Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
book_n author_n name_n write_v 3,545 5 5.5812 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A39866 The history of oracles, and the cheats of the pagan priests in two parts / made English.; Histoire des oracles. English Fontenelle, M. de (Bernard Le Bovier), 1657-1757.; Dale, Antonius van, 1638-1708. De oraculis ethnicorum dissertationes duae.; Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689. 1688 (1688) Wing F1413; ESTC R13813 80,690 254

There are 6 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

one_o that_o have_v be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o he_o write_v unconcern_v by_o interest_n and_o diligent_a but_o especial_o when_o man_n write_v of_o such_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o have_v a_o relation_n to_o religion_n it_o be_v very_o hard_o not_o to_o savour_v according_a to_o the_o party_n of_o which_o they_o be_v a_o false_a religion_n with_o those_o advantage_n that_o be_v not_o due_a to_o it_o or_o not_o to_o give_v a_o true_a one_o those_o false_a assistance_n of_o which_o it_o have_v no_o need_n and_o yet_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o we_o can_v never_o add_v more_o truth_n to_o what_o be_v true_a already_o nor_o make_v that_o true_a which_o be_v false_a some_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o age_n for_o want_v of_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o this_o maxim_n have_v suffer_v themselves_o in_o favour_n of_o christianity_n to_o introduce_v supposition_n bold_a enough_o which_o the_o sound_a part_n of_o christian_n have_v be_v fain_o afterward_o to_o disow_v this_o inconsiderate_a zeal_n have_v produce_v a_o great_a number_n of_o apocryphal_a book_n to_o which_o be_v give_v the_o name_n of_o pagan_a or_o jewish_a author_n for_o the_o church_n have_v to_o do_v with_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o enemy_n what_o be_v more_o advantageous_a to_o she_o than_o to_o fight_v they_o with_o their_o own_o weapon_n by_o produce_v book_n which_o though_o make_v as_o be_v pretend_v by_o their_o own_o party_n be_v write_v nevertheless_o very_o much_o in_o favour_n of_o christianity_n but_o whilst_o they_o strain_v the_o point_n too_o far_o to_o draw_v from_o those_o counterfeit_n work_v some_o very_a great_a benefit_n to_o their_o religion_n they_o gain_v none_o at_o all_o for_o the_o clearness_n of_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v betray_v they_o and_o our_o mystery_n be_v therein_o so_o plain_o unfold_v that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n understand_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o jewish_a and_o pagan_a author_n and_o which_o way_n soever_o man_n turn_v themselves_o to_o save_v the_o reputation_n of_o those_o book_n they_o will_v find_v in_o their_o too_o great_a clearness_n a_o difficulty_n not_o to_o be_v surmount_v if_o some_o christian_n father_v spurious_a book_n on_o pagan_n and_o jew_n heretic_n find_v the_o way_n of_o do_v the_o like_a on_o the_o orthodox_n there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o but_o false_a gospel_n false_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o false_a history_n of_o their_o life_n and_o nothing_o but_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n can_v have_v separate_v the_o truth_n from_o so_o many_o apocryphal_a work_n as_o confound_v it_o some_o great_a man_n of_o the_o church_n have_v sometime_o be_v deceive_v either_o by_o the_o spurious_a work_n of_o heretic_n father_v upon_o the_o orthodox_n or_o by_o what_o the_o christian_n father_n upon_o the_o jew_n but_o often_o by_o the_o latter_a for_o they_o seldom_o examine_v strict_o enough_o that_o which_o seem_v favourable_a to_o religion_n the_o heat_n with_o which_o they_o contest_v for_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n not_o give_v they_o the_o leisure_n to_o make_v a_o good_a choice_n of_o their_o weapon_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o they_o have_v happen_v sometime_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n or_o of_o those_o of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n king_n of_o egypt_n we_o do_v not_o intend_v by_o this_o to_o weaken_v the_o authority_n or_o to_o lessen_v the_o merit_n of_o those_o great_a men._n for_o after_o we_o shall_v have_v examine_v all_o the_o error_n into_o which_o perhaps_o they_o have_v fall_v on_o some_o certain_a subject_n there_o will_v yet_o remain_v abundance_n of_o solid_a reason_n and_o very_o curious_a discovery_n which_o be_v worthy_a of_o our_o high_a admiration_n and_o if_o with_o the_o true_a proof_n of_o our_o religion_n they_o have_v leave_v we_o other_o which_o may_v be_v suspect_v it_o be_v our_o part_n to_o receive_v that_o only_o which_o be_v legitimate_a and_o to_o pardon_v their_o zeal_n who_o have_v furnish_v we_o with_o more_o proof_n than_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n for_o i_o be_o not_o at_o all_o surprise_v that_o this_o same_o zeal_n have_v convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o oracle_n advantageous_a to_o their_o religion_n which_o pass_v for_o currant_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n and_o those_o of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n be_v also_o probable_o the_o author_n of_o these_o oracle_n at_o least_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o feign_v they_o than_o to_o counterfeit_v entire_a volume_n the_o history_n of_o thamus_n be_v original_o heathen_a and_o yet_o eusebius_n and_o other_o great_a author_n have_v give_v it_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v believe_v it_o be_v immediate_o follow_v in_o plutarch_n with_o a_o relation_n so_o ridiculous_a that_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a whole_o to_o discredit_v the_o other_o for_o demetrius_n say_v there_o that_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o island_n near_o england_n be_v desert_n and_o consecrate_a to_o daemon_n and_o hero_n and_o that_o he_o be_v send_v by_o the_o emperor_n to_o discover_v these_o island_n chance_v to_o land_n upon_o one_o of_o those_o that_o be_v people_v and_o that_o a_o little_a time_n after_o his_o arrival_n there_o happen_v a_o tempest_n and_o terrible_a clap_n of_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n which_o make_v the_o people_n of_o the_o country_n conclude_v that_o some_o one_o of_o their_o principal_a daemon_n be_v dead_a because_o their_o death_n be_v be_v always_o attend_v with_o something_o strange_a and_o horrible_a to_o this_o demetrius_n add_v that_o one_o of_o those_o island_n be_v the_o prison_n of_o saturn_n who_o be_v keep_v there_o by_o briareus_n and_o be_v bury_v in_o a_o profound_a sleep_n which_o methinks_v shall_v render_v the_o custody_n of_o the_o giant_n very_o needless_a encompass_v with_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o daemon_n lie_v at_o his_o foot_n as_o slave_n have_v not_o demetrius_n make_v a_o very_a curious_a relation_n of_o this_o voyage_n and_o be_v it_o not_o pleasant_a to_o see_v such_o a_o philosopher_n as_o plutarch_n cold_o relate_v to_o we_o such_o wonderful_a thing_n it_o be_v not_o without_o reason_n that_o herodotus_n be_v esteem_v the_o father_n of_o history_n and_o all_o the_o greek_a writer_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v on_o that_o account_n his_o offspring_n and_o partake_v of_o his_o genius_n they_o have_v somewhat_o of_o truth_n but_o more_o of_o wonderful_a and_o amuse_a story_n but_o let_v it_o be_v how_o it_o will_v it_o be_v sufficient_a almost_o to_o refute_v the_o history_n of_o thamus_n though_o it_o have_v no_o other_o defect_n to_o have_v be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o treatise_n with_o the_o daemon_n of_o demetrius_n but_o beside_o this_o it_o can_v receive_v a_o reasonable_a interpretation_n for_o if_o the_o great_a god_n pan_n be_v a_o daemon_n can_v not_o the_o daemon_n have_v send_v one_o another_o a_o account_n of_o one_o of_o their_o death_n without_o employ_v thamus_n to_o that_o end_n have_v they_o no_o other_o way_n of_o inform_v one_o another_o of_o news_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n can_v they_o be_v so_o imprudent_a as_o to_o discover_v to_o man_n their_o misfortune_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o nature_n god_n compel_v they_o perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v then_o god_n have_v some_o design_n in_o do_v so_o but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o follow_v thereupon_o there_o be_v no_o person_n that_o be_v convert_v from_o paganism_n by_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o death_n of_o the_o great_a god_n pan._n it_o be_v declare_v that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o mercury_n and_o penelope_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o he_o that_o be_v acknowledge_v in_o arcadia_n for_o supreme_a god_n of_o all_o as_o his_o name_n import_v and_o therefore_o though_o the_o voice_n have_v name_v he_o the_o great_a pan_n yet_o he_o be_v understand_v to_o be_v but_o the_o little_a pan_n who_o death_n be_v of_o no_o great_a consequence_n and_o there_o do_v not_o appear_v any_o considerable_a regret_n for_o it_o if_o this_o great_a pan_n be_v jesus_n christ_n the_o daemon_n will_v not_o have_v tell_v to_o man_n news_n of_o a_o death_n so_o much_o to_o their_o advantage_n unless_o god_n have_v compel_v they_o to_o it_o but_o what_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o all_o this_o do_v any_o one_o understand_v the_o name_n of_o pan_n in_o its_o true_a sense_n plutarch_n live_v in_o the_o second_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o no_o person_n then_o know_v that_o pan_n be_v jesus_n christ_n who_o die_v in_o judea_n the_o history_n of_o thulis_n be_v relate_v by_o suidas_n a_o author_n who_o heap_v up_o a_o great_a many_o thing_n perhaps_o ill_o enough_o choose_v
the_o history_n of_o oracle_n and_o the_o cheat_n of_o the_o pagan_a priest_n in_o two_o part_n make_a english._n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1688_o and_o sell_v by_o most_o bookseller_n to_o the_o right_n honourable_a george_n lord_n jeffereys_n baron_n of_o wem_n lord_n high_a chancellor_n of_o england_n my_o lord_n though_o your_o quality_n and_o the_o awfulness_n of_o your_o high_a station_n may_v very_o well_o prevent_v the_o ambition_n of_o a_o author_n from_o make_v address_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o your_o lordship_n yet_o i_o confess_v myself_o less_o discourage_v by_o the_o grandeur_n of_o your_o title_n than_o i_o be_o by_o that_o of_o your_o wit_n it_o be_v that_o alone_a that_o bring_v i_o tremble_v to_o your_o foot_n with_o this_o little_a tribute_n of_o my_o duty_n methinks_v when_o all_o the_o honest_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v full_a of_o your_o praise_n when_o all_o that_o profess_v loyalty_n be_v celebrate_v your_o never_a die_a name_n i_o shall_v have_v look_v upon_o myself_o as_o unworthy_a of_o the_o honour_n i_o now_o aspire_v to_o if_o i_o among_o the_o number_n shall_v not_o with_o all_o imaginable_a gratitude_n pay_v my_o acknowledgement_n for_o the_o good_a you_o have_v render_v the_o public_a as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o service_n you_o have_v render_v the_o crown_n which_o you_o have_v more_o effectual_o do_v with_o more_o noble_a bravery_n fortitude_n and_o resignation_n than_o any_o other_o great_a statesman_n you_o have_v so_o absolute_o attach_v yourself_o to_o the_o interest_n of_o your_o monarch_n that_o it_o be_v evident_a you_o be_v as_o entire_o his_o own_o as_o if_o after_o he_o you_o have_v no_o more_o business_n with_o the_o world_n or_o even_o life_n itself_o and_o to_o this_o glory_n you_o have_v arrive_v by_o such_o difficulty_n as_o no_o other_o part_n wit_n or_o courage_n can_v have_v conquer_v and_o by_o it_o have_v carry_v your_o great_a fame_n even_o above_o envy_n nor_o can_v the_o unthinking_a and_o most_o malicious_a of_o your_o enemy_n reproach_n your_o lordship_n with_o self-interest_n in_o any_o of_o your_o service_n since_o all_o the_o world_n know_v when_o they_o be_v think_v criminal_a nay_o even_o punishable_a for_o such_o miserable_a time_n we_o have_v see_v when_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o have_v forfeit_v your_o fortune_n and_o almost_o your_o life_n then_o i_o say_v there_o be_v find_v in_o your_o lordship_n that_o undaunted_a bravery_n that_o spirit_n and_o fire_n of_o loyalty_n that_o true_a concern_v for_o the_o royal_a cause_n that_o you_o be_v the_o first_o destine_v victim_n for_o the_o slaughter_n the_o first_o to_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o the_o association_n rage_n even_o when_o you_o have_v nothing_o leave_v you_o but_o honour_n justice_n and_o innocence_n for_o your_o guard._n and_o as_o it_o may_v be_v true_o affirm_v that_o the_o greatness_n of_o your_o resolution_n give_v the_o most_o considerable_a assistance_n to_o the_o turn_n of_o those_o rabble-ruling_a time_n and_o the_o reestablish_v they_o in_o their_o right_n and_o regular_a motion_n it_o must_v be_v also_o confess_v that_o the_o same_o unchangeable_a resolution_n have_v continue_v they_o still_o under_o god_n and_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_n in_o the_o same_o tranquillity_n we_o now_o behold_v they_o and_o we_o who_o have_v reap_v the_o advantage_n of_o so_o good_a a_o conduct_n have_v now_o no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o express_v our_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o our_o several_a degree_n the_o people_n by_o their_o prayer_n and_o the_o poet_n by_o their_o panegyric_n such_o i_o will_v glad_o offer_v in_o immortal_a song_n but_o oh_o the_o muse_n have_v all_o take_v wing_n and_o be_v flee_v to_o climate_n more_o encourage_v and_o kind_a and_o have_v scarce_o leave_v behind_o they_o one_o son_n inspire_v so_o that_o instead_o of_o noble_a number_n they_o be_v necessitate_v servile_o to_o creep_v after_o the_o sense_n of_o foreign_a author_n stint_v the_o generous_a fancy_n to_o another_o thought_n of_o this_o nature_n my_o lord_n be_v this_o small_a piece_n which_o i_o most_o humble_o dedicate_v to_o your_o lordship_n it_o be_v a_o discourse_n of_o religion_n in_o a_o time_n when_o we_o have_v scarce_o any_o other_o theme_n it_o be_v grow_v so_o general_a a_o mode_n that_o even_o the_o swordman_n be_v now_o fierce_a disputant_n than_o heretofore_o the_o lazier_n gownsman_n be_v while_o every_o spark_n of_o noise_n enough_o sometime_o the_o best_a of_o the_o argument_n show_v his_o wit_n and_o learning_n on_o that_o subject_n but_o since_o the_o stream_n run_v that_o way_n i_o believe_v it_o as_o ridiculous_a to_o appear_v in_o good_a company_n dress_v like_o mrs._n abigail_n as_o at_o this_o time_n not_o to_o be_v argue_v some_o point_n of_o religion_n though_o never_o so_o malipiero_n à_fw-it propo_fw-it but_o least_o by_o such_o a_o undertake_n i_o shall_v as_o many_o do_v but_o the_o more_o embarass_n the_o mystry_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v treat_v here_o only_o of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o abominable_a cheat_n of_o the_o oracle_n and_o their_o priest_n my_o author_n who_o be_v of_o the_o french_a nation_n have_v here_o give_v we_o a_o collection_n of_o many_o divert_v and_o useful_a remark_n on_o the_o ancient_a religion_n of_o the_o pagan_n and_o a_o very_a good_a account_n of_o those_o oracle_n that_o once_o make_v so_o great_a a_o noise_n in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o i_o believe_v will_v not_o be_v unpleasant_a to_o the_o reader_n but_o if_o in_o the_o result_n it_o have_v but_o the_o honour_n of_o be_v approve_v by_o your_o lordship_n i_o shall_v be_v very_o happy_a in_o the_o occasion_n it_o give_v i_o of_o beg_a leave_n to_o subscribe_v myself_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n a._n b._n the_o preface_n to_o the_o history_n of_o oracle_n not_o long_o since_o there_o fall_v into_o my_o hand_n a_o small_a book_n write_v in_o latin_a de_fw-fr oraculis_fw-la ethnicorum_fw-la or_o of_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n compose_v by_o mr._n van-dale_n doctor_n of_o physic_n and_o print_v in_o holland_n in_o which_o i_o find_v that_o the_o author_n have_v strenuous_o refute_v the_o common_o receive_v opinion_n that_o the_o ancient_a oracle_n be_v deliver_v by_o daemon_n and_o that_o they_o cease_v whole_o at_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ._n the_o whole_a work_n appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v full_a of_o knowledge_n in_o antiquity_n and_o profound_a learning_n which_o give_v i_o a_o great_a curiosity_n to_o translate_v it_o that_o the_o lady_n and_o those_o gentleman_n who_o do_v not_o much_o care_n to_o read_v latin_a may_v not_o be_v deprive_v of_o so_o agreeable_a and_o useful_a a_o discourse_n but_o i_o reflect_v that_o a_o translation_n of_o this_o book_n though_o excellent_a in_o its_o original_a will_v not_o be_v so_o good_a if_o too_o close_o turn_v into_o french_a for_o mr._n vandale_n write_v only_o for_o the_o learned_a and_o have_v reason_n to_o neglect_v those_o ornament_n and_o softness_n which_o they_o do_v not_o esteem_v he_o cite_v a_o great_a number_n of_o passage_n very_o faithful_o and_o his_o version_n be_v wonderful_a exact_a when_o he_o translate_v from_o the_o greek_a he_o enter_v also_o into_o a_o discussion_n of_o many_o point_n of_o criticism_n which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o always_o necessary_a yet_o they_o be_v always_o curious_a and_o this_o he_o do_v to_o gratify_v the_o learned_a who_o care_v little_a for_o flourish_a reflection_n discourse_n of_o morality_n or_o pleasant_a wit._n beside_o mr._n van-dale_n make_v no_o difficulty_n very_o often_o to_o interrupt_v the_o thread_n of_o his_o discourse_n and_o to_o introduce_v other_o thing_n which_o present_v themselves_o and_o from_o one_o digression_n he_o sometime_o pass_v to_o another_o and_o so_o perhaps_o to_o a_o three_o and_o herein_o he_o do_v not_o amiss_o since_o those_o for_o who_o he_o write_v be_v fit_v for_o the_o fatigue_n of_o read_v and_o this_o learned_a disorder_n do_v not_o at_o all_o embarass_n or_o perplex_v they_o but_o those_o for_o who_o i_o design_v this_o translation_n will_v have_v be_v very_o ill_o accommodate_v if_o i_o have_v take_v this_o method_n the_o lady_n and_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o man_n of_o this_o country_n be_v indeed_o more_o please_v with_o the_o grace_n and_o turn_v of_o expression_n and_o thought_n than_o with_o the_o most_o exact_a inquiry_n and_o profound_a argument_n and_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o ease_n they_o desire_v to_o read_v book_n write_v in_o a_o facile_a method_n that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o less_o oblige_v to_o a_o troublesome_a attention_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o laid-by_a the_o thought_n of_o translate_n and_o think_v it_o will_v be_v better_o preserve_v the_o foundation_n and_o principal_a matter_n of_o the_o work_n to_o give_v it_o altogether_o another_o form._n
believe_v that_o they_o be_v immediate_o make_v by_o his_o hand_n and_o therefore_o he_o put_v between_o they_o and_o he_o this_o word_n as_o a_o degree_n by_o which_o the_o action_n of_o god_n may_v pass_v down_o to_o they_o the_o christian_n have_v the_o like_a idea_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o this_o may_v perhaps_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o no_o heresy_n have_v be_v more_o general_o receive_v and_o maintain_v with_o great_a heat_n than_o arrianism_n this_o platonism_n then_o which_o seem_v to_o honour_v the_o christian_a religion_n by_o countenance_v it_o be_v very_o full_a of_o notion_n about_o daemon_n and_o thence_o they_o easy_o pass_v into_o that_o opinion_n which_o the_o old_a christian_n have_v of_o oracle_n plato_n say_v that_o daemon_n be_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n between_o god_n and_o man_n that_o they_o be_v the_o aerial_a genii_n appoint_v to_o hold_v a_o commerce_n between_o god_n and_o we_o that_o although_o they_o be_v near_o we_o yet_o we_o can_v not_o see_v they_o that_o they_o penetrate_v into_o all_o our_o thought_n that_o they_o have_v a_o love_n for_o the_o good_a and_o a_o hatred_n for_o the_o bad_a and_o that_o it_o be_v for_o their_o honour_n that_o such_o variety_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o so_o many_o different_a ceremony_n be_v appoint_v but_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v that_o plato_n acknowledge_v any_o evil_a daemon_n to_o which_o may_v be_v attribute_v the_o management_n of_o the_o illusion_n of_o oracle_n plutarch_n notwithstanding_o assure_v we_o that_o plato_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o they_o and_o among_o the_o platonical_a philosopher_n the_o thing_n be_v out_o of_o doubt_n 6._o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n recite_v a_o great_a number_n of_o passage_n out_o of_o porphyrius_n where_o that_o pagan_a philosopher_n assure_v we_o that_o evil_a daemon_n be_v the_o author_n of_o enchantment_n philtre_n and_o witchcraft_n that_o they_o cheat_v our_o eye_n with_o spectres_n phantom_n and_o apparition_n that_o lie_v be_v essential_a to_o their_o nature_n that_o they_o raise_v in_o we_o the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o passion_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o ambition_n to_o pass_v with_o we_o for_o god_n that_o their_o aerial_a and_o spiritual_a body_n be_v nourish_v with_o suffumigation_n and_o with_o the_o blood_n and_o fat_a of_o sacrifice_n and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o these_o that_o employ_v themselves_o in_o give_v oracle_n and_o to_o who_o this_o task_n so_o full_a of_o fraud_n be_v assign_v in_o short_a at_o the_o head_n of_o this_o troop_n of_o evil_a daemon_n he_o place_v hecate_n and_o serapis_n apology_n jamblichus_n another_o platonist_n have_v say_v as_o much_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v true_a the_o christian_n receive_v they_o all_o with_o joy_n and_o have_v add_v to_o they_o beside_o a_o little_a of_o their_o own_o as_o for_o example_n that_o the_o daemon_n steal_v from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n some_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v and_o so_o get_v honour_n by_o it_o in_o their_o oracle_n this_o system_fw-la of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n have_v this_o advantage_n that_o it_o discover_v to_o the_o pagan_n by_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o original_a of_o their_o false_a worship_n and_o the_o source_n of_o those_o error_n which_o they_o always_o embrace_v they_o be_v persuade_v that_o there_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o their_o oracle_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o be_v always_o dispute_v against_o they_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o confute_v this_o opinion_n thus_o by_o daemon_n which_o both_o party_n believe_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o oracle_n they_o explicate_v all_o that_o be_v supernatural_a in_o they_o they_o acknowledge_v indeed_o that_o this_o sort_n of_o ordinary_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o then_o they_o ruin_v this_o advantage_n again_o by_o impute_v they_o to_o such_o author_n as_o evil_a spirit_n and_o this_o way_n of_o convince_a be_v more_o short_a and_o easy_a than_o to_o contradict_v the_o miracle_n be_v self_n by_o a_o long_a train_n of_o inquiry_n and_o argument_n thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o opinion_n which_o the_o first_o a●es_n of_o the_o church_n have_v of_o the_o pagan_a oracle_n be_v ground_v i_o may_v to_o the_o three_o reason_n which_o i_o have_v already_o bring_v add_v a_o four_o of_o no_o less_o authority_n perhaps_o than_o those_o that_o be_v that_o in_o the_o supposition_n of_o oracle_n be_v give_v by_o daemon_n there_o be_v something_o miraculous_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o humour_n of_o mankind_n a_o little_a we_o shall_v find_v how_o much_o we_o be_v take_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v miraculous_a but_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o enlarge_v myself_o on_o this_o reflection_n for_o those_o that_o think_v upon_o it_o will_v easy_o believe_v i_o and_o those_o that_o do_v not_o will_v perhaps_o give_v it_o no_o credit_n notwithstanding_o all_o my_o argument_n let_v we_o now_o examine_v the_o several_a reason_n which_o man_n have_v have_v to_o believe_v oracle_n to_o be_v supernatural_a chap._n iu._n that_o the_o surprise_v history_n of_o oracle_n ought_v to_o be_v suspect_v it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o those_o story_n and_o oracle_n which_o we_o have_v mention_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o daemon_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a let_v we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n before_o we_o trouble_v ourselves_o with_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n it_o be_v true_a that_o this_o method_n be_v too_o slow_a and_o dull_a for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n who_o run_v natural_o to_o the_o cause_n and_o pass_v over_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o for_o my_o part_n i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o to_o find_v out_o a_o cause_n for_o what_o be_v not_o this_o kind_n of_o misfortune_n happen_v so_o pleasant_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o age_n to_o some_o learned_a german_n that_o can_v forbear_v speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o year_n 1593._o there_o be_v a_o report_n that_o the_o tooth_n of_o a_o child_n of_o silesia_n of_o seven_o year_n old_a drop_v out_o and_o that_o one_o of_o gold_n come_v in_o the_o place_n of_o one_o of_o his_o great_a tooth_n horstius_n a_o physician_n in_o the_o university_n of_o helmstad_n write_v in_o the_o year_n 1595_o the_o history_n of_o this_o tooth_n and_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v partly_o natural_a and_o partly_o miraculous_a and_o that_o it_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o this_o infant_n to_o comfort_v the_o christian_n who_o be_v then_o afflict_v by_o the_o turk_n now_o fancy_n to_o yourself_o what_o a_o consolation_n this_o be_v and_o what_o this_o tooth_n can_v signify_v either_o to_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o turk_n in_o the_o same_o year_n that_o this_o tooth_n may_v not_o want_v for_o historian_n one_o rolandus_n write_v a_o book_n of_o it_o two_o year_n after_o ingolsteterus_fw-la another_o learned_a man_n write_v against_o the_o opinion_n of_o rolandus_n concern_v this_o golden_a tooth_n and_o rolandus_n present_o make_v a_o learned_a reply_n another_o great_a man_n name_v libavius_n collect_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v of_o this_o tooth_n to_o which_o he_o add_v his_o own_o opinion_n in_o fine_a there_o want_v nothing_o to_o so_o many_o famous_a work_n but_o only_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o be_v a_o golden_a tooth_n for_o when_o a_o goldsmith_n have_v examine_v it_o he_o find_v that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o thin_a plate_n of_o gold_n fix_v to_o the_o tooth_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o art._n thus_o they_o first_o go_v about_o to_o compile_v book_n and_o afterward_o they_o consult_v the_o goldsmith_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a than_o to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o all_o other_o case_n and_o i_o be_o not_o so_o convince_v of_o our_o ignorance_n by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v and_o of_o which_o the_o reason_n be_v unknown_a as_o by_o those_o which_o be_v not_o and_o for_o which_o we_o yet_o find_v out_o reason_n that_o be_v to_o say_v as_o we_o want_v those_o principle_n that_o lead_v we_o to_o truth_n so_o we_o have_v those_o which_o agree_v exceed_o well_o with_o error_n and_o falsehood_n some_o learned_a physician_n have_v find_v out_o the_o reason_n why_o place_n under_o ground_n be_v hot_a in_o the_o winter_n and_o cool_v in_o the_o summer_n and_o great_a physician_n have_v since_o discover_v that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o historical_a inquiry_n be_v much_o more_o liable_a to_o this_o error_n for_o when_o we_o argue_v from_o what_o be_v say_v in_o history_n what_o assurance_n have_v we_o that_o these_o historian_n have_v never_o be_v bias_v nor_o credulous_a nor_o misinform_v nor_o negligent_a it_o be_v necessary_a therefore_o that_o we_o shall_v look_v out_o for_o
his_o friend_n receive_v this_o answer_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o praeneste_n out_o of_o virgil._n si_fw-mi qua_fw-la fata_fw-la aspera_fw-la rumpas_fw-la tu_fw-la marcellus_n eris_fw-la if_o you_o can_v vanquish_v destiny_n the_o great_a marcellus_n you_o shall_v be_v here_o my_o author_n remember_v that_o rabelais_n mention_n the_o virgilian_a lot_n which_o panurge_v consult_v concern_v his_o marriage_n and_o he_o judge_n that_o place_v of_o the_o book_n as_o learned_a as_o it_o be_v agreeable_a and_o full_a of_o fancy_n he_o say_v that_o the_o whimsy_n and_o folly_n of_o rabelais_n be_v many_o time_n more_o to_o be_v esteem_v than_o the_o most_o serious_a discourse_n of_o other_o i_o will_v not_o forget_v this_o elegy_n because_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o singular_a to_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o treatise_n of_o oracle_n that_o be_v full_a of_o knowledge_n and_o erudition_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o rabelais_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wit_n and_o read_n and_o a_o particular_a art_n of_o write_v of_o learned_a thing_n in_o a_o frolic_a and_o jest_a way_n and_o of_o relate_v a_o thousand_o ridiculous_a and_o fantastical_a story_n without_o be_v tiresome_a to_o his_o reader_n and_o it_o be_v a_o misfortune_n that_o he_o live_v not_o in_o a_o age_n that_o will_v have_v oblige_v he_o to_o a_o style_n more_o gentleman_n like_o and_o inoffensive_a these_o lot_n be_v afterward_o in_o use_n among_o christian_n who_o consult_v the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o that_o purpose_n as_o the_o pagan_n do_v their_o poet_n saint_n augustin_n in_o his_o 119_o epistle_n to_o januarius_n appear_v not_o whole_o to_o disapprove_v it_o unless_o it_o be_v do_v for_o some_o wicked_a or_o vain_a end_n gregory_n of_o tours_n tell_v we_o himself_n what_o his_o practice_n be_v he_o pass_v seven_o day_n in_o fast_v and_o prayer_n afterward_o he_o go_v to_o the_o tomb_n of_o saint_n martin_n where_o he_o open_v some_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o his_o fancy_n lead_v he_o and_o take_v for_o the_o answer_n of_o god_n the_o first_o passage_n which_o offer_v its_o self_n to_o his_o view_n and_o if_o this_o passage_n make_v nothing_o for_o his_o purpose_n than_o he_o open_v the_o bible_n in_o another_o place_n other_o take_v the_o first_o thing_n they_o hear_v sing_v when_o they_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n for_o a_o divine_a presage_n but_o who_o will_v believe_v that_o the_o emperor_n cedrenus_n heraclius_n deliberate_v in_o what_o place_n he_o shall_v winter_v his_o army_n shall_v determine_v it_o by_o this_o kind_n of_o lot_n he_o purify_v his_o army_n during_o three_o day_n and_o afterward_o open_v the_o book_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o there_o find_v that_o albany_n be_v mark_v out_o for_o his_o winter_n quarter_n be_v that_o a_o affair_n of_o which_o a_o man_n can_v reasonable_o hope_v for_o a_o decision_n in_o the_o scripture_n at_o last_o indeed_o the_o church_n have_v quite_o banish_v this_o superstition_n but_o it_o take_v up_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o time_n first_o for_o when_o once_o our_o mind_n be_v possess_v with_o a_o error_n it_o be_v a_o wonder_n if_o ever_o we_o will_v be_v undeceive_v the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o discourse_n the_o second_o discourse_n that_o oracle_n do_v not_o cease_v at_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ._n the_o great_a difficulty_n that_o regard_v oracle_n be_v now_o surmount_v since_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o daemon_n be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o they_o and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o oracle_n signify_v so_o little_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o necessity_n to_o maintain_v that_o they_o cease_v precise_o at_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ._n chap._n i._n the_o weakness_n of_o those_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o opinion_n that_o oracle_n cease_v at_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v found_v that_o which_o make_v most_o man_n believe_v that_o oracle_n cease_v at_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o prediction_n of_o oracle_n themselves_o which_o foretell_v their_o own_o silence_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o heathen_n that_o live_v about_o the_o time_n of_o jesus-christ_n who_o often_o speak_v of_o their_o cessation_n we_o have_v already_o show_v the_o falsity_n of_o these_o pretend_a oracle_n in_o which_o a_o daemon_n that_o be_v strike_v dumb_a say_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v strike_v dumb_a but_o these_o daemon_n be_v either_o feign_v by_o the_o over_o great_a zeal_n of_o the_o christian_n or_o too_o easy_o receive_v by_o their_o credulity_n i_o will_v recite_v one_o of_o those_o oracle_n upon_o which_o eusebius_n support_v his_o opinion_n that_o they_o do_v cease_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ._n it_o be_v take_v from_o porphyrius_n and_o eusebius_n never_o fail_v of_o make_v all_o the_o advantage_n he_o can_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o enemy_n i_o will_v declare_v to_o you_o the_o truth_n concern_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n and_o claros_n say_v apollo_n to_o his_o priest_n in_o time_n pass_v there_o come_v from_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o infinity_n of_o oracle_n and_o fountain_n and_o exhalation_n which_o inspire_v people_n with_o divine_a fury_n but_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o continual_a change_n which_o time_n make_v in_o it_o have_v reimbibe_v and_o cause_v to_o enter_v into_o its_o self_n all_o those_o fountain_n exhalation_n and_o oracle_n and_o there_o remain_v now_o no_o more_o but_o the_o water_n of_o mycale_n in_o the_o didymean_a field_n and_o the_o oracle_n of_o claros_n and_o parnassus_n upon_o this_o eusebius_n conclude_v in_o general_a that_o all_o oracle_n be_v then_o come_v to_o a_o end_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o three_o of_o they_o at_o least_o be_v to_o be_v except_v according_a to_o this_o oracle_n which_o he_o report_v himself_o but_o he_o take_v notice_n only_o of_o those_o word_n that_o make_v for_o his_o purpose_n and_o trouble_v not_o himself_o with_o the_o rest_n but_o beside_o do_v this_o oracle_n of_o porphyrius_n tell_v we_o when_o the_o other_o oracle_n cease_v not_o at_o all_o though_o eusebius_n will_v by_o all_o mean_n have_v it_o understand_v to_o be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ._n we_o may_v commend_v his_o zeal_n but_o his_o manner_n of_o argue_v do_v not_o at_o all_o deserve_v our_o praise_n nay_o suppose_v that_o porphyrius_n oracle_n do_v speak_v of_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n will_v it_o follow_v therefore_o that_o all_o oracle_n then_o cease_v and_o that_o none_o remain_v eusebius_n perhaps_o imagine_v that_o this_o exception_n signify_v little_a and_o that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o oracle_n do_v then_o cease_v but_o he_o be_v mistake_v for_o if_o oracle_n have_v be_v deliver_v by_o daemon_n who_o by_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v condemn_v to_o eternal_a silence_n than_o no_o daemon_n will_v have_v be_v except_v or_o privilege_v so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o daemon_n remain_v after_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o his_o birth_n that_o impose_v a_o perpetual_a silence_n upon_o oracle_n this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o case_n where_o the_o least_o exception_n ruin_v the_o general_a proposition_n but_o you_o may_v say_v perhaps_o that_o daemon_n at_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n do_v cease_v to_o deliver_v oracle_n but_o that_o yet_o oracle_n continue_v still_o for_o all_o that_o because_o the_o priest_n counterfeit_v they_o this_o supposition_n be_v without_o any_o foundation_n for_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o oracle_n continue_v four_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n any_o where_o make_v of_o the_o least_o difference_n observe_v between_o those_o that_o be_v deliver_v after_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n and_o those_o that_o be_v pronounce_v before_o it_o and_o beside_o if_o the_o priest_n can_v so_o dextrous_o put_v the_o cheat_n upon_o people_n during_o the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o year_n why_o can_v they_o not_o continue_v to_o do_v it_o long_o of_o all_o the_o pagan_a author_n that_o be_v in_o request_n with_o those_o who_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v that_o oracle_n cease_v at_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ_n plutarch_n be_v the_o chief_a he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o have_v write_v a_o dialogue_n concern_v the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n many_o man_n upon_o his_o authority_n only_o have_v take_v up_o their_o opinion_n and_o espouse_v their_o party_n and_o yet_o plutarch_n positive_o except_v the_o oracle_n of_o libadia_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o trophonius_n and_o that_o of_o delphos_n where_o as_o he_o say_v ancient_o there_o be_v employment_n enough_o for_o two_o priest_n and_o sometime_o for_o three_o but_o in_o his_o
day_n one_o serve_v the_o turn_n beside_o he_o confess_v that_o the_o oracle_n be_v fall_v to_o decay_v in_o boeotia_n a_o country_n which_o have_v former_o be_v famous_a for_o produce_v a_o great_a number_n of_o they_o all_o this_o it_o be_v true_a prove_v the_o cessation_n of_o some_o oracle_n and_o the_o diminution_n of_o the_o credit_n of_o other_o but_o not_o the_o entire_a cessation_n of_o all_o which_o however_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n for_o those_o to_o prove_v who_o maintain_v the_o common_a opinion_n the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n be_v not_o so_o mighty_o decay_v in_o plutarch_n time_n for_o he_o himself_o tell_v we_o in_o another_o treatise_n that_o the_o temple_n of_o delphos_n be_v then_o far_o more_o magnificent_a than_o ever_o it_o have_v be_v that_o they_o have_v repair_v the_o ancient_a building_n which_o time_n begin_v to_o ruin_v and_o that_o they_o have_v add_v other_o to_o it_o which_o be_v altogether_o after_o the_o modern_a mode_n that_o there_o be_v a_o small_a town_n near_o delphos_n which_o increase_v daily_o by_o little_a and_o little_a and_o have_v its_o nourishment_n from_o the_o old_a city_n like_o a_o little_a tree_n that_o spring_v from_o the_o foot_n of_o a_o great_a one_o and_o that_o this_o little_a town_n be_v become_v more_o considerable_a than_o it_o have_v be_v for_o a_o thousand_o year_n past_a but_o even_o in_o this_o dialogue_n which_o treat_v of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n demetrius_n the_o cilician_n one_o of_o the_o interlocutor_n say_v that_o before_o he_o begin_v his_o voyage_n the_o oracle_n of_o amphilochus_n and_o mopsus_n be_v as_o flourish_v as_o ever_o but_o that_o since_o he_o come_v from_o thence_o he_o know_v not_o how_o thing_n stand_v with_o with_o they_o you_o see_v then_o what_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n at_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o treatise_n of_o plutarch_n to_o which_o a_o multitude_n of_o learned_a man_n refer_v you_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o here_o my_o author_n pretend_v that_o we_o be_v also_o fall_v into_o a_o gross_a mistake_n concern_v a_o passage_n in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o divination_n where_o cicero_n laugh_v at_o the_o oracle_n that_o be_v deliver_v by_o apollo_n in_o latin_a to_o pyrrhus_n who_o consult_v he_o concern_v the_o war_n he_o be_v go_v to_o make_v against_o the_o roman_n this_o oracle_n have_v a_o double_a meaning_n so_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v whether_o pyrrhus_n shall_v overcome_v the_o roman_n or_o the_o roman_n overcome_v pyrrhus_n the_o equivocation_n be_v so_o peculiar_a to_o the_o latin_a phrase_n that_o one_o can_v well_o render_v it_o into_o english_a for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v translate_v it_o better_o than_o thus_o i_o do_v pronounce_v that_o rome_n pyrrhus_n shall_v overcome_v but_o the_o word_n of_o cicero_n concern_v this_o oracle_n be_v these_o that_o follow_v in_o the_o first_o place_n say_v he_o apollo_n never_o speak_v latin_a in_o the_o second_o place_n the_o greek_n know_v nothing_o of_o this_o oracle_n three_o apollo_n in_o the_o time_n of_o pyrrhus_n have_v leave_v off_o rhyme_v in_o fine_a although_o the_o aeacides_n from_o which_o family_n pyrrhus_n be_v descend_v be_v far_o from_o be_v man_n of_o a_o fine_a judgement_n or_o of_o a_o pierce_v wit_n yet_o the_o equivocation_n of_o the_o oracle_n be_v so_o manifest_a that_o pyrrhus_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o perceive_v it_o but_o why_o be_v it_o so_o long_o since_o any_o oracle_n be_v deliver_v in_o this_o kind_n at_o delphos_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o now_o adays_o nothing_o be_v more_o despise_v than_o they_o be_v it_o be_v on_o these_o last_o word_n that_o the_o opinion_n be_v ground_v that_o oracle_n be_v not_o deliver_v at_o delphos_n in_o the_o time_n of_o cicero_n but_o my_o author_n say_v that_o they_o be_v deceive_v who_o think_v so_o and_o that_o these_o word_n why_o be_v there_o no_o more_o oracle_n deliver_v in_o this_o kind_n at_o delphos_n plain_o show_v that_o cicero_n speak_v only_o of_o oracle_n in_o verse_n since_o he_o be_v discourse_v in_o that_o place_n about_o one_o wrap_v up_o in_o a_o hexameter_n but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v altogether_o of_o my_o author_n opinion_n for_o observe_v how_o cicero_n go_v on_o when_o the_o defender_n of_o oracle_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o they_o answer_v that_o this_o virtue_n in_o the_o exhalation_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o inspire_v the_o pythian_a priestess_n be_v evaporate_v with_o length_n of_o time_n one_o will_v think_v that_o they_o be_v talk_v of_o some_o wine_n that_o be_v grow_v flat_a and_o that_o have_v lose_v its_o spirit_n for_o what_o time_n can_v consume_v or_o dry_v up_o a_o virtue_n all_o divine_a and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o divine_a than_o a_o exhalation_n from_o the_o earth_n which_o work_v such_o a_o effect_n upon_o the_o soul_n as_o to_o give_v it_o both_o the_o knowledge_n of_o futurity_n and_o the_o power_n to_o express_v its_o self_n in_o verse_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o cicero_n mean_v that_o the_o whole_a virtue_n be_v entire_o lose_v whereas_o he_o will_v have_v acknowledge_v that_o a_o good_a part_n of_o it_o have_v remain_v if_o oracle_n be_v still_o deliver_v at_o delphos_n though_o but_o in_o prose_n for_o no_o man_n will_v say_v that_o a_o prophecy_n be_v nothing_o at_o all_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o verse_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o they_o be_v so_o mighty_o mistake_v who_o take_v this_o passage_n for_o a_o absolute_a proof_n of_o the_o entire_a cessation_n of_o oracle_n at_o delphos_n but_o they_o do_v ill_a who_o pretend_v to_o draw_v any_o argument_n from_o thence_o for_o attribute_v this_o cessation_n to_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ._n for_o the_o oracle_n cease_v too_o soon_o for_o that_o since_o it_o appear_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n that_o it_o cease_v a_o long_a time_n before_o cicero_n but_o for_o all_o this_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o in_o truth_n as_o cicero_n seem_v to_o understand_v it_o in_o this_o place_n for_o he_o himself_o in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o divination_n make_v his_o brother_n quintus_n who_o stand_v up_o for_o oracle_n to_o speak_v in_o this_o manner_n i_o rely_v upon_o this_o point_n that_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n have_v never_o be_v so_o famous_a and_o have_v never_o receive_v so_o many_o offering_n from_o king_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o prediction_n have_v not_o be_v acknowledge_v now_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o famous_a because_o its_o prediction_n be_v less_o true_a and_o so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v once_o extreme_o true_a it_o will_v never_o have_v be_v so_o mighty_a famous_a heretofore_o as_o it_o be_v but_o which_o be_v yet_o a_o strong_a proof_n cicero_n himself_o as_o plutarch_n relate_v in_o his_o life_n do_v in_o his_o youth_n consult_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n concern_v the_o conduct_n he_o ought_v to_o keep_v in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v answer_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v follow_v his_o genius_n rather_o than_o conform_v himself_o to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a now_o if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o cicero_n consult_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n yet_o at_o least_o this_o story_n oblige_v we_o to_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o cicero_n it_o be_v consult_v chap._n ii_o why_o the_o ancient_a author_n contradict_v each_o other_o very_o often_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v object_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v then_o that_o in_o the_o five_o book_n of_o lucan_n pharsalia_n we_o find_v this_o account_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n which_o have_v be_v silent_a ever_o since_o great_a man_n be_v afraid_a of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o forbid_v that_o the_o god_n shall_v declare_v it_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a of_o all_o those_o favour_n of_o heaven_n which_o our_o age_n have_v lose_v and_o a_o little_a after_o appius_n who_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o destiny_n of_o italy_n have_v the_o boldness_n to_o go_v and_o interrogate_v this_o cavern_n that_o have_v be_v mute_a so_o long_o and_o to_o move_v the_o tripos_n that_o have_v be_v so_o long_o undisturbed_a and_o that_o juvenal_n say_v in_o a_o certain_a place_n since_o the_o oracle_n speak_v no_o more_o at_o delphos_n in_o fine_a whence_o come_v it_o that_o among_o the_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n we_o find_v some_o who_o say_v the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n speak_v no_o more_o and_o other_o that_o say_v he_o speak_v still_o and_o whence_o come_v it_o that_o the_o same_o author_n sometime_o contradict_v himself_o so_o often_o upon_o this_o subject_a the_o reason_n
his_o oracle_n of_o serapis_n be_v reproach_v with_o the_o same_o fault_n as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n that_o be_v of_o be_v too_o clear_o concern_v our_o mystery_n and_o far_o we_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o thulis_n king_n of_o egypt_n be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o ptolemy_n and_o what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o the_o whole_a oracle_n if_o serapis_n be_v a_o god_n first_o bring_v into_o egypt_n by_o a_o ptolemy_n who_o send_v for_o he_o out_o of_o pontus_n as_o many_o learned_a man_n pretend_v from_o very_o strange_a probability_n at_o least_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o herodotus_n who_o have_v write_v so_o plentiful_o about_o old_a egypt_n do_v not_o mention_n serapis_n and_o that_o tacitus_n recount_v at_o length_n how_o and_o why_o one_o of_o the_o ptolemy_n bring_v from_o pontus_n the_o god_n serapis_n that_o be_v then_o know_v no_o where_o else_o the_o oracle_n say_v to_o be_v give_v to_o augustus_n concern_v the_o hebrew_n child_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v receive_v cedrenus_n cite_v eusebius_n for_o it_o but_o at_o this_o day_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n to_o be_v find_v there_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a that_o cedrenus_n shall_v make_v a_o false_a citation_n or_o shall_v cite_v some_o work_n not_o right_o attribute_v to_o eusebius_n he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o relate_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o certain_a counterfeit_a history_n of_o st._n peter_n which_o pass_v for_o currant_n in_o his_o time_n that_o simon_n the_o magician_n have_v at_o his_o door_n a_o great_a dog_n which_o devour_v all_o those_o that_o his_o master_n will_v not_o have_v enter_v and_o that_o st._n peter_n come_v thither_o to_o speak_v with_o simon_n command_v the_o dog_n to_o go_v and_o tell_v his_o master_n in_o humane_a language_n that_o peter_n the_o servant_n of_o god_n will_v speak_v with_o he_o the_o dog_n go_v and_o perform_v that_o command_n to_o the_o great_a amazement_n of_o such_o as_o be_v then_o with_o simon_n but_o simon_n to_o show_v that_o he_o can_v do_v as_o much_o as_o st._n peter_n bid_v the_o dog_n go_v and_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o may_v enter_v which_o the_o dog_n immediate_o do_v hence_o you_o may_v see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o the_o greek_n call_v write_v of_o history_n cedrenus_n live_v in_o a_o ignorant_a age_n when_o the_o liberty_n of_o write_v fable_n be_v join_v with_o the_o general_n inclination_n of_o the_o greek_n towards_o towards_o they_o but_o though_o eusebius_n in_o some_o work_n of_o he_o which_o have_v not_o come_v down_o to_o we_o have_v effectual_o speak_v of_o the_o oracle_n of_o augustus_n yet_o we_o find_v eusebius_n himself_o be_v sometime_o deceive_v of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a proof_n the_o first_o defender_n of_o christianity_n justin_n tertullian_n theophilus_n tatian_n will_v they_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o a_o oracle_n so_o much_o in_o favour_n of_o their_o religion_n have_v they_o so_o little_a zeal_n as_o to_o neglect_v a_o thing_n of_o such_o advantage_n but_o even_o niceph_n those_o that_o give_v we_o this_o oracle_n spoil_v it_o by_o add_v that_o augustus_n in_o his_o return_n to_o rome_n build_v in_o the_o capitol_n a_o altar_n with_o this_o inscription_n this_o be_v the_o altar_n of_o the_o only_a son_n or_o elder_a son_n of_o god._n where_o have_v he_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o only_a son_n of_o god_n of_o which_o the_o oracle_n make_v no_o mention_n in_o short_a that_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a be_v that_o augustus_n after_o the_o voyage_n he_o make_v into_o greece_n nineteen_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n never_o return_v to_o rome_n but_o allow_v that_o he_o do_v he_o be_v not_o then_o in_o a_o humour_n to_o erect_v altar_n to_o any_o god_n but_o himself_o for_o he_o suffer_v not_o only_o the_o cassius_n asian_a maid_n to_o raise_v altar_n to_o he_o and_o celebrate_v holy_a game_n in_o his_o honour_n but_o also_o at_o rome_n they_o consecrate_v one_o to_o fortune_n return_v fortunae_fw-la reduci_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o himself_o and_o they_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o day_n of_o his_o happy_a return_n as_o a_o festival_n the_o oracle_n which_o eusebius_n relate_v out_o of_o porphyrius_n appear_v hard_a to_o make_v out_o than_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o eusebius_n will_v not_o have_v charge_v porphyrius_n with_o oracle_n of_o which_o he_o make_v no_o mention_n and_o porphyrius_n who_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o paganism_n will_v not_o have_v cite_v false_a oracle_n concern_v the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n themselves_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o seem_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o enemy_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o credit_n and_o force_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n porphyrius_n be_v not_o so_o unskilful_a a_o man_n as_o to_o furnish_v the_o christian_n with_o weapon_n against_o paganism_n without_o be_v necessary_o engage_v to_o it_o by_o the_o consequence_n of_o some_o reason_n which_o do_v not_o in_o this_o matter_n appear_v to_o be_v his_o case_n if_o these_o oracle_n have_v be_v allege_v by_o the_o christian_n and_o porphyrius_n own_v that_o they_o be_v effectual_o give_v have_v deny_v the_o consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o will_v have_v then_o be_v much_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o but_o it_o be_v out_o of_o porphyrius_n himself_o that_o the_o christian_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o eusebius_n pretend_v to_o fetch_v these_o oracle_n it_o seem_v that_o porphyrius_n take_v pleasure_n to_o ruin_v his_o own_o religion_n and_o to_o establish_v another_o the_o truth_n be_v this_o be_v suspicious_a of_o itself_o and_o yet_o it_o become_v more_o so_o by_o his_o push_v the_o thing_n so_o far_o for_o they_o tell_v we_o from_o he_o of_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o oracle_n most_o clear_a and_o most_o positive_a concern_v the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n concern_v his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n in_o fine_a the_o most_o resolute_a and_o know_v among_o the_o pagan_n have_v load_v we_o with_o proof_n of_o christianity_n we_o may_v well_o suspect_v so_o great_a a_o piece_n of_o generosity_n eusebius_n believe_v it_o a_o very_a great_a advantage_n to_o be_v able_a to_o place_n porphyrius_n at_o the_o head_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o oracle_n so_o favourable_a to_o religion_n and_o he_o give_v they_o we_o strip_v of_o what_o ever_o accompany_v they_o in_o the_o write_n of_o porphyrius_n how_o do_v we_o know_v but_o that_o he_o do_v refute_v they_o according_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o cause_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o do_v it_o certain_o he_o have_v some_o hide_a intention_n it_o be_v to_o be_v suspect_v that_o porphyrius_n be_v wicked_a enough_o to_o frame_v false_a oracle_n and_o present_v they_o to_o christian_n with_o a_o design_n of_o make_v sport_n with_o their_o credulity_n if_o they_o shall_v receive_v they_o for_o true_a and_o endeavour_v to_o strengthen_v their_o religion_n by_o such_o like_a prop_n and_o then_o he_o will_v have_v draw_v thence_o such_o consequence_n as_o will_v be_v of_o great_a importance_n than_o these_o oracle_n and_o with_o this_o instance_n have_v attack_v the_o whole_a religion_n however_o at_o the_o botom_n this_o will_v have_v be_v but_o a_o frivolous_a argument_n it_o be_v very_o certain_a that_o this_o same_o porphyrius_n who_o furnish_v we_o with_o all_o these_o oracle_n hold_v as_o we_o have_v see_v that_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o lie_a spirit_n it_o may_v very_o well_o then_o be_v imagine_v that_o he_o have_v put_v into_o oracle_n all_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o destroy_v it_o by_o render_v it_o suspect_v of_o forgery_n as_o depend_v on_o the_o testimony_n of_o false_a witness_n i_o know_v the_o christian_n do_v not_o take_v it_o so_o yet_o see_v they_o can_v never_o prove_v by_o any_o argument_n that_o the_o daemon_n be_v sometime_o force_v to_o speak_v the_o truth_n porphyrius_n be_v always_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o make_v use_n of_o his_o oracle_n against_o they_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o take_v the_o matter_n right_a their_o better_a way_n have_v be_v to_o have_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o oracle_n as_o we_o do_v at_o this_o present_a this_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o porphyrius_n be_v so_o prodigal_a of_o oracle_n that_o be_v so_o favourable_a to_o our_o religion_n but_o what_o will_v have_v be_v the_o success_n of_o the_o great_a debate_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o infidel_n we_o can_v only_o conjecture_v for_o all_o the_o write_v piece_n of_o their_o dispute_n be_v not_o come_v to_o our_o hand_n thus_o in_o examine_v thing_n a_o little_a close_o than_o ordinary_a we_o find_v that_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v reckon_v such_o