deity_n have_v enact_v those_o law_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n it_o follow_v with_o undeniable_a demonstration_n that_o for_o that_o reason_n alone_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o he_o have_v withal_o provide_v some_o other_o state_n of_o thing_n beyond_o that_o of_o this_o present_a life_n because_o otherwise_o when_o he_o have_v build_v this_o world_n with_o so_o much_o art_n and_o contrive_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n with_o so_o much_o wisdom_n he_o have_v do_v it_o all_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o then_o there_o be_v neither_o art_n nor_o wisdom_n so_o that_o these_o be_v antecedent_o prove_v this_o that_o be_v so_o unavoidable_o connect_v with_o they_o though_o it_o have_v no_o other_o proof_n stand_v upon_o the_o same_o evidence_n of_o reason_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o needful_a not_o only_o to_o moral_v but_o to_o natural_a philosophy_n that_o without_o it_o not_o 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that_o be_v so_o certain_o connect_v with_o it_o as_o it_o be_v of_o itself_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n part_n ii_o §_o i._o have_v demonstrate_v the_o general_a providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n by_o those_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o he_o have_v enact_v and_o proclaim_v to_o all_o his_o rational_a creature_n and_o proceed_v as_o far_o as_o the_o natural_a use_n of_o our_o faculty_n will_v guide_v i_o to_o discover_v both_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n i_o now_o advance_v to_o a_o much_o great_a and_o more_o glorious_a discovery_n of_o both_o by_o that_o particular_a revelation_n that_o he_o have_v make_v both_o of_o they_o and_o himself_o in_o the_o christian_a institution_n and_o here_o the_o advantage_n both_o as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o law_n be_v so_o exceed_o great_a as_o almost_o utter_o to_o supersede_n the_o necessity_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o former_a discourse_n for_o first_o we_o be_v there_o force_v to_o make_v out_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n to_o ourselves_o by_o various_a observation_n of_o nature_n and_o train_n of_o reason_v but_o here_o we_o find_v they_o all_o distinct_o and_o exact_o draw_v forth_o for_o our_o present_a use_n into_o particular_a rule_n and_o precept_n and_o make_v easy_a to_o our_o practice_n by_o familiar_a instance_n and_o example_n of_o life_n so_o that_o now_o without_o any_o laborious_a work_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n without_o any_o knowledge_n of_o nature_n and_o without_o any_o skill_n in_o philosophy_n our_o whole_a duty_n be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o in_o a_o system_fw-la of_o plain_a and_o easy_a proposition_n and_o then_o second_o when_o we_o have_v wrought_v out_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n to_o ourselves_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n after_o that_o we_o be_v force_v to_o work_v the_o proof_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n out_o of_o they_o and_o though_o the_o connexion_n when_o it_o be_v discover_v be_v very_o evident_a and_o undeniable_a yet_o it_o require_v some_o careful_a intention_n of_o mind_n and_o competent_a skill_n in_o the_o art_n of_o reason_v to_o discover_v it_o whereas_o now_o it_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o we_o beyond_o all_o doubt_n and_o exception_n both_o by_o certain_a revelation_n and_o experimental_a proof_n the_o knowledge_n whereof_o be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o such_o undoubted_a record_n that_o we_o can_v scarce_o receive_v great_a satisfaction_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o the_o testimony_n and_o conviction_n of_o our_o own_o sense_n and_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v give_v we_o so_o great_a a_o assurance_n of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o future_a state_n that_o we_o have_v not_o much_o more_o of_o the_o present_a at_o least_o the_o ground_n and_o motive_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n be_v so_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a as_o not_o only_o to_o persuade_v but_o even_o to_o enforce_v our_o belief_n so_o that_o no_o ingenuous_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n though_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o malice_n and_o peevishness_n may_v defeat_v their_o efficacy_n and_o so_o it_o may_v too_o if_o it_o please_v over_o rule_v the_o power_n of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n but_o if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o impartial_a in_o the_o enquiry_n and_o not_o do_v manifest_a violence_n to_o their_o own_o conviction_n it_o will_v be_v as_o easy_a for_o they_o to_o doubt_v of_o or_o disbelieve_v all_o the_o problem_n about_o line_n or_o number_n as_o to_o suspect_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n not_o that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o evidence_n but_o because_o its_o proof_n be_v so_o forcible_a in_o their_o own_o kind_n that_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v distrust_v or_o demur_v upon_o their_o credibility_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o a_o universal_a unsettledness_n and_o irresolution_n of_o mind_n for_o when_o we_o have_v weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o whole_a account_n of_o thing_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o rank_a scepticism_n to_o be_v very_o little_o more_o unreasonable_a than_o infidelity_n because_o though_o the_o evidence_n of_o all_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o faith_n be_v only_o historical_a yet_o some_o historical_a evidence_n be_v so_o strong_a and_o convictive_a as_o in_o the_o last_o result_n of_o thing_n to_o equal_v mathematical_a demonstration_n i_o know_v indeed_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o learned_a man_n that_o in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n we_o be_v not_o to_o expect_v demonstrative_a argument_n when_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o other_o than_o moral_a certainty_n but_o here_o i_o will_v first_o inquire_v what_o they_o mean_v by_o moral_a certainty_n and_o to_o this_o their_o answer_n be_v ready_a that_o it_o be_v all_o the_o certainty_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o but_o if_o that_o be_v the_o definition_n of_o moral_a certainty_n then_o be_v all_o certainty_n moral_a for_o every_o truth_n be_v capable_a of_o its_o own_o kind_n of_o certainty_n but_o then_o second_o there_o be_v very_o many_o thing_n from_o which_o i_o be_o in_o reason_n oblige_v to_o suspend_v my_o assent_n because_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o warrant_v its_o wisdom_n and_o though_o i_o can_v rational_o expect_v more_o certain_a ground_n concern_v they_o yet_o i_o can_v rational_o give_v up_o my_o assent_n to_o they_o because_o their_o evidence_n though_o the_o clear_a that_o in_o that_o case_n i_o can_v expect_v be_v too_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a to_o found_v any_o confident_a assent_n upon_o thus_o have_v i_o a_o moral_a certainty_n that_o romulus_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o rome_n i._n e._n i_o have_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o that_o the_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o yet_o have_v i_o not_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o venture_v any_o thing_n that_o near_o concern_v i_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o because_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v in_o many_o thing_n very_o fabulous_a and_o in_o all_o very_o far_o from_o be_v sufficient_o certain_a and_o therefore_o three_o if_o by_o moral_a certainty_n they_o mean_v any_o less_o degree_n of_o evidence_n as_o they_o plain_o do_v when_o they_o distinguish_v it_o from_o the_o more_o certain_a way_n of_o proof_n than_o the_o scruple_n that_o remain_v after_o this_o their_o determination_n be_v this_o that_o the_o very_a thing_n the_o belief_n whereof_o be_v make_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o high_a degree_n of_o evidence_n than_o only_o moral_a certainty_n in_o that_o it_o seem_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a
the_o table_n of_o the_o consul_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o careful_o preserve_v in_o those_o time_n and_o as_o easy_o consult_v by_o any_o inquisitive_a person_n as_o any_o other_o public_a record_n and_o be_v so_o by_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o they_o or_o to_o convey_v the_o account_n of_o they_o to_o after-age_n and_o particular_o eusebius_n who_o as_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o other_o help_v and_o have_v all_o the_o other_o advantage_n of_o information_n will_v not_o want_v this_o that_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o satisfactory_a as_o himself_o 12._o particular_o inform_v we_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o transcribe_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o archive_v though_o set_v aside_o the_o information_n that_o he_o receive_v thence_o the_o history_n of_o the_o succession_n be_v sufficient_o preserve_v by_o other_o writer_n that_o of_o rome_n be_v already_o clear_v that_o of_o antioch_n be_v as_o clear_v only_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n about_o the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n whether_o it_o be_v euodius_n or_o ignatius_n probable_o it_o may_v be_v both_o as_o it_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o if_o euodius_n be_v the_o first_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o his_o successor_n ignatius_n be_v a_o apostolical_a man_n and_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o he_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a and_o undisputed_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o which_o eustathius_n be_v then_o present_a bishop_n be_v summon_v and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o eminent_a learning_n so_o he_o bear_v a_o considerable_a sway_n in_o it_o as_o for_o alexandria_n the_o succession_n run_v so_o clear_a there_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o most_o sceptical_a adversary_n in_o this_o point_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o question_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o succession_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o church_n be_v so_o early_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_a that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n than_o it_o be_v for_o any_o learned_a man_n now_o not_o to_o know_v the_o succession_n in_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o add_v many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o tedious_a but_o though_o i_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o a_o interrupt_a succession_n in_o any_o eminent_a church_n yet_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o two_o that_o next_o to_o those_o already_o mention_v most_o deserve_v our_o notice_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o athens_n a_o account_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o have_v from_o dionysius_n a_o learned_a 23._o man_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n antoninus_n as_o indeed_o we_o have_v of_o many_o other_o church_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o as_o for_o his_o own_o church_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o its_o succession_n when_o himself_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o have_v withal_o accidental_o let_v we_o understand_v his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v transact_v there_o before_o his_o own_o time_n and_o particular_o by_o his_o account_n of_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o after_o he_o mention_n publius_n and_o quadratus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o unknown_a interruption_n in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o the_o certain_a succession_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o undoubted_a tradition_n §_o xxix_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v its_o more_o particular_a conveyance_n down_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n after_o 201._o he_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o discipline_n of_o several_a master_n and_o several_a sect_n acquiesce_v at_o last_o without_o any_o far_a search_n in_o the_o christian_a institution_n because_o they_o that_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n receive_v it_o immediate_o from_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o paul_n the_o holy_a apostle_n as_o a_o son_n succeed_v a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v bring_v it_o down_o to_o we_o plant_v those_o seed_n of_o doctrine_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n and_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o learned_a man_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o succession_n itself_o in_o that_o the_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o with_o apostolical_a men._n as_o saint_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o write_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n receive_v with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n value_v next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o read_v with_o they_o in_o several_a church_n but_o especial_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o the_o apostolical_a book_n so_o be_v it_o the_o most_o undoubted_a write_n of_o the_o christian_a 38._o church_n it_o be_v say_v eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d receive_v without_o controversy_n and_o it_o be_v cite_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n a_o short_a time_n 23._o after_o who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v then_o read_v in_o that_o church_n every_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v magnify_v by_o irenaeus_n not_o only_o for_o its_o 3._o own_o strength_n and_o piety_n but_o for_o the_o primitive_a antiquity_n of_o its_o author_n who_o he_o say_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n receive_v his_o christianity_n from_o they_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o fresh_a in_o his_o memory_n and_o their_o custom_n and_o tradition_n in_o his_o eye_n as_o divers_z other_o there_o be_v then_o live_v that_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n quote_v this_o epistle_n as_o he_o often_o do_v 4._o give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o his_o primitive_a antiquity_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o ancient_n it_o be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o though_o they_o have_v take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o destroy_v or_o impair_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v pass_v this_o epistle_n as_o undoubted_o genuine_a with_o a_o unanimous_a approbation_n now_o this_o suppose_v the_o own_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o assert_n particular_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o beside_o several_a other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v the_o first_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v its_o undoubted_a certainty_n by_o the_o testimony_n not_o only_o of_o himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o above_o five_o hundred_o witness_n beside_o most_o whereof_o be_v then_o alive_a beside_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a labour_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o assert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o great_a patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o vast_a number_n more_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o a_o thing_n present_a let_v we_o say_v he_o consider_v the_o generous_a and_o worthy_a example_n of_o our_o own_o age_n through_o emulation_n and_o envy_v the_o faithful_a pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v persecute_v even_o unto_o a_o most_o grievous_a death_n let_v we_o place_n before_o our_o eye_n our_o holy_a apostle_n and_o so_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o act_n and_o suffering_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n now_o how_o can_v this_o have_v be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o christianity_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o what_o more_o unquestionable_a tradition_n can_v we_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n especial_o of_o the_o resurrection_n when_o he_o quote_v the_o gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v record_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o number_n of_o eye-witness_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o innumerable_a other_o that_o live_v at_o the_o
hope_n of_o immortality_n the_o vanity_n of_o epicurus_n his_o great_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n viz._n that_o death_n can_v hurt_v we_o because_o when_o that_o be_v we_o be_v not_o p._n 106._o §_o xxii_o all_o the_o other_o receipt_n prescribe_v by_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n represent_v and_o explode_v p._n 113._o §_o xxiii_o without_o a_o future_a state_n no_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o virtue_n first_o not_o for_o temperance_n p._n 120._o §_o xxiv_o second_o not_o for_o justice_n nor_o magnanimity_n p._n 124._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o stoical_a philosophy_n represent_v upon_o its_o principle_n neither_o happiness_n nor_o virtue_n without_o a_o future_a state_n p._n 131._o §_o xxvi_o a_o account_n of_o the_o platonic_a and_o peripatetic_a morality_n out_o of_o tully_n and_o first_o his_o consolatory_a discourse_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o tusculane_n question_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n prove_v vain_a and_o ineffectual_a p._n 139._o §_o xxvii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o remedy_n prescribe_v in_o his_o second_o book_n for_o the_o alleviate_a of_o pain_n p._n 147._o §_o xxviii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o book_n against_o grief_n and_o trouble_v under_o the_o calamity_n of_o life_n and_o all_o other_o perturbation_n of_o the_o mind_n p._n 151._o §_o xxix_o a_o account_n of_o the_o five_o book_n where_o he_o forsake_v the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n as_o insufficient_a to_o his_o purpose_n and_o what_o good_a reason_n he_o have_v so_o to_o do_v p._n 157._o §_o xxx_o the_o defect_n of_o his_o own_o new_a way_n of_o philosophise_v prove_v in_o general_n p._n 162._o §_o xxxi_o that_o great_a and_o glorious_a maxim_n of_o his_o friend_n brutus_n that_o virtue_n be_v sufficient_a to_o its_o own_o happiness_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o empty_a say_n without_o immortality_n the_o argument_n conclude_v p._n 167._o part_n ii_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n §_o i._o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n pag._n 175._o §_o ii_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o infinite_a and_o intolerable_a absurdity_n of_o unbelief_n p._n 179._o §_o iii_o this_o particular_o prove_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o advice_n in_o the_o article_n of_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 182._o §_o iv._o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v false_a in_o their_o testimony_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o first_o instinct_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n and_o desire_v of_o self-preservation_n p._n 184._o §_o v._o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o prudence_n and_o common_a understanding_n p._n 190._o §_o vi_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o inconsistency_n with_o and_o contrariety_n to_o their_o own_o design_n in_o publish_v christianity_n to_o the_o world_n p._n 193._o §_o vii_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n if_o write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v p._n 199._o §_o viii_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o any_o other_o demonstrative_o prove_v p._n 204._o §_o ix_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o authority_n be_v sometime_o dispute_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 207._o §_o x._o mr._n hobbs_n witticism_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o canon_n be_v first_o compile_v by_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n confute_v p._n 210._o §_o xi_o the_o concurrence_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n with_o the_o testimony_n of_o christian_a writer_n p._n 112._o §_o xii_o josephus_n and_o saint_n luke_n reconcile_v about_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n and_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n p._n 215._o §_o xiii_o the_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o saviour_n vindicate_v from_o the_o exception_n of_o tanaquil_n faber_n and_o other_o critic_n p._n 222._o §_o fourteen_o the_o testimony_n of_o phlegon_n concern_v the_o eclipse_n at_o the_o passion_n assert_v p._n 229._o §_o xv._n pontius_n pilate_n his_o narrative_a concern_v our_o saviour_n to_o tiberius_n and_o tiberius_n his_o opinion_n of_o it_o clear_v p._n 230._o §_o xvi_o the_o story_n of_o agbarus_n prove_v genuine_a p._n 235._o §_o xvii_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n prevail_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n if_o their_o story_n have_v be_v false_a p._n 239._o §_o xviii_o the_o speedy_a propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n describe_v philo_n therapeutae_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v christian_n p._n 241._o §_o xix_o the_o first_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a its_o be_v a_o late_a matter_n of_o fact_n p._n 251._o §_o xx._n the_o second_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o atheism_n and_o the_o luxury_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v publish_v p._n 256._o §_o xxi_o the_o three_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n both_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a p._n 259._o §_o xxii_o the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o all_o other_o disadvantage_n not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o rational_a evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o truth_n p._n 263._o §_o xxiii_o that_o the_o apostle_n plant_v the_o christian_a faith_n with_o so_o much_o speed_n by_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o have_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n p._n 266._o §_o xxiv_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o power_n to_o the_o next_o follow_v age_n assert_v and_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n appeal_v to_o by_o all_o the_o advocate_n of_o christianity_n in_o their_o public_a write_n p._n 275._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v wrought_v by_o magic_n p._n 283._o §_o xxvi_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o miracle_n oppose_v by_o the_o heathen_n to_o our_o saviour_n particular_o that_o of_o vespasian_n in_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a p._n 287._o §_o xxvii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o evident_a imposture_n of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n from_o his_o own_o historian_n philostratus_n p._n 293._o §_o xxviii_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n from_o mere_a humane_a tradition_n and_o that_o first_o public_a by_o the_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o chief_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n p._n 300._o §_o xxix_o the_o same_o prove_v by_o private_a tradition_n and_o first_o of_o saint_n clement_n bishop_n of_o rome_n p._n 308._o §_o xxx_o second_o of_o saint_n ignatius_n with_o a_o account_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o epistle_n p._n 311._o §_o xxxi_o three_o of_o saint_n policarp_n pothinus_n and_o papias_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v as_o to_o the_o paschal_n controversy_n p._n 320._o §_o xxxii_o of_o hegesippus_n the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n vindicate_v against_o all_o innovator_n and_o hegesippus_n his_o history_n against_o the_o cavil_n of_o scaliger_n p._n 328._o §_o xxxiii_o of_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n and_o a_o great_a number_n more_o p._n 338._o §_o xxxiv_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o infidelity_n of_o great_a number_n of_o man_n in_o that_o age_n answer_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v their_o invincible_a prejudice_n in_o honour_n of_o moses_n p._n 343._o §_o xxxv_o their_o second_o great_a prejudice_n be_v their_o expectation_n of_o a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n for_o their_o messiah_n and_o how_o they_o be_v cross_v in_o it_o by_o our_o saviour_n p._n 349._o §_o xxxvi_o atheism_n the_o ground_n of_o the_o sadducee_n oppose_v christianity_n and_o fanatic_a pride_n and_o arrogance_n of_o the_o pharisee_n p._n 357._o §_o xxxvii_o the_o heathen_n oppose_v christianity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o idolatry_n the_o neronian_a persecution_n only_o a_o trick_n of_o state_n to_o secure_v himself_o from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o multitude_n by_o deliver_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o it_o p._n 363._o §_o xxxviii_o domitian_n persecution_n found_v upon_o jealousy_n of_o state_n against_o the_o line_n of_o david_n hegesippus_n vindicate_v in_o his_o account_n of_o it_o against_o scaliger_n the_o jealousy_n both_o of_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o senate_n about_o the_o messiah_n p._n 370._o §_o thirty-nine_o a_o account_n of_o the_o follow_a persecution_n and_o of_o the_o injustice_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o several_a proceed_n against_o
so_o often_o recite_v and_o be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v that_o it_o be_v labour_n in_o vain_a to_o give_v myself_o or_o the_o reader_n the_o trouble_n of_o their_o repetition_n especial_o when_o they_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o what_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n he_o draw_v great_a number_n of_o disciple_n after_o he_o the_o first_o be_v certain_o past_o question_n and_o the_o second_o be_v as_o evident_a mere_o from_o the_o history_n of_o nero_n reign_n under_o who_o what_o vast_a multitude_n of_o christian_n suffer_v both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n unanimous_o agree_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v pass_v over_o these_o more_o general_a record_n and_o only_o suggest_v two_o or_o three_o particular_a narration_n that_o relate_v not_o only_o to_o the_o existence_n of_o our_o saviour_n person_n but_o to_o the_o veracity_n of_o his_o pretence_n §_o fourteen_o the_o first_o be_v that_o know_a history_n of_o phlegon_n gentleman_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o his_o general_a history_n of_o the_o olympiad_n concern_v both_o the_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o earthquake_n at_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n so_o exact_o agree_v with_o the_o evangelical_n history_n both_o as_o to_o the_o year_n and_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o the_o day_n 45._o and_o the_o most_o material_a circumstance_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o vanity_n of_o critic_n it_o can_v never_o have_v meet_v with_o dispute_n or_o opposition_n but_o those_o man_n will_v not_o stick_v to_o move_v the_o earth_n from_o its_o centre_n rather_o than_o loose_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v the_o father_n of_o one_o criticism_n otherwise_o certain_o this_o passage_n so_o confident_o appeal_v to_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n of_o the_o empire_n together_o with_o that_o of_o thallus_n another_o heathen_a cite_v by_o that_o accurate_a chronologer_n africanus_n can_v not_o but_o have_v escape_v their_o censure_a severity_n and_o yet_o it_o must_v come_v under_o their_o lash_n because_o say_v they_o phlegon_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o natural_a eclipse_n but_o this_o they_o say_v out_o of_o their_o own_o head_n for_o he_o only_o record_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o preternatural_a concern_v not_o he_o either_o as_o a_o courtier_n or_o a_o historian_n and_o though_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o if_o it_o happen_v at_o that_o time_n that_o he_o say_v it_o do_v it_o be_v preternatural_a and_o though_o himself_o express_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o eclipse_n that_o never_o the_o like_a happen_v yet_o wave_v all_o this_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o he_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o eclipse_n happen_v at_o the_o same_o time_n even_o to_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o the_o day_n and_o so_o it_o be_v rational_o urge_v by_o tertullian_n eodem_fw-la momento_n dies_fw-la medium_n orbem_fw-la 21._o signante_fw-la sole_fw-la subducta_fw-la est_fw-la deliquium_fw-la putaverunt_fw-la qui_fw-la id_fw-la quoque_fw-la super_fw-la christum_fw-la prozedicatum_fw-la non_fw-la scierunt_fw-la &_o tamen_fw-la eum_fw-la mundi_fw-la casum_fw-la relatum_fw-la in_o archivis_fw-la vestris_fw-la habetis_fw-la at_o the_o very_a moment_n of_o our_o saviour_n crucifixion_n the_o sun_n be_v darken_v at_o midday_n and_o though_o they_o suppose_v it_o only_o a_o eclipse_n that_o know_v nothing_o of_o its_o relation_n to_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n yet_o this_o strange_a accident_n be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v you_o may_v find_v register_v in_o your_o public_a record_n and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a it_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o this_o case_n from_o a_o heathen_a historian_n to_o vouch_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v more_o for_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a that_o this_o eclipse_n be_v miraculous_a and_o preternatural_a in_o that_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o full_a of_o the_o moon_n §_o xv._n the_o next_o heathen_a testimony_n be_v of_o a_o high_a nature_n and_o relate_v more_o immediate_o to_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o that_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o tiberius_n concern_v he_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o narrative_a that_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n out_o of_o palestine_n and_o that_o from_o pilate_n himself_o thus_o tertullian_n tell_v the_o 21._o governor_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o apology_n that_o tiberius_n in_o who_o time_n the_o christian_a religion_n come_v into_o the_o world_n have_v receive_v a_o account_n out_o of_o palestine_n in_o syria_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o divinity_n that_o be_v there_o reveal_v bring_v it_o to_o the_o senate_n with_o the_o prerogative_n of_o his_o own_o vote_n but_o that_o it_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o senate_n either_o because_o themselves_o have_v not_o in_o the_o first_o place_n according_a to_o form_n of_o law_n approve_v of_o it_o or_o rather_o out_o of_o flattery_n to_o the_o emperor_n because_o himself_o have_v refuse_v that_o honour_n when_o offer_v to_o he_o by_o the_o senate_n for_o the_o word_n quia_fw-la non_fw-la ipse_fw-la probaverat_fw-la be_v capable_a of_o either_o sense_n but_o though_o they_o deny_v this_o title_n to_o our_o saviour_n upon_o what_o account_n soever_o whether_o of_o state_n or_o of_o courtship_n our_o author_n tell_v we_o express_o that_o the_o emperor_n himself_o continue_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n now_o though_o tertullian_n be_v a_o christian_a writer_n yet_o he_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o senate_n themselves_o with_o such_o a_o remarkable_a story_n as_o this_o if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prove_v it_o and_o that_o he_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o justin_n martyr_n who_o often_o 2._o appeal_v to_o the_o act_n of_o pilate_n concern_v the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o request_v the_o emperor_n to_o satisfy_v themselves_o from_o their_o own_o record_n concern_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o for_o it_o be_v a_o know_a custom_n among_o the_o roman_n for_o the_o governor_n of_o province_n to_o transmit_v a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o happen_v under_o their_o government_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o old_a time_n and_o of_o late_a time_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o that_o pilate_n have_v do_v so_o be_v evident_a from_o this_o appeal_n of_o justin_n martyr_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o act_n scarce_o any_o man_n much_o less_o such_o a_o man_n as_o justin_n martyr_n can_v have_v be_v so_o foolish_a or_o so_o confident_a as_o to_o affirm_v a_o thing_n in_o which_o it_o be_v so_o very_o easy_a to_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n and_o if_o such_o act_n there_o be_v they_o be_v a_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n when_o the_o experour_n that_o be_v none_o of_o the_o best_a man_n nor_o very_o apt_a to_o listen_v to_o such_o story_n be_v so_o surprise_v with_o the_o strangeness_n of_o they_o and_o that_o upon_o no_o less_o information_n than_o of_o pilate_n himself_o and_o when_o pilate_n upon_o a_o more_o full_a enquiry_n than_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v able_a or_o willing_a to_o make_v concern_v the_o work_n of_o jesus_n at_o his_o condemnation_n be_v so_o abundant_o satisfy_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o as_o to_o think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o acquaint_v his_o master_n with_o a_o story_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a but_o here_o isaac_n casaubon_n endeavour_n to_o shriule_n and_o criticise_v these_o act_n of_o pilate_n into_o 154._o as_o little_a authority_n as_o possible_o he_o can_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o justin_n martyr_n do_v not_o call_v they_o the_o act_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n but_o the_o act_n under_o pontius_n pilate_n though_o it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a thing_n that_o the_o act_n under_o pilate_n reserve_v in_o the_o imperial_a archive_v be_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n that_o be_v they_o be_v compile_v either_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o command_n but_o transmit_v by_o himself_o for_o the_o emperor_n receive_v no_o other_o act_n but_o from_o the_o governor_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a man_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o grammatical_a criticism_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o the_o public_a act_n under_o the_o government_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n must_v be_v transmit_v by_o pilate_n himself_o and_o so_o must_v be_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n now_o that_o pilate_n shall_v give_v such_o a_o account_n after_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n can_v seem_v strange_a if_o we_o consider_v his_o circumstance_n for_o set_v aside_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n
vigorous_a in_o their_o resolution_n can_v you_o think_v all_o this_o come_v to_o pass_v slight_o and_o by_o chance_n that_o man_n do_v not_o consider_v what_o they_o be_v about_o when_o they_o die_v for_o their_o religion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o conspiracy_n of_o sot_n and_o madman_n all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o undo_v themselves_o and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n without_o so_o much_o as_o think_v what_o they_o be_v do_v it_o be_v endless_a to_o heap_v up_o all_o the_o testimony_n that_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o primitive_a writer_n upon_o this_o argument_n when_o it_o be_v so_o know_v and_o confess_v a_o thing_n even_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o religion_n so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o pliny_n letter_n to_o the_o emperor_n concern_v the_o christian_n the_o multitude_n of_o person_n of_o all_o condition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o temple_n and_o sacrifice_n be_v almost_o utter_o forsake_v and_o tacitus_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o ingens_fw-la multitudo_fw-la that_o be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o nero_n in_o rome_n alone_o for_o fire_v the_o city_n which_o be_v not_o much_o above_o thirty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n some_o of_o who_o suffer_v in_o the_o persecution_n in_o short_a the_o prevalency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o observable_a among_o the_o heathen_n that_o it_o be_v vulgar_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o christian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o prevail_a doctrine_n and_o they_o the_o prevail_a sect_n several_a instance_n whereof_o be_v collect_v by_o valesius_fw-la out_o of_o damascius_n 62._o porphyry_n and_o julian_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v add_v no_o more_o testimony_n to_o prove_v a_o thing_n so_o unquestionable_a but_o shall_v only_o rescue_v one_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n from_o that_o violence_n that_o have_v be_v offer_v to_o it_o by_o some_o learned_a man_n and_o that_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o philo_n the_o jew_n for_o whereas_o in_o his_o little_a treatise_n concern_v a_o contemplative_a lise_n he_o give_v a_o large_a description_n of_o a_o certain_a sect_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n that_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v at_o that_o time_n very_o famous_a and_o numerous_a in_o the_o world_n especial_o in_o egypt_n and_o about_o alexandria_n where_o he_o chief_o reside_v but_o most_o of_o all_o in_o the_o mareotick_a prefecture_n this_o eusebius_n will_v have_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o that_o for_o this_o one_o very_o good_a reason_n because_o it_o be_v such_o a_o exact_a description_n of_o their_o way_n of_o life_n worship_n and_o discipline_n that_o if_o philo_n have_v design_v to_o have_v do_v that_o he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o more_o accurate_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v scarce_o in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n as_o to_o their_o renounce_v the_o world_n for_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n their_o part_n with_o their_o estate_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o poor_a their_o great_a temperance_n and_o chastity_n their_o meeting_n every_o seventh-day_n for_o religious_a worship_n their_o love-feast_n their_o great_a festival_n of_o easter_n and_o pentecost_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o as_o they_o agree_v in_o every_o circumstance_n to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n so_o to_o no_o other_o sect_n of_o which_o we_o find_v any_o other_o memory_n or_o mention_n in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n and_o that_o one_o will_v think_v be_v argument_n sufficient_a to_o conclude_v that_o philo_n description_n appertain_v to_o they_o and_o none_o else_o but_o scaliger_n according_a to_o his_o usual_a custom_n of_o quarrel_v with_o eusebius_n will_v not_o 6._o have_v it_o apply_v to_o the_o christian_n but_o to_o the_o jewish_a essenes_n of_o which_o he_o affirm_v there_o be_v two_o sort_n the_o practical_a and_o the_o speculative_a and_o that_o in_o the_o former_a book_n philo_n treat_v of_o those_o of_o these_o in_o this_o and_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o mistake_n be_v philo_n transition_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o second_o book_n viz._n that_o have_v in_o the_o former_a give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o essenes_n who_o live_v a_o practical_a life_n and_o converse_v in_o city_n he_o now_o come_v to_o treat_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o those_o that_o live_v a_o contemplative_a life_n i._n e._n say_v scaliger_n of_o those_o essenes_n but_o that_o without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o word_n themselves_o which_o be_v only_o general_a of_o those_o man_n that_o live_v a_o contemplative_a life_n may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n be_v understand_v of_o any_o other_o sect_n as_o appropriate_v to_o the_o essenes_n but_o what_o if_o philo_n have_v call_v they_o essenes_n and_o think_v they_o so_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n they_o shall_v hà ve_v be_v so_o for_o see_v the_o essenes_n be_v account_v man_n of_o the_o strict_a life_n among_o the_o jew_n when_o philo_n see_v this_o society_n of_o christian_n then_o new_o found_v by_o saint_n mark_v in_o those_o part_n that_o so_o much_o resemble_v the_o essenes_n in_o their_o manner_n and_o discipline_n it_o be_v easy_a for_o he_o to_o suppose_v they_o a_o branch_n of_o the_o same_o sect_n and_o pass_v they_o under_o the_o same_o name_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o be_v a_o distinction_n mere_o of_o scaliger_n own_o frame_v to_o salve_v his_o own_o groundless_a conjecture_n for_o philo_n no_o where_o call_v they_o essenes_n which_o he_o will_v have_v do_v if_o essenes_n they_o have_v be_v of_o what_o sort_n soever_o and_o therefore_o constant_o give_v those_o in_o the_o former_a book_n the_o title_n of_o essenes_n and_o never_o give_v it_o to_o these_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v of_o a_o different_a sect_n from_o all_o essenes_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o the_o least_o footstep_n of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o essenes_n in_o all_o antiquity_n and_o josephus_n though_o he_o do_v more_o than_o once_o give_v a_o account_n of_o this_o sect_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o these_o speculative_a essenes_n which_o so_o diligent_a a_o writer_n can_v never_o have_v omit_v if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o numerous_a in_o the_o world_n as_o philo_n say_v these_o therapeutae_n be_v beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o essenes_n out_n of_o judaea_n as_o philo_z himself_z more_o than_o once_o inform_v we_o and_o express_o in_o the_o former_a book_n whereas_o this_o sect_n be_v spread_v as_o he_o affirm_v in_o this_o through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o woman_n admit_v among_o the_o essenes_n whereas_o both_o sex_n be_v indifferent_o enter_v into_o this_o sect_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o it_o must_v have_v be_v of_o a_o different_a constitution_n and_o for_o these_o reason_n valesius_fw-la disagree_v with_o scaliger_n for_o understand_v the_o essenes_n 34._o here_o yet_o agree_v with_o he_o for_o not_o understand_v the_o christian_n but_o upon_o argument_n so_o weak_a and_o unconcluding_a that_o he_o have_v as_o good_a go_v through_o with_o he_o in_o the_o whole_a matter_n as_o leave_v he_o half_a way_n to_o so_o little_a purpose_n as_o first_o that_o these_o therapeutae_n read_v the_o ancient_a write_n of_o the_o author_n of_o their_o sect_n which_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o old_a prophet_n because_o they_o be_v express_o distinguish_v by_o philo_n from_o they_o nor_o of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n because_o himself_o live_v in_o their_o time_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o term_v their_o write_n ancient_a but_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o philo_n be_v not_o thorough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o sect_n but_o have_v only_o be_v present_a sometime_o at_o their_o assembly_n and_o from_o what_o he_o have_v there_o observe_v have_v draw_v up_o this_o description_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o find_v that_o they_o have_v peculiar_a book_n to_o themselves_o and_o distinct_a from_o those_o of_o the_o old_a prophet_n he_o may_v easy_o think_v they_o more_o ancient_a than_o real_o they_o be_v especial_o when_o they_o be_v value_v by_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o man_n that_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o the_o most_o authentic_a commentary_n and_o exposition_n of_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o but_o however_o antiquity_n be_v a_o relative_a term_n and_o therefore_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n be_v the_o first_o record_n of_o the_o church_n might_n nay_o must_v be_v term_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o so_o philo_n seem_v to_o expound_v himself_o when_o he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o
be_v write_v by_o the_o first_o author_n of_o the_o sect_n and_o that_o they_o can_v be_v none_o other_o be_v plain_a enough_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n beside_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n peculiar_a to_o any_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v object_v that_o philo_n affirm_v that_o his_o therapeutic_a sect_n pray_v only_o twice_o a_o day_n whereas_o it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v their_o several_a other_o hour_n of_o prayer_n yes_o and_o so_o they_o may_v have_v and_o philo_n not_o know_v it_o however_o their_o most_o solemn_a season_n be_v morning_n and_o evening_n prayer_n when_o as_o philo_z tell_v we_o they_o resort_v to_o their_o consecrate_a chapel_n and_o that_o be_v their_o public_a devotion_n he_o therefore_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o alone_a whereas_o their_o other_o hour_n of_o prayer_n be_v rather_o set_v apart_o for_o private_a devotion_n which_o be_v more_o or_o less_o frequent_a according_a to_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o votary_n but_o philo_n say_v he_o affirm_v that_o this_o sect_n compose_v hymn_n and_o those_o in_o various_a measure_n and_o yet_o this_o custom_n be_v very_o well_o know_v not_o to_o have_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n till_o after_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o antonine_n it_o may_v be_v so_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n but_o in_o a_o church_n pure_o jewish_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a this_o be_v and_o be_v so_o agree_v to_o have_v be_v by_o all_o hand_n this_o custom_n be_v use_v from_o the_o beginning_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o new_a invention_n of_o the_o christian_n but_o continue_v by_o they_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a church_n but_o last_o say_v he_o the_o man_n of_o this_o sect_n according_a to_o philo_n description_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o scatter_v all_o the_o world_n over_o whereas_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o christian_n and_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o so_o they_o be_v if_o compare_v either_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n at_o that_o time_n or_o to_o their_o own_o multitude_n in_o after-age_n and_o yet_o their_o number_n be_v very_o great_a if_o consider_v as_o they_o be_v by_o philo_n as_o a_o philosophic_a sect_n and_o so_o at_o that_o time_n christianity_n be_v more_o observable_a than_o any_o other_o sect_n spread_v every_o where_o so_o fast_o and_o wherever_o it_o come_v prevail_v so_o much_o but_o if_o this_o great_a and_o famous_a sect_n that_o philo_n speak_v of_o be_v not_o christian_n our_o learned_a author_n will_v have_v do_v very_o well_o to_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o such_o a_o peculiar_a sect_n of_o man_n shall_v at_o that_o time_n have_v be_v disperse_v through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o any_o writer_n of_o that_o age_n but_o only_o in_o this_o little_a pamphlet_n of_o philo._n at_o least_o consider_v the_o exact_a agreement_n of_o the_o description_n itself_o to_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o utter_a silence_n about_o any_o other_o sect_n to_o which_o it_o may_v agree_v that_o seem_v to_o i_o no_o less_o than_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n that_o it_o must_v be_v intend_v of_o they_o and_o of_o they_o alone_o and_o beside_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o name_n be_v obvious_a enough_o for_o though_o as_o eusebius_n say_v it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o philo_n himself_o coin_v this_o name_n as_o most_o agree_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o person_n that_o he_o describe_v or_o whether_o the_o christian_n may_v not_o have_v that_o name_v give_v they_o in_o that_o place_n from_o the_o beginning_n the_o name_n of_o christian_n not_o be_v then_o use_v in_o all_o place_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o a_o synonymous_a word_n with_o that_o of_o christian_n especial_o when_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o hebrew_n into_o greek_a for_o the_o word_n jesus_n indifferent_o signify_v either_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d saviour_n or_o healer_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o philo_n who_o be_v a_o hebrew-greek_a to_o interpret_v it_o by_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o healer_n especial_o consider_v its_o near_a affinity_n both_o in_o sound_n and_o signification_n to_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o heal_v so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o appellation_n be_v that_o they_o be_v the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n i._n e._n the_o healer_n and_o thus_o have_v recover_v this_o ancient_a church_n from_o the_o perverseness_n of_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o a_o excellent_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n a_o very_a early_a writer_n in_o these_o western_a 3._o part_n of_o the_o world_n though_o say_v he_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a variety_n of_o language_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n in_o germany_n in_o spain_n in_o france_n in_o the_o east_n in_o egypt_n in_o lybia_n in_o the_o remote_a as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o middle_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o sun_n in_o the_o universe_n so_o be_v all_o man_n every_o where_o that_o be_v dispose_v enlighten_v by_o the_o same_o truth_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o this_o tradition_n i_o shall_v discourse_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n at_o present_a it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n that_o we_o have_v from_o hence_o a_o very_a early_a testimony_n of_o its_o universality_n §_o xix_o this_o then_o be_v so_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v as_o never_o doctrine_n do_v let_v we_o a_o little_a consider_v what_o extraordinary_a advantage_n it_o have_v to_o recommend_v itself_o to_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o mankind_n and_o here_o it_o be_v at_o first_o view_v apparent_a that_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o the_o possible_a disadvantage_n in_o the_o world_n except_v only_o its_o own_o naked_a and_o unassisted_a truth_n so_o that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o that_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o of_o its_o divine_a authority_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v ever_o have_v gain_v one_o proselyte_n over_o to_o its_o belief_n and_o here_o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o in_o itself_o so_o incredible_a that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v believe_v have_v it_o not_o be_v vouch_v by_o some_o testimony_n so_o unquestionable_a as_o to_o surmount_v its_o own_o incredibility_n for_o the_o story_n be_v plain_o this_o that_o under_o the_o prefectship_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n there_o be_v a_o poor_a young_a man_n in_o judaea_n of_o mean_a birth_n and_o no_o education_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o cancel_v that_o law_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v establish_v by_o moses_n to_o reform_v all_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v in_o a_o more_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o a_o more_o excellent_a way_n of_o worship_n and_o that_o for_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o commission_n he_o pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o often_o cure_v the_o blind_a the_o lame_a the_o leprous_a and_o sometime_o raise_v the_o dead_a but_o by_o this_o mean_n draw_v great_a multitude_n after_o he_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n grow_v jealous_a of_o his_o design_n and_o so_o apprehend_v he_o as_o a_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o a_o enemy_n to_o the_o establish_a religion_n and_o for_o those_o crime_n condemn_v he_o to_o the_o ignominious_a death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o that_o they_o take_v care_n that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v with_o all_o the_o aggravation_n of_o shame_n and_o disgrace_n in_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o his_o heartblood_n be_v let_v out_o with_o a_o spear_n whilst_o he_o be_v hang_v upon_o the_o cross_n he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n converse_v familiar_o with_o his_o disciple_n and_o at_o last_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o great_a number_n of_o they_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n now_o this_o story_n be_v in_o itself_o so_o strange_a and_o prodigious_a so_o without_o precedent_n so_o full_a of_o appear_v inconsistency_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o withal_o so_o public_a and_o so_o notorious_a that_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v certain_o true_a it_o can_v never_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a must_v have_v be_v demonstrative_o confute_v for_o the_o passage_n
unquestionable_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xx._n this_o be_v the_o first_o invincible_a impediment_n of_o christianity_n suppose_v it_o have_v be_v false_a but_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a it_o labour_v under_o many_o other_o great_a disadvantage_n that_o it_o can_v never_o have_v surmount_v but_o by_o the_o irresistible_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o that_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v first_o divulge_v the_o world_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o it_o extreme_o debauch_v both_o in_o its_o manner_n and_o principle_n for_o julius_n caesar_n have_v violate_v all_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n and_o overthrow_v the_o old_a government_n that_o have_v always_o keep_v up_o a_o generous_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v chief_o raise_v itself_o to_o that_o vast_a greatness_n that_o afterward_o so_o much_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o attempt_n of_o ambitious_a men._n for_o though_o that_o spirit_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o time_n of_o marius_n and_o pass_v down_o through_o all_o the_o great_a man_n cinna_z silvius_n and_o pompey_n all_o of_o they_o struggle_v for_o the_o sole_a sovereignty_n of_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n the_o design_n be_v never_o complete_o compass_v but_o by_o the_o boldness_n and_o activity_n of_o julius_n caesar._n now_o the_o success_n of_o the_o caesarean_a faction_n that_o be_v general_o atheist_n and_o epicurean_o against_o the_o patriot_n of_o the_o old_a state_n that_o be_v as_o general_o eminent_a for_o worth_n and_o honour_n virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o public_a good_a make_v the_o thrive_a principle_n and_o practice_n quick_o come_v into_o fashion_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o world_n and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o brutus_n we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o ancient_a roman_a but_o what_o he_o say_v in_o passion_n be_v serious_o and_o universal_o embrace_v as_o a_o great_a truth_n that_o virtue_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a name_n so_o that_o if_o we_o survey_v the_o roman_a history_n before_o and_o after_o the_o usurpation_n of_o caesar_n it_o do_v not_o look_v like_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n the_o former_a abound_v with_o the_o brave_a example_n of_o gallantry_n and_o magnanimity_n whereas_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o be_v general_o entertain_v with_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o fraud_n and_o treachery_n even_o the_o admire_a wisdom_n of_o the_o great_a augustus_n himself_o be_v no_o better_a than_o craft_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o though_o his_o successor_n tiberius_n be_v particular_o remarque_v for_o that_o vice_n it_o be_v only_o because_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v his_o part_n so_o artificial_o as_o his_o predecessor_n have_v do_v who_o die_v with_o that_o particular_a comfort_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v so_o skilful_o play_v the_o comedy_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o certain_o of_o all_o prince_n upon_o record_n he_o have_v the_o most_o subtle_a faculty_n of_o appear_v high_o honest_a without_o any_o design_n of_o ever_o be_v so_o in_o short_a under_o his_o reign_n all_o the_o principle_n of_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n be_v prevalent_a in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n that_o then_o prescribe_a manner_n to_o the_o best_a part_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n neither_o be_v their_o practice_n disagree_v to_o their_o principle_n for_o as_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o restraint_n of_o virtue_n and_o modesty_n so_o they_o entire_o devote_v themselves_o to_o luxury_n and_o sensuality_n and_o study_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o emprove_v their_o brutish_a pleasure_n to_o the_o utmost_a extravagance_n of_o enjoyment_n and_o as_o be_v the_o great_a court_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v all_o the_o other_o lesser_a court_n of_o their_o several_a prefect_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o imitation_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a baseness_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o scarce_o any_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n that_o be_v epicurean_o and_o vilain_n by_o principle_n be_v prefer_v by_o j._n caesar_n to_o authority_n in_o the_o empire_n though_o thing_n grow_v much_o worse_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o mark_n anthony_n a_o man_n knead_v up_o of_o lust_n and_o malice_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o he_o be_v not_o more_o of_o each_o be_v because_o he_o be_v all_o both_o for_o he_o will_v never_o unless_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o lust_n quit_v his_o cruelty_n nor_o ever_o unless_o to_o satisfy_v his_o cruelty_n forsake_v his_o lust_n and_o as_o himself_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o baseness_n so_o he_o will_v advance_v none_o to_o preferment_n but_o such_o as_o have_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o his_o good_a like_n by_o their_o more_o than_o ordinary_a wickedness_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o judaea_n and_o the_o part_n about_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n more_o overrun_v with_o vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o in_o any_o former_a age_n in_o that_o herod_n one_o of_o the_o vile_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v have_v by_o the_o patronage_n of_o mark_n anthony_n obtain_v their_o government_n and_o by_o a_o long_a reign_n over_o they_o after_o his_o patron_n be_v death_n under_o augustus_n have_v familiarise_v all_o manner_n of_o the_o most_o licentious_a wickedness_n to_o the_o people_n even_o so_o much_o that_o one_o half_a of_o the_o lead_a man_n even_o among_o the_o jew_n themselves_o that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a through_o all_o age_n for_o their_o reverence_n to_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o better_a than_o open_a and_o avow_v atheist_n now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n that_o consist_v of_o precept_n of_o chastity_n and_o sobriety_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o kindness_n and_o charity_n and_o of_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o reward_n of_o another_o to_o make_v its_o way_n into_o such_o a_o wicked_a world_n as_o this_o man_n of_o atheistical_a principle_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o stubborn_a and_o inflexible_a they_o scorn_v all_o manner_n of_o better_a information_n and_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v possible_o undeceive_v they_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o overcome_v person_n so_o prejudice_v and_o so_o conceit_v unless_o we_o can_v by_o the_o mere_a evidence_n of_o thing_n force_v they_o into_o conviction_n and_o as_o for_o man_n of_o luxurious_a life_n they_o have_v neither_o mind_n nor_o leisure_n to_o attend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v reclaim_v they_o it_o be_v pain_n to_o they_o to_o think_v of_o part_v with_o their_o pleasure_n they_o will_v labour_v to_o preserve_v they_o upon_o any_o term_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v no_o information_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o fasten_v on_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o sudden_o reform_v infinite_a number_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n it_o must_v have_v bring_v along_o with_o it_o a_o real_a evidence_n equal_a to_o its_o pretend_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a commission_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o it_o require_v strict_a obedience_n to_o all_o its_o command_n so_o it_o must_v have_v prove_v the_o reality_n of_o its_o commission_n by_o such_o certain_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o most_o refractory_a person_n to_o withstand_v its_o force_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v such_o multitude_n so_o wonderful_o prevail_v upon_o to_o quit_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n and_o vice_n we_o have_v reason_n from_o thence_o only_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o convince_v of_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o its_o pretence_n §_o xxi_o the_o next_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o bold_a and_o open_a defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n for_o of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la those_o of_o religion_n be_v the_o strong_a and_o the_o old_a they_o be_v the_o deep_a root_n they_o take_v and_o therefore_o when_o its_o enemy_n can_v plead_v the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o hundred_o year_n against_o it_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o persuade_v they_o out_o of_o such_o a_o ancient_a prescription_n it_o be_v mere_a novelty_n be_v a_o objection_n of_o no_o small_a force_n but_o when_o a_o new_a and_o upstart_a religion_n will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o its_o own_o authority_n but_o must_v disgrace_v all_o the_o settle_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o refuse_v its_o own_o settlement_n unless_o they_o may_v be_v utter_o extirpate_v this_o can_v not_o but_o seem_v too_o saucy_a a_o demand_n especial_o to_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n to_o require_v of_o they_o not_o only_o
to_o give_v way_n to_o a_o upstart_n sect_n but_o to_o renounce_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o ancestor_n confirm_v as_o well_o by_o their_o own_o law_n as_o ancient_a custom_n and_o submit_v themselves_o and_o their_o power_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o few_o galilaean_a fisherman_n and_o this_o the_o author_n of_o that_o age_n say_v be_v the_o main_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o all_o adventure_n reject_v by_o the_o roman_a senate_n because_o it_o will_v allow_v none_o other_o beside_o itself_o and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o jewish_a religion_n beside_o its_o very_a great_a antiquity_n it_o be_v establish_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o with_o plausible_a appearance_n of_o reason_n believe_v by_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v of_o eternal_a obligation_n at_o least_o not_o otherways_o reversible_a but_o with_o the_o same_o dreadful_a sign_n and_o appearance_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n wherewith_o it_o be_v at_o first_o enact_v and_o therefore_o when_o a_o young_a man_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o cancel_v the_o only_a true_a way_n of_o worship_v the_o only_a true_a god_n that_o design_n seem_v so_o like_a to_o blasphemy_n and_o idolatry_n that_o his_o very_a pretend_v to_o it_o without_o any_o far_a enquiry_n be_v whatever_o he_o can_v say_v or_o do_v a_o invincible_a prejudice_n and_o a_o unpardonable_a crime_n this_o be_v evident_a through_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o his_o life_n that_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o conclude_v he_o a_o impostor_n because_o he_o set_v up_o against_o moses_n and_o then_o let_v he_o work_v what_o miracle_n he_o will_v they_o will_v regard_v neither_o he_o nor_o they_o and_o particular_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n when_o he_o cure_v the_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v blind_a when_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o parent_n and_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o the_o neighbour_n who_o know_v he_o to_o have_v sit_v and_o beg_v in_o a_o certain_a place_n for_o many_o year_n yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o the_o pharisee_n conclude_v against_o his_o do_v any_o miracle_n because_o he_o be_v a_o sinner_n that_o be_v as_o they_o think_v a_o blasphemer_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o when_o the_o blind_a man_n argue_v with_o they_o that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o miracle_n as_o have_v never_o be_v do_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n before_o it_o be_v all_o one_o for_o that_o they_o answer_v all_o with_o this_o peremptory_a assertion_n we_o know_v that_o god_n 29._o speak_v unto_o moses_n as_o for_o this_o fellow_n we_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v so_o that_o whatever_o miracle_n he_o work_v they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o he_o derogate_a from_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o therefore_o origen_n very_o well_o observe_v that_o the_o difficulty_n of_o our_o saviour_n work_n 92._o be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o moses_n from_o the_o great_a prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o people_n against_o his_o undertake_n for_o moses_n have_v to_o do_v with_o the_o off_o spring_v of_o abraham_n who_o have_v all_o along_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n and_o those_o other_o rite_n and_o custom_n that_o he_o have_v deliver_v down_o to_o his_o posterity_n and_o only_o undertake_v to_o deliver_v they_o from_o a_o grievous_a bondage_n and_o bring_v they_o into_o that_o happy_a land_n that_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o their_o forefather_n but_o our_o saviour_n be_v send_v to_o a_o people_n to_o command_v they_o to_o forsake_v that_o way_n of_o worship_n in_o which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v and_o to_o prescribe_v a_o new_a model_n of_o religion_n against_o a_o old_a one_o that_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o be_v comply_v with_o as_o moses_n be_v he_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o all_o the_o fierce_a contradiction_n both_o of_o zeal_n and_o malice_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n say_v he_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o requisite_a that_o he_o shall_v do_v great_a miracle_n than_o moses_n or_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v record_v to_o have_v do_v to_o convince_v they_o that_o god_n have_v give_v he_o great_a authority_n and_o so_o thereby_o oblige_v they_o to_o submit_v to_o his_o discipline_n as_o they_o have_v hitherto_o do_v to_o that_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o as_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v at_o that_o time_n a_o insuperable_a prejudice_n against_o christianity_n so_o be_v it_o to_o this_o very_a day_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n who_o always_o lie_v this_o supposition_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a law_n but_o of_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o far_a account_n when_o i_o come_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o infidelity_n notwithstanding_o the_o gospel_n bring_v all_o that_o evidence_n along_o with_o it_o that_o we_o pretend_v it_o do_v and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o gentile_n beside_o its_o proud_a pretence_n to_o the_o great_a antiquity_n it_o now_o value_v itself_o upon_o a_o much_o proud_a title_n of_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o vast_a extent_n of_o that_o it_o be_v root_v in_o all_o part_n of_o it_o with_o more_o strength_n and_o unity_n than_o it_o can_v have_v be_v under_o several_a government_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v make_v people_n more_o fond_a of_o their_o religion_n than_o to_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o belief_n of_o its_o universality_n now_o when_o a_o religion_n so_o catholic_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o law_n be_v own_a by_o the_o emperor_n and_o be_v make_v the_o only_a religion_n of_o power_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n its_o votary_n can_v not_o endure_v to_o see_v it_o treat_v with_o scorn_n and_o dishonour_n by_o a_o upstart_n sect_n of_o man_n destitute_a of_o all_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o pliny_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n inveigh_v against_o christianity_n with_o so_o much_o scorn_n and_o indignation_n not_o that_o they_o have_v any_o concern_v for_o religion_n themselves_o be_v profess_v epicurean_o and_o so_o inward_o as_o great_a despiser_n of_o paganism_n as_o the_o christian_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v but_o they_o be_v angry_a that_o a_o religion_n abet_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o great_a statesman_n such_o as_o themselves_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v shall_v be_v so_o dishonourable_o bear_v down_o by_o a_o company_n of_o superstitious_a and_o despicable_a jew_n and_o that_o prove_v another_o very_a great_a disadvantage_n to_o christianity_n the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o government_n against_o its_o reception_n in_o that_o statesman_n be_v ever_o jealous_a of_o all_o innovation_n in_o religion_n as_o dangerous_a to_o the_o present_a government_n so_o that_o though_o themselves_o look_v upon_o all_o religion_n as_o a_o mere_a design_n of_o state-craft_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o zealous_a for_o that_o which_o they_o find_v already_o establish_v as_o that_o by_o which_o they_o enjoy_v their_o present_a security_n and_o therefore_o vigilant_a against_o all_o alteration_n as_o natural_o tend_v to_o the_o subversion_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n so_o that_o it_o be_v none_o of_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o plea_n of_o a_o new_a religion_n but_o its_o be_v new_a be_v with_o they_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n of_o proceed_v against_o it_o as_o be_v sedition_n ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la against_o the_o establish_a law_n and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n of_o most_o of_o those_o many_o severe_a edict_n and_o rescript_n of_o several_a emperor_n against_o the_o christian_n who_o look_v upon_o their_o numerous_a assembly_n upon_o pretence_n of_o religion_n as_o dangerous_a association_n against_o the_o state_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o particular_o trajan_n a_o wise_a and_o politic_a prince_n who_o either_o because_o he_o will_v not_o give_v the_o christian_n the_o advantage_n of_o plead_v religion_n or_o suffering_n for_o it_o or_o rather_o out_o of_o his_o particular_a jealousy_n and_o fear_n of_o tumult_n put_v in_o execution_n against_o they_o the_o law_n against_o the_o heteriae_n which_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o numerous_a meeting_n upon_o what_o account_n soever_o though_o only_o of_o friendship_n or_o good-fellowship_n for_o which_o those_o heteriae_n be_v first_o institute_v so_o that_o upon_o pretence_n of_o this_o law_n he_o seem_v not_o to_o proceed_v against_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o religion_n but_o as_o unlawful_a riot_n and_o tumult_n against_o the_o state_n §_o xxii_o now_o from_o the_o concurrence_n of_o all_o these_o mighty_a prejudices_fw-la against_o christianity_n it_o meet_v
so_o near_o and_o yet_o so_o prodigious_a and_o when_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n assure_v themselves_o of_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n this_o can_v not_o but_o provoke_v they_o to_o a_o eager_a enquiry_n after_o the_o meaning_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n and_o when_o they_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v late_o crucify_v and_o that_o they_o declare_v themselves_o eye_n witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o withal_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n from_o heaven_n only_o for_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o withstand_v the_o force_n of_o such_o a_o mighty_a and_o astonish_a demonstration_n and_o it_o be_v this_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n as_o saint_n paul_n style_v it_o rather_o than_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n as_o cogent_a as_o they_o be_v that_o first_o baffle_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n into_o christianity_n and_o force_v in_o the_o assent_v of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o its_o doctrine_n they_o do_v not_o put_v their_o auditor_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o testimony_n but_o prevent_v all_o inquiry_n by_o this_o infallible_a confirmation_n the_o evidence_n of_o their_o miracle_n be_v such_o a_o irrefragable_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o surmount_v the_o power_n of_o all_o other_o demonstration_n and_o what_o rational_a man_n will_v stay_v to_o expect_v any_o other_o proof_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n that_o have_v see_v it_o unquestionable_o attest_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o who_o can_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v after_o he_o have_v see_v devil_n dispossess_v the_o sick_a heal_v and_o the_o dead_a raise_v this_o be_v such_o a_o almighty_a attestation_n to_o their_o preach_n that_o it_o upbraid_v away_o their_o scruple_n and_o bear_v away_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o the_o gospel_n prevail_v so_o easy_o and_o so_o speedy_o over_o all_o the_o world_n its_o first_o preacher_n convert_v whole_a city_n and_o nation_n in_o a_o moment_n and_o found_v new_a church_n upon_o one_o undeniable_a miracle_n and_o nothing_o less_o consider_v all_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n and_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n under_o which_o it_o labour_v can_v so_o soon_o have_v propagate_v the_o gospel_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o if_o we_o trace_v the_o apostolical_a history_n we_o scarce_o find_v any_o thing_n transact_v without_o a_o miracle_n insomuch_o that_o the_o people_n at_o length_n familiar_o resort_v to_o they_o for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o disease_n act_n 5._o 12._o and_o this_o power_n be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v at_o that_o time_n that_o saint_n paul_n insist_o upon_o it_o as_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o true_a apostleship_n rom._n 15._o 18_o 18_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 12._o which_o have_v be_v too_o absurd_a a_o thing_n to_o allege_v to_o his_o follower_n in_o confutation_n of_o his_o enemy_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n for_o if_o it_o be_v they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o when_o he_o appeal_v to_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n he_o have_v already_o wrought_v among_o they_o and_o if_o he_o have_v wrought_v none_o they_o can_v not_o but_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n but_o though_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o may_v from_o thence_o rational_o enough_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o apostolical_a miracle_n and_o though_o i_o have_v in_o part_n prove_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n to_o attest_v both_o they_o and_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o shall_v anon_o more_o distinct_o show_v the_o undoubted_a and_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o very_a apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a they_o can_v never_o have_v gain_v belief_n yet_o in_o this_o present_a argument_n i_o will_v not_o build_v upon_o these_o or_o any_o other_o supposition_n and_o indeed_o if_o i_o suppose_v they_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v needless_a for_o once_o grant_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n action_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o record_n alone_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o only_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o christian_a faith_n lie_v under_o all_o those_o disadvantage_n above_o represent_v can_v ever_o have_v be_v propagate_v with_o that_o speed_n and_o facility_n that_o it_o be_v all_o the_o world_n over_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o this_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o suppose_v this_o evidence_n that_o they_o give_v the_o world_n by_o their_o miracle_n that_o then_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o almost_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o success_n they_o do_v here_o then_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o my_o present_a argument_n that_o when_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v compass_v their_o design_n any_o other_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v natural_a if_o they_o take_v this_o course_n to_o succeed_v in_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v such_o wonderful_a success_n that_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v report_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o produce_v those_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n but_o now_o allege_v as_o proof_n to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o only_o as_o instance_n to_o exemplify_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o v_o g._n how_o incredible_a it_o be_v that_o 3000_o people_n when_o they_o hear_v the_o apostle_n affirm_v at_o whitsuntide_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v see_v so_o shameful_o execute_v at_o easter_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o grave_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n shall_v so_o immediate_o believe_v they_o upon_o their_o bare_a report_n but_o when_o they_o behold_v that_o miraculous_a effect_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o they_o whereby_o such_o illiterate_a person_n be_v enable_v to_o speak_v all_o manner_n of_o language_n that_o alone_o can_v not_o but_o satisfy_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o i_o argue_v not_o from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n but_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v do_v any_o other_o way_n than_o as_o it_o be_v record_v to_o have_v be_v do_v i_o may_v here_o also_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o miracle_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o their_o great_a enemy_n in_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o of_o they_o deny_v they_o to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n though_o how_o foolish_a that_o evasion_n be_v i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v their_o evasion_n to_o this_o argument_n at_o present_a this_o very_a surmise_n be_v a_o plain_a confession_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o go_v a_o great_a way_n as_o to_o evidence_n when_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o adversary_n but_o this_o have_v suggest_v i_o shall_v not_o far_o insist_v upon_o it_o §_o xxiv_o only_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n remain_v that_o add_v great_a force_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n viz._n that_o this_o power_n be_v not_o mere_o confine_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o true_a it_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a miracle_n in_o particular_a and_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n and_o yet_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o we_o have_v no_o one_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o have_v better_a record_n it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n of_o those_o time_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o public_a and_o extraordinary_a way_n as_o raises_z their_o testimony_n up_o to_o certain_a demonstration_n for_o they_o do_v not_o bare_o report_v it_o but_o they_o upbraid_v it_o to_o all_o their_o adversary_n as_o a_o thing_n undeniable_a they_o challenge_v emperor_n proconsul_n the_o whole_a senate_n in_o their_o apology_n and_o public_a write_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o experiment_n they_o urge_v it_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o learned_a man_n and_o dare_v they_o to_o contradict_v it_o
thing_n and_o after_o that_o when_o man_n report_v that_o to_o have_v be_v do_v which_o they_o know_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v what_o follow_v but_o away_o with_o they_o for_o idle_a cheat_n and_o liar_n and_o therefore_o without_o ever_o examine_v they_o they_o thrust_v they_o into_o prison_n with_o all_o manner_n of_o scorn_n and_o indignation_n act_v 5._o 17_o 18._o second_o as_o for_o the_o pharisee_n who_o be_v of_o the_o great_a power_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o people_n they_o be_v a_o strange_a sort_n of_o ignorant_a supercilious_a and_o conceit_a fanatic_n and_o there_o be_v no_o temper_n of_o mind_n so_o fix_v and_o stubborn_a as_o religious_a pride_n and_o self-conceitedness_a it_o be_v of_o all_o illusion_n the_o most_o delightful_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o thorough_o possess_v with_o it_o it_o bar_n up_o their_o understanding_n against_o all_o argument_n it_o take_v away_o the_o use_n of_o their_o natural_a faculty_n and_o to_o go_v about_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o folly_n and_o hypocrisy_n be_v only_o to_o provoke_v their_o rage_n and_o choler_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o pharisee_n they_o pretend_v to_o the_o strict_a piety_n and_o value_v themselves_o at_o a_o mighty_a rate_n beyond_o all_o other_o man_n for_o the_o singularity_n and_o exactness_n of_o their_o devotion_n and_o yet_o this_o they_o place_v not_o in_o any_o conformity_n to_o the_o divine_a law_n but_o in_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o vain_a custom_n and_o tradition_n derive_v from_o their_o forefather_n now_o this_o be_v so_o gross_a and_o so_o foolish_a a_o imposture_n our_o saviour_n set_v himself_o particular_o to_o represent_v its_o vanity_n and_o take_v all_o occasion_n to_o convince_v they_o that_o they_o have_v utter_o forsake_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n for_o which_o they_o pretend_v so_o much_o reverence_n and_o that_o the_o custom_n they_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o be_v no_o part_n of_o his_o religion_n because_o no_o where_o enjoin_v in_o his_o law_n but_o mere_a arbitrary_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o devise_v and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o raise_v their_o displeasure_n against_o he_o to_o so_o great_a a_o height_n of_o hatred_n and_o indignation_n that_o a_o person_n who_o pretend_v to_o so_o great_a a_o office_n and_o authority_n as_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v represent_v they_o so_o contemptible_o in_o his_o public_a and_o constant_a discourse_n to_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o consider_v the_o nature_n and_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n they_o all_o along_o set_v themselves_o to_o trapan_n he_o in_o his_o discourse_n and_o mind_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o pursue_v their_o revenge_n against_o he_o and_o never_o rest_v till_o they_o have_v wreck_v all_o their_o malice_n upon_o he_o as_o the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o their_o sect._n now_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o person_n of_o this_o complexion_n be_v so_o strange_o blind_v against_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o our_o saviour_n give_v of_o his_o divine_a commission_n for_o none_o so_o blind_a as_o those_o that_o will_v not_o see_v and_o none_o so_o wilful_a as_o those_o that_o be_v in_o love_n with_o themselves_o and_o no_o self-love_n so_o dote_v as_o that_o which_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o false_a conceit_n of_o sanctity_n and_o religion_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o some_o of_o the_o more_o ingenuous_a among_o they_o as_o nicodemus_n and_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n be_v overcome_v by_o the_o divinity_n of_o his_o work_n and_o afterward_o even_o gamaliel_n himself_o be_v startle_v at_o they_o for_o the_o advice_n he_o give_v to_o let_v the_o apostle_n alone_o seem_v to_o have_v proceed_v mere_o from_o the_o unsettledness_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o be_v not_o then_o thorough_o satisfy_v concern_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o their_o pretence_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v his_o advice_n take_v with_o the_o sanhedrin_n not_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v but_o very_o foolish_a counsel_n that_o if_o this_o work_n be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v of_o its_o own_o accord_n come_v to_o nought_o for_o by_o that_o principle_n they_o must_v give_v liberty_n to_o all_o the_o impostor_n in_o the_o world_n to_o disturb_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o mankind_n but_o when_o it_o be_v doubtful_a as_o it_o then_o seem_v to_o he_o lest_o haply_o by_o punish_v 39_o the_o apostle_n they_o may_v be_v find_v to_o fight_v against_o god_n upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o be_v not_o only_o wise_a but_o pious_a advice_n to_o stay_v for_o a_o little_o far_a trial_n of_o the_o cause_n before_o they_o undertake_v its_o utter_a extirpation_n and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a observable_a that_o though_o some_o of_o the_o pharisee_n be_v shockt_v out_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la the_o sadducee_n be_v all_o impregnable_a for_o we_o no_o where_o read_v that_o any_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o their_o first_o principle_n suppose_v its_o truth_n utter_o impossible_a and_o then_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o inquire_v after_o it_o or_o hear_v any_o thing_n concern_v it_o but_o the_o pharisee_n not_o lie_v under_o this_o invincible_a prejudice_n be_v notwithstanding_o all_o their_o other_o great_a hindrance_n in_o some_o capacity_n of_o conviction_n so_o that_o though_o we_o find_v that_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v at_o first_o the_o fierce_a enemy_n to_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n yet_o afterward_o they_o be_v outstrip_v by_o the_o sadducee_n in_o their_o zeal_n and_o fury_n against_o it_o for_o as_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o pharisee_n be_v every_o where_o note_v as_o his_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n so_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n after_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n the_o sadducee_n be_v remark_v as_o their_o most_o bitter_a and_o vehement_a prosecutor_n and_o now_o this_o i_o think_v may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a account_n of_o the_o incredulity_n of_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o our_o saviour_n give_v all_o that_o evidence_n of_o his_o authority_n that_o we_o pretend_v he_o do_v and_o it_o be_v obvious_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o understand_v humane_a nature_n to_o apprehend_v how_o easy_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o man_n not_o only_o bias_v but_o press_v down_o by_o all_o these_o prejudices_fw-la to_o avoid_v or_o neglect_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o argument_n and_o demonstration_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xxxvii_o and_o thus_o have_v describe_v the_o several_a unreasonable_a prejudices_fw-la that_o withhold_v so_o many_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o embrace_v of_o the_o christian_a faith_n we_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o the_o ground_n that_o the_o heathen_n go_v upon_o in_o their_o opposition_n to_o it_o and_o these_o be_v as_o much_o more_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a than_o those_o of_o the_o jew_n as_o be_v their_o religion_n for_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v some_o appearance_n of_o pretence_n against_o our_o saviour_n alteration_n in_o religion_n we_o have_v already_o show_v in_o that_o it_o be_v own_a by_o himself_o to_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o the_o war_n that_o the_o heathen_a world_n raise_v against_o it_o they_o ground_v it_o upon_o such_o false_a principle_n as_o though_o christianity_n itself_o have_v be_v false_a betray_v their_o own_o folly_n and_o absurdity_n atheism_n and_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o all_o religion_n be_v their_o master-objection_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n they_o set_v up_o and_o contend_v for_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o be_v their_o own_o wretched_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n both_o which_o be_v too_o great_a demonstration_n of_o a_o invincible_a prejudice_n and_o inflexible_a partiality_n and_o they_o be_v both_o so_o very_o absurd_a that_o which_o be_v most_o so_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v for_o whatever_o the_o christian_n be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o atheism_n of_o any_o party_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o as_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o gentile_n it_o be_v so_o gross_o wicked_a and_o foolish_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o wise_a man_n to_o embrace_v it_o without_o affront_a both_o god_n and_o his_o own_o conscience_n this_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o they_o they_o never_o enter_v into_o the_o debate_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o so_o much_o as_o once_o inquire_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n but_o for_o this_o reason_n alone_o they_o repute_v all_o christian_n as_o vile_a and_o profligate_v person_n because_o they_o will_v not_o join_v
doctrine_n but_o how_o much_o great_a violence_n do_v these_o man_n offer_v to_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o conscience_n that_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n and_o yet_o despisé_fw-fr the_fw-fr obligation_n of_o his_o law_n this_o be_v more_o palpable_a blasphemy_n and_o the_o man_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v so_o much_o worse_a than_o a_o profess_a infidel_n as_o judas_n be_v worse_o than_o a_o common_a pharisee_fw-mi he_o in_o some_o measure_n believe_v his_o master_n to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o yet_o betray_v he_o and_o so_o be_v every_o vicious_a christian_a guilty_a of_o the_o same_o traitorous_a wickedness_n he_o believe_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o behave_v himself_o towards_o he_o as_o if_o he_o real_o believe_v he_o a_o cheat_n and_o a_o impostor_n this_o man_n sin_v know_o against_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o his_o conscience_n and_o every_o act_n of_o disobedience_n be_v not_o only_o a_o affront_n to_o his_o reason_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o pharisee_n but_o to_o his_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v in_o judas_n what_o a_o strange_a contradiction_n be_v a_o vicious_a christian_a both_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o profession_n it_o be_v so_o great_a that_o to_o i_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v a_o unconceivable_a instance_n of_o sottishness_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v in_o good_a earnest_n believe_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n shall_v after_o such_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n engage_v itself_o for_o the_o contrivance_n and_o procurement_n of_o man_n felicity_n and_o that_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o shall_v come_v into_o this_o low_a world_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o shall_v suffer_v all_o the_o agony_n of_o a_o ignominious_a death_n for_o the_o expiation_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o when_o he_o have_v recover_v we_o into_o a_o capacity_n of_o happiness_n and_o put_v we_o into_o a_o condition_n of_o peaceable_a intercourse_n with_o his_o father_n he_o shall_v prescribe_v to_o we_o some_o law_n of_o life_n to_o keep_v and_o continue_v we_o in_o that_o state_n into_o which_o he_o have_v redeem_v we_o and_o that_o to_o secure_a all_o he_o have_v enforce_v they_o by_o the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n of_o obedience_n and_o establish_v their_o obligation_n upon_o no_o less_o sanction_n than_o the_o certain_a assurance_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v i_o say_v to_o i_o it_o be_v a_o unconceivable_a brutishness_n that_o any_o person_n who_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n shall_v act_v so_o gross_o against_o his_o own_o interest_n against_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n and_o against_o the_o strong_a inducement_n both_o of_o his_o hope_n and_o fear_n as_o to_o live_v in_o a_o dare_a and_o habitual_a disobedience_n to_o any_o of_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n what_o a_o intolerable_a aggravation_n must_v it_o be_v of_o their_o wickedness_n whilst_o it_o be_v commit_v against_o all_o the_o endearment_n of_o love_n and_o goodness_n and_o all_o the_o inducement_n of_o interest_n and_o ingenuity_n i._n e._n against_o all_o the_o obligation_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o lay_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o apostle_n discourse_v very_o apposite_o heb._n 2._o 3_o 4._o how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o be_v publish_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o god_n also_o bear_v witness_n to_o they_o with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n here_o lay_v the_o emphasis_n that_o aggravate_v the_o neglect_n of_o their_o salvation_n that_o god_n have_v send_v his_o own_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o preach_v and_o to_o procure_v it_o that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o it_o by_o the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o that_o he_o have_v far_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o wonderful_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o miracle_n after_o all_o these_o motive_n and_o all_o this_o assurance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v so_o wretched_a as_o to_o neglect_v so_o easy_a condition_n of_o so_o great_a salvation_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v escape_v the_o just_a reward_n of_o his_o desperate_a and_o incurable_a stupidity_n for_o what_o shall_v prevail_v upon_o such_o mind_n as_o be_v proof_n against_o such_o motive_n and_o yet_o as_o strange_a as_o this_o appear_v what_o do_v we_o find_v more_o vulgar_a when_o a_o wicked_a believer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v think_v a_o monster_n in_o our_o age_n that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a prodigy_n in_o it_o than_o a_o entire_a true_a christian._n the_o true_a spirit_n of_o our_o religion_n seem_v to_o be_v flee_v to_o heaven_n with_o its_o primitive_a professor_n and_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o real_a christianity_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n i._n e._n a_o serious_a and_o habitual_a conformity_n to_o all_o its_o law_n and_o whatever_o man_n may_v do_v or_o pretend_v without_o this_o it_o may_v be_v humour_n or_o faction_n or_o any_o thing_n but_o religion_n no_o design_n how_o great_a soever_o less_o than_o this_o be_v worthy_a our_o saviour_n embasly_a and_o when_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v send_v on_o a_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n it_o can_v not_o be_v of_o any_o less_o concernment_n than_o its_o reformation_n the_o last_o scope_n of_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n be_v only_o to_o oblige_v all_o mankind_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a and_o the_o man_n that_o will_v not_o be_v so_o defeat_v all_o the_o love_n and_o wisdom_n of_o heaven_n in_o send_v the_o holy_a jesus_n into_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v i_o challenge_v my_o reader_n as_o he_o will_v not_o frustrate_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n as_o he_o will_v not_o baffle_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o innocence_n and_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o life_n of_o man_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o as_o he_o will_v not_o hereafter_o with_o that_o his_o saviour_n have_v never_o be_v bear_v nor_o himself_o neither_o that_o he_o will_v be_v careful_a for_o his_o own_o part_n to_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o his_o incarnation_n and_o let_v he_o see_v by_o the_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v to_o some_o purpose_n and_o that_o he_o die_v not_o in_o vain_a nay_o let_v i_o challenge_v all_o christendom_n not_o to_o give_v he_o occasion_n to_o complain_v have_v i_o desert_v heaven_n and_o all_o its_o glory_n and_o expose_v myself_o to_o all_o the_o shame_n and_o misery_n upon_o earth_n have_v i_o wrestle_v with_o all_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n have_v i_o live_v and_o die_v in_o disgrace_n and_o suffer_v all_o sort_n of_o affront_n and_o ill_a usage_n to_o restore_v the_o practice_n and_o reputation_n of_o virtue_n to_o this_o low_a world_n and_o be_v this_o all_o the_o issue_n of_o the_o travel_n of_o my_o soul_n that_o i_o have_v only_o found_v a_o new_a faction_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n by_o any_o thing_n else_o than_o that_o they_o signalise_v themselves_o by_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n be_v this_o all_o the_o purchase_n of_o my_o blood_n to_o be_v only_o follow_v by_o a_o few_o wicked_a and_o vicious_a proselyte_n i_o have_v as_o good_a have_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v in_o its_o degenerate_a state_n of_o heathenism_n as_o do_v and_o suffer_v all_o that_o i_o have_v do_v only_o to_o give_v a_o new_a name_n to_o those_o part_n of_o it_o call_v christendom_n without_o reform_v their_o old_a manner_n i_o neither_o design_n nor_o accept_v any_o other_o separation_n of_o my_o church_n from_o other_o part_n of_o mankind_n than_o what_o be_v make_v by_o the_o virtue_n the_o innocence_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n without_o this_o all_o their_o pretend_a faith_n in_o and_o zeal_n for_o my_o institution_n be_v to_o i_o no_o better_a than_o scandal_n and_o impudent_a hypocrisy_n and_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o purpose_n than_o to_o aggravate_v their_o impiety_n and_o increase_v their_o punishment_n and_o in_o truth_n what_o can_v more_o provoke_v our_o saviour_n displeasure_n than_o christian_a wickedness_n this_o bring_v disgrace_n and_o dishonour_n upon_o his_o religion_n and_o prostitute_n it_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n it_o break_v through_o all_o the_o best_a rule_n of_o duty_n and_o strong_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n
a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o two_o part_n by_o samuel_n parker_n d._n d._n archdeacon_n of_o canterbury_n london_n print_v by_o m._n flesher_n for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n and_o r._n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o saint_n to_o paul_n churchyard_n 1681._o to_o the_o reverend_a d_o r_o bathurst_n dean_n of_o well_n and_o precedent_n of_o trinity_n college_n in_o oxon_n sir_n be_v myself_o competent_o satisfy_v in_o the_o true_a reason_n and_o thorough_o assure_v of_o the_o good_a meaning_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n i_o be_o thereby_o encourage_v to_o present_v it_o to_o your_o view_n as_o the_o most_o able_a judge_n that_o i_o know_v both_o of_o the_o argument_n and_o the_o performance_n and_o to_o beg_v your_o impartial_a censure_n and_o opinion_n of_o it_o i_o know_v indeed_o by_o long_a experience_n your_o candour_n and_o kind-nature_n to_o be_v so_o great_a as_o to_o be_v apt_a sometime_o to_o sway_v your_o judgement_n but_o sir_n i_o beseech_v you_o to_o set_v that_o aside_o for_o once_o and_o to_o peruse_v this_o treatise_n not_o with_o the_o courtesy_n of_o a_o patron_n but_o the_o more_o oblige_a freedom_n of_o a_o friend_n to_o which_o familiar_a relation_n after_o your_o kindness_n have_v make_v i_o in_o any_o measure_n fit_a for_o and_o worthy_a of_o it_o you_o have_v be_v please_v long_o since_o to_o admit_v i_o and_o so_o sir_n you_o very_o well_o know_v that_o of_o old_a the_o philosopher_n and_o professor_n of_o learning_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o address_v their_o discourse_n to_o great_a and_o unlearned_a patron_n as_o have_v be_v the_o fashion_n of_o our_o modern_a time_n but_o to_o their_o friend_n and_o acquaintance_n of_o the_o great_a skill_n in_o that_o sort_n of_o learning_n that_o they_o profess_v and_o that_o not_o for_o their_o protection_n as_o the_o compliment_n now_o run_v but_o their_o sincere_a and_o friendly_a censure_n varro_z be_v a_o great_a patron_n than_o any_o senator_n of_o rome_n and_o though_o some_o of_o the_o eminent_a man_n of_o learning_n be_v great_a man_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n too_o yet_o their_o friend_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o make_v their_o address_n to_o they_o as_o member_n of_o the_o senate_n or_o the_o areopagus_n but_o of_o the_o more_o honourable_a society_n of_o philosopher_n and_o that_o sir_n be_v the_o only_a design_n i_o have_v in_o present_v these_o paper_n to_o your_o hand_n not_o to_o load_v your_o modesty_n with_o the_o usual_a compliment_n and_o formality_n of_o dedication_n but_o to_o request_v your_o free_a and_o impartial_a judgement_n of_o they_o and_o by_o that_o i_o shall_v be_v direct_v to_o frame_v my_o own_o and_o if_o they_o prove_v so_o fortunate_a as_o to_o gain_v your_o approbation_n that_o alone_o will_v secure_v i_o of_o their_o acceptance_n with_o all_o wise_a and_o learned_a men._n but_o whatever_o 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vanity_n of_o their_o principle_n before_o we_o can_v hope_v to_o work_v they_o to_o any_o effectual_a reformation_n and_o though_o i_o think_v it_o a_o imprudent_a thing_n to_o be_v dispute_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n to_o the_o common_a people_n if_o it_o can_v be_v avoid_v because_o it_o common_o rather_o weaken_v than_o confirm_v their_o faith_n and_o make_v they_o think_v that_o to_o be_v only_o problematical_a which_o before_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v unquestionable_a yet_o when_o they_o have_v raise_v the_o dispute_n among_o themselves_o and_o have_v by_o chance_n for_o they_o never_o judge_v of_o any_o thing_n upon_o due_a enquiry_n because_o they_o never_o make_v it_o run_v away_o with_o the_o wrong_a side_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reduce_v by_o better_a information_n and_o that_o be_v the_o design_n of_o this_o follow_a treatise_n to_o demonstrate_v to_o they_o these_o two_o great_a fundamental_a truth_n viz._n the_o evident_a obligation_n 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but_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n more_o inflexible_a than_o ignorance_n steel_v and_o harden_v with_o wickedness_n and_o therefore_o my_o only_a design_n be_v to_o step_v in_o between_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o live_n the_o infect_a and_o the_o sound_n and_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o give_v some_o stop_n to_o the_o contagion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o keep_v the_o disease_n from_o descend_v to_o posterity_n for_o as_o for_o this_o unhappy_a age_n it_o be_v so_o universal_o overspread_v with_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n that_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o find_v any_o just_a entertainment_n in_o it_o but_o certain_o undebauched_a posterity_n will_v judge_v more_o impartial_o and_o such_o i_o know_v be_v the_o power_n of_o truth_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o if_o it_o can_v but_o gain_v audience_n it_o will_v at_o last_o prevail_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v disengage_v from_o prejudice_n and_o disdain_v not_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o result_v of_o sober_a reason_n and_o that_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n that_o whenever_o virtue_n shall_v begin_v to_o lift_v up_o its_o head_n and_o recover_v its_o right_n i_o may_v give_v some_o little_a assistance_n to_o its_o restauration_n and_o both_o as_o a_o clergyman_n do_v something_o towards_o promote_a the_o happiness_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o as_o a_o englishman_n towards_o recover_v the_o ancient_a reputation_n of_o my_o native_a country_n for_o civility_n justice_n and_o integrity_n as_o for_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o first_o part_n i_o must_v confess_v there_o have_v be_v much_o talk_n in_o the_o world_n about_o it_o but_o very_o little_o say_v the_o civilian_n canonist_n and_o schoolman_n have_v attempt_v little_o more_o than_o to_o define_v it_o and_o in_o that_o they_o have_v fail_v too_o even_o grotius_n himself_o have_v so_o far_o mistake_v it_o as_o to_o suppose_v it_o obligatory_a without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o deity_n puffendorf_n have_v indeed_o of_o late_o happen_v upon_o its_o right_a definition_n in_o general_n but_o have_v neither_o describe_v its_o particular_a branch_n nor_o demonstrate_v any_o of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o its_o obligation_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr principiis_fw-la justi_n &_o decori_fw-la once_o or_o twice_o start_v the_o right_a notion_n of_o it_o but_o quite_o lose_v it_o in_o the_o chase_n by_o quit_v his_o own_o scent_n to_o follow_v mr._n hobbs_n cry_n among_o the_o ancient_n both_o greek_n and_o roman_n i_o find_v as_o little_o perform_v seldom_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o mere_a definition_n and_o positive_a assertion_n and_o at_o most_o some_o witty_a and_o fancifull_a reason_n in_o the_o platonic_a writer_n what_o be_v do_v by_o tully_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr republicâ_fw-la where_o as_o he_o inform_v we_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr legibus_fw-la it_o be_v copious_o treat_v of_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v know_v that_o excellent_a treatise_n which_o himself_o value_v much_o above_o all_o his_o other_o write_n be_v unfortunate_o perish_v but_o by_o those_o fragment_n that_o be_v remain_v of_o it_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o this_o loss_n have_v be_v competent_o compensated_a by_o the_o learned_a and_o judicious_a treatise_n of_o our_o countryman_n dr._n cumberland_n upon_o this_o argument_n who_o have_v not_o only_o hit_v upon_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o have_v in_o a_o method_n heretofore_o proper_a only_o to_o mathematics_n demonstrate_v its_o obligation_n but_o his_o discourse_n be_v every_o where_o interweave_v with_o mathematical_a logical_a metaphysical_a and_o physiological_a term_n and_o notion_n i_o meet_v with_o very_a few_o that_o have_v be_v able_a to_o master_v its_o sense_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v take_v his_o main_a notion_n alone_o strip_v of_o all_o 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up_o to_o the_o very_a beginning_n that_o if_o it_o have_v not_o the_o beginning_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o it_o can_v never_o have_v have_v any_o tradition_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o suppose_v himself_o as_o near_a to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o he_o be_v to_o the_o reign_n of_o henry_n the_o eight_o and_o then_o to_o consider_v with_o himself_o which_o way_n it_o be_v possible_a that_o there_o shall_v over_o have_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o pretence_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n if_o it_o have_v not_o come_v with_o all_o those_o miraculous_a proof_n of_o divine_a authority_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o and_o that_o i_o hope_v if_o it_o be_v make_v out_o be_v satisfaction_n enough_o to_o any_o reasonable_a nay_o to_o any_o unreasonable_a man._n it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o any_o far_a account_n of_o the_o particular_n of_o my_o argument_n because_o if_o he_o desire_v a_o view_n of_o they_o beforehand_o they_o be_v all_o distinct_o draw_v up_o in_o the_o follow_a scheme_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o several_a section_n where_o all_o the_o chief_a material_n of_o the_o whole_a discourse_n may_v be_v see_v though_o not_o the_o connexion_n of_o its_o part_n with_o each_o other_o i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o say_v but_o only_o to_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o peruse_v the_o whole_a with_o the_o same_o honest_a and_o impartial_a mind_n wherewith_o it_o be_v write_v for_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o that_o i_o have_v give_v the_o cause_n no_o more_o advantage_n than_o that_o have_v give_v i_o and_o as_o i_o may_v challenge_v my_o reader_n be_v honesty_n so_o i_o must_v his_o ingenuity_n too_o viz._n that_o whereas_o i_o have_v build_v my_o whole_a argument_n upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o he_o will_v receive_v every_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o as_o i_o have_v present_v it_o for_o some_o thing_n and_o indeed_o very_o nigh_o all_o that_o i_o have_v urge_v i_o insist_v upon_o as_o undoubted_a record_n and_o demonstrative_a proof_n yet_o some_o few_o there_o be_v that_o i_o have_v only_o propound_v problematical_o and_o have_v assert_v they_o not_o because_o i_o think_v they_o any_o way_n necessary_a to_o the_o argument_n which_o though_o they_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v false_a stand_v unshaken_a upon_o its_o own_o undeniable_a evidence_n but_o because_o i_o think_v they_o more_o than_o probable_a conjecture_n which_o if_o true_a may_v reflect_v some_o little_a glimmer_a light_n upon_o the_o main_a demonstration_n neither_o indeed_o do_v i_o mention_v they_o of_o my_o own_o choice_n or_o urge_v they_o as_o any_o part_n of_o my_o positive_a proof_n but_o only_o bring_v they_o in_o by_o way_n of_o objection_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o humoursome_a singularity_n of_o some_o learned_a man_n who_o of_o late_o affect_v out_o of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o vain_a ostentation_n to_o disparage_v what_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n of_o who_o the_o learned_a mr._n vossius_fw-la thus_o just_o complain_v profecto_fw-la 11._o nullos_fw-la religio_fw-la christiana_n infensiores_fw-la habet_fw-la host_n quam_fw-la ipsos_fw-la christianos_n cum_fw-la vix_fw-la ullum_fw-la apud_fw-la antiquos_fw-la de_fw-la christo_fw-la aut_fw-la vaticinium_fw-la aut_fw-la testimonium_fw-la invenias_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la complures_fw-la etiam_fw-la doctissimi_fw-la viri_fw-la labefactare_fw-la aut_fw-la etiam_fw-la penitus_fw-la evertere_fw-la fuerint_fw-la conati_fw-la the_o christian_a religion_n have_v meet_v with_o no_o enemy_n so_o fierce_a as_o christian_n themselves_o when_o so_o many_o learned_a man_n have_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o discredit_v and_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o destroy_v every_o prophecy_n and_o every_o record_n that_o may_v do_v it_o service_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v with_o regard_n to_o the_o old_a sybilline_a verse_n which_o some_o of_o late_o have_v so_o confident_o reject_v with_o a_o scornful_a reflection_n upon_o the_o credulity_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n though_o beside_o those_o miserable_a slight_a pretence_n that_o they_o have_v for_o their_o confidence_n it_o be_v undeniable_o evident_a from_o the_o very_a book_n themselves_o that_o they_o be_v compose_v by_o some_o body_n out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n so_o that_o these_o critical_a gentleman_n may_v when_o ever_o they_o be_v dispose_v to_o it_o as_o reasonable_o fleer_v at_o the_o original_a prophecy_n as_o at_o these_o translation_n of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v clear_a enough_o as_o to_o all_o those_o passage_n that_o be_v quote_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o that_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o justify_v their_o sincerity_n but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n ingenuous_a or_o indeed_o honest_a to_o load_v their_o credit_n as_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v do_v with_o the_o forgery_n of_o late_a and_o barbarous_a time_n but_o the_o thing_n that_o i_o chief_o intend_v in_o this_o premonition_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o saviour_n the_o reconcile_a he_o with_o saint_n luke_n about_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n the_o testimony_n of_o phlegon_n concern_v the_o eclipse_n at_o the_o passion_n the_o letter_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n to_o tiberius_n the_o therapeutae_n in_o philo_n whether_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o last_o the_o story_n of_o agbarus_n king_n of_o edessa_n all_o which_o i_o first_o intend_v to_o prosecute_v rather_o as_o digression_n than_o as_o any_o direct_a part_n of_o my_o argument_n and_o therefore_o though_o they_o all_o prove_v true_a as_o i_o think_v they_o do_v yet_o i_o care_v not_o to_o lay_v any_o argumentative_a stress_n upon_o they_o because_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o truth_n be_v so_o weak_a and_o dusky_a in_o comparison_n of_o that_o undoubted_a and_o noonday_n certainty_n of_o the_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o i_o have_v found_v my_o demonstration_n but_o find_v a_o fantastic_a and_o unnecessary_a coyness_n in_o our_o great_a professor_n of_o critical_a learning_n against_o the_o forementioned_a particular_n and_o that_o upon_o reason_n very_o far_o short_a of_o that_o great_a confidence_n wherewith_o they_o be_v please_v to_o vote_n they_o down_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v altogether_o unseasonable_a to_o give_v some_o little_a check_n to_o this_o light_n and_o wanton_a humour_n by_o show_v that_o these_o story_n be_v not_o so_o improbable_a as_o these_o man_n will_v force_v we_o to_o believe_v nay_o by_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v very_o good_a and_o authentic_a record_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o they_o have_v be_v able_a to_o object_n against_o they_o as_o for_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n it_o be_v well_o know_v with_o what_o a_o unanimous_a cry_n of_o the_o whole_a pack_n it_o have_v be_v run_v down_o and_o yet_o upon_o such_o lamentable_a pretence_n as_o will_v rather_o amaze_v than_o startle_v any_o man_n to_o consider_v they_o so_o that_o i_o must_v profess_v that_o upon_o the_o utmost_a enquiry_n that_o i_o can_v make_v i_o can_v see_v any_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_v of_o that_o particular_a passage_n more_o than_o of_o any_o other_o in_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o josephus_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o at_o first_o intend_v to_o use_v it_o only_o as_o a_o accessional_a proof_n yet_o it_o do_v more_o service_n than_o i_o expect_v from_o it_o and_o by_o its_o own_o force_n make_v its_o own_o way_n into_o the_o main_a body_n of_o my_o argument_n and_o stand_v there_o as_o unmovable_a as_o any_o other_o testimony_n whatsoever_o the_o reconciliation_n of_o saint_n luke_n and_o josephus_n be_v endeavour_v only_o to_o prevent_v a_o critical_a objection_n for_o though_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v require_v in_o a_o matter_n so_o remote_a and_o in_o a_o time_n of_o so_o much_o variety_n of_o civil_a action_n as_o be_v the_o reign_n of_o augustus_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o time_n and_o circumstance_n of_o every_o particular_a affair_n and_o make_v a_o agreement_n among_o all_o writer_n about_o it_o yet_o when_o both_o these_o story_n may_v be_v make_v to_o run_v clear_a together_o only_o by_o make_v one_o easy_a conjecture_n and_o mend_v one_o obvious_a mistake_n i_o think_v it_o can_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o propose_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n be_v satisfaction_n as_o for_o the_o testimony_n of_o phlegon_n and_o pontius_n pilate_n i_o can_v see_v any_o the_o least_o ground_n of_o call_v the_o truth_n of_o either_o into_o question_n beside_o this_o that_o the_o critic_n have_v get_v the_o itch._n and_o as_o for_o philo_n therapeutae_fw-la be_v christian_n his_o description_n of_o they_o agree_v so_o exact_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o it_o can_v without_o manifest_v violence_n be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o
of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n §_o ii_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o plain_a account_n of_o it_o have_v be_v obscure_v by_o nothing_o more_o then_o that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v describe_v and_o discourse_v of_o in_o metaphorical_a and_o allusive_a expression_n such_o as_o engraving_n and_o inscription_n and_o the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n consist_v of_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o proposition_n that_o be_v imprint_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o concreated_a with_o their_o understanding_n by_o attend_v to_o and_o reflect_v upon_o which_o they_o be_v instruct_v or_o bind_v to_o govern_v their_o moral_a action_n perhaps_o this_o may_v be_v true_a and_o god_n may_v possible_o have_v put_v some_o secret_a notice_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o the_o great_a security_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n in_o the_o world_n but_o then_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n or_o demonstrate_v the_o obligation_n of_o any_o such_o inward_a record_n this_o plain_o resolve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n into_o uncertain_a and_o unaccountable_a principle_n or_o such_o as_o may_v be_v pretend_v and_o when_o they_o be_v aught_o to_o be_v admit_v without_o any_o proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o this_o amount_n to_o no_o more_o than_o all_o the_o idle_a and_o precarious_a pretence_n of_o enthusiasm_n and_o whatsoever_o some_o man_n affirm_v or_o fancy_v to_o be_v write_v upon_o their_o heart_n must_v immediate_o pass_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o man_n action_n and_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n may_v be_v as_o wild_o plead_v in_o all_o case_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v for_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o conscience_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v be_v but_o though_o that_o influence_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o secret_a and_o undiscernible_a impression_n yet_o it_o must_v not_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o warrant_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o any_o undertake_n but_o that_o must_v be_v decide_v by_o the_o common_a and_o avow_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n always_o act_v according_a to_o their_o intendment_n and_o direction_n so_o that_o by_o they_o we_o must_v judge_v of_o its_o impulse_n and_o not_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v determine_v in_o any_o affair_n but_o where_o they_o will_v abet_v or_o justify_v our_o proceed_n whether_o we_o real_o be_v or_o be_v not_o act_v by_o any_o other_o principle_n otherwise_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n of_o moral_a action_n and_o thus_o too_o may_v man_n that_o be_v bold_a and_o confident_a call_v every_o thing_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n or_o fancy_n to_o without_o be_v bind_v to_o give_v any_o proof_n of_o its_o reasonableness_n or_o account_n of_o its_o obligation_n it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o call_v it_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o then_o it_o must_v right_v or_o wrong_n pass_v for_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o mankind_n so_o that_o after_o this_o rate_n there_o will_v remain_v no_o certain_a method_n whereby_o we_o may_v discern_v man_n own_a fancy_n prejudices_fw-la and_o inclination_n from_o the_o true_a dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o natural_a ground_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n and_o therefore_o these_o phrase_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v in_o exact_a propriety_n of_o speech_n but_o only_o in_o a_o loose_a and_o popular_a way_n of_o expression_n and_o so_o they_o be_v intend_v by_o those_o that_o first_o use_v they_o that_o only_o allude_v to_o the_o know_a custom_n and_o solemnity_n of_o enact_v law_n that_o be_v always_o wont_a to_o be_v declare_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o subject_a by_o write_v or_o proclamation_n and_o in_o allusion_n to_o this_o they_o come_v to_o describe_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n by_o the_o voice_n within_o the_o book_n of_o conscience_n the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v as_o certain_o declare_v reasonable_a and_o obligatory_a by_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v write_v upon_o our_o mind_n by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n or_o proclaim_v by_o a_o audible_a voice_n to_o our_o conscience_n however_o though_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o in_o their_o literal_a sense_n and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o know_v we_o may_v yet_o we_o can_v never_o derive_v the_o certainty_n of_o their_o obligation_n from_o such_o uncertain_a supposition_n at_o least_o we_o need_v not_o when_o they_o be_v so_o clear_o demonstrable_a from_o reason_n and_o experience_n from_o the_o observation_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o life_n from_o the_o advantage_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o society_n this_o give_v a_o complete_a and_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o their_o authority_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o they_o may_v come_v to_o a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n and_o understanding_n of_o their_o duty_n by_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o reflection_n without_o any_o other_o declaration_n or_o express_v discovery_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o his_o description_n of_o the_o case_n of_o the_o gentile_n rom._n 2._o 14_o 15._o where_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o describe_v the_o law_n which_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v write_v in_o their_o heart_n in_o allusion_n to_o the_o mosaic_a table_n not_o by_o the_o common_a expression_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d general_a notion_n or_o instinct_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d reason_n or_o such_o evident_a result_v or_o conclusion_n as_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o at_o least_o very_a easy_a for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o make_v from_o its_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o thing_n for_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v no_o other_o object_n to_o exercise_n or_o entertain_v their_o thought_n withal_o but_o what_o nature_n present_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o those_o reason_n of_o their_o conscience_n that_o saint_n paul_n here_o speak_v of_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v deduce_v from_o this_o principle_n and_o no_o other_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n draw_v forth_o into_o use_n and_o bind_v upon_o the_o conscience_n not_o by_o any_o express_a voice_n or_o immediate_a impression_n of_o the_o legislator_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o work_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o the_o unavoidable_a result_v of_o our_o own_o conscience_n that_o as_o long_o as_o we_o act_v sincere_o and_o meditate_v impartial_o upon_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v lead_v we_o into_o some_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o our_o obedience_n there_o be_v no_o man_n so_o desperate_o dull_a and_o stupid_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o perceive_v and_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o problem_n in_o morality_n when_o as_o we_o shall_v prove_v they_o be_v so_o evident_a from_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o nature_n and_o when_o they_o be_v find_v so_o useful_a from_o all_o the_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o humane_a life_n that_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a to_o open_v our_o eye_n or_o to_o look_v abroad_o without_o observe_v their_o goodness_n so_o that_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o person_n to_o live_v without_o any_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n without_o suppose_v such_o a_o brutish_a stupidity_n as_o can_v scarce_o be_v suppose_v incident_a to_o a_o rational_a creature_n but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v choose_v inadvertency_n and_o resolve_v to_o make_v no_o serious_a reflection_n upon_o the_o most_o common_a object_n that_o present_v themselves_o to_o his_o outward_a sense_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o plain_a or_o so_o obvious_a that_o he_o may_v never_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o but_o then_o this_o be_v such_o a_o brutish_a affront_n to_o his_o nature_n such_o a_o affect_a and_o wilful_a sottishness_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o crime_n the_o most_o unnatural_a and_o inexcusable_a it_o be_v indeed_o not_o impossible_a but_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o wretched_o regardless_o of_o all_o thing_n as_o never_o to_o have_v make_v one_o observation_n all_o his_o life-time_n and_o to_o be_v ignorant_a even_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a of_o any_o thing_n be_v big_a than_o a_o part_n of_o it_o but_o then_o nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v plead_v to_o excuse_v such_o a_o palpable_a brutishness_n and_o inadvertency_n and_o all_o the_o world_n will_v impute_v so_o gross_a a_o ignorance_n to_o the_o most_o shameful_a and_o unpardonable_a neglect_n of_o
his_o natural_a ability_n and_o no_o man_n will_v ever_o pretend_v in_o his_o behalf_n that_o he_o want_v sufficient_a mean_n for_o make_v the_o discovery_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a they_o be_v so_o legible_a in_o the_o whole_a contrivance_n and_o all_o the_o appearance_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v and_o preservation_n of_o mankind_n their_o equity_n be_v so_o apparent_a and_o their_o convenience_n so_o obvious_a in_o every_o action_n of_o humane_a life_n that_o no_o man_n can_v reflect_v upon_o any_o thing_n either_o within_o or_o without_o he_o but_o it_o must_v make_v he_o sensible_a of_o their_o obligation_n and_o he_o that_o do_v not_o perceive_v it_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o unconceivable_a stupidity_n as_o the_o man_n that_o shall_v pass_v through_o the_o world_n without_o ever_o know_v that_o twice_o two_o make_v four_o §_o iii_o for_o there_o be_v but_o two_o rule_n 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wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o lay_v any_o thing_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n but_o upon_o the_o firm_a and_o most_o evident_a principle_n when_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o vast_a and_o infinite_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n so_o that_o when_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n it_o be_v but_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n shall_v be_v proportionable_a to_o the_o weight_n and_o value_n of_o its_o importance_n in_o short_a if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o particular_a history_n have_v as_o great_a evidence_n as_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o than_o all_o that_o they_o say_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o it_o have_v as_o much_o proof_n as_o it_o have_v if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o historical_a truth_n have_v as_o much_o certainty_n as_o any_o historical_a truth_n whatsoever_o be_v capable_a of_o then_o why_o shall_v they_o call_v this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n moral_n 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find_v he_o upon_o all_o occasion_n dispute_v with_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o he_o shall_v disperse_v all_o that_o heap_n and_o accumulation_n of_o argument_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n with_o any_o pitiful_a repartee_n that_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v void_a of_o all_o reason_n have_v scarce_o wit_n enough_o to_o tempt_v any_o man_n to_o laugh_v beside_o himself_o now_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o convince_v such_o man_n by_o downright_a dint_n of_o argument_n and_o therefore_o see_v they_o have_v not_o wit_n or_o learning_n enough_o to_o be_v reason_v into_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n i_o shall_v take_v another_o course_n with_o they_o by_o shame_v they_o into_o it_o let_v we_o then_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o consider_v a_o little_a how_o many_o strange_a and_o incredible_a thing_n those_o man_n be_v force_v to_o believe_v that_o be_v resolve_v to_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o here_o immediate_o appear_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o horrid_a and_o ghastly_a incongruity_n as_o be_v enough_o to_o scare_v any_o ingenuous_a man_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n rather_o than_o be_v trouble_v with_o such_o a_o monstrous_a and_o unreasonable_a infidelity_n they_o must_v force_v their_o understanding_n to_o believe_v numberless_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a reason_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o they_o swallow_v not_o single_a absurdity_n but_o every_o article_n of_o their_o unbelief_n be_v pregnant_a with_o swarm_n of_o extravagant_a and_o incredible_a conceit_n §_o iii_o and_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o i_o fhall_v represent_v no_o more_o than_o the_o incredibility_n of_o one_o viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o herein_o i_o follow_v his_o own_o wise_a and_o admirable_a advice_n to_o begin_v the_o demonstration_n of_o
his_o divine_a authority_n from_o the_o undoubted_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o to_o that_o alone_o he_o refer_v we_o as_o the_o last_o and_o most_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o depend_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n not_o only_o of_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o other_o argument_n whereby_o he_o prove_v his_o doctrine_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o we_o find_v he_o so_o often_o injoin_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o publish_v his_o other_o work_n and_o miracle_n till_o after_o his_o resurrection_n thus_o when_o his_o apostle_n have_v declare_v to_o he_o the_o firmness_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n he_o straight_o charge_v they_o matt._n 16._o 20._o that_o they_o shall_v then_o tell_v no_o man_n of_o it_o and_o takes_z occasion_n thence_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o his_o approach_a death_n and_o passion_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o grave_a ascension_n into_o glory_n and_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o great_a miracle_n he_o be_v as_o saint_n paul_n observe_v rom._n 1._o 4._o to_o be_v declare_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n but_o chief_o by_o his_o resurrection_n for_o it_o be_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n elsewhere_o express_v it_o the_o work_n of_o the_o might_n of_o his_o power_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o christ_n when_o the_o father_n of_o glory_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a ephes._n 1._o 19_o and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n immediate_o add_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o forementioned_a discourse_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o there_o be_v those_o here_o present_a that_o shall_v not_o taste_v of_o death_n till_o they_o see_v the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v in_o his_o kingdom_n matt._n 16._o 28._o in_o that_o he_o be_v as_o evident_o declare_v by_o this_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o son_n of_o god_n as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v he_o solemn_o enthrone_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o holy_a angel_n so_o again_o when_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o cast_v out_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o still_o command_v they_o silence_n he_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v too_o much_o notice_n take_v of_o he_o before_o his_o resurrection_n because_o by_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v such_o a_o palpable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n as_o shall_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o all_o his_o former_a miracle_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o have_v take_v his_o three_o chief_a disciple_n to_o behold_v his_o transfiguration_n thereby_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n against_o the_o time_n of_o his_o suffer_v when_o he_o have_v do_v that_o he_o charge_v they_o say_v tell_v the_o vision_n to_o no_o man_n until_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a matt._n 17._o 9_o because_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o will_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o report_n whereas_o till_o then_o man_n will_v be_v very_a difficulty_n persuade_v to_o believe_v such_o prodigious_a and_o unusual_a thing_n though_o after_o that_o and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o apostle_n who_o attest_v it_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o all_o difficult_a to_o yield_v to_o their_o testimony_n that_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o distrust_v it_o and_o therefore_o according_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o their_o faith_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n this_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o all_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n and_o when_o man_n in_o those_o day_n inquire_v after_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o only_a state_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o alone_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o proof_n be_v think_v such_o a_o forcible_a and_o convictive_a confirmation_n that_o it_o supersede_v the_o consideration_n of_o all_o other_o less_o evident_a and_o important_a reason_n and_o where_o this_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o despair_v of_o any_o success_n from_o any_o other_o topic_n and_o principle_n this_o then_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o one_o article_n specify_v according_a to_o the_o method_n before_o propose_v those_o wild_a those_o extravagant_a those_o incredible_a absurdity_n that_o must_v be_v swallow_v upon_o its_o disbelief_n §_o iv._o first_o then_o they_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o both_o will_v and_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n with_o a_o manifest_a lie_n and_o in_o that_o they_o believe_v ten_o thousand_o absurdity_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o credible_a no_o doubt_n that_o man_n endue_v i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n reason_n and_o discretion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o i_o need_v suppose_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n only_o to_o suppose_v they_o possess_v with_o that_o natural_a instinct_n that_o they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o all_o other_o creature_n viz._n love_n of_o life_n and_o desire_n of_o self-preservation_n it_o be_v i_o say_v easy_o credible_a that_o such_o creature_n as_o these_o will_v so_o willing_o so_o wilful_o forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n so_o cheerful_o expose_v themselves_o to_o so_o many_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n so_o many_o reproach_n and_o contumely_n and_o so_o undaunted_o endure_v so_o many_o torture_n and_o misery_n so_o many_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n so_o many_o martyrdom_n and_o persecution_n only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o lewd_a and_o shameless_a imposture_n it_o be_v a_o likely_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n shall_v conspire_v together_o to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o all_o their_o worldly_a interest_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n and_o belief_n to_o a_o palpable_a falsehood_n that_o so_o many_o hundred_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v eye_n witness_n both_o of_o all_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o his_o life-time_n and_o his_o resurrection_n after_o death_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o attest_v a_o false_a report_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n no_o nor_o the_o most_o cruel_a death_n can_v ever_o prevail_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v or_o disow_v their_o testimony_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o though_o not_o very_o usual_a that_o man_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o a_o false_a opinion_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n credible_a that_o they_o shall_v persist_v to_o death_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o a_o false_a testimony_n for_o if_o it_o be_v false_a they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o then_o if_o they_o will_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o its_o truth_n they_o contradict_v the_o first_o instinct_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n for_o nothing_o especial_o when_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o present_a advantage_n in_o the_o lie_n itself_o so_o none_o can_v ensue_v upon_o it_o for_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o expect_v any_o reward_n of_o wealth_n or_o honour_n or_o power_n from_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o extravagant_a and_o a_o proofless_a lie_n nay_o they_o quick_o find_v that_o they_o must_v either_o part_v with_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o life_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o or_o forbear_v to_o spread_v and_o divulge_v the_o fable_n now_o that_o being_n endue_v with_o humane_a nature_n shall_v act_v and_o suffer_v after_o such_o a_o rate_n for_o no_o design_n at_o all_o nay_o against_o the_o design_n of_o all_o design_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o cross_a to_o all_o belief_n that_o i_o may_v challenge_v all_o the_o infidel_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assign_v any_o one_o thing_n that_o be_v more_o incredible_a if_o a_o great_a number_n of_o harmless_a and_o well-meaning_a person_n shall_v offer_v their_o oath_n to_o attest_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o just_o command_v and_o immediate_o overrule_v our_o belief_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o great_a multitude_n will_v seal_v it_o with_o their_o blood_n that_o they_o see_v jesus_n do_v so_o many_o miraculous_a thing_n though_o they_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o never_o see_v he_o do_v any_o one_o of_o they_o they_o be_v certain_o in_o a_o very_a pleasant_a humour_n when_o they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o sacrifice_v both_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n with_o a_o
unprofitable_a cheat_n but_o yet_o however_o one_o will_v think_v rack_n and_o gibbet_n will_v have_v spoil_v the_o frolic_a and_o it_o be_v high_o credible_a that_o any_o man_n but_o much_o more_o these_o man_n who_o have_v give_v we_o no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v their_o integrity_n because_o they_o can_v have_v no_o motive_n to_o forgo_v it_o shall_v prevaricate_v after_o such_o a_o odd_a and_o extravagant_a manner_n with_o mankind_n yes_o and_o themselves_o too_o and_o when_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n so_o apparent_o without_o craft_n and_o without_o design_n without_o advantage_n without_o interest_n have_v give_v the_o world_n the_o most_o unquestionable_a proof_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n as_o to_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o reality_n of_o what_o they_o relate_v after_o all_o this_o what_o wise_a and_o wary_a man_n will_v not_o suspect_v the_o forgery_n and_o disbelieve_v the_o relation_n but_o this_o argument_n i_o find_v prosecute_v by_o eusebius_n with_o extraordinary_a acuteness_n both_o of_o wit_n and_o reason_n suppose_v say_v he_o that_o 3_o our_o saviour_n never_o wrought_v any_o of_o those_o miracle_n that_o be_v unanimous_o report_v of_o he_o by_o his_o disciple_n we_o must_v then_o suppose_v that_o they_o enter_v into_o covenant_n among_o themselves_o after_o this_o manner_n man_n and_o brethren_n what_o that_o seducer_n be_v that_o live_v among_o we_o other_o day_n and_o how_o just_o he_o suffer_v death_n for_o his_o vile_a imposture_n we_o of_o all_o man_n have_v most_o reason_n to_o know_v and_o though_o other_o that_o be_v less_o intimate_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o his_o way_n of_o deceive_a may_v have_v some_o opinion_n of_o his_o worth_n and_o honesty_n yet_o we_o that_o be_v the_o daily_a companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n see_v nothing_o in_o he_o answerable_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o pretence_n but_o that_o his_o whole_a design_n be_v by_o all_o the_o bold_a art_n of_o craft_n and_o hypocrisy_n to_o get_v a_o name_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o one_o and_o all_o join_v hand_n and_o enter_v into_o solemn_a covenant_n among_o ourselves_o to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o this_o impudent_a cheat_n among_o mankind_n and_o to_o fain_o all_o manner_n of_o lie_n for_o its_o confirmation_n to_o swear_v that_o we_o see_v he_o restore_v eye_n to_o the_o blind_a ear_n to_o the_o deaf_a and_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a and_o though_o it_o be_v all_o impudent_o false_a yet_o let_v we_o confident_o report_v it_o nay_o and_o stand_v too_o it_o to_o the_o last_o drop_n of_o our_o blood_n and_o because_o after_o all_o his_o great_a and_o glorious_a pretence_n of_o be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o be_v at_o last_o execute_v as_o a_o vile_a malefactor_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n we_o must_v agree_v among_o ourselves_o upon_o some_o lie_n to_o wipe_v off_o this_o disgrace_n let_v we_o therefore_o resolve_v to_o affirm_v with_o a_o undaunted_a impudence_n that_o after_o he_o be_v thus_o dishonourable_o crucify_a the_o three_o day_n he_o arise_v again_o and_o often_o converse_v with_o we_o in_o the_o same_o familiar_a way_n as_o he_o have_v always_o do_v before_o his_o execution_n but_o then_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o stand_v unalterable_o to_o the_o impudence_n of_o the_o lie_n and_o to_o persevere_v to_o death_n itself_o in_o its_o assertion_n for_o what_o absurdity_n be_v there_o in_o throw_v away_o our_o life_n for_o nothing_o and_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n think_v it_o hard_o to_o suffer_v stripe_n rack_n bond_n imprisonment_n reproach_n dishonur_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o let_v we_o therefore_o unanimous_o and_o vigorous_o set_v ourselves_o to_o the_o design_n and_o with_o one_o consent_n agree_v to_o report_v such_o impudent_a falsehood_n as_o be_v of_o no_o advantage_n either_o to_o ourselves_o or_o to_o those_o we_o deceive_v or_o to_o he_o for_o who_o sake_n we_o deceive_v neither_o let_v we_o be_v content_a to_o propagate_v this_o lie_n only_o among_o our_o own_o countryman_n but_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o spread_v it_o through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n impose_v new_a law_n upon_o all_o nation_n overthrow_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n command_v the_o roman_n to_o quit_v the_o god_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o greek_n to_o renounce_v the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o philosopher_n and_o the_o egyptian_n the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o their_o superstition_n neither_o will_v we_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o overthrow_v these_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o most_o polite_a and_o most_o powerful_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o force_n of_o learning_n or_o wit_n or_o eloquence_n but_o by_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o our_o crucify_a master_n neither_o will_v we_o stop_v here_o but_o we_o will_v travel_v to_o all_o barbarous_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n reverse_v all_o their_o ancient_a law_n and_o command_v their_o obedience_n to_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o this_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o go_v through_o with_o a_o undaunted_a courage_n and_o resolution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a reward_n that_o we_o expect_v for_o our_o impudence_n nor_o be_v it_o for_o vulgar_a crown_n and_o trophy_n that_o we_o engage_v ourselves_o in_o such_o hard_a and_o hazardous_a enterprise_n no_o no_o we_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o the_o utmost_a severity_n of_o the_o law_n in_o all_o place_n wherever_o we_o come_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v we_o deserve_v it_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a settlement_n only_o to_o establish_v a_o ridiculous_a cheat_n and_o imposture_n but_o for_o this_o who_o will_v not_o endure_v all_o the_o torment_n in_o the_o world_n burn_v hang_a behead_v crucify_a and_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n all_o which_o we_o must_v as_o we_o will_v secure_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o impostor_n encounter_n with_o a_o cheerful_a and_o resolve_a mind_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o praiseworthy_a than_o to_o abuse_v god_n and_o affront_n mankind_n to_o no_o purpose_n and_o to_o reap_v no_o other_o benefit_n from_o all_o our_o labour_n beside_o the_o pleasure_n of_o vain_a foolish_a and_o unprofitable_a lie_v and_o for_o that_o alone_o will_v we_o blaspheme_v all_o the_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o gain_v worship_n to_o a_o crucify_a malefactor_n nay_o we_o will_v lay_v down_o our_o life_n for_o his_o reputation_n notwithstanding_o that_o we_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o impudent_a impostor_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o we_o honour_v he_o so_o high_o because_o he_o have_v put_v such_o a_o dishonourable_a abuse_n upon_o ourselves_o who_o will_v not_o do_v or_o suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o so_o vile_a a_o man_n who_o will_v not_o undergo_v all_o manner_n of_o suffering_n for_o a_o cause_n that_o himself_o know_v to_o be_v mere_a falsehood_n and_o forgery_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o constant_o to_o the_o last_o breath_n aver_v that_o he_o raise_v the_o dead_a cleanse_a leper_n cast_v out_o devil_n and_o wrought_v all_o manner_n of_o miracle_n though_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o the_o gross_a falsehood_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n that_o we_o have_v mere_o forge_v out_o of_o our_o own_o brain_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o deceive_v as_o many_o as_o we_o can_v and_o if_o people_n will_v not_o be_v deceive_v yet_o however_o we_o shall_v sometime_o or_o other_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o suffering_n and_o perhaps_o of_o die_v for_o a_o unprofitable_a lie_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n credible_a that_o man_n shall_v discourse_v and_o act_n after_o such_o a_o extravagant_a rate_n as_o this_o or_o that_o humane_a nature_n that_o have_v above_o all_o other_o creature_n a_o high_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o life_n and_o self_n preservation_n shall_v thrust_v itself_o upon_o a_o voluntary_a death_n without_o any_o motive_n or_o any_o reward_n or_o if_o they_o shall_v that_o when_o so_o great_a a_o multitude_n have_v agree_v among_o themselves_o to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o frantic_a design_n they_o shall_v all_o persevere_v in_o the_o lie_n to_o the_o very_a death_n and_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o all_o the_o threaten_n and_o all_o the_o slattery_n in_o the_o world_n to_o betray_v the_o plot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o their_o testimony_n be_v not_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o require_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n against_o infidelity_n than_o only_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v men._n and_o that_o certain_o be_v as_o modest_a and_o moderate_a a_o postulatum_fw-la as_o can_v be_v premise_v to_o any_o question_n and_o yet_o that_o only_o be_v
when_o they_o be_v quote_v as_o such_o by_o those_o person_n that_o live_v next_o and_o immediate_o after_o they_o and_o have_v pass_v from_o the_o very_a first_o age_n through_o all_o age_n downward_o with_o a_o unquestionable_a authority_n there_o be_v no_o possible_a account_n to_o be_v give_v how_o they_o shall_v first_o come_v by_o it_o and_o then_o for_o ever_o after_o retain_v it_o unless_o they_o be_v for_o certain_a the_o work_v of_o those_o man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v thus_o particular_o saint_n matthew'_v gospel_n be_v quote_v by_o clemens_n of_o rome_n a_o familiar_a of_o saint_n paul_n by_o ignatius_n by_o policarp_n by_o papias_n the_o disciple_n of_o saint_n john_n not_o to_o mention_n justin_n martyr_n athenagoras_n irenaeus_n and_o all_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o age_n next_o after_o the_o apostle_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o first_o either_o this_o gospel_n be_v write_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o not_o how_o can_v it_o be_v cite_v by_o those_o that_o be_v their_o contemporary_n second_o the_o thing_n report_v in_o it_o be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o true_a then_o so_o be_v the_o gospel_n too_o if_o false_a than_o it_o have_v destroy_v its_o own_o credit_n by_o publish_v know_v falsehood_n for_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o forge_v a_o story_n act_v in_o former_a time_n without_o discovery_n and_o contradiction_n yet_o to_o make_v a_o forgery_n of_o so_o wonderful_a a_o transaction_n as_o be_v the_o history_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n so_o near_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v act_v and_o that_o without_o control_v or_o contradiction_n nay_o with_o full_a credit_n and_o undoubted_a authority_n as_o appear_v by_o these_o apostolical_a man_n unanimous_a testimony_n be_v if_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n absurd_a and_o incredible_a enough_o to_o make_v up_o another_o article_n of_o infidelity_n three_o either_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o saint_n matthew_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o eye_n witness_v that_o converse_v with_o our_o saviour_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v thrust_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o age_n and_o gain_v so_o unquestionable_a a_o authority_n with_o those_o man_n that_o converse_v either_o with_o he_o or_o with_o his_o companion_n and_o now_o if_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o one_o gospel_n that_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o that_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o it_o be_v here_o record_v viz._n the_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v believe_v as_o they_o be_v here_o record_v be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divinity_n the_o same_o account_n i_o may_v give_v of_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o that_o they_o be_v receive_v from_o the_o begin_n as_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o be_v only_o to_o repeat_v the_o same_o argument_n so_o many_o time_n over_o and_o therefore_o suppose_v the_o same_o ancient_a testimony_n concern_v they_o as_o we_o have_v concern_v saint_n matthew_n i_o shall_v leave_v the_o reader_n to_o apply_v the_o same_o argument_n that_o i_o have_v urge_v concern_v he_o neither_o do_v i_o this_o only_a to_o avoid_v needless_a repetition_n but_o because_o it_o have_v be_v often_o do_v by_o other_o hand_n particular_o by_o eusebius_n of_o old_a and_o huetius_n of_o late_a who_o have_v vouch_v every_o book_n by_o itself_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o early_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o as_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o have_v rather_o refer_v to_o they_o than_o transcribe_v they_o though_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o argument_n be_v of_o the_o same_o force_n in_o every_o one_o as_o it_o be_v in_o saint_n matthew_n gospel_n §_o ix_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o few_o book_n be_v for_o a_o good_a time_n doubt_v of_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o second_o of_o saint_n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o then_o first_o suppose_v their_o authority_n be_v still_o questionable_a the_o christian_a faith_n can_v subsist_v very_o well_o without_o they_o by_o the_o remain_a authority_n of_o those_o that_o be_v never_o question_v and_o though_o they_o be_v very_o useful_a and_o excellent_a discourse_n yet_o have_v they_o little_a peculiar_a in_o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o apostolical_a write_n and_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o matter_n aright_o though_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o only_o pious_a discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o be_v write_v occasional_o either_o to_o exhort_v we_o to_o a_o effectual_a belief_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o trial_n and_o persecution_n or_o to_o allay_v schism_n and_o contention_n or_o to_o confute_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v before_o firm_o lay_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n doctrine_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o that_o of_o the_o historical_a book_n that_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v suppose_v true_a they_o warrant_v both_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n that_o only_o deduce_v those_o proper_a and_o natural_a conclusion_n that_o flow_v from_o their_o premise_n nay_o far_o it_o be_v not_o primary_o necessary_a to_o christianity_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v dictate_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o historical_a book_n be_v good_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o design_n of_o his_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v pious_a discourse_n consonant_n with_o and_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o christianity_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o seem_v to_o lie_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o work_n he_o pretend_v to_o come_v about_o by_o divine_a commission_n for_o god_n have_v set_v several_a hypothesis_n of_o providence_n on_o work_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o end_n and_o perfection_n at_o last_o design_v this_o as_o the_o most_o complete_a model_n of_o all_o virtue_n goodness_n and_o morality_n so_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n both_o do_v and_o teach_v be_v true_o record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o his_o historian_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o another_o score_n in_o that_o we_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o all_o those_o write_n be_v inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o than_o that_o we_o know_v only_o from_o the_o write_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o their_o truth_n must_v be_v suppose_v antecedent_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o that_o be_v suppose_v our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n be_v thereby_o prove_v and_o that_o be_v prove_v that_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o second_o if_o those_o few_o book_n be_v so_o long_o debate_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n that_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a care_n and_o caution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o belief_n in_o that_o it_o will_v not_o light_o receive_v any_o book_n till_o it_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o its_o be_v authentic_a and_o therefore_o its_o long_a doubtfulness_n and_o disputation_n about_o these_o book_n clear_v it_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o rashness_n and_o credulity_n as_o to_o those_o that_o she_o always_o own_a with_o a_o full_a and_o unanimous_a approbation_n three_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dispute_v book_n relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o their_o antiquity_n as_o their_o author_n and_o they_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o question_n because_o they_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o because_o it_o seem_v uncertain_a by_o who_o they_o be_v then_o write_v thus_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n some_o attribute_n to_o saint_n paul_n some_o to_o saint_n luke_n some_o to_o barnabas_n some_o to_o clemens_n but_o if_o it_o
but_o beside_o this_o grand_a absurdity_n of_o wilful_o deceive_v themselves_o to_o no_o purpose_n nay_o against_o all_o the_o forementioned_a inconvenience_n they_o must_v be_v so_o far_o beside_o themselves_o that_o when_o they_o have_v abuse_v themselves_o with_o a_o proofless_a tale_n they_o shall_v join_v their_o zcal_n to_o the_o first_o impostor_n for_o propagate_a the_o cheat_n to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o their_o fortune_n and_o hazard_n of_o their_o life_n and_o that_o such_o vast_a number_n of_o they_o shall_v with_o such_o unheard_a of_o courage_n and_o constancy_n endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a pain_n and_o suffer_v all_o kind_n of_o death_n either_o without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o which_o they_o suffer_v or_o suffer_v for_o it_o after_o that_o rate_n without_o any_o satisfactory_a evidence_n of_o it_o here_o in_o short_a we_o must_v believe_v that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n publish_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v shall_v find_v such_o a_o universal_a entertainment_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n without_o any_o the_o least_o rational_a proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n a_o doctrine_n the_o truth_n whereof_o depend_v entire_o upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v false_a it_o can_v not_o then_o have_v escape_v confutation_n and_o unless_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a can_v never_o have_v obtain_v any_o belief_n a_o doctrine_n so_o unkind_a to_o the_o vicious_a custom_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o age_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o man_n and_o the_o establish_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n so_o unpleasing_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n so_o hate_v and_o so_o full_a of_o danger_n that_o when_o this_o doctrine_n be_v publish_v by_o such_o person_n man_n of_o mean_a education_n void_a of_o graft_n or_o learning_n or_o eloquence_n they_o shall_v without_o any_o other_o help_n than_o bare_o tell_v a_o false_a story_n persuade_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n to_o forsake_v the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v and_o without_o any_o hope_n of_o profit_n nay_o with_o a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o life_n yes_o and_o death_n itself_o to_o embrace_v this_o new_a this_o despise_a this_o hate_a this_o persecute_a forgery_n last_o that_o great_a number_n both_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n that_o live_v in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o it_o shall_v after_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o so_o late_a and_o palpable_a a_o fiction_n but_o hazard_n nay_o lose_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n in_o its_o defence_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o primitive_a convert_v as_o i_o come_v now_o to_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o review_n of_o particular_n §_o xviii_o now_o as_o for_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o speedy_a entertainment_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n that_o it_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v suppose_v than_o prove_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n like_o the_o sun_n enlighten_v all_o the_o world_n at_o once_o and_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n both_o from_o city_n and_o village_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n preach_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n like_o corn_n crowd_v into_o a_o granary_n and_o they_o who_o have_v be_v long_o enslave_v to_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o their_o ancestor_n be_v set_v at_o liberty_n by_o the_o preach_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o renounce_v that_o rout_n of_o false_a god_n that_o the_o merciless_a daemon_n have_v introduce_v into_o the_o heathen_a world_n return_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a one_o true_a god_n the_o great_a creator_n of_o all_o thing_n so_o when_o celsus_n object_n the_o novelty_n of_o christianity_n origen_n answer_v that_o there_o 68_o lie_v the_o wonder_n that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n a_o new_a doctrine_n shall_v so_o strange_o prevail_v over_o all_o the_o world_n conquer_v both_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a all_o rank_n and_o profession_n of_o man_n and_o possess_v they_o with_o so_o firm_a a_o belief_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n as_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o seal_v their_o faith_n with_o their_o blood_n a_o thing_n that_o be_v never_o do_v for_o any_o opinion_n in_o the_o world_n before_o and_o so_o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o conference_n with_o trypho_n the_o jew_n affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o 345._o part_n of_o mankind_n greek_n or_o barbarian_n nay_o not_o those_o wild_a and_o uncivilized_a people_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o live_v without_o house_n and_o city_n among_o who_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n be_v not_o make_v to_o the_o father_n and_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n it_o be_v a_o excellent_a passage_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 502._o six_o book_n of_o collection_n the_o philosopher_n say_v he_o please_v the_o greek_n alone_o neither_o do_v every_o one_o please_v all_o plato_n follow_v socrates_n xenocrates_n plato_n theophrastus_n aristotle_n cleanthes_n zeno_n every_o master_n have_v his_o own_o particular_a school_n and_o scholar_n but_o our_o great_a master_n philosophy_n be_v not_o confine_v as_o they_o be_v to_o their_o own_o country_n within_o judaea_n alone_o but_o spread_v itself_o over_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o be_v entertain_v by_o whole_a city_n and_o nation_n both_o of_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n it_o bear_v away_o whole_a family_n and_o village_n and_o no_o single_a person_n can_v resist_v its_o force_n that_o will_v but_o give_v himself_o leave_v to_o hear_v its_o wisdom_n insomuch_o that_o it_o gain_v over_o many_o of_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o and_o if_o any_o magistrate_n do_v any_o where_o suppress_v the_o grecian_a philosophy_n it_o soon_o vanish_v whereas_o our_o institution_n from_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o it_o have_v be_v every_o where_o persecute_v by_o king_n and_o emperor_n and_o tyrant_n by_o presect_v of_o province_n by_o commander_n of_o army_n and_o which_o be_v more_o furious_a than_o all_o the_o rest_n by_o the_o multitude_n these_o have_v join_v all_o their_o power_n and_o their_o malice_n utter_o to_o extirpate_v our_o religion_n but_o still_o it_o flourish_v more_o and_o more_o and_o do_v not_o wither_v away_o as_o it_o must_v have_v do_v have_v it_o be_v a_o mere_a humane_a invention_n but_o it_o stand_v invincible_a as_o the_o power_n of_o god_n that_o nothing_o can_v restrain_v or_o alter_v and_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o that_o all_o its_o follower_n must_v suffer_v persecution_n and_o tertullian_n assure_v the_o senate_n of_o rome_n that_o the_o christian_n have_v fill_v all_o place_n and_o 37._o all_o office_n that_o they_o be_v of_o strength_n enough_o to_o master_v the_o roman_a empire_n nay_o that_o so_o great_a be_v their_o number_n that_o if_o they_o will_v but_o agree_v to_o retire_v out_o of_o it_o the_o world_n will_v stand_v amaze_v at_o its_o own_o solitude_n and_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o jew_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o enlarge_v 7._o its_o conquest_n beyond_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o it_o subdue_v those_o place_n that_o be_v inaccessible_a to_o their_o army_n and_o reckon_v up_o multitude_n of_o people_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n to_o the_o other_o that_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v arnobius_n challenge_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n methinks_v 2._o say_v he_o this_o shall_v not_o a_o 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to_o set_v about_o such_o a_o undertake_n to_o reverse_v all_o the_o ancient_a law_n and_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o introduce_v every_o where_o not_o only_o a_o different_a but_o a_o contrary_a state_n of_o thing_n these_o thing_n say_v he_o if_o they_o shall_v have_v object_v he_o can_v have_v return_v they_o no_o other_o answer_n have_v he_o not_o prevent_v the_o objection_n by_o the_o promise_n of_o his_o miraculous_a assistance_n and_o therefore_o when_o they_o be_v obedient_a to_o his_o command_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v already_o by_o his_o divine_a work_n convince_v of_o his_o divine_a authority_n for_o that_o they_o believe_v in_o he_o must_v be_v grant_v in_o that_o they_o so_o ready_o obey_v he_o in_o a_o little_a time_n leave_v their_o own_o native_a country_n to_o instruct_v the_o world_n in_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n and_o soon_o see_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o divine_a assistance_n not_o only_o make_v good_a but_o abundant_o exceed_v by_o 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to_o forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o that_o way_n of_o worship_n that_o have_v be_v use_v as_o they_o believe_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o a_o company_n of_o mean_a and_o ignorant_a mechanic_n and_o a_o crucify_a malefactor_n who_o notwithstanding_o his_o contemptible_a life_n and_o dishonourable_a death_n will_v bear_v himself_o out_o as_o the_o only_a son_n of_o god_n while_o say_v he_o i_o revolve_v these_o thing_n in_o my_o mind_n and_o consider_v the_o improbability_n of_o the_o story_n in_o itself_o i_o can_v imagine_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a mere_o by_o their_o own_o bare_a report_n to_o prevail_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o any_o one_o man._n and_o yet_o when_o i_o reflect_v upon_o the_o strange_a effect_n of_o their_o endeavour_n and_o that_o such_o despicable_a person_n as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o shall_v prevail_v upon_o such_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o man_n and_o that_o not_o in_o barbarous_a and_o obscure_a place_n only_o but_o in_o the_o most_o famous_a city_n of_o rome_n alexandria_n antiochia_n nay_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n i_o be_o force_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o rational_a account_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o event_n and_o find_v that_o nothing_o can_v ever_o have_v bring_v it_o about_o but_o a_o manifest_a divine_a power_n whereby_o they_o be_v able_a when_o they_o please_v as_o we_o find_v in_o their_o record_n to_o work_v miracle_n and_o that_o alone_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o vanquish_v and_o subdue_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o their_o authority_n for_o when_o they_o see_v their_o miracle_n they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v by_o what_o mean_v they_o wrought_v such_o effect_n and_o when_o they_o be_v tell_v that_o they_o be_v empower_v by_o jesus_n and_o do_v whatever_o they_o do_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o authority_n that_o alone_a overrule_v their_o mind_n and_o without_o 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impossible_a for_o man_n to_o withstand_v so_o clear_a a_o demonstration_n of_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o so_o proper_o convert_v the_o world_n by_o their_o preach_v as_o by_o their_o action_n whilst_o they_o perform_v such_o thing_n as_o though_o they_o themselves_o have_v never_o open_v their_o mind_n proclaim_v their_o divine_a commission_n and_o when_o people_n be_v once_o convince_v of_o that_o little_a persuasion_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n to_o engage_v they_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o by_o their_o work_n they_o have_v already_o prove_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n and_o this_o if_o we_o consult_v the_o apostolical_a history_n be_v the_o usual_a method_n of_o their_o proceed_n first_o to_o show_v a_o miracle_n and_o then_o to_o declare_v its_o meaning_n thus_o the_o first_o time_n that_o they_o appear_v in_o public_a after_o their_o commission_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v at_o the_o great_a festival_n of_o pentecost_n when_o proselyte_n of_o all_o nation_n resort_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o who_o they_o preach_v in_o their_o several_a language_n and_o this_o be_v noise_v abroad_o that_o a_o few_o illiterate_a fisherman_n be_v all_o on_o a_o sudden_a inspire_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o speak_v all_o the_o language_n of_o the_o know_a and_o habitable_a world_n curiosity_n bring_v great_a multitude_n to_o hear_v they_o and_o when_o the_o multitude_n be_v convince_v of_o and_o amaze_v at_o the_o miracle_n than_o be_v it_o a_o proper_a time_n for_o saint_n peter_n to_o begin_v his_o sermon_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n and_o prove_v it_o by_o their_o own_o testimony_n this_o jesus_n have_v god_n 32._o raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o be_v all_o witness_n that_o be_v we_o that_o be_v as_o you_o see_v endue_v with_o this_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o speak_v all_o language_n in_o order_n to_o our_o preach_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n to_o all_o 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of_o he_o upon_o his_o 9_o knee_n to_o make_v he_o emperor_n to_o who_o apollonius_n with_o the_o state_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o god_n answer_v i_o have_v make_v thou_o so_o viz._n by_o my_o interest_n with_o the_o god_n and_o he_o so_o far_o gratify_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o man_n as_o to_o seem_v to_o receive_v the_o empire_n at_o his_o hand_n and_o thus_o be_v he_o assure_v of_o his_o empire_n by_o man_n of_o great_a reputation_n for_o both_o religion_n for_o as_o there_o be_v no_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v compare_v to_o josephus_n for_o knowledge_n and_o learning_n in_o the_o antiquity_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n so_o apollonius_n be_v then_o the_o most_o famous_a and_o renown_a saint_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o heathen_a religion_n now_o whilst_o he_o stay_v at_o alexandria_n a_o blind_a and_o a_o lame_a man_n be_v warn_v so_o to_o do_v by_o the_o god_n serapis_n address_v themselves_o to_o he_o for_o a_o cure_n and_o obtain_v it_o so_o that_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n by_o itself_o it_o look_v so_o like_a fraud_n and_o flattery_n as_o to_o betray_v itself_o for_o the_o report_n of_o his_o have_v be_v abuse_v into_o the_o conceit_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n in_o judaea_n be_v probable_o come_v to_o alexandria_n where_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n reside_v it_o be_v likely_a that_o they_o will_v not_o come_v short_a of_o their_o countryman_n in_o do_v honour_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o so_o put_v these_o two_o counterfeit_n upon_o the_o design_n and_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o such_o dissemble_a cripple_n to_o be_v have_v in_o great_a city_n for_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o come_v shall_v among_o other_o miracle_n cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a they_o think_v it_o a_o acceptable_a piece_n of_o flattery_n thus_o to_o waylay_v his_o ambition_n or_o rather_o this_o design_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o egyptian_n a_o fawn_a crafty_a and_o flatter_a sort_n of_o people_n but_o 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out_o the_o design_n of_o the_o compliment_n now_o what_o wise_a man_n can_v compare_v this_o one_o theatrical_a piece_n of_o court-flattery_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o mere_a suspicion_n of_o these_o pretend_a cripple_n be_v counterfeit_v at_o least_o the_o absolute_a uncertainty_n of_o it_o destroy_v its_o credit_n whereas_o the_o impossibility_n of_o suspect_v any_o fraud_n or_o flattery_n in_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v a_o undoubted_a demonstration_n of_o their_o reality_n beside_o that_o the_o emperor_n be_v assure_v by_o the_o physician_n that_o the_o man_n be_v not_o pass_v a_o natural_a cure_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n most_o whereof_o be_v do_v upon_o person_n natural_o incurable_a but_o to_o wave_v this_o i_o can_v give_v so_o much_o credit_n to_o a_o story_n that_o smell_v so_o rank_o of_o imposture_n as_o to_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o compare_v it_o as_o he_o find_v it_o under_o so_o many_o disadvantage_n of_o suspicion_n with_o the_o credibility_n of_o all_o those_o motive_n of_o belief_n that_o we_o have_v produce_v for_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o his_o own_o ingenuity_n to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o oppose_v one_o story_n so_o miserable_o suspicious_a to_o a_o thousand_o other_o guard_v with_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o proof_n against_o all_o possible_a cavil_n and_o exception_n §_o xxvii_o but_o the_o man_n of_o wonder_n be_v apollonius_n tyanaeus_n of_o who_o they_o boast_v and_o insult_v as_o the_o true_a heathen_a messiah_n in_o that_o he_o wrought_v not_o as_o vespasian_n do_v one_o or_o two_o chance_n miracle_n but_o his_o whole_a life_n be_v all_o prodigy_n and_o equal_a to_o our_o saviour_n both_o for_o the_o number_n and_o the_o wonder_n of_o his_o work_n but_o here_o first_o we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o show_v what_o undoubted_a record_n we_o have_v of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n whereas_o all_o the_o credit_n of_o apollonius_n his_o history_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o single_a man_n who_o beside_o that_o he_o live_v a_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o venture_v nothing_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o confirmation_n of_o its_o truth_n but_o only_o compose_v it_o in_o his_o study_n thereby_o as_o appear_v from_o his_o frequent_a digression_n to_o take_v occasion_n of_o communicate_v all_o the_o learning_n he_o have_v rake_v together_o to_o the_o world_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o incur_v any_o loss_n by_o the_o work_n that_o he_o be_v set_v upon_o it_o by_o a_o great_a empress_n who_o religious_a zeal_n in_o the_o cause_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o see_v he_o well_o reward_v and_o though_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o commentary_n of_o damis_n the_o inseparable_a companion_n of_o apollonius_n yet_o he_o confess_v that_o damis_n himself_o never_o publish_v his_o own_o commentary_n but_o that_o a_o friend_n of_o damis_n communicate_v they_o to_o the_o empress_n which_o himself_o may_v probable_o have_v forge_v as_o be_v common_a in_o court_n to_o pick_v her_o pocket_n however_o as_o for_o damis_n himself_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o philostratus_n his_o whole_a story_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a simple_a man_n and_o that_o apollonius_n only_o pick_v he_o up_o as_o a_o fit_a sancho_n panche_n to_o exercise_v his_o wit_n upon_o so_o that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n we_o find_v he_o not_o only_o baffle_v the_o esquire_n in_o dispute_n but_o break_v jest_n upon_o he_o which_o he_o always_o take_v with_o much_o thankfulness_n and_o more_o humility_n still_o admire_v his_o master_n wisdom_n but_o much_o more_o his_o wit._n but_o after_o all_o what_o the_o story_n of_o damis_n be_v or_o whether_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o story_n we_o have_v no_o account_n unless_o from_o philostratus_n himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v resolve_v it_o all_o into_o his_o authority_n alone_o and_o there_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o god_n nor_o a_o divine_a man_n as_o his_o friend_n boast_v nor_o a_o magician_n or_o conjurer_n as_o his_o enemy_n imagine_v but_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a and_o pedantic_a pythagorean_n that_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o sect_n travel_v as_o many_o other_o have_v do_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o he_o return_v home_o tell_v his_o countryman_n that_o all_o man_n renown_v for_o wisdom_n all_o the_o world_n over_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o then_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o authority_n tell_v strange_a and_o prodigious_a tale_n of_o their_o wonder-working_a power_n though_o here_o either_o he_o or_o his_o historian_n have_v acquit_v himself_o so_o awkardly_a as_o utter_o to_o spoil_v the_o tale_n and_o defeat_v the_o design_n this_o eusebius_n have_v 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this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v safe_o convey_v by_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o i_o choose_v to_o exemplify_v this_o thing_n in_o this_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o because_o of_o its_o great_a pre-eminence_n and_o resort_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o which_o account_n its_o tradition_n must_v needs_o be_v more_o public_a and_o better_o know_v the_o bless_a apostle_n therefore_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v the_o oversight_n of_o it_o to_o linus_n of_o who_o saint_n paul_n make_v mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n to_o he_o succeed_v anacletus_fw-la then_o clemens_n who_o familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o sound_v in_o his_o ear_n and_o their_o tradition_n before_o his_o eye_n in_o who_o time_n there_o happen_v a_o great_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o allay_v which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n direct_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n will_v produce_v policarp_n place_v there_o by_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o saint_n peter_n and_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n they_o show_v you_o the_o man_n that_o be_v settle_v in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o convey_v down_o their_o doctrine_n to_o posterity_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n 36._o its_o possession_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o for_o this_o you_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o your_o salvation_n may_v travel_v over_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o the_o very_a seat_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n preside_v be_v still_o remain_v where_o their_o own_o authentic_a letter_n be_v still_o extant_a do_v you_o live_v in_o or_o near_a to_o achaia_n go_v to_o corinth_n in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n or_o thessalonica_n in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_z in_o italy_n to_o rome_n and_o this_o certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v
to_o their_o vow_n but_o one_o of_o the_o priest_n a_o recabite_n say_v hegesippus_n interpose_v to_o save_v james_n from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o people_n but_o this_o say_v scaliger_n can_v not_o be_v for_o the_o recabite_n be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o so_o uncapable_a of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o if_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o either_o have_v be_v exact_o observe_v at_o that_o time_n especial_o of_o the_o priesthood_n when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a those_o office_n even_o of_o the_o high-priesthood_n itself_o be_v entire_o dispose_v of_o by_o their_o governor_n who_o at_o pleasure_n put_v they_o in_o and_o out_o as_o they_o do_v any_o other_o officer_n of_o state_n but_o they_o place_v he_o say_v hegesippus_n on_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n whither_o great_a number_n of_o the_o people_n go_v up_o to_o cast_v he_o down_o which_o say_v scaliger_n they_o can_v not_o do_v because_o it_o be_v as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o so_o very_o thick_o set_v with_o point_a iron_n as_o to_o keep_v the_o bird_n from_o settle_v upon_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v probable_a the_o great_a and_o high_a battlement_n of_o all_o be_v but_o it_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v in_o the_o least_o probable_a that_o james_n shall_v be_v place_v there_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n when_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v hear_v from_o so_o great_a a_o height_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v dash_v apiece_o when_o he_o be_v cast_v thence_o instead_o of_o fall_v alive_a upon_o his_o knee_n as_o the_o historian_n report_v and_o therefore_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v any_o cover_n or_o battlement_n must_v have_v be_v some_o low_a frame_n of_o building_n from_o which_o he_o may_v be_v most_o convenient_o hear_v of_o the_o people_n now_o as_o from_o these_o objection_n say_v scaliger_n we_o may_v learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o hegesippus_n so_o say_v i_o from_o these_o reply_v to_o they_o may_v we_o learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o scaliger_n that_o upon_o such_o poor_a surmise_n as_o these_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o destroy_v and_o vilify_v the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o now_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n be_v full_o vindicated_n it_o do_v not_o only_o make_v good_a his_o own_o testimony_n but_o of_o all_o other_o that_o be_v record_v in_o his_o history_n between_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o his_o own_o and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o his_o account_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n go_v a_o great_a way_n for_o next_o to_o james_n the_o just_a he_o inform_v we_o that_o simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n and_o cousin_n german_n to_o our_o lord_n succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o sit_v there_o till_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v martyrdom_n only_o for_o the_o old_a jealousy_n of_o vespasian_n and_o domitian_n of_o be_v of_o the_o line_n of_o david_n and_o so_o a_o rival_n to_o the_o empire_n so_o that_o here_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o that_o time_n by_o as_o short_a a_o succession_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o clement_n and_o from_o clement_n to_o dionysius_n and_o in_o the_o asian_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n by_o policarp_n to_o pothinus_n and_o irenaeus_n §_o xxxiii_o next_o to_o hegesippus_n follow_v justin_n martyr_n though_o have_v not_o the_o other_o be_v a_o historian_n he_o may_v as_o be_v somewhat_o his_o senior_n have_v go_v before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n about_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o within_o eight_o year_n after_o address_v a_o excellent_a apology_n to_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o afterward_o a_o second_o to_o m._n aurelius_n his_o son_n and_o successor_n he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o eminent_a part_n and_o learning_n the_o most_o judicious_a philosopher_n of_o his_o time_n that_o have_v survey_v all_o the_o tenet_n of_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o study_v all_o kind_n of_o useful_a learning_n for_o the_o settlement_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o school_n of_o the_o stoic_n the_o peripatetic_n the_o pythagorean_n and_o the_o platonist_n of_o which_o himself_o have_v give_v a_o pleasant_a account_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o be_v at_o last_o advise_v by_o a_o unknown_a grave_a old_a man_n that_o meet_v he_o in_o his_o retire_a walk_n to_o consider_v the_o christian_a philosophy_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o apply_v himself_o but_o he_o find_v it_o the_o only_a certain_a and_o satisfactory_a philosophy_n in_o short_a he_o be_v such_o a_o proficient_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n that_o his_o own_o write_n make_v good_a photius_n his_o character_n of_o he_o that_o as_o he_o be_v admirable_o furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o read_v and_o history_n so_o he_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o perfection_n both_o of_o the_o christian_a and_o heathen_a philosophy_n and_o therefore_o immediate_o after_o his_o conversion_n give_v a_o learned_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o gentile_a religion_n as_o afterward_o in_o his_o apology_n and_o his_o other_o write_n he_o do_v of_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n both_o from_o the_o undoubted_a miracle_n that_o in_o his_o time_n be_v wrought_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o certain_a proof_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o frequent_o avow_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n and_o courage_n of_o mind_n and_o at_o last_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o though_o he_o foresee_v and_o foretell_v it_o not_o from_o any_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o in_o it_o but_o from_o the_o probable_a course_n and_o most_o natural_a event_n of_o thing_n yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o slacken_v his_o zeal_n for_o the_o christian_a cause_n but_o go_v on_o with_o all_o assurance_n of_o mind_n in_o its_o defence_n till_o it_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o encounter_n of_o death_n which_o he_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v with_o his_o eye_n open_a but_o with_o all_o joy_n and_o alacrity_n as_o be_v arrive_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o hope_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o happiness_n next_o to_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n follow_v in_o order_n who_o live_v much_o about_o or_o a_o little_a after_o the_o same_o time_n but_o of_o he_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v the_o less_o because_o i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o tradition_n that_o he_o have_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v from_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o other_o apostolical_a man_n only_o some_o few_o remark_n remain_v to_o make_v up_o his_o perfect_a character_n and_o make_v out_o his_o perfect_a knowledge_n and_o for_o this_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o he_o to_o florinus_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n this_o doctrine_n of_o thou_o o_o florinus_n that_o i_o may_v frank_o declare_v the_o truth_n savour_v not_o of_o the_o sincere_a faith_n disagree_v from_o the_o church_n and_o betray_v such_o as_o listen_v to_o it_o into_o extreme_a impiety_n this_o doctrine_n no_o not_o the_o heretic_n which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n dare_v ever_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n such_o as_o be_v elder_n before_o we_o and_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n never_o deliver_v unto_o thou_o i_o see_v thou_o when_o i_o be_v yet_o a_o youth_n with_o policarp_n in_o the_o lesser_a asia_n live_v gorgeous_o in_o the_o emperor_n palace_n and_o mighty_o buisy_v thyself_o to_o get_v into_o favour_n and_o credit_n with_o he_o for_o i_o remember_v better_o the_o thing_n of_o old_a than_o latter_a affair_n for_o the_o thing_n we_o learn_v in_o our_o young_a year_n sink_v deep_a into_o our_o mind_n and_o grow_v together_o with_o we_o so_o that_o i_o particular_o remember_v the_o very_a place_n where_o policarp_n sit_v when_o he_o teach_v his_o go_v out_o and_o his_o come_n in_o his_o course_n of_o life_n the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o his_o body_n the_o sermon_n he_o make_v to_o the_o people_n the_o report_n he_o make_v of_o his_o conversation_n with_o john_n and_o other_o which_o know_v the_o lord_n how_o he_o remember_v their_o say_n and_o what_o he_o hear_v from_o their_o mouth_n concern_v the_o lord_n
crescens_n the_o cynic_n philosopher_n a_o man_n proud_a and_o ignorant_a and_o according_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o his_o sect_n ill-natured_a and_o implacable_a and_o as_o tatian_n who_o be_v very_o intimate_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o his_o manner_n describe_v he_o give_v up_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n now_o it_o happen_v that_o justin_n in_o public_a dispute_n have_v expose_v the_o extreme_a childishness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o this_o vainglorious_a pedant_n who_o to_o be_v revenge_v of_o he_o accuse_v he_o before_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o city_n who_o after_o he_o have_v in_o vain_a take_v some_o pain_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o renounce_v his_o saviour_n and_o to_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o god_n pronounce_v this_o sentence_n against_o he_o and_o six_o more_o they_o who_o refuse_v to_o do_v sacrifice_n to_o the_o god_n and_o to_o obey_v the_o imperial_a edict_n let_v they_o be_v first_o scourge_v and_o then_o behead_v according_a to_o the_o law_n the_o persecution_n at_o lion_n begin_v at_o the_o rabble_n as_o it_o be_v plain_o describe_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o that_o church_n to_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n in_o the_o first_o place_n say_v they_o they_o encounter_v with_o admirable_a courage_n and_o patience_n all_o the_o outrage_n and_o indignity_n of_o the_o promiscuous_a rabble_n as_o tumultuous_a outcry_n scourge_n dragging_n spoil_v ston_a and_o fetter_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o the_o heady_a and_o savage_a multitude_n be_v wont_a to_o practice_v against_o their_o most_o hate_a enemy_n and_o by_o they_o be_v they_o hale_v before_o the_o governor_n be_v tribunal_n and_o by_o he_o deliver_v back_o to_o their_o fury_n which_o they_o execute_v upon_o they_o with_o all_o the_o art_n and_o circumstance_n of_o fanatic_a zeal_n and_o barbarous_a cruelty_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o usual_a method_n to_o sacrifice_v the_o christian_n to_o the_o outrage_n of_o the_o superstitious_a rabble_n and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n any_o prince_n engage_v himself_o in_o the_o opposition_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v because_o that_o oppose_v the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o that_o be_v such_o a_o exorbitant_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o all_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o man_n can_v be_v in_o love_n with_o it_o after_o any_o fair_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n about_o it_o so_o that_o what_o such_o man_n act_v against_o christianity_n proceed_v not_o from_o any_o rational_a and_o sober_a counsel_n but_o mere_o from_o vulgar_a custom_n and_o prejudice_n and_o therefore_o if_o m._n aurelius_n or_o any_o other_o emperor_n that_o aught_o to_o have_v have_v more_o wit_n and_o temper_n than_o the_o common_a people_n show_v any_o zeal_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n their_o judgement_n be_v as_o little_a to_o be_v regard_v in_o this_o case_n as_o that_o of_o the_o multitude_n because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v act_v mere_o by_o superstitious_a zeal_n and_o folly_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v oppose_v christianity_n original_o upon_o its_o own_o account_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v have_v deserve_v some_o consideration_n but_o when_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o their_o displeasure_n against_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o their_o love_n of_o paganism_n the_o mere_a absurdity_n of_o that_o cause_n be_v too_o great_a a_o exception_n against_o their_o understanding_n in_o this_o controversy_n thus_o suppose_v that_o m._n aurelius_n himself_o be_v as_o forward_o as_o the_o people_n in_o his_o zeal_n against_o christianity_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v as_o wise_a too_o for_o whatever_o he_o be_v beside_o he_o be_v a_o great_a superstitionist_n and_o to_o a_o degree_n of_o stupidity_n zealous_a for_o the_o pagan_a folly_n out_o of_o that_o vain_a affectation_n that_o have_v possess_v he_o to_o be_v account_v the_o second_o numa_n of_o rome_n which_o one_o conceit_n transport_v he_o to_o a_o more_o than_o childish_a zeal_n for_o the_o old_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o decius_n and_o dioclesian_n in_o set_v on_o foot_n the_o eight_o and_o ten_o persecution_n to_o which_o they_o be_v hurry_v by_o a_o vehement_a and_o unlearned_a zeal_n for_o the_o pagan_a religion_n this_o in_o short_a be_v the_o true_a account_n that_o i_o can_v find_v of_o all_o the_o persecution_n by_o which_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o christianity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o oppose_v by_o its_o great_a enemy_n for_o any_o thing_n they_o have_v to_o object_v against_o itself_o as_o because_o it_o so_o shameful_o expose_v the_o bruitishness_n of_o their_o idolatry_n and_o yet_o as_o absurd_a as_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v the_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o their_o emperor_n be_v much_o worse_o for_o though_o their_o god_n be_v nothing_o better_a than_o dead_a man_n yet_o 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choose_v to_o refuse_v so_o gross_a a_o flattery_n and_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o permit_v his_o statue_n to_o be_v place_v among_o the_o image_n of_o the_o god_n but_o only_o among_o the_o ornament_n of_o private_a house_n but_o as_o for_o all_o the_o rest_n they_o either_o take_v to_o themselves_o all_o the_o title_n and_o dignity_n of_o divinity_n or_o have_v they_o confer_v on_o they_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o advance_v among_o the_o god_n all_o man_n be_v require_v under_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o pay_v they_o divine_a honour_n nay_o as_o tertullian_n too_o true_o upbraid_v they_o they_o be_v more_o religious_a towards_o their_o emperor_n than_o their_o supreme_a deity_n majore_fw-la formidine_fw-la &_o callidiore_fw-la timiditate_fw-la caesarem_fw-la observatis_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsum_fw-la de_fw-la olympo_fw-la jupiter_fw-la and_o all_o this_o though_o it_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a blasphemy_n against_o god_n than_o a_o affront_n to_o 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of_o disadvantage_n upon_o the_o truth_n or_o the_o goodness_n of_o its_o cause_n §_o xli_o these_o be_v the_o real_a article_n of_o accusation_n in_o their_o charge_n against_o the_o christian_n but_o they_o be_v not_o so_o frivolous_a as_o their_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_a pretence_n be_v malicious_a for_o the_o heathen_a priest_n think_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o inflame_v the_o rage_n of_o the_o people_n with_o fanatic_a zeal_n unless_o they_o feed_v their_o malice_n as_o all_o impostor_n do_v with_o lie_n and_o calumny_n but_o when_o man_n be_v once_o reduce_v to_o this_o low_a and_o dirty_a artifice_n in_o defence_n of_o any_o cause_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v draw_v down_o to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o malice_n for_o it_o be_v only_o for_o want_v of_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o slander_n which_o the_o natural_a ingenuity_n of_o mankind_n will_v scorn_v if_o they_o can_v support_v themselves_o and_o their_o party_n without_o
raise_v against_o christianity_n but_o as_o for_o that_o private_a opposition_n that_o it_o meet_v with_o from_o philosopher_n and_o pretend_o learn_v man_n it_o be_v so_o very_o contemptible_a that_o it_o scarce_o deserve_v consideration_n for_o though_o one_o will_v expect_v to_o have_v find_v all_o the_o learned_a world_n engage_v in_o a_o controversy_n that_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o few_o that_o concern_v themselves_o against_o the_o christian_a cause_n and_o those_o that_o do_v so_o only_o pelt_v at_o it_o with_o remote_a and_o far-fetched_a cavil_n but_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o only_a pertinent_a subject_n in_o this_o enquiry_n and_o if_o that_o stand_v firm_a all_o other_o opposition_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o break_v its_o own_o force_n upon_o itself_o by_o endeavour_v to_o disparage_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o it_o can_v deny_v or_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a that_o it_o can_v but_o confess_v to_o be_v true_a nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o put_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o the_o question_n that_o they_o be_v all_o force_a to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v porphyry_n and_o celsus_n impute_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n to_o magic_n hierole_n and_o trypho_n say_v only_o that_o the_o christian_n make_v too_o much_o of_o they_o by_o make_v a_o god_n of_o a_o divine_a man_n julian_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o do_v no_o such_o great_a matter_n but_o only_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a so_o that_o it_o seem_v none_o of_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n hardy_a enough_o so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v of_o control_a the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n for_o fear_n of_o too_o much_o disadvantage_n in_o the_o controversy_n now_o after_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o foretell_v with_o what_o trifle_a pretence_n they_o must_v satisfy_v themselves_o and_o they_o be_v so_o very_a trifle_a that_o itwill_a require_v but_o 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pretend_v he_o quick_o perceive_v either_o by_o the_o sagacity_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n or_o the_o instruction_n of_o pherecides_n that_o there_o be_v some_o intelligent_a be_v in_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o order_n and_o harmony_n of_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o so_o strong_o possess_v he_o with_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n who_o he_o define_v to_o be_v a_o mind_n diffuse_v through_o all_o nature_n from_o who_o all_o thing_n receive_v their_o life_n and_o activity_n as_o not_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v how_o the_o natural_a effect_n that_o be_v constant_o and_o every_o where_o visible_a in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v but_o by_o the_o present_a and_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o such_o a_o power_n and_o now_o have_v his_o mind_n thus_o thorough_o touch_v with_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o find_v the_o orphean_a rite_n and_o constitution_n at_o that_o time_n the_o most_o sacred_a solemnity_n of_o religion_n in_o 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most_o audacious_a atheism_n yet_o all_o that_o persevere_v in_o their_o master_n discipline_n be_v sure_o no_o doubt_n to_o be_v most_o of_o all_o strict_a in_o his_o religion_n and_o it_o be_v only_o this_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n who_o be_v man_n rather_o devout_a than_o learned_a that_o all_o along_o give_v authority_n and_o reputation_n to_o the_o old_a heathen_a idolatry_n and_o therefore_o when_o christianity_n begin_v to_o bear_v it_o away_o it_o can_v not_o be_v expect_v but_o that_o they_o shall_v appear_v the_o most_o forward_a champion_n to_o defend_v their_o fane_n and_o their_o temple_n their_o altar_n and_o their_o oracle_n against_o the_o new_a and_o prevail_a religion_n the_o first_o and_o the_o able_a champion_n be_v porphyry_n a_o man_n at_o that_o time_n eminent_a for_o wit_n and_o learning_n but_o so_o entire_o eat_v up_o with_o fanatic_a zeal_n for_o his_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v not_o patience_n so_o much_o as_o to_o hear_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o 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but_o also_o by_o that_o character_n that_o be_v give_v of_o his_o write_n against_o the_o christian_n which_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o most_o impartial_a writer_n as_o full_a of_o rage_n and_o bitterness_n though_o how_o he_o perform_v what_o he_o undertake_v be_v not_o so_o certain_o determinable_a in_o that_o not_o only_o his_o own_o book_n but_o all_o those_o that_o be_v write_v against_o it_o be_v utter_o perish_v but_o by_o those_o fragment_n that_o remain_v of_o it_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v that_o he_o ever_o venture_v to_o deny_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n but_o grant_v they_o so_o far_o as_o to_o impute_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n but_o how_o vain_a that_o pretence_n be_v we_o have_v already_o show_v at_o least_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o controversy_n depend_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v record_v of_o our_o saviour_n none_o of_o which_o i_o 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trick_n upon_o himself_o as_o to_o think_v of_o bring_v down_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n below_o the_o know_a time_n of_o greece_n as_o for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n which_o follow_v next_o i_o shall_v not_o answer_v he_o here_o because_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o prove_v it_o false_a it_o run_v too_o far_o from_o the_o present_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o as_o for_o moses_n his_o command_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_n angel_n i_o scorn_v to_o answer_v it_o because_o it_o be_v so_o impudent_o false_a when_o the_o great_a commandment_n of_o his_o law_n be_v to_o worship_n one_o god_n alone_o and_o when_o himself_o have_v but_o a_o very_a little_a before_o object_v this_o as_o a_o singularity_n in_o the_o jew_n against_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o then_o as_o for_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o magician_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v now_o let_v that_o pass_v too_o without_o be_v suspect_v as_o guilty_a of_o any_o omission_n and_o as_o for_o his_o meanness_n and_o poverty_n i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o account_v for_o that_o too_o already_o in_o that_o it_o be_v but_o suitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n strip_v of_o all_o worldly_a advantage_n that_o he_o may_v subdue_v it_o pure_o by_o the_o power_n of_o truth_n and_o therefore_o that_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o enquiry_n whether_o he_o wrought_v such_o miracle_n in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o not_o if_o he_o do_v the_o meanness_n of_o his_o condition_n be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o miracle_n if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v for_o a_o much_o worse_a objection_n nay_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o bring_v any_o real_a disadvantage_n upon_o the_o christian_a cause_n that_o it_o bring_v a_o considerable_a accession_n to_o its_o demonstrative_a proof_n and_o evidence_n in_o so_o much_o that_o without_o it_o it_o must_v have_v ever_o be_v liable_a to_o suspicion_n for_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v with_o kingly_a splendour_n and_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o earthly_a power_n the_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a entertainment_n of_o his_o doctrine_n may_v have_v be_v impute_v to_o worldly_a interest_n and_o not_o to_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n and_o man_n will_v have_v follow_v he_o for_o politic_a end_n and_o not_o for_o any_o conscience_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v secure_a of_o the_o integrity_n of_o his_o disciple_n he_o give_v they_o no_o secular_a encouragement_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a ensure_n to_o they_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o their_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n his_o institution_n be_v pure_a religion_n and_o conscience_n towards_o god_n be_v its_o only_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o its_o own_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v carry_v along_o with_o it_o no_o 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epicurean_a forget_v that_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n in_o that_o there_o be_v many_o relation_n of_o such_o appearance_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o yet_o if_o this_o objection_n hold_v good_a every_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v false_a and_o impossible_a but_o to_o treat_v with_o he_o as_o a_o epicurean_a why_o be_v it_o impossible_a because_o all_o story_n of_o god_n concern_v himself_o in_o humane_a affair_n be_v undoubted_a fable_n a_o admirable_a way_n this_o of_o confute_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o by_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a upon_o a_o precarious_a principle_n of_o our_o own_o so_o that_o the_o last_o result_n of_o this_o rude_a objection_n against_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o can_v be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o divine_a providence_n but_o he_o add_v that_o there_o be_v no_o witness_n of_o it_o but_o only_o john_n the_o baptist_n his_o companion_n in_o wickedness_n and_o this_o be_v another_o unhappy_a mistake_n of_o a_o man_n that_o sustain_v the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n when_o all_o the_o jewish_a nation_n even_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o jesus_n have_v a_o very_a great_a reverence_n for_o john_n the_o baptist._n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o his_o testimony_n that_o we_o rely_v upon_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evangelist_n that_o have_v record_v it_o they_o know_v what_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o its_o reality_n and_o we_o know_v what_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o now_o have_v discharge_v all_o his_o little_a topic_n of_o calumny_n against_o our_o saviour_n own_o person_n in_o the_o last_o place_n he_o fall_v foul_a upon_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o with_o the_o same_o unhappy_a success_n for_o
of_o so_o ridiculous_a a_o surmise_n and_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o bear_v he_o out_o in_o it_o but_o only_o his_o epicurean_a conceit_n that_o the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a be_v a_o thing_n impossible_a but_o as_o for_o that_o we_o will_v not_o dispute_v it_o with_o he_o at_o present_a though_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n both_o of_o their_o own_o and_o all_o philosophy_n it_o be_v altogether_o as_o easy_a and_o conceivable_a as_o the_o generation_n of_o a_o man._n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n what_o have_v be_v be_v the_o only_a argument_n of_o our_o debate_n and_o we_o will_v not_o go_v so_o far_o about_o as_o to_o dispute_v its_o possibility_n when_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v its_o actual_a certainty_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o celsus_n after_o he_o have_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n and_o that_o in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n to_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o resurrection_n be_v so_o wretched_o sottish_a as_o to_o declare_v his_o own_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n even_o of_o the_o body_n to_o eternal_a life_n and_o that_o the_o first_o proof_n and_o specimen_fw-la of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o three_o book_n he_o begin_v to_o dispute_v in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o first_o object_n that_o the_o dispute_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n be_v of_o no_o moment_n in_o that_o both_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v a_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o only_o differ_v in_o this_o whether_o he_o be_v already_o come_v or_o be_v yet_o to_o come_v and_o yet_o this_o beside_o the_o gross_a absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n itself_o be_v a_o mere_a contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o former_a discourse_n by_o the_o personate_a jew_n for_o if_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o small_a as_o he_o pretend_v than_o all_o the_o sad_a out-cry_n and_o invective_n of_o the_o 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that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o their_o practice_n but_o against_o both_o religion_n the_o epicurean_a object_n that_o they_o begin_v in_o sedition_n the_o jewish_a against_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o christian_a against_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o the_o first_o he_o suppose_v the_o jew_n to_o have_v be_v original_o egyptian_n which_o because_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o proofless_a presumption_n can_v prove_v nothing_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o vain_a to_o charge_n christianity_n with_o sedition_n because_o all_o sedition_n either_o design_n or_o act_v some_o violence_n against_o the_o government_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o saviour_n allow_v no_o weapon_n to_o his_o follower_n but_o suffering_n and_o have_v threaten_v no_o one_o offence_n with_o great_a severity_n than_o endeavour_n of_o disturbance_n to_o the_o civil_a state_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o his_o religion_n be_v true_a it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v bring_v in_o more_o inoffensive_o to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v with_o any_o ingenuity_n be_v charge_v with_o sedition_n till_o its_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n be_v first_o determine_v for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a controversy_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o if_o celsus_n and_o his_o partisan_n have_v but_o the_o courage_n to_o undertake_v they_o will_v have_v have_v no_o need_n of_o these_o petty_a and_o remote_a reflection_n the_o next_o cavil_v be_v that_o the_o christian_n affect_v nothing_o but_o singularity_n very_o likely_a this_o when_o so_o many_o of_o they_o travel_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o the_o extreme_a hazard_n of_o their_o life_n to_o convert_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a all_o mankind_n to_o christianity_n but_o though_o they_o seem_v to_o agree_v at_o first_o they_o afterward_o divide_v into_o faction_n but_o this_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o the_o levity_n of_o humane_a nature_n not_o the_o truth_n or_o excellency_n of_o christianity_n for_o beside_o what_o origen_n answer_v that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o thing_n of_o great_a reputation_n in_o itself_o or_o usefulness_n to_o the_o world_n about_o which_o man_n do_v not_o raise_v dispute_n and_o make_v party_n i_o will_v only_o ask_v he_o whether_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o raise_v controversy_n about_o it_o if_o it_o be_v than_o their_o do_v so_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o that_o be_v to_o say_v no_o religion_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o it_o bring_v a_o fatal_a necessity_n upon_o all_o that_o pretend_v to_o it_o to_o be_v both_o wise_a and_o honest_a which_o be_v such_o a_o awkerd_fw-mi condition_n of_o thing_n as_o destroy_v not_o only_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n but_o of_o humane_a nature_n itself_o but_o say_v he_o they_o scare_v the_o people_n with_o fable_n and_o bugbear_n tell_v what_o say_v origen_n beside_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n we_o indeed_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o sovereign_a governor_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o hereafter_o he_o will_v sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o all_o our_o action_n and_o in_o this_o belief_n we_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o live_v as_o they_o ought_v that_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o themselves_o to_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n these_o indeed_o be_v fable_n to_o a_o atheist_n and_o a_o epicurean_a but_o not_o to_o any_o man_n that_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n or_o the_o obligation_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o celsus_n write_v against_o not_o mere_o christianity_n only_o he_o be_v fierce_a in_o his_o opposition_n to_o that_o because_o it_o be_v so_o full_a a_o check_n to_o his_o impiety_n though_o otherwise_o the_o main_a of_o his_o objection_n that_o he_o level_v against_o that_o aim_v as_o direct_o against_o all_o religion_n and_o thus_o the_o bugbears_a of_o a_o future_a state_n with_o which_o he_o here_o upbraid_v christianity_n be_v common_a to_o all_o mankind_n but_o only_a his_o own_o sect._n and_o though_o he_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v not_o for_o all_o the_o world_n take_v away_o the_o opinion_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o the_o next_o life_n this_o vizor_n be_v too_o ridiculous_o put_v upon_o a_o epicurean_a it_o be_v too_o gross_a a_o contradiction_n to_o himself_o and_o he_o renounce_v his_o first_o principle_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o people_n but_o though_o they_o indeed_o may_v easy_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o any_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v by_o his_o master_n epicurus_n who_o frequent_v their_o public_a sacrifice_n to_o make_v himself_o sport_n at_o home_n with_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o superstition_n yet_o he_o shall_v never_o
it_o be_v aggravate_v with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o can_v heighten_v its_o baseness_n it_o be_v without_o all_o plea_n of_o excuse_n or_o palliation_n and_o this_o certain_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o unexemplified_a severity_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n against_o christendom_n for_o never_o be_v any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n harass_v with_o such_o remarkable_a plague_n and_o judgement_n as_o this_o have_v be_v in_o that_o their_o big_a impiety_n be_v but_o ordinary_a thing_n if_o compare_v to_o the_o vileness_n of_o our_o apostasy_n the_o time_n of_o their_o ignorance_n as_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n god_n wink_v at_o but_o now_o that_o his_o wrath_n be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v against_o all_o ungodliness_n and_o unrighteousness_n of_o man_n if_o they_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n persevere_v in_o hardness_n and_o impenitence_n they_o can_v but_o treasure_n up_o to_o themselves_o anguish_n and_o tribulation_n and_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n and_o be_v still_o heap_v up_o store_n of_o vengeance_n till_o some_o time_n or_o other_o the_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v open_v upon_o they_o and_o overwhelm_v they_o in_o irrecoverable_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n at_o least_o to_o conclude_v with_o my_o believe_a reader_n for_o if_o he_o be_v a_o infidel_n i_o turn_v he_o back_o to_o the_o premise_n of_o this_o discourse_n our_o saviour_n have_v a_o second_o come_v when_o he_o shall_v as_o he_o have_v say_v he_o will_v once_o more_o rise_v up_o from_o his_o throne_n of_o majesty_n shall_v put_v on_o the_o robe_n of_o justice_n and_o return_v accompany_v with_o a_o innumerable_a army_n of_o bless_a spirit_n to_o destroy_v the_o wicked_a and_o disobedient_a and_o take_v vengeance_n of_o his_o open_a enemy_n but_o much_o more_o of_o his_o disloyal_a and_o treacherous_a friend_n and_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v what_o horror_n and_o anguish_n must_v then_o seize_v all_o guilty_a soul_n with_o what_o tremble_a and_o infinite_a amazement_n must_v every_o careless_a and_o disobedient_a christian_a appear_v before_o all_o this_o dreadful_a glory_n and_o how_o will_v even_o their_o spirit_n die_v away_o under_o a_o intolerable_a fear_n and_o confusion_n of_o conscience_n who_o can_v conceive_v the_o bitterness_n and_o the_o agony_n of_o guilty_a mind_n whilst_o they_o receive_v their_o last_o sentence_n what_o a_o wild_a and_o stupid_a thing_n be_v man_n that_o can_v believe_v and_o yet_o forget_v these_o thing_n and_o sleep_v careless_a under_o the_o expectation_n of_o a_o day_n of_o doom_n for_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n will_v once_o come_v to_o condemn_v the_o world_n as_o he_o once_o come_v to_o redeem_v it_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n it_o be_v then_o past_a question_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v our_o judge_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o how_o do_v man_n who_o serious_o think_v that_o they_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n live_v as_o 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his_o scandalous_a pamphlet_n style_v naked_a truth_n the_o second_o part_n by_o fran._n fulwood_n d._n d._n archdeacon_n of_o totnes_n in_o devon_n in_o octavo_n new_a a_o discourse_n of_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o exposition_n of_o exod._n 20._o v_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o humble_o offer_v to_o this_o present_a age_n by_o john_n gregory_n archdeacon_n of_o gloucester_n in_o octavo_n new_a the_o new_a distemper_n or_o the_o dissenter_n usual_a plea_n for_o comprehension_n toleration_n and_o the_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n consider_v and_o discuss_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n alsop_n late_a pamphlet_n publish_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o reverend_a dean_n of_o s._n paul_n sermon_n concern_v separation_n by_o the_o late_a reverend_a dr._n tomkins_n in_o octavo_n the_o lively_a picture_n of_o lewis_n du_fw-fr moulin_n draw_v by_o a_o incomparable_a hand_n together_o with_o his_o last_o word_n be_v his_o retractation_n of_o all_o the_o 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of_o england_n fol._n causin_n holy_a court_n fol._n wilson_n complete_a christian_a dictionary_n fol._n bishop_n wilkin_n real_a character_n or_o philosophical_a language_n fol._n pharmacopaeia_fw-la regalis_fw-la collegii_fw-la medicorum_fw-la londinensis_fw-la fol._n judge_n jones_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n judge_n vaughan_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n cave_fw-la tabulae_fw-la ecclesiasticorum_fw-la scriptorum_fw-la fol._n sir_n will._n dugdale_n baronage_n of_o england_n in_o two_o vol._n fol._n dr._n littleton_n latin_a dictionary_n quarto_fw-la bishop_n nicholson_n on_o the_o church_n catechism_n quarto_fw-la the_o complete_a clerk_n quarto_n history_n of_o the_o late_a war_n of_o new_a england_n quarto_fw-la dr._n outram_n de_fw-fr sacrificiis_fw-la quarto_fw-la fowler_n be_v defence_n of_o the_o design_n of_o christianity_n against_o john_n bunynan_n 1_o s._n quarto_fw-la dr._n sherlock_n visitation-sermon_n at_o warrington_n 1659._o 6_o d._n quarto_fw-la the_o magistrate_n authority_n assert_v in_o
have_v be_v so_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o the_o world_n because_o he_o can_v not_o but_o expect_v that_o wise_a man_n shall_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o expose_v his_o hypocrisy_n but_o whatever_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o believe_v i_o be_o sure_a if_o there_o be_v no_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n that_o then_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n if_o there_o be_v let_v celsus_n tell_v if_o he_o can_v with_o what_o other_o bugbears_a christianity_n scare_n the_o people_n from_o hence_o he_o fall_v into_o his_o old_a story_n of_o heathen_a miracle_n for_o this_o topick_n make_v up_o one_o half_a of_o every_o book_n but_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o they_o prove_v nothing_o against_o christianity_n his_o insist_v upon_o they_o with_o so_o much_o stubbornness_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o confidence_n for_o if_o he_o believe_v they_o not_o they_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n if_o he_o do_v he_o show_v a_o 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greatness_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n propound_v in_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v how_o any_o man_n who_o serious_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v in_o any_o doubt_n or_o suspense_n which_o way_n to_o determine_v his_o choice_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o strange_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a as_o peremptory_o to_o prefer_v misery_n and_o destruction_n before_o everlasting_a happiness_n and_o thus_o athenagoras_n when_o he_o have_v describe_v the_o great_a and_o eminent_a virtue_n of_o the_o christian_n give_v this_o rational_a account_n of_o their_o action_n this_o we_o do_v say_v he_o because_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o action_n of_o man_n and_o who_o create_v both_o we_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o because_o we_o know_v that_o we_o must_v give_v a_o account_n to_o he_o of_o all_o the_o passage_n of_o our_o life_n therefore_o we_o choose_v the_o most_o moderate_a humble_a kind_a and_o as_o may_v appear_v to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n the_o most_o contemptible_a course_n of_o life_n for_o we_o be_v peremptory_o agree_v that_o no_o evil_a in_o this_o life_n not_o loss_n of_o life_n itself_o can_v be_v great_a enough_o to_o weigh_v against_o that_o unconceivable_a happiness_n that_o we_o expect_v from_o the_o great_a judge_n of_o all_o man_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o humble_a kind_a and_o gentle_a deportment_n and_o so_o it_o be_v suppose_v in_o those_o day_n that_o mankind_n have_v so_o much_o sense_n as_o to_o conform_v their_o practice_n to_o their_o principle_n and_o the_o supposition_n be_v think_v so_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o by_o the_o experience_n of_o its_o truth_n the_o christian_a apologist_n gain_v the_o advantage_n of_o confute_v all_o the_o slander_n and_o
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