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matthew_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o eye_n witness_v that_o converse_v with_o our_o saviour_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v thrust_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o age_n and_o gain_v so_o unquestionable_a a_o authority_n with_o those_o man_n that_o converse_v either_o with_o he_o or_o with_o his_o companion_n and_o now_o if_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o one_o gospel_n that_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o that_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o it_o be_v here_o record_v viz._n the_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v believe_v as_o they_o be_v here_o record_v be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divinity_n the_o same_o account_n i_o may_v give_v of_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o that_o they_o 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saint_n matthew_n gospel_n §_o ix_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o few_o book_n be_v for_o a_o good_a time_n doubt_v of_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o second_o of_o saint_n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o then_o first_o suppose_v their_o authority_n be_v still_o questionable_a the_o christian_a faith_n can_v subsist_v very_o well_o without_o they_o by_o the_o remain_a authority_n of_o those_o that_o be_v never_o question_v and_o though_o they_o be_v very_o useful_a and_o excellent_a discourse_n yet_o have_v they_o little_a peculiar_a in_o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o apostolical_a write_n and_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o matter_n aright_o though_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o only_o pious_a discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o be_v write_v occasional_o either_o to_o exhort_v we_o to_o a_o effectual_a belief_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o trial_n and_o persecution_n or_o to_o allay_v schism_n and_o contention_n or_o to_o confute_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v before_o firm_o lay_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n doctrine_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o that_o of_o the_o historical_a book_n that_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v suppose_v true_a they_o warrant_v both_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n that_o only_o deduce_v those_o proper_a and_o natural_a conclusion_n that_o flow_v from_o their_o premise_n nay_o far_o it_o be_v not_o primary_o necessary_a to_o christianity_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v dictate_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o historical_a book_n be_v good_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o design_n of_o his_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v pious_a discourse_n consonant_n with_o and_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o christianity_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o seem_v to_o lie_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o work_n he_o pretend_v to_o come_v about_o by_o divine_a commission_n for_o god_n have_v set_v several_a hypothesis_n of_o providence_n on_o work_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o end_n and_o perfection_n at_o last_o design_v this_o as_o the_o most_o complete_a model_n of_o all_o virtue_n goodness_n and_o morality_n so_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n both_o do_v and_o teach_v be_v true_o record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o his_o historian_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o another_o score_n in_o that_o we_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o all_o those_o write_n be_v inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o than_o that_o we_o know_v only_o from_o the_o write_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o their_o truth_n must_v be_v suppose_v antecedent_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o that_o be_v suppose_v our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n be_v thereby_o prove_v and_o that_o be_v prove_v that_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o second_o if_o those_o few_o book_n be_v so_o long_o debate_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n that_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a care_n and_o caution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o belief_n in_o that_o it_o will_v not_o light_o receive_v any_o book_n till_o it_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o its_o be_v authentic_a and_o therefore_o its_o long_a doubtfulness_n and_o disputation_n about_o these_o book_n clear_v it_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o rashness_n and_o credulity_n as_o to_o those_o that_o she_o always_o own_a with_o a_o full_a and_o unanimous_a approbation_n three_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dispute_v book_n relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o their_o antiquity_n as_o their_o author_n and_o they_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o question_n because_o they_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o because_o it_o seem_v uncertain_a by_o who_o they_o be_v then_o write_v thus_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n some_o attribute_n to_o saint_n paul_n some_o to_o saint_n luke_n some_o to_o barnabas_n some_o to_o clemens_n but_o if_o it_o
be_v write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a so_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n who_o have_v borrow_v divers_a passage_n out_o of_o it_o word_n for_o word_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o revelation_n all_o allow_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n only_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n other_o by_o saint_n mark_v surname_v john_n other_o by_o saint_n john_n call_v the_o elder_a but_o whosoever_o it_o be_v that_o write_v it_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o it_o be_v moreover_o sufficient_o attest_v that_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o both_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o time_n of_o its_o writing_n last_o those_o that_o be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o be_v not_o afterward_o rash_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o be_v admit_v upon_o careful_a enquiry_n mature_a deliberation_n and_o unexceptionable_a testimony_n for_o as_o they_o be_v at_o first_o own_a by_o some_o and_o dispute_v by_o other_o this_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o debate_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o oblige_a they_o to_o make_v far_a enquiry_n after_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v at_o last_o satisfy_v of_o that_o which_o at_o first_o only_o a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v and_o this_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v after_o this_o manner_n the_o apostle_n direct_v many_o of_o their_o epistle_n to_o particular_a church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v know_v to_o some_o church_n and_o not_o to_o other_o who_o therefore_o doubt_v of_o they_o put_v those_o who_o assert_v they_o to_o have_v be_v true_a apostolical_a write_n to_o prove_v their_o assertion_n and_o they_o it_o seem_v bring_v such_o evident_a proof_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o gain_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o probable_o they_o do_v by_o produce_v the_o original_n write_v under_o the_o apostle_n own_o hand_n and_o reserve_v in_o the_o archive_v of_o the_o several_a church_n for_o that_o many_o such_o there_o be_v tertullian_n inform_v we_o even_o in_o his_o time_n and_o to_o they_o refer_v the_o man_n of_o his_o own_o age_n for_o their_o full_a satisfaction_n §_o x._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o very_a slender_a witticism_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o derogation_n of_o 33._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n live_v all_o in_o less_o than_o a_o age_n after_o christ_n ascension_n and_o have_v all_o of_o they_o see_v our_o saviour_n or_o be_v his_o disciple_n except_o saint_n paul_n and_o saint_n luke_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v by_o they_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o be_v they_o make_v canonical_a scripture_n only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n which_o first_o collect_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o recommend_v they_o to_o we_o as_o the_o write_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v hereby_o witty_o intimate_v or_o rather_o broad_o assert_v that_o these_o write_n be_v not_o canonical_a scripture_n till_o that_o council_n that_o be_v till_o the_o year_n 364._o but_o first_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o author_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o make_v a_o book_n canonical_a then_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n make_v so_o long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o enumerate_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o compile_v by_o clement_n as_o be_v vulgar_o suppose_v yet_o be_v they_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n so_o that_o upon_o this_o account_n they_o be_v stamp_v canonical_a almost_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v write_v second_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o more_o than_o a_o proof_n or_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o original_a and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n as_o any_o other_o testimony_n be_v or_o may_v be_v thus_o when_o we_o cite_v clement_n of_o rome_n ignatius_n policarp_n justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n yes_o and_o celsus_n himself_o that_o live_v either_o in_o or_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o give_v in_o testimony_n to_o their_o write_n no_o man_n can_v without_o very_o wilful_a impertinence_n thence_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v they_o that_o give_v the_o book_n their_o divine_a authority_n when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v only_o make_v use_n of_o as_o competent_a witness_n to_o attest_v that_o they_o be_v no_o forge_a write_n but_o be_v pen_v by_o those_o very_a person_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v and_o if_o they_o be_v than_o they_o themselves_o make_v good_a their_o own_o authority_n for_o authority_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o right_n or_o power_n of_o bind_v our_o assent_n which_o unless_o it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o author_n himself_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o other_o and_o all_o the_o council_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o give_v divine_a authority_n to_o any_o book_n if_o it_o have_v it_o not_o before_o all_o their_o office_n be_v to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o their_o authenticalness_n and_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a evidence_n of_o it_o when_o so_o many_o grave_n and_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n upon_o mature_a deliberation_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n in_o council_n declare_v that_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v but_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v as_o the_o leviathan_n do_v that_o their_o canonical_a authority_n that_o be_v their_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n as_o if_o it_o can_v give_v or_o take_v it_o away_o at_o pleasure_n only_o become_v mr._n hobbs_n logic_n and_o modesty_n and_o they_o it_o become_v equal_o for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o the_o conclusion_n be_v more_o impudent_a or_o more_o impertinent_a §_o xi_o and_o now_o beside_o this_o direct_a demonstrative_a proof_n of_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n there_o be_v another_o more_o remote_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o foreign_a writer_n jew_n or_o heathen_n who_o live_v in_o or_o about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o this_o evidence_n be_v so_o weak_a in_o comparison_n of_o that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o produce_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o prosecute_v it_o as_o a_o argument_n in_o my_o cause_n but_o rather_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o it_o viz._n that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o know_v and_o notorious_a as_o be_v pretend_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o so_o little_a notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o by_o any_o author_n but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v his_o own_o disciple_n there_o be_v many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n especial_o historian_n about_o that_o time_n so_o that_o if_o his_o action_n have_v be_v so_o great_a and_o remarkable_a as_o his_o disciple_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v pass_v he_o over_o with_o so_o slender_a a_o regard_n and_o scarce_o any_o mention_n of_o he_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n give_v a_o satisfactory_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o infidelity_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n notwithstanding_o christianity_n bring_v along_o with_o it_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o we_o pretend_v it_o do_v but_o beside_o this_o i_o shall_v here_o show_v that_o the_o best_a writer_n of_o that_o time_n concur_v with_o and_o so_o confirm_v the_o main_a stroke_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o by_o consequence_n all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v interweave_v with_o they_o especial_o when_o what_o they_o write_v be_v pure_o to_o deliver_v matter_n of_o fact_n without_o any_o design_n to_o serve_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o when_o all_o thing_n
clap_v one_o or_o both_o of_o these_o upon_o they_o to_o make_v up_o the_o objection_n and_o yet_o beside_o that_o they_o be_v a_o confession_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o they_o be_v thing_n of_o which_o he_o be_v oblige_v by_o his_o principle_n to_o entertain_v as_o little_a belief_n as_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n suppose_v some_o spirit_n or_o being_n distinct_a from_o matter_n and_o motion_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o man_n from_o the_o grave_a suppose_n soul_n distinct_a from_o blood_n and_o brain_n both_o which_o be_v mere_a contradiction_n to_o the_o epicurean_a philosophy_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o design_n to_o oppose_v they_o to_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o any_o truth_n that_o he_o suppose_v in_o they_o but_o only_o thereby_o to_o intimate_v that_o as_o they_o be_v fable_n so_o may_v that_o too_o which_o be_v such_o a_o slender_a way_n of_o argue_v as_o only_o betray_v its_o own_o weakness_n for_o 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it_o fit_a to_o pursue_v every_o bubble_n that_o he_o have_v blow_v up_o but_o whatsoever_o be_v any_o way_n pertinent_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v indeed_o to_o the_o argument_n though_o never_o so_o remote_o i_o shall_v give_v it_o as_o much_o confutation_n as_o and_o perhaps_o more_o than_o it_o deserve_v and_o when_o i_o have_v do_v that_o will_v make_v up_o a_o new_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n for_o thereby_o we_o shall_v see_v how_o little_a its_o great_a enemy_n be_v able_a to_o object_v against_o it_o the_o cavil_n of_o his_o first_o book_n than_o be_v such_o as_o these_o viz._n their_o clancular_a meeting_n against_o the_o law_n their_o be_v a_o barbarous_a sect_n as_o spring_v from_o the_o jew_n and_o not_o the_o grecian_n moses_n not_o be_v so_o ancient_a as_o be_v pretend_v the_o world_n not_o be_v create_v as_o he_o relate_v because_o eternal_a and_o his_o teach_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_n angel_n our_o saviour_n be_v a_o magician_n himself_o be_v poor_a and_o his_o disciple_n ignorant_a first_o then_o they_o keep_v clancular_a meeting_n against_o the_o law_n against_o what_o law_n why_o against_o such_o as_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o in_o its_o stead_n enjoin_v the_o worship_n of_o idol_n and_o dead_a men._n but_o as_o for_o the_o public_a law_n against_o the_o christian_n i_o have_v already_o give_v a_o sufficient_a account_n of_o their_o iniquity_n though_o as_o celsus_n have_v manage_v the_o cavil_v it_o need_v no_o reply_n because_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n mere_o to_o urge_v the_o law_n unless_o he_o have_v vindicate_v their_o goodness_n and_o justice_n in_o that_o there_o may_v be_v bad_a as_o well_o as_o good_a law_n and_o therefore_o unless_o he_o will_v have_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a the_o piety_n of_o those_o law_n that_o command_v the_o worship_n of_o their_o heathen_a god_n that_o himself_o know_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o very_o bad_a 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learning_n above_o other_o nation_n of_o which_o they_o so_o much_o boast_v among_o themselves_o i_o need_v here_o say_v nothing_o though_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o find_v nothing_o so_o valuable_a among_o their_o choice_a philosopher_n but_o when_o i_o look_v for_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n i_o can_v find_v little_o better_o in_o any_o of_o they_o than_o childish_a trick_n and_o sport_n of_o sophistry_n but_o however_o to_o pass_v that_o by_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n ever_o equal_v the_o greek_n in_o the_o barbarity_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o though_o with_o this_o celsus_n and_o his_o companion_n be_v at_o that_o time_n sufficient_o upbraid_v yet_o it_o be_v too_o well_o know_v that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v prevail_v with_o so_o much_o as_o to_o undertake_v its_o defence_n but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n christianity_n he_o say_v give_v no_o law_n of_o morality_n but_o such_o as_o the_o philosopher_n teach_v and_o be_v common_a to_o mankind_n before_o to_o this_o origen_n reply_n it_o be_v very_o true_a in_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o exercise_n for_o the_o justice_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n or_o obligation_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n without_o a_o sense_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v requisite_a to_o have_v the_o seed_n of_o those_o moral_a notion_n which_o god_n teach_v by_o his_o prophet_n and_o his_o son_n plant_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o all_o mankind_n that_o in_o the_o final_a judgement_n every_o man_n may_v be_v just_o call_v to_o a_o account_n for_o the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o his_o duty_n but_o beside_o be_v not_o this_o a_o fit_a objection_n to_o follow_v that_o of_o barbarity_n or_o their_o ignorance_n in_o the_o grecian_a philosophy_n that_o the_o christian_a church_n agree_v in_o all_o their_o main_a point_n and_o doctrine_n with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n the_o next_o thing_n object_v be_v credulity_n and_o contempt_n of_o humane_a learning_n but_o the_o charge_n of_o credulity_n be_v already_o answer_v by_o those_o undeniable_a proof_n that_o be_v produce_v for_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o as_o for_o the_o humane_a learning_n that_o they_o despise_v it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o pedantry_n of_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n who_o whilst_o they_o pretend_v to_o the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o all_o wisdom_n fall_v into_o the_o extreme_a ignorance_n and_o folly_n and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o what_o think_v he_o of_o the_o celebrate_a founder_n of_o his_o own_o séct_n who_o with_o abundance_n of_o pride_n and_o arrogance_n boast_v that_o he_o have_v rid_v the_o world_n of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n but_o with_o such_o trifle_a reason_v as_o be_v below_o the_o babble_n and_o folly_n of_o child_n let_v they_o therefore_o cease_v to_o upbraid_v the_o christian_n with_o the_o neglect_n of_o their_o learning_n when_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o true_a wisdom_n and_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o thing_n than_o to_o see_v through_o its_o folly_n and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o for_o the_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n he_o have_v as_o good_a have_v let_v that_o alone_o too_o when_o porphyry_n or_o any_o other_o learned_a man_n conversant_a in_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v have_v tell_v he_o that_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a or_o undeniable_a than_o that_o moses_n live_v many_o age_n before_o linus_n or_o orpheus_n or_o any_o other_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o grecian_n but_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o epicurean_o to_o be_v confident_a upon_o the_o slight_a inquiry_n otherwise_o if_o he_o have_v take_v never_o so_o little_a pain_n in_o search_v and_o compare_v ancient_a record_n he_o can_v never_o have_v put_v such_o a_o
in_o the_o gospel_n that_o other_o historian_n be_v concern_v to_o record_v as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n be_v exact_o true_a that_o be_v at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o the_o christian_a writer_n be_v faithful_a in_o those_o other_o relation_n that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o their_o own_o history_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o foreign_a testimony_n for_o if_o such_o writer_n have_v be_v exact_a in_o the_o record_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n they_o have_v then_o be_v christian_n and_o not_o jew_n or_o heathen_n suppose_v they_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v no_o friend_n to_o christianity_n they_o have_v give_v in_o all_o that_o suffrage_n to_o it_o that_o can_v be_v reasonable_o demand_v from_o they_o and_o now_o as_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o it_o have_v be_v much_o more_o easy_a than_o it_o be_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o care_v very_o little_a what_o become_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n so_o they_o can_v show_v their_o censure_a faculty_n upon_o word_n and_o particular_o they_o have_v in_o this_o case_n set_v themselves_o with_o their_o utmost_a critical_a severity_n to_o disparage_v or_o destroy_v the_o most_o eminent_a testimony_n cite_v by_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o foreign_a writer_n in_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n scaliger_n the_o father_n of_o they_o all_o lead_v the_o dance_n upon_o what_o motive_n i_o can_v imagine_v unless_o it_o be_v out_o of_o envy_n to_o the_o fame_n and_o glory_n of_o eusebius_n against_o who_o he_o particular_o set_v himself_o and_o his_o endeavour_n but_o however_o the_o design_n look_v like_o a_o novelty_n and_o carry_v in_o it_o a_o ostentation_n of_o learning_n for_o that_o reason_n alone_o he_o can_v not_o want_v a_o great_a number_n of_o follower_n among_o that_o sort_n of_o men._n but_o to_o what_o little_a purpose_n they_o have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n and_o peevishness_n i_o now_o come_v to_o represent_v and_o here_o first_o josephus_n the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n agree_v all_o along_o with_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n he_o give_v the_o same_o account_n and_o description_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o gospel_n he_o give_v we_o the_o same_o narration_n of_o herod_n the_o tetrarch_n and_o particular_o of_o his_o marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n he_o mention_n the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n he_o record_v the_o act_n of_o the_o several_a governor_n of_o judaea_n pontius_n pilate_n felix_n and_o portius_n festus_n and_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o several_a high_a priest_n caiaphas_n joha_n and_o alexander_n the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n and_o of_o saint_n james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n nay_o he_o give_v not_o only_o a_o just_a history_n but_o a_o high_a character_n of_o our_o lord_n himself_o all_o which_o our_o learned_a man_n be_v willing_a enough_o to_o pass_v as_o certain_a and_o warrantable_a history_n except_v only_o that_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n only_o there_o be_v one_o difficulty_n in_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n which_o saint_n luke_n say_v be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n but_o josephus_n not_o till_o after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n which_o happen_v at_o least_o nine_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n so_o that_o which_o way_n to_o reconcile_v this_o difference_n learned_a man_n have_v be_v much_o puzzle_v and_o towards_o its_o solution_n have_v start_v variety_n of_o conjecture_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v of_o no_o very_a great_a concernment_n i_o shall_v give_v some_o account_n of_o it_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o testimony_n concern_v jesus_n §_o xii_o and_o first_o of_o all_o baronius_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o josephus_n be_v mistake_v but_o then_o etc._n this_o be_v to_o cut_v the_o knot_n not_o to_o untie_v it_o for_o our_o business_n be_v to_o reconcile_v he_o and_o the_o sacred_a history_n but_o if_o we_o utter_o reject_v he_o instead_o of_o answer_v the_o objection_n we_o grant_v it_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v irreconcilable_a difference_n between_o he_o and_o the_o evangelist_n though_o here_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o unusual_a disingenuity_n of_o casaubon_n 28._o who_o whereas_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o josephus_n do_v in_o many_o thing_n of_o chronology_n contradict_v saint_n luke_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o must_v stand_v to_o his_o authority_n that_o will_v enforce_v we_o to_o reject_v the_o evangelist_n he_o i_o say_v inveigh_v and_o declaim_v upon_o this_o as_o if_o it_o be_v baronius_n his_o assertion_n and_o not_o his_o argument_n and_o rate_v he_o severe_o as_o if_o he_o have_v positive_o affirm_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o quit_v that_o of_o the_o evangelist_n whereas_o he_o only_o make_v use_v of_o it_o as_o a_o forcible_a objection_n against_o appeal_n to_o josephus_n in_o any_o matter_n wherein_o he_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o such_o case_n say_v he_o we_o can_v admit_v he_o without_o reject_v they_o now_o i_o say_v from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v so_o to_o do_v become_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o a_o learned_a man._n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v to_o observe_v once_o for_o all_o casaubon_n be_v little_o less_o partial_a towards_o one_o extreme_a than_o baronius_n towards_o the_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o that_o learned_a cardinal_n and_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o rake_v together_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v serve_v their_o cause_n embrace_v the_o forge_a and_o spurious_a as_o well_o as_o the_o true_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o casaubon_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o way_n have_v be_v as_o diligent_a to_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o most_o authentic_a writer_n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o slip_n in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_n that_o they_o have_v not_o observe_v in_o their_o critical_a note_n upon_o they_o and_o beside_o that_o they_o reject_v whole_a book_n of_o the_o best_a and_o early_a antiquity_n but_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o have_v between_o they_o both_o do_v this_o great_a service_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o as_o they_o have_v discover_v the_o fraud_n of_o supposititious_a book_n so_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a and_o it_o be_v by_o occasion_n of_o their_o dispute_n that_o we_o be_v come_v to_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o sincere_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o that_o at_o last_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n that_o have_v be_v most_o of_o all_o oppose_a have_v by_o those_o great_a endeavour_n that_o have_v be_v employ_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n gain_v and_o will_v for_o ever_o keep_v as_o undoubted_a a_o credit_n as_o the_o most_o unquestioned_a piece_n of_o justin_n martyr_n or_o irenaeus_n the_o next_o guess_n be_v that_o of_o beza_n which_o be_v follow_v and_o various_o emprove_v 32._o by_o scaliger_n casaubon_n grotius_n and_o other_o viz._n that_o cyrenius_n be_v employ_v by_o augustus_n to_o take_v two_o several_a muster_n of_o the_o people_n one_o with_o a_o tax_n and_o the_o other_o without_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o that_o be_v make_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n for_o augustus_n design_v that_o compendious_a account_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o historian_n so_o often_o speak_v of_o and_o which_o he_o leave_v as_o a_o guide_n and_o direction_n to_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n send_v several_a officer_n through_o the_o several_a province_n to_o take_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o number_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o for_o this_o 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so_o near_o and_o yet_o so_o prodigious_a and_o when_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n assure_v themselves_o of_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n this_o can_v not_o but_o provoke_v they_o to_o a_o eager_a enquiry_n after_o the_o meaning_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n and_o when_o they_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v late_o crucify_v and_o that_o they_o declare_v themselves_o eye_n witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o withal_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n from_o heaven_n only_o for_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o withstand_v the_o force_n of_o such_o a_o mighty_a and_o astonish_a demonstration_n and_o it_o be_v this_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n as_o saint_n paul_n style_v it_o rather_o than_o the_o 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as_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o true_a apostleship_n rom._n 15._o 18_o 18_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 12._o which_o have_v be_v too_o absurd_a a_o thing_n to_o allege_v to_o his_o follower_n in_o confutation_n of_o his_o enemy_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n for_o if_o it_o be_v they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o when_o he_o appeal_v to_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n he_o have_v already_o wrought_v among_o they_o and_o if_o he_o have_v wrought_v none_o they_o can_v not_o but_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n but_o though_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o may_v from_o thence_o rational_o enough_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o apostolical_a miracle_n and_o though_o i_o have_v in_o part_n prove_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n to_o attest_v both_o they_o and_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o shall_v anon_o more_o distinct_o show_v the_o undoubted_a and_o 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over_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o this_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o suppose_v this_o evidence_n that_o they_o give_v the_o world_n by_o their_o miracle_n that_o then_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o almost_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o success_n they_o do_v here_o then_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o my_o present_a argument_n that_o when_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v compass_v their_o design_n any_o other_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v natural_a if_o they_o take_v this_o course_n to_o succeed_v in_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v such_o wonderful_a success_n that_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v report_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o produce_v those_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n but_o now_o allege_v as_o proof_n to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o only_o as_o instance_n to_o 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the_o confession_n of_o their_o great_a enemy_n in_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o of_o they_o deny_v they_o to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n though_o how_o foolish_a that_o evasion_n be_v i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v their_o evasion_n to_o this_o argument_n at_o present_a this_o very_a surmise_n be_v a_o plain_a confession_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o go_v a_o great_a way_n as_o to_o evidence_n when_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o adversary_n but_o this_o have_v suggest_v i_o shall_v not_o far_o insist_v upon_o it_o §_o xxiv_o only_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n remain_v that_o add_v great_a force_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n viz._n that_o this_o power_n be_v not_o mere_o confine_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o true_a it_o be_v a_o 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this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o 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excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o 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mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o 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very_a point_n of_o his_o dissolution_n as_o his_o legacy_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n communicate_v to_o several_a church_n public_o and_o vulgar_o know_v attest_v by_o saint_n policarp_n irenaeus_n clemens_n of_o alexandria_n and_o not_o long_o since_o by_o origen_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o such_o a_o write_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v lose_v about_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o a_o false_a one_o shall_v immediate_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n and_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o choice_a library_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v embrace_v so_o late_a and_o so_o gross_a a_o forgery_n and_o put_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v after_o he_o the_o man_n that_o can_v satisfy_v himself_o with_o such_o wild_a surmise_n and_o supposition_n as_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a but_o he_o may_v easy_o swallow_v its_o belief_n nor_o so_o 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christian_a church_n which_o this_o faction_n of_o man_n have_v happen_v to_o renounce_v they_o have_v labour_v with_o indefatigable_a industry_n utter_o to_o overthrow_v all_o their_o authority_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n with_o that_o ill_a success_n that_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o shake_v our_o faith_n they_o have_v only_o make_v it_o to_o take_v the_o better_a root_n for_o by_o this_o occasion_n the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v be_v much_o more_o inquire_v into_o and_o better_v clear_v than_o if_o it_o have_v pass_v without_o any_o dispute_n or_o contradictition_n but_o to_o keep_v close_o to_o our_o ignatius_n what_o have_v be_v the_o bottom_n of_o all_o the_o zeal_n and_o fury_n against_o his_o epistle_n but_o his_o earnest_n press_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n or_o rather_o because_o he_o describe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a platform_n so_o accurate_o as_o to_o condemn_v their_o discipline_n of_o folly_n and_o rashness_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o prescription_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o yet_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n lay_v as_o great_a a_o stress_n as_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n as_o set_v over_o they_o by_o divine_a institution_n for_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o which_o they_o be_v then_o more_o tender_a than_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o think_v it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n preserve_v than_o by_o submission_n to_o those_o guide_n and_o governor_n that_o christ_n have_v set_v over_o it_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v evident_a out_o of_o their_o write_n especial_o saint_a cyprian_n who_o as_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n so_o be_v he_o full_a as_o peremptory_a in_o this_o point_n as_o ignatius_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n clement_n because_o of_o its_o great_a antiquity_n for_o if_o that_o assert_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o church_n government_n establish_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o prevent_v and_o confute_v the_o groundless_a conjecture_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n in_o which_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o church_n devolve_v upon_o the_o presbyter_n because_o they_o have_v appoint_v no_o one_o particular_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o government_n and_o this_o saint_n clement_n assert_n in_o these_o positive_a word_n the_o apostle_n be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o we_o from_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o jesus_n christ_n from_o god_n himself_o christ_n be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n by_o he_o the_o send_v of_o both_o be_v in_o a_o orderly_a manner_n after_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o command_n and_o have_v a_o full_a confidence_n through_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o a_o assurance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n go_v forth_o publish_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v erect_v they_o therefore_o preach_v the_o word_n through_o divers_a country_n and_o city_n ordain_v every_o where_o the_o first_o fruit_n of_o such_o as_o believe_v have_v make_v proof_n and_o trial_n of_o they_o by_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v overfeer_n and_o deacon_n to_o minister_v unto_o they_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v so_o that_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o neglect_v to_o provide_v governor_n for_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v careful_a beforehand_o to_o provide_v governor_n for_o future_a church_n and_o this_o he_o affirm_v the_o apostle_n do_v because_o they_o understand_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o strife_n and_o contention_n will_v arise_v about_o the_o title_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o this_o cause_n therefore_o have_v absolute_a knowledge_n beforehand_o thereof_o they_o ordain_v the_o forename_a officer_n and_o for_o the_o future_a give_v they_o moreover_o in_o command_n that_o whensoever_o they_o shall_v die_v other_o well_o approve_v of_o shall_v succeed_v into_o their_o office_n and_o ministry_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n order_n observe_v and_o prescribe_v a_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n to_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o future_a age_n and_o though_o our_o author_n do_v not_o express_v the_o several_a distinct_a order_n by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n yet_o he_o describe_v they_o as_o express_o by_o allusion_n to_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n under_o the_o name_n of_o highpriest_n priest_n and_o levite_n
into_o which_o number_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v receive_v this_o day_n be_v find_v in_o thy_o sight_n as_o a_o fair_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o thyself_o have_v prepare_v that_o so_o thou_o may_v accomplish_v what_o thou_o o_o true_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v foreshew_v wherefore_o i_o praise_v thou_o for_o all_o thy_o mercy_n i_o bless_v thou_o i_o glorify_v thou_o through_o the_o eternal_a high_a priest_n thy_o belove_a son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o who_o to_o thyself_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n to_o this_o eminent_a martyrdom_n of_o saint_n policarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n i_o can_v but_o subjoin_v that_o of_o pothinus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o his_o companion_n in_o that_o they_o suffer_v under_o the_o same_o prince_n with_o the_o same_o christian_a courage_n and_o resolution_n especial_o because_o pothinus_n also_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a age_n and_o almost_o as_o near_o the_o apostolical_a time_n as_o policarp_n and_o probable_o send_v by_o he_o into_o these_o western_a part_n and_o last_o because_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o public_a and_o undoubted_a epistle_n send_v from_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n by_o irenaeus_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n of_o both_o which_o epistle_n scaliger_n himself_o have_v 221._o give_v this_o just_a and_o deserve_a encomium_n that_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o most_o ancient_a martyrdom_n in_o the_o church_n so_o the_o read_n of_o they_o can_v but_o so_o affect_v every_o pious_a and_o devout_a mind_n as_o never_o to_o be_v satiate_v with_o it_o and_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n say_v he_o i_o do_v protest_v that_o i_o never_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o read_n whereof_o i_o have_v be_v so_o much_o transport_v as_o scarce_o to_o be_v myself_o and_o particular_o of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n what_o can_v be_v read_v more_o brave_a or_o more_o venerable_a in_o all_o the_o monument_n of_o christian_a antiquity_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o very_a amaze_a story_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a example_n both_o of_o the_o modesty_n and_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o as_o they_o be_v treat_v with_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n so_o their_o behaviour_n under_o all_o their_o torment_n be_v decent_a and_o free_a from_o all_o appearance_n either_o of_o vanity_n or_o passion_n now_o what_o can_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o such_o man_n as_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n to_o who_o i_o shall_v have_v add_v pionius_n that_o suffer_v gallant_o about_o the_o same_o time_n who_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o have_v such_o opportunity_n to_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o shall_v thus_o frank_o resign_v their_o life_n upon_o any_o less_o account_n than_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o believe_v but_o though_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a the_o evidence_n of_o the_o first_o and_o apostolical_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o two_o eminent_a martyr_n yet_o before_o i_o quit_v it_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o clear_v off_o one_o objection_n in_o which_o as_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o general_n so_o policarp_n in_o particular_a be_v concern_v and_o that_o be_v the_o contradictory_n tradition_n about_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n both_o party_n pretend_v to_o derive_v their_o different_a custom_n from_o the_o apostle_n policarp_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o lesser_a asia_n from_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o saint_n peter_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o destroy_v the_o credit_n of_o their_o tradition_n when_o they_o make_v so_o little_a conscience_n as_o to_o fasten_v contradiction_n upon_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o great_a use_n have_v of_o late_o be_v make_v of_o this_o objection_n by_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n mr._n hales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o his_o peevishness_n and_o before_o he_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v with_o great_a scorn_n upbraid_v its_o grossness_n and_o folly_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o daille_n topic_n against_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n and_o how_o often_o it_o have_v be_v since_o object_v by_o other_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o some_o man_n have_v a_o very_a great_a itch_n to_o be_v find_v fault_n for_o otherwise_o this_o grossness_n and_o folly_n this_o fantastic_a hurry_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n be_v schismatic_n as_o mr._n hales_n be_v please_v to_o speak_v of_o it_o with_o a_o great_a many_o other_o good_a word_n be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n both_o of_o the_o faithfulness_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o this_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o the_o beginning_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o different_a practice_n and_o so_o must_v have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n casual_o and_o without_o design_n prescribe_v different_a usage_n saint_n john_n in_o those_o part_n of_o asia_n where_o he_o reside_v continue_v easter_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o other_o place_n to_o prevent_v too_o much_o judaise_v in_o its_o observation_n make_v the_o same_o little_a alteration_n in_o its_o time_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o sabbath_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n of_o comply_v with_o or_o change_a jewish_a custom_n the_o apostle_n vary_v their_o order_n according_a to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n sometime_o come_v up_o close_o to_o they_o sometime_o keep_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n now_o these_o different_a custom_n about_o easter_n be_v once_o casual_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o contention_n among_o the_o people_n as_o we_o know_v the_o common_a people_n be_v always_o zealous_a for_o their_o own_o custom_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o stifle_v this_o fire_n that_o be_v break_v out_o among_o they_o policarp_n a_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o asia_n undertake_v a_o journey_n to_o rome_n if_o possible_a to_o allay_v and_o compose_v the_o controversy_n where_o upon_o debate_n between_o he_o and_o anicetus_n they_o conclude_v it_o the_o most_o proper_a course_n that_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o both_o party_n shall_v retain_v their_o own_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o communion_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o world_n they_o communicate_v together_o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n policarp_n consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o anicetus_n and_o so_o they_o part_v love_o and_o continue_v ever_o after_o good_a friend_n this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o these_o good_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n though_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v afterward_o revive_v by_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o one_o man_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o command_v the_o asiatic_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o he_o and_o all_o other_o church_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n to_o this_o they_o return_v he_o a_o sober_a answer_n represent_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o change_v so_o ancient_a a_o custom_n disclaim_v his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o advise_v he_o rather_o to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n than_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o particular_a custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o they_o alone_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n though_o they_o be_v of_o his_o own_o way_n unanimous_o condemn_v his_o heat_n and_o rashness_n in_o so_o trivial_a a_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n irenaeus_n have_v convene_v a_o synod_n in_o france_n write_v he_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o observation_n of_o easter_n but_o not_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unadvised_a thing_n to_o think_v of_o excommunicate_v whole_a church_n for_o observe_v the_o ancient_a custom_n derive_v down_o to_o they_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o there_o be_v as_o
meet_v with_o many_o bishop_n and_o find_v they_o all_o 22._o of_o one_o mind_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o have_v give_v some_o account_n of_o clement_n epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o add_v that_o the_o church_n remain_v after_o that_o in_o the_o pure_a and_o right_a doctrine_n until_o the_o time_n of_o primus_fw-la bishop_n there_o with_o who_o sail_v to_o rome_n i_o confer_v and_o abide_v many_o day_n be_v come_v to_o rome_n i_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n who_o deacon_n be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o soter_n succeed_v and_o after_o he_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o all_o their_o succession_n and_o in_o every_o one_o of_o their_o city_n it_o be_v no_o otherways_o teach_v than_o as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o lord_n himself_o preach_v this_o be_v a_o singular_a testimony_n of_o the_o sincere_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o one_o or_o two_o or_o a_o few_o church_n but_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o as_o he_o describe_v the_o ecclesiastical_a succession_n every_o where_o so_o have_v he_o the_o rise_v and_o birth_n of_o heresy_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o that_o james_n surname_v the_o just_a have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n his_o uncle_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n be_v choose_v bishop_n be_v prefer_v by_o the_o unanimous_a vote_n of_o all_o because_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n kinsman_n and_o hitherto_o that_o church_n be_v call_v a_o pure_a virgin_n because_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o be_v deflower_v with_o any_o false_a doctrine_n but_o thebalis_fw-la be_v displease_v that_o he_o be_v not_o choose_v bishop_n secret_o endeavour_v to_o debauch_v it_o from_o who_o spring_v those_o many_o heresy_n that_o he_o afterward_o reckon_v up_o and_o so_o have_v elsewhere_o describe_v the_o martyrdom_n 29._o of_o saint_n simeon_n he_o add_v until_o those_o time_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v a_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a virgin_n for_o such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o corrupt_v the_o perfect_a rule_n and_o the_o sincere_a delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n hide_v themselves_o till_o that_o time_n in_o secret_a and_o obscure_a place_n but_o after_o that_o the_o sacred_a company_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v wear_v out_o and_o that_o generation_n be_v whole_o spend_v that_o by_o special_a favour_n have_v hear_v with_o their_o ear_n the_o heavenly_a wisdom_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n than_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o wicked_a and_o detestable_a heresy_n through_o the_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n of_o such_o as_o affect_v to_o be_v master_n of_o new_a and_o strange_a doctrine_n take_v root_a and_o because_o none_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o survive_v they_o publish_v with_o all_o imaginable_a confidence_n and_o boldness_n their_o false_a conceit_n and_o impugn_a the_o old_a plain_a certain_a and_o know_a truth_n at_o these_o passage_n i_o must_v stop_v a_o little_a because_o though_o they_o be_v a_o great_a testimony_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o i_o find_v they_o very_o confident_o make_v use_n of_o by_o innovatour_n as_o unanswerable_a argument_n for_o reject_v its_o authority_n thus_o gittichius_n a_o eager_a socinian_n contend_v with_o 93._o ruarus_n both_o concern_v grotius_n his_o way_n of_o writing_n in_o make_v so_o much_o use_v of_o citation_n out_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n in_o his_o commentary_n and_o withal_o concern_v the_o primitive_a fast_n of_o the_o church_n which_o schliclingius_fw-la and_o some_o of_o that_o party_n begin_v to_o imitate_v condemn_v it_o not_o only_o as_o altogether_o useless_a but_o dangerous_a de_fw-fr antiquitate_fw-la in_o religionis_fw-la negotio_fw-la statuo_fw-la extra_fw-la ipsas_fw-la sacras_fw-la novi_fw-la foederis_fw-la literas_fw-la &_o in_o iis_fw-la exempla_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la nullius_fw-la omnino_fw-la antiquitatis_fw-la habendam_fw-la cviquam_fw-la christiano_n ullam_fw-la rationem_fw-la and_o then_o prove_v his_o assertion_n from_o this_o passage_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o the_o more_o ancient_a he_o say_v the_o tradition_n be_v after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o much_o the_o worse_o it_o be_v because_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o their_o dissolution_n the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o heresy_n and_o superstition_n so_o peevish_a be_v man_n against_o the_o honour_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n when_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o own_o apostasy_n from_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v all_o our_o innovatour_n agree_v in_o this_o one_o principle_n and_o that_o for_o this_o one_o very_o good_a reason_n because_o the_o ancient_a church_n if_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o give_v judgement_n upon_o they_o condemn_v they_o all_o for_o these_o man_n find_v error_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n instead_o of_o reform_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o fall_v to_o contrive_v new_a model_n and_o body_n of_o divinity_n out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n and_o among_o other_o socinus_n dislike_a the_o calvinian_a theology_n as_o contrary_a not_o only_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n set_v up_o a_o new_a divinity_n of_o his_o own_o contrivance_n without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o be_v advise_v of_o his_o fly_v so_o wide_o of_o it_o he_o together_o with_o his_o follower_n rather_o than_o part_v with_o their_o own_o fine_a new_a notion_n of_o which_o they_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v the_o first_o author_n and_o abettor_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a and_o uncorrupted_a church_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o with_o what_o vanity_n and_o arrogance_n it_o be_v none_o of_o my_o present_a task_n to_o inquire_v only_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n i_o must_v reply_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a wide_a and_o i_o be_o sure_a very_o far_o from_o a_o civil_a inference_n to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o else_o and_o they_o may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n have_v apply_v the_o objection_n against_o the_o apostolical_a church_n itself_o because_o then_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o complain_v the_o tare_n be_v sow_v though_o it_o seem_v not_o so_o open_o and_o so_o impudent_o as_o afterward_o nay_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v impossible_a their_o shall_v ever_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o pride_n and_o vanity_n among_o mankind_n there_o will_v be_v such_o man_n in_o all_o society_n as_o will_v be_v taint_v with_o their_o own_o idle_a dream_n and_o conceit_n and_o then_o rub_v their_o itch_n upon_o the_o common_a people_n but_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o i_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o long_o as_o it_o consist_v of_o man_n yet_o they_o be_v never_o able_a to_o prevail_v but_o after_o some_o struggle_n for_o admittance_n be_v soon_o or_o late_a utter_o stifle_v and_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o tradition_n of_o the_o birth_n growth_n and_o death_n of_o heresy_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n overwhelm_v the_o heretic_n with_o this_o one_o argument_n by_o convict_v they_o of_o apparent_a innovation_n and_o derive_v down_o their_o own_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o its_o apostolical_a tradition_n be_v never_o mix_v or_o taint_v with_o they_o but_o run_v down_o in_o a_o pure_a and_o clear_a channel_n by_o itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a as_o well_o as_o disingenuous_a objection_n against_o its_o authority_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o it_o that_o will_v have_v be_v corrupt_v the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n but_o be_v never_o able_a to_o compass_v their_o design_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o pass_v undiscovered_a or_o uncontrolled_a that_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o man_n and_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o inconsistency_n with_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o new_a fangle_a conceit_n of_o our_o own_o present_a innovatour_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o danger_n of_o our_o swallow_v down_o old_a heresy_n together_o with_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n than_o there_o be_v of_o suck_v in_o their_o new_a one_o whilst_o we_o adhere_v faithful_o to_o that_o and_o thus_o have_v upon_o occasion_n of_o this_o particular_a passage_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n clear_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o
upon_o such_o appeal_n and_o challenge_v as_o these_o that_o be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o their_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o reality_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n suppose_v the_o book_n of_o it_o be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v though_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a proof_n of_o their_o integrity_n that_o eusebius_n 5._o have_v observe_v in_o their_o impartial_a way_n of_o writing_n thus_o only_a saint_n matthew_n himself_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n take_v notice_n of_o his_o own_o dishonourable_a employment_n before_o his_o conversion_n and_o saint_n mark_v who_o write_v his_o gospel_n from_o the_o information_n of_o saint_n peter_n be_v observable_o spare_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o that_o apostle_n and_o so_o can_v not_o with_o decent_a modesty_n be_v report_v by_o himself_o but_o more_o exact_a than_o any_o other_o of_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o description_n of_o his_o shameful_a fall_n thus_o when_o saint_n peter_n have_v so_o frank_o own_a our_o saviour_n for_o the_o messiah_n saint_n matthew_n relate_v our_o saviour_n answer_n with_o a_o high_a commendation_n of_o he_o bless_a art_n thou_o simon_n bar_n 19_o jona_n for_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o i_o say_v also_o unto_o thou_o that_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o i_o will_v give_v unto_o thou_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n then_o charge_v he_o his_o disciple_n that_o they_o shall_v tell_v no_o man_n that_o he_o be_v jesus_n the_o christ._n whereas_o in_o saint_n mark_v all_o these_o magnificent_a expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o saint_n peter_n be_v modest_o omit_v and_o all_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v there_o make_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o and_o he_o charge_v 30._o they_o that_o they_o shall_v tell_v no_o man._n and_o so_o again_o though_o saint_n mark_v in_o all_o his_o other_o relation_n be_v more_o compendious_a than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n yet_o in_o the_o story_n of_o saint_n peter_n denial_n of_o his_o saviour_n he_o be_v most_o of_o all_o circumstantial_a and_o whereas_o saint_n matthew_n and_o saint_n luke_n set_v off_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o repentance_n afterward_o by_o say_v that_o he_o weep_v bitter_o saint_n mark_n express_v it_o more_o modest_o only_o that_o he_o weep_v now_o when_o writer_n pass_v by_o such_o thing_n as_o make_v for_o their_o own_o praise_n and_o record_v their_o own_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n that_o without_o their_o own_o discovery_n may_v never_o have_v be_v know_v to_o posterity_n they_o be_v of_o all_o man_n lest_o to_o be_v suspect_v of_o falsehood_n and_o give_v the_o strong_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n of_o their_o love_n to_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n so_o again_o grant_v that_o they_o will_v not_o stick_v at_o any_o falsehood_n to_o advance_v their_o master_n honour_n and_o reputation_n yet_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o forge_v lie_n of_o his_o disgrace_n and_o suffering_n especial_o all_o those_o shameful_a circumstance_n that_o they_o have_v record_v of_o his_o condemnation_n and_o execution_n now_o if_o we_o believe_v they_o in_o the_o black_a and_o tragical_a part_n of_o the_o story_n why_o not_o in_o all_o for_o if_o they_o only_o design_v to_o set_v off_o their_o master_n greatness_n why_o do_v they_o so_o careful_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o history_n of_o his_o misfortune_n why_o do_v they_o tell_v we_o of_o his_o great_a agony_n before_o his_o passion_n of_o his_o scourge_n and_o mock_n of_o his_o purple_a robe_n and_o reeden_fw-mi sceptre_n of_o the_o contumely_n and_o reproach_n that_o be_v throw_v at_o he_o whilst_o he_o be_v hang_v on_o the_o gibbet_n of_o his_o be_v forsake_v by_o all_o his_o follower_n of_o his_o be_v abjure_v by_o the_o most_o zealous_a of_o they_o all_o and_o that_o without_o the_o application_n of_o rack_n or_o torment_n these_o thing_n if_o not_o true_a to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o invent_v they_o nay_o if_o true_a why_o shall_v they_o not_o do_v what_o they_o be_v able_a to_o stifle_v they_o if_o the_o only_a design_n of_o their_o romance_n have_v be_v to_o gain_v honour_n to_o their_o master_n so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v honest_a and_o faithful_a in_o those_o sad_a relation_n concern_v he_o why_o not_o in_o those_o that_o carry_v triumph_n and_o reputation_n in_o they_o for_o if_o they_o have_v design_v to_o lie_v for_o his_o glory_n they_o must_v have_v baulk_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v any_o way_n offend_v the_o reader_n and_o if_o they_o have_v design_v a_o romance_n instead_o of_o that_o plain_a story_n that_o they_o have_v record_v to_o posterity_n they_o will_v have_v tell_v we_o that_o judas_n have_v no_o soon_o give_v the_o treacherous_a kiss_n but_o he_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o stone_n that_o the_o hand_n that_o strike_v he_o be_v immediate_o wither_v that_o caiphas_n and_o his_o accuser_n be_v strike_v blind_a that_o the_o soldier_n who_o suppose_v they_o have_v apprehend_v he_o have_v only_o seize_v a_o phantasm_n whilst_o he_o vanish_v away_o that_o his_o judge_n be_v befoold_v in_o all_o their_o fantastic_a process_n against_o he_o whilst_o he_o stand_v invisible_a among_o they_o despise_v their_o mock-solemnity_n in_o short_a be_v it_o in_o all_o humane_a account_n much_o more_o become_v the_o grandeur_n and_o dignity_n of_o that_o person_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o common_a misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o humane_a life_n but_o that_o when_o by_o his_o divine_a power_n he_o have_v establish_v his_o kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n he_o shall_v have_v return_v back_o to_o heaven_n without_o any_o suffering_n and_o with_o all_o the_o ornament_n of_o glory_n and_o triumph_n this_o certain_o have_v be_v much_o more_o proper_a matter_n for_o a_o romance_n if_o they_o have_v design_v nothing_o but_o their_o master_n greatness_n than_o to_o have_v feign_v those_o mix_a action_n that_o be_v record_v of_o he_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o those_o that_o will_v have_v believe_v their_o other_o report_n will_v not_o have_v disbelieved_a these_o and_o therefore_o see_v they_o will_v not_o corrupt_v or_o suppress_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o unpleasant_a part_n of_o the_o story_n we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v they_o of_o the_o least_o falsehood_n in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o it_o howsoever_o in_o itself_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o their_o design_n be_v real_a truth_n and_o not_o their_o master_n greatness_n §_o viii_o but_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v by_o those_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v than_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o either_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o their_o day_n or_o afterward_o if_o in_o their_o day_n than_o they_o either_o own_a they_o as_o true_a or_o not_o if_o they_o vouch_v they_o they_o give_v they_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v indict_v by_o themselves_o if_o they_o disow_v they_o as_o contain_v report_n that_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a than_o they_o themselves_o be_v oblige_v to_o discover_v the_o imposture_n which_o have_v never_o do_v that_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n that_o if_o they_o be_v write_v in_o their_o time_n either_o they_o themselves_o write_v they_o or_o at_o least_o approve_a of_o they_o but_o if_o they_o be_v write_v afterward_o how_o come_v they_o to_o meet_v with_o such_o a_o early_a and_o universal_a reception_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o find_v they_o always_o own_a as_o the_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n that_o live_v after_o they_o nay_o some_o with_o they_o now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o book_n that_o contain_v in_o they_o matter_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a if_o they_o have_v be_v counterfeit_a and_o spurious_a and_o thrust_v upon_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o pretend_v to_o bear_v shall_v command_v such_o a_o catholic_a and_o unquestionable_a reputation_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v pretend_v to_o have_v lie_v obscure_a for_o some_o time_n and_o to_o have_v be_v afterward_o retrieve_v there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n but_o when_o they_o be_v own_a as_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o church_n