which_o they_o compel_v the_o jew_n about_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n birth_n to_o throw_v their_o child_n into_o the_o river_n nilus_n notorious_o know_v of_o all_o man_n be_v not_o the_o public_a building_n and_o strong_a city_n viz._n pythom_n and_o ramese_n so_o call_v from_o the_o name_n of_o king_n rameses_n miamum_n stand_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n and_o be_v it_o not_o public_o know_v by_o all_o the_o world_n that_o the_o poor_a israelite_n be_v the_o slave_n and_o drudge_n who_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o erect_v those_o building_n neither_o can_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o education_n be_v unknown_a to_o he_o nor_o yet_o to_o any_o of_o the_o hebrew_n for_o we_o do_v not_o join_v here_o to_o moses_n narration_n what_o josephus_n relate_v of_o his_o person_n of_o his_o feat_n in_o meroe_n and_o of_o his_o marry_v a_o aethiopian_a princess_n etc._n etc._n as_o moses_n miracle_n be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o jew_n so_o they_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v real_o receive_v his_o call_v and_o commission_n from_o god_n in_o the_o desert_n and_o that_o just_a in_o the_o manner_n as_o he_o describe_v it_o himself_o now_o no_o man_n can_v dispute_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n if_o he_o but_o mind_v the_o follow_a consideration_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o egypt_n by_o moses_n their_o law_n which_o the_o present_a jew_n do_v still_o observe_v speak_v every_o where_n of_o that_o famous_a action_n of_o he_o there_o be_v never_o any_o man_n dispute_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o achievement_n all_o ancient_a author_n make_v mention_n of_o it_o 1._o joseph_n contra_fw-la app._n l._n 1._o manethon_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o of_o many_o other_o principal_a circumstance_n of_o that_o exploit_n trogus_n pompeius_n justinus_n and_o tacitus_n do_v also_o speak_v of_o it_o only_a tacitus_n do_v groundless_o i_o suppose_v of_o his_o own_o head_n relate_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v expel_v out_o of_o egypt_n because_o of_o their_o leprosy_n i_o say_v groundless_o for_o it_o be_v know_v that_o on_o the_o contrary_a leprosy_n be_v a_o common_a distemper_n among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o that_o they_o infect_v the_o israelite_n with_o it_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n they_o shall_v be_v expel_v by_o the_o egyptian_n for_o a_o distemper_n that_o they_o get_v from_o they_o we_o know_v beside_o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o call_v the_o leprosy_n the_o distemper_n of_o egypt_n do_v banish_v the_o leper_n out_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o people_n and_o then_o the_o nature_n of_o david_n curse_n against_o joab_n because_o of_o his_o murder_a abner_n show_v sufficient_o that_o the_o leprosy_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o distemper_n most_o common_o send_v immediate_o from_o god._n nay_o trogus_n pompeius_n himself_o 36._o justin_n l._n 36._o observe_v that_o the_o magician_n cause_v moses_n with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v expel_v because_o they_o themselves_o be_v strike_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o scab_n and_o itch_n and_o that_o they_o be_v afraid_a lest_o the_o contagion_n of_o it_o shall_v infect_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n of_o egypt_n 8._o euseb_n praep_v evang._n l._n 9_o c._n 8._o and_o here_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v the_o mention_v the_o testimony_n of_o numenius_n a_o pythagorean_n philosopher_n who_o relate_v that_o both_o janne_n and_o jambres_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o egyptian_n to_o oppose_v moses_n and_o hinder_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o prayer_n which_o have_v bring_v down_o many_o grievous_a plague_n upon_o egypt_n just_a about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n banishment_n out_o of_o that_o country_n but_o second_o if_o the_o leprosy_n which_o the_o israelite_n bring_v from_o egypt_n be_v a_o indisputable_a proof_n of_o their_o sojourn_v there_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o the_o go_v out_o of_o that_o mix_a multitude_n of_o egyptian_n who_o so_o far_o espouse_v the_o israelite_n interest_n as_o to_o leave_v and_o forsake_v egypt_n their_o own_o country_n to_o accompany_v they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o cause_n or_o pretence_n than_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n whereof_o they_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n so_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o those_o egyptian_n that_o be_v thus_o incorporate_v into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v in_o after_o age_n as_o so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o former_o persuade_v their_o father_n to_o join_v with_o moses_n and_o so_o to_o share_v fortune_n with_o the_o hebrew_n three_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v any_o of_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o pretend_v be_v do_v former_o for_o the_o deliverance_n of_o their_o father_n without_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o all_o the_o world_n if_o all_o those_o miracle_n and_o their_o deliverance_n have_v not_o be_v certain_o and_o general_o know_v to_o the_o egyptian_n and_o to_o all_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n by_o who_o they_o be_v often_o subdue_v and_o bring_v into_o subjection_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o moses_n and_o joshuah_n to_o all_o these_o reflection_n we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o commemoration_n of_o the_o israelite_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n be_v renew_v yearly_o not_o only_o by_o the_o solemnize_n the_o feast_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o the_o israelite_n do_v constant_o keep_v to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o dispersion_n and_o which_o they_o do_v still_o keep_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o also_o by_o two_o other_o very_a sensible_a way_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v the_o separation_n which_o god_n make_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n in_o order_n to_o consecrate_v it_o to_o his_o service_n instead_o of_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n who_o he_o have_v spare_v and_o preserve_v in_o egypt_n with_o great_a solemnity_n in_o regard_n both_o of_o man_n and_o beast_n as_o we_o read_v numb_a iii_o so_o that_o every_o levite_n be_v as_o a_o live_a memorial_n of_o that_o great_a miracle_n wrought_v at_o the_o israelite_n go_v forth_o out_o of_o egypt_n and_o the_o second_o be_v the_o law_n concern_v the_o redemption_n of_o every_o first-born_a both_o of_o man_n 16._o numb_a xviii_o 16._o
in_o short_a the_o law_n which_o oblige_v the_o jew_n to_o assist_v at_o the_o celebration_n of_o those_o feast_n require_v the_o appearance_n of_o all_o the_o male_n of_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o upward_o so_o very_o rigorous_o that_o there_o be_v no_o dispensation_n for_o all_o without_o exception_n be_v then_o oblige_v to_o appear_v so_o that_o even_o during_o the_o dispersion_n of_o their_o nation_n the_o jew_n who_o live_v out_o of_o judea_n assist_v always_o at_o the_o celebration_n of_o those_o three_o feast_n with_o great_a care_n this_o be_v a_o visible_a way_n of_o keep_v the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n distinct_a by_o give_v each_o of_o they_o a_o separate_a portion_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o by_o fix_v they_o inseparable_o to_o it_o as_o the_o whole_a nation_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n distinguish_v by_o its_o be_v place_v in_o a_o country_n entire_o by_o itself_o we_o see_v according_o that_o god_n have_v observe_v that_o method_n by_o give_v a_o law_n which_o enjoin_v the_o division_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n to_o be_v make_v into_o as_o many_o portion_n as_o there_o be_v tribe_n only_o except_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n because_o the_o levite_n as_o be_v the_o public_a minister_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v disperse_v among_o the_o other_o tribe_n that_o they_o may_v more_o convenient_o attend_v to_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o division_n which_o be_v a_o exact_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o oracle_n which_o jacob_n and_o moses_n utter_v a_o little_a before_o their_o death_n but_o i_o shall_v observe_v first_o that_o as_o the_o design_n of_o god_n be_v to_o divide_v that_o people_n into_o tribe_n that_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n from_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v may_v be_v the_o better_o distinguish_v and_o know_v so_o he_o will_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n allot_v the_o cave_n of_o machpelah_n the_o sepulchre_n of_o the_o patriarch_n to_o the_o share_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o also_o ephratah_n the_o place_n where_o rachel_n be_v bury_v which_o be_v afterward_o call_v bethlehem_n the_o town_n where_o david_n have_v his_o birth_n and_o which_o be_v foretell_v tell_v by_o the_o prophet_n micha_n under_o the_o name_n of_o ephratah_n as_o the_o place_n where_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v bear_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n we_o must_v beside_o take_v notice_n of_o two_o particular_a regulation_n by_o which_o god_n fix_v his_o people_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o preserve_v a_o distinct_a idea_n of_o this_o first_o division_n of_o that_o country_n the_o first_o be_v the_o law_n of_o jubilee_n the_o second_o be_v the_o law_n of_o lineal_a retreat_n in_o short_a by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o jubilee_n which_o return_v every_o fifty_o year_n and_o by_o which_o every_o one_o that_o can_v justify_v his_o pedigree_n be_v reinstate_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o his_o ancestor_n god_n oblige_v that_o people_n to_o keep_v up_o a_o distinct-knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o division_n make_v under_o joshua_n etc._n joshua_n fourteen_o etc._n etc._n and_o which_o be_v describe_v in_o that_o book_n which_o contain_v his_o history_n much_o more_o effectual_o than_o if_o he_o have_v make_v a_o law_n for_o that_o very_a purpose_n so_o that_o though_o the_o field_n of_o ephratah_n have_v be_v never_o so_o often_o alienate_v yet_o it_o always_o return_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o so_o afterward_o into_o david_n family_n because_o it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o lot_n of_o his_o ancestor_n this_o law_n of_o jubilee_n preserve_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o several_a tribe_n and_o family_n and_o it_o also_o keep_v up_o a_o distinct_a idea_n of_o their_o genealogy_n which_o must_v be_v preserve_v entire_a of_o necessity_n that_o they_o may_v maintain_v their_o right_n to_o the_o inheritance_n of_o their_o ancestor_n it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o object_n against_o this_o observation_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v certain_o which_o tribe_n and_o much_o less_o which_o family_n every_o estate_n do_v belong_v to_o because_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o first_o proselyte_n who_o go_v out_o with_o the_o israelite_n share_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n together_o with_o they_o for_o one_o see_v we_o on_o the_o contrary_a first_o that_o god_n will_v not_o allow_v any_o of_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n to_o become_v proselyte_n before_o the_o ten_o generation_n and_o second_o that_o he_o debar_v the_o edomite_n from_o be_v admit_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o judaisme_n before_o the_o three_o generation_n which_o exclude_v they_o for_o ever_o from_o any_o possession_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o three_o one_o ought_v to_o observe_v the_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o egyptian_a proselyte_n and_o a_o native_a jew_n the_o quality_n of_o a_o proselyte_n give_v permission_n to_o a_o egyptian_a to_o live_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o profess_v their_o religion_n but_o it_o give_v he_o no_o right_a to_o possess_v any_o of_o their_o land._n and_o then_o beside_o that_o 4_o massa_n biccour_n c._n 1._o s._n 4_o those_o egyptian_a proselyte_n have_v a_o particular_a way_n of_o pray_v by_o themselves_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o jew_n still_o testify_v they_o can_v not_o possess_v any_o estate_n in_o land_n among_o they_o this_o be_v so_o true_a xxvii_o numb_a xxvii_o that_o it_o be_v once_o round_o necessary_a to_o make_v a_o particular_a regulation_n for_o the_o daughter_n of_o zelophehad_n that_o they_o may_v have_v their_o division_n which_o be_v grant_v only_o under_o certain_a condition_n because_o the_o land_n be_v not_o to_o be_v divide_v but_o among_o the_o male_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o this_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o by_o this_o law_n of_o the_o jubilee_n god_n fix_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n by_o give_v the_o child_n a_o power_n to_o look_v upon_o themselves_o not_o only_o as_o the_o presumptive_a heir_n of_o their_o parent_n but_o to_o consider_v their_o parent_n only_o as_o usu-fructuary's_a since_o all_o their_o possession_n in_o land_n be_v so_o entail_v that_o the_o child_n or_o right_a heir_n of_o any_o man_n can_v not_o miss_v of_o the_o reversion_n because_o whatever_o alienation_n be_v make_v it_o can_v last_v but_o for_o a_o time_n to_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o restore_v all_o the_o alienate_v possession_n absolute_o and_o entire_o to_o the_o right_a heir_n now_o that_o this_o law_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o fundamental_a law_n among_o the_o jew_n xxi_o leviticus_n xxv_o 23._o 1_o king_n xxi_o appear_v clear_o from_o the_o word_n in_o leviticus_n and_o from_o the_o history_n of_o naboth_n which_o holy_a man_n rather_o choose_v to_o die_v than_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o injust_a desire_n of_o ahab_n who_o will_v have_v force_v naboth_n to_o sell_v his_o estate_n absolute_o notwithstanding_o god_n express_a prohibition_n the_o exemplary_a vengeance_n which_o god_n take_v upon_o naboth_n murder_n and_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o record_v in_o scripture_n be_v a_o further_a confirmation_n of_o this_o same_o truth_n if_o a_o king_n of_o israel_n dare_v not_o at_o first_o infringe_v that_o law_n if_o it_o be_v not_o violate_v by_o any_o other_o than_o jesabel_n who_o be_v a_o foreign_a princess_n if_o the_o transgression_n of_o that_o law_n be_v punish_v in_o such_o a_o exemplary_a manner_n who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v particular_o observe_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n as_o a_o fundamental_a law_n by_o which_o god_n tie_v up_o his_o people_n inseparable_o to_o this_o very_a country_n one_o need_v only_o make_v some_o few_o reflection_n upon_o those_o word_n which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o ezek._n xlvi_o to_o agree_v to_o what_o i_o say_v if_o those_o reflection_n which_o i_o have_v make_v already_o upon_o naboth_n murder_n be_v also_o add_v to_o they_o one_o may_v observe_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a that_o though_o god_n have_v several_a time_n subject_v the_o jew_n to_o a_o foreign_a power_n yet_o he_o never_o suffer_v the_o whole_a nation_n to_o be_v all_o carry_v away_o out_o of_o canaan_n at_o one_o time_n nor_o yet_o to_o continue_v in_o captivity_n for_o the_o time_n of_o two_o whole_a jubilee_n they_o be_v but_o seventy_o year_n in_o babylon_n which_o be_v the_o further_a place_n that_o they_o be_v ever_o carry_v into_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v natural_o conclude_v that_o their_o genealogy_n can_v not_o be_v confound_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n because_o many_o that_o be_v at_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n have_v see_v the_o first_o nor_o can_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o their_o estate_n be_v obliterated_a
that_o alexander_n preserve_v they_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o right_n and_o liberty_n as_o they_o enjoy_v they_o under_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n and_o in_o particular_a exempt_v they_o from_o pay_v any_o tribute_n every_o seven_o year_n because_o than_o they_o do_v not_o sow_v their_o ground_n and_o consequent_o can_v not_o reap_v and_o if_o we_o find_v that_o ptolemy_n take_v jerusalem_n on_o a_o sabbath_n day_n the_o jew_n make_v conscience_n of_o defend_v themselves_o because_o the_o law_n require_v their_o cease_n from_o all_o work_n from_o whence_o agatharcides_n a_o heathen_a author_n take_v occasion_n to_o blame_v their_o law_n if_o we_o find_v he_o carry_v a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n with_o he_o into_o egypt_n yet_o withal_o we_o find_v he_o treat_v they_o with_o as_o much_o kindness_n as_o the_o macedonian_n themselves_z appoint_v distinct_a place_n in_o egypt_n and_o lybia_n for_o their_o habitation_n if_o we_o find_v that_o powerful_a prince_n such_o as_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n and_o some_o other_o of_o his_o successor_n break_v the_o power_n of_o the_o jew_n profane_v their_o temple_n and_o force_v great_a number_n of_o they_o to_o abjure_v their_o religion_n yet_o we_o see_v they_o also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n give_v the_o high_a instance_n of_o a_o immovable_a constancy_n and_o courage_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o law_n and_o in_o endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a torture_n we_o see_v other_o of_o they_o encourage_v with_o the_o love_n of_o their_o country_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n put_v themselves_o into_o a_o posture_n of_o defence_n purify_n the_o temple_n and_o celebrate_v a_o festival_n which_o be_v observe_v even_o at_o this_o day_n and_o last_o obtain_v favourable_a treaty_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o in_o the_o twelve_o book_n of_o josephus_n his_o antiquity_n yea_o we_o find_v their_o name_n and_o glory_n at_o that_o time_n spread_v as_o far_o as_o lacedaemon_n with_o which_o commonwealth_n they_o make_v a_o alliance_n during_o the_o high-priesthood_n of_o onias_n one_o see_v we_o they_o after_o this_o so_o considerable_a under_o the_o successor_n of_o antiochus_n their_o persecutor_n that_o even_o those_o king_n sue_v for_o their_o alliance_n with_o great_a present_n one_o see_v we_o that_o ptolemy_n philometor_n grant_v to_o onias_n the_o son_n leave_v to_o build_v a_o temple_n in_o egypt_n for_o the_o convenience_n of_o those_o jew_n who_o ptolemy_n the_o son_n of_o lagus_n have_v carry_v thither_o as_o well_o as_o for_o those_o who_o leave_v their_o country_n for_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n for_o judea_n be_v situate_a between_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v ordinary_o the_o theatre_n of_o war_n between_o those_o two_o state_n it_o be_v here_o worth_a our_o note_n that_o the_o jew_n undertake_v the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o egypt_n as_o think_v themselves_o authorise_a by_o that_o prophecy_n isai_n xix_o 24._o it_o be_v a_o thing_n otherwise_o forbid_v by_o the_o law._n one_o see_v in_o the_o same_o prince_n reign_n a_o great_a contest_v between_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o mount_n garizim_n decide_v by_o he_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n on_o which_o occasion_n the_o jew_n show_v that_o prince_n their_o law_n and_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o series_n of_o their_o history_n to_o confute_v the_o samaritan_n pretension_n one_o see_v we_o after_o this_o when_o the_o jew_n have_v confer_v the_o sovereignty_n and_o high-priesthood_n on_o simon_n that_o their_o state_n become_v so_o powerful_a that_o under_o hyrcanus_n his_o successor_n they_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o attack_v their_o enemy_n in_o syria_n and_o compel_v the_o edomite_n to_o admit_v circumcision_n aristobulus_n his_o son_n be_v crown_v his_o brother_n succeed_v he_o in_o the_o royal_a dignity_n and_o leave_v the_o state_n in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n notwithstanding_o the_o civil_a and_o foreign_a war_n he_o be_v engage_v in_o we_o find_v afterward_o that_o the_o intestine_a division_n among_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o jewish_a prince_n do_v by_o degree_n open_v a_o gap_n for_o foreign_a power_n to_o enter_v and_o prevail_v over_o they_o pompey_n side_v with_o hyrcanus_n take_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v the_o jew_n tributary_n to_o the_o roman_n but_o without_o change_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n julius_n caesar_n a_o while_n after_o bestow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judaea_n upon_o herod_n the_o edomite_n augustus_n after_o he_o use_v the_o jew_n with_o the_o same_o equity_n as_o pompey_n before_o he_o have_v do_v as_o appear_v from_o one_o of_o his_o declaration_n publish_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o egypt_n and_o asia_n record_v by_o josephus_n this_o herod_n and_o augustus_n be_v the_o same_o under_o who_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v distinct_a from_o other_o nation_n and_o sufficient_o know_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophet_n malachy_n until_o herod_n we_o may_v also_o true_o assert_v that_o whatever_o inclination_n the_o jew_n of_o old_a have_v for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o we_o do_v find_v they_o give_v that_o way_n during_o this_o interval_n between_o the_o last_o of_o their_o prophet_n and_o herod_n as_o if_o the_o charge_n and_o command_v of_o that_o prophet_n malachy_n have_v always_o sound_v in_o their_o ear_n mal._n iu._n verse_n 4._o remember_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n my_o servant_n etc._n etc._n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o maccabee_n in_o great_a number_n suffer_v martyrdom_n rather_o than_o abjure_v their_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n with_o all_o carefulness_n of_o which_o augustus_n himself_o be_v witness_v one_o see_v we_o that_o under_o stranger_n and_o heathen_a king_n they_o exempt_v themselves_o from_o answer_v any_o suit_n at_o law_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n from_o pay_v tribute_n the_o seven_o year_n and_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o their_o temple_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o opposition_n last_o one_o find_v they_o during_o herod_n government_n support_v by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n in_o refuse_v to_o set_v up_o the_o emperor_n trophy_n for_o fear_v lest_o some_o image_n may_v be_v hide_v under_o they_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o crime_n against_o their_o law._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o since_o malachy_n some_o heresy_n spring_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n their_o commerce_n with_o the_o greek_n who_o apply_v themselves_o to_o philosophical_a speculation_n have_v contribute_v to_o make_v they_o much_o more_o disputacious_a than_o they_o be_v before_o the_o authority_n likewise_o of_o their_o king_n who_o be_v high-priest_n also_o may_v have_v have_v a_o great_a stroke_n in_o blemish_v the_o purity_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o yet_o the_o dispute_n which_o we_o find_v among_o they_o as_o that_o of_o the_o fatality_n of_o event_n do_v not_o at_o all_o touch_n the_o substance_n of_o their_o religion_n they_o no_o soon_o find_v the_o spirit_n of_o epicurism_n to_o creep_v in_o among_o they_o but_o they_o frame_v such_o addition_n to_o their_o public_a liturgy_n as_o they_o think_v most_o proper_a to_o eradicate_v or_o at_o least_o condemn_v that_o corruption_n i_o confess_v also_o that_o the_o pharisee_n and_o doctor_n of_o their_o law_n have_v great_o alter_v their_o morality_n in_o make_v their_o own_o explication_n by_o the_o great_a authority_n which_o they_o have_v among_o the_o people_n to_o pass_v for_o authentic_a but_o yet_o this_o change_n and_o corruption_n in_o their_o moral_n as_o to_o practice_n do_v not_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o abolish_v the_o law_n themselves_o which_o be_v only_o wrest_v from_o their_o true_a meaning_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a corruption_n but_o not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o can_v make_v it_o to_o be_v no_o more_o the_o same_o religion_n so_o that_o we_o may_v bold_o assert_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o the_o state_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v sufficient_o entire_a till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o world_n for_o their_o preserve_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a viz._n as_o well_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n together_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o principle_n according_a to_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v in_o their_o prediction_n concern_v he_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o preface_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o
the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n appear_v therein_o with_o so_o much_o lustre_n the_o former_a of_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o and_o the_o latter_a of_o the_o next_o chapter_n as_o the_o pull_n down_o of_o the_o scaffold_n which_o be_v only_o set_v up_o to_o build_v a_o palace_n be_v a_o infallible_a sign_n that_o the_o building_n be_v finish_v so_o one_o may_v say_v that_o the_o total_a deface_v of_o the_o model_n which_o god_n have_v form_v in_o the_o law_n that_o the_o messiah_n at_o his_o come_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a proof_n that_o he_o be_v already_o come_v it_o be_v worth_a our_o pain_n to_o make_v some_o reflection_n on_o this_o overthrow_n that_o we_o may_v conclude_v against_o the_o jew_n that_o if_o the_o messiah_n be_v yet_o to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o know_v he_o according_a to_o the_o character_n which_o god_n have_v give_v of_o he_o before_o his_o appear_v in_o the_o first_o place_n therefore_o whereas_o god_n have_v confine_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n of_o who_o one_o part_n that_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o cham_n possess_v egypt_n and_o africa_n the_o posterity_n of_o japhet_n europe_n and_o the_o lesser_a asia_n and_o those_o of_o shem_n the_o rest_n of_o asia_n the_o jew_n at_o present_a be_v drive_v from_o that_o country_n and_o far_o from_o be_v restore_v to_o it_o after_o seventy_o year_n as_o they_o be_v by_o cyrus_n they_o have_v be_v for_o ever_o banish_v thence_o by_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n who_o forbid_v they_o so_o much_o as_o to_o turn_v their_o eye_n towards_o judea_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 135._o the_o heathen_a celsus_n insult_v over_o they_o in_o these_o remarkable_a word_n they_o have_v no_o more_o say_v he_o either_o land_n or_o house_n remain_v to_o they_o second_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o remainder_n of_o a_o temporal_a power_n 21._o disperse_v palabunâ—_n 〈◊〉_d coeli_fw-la 〈…〉_o svi_fw-la extâ—_fw-it 〈◊〉_d vagantâ—â—_fw-la per_fw-la orb_v fine_a homine_fw-la sine_fw-la deo_fw-la rege_fw-la quibus_fw-la nec_fw-la advenarum_fw-la jure_fw-la terram_fw-la patriam_fw-la saltem_fw-la vestigio_fw-la sâ—lutare_fw-la comeditur_fw-la apolog_fw-la cap._n 21._o that_o they_o be_v then_o whole_o deprive_v of_o it_o see_v what_o tertullian_n say_v of_o they_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n 204._o they_o wander_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n like_o despersed_a vagabond_n banish_v from_o their_o climate_n and_o country_n without_o man_n without_o god_n for_o their_o king_n and_o be_v not_o permit_v as_o stranger_n to_o set_v foot_n on_o their_o native_a soil_n we_o read_v a_o decree_n of_o honorus_n the_o emperor_n which_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o right_n of_o nominate_v their_o patriarch_n or_o of_o pay_v they_o any_o tribute_n which_o show_v that_o their_o authority_n whas_fw-ge whole_o extinct_a three_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v in_o the_o seventieth_n year_n of_o our_o lord_n as_o that_o in_o egypt_n call_v onion_n be_v the_o year_n follow_v it_o can_v never_o be_v build_v again_o notwithstanding_o that_o julian_n the_o apostate_n out_o of_o his_o hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n favour_v that_o enterprise_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n 363._o there_o be_v a_o letter_n still_o extant_a which_o julian_n write_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o assure_v they_o of_o his_o protection_n and_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o that_o work_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o his_o death_n which_o dash_v that_o undertake_n as_o a_o very_a memorable_a opposition_n from_o heaven_n marcelinus_n a_o heathen_a give_v we_o this_o account_n of_o it_o inceptum_fw-la lib._n 23._o imperiique_fw-la svi_fw-la memoriam_fw-la magnitudine_fw-la operum_fw-la gestiens_fw-la propagare_fw-la ambitiosum_fw-la quondam_a apud_fw-la hierosolymam_fw-la templum_fw-la quod_fw-la post_fw-la multa_fw-la &_o interneciva_fw-la certamina_fw-la obsidente_fw-la vespasiano_n posteaque_fw-la tito_n aegre_fw-la est_fw-la expugnatum_fw-la instaurare_fw-la sumptibus_fw-la cogitabat_fw-la immodicis_fw-la negotiumque_fw-la maturandum_fw-la alypio_fw-la dederat_fw-la antiochensi_fw-la qui_fw-la olim_fw-la britannias_fw-it cur_n averat_o pro-praefectis_a cum_fw-la itaque_fw-la rei_fw-la idem_fw-la fortiter_fw-la instaret_fw-la alypius_n juvaretque_fw-la provinciae_fw-la rector_n metuendi_fw-la globi_fw-la flammarum_fw-la prope_fw-la fundamenta_fw-la crebris_fw-la assultibus_fw-la erumpentes_fw-la fecere_fw-la locum_fw-la exustis_fw-la aliquoties_fw-la operatibus_fw-la inaccessum_fw-la hocque_fw-la modo_fw-la elemento_fw-la destinatius_fw-la repellente_fw-la cessavit_fw-la inceptum_fw-la and_o be_v desirous_a to_o propagate_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o government_n by_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o work_n he_o with_o vast_a expense_n design_v to_o rebuild_v the_o splendid_a temple_n which_o be_v former_o at_o jerusalem_n which_o after_o many_o and_o bloody_a battle_n be_v besiege_v by_o vespasian_n and_o afterward_o by_o titus_n be_v at_o last_o take_v with_o difficulty_n he_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o hasten_v the_o business_n to_o alypius_n of_o antioch_n who_o have_v former_o be_v pro-praefect_a of_o britain_n as_o therefore_o this_o alypius_n be_v vigorous_o prosecute_a the_o work_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o lieutenant_n of_o the_o province_n terrible_a ball_n of_o fire_n frequent_o break_v forth_o near_o the_o foundation_n sometime_o burn_v the_o workman_n and_o make_v the_o place_n inaccessible_a thus_o the_o design_n be_v lay_v aside_o the_o element_n itself_o beat_v they_o back_o on_o purpose_n julian_n easy_o apprehend_v that_o their_o religion_n will_v perish_v and_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v restore_v without_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o four_o place_n the_o observation_n of_o some_o of_o their_o law_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v as_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n thus_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v to_o have_v many_o wife_n upon_o this_o overthrow_n many_o inconvenience_n follow_v which_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o represent_v at_o one_o view_n 1._o they_o no_o long_o know_v those_o person_n who_o at_o the_o first_o division_n of_o the_o land_n by_o joshua_n be_v owner_n of_o the_o different_a part_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n 2._o their_o family_n and_o tribe_n be_v confound_v their_o jubilee_n which_o can_v not_o be_v keep_v but_o in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o which_o oblige_v they_o to_o study_v their_o genealogy_n have_v cease_v long_o since_o 3._o the_o family_n of_o david_n be_v at_o this_o day_n utter_o unknown_a 4._o they_o have_v no_o more_o lawful_a priest_n to_o observe_v the_o primogeniture_n to_o examine_v the_o token_n of_o virginity_n though_o it_o appear_v that_o according_a to_o god_n design_n these_o law_n be_v give_v on_o purpose_n to_o ascertain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o to_o be_v like_o enclosure_n about_o this_o important_a truth_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v the_o better_o examine_v certain_o if_o the_o jew_n be_v still_o in_o possession_n of_o judea_n if_o they_o have_v their_o king_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n if_o they_o have_v their_o priest_n if_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o their_o genealogy_n if_o they_o still_o enjoy_v all_o the_o other_o necessary_a mean_n for_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o their_o descent_n if_o their_o temple_n have_v still_o subsist_v in_o its_o former_a lustre_n and_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n appoint_v by_o the_o law_n be_v still_o offer_v there_o the_o jew_n may_v bold_o answer_v that_o the_o shiloh_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v that_o be_v they_o ought_v not_o to_o despair_v of_o see_v the_o messiah_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o david_n and_o enter_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n which_o determin_n 490_o year_n for_o the_o term_n in_o which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appear_v and_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o a_o violent_a death_n and_o punishment_n will_v seem_v to_o be_v elude_v but_o the_o term_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_n be_v past_a the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v overturn_v the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v 1600_o year_n since_o there_o be_v no_o more_o genealogy_n among_o the_o jew_n they_o do_v not_o know_v their_o tribe_n much_o less_o their_o family_n how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v be_v true_a in_o his_o oracle_n as_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v if_o they_o be_v never_o answer_v by_o the_o event_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o consider_v the_o argument_n we_o have_v allege_v to_o prove_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o especial_o those_o demonstration_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o without_o acknowledge_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a at_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n appear_v to_o examine_v whether_o he_o
prescribe_v to_o they_o in_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n but_o the_o occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o they_o all_o be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o genesis_n to_o which_o all_o these_o law_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n take_v for_o grant_v that_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n as_o well_o as_o his_o ancestor_n have_v always_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n and_o circumcision_n and_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n order_v the_o same_o to_o be_v constant_o read_v in_o every_o family_n to_o which_o the_o sabbath_n day_n be_v more_o peculiar_o appropriate_v and_o the_o whole_a to_o be_v read_v over_o every_o seven_o year_n as_o we_o know_v the_o jew_n practice_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o which_o injunction_n they_o practise_v still_o in_o all_o place_n and_o have_v leave_v off_o the_o other_o only_o because_o they_o can_v do_v it_o now_o they_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o land_n i_o say_v suppose_v all_o this_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o any_o other_o than_o moses_n can_v have_v make_v this_o book_n to_o be_v receive_v the_o forgery_n at_o the_o beginning_n will_v have_v be_v palpable_a even_o to_o child_n themselves_o as_o for_o example_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o solomon_n have_v form_v a_o design_n of_o deceive_v the_o people_n in_o publish_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o a_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v so_o far_o impose_v on_o his_o people_n as_o to_o make_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o say_a book_n all_o at_o once_o as_o that_o which_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o their_o family_n every_o seven_o day_n and_o year_n and_o that_o for_o 600_o year_n before_o his_o time_n and_o therefore_o as_o a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o all_o their_o family_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o by_o they_o before_o that_o time_n if_o a_o impostor_n can_v create_v a_o belief_n in_o other_o that_o he_o have_v some_o secret_a communication_n with_o the_o deity_n those_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v by_o he_o will_v easy_o submit_v themselves_o to_o his_o law_n but_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o whole_a people_n shall_v all_o at_o once_o forget_v whatsoever_o they_o have_v learn_v or_o hear_v of_o their_o parent_n and_o forefather_n and_o instead_o thereof_o admit_v of_o tale_n forge_v at_o pleasure_n some_o nation_n have_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a to_o derive_v themselves_o from_o a_o fabulous_a original_a but_o they_o never_o fall_v into_o such_o mistake_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v beside_o we_o know_v that_o these_o fabulous_a original_n never_o make_v so_o lively_a a_o impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n especial_o the_o learned_a among_o they_o as_o general_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o we_o rather_o find_v that_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o truth_n by_o show_v something_o else_o be_v hint_v thereby_o as_o we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o explication_n the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v give_v we_o of_o all_o their_o fable_n and_o utter_o reject_v those_o which_o they_o can_v not_o reconcile_v to_o good_a sense_n but_o in_o this_o case_n we_o find_v a_o whole_a nation_n to_o this_o very_a day_n maintain_v all_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o genesis_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o of_o the_o creation_n as_o of_o matter_n who_o memorial_n they_o have_v constant_o celebrate_v every_o seven_o day_n since_o the_o time_n they_o first_o happen_v last_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o book_n be_v constant_o use_v to_o be_v read_v among_o the_o jew_n especial_o on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n and_o that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n for_o instance_n since_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o since_o that_o of_o david_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v deny_v but_o this_o constant_a read_n be_v observe_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a book_n now_o if_o this_o law_n have_v always_o be_v in_o this_o book_n from_o the_o first_o appear_v of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v question_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o forge_v and_o foist_v in_o this_o book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o moses_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n i_o say_v this_o book_n which_o beside_o all_o this_o contain_v such_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o their_o religion_n i_o will_v not_o repeat_v here_o what_o i_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o chapter_n to_o make_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o man_n appear_v who_o imagine_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n and_o the_o four_o that_o follow_v it_o may_v have_v be_v forge_v by_o other_o under_o moses_n his_o name_n yet_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v before_o i_o proceed_v further_o to_o remove_v a_o seem_a difficulty_n which_o be_v often_o allege_v by_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n for_o say_v they_o it_o can_v be_v that_o these_o book_n be_v ever_o read_v with_o that_o care_n and_o constancy_n we_o speak_v of_o because_o a_o time_n can_v be_v point_v at_o wherein_o the_o say_a book_n be_v whole_o unknown_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n and_o indeed_o the_o history_n plain_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v find_v again_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o josias_n from_o whence_o they_o infer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v then_o unknown_a it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v forge_v but_o indeed_o they_o may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o which_o willing_o we_o allow_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n wherein_o ungodliness_n do_v prevail_v and_o idolatry_n be_v public_o establish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n itself_o yet_o can_v they_o not_o from_o this_o instance_n draw_v any_o other_o consequence_n which_o may_v support_v their_o pretension_n they_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v not_o only_o among_o the_o three_o tribe_n but_o also_o among_o the_o ten_o since_o the_o time_n of_o their_o revolt_n under_o rehoboam_n that_o they_o who_o be_v carry_v by_o salmanassar_n into_o the_o land_n of_o assyria_n have_v the_o say_v book_n among_o they_o as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o their_o own_o country_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o when_o the_o king_n of_o assyria_n send_v some_o of_o the_o priest_n of_o samaria_n to_o instruct_v the_o colony_n which_o he_o have_v settle_v in_o their_o country_n in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o those_o priest_n go_v to_o borrow_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n from_o they_o of_o judah_n nor_o that_o the_o say_v law_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a in_o that_o country_n but_o only_o that_o they_o have_v former_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o serve_v strange_a god_n as_o they_o still_o do_v but_o that_o withal_o they_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o to_o this_o day_n be_v yet_o find_v among_o their_o posterity_n second_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o the_o wickedness_n and_o violence_n of_o manasseh_n cause_v a_o great_a change_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o his_o subject_n notwithstanding_o have_v still_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n among_o they_o the_o blood_n which_o he_o shed_v in_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o there_o be_v some_o godly_a man_n leave_v among_o they_o who_o continue_v true_a to_o their_o religion_n and_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o god._n beside_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o repentance_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o do_v in_o some_o degree_n re-establish_a the_o purity_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o have_v before_o profane_v a_o main_a part_n of_o which_o be_v the_o expound_v and_o read_v of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n according_a to_o those_o law_n before_o mention_v in_o the_o three_o place_n it_o be_v visible_a that_o the_o reason_n why_o hilkiah_n have_v find_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o they_o be_v cleanse_v and_o repair_v it_o send_v the_o same_o to_o josiah_n be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o such_o book_n leave_v in_o judah_n but_o because_o the_o say_a book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n himself_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v something_o very_o extraordinary_a in_o the_o find_n of_o it_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o they_o be_v endeavour_v a_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v this_o circumstance_n which_o do_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n excite_v the_o zeal_n of_o this_o good_a prince_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o suppose_v that_o josiah_n have_v never_o before_o see_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n how_o can_v he_o have_v apply_v himself_o to_o the_o reform_v of_o his_o
country_n his_o people_n and_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n how_o can_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v disperse_v over_o all_o his_o kingdom_n in_o a_o instant_n to_o inform_v the_o people_n about_o the_o ceremonial_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o soon_o after_o be_v so_o solemn_o celebrate_v by_o they_o or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o levite_n the_o priest_n and_o people_n can_v have_v be_v all_o of_o the_o sudden_a instruct_v in_o all_o the_o point_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o perform_n of_o that_o holy_a solemnity_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n do_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o book_n find_v be_v of_o moses_n own_o hand_n write_v but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o devout_a respect_n for_o this_o book_n be_v not_o whole_o stifle_v as_o have_v be_v by_o they_o careful_o hide_v from_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o idolatrous_a king_n and_o lay_v up_o in_o some_o secret_a place_n of_o the_o temple_n where_o now_o they_o have_v so_o happy_o find_v it_o again_o over_o and_o above_o what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n be_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o their_o subject_n yet_o the_o same_o general_o consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o their_o neighbour_n natition_n as_o to_o some_o particular_n which_o though_o they_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o law_n yet_o they_o leave_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o full_a force_n this_o we_o have_v a_o instance_n of_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ahab_n where_o we_o find_v elijah_n reproach_v the_o israelite_n with_o the_o monstrous_a alliance_n they_o have_v make_v betwixt_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o of_o baal_n which_o queen_n jesabel_n have_v introduce_v all_o this_o clear_o prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n which_o be_v the_o first_o of_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v never_o forge_v under_o his_o name_n since_o it_o be_v always_o own_v as_o the_o write_n of_o that_o famous_a author_n and_o be_v still_o so_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n chap._n vii_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o genesis_n that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v constant_o observe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n until_o moses_n the_o other_o objection_n of_o the_o atheist_n suppose_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o genesis_n as_o we_o have_v now_o prove_v be_v this_o that_o it_o seem_v absurd_a to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o relation_n of_o a_o person_n who_o live_v so_o many_o age_n distant_a from_o the_o thing_n he_o recite_v to_o answer_v this_o objection_n we_o must_v first_o of_o all_o declare_v to_o they_o by_o what_o mean_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o moses_n relate_v be_v preserve_v so_o lively_a and_o entire_a as_o to_o give_v moses_n so_o distinct_a a_o knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n know_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o there_o be_v no_o way_n whereby_o we_o can_v more_o solid_o evince_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v forge_v by_o moses_n than_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v always_o constant_o observe_v from_o that_o time_n until_o moses_n the_o same_o also_o will_v help_v we_o clear_o to_o conceive_v after_o what_o manner_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v be_v preserve_v so_o distinct_a among_o those_o that_o live_v since_o the_o creation_n until_o moses_n we_o be_v no_o soon_o inform_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o solemn_a day_n ordain_v at_o first_o to_o celebrate_v and_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o we_o judge_v it_o impossible_a that_o so_o important_a a_o event_n commemorate_a every_o seven_o day_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n shall_v be_v a_o imposture_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o this_o impossibility_n be_v ground_v on_o these_o two_o proposition_n the_o one_o that_o god_n give_v this_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n to_o the_o first_o man_n the_o other_o that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v by_o his_o posterity_n ever_o since_o till_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o god_n only_o renew_v it_o in_o the_o law_n give_v from_o mount_n sinai_n these_o be_v the_o truth_n i_o be_o now_o to_o clear_v and_o it_o be_v of_o more_o importance_n to_o be_v prove_v because_o though_o the_o generality_n of_o author_n ancient_a and_o modern_a jew_n as_o well_o as_o christian_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o christian_a father_n who_o seem_v to_o deny_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v ever_o observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o prove_v from_o moses_n that_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v such_o as_o i_o assert_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o in_o a_o manner_n immediate_o follow_v it_o moses_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n 3._o gen._n ii_o 3._o express_v himself_o thus_o and_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o because_o that_o in_o it_o he_o have_v rest_v from_o all_o his_o work_n which_o he_o have_v create_v which_o word_n clear_o evince_v a_o solemn_a consecration_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o god_n service_n by_o its_o be_v make_v a_o commemoration_n of_o his_o finish_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o intent_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o place_n be_v only_o to_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n set_v apart_o this_o day_n of_o all_o other_o to_o his_o service_n by_o the_o law_n at_o mount_n sinai_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o appointment_n be_v make_v for_o man_n sake_n already_o place_v in_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n this_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o order_n moses_n observe_v for_o he_o set_v down_o first_o the_o formation_n of_o man_n on_o the_o six_o day_n and_o his_o be_v place_v in_o paradise_n which_o he_o give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n and_o after_o these_o he_o relate_v god_n rest_v from_o his_o work_n and_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o impose_v on_o man_n and_o then_o add_v these_o be_v the_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o earth_n when_o they_o be_v create_v in_o the_o day_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n all_o that_o precede_v these_o word_n be_v only_o a_o relation_n of_o what_o pass_v in_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n and_o that_o which_o moses_n set_v down_o concern_v god_n blessing_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o his_o consecrate_v it_o aught_o as_o well_o to_o be_v account_v a_o law_n appoint_v the_o seven_o day_n for_o his_o service_n as_o those_o other_o blessing_n give_v to_o the_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o kind_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o inviolable_a law_n of_o god_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o subsist_v and_o be_v perpetuate_v each_o according_a to_o their_o kind_n by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o patriarch_n maintain_v a_o public_a worship_n at_o least_o since_o the_o time_n of_o seth_n which_o it_o be_v necessary_a shall_v be_v determine_v to_o some_o certain_a day_n and_o since_o we_o find_v that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n they_o distinguish_v between_o beast_n clean_a and_o unclean_a with_o respect_n to_o their_o sacrifice_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v but_o from_o revelation_n we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v apart_o a_o time_n for_o own_o worship_n and_o service_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v many_o evident_a sign_n that_o even_o then_o the_o 7_o day_n be_v observe_v psalmos_fw-la kimchi_fw-la praefat_fw-la in_o psalmos_fw-la i_o will_v not_o here_o peremptory_o assert_v that_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o ninety_o second_o psalm_n who_o title_n be_v a_o psalm_n for_o the_o sabbath_n be_v make_v by_o adam_n himself_o who_o be_v make_v on_o the_o evening_n of_o the_o sabbath_n but_o this_o i_o dare_v assert_v that_o it_o be_v apparent_a 10.12_o gen._n viii_o 10.12_o that_o what_o