reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o two_o volume_n volume_n i._n london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o imprimatur_fw-la libre_fw-la cvi_fw-la titulus_fw-la est_fw-la reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n etc._n etc._n in_o ii_o vol._n the_o 12_o of_o january_n 1687_o 1687_o 8._o h._n maurice_n r_n mo_z in_o christo_n p.d._n willielmo_n archiep._n cant._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la to_o the_o king_n great_a sir_n the_o gracious_a acceptance_n which_o your_o majesty_n be_v please_v to_o allow_v the_o first_o volume_n of_o my_o reflection_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n encourage_v and_o almost_o necessitate_v i_o to_o the_o further_a presumption_n of_o lay_v these_o two_o volume_n at_o this_o time_n at_o your_o majesty_n foot_n your_o majesty_n do_v i_o the_o honour_n to_o say_v that_o you_o be_v please_v to_o see_v divine_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o clear_n of_o subject_n so_o important_a and_o after_o this_o judgement_n give_v by_o so_o great_a a_o prince_n which_o be_v so_o evident_a a_o demonstration_n of_o your_o zeal_n for_o the_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o have_v be_v unpardonable_a in_o i_o not_o to_o have_v go_v on_o with_o the_o work_n and_o i_o have_v reason_n then_o to_o consecrate_v it_o whole_o to_o your_o majesty_n who_o i_o be_v assure_v will_v approve_v of_o my_o intention_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n will_v pardon_v the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o performance_n as_o your_o majesty_n continue_v still_o to_o give_v such_o illustrious_a instance_n of_o your_o clemency_n and_o royal_a protection_n to_o those_o of_o our_o nation_n so_o i_o confess_v sir_n i_o think_v myself_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o lay_v hold_n upon_o this_o opportunity_n 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country_n his_o people_n and_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o king_n how_o can_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v disperse_v over_o all_o his_o kingdom_n in_o a_o instant_n to_o inform_v the_o people_n about_o the_o ceremonial_n of_o the_o passover_n which_o soon_o after_o be_v so_o solemn_o celebrate_v by_o they_o or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o levite_n the_o priest_n and_o people_n can_v have_v be_v all_o of_o the_o sudden_a instruct_v in_o all_o the_o point_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o perform_n of_o that_o holy_a solemnity_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o sacred_a historian_n do_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n take_v notice_n of_o this_o circumstance_n that_o the_o book_n find_v be_v of_o moses_n own_o hand_n write_v but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o devout_a respect_n for_o this_o book_n be_v not_o whole_o stifle_v as_o have_v be_v by_o they_o careful_o hide_v from_o the_o fury_n 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as_o to_o give_v moses_n so_o distinct_a a_o knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n know_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o there_o be_v no_o way_n whereby_o we_o can_v more_o solid_o evince_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v forge_v by_o moses_n than_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o sabbath_n have_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v always_o constant_o observe_v from_o that_o time_n until_o moses_n the_o same_o also_o will_v help_v we_o clear_o to_o conceive_v after_o what_o manner_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n have_v be_v preserve_v so_o distinct_a among_o those_o that_o live_v since_o the_o creation_n until_o moses_n we_o be_v no_o soon_o inform_v that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o solemn_a day_n 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that_o the_o sabbath_n be_v ever_o observe_v by_o the_o patriarch_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o prove_v from_o moses_n that_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v such_o as_o i_o assert_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o in_o a_o manner_n immediate_o follow_v it_o moses_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n 3._o gen._n ii_o 3._o express_v himself_o thus_o and_o god_n bless_v the_o seven_o day_n and_o sanctify_v it_o because_o that_o in_o it_o he_o have_v rest_v from_o all_o his_o work_n which_o he_o have_v create_v which_o word_n clear_o evince_v a_o solemn_a consecration_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n to_o god_n service_n by_o its_o be_v make_v a_o commemoration_n of_o his_o finish_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o intent_n of_o moses_n in_o this_o place_n be_v only_o to_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n set_v apart_o this_o day_n of_o all_o other_o to_o his_o service_n by_o the_o law_n at_o mount_n sinai_n we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o this_o appointment_n be_v make_v for_o man_n sake_n already_o place_v in_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n this_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o order_n moses_n observe_v for_o he_o set_v down_o first_o the_o formation_n of_o man_n on_o the_o six_o day_n and_o his_o be_v place_v in_o paradise_n which_o he_o give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n and_o after_o these_o he_o relate_v god_n rest_v from_o his_o work_n and_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o sabbath_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o impose_v on_o man_n and_o then_o add_v these_o be_v the_o generation_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o earth_n when_o they_o be_v create_v in_o the_o day_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n make_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n all_o that_o precede_v these_o word_n be_v only_o a_o relation_n of_o what_o pass_v in_o the_o seven_o first_o day_n and_o that_o which_o moses_n set_v down_o concern_v god_n blessing_n of_o the_o seven_o day_n and_o his_o consecrate_v it_o aught_o as_o well_o to_o be_v account_v a_o law_n appoint_v the_o seven_o day_n for_o his_o service_n as_o those_o other_o blessing_n give_v to_o the_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o kind_n be_v acknowledge_v as_o inviolable_a law_n of_o god_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o subsist_v and_o be_v perpetuate_v each_o according_a to_o their_o kind_n by_o the_o way_n of_o generation_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o patriarch_n maintain_v a_o public_a worship_n at_o least_o since_o the_o time_n of_o seth_n which_o it_o be_v necessary_a shall_v be_v determine_v to_o some_o certain_a day_n and_o since_o we_o find_v that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n they_o distinguish_v between_o beast_n clean_a and_o unclean_a with_o respect_n to_o their_o sacrifice_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v but_o from_o revelation_n we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v set_v apart_o a_o time_n for_o own_o worship_n and_o service_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v many_o evident_a sign_n that_o even_o then_o the_o 7_o day_n be_v observe_v psalmos_fw-la kimchi_fw-la praefat_fw-la in_o psalmos_fw-la i_o will_v not_o here_o peremptory_o assert_v that_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o ninety_o second_o psalm_n who_o title_n be_v a_o psalm_n for_o the_o sabbath_n be_v make_v by_o adam_n himself_o who_o be_v make_v on_o the_o evening_n of_o the_o sabbath_n but_o this_o i_o dare_v assert_v that_o it_o be_v apparent_a 10.12_o gen._n viii_o 10.12_o that_o what_o
any_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v it_o deuteronomy_n iu._n 2._o it_o be_v then_o impossible_a see_v that_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v always_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v ever_o have_v attempt_v the_o alteration_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o without_o wonder_n that_o after_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n be_v transport_v into_o assyria_n those_o that_o be_v send_v from_o assyria_n to_o inhabit_v their_o country_n do_v receive_v that_o law_n and_o that_o their_o posterity_n have_v keep_v it_o all_o along_o to_o this_o day_n as_o uncorrupted_a as_o the_o jew_n although_o they_o continue_v their_o mortal_a enemy_n and_o have_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n that_o can_v befall_v a_o nation_n during_o the_o long_a interval_n of_o 2400_o year_n the_o three_o observation_n which_o deserve_v a_o singular_a attention_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o many_o corruption_n which_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n fall_v into_o yet_o these_o book_n have_v still_o be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o same_o form_n that_o we_o have_v they_o now_o it_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o josiah_n relate_v 2_o king_n xxiii_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n own_o writing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o king_n command_v all_o the_o people_n to_o keep_v the_o passover_n unto_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n now_o we_o have_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o passover_n exod._n xii_o which_o show_v that_o josiah_n by_o the_o book_n of_o this_o covenant_n mean_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n such_o as_o we_o have_v they_o now_o adays_o and_o such_o as_o they_o be_v when_o moses_n deposit_v they_o into_o the_o sanctuary_n it_o be_v important_a to_o consider_v well_o all_o that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o forementioned_a chapter_n of_o two_o king_n for_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o this_o law_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o reform_v all_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v in_o their_o religion_n and_o countenance_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n from_o solomon_n time_n to_o josiah_n this_o chapter_n relate_v and_o commend_v the_o proceed_n of_o josiah_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ill_a government_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o to_o the_o public_a monument_n of_o their_o superstition_n which_o he_o abolish_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o impose_v herein_o upon_o posterity_n for_o first_o the_o transaction_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n but_o also_o to_o most_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o continue_v so_o lively_a and_o universal_a that_o almost_o 1500_o year_n after_o moses_n the_o name_n of_o those_o magician_n speak_v of_o exod._n vii_o 11._o be_v as_o yet_o know_v not_o only_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v it_o by_o a_o express_a passage_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o 1._o hist_o nat._n l._n 30._o c._n 1._o and_o mention_v their_o name_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 8._o but_o also_o among_o the_o heathen_n as_o both_o pliny_n and_o numenius_n do_v attest_v it_o i_o point_v only_o at_o those_o general_a proof_n at_o present_a because_o i_o have_v already_o make_v use_n of_o they_o and_o show_v their_o force_n in_o my_o observation_n upon_o genesis_n and_o because_o i_o intend_v to_o repeat_v and_o improve_v some_o of_o they_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n but_o now_o in_o order_n to_o follow_v my_o present_a design_n i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o will_v much_o conduce_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o both_o the_o character_n of_o moses_n be_v person_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o relate_v have_v always_o make_v man_n read_v his_o book_n with_o attention_n the_o subject_a of_o some_o book_n be_v such_o as_o that_o alone_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o the_o attention_n of_o any_o reader_n though_o their_o author_n have_v no_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o beside_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o subject_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v famous_a and_o of_o great_a repute_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o never_o fail_v to_o be_v read_v with_o serious_a attention_n and_o preserve_v with_o as_o great_a a_o care_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n have_v both_o these_o advantage_n so_o that_o they_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suspect_v of_o the_o least_o alteration_n or_o forgery_n the_o first_o character_n that_o we_o discover_v in_o these_o book_n at_o the_o first_o view_v of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a singularity_n and_o admirable_a diversity_n of_o their_o style_n and_o of_o the_o matter_n they_o treat_v of_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o other_o legislator_n do_v ever_o affect_v to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o historian_n no_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o absolute_a power_n to_o make_v law_n without_o give_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o sanction_n of_o they_o therefore_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v common_o nothing_o more_o dry_a and_o sapless_a than_o all_o their_o regulation_n about_o both_o civil_a and_o religious_a matter_n but_o moses_n we_o see_v have_v follow_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o satisfactory_a method_n all_o his_o regulation_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o great_a transaction_n which_o he_o relate_v he_o enact_v no_o law_n of_o any_o consequence_n but_o he_o intimate_v to_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o reason_n which_o challenge_v their_o obedience_n and_o make_v they_o by_o that_o mean_n reflect_v both_o upon_o the_o several_a mercy_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o great_a miracle_n they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o the_o use_n and_o scope_n of_o some_o of_o his_o regulation_n be_v very_o abstruse_a especial_o now_o that_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o several_a heathen_a custom_n which_o god_n design_v to_o abolish_v from_o among_o that_o people_n new_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n where_o during_o their_o captivity_n they_o have_v comply_v and_o accustom_a themselves_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o the_o rite_n and_o religion_n of_o their_o master_n the_o egyptian_n but_o yet_o how_o abstruse_a soever_o the_o design_n of_o some_o of_o those_o law_n may_v now_o appear_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o general_a scope_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o people_n from_o idolatry_n in_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o nation_n as_o also_o to_o quicken_v their_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o promise_n of_o who_o come_v have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o renew_v several_a time_n to_o the_o head_n of_o their_o nation_n however_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o those_o law_n religion_n and_o policy_n so_o interweave_v together_o that_o the_o latter_a seem_v to_o subsist_v only_o by_o the_o support_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o former_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o human_a legislator_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o the_o tradition_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o the_o transaction_n of_o old_a moses_n have_v preserve_v it_o with_o such_o care_n with_o so_o many_o mark_n of_o fidelity_n and_o so_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o history_n beside_o he_o that_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a information_n about_o the_o original_a of_o thing_n all_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o heathen_n which_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n they_o have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n of_o the_o several_a truth_n that_o moses_n relate_v in_o his_o history_n if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o see_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o common_a wealth_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n moses_n give_v a_o accurate_a account_n of_o they_o if_o any_o jew_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o original_a of_o mankind_n or_o what_o be_v the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n and_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o partaker_n of_o that_o happiness_n moses_n teach_v all_o that_o with_o great_a evidence_n and_o exactness_n if_o any_o jew_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o know_v the_o occasion_n of_o
acknowledge_v the_o beginning_n of_o mankind_n see_v they_o hold_v that_o man_n be_v first_o bear_v in_o egypt_n although_o they_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a their_o pretension_n by_o that_o sottish_a assertion_n of_o the_o easy_a production_n of_o frog_n out_o of_o the_o mud_n of_o their_o fen_n as_o the_o same_o diodorus_n tell_v we_o but_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o i_o must_v here_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o they_o do_v most_o certain_o decide_v the_o question_n the_o first_o be_v that_o by_o that_o long_a reign_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o their_o god_n and_o hero_n there_o be_v nothing_o else_o mean_v but_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o star_n and_o nothing_o like_o a_o real_a kingdom_n that_o prodigious_a number_n of_o year_n do_v not_o relate_v to_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n as_o if_o it_o have_v subsist_v so_o long_o but_o to_o the_o return_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o five_o other_o planet_n and_o of_o the_o heaven_n to_o the_o same_o point_n from_o whence_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o egyptian_n they_o first_o begin_v their_o course_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v only_o the_o great_a astronomical_a year_n about_o which_o as_o aristole_n tell_v we_o the_o ancient_n have_v have_v so_o many_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o egyptian_n have_v so_o little_o agree_v as_o the_o history_n of_o their_o antiquity_n relate_v by_o diodorus_n plain_o show_v one_o thing_n evidently-proves_a what_o i_o here_o allege_v which_o be_v that_o they_o have_v reckon_v up_o but_o fifteen_o dynasty_n to_o jupiter_n the_o last_o of_o the_o hero_n that_o be_v to_o say_v but_o fifteen_o person_n to_o jupiter_n who_o be_v ham_n the_o three_o son_n of_o noah_n this_o come_v very_a near_o moses_n calculation_n who_o reckon_v noah_n as_o the_o ten_o man_n from_o adam_n for_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o those_o ignorant_a people_n after_o a_o long_a process_n of_o time_n have_v join_v cain_n and_o abel_n with_o sem_fw-mi and_z japhet_n and_o misraim_n the_o son_n of_o ham_n which_o make_v up_o the_o sixteen_o dynasty_n except_o we_o choose_v to_o say_v that_o the_o egyptian_n think_v fit_a to_o join_v the_o seven_o generation_n of_o cain_n to_o those_o before_o the_o flood_n which_o come_v very_o near_o to_o the_o same_o account_n all_o this_o according_a to_o the_o fantastic_a notion_n of_o those_o ancient_a people_n who_o defy_v the_o first_o man_n and_o give_v they_o afterward_o the_o name_n of_o some_o star_n to_o impress_v upon_o their_o posterity_n a_o great_a veneration_n for_o they_o and_o in_o particular_a according_a to_o the_o groundless_a imagination_n of_o the_o egyptian_n who_o be_v resolve_v to_o maintain_v that_o the_o first_o man_n be_v form_v in_o their_o own_o country_n and_o in_o short_a we_o find_v that_o those_o dynasty_n for_o the_o most_o part_n if_o we_o except_o those_o of_o vulcan_n and_o of_o the_o sun_n have_v be_v but_o of_o a_o very_a short_a continuance_n and_o even_o short_a than_o that_o which_o moses_n ascribe_v to_o the_o life_n of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n which_o we_o have_v already_o set_v down_o the_o second_o thing_n that_o be_v observable_a in_o the_o confutation_n of_o this_o false_a antiquity_n if_o one_o will_v take_v what_o the_o egyptian_n have_v relate_v of_o their_o dynasty_n before_o menes_n and_o jupiter_n the_o last_o of_o their_o hero_n in_o a_o historical_a sense_n be_v that_o there_o be_v still_o sufficient_a mark_n of_o the_o newness_n of_o the_o world_n as_o moses_n have_v describe_v it_o in_o the_o remain_a fragment_n of_o the_o true_a egyptian_a history_n first_o we_o see_v that_o egypt_n have_v constant_o carry_v the_o name_n of_o ham_n among_o the_o gentile_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v call_v so_o in_o plutarch_n time_n the_o egyptian_a thebes_n be_v call_v hammon_n no_o ezech._n 30._o which_o be_v the_o name_n of_o the_o egyptian_a jupiter_n as_o the_o heathen_a author_n herodotus_n and_o plutarch_n testify_v now_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o all_o this_o be_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o egypt_n have_v fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o ham_n noah_n three_o son_n who_o settle_v there_o and_o who_o posterity_n do_v afterward_o people_n africa_n and_o give_v it_o their_o several_a name_n as_o moses_n particular_o observe_v second_o one_o see_v we_o that_o egypt_n have_v more_o particular_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o mizraim_n which_o it_o bear_v still_o and_o which_o be_v give_v to_o it_o in_o respect_n of_o one_o of_o its_o part_n because_o of_o mizraim_n the_o son_n of_o ham._n and_o it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o one_o to_o imagine_v that_o those_o character_n give_v by_o moses_n have_v be_v allow_v of_o in_o the_o world_n except_o he_o have_v have_v good_a ground_n to_o describe_v their_o original_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o he_o have_v already_o do_v three_o one_o see_v we_o that_o all_o the_o dynasty_n of_o egypt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o the_o king_n who_o have_v reign_v over_o the_o several_a part_n of_o egypt_n do_v all_o acknowledge_v menes_n for_o their_o common_a founder_n this_o menes_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o mizraim_n of_o moses_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o the_o egyptian_n who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n have_v ascribe_v to_o menes_n what_o they_o may_v more_o just_o have_v ascribe_v to_o jupiter_n hammon_n because_o they_o will_v distinguish_v their_o king_n from_o hero_n have_v exact_o follow_v the_o idea_n of_o moses_n in_o represent_v one_o as_o the_o common_a father_n of_o all_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o king_n who_o divide_v egypt_n among_o themselves_o four_o one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o invention_n of_o the_o art_n most_o necessary_a to_o human_a life_n have_v be_v attribute_v either_o to_o menes_n the_o first_o king_n of_o egypt_n or_o to_o his_o successor_n it_o be_v this_o menes_n or_o one_o of_o his_o successor_n who_o invent_v law_n letter_n astronomy_n music_n wrestle_a physic_n hieroglyphic_n anatomy_n and_o architecture_n all_o this_o plain_o show_v that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v be_v mistake_v if_o they_o have_v ascribe_v to_o the_o world_n as_o great_a a_o antiquity_n as_o one_o will_v think_v they_o do_v by_o the_o vast_a extent_n of_o time_n which_o they_o ascribe_v to_o the_o dynasty_n of_o their_o god_n and_o hero_n how_o can_v the_o world_n have_v continue_v above_o thirty_o thousand_o year_n without_o those_o art_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o convenience_n of_o human_a life_n how_o can_v man_n not_o have_v find_v out_o during_o such_o a_o prodigious_a succession_n of_o age_n those_o art_n the_o invention_n whereof_o the_o egyptian_n do_v ascribe_v to_o their_o first_o king_n or_o to_o one_o or_o two_o of_o his_o successor_n during_o a_o very_a short_a interval_n of_o time_n five_o one_o see_v we_o in_o the_o history_n of_o egypt_n the_o same_o decay_n in_o religion_n that_o moses_n speak_v of_o syr._n herod_n lib._n ii_o cap_n 4._o lucian_n de_fw-fr dea_fw-la syr._n the_o ancient_n unanimous_o agree_v that_o the_o egyptian_n have_v at_o first_o neither_o statue_n nor_o image_n in_o their_o temple_n which_o perfect_o agree_v with_o what_o moses_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o time_n after_o the_o flood_n but_o they_o tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o egyptian_n afterward_o make_v some_o statue_n and_o consecrate_v in_o their_o temple_n the_o figure_n of_o great_a number_n of_o animal_n some_o be_v of_o opinion_n and_o that_o probable_o enough_o that_o this_o come_v from_o the_o belief_n which_o they_o entertain_v afterward_o of_o the_o transmigration_n of_o soul_n into_o other_o animal_n a_o opinion_n which_o they_o think_v do_v necessary_o flow_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul._n six_o however_o one_o see_v in_o the_o six_o place_n that_o as_o moses_n represent_v nimrod_n one_o of_o ham_n posterity_n as_o the_o founder_n of_o a_o empire_n in_o assyria_n where_o he_o form_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n according_a to_o the_o platform_n of_o the_o egyptian_a principle_n so_o the_o ancient_n have_v observe_v that_o the_o famous_a assyrian_a belus_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o conceive_v 261._o pausan_n in_o messen_n p._n 261._o that_o there_o he_o plant_v idolatry_n which_o begin_v even_o before_o abraham_n time_n if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o jew_n observe_v that_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n be_v a_o temple_n wherein_o a_o idol_n be_v consecrate_v to_o worship_v he_o at_o least_o that_o conjecture_n have_v a_o very_a solid_a ground_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o babylonian_n towards_o this_o bell_n who_o they_o worship_v as_o a_o god_n according_a to_o the_o pagan_n custom_n of_o adore_v the_o founder_n of_o kingdom_n after_o their_o
contrive_v a_o way_n of_o keep_v up_o the_o memory_n of_o thing_n by_o tie_v several_a sort_n of_o knot_n upon_o a_o cord._n all_o which_o sufficient_o evince_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o world_n be_v late_o create_v according_a to_o moses_n description_n be_v as_o much_o receive_v by_o the_o ancient_a people_n of_o china_n as_o by_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o here_o it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o the_o chineese_n themselves_o according_a to_o martinius_n account_n do_v suspect_v all_o the_o historical_a record_n of_o their_o empire_n before_o king_n fobius_fw-la look_v upon_o they_o as_o false_a and_o ridiculous_a and_o indeed_o the_o people_n of_o that_o country_n before_o fobius_fw-la live_v like_o brute_n beast_n without_o any_o settle_a government_n law_n or_o art_n this_o alone_o be_v enough_o to_o confute_v those_o among_o the_o chinese_n who_o maintain_v now_o adays_o that_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n before_o confucius_n who_o live_v about_o 500_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n be_v of_o no_o less_o than_o three_o million_o two_o hundred_o threescore_o and_o seven_o thousand_o year_n for_o hereby_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v foolish_o affect_v to_o surpass_v the_o chaldean_n in_o their_o vanity_n who_o believe_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n pretend_v in_o order_n both_o to_o prove_v their_o antiquity_n and_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o their_o astrological_a observation_n that_o astrology_n have_v be_v exercise_v among_o they_o for_o 472000_o year_n before_o alexander_n enter_v into_o asia_n after_o all_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o their_o calculation_n of_o 3000_o year_n from_o fobius_fw-la to_o jesus_n christ_n be_v only_o incompatible_a with_o moses_n chronology_n accord_n to_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o not_o at_o all_o with_o that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n but_o moreover_o what_o can_v be_v more_o palpable_o fabulous_a than_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o fobius_fw-la who_o the_o chinese_n suppose_v to_o have_v begin_v his_o reign_n 2952_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n first_o he_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o heaven_n because_o they_o say_v he_o have_v a_o mother_n and_o no_o father_n and_o that_o his_o mother_n conceive_v he_o by_o the_o bank_n of_o a_o lake_n near_o the_o town_n of_o lanthieu_n where_o as_o she_o be_v walk_v she_o see_v the_o footstep_n of_o a_o man_n upon_o the_o sand_n and_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n surround_v on_o a_o sudden_a with_o a_o rainbow_n second_o the_o situation_n of_o that_o town_n which_o be_v in_o the_o west_n of_o china_n do_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o first_o inhabitant_n of_o china_n come_v thither_o from_o the_o western_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o consequent_o they_o be_v of_o shem_n posterity_n according_a to_o moses_n account_n in_o the_o ten_o of_o genesis_n three_o although_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o incongruity_n in_o their_o ascribe_v to_o he_o the_o study_n of_o astronomy_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o several_a institution_n necessary_a to_o human_a society_n as_o law_n etc._n etc._n yet_o what_o they_o add_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o several_a figure_n which_o he_o have_v see_v upon_o the_o back_n of_o a_o dragon_n sufficient_o show_v that_o either_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v but_o a_o fable_n or_o that_o he_o be_v a_o cheat_n and_o impose_v upon_o the_o simplicity_n of_o ignorant_a people_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o see_v it_o be_v suppose_v china_n be_v then_o all_o over_o infest_a and_o overgrow_v with_o barbarism_n that_o in_o his_o time_n it_o shall_v be_v record_v in_o writing_n 1._o that_o he_o invent_v instead_o of_o those_o knot_n before_o mention_v the_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v almost_o as_o obscure_v 2._o that_o man_n be_v then_o distinguish_v from_o woman_n by_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o garment_n 3._o that_o marriage_n be_v then_o fix_v and_o regulate_v which_o before_o be_v as_o promiscuous_a among_o man_n as_o among_o beast_n what_o they_o say_v of_o his_o be_v the_o author_n of_o a_o musical_a instrument_n of_o 36_o cord_n show_v evident_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o story_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o improbable_a than_o to_o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v arrive_v to_o such_o perfection_n of_o improvement_n in_o music_n as_o that_o come_v to_o when_o that_o art_n have_v but_o very_o late_o be_v invent_v it_o be_v all_o that_o man_n can_v attain_v unto_o after_o they_o have_v long_o improve_v this_o art_n the_o beginning_n whereof_o without_o doubt_n as_o of_o all_o other_o art_n be_v very_o rough_a and_o imperfect_a sure_o the_o egyptian_n be_v more_o reasonable_a when_o they_o attribute_v the_o invention_n of_o the_o lyre_n with_o three_o string_n to_o mercury_n saturn_n secretary_n who_o be_v the_o same_o with_o noah_n the_o history_n of_o china_n take_v notice_n that_o the_o begin_n of_o husbandry_n and_o physic_n be_v under_o fobius_n successor_n it_o do_v not_o mention_v whether_o he_o be_v his_o son_n or_o no_o but_o it_o only_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o first_o war_n wherein_o he_o be_v rout_v by_o a_o petty_a king_n one_o of_o his_o subject_n who_o succeed_v he_o in_o the_o empire_n and_o what_o be_v most_o singular_a in_o that_o record_n be_v that_o therein_o be_v ascribe_v to_o that_o usurper_n 1._o the_o invention_n of_o the_o cycle_n of_o 60_o year_n which_o serve_v to_o fix_v their_o chronology_n 2._o the_o method_n of_o regulate_a weight_n and_o measure_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v by_o his_o mean_n and_o encouragement_n that_o some_o of_o his_o contemporary_a subject_n find_v out_o the_o sphere_n arithmetic_n law_n judicial_a astrology_n several_a musical_a instrument_n the_o art_n of_o die_v and_o of_o coin_v the_o joiner_n and_o carpenter_n trade_n so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v boat_n and_o bridges_n they_o pretend_v that_o he_o never_o die_v but_o that_o he_o be_v translate_v alive_a into_o that_o place_n which_o the_o chinese_n do_v assign_v for_o eternal_a happiness_n nat._n lib._n ii_o cap._n 7._o hist_o nat._n it_o be_v pliny_n observation_n that_o this_o way_n and_o custom_n of_o deify_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o art_n necessary_a to_o human_a life_n be_v very_o ancient_a but_o if_o it_o be_v a_o old_a custom_n it_o be_v also_o a_o pregnant_a sign_n of_o the_o ignorance_n that_o reign_v among_o those_o ancient_a people_n that_o use_v it_o therefore_o we_o may_v as_o just_o suspect_v the_o history_n of_o the_o chinese_n among_o who_o it_o be_v in_o use_n as_o the_o egyptian_a account_n which_o be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n in_o alexander_n time_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v by_o diodorus_n siculuâ—_n the_o posterity_n or_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o famous_a man_n have_v always_o affect_v in_o process_n of_o time_n by_o such_o mean_n to_o immortalize_v their_o name_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v raise_v up_o themselves_o and_o their_o family_n as_o well_o to_o power_n and_o authority_n as_o to_o honour_n and_o veneration_n above_o all_o other_o man_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v but_o however_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conjecture_v that_o those_o several_a passage_n record_v in_o that_o history_n have_v for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o a_o great_a conformity_n with_o the_o transaction_n relate_v in_o moses_n history_n which_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o the_o chaldean_n with_o who_o the_o chinese_n have_v communication_n and_o correspondence_n all_o those_o pretence_n and_o claim_n of_o they_o to_o the_o invention_n of_o these_o art_n be_v a_o honour_n which_o they_o have_v borrow_a from_o other_o to_o lend_v it_o to_o the_o founder_n of_o their_o empire_n just_a as_o the_o egyptian_n have_v appropriate_v to_o their_o first_o king_n some_o art_n which_o be_v find_v out_o by_o the_o patriarch_n before_o the_o flood_n or_o as_o the_o greek_n have_v make_v their_o first_o prince_n the_o first_o inventor_n of_o those_o very_a art_n the_o invention_n of_o which_o the_o egyptian_n ascribe_v to_o their_o first_o king_n and_o this_o reflection_n will_v appear_v the_o more_o probable_a and_o natural_a if_o we_o consider_v what_o they_o relate_v that_o under_o the_o four_o successor_n of_o fobius_fw-la there_o arise_v a_o impostor_n famous_a by_o his_o delusion_n who_o endeavour_v to_o alter_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o chinese_n and_o to_o bring_v in_o idolatry_n among_o they_o which_o bring_v great_a misfortune_n upon_o china_n for_o hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o chinese_n in_o their_o history_n have_v disguise_v and_o so_o appropriate_v to_o themselves_o some_o passage_n which_o relate_v to_o nimrod_n time_n since_o the_o original_a of_o idolatry_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o time_n of_o building_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n which_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o idol_n temple_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v what_o pass_v for_o a_o receive_a opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n chuenhious_a be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v the_o restorer_n
and_o retire_v once_o into_o midian_a to_o save_v his_o life_n and_o avoid_v the_o king_n indignation_n but_o he_o return_v to_o they_o into_o egypt_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v receive_v his_o commission_n from_o god_n to_o deliver_v they_o out_o of_o their_o misery_n and_o bondage_n now_o he_o show_v again_o by_o so_o do_v that_o he_o have_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o that_o great_a promise_n of_o god_n make_v to_o that_o people_n and_o a_o full_a assurance_n and_o persuasion_n of_o its_o future_a accomplishment_n moses_n inform_v we_o indeed_o how_o he_o refuse_v at_o first_o the_o commission_n god_n give_v he_o to_o deliver_v his_o people_n from_o the_o egyptian_a slavery_n and_o how_o he_o excuse_v himself_o upon_o his_o own_o incapacity_n and_o be_v unfit_a for_o so_o great_a a_o undertake_n but_o yet_o he_o make_v at_o the_o same_o time_n so_o visible_a a_o allusion_n to_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o shiloh_n i.e._n send_v o_o my_o lord_n say_v he_o to_o god_n send_v i_o pray_v thou_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o he_o who_o thou_o will_v send_v that_o he_o can_v hardly_o express_v and_o declare_v his_o mind_n about_o it_o more_o plain_o but_o we_o shall_v be_v the_o better_o convince_v of_o his_o allusion_n to_o the_o send_n of_o the_o shiloh_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o moses_n be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n of_o which_o god_n have_v pronounce_v nothing_o concern_v the_o future_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n he_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o being_n himself_o exclude_v of_o that_o privilege_n and_o that_o after_o all_o what_o glory_n soever_o the_o miraculous_a preservation_n and_o illustrious_a beginning_n of_o his_o life_n may_v seem_v to_o pretend_v and_o promise_v to_o he_o yet_o he_o can_v not_o expect_v to_o rise_v much_o high_a than_o joseph_n have_v do_v before_o he_o although_o he_o will_v reassume_v the_o former_a post_n to_o which_o his_o adoption_n by_o pharaoh_n daughter_n have_v once_o raise_v he_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n continue_v always_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o entertain_v still_o the_o same_o notion_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n even_o after_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o he_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o appear_v into_o the_o world_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v this_o i_o say_v we_o see_v by_o his_o speech_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n relate_v in_o the_o xviii_o chapter_n of_o deuteronomy_n the_o lord_n thy_o god_n say_v he_o to_o they_o will_v raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o a_o prophet_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o of_o thy_o brethren_n like_v unto_o i_o unto_o he_o you_o shall_v hearken_v he_o do_v not_o say_v a_o priest_n or_o a_o king_n though_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v both_o but_o he_o say_v a_o prophet_n to_o teach_v they_o not_o to_o mistake_v any_o of_o their_o priest_n or_o king_n for_o the_o messiah_n but_o to_o expect_v and_o regard_v less_o in_o his_o person_n the_o external_a honour_n of_o aaron_n family_n and_o the_o worldly_a grandeur_n of_o king_n than_o the_o privilege_n of_o divine_a inspiration_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o he_o as_o the_o founder_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n chap._n xi_o that_o balaam_n be_v prophesy_v which_o moses_n relate_v be_v a_o further_a argument_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n in_o he_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o show_v that_o moses_n have_v a_o very_a clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o this_o promise_n so_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o make_v here_o a_o particular_a reflection_n upon_o what_o he_o relate_v numb_a xxiii_o the_o moabite_n be_v descend_v from_o lot_n elder_a daughter_n it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o conceive_v that_o balac_n their_o king_n be_v so_o desirous_a to_o have_v the_o israelite_n curse_v from_o god_n and_o by_o one_o of_o his_o prophet_n only_o because_o he_o design_v thereby_o to_o secure_v himself_o of_o the_o divine_a blessing_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n to_o which_o he_o think_v he_o have_v a_o just_a claim_n and_o pretention_n by_o his_o be_v one_o of_o lot_n posterity_n and_o this_o observation_n upon_o balac_n pretention_n and_o action_n be_v the_o more_o just_a and_o well_o ground_v because_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o curse_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o have_v have_v pronounce_v against_o the_o israelite_n be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n in_o thy_o seed_n shall_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v which_o word_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o do_v import_v a_o direct_a opposition_n to_o lot_n pretention_n now_o all_o this_o be_v suppose_v one_o needs_o only_o consider_v the_o term_n of_o the_o prophecy_n speak_v by_o balaam_n in_o favour_n of_o jacob_n to_o see_v that_o moses_n have_v relate_v it_o only_o to_o show_v first_o that_o although_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n to_o judea_n have_v degenerate_v and_o corrupt_v themselves_o much_o by_o their_o communication_n with_o ham_n posterity_n yet_o they_o preserve_v a_o strong_a though_o confuse_a notion_n of_o their_o ancestor_n pretension_n and_o act_v according_a to_o that_o prejudice_n of_o they_o in_o all_o matter_n and_o occurrence_n of_o great_a moment_n second_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o authentic_a determination_n of_o all_o the_o several_a contest_v and_o pretension_n which_o have_v divide_v the_o posterity_n of_o terah_n until_o that_o time_n it_o be_v like_o a_o definitive_a sentence_n first_o in_o favour_n of_o abraham_n against_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n who_o be_v descend_v from_o lot_n second_o in_o favour_n of_o isaac_n against_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o ismaelite_n descend_v from_o ishmael_n three_o in_o favour_n of_o jacob_n against_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o edomite_n descend_v from_o esau_n for_o when_o he_o foretell_v that_o there_o shall_v come_v a_o star_n out_o of_o jacob_n he_o decide_v the_o three_o forementioned_a controversy_n jacob_n have_v be_v prefer_v to_o esau_n isaac_n to_o ishmael_n and_o abraham_n to_o lot._n now_o jacob_n can_v not_o be_v prefer_v to_o the_o moabite_n but_o he_o must_v be_v so_o too_o to_o the_o ammonite_n ismaelite_n and_o edomite_n this_o prophecy_n as_o any_o one_o may_v see_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a because_o it_o resolve_v all_o the_o question_n and_o controversy_n which_o do_v excite_v so_o many_o jealousy_n among_o all_o those_o neighbour_a nation_n this_o oracle_n of_o balaam_n be_v yet_o the_o more_o remarkable_a because_o that_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v pronounce_v at_o the_o entry_n into_o canaan_n the_o possess_n and_o inhabit_v of_o which_o country_n be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a character_n of_o the_o israelite_n distinction_n from_o all_o other_o nation_n yet_o in_o it_o balaam_n make_v a_o very_a distinct_a mention_n of_o the_o future_a call_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n he_o call_v they_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n to_o intimate_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o restriction_n make_v and_o observe_v by_o god_n before_o that_o time_n be_v then_o to_o cease_v and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o distinction_n betwixt_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o be_v all_o the_o child_n of_o noah_n and_o all_o equal_o descend_v from_o seth_n by_o he_o because_o then_o all_o nation_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o messiah_n i_o know_v that_o some_o by_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n understand_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o certain_a town_n in_o the_o country_n of_o moab_n mention_v in_o the_o xv._o of_o isaiah_n according_a to_o the_o septuagint_n but_o the_o arabian_a interpreter_n of_o the_o samaritan_n 26._o abusaid_a m.s._n in_o the_o french_a king_n library_n note_v 4._o upon_o gen._n iu._n 26._o bring_v very_o good_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o that_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o messiah_n and_o show_v that_o he_o be_v call_v the_o head_n of_o the_o child_n of_o seth_n because_o seth_n be_v the_o head_n and_o common_a father_n of_o all_o man_n since_o the_o flood_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_a before_o the_o flood_n and_o that_o those_o word_n of_o genesis_n iu_o 26._o then_o begin_v man_n to_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n relate_v to_o seth_n and_o not_o to_o enos_n as_o it_o be_v common_o believe_v beside_o this_o prophecy_n by_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v see_v he_o but_o not_o now_o i_o shall_v behold_v he_o but_o not_o nigh_o determine_v that_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o near_o but_o be_v reserve_v for_o a_o further_a time_n last_o it_o be_v a_o very_a singular_a thing_n that_o this_o oracle_n shall_v be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o prophet_n who_o
the_o history_n down_o to_o cyrus_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o persia_n who_o give_v the_o jew_n their_o liberty_n again_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n contain_v the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v under_o his_o successor_n to_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n for_o almost_o eighty_o two_o year_n it_o be_v in_o this_o interval_n that_o the_o deliverance_n happen_v which_o the_o jew_n receive_v under_o esther_n wife_n to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o powerful_a king_n of_o persia_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n celebrate_v every_o year_n in_o all_o place_n the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n adar_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o february_n by_o virtue_n of_o esther_n law._n after_o these_o general_a remark_n with_o which_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a i_o ought_v to_o make_v some_o reflection_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o take_v away_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n from_o those_o proof_n which_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o be_v that_o as_o these_o history_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v neglect_v by_o a_o people_n who_o in_o their_o religious_a and_o civil_a conduct_n be_v absolute_o regulate_v by_o those_o very_a law_n the_o second_o be_v that_o all_o the_o action_n relate_v in_o this_o history_n have_v pass_v altogether_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o people_n the_o extent_n of_o who_o country_n be_v not_o twenty_o league_n in_o breadth_n nor_o eighty_o in_o length_n the_o three_o be_v that_o this_o people_n have_v observe_v the_o law_n of_o the_o seven_o year_n and_o of_o the_o first_o year_n or_o year_n of_o jubilee_n which_o law_n you_o have_v in_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o leviticus_n from_o their_o first_o conquest_n and_o division_n of_o the_o country_n forty_o seven_o year_n after_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n this_o observation_n have_v serve_v for_o a_o double_a cycle_n to_o fix_v the_o remembrance_n of_o those_o action_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o so_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o hezekiah_n esai_n xxxvii_o 30._o and_o two_o king_n xix_o 29._o may_v easy_o be_v understand_v that_o although_o sennacherib_n invasion_n will_v in_o all_o probability_n lie_v waste_v all_o judea_n yet_o they_o may_v eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o quietness_n the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o the_o next_o year_n they_o shall_v eat_v the_o fruit_n that_o will_v grow_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o tillage_n and_o that_o on_o the_o sixteenth_o year_n they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o till_o the_o ground_n as_o former_o which_o show_v without_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o word_n that_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n reign_n be_v the_o sabbathical_a year_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v forbid_v to_o cultivate_v the_o ground_n the_o four_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v in_o effect_n by_o the_o series_n of_o this_o whole_a story_n that_o thing_n be_v write_v so_o as_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n which_o be_v extant_a among_o the_o people_n this_o be_v manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v how_o often_o the_o sacred_a penman_n refer_v we_o to_o the_o history_n and_o annal_n of_o those_o king_n of_o who_o they_o speak_v and_o of_o who_o they_o only_o quote_v the_o principal_a story_n in_o short_a in_o pursue_v their_o design_n which_o be_v entire_o to_o bring_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o israelite_n under_o one_o view_n let_v we_o go_v on_o to_o other_o proof_n to_o establish_v this_o truth_n chap._n ii_o that_o there_o be_v a_o strict_a connexion_n between_o the_o sacred_a history_n and_o the_o old_a monument_n which_o we_o have_v of_o profane_a history_n as_o there_o be_v but_o few_o very_a ancient_a writer_n of_o profane_a history_n and_o as_o we_o have_v but_o small_a fragment_n of_o they_o disperse_v here_o and_o there_o preserve_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o care_n of_o josephus_n the_o jewish_a historian_n and_o of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praeparatione_fw-la evangelicâ_fw-la so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v surprise_v if_o but_o few_o of_o the_o more_o illustrious_a passage_n and_o event_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o pagan_a writer_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v otherwise_o engage_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n to_o keep_v close_o to_o that_o country_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v this_o make_v their_o neighbour_n have_v less_o knowledge_n of_o their_o history_n however_o there_o be_v enough_o leave_v to_o show_v with_o how_o great_a fidelity_n and_o exactness_n the_o sacred_a writer_n pen_v the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n in_o short_a we_o may_v find_v among_o the_o heathen_a historian_n and_o poet_n who_o be_v their_o first_o historian_n several_a relation_n which_o show_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v well_o enough_o know_v to_o they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o be_v relate_v in_o those_o historical_a book_n which_o be_v write_v after_o moses_n the_o memory_n of_o joshua_n and_o his_o conquest_n be_v famous_a among_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v ancient_a monument_n extant_a which_o prove_v that_o the_o carthaginian_n be_v a_o colony_n of_o the_o tyrian_n who_o escape_v from_o joshua_n as_o also_o that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o leptis_n in_o africa_n come_v original_o from_o the_o zidonian_o who_o forsake_v their_o country_n jugurthino_n procop._n van_n dalicorum_fw-la lib._n ii_o c._n 10._o polybius_n frag._n cxiv_o sallust_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jugurthino_n because_o of_o the_o misery_n which_o afflict_v it_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o phoenician_n hercules_n arise_v from_o the_o history_n of_o joshua_n the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o giant_n and_o the_o famous_a typhon_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o og_n the_o king_n of_o bashan_n and_o of_o the_o anakim_v who_o be_v call_v giant_n the_o tempest_n of_o hail_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o eleven_o of_o joshua_n be_v transform_v by_o the_o poet_n into_o a_o tempest_n of_o stone_n with_o which_o as_o they_o say_v jupiter_n overwhelm_v the_o enemy_n of_o hercules_n in_o arim_n which_o be_v exact_o the_o country_n where_o joshua_n fight_v with_o the_o child_n of_o anak_n one_o find_v the_o memorial_n of_o the_o action_n of_o gideon_n preserve_v by_o sanchoniathon_n a_o tyrian_a writer_n who_o live_v soon_o after_o he_o and_o who_o antiquity_n be_v attest_v by_o porphyry_n one_o find_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o jephtha_n sacrifice_a his_o daughter_n after_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o ammonite_n the_o original_a of_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o iphigenia_n 3._o variae_fw-la historiae_fw-la lib._n v._o cap._n 3._o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o heathen_n as_o aelian_a judicious_o observe_v to_o attribute_v to_o their_o late_a hero_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o action_n of_o those_o who_o live_v long_o before_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o a_o feast_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o heathen_a roman_n in_o april_n the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a harvest_n iu._n ovid._n fastorum_fw-la lib._n iu._n in_o which_o they_o let_v loose_a fox_n with_o torch_n fasten_v to_o their_o tail_n which_o certain_o come_v from_o the_o story_n of_o samson_n and_o be_v bring_v into_o italy_n by_o the_o phoenician_n one_o find_v in_o the_o same_o history_n of_o samson_n and_o dalilah_n i._n ovid._n metam_fw-la lib._n viii_o fab._n i._n the_o original_a of_o the_o story_n of_o nisus_n and_o his_o daughter_n who_o cut_v off_o those_o fatal_a hair_n upon_o which_o the_o victory_n depend_v nicolaus_n damascenus_n have_v preserve_v the_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o david_n obtain_v over_o the_o syrian_n of_o zoba_n 6._o joseph_n antie_n lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o upon_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o euphrates_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n there_o be_v monument_n extant_a which_o describe_v the_o part_n which_o hiram_n king_n of_o tyre_n have_v in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o solomon_n almost_o the_o same_o with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o sacred_a author_n give_v we_o of_o his_o part_n in_o the_o erection_n of_o that_o great_a work._n one_o find_v in_o herodotus_n a_o account_n of_o the_o take_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o sesostris_n king_n of_o egypt_n 6._o joseph_n antiq_fw-la lib._n vii_o cap._n 6._o as_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o the_o history_n of_o rehoboam_n one_o find_v the_o history_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n relate_v by_o nicholaus_fw-la damascenus_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o sacred_a writer_n when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o victory_n which_o the_o king_n of_o
that_o alexander_n preserve_v they_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o right_n and_o liberty_n as_o they_o enjoy_v they_o under_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n and_o in_o particular_a exempt_v they_o from_o pay_v any_o tribute_n every_o seven_o year_n because_o than_o they_o do_v not_o sow_v their_o ground_n and_o consequent_o can_v not_o reap_v and_o if_o we_o find_v that_o ptolemy_n take_v jerusalem_n on_o a_o sabbath_n day_n the_o jew_n make_v conscience_n of_o defend_v themselves_o because_o the_o law_n require_v their_o cease_n from_o all_o work_n from_o whence_o agatharcides_n a_o heathen_a author_n take_v occasion_n to_o blame_v their_o law_n if_o we_o find_v he_o carry_v a_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n with_o he_o into_o egypt_n yet_o withal_o we_o find_v he_o treat_v they_o with_o as_o much_o kindness_n as_o the_o macedonian_n themselves_z appoint_v distinct_a place_n in_o egypt_n and_o lybia_n for_o their_o habitation_n if_o we_o find_v that_o powerful_a prince_n such_o as_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n and_o some_o other_o of_o his_o successor_n break_v the_o power_n of_o the_o jew_n profane_v their_o temple_n and_o force_v great_a number_n of_o they_o to_o abjure_v their_o religion_n yet_o we_o see_v they_o also_o at_o the_o same_o time_n give_v the_o high_a instance_n of_o a_o immovable_a constancy_n and_o courage_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o law_n and_o in_o endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a torture_n we_o see_v other_o of_o they_o encourage_v with_o the_o love_n of_o their_o country_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n put_v themselves_o into_o a_o posture_n of_o defence_n purify_n the_o temple_n and_o celebrate_v a_o festival_n which_o be_v observe_v even_o at_o this_o day_n and_o last_o obtain_v favourable_a treaty_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o in_o the_o twelve_o book_n of_o josephus_n his_o antiquity_n yea_o we_o find_v their_o name_n and_o glory_n at_o that_o time_n spread_v as_o far_o as_o lacedaemon_n with_o which_o commonwealth_n they_o make_v a_o alliance_n during_o the_o high-priesthood_n of_o onias_n one_o see_v we_o they_o after_o this_o so_o considerable_a under_o the_o successor_n of_o antiochus_n their_o persecutor_n that_o even_o those_o king_n sue_v for_o their_o alliance_n with_o great_a present_n one_o see_v we_o that_o ptolemy_n philometor_n grant_v to_o onias_n the_o son_n leave_v to_o build_v a_o temple_n in_o egypt_n for_o the_o convenience_n of_o those_o jew_n who_o ptolemy_n the_o son_n of_o lagus_n have_v carry_v thither_o as_o well_o as_o for_o those_o who_o leave_v their_o country_n for_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o seleucidae_n for_o judea_n be_v situate_a between_o syria_n and_o egypt_n be_v ordinary_o the_o theatre_n of_o war_n between_o those_o two_o state_n it_o be_v here_o worth_a our_o note_n that_o the_o jew_n undertake_v the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o egypt_n as_o think_v themselves_o authorise_a by_o that_o prophecy_n isai_n xix_o 24._o it_o be_v a_o thing_n otherwise_o forbid_v by_o the_o law._n one_o see_v in_o the_o same_o prince_n reign_n a_o great_a contest_v between_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o jew_n about_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o their_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o mount_n garizim_n decide_v by_o he_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n on_o which_o occasion_n the_o jew_n show_v that_o prince_n their_o law_n and_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o series_n of_o their_o history_n to_o confute_v the_o samaritan_n pretension_n one_o see_v we_o after_o this_o when_o the_o jew_n have_v confer_v the_o sovereignty_n and_o high-priesthood_n on_o simon_n that_o their_o state_n become_v so_o powerful_a that_o under_o hyrcanus_n his_o successor_n they_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o attack_v their_o enemy_n in_o syria_n and_o compel_v the_o edomite_n to_o admit_v circumcision_n aristobulus_n his_o son_n be_v crown_v his_o brother_n succeed_v he_o in_o the_o royal_a dignity_n and_o leave_v the_o state_n in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n notwithstanding_o the_o civil_a and_o foreign_a war_n he_o be_v engage_v in_o we_o find_v afterward_o that_o the_o intestine_a division_n among_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o jewish_a prince_n do_v by_o degree_n open_v a_o gap_n for_o foreign_a power_n to_o enter_v and_o prevail_v over_o they_o pompey_n side_v with_o hyrcanus_n take_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v the_o jew_n tributary_n to_o the_o roman_n but_o without_o change_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n julius_n caesar_n a_o while_n after_o bestow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o judaea_n upon_o herod_n the_o edomite_n augustus_n after_o he_o use_v the_o jew_n with_o the_o same_o equity_n as_o pompey_n before_o he_o have_v do_v as_o appear_v from_o one_o of_o his_o declaration_n publish_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o egypt_n and_o asia_n record_v by_o josephus_n this_o herod_n and_o augustus_n be_v the_o same_o under_o who_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v distinct_a from_o other_o nation_n and_o sufficient_o know_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophet_n malachy_n until_o herod_n we_o may_v also_o true_o assert_v that_o whatever_o inclination_n the_o jew_n of_o old_a have_v for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o their_o neighbour_n yet_o we_o do_v find_v they_o give_v that_o way_n during_o this_o interval_n between_o the_o last_o of_o their_o prophet_n and_o herod_n as_o if_o the_o charge_n and_o command_v of_o that_o prophet_n malachy_n have_v always_o sound_v in_o their_o ear_n mal._n iu._n verse_n 4._o remember_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n my_o servant_n etc._n etc._n one_o see_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o maccabee_n in_o great_a number_n suffer_v martyrdom_n rather_o than_o abjure_v their_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n with_o all_o carefulness_n of_o which_o augustus_n himself_o be_v witness_v one_o see_v we_o that_o under_o stranger_n and_o heathen_a king_n they_o exempt_v themselves_o from_o answer_v any_o suit_n at_o law_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n from_o pay_v tribute_n the_o seven_o year_n and_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o their_o temple_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o opposition_n last_o one_o find_v they_o during_o herod_n government_n support_v by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n in_o refuse_v to_o set_v up_o the_o emperor_n trophy_n for_o fear_v lest_o some_o image_n may_v be_v hide_v under_o they_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o crime_n against_o their_o law._n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o since_o malachy_n some_o heresy_n spring_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n their_o commerce_n with_o the_o greek_n who_o apply_v themselves_o to_o philosophical_a speculation_n have_v contribute_v to_o make_v they_o much_o more_o disputacious_a than_o they_o be_v before_o the_o authority_n likewise_o of_o their_o king_n who_o be_v high-priest_n also_o may_v have_v have_v a_o 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meaning_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a corruption_n but_o not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o can_v make_v it_o to_o be_v no_o more_o the_o same_o religion_n so_o that_o we_o may_v bold_o assert_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o important_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o the_o state_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v continue_v sufficient_o entire_a till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o appear_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o world_n for_o their_o preserve_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a viz._n as_o well_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o oracle_n which_o foretell_v the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n together_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o principle_n according_a to_o which_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v in_o their_o prediction_n concern_v he_o reflection_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o preface_n i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o
will_v have_v take_v by_o force_n to_o make_v he_o their_o king_n what_o likelihood_n be_v there_o that_o the_o apostle_n a_o company_n of_o poor_a miserable_a jew_n shall_v bring_v over_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v accurse_v by_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o crucify_v like_o a_o slave_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n whilst_o the_o jew_n accustom_a to_o the_o roman_a yoke_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o avoid_v all_o manner_n of_o occasion_n that_o may_v stir_v up_o the_o indignation_n of_o their_o master_n against_o they_o it_o be_v expedient_a say_v they_o rather_o that_o one_o man_n perish_v meaning_n jesus_n than_o to_o hazard_v the_o welfare_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o three_o be_v that_o these_o oracle_n be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n not_o only_o among_o discourse_n of_o another_o nature_n but_o also_o link_v 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public_a custody_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o former_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o old_a be_v but_o this_o can_v real_o diminish_v their_o authority_n i_o will_v not_o observe_v at_o present_a that_o because_o the_o temple_n be_v to_o be_v burn_v it_o be_v not_o proper_a to_o depose_v they_o there_o and_o it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n god_n think_v fit_a to_o cause_v the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o be_v translate_v long_o before_o nor_o yet_o that_o it_o be_v very_o proper_a that_o these_o prediction_n as_o well_o as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o gentile_n who_o thenceforward_a be_v to_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n and_o his_o temple_n but_o this_o i_o observe_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o solemn_a than_o these_o prophecy_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n as_o well_o as_o never_o any_o thing_n be_v more_o exact_o fulfil_v jesus_n christ_n be_v bear_v at_o bethlehem_n according_a to_o the_o oracle_n now_o as_o no_o man_n be_v master_n of_o the_o place_n of_o his_o birth_n so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o here_o be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o imposture_n neither_o be_v a_o man_n any_o more_o the_o master_n of_o his_o death_n wherefore_o to_o give_v a_o certain_a character_n to_o his_o prophecy_n he_o foretell_v his_o die_v at_o jerusalem_n which_o according_o be_v accomplish_v in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o exact_a but_o one_o may_v say_v that_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o the_o disciple_n to_o forge_v prediction_n suitable_a to_o the_o event_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o virgil_n have_v do_v in_o the_o six_o of_o his_o aeneid_n of_o marcellus_n one_o may_v indeed_o contrive_v a_o imposture_n which_o shall_v be_v possible_a and_o which_o may_v answer_v to_o some_o few_o oracle_n but_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o that_o thought_n when_o i_o come_v to_o prove_v the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n but_o can_v we_o conceive_v such_o a_o suspicion_n concern_v the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n the_o ruin_n of_o paganism_n the_o victory_n of_o christianity_n after_o ten_o persecution_n it_o be_v now_o above_o 1600_o year_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n subsist_v whereas_o who_o can_v have_v assure_v the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o their_o doctrine_n will_v have_v have_v so_o much_o as_o one_o or_o two_o follower_n after_o their_o death_n the_o great_a empire_n that_o of_o the_o chaldean_n of_o the_o persian_n of_o the_o grecian_n and_o that_o of_o the_o roman_n have_v be_v overturn_v and_o none_o of_o they_o single_o have_v be_v of_o so_o long_a continuance_n as_o the_o kingdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o nevertheless_o be_v attack_v by_o all_o that_o be_v great_a and_o powerful_a in_o the_o world._n who_o see_v we_o not_o that_o this_o be_v the_o empire_n whereof_o daniel_n speak_v in_o the_o seven_o of_o his_o revelation_n which_o be_v never_o to_o have_v end_n jesus_n christ_n foretell_v as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o by_o his_o disciple_n according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n that_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o never_o build_v again_o who_o can_v tell_v the_o apostle_n if_o they_o have_v forge_v this_o oracle_n themselves_o that_o the_o endeavour_n of_o julian_n to_o confound_v this_o prophecy_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n will_v be_v in_o vain_a as_o indeed_o they_o prove_v by_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o rebuild_n of_o it_o 23._o ammian_n marcellin_n lib._n 23._o under_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o emperor_n indeed_o if_o one_o reflect_v on_o the_o oracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n one_o shall_v find_v they_o a_o thousand_o time_n more_o know_v than_o those_o of_o the_o jew_n 1._o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v pen_v at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n 2._o they_o 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evident_o follow_v that_o jesus_n christ_n ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v as_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v like_a unto_o moses_n as_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o eighteen_o of_o deuteronomy_n that_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a messiah_n chap._n xii_o that_o jesus_n christ_n die_v precise_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v die_v i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o three_o part_n that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o his_o church_n several_a oracle_n to_o explain_v distinct_o this_o great_a truth_n concern_v the_o messiah_n 1._o he_o have_v set_v this_o up_o for_o a_o rule_n by_o moses_n curse_v be_v he_o that_o hang_v on_o a_o tree_n 2._o he_o have_v propose_v by_o david_n the_o idea_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o have_v his_o hand_n and_o foot_n pierce_v the_o gentile_n and_o jew_n unite_n themselves_o against_o he_o 3._o he_o have_v foretell_v by_o isaiah_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v account_v a_o malefactor_n and_o put_v to_o death_n 4._o he_o have_v repeat_v the_o same_o idea_n by_o the_o prophet_n zechariah_n who_o describe_v the_o manner_n of_o his_o be_v pierce_v which_o have_v a_o natural_a reference_n to_o the_o notion_n of_o crucifixion_n i_o have_v also_o set_v down_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o god_n separate_v the_o several_a part_n of_o those_o prophetical_a description_n of_o so_o surprise_v a_o event_n the_o difficulty_n there_o be_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n to_o make_v these_o idea_n to_o be_v receive_v which_o seem_v full_a of_o contradiction_n the_o messiah_n have_v be_v at_o first_o set_v forth_o as_o the_o fountain_n of_o blessing_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n their_o seem_a incompatibility_n with_o the_o glory_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o the_o messiah_n and_o by_o he_o to_o the_o israelite_n and_o at_o last_o i_o have_v show_v that_o these_o oracle_n do_v exact_o
strong_a when_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o short_a these_o book_n be_v write_v to_o be_v read_v by_o person_n of_o the_o mean_a capacity_n by_o woman_n by_o child_n as_o well_o as_o by_o doctor_n and_o they_o treat_v of_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v inform_v if_o some_o jew_n suffer_v martyrdom_n under_o antiochus_n to_o preserve_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v like_o example_n and_o as_o numerous_a of_o those_o who_o have_v do_v as_o much_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testameat_n last_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v look_v upon_o those_o as_o traitor_n and_o apostate_n who_o give_v up_o those_o book_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n the_o christian_n have_v testify_v no_o less_o aversion_n for_o those_o who_o deliver_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o fury_n of_o heathen_n even_o to_o the_o subject_n of_o they_o to_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n in_o the_o three_o century_n and_o before_o chap._n xviii_o that_o one_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v neither_o be_v it_o more_o difficult_a to_o establish_v this_o second_o truth_n that_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v reasonable_o question_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o one_o needs_o only_o consider_v the_o character_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o character_n of_o their_o write_n of_o their_o sermon_n of_o their_o suffering_n and_o of_o their_o martyrdom_n and_o last_o of_o all_o the_o character_n of_o those_o among_o who_o they_o write_v these_o thing_n and_o preach_v they_o to_o their_o death_n as_o to_o their_o sermon_n the_o apostle_n be_v contemporary_n with_o jesus_n christ_n they_o speak_v of_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o distinguish_v they_o careful_o from_o those_o which_o they_o have_v learn_v another_o way_n they_o be_v honest_a man_n simple_a and_o without_o learning_n very_o fit_a to_o bear_v witness_n in_o matter_n of_o fact._n they_o be_v person_n that_o preach_v nothing_o but_o love_n and_o the_o study_n of_o truth_n they_o protest_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o suffering_n that_o they_o can_v not_o conceal_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v they_o be_v man_n without_o covetousness_n or_o ambition_n they_o forsake_v all_o that_o they_o possess_v in_o the_o world_n s._n matthew_n leave_v his_o house_n and_o good_n to_o follow_v jesus_n christ_n their_o epistle_n speak_v nothing_o more_o than_o instance_n of_o christian_a poverty_n of_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o good_n and_o of_o mighty_a instance_n of_o their_o charity_n these_o witness_n be_v sufficient_o numerous_a they_o preach_v and_o write_v in_o several_a place_n and_o yet_o they_o agree_v admirable_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o the_o same_o fact_n it_o appear_v they_o have_v such_o lively_a and_o distinct_a impression_n that_o they_o frequent_o make_v use_v of_o the_o very_a same_o word_n the_o difference_n which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o part_n of_o their_o book_n be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o nothing_o but_o the_o force_n of_o the_o matter_n make_v they_o agree_v in_o their_o relation_n and_o indeed_o how_o be_v it_o otherwise_o conceivable_a that_o four_o such_o author_n as_o the_o evangelist_n shall_v agree_v about_o so_o many_o opinion_n so_o many_o miracle_n so_o many_o prophecy_n so_o many_o dispute_n and_o in_o a_o word_n about_o so_o many_o matter_n of_o fact_n shall_v we_o say_v that_o the_o second_o take_v his_o copy_n from_o the_o first_o the_o three_o from_o the_o second_o &_o c._n this_o appear_v to_o be_v evident_o false_a by_o peruse_v of_o their_o work_n and_o by_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o stile_n and_o certain_o there_o appear_v so_o great_a ingenuity_n in_o their_o writing_n that_o we_o can_v accuse_v they_o of_o have_v have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v the_o world_n they_o tell_v you_o plain_o of_o the_o meanness_n of_o their_o condition_n and_o original_n they_o sincere_o discover_v their_o own_o weakness_n their_o ambition_n their_o vanity_n their_o dispute_n their_o heat_n their_o murmur_n s._n matthew_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v a_o publican_n that_o be_v a_o servant_n of_o the_o roman_a power_n who_o the_o jew_n look_v upon_o as_o a_o excommunicate_v person_n and_o as_o a_o enemy_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n he_o relate_v the_o ridiculous_a pretention_n of_o the_o son_n of_o zebedee_n found_v on_o the_o carnal_a notion_n of_o their_o mother_n concern_v the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n they_o set_v down_o s._n peter_n deny_v of_o his_o master_n they_o do_v not_o dissemble_v their_o common_a ignorance_n which_o make_v they_o expect_v a_o temporal_a king_n in_o jesus_n christ_n they_o frank_o publish_v their_o own_o incredulity_n when_o mary_n magdalen_n bring_v they_o the_o news_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o they_o describe_v the_o obstinate_a resistance_n of_o s._n thomas_n about_o this_o matter_n against_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o all_o his_o companion_n they_o do_v not_o content_v themselves_o with_o say_v in_o general_a that_o some_o illustrious_a fact_n have_v happen_v but_o they_o punctual_o set_v down_o all_o the_o circumstance_n so_o that_o it_o clear_o appear_v their_o design_n be_v to_o have_v their_o writing_n examine_v and_o that_o after_o a_o exact_a search_n man_n may_v acquiesce_v in_o the_o conclusion_n which_o they_o draw_v from_o thence_o for_o instance_n they_o do_v not_o tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n raise_v a_o great_a many_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o only_o tell_v we_o of_o three_o describe_v the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o resurrection_n the_o time_n the_o place_n the_o age_n the_o person_n the_o assistant_n and_o all_o these_o with_o other_o particular_n which_o impostor_n care_v not_o to_o enter_v upon_o 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