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 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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
fierce_a enemy_n how_o then_o can_v they_o avoid_v its_o force_n by_o deny_v it_o never_o nay_o they_o confess_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n undeniable_a thus_o hierocles_n free_o grant_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n 1._o but_o then_o he_o say_v that_o they_o only_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a man_n but_o not_o what_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o god_n but_o if_o they_o be_v true_a than_o whatever_o he_o be_v they_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v what_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n against_o paganism_n and_o infidelity_n viz._n that_o he_o come_v from_o god_n and_o after_o that_o whether_o he_o be_v to_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o to_o be_v style_v god_n or_o only_o esteem_v of_o as_o a_o ambassador_n from_o he_o be_v a_o dispute_n that_o suppose_v his_o divine_a commission_n so_o that_o this_o very_a confession_n of_o hierocles_n prove_v no_o less_o because_o we_o all_o know_v that_o he_o profess_v to_o teach_v and_o act_v by_o no_o less_o authority_n in_o the_o next_o place_n the_o emperor_n julian_n do_v not_o deny_v but_o diminish_v the_o wonder_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o very_o remarkable_a record_v of_o he_o unless_o to_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a and_o to_o cast_v out_o devil_n in_o the_o town_n of_o galilee_n may_v be_v reckon_v among_o the_o work_n of_o great_a magnificence_n but_o this_o be_v object_v rather_o like_o a_o emperor_n than_o a_o philosopher_n for_o as_o huetius_n 2._o very_o well_o reply_v to_o it_o it_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o ambitious_a prince_n to_o raise_v army_n to_o dispeople_v nation_n to_o erect_v prodigious_a building_n here_o to_o demolish_v a_o great_a city_n and_o there_o to_o re-edify_v a_o great_a but_o alas_o these_o be_v work_n within_o the_o power_n of_o art_n and_o nature_n and_o be_v to_o be_v wrought_v out_o by_o the_o wit_n or_o the_o industry_n of_o man_n whereas_o those_o that_o be_v wrought_v by_o jesus_n be_v quite_o of_o another_o stamp_n and_o such_o as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v effect_v by_o any_o power_n less_o than_o divine_a these_o be_v work_n true_o magnificent_a and_o become_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o weak_o object_v of_o a_o great_a pretender_n to_o philosophy_n that_o he_o do_v nothing_o so_o extraordinary_a when_o to_o raise_v one_o man_n from_o the_o grave_n proceed_v from_o a_o power_n that_o infinite_o exceed_v that_o of_o alexander_n or_o caesar_n in_o send_v so_o many_o million_o thither_o but_o the_o most_o usual_a shift_n make_v use_v of_o to_o evade_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v either_o to_o ascribe_v all_o this_o train_n of_o miracle_n to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n or_o to_o vie_v against_o they_o the_o wonderful_a work_n of_o other_o man_n that_o never_o make_v any_o such_o lofty_a pretence_n and_o at_o this_o lock_n we_o find_v celsus_n at_o every_o turn_n and_o whenever_o he_o be_v press_v hard_o he_o still_o take_v shelter_n in_o one_o of_o these_o evasion_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n we_o can_v avoid_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o pretence_n of_o magic_n it_o be_v own_o vanity_n be_v its_o own_o confutation_n for_o if_o he_o be_v such_o a_o magician_n as_o be_v pretend_v 6._o then_o either_o himself_o be_v the_o first_o inventour_n and_o master_n of_o his_o own_o art_n or_o he_o learn_v it_o from_o other_o if_o he_o have_v no_o teacher_n and_o yet_o acquire_v the_o skill_n of_o do_v thing_n so_o extraordinary_a that_o alone_o seem_v something_o divine_a and_o wonderful_a that_o a_o young_a man_n without_o learning_n without_o book_n without_o tutor_n without_o instruction_n shall_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o own_o faculty_n arrive_v to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n than_o all_o the_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o for_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o the_o action_n record_v of_o he_o infinite_o exceed_v the_o very_a pretence_n of_o all_o other_o yes_o but_o say_v they_o he_o have_v master_n in_o egypt_n from_o who_o he_o learn_v all_o those_o magic_a mystery_n by_o which_o he_o afterward_o make_v himself_o so_o famous_a in_o judaea_n but_o why_o then_o do_v we_o hear_v of_o no_o such_o eminent_a magician_n at_o that_o time_n either_o in_o egypt_n or_o any_o where_o else_o beside_o himself_o why_o be_v there_o no_o fame_n of_o they_o in_o the_o world_n before_o his_o accusation_n why_o be_v there_o not_o any_o the_o least_o memory_n of_o they_o preserve_v whilst_o his_o name_n be_v so_o universal_o celebrate_v or_o when_o do_v any_o magician_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n either_o among_o the_o greek_n or_o barbarian_n do_v such_o thing_n as_o he_o do_v but_o what_o need_v i_o say_v more_o our_o saviour_n work_n themselves_o be_v the_o full_a confutation_n of_o this_o vain_a pretence_n for_o whatever_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n may_v be_v no_o man_n can_v ever_o believe_v that_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o divine_a power_n can_v with_o a_o word_n speak_v cure_n all_o manner_n of_o disease_n give_v sight_n to_o man_n bear_v blind_a recover_v die_a person_n at_o a_o distance_n and_o raise_v the_o dead_a themselves_o to_o ascribe_v such_o action_n as_o these_o mere_o to_o magic_n be_v a_o conceit_n so_o utter_o extravagant_a that_o it_o be_v a_o affront_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o mankind_n at_o least_o at_o this_o time_n to_o think_v it_o need_v any_o other_o confutation_n beside_o its_o own_o impossibility_n though_o if_o any_o man_n will_v be_v so_o humoursom_o credulous_a in_o his_o infidelity_n as_o to_o pretend_v some_o such_o suspicion_n i_o shall_v only_o refer_v he_o to_o a_o smart_a discourse_n of_o 1._o arnobius_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o who_o first_o pursue_v all_o our_o saviour_n miraculous_a action_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o performance_n and_o then_o appeal_v to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n concern_v each_o particular_a how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o they_o can_v ever_o have_v be_v effect_v by_o any_o power_n less_o than_o divine_a but_o in_o my_o opinion_n this_o thing_n be_v so_o evident_a of_o itself_o that_o at_o this_o time_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a needless_a piece_n of_o industry_n to_o spend_v so_o much_o pain_n upon_o it_o whatever_o it_o may_v have_v be_v in_o his_o age_n when_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o indeed_o so_o usual_a a_o thing_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o superstitious_a vulgar_a with_o such_o vain_a romance_n insomuch_o that_o the_o enemy_n to_o christianity_n be_v not_o content_a to_o persuade_v they_o that_o christ_n be_v a_o magician_n but_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o be_v a_o teacher_n of_o magic_n too_o and_o write_v a_o book_n to_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o same_o art_n especial_o peter_n and_o paul_n to_o who_o he_o inscribe_v it_o so_o ignorant_o do_v these_o calumniatour_n falsify_v when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v the_o world_n a_o considerable_a time_n before_o paul_n become_v his_o disciple_n but_o beside_o that_o the_o story_n be_v altogether_o groundless_a and_o without_o proof_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o it_o confute_v itself_o by_o its_o own_o silliness_n and_o absurdity_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v learn_v to_o do_v those_o thing_n that_o they_o do_v by_o rule_n of_o art_n but_o either_o these_o man_n that_o tell_v we_o of_o this_o magic_a book_n have_v see_v it_o or_o they_o have_v not_o if_o they_o have_v not_o they_o speak_v at_o random_n if_o they_o have_v why_o be_v they_o not_o able_a to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n themselves_o why_o do_v they_o not_o cure_v their_o sick_a friend_n or_o conjure_v they_o out_o of_o their_o grave_n as_o for_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v steal_v out_o of_o the_o temple_n the_o shem_n hamporash_n or_o the_o name_n of_o god_n write_v in_o its_o proper_a character_n which_o they_o say_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o vulgar_o to_o do_v and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o be_v enable_v to_o work_v all_o kind_n of_o miracle_n it_o be_v a_o fable_n so_o very_o despicable_a that_o i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o repeat_v it_o and_o therefore_o much_o more_o scorn_n to_o confute_v it_o §_o xxvi_o their_o next_o evasion_n to_o this_o argument_n be_v to_o vie_v other_o story_n with_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o thereby_o to_o abate_v either_o their_o wonder_n or_o their_o credit_n and_o this_o they_o chief_o do_v as_o to_o the_o resurrection_n especial_o celsus_n who_o 2._o have_v in_o this_o point_n more_o than_o any_o other_o show_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o malice_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o cause_n and_o he_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 mat._n 13._o 15._o be_v not_o this_o the_o carpenter_n son_n be_v not_o his_o mother_n call_v mary_n and_o his_o brethren_n james_n and_o jose_n and_o simon_n and_o judas_n so_o blind_a be_v the_o humour_n of_o criticise_v as_o to_o overlook_v the_o most_o obvious_a passage_n rather_o than_o loose_v the_o glory_n of_o one_o new_a discovery_n this_o passage_n i_o have_v vindicate_v not_o because_o that_o itself_o be_v at_o all_o needful_a to_o my_o purpose_n but_o only_o to_o maintain_v the_o credit_n of_o hegesippus_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o story_n that_o save_v our_o labour_n of_o give_v any_o account_n of_o it_o if_o there_o be_v than_o we_o must_v take_v it_o as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o hegesippus_n according_a to_o who_o account_n it_o be_v no_o persecution_n for_o religion_n but_o only_o a_o jealousy_n of_o state_n neither_o be_v it_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o domitian_n though_o of_o all_o man_n most_o suspicious_a shall_v be_v so_o strong_o taint_v with_o it_o when_o the_o same_o conceit_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n be_v of_o so_o great_a force_n among_o his_o predecessor_n for_o it_o be_v very_o obvious_a from_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n that_o the_o jewish_a notion_n of_o their_o messiah_n have_v get_v deep_a foot_n in_o the_o gentile_a world_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o sybilline_a oracle_n in_o that_o the_o old_a book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n that_o have_v be_v for_o many_o age_n religious_o preserve_v in_o the_o capitol_n be_v together_o with_o the_o capitol_n itself_o burn_v about_o eighty_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o to_o retreive_v their_o loss_n three_o ambassador_n be_v about_o seven_o year_n after_o when_o the_o capitol_n be_v rebuilt_a dispatch_v into_o asia_n to_o gather_v together_o what_o record_v they_o can_v there_o find_v of_o those_o prophecy_n and_o bring_v back_o with_o they_o about_o a_o thousand_o verse_n by_o who_o they_o be_v first_o compose_v i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o 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