inward_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o i_o confess_v i_o can_v but_o wonder_n that_o since_o celsus_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o speak_v in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n he_o did_o make_v he_o direct_v his_o discourse_n to_o the_o gentile_n rather_o than_o to_o his_o own_o countryman_n for_o it_o will_v have_v carry_v with_o it_o a_o far_o more_o plausible_a appearance_n if_o it_o have_v be_v direct_v by_o he_o to_o those_o who_o embrace_v the_o religion_n which_o we_o profess_v and_o be_v gentile_n like_o ourselves_o but_o it_o seem_v this_o mighty_a man_n with_o all_o his_o knowledge_n to_o which_o he_o make_v such_o great_a pretence_n do_v not_o know_v or_o at_o least_o do_v seem_v to_o i_o not_o due_o to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o figure_n of_o speech_n which_o we_o make_v use_v of_o when_o we_o speak_v in_o the_o person_n of_o another_o let_v we_o see_v therefore_o what_o he_o say_v to_o those_o jew_n who_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n he_o say_v that_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v most_o shameful_o delude_v by_o our_o saviour_n they_o leave_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o ancestor_n and_o alter_v both_o their_o name_n and_o their_o course_n of_o life_n but_o he_o do_v consider_v that_o the_o jew_n who_o believe_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n do_v not_o total_o renounce_v the_o law_n of_o their_o justly-admired_a progenitor_n and_o forefather_n but_o live_v in_o the_o observance_n of_o it_o derive_v their_o appellation_n from_o a_o word_n that_o denote_v the_o poverty_n of_o the_o mere_a letter_n of_o the_o law_n for_o ebion_n in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n signify_v poor_a and_o the_o convert_a jew_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o ebionites_n and_o st._n peter_n himself_o for_o a_o considerabe_n time_n observe_v the_o jewish_a rite_n that_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o not_o have_v yet_o learn_v even_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n to_o ascend_v as_o it_o be_v from_o their_o literal_a to_o their_o spiritual_a mean_v as_o we_o have_v the_o matter_n relate_v to_o we_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n on_o the_o morrow_n as_o they_o go_v on_o their_o journey_n and_o draw_v act_n 1._o v._o 9_o etc._n etc._n nigh_o unto_o the_o city_n peter_n go_v up_o upon_o the_o housetop_n to_o pray_v about_o the_o six_o hour_n and_o he_o become_v very_o hungry_a and_o will_v have_v eat_v but_o while_o they_o make_v ready_a he_o fall_v into_o a_o trance_n and_o see_v heaven_n open_v and_o a_o certain_a vessel_n descend_v unto_o he_o as_o it_o have_v be_v a_o great_a sheet_n knit_v at_o the_o four_o corner_n and_o let_v down_o to_o the_o earth_n wherein_o be_v all_o manner_n of_o fourfooted_n beast_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o wild_a beast_n and_o creep_v thing_n and_o fowl_n of_o the_o air._n and_o there_o come_v a_o voice_n to_o he_o rise_z peter_z kill_z and_o eat_v but_o peter_n say_v not_o so_o lord_n for_o i_o have_v never_o eat_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v common_a or_o unclean_a and_o the_o voice_n speak_v to_o he_o again_o the_o second_o time_n what_o god_n have_v cleanse_v that_o call_v thou_o not_o common_a you_o see_v here_o that_o st._n peter_n himself_o that_o eminent_a apostle_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o as_o retain_v the_o jewish_a distinction_n between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a meat_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o follow_v in_o the_o history_n that_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o vision_n can_v engage_v he_o to_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n in_o christ_n to_o cornelius_n who_o be_v not_o descend_v from_o the_o israelite_n and_o to_o his_o friend_n that_o attend_v he_o for_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n and_o observe_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v a_o contemptible_a notion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o apostle_n paul_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n acquaint_v we_o that_o st._n peter_n for_o fear_n of_o displease_v the_o jew_n refuse_v to_o eat_v with_o the_o gentile_n for_o before_o that_o certain_a come_v from_o james_n he_o do_v eat_v with_o the_o gentile_n but_o when_o they_o be_v come_v he_o withdraw_v and_o separate_v himself_o gal._n two_o v._o 12._o fear_v they_o which_o be_v of_o the_o circumcision_n and_o the_o other_o jew_n dissemble_v likewise_o with_o he_o insomuch_o that_o barnabas_n also_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o their_o dissimulation_n and_o it_o be_v not_o i_o think_v whole_o incongruous_a that_o they_o shall_v comply_v in_o some_o measure_n with_o the_o jewish_a rite_n who_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o apostleship_n of_o the_o circumcision_n for_o they_o who_o seem_v to_o be_v pillar_n give_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n the_o former_a person_n direct_v their_o course_n to_o the_o circumcision_n but_o need_v i_o say_v that_o they_o who_o preach_v to_o the_o jew_n withdraw_v and_o separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o gentile_n when_o the_o apostle_n paul_n himself_o become_v a_o jew_n to_o the_o jew_n that_o he_o may_v win_v upon_o they_o we_o read_v therefore_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o offer_v a_o oblation_n upon_o the_o altar_n to_o show_v that_o he_o have_v altogether_o renounce_v the_o jewish_a law_n in_o which_o he_o have_v be_v educate_v and_o of_o which_o he_o be_v once_o so_o passionate_a a_o admirer_n have_v celsus_n know_v all_o this_o he_o will_v never_o have_v introduce_v a_o jew_n addressing_z himself_o to_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v from_o judaisme_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o follow_a manner_n what_o be_v the_o matter_n say_v he_o my_o dear_o belove_a countryman_n that_o you_o have_v on_o a_o sudden_a renounce_v the_o religion_n of_o your_o father_n and_o ancestor_n and_o suffer_v yourselves_o to_o be_v so_o shameful_o delude_v by_o your_o pretend_a saviour_n as_o to_o be_v prevail_v with_o to_o alter_v your_o name_n and_o course_n of_o life_n chap._n ii_o but_o because_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v st._n peter_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o who_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n in_o christ_n to_o the_o circumcision_n i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v improper_a to_o quote_v a_o passage_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o st._n john_n gospel_n and_o a_o little_a to_o explain_v it_o i_o have_v say_v he_o many_o thing_n yet_o john_n xuj_o v._o 12_o 13._o to_o say_v unto_o you_o but_o you_o can_v bear_v they_o now_o but_o when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n for_o he_o shall_v not_o speak_v of_o himself_o but_o whatsoever_o he_o shall_v hear_v that_o shall_v he_o speak_v now_o i_o ask_v celsus_n jew_n what_o be_v these_o thing_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v to_o say_v to_o his_o disciple_n which_o under_o their_o present_a circumstance_n they_o be_v not_o in_o a_o capacity_n to_o relish_v be_v not_o this_o his_o desire_n viz._n to_o instruct_v they_o since_o they_o be_v jew_n and_o by_o consequence_n acquaint_v with_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n i_o say_v to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o law_n which_o the_o type_n and_o ceremony_n under_o the_o legal_a dispensation_n do_v but_o imperfect_o represent_v and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o new_a light_n into_o those_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v of_o which_o the_o various_a rite_n concern_v pure_a and_o impure_a meat_n and_o drink_n concern_v festival_n new-moon_n and_o sabbath_n be_v all_o but_o obscure_a and_o in_o themselves_o very_o mean_v and_o contemptible_a shadow_n these_o without_o doubt_n be_v the_o thing_n which_o their_o bless_a lord_n will_v have_v communicate_v to_o they_o but_o know_v very_o well_o how_o difficult_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o disengage_v the_o mind_n from_o those_o notion_n which_o i_o have_v almost_o say_v be_v of_o as_o early_o a_o date_n as_o its_o own_o original_a and_o be_v daily_o more_o deep_o root_v in_o our_o very_a nature_n by_o the_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la of_o our_o birth_n and_o education_n and_o especial_o when_o one_o look_n upon_o they_o as_o have_v the_o awful_a stamp_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n and_o by_o consequence_n as_o be_v too_o important_a and_o too_o true_a to_o be_v call_v in_o question_n or_o but_o slight_o regard_v know_v i_o say_v and_o consider_v how_o difficult_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o convince_v person_n under_o such_o unhappy_a circumstance_n and_o to_o persuade_v they_o that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v loss_n and_o dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n he_o prudent_o wait_v for_o a_o more_o convenient_a time_n and_o differ_v his_o discourse_n till_o after_o his_o bloody_a death_n and_o triumphant_a resurrection_n and_o indeed_o if_o he_o have_v talk_v to_o they_o of_o thing_n that_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o their_o
frequent_o dispossess_v especial_o when_o the_o person_n who_o pronounce_v that_o sacred_a name_n do_v it_o with_o a_o become_a disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o with_o a_o most_o lively_a faith_n nay_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n have_v have_v such_o power_n over_o daemon_n that_o sometime_o it_o have_v prove_v effectual_a though_o pronounce_v by_o very_o wicked_a person_n to_o this_o our_o saviour_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o reference_n when_o he_o say_v many_o shall_v say_v to_o i_o in_o that_o day_n in_o thy_o name_n we_o have_v mat._n seven_o v._o 22._o cast_v out_o devil_n and_o in_o thy_o name_n have_v do_v many_o wonderful_a work_n and_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o celsus_n do_v omit_v this_o passage_n through_o ignorance_n or_o rather_o through_o a_o voluntary_a and_o malicious_a oversight_n chap._n vii_o than_o he_o accuse_v our_o saviour_n himself_o as_o if_o he_o wrought_v miracle_n by_o the_o help_n of_o magic_n and_o foresee_v that_o many_o other_o person_n will_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o their_o skill_n in_o that_o hellish_a art_n boast_v that_o a_o divine_a power_n do_v attend_v they_o and_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n do_v exclude_v they_o from_o the_o number_n of_o his_o follower_n and_o favourite_n and_o he_o make_v use_v of_o this_o argument_n against_o he_o if_o say_v he_o there_o be_v just_a ground_n for_o his_o reject_v the_o forementioned_a person_n than_o he_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fault_n which_o he_o charge_v on_o they_o and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o wicked_a man_n than_o neither_o do_v they_o deserve_v a_o mark_n of_o infamy_n who_o according_a to_o his_o own_o confession_n be_v to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o he_o do_v himself_o but_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v difficult_a for_o we_o to_o determine_v precise_o by_o what_o power_n our_o saviour_n wrought_v his_o miracle_n yet_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o the_o christian_n make_v use_v of_o no_o enchantment_n unless_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o some_o passage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o sacred_a spell_n chap._n viii_o than_o celsus_n frequent_o and_o severe_o reproach_n the_o christian_n with_o keep_v their_o opinion_n secret_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o they_o be_v more_o know_v and_o more_o general_o publish_v than_o the_o admire_a speculation_n of_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o even_o almost_o to_o the_o utmost_a limit_n of_o the_o whole_a habitable_a world_n for_o who_o in_o a_o comparative_a sense_n be_v ignorant_a of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n and_o resurrection_n and_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n in_o which_o he_o will_v reward_v the_o righteous_a and_o punish_v the_o wicked_a according_a to_o their_o work_n and_o be_v not_o many_o thousand_o of_o the_o very_o worst_a of_o infidel_n acquaint_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n who_o turn_v it_o all_o into_o banter_n and_o ridicule_n so_o that_o the_o charge_n be_v altogether_o ungrounded_a and_o by_o consequence_n unjust_a but_o if_o there_o be_v some_o arcana_fw-la imperii_fw-la in_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o vulgar_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o in_o philosophy_n for_o even_o the_o philosopher_n hold_v some_o opinion_n which_o they_o keep_v more_o secret_a some_o of_o pythagoras_n pupil_n rely_v on_o his_o bare_a authority_n and_o be_v satisfy_v with_o a_o ipse_fw-la dixit_fw-la other_o be_v more_o private_o teach_v and_o instruct_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v prostitute_v to_o vulgar_a and_o unsanctify_v ear_n and_o many_o rite_n in_o the_o religion_n both_o of_o the_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n be_v conceal_v from_o the_o notice_n of_o the_o vulgar_a chap._n ix_o but_o celsus_n seem_v with_o abundance_n of_o earnestness_n to_o plead_v for_o they_o who_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n when_o he_o say_v i_o will_v not_o persuade_v any_o one_o to_o renounce_v his_o religion_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o danger_n to_o which_o it_o may_v expose_v he_o nor_o will_v i_o have_v he_o even_o seem_v to_o leave_v it_o where_o he_o tacit_o condemn_v all_o they_o who_o be_v christian_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o yet_o public_o disow_v their_o religion_n here_o i_o may_v take_v occasion_n to_o charge_v he_o with_o the_o gross_a inconsistency_n of_o his_o discourse_n for_o in_o some_o place_n of_o his_o book_n he_o talk_v like_o a_o zealous_a follower_n of_o the_o admire_a epicurus_n but_o here_o that_o his_o accusation_n may_v carry_v the_o more_o plausible_a appearance_n he_o dissemble_v his_o opinion_n and_o seem_v to_o hold_v that_o there_o be_v in_o man_n beside_o his_o body_n which_o be_v material_a and_o earthly_a another_o and_o much_o noble_a substance_n that_o have_v a_o affinity_n with_o god_n himself_o and_o say_v that_o they_o who_o have_v soul_n due_o dispose_v do_v as_o far_o as_o the_o frailty_n of_o their_o nature_n will_v admit_v aspire_v to_o a_o participation_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o which_o they_o be_v so_o near_o ally_v and_o be_v never_o more_o high_o please_v than_o when_o they_o be_v seasonable_o and_o solid_o entertain_v with_o discourse_n concern_v the_o supreme_a and_o adorable_a majesty_n both_o of_o earth_n and_o heaven_n observe_v a_o little_a before_o he_o say_v he_o will_o persuade_v any_o one_o to_o renounce_v his_o religion_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o danger_n to_o which_o it_o may_v expose_v he_o nor_o will_v he_o have_v he_o even_o seem_v to_o leave_v it_o and_o yet_o he_o be_v gross_o guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fault_n himself_o which_o he_o severe_o condemn_v in_o other_o for_o he_o know_v very_o well_o that_o if_o he_o have_v open_o profess_v he_o be_v a_o epicurean_a philosopher_n his_o accusation_n will_v be_v little_o regard_v by_o they_o who_o live_v in_o the_o firm_a belief_n of_o a_o overrule_a providence_n though_o indeed_o they_o may_v differ_v from_o one_o another_o in_o their_o sense_n and_o explication_n of_o the_o principle_n which_o they_o be_v know_v to_o hold_v by_o the_o way_n i_o be_o inform_v there_o have_v be_v two_o person_n who_o go_v by_o the_o name_n of_o celsus_n and_o both_o of_o they_o be_v philosopher_n of_o the_o epicurean_a sect_n one_o who_o live_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n nero_n and_o another_o who_o live_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n and_o some_o time_n after_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o be_v the_o person_n with_o who_o i_o be_o at_o present_a concern_v chap._n x._o and_o he_o continue_v his_o discourse_n and_o advise_v we_o to_o embrace_v no_o opinion_n but_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o impartial_a reason_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o many_o and_o gross_a error_n to_o which_o the_o contrary_a practice_n will_v shameful_o and_o avoidable_o expose_v we_o and_o he_o compare_v those_o person_n who_o take_v up_o any_o notion_n without_o due_a examination_n to_o the_o design_v priest_n of_o mithras_n bacchus_n cybele_n or_o hecate_n or_o any_o other_o mock-deity_n of_o the_o heathen_n for_o as_o these_o impostor_n have_v once_o get_v the_o ascendant_n over_o the_o common_a people_n who_o be_v gross_o ignorant_a can_v turn_v and_o wind_v these_o harmless_a cattle_n as_o their_o interest_n or_o fancy_n may_v direct_v so_o he_o say_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o common_a practice_n of_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o say_v he_o neither_o examine_v what_o it_o be_v that_o they_o believe_v nor_o care_v to_o be_v examine_v will_v use_v this_o expression_n do_v examine_v into_o matter_n but_o believe_v and_o thy_o faith_n will_v infallible_o save_v thou_o and_o will_v frequent_o say_v with_o a_o air_n of_o affect_a gravity_n that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o mischievous_a but_o folly_n be_v a_o most_o admirable_a and_o useful_a thing_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o all_o man_n can_v convenient_o leave_v the_o concern_v of_o life_n and_o have_v leisure_n and_o inclination_n to_o bend_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o study_n of_o philosophy_n i_o shall_v hearty_o wish_v that_o this_o may_v become_v a_o universal_a practice_n though_o to_o speak_v modest_o and_o to_o keep_v within_o due_a compass_n i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o the_o sublime_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o short_a hint_n of_o the_o jewish_a prophet_n our_o saviour_n parable_n and_o abundance_n of_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v simbolical_o deliver_v and_o propose_v with_o the_o sanction_n of_o a_o law_n be_v not_o more_o involve_v and_o attend_v with_o great_a obscurity_n than_o many_o of_o the_o opinion_n which_o be_v advance_v and_o maintain_v by_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o but_o if_o the_o method_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o before_o
who_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o their_o celebrate_a simon_n owe_v their_o knowledge_n entire_o to_o the_o account_n which_o we_o have_v of_o he_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o christian_n his_o very_a name_n will_v before_o this_o time_n have_v be_v bury_v in_o oblivion_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o experience_n that_o he_o bear_v none_o of_o the_o shine_a character_n of_o one_o who_o have_v a_o divine_a commission_n chap._n xlvii_o than_o celsus_n jew_n not_o keep_v to_o the_o sacred_a text_n say_v that_o our_o saviour_n boast_v that_o some_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o chaldaean_n be_v move_v by_o a_o secret_a persuasion_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v come_v to_o pay_v divine_a worship_n to_o he_o in_o his_o infancy_n and_o that_o when_o they_o have_v acquaint_v herod_n the_o tetrarch_n with_o it_o he_o order_v his_o officer_n to_o kill_v all_o the_o infant_n that_o be_v about_o that_o age_n imagine_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v inour_v the_o same_o fate_n with_o they_o and_o thereby_o be_v prevent_v from_o ever_o come_v to_o the_o crown_n take_v notice_n how_o gross_o the_o jew_n be_v mistake_v here_o who_o confound_v the_o wise_a man_n and_o the_o chaldaean_n not_o discern_v that_o for_o any_o thing_n that_o appear_v to_o the_o contrary_a they_o may_v be_v of_o different_a country_n and_o profession_n and_o notorious_o falsify_v the_o account_n which_o we_o have_v of_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o he_o do_v think_v fit_a to_o acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o star_n which_o they_o â—aw_v in_o the_o east_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o secret_a persuasion_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v then_o bear_v into_o the_o world_n let_v we_o see_v therefore_o what_o matter_n of_o discourse_n this_o subject_n will_v afford_v we_o i_o confess_v it_o be_v my_o opinion_n that_o the_o star_n that_o appear_v at_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n be_v entire_o new_a and_o vast_o different_a from_o those_o which_o be_v common_o see_v whether_o in_o the_o superior_a or_o inferior_a orb_n and_o i_o be_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o may_v be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n with_o those_o comet_n that_o appear_v for_o a_o time_n and_o have_v different_a name_n assign_v they_o by_o the_o greek_n according_a to_o their_o different_a figure_n and_o i_o build_v my_o opinion_n upon_o the_o follow_a ground_n it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o learned_a author_n that_o when_o any_o considerable_a alteration_n have_v happen_v in_o the_o face_n of_o affair_n such_o star_n have_v expose_v themselves_o to_o view_n as_o do_v presage_v some_o strange_a revolution_n of_o empire_n some_o dreadful_a war_n or_o some_o such_o accident_n as_o these_o which_o put_v the_o whole_a world_n into_o a_o terrible_a and_o unusual_a commotion_n i_o have_v also_o read_v in_o a_o treatise_n concern_v comet_n write_v by_o chaeremon_n the_o stoic_a that_o sometime_o they_o have_v presage_v very_o happy_a event_n and_o he_o produce_v several_a instance_n from_o very_o credible_a historian_n to_o make_v good_a the_o assertion_n which_o he_o there_o lay_v down_o if_o then_o at_o the_o establishment_n of_o some_o new_a monarchy_n or_o before_o some_o remarkable_a scene_n of_o public_a affair_n do_v begin_v to_o open_v these_o comet_n or_o star_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n do_v appear_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n at_o all_o that_o a_o star_n shall_v be_v see_v at_o the_o nativity_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v design_v by_o the_o alwise_a god_n to_o make_v so_o sudden_a so_o great_a and_o so_o happy_a a_o alteration_n in_o the_o world_n to_o publish_v a_o new_a unadorned_a and_o discountenance_a doctrine_n not_o only_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o greek_n but_o also_o to_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o the_o most_o distant_a and_o barbarous_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o this_o i_o may_v safe_o say_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o we_o do_v meet_v with_o any_o or_o at_o least_o with_o no_o scripture-prophecy_n concern_v the_o appearance_n of_o such_o a_o star_n at_o such_o a_o time_n for_o instance_n at_o the_o establishment_n of_o such_o a_o rise_a empire_n but_o the_o star_n that_o grace_v our_o saviour_n nativity_n be_v foretell_v by_o balaam_n as_o moses_n give_v we_o a_o account_n there_o shall_v come_v say_v number_n xxiv_o v._o 17_o he_o a_o star_n out_o of_o jacob_n and_o a_o sceptre_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o israel_n but_o here_o i_o must_v argue_v with_o the_o greek_n and_o jew_n and_o therefore_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o dispute_v against_o each_o sort_n of_o person_n from_o very_o different_a topic_n to_o the_o greek_n i_o have_v this_o to_o offer_v that_o the_o magician_n who_o converse_v with_o daemon_n and_o do_v with_o a_o most_o horrid_a solemnity_n invoke_v their_o seasonable_a assistance_n for_o the_o most_o part_n attain_v the_o end_n which_o they_o propose_v to_o themselves_o unless_o a_o divine_a power_n interfere_v that_o be_v superior_a to_o the_o daemon_n or_o some_o name_n be_v mention_v that_o have_v a_o great_a force_n than_o those_o name_n which_o be_v appropriate_v by_o they_o to_o the_o be_v they_o practice_n but_o if_o that_o shall_v happen_v than_o all_o their_o magical_a operation_n be_v avoidable_o lose_v and_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v dazzle_v and_o confound_v with_o the_o bright_a ray_n of_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o therefore_o to_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o when_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v and_o a_o multitude_n of_o the_o heavenly_a host_n as_o st._n luke_n do_v credible_o relate_v the_o passage_n praise_v god_n say_v glory_n to_o god_n in_o the_o high_a peace_n on_o earth_n and_o good_a will_n towards_o man_n luke_n two_o v._o 14._o the_o daemon_n be_v shocked_a and_o all_o their_o hellish_a measure_n most_o strange_o disconcert_v not_o only_o by_o good_a angel_n who_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o celebrate_v the_o nativity_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n but_o also_o by_o the_o humane_a soul_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o spotless_a jesus_n as_o be_v a_o happy_a instrument_n of_o the_o deity_n which_o dwell_v in_o so_o glorious_a but_o inconceivable_a a_o manner_n even_o in_o his_o humane_a nature_n the_o wise_a man_n therefore_o be_v desirous_a to_o perform_v their_o usual_a operation_n and_o fail_v in_o what_o they_o endeavour_v to_o effect_v we_o may_v natural_o suppose_v inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o bad_a success_n and_o be_v sensible_a that_o something_o extraordinary_a must_v occur_v to_o defeat_v their_o raise_a expectation_n and_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o the_o daemon_n and_o when_o they_o see_v a_o sign_n in_o the_o heaven_n they_o have_v a_o natural_a curiosity_n to_o know_v its_o mean_v and_o have_v perhaps_o consult_v the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n and_o this_o prophecy_n of_o the_o star_n of_o which_o moses_n give_v we_o a_o account_n and_o particular_o those_o word_n i_o shall_v see_v he_o but_o not_o now_o i_o shall_v behold_v number_n xxiv_o v._o 17_o he_o but_o not_o nigh_o from_o hence_o they_o may_v frame_v this_o rational_a conjecture_n that_o the_o very_a person_n at_o who_o birth_n it_o be_v prophesy_v that_o a_o star_n shall_v appear_v be_v then_o actual_o bear_v and_o have_v a_o just_a notion_n that_o he_o be_v far_o superior_a to_o all_o their_o daemon_n they_o come_v to_o pay_v he_o the_o just_a tribute_n of_o divine_a adoration_n they_o steer_v their_o course_n therefore_o to_o judaea_n be_v persuade_v that_o some_o great_a prince_n be_v bear_v but_o ignorant_a of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o the_o place_n of_o his_o nativity_n and_o when_o they_o be_v happy_o come_v to_o the_o place_n where_o the_o young_a child_n be_v they_o offer_v present_n to_o he_o that_o be_v lively_a representation_n of_o his_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n viz._n gold_n a_o emblem_n of_o his_o royal_a power_n frankincense_n to_o note_v to_o we_o his_o divinity_n and_o myrrh_n to_o signify_v his_o bitter_a passion_n chap._n xlviii_o since_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o mankind_n that_o be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n who_o be_v god_n and_o by_o consequence_n above_o the_o angel_n though_o they_o be_v frequent_o employ_v as_o minister_a spirit_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o man_n the_o worship_n which_o the_o wiseman_n pay_v he_o be_v abundant_o recompense_v by_o the_o warn_v which_o the_o angel_n give_v they_o that_o they_o shall_o return_v to_o herod_n but_o depart_v into_o their_o own_o country_n another_o way_n and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n at_o all_o that_o herod_n shall_v seek_v to_o destroy_v the_o infant-saviour_n though_o celsus_n jew_n seem_v to_o doubt_v very_o much_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o think_v be_v plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n for_o malice_n be_v so_o