Selected quad for the lemma: law_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
law_n common_a nature_n reason_n 4,591 5 4.8578 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A37989 A discourse concerning the authority, stile, and perfection of the books of the Old and New-Testament with a continued illustration of several difficult texts of scripture throughout the whole work / by John Edwards. Edwards, John, 1637-1716. 1693 (1693) Wing E202; ESTC R29386 927,516 1,518

There are 20 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

foretell_v concern_v xerxes_n that_o by_o his_o strength_n through_o his_o riches_n he_o shall_v stir_v up_o all_o against_o the_o realm_n of_o greece_n ver_fw-la 2._o which_o we_o read_v be_v punctual_o fulfil_v for_o he_o enter_v greece_n with_o a_o army_n that_o consist_v of_o a_o million_o of_o men._n and_o what_o be_v say_v concern_v alexander_n the_o great_a viz._n that_o his_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v break_v and_o divide_v towards_o the_o four_o wind_n of_o heaven_n and_o not_o to_o his_o posterity_n etc._n etc._n ver_fw-la 4._o we_o know_v be_v real_o accomplish_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o chapter_n be_v a_o prophetical_a history_n of_o the_o exploit_n of_o those_o several_a lesser_a king_n among_o who_o the_o grecian_a monarchy_n after_o alexander_n death_n be_v divide_v especial_o of_o antiochus_n the_o great_a and_o of_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n here_o as_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n you_o may_v see_v many_o thing_n foretell_v a_o long_a time_n before_o they_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o undeniable_a argument_n of_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n in_o the_o scripture_n we_o may_v proceed_v to_o the_o prediction_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o see_v also_o be_v perform_v in_o great_a measure_n here_o be_v foretell_v the_o wonderful_a propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o rejection_n of_o it_o by_o the_o jew_n the_o receive_v of_o it_o by_o the_o gentile_n the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o the_o calamity_n of_o that_o nation_n these_o prediction_n we_o know_v be_v accomplish_v beside_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o read_v that_o christ_n foretell_v many_o thing_n concern_v himself_o and_o his_o follower_n as_o the_o scandal_n which_o his_o disciple_n especial_o peter_n will_v give_v mat._n 26._o 31._o peter_n triple_a denial_n of_o he_o luke_n 22._o 31._o and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o foretell_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o final_a fall_v away_o ver_fw-la 32._o he_o foretell_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v betray_v and_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v mock_v and_o scourge_v and_o at_o last_o crucify_v and_o that_o the_o three_o day_n he_o shall_v rise_v again_o mat._n 20._o 17_o 18_o 19_o and_o as_o he_o predict_v his_o own_o death_n the_o place_n time_n and_o kind_a of_o it_o with_o the_o time_n of_o his_o resurrection_n and_o i_o may_v have_v add_v also_o of_o his_o ascension_n and_o of_o his_o send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o he_o do_v the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o 18._o peter_n death_n and_o he_o foretell_v 22._o john_n the_o evangelist_n long_a life_n he_o tell_v his_o disciple_n what_o shall_v befall_v they_o after_o his_o departure_n what_o calamity_n and_o suffering_n they_o shall_v meet_v with_o for_o their_o profess_v the_o gospel_n and_o own_v his_o cause_n he_o acquaint_v they_o that_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v preach_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o scandal_n and_o heresy_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o church_n that_o many_o shall_v apostatise_v from_o the_o faith_n and_o desert_n christianity_n mat._n 24._o and_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o our_o saviour_n from_o that_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o they_o foretell_v sundry_a thing_n which_o we_o see_v since_o be_v fulfil_v in_o their_o write_n be_v prediction_n concern_v the_o call_v of_o the_o gentile_n the_o conversion_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o rise_v of_o antichrist_n his_o character_n his_o progress_n and_o his_o dreadful_a downfall_n a_o great_a part_n of_o which_o be_v already_o fulfil_v much_o of_o the_o fate_n of_o the_o world_n which_o they_o foretell_v god_n have_v bring_v to_o pass_v which_o give_v we_o assurance_n that_o the_o rest_n will_v be_v accomplish_v in_o due_a time_n yea_o there_o be_v at_o this_o day_n prophecy_n fulfil_v every_o hour_n as_o that_o of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o she_o magnificat_fw-la from_o henceforth_o all_o generation_n shall_v call_v i_o bless_v luke_n 1._o 48._o the_o memory_n of_o this_o holy_a woman_n be_v daily_o celebrate_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o her_o name_n be_v bless_v throughout_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o saint_n they_o with_o one_o accord_n rejoice_v that_o of_o she_o be_v bear_v the_o holy_a jesus_n who_o be_v bless_v for_o evermore_o and_o so_o likewise_o what_o simeon_n and_o anna_n foretell_v of_o christ_n be_v every_o day_n accomplish_v some_o part_n of_o their_o prophecy_n be_v at_o this_o very_a instant_n make_v good_a that_o be_v another_o prophecy_n which_o be_v now_o fulfil_v 2_o tim._n 3._o 1._o in_o the_o last_o day_n perilous_a time_n shall_v come_v for_o etc._n etc._n with_o several_a other_o that_o may_v be_v name_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o which_o no_o unprejudiced_a man_n and_o of_o common_a ingenuity_n will_v refuse_v to_o acknowledge_v now_o this_o wonderful_a prophetic_a spirit_n in_o scripture_n be_v a_o strong_a argument_n that_o these_o write_n be_v inspire_v by_o god_n and_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o be_v divine_a for_o the_o foreknowing_a or_o foretell_v of_o thing_n to_o come_v be_v one_o character_n of_o the_o true_a god_n as_o you_o read_v in_o isa._n 41._o 22_o 23._o from_o thence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o none_o can_v predict_v they_o unless_o he_o be_v immediate_o enlighten_v and_o teach_v of_o god_n the_o certain_a and_o infallible_a knowledge_n of_o future_a contingence_n which_o depend_v on_o free_a cause_n be_v from_o he_o alone_o wherefore_o when_o we_o see_v as_o in_o our_o present_a case_n that_o thing_n be_v express_o foretell_v several_a hundred_o of_o year_n before_o they_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o when_o we_o see_v that_o the_o event_n exact_o answer_v to_o the_o prediction_n we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o these_o prediction_n be_v from_o god_n and_o can_v not_o be_v from_o any_o else_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o other_o write_n besides_o the_o bible_n have_v prediction_n in_o they_o and_o that_o man_n of_o skill_n and_o sagacity_n do_v sometime_o foretell_v futurity_n yea_o that_o those_o who_o have_v the_o least_o converse_n with_o god_n those_o who_o deal_v with_o evil_a spirit_n have_v predict_v thing_n to_o come_v and_o therefore_o this_o argument_n be_v of_o no_o force_n i_o answer_v first_o it_o be_v true_a that_o natural_a skill_n especial_o improve_v by_o art_n by_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n will_v give_v man_n insight_n into_o some_o futurity_n for_o god_n have_v impress_v a_o particular_a quality_n on_o natural_a body_n and_o they_o keep_v a_o constant_a course_n he_o have_v fix_v a_o way_n for_o his_o creature_n to_o act_v in_o and_o they_o never_o go_v out_o of_o it_o of_o themselves_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n of_o fire_n and_o water_n of_o gravity_n and_o levity_n in_o body_n the_o motion_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o the_o eclipse_n of_o either_o and_o the_o several_a aspect_n of_o the_o heaven_n may_v certain_o be_v foretell_v for_o they_o continual_o and_o uner_o keep_v their_o progress_n unless_o god_n please_v sometime_o to_o cross_v their_o usual_a course_n as_o when_o the_o water_n of_o the_o red-sea_n stand_v up_o on_o a_o heap_n whilst_o the_o israelite_n pass_v over_o the_o fire_n in_o nebuchadnezzar_n furnace_n be_v restrain_v from_o do_v any_o harm_n to_o those_o that_o be_v cast_v into_o it_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o ioshua_n time_n and_o be_v retrograde_a in_o king_n 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o there_o be_v monstrous_a and_o misshape_a creature_n bear_v into_o the_o world_n which_o deviate_v from_o the_o common_a procedure_n of_o nature_n but_o suppose_v that_o god_n suffer_v his_o creature_n to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v a_o judgement_n of_o they_o and_o to_o foretell_v what_o shall_v happen_v but_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o and_o which_o be_v foretell_v in_o the_o holy_a write_n be_v of_o another_o kind_n they_o be_v not_o fix_v and_o determine_v by_o nature_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o in_o man_n power_n to_o predict_v their_o event_n again_o physician_n have_v their_o prognostic_n whereby_o they_o foretell_v what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o patient_n whether_o the_o disease_n will_v be_v hardly_o cure_v or_o easy_o or_o not_o at_o all_o but_o because_o these_o prognostic_n be_v found_v on_o a_o great_a many_o symptom_n and_o these_o be_v uncertain_a and_o dubious_a it_o follow_v that_o those_o be_v so_o likewise_o though_o it_o be_v certain_a a_o experience_a artist_n will_v see_v very_o far_o here_o then_o as_o to_o future_a occurrence_n in_o body_n politic_a a_o wise_a man_n may_v by_o careful_a observation_n and_o remark_n on_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n gain_v some_o insight_n into_o these_o by_o be_v long_o
though_o this_o may_v put_v they_o upon_o offer_v part_n of_o their_o increase_n to_o those_o from_o who_o they_o think_v they_o receive_v the_o whole_a yet_o this_o particular_a quota_fw-la be_v no_o dictate_v of_o nature_n they_o be_v not_o bid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o exact_a reason_n to_o consecrate_v the_o tithe_n of_o all_o to_o the_o go_n it_o be_v as_o reasonable_a and_o accountable_a to_o give_v a_o nine_o or_o eleven_o part_n to_o they_o as_o the_o ten_o therefore_o this_o must_v proceed_v from_o some_o positive_a law_n and_o particular_a institution_n and_o hence_o i_o gather_v that_o the_o pagan_n receive_v this_o rite_n and_o custom_n from_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v under_o a_o law_n of_o tithe_n by_o the_o special_a command_n of_o god_n as_o the_o scripture_n inform_v we_o and_o though_o a_o late_a hebr._n author_n of_o great_a learning_n reckon_v tithe_n to_o have_v have_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o pagan_a world_n yet_o he_o can_v but_o be_v sensible_a that_o the_o contrary_n be_v universal_o embrace_v by_o the_o learned_a selden_n particular_o prove_v that_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_n and_o other_o who_o be_v near_o neighbour_n to_o the_o jew_n receive_v that_o custom_n from_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o that_o afterward_o it_o be_v transmit_v from_o those_o neighbour_a heathen_n to_o other_o far_o off_o as_o the_o greek_n roman_n etc._n etc._n or_o if_o it_o can_v be_v find_v that_o some_o heathen_n before_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n offer_v tithe_n we_o may_v reasonable_o assert_v that_o some_o of_o the_o patriarch_n before_o the_o law_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o heathen_n to_o do_v so_o but_o this_o can_v no_o where_o be_v find_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o ancient_a instance_n of_o give_v tithe_n be_v that_o of_o abraham_n we_o read_v that_o after_o a_o great_a victory_n he_o devote_v the_o tithe_n of_o all_o the_o spoil_n to_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n from_o this_o and_o the_o like_a practice_n the_o offering_n of_o tithe_n among_o the_o heathen_n take_v its_o beginning_n four_o abstain_v from_o certain_a kind_n of_o fo●_n among_o the_o jew_n cause_v it_o be_v probable_a the_o sam●_n custom_n among_o other_o nation_n the_o distinction_n 〈◊〉_d clean_a and_o unclean_a meat_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o the_o egyptian_n thus_o 2._o herodotus_n and_o ●●_o plutarch_n report_v that_o these_o eat_v no_o swine_n flesh_n yea_o if_o they_o do_v but_o touch_v it_o they_o wash_v themselves_o s●_n it_o be_v relate_v concern_v the_o phoenician_n cretian●_n and_o syrian_n that_o they_o abstain_v from_o this_o sort_n 〈◊〉_d flesh._n these_o last_o also_o eat_v neither_o fish_n nor_o pigeon_n some_o of_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n observe_v this_o difference_n of_o meat_n very_o strict_o as_o diogenes_n pythagoras_n apollonius_n tyanaeus_n as_o laertius_n plutarch_n and_o philostratus_n assure_v we_o the_o old_a pythagorean_n abstain_v from_o several_a kind_n of_o food_n especial_o they_o refrain_v from_o eat_v of_o fish_n what_o god_n tacit_o forbid_v in_o sacrifice_n as_o the_o brain_n and_o the_o heart_n for_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v command_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v unto_o god_n those_o philosopher_n open_o forbid_v at_o their_o table_n and_o they_o derive_v from_o the_o hebrew_n their_o not_o eat_v thing_n that_o die_v of_o themselves_o or_o that_o have_v blood_n in_o they_o in_o many_o other_o usage_n it_o may_v be_v show_v that_o the_o pythagorean_n way_n be_v a_o imitation_n of_o judaisme_n five_o the_o heathen_a priest_n garment_n be_v in_o imitation_n of_o those_o which_o the_o jewish_a priest_n wear_v the_o pagan_a pontiff_n wear_v a_o mitre_n on_o their_o head_n as_o 3._o philostratus_n testify_v and_o a_o white_a vest_n or_o linen_n ephod_n be_v the_o usual_a apparel_n of_o their_o priest_n in_o their_o holy_a service_n as_o 1._o valerius_n maximus_n and_o other_o inform_v we_o a_o worthy_a hebraeorum_n writer_n before_o mention_v assert_n that_o the_o priest_n vestment_n of_o linen_n be_v a_o ceremony_n take_v from_o the_o egyptian_n and_o quote_v author_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n use_v such_o a_o sort_n of_o vesture_n but_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o the_o egyptian_n and_o other_o nation_n have_v it_o from_o the_o jew_n i_o be_o not_o singular_a in_o this_o it_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_n as_o 192._o photius_n intimate_v that_o the_o worshipper_n of_o idol_n in_o imitation_n of_o god_n priest_n clothe_v they_o with_o a_o peculiar_a sort_n of_o garment_n which_o be_v after_o the_o fashion_n of_o the_o ephod_n with_o which_o agree_v the_o learned_a 43._o bochart_n the_o egyptian_n say_v he_o be_v in_o many_o thing_n follower_n of_o the_o jew_n permit_v their_o priest_n to_o wear_v no_o other_o vestment_n but_o linen_n one_o and_o again_o in_o the_o same_o place_n he_o say_v plutarch_n do_v great_o philosophise_v concern_v the_o linen_n garment_n which_o the_o egyptian_n wear_v but_o more_o subtile_o th●n_o solid_o he_o be_v ignorant_a that_o many_o rite_n and_o usage_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o the_o egyptian_n and_o evang._n huetius_n be_v positive_a in_o this_o notion_n say_v the_o priest_n of_o is●_n i._n e._n the_o egyptian_a priest_n wear_v linen_n and_o therein_o imitate_v the_o linen_n garment_n of_o the_o hebrew_n priest_n six_o the_o carry_v of_o the_o heathen_a god_n in_o little_a tabernacle_n tent_n or_o portable_a temple_n as_o you_o read_v of_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o moloch_n amos_n 5._o 25._o and_o act_n 7._o 43._o be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n carry_v the_o ark_n which_o be_v the_o symbol_n of_o god_n presence_n so_o 43._o gaspar_n sanctius_n the_o tabernacle_n say_v he_o of_o moloch_n be_v a_o certain_a bier_n on_o which_o moloch_n be_v carry_v about_o in_o solemn_a pomp_n who_o the_o jew_n after_o the_o fashion_n of_o the_o gentile_n carry_v with_o they_o whithersoever_o they_o go_v in_o a_o religious_a manner_n and_o for_o protection-sake_n make_v he_o the_o companion_n and_o guide_n of_o their_o travel_n even_o as_o the_o jew_n of_o old_a observe_v that_o carry_v the_o ark_n and_o in_o it_o the_o divine_a oracle_n through_o the_o wilderness_n thus_o dr._n 2._o godwin_n the_o bear_v or_o take_v up_o of_o this_o tabernacle_n ●ay_v seem_v to_o have_v its_o original_a among_o the_o heathen_n from_o a_o unwarrantable_a imitation_n of_o moses_n tabernacle_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o portable_a 2._o temple_n to_o be_v carry_v from_o place_n to_o place_n as_o need_v require_v for_o as_o he_o go_v on_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o many_o superstition_n be_v derive_v unto_o the_o heathen_a from_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v prescribe_v unto_o his_o people_n but_o the_o worthy_a author_n aforecited_a be_v of_o another_o opinion_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o moloch_n be_v the_o first_o original_a of_o tho_o tabernacle_n of_o god_n god_n see_v that_o the_o pagan_n take_v up_o on_o their_o shoulder_n the_o tabernacle_n of_o moloch_n and_o thereupon_o make_v a_o tabernacle_n for_o himself_o and_o a_o ark_n to_o be_v bear_v upon_o shoulder_n thus_o he_o and_o if_o you_o will_v see_v the_o parallel_n between_o moloch_n tabernacle_n and_o god_n tabernacle_n take_v it_o from_o that_o learned_a pen_n thus_o 1._o moloch_n tabernacle_n be_v portable_a therefore_o god_n be_v so_o moloch_n tabernacle_n contain_v in_o it_o his_o image_n so_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o testimony_n have_v in_o it_o the_o ark_n and_o a_o pair_n of_o image_n viz._n the_o cherubim_v in_o moloch_n idolatrous_a temple_n moloch_n show_v himself_o present_a by_o his_o image_n and_o by_o give_v answer_n thence_o according_o in_o the_o jewish_a tabernacle_n the_o true_a god_n inhabit_v and_o exhibit_v frequent_o a_o sensible_a testimony_n of_o his_o presence_n the_o idolatrous_a tabernacle_n be_v call_v the_o tabernacle_n of_o moloch_n i._n e._n the_o king_n semblable_o the_o mosaic_a tabernacle_n be_v account_v and_o hold_v to_o be_v the_o palace_n and_o mansion_n of_o the_o high_a king_n i._n e._n god_n the_o tabernacle_n dedicate_v to_o moloch_n represent_v the_o sun_n place_v in_o its_o celestial_a tabernacle_n in_o imitation_n of_o this_o moses_n tabernacle_n be_v a_o representation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o star_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n see_v the_o learned_a author_n be_v please_v to_o publish_v this_o parallel_n to_o the_o world_n i_o hope_v it_o be_v no_o offence_n to_o repeat_v it_o here_o and_o with_o submission_n to_o so_o accomplish_a a_o person_n to_o deliver_v my_o thought_n free_o of_o it_o he_o will_v not_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v say_v that_o the_o devil_n ape_n the_o almighty_a this_o he_o discard_n and_o brand_n as_o a_o 2._o vulgar_a error_n but_o i_o crave_v leave_n to_o ask_v this_o question_n be_v not_o this_o more_o
infallible_a this_o be_v that_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n which_o st._n peter_n prefer_v before_o eye-witness_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n 2_o pet._n 1._o 16_o etc._n etc._n yea_o though_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v preach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o afterward_o commit_v to_o write_v st._n paul_n pronounce_v he_o accurse_v gal._n 1._o 8._o these_o infallible_a record_n these_o undoubted_a oracle_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o scripture_n be_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o belief_n to_o all_o christian_n even_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n on_o this_o they_o may_v rely_v with_o confidence_n as_o on_o a_o unerring_a guide_n for_o it_o be_v not_o like_o other_o book_n which_o be_v make_v by_o man_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o void_a of_o error_n and_o mistake_v but_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v god_n who_o be_v truth_n itself_o and_o can_v neither_o deceive_v nor_o be_v deceive_v thus_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o complete_a and_o absolute_a rule_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o of_o all_o supernatural_a truth_n 2._o they_o be_v the_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o manner_n they_o contain_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v as_o well_o as_o to_o be_v believe_v here_o be_v the_o decalogue_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o our_o duty_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o necessary_a precept_n of_o life_n comprise_v in_o it_o be_v often_o repeat_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o explain_v through_o the_o whole_a sacred_a book_n to_o these_o be_v add_v the_o evangelical_n duty_n of_o self-denial_n mortification_n poverty_n of_o spirit_n purity_n of_o heart_n brotherly_a love_n heavenly-mindedness_a circumspect_a walk_v redeem_v the_o time_n abstain_v from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a give_v no_o offence_n to_o any_o and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n forbid_v we_o to_o be_v carnal_a sensual_a and_o earthly_a and_o call_v upon_o we_o to_o converse_v with_o spiritual_a and_o celestial_a object_n to_o to_o set_v our_o affection_n on_o thing_n above_o and_o to_o work_v our_o mind_n to_o such_o a_o temper_n that_o we_o may_v desire_v to_o depart_v out_o of_o this_o body_n and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a than_o grovel_v here_o below_o and_o christianity_n promote_v this_o heavenly-mindedness_a by_o give_v we_o a_o power_n over_o ourselves_o by_o restore_v we_o to_o a_o government_n of_o our_o bodily_a appetite_n and_o passion_n so_o that_o the_o soul_n thereby_o become_v pure_a and_o defecate_a purge_v from_o all_o mundane_a dross_n and_o filth_n fit_v for_o heavenly_a joy_n and_o therefore_o most_o earnest_o breathe_v and_o belong_v after_o they_o here_o we_o learn_v that_o christianity_n be_v repugnant_a in_o all_o thing_n to_o satan_n kingdom_n and_o design_o promote_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n it_o bid_v we_o not_o seek_v ourselves_o and_o aim_v chief_o at_o worldly_a respect_n but_o it_o enjoin_v we_o to_o humble_a and_o debase_v ourselves_o and_o to_o glorify_v god_n in_o all_o to_o advance_v his_o honour_n in_o the_o world_n and_o next_o to_o that_o to_o look_v after_o the_o salvation_n of_o our_o own_o and_o other_o immortal_a soul_n these_o be_v the_o noble_a and_o worthy_a design_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o their_o business_n be_v to_o take_v we_o off_o from_o those_o low_a and_o mean_a project_n which_o man_n of_o the_o world_n carry_v on_o and_o to_o set_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o a_o right_a posture_n and_o to_o fix_v it_o on_o right_a ends._n the_o christian_a precept_n reach_v to_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n they_o restrain_v the_o secret_a thought_n and_o inward_a motion_n of_o the_o mind_n they_o curb_v the_o inordinate_a desire_n and_o wish_n they_o temper_v the_o affection_n and_o passion_n especial_o they_o forbid_v revenge_n malice_n hatred_n and_o they_o direct_v we_o to_o love_n god_n and_o to_o bear_v love_n to_o all_o man_n for_o his_o sake_n the_o christian_a law_n give_v rule_n for_o our_o word_n and_o speech_n and_o will_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v idle_a and_o vain_a much_o less_o profane_a and_o impious_a but_o they_o command_v our_o discourse_n to_o be_v always_o with_o grace_n season_v with_o salt_n to_o favour_v of_o goodness_n and_o piety_n and_o to_o be_v for_o the_o edify_v of_o those_o we_o converse_v with_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v also_o govern_v the_o outward_a action_n of_o our_o life_n and_o bid_v we_o be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n they_o enjoin_v chastity_n and_o continence_n temperance_n and_o sobriety_n they_o forbid_v lust_n and_o luxury_n pride_n and_o sensuality_n they_o teach_v courtesy_n affability_n meekness_n candour_n gentleness_n towards_o our_o brethren_n they_o bid_v we_o be_v kind_a and_o charitable_a to_o all_o and_o even_o to_o love_v our_o enemy_n christianity_n be_v a_o religion_n that_o be_v exact_o just_a and_o give_v the_o strict_a rule_n of_o deal_v honest_o and_o upright_o with_o our_o neighbour_n even_o morality_n which_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n and_o groundwork_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v most_o illustrious_a here_o christianity_n have_v the_o impress_n of_o reason_n civility_n and_o all_o acceptable_a quality_n it_o forbid_v nothing_o that_o be_v fit_v and_o decorous_a it_o countenance_n all_o that_o be_v manly_n and_o generous_a it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n in_o these_o sacred_a write_n the_o duty_n of_o christian_n be_v set_v down_o not_o only_o as_o they_o be_v single_a but_o as_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n to_o other_o and_o as_o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o community_n there_o be_v peculiar_a lesson_n for_o person_n in_o every_o condition_n for_o husband_n and_o wife_n for_o master_n and_o servant_n for_o parent_n and_o child_n for_o superior_n equal_n and_o inferior_n they_o be_v all_o provide_v here_o with_o instruction_n and_o direction_n proper_a to_o that_o state_n they_o be_v in_o they_o be_v very_o remarkable_a word_n which_o a_o ●_o reverend_n divine_a of_o our_o church_n utter_v will_v man_n apply_v their_o mind_n say_v he_o to_o study_v scripture_n and_o observe_v their_o own_o and_o other_o course_n of_o life_n experience_n will_v teach_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o estate_n on_o earth_n nor_o humane_a business_n in_o christendom_n this_o day_n on_o foot_n but_o have_v a_o rule_v cafe_z in_o scripture_n for_o their_o issue_n and_o success_n this_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n and_o be_v no_o mean_a demonstration_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n which_o i_o be_o speak_v of_o here_o be_v also_o the_o most_o notable_a instance_n of_o all_o those_o virtue_n and_o grace_n which_o adorn_v the_o life_n of_o man._n here_o be_v the_o example_n of_o abel_n sincere_a and_o acceptable_a devotion_n of_o enoch_n walk_v with_o god_n of_o noah_n untainted_a faithfulness_n amid_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o corrupt_a world_n of_o abraham_n faith_n and_o self-denial_n when_o he_o offer_v his_o only_a son_n on_o the_o altar_n of_o ioseph_n resolve_a chastity_n when_o he_o once_o and_o again_o resist_v the_o lustful_a solicitation_n of_o his_o mistress_n here_o be_v the_o example_n of_o moses_n public_a spirit_n who_o desire_v his_o name_n may_v be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n rather_o than_o that_o nation_n shall_v perish_v here_o you_o read_v of_o aaron_n submissive_a silence_n of_o reuben_n fraternal_a commiseration_n of_o rohab_n seasonable_a wisdom_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o her_o faith_n in_o conceal_v the_o spy_n that_o be_v search_v for_o here_o we_o may_v observe_v phineas_n active_a zeal_n eli_n entire_a submission_n to_o the_o divine_a pleasure_n iob_n invincible_a patience_n iosiah_n early_a piety_n his_o and_o iehosaphat_n care_v to_o reform_v the_o church_n ionathan_n entire_a friendship_n manasses_n and_o peter_n repentance_n john_n baptist_n austerity_n the_o centurion_n faith_n stephen_n charity_n to_o his_o enemy_n at_o his_o death_n brief_o here_o be_v commemorate_a the_o religious_a and_o holy_a demeanour_n of_o all_o rank_n and_o degree_n of_o person_n whether_o in_o prosperity_n or_o adversity_n whether_o in_o youth_n manhood_n or_o old_a age_n or_o in_o whatsoever_o condition_n of_o life_n they_o be_v place_v where_o can_v we_o find_v such_o glorious_a achievement_n as_o the_o sacred_a history_n recount_v unto_o we_o where_o be_v there_o such_o perfect_a pattern_n of_o virtue_n where_o do_v you_o meet_v with_o such_o noble_a act_n as_o some_o of_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v celebrate_v for_o the_o great_a hero_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o pagan_n be_v general_o but_o idea_n of_o virtue_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o harmless_a romance_n to_o preach_v goodness_n to_o men._n virgil_n aeneas_n xenophon_n
be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o jew_n we●●_n very_o careful_a and_o studious_a very_o exact_a and_o curio●●_n in_o scripture_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o happen_v that_o the●_n be_v a_o impossibility_n of_o make_v any_o alteration_n in_o 〈◊〉_d without_o be_v discover_v that_o be_v the_o only_a re●son_n of_o my_o allege_v here_o the_o masoretic_n note_n 〈◊〉_d i_o undertake_v not_o to_o defend_v the_o superstitious_a r●●marks_n and_o criticism_n of_o the_o masorite_n i_o applaud_v not_o their_o laborious_a nicety_n their_o childish_a transmutation_n and_o shufl_v of_o letter_n and_o syllable_n their_o trifle_a annotation_n on_o the_o figure_n and_o make_v of_o some_o hebrew_n letter_n but_o i_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o make_v these_o critical_a man_n to_o be_v very_o serviceable_a towards_o the_o preserve_a the_o bible_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o its_o purity_n the_o observation_n of_o these_o masoretic_n doctor_n who_o be_v person_n of_o great_a skill_n in_o the_o language_n and_o well_o acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o ancient_a copy_n and_o manuscript_n and_o who_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o exact_o number_v all_o the_o verse_n word_n letter_n and_o even_o the_o minute_a part_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n have_v be_v a_o great_a security_n and_o preservative_n to_o it_o they_o have_v keep_v it_o undeprave_v and_o uncorrupt_a and_o have_v make_v the_o read_n of_o it_o certain_a and_o unalterable_a this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o that_o excellent_a and_o noble_a personage_n the_o learned_a picus_n mirandula_n so_o high_o extol_v the_o hebrew_n cabala_n without_o doubt_n he_o see_v this_o usefulness_n and_o excellency_n in_o it_o nay_o before_o these_o doctor_n of_o tiberias_n draw_v up_o their_o masoretic_n note_n there_o be_v it_o be_v probable_a extant_a something_o of_o this_o nature_n they_o have_v before_o this_o time_n some_o account_n not_o only_o of_o all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o of_o all_o the_o apices_fw-la of_o they_o for_o to_o this_o our_o saviour_n allude_v in_o mat._n 5._o 18._o not_o one_o jot_n or_o one_o 〈◊〉_d tittle_n which_o latter_a be_v mean_v of_o those_o little_a horn_n prick_n and_o dot_n belong_v to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n not_o only_o the_o small_a letter_n as_o jod_n but_o the_o cut_n of_o those_o letter_n be_v diligent_o observe_v by_o the_o masoretic_n jew_n and_o this_o their_o nice_a and_o almost_o fond_a criticism_n be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entire_a and_o unchanged_a thus_o the_o masore_v as_o they_o express_v it_o be_v a_o hedge_n or_o fence_n to_o the_o law_n the●_n critical_a note_n and_o remark_n of_o the_o old_a jew_n hau●_n preserve_v the_o text_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o be_v corrupt_v and_o abuse_v so_o that_o we_o may_v from_o hen●_n gather_v that_o we_o have_v in_o our_o hand_n the_o same_o he●brew_n text_n which_o be_v at_o first_o give_v by_o god_n to_o 〈◊〉_d people_n but_o some_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n 〈◊〉_d b●rnt_v at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o the_o temple_n be_v 〈◊〉_d that_o ezra_n after_o the_o captivity_n dictate_v and_o write_v 〈◊〉_d over_o again_o according_a to_o what_o we_o find_v record●●_n in_o 2_o esdras_n 14._o 21_o 23_o 24._o so_o there_o be_v some_o recovery_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o original_a book_n bein●_n lose_v it_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o that_o there_o be_v many_o ●aults_n and_o mistake_v in_o this_o which_o we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d present_a i_o answer_v either_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o a●pocryphal_a writer_n speak_v of_o some_o other_o book_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n or_o it_o be_v to_o b●_n reckon_v as_o fabulous_a and_o supposititious_a and_o so_o 〈◊〉_d credit●_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o it_o for_o in_o nehem._n 8._o 2_o 3._o there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v bring_v before_o the_o congregation_n and_o its_o be_v read_v before_o 〈◊〉_d man_n and_o the_o woman_n but_o not_o a_o syllable_n of_o the_o ma●t●r_n mention_v in_o esdras_n be_v hero_n to_o be_v find_v yes_o it_o be_v imply_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v still_o the_o same_o for_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o the_o chaldean_n destroy_v and_o burn_v and_o carry_v away_o at_o the_o take_n of_o jerus●●em_n but_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o these_o holy_a book_n which_o most_o certain_o will_v have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o be_v of_o so_o inestimable_a a_o va●●●_n morcover_v if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v the_o law_n be_v burn_v in_o the_o temple_n yet_o there_o be_v many_o copy_n of_o it_o among_o the_o jew_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v preserve_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n therefore_o to_o suspect_v that_o the_o hebrew_n original_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v corrupt_v but_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o well_o as_o some_o learned_a modern_n have_v assert_v that_o the_o hebrew_n be_v corrupt_v i_o answer_v first_o as_o to_o the_o father_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o justin_n martyr_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o confident_o assirm_v that_o the_o jew_n erase_v many_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n and_o he_o assign_v particular_a instance_n in_o the_o psalm_n isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n and_o this_o they_o do_v say_v he_o because_o they_o hate_v christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o think_v some_o of_o those_o place_n favour_v the_o christian_a cause_n too_o much_o here_o by_o the_o by_o you_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o great_a mistake_n and_o oversight_n in_o bishop_n ward_n be_v 3_o essay_n where_o he_o peremptory_o assert_n that_o never_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v in_o their_o great_a heat_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o jew_n accuse_v they_o of_o such_o corruption_n i._n e._n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o first_o time_n that_o justin_n martyr_n have_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o historical_a truth_n this_o among_o other_o be_v questionless_a a_o gross_a mistake_n of_o that_o good_a man_n and_o his_o strong_a averseness_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o his_o belief_n of_o their_o willingness_n and_o readiness_n to_o deprave_v the_o scripture_n for_o their_o own_o end_n betray_v he_o to_o it_o as_o for_o other_o father_n as_o tertullian_n irenaecus_fw-la origen_n eusebius_n who_o it_o be_v true_a sometime_o complain_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o jew_n they_o speak_v of_o their_o adulterate_v the_o text_n rather_o as_o to_o the_o sense_n than_o as_o to_o the_o word_n they_o mean_v that_o the_o translation_n which_o the_o jew_n use_v be_v false_a for_o they_o general_o adhere_v to_o aquila_n and_o theodotion_n version_n and_o prefer_v it_o before_o that_o of_o the_o seventy_o whence_o their_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v unsound_a and_o erroneous_a and_o thereby_o they_o sometime_o set_v up_o judaisme_n against_o christianity_n but_o this_o be_v do_v without_o corrupt_a th●_n hebrew_n copy_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v express_o assert_v and_o maintain_v by_o jerom_n and_o 11._o augustine_n two_o ancient_a father_n of_o a_o great_a fame_n for_o learning_n and_o piety_n as_o those_o before_o name_v these_o worthy_a person_n refute_v that_o suspicion_n and_o rumour_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v then_o rise_v namely_o that_o th●_n jew_n have_v adulterate_v the_o hebrew_n text._n these_o father_n not_o only_o declare_v that_o they_o do_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o they_o praise_v they_o for_o their_o faithfulness_n in_o preserve_v the_o bible_n pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a then_o as_o to_o some_o of_o the_o modern_n who_o have_v assert_v the_o hebrew_a copy_n to_o be_v faulty_a and_o deprave_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o prompt_v they_o to_o it_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v corrupt_v and_o so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n say_v the_o romanist_n but_o the_o old_a vulgar_a latin_a be_v uncorrupt_a and_o infallible_a so_o determine_v the_o tridentine_a council_n huntlaeus_n several_a of_o that_o communion_n have_v write_v against_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n and_o labour_v to_o prove_v they_o corrupt_v but_o diatribe_n morinus_n have_v show_v himself_o more_o zealous_a than_o all_o of_o they_o in_o this_o point_n and_o he_o frank_o confess_v this_o be_v his_o main_a design_n in_o it_o viz._n to_o baffle_v the_o protestant_n who_o make_v the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o manner_n if_o the_o original_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v and_o the_o transcript_n be_v defective_a and_o erroneous_a how_o can_v the_o bible_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n what_o will_v become_v then_o of_o the_o
number_v among_o the_o book_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o thus_o we_o have_v argue_v from_o the_o tradition_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o this_o be_v do_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v it_o be_v valid_a for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o copy_n the_o canonicalness_n of_o the_o book_n and_o the_o like_a be_v not_o decidable_a by_o scripture_n itself_o but_o in_o the_o way_n that_o all_o other_o controversy_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v as_o you_o will_v prove_v any_o other_o book_n to_o be_v authentic_a so_o you_o must_v prove_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v viz._n by_o sufficient_a and_o able_a testimony_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o sacred_a history_n that_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v any_o other_o historical_a write_n that_o be_v extant_a nay_o the_o testimony_n on_o behalf_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture●_n be_v more_o pregnant_a than_o any_o that_o be_v bring_v for_o other_o write_n beside_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v for_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v say_v for_o other_o write_n i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n peculiar_a to_o this_o above_o a●●_n other_o the_o main_a thing_n we_o have_v insist_v upon_o be_v this_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v faithful_o convey_v to_o we_o and_o that_o they_o be_v vouch_v by_o the_o constant_a and_o universal_a tradition_n both_o of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o these_o book_n and_o no_o other_o be_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n for_o to_o be_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o be_v own_v by_o the_o universal_a church_n for_o divine_o inspire_a write_n the_o church_n witness_v and_o confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n for_o she_o receive_v they_o as_o divine_a and_o she_o deliver_v they_o to_o we_o as_o such_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o church_n testify_v these_o book_n to_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v a_o absolute_a and_o entire_a authority_n to_o they_o a_o clerk_n in_o the_o parliament_n or_o any_o other_o court_n writes_z down_z and_o testi●ies_n that_o such_o a_o act_n or_o decree_n or_o order_n be_v pass_v by_o the_o king_n magistrate_n or_o people_n and_o he_o witness_n that_o he_o have_v faithful_o keep_v these_o by_o he_o and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v make_v by_o the_o foresay_a authority_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o act_n decree_n or_o order_n rest_v not_o in_o the_o clerk_n but_o whole_o in_o the_o king_n magistrate_n or_o people_n so_o the_o church_n record_v and_o keep_v the_o sacred_a write_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o bear_v witness_v that_o they_o have_v be_v faithful_o preserve_v and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o genuine_a write_n of_o those_o person_n who_o name_n be_v presix_v to_o they_o b●t_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n depend_v not_o on_o the_o church_n but_o on_o the_o book_n and_o author_n themselves_o namely_o their_o be_v inspire_v and_o indeed_o this_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n can_v depend_v on_o the_o church_n because_o the_o church_n itself_o depend_v on_o the_o scripture_n these_o must_v be_v prove_v before_o the_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n we_o can_v know_v the_o church_n but_o by_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v know_v before_o the_o church_n it_o follow_v then_o that_o the_o papist_n be_v very_o unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a in_o make_v the_o ultimate_a resolution_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v into_o the_o testimony_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n this_o we_o disow_v as_o a_o great_a falsity_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o hold_v that_o the_o church_n testimony_n be_v one_o good_a argument_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n according_a to_o that_o know_a say_v of_o st._n augustine_n i_o shall_v not_o believe_v the_o gospel_n if_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o move_v i_o not_o that_o he_o find_v the_o gospel_n i._n e._n the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o on_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v wont_a to_o infer_v from_o these_o word_n and_o frequent_o quote_v they_o to_o this_o purpose_n no_o the_o father_n meaning_n be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o testimony_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n he_o believe_v the_o book_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v very_o that_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o evangelist_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o scope_n of_o it_o for_o he_o speak_v there_o of_o the_o copy_n or_o write_n not_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o good_a father_n rely_v on_o this_o that_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o know_v and_o honest_a person_n as_o the_o church_n be_v make_v up_o of_o do_v assert_v the_o evangelical_n write_n to_o be_v the_o write_n of_o such_o as_o be_v real_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o genuine_a and_o not_o corrupt_v and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n be_v attest_v by_o the_o same_o universal_a suffrage_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n and_o of_o those_o that_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o several_a of_o which_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o write_n this_o be_v the_o external_n testimony_n give_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v the_o general_a persuasion_n and_o attestation_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o these_o be_v the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n that_o they_o be_v pen_v by_o holy_a prophet_n and_o apostle_n immediate_o direct_v by_o the_o spirit_n who_o therefore_o can_v not_o err_v it_o be_v usual_a heretofore_o among_o the_o pagan_a lawgiver_n to_o attribute_v their_o law_n to_o some_o deity_n though_o they_o be_v of_o their_o own_o invention_n intend_v thereby_o to_o conciliate_v reverence_n to_o they_o and_o to_o commend_v they_o to_o the_o people_n but_o here_o be_v no_o such_o cheat_n put_v upon_o we_o god_n himself_o be_v real_o the_o author_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n these_o sacred_a law_n come_v immediate_o from_o he_o they_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o there_o be_v assurance_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o they_o chap._n iii_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n manifest_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n especial_o of_o pagan_n these_o confirm_v what_o the_o old_a testament_n say_v concern_v the_o creation_n the_o production_n of_o adam_n and_o eve_n their_o fall_n with_o the_o several_a circumstance_n of_o it_o enoch_n translation_n the_o longevity_n of_o the_o patriarch_n the_o giant_n in_o those_o time_n the_o universal_a flood_n the_o build_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n i_o have_v propound_v some_o of_o the_o chief_a argument_n which_o may_v induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n i_o will_v now_o choose_v out_o another_o for_o the_o sake_n chief_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o curious_a which_o i_o purpose_v to_o enlarge_v upon_o yea_o to_o make_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o whole_a ensue_a discourse_n i_o consider_v then_o that_o we_o have_v in_o this_o matter_n not_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n but_o of_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n and_o it_o be_v a_o maxim_n in_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o vouch_v by_o all_o man_n of_o reason_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o enemy_n be_v most_o considerable_a the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n as_o i_o have_v show_v already_o give_v their_o testimony_n to_o the_o scripture_n but_o beside_o these_o witness_n there_o be_v other_o there_o be_v the_o attestation_n of_o foreigner_n and_o adversary_n these_o full_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a bible_n we_o have_v the_o approbation_n of_o heathen_a writer_n to_o confirm_v many_o of_o the_o thing_n relate_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o both_o profess_a heathen_n and_o jew_n for_o we_o must_v now_o look_v upon_o these_o latter_a as_o profess_a enemy_n when_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_a concern_v attest_v sundry_a thing_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o vouch_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o they_o here_o than_o i_o will_v distinct_o proceed_v and_o first_o begin_v with_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o let_v you_o see_v in_o several_a particular_n that_o even_o the_o pagan_a world_n give_v testimony_n to_o this_o sacred_a volume_n
thus_o among_o the_o pagan_n we_o find_v unquestionable_a monument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o next_o remarkable_a thing_n after_o the_o flood_n be_v the_o attempt_v to_o build_v the_o tower_n of_o babel_n and_o this_o be_v not_o omit_v in_o pagan_a record_n berosus_n chaldee_n history_n mention_n it_o but_o with_o such_o addition_n as_o these_o if_o i_o may_v call_v they_o addition_n see_v they_o have_v some_o kind_n of_o ground_n in_o the_o sacred_a story_n that_o it_o be_v build_v by_o giant_n and_o those_o giant_n be_v 〈◊〉_d terrae_fw-la silij_fw-la out_o of_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o they_o wage_v war_n against_o the_o god_n and_o be_v at_o last_o disperse_v and_o that_o the_o building_n be_v quite_o beat_v down_o by_o a_o great_a wind._n the_o erect_v of_o this_o tower_n of_o babel_n be_v mention_v by_o hestiaeus_n and_o by_o one_o of_o the_o sibyl_n say_v josephus_n in_o his_o 5._o antiquity_n and_o by_o abydenus_n and_o eupolemus_n as_o eusebius_n testifi_v in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n it_o be_v likely_a that_o belus_n tower_n mention_v by_o herodotus_n be_v the_o tower_n of_o babel_n that_o it_o be_v make_v of_o brick_n and_o slime_n as_o you_o read_v in_o gen._n 11._o 3._o be_v attest_v by_o justin_n q._n curtius_n vitruvius_n and_o other_o for_o what_o these_o writer_n say_v of_o the_o wall_n of_o babylon_n be_v applicable_a to_o that_o and_o as_o for_o the_o poet_n the_o history_n of_o the_o babel-builder_n be_v turn_v by_o they_o into_o t●●_n fable_n of_o the_o titan_n who_o they_o feign_v to_o ha●●_n heap_v mountain_n upon_o mountain_n to_o scale_v heaven_n and_o fight_v the_o god_n and_o by_o name_n they_o m●●●tion_n ovid._n japheth_n one_o of_o noah_n son_n as_o a_o dough●_n giant_n among_o they_o for_o they_o pick_v up_o any_o na●●_n that_o they_o have_v by_o tradition_n and_o clap_v it_o in_o homer_n tell_v we_o they_o cast_v up_o three_o hill_n on_o one_o ●●nother_n ●_o ossa_n on_o olympus_n and_o shady_a pelion_n 〈◊〉_d ossa_n hope_v thereby_o to_o make_v their_o way_n to_o t●●_n heaven_n but_o this_o prove_v successless_a and_o the_o bo●●_n invader_n be_v scatter_v and_o break_v by_o thunder_n from_o jupiter_n all_o this_o grecian_a fable_n of_o the_o theomachy_n of_o the_o giant_n be_v derive_v from_o what_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n relate_v in_o gen._n 11._o 3_o etc._n etc._n that_o nimrod_n a_o great_a hunter_n a_o giantlike_a man_n with_o his_o sturdy_a fellow_n attempt_v to_o build_v a_o city_n and_o tower_n who_o top_n shall_v reach_v up_o to_o heaven_n which_o the_o pagan_n interpret_v to_o be_v defy_v of_o the_o god_n and_o make_v war_n with_o they_o and_o true_o they_o do_v not_o come_v short_a of_o the_o true_a mean_v of_o their_o grand_a design_n which_o be_v to_o defy_v heaven_n and_o to_o exalt_v and_o magnify_v themselves_o though_o i_o grant_v it_o be_v hyperbolical_o speak_v when_o they_o say_v let_v 〈◊〉_d build_v we_o a_o city_n and_o tower_n to_o reach_v up_o to_o heaven_n for_o they_o can_v not_o dream_v of_o perform_v this_o in_o reality_n because_o they_o know_v the_o height_n of_o the_o late_a flood_n which_o lift_v up_o the_o ark_n fifteen_o cubit_n above_o the_o high_a mountain_n be_v short_a of_o heaven_n beside_o they_o will_v not_o have_v build_v on_o the_o plain_a as_o they_o do_v but_o on_o the_o high_a hill_n if_o they_o have_v have_v any_o such_o project_n in_o their_o head_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v a_o refuge_n from_o the_o water_n of_o another_o flood_n for_o they_o have_v god_n word_n for_o it_o that_o no_o such_o 〈◊〉_d shall_v ever_o be_v again_o gen._n 9_o 15._o but_o their_o design_n be_v plain_o set_v down_o chap._n 11._o ver_fw-la 4._o let_v we_o make_v we_o a_o name_n lest_o we_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n i._n e._n let_v we_o go_v about_o this_o work_n that_o we_o may_v have_v here_o a_o place_n to_o six_o in_o that_o by_o erect_v this_o vast_a city_n and_o tower_n we_o may_v have_v room_n enough_o and_o live_v together_o in_o one_o body_n and_o make_v our_o lust_n our_o only_a law_n and_o act_n as_o we_o please_v without_o the_o control_v of_o other_o and_o that_o afterward_o when_o by_o reason_n of_o our_o great_a number_n and_o increase_v we_o must_v be_v force_v to_o remove_v we_o may_v by_o this_o famous_a monument_n be_v know_v and_o when_o we_o leave_v this_o world_n we_o may_v hereby_o purchase_v a_o name_n in_o future_a age_n and_o even_o survive_v after_o death_n thus_o their_o intention_n and_o erterprise_n be_v profane_a and_o impious_a and_o no_o less_o than_o a_o arrogant_a contempt_n of_o god_n but_o some_o of_o the_o poet_n interpret_n the_o aforesaid_a word_n in_o a_o gross_a manner_n as_o if_o those_o dare_a sinner_n do_v actual_o scale_v the_o heaven_n have_v present_v we_o with_o their_o conceit_n upon_o this_o remarkable_a occurrence_n but_o as_o to_o the_o main_a it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o they_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o even_o this_o last_o particular_a the_o make_v they_o a_o name_n seem_v to_o be_v transcribe_v into_o the_o fable_n when_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o after_o the_o giant_n who_o be_v beget_v of_o the_o earth_n have_v fight_v the_o god_n their_o mother_n earth_n be_v incense_v at_o the_o defeat_n of_o her_o son_n bring_v forth_o fame_n this_o be_v the_o giant_n last_o sister_n according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o poet_n illam_fw-la terra_fw-la parens_fw-la irâ_fw-la irritata_fw-la deorum_fw-la extremam_fw-la ut_fw-la perhibent_fw-la caeo_n encelad●que_n sororem_fw-la progenuit_fw-la we_o read_v that_o when_o these_o builder_n be_v hot_a 〈◊〉_d their_o work_n god_n on_o a_o sudden_a defeat_v their_o project_n by_o confound_v their_o language_n v_o 7._o and_o thereby_o scatter_v they_o abroad_o from_o thence_o upon_o the_o face_n 〈◊〉_d all_o the_o earth_n v_o 8._o of_o which_o confusion_n or_o 〈◊〉_d of_o language_n there_o be_v this_o remembrance_n 〈◊〉_d the_o greek_a tongue_n that_o in_o it_o man_n be_v call●●_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o epithet_n be_v give_v they_o 〈◊〉_d loc_n eustathius_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o division_n 〈◊〉_d tongue_n which_o the_o world_n suffer_v at_o babel_n 〈◊〉_d this_o say_v he_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o t●●_n ancient_a christian_n then_o as_o to_o the_o division_n of_o 〈◊〉_d earth_n among_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n set_v down_o in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d chapter_n of_o genesis_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v 〈◊〉_d the_o fiction_n of_o divide_v the_o world_n among_o 〈◊〉_d brethren_n the_o son_n of_o saturn_n be_v take_v from_o 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o there_o be_v some_o remainder_n and_o foot_n 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o sacred_a truth_n to_o be_v observe_v which_o way_n 〈◊〉_d ever_o you_o look_v this_o i_o may_v further_o show_v in_o t●●_n account_v which_o moses_n history_n give_v of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d plantation_n upon_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n among_o noah_n son_n as_o in_o the_o posterity_n of_o javan_n whe●●●_n be_v the_o javan_n or_o greek_n call_v 〈…〉_z but_o because_o i_o shall_v afterward_o have_v a_o occasion_n 〈◊〉_d speak_v of_o this_o namely_o when_o i_o treat_v of_o the_o p●●fection_n of_o scripture_n show_v it_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o complete_a history_n in_o the_o world_n i_o wi●●_n defer_v it_o till_o then_o and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n let_v you_o 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o mosaic_a history_n give_v we_o the_o best_a account_n of_o those_o first_o planter_n and_o also_o that_o in_o several_a 〈◊〉_d those_o name_n be_v to_o be_v read_v the_o name_n of_o coquetry_n and_o nation_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o pag●●_n author_n chap._n iu._n several_a thing_n relate_v to_o the_o patriarch_n abraham_n the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n the_o oppression_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o egypt_n the_o history_n of_o joseph_n the_o pass-ove_a the_o conduct_v the_o israelite_n through_o the_o red-sea_n their_o travel_n in_o the_o wilderness_n the_o brazen_a serpent_n attest_v by_o heathen_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o report_n concern_v the_o jew_n worship_v a_o ass_n head_n and_o also_o their_o worship_v of_o cloud_n between_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n and_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n by_o moses_n there_o be_v many_o observable_a passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v also_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o attest_v though_o in_o a_o obscure_a and_o oblique_a manner_n by_o pagan_a writer_n the_o great_a patriarch_n abraham_n be_v mention_v by_o berosus_n heeataeus_fw-la nicolas_n damascenus_n eupolemus_n alex._n polyhistor_n as_o josephus_n and_o eusebius_n acquaint_v we_o in_o their_o write_n before_o name_n the_o wise_a man_n of_o gr●●●●_n ask_v their_o god_n whence_o the_o knowledge_n of_o art_n come_v receive_v this_o answer_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
and_o a_o playday_n for_o schoolboy_n from_o these_o and_o several_a other_o instance_n which_o we_o may_v find_v in_o 5._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o evang._n eusebius_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o more_o solemn_a service_n of_o religion_n among_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o cessation_n from_o work_n be_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o week_n now_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v assert_v that_o this_o custom_n be_v found_v on_o nature_n for_o no_o light_n of_o reason_n can_v dictate_v this_o division_n of_o day_n into_o just_a seven_o and_o no_o more_o therefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o general_a agreement_n of_o the_o world_n in_o this_o arithmetic_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v particular_o signalise_v by_o their_o observation_n of_o the_o seventh-day_n which_o be_v enjoin_v they_o by_o god_n himself_o as_o in_o exod._n 20._o 9_o six_o day_n shall_v thou_o labour_v and_o do_v all_o thy_o work_n but_o the_o seven_o day_n be_v the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n in_o it_o thou_o shall_v not_o do_v any_o work_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o other_o place_n the_o institution_n and_o observation_n of_o this_o particular_a day_n be_v mention_v or_o i_o may_v have_v trace_v the_o original_a of_o this_o yet_o high_o and_o find_v it_o date_v from_o the_o very_a creation_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o all_o thing_n when_o we_o read_v of_o god_n rest_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n gen._n 2._o 2._o and_o his_o blessing_n the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o v_o 3._o from_o whence_o without_o doubt_n the_o custom_n among_o several_a gentile_n of_o observe_v some_o seven_o day_n in_o the_o week_n have_v its_o first_o rise_n again_o the_o gentile_n take_v their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d lustration_n and_o purification_n from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o which_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n treat_v when_o 〈◊〉_d content_v of_o these_o write_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o 〈◊〉_d jewish_a people_n come_v to_o be_v know_v to_o the_o pa●_n they_o present_o set_v themselves_o to_o imitate_v they_o 〈◊〉_d most_o of_o the_o wash_n and_o purifying_n use_v by_o 〈◊〉_d jew_n come_v to_o be_v part_n of_o their_o religion_n the_o jew_n priest_n wash_v their_o hand_n and_o foot_n before_o th●_n go_v about_o their_o sacred_a office_n before_o they_o sa●●ficed_v and_o touch_v holy_a thing_n and_o they_o have_v 〈◊〉_d the_o temple_n laver_n for_o that_o very_a purpose_n likewise_o they_o use_v aspersion_n towards_o other_o and_o we●_n enjoin_v to_o cleanse_v and_o purify_v they_o from_o th●_n defilement_n which_o they_o have_v contract_v in_o a_o wo●_n every_o thing_n and_o person_n belong_v to_o the_o jew_n service_n and_o worship_n be_v hallow_a and_o clean_n 〈◊〉_d by_o certain_a way_n of_o purification_n prescribe_v by_o 〈◊〉_d law_n hence_o we_o read_v of_o frequent_a wash_n 〈◊〉_d sprinkling_n among_o the_o pagan_n 6._o idem_n ter_z socios_fw-la purâ_fw-la circumtulit_fw-la undâ_fw-la spargens_fw-la roar_n levi_fw-la &_o ramo_fw-la felicis_fw-la olivae_fw-la lustravitque_fw-la viros_fw-la and_o 1._o macrobius_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o gentile_a de●tionists_n when_o ever_o they_o address_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d their_o god_n whether_o celestial_a or_o infernal_a prepare_v themselves_o beforehand_o by_o use_v of_o wat●●_n more_o or_o less_o hence_o it_o become_v a_o maxim_n amo●_n they_o that_o 7._o all_o sacred_a thing_n must_v be_v sprinkle_v wi●●_n pure_a water_n and_o they_o have_v vessel_n for_o this_o purpose_n which_o contain_v that_o consecrate_a element_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o good_a author_n as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o learned_a dr._n spencer_n that_o they_o for_o the_o most_o part_n sprinkle_v the_o worshipper_n as_o they_o go_v into_o their_o temple_n the_o truth_n be_v these_o rite_n of_o wash_v and_o purify_n which_o be_v use_v both_o by_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v so_o like_o one_o another_o that_o we_o can_v but_o conclude_v either_o the_o gentile_n take_v they_o from_o the_o jew_n or_o these_o from_o they_o the_o latter_a be_v in_o no_o wise_a probable_a because_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o he_o institute_v among_o the_o jew_n to_o imagine_v that_o he_o will_v take_v example_n from_o the_o pagan_n and_o make_v their_o religion_n the_o standard_n of_o that_o which_o he_o give_v to_o his_o own_o people_n though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o jew_n often_o imitate_v the_o pagan_n in_o their_o custom_n and_o rite_n but_o ne●er_v by_o the_o command_n and_o order_n of_o god_n but_o absolute_o against_o it_o therefore_o the_o former_a be_v most_o likely_a and_o reasonable_a viz._n that_o the_o pagan_n in_o way_n of_o imitation_n take_v their_o ceremony_n of_o wash_v and_o lustration_n from_o the_o jew_n the_o same_o argument_n may_v be_v use_v in_o all_o the_o particular_n which_o we_o shall_v mention_v afterward_o under_o this_o head_n by_o this_o we_o may_v prove_v that_o those_o ceremonious_a observance_n command_v the_o jew_n be_v not_o original_o from_o the_o gentile_n but_o first_o of_o all_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o true_a god_n but_o concern_v these_o purification_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o see_v what_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o justin_n martyr_n of_o old_a who_o produce_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n word_n wash_v you_o make_v you_o ●●an_z chap._n 1._o ver_fw-la 16._o and_o comment_v upon_o ●hem_o add_v this_o 2._o when_o the_o devil_n hear_v of_o this_o wash_v speak_v of_o by_o the_o prophet_n they_o cause_v this_o to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o namely_o whenever_o they_o go_v into_o their_o temple_n or_o approach_v near_o they_o or_o be_v about_o to_o be_v employ_v in_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o offering_n they_o sprinkle_v water_n 〈◊〉_d themselves_o this_o learned_a father_n be_v clear_o of_o the_o opinion_n that_o this_o rite_n of_o aspersion_n whic●_n the_o gentile_n use_v be_v steal_v from_o the_o jewi●●_n church_n and_o not_o that_o this_o steal_v they_o from_o the_o heathen_n with_o who_o agree_v a_o late_a learned_a antiquary_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o particular_a mosaic_a lustration_n or_o purgation_n use_v by_o the_o jewi●●_n priest_n viz._n of_o wash_v themselves_o before_o they_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n say_v thus_o 2d_o this_o kind_n of_o purgation_n be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o people_n of_o other_o nation_n who_o when_o they_o entry_n into_o their_o temple_n have_v their_o lustration_n and_o rite_n of_o wash_v in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n three_o the_o gentile_a custom_n of_o offer_v first●fruits_n and_o ten_o be_v borrow_a from_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o it_o be_v a_o general_a usage_n among_o the_o pagan_a worshipper_n to_o offer_v their_o first-fruit_n to_o some_o of_o their_o deity_n be_v ample_o testify_v by_o 〈◊〉_d censorinus_n and_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o pay_v tithe_n be_v as_o general_a and_o ancient_a may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o respective_a history_n which_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n this_o be_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o old_a roman_n religion_n who_o as_o plutarch_n write_v be_v wont_a to_o bestow_v a_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o fruit_n which_o the_o earth_n yield_v they_o and_o of_o other_o good_n and_o profit_n on_o their_o sacred_a feast_n sacrifice_n and_o temple_n in_o honour_n of_o the_o god_n but_o this_o be_v not_o every_o year_n or_o by_o any_o compulsive_a law_n but_o free_o and_o out_o of_o gratitude_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o camil●_n faithful_o pay_v to_o apollo_n the_o ten_o of_o his_o boot●_n and_o spoil_n take_v from_o the_o enemy_n and_o that_o lucullu●_n grow_v rich_a because_o he_o religious_o practise_v that_o laudable_a custom_n of_o pay_v tithe_n to_o hercules_n that_o the_o greek_n also_o pay_v tithe_n appear_v from_o that_o dictate_v of_o the_o oracle_n to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o that_o delphic_a inscription_n 8_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o whence_o apollo_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o persian_n also_o this_o custom_n prevail_v for_o cyrus_n as_o herodotus_n say_v offer_v tithe_n to_o jupiter_n after_o a_o victory_n obtain_v and_o this_o may_v easy_o be_v prove_v of_o other_o nation_n it_o be_v grow_v into_o a_o universal_a and_o fix_a custom_n to_o offer_v the_o ten_o to_o some_o god_n or_o goddess_n post_fw-la rem_fw-la bene_fw-la gestam_fw-la as_o 8_o servius_n speak_v after_o any_o considerable_a success_n either_o at_o home_n or_o abroad_o insomuch_o that_o at_o last_o it_o come_v to_o be_v a_o indispensible_a part_n of_o the_o gentile_a religion_n and_o thence_o as_o suidas_n observe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o greek_n be_v as_o much_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d consecrare_fw-la now_o this_o sacred_a and_o religious_a rite_n of_o dedicate_a just_a a_o ten_o part_n to_o their_o god_n be_v no_o law_n of_o nature_n
may_v be_v suffer_v to_o give_v my_o conjecture_n 〈◊〉_d poet_n do_v very_o ●itly_o relate_v how_o atlas_n bear_v up_o 〈◊〉_d heavons_fw-fr when_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o mean_v 〈◊〉_d moses_n who_o give_v we_o the_o authentic_a record_n 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n creation_n and_o begin_v his_o history_n with_o the_o production_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o t●●●_n atlas_n that_o support_v the_o sphere_n nay_o he_o may_v be_v right_o say_v not_o only_o to_o bear_v up_o the_o heau●●s_n 〈◊〉_d the_o earth_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o sink_v into_o their_o first_o chaos_n by_o transmit_v the_o account_n and_o memory_n of_o they_o to_o all_o posterity_n i_o question_v 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o moses_n be_v represent_v by_o he●●mes_n trismegistus_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o very_a great_a i._n e._n a_o excellent_a man_n and_o such_o none_o ca●_n deny_v moses_n to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n interpreter_n be_v appliable_a to_o none_o better_o than_o to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o first_o sacred_a and_o inspire_a interpreter_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o write_v letter_n be_v invent_v by_o this_o hermes_n say_v egyp●_n jamblichus_a from_o his_o ma●●●●_n phileb_n plato_n moses_n be_v the_o first_o writer_n may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n di●dorus_n also_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o that_o give_v the_o egyptian_n he_o shall_v have_v say_v jew_n but_o those_o mistake_v be_v common_a with_o he_o and_o other_o pagan_a author_n ibid._n write_v law_n and_o that_o ●e_n be_v ibid._n a_o man_n of_o a_o great_a soul_n and_o very_o powerful_a in_o his_o life_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v he_o be_v eclog._n one_o that_o excel_v in_o wisdom_n and_o valour_n 16._o strabo_n make_v honourable_a mention_n of_o this_o great_a ●●rsonage_n yea_o speak_v not_o only_o of_o he_o but_o of_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o he_o with_o great_a respect_n he_o rank_n he_o among_o the_o best_a legislator_n and_o high_o praise_v his_o law_n and_o give_v they_o the_o preeminence_n before_o all_o other_o he_o recite_v some_o of_o his_o say_n and_o deed_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o leave_v egypt_n and_o come_v into_o syria_n because_o he_o dislike_v the_o egyptian_n for_o their_o make_n and_o worship_v of_o corporeal_a god_n of_o the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o brute_n and_o that_o moses_n profess_v that_o god_n can_v not_o be_v represent_v by_o any_o image_n or_o likeness_n whatsoever_o there_o be_v 5._o other_o gentile_n who_o speak_v of_o moses_n and_o his_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o they_o will_v have_v be_v more_o favourable_a in_o their_o testimonial_n concern_v he_o if_o their_o heathen_a principle_n have_v not_o biased_a they_o to_o a_o more_o undue_a character_n which_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o philo_n in_o the_o life_n of_o moses_n though_o say_v he_o some_o pagan_a historian_n speak_v of_o he_o yet_o they_o say_v but_o little_a and_o that_o not_o true_o neither_o out_o of_o envy_n it_o be_v likely_a or_o because_o of_o the_o great_a disagreement_n between_o he_o and_o the_o law_n of_o other_o lawgiver_n they_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o remember_v he_o but_o that_o testimony_n which_o we_o have_v be_v sufficient_a and_o we_o may_v thence_o be_v satisfy_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o most_o authentic_a historian_n and_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n and_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o what_o they_o say_v that_o his_o law_n be_v the_o first_o and_o give_v beginning_n to_o all_o other●_n the_o famous_a lawgiver_n and_o politician_n among_o the_o grecian_n as_o lycurgus_n and_o solon_n have_v the_o main_a of_o their_o politic_n from_o moses_n law_n whence_o afterward_o the_o roman_n take_v some_o of_o they_o and_o as_o moses_n receive_v his_o law_n immediate_o from_o god_n so_o in_o imitation_n of_o he_o the_o great_a lawgiver_n say_v they_o have_v they_o from_o some_o deity_n as_o numa_n from_o aegeria_n minos_n from_o jupiter_n lycurgus_n from_o apollo_n zabeucus_fw-la from_o minerva_n etc._n etc._n still_o this_o establish_v our_o notion_n that_o the_o write_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n give_v rise_v to_o many_o thing_n among_o the_o pagan_n which_o i_o will_v yet_o far_o pursue_v chap._n vi_o profane_a writer_n testify_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o particular_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n viz._n the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o the_o canaanite_n the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o jephthah_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n sampson_n loss_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o fox_n which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o against_o the_o philistine_n elias_n rapture_n to_o heaven_n some_o passage_n relate_v to_o king_n solomon_n king_n hiram_n etc._n etc._n the_o sun_n be_v go_v back_o in_o king_n hezekiah_n time_n nebuchadnezzar_n transformation_n into_o a_o beast_n his_o dream_n of_o a_o image_n with_o a_o golden_a head_n etc._n etc._n next_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o heathen_n have_v their_o deity_n from_o the_o old_a testament_n their_o saturn_n be_v adam_n their_o minerva_n be_v eve_n their_o jupiter_n cain_n their_o vulcan_n tubal-cain_n their_o bacchus_n as_o also_o their_o saturn_n and_o janus_n noah_n their_o apis_n joseph_n their_o mercury_n and_o bacchus_n moses_n their_o hercules_n joshua_n and_o samson_n their_o apollo_n jubal_n their_o ganymed_n elias_n etc._n etc._n ●venthly_a some_o other_o thing_n which_o the_o old_a testament_n acquaint_v we_o happen_v after_o 〈◊〉_d give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n till_o the_o babylonian_a 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o profane_a writer_n we_o read_v in_o numb_a 13._o 33._o of_o the_o gigantic_a race_n of_o canaanites_n who_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o anak_n 〈◊〉_d in_o deut._n 9_o 2._o jos._n 11._o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v call_v anakim_v be_v there_o not_o some_o prob_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d daridae_fw-la or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o there_o be_v more_o than_o c●stor_n and_o pollux_n that_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n 3_o tully_n will_v inform_v you_o who_o by_o the_o greek_n w●●_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o theodor●t_n several_a author_n acquaint_v 〈◊〉_d have_v their_o name_n from_o those_o great_a man_n who_o w●●●_n the_o offspring_n of_o anak_n these_o be_v drive_v josua●_n out_o of_o palestine_n when_o he_o overcome_v 〈◊〉_d country_n it_o be_v likely_a go_v into_o greece_n and_o fro●_n they_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o athens_n and_o sparta_n descend_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o the_o tyndaridae_n but_o all_o great_a m●●_n and_o prince_n i_o will_v add_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a th●_n word_n give_v origination_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signi●●●_n great_a and_o principal_a man_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v from_o that_o miracle_n in_o jos._n 10._o 13._o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d stand_v still_o perhaps_o the_o poet_n fiction_n arise_v concern_v the_o night_n double_v or_o treble_v by_o jupit●●_n for_o alcmena_n sake_n for_o as_o have_v be_v sugges●●●_n already_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n when_o they_o get_v a_o story_n by_o the_o end_n make_v what_o they_o please_v of_o it_o and_o turn_v it_o into_o quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v at_o first_o the_o rumour_n of_o that_o strange_a accident_n have_v come_v to_o their_o ear_n and_o they_o present_o turn_v it_o into_o a_o fable_n and_o who_o shall_v stop_v the_o course_n of_o the_o su●_n but_o jupiter_n the_o supreme_a god_n and_o after_o the_o ra●●_n that_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n that_o which_o be_v further_o add_v be_v apposite_a enough_o for_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v lewd_a and_o obscene_a and_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o all_o lustful_a practice_n now_o when_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o one_o hemisphere_n the_o other_o want_v his_o presence_n and_o light_n and_o ●o_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o double_a night_n for_o the_o sun_n be_v ●●aying_v here_o so_o long_o but_o you_o shall_v have_v another_o fable_n short_o that_o will_v speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n porphyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o sanchoniathon_n have_v his_o historical_a narration_n and_o secret_n from_o one_o jerombaal_n priest_n of_o the_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o show_v that_o that_o historian_n have_v his_o matter_n from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n the_o hebrew_n fountain_n of_o truth_n though_o he_o oftentimes_o corrupt_v they_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o have_v partly_o learn_v the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n from_o the_o hebrew_n or_o their_o write_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v jehovah_n the_o true_a god_n who_o the_o jew_n worship_v as_o i_o shall_v ●●●w_v more_o afterward_o beside_o from_o
if_o these_o have_v be_v prophecy_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n they_o will_v have_v be_v communicate_v by_o god_n to_o his_o peculiar_a people_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v his_o oracle_n rather_o than_o to_o common_a pagan_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o these_o be_v too_o choice_a secret_n to_o be_v r●●ealed_v to_o they_o wherefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old-testament_n which_o be_v spread_v abroad_o among_o the_o gentile_n the_o sibylls_n only_a recite_v those_o prophecy_n but_o by_o no_o mean_n be_v you_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v prophecy_n of_o their_o own_o it_o be_v true_a the_o pagan_n hear_v of_o these_o prediction_n and_o not_o know_v the_o rise_n of_o they_o attribute_v they_o to_o their_o prophetess_n the_o sibylls_n and_o so_o they_o pass_v for_o the_o sibylls_n oracle_n as_o if_o those_o woman_n make_v and_o indict_v they_o of_o their_o own_o head_n but_o they_o be_v the_o oracle_n of_o the_o holy_a prophet_n and_o not_o of_o any_o person_n among_o the_o pagan_n the_o sibylls_n be_v not_o the_o original_a author_n of_o they_o but_o they_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o bible_n this_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o sibylls_n write_n and_o by_o this_o we_o be_v rid_v of_o all_o the_o hard_a consequence_n which_o may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o foregoing_a assertion_n we_o need_v not_o trouble_v ourselves_o to_o inquire_v whether_o they_o have_v these_o thing_n by_o divine_a a●●lation_n or_o by_o the_o help_n of_o some_o evil_a daemon_n we_o need_v not_o dispute_v whether_o they_o can_v be_v endue_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o yet_o be_v pagan_n in_o their_o persuasion_n and_o vicious_a in_o their_o life_n or_o whither_o if_o they_o be_v act_v by_o a_o diabolick_a spirit_n they_o can_v foretell_v thing_n of_o this_o sacred_a nature_n for_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o maintain_v either_o of_o these_o because_o we_o can_v solve_v the_o matter_n before_o we_o without_o suppose_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n viz._n by_o hold_v that_o these_o sibylls_n as_o many_o other_o before_o they_o take_v these_o thing_n from_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o dress_v they_o up_o after_o their_o own_o fashion_n all_o thing_n agree_v very_o well_o with_o this_o opinion_n and_o we_o be_v press_v with_o no_o absurdity_n insomuch_o that_o i_o have_v wonder_v sometime_o that_o this_o have_v not_o be_v think_v of_o by_o the_o inquisitive_a this_o be_v yet_o a_o far_a evidence_n of_o what_o i_o so_o large_o pursue_v before_o that_o the_o gentile_n insert_v into_o their_o write_n several_a particular●_n of_o the_o old-testament_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o evangelical_n write_n which_o be_v the_o next_o thing_n i_o offer_v second_o then_o i_o will_v consider_v the_o sibylls_n oracle_n and_o verse_n as_o they_o be_v a_o signal_n attestation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new-testament_n behold_v here_o the_o main_a thing_n relate_v to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n plain_o speak_v of_o by_o these_o pagan_n who_o witness_n in_o this_o case_n be_v very_o considerable_a they_o declare_v in_o these_o write_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o great_a change_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o a_o new_a governor_n or_o king_n shall_v arise_v and_o be_v very_o eminent_a cic●ro_n frequent_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o passage_n of_o the_o sibylls_n and_o the_o roman_a senate_n be_v mighty_o alarm_v with_o it_o and_o be_v afraid_a their_o commonwealth_n will_v be_v turn_v into_o a_o monarchy_n yea_o lentulus_n begin_v to_o take_v heart_n from_o this_o prophecy_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v tully_n and_o sallust_n and_o fancy_v he_o be_v the_o king_n the_o sibylls_n speak_v of_o and_o other_o afterward_o imagine_v that_o julius_n caesar_n or_o augustus_n or_o as_o some_o thought_n vespasian_n or_o titus_n be_v intend_v whereas_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v that_o the_o sibylls_n have_v only_o divulge_v in_o their_o verse_n the_o ancient_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o come_v of_o the_o messiah_n which_o be_v find_v by_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o begin_v to_o be_v know_v at_o that_o time_n to_o the_o world_n if_o we_o have_v no_o more_o to_o allege_v but_o this_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o sibylls_n write_n they_o tell_v we_o in_o their_o mystic_a verse_n that_o a_o little_a child_n shall_v throw_v down_o idolatry_n with_o his_o hand_n and_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o delphic_a daemon_n this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o blessed_a babe_n jesus_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o transcribe_v particular_a passage_n in_o these_o write_n as_o concern_v christ_n miracle_n 15._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v only_o a_o paraphrase_n on_o that_o prophecy_n concern_v our_o bless_a lord_n in_o isai._n 35._o 5_o 6._o and_o many_o other_o text_n in_o the_o same_o prophet_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o miraculous_a act_n which_o he_o be_v to_o exert_v here_o upon_o earth_n so_o what_o be_v say_v of_o his_o suffering_n 18._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v borrow_v from_o that_o prediction_n in_o isai._n 5●_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o description_n of_o the_o messias_n suffering_n and_o that_o passage_n re●●ting_v to_o the_o resurrection_n and_o his_o come_n to_o judgement_n 20._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v found_v on_o some_o peculiar_a text_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o messias_n last_o advent_n and_o glorious_a reign_n certain_o it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n that_o these_o person_n attest_v these_o thing_n the_o very_a same_o which_o be_v predict_v in_o the_o old-testament_n and_o which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n this_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o refute_v the_o objection_n and_o cavil_n of_o the_o most_o profess_a adversary_n of_o christianity_n according_o the_o ancient_a christian_n especial_o the_o father_n make_v use_v of_o these_o heathen_a write_n against_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o beat_v they_o with_o their_o own_o weapon_n peruse_v athenagoras_n and_o theophilus_n of_o antioch_n and_o you_o will_v ●ind_v these_o woman_n verse_n high_o commend_v by_o they_o peruse_v alibi_fw-la justin_n and_o 6._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o you_o will_v see_v that_o they_o frequent_o quote_v those_o write_n and_o rely_v on_o they_o in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o pagan_n for_o christianity_n so_o do_v tertullian_n so_o do_v origen_n argue_v out_o of_o these_o pagan_a book_n for_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v espouse_v in_o imitation_n of_o these_o learned_a father_n constantine_n the_o great_a in_o 18._o one_o of_o his_o oration_n speak_v very_o reverent_o of_o the_o sibylls_n prediction_n and_o vindicate_v they_o as_o no_o contemptible_a proof_n of_o christianity_n 18._o lactantius_n and_o arnobius_n allege_v they_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o st._n augustin_n quote_v the_o acrostic_n of_o sibylla_n erythraea_n and_o turn_v they_o into_o latin_n thus_o the_o father_n use_v to_o convince_v the_o gentile_n out_o of_o the_o sibylline_a oracle_n and_o the_o old_a christian_n constant_o read_v these_o write_n and_o appeal_v to_o they_o in_o their_o discourse_n with_o the_o heathen_n from_o which_o practice_n of_o they_o the_o gentile_n as_o 13._o origen_n testify_v style_v the_o christian_n sibyllist_n yea_o the_o ancient_a christian_n be_v so_o addict_v to_o the_o read_v these_o book_n of_o the_o sibylls_n that_o they_o be_v strict_o 5._o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o future_a upon_o pain_n of_o death_n and_o gentil_n we_o be_v tell_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o emperor_n prohibit_v the_o read_n of_o these_o book_n namely_o because_o they_o thence_o fetch_v many_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o their_o cause_n these_o write_n of_o heathen_a woman_n be_v in_o those_o day_n reckon_v to_o be_v a_o notable_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n whence_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v no_o forgery_n for_o the_o ancient_a and_o learnede_a father_n as_o well_o as_o other_o christian_a brethren_n will_v not_o have_v quote_v they_o to_o confirm_v the_o christian_a religion_n if_o they_o have_v be_v such_o but_o we_o see_v they_o do_v frequent_o allege_v they_o to_o that_o end_n and_o especial_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o gentile_n as_o they_o make_v use_v of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n for_o attest_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old-testament_n as_o have_v be_v show_v you_o so_o they_o cite_v these_o gentile_a
mention_v by_o 45._o three_o of_o the_o evangelist_n the_o 2._o jewish_a historian_n express_o testify_v and_o he_o be_v as_o good_a a_o witness_n as_o we_o can_v desire_v in_o this_o affair_n chap._n xii_o after_o particular_a testimony_n now_o more_o general_a one_o be_v produce_v as_o that_o of_o pontius_n pilate_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o tiberius_n the_o respect_n which_o this_o emperor_n and_o other_o bear_v to_o christ._n josephus_n famous_a testimony_n concern_v he_o as_o also_o concern_v other_o mention_v in_o the_o new-testament_n attestation_n of_o pagan_n concern_v st._n paul_n st._n peter_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o acts._n all_o christ_n prediction_n about_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n confirm_v by_o heathen_n and_o jew_n what_o pliny_n and_o trajan_n relate_v of_o the_o christian_n mahomet_n bear_v witness_n to_o christ._n thus_o you_o have_v particular_a testimony_n as_o to_o those_o three_o great_a thing_n our_o saviour_n birth_n life_n and_o death_n now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o have_v general_a testimony_n to_o produce_v there_o be_v some_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a witness_n that_o confirm_v all_o these_o yea_o and_o more_o than_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o testify_v namely_o christ_n resurrection_n as_o other_o governor_n and_o deputy_n of_o province_n use_v to_o send_v a_o account_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o senate_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o happen_v in_o their_o province_n so_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n do_v the_o like_a and_o his_o relation_n be_v the_o more_o valuable_a because_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o person_n who_o condemn_v our_o saviour_n to_o death_n his_o letter_n or_o letter_n rather_o there_o be_v two_o of_o they_o to_o the_o emperor_n tiberius_n soon_o after_o christ_n death_n give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o life_n miracle_n crucifixion_n and_o rise_v to_o life_n again_o and_o as_o public_a act_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v transmit_v and_o reserve_v in_o the_o imperial_a archive_v so_o these_o be_v keep_v there_o whence_o the_o christian_a father_n have_v they_o hegesippus_n a_o ancient_a champion_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n make_v use_v of_o they_o against_o the_o pagan_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v from_o 2._o eusebius_n gentes_fw-la justin_n martyr_n tell_v the_o roman_a emperor_n that_o as_o for_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o act_n of_o or_o under_o pontius_n pilate_n and_o refer_v they_o to_o those_o as_o satisfactory_a and_o undeniable_a tertullian_n with_o great_a boldness_n allege_v the_o same_o record_n as_o a_o sufficient_a confirmation_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o apology_n c._n 5._o &_o 21._o whereupon_o apost_n one_o of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o age_n conclude_v that_o this_o ancient_a father_n find_v this_o among_o the_o act_n of_o the_o roman_a senate_n where_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v set_v down_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v say_v he_o that_o pontius_n pilate_n send_v this_o account_n to_o tiberius_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o governor_n and_o deputy_n of_o province_n to_o transmit_v the_o relation_n of_o every_o remarkable_a occurrence_n to_o the_o emperor_n by_o who_o they_o be_v place_v in_o those_o station_n for_o this_o purpose_n viz._n to_o inform_v they_o concern_v the_o affair_n of_o those_o particular_a place_n now_o the_o crucify_a of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o rise_n again_o be_v certain_o very_o considerable_a and_o remarkable_a passage_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o pilate_n as_o procurator_n of_o judea_n send_v the_o emperor_n a_o relation_n of_o they_o on_o which_o account_n this_o judicious_a writer_n assert_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o there_o be_v other_o argument_n which_o he_o use_v to_o enforce_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o which_o be_v worth_a the_o consult_v thus_o it_o plain_o appear_v from_o the_o forementioned_a father_n that_o there_o be_v such_o letter_n from_o pilate_n to_o tiberius_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n extant_a at_o that_o time_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v make_v their_o appeal_n to_o they_o in_o their_o apology_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v call_v upon_o the_o emperor_n to_o consult_v their_o own_o record_n which_o testify_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o action_n wherefore_o i_o look_v upon_o cent._n du_n pin_n judgement_n as_o flat_a here_o who_o say_v that_o though_o this_o relation_n can_v be_v absolute_o charge_v with_o falsehood_n yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v as_o doubtful_a ibid._n tertullian_n add_v and_o from_o he_o eusebius_n that_o tiberius_n will_v have_v put_v christ_n into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o god_n upon_o pilat_n write_v such_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o concern_v he_o he_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o senate_n desire_v they_o to_o rank_v he_o among_o those_o that_o be_v worship_v and_o deify_v but_o the_o senate_n refuse_v it_o because_o they_o themselves_o do_v not_o first_o order_n and_o approve_v of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o old_a roman_a law_n that_o no_o god_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o by_o the_o emperor_n unless_o first_o approve_v of_o by_o the_o senate_n for_o this_o reason_n only_o they_o reject_v christ_n from_o be_v admit_v among_o the_o go_n however_o the_o emperor_n still_o retain_v the_o same_o reverence_n and_o esteem_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o most_o divine_a person_n and_o in_o honour_n to_o he_o favour_v the_o christian_n and_o by_o tiberii_n edict_n order_v that_o none_o shall_v accuse_v and_o disturb_v they_o mere_o for_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n annex_v a_o severe_a penalty_n on_o such_o as_o dare_v to_o transgress_v this_o edict_n nay_o tertullian_n and_o other_o father_n assure_v we_o that_o he_o have_v so_o great_a a_o reverence_n for_o christ_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o erect_v a_o temple_n to_o he_o this_o be_v from_o that_o information_n which_o pilate_n send_v he_o concern_v our_o saviour_n i_o may_v mention_v the_o kindness_n which_o other_o emperor_n have_v for_o christ_n as_o no_o contemptible_a testimony_n to_o that_o purpose_n which_o i_o design_v this_o discourse_n for_o 51._o lampridius_n report_v that_o alexander_n severus_n worship_v our_o lord_n and_o have_v his_o picture_n in_o great_a veneration_n and_o that_o he_o have_v thought_n of_o erect_v a_o temple_n to_o he_o and_o take_v he_o into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o go_n which_o adrian_n likewise_o he_o say_v intend_v to_o have_v do_v but_o be_v hinder_v from_o it_o by_o be_v tell_v that_o all_o will_v turn_v christian_n and_o the_o temple_n consecrate_a to_o the_o other_o god_n will_v be_v forsake_v these_o be_v ample_a attestation_n of_o pagan_n concern_v christ_n and_o which_o be_v great_a they_o be_v their_o approbation_n of_o he_o next_o i_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o famous_a jew_n who_o i_o have_v so_o often_o make_v mention_n of_o who_o forty_o or_o fifty_o year_n after_o some_o of_o the_o evangelical_n write_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o jew_n affair_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o many_o thing_n relate_v to_o he_o among_o other_o passage_n he_o have_v this_o memorable_a one_o 4._o at_o this_o time_n say_v he_o there_o be_v one_o jesus_n a_o wise_a man_n if_o i_o may_v call_v he_o a_o man_n for_o he_o do_v most_o wonderful_a work_n and_o be_v a_o teacher_n of_o th●se_a who_o receive_v the_o truth_n with_o delight_n he_o bring_v many_o to_o his_o persuasion_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n this_o be_v christ_n who_o though_o he_o be_v by_o the_o instigation_n of_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o our_o nation_n and_o by_o pilate_n '_o be_v doom_n hang_v on_o the_o cross_n yet_o those_o who_o love_v he_o at_o first_o do_v not_o cease_v to_o do_v so_o for_o he_o come_v to_o life_n again_o the_o three_o day_n and_o appear_v to_o they_o the_o divine_a prophet_n have_v foretold_v these_o and_o infinite_a other_o wonder_n of_o he_o and_o to_o this_o day_n remain_v that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o have_v from_o he_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n jerom_n allege_v this_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v christ_n as_o a_o undeniable_a confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o writer_n place_n this_o jew_n among_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n because_o he_o speak_v of_o our_o saviour_n with_o this_o great_a respect_n a_o 44._o late_a writer_n have_v a_o great_a many_o idle_a foolish_a cavil_n against_o this_o so_o notable_a a_o memorial_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o bless_a lord_n he_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v against_o the_o jew_n make_v no_o
moses_n or_o of_o other_o who_o write_v those_o book_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o now_o read_v of_o the_o name_n of_o place_n which_o be_v not_o give_v at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o be_v mention_v but_o be_v only_o by_o way_n of_o anticipation_n insert_v into_o the_o history_n near_o of_o kin_n to_o this_o be_v hysterosis_n another_o usual_a figure_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v when_o the_o proper_a and_o genuine_a order_n of_o the_o word_n be_v not_o keep_v and_o this_o be_v observable_a either_o in_o some_o single_a word_n and_o verse_n or_o in_o some_o chapter_n of_o the_o former_a sort_n be_v gen._n 10._o 1._o where_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v reckon_v in_o this_o order_n shem_fw-mi ham_n and_o japheth_n yet_o japheth_n be_v the_o elder_a brother_n it_o be_v true_a scaliger_n hold_v the_o very_a order_n of_o the_o generation_n which_o this_o verse_n set_v down_o and_o say_v shem_n be_v noah_n first-born_a and_o japheth_n his_o young_a but_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v on_o by_o the_o learned_a that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o right_a order_n for_o first_o the_o septuagint_n express_o say_v japheth_n be_v the_o elder_a brother_n of_o shem_n v_o 21._o again_o josephus_n in_o his_o 7._o jewish_a antiquity_n reckon_v they_o thus_o japheth_n the_o elder_a son_n i_o be_o the_o next_o and_o she●_n the_o young_a of_o all_o moreover_o according_a to_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v who_o be_v of_o good_a repute_n this_o be_v the_o true_a order_n last_o you_o will_v find_v it_o observe_v in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o chapter_n the_o generation_n begin_v first_o with_o japheth_n then_o pass_v to_o cham_n and_o end_n with_o shem._n all_o which_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o transposition_n in_o the_o first_o verse_n and_o that_o the_o true_a rank_v of_o they_o be_v not_o there_o keep_v we_o read_v in_o gen._n 11._o 26._o that_o terab_n beget_v abram_n nahor_n and_o haran_n but_o the_o name_n of_o abram_n first_o of_o the_o three_o brethren_n do_v not_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v elder_a but_o there_o be_v some_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v not_o and_o as_o the_o true_a order_n of_o word_n in_o some_o verse_n be_v not_o always_o exact_a so_o neither_o be_v the_o true_a series_n of_o history_n observe_v in_o some_o chapter_n thus_o in_o gen._n 2._o after_o god_n rest_v on_o the_o seven_o day_n v_o 1._o you_o read_v of_o god_n form_v man_n and_o woman_n v_o 7._o &_o 18._o which_o be_v the_o six_o day_n be_v work_v and_o therefore_o according_a to_o the_o true_a order_n of_o thing_n shall_v have_v be_v part_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n so_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o the_o 10_o of_o genesis_n be_v set_v before_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 11_o chapter_n notwithstanding_o this_o be_v before_o that_o and_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o it_o and_o some_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v in_o those_o historical_a book_n of_o samuel_n the_o king_n and_o chronicle_n the_o seven_o and_o eight_o chapter_n of_o daniel_n be_v misplace_v they_o shall_v of_o right_n have_v be_v insert_v before_o viz._n immediate_o after_o the_o four_o chapter_n for_o they_o speak_v of_o what_o happen_v in_o belshazzar_n time_n although_o the_o forego_n chapter_n relate_v what_o be_v do_v by_o darius_n after_o belshazzar_n be_v slay_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o babylon_n become_v his_o and_o in_o many_o other_o place_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n there_o be_v a_o transpose_n of_o thing_n and_o sometime_o that_o be_v place_v first_o which_o be_v do_v last_o to_o which_o purpose_n the_o hebrew_n doctor_n have_v long_a since_o pronounce_v that_o there_o be_v neither_o before_o nor_o after_o in_o the_o law_n a_o 1._o late_a author_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o book_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n and_o some_o other_o be_v write_v upon_o little_a scroll_n or_o sheet_n of_o paper_n not_o so_o well_o fasten_v together_o as_o our_o book_n now_o be_v and_o so_o the_o order_n of_o these_o scroll_n be_v change_v but_o this_o be_v a_o upstart_n invention_n of_o this_o gentleman_n brain_n and_o have_v no_o foundation_n but_o his_o own_o fancy_n for_o as_o he_o mistake_v paper_n for_o parchment_n there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o former_a in_o those_o day_n so_o he_o be_v mistake_v in_o his_o conceit_n about_o fasten_v those_o parchment-writing_n together_o first_o i_o say_v he_o proceed_v upon_o a_o wrong_a foundation_n because_o he_o assert_v the_o ancient_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o have_v be_v write_v on_o paper_n whereas_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o this_o invention_n be_v so_o old_a and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o parchment_n and_o that_o it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o book_n to_o write_v upon_o that_o which_o have_v occasion_v some_o learned_a man_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a our_o present_a author_n who_o be_v most_o just_o rank_v in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o learned_a to_o think_v otherwise_o be_v that_o passage_n in_o pliny_n 11._o natural_a history_n where_o he_o report_v that_o ptolomee_n philadelph_n king_n of_o egypt_n forbid_v the_o export_n of_o the_o papyrus_fw-la of_o which_o paper_n be_v make_v at_o that_o time_n out_o of_o his_o territory_n whereupon_o eumenes_n king_n of_o pergamus_n find_v out_o another_o way_n of_o make_v paper_n of_o the_o inmost_a skin_n of_o beast_n which_o be_v call_v pergamena_n because_o it_o be_v invent_v in_o pergamus_n first_o but_o this_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n of_o pliny_n for_o that_o be_v not_o the_o first_o use_v of_o they_o they_o be_v much_o ancient_a than_o that_o time_n 2._o diodorus_n the_o sicilian_a tell_v we_o that_o the_o persian_a annal_n be_v write_v in_o parchment_n which_o be_v a_o great_a proof_n of_o its_o be_v very_o antient._n salmuth_n in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o chart●_n pancirol_n think_v the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o membrana_fw-la be_v prove_v from_o jovis_fw-la diphthera_fw-la the_o skin_n of_o the_o goat_n that_o suckle_v jupiter_n in_o which_o the_o ancient_a memorial_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v think_v to_o be_v write_v and_o out_o of_o herodotus_n the_o great_a father_n of_o history_n he_o have_v a_o very_a considerable_a quotation_n who_o relate_v that_o some_o of_o the_o old_a grecian_n make_v use_v of_o the_o skin_n of_o goat_n and_o sheep_n to_o write_v in_o and_o therefore_o terpsichore_n they_o call_v their_o book_n skin_n and_o he_o add_v that_o 〈◊〉_d many_o of_o the_o barbarian_n write_v in_o such_o skin_n now_o we_o know_v who_o they_o be_v that_o the_o pagan_n use_v to_o call_v barbarian_n viz._n the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v probable_a these_o be_v mean_v here_o it_o may_v have_v relation_n to_o their_o writing_n the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o parchment_n but_o if_o this_o concern_v the_o particular_a reference_n of_o these_o word_n to_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o conjecture_n only_o yet_o the_o other_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v suggest_v be_v a_o clear_a and_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o ancient_n use_v of_o the_o membrana_fw-la and_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v that_o the_o bible_n itself_o be_v write_v in_o it_o that_o it_o be_v so_o we_o learn_v from_o josephus_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o eleazar_n the_o high_a priest_n send_v away_o the_o 72_o elder_n or_o interpreter_n to_o ptolomee_n with_o the_o bible_n write_v in_o ●ine_o parchment_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o 2._o the_o same_o place_n which_o be_v very_o remarkable_a and_o to_o our_o purpose_n that_o king_n ptolomee_n be_v astonish_v to_o see_v the_o parchment_n so_o fine_a and_o delicate_a and_o to_o observe_v the_o whole_a form_n of_o they_o so_o exact_o join_v together_o that_o no_o one_o can_v possible_o discern_v where_o the_o seam_n be_v from_o which_o testimony_n of_o this_o learned_a jew_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v parchment_n find_v out_o and_o use_v in_o write_v before_o the_o time_n that_o pliny_n talk_v of_o i._n e._n before_o eumenes_n time_n and_o as_o for_o this_o eumenes_n who_o be_v by_o some_o writer_n also_o call_v attalus_n for_o it_o appear_v plain_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o man_n the_o same_o king_n of_o pergamus_n he_o be_v not_o the_o person_n that_o invent_v it_o nor_o be_v it_o in_o his_o time_n invent_v he_o only_o procure_v a_o great_a quantity_n of_o it_o to_o be_v make_v and_o so_o it_o become_v common_a in_o greece_n and_o asia_n whence_o some_o and_o pliny_n among_o the_o rest_n think_v he_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o the_o mistake_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v this_o which_o the_o learnede_a man_n
now_o agree_v to_o that_o parchment_n which_o be_v make_v of_o sheepskin_n dress_v be_v long_o before_o the_o emulation_n between_o ptolomee_n and_o eumenes_n who_o both_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v ambitious_a to_o procure_v a_o universal_a library_n but_o when_o this_o quarrel_n arise_v ptolomee_o forbid_v paper_n to_o be_v send_v out_o of_o egypt_n whereupon_o eumence_v cause_v parchment_n to_o be_v make_v in_o great_a abundance_n than_o before_o that_o so_o there_o may_v be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o paper_n again_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o this_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o parchment_n and_o see_v we_o have_v prove_v that_o parchment_n be_v long_o before_o it_o be_v credible_a that_o the_o bible_n be_v copy_v out_o at_o first_o into_o it_o that_o proverbial_a say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d show_v the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o this_o sort_n of_o writing-materials_a for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v membrana_fw-la and_o it_o be_v also_o a_o book_n make_v of_o the_o same_o which_o they_o of_o old_a use_v to_o write_v in_o i_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o jew_n viz._n their_o wear_n of_o phylactery_n which_o be_v piece_n of_o scroll_n of_o parchment_n whereon_o they_o write_v some_o part_n of_o the_o law_n and_o bind_v it_o to_o their_o head_n and_o hand_n whence_o we_o may_v probable_o gather_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v first_o of_o all_o parchment-writing_n for_o the_o jew_n be_v strict_a observer_n as_o well_o as_o admirer_n of_o antiquity_n and_o therefore_o their_o writing_n some_o sentence_n of_o the_o law_n in_o parchment_n show_v that_o the_o bible_n itself_o from_o whence_o they_o be_v take_v have_v be_v usual_o and_o of_o old_a transcribe_v into_o those_o very_a material_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v but_o i_o will_v only_o add_v that_o the_o jew_n roll_v up_o their_o sacred_a write_n whence_o their_o book_n be_v call_v megilloth_n volumina_fw-la be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v not_o compose_v of_o egyptian_a paper_n which_o be_v thin_a and_o weak_a and_o consequent_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o this_o rolling_n but_o a_o long_a and_o broad_a skin_n or_o parchment_n will_v endure_v this_o without_o tear_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o this_o be_v make_v use_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o which_o beside_o the_o common_a report_n and_o notion_n among_o the_o jew_n cause_v the_o famous_a rabbi_n jonathan_n to_o say_v in_o his_o targum_fw-la on_o deut._n 31._o 24._o that_o moses_n write_v the_o law_n upon_o parchment_n which_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o learned_a jew_n that_o the_o bible_n be_v original_o write_v in_o parchment_n not_o on_o paper_n and_o the_o talmud_n often_o mention_n this_o parchment-writing_a as_o a_o know_a thing_n it_o be_v rational_a then_o to_o believe_v and_o assert_v that_o these_o holy_a record_n be_v write_v in_o parchment_n and_o though_o we_o be_v inform_v from_o sufficient_a author_n that_o other_o material_n of_o old_a be_v use_v as_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la leave_n as_o also_o the_o inward_a bark_n or_o coat_n of_o tree_n etc._n etc._n when_o they_o write_v but_o few_o word_n yet_o parchment_n be_v the_o old_a and_o usual_a matter_n on_o which_o they_o write_v when_o they_o have_v occasion_n to_o compose_v a_o whole_a book_n which_o confute_v f._n simon_n be_v notion_n that_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o paper_n which_o upon_o serious_a reflection_n so_o search_v a_o person_n as_o he_o be_v can_v but_o discern_v to_o be_v a_o mistake_n and_o he_o know_v that_o charta_n writing-paper_n be_v not_o general_o use_v till_o alexander_n the_o great_a be_v time_n as_o 11._o pliny_n himself_o acknowledge_v who_o quote_v varro_n for_o this_o that_o the_o first_o use_n of_o paper_n make_v of_o the_o cortex_fw-la of_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la be_v find_v out_o in_o egypt_n in_o that_o monarch_n reign_n and_o that_o before_o that_o time_n they_o write_v upon_o leave_n of_o tree_n on_o wax_n etc._n etc._n then_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o disprove_v this_o ingenious_a author_n conceit_n about_o the_o fasten_n or_o rather_o as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o the_o not_o fasten_v of_o these_o parchment_n together_o whence_o he_o fancy_v it_o be_v that_o the_o transposition_n and_o misplace_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n happen_v he_o tell_v we_o that_o heretofore_o they_o write_v upon_o sheet_n or_o leave_n roll_v together_o one_o over_o another_o round_o a_o piece_n of_o wood_n and_o these_o be_v not_o well_o join_v together_o there_o be_v sometime_o a_o misplace_n of_o what_o be_v write_v in_o they_o because_o their_o order_n be_v alter_v this_o may_v be_v partly_o true_a and_o i_o can_v deny_v that_o it_o so_o happen_v sometime_o that_o be_v when_o there_o be_v no_o care_n take_v to_o sow_v or_o other_o way_n to_o fasten_v the_o leave_n or_o sheet_n to_o the_o stick_n of_o wood_n about_o which_o they_o be_v roll_v or_o to_o one_o another_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o the_o present_a case_n for_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o they_o take_v all_o the_o care_n imaginable_a to_o secure_v the_o order_n of_o the_o sheet_n and_o they_o be_v not_o destitute_a of_o a_o particular_a way_n of_o do_v it_o so_o that_o their_o book_n be_v sufficient_o fasten_v but_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v as_o our_o book_n be_v now_o a_o day_n than_o his_o new_a discovery_n be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o trade_n of_o book-binding_a be_v not_o set_v up_o in_o moses_n or_o ezra_n day_n or_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o write_v sheet_n and_o scroll_n be_v loose_a and_o not_o well_o tack_v together_o he_o wilful_o speak_v against_o his_o own_o knowledge_n of_o this_o matter_n for_o he_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o jew_n write_v in_o roll_n or_o continue_a sheet_n or_o skin_n which_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o be_v separate_v as_o our_o write_n be_v now_o he_o be_v antiquary_n enough_o to_o confute_v himself_o from_o what_o he_o have_v read_v concern_v their_o manner_n of_o make_v their_o book_n or_o volume_n their_o fix_v the_o sheet_n of_o parchment_n at_o one_o end_n by_o sow_v or_o fasten_v the_o first_o sheet_n between_o two_o stick_n or_o piece_n of_o wood_n their_o join_v the_o several_a sheet_n together_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o forecited_a testimony_n of_o the_o jewish_a historian_n who_o say_v the_o parchment_n in_o which_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v be_v so_o close_o and_o firm_o join_v together_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o discern_v the_o seam_n or_o place_n where_o they_o be_v join_v their_o roll_v they_o up_o close_o and_o their_o keep_v they_o in_o safe_a repository_n for_o they_o have_v place_n on_o purpose_n for_o all_o valuable_a book_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a yea_o scarce_o possible_a that_o any_o of_o these_o scroll_n or_o sheet_n which_o be_v not_o little_a one_o as_o he_o suggest_v but_o of_o a_o considerable_a size_n shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o their_o place_n much_o less_o lose_v for_o he_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o assert_v that_o many_o of_o these_o scroll_n be_v embezzele_v and_o lose_v and_o thence_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v so_o maim_v and_o imperfect_a but_o we_o know_v the_o man_n and_o his_o design_n which_o be_v to_o depretiate_v and_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n thereby_o to_o advance_v the_o credit_n of_o tradition_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o exalt_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o this_o be_v not_o so_o forward_o to_o exalt_v he_o this_o be_v it_o which_o make_v he_o give_v we_o this_o specimen_fw-la of_o his_o wit_n and_o invention_n of_o which_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v he_o have_v no_o small_a stock_n this_o make_v he_o attempt_v by_o these_o paper-proof_n to_o lessen_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n otherwise_o it_o be_v certain_a this_o parisian_a critic_n be_v a_o person_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o learning_n and_o it_o be_v his_o singular_a commendation_n that_o he_o be_v no_o furious_a bigot_n but_o be_v moderate_a and_o discreet_a in_o many_o thing_n and_o be_v one_o that_o dote_v not_o on_o the_o opinion_n and_o assertion_n of_o the_o catholic_n doctor_n but_o if_o you_o will_v know_v the_o true_a reason_n or_o occasion_n of_o that_o transposition_n which_o you_o sometime_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o holy_a write_n not_o only_o of_o the_o old_a but_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v chief_o this_o as_o i_o conceive_v the_o holy_a writer_n study_v not_o exactness_n they_o be_v more_o intent_n upon_o the_o thing_n and_o matter_n which_o they_o write_v than_o upon_o the_o due_a order_n and_o marshal_n of_o it_o they_o
cheer_v be_v use_v when_o for_o some_o great_a offence_n a_o man_n be_v exclude_v from_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n debar_v the_o congregation_n cut_v off_o from_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n thus_o the_o cheer_v be_v the_o same_o with_o cherem_n which_o be_v the_o middle_a sort_n of_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n between_o nidui_n which_o be_v a_o separation_n from_o company_n and_o converse_n and_o shammata_fw-la which_o be_v a_o devote_v to_o satan_n and_o utter_a destruction_n thus_o you_o see_v what_o course_n they_o take_v in_o those_o early_a time_n to_o animadvert_v on_o those_o that_o be_v faulty_a and_o it_o be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o it_o be_v of_o god_n own_o appointment_n hence_o we_o conclude_v these_o infliction_n be_v appoint_v and_o execute_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o equity_n with_o singular_a wisdom_n and_o prudence_n and_o such_o as_o become_v the_o divine_a author_n of_o they_o and_o the_o alwise_a governor_n of_o that_o people_n it_o can_v be_v expect_v i_o shall_v insist_v on_o the_o particular_a law_n and_o constitution_n of_o their_o civil_a government_n they_o be_v so_o many_o and_o various_a these_o may_v be_v consult_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n itself_o which_o present_v we_o with_o the_o most_o complete_a rule_n of_o civil_a polity_n and_o such_o as_o to_o a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v sit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n the_o greek_n be_v famous_a for_o their_o law_n and_o so_o be_v the_o old_a roman_n who_o borrow_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o their_o law_n from_o they_o and_o particular_o cause_v those_o of_o the_o twelve_o table_n the_o first_o beginning_n of_o their_o law_n to_o be_v fetch_v thence_o by_o their_o decemviri_fw-la and_o we_o see_v they_o contain_v excellent_a thing_n in_o they_o and_o the_o encomium_n of_o the_o learnede_a man_n be_v large_a on_o the_o law_n of_o the_o empire_n the_o pandect_n be_v fraught_v with_o the_o decision_n and_o response_n of_o wise_a and_o experience_a lawyer_n and_o the_o code_n be_v fame_v for_o the_o decree_n and_o constitution_n of_o emperor_n yea_o how_o large_a and_o elaborate_a have_v the_o where_o great_a sage_n of_o our_o nation_n be_v in_o commendation_n of_o the_o english_a law_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v ratio_fw-la the_o high_a reason_n and_o nothing_o else_o but_o reason_n that_o they_o be_v so_o reasonable_a that_o praesumendum_fw-la nothing_o that_o be_v unjust_a can_v be_v so_o much_o as_o suppose_v to_o be_v in_o they_o and_o therefore_o that_o legibus_fw-la no_o man_n must_v presume_v to_o be_v wise_a than_o these_o law_n if_o these_o be_v the_o eulogium_n of_o mere_a humane_a constitution_n of_o what_o transcendent_a worth_n and_o excellency_n must_v we_o needs_o allow_v those_o law_n to_o be_v which_o though_o calculate_v for_o civil_a and_o humane_a government_n be_v original_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a and_o frame_v by_o insinite_a wisdom_n itself_o such_o be_v the_o law_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o in_o this_o sacred_a volume_n be_v transmit_v to_o we_o and_o consequent_o they_o far_o surpass_v they_o infinite_o surmount_v all_o other_o under_o heaven_n and_o no_o law_n whatsoever_o be_v prior_n to_o these_o as_o josephus_n against_o appion_n very_o clear_o demonstrate_v moses_n be_v the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n and_o lycurgus_n draco_n solon_n and_o other_o publisher_n of_o law_n who_o the_o greek_n boast_v of_o be_v but_o upstart_n in_o respect_n of_o he_o you_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o meet_v with_o the_o word_n law_n in_o homer_n or_o orpheus_n or_o mus●us_n the_o antientost_a greek_a author_n as_o 6._o bodinus_fw-la observe_v indeed_o the_o nation_n have_v no_o write_a law_n at_o first_o tully_n livy_n justin_n and_o other_o historian_n acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o verbal_a command_n of_o king_n and_o prince_n be_v their_o law_n but_o afterward_o when_o they_o have_v law_n commit_v to_o writing_n such_o as_o can_v be_v read_v whence_o they_o have_v the_o name_n of_o leges_fw-la they_o derive_v they_o from_o the_o hebrew_n more_o especial_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o ancient_a attic_a and_o roman_a law_n be_v borrow_v from_o moses_n and_o that_o other_o wise_a law_n giver_n and_o ruler_n have_v take_v some_o of_o their_o best_a constitution_n hence_o then_o in_o the_o next_o place_n if_o we_o look_v abroad_o and_o inquire_v into_o the_o government_n of_o the_o heathen_a nation_n we_o shall_v there_o also_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o anitent_n record_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o as_o to_o many_o thing_n that_o concern_v their_o king_n and_o government_n we_o can_v inform_v ourselves_o otherwise_o than_o from_o this_o sacred_a history_n here_o we_o read_v of_o four_o eastern_a king_n such_o as_o they_o be_v for_o melech_n be_v a_o large_a word_n and_o signify_v any_o ruler_n the_o king_n of_o shinar_n the_o king_n of_o ellasar_n the_o king_n of_o elam_n the_o king_n of_o nation_n gen._n 14._o 1_o 2._o which_o be_v the_o first_o peeping_n out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o babylon_n assyria_n persia_n and_o greece_n for_o shinar_n be_v babylon_n as_o all_o agree_v ellasar_n be_v assyria_n some_o region_n near_o to_o euphrates_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o isa._n 37._o 12._o elam_n be_v the_o usual_a name_n of_o persia_n and_o by_o nation_n be_v mean_v greece_n especial_o the_o grecian_a isle_n where_o there_o be_v a_o great_a conflux_n of_o several_a nation_n but_o these_o name_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v in_o this_o extent_n here_o for_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o five_o great_a king_n and_o some_o of_o they_o of_o very_o distant_a country_n will_v come_v to_o sight_n the_o king_n of_o sodom_n a_o petty_a prince_n therefore_o the_o place_n here_o name_v must_v not_o be_v think_v to_o be_v those_o wide_a region_n which_o afterward_o be_v know_v by_o those_o name_n and_o the_o person_n who_o be_v here_o call_v king_n must_v not_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v any_o other_o than_o governor_n or_o magistrate_n of_o city_n for_o so_o the_o title_n of_o king_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o some_o text_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o particular_o in_o this_o history_n where_o the_o five_o king_n of_o canaan_n be_v mention_v we_o read_v that_o abimelech_n which_o afterward_o become_v the_o name_n of_o the_o king_n of_o palestine_n be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o king_n of_o this_o country_n and_o that_o the_o particular_a seat_n of_o his_o government_n be_v gerar_n gen._n 20._o 2._o we_o be_v inform_v that_o about_o this_o time_n which_o be_v about_o 400_o year_n after_o the_o flood_n there_o be_v king_n of_o egypt_n and_o that_o pharaob_n be_v the_o royal_a name_n even_o then_o gen._n 12._o 15._o no_o book_n that_o we_o can_v trust_v to_o make_v mention_n of_o these_o early_a kingdom_n and_o royal_a throne_n such_o as_o they_o be_v but_o moses_n history_n yea_o here_o be_v a_o considerable_a account_n of_o the_o four_o grand_a monarchy_n or_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n as_o they_o be_v usual_o style_v we_o be_v tell_v here_o that_o nimrod_n be_v a_o mighty_a one_o in_o the_o earth_n gen._n 10._o 8._o and_o a_o mighty_a hunter_n before_o the_o lord_n v_o 9_o by_o which_o character_n and_o what_o we_o may_v infer_v from_o it_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o exercise_v a_o imperial_a and_o kingly_a power_n in_o the_o world_n though_o he_o have_v not_o here_o the_o title_n of_o king_n the_o word_n gibbor_n which_o we_o render_v mighty_a be_v in_o the_o version_n of_o the_o seventy_o a_o giant_n which_o express_v not_o only_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o stature_n but_o the_o exorbitancy_n of_o his_o power_n which_o he_o exert_v over_o other_o with_o a_o unlimited_a sway_n and_o arbitrariness_n and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v a_o mighty_a hunter_n i_o grant_v it_o may_v set_v forth_o what_o warlike_a exercise_n he_o be_v give_v to_o as_o livy_n remark_n of_o romulus_n and_o remus_n that_o they_o be_v addict_v to_o this_o manly_a recreation_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o the_o vigour_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o the_o strength_n and_o agility_n of_o their_o body_n and_o so_o xenophon_n in_o the_o life_n of_o cyrus_n observe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o military_a exercise_n and_o become_v a_o great_a man._n but_o i_o conceive_v there_o be_v something_o more_o intimate_v to_o we_o in_o his_o be_v represent_v as_o a_o hunter_n and_o a_o mighty_a hunter_n and_o before_o the_o lord_n for_o this_o may_v signify_v to_o we_o his_o fierce_a pursuit_n of_o man_n as_o well_o as_o beast_n his_o tyrannize_a and_o usurp_a dominion_n over_o the_o people_n and_o that_o in_o desiance_n of_o god_n before_o who_o he_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o act_v thus_o wicked_o he_o be_v of_o the_o race_n of_o chush_fw-mi the_o son_n of_o cham_n and_o be_v the_o
ol●_n roman_a law_n that_o be_v fix_v up_o in_o public_a be_v write_v on_o plate_n of_o brass_n as_o a_o great_a number_n of_o good_a latin_a author_n testify_v and_o ●ome_v to_o preserve_v what_o they_o write_v imprint_v character_n on_o slice_n of_o ivory_n thence_o call_v libri_fw-la elephantini_n in_o tacitus_n and_o flavius_n vopiscus_n thus_o sculpture_n be_v one_o ancient_a way_n of_o write_v among_o man_n of_o whi●●_n the_o first_o instance_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o a●oliab_n who_o w●●_n the_o chief_a master_n of_o 23._o engrave_v and_o that_o by_o the_o particular_a inspiration_n of_o heaven_n be_v the_o fi●●●_n improver_n of_o this_o sort_n of_o letter_n this_o be_v 〈◊〉_d primitive_a write_v of_o mankind_n the_o first_o lett●●●_n be_v cut_v and_o engrave_v which_o indeed_o may_v be_v fou●●_n in_o the_o very_a word_n for_o to_o grave_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v thence_o derive_v without_o doubt_n as_o hither_o to_o we_o have_v see_v by_o help_n of_o the_o sacr●●_n record_v that_o sculpture_n or_o e●●r●tion_n be_v the_o an●●_n ent_a sort_n of_o character_n so_o these_o likewise_o in●o●_n we_o that_o paint_n be_v the_o next_o i._o e._n that_o lett●●●_n be_v general_o draw_v and_o portray_v in_o some_o bla●●_n or_o ●able_a kind_n of_o colour_v and_o to_o this_o end_n i●●stead_o of_o those_o hard_a material_n which_o be_v mad●_n use_v of_o in_o write_v before_o there_o be_v other_o afterwards_o find_v out_o of_o a_o more_o tractable_a nature_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mention_v those_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d seldom_o and_o little_o use_v as_o leau●s_n of_o tree_n espe●●●ally_o 11._o palm_n which_o be_v the_o way_n ●f_o the_o ●_o si●●●_n transmit_v some_o of_o their_o verse_n and_o that_o of_o old_a they_o write_v sometime_o on_o leave_v not_o only_o of_o tree_n but_o flower_n be_v more_o than_o once_o witness_v by_o virgil_n and_o ovid._n still_o to_o this_o day_n we_o seem_v to_o retain_v the_o memory_n of_o this_o ancient_a way_n of_o write_v when_o we_o say_v a_o leaf_n of_o paper_n and_o book_n in_o folio_n nor_o be_v the_o thin_a coat_n or_o rind_n which_o be_v between_o the_o bark_n and_o body_n of_o tree_n and_o be_v use_v in_o write_v of_o old_a as_o 30._o several_a relate_v and_o from_o whence_o come_v the_o name_n of_o liber_n at_o first_o mention_v by_o the_o holy_a writer_n because_o their_o use_n continue_v but_o a_o little_a time_n and_o they_o be_v of_o little_a service_n much_o less_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n say_v of_o write_v in_o linen_n which_o yet_o 1._o livy_n 11._o pliny_n antonino_n vopiscus_n and_o other_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o this_o be_v use_v among_o the_o indian_n and_o such_o remote_a people_n as_o the_o sacred_a history_n have_v no_o occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o but_o those_o material_n for_o write_v which_o be_v of_o constant_a use_n and_o that_o among_o most_o nation_n as_o papyr_n and_o parchment_n be_v either_o express_o mention_v or_o tacit_o refer_v to_o the_o former_a be_v make_v of_o broad_a rush_n and_o flag_n which_o grow_v in_o great_a abundance_n in_o egypt_n of_o which_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n foretell_v the_o confusion_n of_o that_o country_n speak_v ch_n 19_o v._n 6_o 7._o the_o reed_n and_o flag_n shall_v wither_v the_o paper-reed_n by_o the_o brook_n shall_v wither_v be_v drive_v away_o and_o be_v no_o more_o the_o gnaroth_n the_o material_n for_o write_v which_o be_v so_o celebrate_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a commodity_n of_o egypt_n and_o which_o bring_v in_o so_o great_a revenue_n to_o that_o nation_n these_o even_o these_o shall_v decay_v the_o traffic_n of_o they_o shall_v cease_v yea_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o moses_n be_v lay_v in_o a_o ark_n of_o bulrush_n exod._n 2._o 3._o a_o loc_n great_a critic_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o papyrus_fw-la be_v mean_v here_o and_o for_o this_o he_o quote_v 4._o lucan_n conseritur_fw-la bibulâ_fw-la memphitis_n cymba_fw-la papyro_fw-la and_o before_o he_o st._n jerom_n the_o most_o critical_a of_o all_o the_o father_n think_v the_o egyptian_a rush_n of_o which_o the_o first_o paper_n be_v make_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o place_n and_o therefore_o gome_n which_o be_v the_o word_n here_o use_v be_v render_v by_o he_o papyrus_n and_o he_o it_o be_v likely_a have_v this_o from_o 5._o josep●us_n who_o acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o ark_n in_o which_o moses_n be_v secure_v be_v make_v of_o this_o great_a flag_n grow_v on_o the_o bank_n of_o nile_n of_o which_o they_o make_v leave_n to_o write_v on_o and_o whence_o our_o paper_n at_o this_o day_n have_v its_o name_n it_o be_v divide_v into_o thin_a flake_n which_o be_v press_v and_o dry_v in_o the_o sun_n and_o so_o be_v make_v serviceable_a to_o write_v upon_o in_o some_o tolerable_a manner_n of_o this_o 11._o pliny_n and_o several_a other_o writer_n speak_v and_o thence_o nile_n be_v call_v papyriferus_fw-la by_o 15._o ovid._n parchment_n which_o be_v make_v of_o sheep_n skin_n or_o the_o thin_a skin_n of_o other_o animal_n dress_v be_v another_o thing_n they_o write_v upon_o the_o best_a of_o this_o sort_n be_v make_v at_o pergamus_n and_o thence_o have_v its_o name_n pergamena_n but_o it_o be_v invent_v before_o attalus_n king_n of_o peragamus_fw-la his_o time_n though_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v believe_v by_o some_o man_n and_o be_v in_o use_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o the_o egyptian_a papyrus_fw-la be_v only_o this_o be_v use_v for_o common_a purpose_n and_o the_o other_o for_o more_o choice_n write_v and_o such_o as_o they_o design_v shall_v last_v a_o long_a time_n therefore_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v transcribe_v into_o this_o moses_n write_v the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n gnal_n sepher_n upon_o a_o book_n deut._n 31._o 24._o i_o e._n on_o parchment_n say_v jonathan_n the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v on_o the_o place_n for_o so_o he_o and_o other_o learned_a jew_n understand_v the_o text._n this_o be_v mean_v by_o megillah_n a_o roll_n ezra_n 6._o 2._o and_o megillah_n sepher_v a_o roll_n of_o a_o book_n jer._n 36._o 2._o and_o gillaion_n a_o roll_n isa._n 8._o 1._o and_o a_o scroll_n roll_v together_o isa._n 34._o 4._o for_o it_o be_v parchment_n which_o be_v of_o some_o consistency_n not_o thin_a and_o weak_a paper_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v thus_o roll_v up_o to_o this_o terpsichore_n herodotus_n refer_v when_o he_o say_v that_o writing_n on_o skin_n be_v use_v by_o the_o barbarian_n mean_v the_o eastern_a people_n especial_o the_o jew_n and_o 2._o josep●us_n avouch_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o sheet_n of_o parchment_n exact_o join_v and_o fasten_v together_o of_o which_o testimony_n of_o his_o i_o have_v speak_v in_o another_o place_n it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o interpreter_n that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v mean_v write_v parchment_n 2_o tim._n 4._o 13._o but_o i_o have_v heretofore_o propose_v another_o sense_n of_o that_o word_n and_o therefore_o i_o make_v no_o use_n of_o this_o place_n here_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o scroll_n roll_v together_o rev._n 6._o 14._o refer_v to_o this_o and_o though_o i_o will_v not_o aver_v that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o our_o translator_n render_v paper_n 2_o joh._n v_o 12._o be_v to_o be_v understand_v parchment_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o whole_o improbable_a for_o this_o be_v the_o usual_a word_n to_o signify_v any_o thing_n that_o they_o write_v upon_o whether_o egyptian_a reed_n or_o leave_v of_o lead_n or_o gold_n or_o stone_n or_o wood_n or_o any_o of_o the_o other_o write_v material_n before_o specify_v the_o matter_n whatever_o it_o be_v be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o charta_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o from_o the_o hebrew_n charath_n seulpsit_fw-la exaravit_fw-la for_o this_o be_v a_o general_a term_n and_o signify_v any_o thing_n that_o have_v character_n engrave_v or_o write_v upon_o it_o but_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o material_n on_o which_o they_o write_v of_o old_a but_o of_o the_o instrument_n with_o which_o they_o form_v their_o letter_n on_o they_o i_o mean_v here_o such_o as_o be_v of_o common_a use_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o it_o shall_v say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o rubrica_fw-la mention_v by_o 5._o persius_n and_o other_o which_o serve_v sometime_o instead_o of_o pen_n and_o ink._n with_o this_o they_o write_v o●_n rather_o mark_v their_o title_n of_o book_n whence_o that_o of_o 14._o juvenal_n
part_n of_o it_o extant_a before_o there_o be_v any_o writer_n in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o borrow_v from_o other_o this_o be_v the_o peculiar_a excellency_n of_o this_o book_n this_o be_v the_o particular_a commendation_n of_o these_o write_n that_o they_o be_v the_o first_o of_o all_o and_o can_v not_o be_v take_v from_o any_o else_o these_o holy_a scripture_n borrow_v from_o none_o unless_o you_o will_v say_v they_o do_v so_o from_o themselves_o as_o the_o 18_o psalm_n be_v take_v out_o of_o 2_o sam._n 22._o or_o this_o out_o of_o that_o the_o evangelist_n borrow_v from_o one_o another_o the_o virgin_n mary_n magnificat_fw-la refer_v in_o several_a place_n of_o it_o to_o hannab_n song_n 1_o sam._n 2_o and_o st._n paul_n take_v some_o thing_n out_o of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o epbesians_n and_o put_v they_o into_o that_o which_o he_o write_v to_o the_o colossian_n and_o so_o sy_n jude_n may_v be_v say_v to_o borrow_v from_o st._n peter_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o plagiarism_n which_o other_o writer_n be_v guilty_a of_o and_o which_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o their_o want_n and_o defect_n whereas_o the_o holy_a spirit_n supply_v the_o penman_n of_o the_o bible_n both_o with_o matter_n and_o word_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n especial_o and_o more_o particular_o in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n there_o be_v nothing_o at_o second_o hand_n all_o be_v fresh_a and_o new_a th●_n thing_n there_o speak_v of_o be_v never_o deliver_v by_o any_o writer_n before_o but_o most_o of_o the_o profane_a historian_n begin_v when_o the_o holy_a history_n be_v just_a end_n and_o herodotus_n himself_o the_o father_n of_o history_n write_v not_o till_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n time_n the_o gree●_n historian_n go_v no_o further_a back_n than_o the_o persjan_a e●pi●e_n and_o most_o of_o the_o roman_a history_n take_v not_o its_o rise_n so_o high_a indeed_o the_o egyptian_n boast_v that_o they_o have_v be_v rule_v by_o king_n above_o ten_o thousand_o year_n as_o herodotus_n relate_v and_o thence_o perhaps_o it_o be_v that_o one_o of_o their_o pharaoh_n which_o be_v the_o common_a name_n of_o all_o their_o king_n brag_v that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o ancient_a king_n isa._n 19_o 11._o the_o chinoise_n pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o passage_n almost_o three_o thousand_o year_n before_o christ_n and_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o martinius_n in_o his_o atlas_n that_o they_o preserve_v a_o continue_a history_n compile_v from_o their_o annual_a exploit_n of_o four_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o year_n yea_o they_o have_v if_o we_o may_v credit_v the_o young_a mundi_fw-la vossius_fw-la writer_n ancient_a than_o moses_n but_o these_o high_a flight_n be_v explode_v by_o all_o considerate_a man_n and_o upon_o a_o view_n of_o whatever_o pretence_n be_v make_v by_o other_o they_o conclude_v that_o moses_n be_v the_o ancient_a writer_n and_o that_o the_o early_a discovery_n of_o transaction_n and_o occurrence_n in_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v learn_v from_o he_o alone_o some_o of_o the_o wise_a pagan_n have_v a_o hint_n of_o this_o and_o travel_v into_o the_o eastern_a country_n to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o these_o record_n and_o it_o be_v observe_v long_o since_o by_o plato_n as_o i_o take_v notice_n before_o that_o the_o old_a and_o most_o barbarous_a tongue_n mean_v the_o hebrew_n and_o chaldee_n be_v very_o requisite_a for_o the_o find_v out_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o thing_n for_o the_o first_o name_n of_o they_o which_o be_v now_o grow_v obsolete_a by_o length_n of_o time_n be_v preserve_v in_o those_o language_n they_o be_v the_o ancient_a of_o all_o in_o the_o hebrew_n especial_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o primitive_a origines_fw-la of_o thing_n and_o most_o of_o the_o pagan_a historiou_n have_v borrow_v from_o these_o and_o so_o have_v their_o po●ts_n orator_n and_o philosopher_n as_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o christian_a father_n who_o i_o have_v particular_o quote_v in_o another_o place_n to_o evince_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v large_o prove_v in_o a_o word_n all_o other_o ancient_a write_n refer_v to_o these_o or_o suppose_v they_o this_o inspire_a volume_n alone_o be_v the_o fountain_n from_o whence_o either_o they_o or_o we_o can_v derive_v any_o truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o as_o there_o be_v the_o ancient_a learning_n so_o there_o be_v all_o learning_n i_o speak_v now_o of_o that_o which_o be_v humane_a and_o be_v reckon_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o rational_a person_n and_o all_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o in_o this_o book_n of_o book_n here_o be_v not_o only_a prose_n but_o verse_n here_o be_v not_o only_a poem_n but_o history_n annal_n chronicle_n here_o be_v thing_n profound_a and_o mystical_a and_o here_o be_v other_o that_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n be_v intelligible_a and_o clear_a here_o be_v prophecy_n vision_n revelation_n for_o even_o in_o the_o narratives_n which_o be_v give_v of_o these_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n serviceable_a to_o promote_v the_o study_n of_o humanity_n here_o be_v proverb_n adage_n emblem_n parable_n apologue_n paradox_n riddle_n and_o here_o be_v also_o plain_a question_n and_o answer_n proposition_n discourse_n sermon_n oration_n letter_n epistle_n colloquy_n debate_n disputation_n here_o be_v maxim_n of_o law_n and_o reason_n rule_n of_o justice_n and_o equity_n example_n of_o keen_a wit_n and_o deep_a politic_n matter_n of_o church_n and_o state_n public_a and_o private_a affair_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o subject_n either_o treat_v of_o or_o refer_v unto_o thus_o the_o bible_n be_v excellent_o sit_v to_o entertain_v any_o person_n as_o they_o be_v student_n and_o scholar_n for_o here_o be_v a_o treasury_n of_o all_o good_a letter_n here_o be_v lay_v up_o all_o thing_n that_o conduce_v to_o humane_a knowledge_n porphyrius_n be_v say_v to_o have_v write_v a_o book_n suid._n of_o homer_n philosophy_n wherein_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v as_o much_o a_o philosopher_n as_o a_o poet_n and_o no_o less_o a_o person_n than_o 16._o maximus_n tyrius_n affirm_v he_o to_o be_v the_o prince_n of_o philosopher_n and_o another_o 2._o grave_a author_n undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o all_o art_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o homer_n work_n this_o be_v say_v by_o his_o admirer_n to_o inhanse_v his_o credit_n and_o repute_v but_o far_o great_a thing_n and_o more_o just_o may_v be_v pronounce_v concern_v these_o famous_a record_n of_o learning_n and_o antiquity_n with_o more_o reason_n may_v we_o maintain_v that_o the_o chief_a art_n and_o invention_n be_v original_o in_o the_o sacred_a volume_n and_o that_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o humane_a learning_n and_o science_n be_v lay_v here_o for_o though_o these_o be_v not_o the_o chief_a thing_n design_v in_o this_o book_n it_o be_v write_v to_o high_a purpose_n yet_o they_o be_v occasional_o intersperse_v every_o where_o and_o a_o studious_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o they_o it_o be_v rational_o and_o undeniable_o to_o be_v infer_v from_o the_o particular_n abovementioned_a though_o many_o more_o may_v have_v be_v add_v that_o the_o bible_n be_v the_o most_o complete_a book_n and_o have_v all_o learning_n in_o it_o this_o true_o deserve_v the_o 〈◊〉_d name_n which_o diodore_n the_o sicilian_a give_v his_o history_n that_o be_v it_o be_v indeed_o a_o library_n a_o universal_a one_o and_o contain_v all_o book_n in_o it_o as_o the_o writer_n of_o it_o be_v person_n of_o several_a condition_n king_n noblemen_z priest_n prophet_n etc._n etc._n so_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v various_a and_o different_a and_o by_o read_v and_o study_v these_o write_n we_o may_v commence_v in_o all_o art_n and_o science_n we_o may_v be_v accomplish_v grammarian_n critic_n chronologer_n historian_n poet_n orator_n disputant_n lawyer_n statesman_n preacher_n prophet_n many_o valuable_a monument_n of_o learning_n have_v be_v lose_v the_o famous_a library_n of_o alexandria_n which_o contain_v six_o or_o seven_o hundred_o thousand_o volume_n and_o that_o of_o constantinople_n which_o consist_v of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o perish_v by_o fire_n and_o the_o work_n of_o varro_n the_o learnede_a man_n of_o all_o the_o roman_n be_v extinct_a and_o many_o other_o may_v be_v reckon_v up_o beside_o those_o that_o historian_n say_v nothing_o of_o but_o have_v the_o scripture_n hacatub_n as_o the_o jew_n right_o call_v it_o by_o way_n of_o eminence_n the_o most_o excellent_a write_n in_o the_o world_n fraught_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o useful_a literature_n we_o may_v afford_v to_o be_v without_o the_o other_o for_o this_o be_v a_o certain_a verity_n that_o if_o we_o have_v the_o bible_n we_o want_v no_o book_n and_o more_o particular_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o choice_a antiquity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v here_o a_o pry_a antiquary_n may_v
proceed_v now_o to_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n in_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v brief_a leviticus_n have_v its_o name_n because_o it_o treat_v chief_o of_o the_o office_n of_o the_o levite_n and_o the_o whole_a levitical_a order_n it_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o jewish_a service_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o particular_a employment_n and_o charge_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n of_o their_o several_a kind_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o oblation_n viz._n burnt-offering_n meat-offering_n peace-offering_n sin-offering_n trespass-offering_n of_o the_o consecration_n of_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n to_o the_o priesthood_n of_o law_n about_o clean_n and_o unclean_a thing_n and_o of_o difference_n of_o meat_n here_o they_o be_v forbid_v to_o eat_v blood_n here_o they_o be_v teach_v how_o to_o discern_v the_o leprosy_n and_o how_o to_o cleanse_v it_o here_o be_v law_n concern_v vow_n and_o thing_n and_o person_n devote_v there_o be_v also_o other_o ordinance_n and_o injunction_n concern_v their_o solemn_a feast_n viz._n the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n the_o passover_n the_o feast_n of_o first-fruit_n of_o pentecost_n of_o trumpet_n of_o expiation_n of_o tabernacle_n and_o many_o the_o like_a usage_n and_o rite_n which_o be_v strict_o command_v this_o people_n on_o purpose_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o idolatrous_a and_o superstitious_a ceremony_n of_o the_o gentile_n that_o be_v round_o about_o they_o and_o will_v be_v entice_v they_o to_o imitate_v their_o practice_n beside_o these_o rite_n be_v design_v by_o god_n to_o be_v type_n and_o representative_n of_o thing_n of_o a_o far_o high_a nature_n even_o of_o christ_n himself_o and_o the_o great_a thing_n which_o appertain_v to_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v likewise_o a_o great_a number_n of_o judicial_a law_n as_o concern_v the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n about_o the_o redemption_n of_o land_n and_o house_n against_o take_v of_o usury_n of_o the_o poor_a as_o also_o concern_v servant_n and_o bondman_n here_o be_v law_n touch_v the_o degree_n of_o affinity_n and_o consanguinity_n and_o consequent_o what_o marriage_n be_v lawful_a and_o what_o unlawful_a may_v thence_o be_v infer_v and_o several_a other_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o jew_n civil_a law_n furthermore_n here_o be_v insert_v several_a moral_a instruction_n and_o excellent_a precept_n of_o natural_a religion_n respect_v both_o god_n and_o men._n last_o towards_o the_o close_a of_o all_o there_o be_v blessing_n and_o curse_n pronounce_v the_o former_a to_o such_o as_o careful_o observe_v these_o law_n the_o latter_a on_o those_o that_o wilful_o break_v they_o these_o a●e_v the_o admirable_a thing_n contain_v in_o this_o book_n and_o which_o have_v be_v the_o acceptable_a entertainment_n of_o the_o inquisitive_a and_o religious_a of_o the_o wise_a and_o good_a in_o all_o age_n since_o they_o have_v be_v extant_a the_o book_n of_o number_n have_v its_o denomination_n from_o the_o number_v of_o the_o family_n of_o israel_n as_o we_o may_v collect_v from_o ch_z 1._o v._n 3_o 4._o where_o we_o read_v that_o moses_n and_o aaron_n have_v a_o special_a command_n from_o god_n to_o muster_n the_o tribe_n and_o to_o take_v the_o number_n of_o all_o that_o be_v fit_a for_o war_n and_o to_o order_n and_o marshal_v the_o army_n when_o it_o be_v once_o form_v for_o now_o in_o their_o passage_n through_o the_o wilderness_n they_o be_v like_a to_o meet_v with_o many_o enemy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v convenient_a to_o take_v a_o account_n of_o their_o force_n and_o to_o put_v themselves_o into_o a_o posture_n ready_a to_o engage_v a_o great_a part_n of_o this_o book_n be_v historical_a relate_v several_a remarkable_a passage_n in_o the_o israelite_n march_v through_o the_o wilderness_n as_o the_o sedition_n of_o aaron_n and_o miriam_n the_o rebellion_n of_o corah_n and_o his_o companion_n the_o murmur_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n their_o be_v plague_v with_o fiery_a serpent_n baalam_n prophesy_v of_o the_o happiness_n of_o israel_n instead_o of_o curse_v they_o the_o miraculous_a bud_a of_o aaron_n rod._n hear_v also_o be_v distinct_o relate_v their_o several_a remove_n from_o place_n to_o place_n their_o two_o and_o forty_o stage_n or_o journey_n through_o the_o wilderness_n and_o sundry_a other_o thing_n which_o befall_v they_o whereby_o we_o be_v instruct_v and_o confirm_v in_o some_o of_o the_o weighty_a truth_n that_o have_v immediate_a reference_n to_o god_n and_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n be_v spend_v in_o enumerate_v those_o law_n and_o ordinance_n whether_o ceremonial_a or_o civil_a which_o be_v give_v by_o god_n and_o be_v not_o mention_v before_o in_o the_o precede_a book_n as_o some_o particular_n of_o the_o levite_n office_n and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o the_o trial_n of_o jealousy_n the_o rite_n to_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o nazarite_n the_o renew_n of_o the_o passover_n the_o make_n of_o fringe_n on_o the_o border_n of_o their_o garment_n the_o water_n of_o separation_n to_o be_v use_v in_o purify_n the_o unclean_a the_o law_n of_o inheritance_n of_o vow_n of_o the_o city_n of_o refuge_n of_o the_o city_n for_o the_o levite_n and_o some_o other_o constitution_n either_o not_o insert_v into_o the_o other_o book_n of_o moses_n or_o not_o so_o distinct_o and_o plain_o set_v down_o thus_o this_o book_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o addition_n of_o law_n not_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o forego_n book_n have_v its_o peculiar_a use_n and_o excellency_n deuteronomy_n which_o signify_v a_o second_o law_n be_v a_o repetition_n of_o the_o law_n before_o deliver_v it_o be_v the_o canonic_a mishnah_n or_o new_a rehearsal_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o be_v necessary_a because_o they_o that_o hear_v it_o before_o die_v in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o there_o be_v now_o spring_v up_o another_o generation_n of_o man_n the_o law_n be_v to_o be_v promulge_v to_o they_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v live_v at_o that_o time_n have_v not_o hear_v the_o decalogue_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o law_n open_o proclaim_v or_o be_v young_a they_o have_v neglect_v or_o forget_v they_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o moses_n in_o this_o book_n rehearse_v they_o to_o this_o new_a people_n and_o withal_o add_v a_o explication_n of_o they_o in_o many_o place_n yea_o and_o adjoin_v some_o new_a law_n viz._n the_o take_n down_o of_o malefactor_n from_o the_o tree_n in_o the_o evening_n make_v of_o battlement_n on_o the_o roof_n of_o their_o house_n the_o expiation_n of_o a_o unknown_a murder_n the_o punishment_n to_o be_v inflict_v on_o a_o rebellious_a son_n the_o distinction_n of_o the_o sex_n by_o apparel_n marry_v the_o brother_n wife_n after_o his_o decease_n also_o order_n and_o injunction_n concern_v divorce_n concern_v manstealer_n concern_v unjust_a weight_n and_o measure_n concern_v the_o marry_v of_o a_o captive_a woman_n concern_v the_o servant_n that_o desert_n his_o master_n service_n and_o several_a other_o law_n not_o only_o ecclesiastical_a and_o civil_a but_o military_a there_o be_v likewise_o insert_v some_o new_a action_n and_o passage_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o last_o year_n of_o their_o travel_n in_o the_o wilderness_n moreover_o moses_n in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o pentateuch_n show_v himself_o a_o true_a father_n pastor_n and_o guide_n to_o that_o people_n a_o hearty_a lover_n of_o they_o and_o their_o welfare_n in_o such_o manifest_a instance_n as_o these_o his_o often_o inculcate_v upon_o they_o the_o many_o obligation_n which_o they_o lie_v under_o from_o god_n the_o innumerable_a favour_n they_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o his_o frequent_a and_o pathetic_a exhortation_n to_o obedience_n and_o live_v answerable_o to_o the_o singular_a mercy_n which_o be_v confer_v upon_o they_o his_o constant_a remind_v they_o of_o their_o former_a miscarriage_n their_o murmur_n and_o rebellion_n against_o heaven_n and_o all_o their_o unworthy_a deportment_n towards_o their_o matchless_a benefactor_n his_o compassionate_a forewarn_n they_o of_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n of_o the_o various_a plague_n and_o punishment_n which_o will_v certain_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o their_o persist_v in_o their_o sin_n last_o his_o affectionate_a encourage_v they_o to_o obedience_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o endear_n promise_v which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o they_o and_o which_o he_o will_v assure_o make_v good_a if_o they_o do_v not_o frustrate_v his_o design_n of_o mercy_n towards_o they_o by_o their_o own_o wilful_a obstinacy_n these_o be_v the_o excellent_a subject_n of_o this_o divine_a book_n and_o which_o render_v it_o so_o unvaluable_a a_o treasury_n hitherto_o of_o the_o pentateuch_n or_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o they_o i_o think_v need_v not_o be_v question_v though_o
wonderful_a efficacy_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o those_o day_n the_o rejection_n of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o their_o city_n temple_n and_o whole_a nation_n by_o the_o roman_n for_o their_o reject_v and_o crucify_a the_o messiah_n and_o other_o particular_a thing_n belong_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o none_o of_o the_o lesser_a prophet_n speak_v of_o but_o this_o malachi_n be_v the_o last_o of_o these_o prophet_n yea_o of_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o that_o dispensation_n after_o he_o cease_v vision_n and_o prophecy_n in_o israel_n until_o christ_n appear_v when_o zachary_n simeon_n mary_n elizabeth_n anna_n be_v illuminate_v with_o the_o prophetic_a spirit_n he_o prophesy_v about_o 300_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n time_n reprove_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o ungrateful_a and_o wicked_a live_n after_o their_o return_n from_o babylon_n particular_o he_o charge_v they_o with_o rebellion_n sacrilege_n adultery_n profaneness_n infidelity_n but_o especial_o he_o reprehend_v the_o priest_n for_o be_v careless_a and_o scandalous_a in_o their_o ministry_n which_o one_o thing_n be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o other_o to_o be_v vicious_a at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o forget_v not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o encourage_v the_o pious_a remnant_n in_o that_o corrupt_a age_n who_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o think_v upon_o his_o name_n who_o godly_a converse_n and_o associate_a with_o one_o another_o in_o that_o debauch_a time_n he_o assure_v they_o be_v register_v in_o a_o book_n of_o remembrance_n by_o god_n himself_o this_o prophet_n who_o have_v point_v before_o at_o the_o messiah_n to_o be_v exhibit_v for_o he_o express_o ●aith_n he_o shall_v sudden_o come_v to_o his_o temple_n now_o shut_v up_o his_o prophecy_n and_o indeed_o all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n with_o a_o exhortation_n to_o remember_v the_o law_n i._n e._n to_o live_v according_a to_o its_o holy_a rule_n and_o injunction_n and_o with_o a_o promise_n of_o the_o come_v of_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v to_o be_v usher_v in_o by_o elijah_n the_o prophet_n i._n e._n by_o john_n the_o baptist_n who_o come_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n of_o elias_n luke_n 1._o 17._o and_o so_o this_o close_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n refer_v to_o the_o new_a to_o which_o i_o now_o hasten_v chap._n x._o a_o account_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n the_o peculiar_a time_n order_n stile_n design_n of_o their_o gospel_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n show_v to_o be_v a_o incomparable_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n particular_o delineate_v he_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o apostle_n style_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v the_o excellent_a matter_n and_o design_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n st._n peter_n st._n john_n st._n judas_n a_o historical_a series_n or_o order_n be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n next_o follow_v the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o evangelical_n novel_n the_o new_a law_n of_o christianity_n the_o true_a authentic_o which_o present_v we_o with_o the_o actual_a discovery_n of_o the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o the_o bless_a author_n of_o it_o these_o be_v write_v in_o greek_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o joseph_n the_o jew_n choose_v to_o write_v his_o book_n not_o in_o his_o own_o language_n but_o in_o this_o because_o as_o he_o say_v himself_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o jewish_a war_n he_o will_v have_v they_o read_v and_o understand_v by_o greek_n and_o roman_n and_o all_o person_n so_o aelian_a be_v a_o roman_a yet_o write_v his_o book_n of_o animal_n and_o various_a history_n etc._n etc._n in_o greek_a because_o this_o be_v the_o universal_a language_n at_o that_o time_n these_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v either_o history_n or_o epistle_n the_o history_n be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o for_o the_o former_a the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o extant_a while_o christ_n be_v on_o earth_n for_o till_o his_o be_v take_v up_o to_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o consummation_n of_o all_o he_o have_v before_o do_v and_o suffer_v they_o can_v not_o make_v the_o evangelical_n history_n perfect_a but_o afterward_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n resolve_v according_a to_o their_o master_n 8._o order_n to_o go_v and_o preach_v in_o foreign_a region_n and_o to_o disperse_v the_o christian_a religion_n over_o all_o the_o world_n put_v forth_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o write_v before_o they_o go_v about_o this_o great_a work_n st._n matthew_n be_v the_o first_o inspire_a person_n that_o commit_v the_o evangelical_n transaction_n to_o write_v which_o he_o do_v about_o eight_o year_n after_o christ_n passion_n a._n d._n 42._o he_o alone_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n say_v st._n evang._n jerom_n 〈…〉_z eusebius_n st._n 1._o augustine_n matlh_n chrysostom_n and_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n write_v his_o gospel_n first_o in_o hebrew_a which_o partly_o appear_v from_o this_o that_o some_o of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n be_v explain_v by_o the_o person_n who_o translate_v it_o into_o greek_a who_o it_o be_v probable_a be_v st._n matthew_n himself_o as_o the_o ancient_n general_o agree_v and_o so_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a copy_n be_v both_o of_o they_o the_o original_n then_o st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n write_v their_o gospel_n the_o one_o about_o ten_o though_o other_o say_v twenty_o the_o other_o about_o twenty_o some_o say_v thirty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n death_n and_o there_o be_v some_o that_o invert_v the_o order_n and_o give_v the_o priority_n to_o st._n luke_n but_o all_o agree_v that_o st._n john_n be_v the_o last_o of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o write_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n but_o as_o for_o the_o punctual_a time_n when_o the_o evangelist_n put_v forth_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v doubtful_a and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o certain_a ground_n whereo●_n we_o may_v ●ix_v a_o satisfactory_a resolution_n of_o the_o doubt●punc_fw-la this_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o write_v 〈◊〉_d st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n have_v what_o they_o write_v from_o the_o relation_n of_o other_o particular_o st._n mark_n who_o be_v st._n peter_n companion_n compose_v his_o gospel_n by_o his_o order_n and_o direction_n and_o with_o his_o especial_a approbation_n say_v eusebius_n again_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o though_o every_o evangelist_n relate_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n yet_o no_o one_o of_o they_o relate_v the_o whole_a truth_n concern_v christ_n life_n and_o action_n though_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v contain_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o writer_n yet_o some_o particular_n be_v find_v in_o one_o that_o do_v not_o occur_v in_o another_o which_o make_v it_o necessary_a to_o consult_v they_o all_o and_o to_o compare_v they_o together_o as_o for_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o they_o do_v not_o always_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o the_o true_a series_n of_o the_o matter_n especial_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v not_o curious_a in_o this_o particular_a but_o as_o for_o th●_n other_o two_o evangelist_n they_o be_v very_o punctual_a and_o inviolable_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o thing_n as_o they_o happen_v except_v only_o that_o parenthesis_n for_o such_o it_o be_v in_o luke_n 3._o 19_o 20._o concern_v herod_n of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n st._n luke_n be_v the_o full_a and_o give_v the_o compleat_a mos●_n circumstantial_a and_o orderly_a relation_n of_o thing_n which_o he_o himself_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o gospel_n in_o those_o word_n to_o theophilus_n it_o se●med_v good_a to_o i_o have_v have_v perfect_a understanding_n of_o all_o thing_n from_o the_o very_a first_o to_o write_v unto_o thou_o in_o order_n and_o yet_o though_o his_o gospel_n be_v ample_a and_o more_o methodical_a in_o the_o narrative_a or_o history_n than_o the_o rest_n yet_o he_o be_v but_o brief_a in_o relate_v thing_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v till_o the_o last_o year_n of_o his_o preach_v st._n matthew_n have_v be_v full_a in_o they_o and_o in_o some_o other_o thing_n he_o have_v need_n of_o a_o supply_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o more_o especial_o from_o st._n john_n who_o gospel_n from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o 14_o chapter_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 17_o contain_v those_o excellent_a discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n before_o his_o passion_n which_o be_v whole_o
out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n but_o propose_v to_o be_v insert_v there_o afterward_o the_o plain_a answer_n then_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o book_n of_o judge_n together_o with_o that_o of_o joshua_n where_o be_v relate_v the_o particular_n of_o the_o holy_a war_n i._n e._n the_o war_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o infidel_n and_o that_o in_o one_o of_o these_o it_o shall_v be_v particular_o remember_v and_o record_v what_o god_n do_v in_o the_o red_a sea_n and_o in_o the_o brook_n of_o arnon_n etc._n etc._n and_o according_o we_o find_v it_o insert_v in_o the_o forecited_a place_n in_o judge_n thus_o you_o see_v it_o can_v be_v prove_v hence_o that_o the_o church_n have_v lose_v any_o part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o god_n another_o book_n say_v by_o some_o to_o be_v lose_v be_v the_o book_n of_o jasher_n mention_v in_o josh._n 10._o 13._o &_o 2_o sam._n 1._o 18._o but_o some_o of_o the_o most_o celebrate_a hebrew_a doctor_n say_v they_o have_v find_v it_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n wherein_o be_v contain_v the_o act_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n jacob_n and_o other_o patriarch_n who_o be_v by_o way_n of_o excellence_n call_v jasherim_n recti_fw-la justi._n but_o sure_o that_o man_n be_v easy_o satisfy_v who_o can_v acquiesce_v in_o this_o dr._n lightfoot_n hold_v the_o book_n of_o jasher_n to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o i_o assert_v the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o god_n to_o be_v but_o there_o be_v little_a foundation_n for_o it_o for_o though_o the_o particular_a narrative_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o jasher_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o text_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o intimation_n that_o all_o ioshua_n war_n or_o the_o war_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v register_v there_o this_o book_n be_v according_a to_o the_o excellent_a 18._o grotius_n a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o triumphal_a poem_n in_o which_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v for_o the_o verse_n sake_n contract_v into_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o though_o this_o be_v very_o ingenious_a yet_o it_o want_v solidity_n and_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o the_o word_n will_v be_v twice_o mention_v i._n e._n both_o in_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n and_o in_o the_o 2d_o book_n of_o samuel_n in_o its_o abbreviate_v form_n the_o learned_a ●_o jewish_a historian_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o bid_v fair_a for_o truth_n who_o ●aith_v by_o this_o book_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v certain_a record_n keep_v in_o some_o safe_a place_n on_o purpose_n and_o afterward_o in_o the_o temple_n give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o happen_v among_o the_o jew_n from_o year_n to_o year_n and_o particular_o the_o prodigy_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o and_o the_o direction_n and_o law_n about_o the_o use_n of_o the_o bow_n i._n e._n set_v up_o of_o archery_n and_o maintain_v military_a exercise_n and_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o the_o title_n give_v to_o these_o jewish_a annal_n be_v the_o book_n of_o jasher_n i._n e._n rect_v this_o may_v be_v render_v as_o a_o probable_a reason_n viz._n because_o it_o be_v by_o all_o person_n reckon_v as_o a_o very_a faithful_a and_o authentic_a account_n of_o all_o those_o event_n and_o occurrence_n which_o it_o record_v it_o be_v compose_v with_o great_a uprightness_n and_o truth_n thence_o it_o be_v common_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o iasher_n book_n or_o chronicle_n and_o if_o you_o remember_v that_o jasher_n be_v translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o th●_n seventy_o in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o book_n of_o jo●_a it_o will_v ●urther_o confirm_v what_o i_o say_v and_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o iasher_n book_n be_v as_o much_o as_o a_o true_a book_n a_o book_n that_o be_v not_o counterfeit_v it_o be_v not_o the_o work_n of_o any_o inspire_a person_n but_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o common_a civil_a annal_n and_o consequent_o we_o can_v infer_v hence_o that_o any_o book_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i._n e._n that_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v at_o this_o day_n miss_v again_o some_o reckon_v the_o act_n of_o uzziah_n write_v by_o isaiah_n the_o prophet_n 2_o chron._n 26._o 22._o in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o such_o book_n of_o scripture_n as_o be_v lose_v but_o they_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o do_v so_o for_o by_o tho●●_n word_n be_v plain_o mean_v that_o part_n of_o the_o life_n and_o history_n of_o that_o king_n which_o we_o now_o have_v in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n for_o the_o first_o six_o chapter_n be_v ●_o relation_n of_o what_o be_v do_v in_o his_o day_n they_o give_v a_o account_n of_o several_a passage_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o that_o king_n reign_n and_o isaiah_n be_v true_o say_v in_o the_o forementioned_a place_n in_o the_o chronicle_n to_o have_v write_v his_o act_n first_o and_o last_o because_o you_o will_v find_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n begin_v at_o the_o day_n of_o uzziah_n v_o 1._o and_o the_o six_o chapter_n relate_v what_o happen_v in_o the_o year_n that_o king_n uzziah_n die_v v_o 1._o so_o that_o something_o of_o what_o be_v first_o and_o last_o in_o his_o time_n be_v here_o record_v this_o i_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o very_a substantial_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o the_o scruple_n about_o that_o place_n also_o some_o will_v infer_v from_o 1_o chron._n 29._o 29._o that_o all_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v not_o extant_a at_o this_o day_n b●cause_fw-mi there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o seer_n and_o the_o book_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o book_n of_o gad_n the_o seer_n in_o which_o it_o be_v say_v all_o david_n '_o s_z act_n be_v write_v but_o no_o such_o inference_n can_v rational_o be_v make_v only_o this_o we_o gather_v which_o be_v the_o solution_n of_o the_o difficulty_n that_o nathan_n and_o gad_n as_o well_o as_o samuel_n compile_v the_o history_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o this_o last_o and_o because_o it_o be_v make_v by_o they_o all_o three_o therefore_o it_o be_v represent_v here_o as_o three_o different_a book_n but_o the_o true_a account_n be_v that_o those_o two_o book_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o samuel_n be_v write_v partly_o by_o he_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o first_o book_n relate_v thing_n that_o happen_v in_o his_o time_n and_o partly_o by_o nathan_n and_o partly_o by_o gad_n two_o eminent_a prophet_n in_o those_o day_n and_o who_o survive_v samuel_n then_o as_o to_o 2_o chron._n 9_o 29._o where_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o solomon_n act_n be_v write_v not_o only_o in_o the_o book_n hebr._n dibrim_n the_o word_n as_o the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o day_n of_o nathan_n of_o which_o before_o but_o in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o ahijah_n the_o shilonite_n and_o in_o the_o vision_n of_o iddo_n the_o seer_n which_o last_o be_v call_v midrash_n the_o story_n or_o commentary_n of_o the_o prophet_n iddo_n chap._n 13._o v._n 22._o and_o as_o to_o 2_o chron._n 12._o 15._o where_o we_o read_v also_o of_o this_o book_n of_o iddo_n the_o seer_n and_o of_o shemaiah_n the_o prophet_n in_o which_o it_o be_v say_v rehoboam_n act_n be_v write_v the_o answer_n which_o i_o give_v relate_v to_o these_o book_n in_o brief_a be_v this_o that_o few_o of_o they_o if_o any_o be_v different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o king_n but_o be_v only_o a_o part_n of_o they_o though_o they_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o as_o distinct_a book_n and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o that_o individual_a part_n of_o the_o story_n viz._n concern_v solomon_n and_o rehoboam_n be_v quote_v which_o these_o particular_a person_n here_o name_v write_v you_o must_v know_v then_o that_o this_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v the_o work_n of_o several_a person_n it_o be_v a_o collection_n make_v by_o sundry_a prophet_n and_o holy_a man_n as_o samuel_n nathan_n gad_n ahijah_n iddo_n shemaiah_n and_o the_o book_n which_o they_o write_v be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n and_o be_v general_o know_v by_o these_o name_n but_o when_o those_o part_n of_o they_o which_o be_v particucular_o insert_v and_o write_v by_o samuel_n himself_o or_o nathan_n etc._n etc._n be_v quote_v or_o refer_v to_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n they_o be_v mention_v as_o distinct_a book_n the_o meaning_n of_o which_o be_v that_o they_o be_v distinct_a part_n of_o such_o a_o history_n and_o write_v by_o such_o particular_a person_n who_o altogether_o make_v up_o that_o
use_n be_v draw_v up_o in_o haste_n whereby_o some_o matter_n that_o shall_v have_v be_v unite_v be_v sever_v and_o vice_n versâ_fw-la the_o one_a verse_n of_o the_o four_o chapter_n to_o the_o colossian_n shall_v have_v be_v join_v to_o the_o three_o chapter_n and_o the_o division_n of_o the_o verse_n in_o many_o other_o place_n ought_v to_o be_v correct_v and_o alter_v as_o sir_n n._n knatchbull_n have_v in_o several_a instance_n show_v we_o may_v take_v junius_n and_o tremellius_n for_o a_o example_n who_o have_v alter_v the_o chapter_n sometime_o in_o the_o latin_a and_o it_o may_v be_v as_o convenient_a to_o imitate_v they_o both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n in_o english_a nor_o will_v this_o change_a or_o any_o other_o alteration_n which_o i_o have_v before_o suggest_v be_v any_o argument_n at_o all_o of_o the_o imperfection_n of_o scripture_n this_o remain_v entire_a in_o itself_o and_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o change_v and_o the_o ●esign_n of_o my_o present_a enterprise_n be_v to_o assert_v this_o and_o to_o evince_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o original_a text_n and_o to_o let_v we_o see_v that_o all_o translation_n must_v be_v regulate_v by_o that_o no_o version_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v so_o absolute_o authentic_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o adhere_v to_o that_o and_o no_o other_o lucin._n the_o hebrew_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o greek_a of_o the_o new_a be_v the_o only_a standard_n and_o all_o must_v be_v examine_v and_o try_v alter_v and_o amend_v by_o this_o it_o be_v grant_v there_o be_v some_o variation_n in_o the_o copy_n but_o the_o diligent_a and_o unprejudiced_a may_v find_v out_o what_o be_v genuine_a some_o have_v fancy_v that_o the_o carelessness_n of_o transcriber_n have_v cause_v some_o literal_a fault_n but_o then_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o none_o of_o they_o be_v material_a and_o considerable_a they_o relate_v not_o to_o faith_n and_o good_a manner_n this_o be_v the_o very_a confession_n of_o spinoza_n who_o have_v speak_v so_o ill_o of_o the_o bible_n this_o i_o can_v certain_o affirm_v 9_o say_v he_o that_o i_o have_v not_o find_v any_o fault_n or_o variety_n of_o reading_n about_o the_o moral_a document_n which_o may_v render_v they_o obscure_v and_o dubious_a wherefore_o our_o assertion_n still_o remain_v impregnable_a and_o unshaken_a that_o the_o sacred_a volume_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v complete_a and_o perfect_a and_o have_v all_o thing_n in_o it_o which_o can_v speak_v it_o a_o most_o consummate_v work_n chap._n fourteen_o the_o reader_n be_v invite_v to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o he_o value_v the_o repute_n of_o a_o scholar_n and_o a_o learned_a man._n that_o he_o may_v successful_o study_v this_o holy_a book_n he_o must_v be_v furnish_v with_o tongue_n art_n history_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o be_v very_o inquisitive_a and_o diligent_a in_o search_v into_o the_o mind_n and_o design_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n in_o examine_v the_o coherence_n of_o the_o word_n in_o compare_v place_n together_o in_o observe_v and_o discover_v the_o peculiar_a grace_n and_o elegancy_n and_o sometime_o the_o verbal_a allusion_n and_o cadence_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o which_o several_a instance_n be_v give_v he_o must_v also_o be_v moral_o qualify_v to_o read_v this_o book_n i._n e._n he_o ought_v to_o banish_v all_o prejudice_n he_o must_v be_v modest_a and_o humble_a he_o must_v endeavour_v to_o free_v himself_o from_o the_o love_n of_o all_o vice_n he_o must_v with_o great_a earnestness_n implore_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o remain_v that_o i_o conclude_v with_o a_o serious_a address_n and_o invitation_n to_o the_o reader_n to_o admire_v and_o value_v this_o book_n which_o be_v so_o transcendent_o excellent_a and_o complete_a to_o prize_v it_o above_o all_o other_o whatsoever_o constant_o to_o read_v peruse_v and_o study_v these_o holy_a write_n the_o law_n of_o that_o vile_a impostor_n mahomet_n be_v style_v the_o alcoran_n from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d legit_fw-la as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v the_o book_n be_v to_o be_v read_v and_o shall_v we_o not_o think_v that_o that_o sacred_a volume_n which_o contain_v the_o law_n of_o our_o heavenly_a master_n and_o infallible_a teacher_n deserve_v that_o respect_n from_o we_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o hebrew_n call_v the_o holy_a scripture_n mikra_fw-mi i._n e._n lectionem_fw-la because_o it_o be_v to_o be_v read_v by_o all_o because_o this_o divine_a book_n be_v to_o be_v universal_o peruse_v revolve_v and_o search_v into_o we_o be_v not_o forbid_v to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o other_o author_n such_o as_o may_v conduce_v to_o useful_a knowledge_n whether_o secular_a or_o religious_a especial_o such_o as_o may_v be_v someways_o helpful_a towards_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o writer_n that_o be_v trifle_v vain_a and_o useless_a other_o be_v dangerous_a and_o pernicious_a meddle_v with_o neither_o of_o these_o or_o if_o you_o have_v lay_v they_o out_o of_o your_o hand_n forthwith_o and_o take_v up_o the_o bible_n the_o only_a book_n that_o be_v worthy_a of_o your_o most_o serious_a perusal_n behold_v here_o the_o book_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o write_n any_o where_o like_o these_o none_o can_v afford_v any_o thing_n comparable_a to_o they_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v make_v use_n of_o divers_a sort_n of_o person_n in_o the_o pen_n of_o this_o volume_n moses_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o egyptian_n daniel_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o wise_a man_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o persian_a court_n david_n and_o solomon_n king_n jeremy_n and_o ezekiel_n priest_n amos_n a_o herdsman_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n matthew_n a_o convert_v publican_n paul_n bring_v up_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o gamaliel_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n fitherman_n and_o tradesman_n that_o hence_o person_n of_o all_o rank_n and_o degree_n may_v be_v admonish_v to_o converse_v with_o these_o sacred_a write_n that_o they_o may_v think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o these_o message_n deliver_v by_o different_a ambassador_n i_o have_v sometime_o observe_v that_o some_o man_n of_o no_o contemptible_a learning_n and_o read_v and_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o store_n of_o good_a author_n have_v no_o regard_n for_o this_o excellent_a book_n and_o never_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o look_v into_o it_o but_o this_o argue_v a_o great_a defect_n of_o judgement_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o now_o for_o even_o in_o the_o point_n of_o scholarship_n they_o can_v be_v without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o bible_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o they_o be_v deficient_a in_o learning_n for_o as_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v this_o book_n be_v fraught_v with_o all_o humane_a learning_n and_o give_v instruction_n concern_v the_o choice_a art_n and_o science_n upon_o which_o account_n it_o be_v of_o such_o universal_a use_n t●at_v no_o sort_n of_o person_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o without_o great_a inconvenience_n and_o damage_n he_o be_v no_o antiquary_n that_o be_v not_o skilled_a in_o these_o write_n which_o be_v of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n he_o be_v no_o historian_n that_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o important_a transaction_n of_o this_o book_n he_o be_v no_o statesman_n or_o politician_n who_o have_v not_o insight_n into_o the_o excellent_a maxim_n and_o law_n which_o be_v find_v here_o he_o be_v no_o right_a natural_a philosopher_n who_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o origin_n and_o make_v of_o this_o mundane_a system_n as_o they_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o mosaic_a physiology_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n he_o be_v no_o accomplish_v grammarian_n critic_n or_o rhetorician_n who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o philological_a learning_n which_o these_o write_n afford_v and_o chief_o he_o be_v no_o good_a man_n or_o christian_n who_o be_v a_o stranger_n to_o those_o admirable_a rule_n which_o be_v here_o lay_v down_o wherefore_o it_o be_v the_o concern_v of_o all_o person_n to_o converse_v with_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o apply_v themselves_o with_o great_a diligence_n to_o the_o read_n of_o they_o and_o that_o daily_a and_o frequent_o let_v this_o holy_a book_n be_v seldom_o out_o of_o your_o hand_n though_o you_o have_v often_o peruse_v it_o yet_o continue_v to_o do_v so_o still_o talm._n for_o you_o will_v thereby_o receive_v infinite_a advantage_n there_o be_v ever_o something_o gain_v by_o a_o fresh_a and_o repeat_v read_v of_o it_o some_o new_a matter_n be_v discover_v or_o the_o old_a be_v illustrate_v and_o confirm_v we_o either_o know_v more_o or_o know_v better_o than_o we_o do_v before_o that_o our_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n may_v be_v of_o this_o nature_n and_o that_o we_o may_v study_v and_o
knowledge_n and_o insight_n into_o these_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v here_o contain_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o observe_v and_o practise_v the_o holy_a precept_n of_o this_o book_n this_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o urge_v upon_o ourselves_o to_o come_v to_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n with_o defecate_n and_o purge_v mind_n with_o love_n to_o what_o it_o dictate_v and_o with_o obedience_n to_o it_o this_o shall_v be_v our_o principal_a care_n to_o live_v well_o and_o to_o walk_v according_a to_o this_o excellent_a rule_n all_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o our_o action_n in_o this_o world_n depend_v upon_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o let_v we_o be_v direct_v and_o govern_v by_o the_o infallible_a maxim_n precept_n promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o this_o book_n we_o see_v man_n live_v by_o custom_n by_o the_o dictate_v of_o other_o or_o by_o their_o own_o opinion_n which_o oftentimes_o prove_v erroneous_a and_o lead_v they_o into_o unwarrantable_a practice_n but_o they_o will_v not_o be_v thus_o misguided_a if_o they_o consult_v these_o lively_a oracle_n of_o god_n this_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n if_o they_o regulate_v their_o action_n by_o this_o exact_a canon_n and_o hereby_o we_o be_v certain_a to_o improve_v our_o knowledge_n in_o this_o holy_a book_n for_o by_o live_v according_a to_o it_o we_o shall_v the_o better_o understand_v it_o by_o mind_v the_o practical_a content_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o full_a discovery_n of_o its_o principle_n and_o doctrine_n last_o that_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o due_a perception_n of_o the_o mean_v of_o what_o be_v deliver_v here_o let_v we_o most_o earnest_o invoke_v the_o divine_a aid_n and_o assistance_n he_o that_o read_v this_o book_n without_o prayer_n can_v never_o expect_v to_o be_v bless_v with_o a_o complete_a knowledge_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v the_o sole_a work_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n to_o illuminate_v our_o mind_n effectual_o there_o be_v require_v the_o special_a help_n of_o this_o heavenly_a instructor_n to_o direct_v we_o into_o truth_n wherefore_o he_o be_v call_v 13._o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o 20._o the_o unction_n from_o the_o holy_a one_o whereby_o we_o know_v all_o thing_n the_o same_o spirit_n that_o indict_v these_o holy_a write_n must_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n to_o understand_v they_o which_o i_o find_v thus_o express_v in_o the_o word_n of_o our_o church_n scripture_n the_o revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n inspire_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o we_o in_o truth_n we_o can_v without_o it_o attain_v true_a saving-knowledg_n and_o a_o learned_a and_o pious_a son_n of_o our_o mother_n give_v his_o suffrage_n in_o these_o word_n country-parson_n wicked_a man_n however_o learned_a do_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o feel_v they_o not_o and_o because_o they_o be_v not_o understand_v but_o with_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o write_v they_o see_v then_o a_o spiritual_a illumination_n be_v requisite_a in_o order_n to_o the_o comprehend_v of_o scripture-truths_n we_o ought_v with_o great_a fervour_n and_o zeal_n to_o request_v it_o we_o ought_v with_o a_o singular_a devotion_n to_o repair_v to_o this_o infallible_a teacher_n and_o with_o mighty_a importunity_n beseech_v he_o to_o 18._o open_v our_o eye_n that_o we_o may_v behold_v wondrous_a thing_n out_o of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o to_o conduct_v our_o reason_n aright_o in_o our_o enquiry_n into_o this_o sacred_a volume_n and_o he_o that_o command_v we_o to_o implore_v his_o help_n will_v certain_o vouchsafe_v it_o to_o all_o sincere_a and_o devout_a supplicant_n the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n shall_v be_v irradiate_v with_o a_o celestial_a beam_n and_o we_o shall_v feel_v a_o internal_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n on_o our_o heart_n communicate_v light_n and_o wisdom_n by_o the_o assistance_n of_o this_o bless_a guide_n we_o shall_v not_o miscarry_v in_o our_o search_n and_o endeavour_n this_o divine_a book_n shall_v be_v lay_v open_a to_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v have_v its_o mystery_n and_o depth_n disclose_v to_o we_o so_o far_o as_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o and_o no_o rational_a man_n ought_v to_o desire_v any_o more_o yea_o as_o it_o be_v with_o some_o of_o those_o that_o have_v study_v for_o the_o philosophic_a elixir_n though_o they_o attain_v not_o to_o it_o yet_o in_o their_o impetuous_a search_n after_o it_o they_o find_v out_o many_o excellent_a thing_n admirable_o useful_a for_o mankind_n which_o be_v a_o recompense_n of_o their_o labour_n so_o though_o we_o may_v fall_v short_a of_o some_o grand_a secret_n which_o be_v treasure_v up_o in_o this_o inspire_a volume_n yet_o we_o shall_v not_o fa●l_v of_o some_o choice_a discovery_n that_o will_v make_v we_o amends_o for_o our_o most_o laborious_a inquiry_n we_o shall_v mighty_o improve_v our_o knowledge_n and_o we_o shall_v likewise_o be_v under_o the_o special_a benediction_n of_o heaven_n the_o rabbin_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o r._n jonathan_n write_v his_o targum_fw-la on_o the_o bible_n if_o at_o any_o time_n the_o least_o fly_v light_v upon_o his_o paper_n it_o be_v present_o consume_v with_o fire_n from_o heaven_n but_o though_o this_o be_v romantic_a and_o after_o the_o rate_n of_o the_o rabbin_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o sober_a trutl●_n that_o god_n will_v protect_v we_o in_o read_v and_o study_v the_o holy_a scripture_n while_o we_o be_v thus_o employ_v nothing_o shall_v disturb_v or_o hurt_v we_o the_o divine_a arm_n will_v defend_v and_o prosper_v we_o and_o we_o shall_v peruse_v this_o book_n with_o that_o happy_a success_n which_o we_o pray_v for_o in_o short_a by_o continual_a converse_v with_o this_o book_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o that_o have_v no_o errata_n we_o shall_v know_v how_o to_o correct_v all_o the_o failure_n of_o our_o notion_n and_o of_o our_o life_n we_o shall_v enrich_v our_o mind_n with_o a_o stock_n of_o excellent_a principle_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n we_o shall_v be_v conduct_v to_o the_o high_a improvement_n of_o knowledge_n and_o sanctity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o to_o the_o most_o consummate_v happiness_n in_o another_o finis_fw-la book_n write_v by_o the_o reverend_n mr._n john_n edward_n a_fw-la enquiry_n into_o several_a 〈◊〉_d text_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o with_o a_o probable_a resolution_n of_o they_o in_o two_o volume_n in_o 8●_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n i._o with_o a_o continue_a illustration_n of_o several_a difficult_a text_n throughout_o the_o whole_a work_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n ii_o wherein_o the_o author_n be_v former_a undertake_n be_v further_a prosecute_v viz._n a_o enquiry_n into_o several_a remarkable_a text_n which_o contain_v some_o difficulty_n in_o they_o at_fw-fr discoeurs_fw-fr concern_v the_o authority_n stile_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n vol._n iii_o treat_v of_o the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o illustrate_v several_a difficult_a text_n occur_v in_o this_o undertake_n all_o sell_v by_o jonathan_n robinson_n john_n taylor_n and_o john_n wyat._n wyat._n plataic_n plataic_n panegyr_n &_o plataic_n plataic_n plataic_n plataic_n orat._n 2._o ad_fw-la nicocl_n nicocl_n panegyr_n orat._n orat._n orat._n ad_fw-la philip._n philip._n panegyr_n ad_fw-la philip._n epist._n ad_fw-la philip._n epist._n ad_fw-la mitylen_n mitylen_n panegyr_n orat._n orat._n plataic_n orat._n 1._o 1._o orat._n ad_fw-la philip._n philip._n panegyr_n orat._n plataic_n orat._n bis_fw-la bis_fw-la olynth_n 1._o 1._o philip._n 1._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d clem._n alex._n in_o protrept_n protrept_n gen._n 9_o 27._o 27._o deut._n 28._o 49_o etc._n etc._n etc._n 1_o king_n 13._o 2._o 2._o antiqu._n 1._o 11._o c._n 1._o 1._o dr._n jackson_n jackson_n dan._n 2._o 2._o temporum_fw-la conscius_fw-la &_o totius_fw-la mundi_fw-la polyhistor_n epist._n ad_fw-la paulin._n paulin._n ver._n 2._o 2._o ver._n 20._o 20._o ver._n 5._o 5._o ibid._n ibid._n john_n 21._o 18._o 18._o ver._n 22._o 22._o earum_fw-la rerum_fw-la quae_fw-la fo●●uitae_n putantur_fw-la praedictio_fw-la atque_fw-la praesentio_fw-la de_fw-fr divinat_fw-la l._n 1._o 1._o lib._n 3._o c._n 8._o 8._o colloqu_n mensal_n mensal_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d orig._n cont_n cel●_n l._n 6._o 6._o lib._n 1._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d isid._n pelus_n ep._n l._n 5._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d just._n mart._n dialog_n cum_fw-la tryph._n tryph._n arnob._n lib._n 1._o 1._o sozom._n l._n 1._o c._n 11._o 11._o gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mark_v 2