it_o be_v believe_v because_o of_o his_o ability_n to_o know_v and_o because_o it_o make_v not_o thing_n appear_v to_o be_v strain_v in_o his_o behalf_n because_o it_o may_v have_v be_v contradict_v if_o it_o have_v be_v otherwise_o and_o because_o he_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o complexion_n of_o history_n as_o a_o man_n of_o honour_n that_o will_v not_o write_v a_o lie_n that_o the_o history_n of_o sallust_n be_v true_a it_o be_v believe_v because_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n do_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o his_o time_n whereof_o he_o may_v well_o inform_v himself_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o knowledge_n and_o can_v not_o gain_v by_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v deliver_v if_o it_o be_v untrue_a that_o all_o of_o these_o history_n be_v write_v by_o those_o that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o they_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o man_n that_o doubt_n because_o there_o be_v no_o improbability_n in_o reason_n they_o have_v be_v constant_o so_o receive_v in_o the_o world_n and_o mention_v successive_o in_o author_n follow_v one_o another_o from_o their_o several_a generation_n down_o to_o we_o we_o see_v the_o various_a degree_n of_o qualification_n some_o of_o they_o upon_o which_o we_o build_v a_o historical_a belief_n that_o this_o belief_n come_v short_a of_o the_o clearness_n of_o our_o assent_n to_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n be_v evident_a because_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n that_o thing_n shall_v be_v otherwise_o there_o be_v a_o contradiction_n involve_v in_o the_o very_a term_n and_o in_fw-la adjecto_fw-la but_o here_o be_v no_o impossibility_n but_o only_o a_o exceed_a difficulty_n which_o make_v up_o not_o indeed_o a_o mathematical_a but_o a_o moral_a impossibility_n it_o be_v possible_a that_o all_o man_n may_v combine_v together_o to_o say_v that_o they_o have_v see_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v not_o see_v because_o every_o man_n be_v a_o liar_n but_o how_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o do_v it_o or_o to_o what_o end_n be_v so_o invisible_a and_o inconceivable_a that_o the_o matter_n take_v in_o the_o gross_a be_v altogether_o incredible_a it_o be_v absolute_o possible_a that_o all_o those_o writing_n which_o we_o receive_v as_o deliver_v down_o from_o ancient_a time_n may_v have_v be_v of_o late_o devise_v by_o some_o man_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n and_o put_v upon_o other_o name_n but_o to_o what_o end_n any_o man_n shall_v ttke_v the_o pain_n and_o how_o they_o shall_v fit_v they_o with_o circumstance_n and_o make_v they_o all_o depend_v upon_o each_o other_o in_o a_o constant_a succession_n agree_v in_o the_o mention_n of_o person_n place_n and_o action_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o difficult_a as_o that_o it_o will_v argue_v madness_n to_o believe_v and_o conclude_v he_o to_o want_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n that_o shall_v reject_v the_o light_n of_o all_o antiquity_n sect._n iv._o a_o application_n of_o those_o general_a ground_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o a_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n assertion_n that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n as_o to_o believe_v any_o other_o history_n in_o the_o world_n such_o madness_n then_o and_o no_o less_o it_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o history_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o less_o madness_n nay_o it_o be_v much_o great_a and_o that_o not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v of_o more_o concernment_n to_o we_o then_o the_o act_n of_o man_n of_o former_a time_n but_o even_o because_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o delivery_n of_o those_o history_n we_o will_v begin_v with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o here_o first_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v that_o the_o four_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v write_v by_o saint_n luke_n etc._n etc._n now_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o these_o man_n it_o be_v impossible_a affirmative_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v be_v that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a evidence_n of_o it_o as_o of_o any_o other_o write_v in_o the_o world_n that_o by_o whatsoever_o argument_n it_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v that_o any_o book_n have_v be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o be_v repute_v for_o their_o author_n in_o antiquity_n that_o the_o work_n of_o homer_n or_o plato_n or_o aristotle_n or_o tully_n be_v they_o by_o the_o same_o it_o may_v be_v make_v evident_a that_o these_o have_v proceed_v from_o our_o author_n have_v they_o be_v successive_o deliver_v so_o have_v these_o have_v they_o be_v continual_o mention_v under_o those_o name_n so_o have_v these_o have_v they_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o party_n so_o have_v these_o those_o that_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n do_v oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n yet_o do_v it_o not_o under_o the_o pretence_n that_o their_o book_n be_v spurious_a neither_o jew_n nor_o pagan_n have_v the_o impudence_n to_o make_v that_o objection_n julian_n the_o apostate_n do_v free_o acknowledge_v cyrill_n 10._o grot._n 3._o ver._n that_o the_o book_n which_o by_o the_o christian_n be_v receive_v under_o the_o name_n of_o peter_n paul_n matthew_n mark_n luke_n they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o those_o author_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v some_o book_n receive_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o author_n be_v unknown_a as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o some_o other_o but_o concerning_o they_o i_o hope_v to_o speak_v in_o answer_v those_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v just_o assume_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o those_o whereof_o no_o question_n have_v be_v make_v in_o ancient_a time_n they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v and_o now_o this_o be_v suppose_v which_o can_v with_o any_o pretence_n of_o reason_n be_v deny_v it_o follow_v clear_o that_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v relate_v be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o first_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v they_o be_v matter_n easy_o to_o be_v know_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o speech_n perform_v by_o our_o saviour_n or_o by_o themselves_o second_o the_o act_n be_v act_v public_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o speech_n which_o they_o deliver_v as_o speak_v by_o other_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n speak_v public_o either_o in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o in_o the_o temple_n or_o to_o the_o multitude_n somewhere_o gather_v together_o on_o a_o mountain_n by_o the_o seaside_n in_o public_a place_n so_o as_o they_o may_v have_v easy_o be_v contradict_v if_o they_o shall_v have_v deliver_v a_o falsehood_n three_o the_o party_n which_o have_v deliver_v they_o have_v all_o the_o opportunity_n in_o the_o world_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n they_o be_v thing_n do_v either_o by_o themselves_o or_o within_o their_o own_o sight_n or_o hear_v for_o the_o great_a part_n or_o at_o least_o wise_a in_o the_o time_n and_o place_n where_o the_o reporter_n live_v matthew_n and_o john_n the_o two_o evangelist_n which_o write_v the_o history_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v two_o of_o his_o disciple_n two_o that_o be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o his_o action_n and_o his_o word_n more_o familiar_a with_o he_o then_o the_o rest_n the_o one_o be_v the_o disciple_n that_o jesus_n love_v and_o use_v to_o lean_v in_o his_o bosom_n as_o they_o lie_v at_o meat_n the_o other_o be_v usual_o take_v with_o he_o when_o most_o of_o the_o rest_n be_v leave_v behind_o and_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v present_a at_o almost_o all_o the_o act_n and_o speech_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v mark_n and_o luke_n the_o other_o two_o evangelist_n they_o live_v in_o the_o same_o territory_n at_o the_o same_o time_n where_o and_o when_o our_o bless_a saviour_n bestow_v his_o conversation_n and_o moreover_o saint_n mark_n be_v as_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a first_o a_o disciple_n of_o saint_n paul_n who_o be_v miraculous_o choose_v to_o deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n afterwards_o he_o be_v undoubted_o a_o disciple_n and_o companion_n of_o saint_n peter_n who_o be_v a_o apostle_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v live_v familiar_o together_o with_o he_o be_v present_a at_o almost_o all_o thing_n which_o mark_n have_v write_v and_o beside_o whatever_o be_v deliver_v by_o saint_n mark_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n luke_n be_v a_o individual_a companion_n of_o paul_n and_o so_o he_o may_v learn_v of_o he_o such_o thing_n as_o he_o deliver_v beside_o that_o he_o say_v that_o he_o speak_v with_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o
ghost_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n unless_o they_o can_v have_v heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n the_o blind_a the_o lame_a the_o deaf_a the_o dumb_a etc._n etc._n by_o word_n touch_n shadow_n or_o can_v have_v speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n or_o rather_o at_o one_o speak_v can_v have_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o man_n of_o every_o language_n shall_v perfect_o have_v understand_v their_o speech_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v their_o own_o parthian_n and_o mede_n and_o elamite_n and_o the_o dweller_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o judea_n and_o cappadocia_n pontus_n and_o asia_n phrygia_n and_o pamphilia_n egypt_n and_o the_o part_n of_o lybia_n about_o cyrene_n stranger_n of_o rome_n jew_n and_o proselyte_n crete_z and_o arabian_n they_o all_o hear_v they_o speak_v in_o their_o own_o tongue_n nor_o do_v it_o please_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o all_o flesh_n here_o to_o stint_v the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o he_o give_v they_o not_o only_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n he_o unfold_v to_o they_o the_o everlasting_a roll_n and_o admit_v they_o into_o his_o decree_n and_o will_v not_o hide_v from_o they_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o mean_v to_o bring_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o generation_n to_o come_v he_o urge_v they_o by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o they_o foretell_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o world_n they_o foretell_v it_o and_o god_n bring_v it_o to_o pass_v i_o can_v stand_v to_o reckon_v up_o all_o their_o prophecy_n which_o they_o deliver_v and_o short_o after_o they_o be_v fulfil_v of_o the_o spread_n of_o that_o leaven_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o that_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n of_o the_o mighty_a and_o wonderful_a propagation_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o the_o perpetual_a endure_n of_o it_o of_o the_o rejection_n of_o it_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o receive_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gentile_n of_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o torment_n which_o be_v to_o be_v undergo_v by_o the_o glorious_a martyr_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o calamity_n of_o that_o faithless_a nation_n all_o these_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v infinite_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o any_o other_o writer_n that_o none_o can_v disbelieve_v they_o without_o forfeit_v his_o reason_n by_o assert_v that_o god_n will_v give_v testimony_n to_o imposture_n sect._n vi_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n a_o proposal_n of_o three_o several_a assertion_n whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v have_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v all_o of_o they_o to_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o authority_n and_o credit_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o the_o dogmatic_a part_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o history_n and_o the_o history_n upon_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o reason_n and_o consequent_o that_o no_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o reason_n and_o judgement_n can_v refuse_v they_o it_o remain_v that_o we_o demonstrate_v the_o same_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o we_o take_v off_o those_o colour_n and_o answer_v those_o sophism_n which_o by_o some_o man_n be_v urge_v against_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o conclude_v this_o argument_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o former_a of_o these_o i_o must_v call_v to_o your_o remembrance_n that_o which_o in_o the_o beginning_n i_o do_v premise_v that_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o do_v comprehend_v those_o and_o those_o only_o which_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v be_v admit_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o that_o i_o have_v no_o purpose_n at_o all_o to_o meddle_v with_o the_o controversy_n which_o be_v betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o roman_a church_n about_o the_o book_n which_o be_v apocryphal_a the_o reason_n why_o the_o church_n have_v entertain_v they_o only_o into_o the_o canon_n be_v because_o they_o only_o be_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o jew_n belief_n before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n they_o only_o be_v write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n and_o consign_v by_o esdras_n at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o babylonish_a captivity_n as_o be_v general_o believe_v among_o the_o jewish_a rabbin_n while_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n zachary_n and_o malachy_n be_v yet_o alive_a now_o although_o the_o way_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o consider_v the_o question_n apart_o and_o by_o ic_fw-mi self_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o way_n whereby_o we_o do_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o assert_v the_o author_n of_o they_o to_o have_v be_v those_o man_n to_o who_o they_o be_v evermore_o ascribe_v and_o from_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n deliver_v in_o matter_n of_o history_n and_o the_o character_n of_o those_o person_n who_o have_v deliver_v the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o such_o man_n as_o those_o be_v and_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v shall_v deliver_v such_o imposture_n as_o those_o must_v be_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v imposture_n that_o no_o end_n or_o motive_n can_v be_v discover_v which_o they_o shall_v propound_v to_o themselves_o for_o their_o reward_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o many_o reason_n be_v visible_a why_o they_o shall_v have_v hold_v their_o peace_n if_o they_o dare_v have_v conceal_v those_o thing_n from_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n from_o safety_n gain_n glory_n and_o the_o like_a as_o may_v either_o joint_o or_o several_o be_v demonstrate_v of_o even_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n which_o make_v up_o the_o great_a part_n moses_n together_o with_o the_o law_n have_v deliver_v likewise_o the_o shame_n of_o himself_o and_o miriam_n and_o aaron_n the_o prophet_n have_v be_v all_o or_o most_o of_o they_o hardly_o use_v which_o of_o the_o prophet_n have_v not_o your_o father_n persecute_v although_o i_o say_v this_o have_v be_v the_o natural_a way_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n take_v single_o and_o apart_o by_o itself_o yet_o partly_o to_o avoid_v the_o similitude_n of_o matter_n which_o render_v unpleasant_a even_o the_o most_o profitable_a discourse_n and_o partly_o to_o make_v a_o present_a dispatch_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v content_v myself_o to_o have_v put_v you_o thus_o in_o mind_n that_o all_o those_o general_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o credit_n of_o those_o writer_n be_v common_a to_o these_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o other_o and_o that_o there_o need_v no_o variation_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n any_o other_o than_o the_o interchange_n of_o their_o several_a name_n their_o personal_a relation_n and_o quality_n and_o other_o accident_n in_o a_o word_n that_o the_o kind_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v the_o same_o and_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n alike_o in_o both_o allow_v only_o the_o difference_n of_o gradual_a and_o individual_a circumstance_n this_o be_v premise_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o shall_v further_o say_v be_v brief_o this_o that_o 1._o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n these_o book_n be_v true_a 2._o that_o since_o that_o time_n they_o have_v not_o be_v change_v from_o which_o two_o proposition_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o still_o they_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o new_a be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o touch_v these_o proposition_n the_o truth_n of_o they_o will_v be_v infer_v by_o this_o ratiocination_n 1._o the_o book_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v 2._o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o do_v former_o receive_v even_o up_o to_o the_o consignation_n of_o their_o canon_n 3._o the_o book_n which_o then_o they_o do_v receive_v be_v true_a sect._n vii_o the_o first_o assertion_n prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v that_o those_o canonical_a book_n which_o we_o receive_v be_v the_o self_n same_o with_o those_o which_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o present_a do_v receive_v be_v a_o case_n so_o plain_a that_o it_o need_v no_o manner_n of_o proof_n but_o only_o this_o that_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n to_o compare_v our_o english_a or_o latin_a bible_n with_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n which_o be_v use_v among_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a and_o daily_o put_v forth_o by_o the_o present_a
a_o philosophical_a essay_n towards_o a_o eviction_n of_o the_o be_v and_o attribute_n of_o god_n immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n truth_n and_o authority_n of_o scripture_n together_o with_o a_o index_n of_o the_o head_n of_o every_o particular_a part._n oxford_n print_v by_o leonard_n lichfield_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o john_n adam_n and_o edward_n forest_n 1652._o to_o the_o reader_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n although_o he_o have_v never_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v publish_v have_v he_o not_o be_v assure_v that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o main_a much_o liable_a to_o just_a exception_n and_o although_o he_o have_v no_o further_a care_n of_o the_o reception_n and_o entertainment_n of_o it_o than_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o may_v deserve_v whereof_o the_o reader_n and_o not_o himself_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n and_o so_o he_o be_v not_o move_v by_o the_o common_a passion_n of_o such_o as_o use_v to_o make_v epistle_n and_o preface_n to_o their_o reader_n yet_o some_o thing_n although_o but_o for_o custom_n only_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o premise_v and_o to_o acquaint_v the_o reader_n with_o thus_o much_o by_o way_n of_o apology_n for_o himself_o that_o this_o be_v write_v divers_a year_n since_o without_o any_o purpose_n of_o ever_o let_v it_o go_v abroad_o that_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o it_o be_v to_o clear_v to_o himself_o who_o be_v a_o lover_n of_o rational_a knowledge_n a_o account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o own_o belief_n and_o to_o that_o end_n to_o lay_v in_o order_n his_o scatter_a notion_n concerning_o that_o subject_a and_o this_o he_o intend_v as_o a_o apology_n for_o the_o homeliness_n of_o the_o stile_n that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o it_o be_v write_v it_o be_v also_o deliver_v in_o a_o private_a course_n of_o religious_a exercise_n and_o that_o will_v be_v the_o excuse_n for_o such_o repetition_n as_o may_v otherwise_o seem_v ill-favoured_a in_o the_o several_a section_n of_o it_o that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o compose_v it_o he_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o book_n which_o be_v one_o cause_n that_o it_o be_v not_o adorn_v with_o testimony_n and_o citation_n out_o of_o author_n but_o come_v out_o naked_a be_v support_v only_o by_o the_o order_n and_o plainness_n of_o reason_n that_o it_o trust_v to_o that_o since_o the_o compose_n of_o this_o he_o know_v that_o divers_a book_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n far_o more_o know_v then_o himself_o but_o that_o he_o have_v not_o yet_o read_v any_o of_o they_o nor_o know_v whether_o he_o do_v agree_v with_o they_o or_o not_o which_o abstinence_n have_v be_v cause_v partly_o for_o that_o he_o be_v himself_o satisfy_v by_o what_o be_v here_o deliver_v and_o partly_o for_o that_o he_o have_v no_o leisure_n or_o mind_n to_o alter_v this_o which_o he_o have_v do_v though_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o better_a that_o whereas_o he_o speak_v of_o epicure_n machiavelian_o and_o the_o like_a he_o make_v use_n of_o those_o name_n only_o in_o a_o popular_a way_n as_o they_o be_v name_n of_o character_n well_o know_v among_o we_o and_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o to_o traduce_v those_o author_n or_o cast_v any_o contumely_n upon_o they_o last_o he_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v that_o before_o the_o edition_n of_o this_o he_o have_v see_v m._n hobbs_n his_o leviathan_n and_o other_o book_n of_o his_o wherein_o that_o which_o be_v in_o this_o treatise_n intend_v as_o the_o main_a foundation_n whereon_o the_o second_o discourse_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n insist_v be_v say_v to_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o immaterial_a or_o incorporeal_a substance_n upon_o which_o occasion_n he_o think_v good_a only_o to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v a_o very_a great_a respect_n and_o a_o very_a high_a esteem_n for_o that_o worthy_a gentleman_n but_o he_o must_v ingenuous_o acknowledge_v that_o a_o great_a proportion_n of_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o belief_n and_o expectation_n concerning_o he_o a_o belief_n of_o much_o knowledge_n in_o he_o and_o a_o expectation_n of_o those_o philosophical_a and_o mathematical_a work_n which_o he_o have_v undertake_v and_o not_o so_o much_o upon_o what_o he_o have_v yet_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o see_v reason_n from_o thence_o to_o recede_v from_o any_o thing_n upon_o his_o authority_n although_o he_o shall_v avouch_v his_o discourse_n to_o proceed_v mathematical_o that_o he_o be_v sure_a he_o have_v much_o injure_v the_o mathematics_n and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o demonstration_n by_o bestow_v it_o upon_o some_o of_o his_o discourse_n which_o be_v exceed_o short_a of_o that_o evidence_n and_o truth_n which_o be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o discourse_n able_a to_o bear_v that_o reputation_n that_o in_o this_o case_n m.h._n be_v only_o a_o negative_a witness_n and_o his_o meaning_n in_o deny_v incorporeal_a substance_n can_v rational_o import_v no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o he_o himself_o have_v not_o a_o apprehension_n of_o any_o such_o being_n and_o that_o his_o cogitation_n as_o to_o the_o simple_a object_n of_o it_o have_v never_o rise_v beyond_o imagination_n or_o the_o first_o apprehension_n of_o body_n perform_v in_o the_o brain_n but_o to_o imagine_v that_o no_o man_n have_v a_o apprehension_n of_o the_o godhead_n because_o he_o may_v not_o perhaps_o think_v of_o he_o so_o much_o as_o to_o strip_v off_o the_o corporeal_a circumstance_n wherewith_o he_o do_v use_v to_o fancy_v he_o or_o to_o conclude_v every_o man_n under_o the_o sentence_n of_o be_v nonsensical_a whosoever_o have_v speak_v or_o write_v of_o incorporeal_a substance_n he_o do_v conceive_v to_o be_v thing_n not_o to_o be_v make_v good_a by_o the_o authority_n of_o m._n hobs._n that_o whereas_o very_o many_o man_n do_v profess_v a_o apprehension_n of_o such_o being_n and_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n profess_v this_o to_o be_v impossible_a this_o author_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o excuse_v this_o from_o much_o incivility_n and_o conceive_v the_o import_n of_o it_o to_o amount_v to_o thus_o much_o that_o he_o conceive_v himself_o in_o the_o high_a and_o utmost_a bind_v of_o human_a apprehension_n and_o that_o his_o reason_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o what_o he_o see_v not_o be_v invisible_a i_o conceive_v the_o case_n in_o this_o to_o be_v alike_o as_o if_o while_o two_o man_n be_v look_v at_o jupiter_n one_o with_o his_o naked_a eye_n the_o other_o with_o a_o telescope_n the_o former_a shall_v avow_v that_o jupiter_n have_v no_o attendant_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v have_v any_o the_o reason_n why_o m.h._n deny_v those_o being_n while_o other_o man_n apprehend_v they_o be_v for_o that_o he_o look_v at_o they_o with_o his_o fancy_n they_o with_o their_o mind_n many_o more_o thing_n he_o have_v to_o say_v for_o himself_o but_o he_o understand_v not_o full_o the_o use_n or_o benefit_n of_o apology_n the_o content_n part_n i._n sect._n i._n preface_n sect._n ii_o of_o the_o design_n ad_fw-la definition_n of_o religion_n the_o prejudice_n and_o pretence_n against_o the_o christian_a the_o sum_n of_o what_o be_v in_o controversy_n deduce_v to_o three_o question_n 1._o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n attribute_n 2._o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n 3._o of_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n sect._n iii_o of_o the_o being_n of_o god_n evict_v by_o way_n of_o demonstration_n from_o the_o creature_n pag._n 11._o sect._n iv._o of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n those_o likewise_o evict_v from_o the_o creature_n pag._n 17._o part_n ii_o sect._n i._n a_o proposal_n of_o the_o argument_n for_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o major_a proposition_n that_o incorporeal_a substance_n be_v immortal_a pap_n 33._o sect._n ii_o a_o proof_n of_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v incorporeal_a substance_n by_o compare_v the_o affection_n of_o body_n with_o those_o of_o soul_n p._n 38._o sect._n iii_o a_o further_a proof_n of_o it_o by_o the_o general_a way_n of_o apprehension_n p._n 43_o sense_n iv._o the_o same_o further_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o several_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o simple_a apprehension_n p._n 51._o sect._n v._o from_o judgement_n and_o discourse_n p._n 58._o sect._n vi_o a_o application_n of_o the_o former_a proposition_n to_o the_o inference_n of_o a_o religion_n in_o general_a and_o a_o proposal_n of_o the_o three_o in_o order_n to_o the_o christian_n p._n 67._o part_n iii_o concerning_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o scripture_n sect._n i._n petition_n and_o caution_n premise_v to_o the_o question_n p._n 75._o sect._n ii_o the_o assertion_n resolve_v into_o two_o proposition_n the_o former_a
he_o will_v believe_v if_o he_o shall_v believe_v that_o a_o little_a before_o his_o birth_n a_o company_n of_o angel_n appear_v to_o shepherd_n and_o tell_v they_o of_o it_o that_o present_o after_o it_o a_o star_n appear_v to_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o east_n and_o conduct_v they_o to_o the_o place_n of_o his_o nativity_n that_o in_o his_o life_n time_n he_o do_v such_o work_n as_o never_o man_n do_v how_o he_o turn_v water_n into_o wine_n command_v the_o wind_n and_o the_o sea_n how_o he_o cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n with_o his_o word_n how_o he_o give_v sight_n to_o such_o as_o be_v bear_v blindeâ—_z which_o be_v never_o know_v since_o the_o world_n begin_v how_o he_o cure_v most_o obstinate_a disease_n of_o long_a continuance_n mere_o by_o the_o touch_n of_o his_o garment_n how_o he_o cast_v out_o devil_n from_o such_o as_o be_v possess_v how_o he_o raise_v up_o the_o dead_a to_o life_n and_o every_o way_n demonstrate_v the_o power_n and_o presence_n of_o the_o godhead_n how_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o crucifixion_n the_o frame_n of_o nature_n seem_v to_o be_v dissolve_v how_o the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n rent_n and_o the_o grave_n open_v and_o many_o body_n of_o the_o dead_a which_o sleep_v arise_v and_o come_v into_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o appear_v to_o many_o how_o there_o be_v darkness_n over_o all_o the_o earth_n the_o sun_n eclipse_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n when_o the_o moon_n be_v at_o the_o full_a and_o last_o how_o after_o three_o day_n he_o arise_v again_o appear_v several_a time_n to_o his_o apostle_n give_v they_o power_n to_o perform_v the_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v do_v and_o visible_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n whosoever_o do_v believe_v these_o matter_n of_o fact_n must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o believe_v unless_o he_o will_v accuse_v god_n of_o bear_v false_a witness_n or_o own_o some_o such_o other_o detestable_a and_o odious_a incongruity_n you_o see_v then_o how_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v clear_v and_o the_o historical_a narration_n be_v assert_v to_o be_v true_a the_o doctrinal_a part_n will_v follow_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o that_o if_o we_o can_v clear_v such_o thing_n to_o have_v be_v perform_v by_o moses_n and_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o that_o such_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v by_o they_o it_o follow_v that_o those_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n sect._n iii_o the_o kind_n and_o degree_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o historical_a faith_n in_o general_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o we_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o sacred_a history_n be_v true_a and_o that_o no_o man_n pretend_v to_o reason_n can_v just_o refuse_v to_o admit_v that_o principle_n into_o his_o belief_n there_o be_v 1._o the_o same_o reason_n to_o believe_v those_o history_n that_o there_o be_v to_o believe_v any_o history_n 2._o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v they_o then_o any_o other_o first_o then_o whosoever_o do_v deliberate_a with_o himself_o about_o that_o question_n whether_o or_o no_o he_o shall_v give_v credit_n to_o any_o history_n propound_v can_v possible_o find_v no_o other_o consideration_n to_o sway_v his_o judgement_n than_o such_o as_o either_o be_v take_v from_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o be_v deliver_v or_o from_o the_o person_n which_o have_v deliver_v the_o relation_n and_o from_o such_o qualification_n of_o they_o as_o upon_o the_o ground_n of_o reason_n he_o can_v discover_v if_o the_o matter_n itself_o do_v involve_v a_o clear_a and_o evident_a contradiction_n to_o some_o natural_a principle_n it_o be_v not_o the_o asseveration_n of_o all_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n that_o can_v work_v a_o belief_n in_o the_o understanding_n it_o not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o entertain_v a_o belief_n contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n although_o it_o may_v produce_v in_o he_o a_o doubt_v whether_o or_o no_o he_o have_v not_o suffer_v any_o fallacy_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o he_o and_o so_o be_v wrought_v to_o run_v over_o the_o matter_n again_o unto_o himself_o and_o follow_v it_o with_o strict_a and_o wary_a attention_n backward_o and_o forward_o in_o reference_n to_o his_o principle_n but_o if_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v not_o incredible_a however_o difficult_a or_o strange_a it_o be_v that_o which_o then_o he_o do_v consider_v be_v the_o quality_n of_o the_o relator_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o relation_n and_o there_o be_v not_o any_o improbability_n proceed_v from_o the_o difficulty_n or_o the_o rarity_n of_o the_o accident_n which_o may_v not_o be_v outweigh_v by_o the_o know_a disposition_n and_o property_n of_o the_o relator_n those_o thing_n which_o man_n do_v consider_v in_o the_o relator_n of_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o yield_v of_o their_o belief_n they_o relate_v either_o to_o the_o of_o the_o relator_n understanding_n or_o will_n and_o concern_v either_o their_o sufficiency_n or_o integrity_n man_n usual_o consider_v whether_o or_o no_o the_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v certain_o and_o evident_o know_v and_o whether_o these_o party_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o whether_o they_o contain_v themselves_o in_o their_o relation_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o thing_n liable_a to_o certain_a knowledge_n thus_o than_o those_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v certain_o know_v they_o be_v the_o outward_a event_n of_o thing_n whereas_o the_o secret_a cause_n may_v lie_v conceal_v the_o former_a be_v such_o as_o be_v the_o object_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o come_v within_o the_o cognizance_n of_o all_o the_o late_a be_v such_o as_o be_v indiscoverable_a by_o any_o man_n they_o be_v oftentimes_o make_v up_o of_o a_o complexion_n of_o action_n and_o disposition_n of_o multitude_n of_o man_n or_o thing_n perfect_o to_o be_v know_v only_o of_o he_o that_o see_v all_o thing_n in_fw-la speculo_fw-la aeternitatis_fw-la if_o the_o history_n or_o relation_n contain_v itself_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v whether_o or_o no_o the_o party_n that_o be_v author_n of_o the_o relation_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n of_o knowledge_n whether_o himself_o be_v a_o eye_n or_o earwitness_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o relate_v or_o whether_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o public_o act_v and_o know_v that_o he_o may_v certain_o and_o particular_o inform_v himself_o without_o any_o danger_n of_o deceit_n if_o the_o party_n be_v of_o know_a ability_n both_o in_o himself_o and_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o thing_n the_o next_o question_n will_v be_v of_o his_o integrity_n and_o whether_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v not_o voluntary_o deliver_v a_o falsehood_n in_o stead_n of_o truth_n and_o because_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o man_n will_v lie_v unless_o they_o either_o be_v know_v to_o be_v corrupt_a or_o some_o end_n be_v visible_a of_o gain_n to_o they_o from_o their_o lie_v man_n use_v to_o consider_v these_o thing_n likewise_o before_o they_o settle_v upon_o belief_n these_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o consideration_n and_o inward_a discourse_n whereupon_o man_n do_v proceed_v to_o the_o receive_n of_o historical_a belief_n even_o of_o any_o relation_n whatsoever_o and_o according_o as_o all_o of_o these_o condition_n be_v clear_a or_o obscure_a doubtful_a or_o certain_a such_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o belief_n if_o all_o of_o they_o concur_v there_o remain_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o of_o doubt_v if_o some_o of_o they_o fail_v there_o will_v follow_v a_o debility_n answerable_a in_o the_o belief_n see_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o conclusion_n can_v never_o exceed_v the_o force_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o premise_n that_o there_o be_v or_o late_o have_v be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o rome_n or_o jerusalem_n or_o paris_n there_o be_v none_o of_o we_o that_o doubt_v although_o we_o have_v not_o see_v they_o because_o they_o be_v thing_n very_o easy_o know_v as_o be_v the_o object_n of_o the_o eye_n because_o the_o reporter_n have_v be_v there_o to_o see_v they_o and_o because_o no_o end_n or_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o or_o how_o man_n shall_v combine_v to_o abuse_v those_o that_o have_v not_o travel_v that_o there_o have_v be_v former_o such_o city_n as_o corinth_n and_o philippi_n and_o lacedaemon_n etc._n etc._n we_o make_v even_o as_o little_a doubt_n as_o of_o the_o former_a because_o the_o thing_n in_o their_o nature_n be_v evident_o to_o be_v know_v and_o they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o book_n of_o polybius_n or_o plutarch_n or_o a_o multitude_n of_o historian_n that_o know_v they_o that_o the_o history_n of_o caesar_n war_n against_o the_o gaul_n be_v true_a though_o write_v by_o himself_o
thing_n which_o he_o deliver_v he_o be_v bear_v near_o hand_n he_o travel_v through_o palestina_n may_v converse_v with_o those_o very_a man_n upon_o who_o jesus_n have_v wrought_v his_o miracle_n such_o as_o have_v see_v the_o life_n of_o jesus_n his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v likewise_o write_v by_o saint_n luke_n and_o that_o book_n contain_v some_o thing_n do_v by_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o most_o of_o it_o be_v concerning_o the_o action_n of_o paul_n after_o his_o miraculous_a conversion_n the_o former_a it_o be_v easy_a for_o he_o to_o know_v either_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o other_o of_o the_o latter_a he_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a because_o he_o be_v continual_o with_o paul_n in_o all_o his_o labour_n and_o his_o journey_n even_o from_o the_o time_n of_o his_o conversion_n to_o his_o imprisonment_n at_o rome_n as_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n and_o peter_n and_o james_n and_o john_n and_o jude_n they_o be_v such_o as_o either_o be_v do_v by_o themselves_o and_o so_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o or_o by_o other_o with_o who_o they_o hold_v a_o correspondence_n or_o by_o our_o saviour_n who_o apostle_n they_o be_v all_o but_o paul_n or_o else_o they_o be_v thing_n do_v by_o other_o public_o and_o notorious_o know_v last_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o revelation_n though_o the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v not_o certain_o know_v in_o the_o church_n yet_o thus_o much_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n say_v that_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n be_v preach_v at_o first_o by_o christ_n and_o confirm_v unto_o he_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o 2._o v._n 3._o and_o so_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o nor_o yet_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o revelation_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a whether_o or_o no_o he_o have_v those_o vision_n which_o he_o have_v deliver_v now_o these_o be_v all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o have_v as_o much_o opportunity_n to_o know_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o deliver_v as_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v have_v wherefore_o the_o business_n be_v clear_a in_o respect_n of_o their_o sufficiency_n of_o knowledge_n and_o all_o the_o question_n which_o remain_v it_o must_v be_v in_o regard_n of_o their_o integrity_n whosoever_o challenge_v or_o question_n the_o integrity_n of_o a_o historian_n and_o upon_o that_o cause_n refuse_v to_o receive_v his_o testimony_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o he_o produce_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o suspicion_n that_o he_o charge_v the_o author_n of_o corruption_n and_o prove_v the_o charge_n which_o he_o have_v object_v or_o that_o he_o discover_v and_o manifest_v the_o end_n which_o he_o may_v propound_v to_o himself_o as_o the_o reward_n of_o his_o imposture_n that_o he_o show_v the_o gain_n that_o may_v accrue_v or_o the_o loss_n or_o peril_n or_o ignominy_n that_o he_o may_v avoid_v and_o manifest_a that_o his_o accusation_n have_v not_o proceed_v from_o malice_n but_o from_o judgement_n from_o some_o ground_n of_o reason_n and_o not_o from_o perverseness_n or_o spite_n or_o any_o inhumanity_n here_o than_o it_o be_v that_o we_o challenge_v man_n or_o devil_n to_o produce_v the_o crime_n to_o detect_v and_o prove_v the_o villainy_n of_o these_o writer_n nay_o to_o assign_v the_o end_n which_o they_o may_v have_v in_o relate_v falsehood_n the_o gain_n the_o pleasure_n the_o glory_n the_o safety_n or_o whatsoever_o it_o be_v that_o prevail_v upon_o the_o appetite_n and_o lust_n of_o man_n and_o let_v their_o infidelity_n and_o jealousy_n outdo_v the_o malice_n of_o the_o grand_a apostate_n indeed_o i_o think_v scorn_n to_o stand_v upon_o this_o argument_n it_o be_v the_o contemplation_n of_o these_o thing_n chief_o that_o gain_v from_o i_o that_o second_o assertion_n that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n than_o any_o other_o writing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o first_o proposition_n be_v already_o demonstrate_v that_o we_o have_v as_o great_a sect._n v._o that_o there_o be_v much_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o any_o other_o history_n have_v already_o demonstrate_v that_o consider_v the_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n who_o have_v record_v unto_o we_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o our_o saviour_n there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n to_o give_v credence_n to_o their_o history_n as_o to_o any_o other_o ancient_a history_n in_o the_o world_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n and_o opportunity_n for_o discovery_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v it_o follow_v now_o that_o we_o make_v good_a that_o which_o in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o propound_v concerning_o they_o which_o be_v that_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o then_o to_o believe_v any_o historian_n whatsoever_o and_o this_o now_o will_v be_v manifest_v to_o we_o by_o these_o argument_n follow_v 1._o great_a obligation_n 2._o their_o suffering_n 3._o their_o miracle_n 4._o their_o prediction_n first_o then_o they_o be_v more_o powerful_o oblige_v to_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o truth_n than_o other_o not_o that_o other_o be_v not_o oblige_v likewise_o to_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o soul_n settle_v a_o principle_n dictate_v unto_o he_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o not_o to_o recede_v from_o the_o truth_n in_o his_o relation_n but_o yet_o this_o principle_n be_v in_o the_o most_o of_o man_n very_o much_o overcloud_v and_o overbear_v as_o be_v manifest_a not_o only_o by_o the_o fabulous_a relation_n of_o ancient_a history_n even_o after_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o olympiad_n but_o by_o that_o inclination_n which_o we_o find_v almost_o in_o all_o man_n to_o make_v their_o relation_n handsome_a in_o order_n whereunto_o even_o the_o grave_a of_o they_o josephus_n livy_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o order_n of_o historian_n have_v often_o change_v the_o form_n of_o circumstance_n and_o vary_v from_o the_o truth_n to_o make_v a_o coherence_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o their_o fancy_n such_o as_o may_v please_v their_o own_o imagination_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o which_o hold_v in_o the_o heathen_a so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v hold_v within_o the_o boundary_n of_o truth_n it_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o certain_a magnanimity_n and_o a_o moral_a generosity_n that_o be_v actuate_v and_o quicken_v in_o they_o by_o the_o conceit_n of_o a_o reputation_n thereby_o gain_v among_o the_o people_n of_o their_o own_o generation_n their_o hope_n of_o perpetuate_v their_o own_o fame_n together_o with_o the_o act_n which_o they_o record_v and_o consecrate_v they_o to_o eternity_n and_o immortality_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o this_o be_v all_o the_o motive_n which_o they_o have_v but_o that_o upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o they_o in_o the_o whole_a complexion_n of_o their_o circumstance_n i_o can_v find_v out_o any_o more_o powerful_a motive_n nor_o any_o strong_a obligation_n but_o beside_o all_o that_o these_o man_n have_v to_o move_v they_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v likewise_o other_o motive_n as_o far_o beyond_o these_o as_o the_o heaven_n be_v beyond_o the_o earth_n either_o in_o dignity_n or_o situation_n a_o most_o severe_a injunction_n of_o their_o master_n such_o as_o they_o themselves_o have_v deliver_v such_o as_o they_o can_v not_o neither_o dare_v neglect_v their_o writing_n abound_v in_o precept_n of_o truth_n and_o of_o veracity_n and_o that_o prescribe_v under_o far_o other_o condition_n and_o settle_v upon_o a_o far_o sure_a foundation_n upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o truth_n itself_o the_o original_a and_o the_o ideal_a truth_n of_o the_o world_n and_o propound_v to_o they_o under_o far_o other_o penalty_n they_o know_v full_a well_o and_o teach_v to_o other_o that_o of_o every_o idle_a word_n which_o man_n shall_v speak_v a_o account_n must_v be_v give_v at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n how_o dreadful_a a_o account_n than_o must_v they_o have_v expect_v if_o they_o shall_v have_v deliver_v falsehood_n in_o the_o place_n of_o truth_n if_o they_o shall_v have_v tell_v a_o lie_n for_o god_n or_o lie_v of_o god_n or_o deliver_v imposture_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n nay_o very_o the_o necessity_n which_o lie_v upon_o they_o compare_v to_o other_o do_v as_o far_o exceed_v it_o as_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o little_a disreputation_n be_v exceed_v by_o the_o horror_n of_o eternal_a torment_n and_o now_o their_o practice_n be_v also_o answerable_a to_o their_o obligation_n and_o what_o they_o deliver_v
rabbin_n reside_v in_o the_o several_a part_n and_o dominion_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o such_o a_o comparison_n it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o we_o do_v own_o the_o self_n same_o book_n which_o they_o do_v without_o any_o difference_n in_o the_o number_n or_o inscription_n chapter_n or_o verse_n of_o those_o book_n such_o as_o do_v doubt_n of_o this_o they_o must_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o try_v and_o to_o resolve_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o experience_n or_o else_o if_o they_o be_v not_o able_a or_o not_o willing_a to_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o make_v themselves_o their_o own_o resolver_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o multitude_n of_o those_o that_o have_v already_o try_v it_o and_o find_v it_o to_o be_v general_o grant_v and_o allow_v of_o all_o man_n and_o all_o party_n however_o differ_v otherwise_o among_o themselves_o they_o must_v upon_o that_o account_n either_o believe_v the_o proposition_n or_o else_o devise_v some_o way_n how_o and_o for_o what_o end_n it_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o religion_n jew_n christian_n papist_n protestant_n turk_n pagan_n etc._n etc._n shall_v agree_v together_o to_o impose_v upon_o that_o part_n of_o people_n that_o can_v or_o will_v not_o fit_v themselves_o to_o resolve_v a_o question_n so_o easy_a and_o of_o such_o concernment_n now_o that_o all_o these_o sort_n of_o man_n do_v thus_o agree_v must_v likewise_o be_v believe_v until_o some_o one_o instance_n can_v be_v produce_v to_o the_o contrary_a the_o truth_n be_v the_o thing_n be_v a_o matter_n liable_a to_o the_o trial_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o obvious_a to_o all_o the_o world_n there_o be_v no_o more_o controversy_n make_v of_o it_o among_o the_o learned_a then_o of_o a_o principle_n in_o mathematics_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o as_o concerning_o the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o book_n there_o be_v and_o almost_o ever_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o controversy_n among_o the_o learned_a but_o none_o as_o to_o the_o number_n and_o to_o the_o part_n of_o those_o that_o be_v deliver_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o be_v likewise_o true_a that_o the_o belief_n of_o far_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n do_v in_o its_o kind_n depend_v upon_o the_o questionable_a fidelity_n of_o translator_n and_o that_o fidelity_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v to_o be_v try_v that_o must_v be_v do_v by_o mean_n which_o be_v not_o exempt_v from_o question_n all_o therefore_o which_o can_v be_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o unless_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o skill_n sufficient_a for_o our_o own_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o question_n we_o take_v into_o thought_n the_o qualification_n of_o translator_n in_o respect_n of_o skill_n and_o of_o fidelity_n and_o impartial_o that_o we_o consider_v all_o those_o rational_a head_n and_o ground_n whereon_o man_n use_v to_o settle_v their_o belief_n among_o which_o no_o great_a evidence_n can_v be_v expect_v then_o there_o be_v in_o case_n where_o all_o agree_v and_o such_o be_v the_o main_a body_n of_o we_o and_o other_o translation_n likewise_o this_o that_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o translation_n be_v indeed_o a_o digression_n from_o the_o proposition_n i_o shall_v demonstrate_v see_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o sacred_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o mean_v it_o not_o of_o translation_n as_o they_o be_v such_o but_o primary_o of_o the_o original_n and_o of_o translation_n only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v consonant_a to_o those_o original_n and_o thus_o much_o be_v indeed_o sufficient_a both_o for_o the_o assertion_n and_o explication_n of_o that_o proposition_n that_o the_o book_n which_o we_o receive_v they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n receive_v sect._n viii_o that_o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v ever_o since_o the_o consignation_n of_o their_o canon_n but_o second_o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o do_v former_o receive_v upward_o to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n nay_o beyond_o they_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o consignation_n or_o seal_v up_o the_o canon_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o be_v their_o book_n be_v never_o change_v nor_o corrupt_v it_o be_v not_o here_o my_o purpose_n to_o assert_v that_o never_o any_o letter_n or_o word_n have_v be_v change_v or_o former_o read_v otherwise_o then_o now_o it_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a bible_n i_o be_o not_o so_o far_o unacquainted_a with_o their_o keri_fw-he and_o chetib_n or_o with_o the_o note_n of_o the_o massore_v but_o that_o there_o have_v not_o be_v make_v any_o variation_n so_o considerable_a as_o to_o shake_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o present_a copy_n of_o these_o various_a read_n i_o hope_v to_o speak_v in_o the_o answer_a objection_n in_o the_o interim_n i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v any_o considerable_a depravation_n and_o now_o this_o be_v a_o negative_a proposition_n common_a reason_n do_v present_o offer_v it_o to_o every_o one_o judgement_n that_o it_o can_v be_v positive_o prove_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o such_o proposition_n contradict_v that_o manner_n of_o proof_n the_o argument_n then_o which_o be_v producible_a be_v some_o of_o they_o take_v from_o the_o cause_n why_o they_o can_v not_o moral_o be_v corrupt_v the_o other_o from_o sign_n that_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o the_o first_o argument_n than_o be_v take_v from_o the_o multitude_n of_o copy_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o combine_v together_o to_o corrupt_v upon_o design_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v accidental_o agree_v together_o in_o the_o same_o casual_a corruption_n it_o be_v certain_o apparent_a out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o after_o their_o first_o and_o second_o captivity_n they_o do_v store_v themselves_o with_o multitude_n of_o copy_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n and_o that_o both_o public_o and_o private_o that_o which_o before_o they_o be_v disperse_v either_o be_v not_o so_o necessary_a to_o they_o or_o else_o be_v not_o so_o apprehend_v by_o they_o so_o long_o as_o the_o first_o temple_n be_v yet_o unraze_v we_o read_v but_o of_o very_o few_o if_o any_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o other_o nation_n out_o of_o the_o bound_n and_o terrirore_n of_o judea_n but_o after_o by_o their_o long_a and_o woeful_a captivity_n when_o their_o confidence_n in_o the_o protection_n of_o their_o law_n and_o their_o temple_n have_v by_o their_o sad_a experience_n and_o woeful_a suffering_n wear_v itself_o out_o of_o their_o mind_n their_o temple_n be_v utter_o demolish_v the_o best_a of_o they_o begin_v to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o even_o the_o law_n may_v fail_v habbakuk_n and_o they_o now_o bethink_v themselves_o of_o make_v use_n of_o the_o rational_a mean_n of_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o see_v there_o can_v not_o be_v any_o ready_a way_n think_v upon_o then_o the_o erect_n of_o synagogue_n and_o write_v many_o copy_n these_o be_v the_o course_n which_o they_o take_v they_o have_v have_v experience_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o have_v one_o only_a copy_n in_o the_o loss_n of_o that_o copy_n which_o be_v find_v again_o by_o hilkiah_n the_o priest_n make_v king_n josiah_n to_o rend_v his_o clothes_n at_o the_o hear_n of_o those_o thing_n write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o according_o we_o find_v before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n many_o synagogue_n erect_v in_o foreign_a place_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o every_o synagogue_n read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n now_o every_o dispersion_n increase_v the_o number_n of_o synagogue_n and_o book_n and_o beside_o the_o first_o captivity_n of_o the_o tribe_n carry_v into_o media_n by_o the_o assyrian_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o even_o after_o they_o have_v licence_n from_o cyrus_n to_o return_v continue_v still_o abroad_o and_o upon_o many_o new_a occasion_n again_o disperse_v those_o that_o read_v over_o sacred_a history_n and_o profane_a shall_v find_v they_o seat_v in_o most_o of_o the_o eastern_a country_n adjacent_a judea_n or_o not_o far_o distant_a from_o thence_o the_o macedonian_n invite_v they_o to_o alexandria_n the_o cruelty_n of_o antiochus_n the_o civil_a war_n of_o the_o asmonaei_n the_o army_n of_o pompey_n and_o lossius_n drive_v many_o of_o they_o from_o their_o habitation_n the_o city_n of_o cyrene_n of_o asia_n macedonia_n and_o lycaonia_n the_o island_n of_o cyprus_n and_o crete_n and_o divers_a other_o even_o rome_n itself_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o furnish_v with_o temple_n and_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n now_o so_o it_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o all_o these_o do_v agree_v together_o among_o themselves_o
which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v if_o any_o and_o not_o all_o of_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v corrupt_v and_o that_o all_o of_o they_o shall_v either_o casual_o or_o by_o design_n be_v corrupt_v beside_o that_o no_o end_n can_v appear_v to_o encourage_v such_o a_o design_n the_o thing_n itself_o make_v it_o impossible_a beside_o have_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v they_o must_v to_o make_v a_o correspondence_n have_v corrupt_v likewise_o the_o septuagint_n translation_n which_o for_o almost_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n be_v extant_a in_o egypt_n that_o i_o speak_v nothing_o of_o the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n extant_a before_o the_o time_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n so_o then_o as_o far_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o moral_a subject_n will_v admit_v we_o have_v show_v as_o from_o the_o cause_n that_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v now_o as_o from_o the_o sign_n we_o have_v likewise_o powerful_a argument_n that_o to_o our_o saviour_n time_n they_o be_v uncorrupted_a because_o our_o saviour_n never_o discover_v any_o corruption_n of_o the_o text_n which_o certain_o he_o will_v not_o have_v spare_v at_o such_o time_n as_o he_o tax_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n of_o make_v the_o law_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_n by_o their_o tradition_n now_o that_o the_o hebrew_n canon_n have_v not_o be_v corrupt_v since_o our_o saviour_n time_n we_o have_v this_o sign_n likewise_o that_o never_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v in_o their_o great_a heat_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o jew_n accuse_v they_o of_o such_o corruption_n though_o justin_n martyr_n complain_v of_o wrong_v the_o septuagint_n translation_n and_o certain_o if_o they_o shall_v have_v corrupt_v they_o upon_o design_n either_o before_o or_o since_o it_o will_v have_v be_v in_o all_o those_o place_n which_o conclude_v against_o they_o for_o christ_n the_o true_a messiah_n that_o stumble_a stone_n upon_o which_o they_o stumble_v and_o fall_v but_o those_o do_v remain_v unaltered_a the_o truth_n be_v to_o they_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n and_o they_o have_v by_o the_o visible_a ordination_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n discover_v so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n that_o way_n as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v to_o have_v be_v bestow_v upon_o any_o other_o writing_n under_o heaven_n witness_v the_o critical_a note_n of_o their_o massore_v which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o of_o letter_n in_o every_o book_n almost_o and_o almost_o if_o not_o altogether_o of_o every_o various_a lection_n i_o conclude_v then_o that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v corrupt_v sect._n ix._o that_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n these_o book_n be_v true_a and_o consequent_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o we_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n they_o be_v true_a and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o appear_v by_o our_o saviour_n testimony_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o still_o refer_v to_o they_o as_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n as_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o word_n of_o god_n their_o use_v the_o testimony_n almost_o of_o every_o particular_a book_n as_o anthenticall_a their_o disputation_n found_v upon_o their_o authority_n particular_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o plain_a that_o without_o any_o more_o speak_v i_o will_v conclude_v that_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o old_a testament_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o new_a and_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o i_o have_v former_o demonstrate_v upon_o great_a reason_n far_o than_o any_o other_o writing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o that_o we_o must_v receive_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n upon_o the_o same_o authority_n we_o have_v already_o discover_v some_o of_o those_o many_o reason_n whereupon_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a under_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n beside_o those_o whereupon_o i_o have_v insist_v there_o be_v many_o more_o some_o of_o they_o take_v from_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o writer_n some_o from_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o writing_n the_o former_a show_v that_o those_o man_n from_o who_o they_o proceed_v be_v not_o fit_a person_n to_o devise_v such_o thing_n they_o be_v many_o if_o not_o most_o of_o they_o simple_a and_o unlearned_a man_n the_o latter_a manifest_n that_o such_o thing_n be_v not_o of_o their_o nature_n obvious_a to_o be_v devise_v because_o they_o transcend_v the_o wit_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n the_o majesty_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o stile_n the_o concord_n and_o harmony_n the_o end_n and_o scope_n the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n the_o antiquity_n beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n no_o way_n depend_v upon_o the_o multitude_n of_o argument_n or_o reason_n and_o all_o of_o these_o be_v insist_v on_o in_o some_o or_o other_o of_o those_o author_n which_o be_v obvious_a i_o shall_v at_o this_o time_n finish_v what_o remain_v of_o that_o which_o at_o the_o first_o i_o propound_v which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o as_o there_o be_v many_o and_o important_a reason_n move_v wise_a man_n to_o receive_v they_o so_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o sufficient_a argument_n on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v man_n to_o refuse_v they_o sect._n x._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v the_o scripture_n objection_n brief_o propose_v and_o answer_v first_o general_a objection_n against_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o many_o both_o of_o old_a and_o late_a time_n have_v refuse_v either_o all_o or_o several_a part_n of_o the_o holy_a canon_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v or_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v ever_o be_v general_o receive_v by_o all_o the_o world_n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n there_o always_o have_v be_v and_o sure_o there_o ever_o will_v be_v antiscripturian_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v ever_o live_v according_a to_o sense_n and_o appetite_n and_o to_o prove_v that_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la it_o be_v deny_v be_v not_o to_o manifest_v that_o there_o be_v reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o yet_o see_v there_o be_v of_o those_o dispute_v and_o theoretical_a heretic_n as_o well_o as_o practical_a to_o conceal_v or_o dissemble_v the_o argument_n which_o be_v allege_v against_o the_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v to_o betray_v the_o cause_n that_o we_o have_v undertake_v and_o give_v occasion_n for_o some_o jealousy_n that_o their_o objection_n be_v unanswerable_a to_o come_v then_o to_o a_o issue_n some_o have_v reject_v all_o by_o reason_n of_o  _fw-fr impossibility_n  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr repugnance_n  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr mutation_n  _fw-fr part_n accuse_v they_o as_o sine_fw-la nomine_fw-la authoris_fw-la  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr dubitati_fw-la  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr ab_fw-la intrinseco_fw-la matter_n those_o who_o refuse_v the_o whole_a scripture_n they_o be_v some_o of_o they_o atheist_n other_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n and_o yet_o do_v deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o write_a word_n pretend_v to_o private_a and_o secret_a illumination_n as_o the_o last_o rule_n of_o their_o action_n the_o design_n of_o my_o discourse_n be_v against_o the_o former_a i_o shall_v only_o intimate_v the_o frenzy_n of_o the_o late_a they_o pretend_v that_o that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o write_a word_n be_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o 1._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v god_n himself_o 2._o christ_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 3._o the_o letter_n kill_v 4._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v spirit_n and_o life_n these_o be_v the_o argument_n which_o by_o some_o enthusiast_n be_v use_v against_o the_o write_a letter_n and_o for_o answer_v to_o they_o we_o may_v only_o observe_v how_o by_o argue_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n these_o man_n do_v tacit_o assert_v it_o for_o take_v their_o argument_n out_o of_o it_o and_o proceed_v no_o further_a either_o by_o reason_n or_o revelation_n to_o the_o discovery_n of_o their_o antecedent_n but_o bare_o rest_v in_o the_o recital_n of_o those_o word_n which_o be_v there_o write_v they_o do_v resolve_v all_o the_o power_n and_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o very_a writing_n which_o they_o will_v impugn_v and_o consequent_o they_o do_v at_o once_o deny_v and_o grant_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v to_o deserve_v the_o epithet_n which_o be_v give_v they_o of_o fanatical_a enthusiast_n that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v god_n himself_o take_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o immanent_a act_n of_o the_o divine_a understanding_n be_v indeed_o a_o truth_n attainable_a by_o other_o principle_n by_o those_o i_o mean_v from_o whence_o the_o absolute_a simplicity_n