he_o tell_v we_o himself_o court_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n for_o compass_v his_o oedipus_n shall_v have_v find_v some_o better_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o assertion_n of_o this_o nature_n then_o mere_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n the_o hebrew_n book_n juchasin_n and_o some_o arabic_a writer_n not_o one_o of_o all_o which_o do_v mention_v the_o thing_n they_o be_v bring_v for_o viz._n that_o manetho_n be_v elder_a than_o alexander_n all_o the_o business_n be_v they_o quote_v he_o as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n but_o what_o then_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n juchasim_n be_v abraham_n zacuth_n a_o jew_n of_o salamancha_n who_o write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1502._o and_o this_o book_n be_v first_o print_v at_o constantinople_n 1556._o may_v not_o this_o man_n then_o well_o mention_n manetho_n as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n if_o he_o flourish_v above_o 1600_o year_n before_o he_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n and_o what_o if_o some_o arabic_a writer_n mention_v he_o be_v they_o of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n and_o credit_n themselves_o that_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n manetho_n live_v in_o alexander_n time_n to_o be_v praise_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v well_o if_o kircber_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n who_o think_v the_o world_n be_v grow_v to_o so_o great_a stupidity_n as_o to_o believe_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o jewel_n which_o be_v far_o fetch_v will_v first_o assert_v and_o vindicate_v the_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o their_o arabic_a author_n such_o as_o gelaldinus_n abenephi_fw-la and_o many_o other_o before_o they_o expect_v we_o shall_v part_v with_o our_o more_o authentic_a record_n of_o history_n for_o those_o fabulous_a relation_n which_o they_o be_v so_o full_o fraught_v withal_o be_v it_o here_o any_o part_n of_o my_o present_a business_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n so_o to_o lay_v open_a the_o ignorance_n falsity_n and_o fabulousness_n of_o those_o arabian_n who_o that_o author_n rely_v so_o much_o upon_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v free_v from_o a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n who_o make_v use_v of_o their_o testimony_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a time_n without_o a_o caveat_n i_o know_v none_o fit_a to_o believe_v these_o arabic_a writer_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n but_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o concoct_v the_o rabbin_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n of_o who_o origen_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v as_o grotius_n true_o 24_o say_v pessimi_fw-la historiae_fw-la magistri_fw-la nam_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la patria_fw-la expulsi_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnis_fw-la apud_fw-la illos_fw-la historia_fw-la crassis_fw-la erroribus_fw-la &_o fabulis_fw-la est_fw-la inquinata_fw-la quibus_fw-la &_o proinde_fw-la nihil_fw-la credendum_fw-la est_fw-la nisi_fw-la aliunde_fw-la testes_fw-la accederunt_fw-la and_o as_o is._n caubason_n pass_v this_o sharp_a but_o due_a censure_n upon_o they_o rabbinis_fw-la ubi_fw-la de_fw-la lingna_fw-la 8._o hebraica_n agitur_fw-la &_o vocis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la proprietate_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquo_fw-la talmudico_fw-la instituto_fw-la meritò_fw-la à _fw-la christianis_fw-la tribui_fw-la non_fw-la parum_fw-la nbi_fw-la verò_fw-la à _fw-la verbis_fw-la venitur_fw-la ad_fw-la res_fw-la aut_fw-la ad_fw-la historiam_fw-la vel_fw-la rerum_fw-la antiquarum_fw-la veteris_fw-la populi_fw-la explicationem_fw-la nisi_fw-la falli_fw-la &_o decipi_fw-la volumus_fw-la nihil_fw-la admodum_fw-la esse_fw-la illis_fw-la fidei_fw-la habendum_fw-la sexcentis_fw-la argumentis_fw-la hoc_fw-la facilè_fw-la probarem_fw-la si_fw-la id_fw-la nunc_fw-la agerem_fw-la and_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o ancient_a rite_n as_o well_o as_o history_n joseph_n scaliger_n have_v give_v this_o verdict_n of_o they_o manifesta_fw-la est_fw-la judaeorum_n inscitia_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la usu_fw-la veterum_fw-la rituum_fw-la etiam_fw-la corum_fw-la 6._o cognitionem_fw-la amiserunt_fw-la &_o multa_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la sacra_fw-la &_o historiam_fw-la pertinent_a longè_fw-la meliùs_fw-la nos_fw-la teneamus_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsi_fw-la the_o same_o which_o these_o very_a learned_a person_n say_v of_o rabbinical_a may_v with_o as_o much_o truth_n be_v say_v of_o these_o arabic_a writer_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a history_n which_o i_o have_v here_o insert_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v think_v the_o testimony_n of_o either_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n so_o inconsiderable_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n which_o be_v historical_a and_o that_o of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n little_a relief_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o order_n thereto_o but_o to_o return_v to_o kircher_n it_o be_v free_o grant_v that_o josephus_n a_o author_n of_o credit_n and_o age_n sufficient_a to_o give_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o case_n do_v very_o frequent_o cite_v manetho_n in_o his_o egyptian_a history_n particular_o in_o his_o learned_a book_n against_o appion_n but_o where_o he_o do_v give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o manetho_n be_v elder_n than_o alexander_n i_o be_o yet_o to_o seek_v but_o kircher_n will_v not_o yet_o leave_v the_o matter_n so_o but_o undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o mistake_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o manetho_n beside_o and_o both_o egyptian_n mention_v by_o suidas_n one_o a_o mendesian_n who_o write_v of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o egyptian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o perfume_n use_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n the_o other_o a_o diospolitan_a who_o write_v some_o physiological_a and_o astronomical_a treatise_n who_o work_n he_o hear_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o duke_n of_o florenee_n his_o library_n and_o this_o be_v he_o say_v he_o who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n who_o many_o by_o the_o aequivocation_n of_o the_o name_n have_v confound_v with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n be_v it_o possible_a so_o learned_a a_o jesuite_n shall_v discover_v so_o little_a judgement_n in_o so_o few_o word_n for_o first_o who_o ever_o assert_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o dynastye_n to_o have_v live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n yet_o second_o if_o that_o manetho_n who_o suidas_n there_o speak_v of_o live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n according_a to_o kircher_n than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o dynastye_n do_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o look_v into_o suidas_n that_o he_o there_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v of_o manetho_n sebennyta_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dynastye_n though_o he_o may_v write_v other_o thing_n beside_o of_o which_o suidas_n there_o speak_v but_o kircher_n very_o wise_o in_o translate_n suidas_n his_o word_n leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o decide_v the_o controversy_n and_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n of_o who_o we_o have_v be_v discourse_v thus_o it_o still_o appear_v that_o this_o manetho_n be_v no_o elder_a than_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v now_o for_o berosus_n although_o the_o chaldean_n have_v occasion_n 10._o enough_o give_v they_o before_o this_o time_n to_o produce_v their_o antiquity_n by_o the_o jew_n converse_v with_o they_o in_o babylon_n yet_o we_o find_v this_o author_n the_o first_o who_o dare_v adventure_v they_o abroad_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o greek_z now_o that_o this_o berosus_n publish_v his_o history_n after_o the_o time_n mention_v i_o thus_o prove_v tatianus_n assyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v the_o chaldaic_a history_n in_o three_o book_n and_o dedicate_v they_o to_o antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o tatianus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o paris_n steph._n edition_n of_o tatianus_n as_o well_o as_o the_o basil_n it_o be_v thus_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o three_o from_o alexander_n in_o the_o other_o to_o the_o three_o from_o seleucus_n now_o if_o we_o reckon_v the_o three_o so_o as_o to_o take_v the_o person_n from_o who_o we_o reckon_v in_o for_o the_o first_o according_a to_o the_o read_n in_o eusebius_n it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o other_o read_v it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n soter_n for_o seleucus_n succeed_v alexander_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n antiochus_n soter_n seleucus_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antiochus_n soter_n but_o according_a to_o either_o of_o these_o reading_n 392._o our_o purpose_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o antiochus_n soter_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o syria_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o ptol._n philadelphus_n in_o egypt_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d succeed_v he_o in_o the_o 22._o year_n of_o philadelphus_n
that_o perish_v if_o now_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o too_o great_a seasonableness_n of_o it_o if_o the_o common_a fame_n of_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o atheism_n among_o we_o be_v true_a be_v not_o sufficient_a apology_n for_o the_o publish_n this_o book_n i_o be_o resolve_v rather_o to_o undergo_v thy_o censure_n tben_fw-mi be_v behold_v to_o any_o other_o the_o intendment_n therefore_o of_o this_o preface_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o scope_n design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n although_o the_o view_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n may_v sufficient_o acquain_v thou_o with_o it_o how_o far_o i_o have_v be_v either_o from_o transeribe_v or_o a_o design_n to_o excusse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o admirer_n the_o several_a write_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o christianity_n in_o particular_a especial_o mornay_n groâ—ius_n amyraldus_n etc._n etc._n may_v easy_o appear_v by_o compare_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o book_n and_o this_o together_o have_v i_o not_o thought_n something_o may_v be_v say_v if_o not_o more_o full_o and_o rational_o yet_o more_o suitable_o to_o the_o present_a temper_n of_o this_o age_n then_o what_o be_v already_o write_v by_o they_o thou_o have_v not_o be_v trouble_v with_o this_o preface_n much_o less_o with_o the_o whole_a book_n but_o as_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n be_v of_o age_n and_o time_n alier_n so_o do_v the_o arm_n and_o wâ—npons_n which_o â—â—theists_n employ_v against_o religion_n the_o most_o papular_a pretence_n of_o the_o atheist_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o the_o account_n of_o time_n in_o scripture_n with_o that_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o ancient_a heathen_a nation_n the_o inconsistency_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o account_n which_o may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n from_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n without_o the_o scripture_n these_o three_o therefore_o i_o have_v particular_o set_v myself_o against_o and_o direct_v against_o each_o of_o they_o a_o several_a book_n in_o the_o first_o i_o have_v manifest_v that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n give_v by_o any_o heathen_a nation_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n inquire_v into_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o man_n before_o adam_n to_o salve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o yet_o be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o design_n to_o undermine_v they_o but_o i_o have_v not_o think_v the_o frivolous_a pretence_n of_o the_o author_n of_o that_o hypothesis_n worth_a particular_a mention_v suppose_v it_o sufficient_a to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o thing_n without_o particular_a citation_n of_o author_n where_o it_o be_v not_o of_o great_a concernment_n for_o understand_v the_o thing_n its_o self_n in_o the_o second_o book_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n why_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v those_o several_a person_n who_o in_o several_a age_n be_v employ_v to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n and_o with_o great_a particularity_n than_o have_v yet_o be_v use_v i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o person_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o in_o every_o of_o they_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v not_o only_o by_o the_o man_n of_o their_o own_o age_n but_o by_o those_o of_o succeed_a generation_n in_o the_o three_o book_n i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o matter_n themselves_o which_o be_v either_o suppose_v by_o or_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v therein_o not_o only_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o those_o particular_a account_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n of_o evil_a and_o of_o nation_n which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o the_o atheist_n exception_n and_o have_v therein_o consider_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o philosophy_n ancient_a or_o modern_a which_o have_v seem_v to_o contradict_v any_o of_o they_o to_o which_o mant_fw-fr ssae_fw-la loco_fw-la i_o have_v add_v the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n history_n in_o the_o remainder_n of_o it_o in_o heathen_a mythology_n and_o conclude_v all_o with_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o have_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o submit_v it_o to_o every_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a judgement_n all_o the_o favour_n than_o i_o shall_v request_v of_o thou_o be_v to_o read_v serious_o and_o judge_v impartial_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o thou_o will_v see_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o religion_n as_o i_o do_v the_o content_n book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n assert_v and_o prove_v by_o the_o general_a defect_n for_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n among_o heathen_a nation_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o manner_n of_o they_o discover_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n of_o hicroglyphick_n the_o use_n of_o letter_n among_o the_o greek_n no_o elder_a than_o cadmus_n his_o time_n inquire_v into_o no_o elder_a than_o joshua_n the_o learning_n bring_v into_o greece_n by_o he_o page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a history_n the_o particular_a defect_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n first_o the_o phoenician_n of_o sanchoniathon_n his_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o jerombaal_a baal-berith_a the_o antiquity_n of_o tyre_n scaliger_n vindicate_v against_o bâ—chartus_fw-la abibalus_n the_o vanity_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o imitation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gnostic_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v pag._n 25_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o contest_v of_o antiquity_n among_o heathen_a nation_n and_o the_o way_n of_o decide_v it_o of_o the_o chaldean_a astrology_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n of_o the_o zabiâ—_n their_o founder_n who_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o old_a chaldee_n of_o berosus_n and_o his_o history_n a_o account_n of_o the_o fabulous_a dynastye_n of_o berosus_n and_o manetho_n from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o prolomy_n of_o that_o translation_n and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n scaliger_n argument_n answer_v manetho_n write_v after_o the_o septuagint_n prove_v against_o kircher_n his_o argument_n answer_v of_o rabbinical_a and_o arabic_a author_n and_o their_o little_a credit_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n the_o time_n of_o berosus_n inquire_v into_o his_o writing_n co-temporary_a with_o philadelphus_n pag._n 40_o chap._n iu_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o manifest_v by_o three_o evident_a argument_n of_o it_o 1._o the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n the_o antiquity_n of_o poetry_n of_o orpheus_n and_o the_o ancient_a poet_n whence_o the_o poetical_a fable_n borrow_v the_o advancement_n of_o poetry_n and_o idolatry_n together_o in_o greece_n the_o different_a censure_n of_o strabo_n and_o eratosthenes_n concern_v the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o 2._o the_o elder_a historian_n of_o greece_n be_v of_o suspect_a credit_n of_o damastes_n aristeus_n and_o other_o of_o most_o of_o their_o elder_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o name_n of_o other_o only_o the_o
to_o then_o be_v the_o egyptian_n a_o people_n so_o unreasonable_o give_v to_o fable_n that_o the_o wise_a action_n they_o do_v 8._o be_v to_o conceal_v their_o religion_n &_o the_o best_a office_n their_o god_n have_v be_v to_o hold_v their_o finger_n in_o their_o mouth_n to_o command_v silence_n to_o all_o that_o come_v to_o worship_v they_o but_o we_o design_v not_o here_o any_o set_a discourse_n concern_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o egyptian_a theology_n which_o yet_o be_v so_o monstrous_o ridiculous_a that_o even_o those_o who_o be_v overrun_v with_o the_o height_n of_o idolatry_n themselves_o do_v make_v it_o the_o object_n of_o their_o scorn_n and_o laughter_n and_o certain_o have_v we_o no_o other_o demonstration_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o man_n apostasy_n and_o degeneracy_n the_o egyptian_a theology_n will_v be_v a_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o it_o for_o who_o can_v but_o imagine_v a_o strange_a lowness_n of_o spirit_n in_o those_o who_o can_v fall_v down_o and_o worship_v the_o base_a and_o most_o contemptible_a of_o creature_n their_o temple_n be_v the_o best_a hieroglyphic_n of_o themselves_o fair_a and_o goodly_a structure_n without_o but_o within_o some_o deform_a creature_n enshrine_v for_o veneration_n but_o though_o the_o egyptian_n have_v lose_v their_o credit_n so_o much_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o they_o who_o be_v so_o fame_v for_o wisdom_n and_o antiquity_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o full_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o themselves_o through_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v defective_a in_o that_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v they_o they_o will_v give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o themselves_o many_o thousand_o of_o year_n before_o ever_o the_o world_n be_v make_v but_o the_o peculiar_a vanity_n of_o their_o chronology_n will_v be_v handle_v afterward_o that_o we_o now_o inquire_v into_o be_v what_o certain_a record_v they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o antiquity_n which_o may_v call_v for_o assent_v from_o any_o unprejudiced_a mind_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n real_o answer_v that_o loud_a and_o unparallelled_a cry_n of_o antiquity_n among_o the_o egyptian_n whereby_o they_o will_v make_v all_o other_o nation_n in_o comparison_n of_o they_o to_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o to_o know_v nothing_o we_o question_v not_o now_o their_o pretence_n to_o wisdom_n and_o learning_n but_o be_v the_o more_o in_o hope_n to_o meet_v with_o some_o certain_a way_n of_o satisfaction_n concern_v ancient_a time_n where_o learning_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v flourish_v so_o much_o when_o even_o greece_n itself_o be_v account_v barbarous_a the_o great_a basis_n of_o all_o the_o egyptian_a history_n depend_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o ancient_a hermes_n who_o out_o of_o their_o veneration_n 9_o they_o call_v trismegistus_n for_o to_o he_o they_o ascribe_v the_o first_o invention_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o all_o excellent_a art_n from_o he_o they_o derive_v their_o history_n their_o famous_a historian_n manâ—tho_n profess_v to_o transcribe_v his_o dynastye_n from_o the_o pillar_n of_o hermes_n we_o shall_v therefore_o first_o see_v of_o what_o credit_n and_o antiquity_n hermes_n himself_o be_v and_o of_o what_o account_v particular_o those_o pillar_n be_v which_o hold_v up_o all_o the_o fabric_n of_o manetho_n his_o dynastye_n for_o hermes_n himself_o the_o story_n concern_v he_o be_v so_o various_a and_o uncertain_a that_o some_o have_v from_o thence_o question_v whether_o ever_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n or_o no_o because_o of_o the_o strange_o different_a account_n that_o be_v give_v of_o he_o cotta_n in_o tully_n in_o order_n to_o the_o establish_v his_o academical_a doctrine_n of_o withhold_v assent_n mention_n no_o 3._o few_o than_o five_o mercury_n of_o which_o two_o he_o make_v egyptian_a one_o of_o they_o the_o hermes_n we_o now_o speak_v of_o who_o the_o egyptian_n call_v thoyth_fw-mi and_o be_v the_o author_n both_o of_o their_o law_n and_o letter_n the_o egyptian_n as_o appear_v by_o diodorus_n make_v he_o to_o be_v a_o sacred_a scribe_n to_o osiris_n and_o to_o have_v instruct_v isis_n and_o when_o osiris_n go_v upon_o any_o warlike_a expedition_n he_o commit_v the_o management_n of_o affair_n to_o he_o for_o his_o great_a wisdom_n the_o phoenician_n preserve_v his_o memory_n among_o they_o too_o for_o philo_n byblius_n say_v that_o sanchoniathon_n describe_v his_o theology_n from_o the_o book_n of_o taautus_n who_o the_o egyptian_n call_v thoyth_fw-mi who_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n and_o be_v a_o counsellor_n to_o saturn_n who_o advice_n he_o much_o rely_v on_o what_o now_o must_v we_o pitch_v upon_o in_o so_o great_a uncertainty_n how_o come_v the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a theology_n to_o come_v both_o from_o the_o same_o person_n which_o be_v conceive_v so_o much_o to_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o if_o we_o make_v the_o story_n of_o osiris_n and_o isis_n to_o be_v fabulous_a and_o mere_o allegorical_a as_o plutarch_n do_v than_o mercury_n himself_o must_v become_v a_o allegory_n and_o the_o father_n of_o letter_n must_v be_v a_o hieroglyphic_n if_o we_o admit_v the_o egyptian_n narration_n to_o be_v real_a and_o seek_v to_o reduce_v they_o to_o truth_n and_o thereby_o make_v osiris_n to_o be_v mitsraim_n the_o son_n of_o cham_n who_o first_o rule_v in_o egypt_n all_o that_o we_o can_v then_o affirm_v of_o hermes_n be_v that_o he_o may_v be_v some_o useful_a person_n who_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n both_o upon_o the_o king_n and_o state_n and_o do_v first_o settle_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o politic_a way_n of_o government_n who_o memory_n on_o that_o accout_n the_o egyptian_n may_v preserve_v with_o the_o great_a veneration_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o fall_v into_o that_o idolatry_n of_o consecrate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o first_o contributer_n to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n they_o think_v they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o adore_v his_o memory_n and_o so_o by_o degree_n attribute_v the_o invention_n of_o all_o useful_a thing_n to_o he_o for_o so_o it_o be_v apparent_a they_o do_v when_o jamblichus_n tell_v we_o the_o egyptian_n attribute_v all_o their_o book_n to_o 1._o mercury_n as_o the_o father_n of_o they_o because_o he_o be_v repute_v the_o father_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n they_o make_v all_o the_o offspring_n of_o their_o brain_n to_o bear_v their_o father_n name_n and_o this_o have_v be_v the_o great_a reason_n the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o long_a time_n impose_v upon_o with_o variety_n of_o book_n go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o hermes_n tresmegistus_n for_o he_o be_v not_o the_o first_o of_o his_o kind_n who_o in_o the_o early_a day_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n that_o cento_n or_o confuse_a mixture_n of_o the_o christian_a platonic_a and_o aegyptïan_a doctrine_n which_o be_v extant_a still_o under_o the_o name_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n who_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n have_v be_v sufficient_o detect_v by_o learned_a man_n there_o be_v long_o before_o his_o time_n extant_a several_a mercurial_a book_n as_o they_o be_v call_v which_o none_o of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a do_v ever_o look_v on_o as_o any_o other_o than_o fable_n and_o imposture_n as_o appear_v by_o porphyry_n letter_n to_o arebo_n the_o egyptian_a priest_n and_o jamblichus_n his_o answer_n to_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o egyptian_a mystery_n we_o have_v then_o no_o certainty_n at_o all_o notwithstanding_o the_o 10._o great_a fame_n of_o hermes_n of_o any_o certain_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n unless_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o sacred_a inscription_n from_o whence_o manetho_n take_v his_o history_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a way_n of_o preserve_v any_o monument_n of_o learning_n in_o those_o elder_a time_n be_v by_o these_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n especial_o among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o several_a testimony_n of_o galen_n proclus_n jamblichus_n 1._o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n call_v sapientia_fw-la secundum_fw-la egytios_n adjoin_v to_o aristotle_n who_o all_o concur_v in_o this_o that_o what_o ever_o laudable_a invention_n they_o have_v among_o they_o it_o be_v inscribe_v on_o some_o pillar_n and_o those_o preserve_v in_o their_o temple_n which_o be_v instead_o of_o library_n to_o they_o manetho_n therefore_o to_o make_v his_o story_n the_o more_o probable_a pretend_v to_o take_v all_o his_o relation_n from_o these_o sacred_a inscription_n and_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o translate_v the_o whole_a egyptian_a history_n into_o greek_a beginning_n from_o their_o god_n and_o continue_v his_o history_n down_o near_o the_o time_n of_o darius_n codomannus_n who_o alexander_n conquer_v for_o in_o eusebius_n his_o chronica_fw-la mention_n be_v make_v of_o manetho_n his_o history_n end_v 16._o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n
in_o the_o age_n he_o live_v in_o he_o make_v that_o unhappy_a use_n of_o his_o skill_n to_o play_v the_o mountebank_n with_o his_o learning_n and_o to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o those_o who_o have_v better_a stomach_n than_o palate_n and_o can_v soon_o swallow_v down_o the_o composition_n that_o be_v give_v they_o then_o find_v out_o the_o ingredient_n of_o they_o thus_o annius_n put_v a_o good_a face_n on_o his_o new-old_a author_n bid_v they_o be_v bold_a and_o confident_a and_o they_o will_v fare_v the_o better_a and_o the_o truth_n be_v they_o tell_v their_o story_n so_o punctual_o in_o all_o circumstance_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v no_o certain_a conveyance_n to_o posterity_n that_o that_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o any_o intelligent_a person_n to_o question_v their_o authority_n but_o lest_o his_o author_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n want_v a_o interpreter_n to_o make_v out_o their_o full_a meaning_n he_o set_v himself_o a_o large_a commentary_n upon_o they_o and_o certain_o he_o be_v the_o fit_a person_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v it_o for_o cujus_fw-la â—st_fw-la condere_fw-la ejus_fw-la â—st_fw-la interpretari_fw-la none_o so_o fit_a to_o explain_v annius_n as_o annius_n himself_o the_o whole_a story_n of_o this_o imposture_n how_o he_o make_v the_o inscription_n himself_o and_o hide_v they_o under_o ground_n how_o they_o be_v dig_v thence_o and_o bring_v to_o annius_n how_o annius_n cause_v they_o to_o be_v send_v to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o after_o publish_v they_o in_o the_o equipage_n they_o be_v in_o be_v at_o large_a relate_v by_o that_o learned_a bishop_n antonius_n augustinus_n from_o latinus_n latinius_n 11._o from_o a_o like_a quarry_n to_o this_o come_v out_o those_o other_o famous_a inscription_n walk_v under_o the_o specious_a title_n of_o antiquitatum_fw-la 6._o ethruscarum_fw-la fragmenta_fw-la whereinis_fw-la beside_o many_o palpable_a incongruity_n to_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o elder_a time_n discover_v partly_o by_o leo_n allatius_n in_o his_o discourse_n concern_v they_o there_o be_v so_o many_o particular_a story_n and_o circumstance_n relate_v concern_v noah_n be_v in_o italy_n and_o other_o thing_n so_o far_o beyond_o any_o probability_n of_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n there_o be_v yet_o any_o person_n pretend_v to_o learning_n who_o shall_v build_v their_o discourse_n upon_o such_o rot_a and_o sandy_a foundation_n as_o these_o inscription_n be_v but_o though_o ixion_n may_v jupiter_n will_v never_o have_v be_v deceive_v with_o a_o cloud_n instead_o of_o juno_n so_o though_o person_n unacquainted_a with_o the_o lineament_n of_o truth_n may_v be_v easy_o impose_v on_o with_o appearance_n instead_o of_o she_o yet_o such_o person_n who_o have_v sagacity_n enough_o to_o discern_v the_o air_n of_o her_o countenance_n from_o the_o paint_n of_o forgery_n will_v never_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v overreach_v by_o such_o vain_a pretender_n but_o these_o impostor_n be_v like_o the_o astrologer_n at_o rome_n ever_o banish_v and_o yet_o ever_o there_o and_o so_o these_o be_v ever_o explode_v by_o all_o lover_n of_o truth_n yet_o always_o find_v some_o to_o applaud_v and_o entertain_v they_o although_o it_o be_v more_o difficult_a to_o do_v so_o now_o in_o the_o present_a light_n of_o knowledge_n and_o all_o advantage_n for_o learning_n than_o it_o be_v in_o those_o elder_a time_n when_o the_o heathen_a priest_n pretend_v to_o the_o monopoly_n of_o learning_n among_o themselves_o and_o make_v it_o one_o of_o their_o great_a design_n to_o keep_v all_o other_o in_o dependence_n on_o themselves_o thereby_o to_o keep_v up_o their_o veneration_n the_o better_a among_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o record_n they_o have_v of_o learning_n or_o history_n be_v careful_o lock_v up_o and_o preserve_v among_o the_o priest_n and_o lest_o at_o any_o time_n other_o may_v get_v a_o view_n of_o they_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o preserve_v they_o in_o a_o peculiar_a character_n distinct_a from_o that_o in_o civil_a and_o common_a use_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o heathen_a priest_n have_v all_o imaginable_a opportunity_n and_o convenience_n for_o deceive_v the_o silly_a people_n and_o thereby_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o obsequious_a ignorance_n which_o be_v never_o the_o mother_n of_o any_o true_a devotion_n but_o of_o the_o great_a superstition_n it_o be_v well_o know_v of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n that_o the_o sacred_a 7._o character_n of_o their_o temple_n be_v seldom_o make_v know_v to_o any_o but_o such_o as_o be_v of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o family_n 3._o the_o priesthood_n be_v there_o hereditary_a or_o such_o other_o as_o by_o long_a converse_n have_v insinuate_v themselves_o into_o their_o society_n as_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n and_o historian_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o we_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o think_v they_o be_v not_o overfree_a and_o communicative_a to_o some_o of_o they_o by_o the_o slender_a account_n they_o give_v of_o several_a thing_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v well_o know_v among_o the_o egyptian_n that_o the_o phoenician_n priest_n have_v their_o peculiar_a and_o sacred_a character_n too_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o word_n of_o philo_n byblius_n concern_v sanchoniathon_n if_o we_o take_v bochartus_fw-la his_o exposition_n of_o they_o 10._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o his_o history_n be_v compare_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o the_o inscription_n in_o the_o temple_n write_v in_o the_o ammunean_a letter_n which_o be_v know_v to_o few_o literae_fw-la ammuneorum_fw-la say_v bochartus_n sunt_fw-la literae_fw-la templorum_fw-la literae_fw-la in_o sacr_n be_v exceptae_fw-la for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o sun_n thence_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o temple_n of_o the_o 17_o sun_n who_o the_o phoenician_n worship_v as_o their_o principal_a deity_n under_o the_o name_n of_o beel-samen_a the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o out_o of_o diogenes_n laertius_n of_o a_o book_n of_o democritus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o babylonian_a priest_n have_v their_o sacred_a character_n too_o and_o of_o a_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n 61._o of_o all_o the_o grecian_a temple_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o they_o have_v some_o peculiar_a character_n which_o be_v call_v sacred_a but_o that_o lerane_v author_n think_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o understand_v it_o peculiar_o of_o the_o grecian_n because_o the_o greek_a father_n call_v all_o heathen_n by_o the_o name_n of_o greek_n but_o if_o so_o the_o testimony_n be_v the_o large_a and_o amount_n to_o a_o universal_a testimony_n of_o the_o heathen_a temple_n neither_o be_v this_o only_a peculiar_a to_o they_o if_o we_o believe_v 8._o some_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n than_o judgement_n who_o attribute_v this_o distinction_n of_o sacred_a and_o vulgar_a character_n to_o the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o other_o but_o without_o any_o probability_n of_o reason_n for_o these_o learned_a man_n be_v strong_o possess_v with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o modern_a jew_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o present_a hebrew_n character_n and_o find_v themselves_o press_v not_o only_o with_o the_o testimony_n of_o some_o ancient_a rabbin_n but_o with_o the_o strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o ancient_a shekel_n about_o solomon_n time_n inscribe_v with_o the_o samaritan_n letter_n have_v at_o last_o find_v this_o evasion_n that_o the_o samaritan_n letter_n be_v in_o vulgar_a use_n but_o the_o present_a character_n be_v then_o sacred_a and_o not_o make_v common_a till_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n but_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a shift_n find_v out_o by_o some_o modern_a jew_n and_o greedy_o embrace_v by_o their_o follower_n because_o thereby_o they_o be_v in_o hope_n to_o evade_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o contrary_a argument_n which_o otherwise_o they_o can_v find_v no_o probable_a solution_n of_o and_o a_o mere_a shift_n it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v on_o how_o little_a ground_n of_o reason_n it_o stand_v for_o none_o of_o those_o reason_n which_o hold_v for_o such_o a_o distinction_n of_o character_n among_o the_o heathen_n can_v have_v any_o place_n among_o the_o jew_n for_o it_o be_v never_o any_o part_n of_o god_n design_n to_o have_v the_o law_n keep_v from_o the_o people_n view_n truth_n be_v never_o so_o fearful_a of_o be_v see_v abroad_o it_o be_v only_a falsehood_n that_o walk_v under_o disguise_n and_o must_v have_v its_o hiding-place_n to_o retreat_n to_o nay_o god_n express_o command_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n to_o search_v and_o study_v his_o law_n which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v if_o it_o be_v lock_v up_o from_o they_o in_o a_o unknown_a character_n do_v not_o god_n himself_o promulge_v it_o among_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n do_v he_o not_o command_v it_o
undertake_v to_o write_v of_o and_o so_o be_v deceive_v himself_o second_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a he_o shall_v have_v any_o design_n in_o deceive_v other_o in_o report_v it_o three_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o all_o rational_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v not_o deceive_v the_o world_n but_o that_o his_o history_n be_v undoubted_o true_a first_o that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a moses_n shall_v be_v deceive_v himself_o or_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o write_v of_o two_o thing_n be_v requisite_a to_o prevent_v a_o man_n be_v deceive_v himself_o first_o that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a judgement_n wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n second_o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a information_n concern_v the_o thing_n he_o undertake_v to_o write_v of_o if_o either_o of_o these_o two_o be_v want_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n of_o integrity_n to_o be_v deceive_v for_o a_o honest_a heart_n have_v not_o always_o a_o urim_fw-la and_o thummim_n upon_o it_o nor_o be_v fidelity_n always_o furnish_v with_o the_o acute_a intellectual_n the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o dove_n be_v as_o liable_a to_o be_v deceive_v its_o self_n as_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o serpent_n be_v to_o deceive_v other_o but_o where_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o serpent_n be_v to_o prevent_v be_v deceive_v and_o the_o dove_n innocency_n in_o not_o deceive_a other_o there_o be_v all_o the_o qualification_n can_v be_v desire_v in_o any_o one_o who_o undertake_v only_o to_o tell_v the_o truth_n first_o then_o that_o moses_n be_v a_o person_n of_o a_o great_a understanding_n and_o sufficient_o qualify_v to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n will_v appear_v first_o from_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o his_o education_n second_o from_o the_o ripeness_n of_o his_o judgement_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o experience_n when_o he_o pen_v these_o thing_n first_o we_o begin_v with_o his_o education_n and_o here_o we_o require_v at_o present_a no_o further_o assent_v to_o be_v give_v to_o what_o be_v report_v concern_v moses_n in_o scripture_n than_o what_o we_o give_v to_o plutarch_n life_n or_o any_o other_o relation_n concern_v the_o action_n of_o person_n who_o live_v in_o former_a age_n two_o thing_n then_o we_o find_v record_v in_o scripture_n concern_v moses_n his_o education_n 22._o that_o he_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o court_n of_o egypt_n and_o that_o he_o be_v skill_v in_o all_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o these_o two_o will_v abundant_o prove_v the_o ingenuity_n of_o hiâ—_n education_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n both_o conversant_a in_o civil_a affair_n and_o acquaint_v with_o the_o abstruser_n part_n of_o all_o the_o egyptian_a wisdom_n and_o i_o confess_v there_o be_v nothing_o to_o i_o which_o do_v advance_v 2._o so_o much_o the_o repute_n of_o the_o ancient_a egyptian_a learning_n as_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n shall_v take_v so_o much_o notice_n of_o it_o as_o to_o set_v forth_o a_o person_n otherwise_o renown_v for_o great_a accomplishment_n by_o his_o skill_n in_o this_o for_o if_o it_o be_v below_o the_o wisdom_n of_o any_o ordinary_a person_n to_o set_v forth_o a_o person_n by_o that_o which_o in_o its_o self_n be_v no_o matter_n of_o commendation_n how_o much_o less_o can_v we_o imagine_v it_o of_o that_o infinite_a wisdom_n which_o inspire_v stephen_n in_o that_o apology_n which_o he_o make_v for_o himself_o against_o the_o libertine_n who_o charge_v he_o with_o contempt_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o certain_o this_o be_v some_o very_a observable_a thing_n which_o be_v bring_v in_o as_o a_o singular_a commendation_n of_o moses_n by_o that_o person_n who_o design_n be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o high_a a_o esteem_n he_o have_v of_o he_o and_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o learning_n be_v not_o only_o in_o its_o self_n a_o great_a accomplishment_n of_o humane_a nature_n but_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o with_o veneration_n even_o in_o those_o who_o have_v excellency_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n to_o commend_v they_o if_o a_o pearl_n retain_v its_o excellency_n when_o it_o lie_v upon_o a_o dunghill_n it_o can_v certain_o lose_v nothing_o of_o its_o lustre_n by_o be_v set_v in_o a_o crown_n of_o gold_n if_o learning_n be_v commendable_a in_o a_o egyptian_a it_o be_v no_o less_o in_o moses_n where_o it_o be_v enamel_v with_o more_o noble_a perfection_n then_o of_o itself_o it_o can_v reach_v unto_o all_o the_o question_n be_v whither_o the_o ancient_a learning_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o improve_v the_o reason_n and_o understanding_n of_o man_n to_o such_o a_o height_n as_o thereby_o to_o make_v they_o more_o capable_a of_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n whether_o it_o be_v such_o a_o overflow_a nilus_n as_o will_v enrich_v the_o understanding_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o receive_v its_o stream_n the_o truth_n be_v there_o want_v not_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n that_o the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n be_v not_o of_o that_o elevation_n which_o the_o present_a distance_n of_o our_o age_n make_v we_o apt_a to_o think_v it_o be_v and_o a_o learned_a man_n have_v in_o a_o set_a discourse_n endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o great_a defect_n that_o there_o be_v in_o it_o 12._o neither_o can_v it_o i_o think_v be_v deny_v but_o according_a to_o the_o report_v we_o have_v now_o concern_v it_o some_o part_n of_o their_o learning_n be_v frivolous_a other_o obscure_a a_o great_a deal_n magical_a and_o the_o rest_n short_a of_o that_o improvement_n which_o the_o accession_n of_o the_o part_n and_o industry_n of_o after_o age_n give_v unto_o it_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v again_o as_o evident_a that_o some_o part_n of_o learning_n be_v invent_v by_o the_o egyptian_n other_o much_o improve_v and_o that_o the_o greek_n do_v at_o first_o set_v up_o with_o the_o stock_n they_o borrow_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o that_o learning_n chief_o flourish_v there_o when_o there_o be_v i_o have_v almost_o say_v a_o egyptian_a darkness_n of_o ignorance_n overspread_v the_o face_n of_o greece_n as_o well_o as_o other_o nation_n which_o will_v appear_v by_o these_o consideration_n the_o great_a antiquity_n 3_o of_o their_o repute_n for_o learning_n the_o great_a advantage_n they_o have_v for_o promote_a it_o and_o the_o part_n of_o learning_n most_o in_o use_n among_o they_o this_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v a_o digression_n here_o will_v yet_o tend_v to_o promote_v our_o design_n by_o show_v thereby_o how_o qualify_v and_o accomplish_a moses_n be_v to_o deliver_v to_o the_o world_n a_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n if_o we_o believe_v macrobius_n there_o be_v no_o people_n in_o the_o world_n can_v â—ye_z for_o learn_v with_o the_o egyptian_n who_o make_v egypt_n in_o one_o place_n the_o mother_n 19_o of_o all_o art_n and_o in_o another_o the_o egyptian_n omnium_fw-la philosophiae_fw-la disciplinarum_fw-la parent_n the_o father_n of_o the_o philosophic_a science_n he_o derive_v elsewhere_o the_o original_n of_o all_o astronomy_n from_o they_o quos_fw-la constat_fw-la primos_fw-la omnium_fw-la coelum_fw-la metiri_fw-la &_o scrutari_fw-la ausos_fw-la though_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o the_o nativity_n even_o of_o astronomy_n itself_o be_v first_o calculate_v by_o the_o chaldeans_n from_o who_o it_o be_v convey_v to_o the_o egyptian_n he_o 21._o likewise_o appropriate_v all_o divine_a knowledge_n to_o they_o where_o he_o say_v they_o be_v soli_fw-la rerum_fw-la divinarum_fw-la conscii_fw-la and_o after_o call_v egypt_n divinarum_fw-la omnium_fw-la disciplinarum_fw-la compotem_fw-la it_o be_v 13._o sufficient_o notorious_a what_o great_a repute_n the_o egyptian_a learning_n have_v be_v in_o with_o some_o in_o our_o latter_a time_n in_o that_o our_o chemist_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o great_a honour_n to_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o think_v they_o can_v claim_v kindred_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n and_o derive_v the_o pedigree_n of_o their_o chemistry_n from_o the_o old_a egyptian_a hermes_n but_o that_o vain_a pretence_n be_v sufficient_o refute_v by_o the_o forementioned_a learned_a man_n conringius_n in_o his_o tract_n on_o this_o subject_n de_fw-fr hermeticâ_fw-la medicinâ_fw-la franciscus_n patricius_n profess_v himself_o so_o great_a a_o admirer_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n that_o he_o think_v it_o will_v be_v no_o bad_a exchange_n if_o the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n be_v extrude_v and_o the_o old_a egyptian_a receive_v instead_o of_o it_o but_o the_o world_n be_v now_o grow_v wise_a then_o to_o receive_v his_o hermes_n trismegistus_n for_o the_o author_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a philosophy_n the_o credit_n of_o his_o author_n be_v for_o ever_o blast_v and_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n under_o his_o name_n manifest_v to_o be_v a_o
else_o can_v be_v a_o sure_a foundation_n for_o a_o divine_a faith_n but_o what_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o god_n himself_o a_o testimony_n may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a though_o god_n himself_o do_v not_o speak_v in_o a_o immediate_a way_n by_o 3._o be_v know_v i_o do_v not_o mean_v the_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o a_o mind_n enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n but_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n ex_fw-la parte_fw-la rei_fw-la to_o convince_v man_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o wilful_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a i._n e._n that_o the_o ground_n of_o unbelief_n in_o any_o can_v be_v impute_v to_o the_o defect_n of_o sufficient_a motive_n to_o faith_n but_o to_o their_o own_o perverseness_n and_o prejudice_n in_o not_o discern_v they_o now_o that_o god_n may_v reveal_v and_o declare_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o world_n not_o in_o a_o immediate_a way_n but_o by_o some_o instrument_n he_o may_v make_v use_n of_o to_o that_o end_n be_v not_o only_o evident_a from_o the_o great_a suitableness_n of_o such_o a_o way_n to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o person_n he_o speak_v to_o but_o from_o the_o general_a persuasion_n of_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o possibility_n of_o inspiration_n the_o jew_n be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v this_o that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o we_o god_n discover_v the_o most_o of_o his_o will_n to_o they_o by_o the_o prophet_n or_o by_o person_n divine_o inspire_v and_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o all_o other_o nation_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o principle_n as_o divination_n in_o the_o world_n do_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o it_o carry_v no_o repugnancy_n at_o all_o to_o natural_a light_n suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v reveal_v his_o mind_n by_o some_o particular_a person_n unto_o the_o world_n for_o which_o purpose_n the_o testimony_n of_o tully_n in_o the_o entrance_n of_o his_o book_n the_o divinatione_n be_v very_o considerable_a vetus_fw-la opinio_fw-la est_fw-la jam_fw-la usque_fw-la ab_fw-la heroicis_fw-la ducta_fw-la temporibus_fw-la eáque_fw-la diu._n &_o populi_fw-la romani_fw-la &_o omnium_fw-la gentium_fw-la firmata_fw-la consensu_fw-la versari_fw-la quandam_fw-la inter_fw-la homines_fw-la divinationem_fw-la quam_fw-la graeci_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d appellant_n i._n e._n praesensionem_fw-la &_o scientiam_fw-la rerum_fw-la futurarum_fw-la and_o soon_o after_o add_v gentem_fw-la quidem_fw-la nullam_fw-la video_fw-la neque_fw-la tam_fw-la humanam_fw-la at_o que_fw-la doctam_fw-la neque_fw-la tam_fw-la immanem_fw-la atque_fw-la barbaram_fw-la quae_fw-la non_fw-la significari_fw-la futura_fw-la et_fw-la à _fw-la quibusdam_fw-la intelligi_fw-la praedicique_fw-la posse_fw-la censeat_fw-la he_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o universal_a sentiment_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o instance_v particular_o in_o the_o assyrian_n egyptian_n cilician_o pisidian_n pamphilian_o grecian_n roman_n etrurian_o and_o other_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o he_o after_o mention_n some_o philosopher_n who_o deny_v it_o but_o they_o be_v most_o part_v the_o follower_n of_o epicurus_n who_o deny_v any_o providence_n and_o therefore_o may_v well_o take_v away_o divination_n but_o if_o xenophanes_n colophonius_n have_v any_o follower_n who_o assert_v the_o one_o and_o deny_v the_o other_o as_o tully_n seem_v to_o intimate_v that_o he_o be_v alone_o in_o that_o persuasion_n yet_o we_o may_v probable_o suppose_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o reject_v it_o may_v be_v the_o imposture_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o divination_n among_o they_o which_o be_v excellent_o discover_v by_o that_o prince_n of_o roman_a philosopher_n as_o well_o as_o orator_n in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o divination_n but_o it_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o same_o author_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o philosopher_n consent_v with_o the_o people_n in_o this_o persuasion_n as_o the_o follower_n of_o those_o three_o great_a sect_n of_o socrates_n pythagoras_n and_o aristotle_n be_v all_o approver_n of_o it_o but_o of_o all_o person_n the_o stoic_n be_v the_o most_o zealous_a contender_n for_o it_o especial_o chrysippus_n diogenes_n babylonius_n antipater_n and_o possidonius_fw-la some_o indeed_o reject_v some_o way_n of_o divination_n yet_o embrace_v other_o as_o dicaearchus_n and_o cratippus_n who_o reject_v all_o but_o dream_n and_o ecstasy_n but_o in_o the_o general_n we_o find_v these_o two_o principle_n go_v together_o among_o they_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o divination_n so_o that_o from_o divination_n they_o prove_v a_o deity_n and_o from_o a_o deity_n divination_n si_fw-mi sunt_fw-la genera_fw-la divinandi_fw-la vera_fw-la esse_fw-la deos_fw-la vicissimque_fw-la si_fw-la dii_fw-la sint_fw-la esse_fw-la qui_fw-la divinent_fw-la as_o quintus_z cicero_z there_o speak_v and_o at_o last_o thus_o triumph_v in_o the_o multitude_n of_o his_o witness_n a_o dum_fw-la bestiae_fw-la loquantur_fw-la expectamus_fw-la hominum_fw-la consentiâ—nte_fw-la auctoritate_fw-la contenti_fw-la non_fw-la simus_fw-la it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o produce_v the_o chief_a argument_n on_o which_o the_o stoic_n insist_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o divination_n suppose_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n if_o there_o be_v god_n say_v they_o and_o they_o do_v not_o reveal_v to_o man_n thing_n to_o come_v it_o either_o be_v because_o they_o do_v not_o love_v they_o or_o because_o they_o do_v not_o know_v themselves_o what_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v or_o they_o think_v it_o be_v of_o no_o concernment_n to_o man_n to_o know_v future_a thing_n or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o become_v their_o majesty_n to_o reveal_v they_o or_o that_o they_o can_v reveal_v they_o to_o man_n if_o they_o will_v but_o neither_o be_v it_o true_a that_o they_o do_v not_o love_v man_n for_o the_o god_n be_v of_o a_o bountiful_a nature_n and_o friend_n to_o mankind_n neither_o can_v they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o future_a thing_n because_o they_o be_v appoint_v and_o decree_v by_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o of_o no_o concernment_n to_o man_n to_o know_v future_a thing_n for_o that_o make_v they_o more_o cautious_a if_o they_o know_v they_o neither_o be_v it_o repugnant_a to_o their_o majesty_n to_o reveal_v they_o for_o nothing_o be_v more_o noble_a than_o bounty_n and_o do_v good_a and_o they_o must_v needs_o know_v these_o thing_n therefore_o they_o may_v make_v they_o know_v to_o other_o and_o if_o they_o do_v make_v they_o know_v there_o must_v be_v some_o way_n whereby_o to_o know_v that_o they_o do_v so_o or_o else_o they_o signify_v they_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o now_o instead_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o future_a contingency_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o god_n they_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o discovery_n and_o revelation_n by_o the_o true_a god_n of_o those_o way_n which_o may_v lead_v man_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n that_o argument_n have_v be_v strong_a and_o convince_a which_o as_o it_o stand_v be_v sophistical_a and_o fallacious_a so_o that_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o not_o only_o a_o possibility_n of_o divination_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o those_o who_o want_v divine_a revelation_n but_o that_o this_o divination_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o mere_a natural_a cause_n but_o from_o a_o afflatus_fw-la divinus_fw-la and_o a_o concitatio_fw-la quaedam_fw-la animi_fw-la as_o they_o there_o speak_v which_o import_v nothing_o short_a of_o divine_a inspiration_n nay_o the_o opinion_n of_o this_o be_v so_o common_a among_o they_o that_o they_o think_v any_o extraordinary_a person_n have_v something_o of_o divine_a enthusiasm_n in_o they_o as_o tully_n elsewhere_o tell_v we_o nemo_fw-la vir_fw-la deorum_n magnus_fw-la sine_fw-la aliquo_fw-la afflatu_fw-la divino_fw-la unquam_fw-la fuit_fw-la although_o then_o these_o heathen_n be_v great_o mistake_v as_o to_o those_o thing_n they_o take_v for_o a_o divine_a afflatus_fw-la and_o divination_n yet_o we_o can_v conceive_v so_o general_a a_o sense_n shall_v be_v imprint_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o that_o be_v be_v it_o not_o a_o thing_n high_o consonant_a to_o principle_n of_o reason_n that_o god_n shall_v communicate_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o some_o person_n and_o therefore_o i_o conceive_v that_o cicero_n and_o his_o brother_n quintus_n who_o manage_v that_o excellent_a dispute_n of_o divination_n between_o they_o have_v divide_v the_o truth_n between_o they_o too_o for_o on_o the_o one_o side_n quintus_n evident_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o consequence_n of_o it_o upon_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o own_n of_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n tully_n himself_o excellent_o lay_v open_v the_o vanity_n folly_n and_o uncertainty_n not_o only_o of_o the_o common_a way_n of_o divination_n but_o of_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v in_o such_o great_a esteem_n among_o the_o heathen_n and_o although_o tully_n do_v so_o sharp_o and_o
be_v convert_v from_o plato_n to_o christ_n and_o then_o find_v that_o true_a which_o he_o speak_v of_o in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n that_o after_o all_o his_o inquiry_n into_o philosophy_n speak_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o find_v this_o at_o last_o to_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a par._n and_o profitable_a philosophy_n and_o when_o trypho_n after_o deride_v he_o as_o a_o man_n of_o very_o easy_a faith_n who_o will_v leave_v the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n for_o that_o of_o christ_n for_o it_o seem_v by_o he_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o the_o state_n of_o platonist_n then_o christian_n justin_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v move_v with_o such_o reproach_n that_o he_o tell_v he_o he_o will_v undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v to_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o christian_n do_v not_o give_v credit_n to_o empty_a fable_n and_o unprovable_a assertion_n but_o to_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v full_a of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n and_o power_n and_o flourish_v with_o grace_n the_o prove_v of_o which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o that_o discourse_n at_o alexandria_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o succession_n of_o excellent_a person_n all_o which_o be_v not_o only_a embracer_n themselves_o but_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o set_v aside_o there_o abilius_n justus_n cerdo_n eumenes_n marcus_n celadion_n agrippinus_n julianus_n demetrius_n and_o other_o who_o flourish_v about_o the_o second_o century_n i_o shall_v only_o fix_v on_o those_o person_n who_o be_v famous_a enquirer_n after_o truth_n and_o note_v for_o excellency_n in_o heathen_a learning_n yet_o these_o person_n after_o all_o their_o inquiry_n find_v nothing_o to_o fix_v on_o but_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o value_v no_o other_o discovery_n of_o truth_n in_o comparison_n with_o that_o such_o be_v pantaenus_n who_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v a_o excellent_a stoic_a before_o he_o become_v a_o christian_a and_o be_v after_o so_o eminent_a a_o one_o that_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o apostle_n he_o wenâ—_n into_o india_n to_o convert_v the_o inhabitant_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o at_o his_o return_n be_v make_v rector_n of_o the_o school_n at_o alexandria_n which_o as_o the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o be_v much_o frequent_v by_o such_o who_o be_v 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d well_o skill_v in_o humane_a as_o well_o as_o divine_a learning_n how_o excellent_a pantaenus_n be_v in_o 20._o humane_a learning_n may_v appear_v in_o that_o origen_n and_o hierome_n both_o make_v his_o example_n their_o plea_n for_o the_o study_v of_o it_o after_o he_o succeed_v clemens_n alexandrinus_n pantaenus_n his_o scholar_n a_o person_n of_o great_a depth_n of_o learning_n and_o exquisite_o skill_v in_o all_o heathen_a antiquity_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o remain_a write_n the_o learning_n of_o origen_n be_v sufficient_o know_v which_o be_v in_o such_o great_a reputation_n in_o his_o own_o time_n that_o not_o only_a christian_n 18._o but_o philosopher_n flock_v to_o his_o lecture_n at_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o wherein_o he_o read_v the_o mathematics_n and_o other_o part_n of_o philosophy_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o same_o author_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o philosopher_n do_v dedicate_v their_o book_n to_o he_o and_o sometime_o choose_v he_o as_o arbitrator_n between_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o dispute_n and_o porphyry_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o christian_n vouchsafe_v a_o high_a encomium_fw-la of_o origen_n for_o his_o excellent_a learning_n in_o origen_n time_n heraclas_n a_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n for_o five_o year_n together_o frequent_v the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o put_v on_o the_o philosophic_a pallium_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 20._o be_v very_o conversant_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o grecian_a learning_n beside_o these_o we_o read_v of_o pierius_n and_o achillas_n two_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 35._o as_o nicephorus_n callistus_n speak_v person_n well_o skill_v in_o the_o grecian_a learning_n and_o philosophy_n if_o from_o alexandria_n we_o go_v to_o caesarea_n there_o we_o not_o only_o meet_v with_o a_o school_n of_o learning_n among_o the_o christian_n but_o with_o person_n very_o eminent_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n such_o be_v the_o famous_a pamphilus_n and_o eusebius_n so_o great_a a_o admirer_n of_o he_o that_o ever_o since_o he_o be_v call_v eusebius_n pamphili_n at_o antioch_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o nicephorus_n 35._o speak_v a_o person_n verse_v in_o all_o kind_n of_o ingenuous_a literature_n anatclius_fw-la bishop_n of_o laodicea_n one_o verse_v in_o geometry_n astronomy_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o philosophy_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o 36._o christ._n thus_o we_o see_v how_o in_o those_o early_a day_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n what_o excellent_a person_n many_o of_o those_o be_v who_o be_v zealous_a professor_n of_o christianity_n and_o concern_v those_o of_o the_o latin_a church_n i_o shall_v only_o mention_v that_o speech_n of_o st._n austin_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o a_o star_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n among_o they_o nun_n aspicimus_fw-la quanto_fw-la auro_fw-la &_o argento_fw-la &_o uâ—ste_fw-la sâ—ffarcinatus_fw-la exierit_fw-la de_fw-fr 40._o aegypto_n cyprian's_n doctor_a suavissimus_fw-la &_o martyr_n beatissimus_fw-la quanto_fw-la lactantius_n quanto_fw-la victorinus_n optatus_n hilarius_n ut_fw-la de_fw-fr vivis_fw-la taceam_fw-la quanto_fw-la innumerabiles_fw-la graeci_fw-la quod_fw-la prio_fw-la ipse_fw-la fidelissimus_fw-la dei_fw-la servus_n moses_n fecerat_fw-la de_fw-la quo_fw-la scriptum_n est_fw-la quod_fw-la eruditus_fw-la fuerit_fw-la omni_fw-la sapientia_fw-la aegyptiorum_n to_o who_o catalogue_n of_o learned_a person_n among_o the_o latin_a christian_n tertullian_n arnobius_n and_o several_a other_o may_v be_v deserve_o add_v but_o as_o st._n austin_n there_o well_o observe_v though_o the_o israclite_n go_v rich_a out_o of_o egypt_n yet_o it_o be_v their_o eat_v the_o passover_n which_o save_v they_o from_o destruction_n so_o though_o these_o be_v accomplish_v with_o those_o perfection_n and_o riches_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o ornament_n of_o learning_n yet_o it_o be_v their_o eat_v the_o true_a passover_n which_o be_v christ_n by_o their_o adhere_n to_o his_o doctrine_n be_v that_o which_o will_v be_v of_o more_o advantage_n to_o they_o than_o all_o their_o accomplishment_n will_v be_v now_o then_o since_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o find_v not_o only_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o person_n of_o great_a integrity_n and_o sobriety_n in_o their_o life_n embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o so_o many_o person_n that_o be_v curious_a enquirer_n after_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n we_o can_v certain_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o distrust_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v receive_v in_o so_o unanimous_a a_o manner_n by_o person_n as_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o as_o fearful_a of_o be_v deceive_v in_o reference_n to_o they_o as_o any_o now_o in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v 2._o as_o this_o testimony_n be_v receive_v by_o person_n inquisitive_a after_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n so_o the_o doctrine_n convey_v by_o it_o be_v a_o 19_o matter_n of_o the_o high_a moment_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o person_n ordinary_o inquisitive_a about_o other_o thing_n will_v be_v more_o then_o ordinary_o so_o about_o this_o because_o their_o eternal_a welfare_n and_o happiness_n do_v depend_v upon_o it_o all_o person_n that_o be_v true_o religious_a must_v at_o least_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v person_n very_o inquisitive_a after_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o their_o soul_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v dislodge_v from_o their_o body_n and_o if_o we_o do_v but_o grant_v this_o can_v we_o in_o any_o reason_n think_v that_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o person_n in_o so_o many_o age_n shall_v continue_v venture_v their_o soul_n upon_o a_o testimony_n which_o they_o have_v no_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o and_o that_o none_o of_o all_o these_o person_n though_o man_n otherwise_o rational_a and_o judicious_a shall_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o go_v upon_o if_o at_o least_o any_o upon_o consideration_n of_o it_o can_v imagine_v it_o to_o be_v so_o it_o be_v not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o general_a presumption_n of_o humane_a nature_n concern_v divine_a providence_n and_o the_o care_n god_n take_v of_o the_o welfare_n of_o man_n to_o suffer_v so_o many_o person_n who_o sincere_o desire_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o the_o way_n which_o be_v most_o please_a to_o he_o to_o go_v on_o in_o such_o a_o continual_a delusion_n and_o never_o have_v it_o at_o all_o discover_v to_o they_o if_o all_o than_o who_o