christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n in_o they_o and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v record_v by_o they_o to_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n here_o we_o have_v more_o clear_a reason_n as_o to_o the_o primary_n motive_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o withal_o the_o infallible_a veracity_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o while_o we_o assert_v such_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n from_o the_o first_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o then_o so_o full_o attest_v by_o such_o uncontrollable_a miracle_n we_o can_v in_o the_o least_o understand_v to_o what_o end_n a_o power_n of_o miracle_n shall_v now_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o among_o those_o who_o all_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o before_o the_o great_a harvest_n of_o convert_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v 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authority_n and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o progress_n in_o infinitum_fw-la or_o sound_v divine_a faith_n on_o a_o mere_a humane_a testimony_n if_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v divine_a revelation_n mere_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o person_n affirmation_n who_o pretend_v unto_o it_o for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o hold_v good_a non_fw-la apparentis_fw-la &_o non_fw-la existentis_fw-la eadem_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la if_o he_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o believe_v he_o not_o if_o my_o wilfulness_n and_o laziness_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o unbelief_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o good_a man_n 5._o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n i_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v wonderful_o true_a but_o all_o the_o question_n be_v de_fw-fr modo_fw-la how_o god_n will_v satisfy_v they_o whether_o mere_o by_o inspiration_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n in_o they_o assure_v they_o that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o speak_v in_o such_o person_n or_o by_o give_v they_o rational_a evidence_n convince_a they_o of_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o assert_v the_o former_a way_n we_o run_v into_o these_o inconvenience_n first_o we_o make_v as_o immediate_a a_o revelation_n in_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v as_o in_o 1._o those_o who_o be_v to_o reveal_v divine_a truth_n to_o we_o for_o there_o be_v a_o new_a revelation_n of_o a_o object_n immediate_o to_o the_o mind_n viz._n that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v inspire_v of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v not_o after_o the_o common_a way_n of_o the_o spirit_n illumination_n in_o believer_n which_o be_v by_o enlighten_v the_o faculty_n without_o the_o proposition_n of_o any_o new_a object_n as_o it_o
that_o perish_v if_o now_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o too_o great_a seasonableness_n of_o it_o if_o the_o common_a fame_n of_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o atheism_n among_o we_o be_v true_a be_v not_o sufficient_a apology_n for_o the_o publish_n this_o book_n i_o be_o resolve_v rather_o to_o undergo_v thy_o censure_n tben_fw-mi be_v behold_v to_o any_o other_o the_o intendment_n therefore_o of_o this_o preface_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o scope_n design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n although_o the_o view_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n may_v sufficient_o acquain_v thou_o with_o it_o how_o far_o i_o have_v be_v either_o from_o transeribe_v or_o a_o design_n to_o excusse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o admirer_n the_o several_a write_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o christianity_n in_o particular_a especial_o mornay_n groâ—ius_n amyraldus_n etc._n etc._n may_v 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impartial_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o thou_o will_v see_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o religion_n as_o i_o do_v the_o content_n book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o 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of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v pag._n 25_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o contest_v of_o antiquity_n among_o heathen_a nation_n and_o the_o way_n of_o decide_v it_o of_o the_o chaldean_a astrology_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n of_o the_o zabiâ—_n their_o founder_n who_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o old_a chaldee_n of_o berosus_n and_o his_o history_n a_o account_n of_o the_o fabulous_a dynastye_n of_o berosus_n and_o manetho_n from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o prolomy_n of_o that_o translation_n and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n scaliger_n argument_n answer_v manetho_n write_v after_o the_o septuagint_n prove_v against_o kircher_n his_o argument_n answer_v of_o rabbinical_a and_o arabic_a author_n and_o their_o little_a credit_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n the_o time_n of_o berosus_n inquire_v into_o his_o writing_n co-temporary_a with_o philadelphus_n pag._n 40_o chap._n iu_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o manifest_v by_o three_o evident_a argument_n of_o it_o 1._o the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n the_o antiquity_n of_o poetry_n of_o orpheus_n and_o the_o ancient_a poet_n whence_o the_o poetical_a fable_n borrow_v the_o advancement_n of_o poetry_n and_o idolatry_n together_o in_o greece_n the_o different_a censure_n of_o strabo_n and_o eratosthenes_n concern_v the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o 2._o the_o elder_a historian_n of_o greece_n be_v of_o suspect_a credit_n of_o damastes_n aristeus_n and_o other_o of_o most_o of_o their_o elder_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o name_n of_o other_o only_o the_o
by_o scaliger_n out_o of_o the_o phoenician_n annal_n this_o abibalus_n be_v the_o first_o who_o occur_v and_o be_v co-temporary_a with_o david_n sanchoniathon_n then_o be_v of_o no_o 2_o great_a antiquity_n if_o this_o be_v the_o time_n he_o live_v in_o but_o bochartus_fw-la well_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o speak_v of_o abibalus_n king_n of_o tyre_n but_o of_o abibalus_n king_n of_o berytus_n who_o we_o may_v allow_v to_o be_v somewhat_o near_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n then_o the_o other_o abibalus_n as_o the_o phoenician_n annal_n make_v it_o appear_v as_o porphyry_n tell_v we_o but_o yet_o we_o find_v his_o antiquity_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o contest_v with_o moses_n as_o porphyry_n himself_o confess_v although_o we_o may_v free_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v far_o old_a than_o any_o of_o the_o greek_a historian_n which_o be_v all_o vossius_fw-la contend_v for_o and_o sufficient_o prove_v but_o we_o be_v 1._o far_o from_o yield_v he_o 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and_o he_o wish_v and_o so_o do_v we_o that_o he_o have_v be_v then_o vir_fw-la svi_fw-la nominis_fw-la and_o make_v it_o appear_v by_o his_o writing_n that_o he_o have_v be_v a_o lover_n of_o truth_n philo_n say_v he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o very_a learned_a and_o inquisitive_a man_n but_o either_o he_o be_v not_o so_o diligent_a to_o inquire_v after_o or_o not_o so_o happy_a to_o light_v on_o any_o certain_a record_n or_o if_o he_o do_v he_o be_v not_o overmuch_o a_o lover_n of_o truth_n in_o deliver_v they_o to_o the_o world_n how_o faithful_a he_o be_v in_o transcribe_v his_o history_n from_o his_o record_n we_o can_v be_v sufficient_a judge_n of_o unless_o we_o have_v those_o book_n of_o taautus_n and_o the_o sacred_a inscription_n and_o the_o record_n of_o city_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o take_v his_o history_n from_o to_o compare_v they_o together_o but_o by_o what_o remain_v of_o his_o history_n which_o be_v only_o the_o first_o book_n concern_v the_o phoenician_n theology_n extant_a in_o eusebius_n we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o believe_v his_o history_n of_o the_o world_n and_o elder_a time_n without_o further_a proof_n than_o he_o give_v of_o it_o there_o be_v so_o much_o obscurity_n and_o confusion_n in_o it_o when_o he_o make_v a_o chaos_n to_o be_v the_o first_o beginning_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o the_o god_n to_o come_v after_o make_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o son_n of_o chryser_n or_o vulcan_n and_o again_o the_o man_n bear_v of_o earth_n to_o be_v several_a generation_n after_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v the_o first_o mortal_a man_n and_o yet_o from_o the_o two_o brethren_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d come_v two_o god_n whereof_o one_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o other_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o latter_a be_v worship_v with_o as_o much_o veneration_n as_o any_o of_o their_o go_n yet_o from_o these_o thing_n as_o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v it_o be_v very_o probable_a the_o gnostic_n and_o the_o several_a subdivision_n of_o they_o may_v take_v the_o rise_n of_o their_o several_a aeones_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o here_o we_o find_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v two_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o god_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o name_n they_o according_a to_o their_o several_a sect_n take_v a_o liberty_n of_o alter_v according_a to_o their_o several_a fancy_n this_o be_v far_o more_o probable_a to_o i_o then_o that_o either_o hesiod_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o they_o or_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o late_a german_a divine_a who_o conceive_v that_o philo_n byblius_n do_v in_o imitation_n of_o the_o gnostic_n form_n this_o whole_a story_n of_o the_o phoenician_n theology_n for_o although_o i_o be_o far_o from_o believe_v what_o kircher_n somewhere_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v once_o get_v a_o sight_n of_o sanchoniathons_n original_a history_n it_o be_v not_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v deceive_v in_o yet_o i_o see_v no_o ground_n of_o so_o much_o peevishness_n as_o because_o this_o history_n pretend_v to_o so_o much_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v therefore_o present_o condemn_v it_o as_o a_o figment_n of_o the_o translator_n of_o it_o for_o have_v it_o be_v so_o the_o antagonist_n of_o porphyry_n methodius_n apollinaris_n but_o especial_o eusebius_n so_o well_o verse_v in_o antiquity_n will_v have_v find_v out_o so_o great_a a_o cheat_n although_o i_o must_v confess_v they_o be_v ofttimes_o deceive_v with_o piae_fw-la fraud_n but_o than_o it_o be_v when_o they_o make_v for_o the_o christian_n and_o not_o against_o they_o as_o this_o do_v but_o beside_o a_o fabulous_a confusion_n of_o thing_n together_o we_o have_v some_o thing_n deliver_v concern_v their_o god_n which_o be_v both_o contrary_a to_o all_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o to_o those_o very_a common_a principle_n of_o humanity_n which_o all_o acknowledge_v as_o when_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o saturn_n suspect_v his_o son_n sadidus_fw-la destroy_v he_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o war_v against_o his_o father_n uranus_n and_o after_o destroy_v he_o likewise_o &_o bury_v his_o brother_n atlas_n alive_a in_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v take_v as_o philo_n byblius_n contend_v they_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o the_o literal_a sense_n be_v such_o incongruity_n to_o all_o notion_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a wonder_n there_o shall_v be_v any_o that_o shall_v believe_v there_o be_v any_o god_n and_o believe_v these_o be_v god_n together_o but_o although_o there_o be_v so_o many_o gross_a fable_n and_o inconsistency_n in_o this_o phoenician_n theology_n that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o merit_v 7._o belief_n in_o themselves_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a forfeiture_n of_o reason_n to_o say_v they_o be_v credible_a yet_o when_o we_o have_v a_o great_a light_n in_o our_o hand_n of_o divine_a revelation_n we_o may_v in_o this_o dungeon_n find_v out_o many_o excellent_a remainder_n of_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n though_o miserable_o corrupt_v as_o concern_v the_o creation_n the_o original_a of_o idolatry_n the_o invention_n of_o art_n the_o foundation_n of_o city_n the_o story_n of_o abraham_n of_o which_o in_o their_o due_a place_n that_o which_o of_o all_o seem_v the_o clear_a in_o this_o theology_n be_v the_o open_a own_v the_o original_n of_o idolatry_n to_o have_v be_v from_o the_o consecration_n of_o some_o eminent_a person_n after_o their_o death_n who_o have_v find_v out_o some_o useful_a thing_n for_o the_o world_n while_o they_o be_v live_v which_o the_o subtle_a greek_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o viz._n that_o the_o person_n they_o worship_v be_v once_o man_n which_o make_v they_o turn_v all_o into_o allegory_n and_o mystical_a sense_n to_o blind_v that_o idolatry_n they_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o better_a among_o the_o ignorant_a which_o make_v philo_n byblius_n so_o very_o angry_a with_o the_o neoterick_n grecian_n as_o he_o call_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o with_o 23._o a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n and_o strain_v they_o turn_v all_o the_o story_n of_o the_o god_n into_o allegory_n and_o physical_a discourse_n which_o be_v all_o the_o ingenuity_n that_o i_o know_v be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o this_o phoenician_n theology_n that_o therein_o we_o find_v a_o free_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n and_o therefore_o sanchoniathon_n be_v as_o far_o from_o advance_v porphyry_n religion_n as_o he_o be_v in_o the_o least_o from_o overthrow_v the_o credibility_n of_o christianity_n the_o next_o we_o come_v
to_o then_o be_v the_o egyptian_n a_o people_n so_o unreasonable_o give_v to_o fable_n that_o the_o wise_a action_n they_o do_v 8._o be_v to_o conceal_v their_o religion_n &_o the_o best_a office_n their_o god_n have_v be_v to_o hold_v their_o finger_n in_o their_o mouth_n to_o command_v silence_n to_o all_o that_o come_v to_o worship_v they_o but_o we_o design_v not_o here_o any_o set_a discourse_n concern_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o egyptian_a theology_n which_o yet_o be_v so_o monstrous_o ridiculous_a that_o even_o those_o who_o be_v overrun_v with_o the_o height_n of_o idolatry_n themselves_o do_v make_v it_o the_o object_n of_o their_o scorn_n and_o laughter_n and_o certain_o have_v we_o no_o other_o demonstration_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o man_n apostasy_n and_o degeneracy_n the_o egyptian_a theology_n will_v be_v a_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o it_o for_o who_o can_v but_o imagine_v a_o strange_a lowness_n of_o spirit_n in_o those_o who_o can_v fall_v down_o and_o worship_v the_o base_a and_o most_o contemptible_a of_o creature_n their_o temple_n be_v the_o best_a hieroglyphic_n of_o themselves_o fair_a and_o goodly_a structure_n without_o but_o within_o some_o deform_a creature_n enshrine_v for_o veneration_n but_o though_o the_o egyptian_n have_v lose_v their_o credit_n so_o much_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o they_o who_o be_v so_o fame_v for_o wisdom_n and_o antiquity_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o full_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o themselves_o through_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v defective_a in_o that_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v they_o they_o will_v give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o themselves_o many_o thousand_o of_o year_n before_o ever_o the_o world_n be_v make_v but_o the_o peculiar_a vanity_n of_o their_o chronology_n will_v be_v handle_v afterward_o that_o we_o now_o inquire_v into_o be_v what_o certain_a record_v they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o antiquity_n which_o may_v call_v for_o assent_v from_o any_o unprejudiced_a mind_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n real_o answer_v that_o loud_a and_o unparallelled_a cry_n of_o antiquity_n among_o the_o egyptian_n whereby_o they_o will_v make_v all_o other_o nation_n in_o comparison_n of_o they_o to_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o to_o know_v nothing_o we_o question_v not_o now_o their_o pretence_n to_o wisdom_n and_o learning_n but_o be_v the_o more_o in_o hope_n to_o meet_v with_o some_o certain_a way_n of_o satisfaction_n concern_v ancient_a time_n where_o learning_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v flourish_v so_o much_o when_o even_o greece_n itself_o be_v account_v barbarous_a the_o great_a basis_n of_o all_o the_o egyptian_a history_n depend_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o ancient_a hermes_n who_o out_o of_o their_o veneration_n 9_o they_o call_v trismegistus_n for_o to_o he_o they_o ascribe_v the_o first_o invention_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o all_o excellent_a art_n from_o he_o they_o derive_v their_o history_n their_o famous_a historian_n manâ—tho_n profess_v to_o transcribe_v his_o dynastye_n from_o the_o pillar_n of_o hermes_n we_o shall_v therefore_o first_o see_v of_o what_o credit_n and_o antiquity_n hermes_n himself_o be_v and_o of_o what_o account_v particular_o those_o pillar_n be_v which_o hold_v up_o all_o the_o fabric_n of_o manetho_n his_o dynastye_n for_o hermes_n himself_o the_o story_n concern_v he_o be_v so_o various_a and_o uncertain_a that_o some_o have_v from_o thence_o question_v whether_o ever_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n or_o no_o because_o of_o the_o strange_o different_a account_n that_o be_v give_v of_o he_o cotta_n in_o tully_n in_o order_n to_o the_o establish_v his_o academical_a doctrine_n of_o withhold_v assent_n mention_n no_o 3._o few_o than_o five_o mercury_n of_o which_o two_o he_o make_v egyptian_a one_o of_o they_o the_o hermes_n we_o now_o speak_v of_o who_o the_o egyptian_n call_v thoyth_fw-mi and_o be_v the_o author_n both_o of_o their_o law_n and_o letter_n the_o egyptian_n as_o appear_v by_o diodorus_n make_v he_o to_o be_v a_o sacred_a scribe_n to_o osiris_n and_o to_o have_v instruct_v isis_n and_o when_o osiris_n go_v upon_o any_o warlike_a expedition_n he_o commit_v the_o management_n of_o affair_n to_o he_o for_o his_o great_a wisdom_n the_o phoenician_n preserve_v his_o memory_n among_o they_o too_o for_o philo_n byblius_n say_v that_o sanchoniathon_n describe_v his_o theology_n from_o the_o book_n of_o taautus_n who_o the_o egyptian_n call_v thoyth_fw-mi who_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n and_o be_v a_o counsellor_n to_o saturn_n who_o advice_n he_o much_o rely_v on_o what_o now_o must_v we_o pitch_v upon_o in_o so_o great_a uncertainty_n how_o come_v the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a theology_n to_o come_v both_o from_o the_o same_o person_n which_o be_v conceive_v so_o much_o to_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o if_o we_o make_v the_o story_n of_o osiris_n and_o isis_n to_o be_v fabulous_a and_o mere_o allegorical_a as_o plutarch_n do_v than_o mercury_n himself_o must_v become_v a_o allegory_n and_o the_o father_n of_o letter_n must_v be_v a_o hieroglyphic_n if_o we_o admit_v the_o egyptian_n narration_n to_o be_v real_a and_o seek_v to_o reduce_v they_o to_o truth_n and_o thereby_o make_v osiris_n to_o be_v mitsraim_n the_o son_n of_o cham_n who_o first_o rule_v in_o egypt_n all_o that_o we_o can_v then_o affirm_v of_o hermes_n be_v that_o he_o may_v be_v some_o useful_a person_n who_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n both_o upon_o the_o king_n and_o state_n and_o do_v first_o settle_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o politic_a way_n of_o government_n who_o memory_n on_o that_o accout_n the_o egyptian_n may_v preserve_v with_o the_o great_a veneration_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o fall_v into_o that_o idolatry_n of_o consecrate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o first_o contributer_n to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n they_o think_v they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o adore_v his_o memory_n and_o so_o by_o degree_n attribute_v the_o invention_n of_o all_o useful_a thing_n to_o he_o for_o so_o it_o be_v apparent_a they_o do_v when_o jamblichus_n tell_v we_o the_o egyptian_n attribute_v all_o their_o book_n to_o 1._o mercury_n as_o the_o father_n of_o they_o because_o he_o be_v repute_v the_o father_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n they_o make_v all_o the_o offspring_n of_o their_o brain_n to_o bear_v their_o father_n name_n and_o this_o have_v be_v the_o great_a reason_n the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o long_a time_n impose_v upon_o with_o variety_n of_o book_n go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o hermes_n tresmegistus_n for_o he_o be_v not_o the_o first_o of_o his_o kind_n who_o in_o the_o early_a day_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n that_o cento_n or_o confuse_a mixture_n of_o the_o christian_a platonic_a and_o aegyptïan_a doctrine_n which_o be_v extant_a still_o under_o the_o name_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n who_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n have_v be_v sufficient_o detect_v by_o learned_a man_n there_o be_v long_o before_o his_o time_n extant_a several_a mercurial_a book_n as_o they_o be_v call_v which_o none_o of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a do_v ever_o look_v on_o as_o any_o other_o than_o fable_n and_o imposture_n as_o appear_v by_o porphyry_n letter_n to_o arebo_n the_o egyptian_a priest_n and_o jamblichus_n his_o answer_n to_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o egyptian_a mystery_n we_o have_v then_o no_o certainty_n at_o all_o notwithstanding_o the_o 10._o great_a fame_n of_o hermes_n of_o any_o certain_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n unless_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o sacred_a inscription_n from_o whence_o manetho_n take_v his_o history_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a way_n of_o preserve_v any_o monument_n of_o learning_n in_o those_o elder_a time_n be_v by_o these_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n especial_o among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o several_a testimony_n of_o galen_n proclus_n jamblichus_n 1._o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n call_v sapientia_fw-la secundum_fw-la egytios_n adjoin_v to_o aristotle_n who_o all_o concur_v in_o this_o that_o what_o ever_o laudable_a invention_n they_o have_v among_o they_o it_o be_v inscribe_v on_o some_o pillar_n and_o those_o preserve_v in_o their_o temple_n which_o be_v instead_o of_o library_n to_o they_o manetho_n therefore_o to_o make_v his_o story_n the_o more_o probable_a pretend_v to_o take_v all_o his_o relation_n from_o these_o sacred_a inscription_n and_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o translate_v the_o whole_a egyptian_a history_n into_o greek_a beginning_n from_o their_o god_n and_o continue_v his_o history_n down_o near_o the_o time_n of_o darius_n codomannus_n who_o alexander_n conquer_v for_o in_o eusebius_n his_o chronica_fw-la mention_n be_v make_v of_o manetho_n his_o history_n end_v 16._o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n
he_o tell_v we_o himself_o court_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n for_o compass_v his_o oedipus_n shall_v have_v find_v some_o better_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o assertion_n of_o this_o nature_n then_o mere_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n the_o hebrew_n book_n juchasin_n and_o some_o arabic_a writer_n not_o one_o of_o all_o which_o do_v mention_v the_o thing_n they_o be_v bring_v for_o viz._n that_o manetho_n be_v elder_a than_o alexander_n all_o the_o business_n be_v they_o quote_v he_o as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n but_o what_o then_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n juchasim_n be_v abraham_n zacuth_n a_o jew_n of_o salamancha_n who_o write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1502._o and_o this_o book_n be_v first_o print_v at_o constantinople_n 1556._o may_v not_o this_o man_n then_o well_o mention_n manetho_n as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n if_o he_o flourish_v above_o 1600_o year_n before_o he_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n and_o what_o if_o some_o arabic_a writer_n mention_v he_o be_v they_o of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n and_o credit_n themselves_o that_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n manetho_n live_v in_o alexander_n time_n to_o be_v praise_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v well_o if_o kircber_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n who_o think_v the_o world_n be_v grow_v to_o so_o great_a stupidity_n as_o to_o believe_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o jewel_n which_o be_v far_o fetch_v will_v first_o assert_v and_o vindicate_v the_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o their_o arabic_a author_n such_o as_o gelaldinus_n abenephi_fw-la and_o many_o other_o before_o they_o expect_v we_o shall_v part_v with_o our_o more_o authentic_a record_n of_o history_n for_o those_o fabulous_a relation_n which_o they_o be_v so_o full_o fraught_v withal_o be_v it_o here_o any_o part_n of_o my_o present_a business_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n so_o to_o lay_v open_a the_o ignorance_n falsity_n and_o fabulousness_n of_o those_o arabian_n who_o that_o author_n rely_v so_o much_o upon_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v free_v from_o a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n who_o make_v use_v of_o their_o testimony_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a time_n without_o a_o caveat_n i_o know_v none_o fit_a to_o believe_v these_o arabic_a writer_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n but_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o concoct_v the_o rabbin_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n of_o who_o origen_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v as_o grotius_n true_o 24_o say_v pessimi_fw-la historiae_fw-la magistri_fw-la nam_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la patria_fw-la expulsi_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnis_fw-la apud_fw-la illos_fw-la historia_fw-la crassis_fw-la erroribus_fw-la &_o fabulis_fw-la est_fw-la inquinata_fw-la quibus_fw-la &_o proinde_fw-la nihil_fw-la credendum_fw-la est_fw-la nisi_fw-la aliunde_fw-la testes_fw-la accederunt_fw-la and_o as_o is._n caubason_n pass_v this_o sharp_a but_o due_a censure_n upon_o they_o rabbinis_fw-la ubi_fw-la de_fw-la lingna_fw-la 8._o hebraica_n agitur_fw-la &_o vocis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la proprietate_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquo_fw-la talmudico_fw-la instituto_fw-la meritò_fw-la à _fw-la christianis_fw-la tribui_fw-la non_fw-la parum_fw-la nbi_fw-la verò_fw-la à _fw-la verbis_fw-la venitur_fw-la ad_fw-la res_fw-la aut_fw-la ad_fw-la historiam_fw-la vel_fw-la rerum_fw-la antiquarum_fw-la veteris_fw-la populi_fw-la explicationem_fw-la nisi_fw-la falli_fw-la &_o decipi_fw-la volumus_fw-la nihil_fw-la admodum_fw-la esse_fw-la illis_fw-la fidei_fw-la habendum_fw-la sexcentis_fw-la argumentis_fw-la hoc_fw-la facilè_fw-la probarem_fw-la si_fw-la id_fw-la nunc_fw-la agerem_fw-la and_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o ancient_a rite_n as_o well_o as_o history_n joseph_n scaliger_n have_v give_v this_o verdict_n of_o they_o manifesta_fw-la est_fw-la judaeorum_n inscitia_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la usu_fw-la veterum_fw-la rituum_fw-la etiam_fw-la corum_fw-la 6._o cognitionem_fw-la amiserunt_fw-la &_o multa_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la sacra_fw-la &_o historiam_fw-la pertinent_a longè_fw-la meliùs_fw-la nos_fw-la teneamus_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsi_fw-la the_o same_o which_o these_o very_a learned_a person_n say_v of_o rabbinical_a may_v with_o as_o much_o truth_n be_v say_v of_o these_o arabic_a writer_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a history_n which_o i_o have_v here_o insert_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v think_v the_o testimony_n of_o either_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n so_o inconsiderable_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n which_o be_v historical_a and_o that_o of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n little_a relief_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o order_n thereto_o but_o to_o return_v to_o kircher_n it_o be_v free_o grant_v that_o josephus_n a_o author_n of_o credit_n and_o age_n sufficient_a to_o give_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o case_n do_v very_o frequent_o cite_v manetho_n in_o his_o egyptian_a history_n particular_o in_o his_o learned_a book_n against_o appion_n but_o where_o he_o do_v give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o manetho_n be_v elder_n than_o alexander_n i_o be_o yet_o to_o seek_v but_o kircher_n will_v not_o yet_o leave_v the_o matter_n so_o but_o undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o mistake_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o manetho_n beside_o and_o both_o egyptian_n mention_v by_o suidas_n one_o a_o mendesian_n who_o write_v of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o egyptian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o perfume_n use_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n the_o other_o a_o diospolitan_a who_o write_v some_o physiological_a and_o astronomical_a treatise_n who_o work_n he_o hear_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o duke_n of_o florenee_n his_o library_n and_o this_o be_v he_o say_v he_o who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n who_o many_o by_o the_o aequivocation_n of_o the_o name_n have_v confound_v with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n be_v it_o possible_a so_o learned_a a_o jesuite_n shall_v discover_v so_o little_a judgement_n in_o so_o few_o word_n for_o first_o who_o ever_o assert_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o dynastye_n to_o have_v live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n yet_o second_o if_o that_o manetho_n who_o suidas_n there_o speak_v of_o live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n according_a to_o kircher_n than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o dynastye_n do_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o look_v into_o suidas_n that_o he_o there_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v of_o manetho_n sebennyta_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dynastye_n though_o he_o may_v write_v other_o thing_n beside_o of_o which_o suidas_n there_o speak_v but_o kircher_n very_o wise_o in_o translate_n suidas_n his_o word_n leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o decide_v the_o controversy_n and_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n of_o who_o we_o have_v be_v discourse_v thus_o it_o still_o appear_v that_o this_o manetho_n be_v no_o elder_a than_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v now_o for_o berosus_n although_o the_o chaldean_n have_v occasion_n 10._o enough_o give_v they_o before_o this_o time_n to_o produce_v their_o antiquity_n by_o the_o jew_n converse_v with_o they_o in_o babylon_n yet_o we_o find_v this_o author_n the_o first_o who_o dare_v adventure_v they_o abroad_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o greek_z now_o that_o this_o berosus_n publish_v his_o history_n after_o the_o time_n mention_v i_o thus_o prove_v tatianus_n assyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v the_o chaldaic_a history_n in_o three_o book_n and_o dedicate_v they_o to_o antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o tatianus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o paris_n steph._n edition_n of_o tatianus_n as_o well_o as_o the_o basil_n it_o be_v thus_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o three_o from_o alexander_n in_o the_o other_o to_o the_o three_o from_o seleucus_n now_o if_o we_o reckon_v the_o three_o so_o as_o to_o take_v the_o person_n from_o who_o we_o reckon_v in_o for_o the_o first_o according_a to_o the_o read_n in_o eusebius_n it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o other_o read_v it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n soter_n for_o seleucus_n succeed_v alexander_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n antiochus_n soter_n seleucus_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antiochus_n soter_n but_o according_a to_o either_o of_o these_o reading_n 392._o our_o purpose_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o antiochus_n soter_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o syria_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o ptol._n philadelphus_n in_o egypt_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d succeed_v he_o in_o the_o 22._o year_n of_o philadelphus_n
real_a learning_n or_o truth_n at_o all_o in_o they_o for_o this_o though_o he_o be_v sharp_o censure_v by_o strabo_n in_o his_o first_o book_n who_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v the_o geography_n of_o homer_n from_o the_o exception_n of_o eratosthenes_n yet_o himself_n can_v but_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o â—very_n great_a mixture_n of_o fable_n in_o all_o their_o poet_n which_o be_v say_v he_o partly_o to_o delight_v the_o people_n and_o partly_o to_o awe_v they_o for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v always_o desirous_a of_o novelty_n such_o thing_n do_v huge_o please_v the_o natural_a humour_n of_o weak_a people_n especial_o if_o there_o be_v something_o in_o they_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a it_o increase_v the_o delight_n in_o hear_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o draw_v they_o on_o to_o a_o desire_n of_o hear_v more_o of_o it_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n say_v he_o be_v child_n first_o bring_v on_o to_o learning_n and_o all_o ignorant_a person_n be_v keep_v in_o awe_n nay_o and_o the_o more_o learned_a themselves_o partly_o for_o want_n of_o reason_n and_o judgement_n and_o partly_o from_o the_o remainder_n of_o those_o impression_n which_o these_o thing_n make_v upon_o they_o when_o they_o be_v child_n can_v shake_v off_o that_o former_a credulity_n which_o they_o have_v as_o to_o these_o thing_n by_o which_o discourse_n of_o strabo_n though_o intend_v whole_o by_o he_o in_o vindication_n of_o poetic_a fable_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a what_o great_a disservice_n have_v be_v do_v to_o truth_n by_o they_o by_o reason_n they_o have_v no_o other_o record_n to_o preserve_v their_o ancient_a history_n but_o these_o fabulous_a writer_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v a_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n together_o which_o strabo_n contend_v for_o yet_o what_o way_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o false_a when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o certain_a record_n and_o beside_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v how_o hard_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v even_o for_o wise_a man_n to_o excuss_v those_o fabulous_a narration_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n which_o be_v insinuate_v into_o they_o by_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o prejudice_n custom_n and_o education_n can_v work_v upon_o they_o grant_v then_o there_o may_v be_v some_o truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o fabulous_a narration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o with_o some_o please_a tale_n as_o himself_o 3._o compare_v it_o yet_o how_o shall_v those_o come_v to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v only_o gild_a that_o never_o see_v any_o pure_a metal_n and_o do_v always_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v what_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v have_v there_o be_v any_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o touchstone_n to_o have_v difference_v between_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o way_n for_o a_o separation_n of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v none_o such_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o fabulous_a narration_n of_o poet_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v truth_n more_o pleasant_a by_o their_o fiction_n have_v so_o adulterate_v it_o that_o we_o can_v find_v any_o credibility_n at_o all_o in_o their_o narration_n of_o elder_a time_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n have_v have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o conveyance_n but_o through_o their_o fiction_n but_o though_o poet_n may_v be_v allow_v their_o liberty_n for_o represent_v thing_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o palate_n 5_o of_o their_o reader_n yet_o we_o may_v just_o expect_v when_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v historical_a they_o shall_v deliver_v we_o nothing_o but_o what_o upon_o strict_a examination_n may_v prove_v undoubted_a truth_n yet_o even_o this_o be_v the_o greek_n far_o from_o for_o strabo_n himself_o confess_v of_o their_o elder_a historian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o first_o historian_n both_o of_o persen_n 1._o and_o thing_n be_v fabulous_a diodorus_n particular_o instance_v in_o their_o elder_a historian_n as_o cadmus_n milesius_n hecataeus_n and_o hellanicus_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o fabulousness_n strabo_n condemn_v damastes_n sigeensis_fw-la for_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n and_o wonder_n at_o eratosthenes_n for_o make_v use_n of_o he_o yet_o this_o man_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n among_o they_o and_o his_o testimony_n use_v by_o author_n of_o good_a credit_n as_o diony_n 5._o halycarnassius_fw-la plutarch_n and_o other_o nay_o pliny_n profess_v to_o follow_v he_o and_o so_o he_o do_v aristeus_n procennesius_fw-la in_o his_o arimaspia_n which_o may_v render_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o history_n very_o suspicious_a with_o who_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o credibility_n to_o any_o story_n that_o he_o find_v it_o in_o some_o greek_a author_n strabo_n reckon_v damastes_n with_o euëmerus_fw-la messenius_n and_o antiphanes_n bergeus_fw-la which_o latter_a be_v so_o note_v a_o liar_n that_o from_o he_o as_o stephanus_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v as_o a_o proverb_n for_o to_o speak_v never_o a_o word_n of_o truth_n aristeus_n proconnesius_n live_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o write_v a_o history_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n in_o three_o book_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sir_n john_n maridevil_n of_o greece_n from_o his_o story_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n with_o one_o eye_n in_o their_o forehead_n and_o their_o continual_a fight_v with_o the_o gryphens_n for_o gold_n yet_o the_o story_n be_v take_v upon_o trust_n by_o herodotus_n pliny_n and_o many_o other_o though_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o who_o have_v visit_v those_o northern_a climate_n do_v sufficient_o refute_v these_o folly_n strabo_n say_v of_o this_o aristeus_n that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o inferior_a to_o none_o for_o juggle_a which_o cenfure_n be_v probable_o occasion_v by_o â—3_n the_o common_a story_n of_o he_o that_o he_o can_v let_v his_o soul_n out_o of_o his_o body_n when_o he_o please_v and_o bring_v it_o again_o yet_o this_o juggler_n do_v celsus_n pitch_v on_o to_o confront_v with_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o herocles_n do_v on_o apollinus_n so_o much_o have_v those_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o reason_n who_o have_v fight_v to_o oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o further_a what_o credit_n can_v we_o give_v to_o those_o historian_n who_o have_v strive_v to_o confute_v each_o other_o and_o lay_v open_a 6._o one_o another_o falsehood_n to_o the_o world_n where_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o such_o dissonancy_n in_o the_o sacred_a history_n of_o scripture_n do_v the_o writer_n of_o one_o book_n discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o another_o do_v not_o all_o the_o part_n so_o exact_o agree_v that_o the_o most_o probable_a suspicion_n can_v ever_o fall_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o infidel_n be_v that_o they_o be_v all_o write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n which_o yet_o the_o series_n of_o time_n manifest_v to_o have_v be_v 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only_a recourse_n for_o decide_v the_o controversy_n among_o the_o young_a historian_n must_v be_v to_o the_o elder_a and_o here_o we_o be_v further_a to_o seek_v then_o ever_o for_o the_o first_o age_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v poetical_a and_o to_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o truth_n in_o they_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o any_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o ancient_a time_n among_o the_o greek_a historian_n which_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o evident_a when_o we_o add_v this_o that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o extant_a of_o those_o historian_n who_o do_v carry_v the_o great_a name_n for_o antiquity_n the_o high_a antiquity_n of_o the_o greek_a historian_n do_v not_o much_o exceed_v the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o cambyses_n as_o vossius_fw-la have_v 7._o full_o demonstrate_v in_o his_o learned_a book_n de_fw-fr historiâ—is_fw-la graecis_fw-la and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v spare_v particular_a inquiry_n into_o their_o
be_v convert_v from_o plato_n to_o christ_n and_o then_o find_v that_o true_a which_o he_o speak_v of_o in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n that_o after_o all_o his_o inquiry_n into_o philosophy_n speak_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o find_v this_o at_o last_o to_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a par._n and_o profitable_a philosophy_n and_o when_o trypho_n after_o deride_v he_o as_o a_o man_n of_o very_o easy_a faith_n who_o will_v leave_v the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n for_o that_o of_o christ_n for_o it_o seem_v by_o he_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o the_o state_n of_o platonist_n then_o christian_n justin_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v move_v with_o such_o reproach_n that_o he_o tell_v he_o he_o will_v undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v to_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o christian_n do_v not_o give_v credit_n to_o empty_a fable_n and_o unprovable_a assertion_n but_o to_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v full_a of_o a_o divine_a spirit_n and_o power_n and_o flourish_v with_o grace_n the_o prove_v of_o which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o that_o discourse_n at_o alexandria_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o succession_n of_o excellent_a person_n all_o which_o be_v not_o only_a embracer_n themselves_o but_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o set_v aside_o there_o abilius_n justus_n cerdo_n eumenes_n marcus_n celadion_n agrippinus_n julianus_n demetrius_n and_o other_o who_o flourish_v about_o the_o second_o century_n i_o shall_v only_o fix_v on_o those_o person_n who_o be_v famous_a enquirer_n after_o truth_n and_o note_v for_o excellency_n in_o heathen_a learning_n yet_o these_o person_n after_o all_o their_o inquiry_n find_v nothing_o to_o fix_v on_o but_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o value_v no_o other_o discovery_n of_o truth_n in_o comparison_n with_o that_o such_o be_v pantaenus_n who_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v a_o excellent_a stoic_a before_o he_o become_v a_o christian_a and_o be_v after_o so_o eminent_a a_o one_o that_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o apostle_n he_o wenâ—_n into_o india_n to_o convert_v the_o inhabitant_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o at_o his_o return_n be_v make_v rector_n of_o the_o school_n at_o alexandria_n which_o as_o the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o be_v much_o frequent_v by_o such_o who_o be_v 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d well_o skill_v in_o humane_a as_o well_o as_o divine_a learning_n how_o excellent_a pantaenus_n be_v in_o 20._o humane_a learning_n may_v appear_v in_o that_o origen_n and_o hierome_n both_o make_v his_o example_n their_o plea_n for_o the_o study_v of_o it_o after_o he_o succeed_v clemens_n alexandrinus_n pantaenus_n his_o scholar_n a_o person_n of_o great_a depth_n of_o learning_n and_o exquisite_o skill_v in_o all_o heathen_a antiquity_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o remain_a write_n the_o learning_n of_o origen_n be_v sufficient_o know_v which_o be_v in_o such_o great_a reputation_n in_o his_o own_o time_n that_o not_o only_a christian_n 18._o but_o philosopher_n flock_v to_o his_o lecture_n at_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o wherein_o he_o read_v the_o mathematics_n and_o other_o part_n of_o philosophy_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o same_o author_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o philosopher_n do_v dedicate_v their_o book_n to_o he_o and_o sometime_o choose_v he_o as_o arbitrator_n between_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o dispute_n and_o porphyry_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o christian_n vouchsafe_v a_o high_a encomium_fw-la of_o origen_n for_o his_o excellent_a learning_n in_o origen_n time_n heraclas_n a_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n for_o five_o year_n together_o frequent_v the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o put_v on_o the_o philosophic_a pallium_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 20._o be_v very_o conversant_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o grecian_a learning_n beside_o these_o we_o read_v of_o pierius_n and_o achillas_n two_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 35._o as_o nicephorus_n callistus_n speak_v person_n well_o skill_v in_o the_o grecian_a learning_n and_o philosophy_n if_o from_o alexandria_n we_o go_v to_o caesarea_n there_o we_o not_o only_o meet_v with_o a_o school_n of_o learning_n among_o the_o christian_n but_o with_o person_n very_o eminent_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n such_o be_v the_o famous_a pamphilus_n and_o eusebius_n so_o great_a a_o admirer_n of_o he_o that_o ever_o since_o he_o be_v call_v eusebius_n pamphili_n at_o antioch_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o nicephorus_n 35._o speak_v a_o person_n verse_v in_o all_o kind_n of_o ingenuous_a literature_n anatclius_fw-la bishop_n of_o laodicea_n one_o verse_v in_o geometry_n astronomy_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o philosophy_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o 36._o christ._n thus_o we_o see_v how_o in_o those_o early_a day_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n what_o excellent_a person_n many_o of_o those_o be_v who_o be_v zealous_a professor_n of_o christianity_n and_o concern_v those_o of_o the_o latin_a church_n i_o shall_v only_o mention_v that_o speech_n of_o st._n austin_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o a_o star_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n among_o they_o nun_n aspicimus_fw-la quanto_fw-la auro_fw-la &_o argento_fw-la &_o uâ—ste_fw-la sâ—ffarcinatus_fw-la exierit_fw-la de_fw-fr 40._o aegypto_n cyprian's_n doctor_a suavissimus_fw-la &_o martyr_n beatissimus_fw-la quanto_fw-la lactantius_n quanto_fw-la victorinus_n optatus_n hilarius_n ut_fw-la de_fw-fr vivis_fw-la taceam_fw-la quanto_fw-la innumerabiles_fw-la graeci_fw-la quod_fw-la prio_fw-la ipse_fw-la fidelissimus_fw-la dei_fw-la servus_n moses_n fecerat_fw-la de_fw-la quo_fw-la scriptum_n est_fw-la quod_fw-la eruditus_fw-la fuerit_fw-la omni_fw-la sapientia_fw-la aegyptiorum_n to_o who_o catalogue_n of_o learned_a person_n among_o the_o latin_a christian_n tertullian_n arnobius_n and_o several_a other_o may_v be_v deserve_o add_v but_o as_o st._n austin_n there_o well_o observe_v though_o the_o israclite_n go_v rich_a out_o of_o egypt_n yet_o it_o be_v their_o eat_v the_o passover_n which_o save_v they_o from_o destruction_n so_o though_o these_o be_v accomplish_v with_o those_o perfection_n and_o riches_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o ornament_n of_o learning_n yet_o it_o be_v their_o eat_v the_o true_a passover_n which_o be_v christ_n by_o their_o adhere_n to_o his_o doctrine_n be_v that_o which_o will_v be_v of_o more_o advantage_n to_o they_o than_o all_o their_o accomplishment_n will_v be_v now_o then_o since_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o find_v not_o only_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o person_n of_o great_a integrity_n and_o sobriety_n in_o their_o life_n embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o so_o many_o person_n that_o be_v curious_a enquirer_n after_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n we_o can_v certain_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o distrust_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v receive_v in_o so_o unanimous_a a_o manner_n by_o person_n as_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o as_o fearful_a of_o be_v deceive_v in_o reference_n to_o they_o as_o any_o now_o in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v 2._o as_o this_o testimony_n be_v receive_v by_o person_n inquisitive_a after_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n so_o the_o doctrine_n convey_v by_o it_o be_v a_o 19_o matter_n of_o the_o high_a moment_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o person_n ordinary_o inquisitive_a about_o other_o thing_n will_v be_v more_o then_o ordinary_o so_o about_o this_o because_o their_o eternal_a welfare_n and_o happiness_n do_v depend_v upon_o it_o all_o person_n that_o be_v true_o religious_a must_v at_o least_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v person_n very_o inquisitive_a after_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o their_o soul_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v dislodge_v from_o their_o body_n and_o if_o we_o do_v but_o grant_v this_o can_v we_o in_o any_o reason_n think_v that_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o person_n in_o so_o many_o age_n shall_v continue_v venture_v their_o soul_n upon_o a_o testimony_n which_o they_o have_v no_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o and_o that_o none_o of_o all_o these_o person_n though_o man_n otherwise_o rational_a and_o judicious_a shall_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o go_v upon_o if_o at_o least_o any_o upon_o consideration_n of_o it_o can_v imagine_v it_o to_o be_v so_o it_o be_v not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o general_a presumption_n of_o humane_a nature_n concern_v divine_a providence_n and_o the_o care_n god_n take_v of_o the_o welfare_n of_o man_n to_o suffer_v so_o many_o person_n who_o sincere_o desire_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o the_o way_n which_o be_v most_o please_a to_o he_o to_o go_v on_o in_o such_o a_o continual_a delusion_n and_o never_o have_v it_o at_o all_o discover_v to_o they_o if_o all_o than_o who_o
religion_n lie_v in_o two_o thing_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o rule_v the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o subsist_v after_o death_n for_o he_o that_o come_v unto_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o 6._o they_o that_o seek_v he_o so_o that_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o suppose_v as_o most_o agreeable_a to_o humane_a reason_n we_o can_v imagine_v upon_o what_o ground_n mankind_n shall_v embrace_v any_o way_n of_o religion_n at_o all_o for_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o god_n who_o i_o be_o to_o serve_v and_o obey_v and_o if_o i_o have_v not_o a_o soul_n of_o a_o immortal_a nature_n there_o can_v be_v no_o sufficient_a obligation_n to_o religion_n nor_o motive_n induce_v to_o it_o for_o all_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n must_v suppose_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o be_v which_o have_v power_n to_o command_v i_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o promiscuous_a scatter_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n in_o this_o life_n the_o motive_n engage_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n must_v suppose_v the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v sure_a and_o the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n in_o general_a thereby_o firm_o establish_v it_o will_v present_o follow_v as_o a_o matter_n most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o the_o god_n who_o we_o be_v to_o serve_v shall_v himself_o prescribe_v the_o way_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n and_o if_o the_o right_n of_o donation_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o man_n soul_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v alone_o in_o himself_o that_o he_o alone_o shall_v declare_v the_o term_n on_o which_o it_o may_v be_v expect_v for_o man_n be_v a_o creature_n endue_v with_o a_o free_a principle_n of_o act_v which_o he_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o of_o and_o therefore_o not_o be_v carry_v to_o his_o end_n by_o necessity_n of_o nature_n or_o external_a violence_n without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o choice_n we_o must_v suppose_v this_o happiness_n to_o depend_v upon_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o condition_n on_o man_n part_n whereby_o he_o may_v demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o free_a choice_n and_o that_o he_o free_o quit_v all_o other_o interest_n that_o he_o may_v obtain_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o which_o condition_n to_o be_v perform_v be_v expression_n of_o man_n obedience_n towards_o god_n as_o his_o creator_n and_o governor_n and_o of_o his_o gratitude_n for_o the_o tender_v of_o so_o great_a a_o happiness_n which_o be_v the_o free_a gift_n of_o his_o maker_n we_o can_v suppose_v any_o one_o to_o have_v power_n to_o prescribe_v these_o condition_n but_o he_o that_o have_v power_n likewise_o to_o deprive_v the_o soul_n of_o her_o happiness_n upon_o non-performance_n and_o that_o must_v be_v god_n himself_o but_o in_o order_n to_o man_n understanding_n his_o duty_n and_o his_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o these_o 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by_o time_n and_o swallow_v up_o in_o that_o vast_a and_o all-devouring_a gulf_n in_o which_o yet_o their_o head_n still_o appear_v above_o the_o water_n to_o tell_v we_o what_o once_o they_o inform_v the_o world_n of_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o if_o many_o of_o those_o ancient_a history_n be_v yet_o remain_v we_o may_v probable_o have_v some_o great_a light_n into_o some_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o elder_a time_n of_o greece_n which_o now_o we_o be_v whole_o to_o seek_v for_o unless_o we_o think_v to_o quench_v our_o thirst_n in_o the_o muddy_a water_n of_o some_o fabulous_a poet_n for_o what_o be_v now_o become_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o jonia_n and_o the_o city_n miletus_n write_v by_o cadmus_n miletius_n suppose_v to_o be_v the_o first_o writer_n of_o history_n where_o lie_v the_o genealogy_n of_o acusilaus_n argivus_n where_o be_v now_o extant_a the_o history_n of_o the_o god_n writter_n by_o pherecydes_n scyrus_n pythagoras_n his_o master_n or_o the_o chronica_fw-la of_o archilochus_n who_o flourish_v about_o the_o 20._o olympiad_n or_o those_o of_o theagenes_n rheginus_n where_o may_v we_o hope_v to_o meet_v with_o pherecydes_n lerius_fw-la his_fw-la attic_a antiquity_n or_o his_o catalogue_n of_o city_n and_o nation_n or_o hecataeus_n his_o description_n of_o asia_n and_o some_o suppose_v of_o libya_n and_o europe_n too_o or_o the_o original_n of_o nation_n and_o founder_n of_o city_n write_v by_o hellanicus_n how_o may_v we_o come_v by_o the_o persic_a greek_a and_o egyptian_a history_n of_o charon_n lampsacenus_n the_o lydian_a history_n of_o xanthus_n lydius_n the_o samian_a antiquity_n of_o simmias_n rhodius_n the_o corinthian_a history_n of_o eumelus_n corinthius_n panyasis_n his_o antiquity_n of_o greece_n the_o scythian_a history_n of_o anacharsis_n the_o phrygian_a of_o diagoras_n the_o chaldaic_a and_o persian_a of_o democritus_n the_o sicilian_a and_o italian_a of_o hippys_n rhâ—ginus_n the_o telchiniack_a history_n of_o teleclides_n all_o these_o be_v now_o bury_v with_o many_o more_o in_o the_o rubbish_n of_o time_n and_o we_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o mere_a sceleton_n of_o they_o leave_v to_o tell_v we_o that_o once_o such_o person_n be_v and_o think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o give_v the_o world_n some_o account_n of_o their_o be_v in_o it_o whereby_o may_v be_v likewise_o see_v the_o remarkable_a providence_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o sacred_a history_n which_o though_o of_o far_o great_a antiquity_n than_o any_o of_o these_o have_v survive_v they_o all_o and_o be_v still_o preserve_v with_o as_o much_o purity_n and_o incorruption_n as_o a_o book_n pass_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n be_v capable_a of_o but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n but_o yet_o if_o the_o greek_a historian_n that_o be_v yet_o extant_a be_v of_o 8._o more_o undoubted_a credit_n then_o those_o that_o be_v lose_v we_o may_v easy_o bear_v with_o our_o lose_v some_o old_a story_n if_o we_o gain_v some_o authentic_a history_n 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in_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o greece_n be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o confusion_n unquiet_a station_n frequent_a removal_n continual_a pyracye_n and_o no_o settle_a form_n of_o commonwealth_n what_o certain_a account_n can_v be_v then_o expect_v of_o those_o time_n when_o a_o most_o judicious_a writer_n even_o of_o athens_n its_o self_n acknowledge_v such_o a_o chaos_n in_o their_o ancient_a history_n and_o plutarch_n a_o late_a author_n indeed_o but_o scarce_o behind_o any_o of_o they_o if_o we_o believe_v taurus_n in_o a._n gellius_n for_o learning_n and_o prudence_n dare_v not_o we_o see_v venture_v any_o further_a back_n than_o the_o time_n of_o theseus_n for_o before_o that_o time_n as_o he_o compare_v it_o as_o geographer_n in_o their_o map_n when_o they_o have_v go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v fill_v up_o the_o empty_a space_n with_o some_o unpassable_a mountain_n or_o freeze_a sea_n or_o devour_a sand_n so_o those_o who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o elder_a time_n be_v fain_o to_o insert_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o wonderful_a and_o tragical_a story_n which_o as_o he_o say_v have_v neither_o any_o truth_n nor_o certainty_n in_o they_o thus_o we_o see_v those_o who_o be_v best_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o greek_a antiquity_n can_v find_v no_o sure_a foot_n to_o stand_v on_o in_o they_o and_o what_o basis_n can_v we_o find_v for_o our_o faith_n where_o they_o can_v find_v so_o little_a for_o their_o knowledge_n and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v more_o dare_a and_o venturous_a than_o these_o person_n mention_v what_o a_o labyrinth_n have_v they_o run_v themselves_o into_o how_o many_o confusion_n and_o contradiction_n have_v they_o involve_v themselves_o in_o sometime_o write_v the_o passage_n of_o other_o country_n for_o those_o of_o greece_n and_o at_o other_o time_n so_o confound_v time_n person_n and_o place_n that_o one_o may_v think_v they_o have_v only_o a_o design_n upon_o the_o understanding_n of_o their_o reader_n to_o make_v they_o play_v at_o blind-mans-buff_n in_o search_v for_o the_o king_n of_o greece_n but_o as_o they_o be_v so_o confuse_v in_o their_o own_o history_n so_o they_o 9_o be_v as_o ignorant_a and_o fabulous_a when_o they_o dare_v venture_v over_o their_o own_o threshold_n and_o look_v abroad_o into_o other_o country_n we_o certain_o owe_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o lamentable_a ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a original_n of_o most_o nation_n to_o the_o pitiful_a account_n the_o greek_a author_n have_v give_v of_o they_o which_o have_v have_v the_o fortune_n to_o be_v entertain_v in_o the_o world_n with_o so_o much_o esteem_v and_o veneration_n that_o it_o have_v be_v think_v learning_n enough_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o account_n which_o they_o give_v of_o nation_n which_o i_o doubt_v not_o have_v be_v the_o great_a reason_n so_o many_o fabulous_a relation_n not_o only_o of_o nation_n but_o person_n and_o several_a animal_n never_o exist_v in_o the_o world_n have_v meet_v with_o so_o 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