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of_o those_o who_o have_v themselves_o universal_o proclaim_v the_o bible_n in_o all_o age_n to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o if_o christian-tradition_n be_v credit_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v thereby_o establish_v and_o if_o it_o be_v dis-believed_n in_o thaâ—_n there_o can_v be_v then_o no_o good_a reason_n to_o receiuâ—_v any_o other_o matter_n touch_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o conveyance_n to_o retain_v therefore_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o yet_o disow_v the_o bible_n be_v to_o become_v a_o perfect_a problem_n no_o such_o man_n can_v produce_v anâ—_n law_n or_o rule_n of_o his_o religion_n nor_o give_v anâ—_n account_v wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v or_o bâ—_n who_o or_o by_o what_o church_n with_o a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o bible_n they_o have_v be_v at_o any_o timâ—_n receive_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n rational_o make_v a_o partial_a rejection_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o retain_v a_o christian_a profession_n from_o thence_o in_o a_o limit_a sensâ—_n of_o his_o own_o for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v he_o receive_v the_o bible_n as_o he_o receive_v other_o credible_a writing_n as_o a_o book_n general_o true_a and_o write_v by_o man_n that_o mean_v honest_o and_o well_o but_o believe_v it_o not_o write_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n nor_o to_o carry_v a_o divine_a authority_n along_o with_o it_o nor_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o be_v to_o say_v a_o thing_n extreme_o incongruous_a to_o all_o good_a sense_n and_o to_o indulge_v himself_o in_o a_o perfect_a absurdity_n for_o the_o bible_n come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o claim_n oâ—_n god_n authority_n attend_v it_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o name_n be_v a_o book_n that_o disow_v all_o humane_a contrivement_n propose_v itself_o as_o write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o immediate_a direction_n from_o god_n admit_v of_o no_o composition_n for_o its_o reception_n in_o such_o a_o case_n there_o can_v be_v no_o middle-way_n but_o either_o we_o must_v receive_v this_o book_n and_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o or_o else_o reject_v it_o with_o the_o just_a contempt_n imaginable_a it_o be_v in_o nothing_o to_o be_v credit_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o truth_n what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v for_o there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o vile_a and_o pernicious_a falsehood_n impose_v upon_o the_o world_n then_o to_o counterfeit_v a_o divine_a law_n and_o to_o pretend_v that_o to_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o product_n of_o men._n whoever_o will_v admit_v these_o premise_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v in_o every_o part_n of_o they_o by_o the_o infallible_a direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n when_o they_o themselves_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v so_o must_v needs_o descend_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o they_o then_o contain_v the_o most_o impudent_a falsehood_n and_o be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a designer_n against_o mankind_n the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o relate_v and_o stand_v in_o so_o near_o a_o conjunction_n as_o they_o do_v the_o be_v of_o the_o one_o have_v so_o necessary_a a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v to_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o assert_v their_o divine_a authority_n and_o to_o justify_v that_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o man_n that_o be_v indeed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d divine_o inspire_v and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o that_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o will_v inform_v rule_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n he_o that_o undertake_v this_o province_n and_o design_n to_o himself_o such_o a_o service_n be_v oblige_v first_o to_o consider_v with_o who_o he_o be_v like_a to_o encounter_v and_o to_o proportion_v his_o defence_n to_o those_o various_a assault_n the_o scripture_n be_v usual_o expose_v to_o this_o be_v admit_v which_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v that_o no_o man_n can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n close_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n renounce_v the_o bible_n that_o maxim_n of_o st._n austin_n be_v undeniable_a that_o contra_fw-la scripturas_fw-la nemo_fw-la christianus_n there_o be_v but_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n by_o who_o the_o scripture_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v general_o attact_v and_o from_o who_o principle_n their_o sacred_a authority_n can_v receive_v a_o universal_a invasion_n first_o such_o who_o whole_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o religion_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v relative_n such_o who_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n of_o a_o atheistical_a profession_n second_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o a_o supreme_a and_o first_o cause_n but_o deny_v his_o providence_n and_o believe_v he_o be_v no_o way_n concer_v about_o the_o world_n nor_o trouble_v himself_o to_o exercise_v any_o rule_n or_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o it_o three_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o religion_n and_o providence_n but_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o not_o true_a and_o embrace_v some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o of_o those_o first-born_a monster_n of_o mankind_n that_o anomalous_a offspring_n who_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n who_o principle_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o utmost_a dregs_n of_o all_o humane_a apostasy_n and_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o absurd_a for_o as_o cicero_n say_v deos_fw-la esse_fw-la ita_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la negate_fw-la vix_fw-la eum_fw-la sanae_fw-la mentis_fw-la existimem_fw-la the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v think_v well_o in_o his_o wit_n that_o deny_v it_o a_o previous_a consideration_n be_v necessary_a to_o whatever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o divine_a subject_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v already_o contest_v with_o such_o and_o dispatch_v all_o my_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o order_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o last_o converse_n i_o mean_v to_o have_v with_o that_o evil_a generation_n of_o who_o it_o may_v most_o true_o be_v say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o the_o avow_a opposer_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o indeed_o they_o be_v host_n humani_fw-la generis_fw-la the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o mankind_n who_o by_o deny_v a_o supreme_a be_v above_o demolish_v the_o great_a support_n of_o all_o well-being_n here_o below_o of_o this_o belief_n they_o be_v heretofore_o at_o athens_n in_o those_o primitive_a time_n of_o atheism_n and_o first_o dawning_n of_o â—speculative_a irreligion_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o cotta_n tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n that_o when_o protagoras_n begin_v his_o book_n with_o this_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n de_fw-fr diis_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la habeo_fw-la dicere_fw-la atheniensum_fw-la jussu_fw-la urbe_fw-la atque_fw-la agro_n est_fw-la exterminatus_fw-la librique_fw-la ejus_fw-la in_o concione_fw-la combusti_fw-la and_o he_o add_v exit_fw-la quo_fw-la equidem_fw-la existimo_fw-la tardiores_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la profitendam_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la factos_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la poenam_fw-la ne_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la quidem_fw-la effugere_fw-la potuisset_fw-la for_o those_o secundary_a enemy_n to_o the_o bible_n and_o together_o with_o that_o of_o all_o religion_n such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o divine_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n such_o who_o out_o of_o shame_n disow_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o atheism_n but_o yet_o by_o this_o method_n secure_v all_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o to_o themselves_o of_o those_o a_o preliminary_a consideration_n on_o aught_o to_o be_v have_v a_o previous_a confutation_n of_o such_o principle_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o discourse_n in_o hand_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o impracticable_a project_n to_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v any_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o a_o law_n give_v forth_o from_o god_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n any_o where_o in_o be_v which_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o never_o can_v be_v if_o god_n no_o way_n concern_v himself_o with_o what_o man_n do_v nor_o exercise_n any_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a such_o principle_n do_v uno_fw-la ictu_fw-la dispatch_v all_o religion_n out_o of_o the_o world_n put_v a_o perfect_a period_n to_o all_o divinity_n and_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n very_o absurd_a to_o submit_v either_o in_o our_o belief_n or_o practice_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o divine_a to_o this_o purpose_n cicero_n conclude_v in_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat_n deor._n sin_n autem_fw-la dii_fw-la say_v he_o neque_fw-la possunt_fw-la nos_fw-la juvare_fw-la nec_fw-la volunt_fw-la
wise_a people_n laugh_v at_o those_o mystery_n never_o any_o man_n scorn_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o caesar_n himself_o do_v his_o own_o god_n and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v please_v himself_o often_o in_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v his_o god_n feel_v the_o power_n of_o his_o anger_n what_o a_o childish_a folly_n it_o be_v then_o to_o believe_v that_o a_o roman_a consul_n lose_v his_o whole_a army_n because_o he_o slight_v the_o feed_n of_o some_o young_a chicken_n or_o that_o marcus_n crassus_n be_v therefore_o slay_v by_o the_o parthian_n because_o he_o despise_v some_o foppery_n of_o atteius_n if_o we_o look_v off_o from_o their_o public_a religion_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o their_o divinity_n and_o take_v a_o view_n of_o what_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a thought_n what_o a_o poor_a product_n be_v all_o their_o notion_n compare_v with_o the_o bible_n what_o a_o midnight_n be_v man_n in_o in_o respect_n of_o religion_n in_o that_o clear_a sunshine_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n socrates_n who_o see_v the_o further_a of_o any_o man_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v into_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o heathen_a theology_n and_o die_v for_o a_o pretend_a contempt_n of_o it_o for_o the_o charge_n that_o melius_n one_o of_o his_o accuser_n bring_v against_o he_o at_o athens_n as_o laertius_n say_v be_v jura_n violat_a socrates_n quos_fw-la ex_fw-la majorum_fw-la instituto_fw-la suscepit_fw-la civitas_n deos_fw-la esse_fw-la negans_fw-la alia_fw-la vero_fw-la nova_fw-la demonia_fw-la inducens_fw-la the_o first_o philosophical_a martyr_n that_o we_o read_v of_o have_v yet_o leave_v but_o little_o better_a divinity_n behind_o he_o nor_o can_v i_o perceive_v he_o have_v any_o design_n or_o ability_n to_o reform_v the_o world_n that_o way_n for_o he_o answer_v his_o charge_n by_o a_o flat_a denial_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o apology_n in_o plato_n and_o his_o whole_a carriage_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o it_o be_v out_o of_o choice_n and_o not_o out_o of_o fear_n that_o he_o do_v so_o sometime_o also_o before_o he_o advise_v other_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n they_o live_v in_o and_o we_o find_v likewise_o in_o plato_n how_o uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a he_o be_v about_o that_o great_a point_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n and_o a_o future_a state_n of_o man_n after_o this_o life_n and_o can_v determine_v nothing_o with_o himself_o positive_o about_o it_o though_o he_o seem_v to_o incline_v that_o way_n and_o to_o think_v it_o the_o more_o probable_a opinion_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a much_o in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o cicero_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o tusculane_n question_n who_o give_v it_o but_o a_o probability_n and_o as_o plato_n do_v in_o his_o phaed_n who_o say_v in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a about_o it_o nor_o will_v not_o be_v confident_a of_o it_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n in_o his_o thought_n about_o those_o matter_n that_o make_v he_o say_v he_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v better_o to_o die_v or_o to_o live_v and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n to_o be_v trouble_v about_o that_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v or_o fear_v and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o to_o his_o end_n he_o express_v great_a contentment_n in_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v with_o hercules_n and_o palamedes_n in_o the_o next_o world_n but_o still_o qualify_v those_o hope_n with_o this_o doubtful_a parenthesis_n in_o case_n the_o soul_n be_v not_o extinguish_v with_o the_o body_n he_o choose_v indeed_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o good_a moralist_n and_o to_o deal_v in_o those_o notion_n wherein_o he_o find_v some_o certainty_n then_o to_o attempt_v much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o divinity_n be_v whole_o unable_a to_o frame_v any_o satisfactory_a notion_n to_o himself_o about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o divine_a worship_n he_o often_o plain_o declare_v that_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o business_n of_o another_o world_n he_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a and_o many_o of_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n acknowledge_v as_o much_o and_o think_v those_o thing_n utter_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o humane_a knowledge_n all_o notion_n about_o they_o to_o be_v full_a of_o uncertainty_n and_o therefore_o choose_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o vulgar_a sentiment_n rather_o than_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o doubtful_a and_o unsatisfy_a speculation_n and_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o contradict_v the_o public_a religion_n of_o those_o country_n where_o they_o live_v plato_n the_o famous_a divine_a philosopher_n who_o exceed_v all_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n as_o much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o religion_n as_o socrates_n do_v in_o the_o practic_n though_o there_o be_v more_o true_a divinity_n utter_v by_o he_o then_o by_o any_o of_o the_o philosopher_n where_o he_o first_o have_v it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o determine_v yet_o attend_v with_o marvellous_a vanity_n and_o intolerable_a error_n '_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o forbear_v smile_v in_o read_v over_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o make_v to_o be_v eternal_a the_o fabulous_a conceit_n he_o have_v about_o that_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n it_o will_v tire_v out_o any_o ordinary_a patience_n to_o read_v a_o great_a promoter_n he_o be_v of_o that_o gross_a idolatry_n of_o damon-worship_n for_o he_o say_v that_o when_o man_n die_v their_o soul_n become_v daemon_n and_o if_o their_o merit_n be_v good_a they_o be_v lar_n if_o evil_a lemures_n if_o different_a manes_n of_o which_o st._n austin_n give_v a_o large_a account_n de_n civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 9_o ch._n 11._o though_o he_o speak_v much_o of_o one_o god_n yet_o himself_o then_o as_o all_o the_o platonist_n since_o hold_v that_o many_o god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o in_o his_o timaeus_n he_o call_v saturn_n ops_n juno_n and_o other_o god_n and_o say_v the_o daemon_n and_o heroe_n be_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o and_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o city_n commend_v to_o they_o cicero_n observe_v likewise_o out_o of_o his_o timaeus_n that_o he_o speak_v with_o great_a obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n about_o this_o one_o god_n sometime_o call_v he_o a_o eternal_a mind_n and_o sometime_o call_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n &_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o whatever_o the_o heathen_n worship_v go_n and_o at_o last_o conclude_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o his_o principle_n per_fw-la se_fw-la sunt_fw-la falsa_fw-la &_o sibi_fw-la inuicem_fw-la repugnantia_fw-la be_v in_o themselves_o false_a and_o self_n contradictious_a aristotle_n that_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o rational_a world_n a_o man_n of_o a_o most_o sagacious_a wit_n who_o travel_v with_o such_o unparalleled_a success_n through_o all_o the_o theorem_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o part_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n what_o mushrom-divinity_n have_v he_o leave_v behind_o he_o with_o what_o obscurity_n uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n with_o himself_o have_v he_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o great_a fundamental_o of_o all_o religion_n the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o many_o of_o his_o disciple_n since_o have_v avow_v that_o he_o deny_v the_o latter_a if_o out_o of_o aristotle_n book_n we_o shall_v but_o extract_v a_o model_n of_o his_o religion_n it_o may_v be_v for_o a_o monument_n of_o wonder_n that_o such_o a_o giant_n in_o all_o natural_a knowleage_n shall_v die_v such_o a_o child_n in_o divinity_n cicero_n who_o carry_v the_o topsail_n of_o learning_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v to_o who_o the_o elder_a pliny_n give_v this_o testimony_n that_o he_o only_o have_v a_o wit_n equal_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n why_o do_v not_o he_o compose_v a_o right_a systeme_n of_o divinity_n and_o leave_v a_o good_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n to_o posterity_n behind_o he_o from_o who_o may_v we_o with_o more_o reason_n have_v expect_v it_o he_o design_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o god_n and_o divinity_n for_o his_o subject_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o book_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o what_o unequal_a sentiment_n man_n have_v debate_v those_o matter_n some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o god_n as_o protagoras_n some_o positive_o affirm_v there_o be_v none_o as_o diagoras_n and_o theodorus_n cyrenaicus_n â—â—â—i_fw-la vero_fw-la deos_fw-la esse_fw-la dixerunt_fw-la tanta_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o varietate_fw-la ac_fw-la dissentione_fw-la constituti_fw-la ut_fw-la corum_fw-la molestum_fw-la sit_fw-la annumerare_fw-la sententias_fw-la no_o &_o de_fw-la siguris_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr locis_fw-la atque_fw-la sedibus_fw-la &_o actione_n aquavitae_fw-la multadicuntur_fw-la deque_fw-la
his_fw-la summa_fw-la philosophorum_fw-la dissentione_fw-la certatur_fw-la and_o those_o say_v he_o that_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n have_v such_o various_a and_o different_a opinion_n about_o they_o that_o it_o be_v a_o extreme_a trouble_n to_o reckon_v they_o up_o for_o about_o the_o shape_n of_o the_o god_n their_o employment_n and_o what_o they_o do_v and_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v there_o be_v endless_a dissension_n among_o the_o philosopher_n now_o why_o do_v not_o he_o out_o of_o all_o the_o several_a sentiment_n of_o the_o philosopher_n compose_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o his_o own_o unite_v their_o difference_n and_o rectify_v their_o mistake_n by_o one_o common_a truth_n instead_o whereof_o we_o find_v he_o do_v little_a else_o but_o repeat_v their_o various_a opinion_n which_o amount_v to_o no_o less_o in_o number_n then_o four_o or_o five_o and_o twenty_o and_o in_o diogenes_n laertius_n there_o be_v good_a store_n more_o and_o general_o condemn_v they_o all_o as_o false_a and_o extravagant_a unworthy_a the_o name_n of_o their_o author_n otherwise_o famous_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o at_o last_o sit_v down_o find_v his_o own_o inability_n for_o so_o impracticable_a a_o task_n and_o have_v leave_v the_o world_n not_o much_o more_o inform_v than_o they_o be_v before_o in_o that_o point_n the_o sum_n of_o his_o three_o book_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o god_n be_v indeed_o a_o perfect_a condemnation_n of_o the_o whole_a pagan_a religion_n for_o he_o say_v direct_o all_o their_o god_n be_v but_o man_n and_o reckon_v up_o their_o age_n their_o garment_n their_o child_n their_o ancestor_n their_o alliance_n and_o plain_o confess_v their_o temple_n be_v their_o tomb_n and_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o ceremony_n representation_n of_o their_o life_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o their_o religion_n superstition_n and_o vanity_n but_o when_o he_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o supreme_a deity_n that_o make_v all_o thing_n yea_o the_o heathen_a god_n themselves_o he_o open_o declare_v his_o own_o ignorance_n and_o say_v he_o can_v soon_o admire_v then_o utter_a any_o thing_n and_o better_o declare_v what_o the_o deity_n be_v not_o than_o what_o it_o be_v and_o conclude_v upon_o the_o whole_a utinam_fw-la tam_fw-la facile_fw-la veram_fw-la religionem_fw-la invenire_fw-la possim_fw-la quam_fw-la falsam_fw-la convincere_fw-la i_o will_v i_o can_v as_o easy_o find_v out_o true_a religion_n as_o discover_v that_o which_o be_v false_a himself_o socrates_n and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o wise_a of_o they_o see_v far_o into_o the_o impotency_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n but_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o find_v that_o any_o of_o they_o arrive_v at_o any_o ability_n to_o compose_v a_o better_a nor_o can_v any_o man_n in_o any_o age_n be_v produce_v that_o without_o revelation_n have_v be_v able_a to_o give_v the_o world_n aright_o or_o satisfy_a information_n about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a thing_n it_o have_v be_v in_o fact_n according_a to_o what_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o most_o excellent_a mornay_n in_o his_o discourse_n de_fw-fr veritate_fw-la relig._n christ_n denique_fw-la evolve_v quaecunque_fw-la a_o priscis_fw-la mundi_fw-la sapientibus_fw-la to_o be_v short_a say_v he_o among_o all_o the_o thing_n which_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o world_n have_v write_v here_o and_o there_o of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n you_o may_v hap_v to_o find_v some_o one_o good_a say_n in_o a_o hundred_o year_n and_o some_o one_o other_o in_o another_o hundred_o but_o when_o you_o have_v gather_v they_o all_o together_o as_o diligent_o as_o you_o can_v yet_o shall_v you_o be_v able_a to_o make_v of_o they_o neither_o rule_n nor_o ground_n nor_o scarce_o good_a problem_n so_o great_o be_v man_n by_o his_o corruption_n both_o blind_v in_o thing_n concern_v god_n and_o helpless_a in_o thing_n that_o concern_v his_o own_o welfare_n it_o be_v true_a that_o many_o point_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n especial_o the_o three_o grand_a fundamental_o of_o it_o the_o be_v of_o god_n his_o providence_n and_o rule_n over_o the_o world_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n have_v be_v even_o through_o these_o heathen_a age_n two_o way_n acknowledge_v and_o justify_v first_o implicitely_n and_o more_o remote_o by_o the_o general_a and_o most_o corrupt_a practice_n of_o the_o ethnick-religion_n what_o great_a proof_n can_v there_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o that_o the_o world_n still_o think_v there_o be_v something_o above_o they_o than_o their_o gross_a idolatry_n all_o idolatry_n apparent_o take_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n natural_a notion_n of_o the_o true_a god_n what_o mean_v their_o imaginary_a deity_n for_o every_o business_n and_o for_o every_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o their_o application_n to_o they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o seek_v their_o favour_n and_o appease_v their_o anger_n but_o that_o they_o suppose_v a_o supreme_a disposal_n of_o thing_n and_o that_o the_o world_n be_v rule_v by_o a_o divine_a providence_n and_o what_o signify_v all_o their_o fiction_n about_o heaven_n and_o hell_n and_o their_o adoration_n of_o daemon_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o dead_a man_n soul_n which_o they_o make_v to_o be_v mediator_n to_o the_o god_n and_o various_o call_v they_o lemures_n lar_n manes_n larvae_n some_o of_o which_o if_o they_o be_v the_o soul_n of_o their_o friend_n they_o fancy_v stay_v about_o their_o house_n and_o dwelling_n for_o their_o protection_n other_o be_v more_o at_o large_a some_o be_v good_a daemon_n and_o above_o other_o infernal_a and_o below_o as_o appear_v by_o that_o of_o the_o poet._n vos_fw-fr o_fw-fr mihi_fw-la manes_fw-la este_fw-la boni_fw-la quoniam_fw-la superis_fw-la aversa_n voluntas_fw-la whence_o come_v all_o this_o but_o from_o a_o obscure_a confuse_a notion_n of_o man_n existence_n after_o this_o life_n and_o a_o belief_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n in_o the_o second_o place_n more_o express_o and_o explicit_o from_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n among_o they_o who_o have_v utter_v here_o and_o there_o some_o fragment_n of_o truth_n and_o have_v sometime_o speak_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o main_a point_n so_o plato_n and_o other_o have_v speak_v somewhat_o of_o one_o god_n though_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o be_v of_o one_o god_n be_v never_o general_o and_o distinct_o acknowledge_v in_o any_o heathen_a country_n nor_o be_v there_o ever_o a_o law_n make_v in_o any_o heathen_a state_n to_o establish_v the_o be_v and_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n nay_o some_o have_v suppose_v that_o no_o particular_a person_n do_v ever_o pure_o by_o natural_a light_n determine_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n but_o that_o such_o who_o have_v speak_v of_o it_o have_v it_o from_o a_o tradition_n originate_v in_o revelation_n so_o say_v a_o learned_a author_n in_o reproach_n of_o the_o grecian_a and_o roman_a learning_n that_o set_v aside_o what_o they_o learn_v out_o of_o egypt_n they_o can_v never_o by_o themselves_o determine_v whether_o there_o be_v many_o god_n or_o but_o one_o cicero_n plutarch_n and_o other_o have_v speak_v full_o about_o providence_n and_o other_o of_o they_o have_v say_v much_o to_o justify_v the_o soul_n immortality_n so_o much_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v in_o the_o heathen_a world_n that_o the_o spark_n of_o divine_a truth_n though_o under_o much_o rubbish_n have_v be_v there_o secret_o keep_v alive_a and_o so_o much_o as_o do_v sufficient_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o great_a fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a profession_n be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o rational_a nature_n do_v only_o rectify_v its_o depravation_n and_o have_v be_v some_o way_n witness_v unto_o in_o the_o dark_a time_n and_o to_o that_o end_n we_o often_o make_v use_n of_o their_o testimony_n but_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o god_n shall_v leave_v the_o world_n without_o any_o further_a discovery_n of_o himself_o their_o chief_a good_a or_o any_o further_a direction_n towards_o a_o eternal_a happiness_n which_o be_v man_n chief_a end_n than_o what_o we_o find_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n have_v attain_v to_o nor_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o some_o revelation_n than_o the_o condition_n the_o world_n have_v be_v in_o without_o it_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o heathen_a divinity_n have_v be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o taint_v and_o be_v reducible_a to_o one_o of_o these_o three_o head_n either_o erroneous_a uncertain_a or_o imperfect_a most_o of_o it_o erroneous_a much_o of_o it_o uncertain_a but_o all_o of_o it_o imperfect_a if_o we_o inquire_v how_o mankind_n come_v to_o be_v benight_a as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o these_o thing_n of_o great_a concernment_n how_o such_o a_o flood_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n come_v to_o overslow_v the_o gentile-world_n two_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v
can_v be_v admit_v as_o such_o be_v all_o 〈◊〉_d they_o find_v peculiar_o appertinent_a to_o the_o â—iblâ—_n and_o can_v belong_v to_o any_o other_o book_n or_o write_n or_o to_o any_o other_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o have_v thus_o establish_v these_o two_o general_a point_n first_o that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o reasonable_a and_o fit_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o revelation_n make_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n some_o supernatural_a law_n promulge_v as_o the_o great_a rule_n of_o man_n life_n here_o and_o god_n judgement_n hereafter_o and_o that_o these_o law_n shall_v be_v somewhere_o or_o other_o extant_a upon_o record_n that_o mankind_n may_v be_v full_o assure_v and_o ascertain_v about_o they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o such_o book_n as_o the_o bible_n pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v great_o unreasonable_a to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n and_o second_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n there_o be_v many_o general_a qualification_n that_o must_v necessary_o be_v appertinent_a to_o such_o a_o revelation_n wheresoever_o it_o be_v extant_a and_o by_o which_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o mankind_n shall_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o every_o pretence_n to_o it_o and_o that_o all_o those_o qualification_n be_v find_v punctual_o and_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o the_o bible_n and_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o extant_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n propose_v which_o be_v a_o more_o distinct_a and_o particular_a proof_n and_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o send_v we_o from_o heaven_n and_o be_v in_o truth_n that_o revelation_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o expect_v from_o above_o and_o that_o we_o have_v all_o those_o reason_n concur_v to_o make_v we_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o as_o such_o from_o whence_o a_o judgement_n in_o such_o a_o case_n ought_v final_o to_o result_v that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o evidence_n to_o be_v give_v in_o to_o prove_v its_o divinity_n as_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o desire_v nor_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v more_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o so_o much_o that_o where_o man_n corrupt_a interest_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v not_o predominant_a will_v appear_v sufficient_a to_o every_o impartial_a enquiry_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v prosecute_v in_o this_o method_n i_o will_v these_o several_a way_n consider_v this_o book_n first_o in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o the_o world_n second_o in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n three_o in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conveyance_n and_o last_o in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o we_o now_o find_v it_o and_o from_o each_o of_o these_o consideration_n will_v a_o signal_n testimony_n be_v give_v in_o to_o its_o divinity_n and_o when_o we_o have_v take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o whole_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o book_n both_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v at_o any_o time_n attend_v it_o do_v eminent_o relate_v itself_o to_o god_n as_o its_o author_n and_o can_v be_v reasonable_o judge_v the_o product_n of_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n whatsoever_o for_o the_o first_o when_o we_o reslâ—ct_v upon_o the_o â—â—me_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n we_o shall_v find_v two_o thing_n of_o very_a great_a weight_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o consideration_n first_o the_o antiquity_n of_o those_o thing_n it_o relate_v to_o we_o and_o inform_v we_o of_o and_o second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o 〈◊〉_d iâ—â—â—lâ—_n since_o compose_v and_o deliver_v to_o we_o with_o such_o a_o relation_n the_o content_n of_o this_o book_n â—â—ch_a aâ—_n far_o as_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o heaven_n and_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o god_n revelation_n to_o man_n since_o his_o first_o mâ—â—â—_n and_o original_a and_o of_o a_o oral_a and_o â—erâ—all_a intâ—â—â—â—â—â—se_n between_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o two_o thousand_o four_o hundred_o and_o old_a year_n before_o it_o be_v any_o where_o extant_a upon_o râ—â—â—â—d_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o write_v which_o no_o other_o bâ—â—â—_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v so_o much_o as_o make_v 〈◊〉_d â—â—â—â—â—â—ce_n to_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o revelation_n historical_o contain_v in_o this_o book_n it_o be_v wat_fw-mi be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o beginning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o 〈…〉_o the_o world_n itself_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o edition_n of_o it_o in_o this_o book_n and_o the_o time_n 〈◊〉_d this_o book_n aâ—â—ual_a publication_n with_o all_o the_o aâ—â—â—tional_a revelation_n contain_v in_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v this_o book_n to_o be_v the_o first_o bear_v in_o its_o kind_n to_o precede_v all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o and_o in_o truth_n to_o be_v extant_a while_n thales_n mileâ—â—us_n hamer_n hâ—rmes_n and_o the_o most_o primative_a writer_n the_o world_n have_v be_v unborn_a and_o unthought_a of_o moses_n write_v of_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n long_o before_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a god_n have_v a_o write_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o god_n please_v so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o although_o the_o revelation_n he_o make_v to_o the_o world_n be_v not_o write_v from_o the_o beginning_n yet_o they_o be_v write_v long_o before_o any_o other_o write_n be_v extant_a and_o his_o own_o law_n be_v first_o record_v and_o all_o other_o write_n be_v of_o a_o subsequent_a date_n to_o this_o holy_a book_n first_o i_o will_v evidence_n this_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o that_o to_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o due_a the_o right_n of_o primogeniture_n and_o that_o all_o other_o book_n be_v of_o a_o much_o after-edition_n and_o becond_o examine_v what_o reasonable_o result_v from_o thence_o towards_o that_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n we_o be_v about_o to_o all_o which_o this_o must_v be_v premise_v that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o thus_o ancient_n we_o intend_v actual_o no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v above_o four_o thousand_o year_n in_o a_o gradual_a publication_n and_o the_o bible_n itself_o above_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n in_o writing_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o the_o time_n that_o moses_n write_v to_o st._n john_n the_o revealer_n nor_o need_v we_o intend_v more_o to_o justify_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o whole_a because_o it_o be_v all_o there_o virtual_o contain_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o as_o its_o â—oâ—ndation_n and_o every_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n after_o moses_n till_o the_o top-stone_n be_v lay_v appear_v evident_o to_o be_v write_v in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o deliver_v and_o so_o much_o st._n paul_n affirm_v before_o foelix_n that_o he_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v long_o before_o extant_a in_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o fact_n the_o most_o ancient_a i_o find_v both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v be_v great_o concern_v to_o make_v it_o manifest_a as_o judge_v it_o a_o point_n that_o do_v great_o credit_v their_o profession_n and_o high_o justify_v that_o religion_n they_o adhere_v to_o josephus_n and_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n have_v much_o insist_v upon_o it_o and_o among_o the_o christian_a writer_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n eusebius_n cyrill_n of_o alexandria_n in_o his_o book_n against_o julian_n st._n austin_n and_o other_o but_o most_o especial_o justin_n martyr_n and_o eusebius_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o parenaetick_n to_o the_o grecian_n because_o they_o use_v with_o great_a arrogance_n to_o boast_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o own_o learning_n and_o religion_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n to_o look_v with_o great_a contempt_n upon_o other_o prove_v against_o they_o out_o of_o pagan_a author_n and_o those_o chief_o their_o own_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v of_o much_o great_a antiquity_n than_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n they_o can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o natural_a issue_n of_o those_o write_n found_v upon_o they_o and_o derive_v from_o they_o be_v no_o new_a or_o upstart_a invention_n but_o indeed_o the_o first_o and_o most_o ancient_a write_v and_o unwritten_a truth_n the_o world_n be_v possess_v of_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v afterward_o more_o large_o and_o distinct_o prove_v and_o make_v good_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n who_o thus_o conclude_v quare_fw-la omnibus_fw-la diis_fw-la ac_fw-la heroibus_fw-la graecorum_n multo_fw-la vetustior_fw-la
be_v in_o itself_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corporation_n of_o debauch_a and_o evil_a man_n destructive_a to_o all_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n whatever_o and_o perfect_o ruinous_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o this_o world_n of_o which_o there_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n but_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o sober_a mind_a man_n never_o be_v there_o any_o doctrine_n bring_v to_o light_n so_o holy_a and_o so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n that_o have_v visible_o the_o high_a tendency_n to_o those_o two_o great_a end_n of_o all_o religion_n the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o man_n present_a and_o future_a happiness_n no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o particular_a duty_n enjoin_v destructive_a to_o man_n true_a happiness_n but_o all_o perfective_a of_o it_o the_o strict_a self-denial_n have_v a_o recompense_n propose_v to_o we_o of_o a_o hundred_o fold_n in_o thing_n of_o a_o far_o more_o noble_a and_o excellent_a nature_n and_o most_o suitable_a in_o all_o such_o case_n to_o a_o rational_a choice_n the_o result_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v this_o whenever_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n be_v likely_a to_o come_v from_o god_n we_o be_v upon_o the_o high_a and_o most_o unquestionable_a ground_n of_o assurance_n that_o we_o can_v be_v whenever_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v a_o contrary_a doctrine_n it_o be_v the_o high_a trial_n but_o still_o god_n be_v please_v to_o order_v it_o so_o that_o we_o have_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o oppose_v and_o will_v sâ—â—nd_v it_o and_o â—â—â—kon_v in_o only_a as_o such_o whâ—â—â—ver_o consult_v thâ—_n writing_n of_o the_o primiâ—iâ—e_n châ—â—sâ—â—â—â—_n will_v and_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n upon_o which_o they_o â—hâ—â—â—lâ—_n inâ—â—â—â—d_n and_o by_o the_o strength_n whereof_o the_o christian_a religion_n make_v its_o sâ—â—st_a enâ—â—aâ—ce_n and_o ravel_v through_o a_o 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testament_n and_o in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v teach_v and_o so_o make_v the_o testimony_n of_o his_o miracle_n unquestionable_a thereby_o for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n accompany_v with_o such_o miraculous_a evidence_n must_v needs_o be_v from_o god_n and_o can_v admit_v of_o no_o rational_a opposition_n and_o therefore_o in_o discourse_v this_o matter_n in_o hand_n neither_o aught_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o neither_o the_o doctrine_n nor_o the_o miracle_n distinct_o and_z separately_z from_o the_o other_o but_o both_o urge_v in_o that_o excellent_a conjunction_n in_o which_o they_o be_v hand_v down_o to_o we_o three_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o book_n in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conneyance_n we_o have_v from_o thence_o still_o further_o evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o more_o rational_a persuasion_n to_o derive_v it_o from_o god_n as_o a_o book_n of_o his_o own_o compose_v and_o about_o which_o he_o have_v exercise_v a_o peculiar_a care_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o that_o this_o book_n though_o write_v at_o several_a time_n all_o so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o some_o of_o it_o before_o any_o other_o book_n be_v extant_a have_v yet_o in_o its_o passage_n through_o so_o many_o age_n escape_v all_o the_o danger_n to_o which_o it_o have_v be_v expose_v and_o be_v preserve_v entire_a to_o we_o to_o this_o day_n second_o that_o this_o rock_n and_o the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v make_v its_o entrance_n into_o the_o world_n and_o gain_v a_o acceptance_n among_o mankind_n in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o itself_o and_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o when_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o it_o will_v seem_v absord_n and_o ridiculous_a to_o all_o common_a reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o wicked_a sergeant_n and_o the_o stande_v piece_n of_o imposture_n about_o god_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o to_o do_v or_o indeed_o that_o any_o book_n of_o religion_n shall_v upon_o such_o perme_n arrive_v at_o such_o a_o reception_n but_o one_o that_o contain_v the_o high_a and_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o have_v the_o great_a god_n for_o its_o author_n for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v true_a that_o other_o book_n very_o ancient_a and_o write_v long_o ago_o as_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v have_v descend_v entire_a to_o this_o very_a age._n but_o herein_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o bible_n through_o the_o channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o write_n not_o only_o that_o it_o be_v some_o of_o it_o much_o elder_a than_o they_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n more_o liable_a to_o loss_n and_o decay_n but_o that_o no_o book_n or_o write_n the_o world_n be_v ever_o possess_v of_o have_v have_v that_o violent_a opposition_n make_v against_o it_o nor_o such_o design_n form_v for_o its_o ruin_n and_o extirpation_n as_o this_o have_v have_v other_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a passage_n this_o have_v be_v often_o beset_v with_o most_o keen_a and_o inveterate_a enemy_n beside_o that_o great_a hazard_n so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n be_v in_o as_o than_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n when_o for_o aught_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n there_o be_v but_o one_o copy_n and_o that_o have_v be_v lose_v for_o sixty_o eight_o or_o sixty_o nine_o year_n and_o be_v hide_v either_o in_o the_o rubbish_n or_o else_o in_o some_o secret_a part_n of_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o temple_n for_o it_o be_v find_v when_o the_o temple_n come_v to_o be_v repair_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v there_o hide_v during_o the_o wicked_a reign_n of_o manasseh_n by_o some_o malicious_a idolater_n with_o a_o intention_n utter_o to_o extinguish_v it_o which_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v do_v in_o a_o way_n that_o have_v make_v it_o irrecoverable_a have_v not_o a_o divine_a hand_n over_o rule_v and_o secure_v it_o beside_o this_o and_o some_o other_o hazard_n the_o bible_n have_v escape_v of_o a_o like_a nature_n we_o read_v of_o two_o famous_a and_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n furnish_v with_o all_o humane_a power_n that_o with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o skill_n have_v beset_v it_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o empâ—rour_n dioclesian_n under_o the_o nâ—w_n this_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n call_v likewise_o and_o much_o moâ—â—_n true_o epiâ—â—aâ—â—â—_n the_o mad_a and_o the_o furious_a be_v prophefy_v of_o and_o plain_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n david_n in_o the_o eight_o and_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n he_o there_o call_v he_o a_o king_n of_o fierce_a countâ—â—â—â—ce_n and_o say_v his_o heart_n shall_v be_v against_o the_o hâ—ly_a covenant_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v indignation_n against_o the_o holy_a covenant_n which_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a this_o antiochus_n come_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o most_o cruel_o destroy_v and_o waste_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v it_o his_o grand_a business_n to_o ruin_v the_o jew_n and_o utter_o extinguish_v their_o whole_a religion_n and_o worship_n dedicate_v their_o temple_n to_o jupiter_n olympius_n erect_v a_o altar_n therein_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o that_o â—â—â—l_n and_o in_o contempt_n of_o the_o jew_n cause_v many_o swine_n to_o be_v slay_v and_o offer_v up_o in_o sacâ—â—fiâ—e_n to_o he_o and_o as_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o pat_o a_o perfect_a â—â—nd_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o that_o place_n and_o people_n with_o utmost_a diligence_n make_v search_v after_o their_o law_n and_o wheresoever_o he_o sound_v it_o iâ—â—â—_n dirty_o burn_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o threatened_a â—â—st_n exquisite_a torment_n and_o death_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v dare_v to_o conceal_v or_o retain_v it_o of_o which_o josephas_n give_v we_o the_o relation_n
be_v the_o reasonable_a bound_n of_o all_o such_o future_a debate_n as_o be_v bottom_v upon_o they_o but_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v when_o the_o principle_n themselves_o be_v in_o question_n nor_o upon_o such_o who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v they_o as_o erroneous_a and_o mistake_v when_o two_o mabumetan_o be_v in_o dispute_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o koran_n be_v to_o they_o a_o proper_a umpirage_n because_o a_o principle_n grant_v by_o both_o but_o when_o a_o mahometan_a dispute_n with_o a_o christian_a the_o proof_n of_o the_o koran_n itself_o must_v precede_v any_o proof_n he_o can_v make_v of_o religion_n from_o thence_o because_o whatever_o be_v itself_o under_o question_n and_o doubt_n can_v never_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o determine_v other_o controversy_n by_o nor_o ought_v this_o the_o fact_n whereof_o be_v so_o verify_v to_o we_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o man_n shall_v often_o mistake_v and_o general_o differ_v and_o divide_v upon_o all_o such_o acquire_v principle_n as_o they_o do_v that_o it_o be_v hard_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o find_v a_o instance_n wherein_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v be_v able_a universal_o to_o take_v one_o step_v together_o beyond_o those_o first_o and_o irrisistible_a institute_n of_o knowledge_n and_o those_o primary_n element_n of_o a_o rational_a be_v it_o be_v no_o way_n strange_a to_o see_v what_o be_v lay_v as_o a_o foundation_n by_o one_o shall_v seem_v a_o absolute_a nullity_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o another_o what_o one_o man_n resign_v up_o himself_o to_o as_o his_o guide_n another_o shall_v reject_v with_o contempt_n if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o difficulty_n wherewith_o all_o acquire_v knowledge_n be_v attain_v and_o the_o various_a path_n man_n tread_v towards_o it_o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o reduce_v thing_n to_o a_o harmony_n with_o the_o rational_a nature_n with_o what_o labour_n and_o sweat_v of_o the_o mind_n we_o come_v to_o measure_v out_o thing_n by_o the_o line_n of_o 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preingaged_n a_o touchstone_n sufficient_a to_o discover_v such_o counterfeit_a metal_n some_o part_n of_o it_o seem_v rather_o like_o the_o rave_n of_o man_n distract_v then_o any_o product_n of_o common_a reason_n it_o tell_v we_o that_o man_n be_v first_o create_v of_o shadow_n that_o the_o earth_n be_v make_v in_o two_o day_n and_o that_o god_n fasten_v it_o to_o the_o mountain_n by_o anchor_n and_o cable_n that_o mahomet_n cut_v the_o moon_n into_o two_o piece_n and_o cement_v it_o close_o together_o again_o with_o a_o multitude_n of_o such_o rave_v and_o distract_v phantasm_n in_o many_o thing_n it_o be_v evident_o self-contradictious_a and_o what_o be_v say_v in_o one_o place_n be_v direct_o overthrow_v in_o another_o mahomet_n himself_o sometime_o plain_o confess_v he_o know_v not_o whether_o he_o or_o his_o be_v in_o a_o way_n of_o salvation_n for_o which_o very_a say_n i_o wonder_v the_o people_n do_v not_o stone_n he_o the_o whole_a of_o it_o a_o rhapsody_n of_o most_o prodigious_a absurdity_n a_o câ—nlused_v inconsistent_a composure_n principle_n of_o heathenism_n judaisme_n and_o christianity_n all_o general_o corrupt_v and_o so_o wild_o patch_v up_o together_o that_o mahomet_n may_v very_o well_o declare_v what_o he_o do_v that_o he_o think_v no_o body_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a too_o under_v and_o his_o law_n whatever_o we_o sin_v in_o it_o that_o carry_v the_o least_o resemblance_n of_o truth_n be_v apparent_o steal_v out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o for_o the_o most_o part_n visible_o falsify_v and_o invert_v it_o tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n be_v secret_o convey_v inâ—o_o heaven_n and_o that_o somewhat_o in_o his_o likeness_n which_o be_v not_o himself_o be_v nail_v to_o the_o cross_n that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o crucify_a but_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v abuse_v and_o delude_v it_o tell_v we_o also_o that_o in_o the_o 14_o of_o st._n john_n gospel_n where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o send_v the_o comforter_n that_o there_o be_v much_o sard_n of_o mahomet_n which_o the_o christian_n have_v since_o raze_v out_o which_o be_v to_o father_n a_o ridiculous_a and_o impossible_a falsehood_n upon_o they_o for_o that_o gospel_n be_v extant_a long_o before_o mahomet_n be_v bear_v or_o think_v of_o for_o he_o be_v not_o bear_v till_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 571_o and_o publish_v most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n over_o not_o only_o in_o the_o greek_a copy_n of_o it_o but_o in_o divers_a translation_n in_o the_o syriac_a arabic_a ethiopick_n and_o latin_a tongue_n and_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o the_o possibility_n of_o any_o universal_a alteration_n that_o can_v be_v make_v by_o the_o christian_n in_o mahomet_n time_n that_o which_o the_o koran_n tell_v we_o in_o general_a of_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n direct_o overthrow_v itself_o and_o mahomet_n thereby_o have_v utter_o subvert_v his_o whole_a fabric_n for_o he_o say_v that_o moses_n and_o christ_n be_v both_o send_v from_o god_n and_o that_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v divine_a book_n that_o god_n impart_v the_o law_n to_o moses_n the_o psalm_n to_o david_n and_o the_o gospel_n to_o christ_n but_o pretend_v that_o as_o the_o gospel_n succeed_v the_o law_n so_o the_o koran_n do_v the_o gospel_n now_o if_o the_o first_o be_v true_a i_o be_o sure_a the_o latter_a be_v false_a unless_o god_n can_v contradict_v himself_o which_o be_v impossible_a for_o both_o moses_n and_o christ_n have_v deliver_v very_o many_o doctrine_n direct_o contrary_a to_o his._n the_o bible_n and_o the_o koran_n be_v sufficient_o inconsistent_a and_o therefore_o wherever_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v book_n divine_a and_o from_o god_n the_o koran_n ought_v reasonable_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o a_o vile_a and_o wicked_a delusion_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v as_o usual_o it_o be_v how_o that_o religion_n come_v to_o spread_v so_o far_o and_o the_o disciple_n thereof_o to_o be_v so_o numerous_a if_o it_o 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moses_n invenitur_fw-la and_o indeed_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o the_o grecian_a god_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o own_o history_n be_v not_o of_o a_o much_o early_a date_n than_o the_o war_n and_o ruin_n of_o troy_n which_o moses_n precede_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n josephus_n say_v in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n that_o the_o grecian_n have_v no_o elder_a write_v then_o homer_n who_o live_v as_o pliny_n say_v two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o trojan_a war_n which_o war_n be_v about_o four_o hundred_o and_o seven_o year_n before_o the_o olympiad_n begin_v according_a to_o solinus_n two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o year_n as_o herodotus_n think_v three_o hundred_o but_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o his_o own_o poem_n that_o he_o live_v some_o very_a considerable_a time_n after_o at_o least_o one_o hundred_o year_n by_o the_o low_a calculation_n moses_n be_v so_o long_o before_o he_o and_o so_o much_o his_o predecessor_n that_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o that_o make_v mention_n of_o he_o that_o he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n at_o least_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a before_o the_o battle_n of_o troy_n before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n not_o less_o than_o eight_o hundred_o and_o forty_o year_n till_o which_o time_n the_o grecian_a history_n be_v general_o confuse_a and_o impâ—râ—â—â—â—_n nâ—r_o have_v they_o any_o certainty_n in_o stâ—ry_a till_o thâ—n_v which_o varro_n positive_o affirm_v and_o eusâ—bâ—â—â—_n also_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o annal_n of_o africaâ—us_n who_o tell_v we_o usâ—iad_n oâ—â—mpiadas_n niâ—il_fw-la exploratum_fw-la in_o histori_n graecorum_n mâ—â—tur_fw-la sed_fw-la omne_fw-la consusis_fw-la conscripta_fw-la temporiâ—us_fw-la sunt_fw-la post_v olympiad_a â—s_n uâ—ro_fw-la quoniam_fw-la quadrâ—â—unto_n dilâ—gentissime_fw-la oâ—nia_fw-la notahantuâ—_n nulla_fw-la penitus_fw-la confusio_fw-la temporum_fw-la su_fw-es and_o indeed_o till_o that_o time_n there_o be_v little_a certainty_n in_o any_o story_n but_o that_o o_o the_o bible_n he_o live_v bâ—fore_o the_o build_a oâ—_n rome_n about_o eight_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o five_o year_n for_o rome_n be_v found_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o olimpiad_n which_o be_v twenty_o five_o year_n after_o their_o first_o beginning_n but_o suppose_v homer_n be_v not_o the_o first_o grecian_a writer_n as_o euschius_n and_o other_o think_v and_o perhaps_o true_o enough_o that_o they_o have_v other_o before_o he_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o agree_v to_o by_o all_o they_o have_v no_o letter_n among_o they_o till_o cadmus_n nor_o any_o written-â—earning_a for_o some_o considerable_a time_n after_o he_o and_o â—tis_o well_o know_v that_o cadmus_n be_v late_a than_o moses_n those_o that_o carry_v he_o high_a make_v he_o but_o contemporary_a with_o josuah_n and_o he_o be_v as_o some_o think_v more_o true_o to_o be_v reckon_v of_o the_o same_o time_n with_o othâ—icl_n mention_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o ancient_a learning_n the_o world_n possess_v of_o beside_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v in_o the_o greek_a toâ—â—â—e_n so_o justin_n martyr_n observe_v speak_v of_o this_o matter_n say_v â—e_n si_fw-mi quis_fw-la vel_fw-la pâ—etarâ—â—_n veterum_fw-la vel_fw-la legislaterum_fw-la vel_fw-la â—isioâ—â—orâ—m_fw-la well_fw-mi plilosopherum_n meminissâ—_n velit_fw-la comperiet_fw-la tamen_fw-la illâ—s_fw-la libros_fw-la sue_v â—râ—cerum_fw-la composâ—â—sse_fw-la literis_fw-la both_o justin_n martyr_n who_o live_v within_o a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o of_o christ_n and_o â—uschiâ—s_a aâ—our_n two_o hundred_o aâ—ter_v he_o have_v evident_o prove_v from_o the_o best_a and_o most_o acknowledge_a calculation_n and_o from_o the_o mention_n that_o be_v make_v of_o moses_n by_o prophâ—â—e_a writer_n such_o as_o sanconiathon_n the_o phaenician_a antiquate_v berâ—sus_n caldeus_n ptolomen_n and_o manâ—tho_n egyptian_a chronologer_n and_o among_o the_o creacâ—aâ—s_n artapanus_n polemon_n eupolemus_n and_o from_o tregus_fw-la pompâ—ius_n epitomise_v by_o justin_n and_o other_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o legislator_n and_o live_v long_o before_o any_o author_n of_o book_n be_v extant_a and_o this_o be_v also_o very_o particular_o affirm_v by_o dioderus_fw-la siculus_n the_o best_a and_o most_o eminent_a historian_n the_o graciansâ—â—d_n â—â—d_z who_o say_v himself_o he_o spend_v thirty_o year_n in_o travel_n to_o search_v out_o the_o antiquity_n of_o all_o country_n and_o to_o enable_v himself_o to_o write_v a_o general_n story_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o history_n that_o â—e_n have_v learn_v from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n that_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o legislator_n and_o precede_v all_o other_o in_o that_o kind_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o many_o ancient_a author_n that_o he_o live_v with_o and_o to_o they_o st._n austin_n agree_v in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civet_n dei_fw-la and_o by_o other_o that_o he_o precede_v cecrops_n the_o founder_n of_o athens_n after_o who_o all_o those_o ancient_n and_o memorable_a thing_n fall_v out_o in_o greece_n as_o deucalion_n flood_n phaeton_n sire_n the_o birth_n of_o ericthonius_n the_o ripe_a of_o proserpina_n the_o mystery_n of_o ceres_n the_o â—â—titution_n of_o the_o eliâ—â—â—â—â—â—_n sacrifice_n triptolemus_n his_o art_n of_o tilling_n the_o ground_n the_o carry_v away_o of_o europa_n the_o birth_n of_o apollo_n the_o build_n of_o thebes_n by_o cadmus_n after_o who_o also_o where_o bacchus_n minos_n perseus_n esculapius_n hercules_n and_o other_o who_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o grecian_a author_n as_o most_o ancient_a nor_o have_v the_o grecian_n any_o high_a term_n to_o express_v antiquity_n by_o than_o cecropian_a and_o ogygian_a which_o they_o use_v to_o call_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v most_o ancient_a from_o cecrops_n and_o ogyges_n in_o who_o time_n they_o suppose_v man_n like_o mushroom_n spring_v natural_o out_o of_o the_o earth_n about_o athens_n but_o the_o certain_a account_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o direct_a time_n in_o which_o moses_n live_v be_v this_o that_o he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o inachus_n the_o first_o king_n of_o the_o archieâ—es_n in_o this_o chronologer_n seem_v most_o general_o to_o agree_v as_o scaliger_n show_v in_o his_o most_o learned_a animadversion_n upon_o eusebius_n his_o chronologie_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n tatianus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n athenagoras_n theophilus_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n affirm_v it_o and_o from_o many_o heathen_a author_n we_o have_v direct_a evidence_n for_o it_o polemon_n in_o his_o first_o book_n rerum_fw-la graecanicarum_fw-la be_v express_v in_o it_o and_o apion_n both_o in_o his_o commentary_n that_o he_o write_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o also_o in_o other_o of_o his_o write_n speak_v of_o the_o jew_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n regnante_fw-la apud_fw-la archivos_fw-la inacho_n quibus_fw-la say_v he_o prefuit_n moses_n and_o ptolomen_n mendiâ—us_n a_o egyptian_a that_o write_v the_o chronicle_n of_o egypt_n say_v that_o moses_n govern_v the_o jew_n and_o lead_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n quando_fw-la inachus_n argis_n regnabat_fw-la and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o that_o be_v any_o way_n verse_v in_o antiquity_n that_o inachus_n and_o also_o cecrops_n live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o trojan_a war_n and_o long_o enough_o before_o any_o book_n or_o the_o most_o ancient_a write_a learning_n the_o world_n have_v be_v extant_a tertullian_n in_o the_o 19_o chapter_n of_o his_o apology_n tell_v the_o roman_n they_o also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o grecian_n glorify_v much_o in_o antiquity_n say_v he_o our_o religion_n far_o out_o do_v all_o you_o can_v produce_v of_o that_o kind_n for_o the_o book_n of_o one_o of_o our_o prophet_n only_o viz._n moses_n wherein_o it_o seem_v god_n have_v enclose_v as_o in_o a_o treasury_n all_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o consequent_o all_o the_o christian_a religion_n precede_v for_o many_o age_n together_o reach_v beyond_o the_o ancient_a you_o have_v even_o all_o your_o public_a monument_n the_o antiquity_n of_o your_o original_n the_o establishment_n of_o your_o estate_n the_o birth_n of_o most_o part_n of_o the_o people_n the_o foundation_n of_o many_o great_a city_n all_o that_o most_o advance_a by_o you_o in_o all_o age_n of_o history_n and_o memory_n of_o time_n the_o invention_n of_o character_n which_o be_v interpreter_n of_o science_n and_o the_o guardian_n of_o all_o excellent_a thing_n i_o think_v i_o may_v say_v more_o even_o your_o god_n temple_n oracle_n and_o sacrifice_n have_v you_o hear_v mention_v make_v of_o that_o great_a prophet_n moses_n he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o inachus_n he_o precede_v danaus_n three_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o thirteen_o year_n the_o ancient_a of_o all_o that_o have_v a_o name_n in_o your_o history_n he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o ruin_n of_o troy_n every_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n succeed_v moses_n and_o yet_o the_o last_o of_o they_o all_o be_v of_o the_o same_o age_n as_o your_o first_o wise_a man_n lawgiver_n and_o historian_n be_v
at_o large_a in_o the_o 12_o book_n of_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n some_o will_v needs_o imagine_v that_o antiochus_n so_o far_o prevail_v in_o this_o undertake_n that_o the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a be_v whole_o destroy_v but_o the_o contrary_n be_v most_o evident_a and_o a_o special_a providence_n in_o their_o preservation_n sufficient_o visible_a for_o no_o soon_o be_v that_o storm_n over_o but_o the_o bible_n be_v every_o where_o public_o extant_a have_v be_v particular_o preserve_v by_o mathias_n the_o son_n of_o asmonaeus_fw-la and_o his_o son_n who_o as_o josephus_n say_v resolute_o venture_v their_o life_n in_o the_o do_v it_o and_o also_o by_o other_o good_a man_n and_o be_v universal_o know_v in_o that_o age_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v so_o calvin_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o institutes_n observe_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v undergo_v the_o malice_n of_o manifold_a enemy_n on_o all_o hand_n yet_o neither_o the_o loss_n nor_o the_o change_n nor_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o law_n be_v ever_o by_o their_o worst_a enemy_n object_v against_o they_o and_o indeed_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o enmity_n be_v against_o their_o religion_n yet_o they_o never_o deny_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o law_n they_o have_v be_v the_o same_o he_o deliâ—cred_a at_o first_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n since_o the_o closure_n and_o completion_n of_o the_o whole_a what_o a_o fâ—â—ious_a persecution_n do_v the_o bible_n escape_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n who_o after_o the_o grievous_a suffering_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o i_o before_o persecution_n assault_v they_o about_o the_o year_n 302_o with_o the_o sore_a and_o most_o cruel_a of_o all_o and_o with_o a_o full_a purpose_n to_o root_n christianity_n utter_o out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o destroy_v its_o very_a name_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n euselius_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o publish_v a_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o christianity_n itself_o in_o which_o he_o so_o much_o glory_v that_o he_o cause_v a_o pillar_n to_o be_v erect_v as_o his_o memorial_n to_o all_o posterity_n with_o this_o inscription_n dioclesiano_n casari_fw-la augusto_fw-la superstitione_n christi_fw-la ubique_fw-la deleta_fw-la to_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n have_v abolish_v the_o superstition_n of_o christ_n all_o the_o world_n over_o by_o that_o edict_n he_o command_v that_o the_o christian-churche_n shall_v every_v where_o be_v demolish_v the_o christian_n all_o seize_v and_o imprison_v et_fw-la quibuâ—cunque_fw-la adhiâ—itis_fw-la machinis_fw-la victimas_fw-la idolis_fw-la immolare_fw-la cogerentur_fw-la that_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o mean_n fair_a and_o foul_a they_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o sacrifice_v unto_o his_o idol_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v every_o where_o seek_v for_o burn_v and_o destroy_v and_o whoever_o retain_v they_o shall_v be_v most_o sharp_o torment_v dioclesian_n at_o this_o time_n have_v the_o command_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n for_o as_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a writer_n say_v romanâ—_n spatium_fw-la est_fw-la vrbis_fw-la &_o orbis_n idem_fw-la the_o scripture_n be_v then_o but_o in_o write_a hand_n man_n general_o quake_v with_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o rage_a tyrant_n very_o many_o apostatise_v and_o deliver_v up_o the_o bible_n to_o his_o wrath_n and_o be_v thereupon_o brand_v with_o the_o name_n of_o traditores_fw-la of_o which_o and_o of_o the_o whole_a business_n we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v a_o large_a account_n have_v not_o the_o life_n of_o deoclesian_n write_v by_o eusthenius_n his_o secretary_n be_v since_o lose_v for_o as_o baronius_n have_v right_o observe_v in_o his_o annal_n we_o have_v now_o no_o writer_n who_o do_v at_o that_o time_n historical_o set_v down_o the_o action_n of_o that_o emperor_n yet_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n deliver_v this_o book_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n disappoint_v his_o fury_n and_o suffer_v he_o not_o to_o quench_v the_o light_n of_o these_o divine_a law_n the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n tire_v out_o the_o invention_n of_o their_o enemy_n in_o find_v out_o way_n to_o torment_v they_o and_o by_o their_o constant_a and_o patient_a suffer_v the_o utmost_a of_o humane_a misery_n even_o weary_v out_o their_o executioner_n one_o remarkable_a passage_n we_o have_v in_o euseblus_fw-la that_o happen_v upon_o this_o occasion_n a_o noble_a man_n in_o nicomedia_n of_o eminent_a quality_n hear_v this_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o bible_n publish_v at_o nicemedâ—a_n after_o it_o be_v read_v and_o open_o fix_v to_o a_o public_a pillar_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o dioclesian_n himself_o maximinius_n galerius_n constantius_n and_o other_o the_o chief_a person_n in_o the_o empire_n for_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o emperor_n to_o come_v themselves_o in_o person_n with_o their_o chief_a attendants_n to_o hear_v their_o own_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n proclaim_v to_o see_v the_o christian_n torment_v and_o to_o make_v themselves_o sport_n with_o their_o misery_n this_o noble_a man_n have_v such_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o before_o the_o emperor_n face_n he_o take_v down_o that_o profane_a and_o impious_a edict_n and_o with_o a_o holy_a indignation_n open_o tear_v it_o to_o piece_n and_z and_o thereby_o willing_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o utmost_a suffering_n the_o fury_n and_o rage_n of_o the_o emperor_n can_v any_o way_n make_v he_o the_o subject_n of_o two_o thing_n be_v usual_o urge_v in_o diminution_n of_o the_o â—â—ble_a and_o its_o authority_n upon_o a_o quite_o contrary_a account_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v preserve_v entire_a in_o the_o whole_a or_o in_o its_o part_n that_o first_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n periâ—â—ed_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n and_o that_o esdras_n write_v it_o himself_o all_o over_o again_o upon_o their_o return_n and_o that_o we_o have_v now_o so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n only_o from_o he_o and_o as_o he_o re-pâ—â—ned_n it_o in_o this_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o the_o 33_o chapter_n of_o his_o leviathan_n where_o he_o have_v not_o fail_v to_o insinuate_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v gratify_v man_n of_o sceptical_a notion_n about_o the_o bible_n be_v very_o positive_a and_o tell_v we_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v derive_v to_o we_o from_o no_o other_o time_n then_o that_o of_o esdras_n and_o be_v retrive_v by_o he_o when_o they_o be_v lose_v and_o second_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o many_o particular_a book_n and_o write_n pen_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o once_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v since_o consume_v by_o time_n and_o be_v now_o whole_o lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n the_o first_o that_o so_o much_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o be_v then_o extant_a which_o be_v the_o whole_a as_o we_o have_v it_o save_o some_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezeâ—iel_n daniel_n haggai_n zachary_n and_o masachai_n and_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v total_o lose_v and_o all_o the_o copy_n destroy_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v a_o assertion_n very_o weak_o ground_v and_o there_o be_v very_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o persuade_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o weak_o ground_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o that_o in_o a_o apocryphal_a book_n that_o go_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o four_o book_n of_o esdras_n a_o book_n every_o where_o stuff_v with_o childish_a and_o fabulous_a stoties_fw-la there_o we_o find_v this_o absurd_a fiction_n that_o esdras_n shall_v speak_v unto_o god_n and_o tell_v he_o thy_o law_n be_v burn_v and_o no_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n that_o thou_o have_v do_v and_o therefore_o desire_v to_o be_v inspire_v to_o write_v it_o all_o over_o again_o and_o to_o wrire_fw-fr all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o after_o he_o have_v be_v forty_o day_n and_o night_n with_o god_n in_o a_o apish_a foolish_a imitation_n of_o moses_n and_o have_v take_v a_o potion_n god_n have_v prepare_v for_o he_o he_o dictate_v all_o the_o bible_n over_o again_o to_o five_o man_n now_o of_o how_o little_a credit_n this_o relation_n be_v no_o where_n find_v but_o in_o this_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v with_o any_o consider_a man_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o book_n be_v not_o only_o constant_o reject_v as_o apocryphal_a by_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o a_o counterfeit_n under_o esdras_n his_o name_n and_o none_o of_o he_o but_o have_v be_v so_o by_o all_o
such_o attempt_n have_v still_o be_v discover_v and_o open_o shame_v how_o many_o heretic_n have_v carry_v about_o their_o own_o confutation_n while_o they_o possess_v this_o book_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o change_v or_o alter_v such_o passage_n as_o have_v be_v most_o cogent_n against_o themselves_o the_o bible_n pass_v through_o the_o arian-world_n with_o all_o those_o plain_a evidence_n it_o contain_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o emperor_n council_n and_o indeed_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o whole_a christian-world_n wâ—â—etainted_v with_o that_o heresy_n the_o bible_n escape_v the_o infection_n when_o the_o alteration_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plain_a text_n will_v have_v do_v they_o more_o service_n than_o all_o the_o volume_n they_o write_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o great_a design_n be_v on_o foot_n that_o way_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o disappoint_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n need_v no_o other_o confutation_n than_o their_o own_o bible_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v be_v theiâ—_n great_a accuser_n all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o this_o day_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o uriaâ—_n be_v of_o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n which_o contain_v his_o own_o ruin_n and_o as_o goliaâ—_n be_v of_o hiâ—_n sword_n which_o serve_v at_o last_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o own_o head_n second_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o book_n since_o its_o conveyance_n give_v in_o a_o signal_n and_o most_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o its_o divinity_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v gain_v that_o reception_n we_o find_v it_o have_v have_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o a_o religion_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corrupt_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o call_v man_n to_o the_o high_a mortification_n and_o self-denial_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o invisible_a world_n to_o come_v naked_o propose_v by_o man_n upon_o a_o worldly_a account_n always_o inconsiderable_a without_o any_o the_o least_o earthly_a support_n a_o religion_n period_v the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o total_o subvert_v all_o other_o religion_n a_o religion_n oppose_v &_o disow_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o though_o it_o derive_v itself_o whole_o from_o they_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a completion_n of_o all_o they_o believe_v and_o expect_v a_o religion_n in_o oppostion_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v agree_v and_o indeed_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n perfect_o concur_v i_o say_v it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n so_o circumstance_v against_o all_o the_o religion_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o first_o make_v its_o entrance_n and_o be_v embrace_v by_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n and_o within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o after_o its_o first_o publication_n for_o so_o it_o be_v be_v spread_v not_o only_o throughout_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o also_o among_o the_o parthian_n and_o remote_a heathen_n to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o it_o be_v own_o innate_a worth_n and_o the_o divine_a evidence_n from_o heaven_n attend_v it_o can_v it_o with_o any_o tolerable_a colour_n of_o reason_n be_v ascribe_v the_o zeal_n man_n have_v for_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v sufficient_o prompt_v they_o to_o hate_v abhor_v and_o persecute_v it_o the_o learning_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v employ_v to_o render_v it_o despicable_a and_o to_o bring_v it_o under_o contempt_n and_o all_o the_o force_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v every_o where_o violent_o at_o work_n for_o its_o total_a suppression_n and_o extirpation_n and_o yet_o against_o all_o these_o seem_a invincible_a opposition_n do_v the_o bible_n prevail_v the_o power_n of_o that_o great_a empire_n can_v not_o withstand_v the_o naked_a proposal_n of_o a_o simple_a truth_n and_o both_o judaisme_n in_o the_o main_a of_o it_o as_o a_o national_a establismment_n and_o heathenism_n final_o fall_v before_o it_o this_o book_n and_o the_o religion_n it_o contain_v as_o it_o avow_v itself_o to_o be_v sole_o from_o god_n and_o come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o command_a voice_n from_o heaven_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o god_n own_o name_n and_o upon_o that_o single_a account_n require_v our_o obedience_n and_o those_o that_o write_v it_o neither_o have_v nor_o pretend_v to_o have_v any_o other_o authority_n but_o what_o be_v divine_a and_o from_o above_o so_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o by_o mean_n suitable_a thereunto_o never_o be_v there_o at_o first_o any_o force_n use_v to_o compel_v man_n nor_o any_o art_n practise_v to_o deceive_v man_n about_o this_o matter_n no_o man_n can_v prove_v out_o of_o any_o story_n that_o ever_o the_o apostle_n or_o the_o primitive_a professor_n of_o this_o religion_n raise_v arm_n to_o introduce_v or_o promote_v it_o or_o that_o any_o humane_a authority_n do_v countenance_n or_o assist_v it_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v this_o to_o say_v for_o itself_o above_o all_o other_o that_o it_o be_v to_o debtor_n to_o the_o sword_n either_o in_o a_o civil_a or_o military_a way_n neither_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n nor_o the_o sword_n of_o war_n can_v lay_v any_o claim_n to_o it_o as_o a_o product_n of_o they_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a world_n â—ad_v embrace_v it_o and_o be_v become_v criâ—tians_n before_o constantine_n public_o own_v it_o it_o owe_v nothing_o to_o any_o violent_a course_n for_o its_o primitive_a reception_n nor_o indeed_o to_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n neither_o the_o subtlety_n of_o philosopher_n nor_o the_o eloquence_n of_o orator_n assist_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o never_o advance_v one_o step_n further_o in_o its_o first_o publication_n than_o its_o own_o innate_a excellency_n &_o the_o divine_a evidence_n attend_v it_o procure_v it_o acceptance_n nor_o do_v it_o ever_o gain_v a_o convert_n but_o where_o it_o can_v approve_v itself_o by_o divine_a evidence_n to_o the_o reason_n &_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o be_v divine_a i_o make_v a_o peremptory_a demand_n to_o all_o antiscriptural_a man_n to_o grant_v i_o this_o as_o a_o truth_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o denial_n that_o for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o gospel_n by_o its_o own_o divine_a strength_n withstand_v the_o most_o furious_a and_o violent_a wind_n &_o tide_n of_o all_o humane_a opposition_n and_o by_o no_o other_o assistance_n but_o what_o be_v pure_o divine_a travel_v most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n over_o it_o offer_v itself_o to_o man_n reception_n upon_o no_o other_o term_n but_o by_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n and_o be_v content_v to_o stand_v and_o fall_v by_o the_o rational_a determination_n of_o every_o man_n own_o breast_n and_o sâ—_n prevail_v such_o who_o embrace_v it_o haâ—_n no_o other_o way_n of_o contest_v but_o holiness_n oâ—_n live_v and_o patience_n in_o suffer_v 〈◊〉_d both_o which_o they_o be_v very_o eminent_a to_o the_o first_o their_o very_a enemy_n the_o heathen_n bear_v testimony_n pliny_n and_o other_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_n harmless_a and_o holy_a behaviour_n for_o the_o latter_a never_o be_v any_o religion_n so_o begin_v and_o propagate_v by_o such_o indefatigable_a suffering_n how_o few_o martyr_n for_o religion_n can_v the_o heathen_a world_n boast_v of_o if_o we_o admit_v socrates_n for_o one_o how_o few_o successor_n have_v he_o and_o those_o few_o they_o pretend_v to_o seem_v by_o all_o circumstance_n to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o perpetuate_v their_o own_o name_n to_o posterity_n by_o suffer_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v the_o world_n will_v high_o magnify_v but_o for_o christian-religion_n we_o find_v innumerable_a suffering_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o all_o rank_n quality_n age_n and_o condition_n in_o many_o of_o which_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o thing_n but_o conscience_n and_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n can_v possible_o be_v the_o motive_n be_v person_n of_o such_o mean_a part_n and_o condition_n as_o can_v no_o way_n be_v think_v to_o design_n a_o name_n to_o themselves_o hereafter_o nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o reasonable_o suppose_v a_o esteem_n upon_o earth_n and_o vainglory_n can_v be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o any_o of_o they_o suffer_v when_o we_o consider_v they_o suffer_v for_o a_o religion_n the_o very_a name_n of_o which_o be_v every_o where_o odious_a and_o detestable_a and_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o bring_v nothing_o but_o shame_n and_o contempt_n it_o swim_v down_o to_o
these_o latter_a age_n in_o whole_a stream_n of_o blood_n that_o run_v from_o its_o primitive_a martyr_n god_n please_v to_o introduce_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o without_o any_o thing_n humane_a to_o befriend_v it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v for_o ever_o ascertain_v of_o its_o author_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o by_o a_o power_n from_o above_o can_v we_o reasonable_o imagine_v can_v have_v enable_v a_o few_o mean_a ignorant_a and_o contemptible_a man_n so_o to_o confront_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n of_o it_o when_o other_o religion_n have_v so_o long_o last_v and_o be_v so_o fast_o root_v to_o erect_v a_o religion_n destructive_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o break_v through_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o philosophy_n and_o learning_n of_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o law_n and_o force_n of_o the_o roman-empire_n in_o its_o great_a splendour_n and_o strength_n can_v form_v against_o it_o and_o what_o doctrine_n but_o one_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n diâ—â—â—â—_n and_o attend_v with_o the_o visible_a effect_n 〈◊〉_d almighty_a power_n to_o own_o and_o juâ—â—â—â—â—_n can_v we_o conceive_v can_v have_v 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n so_o to_o bow_v before_o it_o how_o ridiculous_a do_v it_o appear_v to_o suppose_v a_o company_n of_o mean_a impostor_n that_o have_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n beside_o themselves_o to_o befriend_v they_o nor_o any_o other_o foundadation_n but_o a_o design_n in_o the_o high_a manner_n to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n can_v have_v effect_v all_o this_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v final_o so_o prevail_v and_o impose_v the_o gross_a delusion_n imaginable_a upon_o mankind_n against_o all_o such_o opposition_n have_v i_o no_o other_o consideration_n to_o induce_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o bible_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o hence_o this_o one_o seem_v single_o sufficient_a to_o i_o to_o justify_v its_o divinity_n against_o all_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o imposture_n and_o for_o ever_o to_o silence_v all_o the_o doubt_n that_o can_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v about_o it_o what_o great_a assurance_n can_v we_o have_v that_o a_o doctrine_n be_v divine_a and_o come_v from_o above_o then_o when_o we_o see_v it_o have_v venture_v itself_o upon_o its_o own_o divine_a evidence_n against_o all_o humane_a opposition_n and_o single_o by_o that_o prevail_v and_o spread_v itself_o all_o the_o world_n over_o neither_o arm_n nor_o council_n neither_o the_o policy_n of_o julian_n nor_o the_o sword_n of_o dioclesian_n can_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o its_o progress_n have_v god_n disow_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o nay_o have_v he_o not_o eminent_o and_o visible_o witness_v to_o it_o from_o heaven_n we_o can_v possible_o imagine_v how_o it_o can_v have_v take_v one_o step_n forward_o it_o have_v doubtless_o as_o it_o be_v then_o circumstance_v be_v stifle_v in_o its_o first_o birth_n and_o bury_v in_o perpetual_a silence_n we_o find_v all_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n have_v still_o grow_v up_o under_o the_o shadow_n of_o humane_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o have_v still_o decay_v when_o humane_a prop_n have_v be_v remove_v i_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o show_v i_o any_o other_o religion_n that_o ever_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n without_o humane_a help_n and_o that_o ever_o stand_v out_o the_o brunt_n of_o persecution_n all_o other_o religion_n but_o what_o have_v be_v found_v upon_o the_o bible_n have_v still_o fall_v before_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n it_o be_v only_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n found_v at_o first_o upon_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o that_o have_v weather_v out_o all_o attempt_n for_o its_o eradication_n it_o be_v a_o marvellous_a evidence_n of_o that_o solemn_a and_o divine_a foundation_n upon_o which_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v at_o first_o establish_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v suffer_v and_o their_o very_a be_v in_o a_o national_a way_n and_o their_o national_a worship_n in_o which_o their_o religion_n chief_o consist_v be_v utter_o extinguish_v yet_o still_o they_o retain_v their_o profession_n submit_v to_o a_o yoke_n of_o most_o burdensome_a ceremony_n &_o remain_v disperse_v in_o the_o world_n a_o monument_n of_o scripture-verity_n and_o so_o many_o stand_a witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o many_o eminent_a prediction_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o thus_o from_o the_o success_n of_o this_o book_n also_o since_o its_o first_o conveyance_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v attend_v the_o progress_n of_o it_o since_o its_o first_o publication_n have_v we_o as_o great_a a_o assurance_n as_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o can_v well_o expect_v that_o god_n himself_o and_o no_o other_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o author_n of_o it_o i_o come_v in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n to_o consider_v this_o book_n in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o at_o the_o present_a we_o find_v it_o and_o as_o it_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o i_o mean_v not_o to_o insist_v separately_z and_o abstract_o upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o to_o take_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o former_a and_o all_o other_o collateral_a proof_n it_o be_v neither_o reasonable_a nor_o warrantable_a to_o disjoin_v the_o proof_n god_n have_v afford_v we_o of_o his_o word_n and_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o its_o justification_n upon_o any_o one_o single_a evidence_n for_o when_o god_n command_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o obey_v this_o book_n as_o his_o word_n and_o impose_v the_o high_a penalty_n upon_o our_o not_o do_v it_o he_o lay_v not_o the_o stress_n of_o his_o command_n or_o the_o penalty_n nor_o ought_v we_o upon_o any_o one_o particular_a sort_n of_o evidence_n external_n or_o internal_a but_o upon_o the_o whole_a entire_a proof_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o of_o it_o and_o all_o those_o mean_n he_o have_v afford_v for_o our_o conviction_n and_o satisfaction_n about_o it_o when_o we_o be_v upon_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o insist_v upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o bible_n itself_o as_o single_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o or_o enter_v into_o any_o debate_n whether_o it_o real_o be_v so_o or_o no_o because_o we_o have_v all_o the_o cumulative_a advantage_n of_o a_o external_n justification_n and_o if_o all_o together_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v what_o we_o that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n take_v it_o to_o be_v it_o be_v enough_o for_o our_o purpose_n and_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o with_o what_o ever_o evidence_n will_v arise_v from_o thence_o be_v not_o to_o be_v abstract_o insist_v on_o from_o other_o collateral_a proof_n nor_o that_o any_o collateral_a proof_n will_v prevail_v in_o this_o case_n without_o there_o be_v also_o a_o innate_a evidence_n result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o so_o that_o a_o conjunction_n of_o the_o evidence_n in_o both_o kind_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o general_a proof_n will_v be_v thus_o make_v to_o appear_v the_o bible_n as_o have_v be_v say_v consist_v of_o three_o part_n doctrinal_a prophetical_a and_o historical_a whatever_o evidence_n we_o have_v from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o to_o prove_v its_o own_o divinity_n must_v needs_o chief_o arise_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n because_o the_o prophetical_a and_o historical_a part_n can_v never_o be_v full_o justify_v without_o foreign_a proof_n we_o can_v know_v the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o be_v certain_o true_a from_o the_o bible_n itself_o nor_o can_v we_o sufficient_o prove_v 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testament_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o any_o reasonable_a man_n to_o disbelieve_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n in_o fact_n as_o our_o saviour_n and_o such_o man_n as_o the_o apostle_n that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n that_o erect_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o of_o the_o succession_n of_o it_o in_o multitude_n of_o professor_n ever_o since_o and_o the_o write_a account_n we_o have_v of_o it_o not_o only_o from_o christian_n themselves_o but_o from_o jew_n and_o heathen_n in_o those_o time_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n both_o make_v mention_n of_o christ_n tacitus_n in_o the_o 15_o book_n of_o his_o annal_n speak_v of_o nero_n cruelty_n to_o the_o christian_n say_v the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v one_o christ_n who_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n be_v punish_v with_o death_n by_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n josephus_n speak_v of_o he_o pliny_n suetonius_n and_o other_o write_v of_o the_o christian_n extant_a in_o those_o time_n of_o their_o principle_n their_o manner_n of_o live_v and_o of_o their_o suffering_n suetonius_n say_v in_o the_o life_n of_o nero_n christianos_n genus_fw-la hominum_fw-la maleficae_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la suppliciis_fw-la affixit_fw-la that_o he_o pumsh_v the_o christian_n a_o sort_n of_o man_n of_o a_o magical_a superstition_n many_o historical_a passage_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v attest_v to_o we_o by_o heathen_a and_o jewish-writters_a though_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o roman_a historian_n of_o that_o age_n know_v not_o much_o of_o the_o affair_n of_o palestine_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o they_o have_v write_v concern_v the_o jew_n especial_o tacitus_n who_o appear_v very_o gross_o ignorant_a both_o about_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n the_o star_n that_o appear_v at_o our_o saviour_n birth_n be_v mention_v by_o pliny_n lib._n 2._o chap._n 5._o and_o by_o the_o philosopher_n chalcidius_n large_o in_o his_o comment_n upon_o plato_n timaeas_n herodi_n kill_v the_o child_n in_o bethlehem_n by_o macrobius_n the_o eclipse_n of_o
of_o the_o first_o people_n of_o america_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v first_o people_v or_o at_o what_o time_n little_a account_n can_v be_v expect_v nor_o can_v any_o objection_n be_v reasonable_o make_v from_o thence_o in_o this_o matter_n because_o of_o the_o perfect_a silence_n in_o all_o ancient_a story_n of_o any_o such_o place_n and_o because_o of_o our_o total_a ignorance_n of_o it_o till_o of_o late_a but_o there_o be_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v of_o a_o much_o late_a plantation_n than_o the_o other_o three_o part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v not_o record_n find_v among_o the_o people_n of_o that_o country_n that_o exceed_v a_o thousand_o year_n and_o as_o most_o tell_v we_o from_o thence_o not_o above_o eight_o hundred_o the_o exact_a and_o punctual_a account_n of_o this_o whole_a matter_n we_o have_v from_o josephus_n and_o eusebâ—us_n heretofore_o and_o from_o many_o learned_a man_n since_o but_o especial_o from_o the_o most_o excellent_a bochart_n who_o have_v herein_o far_o exceed_v they_o all_o and_o who_o most_o successful_a endeavour_n this_o way_n have_v not_o only_o most_o evident_o clear_v the_o truth_n of_o sacred_a history_n in_o this_o particular_a but_o indeed_o the_o whole_a of_o what_o moses_n have_v write_v be_v very_o great_o justify_v thereby_o second_o those_o prophetical_a prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n concern_v the_o misery_n of_o the_o jew_n their_o be_v lead_v captive_a into_o all_o nation_n the_o besiege_v of_o jerusalem_n and_o such_o a_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o that_o one_o stone_n shall_v not_o be_v leave_v upon_o another_o with_o many_o other_o prophecy_n relate_v to_o that_o business_n have_v have_v such_o a_o eminent_a and_o notorious_a fulfil_n in_o the_o time_n of_o vespasian_n trajan_n adrian_n and_o since_o as_o great_o justify_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o much_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o our_o 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what_o he_o himself_o say_v in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n i_o myself_o say_v he_o have_v compose_v a_o most_o true_a story_n of_o those_o war_n and_o of_o every_o particular_a thing_n there_o do_v as_o well_o i_o may_v have_v be_v present_a in_o all_o those_o affair_n for_o i_o be_v captain_n of_o the_o galilaeanâ—_n among_o our_o nation_n so_o long_o as_o any_o resistance_n can_v be_v make_v against_o the_o roman_n and_o than_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o i_o be_v take_v by_o the_o roman_n and_o be_v prisoner_n unto_o titus_n and_o vespasian_n they_o cause_v i_o to_o be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o pass_v first_o in_o bond_n and_o fetter_n and_o afterward_o free_v from_o they_o i_o be_v bring_v from_o alexandria_n with_o titus_n when_o he_o go_v to_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v then_o pass_v whereof_o i_o have_v not_o notice_n for_o behold_v the_o roman_a army_n i_o commit_v all_o thing_n to_o write_v with_o all_o possible_a diligence_n myself_o do_v only_o manage_v all_o matter_n disclose_v unto_o the_o roman_n by_o such_o as_o yield_v themselves_o for_o that_o i_o only_o do_v perfect_o understand_v they_o last_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o have_v now_o leisure_n all_o business_n be_v past_a i_o use_v the_o help_n of_o some_o for_o the_o greek_a tongue_n and_o so_o i_o publish_v a_o history_n of_o all_o that_o have_v happen_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a war_n which_o history_n of_o i_o be_v so_o true_a that_o i_o fear_v not_o to_o call_v vespasian_n and_o titus_n emperor_n in_o those_o war_n to_o witness_v for_o they_o i_o first_o give_v a_o copy_n of_o that_o book_n to_o they_o after_o to_o many_o noble_a roman_n present_v in_o those_o war_n i_o sell_v also_o many_o of_o they_o to_o our_o own_o nation_n to_o such_o as_o understand_v the_o greek_a language_n among_o who_o be_v julius_n archelaus_n herod_n the_o honest_a and_o the_o most_o worthy_a king_n agrippa_n who_o do_v all_o testify_v that_o my_o history_n 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brand_a their_o body_n and_o make_v most_o of_o they_o slave_n and_o vagabond_n their_o last_o attempt_n to_o rebuild_v it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o julian_n when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o way_n hinder_v that_o they_o be_v high_o encourage_v by_o julian_n himself_o with_o money_n and_o all_o material_n on_o purpose_n as_o sozomon_n tell_v we_o to_o vilify_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o confront_v our_o saviour_n prediction_n the_o story_n of_o it_o we_o have_v from_o one_o that_o we_o be_v sure_o can_v have_v no_o design_n to_o befriend_v the_o christian_n ammianus_n marcellinus_n a_o heathen-historian_n and_o a_o soldier_n at_o that_o time_n in_o julian_n army_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o what_o immoderate_a expense_n and_o indefatigable_a industry_n the_o jew_n by_o the_o help_n of_o julian_n set_v about_o it_o intend_v to_o make_v it_o more_o famous_a than_o ever_o and_o that_o to_o expedite_v the_o work_n julian_n appoint_v one_o alyppius_fw-la a_o person_n 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