be_v write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a so_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n who_o have_v borrow_v divers_a passage_n out_o of_o it_o word_n for_o word_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o revelation_n all_o allow_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n only_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n other_o by_o saint_n mark_v surname_v john_n other_o by_o saint_n john_n call_v the_o elder_a but_o whosoever_o it_o be_v that_o write_v it_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o it_o be_v moreover_o sufficient_o attest_v that_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o both_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o time_n of_o its_o writing_n 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whole_a matter_n in_o council_n declare_v that_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v but_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v as_o the_o leviathan_n do_v that_o their_o canonical_a authority_n that_o be_v their_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n as_o if_o it_o can_v give_v or_o take_v it_o away_o at_o pleasure_n only_o become_v mr._n hobbs_n logic_n and_o modesty_n and_o they_o it_o become_v equal_o for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o the_o conclusion_n be_v more_o impudent_a or_o more_o impertinent_a §_o xi_o and_o now_o beside_o this_o direct_a demonstrative_a proof_n of_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n there_o be_v another_o more_o remote_a way_n 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matthew_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o eye_n witness_v that_o converse_v with_o our_o saviour_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v thrust_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o age_n and_o gain_v so_o unquestionable_a a_o authority_n with_o those_o man_n that_o converse_v either_o with_o he_o or_o with_o his_o companion_n and_o now_o if_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o one_o gospel_n that_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o that_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o it_o be_v here_o record_v viz._n the_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v believe_v as_o they_o be_v here_o record_v be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divinity_n the_o same_o account_n i_o may_v give_v of_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o that_o they_o 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saint_n matthew_n gospel_n §_o ix_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o few_o book_n be_v for_o a_o good_a time_n doubt_v of_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o second_o of_o saint_n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o then_o first_o suppose_v their_o authority_n be_v still_o questionable_a the_o christian_a faith_n can_v subsist_v very_o well_o without_o they_o by_o the_o remain_a authority_n of_o those_o that_o be_v never_o question_v and_o though_o they_o be_v very_o useful_a and_o excellent_a discourse_n yet_o have_v they_o little_a peculiar_a in_o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o apostolical_a write_n and_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o matter_n aright_o though_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o only_o pious_a discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o be_v write_v occasional_o either_o to_o exhort_v we_o to_o a_o effectual_a belief_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o trial_n and_o persecution_n or_o to_o allay_v schism_n and_o contention_n or_o to_o confute_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v before_o firm_o lay_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n doctrine_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o that_o of_o the_o historical_a book_n that_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v suppose_v true_a they_o warrant_v both_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n that_o only_o deduce_v those_o proper_a and_o natural_a conclusion_n that_o flow_v from_o their_o premise_n nay_o far_o it_o be_v not_o primary_o necessary_a to_o christianity_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v dictate_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o historical_a book_n be_v good_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o design_n of_o his_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v pious_a discourse_n consonant_n with_o and_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o christianity_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o seem_v to_o lie_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o work_n he_o pretend_v to_o come_v about_o by_o divine_a commission_n for_o god_n have_v set_v several_a hypothesis_n of_o providence_n on_o work_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o end_n and_o perfection_n at_o last_o design_v this_o as_o the_o most_o complete_a model_n of_o all_o virtue_n goodness_n and_o morality_n so_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n both_o do_v and_o teach_v be_v true_o record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o his_o historian_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o another_o score_n in_o that_o we_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o all_o those_o write_n be_v inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o than_o that_o we_o know_v only_o from_o the_o write_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o their_o truth_n must_v be_v suppose_v antecedent_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o that_o be_v suppose_v our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n be_v thereby_o prove_v and_o that_o be_v prove_v that_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o second_o if_o those_o few_o book_n be_v so_o long_o debate_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n that_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a care_n and_o caution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o belief_n in_o that_o it_o will_v not_o light_o receive_v any_o book_n till_o it_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o its_o be_v authentic_a and_o therefore_o its_o long_a doubtfulness_n and_o disputation_n about_o these_o book_n clear_v it_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o rashness_n and_o credulity_n as_o to_o those_o that_o she_o always_o own_a with_o a_o full_a and_o unanimous_a approbation_n three_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dispute_v book_n relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o their_o antiquity_n as_o their_o author_n and_o they_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o question_n because_o they_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o because_o it_o seem_v uncertain_a by_o who_o they_o be_v then_o write_v thus_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n some_o attribute_n to_o saint_n paul_n some_o to_o saint_n luke_n some_o to_o barnabas_n some_o to_o clemens_n but_o if_o it_o
in_o the_o gospel_n that_o other_o historian_n be_v concern_v to_o record_v as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n be_v exact_o true_a that_o be_v at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o the_o christian_a writer_n be_v faithful_a in_o those_o other_o relation_n that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o their_o own_o history_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o foreign_a testimony_n for_o if_o such_o writer_n have_v be_v exact_a in_o the_o record_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n they_o have_v then_o be_v christian_n and_o not_o jew_n or_o heathen_n suppose_v they_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v no_o friend_n to_o christianity_n they_o have_v give_v in_o all_o that_o suffrage_n to_o it_o that_o can_v be_v reasonable_o demand_v from_o they_o and_o now_o as_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o it_o have_v be_v much_o more_o easy_a than_o it_o be_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o care_v very_o little_a what_o become_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n so_o they_o can_v show_v their_o censure_a faculty_n upon_o word_n and_o particular_o they_o have_v in_o this_o case_n set_v themselves_o with_o their_o utmost_a critical_a severity_n to_o disparage_v or_o destroy_v the_o most_o eminent_a testimony_n cite_v by_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o foreign_a writer_n in_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n scaliger_n the_o father_n of_o they_o all_o lead_v the_o dance_n upon_o what_o motive_n i_o can_v imagine_v unless_o it_o be_v out_o of_o envy_n to_o the_o fame_n and_o glory_n of_o eusebius_n against_o who_o he_o particular_o set_v himself_o and_o his_o endeavour_n but_o however_o the_o design_n look_v like_o a_o novelty_n and_o carry_v in_o it_o a_o ostentation_n of_o learning_n for_o that_o reason_n alone_o he_o can_v not_o want_v a_o great_a number_n of_o follower_n among_o that_o sort_n of_o men._n but_o to_o what_o little_a purpose_n they_o have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n and_o peevishness_n i_o now_o come_v to_o represent_v and_o here_o first_o josephus_n the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n agree_v all_o along_o with_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n he_o give_v the_o same_o account_n and_o description_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o gospel_n he_o give_v we_o the_o same_o narration_n of_o herod_n the_o tetrarch_n and_o particular_o of_o his_o marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n he_o mention_n the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n he_o record_v the_o act_n of_o the_o several_a governor_n of_o judaea_n pontius_n pilate_n felix_n and_o portius_n festus_n and_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o several_a high_a priest_n caiaphas_n joha_n and_o alexander_n the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n and_o of_o saint_n james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n nay_o he_o give_v not_o only_o a_o just_a history_n but_o a_o high_a character_n of_o our_o lord_n himself_o all_o which_o our_o learned_a man_n be_v willing_a enough_o to_o pass_v as_o certain_a and_o warrantable_a history_n except_v only_o that_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n only_o there_o be_v one_o difficulty_n in_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n which_o saint_n luke_n say_v be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n but_o josephus_n not_o till_o after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n which_o happen_v at_o least_o nine_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n so_o that_o which_o way_n to_o reconcile_v this_o difference_n learned_a man_n have_v be_v much_o puzzle_v and_o towards_o its_o solution_n have_v start_v variety_n of_o conjecture_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v of_o no_o very_a great_a concernment_n i_o shall_v give_v some_o account_n of_o it_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o testimony_n concern_v jesus_n §_o xii_o and_o first_o of_o all_o baronius_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o josephus_n be_v mistake_v but_o then_o etc._n this_o be_v to_o cut_v the_o knot_n not_o to_o untie_v it_o for_o our_o business_n be_v to_o reconcile_v he_o and_o the_o sacred_a history_n but_o if_o we_o utter_o reject_v he_o instead_o of_o answer_v the_o objection_n we_o grant_v it_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v irreconcilable_a difference_n between_o he_o and_o the_o evangelist_n though_o here_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o unusual_a disingenuity_n of_o casaubon_n 28._o who_o whereas_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o josephus_n do_v in_o many_o thing_n of_o chronology_n contradict_v saint_n luke_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o must_v stand_v to_o his_o authority_n that_o will_v enforce_v we_o to_o reject_v the_o evangelist_n he_o i_o say_v inveigh_v and_o declaim_v upon_o this_o as_o if_o it_o be_v baronius_n his_o assertion_n and_o not_o his_o argument_n and_o rate_v he_o severe_o as_o if_o he_o have_v positive_o affirm_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o quit_v that_o of_o the_o evangelist_n whereas_o he_o only_o make_v use_v of_o it_o as_o a_o forcible_a objection_n against_o appeal_n to_o josephus_n in_o any_o matter_n wherein_o he_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o such_o case_n say_v he_o we_o can_v admit_v he_o without_o reject_v they_o now_o i_o say_v from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v so_o to_o do_v become_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o a_o learned_a man._n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v to_o observe_v once_o for_o all_o casaubon_n be_v little_o less_o partial_a towards_o one_o extreme_a than_o baronius_n towards_o the_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o that_o learned_a cardinal_n and_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o rake_v together_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v serve_v their_o cause_n embrace_v the_o forge_a and_o spurious_a as_o well_o as_o the_o true_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o casaubon_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o way_n have_v be_v as_o diligent_a to_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o most_o authentic_a writer_n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o slip_n in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_n that_o they_o have_v not_o observe_v in_o their_o critical_a note_n upon_o they_o and_o beside_o that_o they_o reject_v whole_a book_n of_o the_o best_a and_o early_a antiquity_n but_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o have_v between_o they_o both_o do_v this_o great_a service_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o as_o they_o have_v discover_v the_o fraud_n of_o supposititious_a book_n so_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a and_o it_o be_v by_o occasion_n of_o their_o dispute_n that_o we_o be_v come_v to_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o sincere_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o that_o at_o last_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n that_o have_v be_v most_o of_o all_o oppose_a have_v by_o those_o great_a endeavour_n that_o have_v be_v employ_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n gain_v and_o will_v for_o ever_o keep_v as_o undoubted_a a_o credit_n as_o the_o most_o unquestioned_a piece_n of_o justin_n martyr_n or_o irenaeus_n the_o next_o guess_n be_v that_o of_o beza_n which_o be_v follow_v and_o various_o emprove_v 32._o by_o scaliger_n casaubon_n grotius_n and_o other_o viz._n that_o cyrenius_n be_v employ_v by_o augustus_n to_o take_v two_o several_a muster_n of_o the_o people_n one_o with_o a_o tax_n and_o the_o other_o without_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o that_o be_v make_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n for_o augustus_n design_v that_o compendious_a account_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o historian_n so_o often_o speak_v of_o and_o which_o he_o leave_v as_o a_o guide_n and_o direction_n to_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n send_v several_a officer_n through_o the_o several_a province_n to_o take_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o number_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o for_o this_o purpose_n though_o quintilius_n varus_n be_v then_o perfect_a of_o syria_n cyrenius_n be_v join_v in_o commission_n with_o he_o as_o a_o person_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o residence_n in_o syria_n and_o his_o war_n in_o cilicia_n exact_o acquaint_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o east_n as_o afterward_o he_o be_v send_v with_o c._n caesar_n on_o the_o same_o errand_n and_o when_o judaea_n be_v reduce_v into_o the_o form_n of_o a_o province_n after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n and_o the_o first_o tax_n to_o be_v impose_v immediate_o by_o the_o roman_n upon_o the_o people_n he_o be_v particular_o single_v out_o as_o the_o person_n most_o able_a to_o manage_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o he_o may_v be_v employ_v in_o this_o business_n though_o not_o himself_o but_o quintilius_n varus_n be_v then_o perfect_a of_o syria_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o
of_o he_o upon_o his_o 9_o knee_n to_o make_v he_o emperor_n to_o who_o apollonius_n with_o the_o state_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o god_n answer_v i_o have_v make_v thou_o so_o viz._n by_o my_o interest_n with_o the_o god_n and_o he_o so_o far_o gratify_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o man_n as_o to_o seem_v to_o receive_v the_o empire_n at_o his_o hand_n and_o thus_o be_v he_o assure_v of_o his_o empire_n by_o man_n of_o great_a reputation_n for_o both_o religion_n for_o as_o there_o be_v no_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v compare_v to_o josephus_n for_o knowledge_n and_o learning_n in_o the_o antiquity_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n so_o apollonius_n be_v then_o the_o most_o famous_a and_o renown_a saint_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o heathen_a religion_n now_o whilst_o he_o stay_v at_o alexandria_n a_o blind_a and_o a_o lame_a man_n be_v warn_v so_o to_o do_v by_o the_o god_n serapis_n address_v themselves_o to_o he_o for_o a_o cure_n and_o obtain_v it_o so_o that_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n by_o itself_o it_o look_v so_o like_a fraud_n and_o flattery_n as_o to_o betray_v itself_o for_o the_o report_n of_o his_o have_v be_v abuse_v into_o the_o conceit_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n in_o judaea_n be_v probable_o come_v to_o alexandria_n where_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n reside_v it_o be_v likely_a that_o they_o will_v not_o come_v short_a of_o their_o countryman_n in_o do_v honour_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o so_o put_v these_o two_o counterfeit_n upon_o the_o design_n and_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o such_o dissemble_a cripple_n to_o be_v have_v in_o great_a city_n for_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o come_v shall_v among_o other_o miracle_n cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a they_o think_v it_o a_o acceptable_a piece_n of_o flattery_n thus_o to_o waylay_v his_o ambition_n or_o rather_o this_o design_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o egyptian_n a_o fawn_a crafty_a and_o flatter_a sort_n of_o people_n but_o chief_o by_o apollonius_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o that_o religion_n for_o which_o he_o be_v so_o zealous_a and_o therefore_o by_o this_o artifice_n confirm_v his_o own_o predicton_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o god_n for_o they_o be_v send_v on_o their_o errand_n by_o serapis_n but_o whoever_o contrive_v it_o and_o however_o it_o please_v the_o emperor_n humour_n it_o at_o first_o surprise_v he_o so_o as_o to_o move_v his_o laughter_n and_o scorn_n and_o to_o refuse_v the_o attempt_n with_o a_o very_a great_a deal_n either_o of_o seem_v or_o real_a reluctancy_n though_o at_o last_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v overcome_v by_o the_o great_a importunity_n of_o the_o bystander_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o the_o physician_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v possible_a and_o then_o perform_v it_o in_o public_a with_o all_o imaginable_a pomp_n and_o solemnity_n either_o as_o if_o himself_o have_v be_v beforehand_o privy_a to_o the_o plot_n or_o have_v now_o smell_v out_o the_o design_n of_o the_o compliment_n now_o what_o wise_a man_n can_v compare_v this_o one_o theatrical_a piece_n of_o court-flattery_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o mere_a suspicion_n of_o these_o pretend_a cripple_n be_v counterfeit_v at_o least_o the_o absolute_a uncertainty_n of_o it_o destroy_v its_o credit_n whereas_o the_o impossibility_n of_o suspect_v any_o fraud_n or_o flattery_n in_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v a_o undoubted_a demonstration_n of_o their_o reality_n beside_o that_o the_o emperor_n be_v assure_v by_o the_o physician_n that_o the_o man_n be_v not_o pass_v a_o natural_a cure_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n most_o whereof_o be_v do_v upon_o person_n natural_o incurable_a but_o to_o wave_v this_o i_o can_v give_v so_o much_o credit_n to_o a_o story_n that_o smell_v so_o rank_o of_o imposture_n as_o to_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o compare_v it_o as_o he_o find_v it_o under_o so_o many_o disadvantage_n of_o suspicion_n with_o the_o credibility_n of_o all_o those_o motive_n of_o belief_n that_o we_o have_v produce_v for_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o his_o own_o ingenuity_n to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o oppose_v one_o story_n so_o miserable_o suspicious_a to_o a_o thousand_o other_o guard_v with_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o proof_n against_o all_o possible_a cavil_n and_o exception_n §_o xxvii_o but_o the_o man_n of_o wonder_n be_v apollonius_n tyanaeus_n of_o who_o they_o boast_v and_o insult_v as_o the_o true_a heathen_a messiah_n in_o that_o he_o wrought_v not_o as_o vespasian_n do_v one_o or_o two_o chance_n miracle_n but_o his_o whole_a life_n be_v all_o prodigy_n and_o equal_a to_o our_o saviour_n both_o for_o the_o number_n and_o the_o wonder_n of_o his_o work_n but_o here_o first_o we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o show_v what_o undoubted_a record_n we_o have_v of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n whereas_o all_o the_o credit_n of_o apollonius_n his_o history_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o single_a man_n who_o beside_o that_o he_o live_v a_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o venture_v nothing_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o confirmation_n of_o its_o truth_n but_o only_o compose_v it_o in_o his_o study_n thereby_o as_o appear_v from_o his_o frequent_a digression_n to_o take_v occasion_n of_o communicate_v all_o the_o learning_n he_o have_v rake_v together_o to_o the_o world_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o incur_v any_o loss_n by_o the_o work_n that_o he_o be_v set_v upon_o it_o by_o a_o great_a empress_n who_o religious_a zeal_n in_o the_o cause_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o see_v he_o well_o reward_v and_o though_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o commentary_n of_o damis_n the_o inseparable_a companion_n of_o apollonius_n yet_o he_o confess_v that_o damis_n himself_o never_o publish_v his_o own_o commentary_n but_o that_o a_o friend_n of_o damis_n communicate_v they_o to_o the_o empress_n which_o himself_o may_v probable_o have_v forge_v as_o be_v common_a in_o court_n to_o pick_v her_o pocket_n however_o as_o for_o damis_n himself_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o philostratus_n his_o whole_a story_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a simple_a man_n and_o that_o apollonius_n only_o pick_v he_o up_o as_o a_o fit_a sancho_n panche_n to_o exercise_v his_o wit_n upon_o so_o that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n we_o find_v he_o not_o only_o baffle_v the_o esquire_n in_o dispute_n but_o break_v jest_n upon_o he_o which_o he_o always_o take_v with_o much_o thankfulness_n and_o more_o humility_n still_o admire_v his_o master_n wisdom_n but_o much_o more_o his_o wit._n but_o after_o all_o what_o the_o story_n of_o damis_n be_v or_o whether_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o story_n we_o have_v no_o account_n unless_o from_o philostratus_n himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v resolve_v it_o all_o into_o his_o authority_n alone_o and_o there_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o god_n nor_o a_o divine_a man_n as_o his_o friend_n boast_v nor_o a_o magician_n or_o conjurer_n as_o his_o enemy_n imagine_v but_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a and_o pedantic_a pythagorean_n that_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o sect_n travel_v as_o many_o other_o have_v do_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o he_o return_v home_o tell_v his_o countryman_n that_o all_o man_n renown_v for_o wisdom_n all_o the_o world_n over_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o then_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o authority_n tell_v strange_a and_o prodigious_a tale_n of_o their_o wonder-working_a power_n though_o here_o either_o he_o or_o his_o historian_n have_v acquit_v himself_o so_o awkardly_a as_o utter_o to_o spoil_v the_o tale_n and_o defeat_v the_o design_n this_o eusebius_n have_v show_v at_o large_a in_o his_o book_n against_o hierocles_n by_o take_v apiece_o all_o part_n of_o the_o story_n and_o discover_v all_o its_o flaw_n and_o incoherence_n but_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o prove_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o whole_a from_o the_o notorious_a falsehood_n of_o one_o particular_a narration_n upon_o which_o depend_v all_o that_o extraordinary_a power_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o and_o that_o be_v his_o conversation_n with_o the_o indian_a brahmin_n from_o who_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v his_o account_n of_o himself_o he_o learn_v all_o that_o he_o can_v do_v more_o than_o the_o common_a philosopher_n of_o greece_n and_o if_o this_o prove_v a_o romance_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n must_v unavoidable_o follow_v its_o fortune_n and_o for_o this_o little_a proof_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n when_o most_o of_o the_o story_n be_v so_o
this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v safe_o convey_v by_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o i_o choose_v to_o exemplify_v this_o thing_n in_o this_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o because_o of_o its_o great_a pre-eminence_n and_o resort_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o which_o account_n its_o tradition_n must_v needs_o be_v more_o public_a and_o better_o know_v the_o bless_a apostle_n therefore_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v the_o oversight_n of_o it_o to_o linus_n of_o who_o saint_n paul_n make_v mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n to_o he_o succeed_v anacletus_fw-la then_o clemens_n who_o familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o sound_v in_o his_o ear_n and_o their_o tradition_n before_o his_o eye_n in_o who_o time_n there_o happen_v a_o great_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o allay_v which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n direct_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n will_v produce_v policarp_n place_v there_o by_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o saint_n peter_n and_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n they_o show_v you_o the_o man_n that_o be_v settle_v in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o convey_v down_o their_o doctrine_n to_o posterity_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n 36._o its_o possession_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o for_o this_o you_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o your_o salvation_n may_v travel_v over_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o the_o very_a seat_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n preside_v be_v still_o remain_v where_o their_o own_o authentic_a letter_n be_v still_o extant_a do_v you_o live_v in_o or_o near_a to_o achaia_n go_v to_o corinth_n in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n or_o thessalonica_n in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_z in_o italy_n to_o rome_n and_o this_o certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v
the_o table_n of_o the_o consul_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o careful_o preserve_v in_o those_o time_n and_o as_o easy_o consult_v by_o any_o inquisitive_a person_n as_o any_o other_o public_a record_n and_o be_v so_o by_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o they_o or_o to_o convey_v the_o account_n of_o they_o to_o after-age_n and_o particular_o eusebius_n who_o as_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o other_o help_v and_o have_v all_o the_o other_o advantage_n of_o information_n will_v not_o want_v this_o that_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o satisfactory_a as_o himself_o 12._o particular_o inform_v we_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o transcribe_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o archive_v though_o set_v aside_o the_o information_n that_o he_o receive_v thence_o the_o history_n of_o the_o succession_n be_v sufficient_o preserve_v by_o other_o writer_n that_o of_o rome_n be_v already_o clear_v that_o of_o antioch_n be_v as_o clear_v only_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n about_o the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n whether_o it_o be_v euodius_n or_o ignatius_n probable_o it_o may_v be_v both_o as_o it_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o if_o euodius_n be_v the_o first_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o his_o successor_n ignatius_n be_v a_o apostolical_a man_n and_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o he_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a and_o undisputed_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o which_o eustathius_n be_v then_o present_a bishop_n be_v summon_v and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o eminent_a learning_n so_o he_o bear_v a_o considerable_a sway_n in_o it_o as_o for_o alexandria_n the_o succession_n run_v so_o clear_a there_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o most_o sceptical_a adversary_n in_o this_o point_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o question_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o succession_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o church_n be_v so_o early_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_a that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n than_o it_o be_v for_o any_o learned_a man_n now_o not_o to_o know_v the_o succession_n in_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o add_v many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o tedious_a but_o though_o i_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o a_o interrupt_a succession_n in_o any_o eminent_a church_n yet_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o two_o that_o next_o to_o those_o already_o mention_v most_o deserve_v our_o notice_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o athens_n a_o account_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o have_v from_o dionysius_n a_o learned_a 23._o man_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n antoninus_n as_o indeed_o we_o have_v of_o many_o other_o church_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o as_o for_o his_o own_o church_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o its_o succession_n when_o himself_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o have_v withal_o accidental_o let_v we_o understand_v his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v transact_v there_o before_o his_o own_o time_n and_o particular_o by_o his_o account_n of_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o after_o he_o mention_n publius_n and_o quadratus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o unknown_a interruption_n in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o the_o certain_a succession_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o undoubted_a tradition_n §_o xxix_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v its_o more_o particular_a conveyance_n down_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n after_o 201._o he_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o discipline_n of_o several_a master_n and_o several_a sect_n acquiesce_v at_o last_o without_o any_o far_a search_n in_o the_o christian_a institution_n because_o they_o that_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n receive_v it_o immediate_o from_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o paul_n the_o holy_a apostle_n as_o a_o son_n succeed_v a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v bring_v it_o down_o to_o we_o plant_v those_o seed_n of_o doctrine_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n and_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o learned_a man_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o succession_n itself_o in_o that_o the_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o with_o apostolical_a men._n as_o saint_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o write_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n receive_v with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n value_v next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o read_v with_o they_o in_o several_a church_n but_o especial_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o the_o apostolical_a book_n so_o be_v it_o the_o most_o undoubted_a write_n of_o the_o christian_a 38._o church_n it_o be_v say_v eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d receive_v without_o controversy_n and_o it_o be_v cite_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n a_o short_a time_n 23._o after_o who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v then_o read_v in_o that_o church_n every_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v magnify_v by_o irenaeus_n not_o only_o for_o its_o 3._o own_o strength_n and_o piety_n but_o for_o the_o primitive_a antiquity_n of_o its_o author_n who_o he_o say_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n receive_v his_o christianity_n from_o they_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o fresh_a in_o his_o memory_n and_o their_o custom_n and_o tradition_n in_o his_o eye_n as_o divers_z other_o there_o be_v then_o live_v that_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n quote_v this_o epistle_n as_o he_o often_o do_v 4._o give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o his_o primitive_a antiquity_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o ancient_n it_o be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o though_o they_o have_v take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o destroy_v or_o impair_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v pass_v this_o epistle_n as_o undoubted_o genuine_a with_o a_o unanimous_a approbation_n now_o this_o suppose_v the_o own_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o assert_n particular_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o beside_o several_a other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v the_o first_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v its_o undoubted_a certainty_n by_o the_o testimony_n not_o only_o of_o himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o above_o five_o hundred_o witness_n beside_o most_o whereof_o be_v then_o alive_a beside_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a labour_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o assert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o great_a patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o vast_a number_n more_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o a_o thing_n present_a let_v we_o say_v he_o consider_v the_o generous_a and_o worthy_a example_n of_o our_o own_o age_n through_o emulation_n and_o envy_v the_o faithful_a pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v persecute_v even_o unto_o a_o most_o grievous_a death_n let_v we_o place_n before_o our_o eye_n our_o holy_a apostle_n and_o so_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o act_n and_o suffering_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n now_o how_o can_v this_o have_v be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o christianity_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o what_o more_o unquestionable_a tradition_n can_v we_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n especial_o of_o the_o resurrection_n when_o he_o quote_v the_o gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v record_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o number_n of_o eye-witness_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o innumerable_a other_o that_o live_v at_o the_o
same_o time_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n out_o of_o that_o undoubted_a assurance_n they_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o may_v now_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n in_o january_n 1648._o than_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n neither_o do_v the_o current_n of_o this_o tradition_n stop_v here_o in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n but_o as_o it_o come_v down_o from_o the_o first_o witness_n so_o it_o descend_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n to_o aftertime_n for_o as_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v own_a by_o this_o epistle_n so_o be_v this_o epistle_n by_o those_o who_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_a of_o its_o authority_n especial_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v for_o as_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n be_v write_v not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n probable_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n so_o be_v that_o of_o dionysius_n write_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o saint_n clemens_n for_o he_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o have_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o be_v authentic_a from_o its_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o that_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o begin_v his_o reign_n about_o the_o year_n 161._o as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o time_n so_o that_o if_o the_o corinthian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v a_o more_o satisfactory_a and_o unquestionable_a information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o preach_v than_o be_v give_v they_o from_o so_o clear_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n for_o that_o be_v so_o entire_o free_a from_o all_o manner_n of_o doubt_n and_o suspicion_n the_o distance_n of_o time_n make_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o xxx_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o apostolical_a man_n we_o may_v join_v that_o of_o ignatius_n policarp_n papias_n and_o quadratus_n as_o have_v all_o converse_v with_o the_o follower_n and_o familiar_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o first_o as_o for_o ignatius_n he_o be_v educate_v under_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o by_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n of_o the_o great_a city_n of_o antioch_n where_o he_o sit_v many_o year_n and_o govern_v his_o charge_n with_o extraordinary_a zeal_n and_o prudence_n and_o at_o last_o with_o infinite_a courage_n and_o alacrity_n suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o faith_n there_o have_v be_v great_a controversy_n of_o late_a in_o the_o christian_a world_n concern_v his_o epistle_n though_o with_o how_o little_a reason_n on_o their_o side_n that_o oppose_v they_o i_o have_v account_v elsewhere_o and_o though_o i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o make_v use_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o make_v it_o good_a too_o yet_o our_o present_a argument_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o that_o dispute_n for_o whether_o these_o epistle_n that_o at_o this_o time_n pass_v under_o his_o name_n be_v genuine_a or_o counterfeit_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o write_v such_o epistle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o he_o be_v another_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a testimony_n and_o his_o great_a sense_n of_o immortality_n and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o martyrdom_n show_v his_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v so_o that_o he_o be_v another_o undoubted_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz._n that_o the_o christian_a faith_n descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o give_v that_o proof_n of_o their_o testimony_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o christianity_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n connect_v with_o the_o certain_a history_n of_o aftertime_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o dark_a and_o unknown_a interval_n wherein_o the_o story_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v former_o act_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v be_v first_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v it_o undeniable_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o story_n have_v it_o not_o first_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a history_n by_o such_o a_o near_a and_o immediate_a witness_n to_o make_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o wave_v that_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v from_o this_o glorious_a martyr_n epistle_n because_o they_o breathe_v so_o much_o the_o genuine_a spirit_n of_o the_o ancient_a christianity_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n which_o show_v what_o mighty_a satisfaction_n they_o have_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o so_o firm_o believe_v and_o so_o vehement_o desire_v and_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o and_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o question_v but_o for_o their_o resolute_a opposition_n to_o some_o mens_fw-la prejudices_fw-la for_o they_o be_v resolve_v in_o their_o own_o innovation_n of_o church-government_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n which_o these_o epistle_n so_o zealous_o assert_v and_o that_o as_o establish_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v but_o stubborn_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v say_v impudent_o to_o reject_v their_o authority_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v so_o admirable_o vouch_v as_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v purposely_o design_v to_o secure_v their_o credit_n for_o ever_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o his_o friend_n policarp_n who_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n with_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o own_o now_o policarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o question_v nay_o it_o be_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o avoid_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a a_o testimony_n as_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o only_o by_o say_v that_o this_o particular_a passage_n be_v foist_v in_o without_o any_o shadow_n of_o ground_n for_o the_o surmise_n nay_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o when_o the_o same_o book_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o same_o public_a manner_n till_o the_o time_n of_o saint_n jerome_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o have_v another_o shift_n altogether_o as_o groundless_a and_o not_o less_o bold_a viz._n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n that_o policarp_n speak_v of_o but_o that_o a_o little_a before_o eusebius_n his_o time_n the_o true_a one_o be_v lose_v and_o a_o counterfeit_a copy_n put_v upon_o the_o world_n which_o as_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o mere_a conjecture_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o desperate_a cause_n and_o void_a of_o all_o pretence_n of_o probability_n so_o it_o be_v incredible_a in_o itself_o and_o not_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n that_o such_o a_o famous_a write_n of_o such_o a_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a bishop_n of_o such_o a_o eminent_a and_o glorious_a martyr_n write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n at_o the_o
little_a agreement_n among_o themselves_o concern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o preparatory_a fast_o before_o easter_n and_o yet_o this_o variety_n be_v of_o long_o stand_v among_o they_o no_o man_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o impose_v his_o own_o particular_a conceit_n upon_o other_o in_o such_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o last_o of_o all_o mind_n he_o of_o the_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n of_o his_o predecessor_n especial_o policarp_n and_o anicetus_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v one_o another_o to_o change_v the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o these_o epistle_n from_o all_o place_n especial_o of_o this_o of_o irenaeus_n probable_o be_v this_o that_o they_o divert_v victor_n from_o pursue_v his_o design_n for_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o ever_o actual_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n but_o only_o that_o he_o threaten_v it_o but_o whether_o he_o do_v or_o do_v not_o it_o be_v a_o worthy_a piece_n of_o ingenuity_n to_o charge_v the_o folly_n of_o one_o furious_a and_o intemperate_a man_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o in_o spite_n of_o their_o own_o protestation_n against_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n wherewith_o our_o innovatour_n have_v make_v so_o much_o noise_n against_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v remove_v this_o poor_a objection_n which_o i_o can_v not_o avoid_v because_o it_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o huff_n and_o confidence_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o remain_a witness_n of_o our_o primitive_a tradition_n and_o here_o i_o can_v pass_v by_o papias_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o no_o great_a learning_n or_o judgement_n yet_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o clear_a honesty_n and_o simplicity_n and_o live_v near_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v not_o search_v after_o their_o story_n in_o book_n but_o make_v it_o his_o particular_a business_n to_o inquire_v of_o their_o familiar_a acquaintance_n after_o their_o say_n and_o custom_n if_o any_o come_v in_o my_o way_n say_v he_o that_o be_v 39_o a_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n forthwith_o i_o inquire_v of_o he_o after_o the_o say_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o andrew_n what_o peter_n what_o philip_n what_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o matthew_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o lord_n disciple_n what_o ariston_n and_o john_n the_o elder_a distinguish_v from_o john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o out_o of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o apostle_n disciple_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v for_o i_o do_v not_o think_v i_o can_v profit_v myself_o more_o by_o read_v their_o book_n than_o by_o the_o more_o lively_a report_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v still_o alive_a and_o hear_v their_o discourse_n this_o be_v a_o peculiar_a sort_n of_o testimony_n give_v in_o to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o man_n plain_a and_o simple_a and_o yet_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a who_o inform_v himself_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o late_o transact_v not_o only_o by_o read_v the_o narratives_n that_o be_v write_v of_o they_o but_o from_o the_o more_o lively_a information_n of_o such_o who_o receive_v it_o from_o eye-witness_n i_o will_v easy_o grant_v that_o he_o be_v as_o eusebius_n describe_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o person_n of_o a_o small_a judgement_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o little_a authority_n as_o to_o his_o opinion_n especial_o of_o the_o millennium_n of_o which_o yet_o himself_o be_v not_o the_o first_o author_n but_o be_v betray_v into_o it_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o general_o believe_v that_o their_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v a_o thousand_o year_n upon_o earth_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o greatness_n and_o glory_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v from_o judaisme_n to_o christianity_n bring_v this_o opinion_n along_o with_o they_o only_o understand_v the_o jew_n more_o gross_a and_o carnal_a notion_n in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o spiritual_a sense_n and_o this_o be_v the_o dispute_n in_o those_o early_a day_n against_o the_o jewish_a heretic_n particular_o cerinthus_n who_o believe_v of_o our_o saviour_n as_o they_o have_v of_o the_o messiah_n that_o they_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v come_v once_o more_o upon_o earth_n and_o reign_v at_o jerusalem_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o pomp_n and_o grandeur_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v papias_n be_v ever_o think_v of_o as_o a_o man_n of_o a_o downright_a and_o untainted_a integrity_n and_o have_v both_o the_o advantage_n of_o converse_v with_o those_o that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o record_v all_o the_o tradition_n which_o they_o deliver_v to_o he_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o last_o be_v satisfy_v in_o that_o way_n of_o information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v register_v concern_v jesus_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o he_o aught_o to_o be_v rank_v quadratus_n who_o write_v a_o apologetic_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o which_o 3._o he_o positive_o aver_v that_o many_o of_o the_o person_n cure_v by_o our_o lord_n of_o their_o disease_n be_v alive_a in_o his_o time_n and_o aristides_n a_o christian_a philosopher_n at_o athens_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n present_v a_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a apology_n to_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n §_o xxxii_o this_o be_v the_o first_o file_n of_o witness_n next_z and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n though_o i_o may_v have_v reckon_v the_o follow_a rank_n into_o the_o same_o catalogue_n because_o they_o be_v twist_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v with_o one_o another_o for_o as_o these_o that_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v be_v not_o all_o precise_o of_o the_o same_o age_n yet_o be_v of_o antiquity_n enough_o to_o be_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v join_v together_o into_o one_o complicate_v testimony_n of_o it_o so_o their_o next_o successor_n follow_v they_o by_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o they_o follow_v one_o another_o for_o succession_n be_v not_o convey_v down_o like_o a_o chain_n by_o certain_a link_n but_o like_o a_o cord_n by_o the_o same_o continue_a interweave_v every_o part_n be_v some_o part_n of_o the_o part_n above_o it_o and_o though_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v by_o century_n yet_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v not_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o series_n live_v with_o some_o of_o the_o former_a as_o they_o live_v with_o the_o first_o that_o live_v with_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o make_v a_o interruption_n any_o where_o between_o the_o channel_n and_o the_o fountain_n head_n wherever_o we_o find_v the_o stream_n that_o alone_o will_v certain_o lead_v we_o up_o to_o its_o own_o original_a but_o this_o will_v appear_v more_o distinct_o by_o the_o degree_n of_o 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apostle_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o complicate_v attestation_n of_o other_o that_o live_v either_o with_o or_o immediate_o after_o they_o and_o so_o downward_o from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o that_o by_o very_o short_a period_n of_o time_n into_o the_o three_o century_n for_o beyond_o that_o it_o be_v very_o impertinent_a to_o pursue_v the_o argument_n if_o i_o say_v this_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o premise_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o any_o man_n can_v in_o reason_n or_o modesty_n demand_v a_o great_a evidence_n and_o more_o satisfactory_a demonstration_n of_o his_o faith_n §_o xxxiv_o but_o if_o christianity_n come_v into_o the_o world_n attend_v with_o all_o this_o variety_n and_o train_n of_o proof_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o such_o great_a number_n of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n live_v and_o die_v in_o infidelity_n if_o the_o evidence_n be_v so_o full_a and_o free_a from_o all_o exception_n as_o be_v pretend_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v eyesight_n enough_o to_o discern_v the_o midday_n sun_n not_o to_o submit_v to_o its_o conviction_n much_o less_o how_o can_v such_o creature_n as_o man_n endue_v with_o rational_a faculty_n be_v so_o utter_o blind_a or_o extravagant_o mad_a that_o when_o almighty_a god_n have_v give_v such_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n they_o shall_v hate_v oppose_v and_o persecute_v this_o religion_n mear_n stupidity_n or_o want_n of_o enquiry_n may_v have_v leave_v man_n in_o infidelity_n though_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n have_v be_v as_o evident_a as_o we_o say_v it_o be_v but_o when_o man_n concern_v themselves_o with_o all_o their_o zeal_n and_o power_n to_o root_v it_o up_o they_o must_v understand_v what_o it_o be_v that_o they_o so_o eager_o oppose_v neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o mankind_n alone_o but_o by_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o learned_a who_o do_v not_o only_o reject_v it_o as_o a_o idle_a fable_n but_o bestir_v themselves_o with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o suppress_v it_o as_o pernicious_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v a_o objection_n in_o appearance_n very_o great_a for_o it_o can_v but_o look_v very_o strange_a that_o man_n learned_a and_o wise_a shall_v be_v so_o foolish_a and_o so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o perceive_v such_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n nay_o to_o scorn_n and_o to_o despise_v it_o and_o yet_o as_o big_a as_o this_o objection_n be_v in_o show_n it_o be_v in_o reality_n none_o at_o all_o and_o if_o it_o be_v any_o be_v abundant_o answer_v by_o the_o premise_n for_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o the_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a shall_v ever_o have_v be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o embrace_v such_o a_o story_n in_o all_o those_o circumstance_n and_o
altogether_o false_a and_o frivolous_a what_o be_v that_o to_o what_o happen_v at_o rome_n so_o that_o have_v there_o be_v never_o so_o many_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n at_o babylon_n there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o two_o find_v at_o rome_n and_o therefore_o if_o hegesippus_n have_v affirm_v that_o there_o be_v onlytwo_o all_o scaliger_n story_n of_o babylon_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o when_o he_o have_v affirm_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n give_v we_o a_o distinct_a account_n of_o simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleopas_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o live_v there_o after_o the_o time_n of_o domitian_n scaliger_n can_v have_v no_o motive_n to_o make_v the_o objection_n but_o only_o to_o empty_v his_o common-place-book_n of_o two_o or_o three_o rabinical_a quotation_n but_o yet_o his_o next_o exception_n be_v much_o worse_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o person_n as_o judas_n of_o the_o kindred_n of_o our_o lord_n mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o suppose_v there_o be_v no_o such_o upon_o record_n it_o seem_v very_o hard_a deal_n with_o a_o ancient_a writer_n that_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n that_o he_o write_v of_o and_o have_v opportunity_n of_o inquire_v into_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o family_n when_o he_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o branch_n of_o it_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o because_o it_o happen_v not_o to_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n whereas_o nothing_o be_v better_a know_v than_o that_o divers_a more_o material_a passage_n relate_v to_o our_o saviour_n family_n be_v there_o omit_v their_o design_n be_v to_o describe_v his_o own_o descent_n from_o david_n and_o not_o to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o the_o several_a present_a branch_n of_o the_o family_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o scaliger_n confidence_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o man_n upon_o record_n do_v we_o find_v he_o express_o reckon_v among_o our_o saviour_n near_a kindred_n 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inquire_v though_o it_o be_v probable_a as_o the_o learned_a isaac_n vossius_fw-la conjecture_n that_o they_o be_v collect_v by_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n as_o appear_v from_o their_o agreement_n with_o the_o holy_a write_n and_o especial_o in_o the_o great_a prediction_n of_o a_o messiah_n or_o universal_a monarch_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v so_o plain_o foretell_v by_o they_o that_o in_o a_o little_a time_n it_o alarm_v the_o senate_n itself_o to_o forbid_v the_o read_n of_o they_o and_o that_o for_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o when_o they_o find_v every_o aspire_a spirit_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n to_o apply_v they_o to_o himself_o for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o catiline_n conspiracy_n as_o tully_n inform_v we_o concern_v leutulus_n in_o his_o three_o oration_n against_o catiline_n and_o when_o caesar_n have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o all_o it_o be_v vulgar_o believe_v to_o have_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o prophecy_n as_o the_o same_o author_n triumphant_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o divination_n which_o be_v write_v immediate_o after_o caesar_n fall_n cum_fw-la antistitibus_fw-la agamus_fw-la &_o quidvis_fw-la potius_fw-la ex_fw-la illis_fw-la libris_fw-la quam_fw-la regem_fw-la proferant_fw-la quem_fw-la romae_fw-la posthaec_fw-la nec_fw-la dii_fw-la nec_fw-la homines_fw-la esse_fw-la patientur_fw-la the_o great_a thing_n that_o offend_v the_o zealous_a commonwealth_n man_n in_o they_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o great_a king_n and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v suetonius_n or_o his_o author_n julius_n marathus_n the_o same_o year_n 94._o that_o augustus_n caesar_n be_v bear_v the_o senate_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o this_o prediction_n regem_fw-la populo_fw-la romano_n naturam_fw-la parturire_fw-la that_o nature_n be_v then_o in_o labour_n with_o a_o king_n of_o the_o roman_n decree_v nequis_fw-la illo_fw-la anno_fw-la genitus_fw-la educaretur_fw-la not_o unlike_o the_o practice_n of_o herod_n when_o he_o murder_v the_o child_n of_o bethlehem_n to_o secure_v the_o title_n of_o shiloh_n to_o himself_o which_o some_o of_o the_o atheistical_a jew_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o sadducee_n have_v flatter_o apply_v to_o he_o and_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n style_v herodian_o and_o this_o conceit_n himself_o cherish_v with_o very_o great_a care_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o fulfil_n of_o jacob_n prophecy_n upon_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o sceptre_n from_o judah_n to_o himself_o thereby_o to_o conciliate_v the_o great_a reverence_n and_o authority_n to_o his_o government_n and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o reason_n as_o very_o a_o atheist_n as_o he_o be_v of_o his_o build_n so_o magnificent_a a_o temple_n because_o the_o jew_n expect_v such_o a_o glorious_a work_n from_o their_o messiah_n now_o this_o conceit_n be_v so_o familiar_o entertain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o that_o age_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o all_o that_o be_v in_o actual_a possession_n of_o authority_n whether_o themselves_o believe_v it_o or_o not_o be_v so_o watchful_a against_o all_o pretender_n to_o it_o but_o much_o less_o in_o such_o a_o suspicious_a prince_n as_o domitian_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o family_n of_o david_n who_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v the_o great_a master_n of_o these_o prophecy_n have_v the_o first_o title_n to_o this_o great_a prerogative_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o but_o only_o as_o far_o as_o appear_v by_o story_n they_o be_v present_v by_o some_o flatter_a and_o officious_a informer_n to_o the_o emperor_n which_o occasion_v some_o trouble_n both_o to_o themselves_o and_o the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n but_o when_o the_o jealous_a emperor_n come_v to_o inquire_v into_o their_o claim_n he_o be_v so_o satisfy_v of_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o man_n that_o he_o immediate_o dismiss_v the_o indictment_n as_o frivolous_a and_o revoke_v all_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n as_o partisan_n in_o the_o same_o cause_n this_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o all_o his_o proceed_n against_o they_o though_o if_o he_o have_v proceed_v upon_o other_o reason_n all_o his_o reason_n can_v be_v nothing_o but_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o all_o his_o execution_n nothing_o but_o act_n of_o savageness_n and_o cruelty_n but_o whatever_o they_o be_v there_o be_v no_o evidence_n of_o his_o enter_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o his_o brutal_a tyranny_n can_v be_v no_o objection_n nay_o if_o he_o do_v all_o that_o can_v be_v infer_v be_v that_o christianity_n be_v not_o please_v to_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a of_o prince_n and_o that_o be_v the_o best_a that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o his_o persecution_n and_o there_o we_o leave_v it_o that_o as_o nero_n be_v the_o first_o so_o domitian_n be_v the_o second_o enemy_n to_o christianity_n and_o conclude_v with_o tertullian_n consulite_fw-la commentarios_fw-la vestros_fw-la
it_o be_v aggravate_v with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o can_v heighten_v its_o baseness_n it_o be_v without_o all_o plea_n of_o excuse_n or_o palliation_n and_o this_o certain_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o unexemplified_a severity_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n against_o christendom_n for_o never_o be_v any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n harass_v with_o such_o remarkable_a plague_n and_o judgement_n as_o this_o have_v be_v in_o that_o their_o big_a impiety_n be_v but_o ordinary_a thing_n if_o compare_v to_o the_o vileness_n of_o our_o apostasy_n the_o time_n of_o their_o ignorance_n as_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n god_n wink_v at_o but_o now_o that_o his_o wrath_n be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v against_o all_o ungodliness_n and_o unrighteousness_n of_o man_n if_o they_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n persevere_v in_o hardness_n and_o impenitence_n they_o can_v but_o treasure_n up_o to_o themselves_o anguish_n and_o tribulation_n and_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n and_o be_v still_o heap_v up_o store_n of_o vengeance_n till_o some_o time_n or_o other_o the_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v open_v upon_o they_o and_o overwhelm_v they_o in_o irrecoverable_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n at_o least_o to_o conclude_v with_o my_o believe_a reader_n for_o if_o he_o be_v a_o infidel_n i_o turn_v he_o back_o to_o the_o premise_n of_o this_o discourse_n our_o saviour_n have_v a_o second_o come_v when_o he_o shall_v as_o he_o have_v say_v he_o will_v once_o more_o rise_v up_o from_o his_o throne_n of_o majesty_n shall_v put_v on_o the_o robe_n of_o justice_n and_o return_v accompany_v with_o a_o innumerable_a army_n of_o bless_a spirit_n to_o destroy_v the_o wicked_a and_o disobedient_a and_o take_v vengeance_n of_o his_o open_a enemy_n but_o much_o more_o of_o his_o disloyal_a and_o treacherous_a friend_n and_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v what_o horror_n and_o anguish_n must_v then_o seize_v all_o guilty_a soul_n with_o what_o tremble_a and_o infinite_a amazement_n must_v every_o careless_a and_o disobedient_a christian_a appear_v before_o all_o this_o dreadful_a glory_n and_o how_o will_v even_o their_o spirit_n die_v away_o under_o a_o intolerable_a fear_n and_o confusion_n of_o conscience_n who_o can_v conceive_v the_o bitterness_n and_o the_o agony_n of_o guilty_a mind_n whilst_o they_o receive_v their_o last_o sentence_n what_o a_o wild_a and_o stupid_a thing_n be_v man_n that_o can_v believe_v and_o yet_o forget_v these_o thing_n and_o sleep_v careless_a under_o the_o expectation_n of_o a_o day_n of_o doom_n for_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n will_v once_o come_v to_o condemn_v the_o world_n as_o he_o once_o come_v to_o redeem_v it_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n it_o be_v then_o past_a question_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v our_o judge_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o how_o do_v man_n who_o serious_o think_v that_o they_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n live_v as_o if_o they_o be_v secure_a that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v call_v to_o any_o future_a account_n careless_a and_o forgetful_a of_o all_o thing_n but_o a_o few_o vanish_v pleasure_n and_o trifle_n here_o below_o with_o slender_a regard_n or_o total_a neglect_n of_o their_o eternal_a condition_n in_o brief_a the_o terror_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n and_o the_o different_a portion_n of_o woe_n or_o bliss_n hereafter_o be_v so_o evident_o declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o for_o any_o man_n who_o believe_v it_o to_o live_v careless_a of_o they_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o sottishness_n that_o i_o can_v neither_o conceive_v nor_o express_v much_o less_o load_n or_o upbraid_v with_o any_o high_a aggravation_n than_o bare_o its_o own_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o leave_v this_o great_a meditation_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o my_o christian_a reader_n and_o conjure_v they_o all_o to_o a_o serious_a and_o habitual_a practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n as_o they_o hope_v for_o any_o benefit_n from_o our_o saviour_n first_o come_n and_o desire_v to_o escape_v the_o terror_n of_o the_o second_o the_o end_n errata_fw-la page_n 1._o line_n 4._o from_o the_o end_n in_o the_o preface_n for_o vice_n 1._o in_o vice_n p._n 127._o l._n 1._o for_o sextus_n r._n saint_n pag._n 130._o l._n 3._o for_o fearless_a r._n fearful_a book_n late_o print_v for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o pourtraicture_n of_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o of_o ever_o bless_a memory_n in_o his_o solitude_n and_o suffering_n new_o reprint_v by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n in_o octavo_fw-la dr._n hammond_n annotation_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o folio_n the_o five_o edition_n correct_v the_o book_n of_o psalm_n paraphrase_a with_o argument_n to_o each_o psalm_n in_o two_o volume_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o peterburgh_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n octavo_fw-la the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o six_o book_n write_v in_o latin_a by_o hugo_n grotius_n and_o now_o translate_v into_o english_a with_o the_o addition_n of_o a_o seven_o book_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n etc._n etc._n octavo_fw-la a_o book_n for_o beginner_n or_o a_o help_n to_o young_a communicant_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fit_v for_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o receive_v it_o with_o profit_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n in_o 240._o christ_n counsel_n to_o his_o church_n in_o two_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o two_o last_o fast_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n in_o quarto_n new_a the_o establish_v church_n or_o a_o subversion_n of_o all_o the_o romanist_n plea_n for_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n in_o england_n together_o with_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o present_a government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o allow_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n against_o all_o fanatical_a exception_n particular_o of_o mr._n hickeringill_n in_o his_o scandalous_a pamphlet_n style_v naked_a truth_n the_o second_o part_n by_o fran._n fulwood_n d._n d._n archdeacon_n of_o totnes_n in_o devon_n in_o octavo_n new_a a_o discourse_n of_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o exposition_n of_o exod._n 20._o v_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o humble_o offer_v to_o this_o present_a age_n by_o john_n gregory_n archdeacon_n of_o gloucester_n in_o octavo_n new_a the_o new_a distemper_n or_o the_o dissenter_n usual_a plea_n for_o comprehension_n toleration_n and_o the_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n consider_v and_o discuss_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n alsop_n late_a pamphlet_n publish_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o reverend_a dean_n of_o s._n paul_n sermon_n concern_v separation_n by_o the_o late_a reverend_a dr._n tomkins_n in_o octavo_n the_o lively_a picture_n of_o lewis_n du_fw-fr moulin_n draw_v by_o a_o incomparable_a hand_n together_o with_o his_o last_o word_n be_v his_o retractation_n of_o all_o the_o personal_a reflection_n he_o have_v make_v on_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o several_a book_n of_o his_o sign_v by_o himself_o on_o the_o five_o and_o seventeen_o of_o october_n 1680._o in_o quarto_n new_a the_o daily_a practice_n of_o devotion_n or_o the_o hour_n of_o prayer_n fit_v to_o the_o main_n use_v of_o a_o christian_a life_n with_o prayer_n for_o the_o peaceful_a re-settlement_n of_o this_o church_n and_o state_n by_o the_o late_a pious_a and_o reverend_a h._n hammond_n in_o 120._o book_n print_v for_o and_o sell_v by_o richard_n chiswell_n speed_n map_n and_o geography_n of_o great_a britain_n and_o ireland_n and_o of_o foreign_a part_n fol._n dr._n cave_n life_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n fol._n dr._n cary_n chronological_a account_n of_o ancient_a time_n fol._n wanly_n wonder_n of_o the_o little_a world_n or_o history_n of_o man._n fol._n sir_n tho._n herbert_n travel_n into_o persia_n etc._n etc._n folly_n sir_n rich._n baker_n chronicle_n of_o england_n fol._n causin_n holy_a court_n fol._n wilson_n complete_a christian_a dictionary_n fol._n bishop_n wilkin_n real_a character_n or_o philosophical_a language_n fol._n pharmacopaeia_fw-la regalis_fw-la collegii_fw-la medicorum_fw-la londinensis_fw-la fol._n judge_n jones_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n judge_n vaughan_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n cave_fw-la tabulae_fw-la ecclesiasticorum_fw-la scriptorum_fw-la fol._n sir_n will._n dugdale_n baronage_n of_o england_n in_o two_o vol._n fol._n dr._n littleton_n latin_a dictionary_n quarto_fw-la bishop_n nicholson_n on_o the_o church_n catechism_n quarto_fw-la the_o complete_a clerk_n quarto_n history_n of_o the_o late_a war_n of_o new_a england_n quarto_fw-la dr._n outram_n de_fw-fr sacrificiis_fw-la quarto_fw-la fowler_n be_v defence_n of_o the_o design_n of_o christianity_n against_o john_n bunynan_n 1_o s._n quarto_fw-la dr._n sherlock_n visitation-sermon_n at_o warrington_n 1659._o 6_o d._n quarto_fw-la the_o magistrate_n authority_n assert_v in_o