to_o see_v a_o atheist_n tell_v fortune_n a_o deist_n in_o quest_n of_o the_o philosopher_n stone_n and_o a_o libertine_n venture_v all_o his_o present_a pleasure_n and_o enjoyment_n in_o a_o rebellion_n for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o posterity_n and_o yet_o such_o be_v general_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o irreligious_a and_o it_o be_v a_o just_a judgement_n from_o god_n upon_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v give_v up_o to_o believe_v lie_n and_o to_o act_v against_o their_o own_o interest_n to_o throw_v off_o the_o principle_n of_o truth_n and_o not_o make_v the_o best_a of_o their_o error_n upon_o which_o account_n i_o think_v if_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n and_o his_o christ_n be_v so_o far_o resolve_v upon_o the_o way_n of_o vnrighteousness_n that_o they_o will_v not_o consider_v the_o proof_n of_o their_o duty_n in_o order_n to_o be_v reform_v they_o will_v do_v well_o to_o betake_v themselves_o for_o refuge_n to_o ignorance_n and_o amusement_n rather_o than_o learning_n and_o reason_v for_o all_o the_o improvement_n of_o knowledge_n do_v only_o furnish_v new_a light_n and_o strength_n to_o religion_n and_o administer_v fresh_a occasion_n of_o shame_n and_o confusion_n to_o unbeliever_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v more_o advisable_a for_o they_o to_o keep_v up_o their_o infidelity_n to_o themselves_o than_o to_o let_v it_o loose_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o other_o they_o have_v much_o better_o entrench_v than_o attack_z for_o beside_o that_o all_o attempt_n upon_o virtue_n and_o piety_n annoy_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n without_o any_o advantage_n to_o their_o cause_n that_o make_v they_o it_o will_v be_v more_o for_o their_o ease_n to_o lie_v quiet_a for_o argue_v and_o object_v against_o religion_n and_o make_v proselyte_n to_o infidelity_n be_v not_o only_o certain_a sign_n of_o present_a uneasiness_n but_o will_v very_o probable_o create_v they_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o if_o they_o will_v be_v continual_o dispute_v and_o press_v their_o objection_n they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o something_o or_o other_o to_o puzzle_v and_o startle_v they_o and_o this_o may_v awaken_v their_o fear_n and_o raise_v new_a disquiet_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o may_v at_o last_o end_n in_o a_o just_a despair_n when_o they_o will_v be_v able_a to_o repent_v of_o nothing_o but_o this_o that_o they_o be_v not_o content_a to_o enjoy_v the_o fruit_n of_o irreligion_n without_o offer_v to_o defend_v it_o i_o hearty_o wish_v such_o advice_n as_o this_o to_o vnbeliver_v be_v needless_a and_o that_o they_o be_v serious_o dispose_v to_o embrace_v a_o more_o reasonable_a and_o last_a satisfaction_n by_o enter_v upon_o a_o humble_a and_o impartial_a examination_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o effect_n of_o extraordinary_a grace_n all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o that_o undertake_v to_o set_v these_o proof_n in_o the_o best_a light_n they_o can_v be_v to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o gainsayer_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n of_o infidelity_n from_o spread_v further_o than_o it_o have_v do_v and_o it_o be_v my_o sincere_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o the_o follow_a discourse_n may_v have_v a_o share_n with_o many_o other_o upon_o the_o same_o subject_a in_o contribute_v to_o so_o good_a a_o effect_n all_o that_o i_o have_v to_o warn_v my_o reader_n of_o be_v that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v incline_v to_o judge_v that_o the_o abstract_n i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n there_o relate_v either_o unnecessary_a or_o too_o long_o they_o will_v pass_v over_o these_o part_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o be_v read_v by_o those_o for_o who_o this_o discourse_n be_v principal_o design_v most_o of_o which_o i_o believe_v will_v know_v more_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o that_o abstract_n of_o it_o i_o have_v draw_v up_o than_o they_o do_v before_o and_o i_o dare_v not_o presume_v so_o far_o upon_o they_o as_o to_o take_v the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n for_o grant_v because_o if_o they_o be_v true_a i_o look_v upon_o all_o the_o other_o as_o demonstrable_a from_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n as_o firm_a and_o as_o broad_a as_o i_o can_v that_o it_o may_v bear_v the_o weight_n of_o what_o i_o be_v to_o build_v upon_o it_o and_o i_o persuade_v myself_o i_o have_v all_o along_o take_v sufficient_a care_n not_o to_o overload_v it_o i_o have_v not_o be_v precise_a as_o to_o time_n and_o some_o other_o circumstance_n relate_v to_o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n because_o what_o i_o be_v to_o prove_v be_v as_o full_o make_v good_a within_o the_o latitude_n allow_v as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v more_o punctual_o determine_v errata_fw-la in_o the_o book_n page_n 31._o line_n 10._o know_v read_v know_v p._n 39_o l._n 14_o measure_n r._n measure_n p_o 41._o l._n 27._o he_o r._n him_z p._n 44._o l._n 5._o discourse_n r._n discovery_n p._n 53._o l._n 19_o as_o r._n a._n p._n 59_o l._n 10._o too_o true_a r._n to_o be_v true_a p._n 62._o l._n 24._o happen_v d._n p._n 67._o l._n 26._o of_o r._n as_o p._n 76._o l._n 12._o year_n r._n year_n p._n 79._o l._n 9_o r._n country_n p._n 99_o l._n 13._o r._n must_v be_v p._n 106._o instance_a in_o d._n p._n 107._o l._n 6._o word_n r._n record_n p._n 109._o l._n 14._o r._n diocletian_a p._n 110._o l._n 24._o sense_n r._n force_n p._n 112._o l._n last_o then_o r._n there_o p._n 115._o l._n 23._o design_n r._n design_n p._n 140._o l._n 22._o r._n according_a to_o p._n 160._o l._n 22._o relation_n r._n relator_n p._n 163._o l._n 26._o r._n perception_n p._n 174._o l._n 12._o r._n truth_n of_o p._n 192._o l._n 2._o execute_v r._n excite_v p._n 211._o l._n 14._o r._n some_o such_o p._n 228._o l._n 3._o ever_o r._n never_o p._n 240._o l._n 6._o then_o r._n than_o p._n 287._o l._n 10._o r._n p._n 293_o l._n last_o r._n p._n 298_o l._n 19_o at_o r._n of_o p._n 304._o l._n 23._o to_o be_v d._n be_v p._n 316._o l._n 10._o scheme_n r._n scene_n p._n 337._o l._n 11._o motive_n r._n monument_n p._n 339._o l._n 5._o be_v r._n be_v p._n 353._o l._n 2._o r._n frame_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v it._n have_v in_o a_o former_a discourse_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o this_o god_n have_v appoint_v we_o a_o certain_a rule_n and_o order_n of_o life_n that_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o conform_v to_o his_o will_n and_o appointment_n by_o annex_v happiness_n to_o our_o obedience_n and_o misery_n to_o our_o disobedience_n that_o the_o rule_n he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o go_v by_o be_v whatever_o we_o can_v upon_o our_o own_o enquiry_n or_o the_o information_n of_o other_o discover_z to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o our_o pure_a and_o most_o unprejudiced_a reason_n all_o which_o be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n have_v likewise_o show_v that_o a_o general_a and_o exact_a observance_n of_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o such_o religion_n will_v advance_v the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n to_o the_o high_a degree_n they_o be_v in_o this_o their_o mortal_a condition_n capable_a of_o and_o from_o these_o principle_n together_o with_o the_o present_a irregularity_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o future_a state_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n proportion_v to_o the_o different_a behaviour_n of_o man_n in_o this_o i_o have_v now_o far_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o beside_o those_o token_n and_o indication_n god_n have_v give_v of_o himself_o his_o will_n and_o design_n in_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v discoverable_a by_o right_a well-exercised_n reason_n he_o have_v in_o a_o more_o extraordinary_a manner_n viz._n by_o immediate_a revelation_n from_o himself_o make_v know_v his_o mind_n to_o we_o by_o which_o mean_n he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o clear_a and_o entire_a view_n of_o the_o forementioned_a rational_a truth_n render_v our_o knowledge_n of_o they_o more_o certain_a plain_a and_o particular_a discover_v a_o great_a many_o new_a truth_n which_o the_o unassi_v force_n of_o human_a faculty_n can_v not_o have_v find_v out_o and_o establish_v new_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o duty_n over_o and_o above_o those_o our_o reason_n be_v before_o by_o its_o utmost_a effort_n able_a to_o inform_v we_o of_o all_o which_o extraordinary_a discovery_n i_o affirm_v to_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o all_o the_o doctrine_n precept_n and_o direction_n
doctrine_n and_o miracle_n all_o which_o be_v tell_v as_o happen_v in_o the_o life-time_n of_o christ_n most_o of_o the_o thing_n concern_v he_o must_v be_v suppose_v by_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o have_v write_v present_o after_o his_o death_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a all_o the_o evangelist_n do_v to_o be_v general_o know_v and_o fresh_o remember_v at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o write_n which_o supposition_n further_a appear_v from_o the_o short_a and_o disorderly_a relation_n of_o several_a matter_n of_o fact_n in_o each_o gospel_n which_o in_o such_o case_n where_o we_o be_v not_o assist_v with_o a_o full_a account_n from_o the_o other_o gospel_n or_o follow_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n seem_v very_o obscure_a to_o we_o now_o who_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o circumstance_n omit_v this_o be_v what_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o remark_n concern_v the_o subject_a and_o form_n of_o that_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o new_a testament_n and_o now_o that_o this_o book_n do_v real_o contain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v before_o mention_v and_o be_v write_v in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o i_o have_v here_o represent_v i_o think_v may_v be_v take_v for_o grant_v since_o whatever_o have_v be_v observe_v under_o this_o head_n must_v necessary_o appear_v too_o true_a to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v read_v over_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v any_o judgement_n of_o a_o book_n ii_o suppose_v then_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o just_a account_n and_o character_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o several_a book_n or_o volume_n it_o consist_v of_o i_o shall_v from_o hence_o advance_v to_o the_o main_a design_n propose_v which_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v real_o true_a that_o be_v do_v real_o happen_v out_o at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n they_o be_v there_o record_v to_o have_v happen_v this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o make_v good_a by_o a_o direct_a proof_n according_a to_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o several_a fact_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o before_o lay_v down_o viz._n common_a historical_a fact_n prophecy_n and_o miracle_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n i._o the_o first_o step_v then_o i_o be_o to_o make_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o i_o have_v before_o assert_v be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a the_o principal_a of_o which_o be_v these_o follow_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n of_o such_o a_o character_n who_o teach_v such_o doctrine_n pretend_v to_o such_o mighty_a work_n and_o be_v execute_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a person_n who_o be_v follower_n and_o adherent_n of_o christ_n who_o after_o his_o death_n profess_v to_o believe_v the_o miracle_n we_o find_v now_o record_v of_o he_o and_o to_o do_v as_o great_a themselves_o who_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n he_o do_v in_o his_o life-time_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o while_o he_o be_v alive_a and_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n afterward_o and_o who_o make_v be_v their_o business_n to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o what_o they_o teach_v throughout_o the_o world_n who_o character_n and_o suffering_n be_v such_o as_o be_v before_o describe_v that_o the_o doctrine_n or_o religion_n of_o christ_n be_v according_o propagate_v through_o all_o judea_n and_o most_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n so_o that_o great_a number_n of_o people_n every_o where_o own_a and_o profess_v it_o and_o that_o all_o this_o happen_v within_o that_o compass_n of_o time_n include_v between_o the_o death_n of_o julius_n caesar_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o these_o be_v such_o remarkable_a notorious_a fact_n have_v be_v so_o well_o prove_v by_o multiplicity_n of_o evidence_n and_o so_o little_o contest_v by_o the_o several_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n that_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o by_o give_v a_o summary_n proof_n of_o they_o without_o enter_v upon_o that_o great_a variety_n of_o particular_a argument_n every_o general_a branch_n of_o evidence_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o proof_n i_o shall_v cast_v into_o this_o method_n first_o i_o shall_v take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n and_o show_v that_o this_o religion_n must_v have_v come_v first_o into_o the_o world_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v for_o this_o event_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n afterward_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o state_n of_o christianity_n at_o another_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v allow_v that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o stand_v now_o record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o believe_v and_o then_o i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o same_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v likewise_o believe_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v say_v to_o happen_v and_o so_o continual_o down_o to_o that_o particular_a period_n fix_v upon_o which_o last_o proposition_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o and_o from_o many_o other_o extrinsic_a sign_n and_o monument_n remain_v at_o that_o time_n from_o which_o constant_a and_o universal_a belief_n among_o christian_n of_o all_o the_o principal_a fact_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a continue_v down_o to_o such_o a_o period_n from_o the_o very_a first_o time_n in_o which_o they_o several_o happen_v i_o conconclude_v that_o at_o least_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n such_o as_o i_o have_v just_a before_o instance_a in_o must_v be_v true_a first_o then_o as_o to_o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n no_o portion_n of_o time_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o thing_n at_o any_o great_a distance_n from_o we_o that_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a full_a and_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o than_o we_o have_v of_o that_o which_o pass_v under_o the_o twelve_o first_o caesar_n or_o emperor_n of_o rome_n both_o learning_n and_o empire_n be_v then_o at_o the_o high_a pitch_n and_o furnish_v abundance_n of_o matter_n for_o the_o pen_n of_o that_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n and_o as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n be_v the_o true_a and_o best_a know_v of_o any_o so_o no_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v happen_v within_o that_o time_n which_o be_v more_o remarkable_a or_o can_v more_o easy_o and_o certain_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o posterity_n than_o the_o first_o rise_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v of_o any_o country_n where_o we_o have_v the_o least_o remain_v of_o history_n leave_v we_o as_o what_o religion_n be_v profess_v there_o and_o what_o considerable_a alteration_n be_v make_v in_o it_o all_o the_o law_n custom_n and_o policy_n of_o a_o nation_n be_v intermix_v with_o their_o religion_n most_o of_o the_o action_n opinion_n and_o character_n of_o particular_a man_n bear_v the_o mark_n of_o it_o and_o if_o we_o examine_v thing_n more_o narrow_o and_o trace_v they_o up_o to_o their_o original_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o religion_n put_v a_o great_a distinction_n betwixt_o one_o nation_n and_o another_o than_o any_o difference_n of_o climate_n can_v do_v but_o not_o to_o pursue_v that_o speculation_n any_o further_a it_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o all_o history_n what_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v and_o what_o religion_n they_o have_v at_o rome_n and_o in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o augustus_n there_o be_v no_o such_o person_n then_o to_o he_o hear_v of_o as_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n no_o such_o religion_n any_o where_o profess_v as_o that_o which_o be_v now_o call_v christian_a the_o plan_n and_o model_n of_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o person_n at_o rome_n tacitus_n tacitus_n call_v christian_n put_v to_o death_n and_o several_a other_o way_n persecute_v and_o torment_v for_o be_v so_o by_o that_o emperor_n which_o denomination_n and_o whatever_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v or_o do_v upon_o that_o account_n be_v then_o general_o acknowledge_v by_o themselves_o and_o other_o to_o be_v derive_v to_o they_o from_o one_o christ_n who_o be_v sometime_o before_o crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n now_o the_o time_n when_o this_o
that_o be_v but_o 150_o year_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o same_o it_o be_v then_o and_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v as_o far_o spread_v in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n as_o it_o be_v sixty_o year_n afterward_o the_o same_o will_v hold_v as_o to_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o it_o must_v be_v derive_v to_o those_o province_n that_o want_v it_o from_o those_o where_o it_o be_v profess_v which_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n be_v not_o the_o same_o it_o be_v sixty_o year_n afterward_o no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o so_o general_a and_o wide_a a_o agreement_n then_o in_o so_o many_o different_a province_n as_o have_v already_o be_v prove_v the_o same_o christian_a religion_n be_v profess_v in_o at_o that_o time_n in_o all_o which_o the_o religion_n then_o profess_v must_v be_v suppose_v different_a from_o the_o original_a it_o be_v derive_v from_o sixty_o year_n before_o even_o in_o those_o very_a province_n where_o it_o have_v be_v so_o long_o ago_o establish_v as_o well_o as_o in_o those_o where_o it_o be_v late_a entertain_v which_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v and_o further_o since_o by_o the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o these_o time_n it_o plain_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v very_o far_o spread_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n and_o consequent_o publish_v long_o before_o and_o since_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v then_o spread_v it_o be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v sixty_o year_n afterward_o when_o as_o we_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o general_a form_n or_o scheme_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v profess_v at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o in_o the_o same_o religious_a institution_n and_o practice_n as_o be_v then_o in_o use_n it_o follow_v from_o hence_o and_o from_o what_o have_v be_v before_o advance_v that_o the_o christian_n we_o find_v in_o nero_n time_n be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n and_o faith_n with_o those_o that_o live_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o consequent_o that_o all_o the_o common_a historical_a matter_n of_o fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n respect_v the_o original_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o place_n where_o it_o first_o appear_v the_o time_n and_o manner_n of_o publishing_n and_o propagate_a it_o the_o character_n of_o those_o concern_v in_o the_o work_n and_o the_o fortune_n that_o attend_v both_o they_o and_o their_o doctrine_n must_v necessary_o be_v true_a as_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v more_o particular_o by_o sum_v up_o the_o whole_a argument_n in_o this_o manner_n it_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a acknowledge_v all_o the_o same_o scripture_n that_o we_o do_v now_o and_o that_o most_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v universal_o receive_v then_o and_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_n of_o that_o time_n to_o have_v be_v so_o from_o their_o first_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n the_o book_n which_o be_v thus_o universal_o receive_v be_v as_o universal_o think_v to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o those_o author_n to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v and_o to_o have_v be_v all_o write_v by_o their_o several_a author_n at_o several_a time_n between_o the_o end_n of_o caligula_n be_v reign_v and_o the_o beginning_n of_o trajan_n and_o indeed_o if_o they_o believe_v the_o scripture-history_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o christian_n who_o receive_v these_o book_n do_v they_o must_v have_v believe_v likewise_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o such_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v be_v write_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o time_n assign_v for_o they_o for_o from_o the_o time_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v any_o of_o they_o write_v soon_o and_o from_o the_o age_n of_o the_o author_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v work_n of_o a_o late_a date_n this_o be_v the_o general_a faith_n of_o all_o christian_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a must_v likewise_o according_a to_o what_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v the_o universal_a belief_n of_o christian_n 150_o year_n before_o this_o council_n sit_v and_o if_o the_o same_o scripture_n be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n receive_v and_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n 150_o year_n before_o this_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o must_v have_v be_v general_o know_v and_o receive_v in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n as_o far_o as_o the_o christian_a name_n then_o reach_v they_o can_v not_o otherwise_o have_v be_v propagate_v so_o far_o and_o wide_o in_o less_o than_o threescore_o year_n time_n and_o if_o the_o christian_n in_o trajan_n time_n know_v and_o believe_v these_o scripture_n than_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n under_o trajan_n the_o same_o it_o be_v under_o nero_n for_o in_o every_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o author_n plain_o suppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n establish_v and_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n and_o doctrine_n there_o record_v believe_v before_o he_o write_v and_o therefore_o if_o all_o or_o any_o of_o these_o book_n be_v receive_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n must_v have_v be_v when_o sixty_o year_n afterward_o it_o be_v believe_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n to_o have_v be_v send_v to_o they_o then_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n that_o receive_v they_o must_v have_v certain_o know_v that_o they_o believe_v the_o same_o fact_n and_o doctrine_n which_o they_o find_v in_o those_o book_n ever_o since_o they_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o all_o other_o who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o name_n must_v have_v profess_v to_o believe_v the_o same_o thing_n too_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o religion_n so_o require_v and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o rome_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n it_o be_v then_o the_o neronian_a persecution_n be_v not_o above_o thirty_o five_o year_n before_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n which_o be_v so_o short_a a_o period_n that_o several_a christian_n of_o trajan_n time_n may_v have_v be_v christian_n under_o nero_n too_o and_o must_v have_v know_v whether_o christianity_n then_o preach_v to_o they_o be_v the_o same_o with_o what_o they_o find_v write_v suppose_v they_o be_v convert_v before_o they_o have_v see_v any_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o they_o may_v as_o easy_o have_v inform_v themselves_o whether_o that_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n they_o find_v in_o these_o book_n respect_v rome_n and_o particular_o nero_n time_n be_v true_a or_o not_o and_o their_o conversion_n to_o christianity_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o these_o book_n necessary_o prove_v they_o satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n there_o give_v now_o if_o most_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v receive_v in_o trajan_n time_n and_o if_o christianity_n be_v the_o same_o under_o nero_n as_o under_o trajan_n and_o the_o same_o preach_v as_o write_a then_o do_v it_o necessary_o follow_v not_o only_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v some_o time_n between_o the_o death_n of_o tiberius_n and_o beginning_n of_o trajan_n reign_n but_o that_o all_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v under_o this_o head_n be_v certain_o true_a otherwise_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o general_o and_o firm_o believe_v so_o near_o the_o time_n they_o be_v there_o report_v to_o have_v happen_v in_o for_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o trajan_n time_n and_o receive_v these_o book_n as_o write_v by_o such_o author_n must_v consequent_o believe_v that_o the_o first_o promulgation_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o christian_a religion_n by_o jesus_n christ_n happen_v but_o seventy_o year_n before_o and_o that_o during_o that_o space_n it_o be_v preach_v throughout_o the_o roman_a empire_n by_o such_o person_n and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v there_o relate_v that_o it_o be_v embrace_v by_o great_a number_n of_o people_n in_o all_o the_o considerable_a province_n and_o city_n of_o it_o establish_v by_o the_o union_n of_o large_a society_n and_o congregation_n under_o the_o same_o common_a form_n of_o discipline_n and_o witness_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o various_a suffering_n of_o the_o first_o
tradition_n another_o set_a of_o testimony_n which_o eusebius_n furnish_v we_o with_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n be_v relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n several_a of_o which_o be_v remain_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v by_o he_o himself_o such_o be_v christian_a burying-place_n and_o sepulcher_n with_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n upon_o they_o particular_o those_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n statue_n and_o picture_n particular_o the_o statue_n of_o the_o woman_n cure_v by_o christ_n of_o the_o bloody_a flux_n picture_n of_o christ_n peter_n and_o paul_n in_o colour_n these_o be_v all_o see_v by_o eusebius_n himself_o as_o be_v likewise_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n of_o james_n at_o jerusalem_n several_a christian_a library_n and_o several_a christian_a temple_n before_o they_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v by_o the_o order_n of_o dieclesian_n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n remain_v in_o eusebius_n time_n whether_o all_o the_o particular_a traditional_a report_n concern_v they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a may_v easy_o be_v perceive_v upon_o view_n or_o divers_a other_o way_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o whatever_o age_n they_o be_v of_o they_o must_v be_v good_a proof_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o man_n of_o those_o time_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v to_o prove_v it_o but_o the_o tradition_n of_o christianity_n from_o its_o first_o original_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a with_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v build_v be_v further_a and_o more_o especial_o secure_v to_o we_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o forego_n testimony_n confirm_v by_o book_n and_o write_v record_n vast_a number_n of_o which_o of_o different_a kind_n and_o different_a age_n write_v by_o several_a man_n of_o different_a country_n character_n design_n and_o religious_a persuasion_n be_v extant_a in_o eusebius_n time_n a_o great_a many_o of_o which_o be_v general_o know_v multitude_n of_o copy_n of_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o several_a of_o these_o write_n be_v careful_o preserve_v in_o particular_a place_n and_o either_o never_o communicate_v further_o by_o any_o transcript_n or_o copy_n to_o remain_v there_o to_o be_v see_v in_o their_o primitive_a state_n after_o transcription_n now_o all_o these_o write_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o they_o be_v who_o authority_n be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o establish_n the_o christian_a faith_n i_o shall_v rank_v under_o certain_a distinct_a head_n in_o order_n to_o show_v what_o sense_n and_o weight_n they_o have_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o maintain_v the_o several_a book_n and_o write_n then_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v copy_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n genuine_a write_n of_o profess_a christian_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o common_a agreement_n in_o some_o certain_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v style_v orthodox_n book_n write_v by_o heretic_n who_o be_v man_n of_o particular_a opinion_n different_a from_o those_o common_o receive_v by_o other_o christian_n jewish_n and_o pagan_a book_n contain_v such_o thing_n as_o have_v relation_n to_o christianity_n forge_v and_o supposititious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n which_o do_v some_o way_n or_o other_o concern_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o to_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n in_o eusebius_n time_n i_o have_v these_o thing_n to_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v then_o multiply_v to_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n that_o hardly_o a_o christian_a family_n be_v without_o some_o of_o the_o book_n that_o they_o be_v translate_v into_o several_a different_a language_n that_o in_o those_o country_n where_o the_o translation_n be_v of_o common_a use_n a_o great_a many_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n be_v preserve_v that_o in_o most_o of_o the_o great_a city_n and_o episcopal_a church_n there_o be_v a_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n more_o ancient_a than_o the_o rest_n from_o whence_o the_o other_o copy_n be_v take_v and_o translation_n make_v that_o such_o copy_n as_o these_o may_v not_o only_o by_o tradition_n but_o by_o several_a intrinsic_a mark_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o their_o age_n pretty_a near_o determine_v that_o upon_o comparison_n there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a agreement_n betwixt_o these_o ancient_a copy_n preserve_v in_o several_a very_o distant_a and_o remote_a church_n that_o such_o care_n have_v be_v take_v in_o transcribe_v and_o translate_n from_o they_o that_o the_o difference_n find_v between_o any_o copy_n either_o of_o the_o original_n or_o translation_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a that_o all_o christian_n think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o preserve_v the_o jewish_a canon_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o copy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o original_a tongue_n and_o translation_n of_o it_o into_o several_a vulgar_a language_n be_v multiply_v careful_o transcribe_v and_o keep_v together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a that_o upon_o a_o diligent_a search_n into_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v find_v that_o beside_o those_o copy_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v alike_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o all_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v other_o receive_v in_o some_o church_n and_o by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n then_o vouch_v to_o be_v as_o early_o and_o of_o as_o great_a authority_n as_o the_o rest_n from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o infer_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v as_o early_o as_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v its_o original_a in_o judea_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v it_o which_o be_v less_o than_o 300_o year_n before_o eusebius_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o plain_o suppose_v a_o antecedent_n propagation_n and_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v write_v some_o time_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n eusebius_n or_o any_o other_o person_n of_o his_o age_n who_o thorough_o examine_v the_o matter_n concern_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o receive_v must_v needs_o be_v satisfy_v from_o this_o consideration_n only_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v as_o early_o a_o publication_n in_o the_o world_n as_o be_v now_o ascribe_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v somewhat_o early_o and_o the_o same_o then_o as_o it_o be_v in_o these_o book_n represent_v to_o have_v be_v this_o will_v further_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o next_o sort_n of_o write_n to_o be_v consider_v viz._n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n such_o be_v catalogue_n of_o bishop_n decree_n of_o synod_n letter_n from_o church_n and_o society_n of_o man_n general_a record_n of_o remarkable_a matter_n particular_a act_n and_o monument_n of_o martyr_n psalm_n hymn_n creed_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o most_o famous_a church_n especial_o those_o constitute_v by_o apostle_n keep_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n with_o great_a care_n lay_v up_o in_o their_o archive_v record_v their_o name_n and_o day_n of_o their_o death_n in_o a_o pair_n of_o write_v table_n this_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o these_o table_n he_o assure_v we_o he_o diligent_o examine_v and_o he_o be_v very_o exact_a in_o the_o account_n he_o take_v of_o they_o as_o particular_o appear_v from_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n viz._n that_o he_o find_v from_o old_a record_n fifteen_o bishop_n with_o their_o name_n who_o have_v succeed_v in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o siege_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o adrian_n be_v time_n but_o can_v not_o find_v preserve_v in_o write_v the_o space_n of_o time_n each_o bishop_n spend_v in_o his_o presidency_n over_o that_o see_n the_o like_a diligence_n and_o exactness_n be_v observable_a in_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o several_a other_o church_n most_o of_o their_o name_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o several_a succession_n presidency_n and_o death_n punctual_o determine_v and_o reason_n give_v why_o he_o can_v not_o speak_v with_o the_o same_o certainty_n of_o the_o rest_n omit_v there_o be_v likewise_o extant_a in_o his_o time_n a_o great_a many_o canon_n and_o decree_n make_v by_o several_a council_n and_o
insist_v upon_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o inconceivable_a that_o the_o suppose_a author_n and_o contriver_n of_o that_o book_n can_v have_v imagine_v that_o such_o a_o scheme_n of_o thing_n as_o we_o there_o find_v deliver_v shall_v ever_o come_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o without_o such_o a_o thought_n and_o persuasion_n of_o this_o in_o the_o author_n we_o can_v never_o account_v for_o either_o the_o first_o contrivance_n or_o publication_n of_o it_o whatever_o it_o be_v that_o determine_v he_o to_o frame_v the_o christian_a scheme_n whatever_o end_v he_o propose_v to_o himself_o from_o his_o labour_n and_o skill_n in_o make_v it_o he_o must_v certain_o design_n that_o the_o whole_a fiction_n shall_v be_v believe_v by_o those_o it_o be_v communicate_v to_o otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o compass_v the_o end_n he_o aim_v at_o if_o therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o first_o author_n and_o publisher_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v design_n and_o intend_v to_o have_v it_o believe_v and_o if_o he_o be_v a_o wise_a understanding_n man_n of_o great_a reach_n and_o sagacity_n as_o the_o enemy_n of_o his_o religion_n allow_v and_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o that_o rational_a draught_n of_o morality_n the_o world_n be_v oblige_v to_o he_o for_o then_o do_v it_o plain_o follow_v that_o christianity_n be_v no_o imposture_n and_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o forge_v and_o invent_v for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o wise_a man_n to_o think_v that_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o strange_a unheard_a of_o fact_n as_o be_v record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o make_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v believe_v without_o any_o manner_n of_o proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o but_o if_o he_o do_v not_o distrust_v the_o credibility_n of_o the_o fact_n themselves_o what_o can_v induce_v he_o to_o give_v such_o a_o particular_a circumstantial_a relation_n of_o they_o as_o submit_v they_o to_o every_o body_n enquiry_n and_o examination_n and_o make_v the_o discovery_n of_o their_o falsehood_n easy_a and_o obvious_a how_o can_v he_o persuade_v himself_o that_o such_o new_a and_o difficult_a doctrine_n shall_v be_v entertain_v which_o no_o former_a notion_n of_o learning_n or_o religion_n prepare_v man_n to_o receive_v and_o which_o no_o discovery_n or_o revelation_n can_v make_v they_o full_o comprehend_v and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o imagine_v that_o such_o doctrine_n and_o fact_n as_o these_o shall_v set_v off_o and_o recommend_v his_o morality_n to_o the_o world_n which_o consider_v by_o itself_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v unexceptionable_a have_v the_o principal_a aim_n and_o design_n of_o this_o suppose_a impostor_n be_v to_o establish_v the_o christian_a morality_n he_o will_v rather_o have_v publish_v it_o alone_o in_o the_o name_n of_o some_o admire_a prince_n or_o philosopher_n or_o have_v pretend_v by_o some_o secret_a way_n of_o conveyance_n to_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o heaven_n this_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n will_v have_v judge_v a_o likely_a method_n of_o get_v it_o believe_v than_o the_o mix_n and_o blending_a so_o many_o strange_a fact_n and_o doctrine_n among_o it_o and_o lay_v the_o whole_a work_n upon_o such_o a_o foundation_n as_o he_o know_v have_v no_o manner_n of_o support_n from_o reality_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n have_v it_o be_v his_o chief_a intention_n to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o mankind_n by_o make_v they_o believe_v so_o many_o strange_a and_o unaccountable_a lie_n as_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o history_n and_o peculiar_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o be_v all_o false_a he_o will_v have_v take_v care_n to_o have_v make_v his_o morality_n more_o easy_a and_o palatable_a and_o more_o suit_v to_o the_o common_a prejudices_fw-la and_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n that_o so_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scheme_n may_v have_v be_v take_v down_o ready_o and_o without_o examination_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o this_o but_o take_v the_o christian_a religion_n altogether_o as_o we_o now_o find_v it_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o a_o wise_a man_n shall_v believe_v he_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v people_n over_o to_o embrace_v it_o suppose_v it_o pure_o a_o invention_n of_o his_o own_o which_o he_o know_v have_v no_o foundation_n in_o true_a fact_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n or_o motive_n sufficient_a to_o influence_n he_o to_o contrive_v what_o he_o can_v not_o believe_v will_v ever_o be_v receive_v so_o far_o as_o to_o answer_v any_o end_n propose_v but_o suppose_v it_o possible_a that_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v some_o man_n who_o be_v wise_a enough_o to_o invent_v the_o whole_a christian_a scheme_n as_o we_o now_o find_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o who_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n so_o absurd_o foolish_a as_o to_o think_v it_o will_v be_v believe_v so_o far_o as_o to_o recompense_v he_o for_o the_o pain_n of_o make_v and_o the_o hazard_n of_o publish_v it_o suppose_v i_o say_v all_o this_o which_o to_o i_o be_v perfect_o unconceivable_a yet_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v not_o be_v forge_v because_o 2._o if_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a have_v not_o be_v true_a it_o will_v have_v be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v ever_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o propagate_v in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o manner_n we_o find_v it_o be_v at_o present_a which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v in_o the_o follow_a method_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n such_o as_o we_o find_v deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v at_o present_a own_a and_o profess_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o wherever_o this_o religion_n be_v profess_v those_o book_n be_v appeal_v to_o as_o the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o it_o as_o to_o every_o thing_n therein_o contain_v be_v truth_n i_o shall_v take_v for_o grant_v it_o be_v likewise_o as_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o book_n or_o religion_n know_v or_o hear_v of_o the_o inquiry_n than_o will_v be_v when_o and_o how_o the_o christian_a religion_n come_v to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o world_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v that_o either_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v first_o and_o the_o christian_a religion_n propagate_v from_o they_o or_o the_o doctrine_n therein_o contain_v be_v spread_v first_o by_o preach_v and_o conversation_n and_o afterward_o commit_v to_o write_v but_o which_o soever_o of_o these_o supposition_n we_o take_v the_o publication_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n and_o the_o doctrine_n build_v upon_o it_o can_v possible_o be_v place_v above_o the_o time_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n because_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o name_n and_o other_o circumstance_n allow_v to_o be_v true_a which_o can_v not_o be_v know_v before_o without_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n which_o imposture_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o in_o the_o account_n the_o new_a testament_n give_v of_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o scene_n of_o the_o imposture_n if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v account_v such_o be_v lay_v at_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n and_o consequent_o the_o period_n fix_v upon_o for_o first_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o what_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v happen_v then_o at_o jerusalem_n must_v be_v at_o or_o near_o that_o time_n or_o at_o some_o distance_n since_o let_v we_o consider_v this_o great_a event_n in_o all_o these_o different_a period_n and_o see_v what_o the_o success_n will_v be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o let_v we_o suppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n invent_v and_o publish_v at_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o way_n of_o propagate_a the_o belief_n of_o it_o must_v have_v be_v by_o write_v or_o preach_v if_o the_o work_n be_v begin_v by_o write_v it_o must_v be_v by_o some_o of_o the_o gospel_n none_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v then_o write_v without_o prophecy_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v by_o one_o or_o more_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o by_o preach_v the_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a such_o a_o scheme_n of_o falsehood_n shall_v be_v believe_v by_o those_o who_o by_o a_o infallible_a consciousness_n must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o or_o be_v spread_v propagate_v and_o defend_v by_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v it_o themselves_o in_o place_n
where_o every_o body_n be_v as_o capable_a and_o certain_a a_o judge_n of_o the_o cheat_n as_o they_o be_v not_o there_o such_o a_o man_n as_o christ_n do_v he_o not_o in_o all_o appearance_n maintain_v such_o a_o character_n do_v he_o not_o pretend_v to_o such_o discovery_n and_o wonderful_a work_n and_o do_v he_o not_o real_o suffer_v such_o thing_n upon_o account_n of_o his_o pretence_n as_o we_o find_v record_v in_o those_o book_n call_v the_o gospel_n all_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v in_o the_o present_a supposition_n which_o fix_v the_o real_a publication_n of_o that_o religion_n we_o now_o profess_v at_o the_o same_o date_n we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o if_o it_o be_v allow_v that_o these_o fact_n be_v true_a then_o do_v it_o certain_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a for_o otherwise_o they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v believe_v as_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v already_o and_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v under_o another_o head_n where_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o necessary_a connexion_n betwixt_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o common_a and_o the_o extraordinary_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o if_o these_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n just_a now_o instance_a in_o be_v false_a as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o then_o must_v the_o whole_a story_n be_v much_o more_o ridiculous_a and_o incredible_a if_o the_o forgery_n be_v date_v about_o forty_o year_n low_a at_o some_o time_n near_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o must_v we_o take_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n into_o our_o account_n which_o will_v render_v the_o difficulty_n of_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n much_o great_a for_o here_o we_o have_v abundance_n of_o new_a matter_n of_o fact_n to_o believe_v as_o strange_a as_o those_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v and_o disprove_v but_o vast_o more_o numerous_a and_o more_o public_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o a_o great_a many_o more_o city_n and_o nation_n be_v bring_v in_o as_o witness_n all_o which_o be_v suppose_v false_a and_o consequent_o can_v never_o obtain_v credit_n in_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o hear_v of_o any_o where_o till_o some_o time_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n how_o can_v it_o possible_o be_v then_o believe_v when_o its_o chief_a pretence_n be_v that_o it_o have_v be_v publish_v believe_v and_o establi_v in_o many_o place_n long_o before_o which_o be_v palpable_o and_o notorious_o false_a now_o that_o this_o must_v be_v the_o pretence_n upon_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v first_o found_v whatever_o period_n we_o suppose_v this_o event_n happen_v in_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v very_o plain_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o religion_n its_o self_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o publication_n which_o be_v entire_o build_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n or_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v false_a the_o whole_a religion_n must_v fall_v and_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o fact_n it_o be_v build_v upon_o be_v such_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o body_n to_o believe_v they_o at_o any_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v affirm_v to_o happen_v if_o they_o be_v then_o first_o invent_v when_o he_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v they_o for_o let_v we_o fix_v the_o period_n when_o we_o will_v how_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o the_o history_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testamen_fw-la shall_v be_v believe_v by_o those_o who_o be_v suppose_v to_o live_v after_o the_o time_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n therein_o mention_v and_o yet_o who_o have_v never_o before_o hear_v or_o read_v of_o any_o of_o they_o can_v it_o possible_o be_v think_v that_o any_o people_n will_v change_v their_o law_n and_o religion_n upon_o such_o a_o story_n as_o this_o without_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o how_o can_v they_o be_v satisfy_v upon_o enquiry_n when_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o imposture_n make_v all_o other_o information_n but_o that_o of_o the_o publisher_n utter_o impossible_a and_o what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o believe_v he_o who_o give_v only_o a_o positive_a bare_a relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v before_o his_o time_n which_o he_o deliver_v without_o any_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n himself_o and_o without_o any_o authority_n but_o his_o own_o to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o endeavour_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n will_v not_o these_o have_v be_v every_o man_n question_n why_o be_v not_o the_o religion_n now_o offer_v to_o we_o embrace_v when_o it_o be_v first_o prescribe_v to_o mankind_n with_o all_o those_o wonderful_a evidence_n of_o its_o divine_a original_a we_o be_v tell_v of_o why_o be_v not_o those_o strange_a fact_n believe_v by_o those_o that_o be_v the_o immediate_a witness_n of_o they_o if_o they_o be_v and_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n spread_v and_o increase_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o they_o as_o be_v affirm_v and_o if_o the_o miracle_n be_v true_a must_v needs_o be_v allow_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o neither_o we_o nor_o our_o forefather_n ever_o hear_v of_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o we_o have_v no_o history_n or_o monument_n of_o they_o remain_v how_o shall_v such_o a_o new_a religion_n as_o this_o establish_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o propagate_v by_o vast_a multitude_n of_o professor_n be_v quite_o lose_v and_o wear_v out_o of_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n already_o how_o come_v you_o that_o publish_v it_o to_o be_v the_o only_a person_n that_o can_v recover_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o what_o reason_n have_v you_o now_o to_o believe_v what_o have_v be_v lay_v aside_o by_o those_o who_o by_o be_v near_o the_o original_a be_v better_a judge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o what_o authority_n have_v you_o to_o receive_v it_o and_o enjoin_v mankind_n the_o belief_n of_o it_o these_o be_v question_n which_o a_o impostor_n can_v never_o give_v any_o answer_n to_o and_o without_o satisfaction_n in_o these_o matter_n so_o great_a and_o wise_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n as_o be_v now_o and_o be_v former_o thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v not_o voluntary_o lay_v aside_o all_o their_o ancient_a prejudices_fw-la and_o engagement_n and_o embrace_v a_o new_a religion_n with_o all_o the_o dangerous_a consequence_n that_o they_o know_v must_v attend_v such_o a_o change_n it_o be_v therefore_o manifest_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v there_o ever_o be_v any_o man_n foolish_a and_o impudent_a enough_o to_o publish_v a_o false_a history_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n pretend_v to_o be_v do_v just_a before_o the_o publication_n and_o in_o the_o very_a place_n where_o the_o scene_n be_v lay_v within_o the_o immediate_a cognizance_n of_o all_o the_o people_n to_o who_o the_o relation_n be_v direct_v and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o pretender_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o people_n so_o stupid_a as_o to_o believe_v they_o themselves_o see_v and_o hear_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v never_o say_v or_o do_v among_o they_o and_o this_o pure_o upon_o the_o information_n of_o other_o without_o which_o they_o have_v remain_v entire_o ignorant_a of_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o christian_a scheme_n can_v not_o be_v publish_v at_o the_o time_n it_o be_v date_v at_o if_o it_o be_v mere_a forgery_n and_o invention_n it_o be_v likewise_o very_o ridiculous_a and_o irrational_a to_o imagine_v that_o a_o long_a series_n of_o public_a notorious_a fact_n say_v to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o great_a multitude_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n in_o different_a country_n and_o nation_n the_o consequence_n of_o which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v very_o great_a and_o concern_v to_o all_o mankind_n and_o which_o by_o the_o credit_n they_o have_v obtain_v and_o the_o opposition_n that_o have_v be_v make_v to_o they_o have_v occasion_v mighty_a change_n and_o alteration_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v very_o absurd_a i_o say_v to_o maintain_v that_o such_o fact_n as_o these_o which_o never_o happen_v at_o all_o shall_v at_o any_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v happen_v ever_o come_v to_o be_v geneneral_o believe_v in_o or_o near_o those_o place_n they_o be_v appropriate_v to_o bare_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o publication_n when_o those_o that_o be_v suppose_v to_o believe_v they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o their_o faith_n but_o this_o that_o some_o body_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o
deliver_v in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v obligatory_a to_o we_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v there_o declare_v to_o be_v so_o that_o be_v they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o observe_v in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n and_o upon_o the_o reason_n and_o motive_n there_o propose_v and_o consequent_o that_o at_o present_a the_o true_a and_o adequate_a rule_n of_o human_a life_n be_v what_o we_o call_v the_o christian_a religion_n but_o because_o as_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o revelation_n the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v reveal_v must_v depend_v upon_o the_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o shall_v take_v this_o method_n of_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n 1._o have_v premise_v some_o thing_n concern_v those_o particular_a fact_n i_o design_v to_o insist_v upon_o i_o shall_v give_v a_o short_a abstract_n or_o summary_n of_o the_o christian_a scheme_n as_o we_o find_v it_o deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n 2._o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o such_o direct_a argument_n as_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v provable_a by_o that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a 3._o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a the_o same_o proposition_n indirect_o by_o show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o a_o contrary_a supposition_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o all_o the_o difficulty_n and_o objection_n raise_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n or_o of_o revelation_n in_o general_n 4._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o shall_v be_v give_v under_o the_o former_a head_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o render_v we_o inexcusable_a if_o we_o do_v not_o as_o to_o what_o concern_v those_o particular_a fact_n i_o design_v to_o insist_v upon_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v these_o three_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v observe_v first_o i_o take_v all_o this_o for_o grant_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o book_n as_o those_o i_o call_v the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o people_n of_o different_a country_n in_o the_o world_n and_o be_v with_o a_o very_a little_a variation_n the_o same_o every_o where_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o in_o who_o hand_n they_o be_v who_o be_v call_v christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n there_o record_v be_v true_a and_o that_o the_o doctrine_n come_v from_o god_n and_o be_v appoint_v by_o he_o as_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o action_n but_o more_o especial_o those_o deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o they_o look_v upon_o to_o contain_v a_o full_a scheme_n of_o their_o duty_n that_o a_o large_a sect_n of_o man_n call_v jew_n profess_v to_o believe_v the_o same_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o christian_n do_v but_o reject_v the_o new_a and_o make_v the_o former_a only_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o that_o a_o great_a many_o of_o these_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n do_v real_o and_o sincere_o believe_v what_o they_o profess_v and_o endeavour_v to_o order_v their_o life_n according_o all_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v such_o as_o i_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o reason_n to_o suspect_v any_o body_n will_v deny_v i_o second_o i_o insist_v whole_o upon_o the_o proof_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n not_o only_o because_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o certainty_n of_o which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o establish_v be_v full_o confirm_v by_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n but_o because_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v suppose_v and_o every_o where_o appeal_v to_o in_o the_o new_a as_o true_a and_o authentic_a upon_o which_o account_n a_o thorough_a effectual_a proof_n of_o the_o latter_a will_v be_v of_o itself_o a_o sufficient_a establishment_n of_o the_o former_a beside_o many_o of_o the_o same_o argument_n that_o i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o to_o support_v the_o christian_a revelation_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n applicable_a to_o the_o jewish_a and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o consider_v the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o book_n that_o be_v extant_a long_o before_o the_o christian_a religion_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o be_v then_o and_o have_v be_v long_o before_o esteem_v by_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o book_n that_o contain_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n and_o i_o shall_v concern_v myself_o no_o far_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o these_o ancient_a write_n than_o to_o defend_v they_o from_o the_o little_a cavil_n and_o objection_n raise_v against_o they_o by_o modern_a unbeliever_n with_o a_o design_n to_o weaken_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o general_n and_o consequent_o to_o invalidate_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n three_o i_o distinguish_v all_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n observable_a by_o we_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n into_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a such_o as_o be_v conformable_a to_o those_o fact_n we_o have_v often_o take_v notice_n of_o before_o or_o to_o those_o notion_n we_o have_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o power_n of_o the_o agent_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o immediate_a author_n of_o they_o and_o such_o as_o exceed_v all_o our_o knowledge_n and_o observation_n of_o what_o we_o call_v nature_n and_o natural_a power_n which_o extraordinary_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o distinguish_v further_o into_o two_o kind_n such_o as_o be_v immediate_o perceivable_a by_o some_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o before_o who_o they_o be_v do_v and_o such_o as_o be_v knowable_a only_o by_o reason_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o other_o concurrent_a or_o consequent_a fact_n of_o the_o first_o kind_n be_v prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o second_o be_v divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n and_o thus_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n according_a to_o the_o order_n and_o distinction_n of_o they_o before_o mention_v viz._n common_a historical_a fact_n prophecy_n and_o miracle_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n i._n but_o for_o a_o better_a and_o clear_a prosecution_n of_o my_o design_n i_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n before_o i_o enter_v upon_o this_o proof_n give_v a_o short_a abstract_n or_o summary_n of_o the_o christian_a scheme_n as_o we_o find_v it_o deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o matter_n and_o subject_n of_o these_o book_n and_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v with_o all_o the_o important_a circumstance_n belong_v to_o they_o that_o offer_v themselves_o upon_o a_o careful_a and_o impartial_a read_n which_o general_a view_n of_o of_o all_o the_o christian_a fact_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o maintain_v will_v not_o only_o prevent_v a_o great_a many_o inconvenient_a repetition_n and_o show_v the_o force_n of_o the_o subsequent_a proof_n in_o a_o strong_a light_n but_o give_v we_o such_o a_o idea_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o if_o careful_o weigh_v and_o attend_v to_o will_v render_v any_o further_a attempt_n to_o prove_v it_o unnecessary_a it_o be_v plain_a to_o any_o one_o that_o read_v over_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o it_o contain_v in_o short_a a_o history_n of_o the_o publication_n and_o propagation_n of_o certain_a doctrine_n and_o rule_n of_o live_v propose_v to_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o mankind_n together_o with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o several_a discourse_n action_n write_n suffering_n and_o other_o remarkable_a circumstance_n in_o the_o live_v of_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a propagator_n of_o those_o doctrine_n and_o principle_n which_o make_v up_o the_o new_a scheme_n of_o religion_n here_o deliver_v but_o to_o take_v a_o more_o particular_a survey_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n according_a to_o the_o several_a part_n or_o volume_n into_o which_o it_o be_v divide_v in_o the_o first_o four_o book_n of_o it_o call_v the_o gospel_n we_o find_v a_o very_a large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o first_o author_n as_o be_v there_o affirm_v of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v now_o term_a christian_a and_o his_o birth_n be_v relate_v to_o have_v be_v after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o viz._n that_o he_o be_v conceive_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o the_o over-shadowing_a of_o his_o power_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n that_o his_o conception_n be_v foretell_v
exhort_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o several_a duty_n enjoin_v they_o by_o god_n and_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o bid_v they_o expect_v salvation_n by_o christ_n only_o ordain_v several_a person_n under_o different_a character_n to_o assist_v in_o the_o ministry_n heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n raise_v the_o dead_a and_o do_v many_o other_o sign_n and_o wonder_n wherever_o they_o come_v and_o convey_v the_o same_o power_n and_o gift_n to_o other_o they_o have_v receive_v themselves_o by_o which_o mean_n we_o read_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v spread_v and_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v many_o church_n or_o congregation_n be_v every_o where_o establish_v and_o the_o member_n of_o they_o keep_v so_o unite_v by_o those_o that_o be_v set_v over_o they_o first_o in_o judea_n and_o samaria_n then_o in_o remote_a part_n abroad_o where_o the_o jew_n be_v scatter_v afterward_o in_o several_a city_n island_n and_o nation_n of_o asia_n and_o europe_n with_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o christian_a religion_n we_o have_v a_o account_v likewise_o of_o several_a attempt_n make_v in_o many_o place_n to_o hinder_v and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o it_o together_o with_o the_o suffering_n and_o persecution_n of_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o other_o choose_v afterward_o to_o be_v assistant_n to_o they_o in_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o work_n many_o of_o which_o be_v beat_v imprison_a and_o many_o other_o way_n afflict_v and_o distress_a and_o some_o be_v put_v to_o death_n but_o a_o more_o particular_a relation_n be_v give_v of_o the_o conversion_n travel_n and_o suffering_n of_o paul_n all_o which_o appear_v to_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a several_a discourse_n of_o paul_n and_o other_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n be_v set_v down_o at_o large_a some_o prophecy_n also_o be_v mention_v of_o holy_a man_n who_o be_v represent_v as_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o speak_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o some_o remarkable_a judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o wicked_a person_n be_v there_o record_v these_o be_v the_o principal_a matter_n which_o compose_v the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o the_o follow_a tract_n or_o volume_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o the_o form_n of_o letter_n or_o epistle_n send_v from_o such_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n as_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n and_o direct_v some_o of_o they_o to_o particular_a person_n some_o to_o large_a society_n of_o man_n of_o several_a different_a country_n who_o have_v embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n in_o which_o epistle_n be_v contain_v most_o of_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o precept_n that_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n many_o large_a and_o particular_a explication_n of_o several_a doctrine_n there_o deliver_v and_o several_a new_a doctrine_n which_o we_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o in_o those_o book_n the_o truth_n and_o obligation_n of_o all_o which_o be_v frequent_o enforce_v by_o argument_n most_o of_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n be_v reser_v to_o in_o the_o epistle_n and_o allege_v as_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n there_o teach_v and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o teacher_n here_o be_v likewise_o several_a new_a matter_n of_o fact_n incidental_o mention_v which_o we_o do_v not_o find_v in_o those_o former_a book_n and_o some_o of_o the_o fact_n there_o relate_v be_v repeat_v here_o with_o new_a circumstance_n all_o the_o epistle_n do_v abound_v throughout_o with_o exhortation_n to_o a_o steady_a belief_n of_o those_o wonderful_a thing_n say_v and_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o a_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o duty_n enjoin_v by_o they_o in_o several_a of_o they_o there_o be_v some_o prophecy_n too_o intermix_v with_o these_o other_o matter_n before_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o the_o last_o epistle_n direct_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n which_o be_v by_o a_o peculiar_a title_n style_v the_o revelation_n be_v almost_o whole_o prophetical_a some_o of_o they_o also_o conclude_v with_o salutation_n to_o and_o from_o several_a particular_a person_n therein_o name_v these_o be_v the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o occur_v to_o a_o man_n upon_o read_v the_o epistle_n thus_o have_v i_o run_v through_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o particular_n treat_v of_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o in_o order_n to_o form_v a_o just_a and_o full_a idea_n of_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o book_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o add_v some_o far_a consideration_n not_o formal_o express_v in_o any_o one_o particular_a volume_n or_o chapter_n but_o fair_o and_o evident_o collect_v from_o the_o whole_a composure_n or_o from_o several_a plain_a passage_n here_o and_o there_o disperse_v through_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o such_o as_o be_v the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o doctrine_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o that_o assist_v he_o in_o the_o publish_n and_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n and_o of_o those_o that_o persecute_v he_o and_o all_o that_o bear_v testimony_n to_o he_o and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n as_o to_o the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n so_o far_o as_o it_o can_v be_v collect_v from_o the_o several_a write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v in_o short_a this_o his_o birth_n life_n and_o death_n be_v attend_v with_o extraordinary_a circumstance_n of_o different_a kind_n those_o who_o be_v call_v in_o scripture_n his_o parent_n be_v say_v to_o be_v descend_v from_o the_o family_n of_o david_n the_o great_a king_n that_o ever_o reign_v over_o judah_n and_o israel_n but_o their_o present_a condition_n when_o this_o child_n be_v bear_v be_v set_v forth_o as_o very_o low_a and_o the_o employment_n that_o maintain_v they_o then_o and_o afterward_o very_o mean_v but_o they_o be_v person_n that_o fear_v god_n and_o live_v very_o conformable_o to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o first_o appearance_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n be_v prepare_v accompany_v and_o follow_v by_o prophecy_n vision_n sign_n and_o wonder_n ministry_n of_o angel_n adoration_n of_o wise_a man_n jealousy_n and_o fear_n of_o a_o great_a king_n together_o with_o the_o doubt_n ignorance_n amazement_n necessity_n and_o flight_n of_o his_o father_n and_o mother_n his_o education_n be_v fuitable_a to_o the_o meanness_n of_o his_o birth_n thirty_o year_n be_v spend_v at_o home_n in_o obscurity_n and_o retirement_n where_o he_o be_v subject_a and_o obedient_a to_o his_o parent_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o wax_v strong_a in_o spirit_n and_o increase_v in_o wisdom_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v upon_o he_o to_o the_o astonishment_n of_o all_o his_o kindred_n and_o countryman_n who_o can_v not_o imagine_v whence_o he_o have_v that_o wisdom_n his_o whole_a life_n afterward_o be_v take_v up_o in_o preach_v and_o instruct_v and_o confirm_v his_o doctrine_n and_o authority_n by_o sign_n and_o mighty_a work_n and_o by_o argument_n draw_v chief_o from_o the_o prophecy_n and_o other_o passage_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o go_v about_o every_o where_o teach_v and_o do_v good_a he_o teach_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o other_o public_a place_n of_o jerusalem_n he_o pass_v through_o all_o the_o city_n and_o village_n of_o judah_n and_o samaria_n and_o the_o neighbour_a coast_n preach_v and_o expound_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n in_o their_o synagogue_n in_o the_o field_n the_o desert_n and_o upon_o the_o seashore_n we_o find_v he_o attend_v with_o great_a multitude_n who_o hear_v he_o glad_o thus_o be_v he_o constant_o employ_v from_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o gospel_n to_o the_o world_n till_o by_o treachery_n and_o malice_n he_o be_v apprehend_v and_o put_v to_o death_n in_o all_o which_o time_n that_o he_o public_o converse_v with_o man_n we_o have_v a_o great_a many_o surprise_v thing_n relate_v of_o he_o which_o do_v very_o much_o distinguish_v his_o character_n from_o that_o of_o any_o other_o person_n he_o be_v represent_v as_o sensible_a of_o human_a passion_n appetite_n and_o infirmity_n and_o yet_o free_a from_o all_o sin_n and_o endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o not_o feel_v and_o relieve_v those_o very_a want_n he_o suffer_v he_o love_v grieve_a and_o be_v angry_a but_o these_o affection_n be_v occasion_v in_o he_o by_o a_o just_a concern_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o success_n of_o that_o great_a work_n he_o come_v about_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n and_o they_o never_o exceed_v their_o due_a bound_n he_o feel_v hunger_n and_o weariness_n yet_o fast_v forty_o day_n and_o forty_o night_n together_o feed_v vast_a multitude_n and_o
themselves_o in_o christ_n their_o whole_a life_n be_v take_v up_o in_o travel_v and_o preach_v and_o labour_v with_o their_o hand_n to_o maintain_v themselves_o their_o whole_a business_n and_o design_n be_v to_o persuade_v people_n to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n many_o be_v their_o trouble_n and_o suffering_n upon_o this_o account_n all_o which_o they_o undergo_v very_o cheerful_o and_o never_o show_v the_o least_o sign_n of_o fear_n or_o regret_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o they_o they_o never_o decline_v a_o opportunity_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n or_o convert_v people_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o upon_o any_o prospect_n of_o danger_n whatsoever_o and_o no_o power_n or_o authority_n of_o ruler_n and_o governor_n no_o severity_n of_o persecutor_n can_v discourage_v they_o in_o their_o work_n the_o other_o person_n concern_v in_o the_o ministry_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n by_o whatever_o name_n and_o office_n distinguish_v whether_o apostle_n disciple_n deacon_n pastor_n teacher_n prophet_n evangelist_n and_o presbyter_n bishop_n or_o ruler_n so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o by_o the_o scripture_n be_v all_o of_o they_o very_o near_o of_o the_o same_o character_n with_o the_o twelve_o for_o meanness_n of_o birth_n and_o education_n simplicity_n of_o manner_n steadiness_n of_o faith_n and_o adherence_n to_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v piety_n and_o devotion_n self-denial_n and_o disinterestedness_n constancy_n and_o resolution_n under_o continual_a suffering_n and_o a_o cheerful_a preference_n of_o a_o future_a expectation_n in_o another_o life_n to_o all_o consideration_n whatsoever_o which_v this_o world_n can_v afford_v but_o one_o of_o they_o name_v paul_n be_v represent_v to_o we_o under_o some_o particular_a circumstance_n which_o make_v his_o character_n very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v educate_v in_o all_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o foot_n of_o one_o of_o their_o great_a doctor_n and_o by_o some_o passage_n we_o find_v in_o the_o epistle_n ascribe_v to_o he_o we_o collect_v that_o he_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o heathen_a greek_a author_n he_o be_v at_o first_o a_o zealous_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o a_o fierce_a persecutor_n of_o all_o that_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n call_v by_o god_n and_o by_o several_a wonderful_a sign_n and_o appearance_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n he_o become_v a_o zealous_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o large_a and_o full_a commission_n of_o apostleship_n grant_v to_o he_o than_o any_o of_o the_o twelve_o be_v exercise_v with_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o affliction_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gospel_n labour_v more_o abundant_o in_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o write_v more_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o those_o in_o the_o faith_n who_o he_o have_v convert_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o first_o common_a believer_n who_o be_v not_o call_v to_o the_o ministry_n be_v of_o the_o low_a sort_n of_o the_o people_n and_o several_a of_o they_o scandalous_a and_o notorious_a sinner_n before_o their_o conversion_n but_o some_o there_o be_v of_o the_o better_a and_o rich_a sort_n and_o some_o ruler_n and_o priest_n that_o believe_v in_o christ_n though_o but_o a_o very_a few_o that_o we_o read_v of_o the_o character_n of_o which_o believer_n after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o first_o sermon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v this_o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o of_o one_o soul_n neither_o say_v any_o of_o they_o that_o ought_v of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o possess_v be_v his_o own_o but_o they_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a neither_o be_v there_o any_o among_o they_o that_o lack_v for_o as_o many_o as_o be_v possessor_n of_o land_n or_o house_n sell_v they_o and_o bring_v the_o price_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v sell_v and_o lay_v they_o at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n and_o distribution_n be_v make_v to_o every_o man_n according_a as_o he_o have_v need_v in_o other_o place_n it_o be_v say_v of_o they_o that_o believe_v that_o before_o they_o be_v servant_n of_o sin_n but_o after_o they_o have_v obey_v from_o the_o heart_n that_o form_n of_o doctrine_n that_o be_v deliver_v they_o they_o be_v make_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o become_v the_o servant_n of_o righteousness_n that_o in_o time_n past_a they_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o this_o world_n fulfil_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o mind_n but_o now_o be_v create_v in_o christ_n jesus_n unto_o good_a work_n do_v walk_v in_o they_o that_o some_o of_o they_o who_o be_v before_o fornicator_n idolator_n adulterer_n abuser_n of_o themselves_o with_o mankind_n thief_n covetous_a drunkard_n reviler_n and_o extortioner_n be_v wash_v and_o sanctify_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n many_o of_o they_o that_o believe_v come_v and_o confess_v and_o show_v their_o deed_n many_o also_o of_o they_o which_o use_v curious_a art_n bring_v their_o book_n together_o and_o burn_v they_o before_o all_o men._n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n when_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o manifest_v their_o faith_n by_o their_o work_n turn_v from_o the_o vanity_n of_o idol_n to_o the_o live_a god_n renounce_v all_o the_o hide_a work_n of_o sin_n and_o darkness_n and_o be_v ashamed_a of_o those_o thing_n in_o which_o before_o they_o take_v pleasure_n yet_o offence_n and_o heresy_n do_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o care_n of_o those_o that_o first_o plant_v the_o church_n and_o those_o that_o afterward_o preside_v over_o they_o and_o some_o there_o be_v that_o walk_v disorderly_a that_o preach_v christ_n out_o of_o envy_n that_o teach_v other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o they_o have_v receive_v that_o turn_v after_o satan_n that_o love_v this_o present_a world_n that_o put_v away_o faith_n and_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n but_o these_o bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o faithful_a who_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n be_v speak_v of_o throughout_o the_o world_n such_o be_v the_o first_o publisher_n and_o believer_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o person_n who_o endeavour_v to_o discourage_v the_o belief_n and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o it_o by_o all_o the_o mean_n they_o can_v but_o especial_o by_o contemn_v disgrace_v revile_v and_o persecute_v those_o who_o be_v any_o way_n concern_v in_o maintain_v or_o propagate_a this_o new_a religion_n be_v among_o the_o jew_n their_o king_n governor_n chief_a priest_n elder_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o jew_n as_o also_o the_o scribe_n pharisee_n and_o saducee_n who_o be_v the_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o jewish_a nation_n some_o of_o which_o be_v represent_v as_o very_o wicked_a man_n and_o notorious_a hypocrite_n and_o other_o as_o disbeliever_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o among_o the_o gentile_n the_o magistrate_n ruler_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o city_n philosopher_n sorcerer_n craftsman_n for_o idolatrous_a shrine_n and_o certain_a lewd_a fellow_n of_o the_o base_a sort_n most_o of_o which_o be_v stir_v up_o and_o move_v to_o what_o they_o do_v by_o the_o jew_n that_o live_v among_o they_o this_o be_v the_o short_a and_o plain_a account_n i_o can_v give_v of_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o that_o book_n which_o be_v such_o as_o every_o body_n that_o read_v it_o will_v find_v there_o and_o consequent_o must_v subscribe_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o representation_n however_o he_o may_v doubt_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o original_a the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o several_a matter_n before_o mention_v be_v there_o relate_v with_o such_o other_o circumstance_n as_o refer_v to_o the_o form_n or_o composition_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n and_o the_o several_a part_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v now_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o any_o man_n that_o read_v over_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o the_o same_o care_n attention_n and_o impartiality_n as_o he_o do_v another_o book_n that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o writ_n by_o the_o same_o person_n at_o one_o continue_a time_n but_o by_o several_a person_n at_o different_a time_n and_o upon_o different_a occasion_n and_o that_o in_o general_a it_o be_v write_v with_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o style_n without_o art_n or_o affection_n and_o with_o many_o extraordinary_a mark_n of_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n but_o to_o be_v more_o particular_a the_o four_o first_o book_n call_v gospel_n
council_n of_o nice_a one_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a event_n that_o ever_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n 3._o the_o call_n of_o this_o council_n do_v plain_o infer_v that_o constantine_n look_v upon_o the_o whole_a roman_a empire_n to_o have_v be_v at_o that_o time_n general_o christian_n the_o person_n summon_v the_o place_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o meeting_n do_v all_o prove_v this_o for_o the_o person_n of_o which_o the_o council_n be_v compose_v be_v most_o of_o they_o governor_n and_o teacher_n of_o large_a church_n and_o congregation_n they_o come_v out_o of_o all_o the_o great_a and_o lesser_a province_n and_o from_o the_o most_o populous_a and_o considerable_a town_n under_o the_o roman_a government_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o come_n be_v to_o give_v their_o opinion_n concern_v a_o particular_a doctrine_n which_o do_v suppose_v a_o antecedent_n belief_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a scheme_n 4._o the_o whole_a behaviour_n of_o this_o council_n of_o bishop_n while_o they_o sit_v together_o and_o the_o business_n they_o do_v there_o be_v a_o certain_a proof_n not_o only_o that_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v public_o and_o general_o profess_v in_o the_o place_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v but_o that_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o some_o common_a faith_n and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n profess_v in_o the_o several_a place_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v be_v every_o where_o the_o same_o without_o any_o other_o variation_n than_o what_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o different_a conception_n of_o some_o article_n by_o particular_a person_n which_o be_v allow_v by_o all_o alike_o in_o some_o general_a term_n or_o different_a application_n of_o some_o general_a rule_n about_o such_o matter_n as_o christian_n be_v by_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o their_o religion_n leave_v at_o liberty_n so_o to_o apply_v 5._o the_o reason_n of_o this_o general_a agreement_n of_o all_o christian_n separate_v so_o far_o from_o one_o another_o in_o place_n and_o never_o before_o this_o time_n unite_v under_o one_o common_a head_n or_o governor_n be_v as_o we_o find_v by_o what_o pass_v in_o this_o council_n a_o firm_a and_o constant_a belief_n that_o such_o and_o such_o book_n which_o they_o all_o have_v among_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o immediate_a follower_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o contain_v a_o true_a account_n of_o his_o life_n and_o doctrine_n and_o a_o full_a scheme_n of_o their_o religion_n what_o ever_o be_v in_o any_o of_o these_o book_n they_o look_v upon_o as_o obligatory_a and_o such_o they_o esteem_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n that_o they_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o account_n in_o the_o least_o passage_n of_o they_o to_o receive_v any_o addition_n diminution_n or_o alteration_n whatsoever_o in_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n before_o they_o these_o be_v appeal_v to_o on_o both_o side_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o allow_v by_o all_o and_o the_o particular_a canon_n they_o make_v be_v found_v upon_o the_o general_a rule_n and_o order_n of_o discipline_n lay_v down_o in_o these_o scripture_n 6._o as_o we_o find_v by_o what_o be_v do_v in_o this_o council_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o faith_n they_o come_v to_o settle_v that_o all_o the_o bishop_n there_o assemble_v be_v acquaint_v with_o several_a of_o the_o same_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o we_o now_o have_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o they_o be_v persuade_v they_o be_v deliver_v down_o to_o they_o from_o the_o apostle_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n so_o by_o several_a of_o the_o canon_n they_o make_v we_o be_v assure_v that_o in_o all_o the_o several_a place_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v assemble_v the_o custom_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o communion_n be_v universal_o and_o constant_o use_v that_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n be_v observe_v as_o a_o day_n set_v apart_o for_o religious_a service_n which_o be_v chief_o prayer_n and_o read_v the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o man_n in_o a_o particular_a way_n and_o manner_n appoint_v for_o the_o performance_n of_o religious_a office_n in_o the_o name_n and_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n and_o that_o some_o of_o these_o do_v in_o a_o more_o eminent_a degree_n preside_v over_o all_o other_o both_o religious_a officer_n and_o common_a christian_n in_o such_o a_o district_n under_o the_o title_n and_o style_n of_o bishop_n now_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o relation_n concern_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o that_o time_n be_v suppose_v in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o christian_n we_o find_v in_o nero_n time_n be_v of_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o religion_n with_o those_o that_o live_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n and_o consequent_o that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n now_o record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o believe_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v say_v to_o happen_v and_o so_o continual_o down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o first_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a and_o infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o from_o the_o neronian_a persecution_n to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a be_v about_o 260_o year_n which_o be_v so_o short_a a_o period_n that_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a to_o imagine_v the_o tradition_n of_o so_o important_a a_o fact_n as_o the_o general_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o any_o considerable_a country_n or_o nation_n shall_v in_o the_o main_a branch_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v defective_a or_o corrupt_v within_o that_o time_n though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o remain_v monument_n of_o it_o but_o what_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n be_v own_o observation_n at_o the_o meeting_n of_o this_o famous_a council_n and_o therefore_o since_o the_o christian_n of_o this_o latter_a period_n do_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n deliver_v down_o to_o they_o that_o the_o christian_n who_o live_v in_o nero_n time_n profess_v the_o same_o faith_n they_o do_v as_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o account_n before_o give_v of_o their_o religion_n they_o must_v we_o may_v very_o well_o conclude_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v real_o so_o without_o further_a proof_n but_o to_o remove_v all_o doubt_n and_o objection_n so_o general_a a_o conclusion_n as_o this_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o create_v the_o truth_n and_o credibility_n of_o the_o tradition_n shall_v be_v more_o clear_o make_v out_o in_o the_o follow_a manner_n several_a of_o those_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a might_n of_o their_o own_o certain_a knowledge_n be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o for_o fifty_o year_n backward_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v then_o in_o the_o country_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v that_o all_o this_o time_n they_o have_v have_v the_o same_o scripture_n among_o they_o that_o these_o scripture_n have_v constant_o be_v read_v both_o in_o public_a and_o private_a and_o as_o far_o as_o fell_v within_o humane_a cognizance_n as_o constant_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n believe_v and_o esteem_v as_o they_o appear_v then_o to_o be_v that_o the_o ceremony_n of_o baptise_v and_o communicate_v have_v be_v always_o universal_o use_v at_o such_o time_n and_o upon_o such_o and_o such_o occasion_n that_o these_o and_o several_a other_o religious_a performance_n as_o read_v the_o scripture_n prayer_n exhortation_n etc._n etc._n have_v be_v constant_o practise_v in_o public_a when_o christian_n be_v assemble_v together_o that_o meeting_n or_o assembly_n for_o these_o purpose_n be_v very_o frequent_a that_o beside_o other_o occasional_a time_n they_o always_o observe_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n as_o a_o portion_n of_o time_n which_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o set_v apart_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o religious_a duty_n and_o especial_o in_o public_a that_o there_o be_v a_o constant_a succession_n of_o man_n by_o certain_a ceremony_n peculiar_o appropriate_v to_o the_o discharge_v of_o some_o religious_a office_n which_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o lawful_a for_o other_o not_o so_o distinguish_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o that_o it_o be_v the_o particular_a business_n of_o these_o man_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o rest_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o a_o steady_a and_o exact_a submission_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o it_o that_o there_o be_v some_o of_o these_o style_v bishop_n who_o be_v by_o some_o different_a mark_n of_o distinction_n know_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o brethren_n and_o preside_v
of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nicene_n father_n and_o most_o of_o they_o by_o all_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o all_o the_o public_a decision_n and_o order_n of_o the_o council_n that_o they_o be_v ground_v upon_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n now_o in_o our_o hand_n if_o they_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o that_o time_n and_o that_o they_o be_v eusebius_n one_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o this_o council_n be_v a_o sufficient_a witness_n who_o in_o a_o history_n he_o have_v leave_v we_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v all_o writ_n and_o the_o author_n they_o be_v write_v by_o which_o be_v another_o very_a good_a argument_n that_o most_o of_o the_o nicene_n bishop_n have_v the_o same_o bible_n for_o eusebius_n be_v not_o only_o present_a among_o and_o converse_v with_o several_a of_o they_o but_o have_v a_o great_a share_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o come_v to_o decide_v and_o be_v of_o a_o doubtful_a faith_n in_o the_o main_a point_n determine_v by_o they_o or_o as_o some_o suspect_n a_o favourer_n of_o the_o side_n condemn_v must_v have_v have_v occasion_n either_o in_o public_a debate_n or_o private_a conversation_n to_o have_v cite_v most_o of_o the_o book_n he_o acknowledge_v for_o scripture_n and_o have_v any_o doubt_n arisen_a concern_v the_o authority_n of_o they_o such_o a_o considerable_a and_o important_a controversy_n as_o will_v have_v spring_v from_o thence_o will_v have_v produce_v a_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n upon_o it_o or_o to_o be_v sure_a have_v be_v as_o much_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o as_o faithful_o record_v as_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v do_v there_o beside_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o history_n we_o have_v of_o this_o council_n by_o cotemporary_n and_o other_o of_o the_o age_n immediate_o follow_v that_o some_o scripture_n be_v appeal_v to_o their_o authority_n acknowledge_v form_n of_o expression_n draw_v from_o thence_o a_o difficulty_n make_v of_o depart_v from_o scripture-term_n till_o other_o equivalent_a expression_n be_v find_v necessary_a to_o distinguish_v those_o who_o believe_v scripture_n in_o a_o right_a sense_n from_o those_o who_o interpret_v it_o wrong_n and_o therefore_o if_o eusebius_n or_o athanasius_n who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n or_o any_o other_o writer_n cotemporary_a or_o near_o in_o time_n to_o it_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o must_v be_v judge_v to_o mean_v that_o the_o same_o scripture_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o nicene_n council_n which_o he_o himself_o own_v so_o that_o if_o eusebius_n or_o athanasius_n own_a all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o do_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o when_o he_o talk_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o nicene_n council_n he_o must_v mean_v the_o same_o that_o he_o do_v when_o he_o mention_n they_o upon_o any_o other_o occasion_n and_o the_o like_a will_v hold_v of_o other_o writer_n but_o further_a to_o put_v this_o matter_n past_o all_o doubt_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v some_o time_n or_o other_o afterward_o fix_v as_o we_o find_v it_o now_o with_o all_o the_o same_o book_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o we_o have_v at_o present_a the_o occasion_n of_o make_v such_o a_o canon_n be_v because_o it_o be_v doubt_v of_o some_o of_o the_o book_n whether_o they_o be_v the_o genuine_a work_n of_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o whether_o they_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o rest_n now_o the_o way_n that_o be_v take_v to_o remove_v all_o objection_n and_o fix_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o scripture_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o unalterable_a standard_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v by_o examine_v the_o general_a tradition_n of_o all_o the_o different_a church_n where_o christianity_n be_v profess_v upon_o which_o examination_n when_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v that_o such_o and_o such_o book_n which_o be_v doubt_v of_o by_o some_o because_o they_o have_v be_v but_o late_o receive_v among_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o province_n and_o church_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v have_v be_v constant_o acknowledge_v under_o the_o same_o style_n and_o character_n with_o the_o rest_n by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o other_o church_n of_o christian_n these_o be_v likewise_o as_o universal_o receive_v as_o the_o other_o and_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n allow_v the_o consent_n of_o so_o many_o different_a church_n in_o the_o same_o opinion_n concern_v certain_a book_n and_o agreeable_o to_o their_o opinion_n in_o the_o same_o careful_a preservation_n of_o they_o unaltered_a most_o of_o which_o church_n have_v continue_v separate_a and_o independent_a one_o of_o another_o ever_o since_o the_o date_n they_o ascribe_v to_o those_o write_n and_o several_a of_o they_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n as_o to_o have_v have_v no_o communication_n with_o one_o another_o since_o that_o time_n such_o a_o consent_n i_o say_v as_o this_o whensoever_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v first_o determine_v in_o a_o general_a meeting_n be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o book_n that_o be_v doubt_v of_o and_z according_o the_o whole_a canon_n we_o now_o have_v be_v afterward_o universal_o acknowledge_v since_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o all_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v universal_o receive_v some_o time_n after_o the_o nicene_n council_n and_o since_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o canon_n and_o universal_a submission_n to_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o general_a tradition_n so_o faithful_o preserve_v in_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o christian_a church_n that_o all_o other_o christian_n be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o it_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nicene_n bishop_n must_v own_v the_o same_o scripture_n we_o do_v now_o because_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v do_v but_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o this_o we_o will_v consider_v only_o those_o scripture_n which_o be_v never_o doubt_v of_o by_o any_o christian_n and_o consequent_o must_v have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o whole_a council_n of_o nice_a these_o be_v according_a to_o eusebius_n who_o in_o his_o history_n give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o they_o the_o four_o gospel_n act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o thirteen_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n which_o have_v his_o name_n to_o they_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o peter_n and_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o john_n and_o eusebius_n can_v not_o say_v this_o have_v he_o know_v of_o any_o of_o his_o fellow-bishop_n of_o the_o council_n who_o deny_v either_o the_o authority_n or_o general_a reception_n of_o any_o of_o these_o book_n suppose_v therefore_o that_o these_o be_v the_o only_a scripture_n acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o nicene_n bishop_n then_o what_o be_v say_v before_o concern_v several_a religious_a custom_n and_o practice_n there_o mention_v will_v hold_v in_o like_a manner_n of_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o such_o or_o such_o a_o particular_a bishop_n that_o be_v present_a at_o this_o council_n may_v himself_o by_o a_o short_a easy_a and_o unquestionable_a way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v assure_v that_o for_o 150_o year_n last_o pass_v the_o same_o scripture_n have_v be_v acknowledge_v as_o well_o as_o the_o same_o religious_a custom_n practise_v in_o that_o church_n and_o province_n from_o whence_o he_o come_v and_o consequent_o that_o the_o main_a scheme_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o it_o have_v be_v all_o that_o time_n the_o same_o now_o if_o we_o apply_v the_o forego_n observation_n to_o all_o the_o several_a bishop_n of_o this_o council_n and_o suppose_v they_o all_o satisfy_v of_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o same_o scripture_n &_o custom_n as_o be_v before_o specify_v in_o the_o several_a church_n and_o province_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v as_o the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n relate_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o have_v be_v then_o be_v the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o all_o these_o bishop_n a_o infallible_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o testify_v and_o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v such_o a_o constant_a tradition_n in_o any_o of_o these_o church_n or_o province_n as_o we_o suppose_v than_o the_o original_a introduction_n or_o intermission_n of_o any_o of_o those_o scripture_n or_o custom_n within_o the_o same_o compass_n of_o time_n will_v have_v be_v in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o manner_n and_o with_o the_o same_o certainty_n know_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o those_o church_n and_o province_n where_o such_o introduction_n or_o intermission_n happen_v and_o what_o be_v first_o introduce_v
be_v with_o much_o enquiry_n and_o examination_n establish_v this_o every_o one_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o and_o a_o free_a disquisition_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v every_o where_o to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o ancient_a writer_n then_o as_o to_o the_o persecution_n they_o be_v so_o many_o they_o continue_v so_o long_o together_o be_v so_o wide_o spread_v be_v attend_v with_o so_o vast_a a_o number_n of_o very_o new_a and_o remarkalbe_n fact_n and_o so_o many_o of_o the_o writer_n live_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o they_o and_o have_v so_o large_a a_o share_n and_o concern_v in_o they_o themselves_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v most_o of_o they_o at_o least_o very_o true_a the_o four_o observation_n i_o have_v to_o make_v upon_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n writer_n be_v that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o note_n of_o time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o they_o such_o a_o particular_a designation_n of_o place_n and_o person_n and_o such_o a_o mixture_n of_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a affair_n with_o the_o christian_a history_n as_o render_v any_o error_n or_o mistake_v so_o liable_a to_o a_o discovery_n at_o those_o time_n when_o the_o several_a book_n that_o treat_v of_o these_o matter_n be_v first_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n that_o by_o not_o be_v confute_v they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o main_a substance_n of_o what_o they_o declare_v irrefragable_o confirm_v the_o other_o write_n of_o orthodoxchristian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n which_o do_v not_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o christianity_n be_v either_o vindication_n and_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o all_o the_o objection_n and_o calumny_n raise_v by_o any_o of_o the_o enemy_n of_o it_o or_o explication_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n government_n and_o discipline_n or_o exhortation_n and_o direction_n to_o practise_v or_o animadversion_n and_o reproof_n for_o error_n and_o offence_n all_o which_o be_v write_v under_o the_o form_n of_o oration_n or_o apology_n letter_n disputation_n comment_n etc._n etc._n now_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o all_o these_o write_n that_o the_o several_a author_n of_o they_o be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o appear_v from_o the_o zeal_n and_o warmth_n with_o which_o many_o of_o they_o write_v upon_o several_a occasion_n to_o one_o another_o and_o to_o heretic_n the_o readiness_n they_o testify_v to_o quit_v all_o they_o have_v and_o to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n rather_o than_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o their_o profession_n the_o concern_v they_o express_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o fellow-christians_a in_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o to_o christianity_n the_o boldness_n and_o courage_n they_o show_v to_o person_n of_o power_n and_o authority_n when_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n or_o their_o own_o innocence_n be_v call_v in_o question_n and_o from_o many_o other_o unquestionable_a mark_n of_o honesty_n sincerity_n and_o a_o through_o persuasion_n visible_a almost_o in_o every_o page_n it_o be_v manifest_a likewise_o that_o all_o these_o author_n believe_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o found_v their_o religion_n upon_o they_o several_a of_o they_o have_v write_v comment_n upon_o they_o all_o quote_v they_o and_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v and_o the_o rule_n and_o direction_n they_o give_v from_o they_o and_o all_o their_o write_n plain_o declare_v they_o be_v very_o well_o verse_v in_o they_o and_o influence_v by_o the_o same_o spirit_n that_o govern_v there_o and_o distinguish_v those_o write_n from_o any_o other_o and_o when_o ever_o any_o controversy_n happen_v in_o matter_n of_o christian_a faith_n or_o practise_v the_o appeal_n be_v constant_o make_v to_o these_o scripture_n several_a other_o remark_n and_o observation_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o write_n of_o those_o christian_n call_v orthodox_n but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a for_o what_o i_o design_n to_o prove_v by_o they_o and_o so_o i_o pass_v on_o to_o consider_v what_o we_o have_v write_v by_o heretiek_n jew_n and_o heathen_n with_o relation_n to_o christianity_n a_o great_a many_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o person_n of_o these_o several_a denomination_n in_o the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a aera_fw-la but_o very_o little_a of_o they_o that_o express_o concern_v christianity_n remain_v now_o and_o a_o great_a many_o of_o these_o write_n be_v lose_v in_o eusebius_n time_n so_o that_o almost_o all_o we_o know_v of_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o orthodox_n writer_n in_o many_o of_o which_o there_o be_v several_a considerable_a fragment_n yet_o to_o be_v find_v and_o account_n of_o what_o be_v lose_v from_o all_o which_o we_o may_v collect_v that_o none_o of_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n neither_o heretic_n jew_n nor_o heathen_n do_v at_o any_o time_n offer_v to_o disprove_v or_o contradict_v those_o christian_a fact_n i_o have_v be_v now_o establish_v but_o do_v in_o several_a respect_n strengthen_v and_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o we_o find_v by_o the_o orthodox_n writer_n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o most_o primitive_a time_n and_o continual_o in_o all_o the_o after-period_n of_o christianity_n a_o great_a many_o heretic_n of_o very_a different_a character_n and_o opinion_n who_o trouble_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o endeavour_v to_o corrupt_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o tradition_n their_o write_n be_v full_a of_o the_o strange_a opinion_n of_o heretic_n they_o be_v oftentimes_o very_o large_a in_o give_v a_o history_n of_o the_o man_n their_o vicious_a life_n and_o wicked_a design_n and_o in_o confute_v their_o absurd_a and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n blasphemous_a doctrine_n from_o hence_o we_o find_v that_o several_a of_o these_o heretic_n in_o order_n to_o justify_v their_o error_n make_v use_v of_o all_o the_o art_n and_o shift_n they_o can_v and_o some_o deny_v one_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o some_o another_o some_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o reform_v the_o scripture_n and_o add_v what_o they_o think_v serve_v their_o turn_n or_o take_v away_o what_o they_o do_v not_o like_a other_o make_v new_a scripture_n and_o put_v they_o out_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o none_o of_o they_o deny_v the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o miraculous_a nor_o common_a though_o their_o character_n oftentimes_o allow_v and_o their_o cause_n require_v such_o a_o denial_n if_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o fact_n have_v not_o appear_v to_o they_o so_o strong_a as_o to_o render_v all_o contradiction_n vain_a and_o ineffectual_a the_o jew_n who_o write_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n allow_v most_o of_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n record_v of_o christ_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n even_o his_o miracle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o common_a history_n of_o his_o life_n and_o when_o they_o deny_v the_o reality_n they_o grant_v the_o pretence_n &_o be_v whole_o concern_v to_o show_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o the_o messiah_n promise_v they_o notwithstanding_o his_o extraordinary_a character_n because_o as_o they_o think_v several_a of_o the_o prophecy_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n to_o relate_v to_o the_o messiah_n can_v not_o be_v apply_v to_o christ_n in_o this_o consist_v whole_o the_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o christian_n and_o therefore_o be_v the_o jew_n of_o these_o time_n censure_v by_o the_o christian_a writer_n as_o corrupt_v the_o old_a testament_n in_o such_o passage_n of_o it_o as_o seem_v to_o they_o to_o make_v most_o for_o the_o christian_a religion_n particular_o justin_n in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o a_o jew_n endeavour_v to_o evince_v that_o several_a testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o he_o quote_v be_v cut_v out_o of_o the_o bible_n by_o the_o jew_n which_o charge_n whether_o true_a or_o false_a prove_v thus_o much_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o resist_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o by_o deny_v or_o in_o some_o manner_n evade_n the_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n here_o they_o place_v the_o chief_a strength_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o not_o in_o the_o confutation_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o be_v plain_o grant_v in_o the_o argument_n they_o make_v use_v of_o to_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o inference_n draw_v from_o it_o particular_o josephus_n do_v comfirm_v the_o truth_n of_o several_a of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o such_o as_o necessary_o determine_v the_o oririginal_a of_o christianity_n the_o like_a
account_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o heathen_n who_o write_n do_v any_o way_n concern_v christianity_n for_o neither_o those_o of_o they_o that_o be_v instrumental_a in_o the_o persecution_n of_o christian_n nor_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n by_o argument_n do_v deny_v any_o of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v distinguish_v by_o the_o title_n of_o common_a historical_a fact_n and_o a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o be_v confirm_v by_o other_o heathen_a writer_n who_o treat_v of_o their_o own_o affair_n only_o or_o mention_v christian_a matter_n occasional_o as_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v intermix_v with_o those_o thing_n they_o design_o write_v about_o nay_o some_o of_o those_o that_o write_v express_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o only_o allow_v that_o christ_n pretend_v to_o miracle_n and_o that_o he_o do_v those_o thing_n record_v of_o he_o in_o appearance_n as_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o several_a of_o they_o but_o that_o he_o do_v real_o work_v those_o very_a miracle_n he_o pretend_v to_o but_o then_o they_o endeavour_v to_o lessen_v the_o credit_n of_o they_o and_o destroy_v the_o doctrine_n build_v upon_o they_o either_o by_o ascribe_v they_o as_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n likewise_o do_v to_o magic_a and_o evil_a spirit_n or_o show_v that_o several_a of_o their_o own_o religion_n have_v do_v as_o extraordinary_a thing_n as_o any_o that_o be_v attribute_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n a_o great_a many_o of_o these_o heathen_a write_n be_v quote_v some_o of_o they_o particular_o answer_v and_o confute_v and_o several_a large_a piece_n of_o they_o insert_v in_o the_o book_n of_o christian_a author_n there_o we_o find_v beside_o a_o great_a many_o passage_n out_o of_o private_a author_n and_o common_a tradition_n several_a rescript_n edict_n and_o letter_n of_o roman_a emperor_n either_o mention_v or_o transcribe_v and_o several_a public_a act_n and_o record_v compile_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o heathen_n and_o in_o their_o keep_n appeal_v to_o with_o the_o great_a confidence_n and_o assurance_n imaginable_a as_o extant_a in_o the_o writer_n time_n that_o cites_n they_o and_o general_o know_v particular_o we_o meet_v with_o divers_a of_o these_o heathen_a monument_n in_o the_o christian_a apology_n which_o be_v at_o several_a time_n by_o different_a writer_n dedicate_v to_o roman_a emperor_n the_o senate_n of_o rome_n and_o governor_n of_o province_n many_o such_o proof_n and_o evidence_n as_o these_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o history_n be_v still_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o christian_a book_n which_o be_v write_v before_o eusebius_n and_o be_v now_o extant_a but_o there_o be_v also_o extant_a in_o his_o time_n several_a of_o the_o same_o heathen_a book_n out_o of_o which_o those_o testimony_n be_v take_v and_o other_o which_o give_v the_o same_o account_n of_o christian_a affair_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o eusebius_n to_o be_v so_o notorious_a a_o truth_n that_o when_o he_o talk_v of_o the_o state_n of_o christianity_n under_o domitian_n he_o confirm_v what_o he_o say_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o heathen_a writer_n without_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o name_v any_o particular_a author_n 18._o eus_n e._n h._n l._n 3._o c._n 18._o so_o mighty_o say_v he_o do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o faith_n flourish_v in_o those_o forementioned_a time_n that_o even_o those_o writer_n who_o be_v whole_o estrange_v from_o our_o religion_n by_o which_o he_o plain_o mean_v heathen_n have_v not_o think_v it_o troublesome_a to_o set_v forth_o in_o their_o history_n both_o this_o persecution_n and_o also_o the_o martyrdom_n suffer_v therein_o and_o they_o have_v also_o accurate_o show_v the_o very_a time_n relate_v that_o in_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o domitian_n flavia_n domitilla_n daughter_n of_o the_o sister_n of_o fabius_n clemens_n at_o that_o time_n one_o of_o the_o consul_n of_o rome_n be_v together_o with_o many_o other_o banish_v into_o the_o island_n of_o pontia_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v likewise_o several_a heathen_a author_n still_o separately_z extant_a out_o of_o which_o may_v be_v collect_v a_o great_a many_o passage_n which_o give_v a_o concurrent_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n as_o tacitus_n and_o pliny_n before_o quote_v and_o divers_a other_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o they_o that_o do_v in_o the_o least_o contradict_v any_o of_o the_o principal_a matter_n fact_n now_o to_o be_v prove_v but_o beside_o these_o write_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v genuine_a and_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a work_n of_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v whether_o orthodox_n christian_n heretic_n jew_n or_o heathen_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o other_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o christianity_n write_v by_o uncertain_a author_n and_o either_o purposely_o publish_v under_o false_a name_n and_o title_n with_o a_o design_n to_o promote_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n or_o to_o advance_v and_o defend_v some_o particular_a notion_n and_o practice_n which_o the_o author_n of_o they_o approve_v and_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o recommend_v to_o the_o world_n or_o else_o by_o some_o mistake_v ascribe_v to_o those_o person_n to_o who_o they_o do_v not_o real_o belong_v such_o be_v a_o great_a many_o false_a gospel_n act_n epistle_n and_o revelation_n and_o several_a other_o historical_a and_o doctrinal_a discourse_n publish_v under_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o virgin_n mary_n the_o apostle_n and_o eminent_a christian_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n such_o be_v also_o several_a letter_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o pilate_n seneca_n and_o lentulus_n the_o oracle_n of_o the_o sibyl_n and_o several_a other_o write_n attribute_v to_o some_o considerable_a heathen_n a_o passage_n in_o josephus_n relate_v to_o christ_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o suppose_v they_o all_o forge_v or_o only_o some_o of_o they_o so_o some_o accidental_o mistake_v and_o other_o doubtful_a whoever_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o so_o long_o as_o it_o plain_o appear_v they_o be_v of_o such_o and_o such_o antiquity_n they_o be_v certain_a proof_n of_o the_o general_a faith_n of_o christian_n at_o the_o respective_a time_n when_o any_o of_o they_o be_v publish_v and_o consequent_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n in_o question_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o all_o evident_o suppose_v a_o antecedent_n belief_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n found_v upon_o those_o fact_n as_o be_v visible_a by_o all_o the_o remain_v we_o have_v leave_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o be_v as_o good_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o be_o prove_v as_o the_o most_o genuine_a unquestionable_a write_n of_o any_o other_o author_n whatsoever_o viz._n that_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a which_o point_n i_o think_v be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o multitude_n and_o variety_n of_o evidence_n that_o i_o may_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o jesus_n christ_n who_o live_v and_o be_v crucify_a at_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o character_n suffering_n and_o pretence_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o they_o be_v the_o same_o we_o find_v represent_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o deliver_v be_v propagate_v through_o the_o world_n and_o those_o book_n write_v according_a to_o the_o time_n manner_n and_o circumstance_n there_o mention_v between_o the_o middle_n of_o tiberius_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o trajan_n reign_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o to_o the_o principal_a fact_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v always_o the_o same_o from_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o present_a age_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v always_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o genuine_a work_n of_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v and_o to_o contain_v the_o unalterable_a ground_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v 2._o in_o the_o next_o place_n then_o i_o be_o to_o prove_v that_o those_o extraordinary_a fact_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o call_v miracle_n and_o prophecy_n be_v real_o true_a according_a the_o relation_n there_o give_v of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v constant_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a by_o all_o christian_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v first_o say_v to_o happen_v have_v already_o be_v prove_v but_o whether_o their_o faith_n be_v well_o
that_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v likewise_o own_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o avast_o multitude_n more_o both_o of_o such_o as_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o of_o such_o as_o reject_v and_o oppose_v it_o and_o violent_o persecute_v the_o teacher_n of_o it_o to_o omit_v the_o testimony_n of_o true_a believer_n thus_o it_o be_v record_v concern_v those_o upon_o who_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o power_n nor_o influence_n the_o ruler_n elder_n scribe_n and_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o summon_v peter_n and_o john_n before_o they_o for_o cure_v a_o lame_a man_n can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o a_o notable_a miracle_n have_v be_v do_v by_o they_o which_o be_v manifest_a to_o all_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v afterward_o fill_v with_o indignation_n and_o take_v counsel_n to_o slay_v they_o because_o they_o can_v not_o restrain_v they_o from_o do_v more_o miracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n but_o they_o never_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n stephen_n full_a of_o faith_n and_o power_n do_v great_a wonder_n and_o miracle_n among_o the_o people_n but_o he_o be_v accuse_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n not_o for_o deceive_v the_o people_n with_o false_a miracle_n but_o for_o speak_v thing_n against_o the_o holy_a place_n and_o the_o law_n for_o say_v that_o jesus_n shall_v destroy_v that_o place_n and_o change_v the_o custom_n which_o moses_n deliver_v they_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o that_o sit_v in_o the_o council_n look_v steadfast_o on_o he_o see_v his_o face_n as_o it_o have_v be_v the_o face_n of_o a_o angel_n neither_o have_v they_o any_o thing_n to_o object_n against_o his_o life_n or_o his_o work_n simon_n the_o sorcerer_n to_o who_o all_o the_o people_n in_o samaria_n give_v heed_n from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a look_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v the_o great_a power_n of_o god_n be_v himself_o as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o be_v bewitch_v by_o he_o baptise_a by_o philip_n and_o believe_v when_o he_o behold_v the_o miracle_n and_o sign_n that_o be_v do_v but_o afterward_o we_o find_v by_o the_o wickedness_n of_o his_o heart_n which_o he_o discover_v to_o peter_n that_o he_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n elymas_n the_o sorcerer_n who_o be_v strike_v blind_a by_o paul_n and_o yet_o not_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n be_v another_o unwilling_a witness_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o people_n of_o lystra_n confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n who_o take_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n for_o god_n in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n they_o see_v perform_v by_o they_o and_o afterward_o by_o the_o instigation_n of_o the_o jew_n stone_v paul_n the_o damsel_n possess_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o divination_n and_o her_o master_n who_o see_v the_o hope_n of_o their_o gain_n go_v by_o paul_n command_v the_o spirit_n to_o come_v out_o of_o she_o several_a vagabond_n jew_n exorcist_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o cast_v out_o evil_a spirit_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n but_o suffer_v very_o much_o for_o the_o impudence_n of_o their_o pretence_n and_o a_o great_a many_o other_o such_o like_a be_v witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o wicked_a or_o dishonourable_a motive_n reject_v the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v or_o profess_v to_o embrace_v it_o upon_o ill_a design_n or_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o the_o faith_n great_a complaint_n of_o all_o which_o sort_n of_o man_n we_o find_v in_o the_o epistle_n thus_o be_v the_o miracle_n of_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n declare_v and_o attest_v but_o moreover_o it_o be_v record_v of_o they_o that_o they_o have_v not_o only_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n themselves_o but_o that_o they_o be_v authorize_v and_o enable_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o spirit_n to_o convey_v the_o like_a power_n to_o other_o and_o according_o we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o instance_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o private_a christian_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v confer_v upon_o they_o by_o prayer_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n after_o which_o action_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o be_v immediate_o say_v to_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o according_a to_o the_o different_a exigency_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o different_a qualification_n of_o the_o person_n endue_v with_o they_o be_v divers_a and_o among_o these_o be_v reckon_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o of_o interpretation_n the_o gift_n of_o healing_n and_o of_o miracle_n which_o gift_n be_v say_v to_o be_v very_o common_a among_o the_o first_o convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o all_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o the_o same_o be_v plain_o imply_v by_o the_o frequent_a rule_n and_o caution_n that_o be_v give_v by_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o due_a exercise_n of_o they_o and_o the_o fear_n and_o apprehension_n they_o often_o express_v lest_o the_o christian_n thus_o impower_v shall_v by_o covet_v one_o another_o gift_n or_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o those_o they_o be_v several_o possess_v of_o neglect_v to_o apply_v themselves_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o scripture-account_a of_o miracle_n and_o these_o be_v those_o wonderful_a fact_n believe_v by_o the_o first_o christian_n their_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a ground_n and_o motive_n of_o their_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n or_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v likewise_o other_o strange_a matter_n of_o fact_n call_v prophecy_n which_o be_v most_o sure_o believe_v among_o they_o and_o which_o contribute_v very_o much_o to_o their_o receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o continue_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n without_o waver_v and_o these_o i_o shall_v consider_v in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o method_n i_o do_v miracle_n for_o there_o be_v several_a prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o utter_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o together_o with_o several_a other_o speak_v with_o relation_n to_o he_o and_o fulfil_v by_o he_o other_o there_o be_v mention_v as_o speak_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o prophecy_n immediate_o from_o he_o it_o be_v plain_a also_o from_o several_a instance_n and_o passage_n in_o the_o sacred_a write_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v convey_v by_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n to_o private_a christian_n and_o be_v very_o common_a among_o they_o the_o prophecy_n speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v most_o of_o they_o deliver_v in_o private_a to_o his_o disciple_n some_o of_o which_o be_v not_o write_v till_o after_o the_o thing_n happen_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o the_o disciple_n be_v whole_o answerable_a for_o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v publish_v in_o write_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v and_o these_o may_v then_o and_o may_v still_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o they_o other_o of_o they_o be_v speak_v public_o and_o frequent_o before_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n as_o those_o about_o his_o suffer_v and_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n and_o several_a beside_o their_o be_v speak_v open_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o many_o be_v also_o spread_v abroad_o in_o write_v long_o before_o the_o event_n actual_o happen_v as_o particular_o that_o remarkable_a one_o concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n prophecy_n speak_v of_o christ_n in_o former_a time_n with_o relation_n to_o his_o person_n action_n suffering_n and_o doctrine_n with_o the_o several_a circumstance_n belong_v to_o the_o whole_a dispensation_n of_o his_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v find_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v manifest_o write_v long_o before_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n and_o be_v now_o extant_a and_o may_v then_o and_o may_v still_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o event_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v completion_n of_o they_o and_o some_o prophecy_n there_o be_v concern_v our_o saviour_n speak_v by_o holy_a person_n a_o little_a before_o and_o after_o his_o birth_n and_o at_o his_o presentation_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o also_o other_o concern_v john_n his_o forerunner_n and_o all_o the_o preach_a of_o john_n be_v prophetical_a of_o christ_n the_o truth_n of_o all_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v not_o depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o
as_o do_v evident_o appear_v from_o the_o reflection_n before_o lay_v down_o but_o if_o it_o be_v further_o object_v notwithstanding_o the_o evidence_n before_o give_v which_o plain_o prove_v the_o contrary_a that_o all_o these_o thing_n we_o call_v miracle_n will_v have_v happen_v according_a to_o the_o establish_v course_n of_o nature_n at_o the_o time_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n they_o do_v happen_v whether_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v use_v such_o previous_a sign_n as_o make_v they_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o or_o not_o and_o so_o all_o the_o fact_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o other_o natural_a cause_n though_o they_o can_v not_o be_v effect_v by_o man_n if_o this_o i_o say_v shall_v be_v urge_v and_o the_o supposition_n allow_v then_o must_v all_o the_o miracle_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o pretend_a author_n of_o they_o be_v resolve_v into_o prophecy_n and_o that_o will_v amount_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o the_o foretell_v all_o those_o wonderful_a event_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n will_v plain_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v upon_o the_o subject_a of_o prophecy_n to_o be_v as_o much_o above_o the_o power_n and_o skill_n of_o man_n as_o the_o do_n of_o they_o will_v be_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o miracle_n do_v the_o multitude_n of_o person_n concern_v in_o they_o the_o public_a manner_n of_o do_v they_o and_o the_o time_n and_o place_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v take_v off_o all_o imaginable_a suspicion_n of_o confederacy_n if_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fact_n will_v have_v admit_v it_o as_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o will_v not_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o suppose_v that_o objection_n and_o nothing_o more_o can_v possible_o be_v urge_v and_o as_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n which_o concern_v the_o christian_a dispensation_n do_v certain_o proceed_v from_o some_o high_a power_n and_o knowledge_n than_o that_o of_o man_n so_o likewise_o do_v the_o gospel_n itself_o by_o which_o i_o mean_v that_o whole_a scheme_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o we_o find_v it_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v allow_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o there_o never_o be_v so_o just_a and_o noble_a a_o draught_n of_o morality_n as_o the_o christian_a so_o full_a and_o consistent_a a_o scheme_n of_o humane_a duty_n lay_v down_o in_o so_o plain_a and_o simple_a a_o manner_n without_o any_o art_n or_o ostentation_n and_o press_v upon_o mankind_n with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n and_o authority_n without_o any_o visible_a interest_n or_o advantage_n of_o the_o preacher_n and_o writer_n and_o without_o any_o worldly_a dignity_n or_o title_n that_o make_v they_o superior_a to_o the_o low_a of_o those_o they_o preach_v and_o write_v to_o it_o must_v be_v likewise_o confess_v that_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o morality_n be_v enforce_v by_o the_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v very_o new_a and_o surprise_v that_o the_o thing_n they_o require_v man_n to_o believe_v in_o order_n to_o render_v their_o practice_n of_o the_o duty_n enjoin_v they_o effectual_a be_v very_o shock_v and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o mankind_n but_o especial_o those_o of_o that_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v first_o publish_v and_o that_o the_o very_a language_n and_o form_n of_o expression_n in_o which_o the_o great_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o different_a from_o whatever_o we_o find_v use_v upon_o any_o other_o occasion_n now_o these_o thing_n be_v grant_v i_o can_v possible_o conceive_v how_o any_o man_n shall_v at_o once_o invent_v such_o a_o system_fw-la of_o morality_n as_o the_o christian_a so_o very_o different_a from_o all_o other_o know_v before_o and_o so_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o passion_n and_o repute_a interest_n of_o man_n nor_o how_o he_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o enjoin_v several_a duty_n as_o necessary_a whichnone_o of_o the_o learned_a in_o these_o matter_n have_v judge_v so_o before_o as_o bear_v and_o forgive_a injury_n do_v good_a for_o evil_a and_o the_o like_a shall_v positive_o affirm_v some_o thing_n as_o certain_a which_o be_v doubt_v of_o till_o then_o as_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n and_o a_o future_a state_n of_o happiness_n and_o misery_n etc._n etc._n shall_v command_v every_o thing_n he_o say_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v under_o the_o severe_a penalty_n imaginable_a and_o all_o this_o bare_o upon_o his_o own_o word_n and_o authority_n without_o consult_v any_o other_o principle_n or_o rule_n of_o action_n which_o have_v before_o obtain_v or_o give_v any_o reason_n to_o prove_v his_o own_o be_v better_a and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v submit_v to_o but_o if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v invent_v all_o the_o christian_a morality_n himself_o what_o force_n of_o imagination_n what_o turn_n or_o agitation_n of_o thought_n can_v have_v help_v he_o to_o conceive_v that_o set_a of_o notion_n which_o make_v up_o the_o whole_a christian_a faith_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n they_o be_v join_v together_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o they_o have_v enter_v into_o his_o mind_n what_o reason_n or_o motive_n can_v he_o have_v to_o believe_v they_o and_o have_v he_o believe_v they_o himself_o how_o can_v he_o expect_v to_o make_v other_o assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o how_o can_v he_o imagine_v that_o these_o opinion_n will_v recommend_v his_o morality_n to_o the_o world_n why_o shall_v he_o think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o propagate_v they_o to_o insist_v upon_o they_o as_o necessary_a to_o make_v the_o danger_n of_o disbelieve_v they_o as_o great_a as_o neglect_v the_o duty_n of_o his_o morality_n and_o yet_o give_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o the_o world_n for_o what_o he_o say_v but_o his_o bare_a say_v it_o beside_o be_v all_o these_o christian_a doctrine_n relate_v both_o to_o faith_n and_o practice_n find_v out_o by_o mere_a humane_a sagacity_n it_o be_v extreme_o difficult_a to_o imagine_v that_o neither_o the_o contriver_n nor_o publisher_n of_o they_o shall_v any_o where_n in_o their_o preach_a or_o write_v arrogate_v any_o thing_n to_o themselves_o upon_o this_o account_n but_o shall_v constant_o renounce_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o discovery_n and_o never_o betray_v any_o design_n of_o procure_v to_o themselves_o esteem_v or_o any_o other_o advantage_n of_o life_n whatsoever_o for_o oblige_v mankind_n with_o so_o beneficial_a a_o scheme_n of_o thing_n as_o the_o gospel_n propose_v and_o to_o carry_v this_o point_n yet_o far_o if_o it_o be_v so_o very_o hard_o to_o imagine_v how_o any_o person_n whatsoever_o shall_v frame_v such_o notion_n and_o opinion_n to_o themselves_o and_o afterward_o act_v upon_o such_o motive_n and_o observe_v such_o a_o conduct_n in_o the_o publication_n of_o they_o it_o be_v much_o more_o inconceivable_a how_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a man_n of_o very_o low_a education_n and_o constant_o employ_v in_o mean_a affair_n shall_v do_v all_o this_o and_o it_o be_v particular_o unaccountable_a how_o jew_n shall_v give_v such_o a_o character_n and_o representation_n of_o their_o messiah_n and_o his_o office_n and_o business_n in_o the_o world_n so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o opinion_n and_o expectation_n of_o that_o whole_a people_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n so_o very_o unlikely_a to_o be_v entertain_v or_o credit_v it_o be_v moreover_o impossible_a to_o conceive_v how_o so_o many_o man_n as_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o preach_a and_o propagate_a christianity_n in_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n at_o the_o same_o time_n shall_v before_o any_o thing_n be_v commit_v to_o write_v all_o agree_v upon_o the_o same_o set_a of_o doctrine_n use_v the_o same_o open_a sincere_a unartful_a method_n of_o deliver_v they_o and_o the_o same_o bold_a authoritative_a way_n of_o enforce_v they_o and_o shall_v all_o show_v the_o same_o courage_n and_o resolution_n in_o maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o preach_v and_o in_o bear_v all_o manner_n of_o loss_n and_o affliction_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o testimony_n this_o i_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v or_o account_v for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o assist_v by_o continual_a revelation_n and_o constant_a supply_n of_o spiritual_a strength_n and_o force_n which_o proceed_v from_o some_o more_o powerful_a and_o know_a be_v then_o man._n that_o they_o be_v all_o firm_o persuade_v they_o be_v thus_o assist_v be_v the_o least_o that_o can_v possible_o be_v suppose_v and_o how_o the_o invention_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a scheme_n and_o the_o conduct_n of_o those_o that_o publish_a and_o preach_v it_o to_o the_o world_n and_o suffer_v for_o it_o can_v be_v ascribe_v
come_v first_o by_o these_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v high_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o give_v man_n true_a notion_n concern_v himself_o to_o acquaint_v they_o how_o and_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o ought_v to_o obey_v and_o worship_n he_o and_o to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o assist_v they_o in_o the_o attainment_n of_o their_o happiness_n we_o be_v very_o sensible_a of_o our_o own_o ignorance_n misery_n and_o impotence_n we_o can_v by_o any_o argument_n of_o reason_n find_v out_o how_o or_o when_o we_o be_v make_v what_o shall_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o that_o contrariety_n of_o principle_n and_o inclination_n we_o experience_n within_o we_o why_o we_o shall_v act_v contrary_a to_o what_o we_o ourselves_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o act_n and_o be_v more_o dispose_v so_o to_o act_n than_o otherwise_o why_o we_o shall_v be_v determine_v to_o pursue_v hapness_n and_o yet_o be_v miserable_a why_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o several_a pleasure_n we_o be_v incline_v to_o shall_v be_v often_o attend_v with_o great_a degree_n of_o pain_n and_o act_v as_o our_o reason_n approve_v and_o prescribe_v shall_v be_v oftentimes_o as_o prejudicial_a to_o our_o present_a happiness_n why_o we_o shall_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o our_o duty_n to_o serve_v god_n and_o yet_o in_o several_a instance_n endure_v more_o trouble_n and_o misery_n upon_o that_o account_n than_o those_o who_o live_v in_o defiance_n of_o religion_n these_o be_v thing_n our_o reason_n be_v puzzle_v to_o explain_v to_o we_o and_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n as_o we_o have_v very_o good_a ground_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v how_o can_v we_o be_v sure_a our_o religion_n or_o piety_n be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o suppose_v our_o service_n be_v proper_a so_o far_o as_o it_o go_v what_o assurance_n can_v we_o have_v that_o the_o many_o constant_a violation_n of_o our_o duty_n which_o our_o own_o conscience_n accuse_v we_o of_o may_v not_o render_v our_o small_a service_n ineffectual_a beside_o the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o our_o conduct_n and_o behaviour_n with_o regard_n to_o ourselves_o and_o one_o another_o must_v be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o precarious_a when_o we_o have_v no_o other_o guide_n but_o our_o unassisted_a reason_n and_o no_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o submit_v to_o any_o other_o judgement_n but_o his_o own_o for_o in_o this_o case_n every_o man_n according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o his_o passion_n prejudices_fw-la and_o interest_n must_v have_v a_o different_a standard_n to_o regulate_v his_o action_n by_o these_o be_v thing_n we_o be_v all_o sensible_a of_o now_o and_o which_o without_o allow_v revelation_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o account_v for_o or_o satisfy_v ourselves_o about_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o improvement_n of_o rational_a knowledge_n we_o at_o present_a enjoy_v and_o the_o expediency_n of_o be_v right_o inform_v in_o all_o these_o matter_n be_v esteem_v so_o great_a that_o it_o be_v urge_v by_o some_o as_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a revelation_n that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v universal_a enough_o it_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o the_o objector_n as_o a_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n to_o live_v in_o a_o state_n of_o gross_a ignorance_n barbarity_n and_o disorder_n as_o ancient_a history_n and_o modern_a experience_n inform_v we_o of_o since_o therefore_o we_o can_v but_o be_v satisfy_v from_o reflection_n upon_o our_o own_o nature_n improve_v and_o from_o observation_n upon_o the_o wretched_a state_n of_o a_o large_a part_n of_o mankind_n who_o live_v in_o ignorance_n that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o concern_v the_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n be_v very_o great_a that_o the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o want_n of_o religion_n be_v very_o dismal_a and_o calamitous_a and_o that_o man_n in_o such_o a_o state_n of_o ignorance_n as_o we_o find_v some_o whole_a country_n be_v will_v very_o probable_o never_o by_o any_o force_n of_o their_o own_o faculty_n without_o foreign_a help_n and_o assistance_n reach_v to_o that_o knowledge_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o some_o nation_n of_o the_o present_a age_n be_v arrive_v to_o which_o be_v manifest_o owe_v to_o those_o book_n they_o have_v among_o they_o and_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o communicate_v to_o they_o from_o god_n since_o we_o be_v further_o convince_v that_o person_n in_o such_o a_o state_n of_o ignorance_n as_o we_o now_o suppose_v if_o they_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o make_v some_o advance_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o natural_a religion_n can_v not_o by_o mere_a reason_n without_o revelation_n proceed_v so_o far_o as_o upon_o good_a ground_n to_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o obligation_n of_o what_o they_o know_v and_o the_o advantage_n or_o danger_n that_o attend_v their_o performance_n or_o transgression_n of_o the_o rule_n they_o lay_v down_o that_o they_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o explain_v any_o of_o the_o difficulty_n before_o mention_v and_o that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n by_o the_o overrule_a prevalence_n of_o present_a pleasure_n and_o passion_n work_v different_o in_o different_a man_n they_o will_v relapse_n into_o their_o former_a state_n again_o upon_o all_o these_o account_n it_o seem_v very_o expedient_a that_o god_n shall_v give_v man_n a_o true_a and_o perfect_a scheme_n of_o religion_n agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n and_o fit_v to_o all_o the_o want_v and_o exigency_n of_o mankind_n however_o i_o dare_v not_o venture_v to_o argue_v that_o because_o it_o appear_v so_o very_o expedient_a for_o we_o and_o so_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o revelation_n make_v to_o the_o world_n therefore_o god_n have_v actual_o do_v it_o because_o i_o can_v comprehend_v all_o the_o particular_a reason_n and_o end_n of_o god_n act_v with_o regard_n to_o man_n here_o nor_o what_o allowance_n he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o make_v in_o his_o future_a judgement_n upon_o they_o in_o order_n to_o a_o other_o state_n but_o if_o there_o be_v a_o revelation_n pretend_v to_o and_o i_o find_v upon_o a_o strict_a examination_n of_o it_o that_o it_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o such_o a_o revelation_n as_o our_o reason_n tell_v we_o man_n want_v and_o be_v very_o proper_a and_o become_a god_n to_o give_v and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o man_n himself_o can_v not_o be_v the_o author_n of_o i_o must_v be_v convince_v from_o hence_o that_o it_o come_v from_o god_n and_o such_o a_o revelation_n as_o this_o be_v the_o christian_n there_o we_o find_v a_o very_a just_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n of_o the_o original_a formation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o particular_o the_o creation_n of_o man_n the_o change_n and_o alteration_n of_o his_o first_o condition_n and_o the_o unhappy_a consequence_n of_o it_o from_o thence_o we_o be_v enable_v to_o explain_v these_o contrary_a tendency_n and_o principle_n of_o action_n we_o experience_n in_o ourselves_o that_o unequal_a composition_n of_o perfection_n and_o weakness_n capacity_n and_o want_v we_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o ignorance_n of_o which_o make_v man_n the_o most_o unaccountable_a part_n of_o the_o whole_a universe_n there_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o most_o proper_a suitable_a way_n of_o worship_v and_o serve_v god_n there_o we_o have_v the_o true_a draught_n of_o morality_n the_o best_a and_o most_o exalt_a scheme_n of_o all_o the_o duty_n which_o concern_v the_o government_n of_o ourselves_o and_o our_o behaviour_n to_o one_o another_o by_o this_o revelation_n we_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o observance_n of_o religious_a duty_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n will_v be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n all_o our_o doubt_n about_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o obedience_n be_v remove_v and_o our_o conscience_n entire_o satisfy_v a_o way_n be_v there_o show_v we_o how_o our_o piety_n and_o virtue_n may_v be_v render_v well_o please_v to_o god_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o fail_n they_o be_v accompany_v with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o kindness_n of_o which_o expedient_a we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v and_o admire_v the_o same_o revelation_n do_v likewise_o fix_v and_o ascertain_v our_o belief_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o propose_v such_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o another_o world_n as_o be_v proper_a and_o sufficient_a motive_n to_o determine_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n in_o this_o and_o give_v we_o a_o satisfactory_a explication_n of_o all_o the_o present_a inequality_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o humane_a affair_n this_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a rational_a scheme_n of_o thing_n and_o very_o agreeable_a to_o all_o the_o notion_n our_o
of_o the_o world_n that_o most_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a person_n who_o we_o that_o be_v now_o call_v christian_n pretend_v they_o be_v write_v by_o and_o that_o all_o of_o they_o be_v write_v about_o the_o same_o time_n we_o now_o believe_v and_o affirm_v they_o be_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n to_o believe_v these_o book_n to_o be_v true_a and_o genuine_a as_o any_o other_o of_o the_o same_o stand_v and_o antiquity_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o book_n much_o great_a in_o the_o next_o place_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o all_o the_o account_n we_o have_v leave_v we_o of_o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a adversary_n of_o this_o religion_n either_o jew_n or_o heathen_n profane_a or_o revolt_a christian_n ever_o object_v to_o the_o true_a christian_a believer_n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o they_o pretend_v their_o religion_n be_v contain_v be_v forge_v and_o supposititious_a and_o consequent_o that_o their_o faith_n be_v vain_a and_o ill-grounded_n and_o if_o those_o who_o live_v at_o and_o near_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o christianity_n never_o make_v use_n of_o this_o objection_n against_o it_o then_o what_o strength_n can_v it_o have_v now_o when_o urge_v by_o those_o who_o can_v well_o be_v more_o industrious_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n than_o their_o unbelieve_a predecessor_n be_v and_o can_v possible_o at_o this_o distance_n make_v out_o such_o a_o discovery_n as_o they_o pretend_v to_o can_v we_o suppose_v the_o thing_n true_a and_o never_o detect_v before_o by_o such_o as_o seek_v all_o occasion_n to_o lessen_v the_o credit_n and_o stop_v the_o growth_n of_o christianity_n in_o every_o age_n which_o to_o i_o seem_v utter_o inconceivable_a i_o be_o likewise_o persuade_v that_o no_o mere_a man_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o own_o unassisted_a capacity_n can_v have_v frame_v and_o contrive_v such_o a_o book_n as_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v i_o can_v possible_o prevail_v upon_o myself_o to_o believe_v that_o such_o fact_n as_o be_v there_o record_v such_o a_o contexture_n of_o history_n such_o a_o scheme_n of_o doctrine_n such_o character_n of_o man_n and_o such_o a_o manner_n of_o write_v as_o we_o find_v throughout_o that_o book_n can_v be_v altogether_o the_o issue_n and_o result_v of_o humane_a sagacity_n alone_o but_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v possible_a that_o all_o these_o thing_n may_v have_v enter_v into_o a_o man_n mind_n suppose_v likewise_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o present_a appearance_n of_o universal_a uncontradict_v tradition_n to_o the_o contrary_a a_o book_n now_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a may_v some_o time_n or_o other_o have_v be_v invent_v without_o any_o ground_n for_o such_o a_o work_n in_o the_o reality_n of_o thing_n allow_v i_o say_v the_o possibility_n of_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v still_o upon_o many_o other_o account_n manifest_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o work_n and_o contrivance_n of_o man_n without_o a_o sufficient_a foundation_n of_o true_a real_a fact_n to_o support_v they_o this_o will_v more_o paticular_o appear_v from_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o end_n or_o design_n imaginable_a sufficient_a to_o have_v determine_v the_o suppose_a author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o undertake_v such_o a_o work_n 2._o that_o if_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a have_v not_o be_v true_a it_o will_v have_v be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v ever_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o propagate_v in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o manner_n we_o find_v it_o be_v at_o present_a first_o then_o i_o be_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o end_n or_o design_n imaginable_a sufficient_a to_o have_v determine_v the_o suppose_a author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o undertake_v such_o a_o work_n all_o the_o end_v we_o can_v imagine_v the_o author_n of_o this_o extraordinary_a performance_n act_v upon_o must_v be_v either_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n his_o own_o particular_a interest_n or_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n or_o pure_o the_o pleasure_n of_o deceive_a but_o none_o of_o these_o can_v have_v influence_n enough_o to_o produce_v such_o a_o work_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v account_v for_o its_o original_a some_o other_o way_n for_o first_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o some_o virtuous_a good_a man_n who_o endeavour_v as_o far_o as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o live_v up_o to_o those_o rule_n we_o find_v deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n shall_v out_o of_o pure_a zeal_n for_o the_o welfare_n and_o interest_n of_o mankind_n publish_v such_o a_o scheme_n of_o live_v as_o be_v there_o lay_v down_o under_o the_o gross_a form_n of_o imposture_n imaginable_a it_o can_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o thought_n of_o such_o a_o man_n as_o this_o to_o recommend_v simplicity_n truth_n and_o integrity_n by_o the_o most_o solemn_a variety_n of_o lie_n and_o falsehood_n that_o ever_o be_v invent_v he_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o establish_v a_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n who_o represent_v all_o manner_n of_o lie_v deceit_n and_o dissimulation_n as_o utter_o inconsistent_a with_o that_o model_n of_o religion_n he_o be_v set_v up_o and_o who_o strict_o forbid_v all_o man_n to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o a_o person_n i_o say_v of_o this_o character_n who_o be_v in_o earnest_n and_o thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o principle_n he_o recommend_v can_v be_v imagine_v to_o have_v act_v direct_o contrary_a to_o they_o himself_o in_o order_n to_o have_v they_o believe_v and_o observe_v by_o other_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o fable_n and_o parable_n have_v be_v often_o make_v use_n of_o as_o very_o proper_a and_o easy_a mean_n of_o convey_v good_a instruction_n to_o mankind_n but_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v too_o particular_a and_o circumstantial_a to_o be_v reckon_v a_o allegory_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n to_o prove_v it_o none_o so_o that_o if_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o true_a according_a to_o the_o first_o obvious_a literal_a meaning_n of_o they_o the_o whole_a relation_n must_v be_v a_o downright_a forgery_n and_o consequent_o can_v not_o be_v the_o work_n of_o a_o honest_a man_n invent_v by_o he_o mere_o for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n the_o possibility_n of_o which_o supposition_n can_v no_o way_n be_v account_v for_o by_o the_o many_o forge_v and_o supposititious_a write_n publish_v by_o some_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n in_o favour_n of_o that_o religion_n for_o consider_v only_o those_o which_o make_v for_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n and_o may_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v contrive_v pure_o for_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o among_o such_o who_o condition_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o very_o miserable_a by_o reason_n of_o their_o ignorance_n or_o disbelief_n of_o christianity_n whatever_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v forge_v by_o any_o christian_n be_v not_o real_o do_v upon_o any_o good_a motive_n but_o proceed_v from_o too_o passionate_a a_o concern_v for_o the_o party_n they_o be_v of_o and_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v undertake_v to_o defend_v when_o the_o enemy_n of_o their_o religion_n stand_v out_o against_o all_o the_o true_a rational_a proof_n urge_v for_o it_o a_o eager_a desire_n of_o convince_a those_o they_n dispute_v with_o and_o do_v honour_n to_o their_o own_o cause_n and_o management_n of_o it_o put_v they_o upon_o invent_v such_o thing_n as_o by_o the_o temper_n or_o concession_n of_o their_o adversary_n be_v likely_a to_o prevail_v with_o they_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a spring_n and_o cause_n of_o most_o of_o those_o false_a and_o spurious_a write_n which_o be_v design_v for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n in_o general_n the_o forgery_n that_o be_v contrive_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o some_o particular_a doctrine_n proceed_v most_o common_o from_o a_o worse_a original_a but_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o the_o first_o invention_n and_o publication_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a scheme_n can_v not_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o influence_n of_o any_o such_o principle_n or_o motive_n as_o be_v before_o mention_v and_o if_o it_o have_v the_o inventor_n and_o publisher_n can_v not_o have_v be_v a_o good_a man_n that_o be_v so_o influence_v nor_o such_o a_o good_a man_n as_o we_o suppose_v act_v upon_o a_o pure_a disintere_v principle_n of_o love_n to_o mankind_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v further_o object_v that_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a some_o honest_a well-meaning_a christian_n be_v guilty_a
of_o the_o like_a indirect_a practice_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o that_o pure_o out_o of_o love_n and_o compassion_n to_o mankind_n for_o no_o other_o end_n and_o design_n but_o to_o bring_v over_o as_o many_o as_o they_o can_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v persuade_v will_v make_v they_o happy_a the_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v very_o ready_a and_o obvious_a viz._n that_o these_o be_v very_o plain_a simple_a man_n as_o manifest_o appear_v by_o those_o circumstance_n whereby_o their_o forgery_n be_v discover_v their_o great_a zeal_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o brethren_n be_v without_o knowledge_n and_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o nature_n and_o power_n of_o that_o religion_n they_o seek_v to_o propagate_v as_o imagine_v such_o well-intended_n fraud_n allowable_a but_o the_o author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o the_o work_n be_v whole_o humane_a be_v certain_o a_o wise_a know_a man_n his_o forgery_n if_o it_o be_v one_o be_v so_o well_o lay_v and_o contrive_v that_o no_o body_n have_v be_v yet_o able_a to_o find_v it_o out_o and_o he_o can_v be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v so_o ignorant_a of_o the_o religion_n he_o make_v himself_o as_o to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v lawful_a which_o he_o have_v express_o forbid_v and_o therefore_o we_o may_v certain_o conclude_v that_o if_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v forge_v the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v a_o ill_a man_n who_o act_v upon_o some_o private_a motive_n and_o not_o out_o of_o a_o true_a generous_a concern_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n but_o what_o principle_n or_o motive_n can_v we_o imagine_v strong_a enough_o to_o have_v dispose_v a_o ill_a man_n to_o frame_v such_o a_o work_n not_o any_o profit_n interest_n or_o advantage_n that_o can_v accrue_v to_o he_o from_o it_o he_o can_v not_o but_o foresee_v that_o to_o impose_v a_o new_a religion_n upon_o the_o world_n to_o change_v the_o ancient_a law_n and_o custom_n of_o nation_n to_o condemn_v and_o expose_v to_o contempt_n what_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o powerful_a part_n of_o mankind_n have_v in_o veneration_n to_o disturb_v man_n in_o the_o possession_n of_o advantageous_a error_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o to_o put_v a_o restraint_n upon_o their_o most_o agreeable_a passion_n and_o inclination_n this_o i_o say_v he_o must_v needs_o foresee_v will_v be_v a_o attempt_n too_o difficult_a to_o be_v manage_v without_o the_o most_o violent_a opposition_n imaginable_a and_o too_o great_a to_o be_v effect_v in_o his_o day_n it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a i_o think_v for_o a_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o persuade_v himself_o such_o a_o design_n as_o this_o shall_v succeed_v at_o all_o but_o much_o more_o inconceivable_a that_o he_o shall_v imagine_v thing_n shall_v be_v carry_v on_o so_o smooth_o and_o easy_o that_o he_o shall_v live_v to_o enjoy_v the_o fruit_n of_o his_o labour_n and_o a_o future_a reward_n in_o another_o life_n can_v have_v no_o antecedent_n influence_n upon_o he_o who_o be_v suppose_v to_o invent_v the_o notion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o enforce_v it_o upon_o other_o without_o have_v any_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o himself_o and_o as_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o foresee_v the_o many_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n that_o will_v attend_v the_o establishment_n of_o christianity_n so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n whoever_o he_o be_v understand_v very_o well_o what_o the_o natural_a consequence_n of_o such_o a_o attempt_n be_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o large_a representation_n he_o make_v of_o the_o manifold_a suffering_n and_o affliction_n which_o befall_v all_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o preacher_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o those_o who_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v it_o must_v be_v likewise_o confess_v that_o if_o any_o of_o those_o mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o concern_v in_o publishing_n or_o preach_v what_o be_v there_o call_v the_o gospel_n do_v real_o suffer_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v there_o write_v of_o they_o for_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v people_n to_o believe_v such_o wonderful_a fact_n and_o doctrine_n as_o we_o now_o find_v record_v in_o that_o book_n which_o some_o of_o they_o have_v before_o invent_v and_o afterward_o cause_v to_o be_v write_v together_o with_o the_o account_n of_o their_o own_o suffering_n if_o this_o i_o say_v be_v suppose_v than_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o event_n be_v every_o way_n answerable_a to_o the_o prospect_n which_o we_o have_v see_v the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a scheme_n must_v have_v have_v before_o he_o when_o he_o be_v upon_o that_o design_n and_o which_o soever_o of_o these_o person_n we_o ascribe_v the_o work_n to_o we_o must_v be_v convince_v that_o he_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n consult_v his_o own_o interest_n in_o it_o but_o if_o some_o unknown_a person_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o it_o be_v pure_a fiction_n as_o must_v be_v allow_v in_o the_o supposition_n we_o be_v at_o present_a concern_v to_o disprove_v then_o be_v it_o utter_o impossible_a to_o find_v out_o what_o advantage_n he_o can_v propose_v to_o himself_o by_o a_o performance_n of_o this_o nature_n i_o can_v conceive_v for_o the_o reason_n before_o give_v that_o he_o shall_v design_v any_o interest_n of_o his_o own_o at_o all_o in_o it_o and_o his_o be_v unknown_a be_v no_o small_a argument_n that_o the_o advantage_n gain_v whatever_o they_o be_v be_v too_o inconsiderable_a a_o recompense_n for_o such_o a_o noble_a well-invented_n scheme_n as_o he_o have_v give_v we_o in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v not_o then_o for_o any_o private_a interest_n or_o advantage_n assignable_a by_o we_o that_o any_o person_n who_o think_v fit_a to_o conceal_v himself_o can_v frame_v and_o contrive_v the_o new_a testament_n and_o much_o less_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o a_o desire_n of_o reputation_n put_v he_o upon_o such_o a_o work_n since_o he_o have_v take_v such_o effectual_a care_n to_o suppress_v his_o own_o name_n and_o attribute_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o invention_n to_o another_o nothing_o therefore_o remain_v but_o that_o we_o say_v it_o be_v pure_o the_o pleasure_n of_o deceive_a which_o occasion_v the_o writing_n that_o book_n but_o this_o be_v as_o unlikely_a and_o insufficient_a a_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o effect_n as_o any_o of_o the_o other_o before_o mention_v for_o the_o secret_a pleasure_n of_o deceive_v without_o the_o reputation_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o attend_v a_o artful_a deceiver_n can_v never_o work_v so_o strong_o as_o to_o produce_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o excellent_a skill_n and_o contrivance_n in_o the_o make_n and_o of_o such_o mighty_a tendency_n in_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o as_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v beside_o when_o a_o man_n act_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o deceive_v his_o design_n can_v never_o be_v such_o as_o serve_v for_o the_o procure_n and_o promote_a the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n the_o pleasure_n that_o a_o ill_a man_n take_v in_o deceive_v be_v always_o a_o malicious_a pleasure_n which_o be_v raise_v and_o heighten_v by_o the_o prospect_n either_o of_o the_o folly_n or_o misery_n of_o the_o deceive_v have_v such_o a_o impostor_n as_o this_o contrive_v the_o christian_a religion_n he_o will_v never_o have_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o oblige_v the_o world_n with_o such_o a_o rational_a scheme_n of_o life_n as_o be_v never_o before_o exhibit_v and_o can_v never_o since_o be_v mend_v he_o will_v rather_o have_v choose_v to_o triumph_v over_o the_o ignorance_n and_o credulity_n of_o mankind_n by_o give_v they_o false_a and_o pernicious_a rule_n of_o action_n as_o well_o as_o monstrous_a and_o improbable_a article_n of_o belief_n but_o those_o who_o consider_v the_o christian_a fact_n and_o doctrine_n as_o mere_a imposture_n talk_v of_o they_o under_o that_o style_n be_v force_v to_o allow_v that_o the_o christian_a morality_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o humane_a invention_n or_o divine_a revelation_n be_v certain_o the_o most_o perfect_a accomplish_a piece_n that_o be_v ever_o declare_v to_o mankind_n there_o be_v no_o other_o motive_n imaginable_a the_o author_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o it_o be_v all_o a_o forgery_n can_v have_v act_v upon_o and_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o those_o allege_a have_v be_v already_o show_v and_o may_v be_v further_o make_v to_o appear_v if_o there_o be_v occasion_n for_o such_o a_o enlargement_n but_o the_o absurdity_n and_o impossibility_n of_o the_o suppose_a forgery_n appear_v more_o plain_o from_o the_o follow_a head_n i_o shall_v add_v but_o one_o argument_n more_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v very_o brief_o upon_o this_o now_o the_o argument_n i_o shall_v
publish_v a_o strange_a unheard_a of_o story_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o absurdity_n in_o this_o supposition_n it_o be_v impossible_a the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v have_v be_v first_o promulge_v any_o time_n after_o the_o period_n assign_v for_o its_o publication_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n because_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v believe_v as_o it_o now_o be_v if_o it_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o may_v be_v say_v to_o prove_v the_o christian_a religion_n no_o imposture_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o gross_a absurdity_n of_o such_o a_o supposition_n but_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o point_n both_o because_o i_o have_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n prevent_v myself_o in_o the_o direct_a proof_n i_o have_v before_o give_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o with_o a_o different_a manner_n of_o application_n will_v serve_v the_o same_o purpose_n here_o and_o because_o this_o be_v think_v by_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n themselves_o too_o weak_a a_o post_n to_o defend_v and_o be_v rare_o insist_v upon_o by_o they_o any_o further_a than_o as_o trick_n cheat_n and_o imposture_n be_v odious_a discredit_v name_n which_o serve_v to_o blacken_v the_o cause_n they_o want_v argument_n to_o overthrow_v the_o chief_a strength_n of_o modern_a infidelity_n or_o as_o its_o favourer_n and_o professor_n delight_v to_o call_v it_o deism_n consist_v in_o a_o great_a many_o loose_a objection_n level_v against_o something_o or_o other_o in_o the_o scripture_n without_o any_o certain_a aim_n without_o any_o relation_n to_o a_o scheme_n or_o hypothesis_n to_o account_v for_o all_o stand_a appearance_n and_o without_o any_o regular_a deduction_n of_o consequence_n from_o what_o be_v object_v or_o answer_v to_o contrary_a proof_n but_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o these_o objection_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o they_o be_v direct_v indifferent_o against_o any_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o consider_v they_o only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v make_v use_n of_o or_o intend_v to_o lessen_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o general_n or_o of_o the_o truth_n either_o of_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a religion_n both_o which_o we_o pretend_v and_o undertake_v to_o maintain_v do_v come_v from_o god_n i_o have_v not_o indeed_o give_v a_o particular_a proof_n of_o the_o jewish_a revelation_n because_o it_o be_v suppose_v in_o the_o christian_a and_o confirm_v by_o it_o and_o therefore_o what_o prove_v the_o latter_a must_v establish_v the_o former_a but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o jewish_a revelation_n as_o we_o find_v it_o deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o impartial_o consider_v the_o nature_n variety_n and_o number_n of_o the_o fact_n there_o record_v the_o relation_n and_o connexion_n they_o have_v to_o one_o another_o the_o time_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v record_v the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o together_o with_o the_o character_n and_o circumstance_n of_o all_o the_o person_n concern_v in_o they_o he_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o doubt_v but_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v they_o shall_v have_v be_v forge_v either_o altogether_o or_o separately_z since_o they_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o policy_n and_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o time_n when_o the_o forgery_n shall_v begin_v without_o a_o discovery_n of_o it_o which_o will_v appear_v more_o evident_o if_o we_o apply_v all_o the_o character_n of_o truth_n and_o divinity_n remarkable_a in_o the_o christian_a revelation_n to_o the_o jewish_a but_o such_o a_o repetition_n be_v altogether_o unnecessary_a in_o its_o self_n and_o without_o the_o bound_n of_o my_o present_a subject_n i_o shall_v immediate_o proceed_v to_o examine_v the_o deist_n objection_n to_o scripture_n and_o revelation_n now_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v which_o have_v not_o be_v already_o particular_o consider_v tend_v to_o show_v that_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n allow_v the_o account_n there_o give_v of_o the_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a be_v no_o proof_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o such_o fault_n observable_a in_o the_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n as_o prove_v the_o whole_a to_o be_v a_o pure_a humane_a composure_n what_o they_o object_n against_o miracle_n be_v use_v as_o a_o argument_n to_o prove_v a_o doctrine_n reveal_v from_o god_n be_v that_o it_o derogate_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n to_o work_v miracle_n and_o that_o the_o regular_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n with_o a_o constant_a unalterable_a connexion_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_n in_o it_o give_v we_o a_o true_a and_o just_a idea_n of_o god_n and_o be_v a_o better_a argument_n of_o his_o be_v than_o any_o extraordinary_a interposition_n of_o providence_n which_o alter_v and_o pervert_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o i_o can_v see_v how_o it_o derogate_v from_o god_n to_o suppose_v his_o immediate_a interposition_n in_o some_o case_n or_o how_o his_o work_n of_o miracle_n be_v a_o pervert_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n any_o more_o than_o it_o derogate_v from_o the_o soul_n or_o the_o soul_n pervert_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n when_o by_o a_o think_v it_o change_v or_o stop_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n which_o according_a to_o their_o usual_a course_n will_v have_v move_v otherwise_o when_o the_o soul_n exercise_v this_o power_n over_o the_o body_n the_o sinew_n and_o bone_n continue_v as_o they_o be_v and_o so_o do_v the_o bulk_n and_o principal_a part_n of_o nature_n for_o all_o miracle_n god_n do_v not_o order_n man_n to_o be_v bear_v of_o beast_n nor_o change_v beast_n into_o man_n nor_o create_v new_a sun_n nor_o annihilate_v any_o system_n of_o matter_n to_o work_v miracle_n but_o by_o a_o thought_n he_o separate_v or_o unite_v the_o insensible_a part_n of_o matter_n he_o stop_v retard_v or_o quicken_v their_o motion_n or_o alter_v their_o figure_n this_o be_v god_n common_a method_n of_o work_a miracle_n but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n what_o if_o we_o shall_v say_v that_o god_n do_v every_o thing_n by_o a_o immediate_a will_n what_o if_o we_o affirm_v that_o he_o often_o create_v some_o being_n and_o destroy_v other_o that_o he_o change_v the_o law_n of_o motion_n and_o suspend_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o none_o of_o these_o way_n of_o act_v can_v derogate_v from_o god_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v either_o to_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n in_o themselves_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o happiniss_n of_o god_n or_o to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o goodness_n or_o justice_n of_o his_o deal_n with_o his_o intelligent_a creature_n these_o be_v the_o true_a and_o only_o measure_v of_o all_o the_o other_o notion_n we_o frame_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o say_v god_n can_v act_v contrary_a to_o nature_n we_o must_v mean_v it_o in_o one_o of_o these_o sense_n either_o that_o he_o can_v act_v what_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o itself_o or_o what_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o nature_n or_o to_o the_o nature_n he_o have_v give_v his_o intelligent_a creature_n but_o when_o any_o change_n or_o alteration_n in_o material_a being_n consistent_a with_o the_o forementioned_a principle_n be_v say_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o nature_n that_o be_v only_o a_o popular_a expression_n which_o signify_v that_o the_o course_n of_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o what_o it_o constant_o appear_v to_o we_o before_o but_o no_o colour_n of_o reason_n can_v possible_o be_v give_v either_o from_o the_o property_n of_o body_n or_o the_o constancy_n of_o appearance_n why_o such_o a_o change_n shall_v not_o be_v make_v by_o god_n that_o miracle_n be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n a_o better_a proof_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n than_o the_o stand_a frame_n and_o regular_a order_n and_o disposition_n of_o thing_n be_v certain_a but_o if_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o forget_v god_n notwithstanding_o they_o be_v surround_v with_o so_o many_o visible_a evidence_n of_o his_o be_v why_o be_v it_o not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o raise_v and_o excite_v their_o attention_n by_o new_a and_o surprise_v manifestation_n of_o his_o power_n the_o impression_n of_o which_o will_v be_v much_o lively_a and_o strong_a than_o those_o they_o
sense_n or_o first_o obtain_v credit_n among_o those_o who_o live_v afterward_o without_o any_o proof_n of_o their_o be_v do_v or_o believe_v before_o and_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o christian_a morality_n entertain_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n without_o the_o present_a history_n we_o have_v of_o it_o the_o forgery_n of_o that_o afterward_o will_v have_v be_v whole_o unnecessary_a and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o get_v such_o a_o forgery_n believe_v much_o great_a from_o hence_o then_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v such_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o now_o perceive_v if_o all_o the_o principal_a part_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n as_o it_o be_v at_o present_a general_o believe_v be_v not_o true_a and_o have_v some_o time_n or_o other_o real_o happen_v out_o according_a to_o the_o relation_n we_o find_v give_v of_o they_o this_o do_v likewise_o further_o appear_v from_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o those_o book_n that_o contain_v this_o history_n be_v write_v where_o we_o find_v so_o many_o extraordinary_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o the_o simplicity_n integrity_n and_o undesigning_a humility_n of_o the_o writer_n their_o hearty_a belief_n of_o what_o they_o write_v themselves_o and_o their_o great_a zeal_n and_o concern_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n as_o plain_o show_v they_o to_o have_v be_v influence_v not_o only_o by_o the_o force_n of_o well-attested_n truth_n but_o by_o some_o extraordinary_a and_o more_o than_o humane_a impression_n 3._o these_o be_v in_o short_a the_o reason_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o validity_n and_o force_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o more_o full_o under_o the_o three_o head_n where_o i_o be_o to_o show_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o proof_n that_o have_v be_v give_v of_o the_o christian_a matter_n of_o fact_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n upon_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o well_o as_o other_o truth_n be_v ultimate_o found_v now_o the_o chief_a and_o immediate_a reason_n of_o believe_v most_o fact_n be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o we_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o as_o the_o common_a original_a capacity_n and_o power_n inclination_n and_o aversion_n of_o mankind_n and_o consequent_o their_o end_n and_o motive_n of_o act_v it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o show_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n before_o give_v be_v not_o only_o sufficient_a to_o determine_v our_o assent_n to_o it_o but_o do_v in_o evidence_n and_o multiplicity_n of_o conviction_n far_o exceed_v the_o proof_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o let_v we_o consider_v why_o we_o believe_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o never_o fall_v within_o our_o own_o particular_a and_o immediate_a cognizance_n why_o do_v we_o so_o firm_o believe_v the_o story_n of_o julius_n cesar_n and_o william_n the_o conqueror_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o italy_n or_o china_n &_o c_o now_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o upon_o examine_v ourselves_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v because_o a_o great_a many_o man_n have_v acquaint_v we_o that_o there_o be_v former_o such_o person_n who_o do_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v now_o such_o place_n in_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n which_o man_n be_v competent_a judge_n of_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o have_v sufficient_a opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n themselves_o no_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v dispose_v they_o to_o lie_v to_o other_o and_o be_v contradict_v by_o no_o body_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o they_o these_o be_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o credibility_n upon_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v general_o believe_v and_o no_o further_a character_n of_o truth_n be_v require_v by_o one_o that_o be_v satisfy_v of_o these_o but_o we_o have_v all_o these_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o full_a force_n and_o extent_n of_o they_o and_o several_a other_o beside_o as_o the_o incapacity_n of_o the_o witness_n to_o deceive_v if_o they_o have_v be_v dispose_v to_o do_v it_o the_o great_a motive_n they_o have_v not_o to_o say_v what_o they_o do_v than_o to_o say_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a and_o the_o great_a motive_n other_o person_n have_v to_o contradict_v they_o if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v disprove_v let_v we_o examine_v all_o these_o character_n of_o truth_n and_o see_v how_o far_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n exceed_v that_o of_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o how_o far_o the_o suppose_a falsehood_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o these_o character_n be_v consistent_a with_o that_o certain_a knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o humane_a nature_n as_o to_o the_o first_o character_n require_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o number_n of_o the_o witness_n there_o never_o be_v certain_o so_o vast_a a_o multitude_n of_o person_n all_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o case_n before_o we_o because_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n be_v so_o swift_a that_o we_o can_v suppose_v more_o person_n can_v have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o it_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n and_o there_o never_o be_v such_o industrious_a care_n take_v to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o any_o other_o fact_n and_o opinion_n that_o we_o ever_o read_v of_o it_o be_v likewise_o as_o certain_a that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o professor_n of_o christianity_n be_v as_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_n of_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o whatsoever_o we_o will_v only_o suppose_v now_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n pretend_v to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o to_o believe_v their_o own_o pretence_n and_o that_o all_o other_o who_o profess_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n do_v declare_v their_o belief_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v as_o say_v or_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o sure_o a_o man_n may_v infallible_o know_v his_o own_o thought_n and_o imagination_n he_o can_v tell_v whether_o he_o believe_v such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n or_o no_o or_o at_o least_o he_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o he_o think_v or_o fancy_n he_o believe_v it_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o intercourse_n or_o communication_n betwixt_o man_n one_o man_n may_v know_v that_o another_o pretend_v to_o believe_v or_o do_v a_o thing_n whether_o he_o real_o believe_v or_o do_v it_o or_o no._n if_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o such_o judgement_n as_o these_o concern_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o knowledge_n at_o all_o if_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v that_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o person_n do_v pretend_v to_o believe_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v say_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o necessary_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v real_o and_o true_o believe_v they_o or_o else_o they_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v false_a but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a will_v evident_o appear_v from_o these_o further_a reflection_n upon_o humane_a nature_n first_o then_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o man_n must_v act_v for_o some_o end_n or_o motive_n and_o here_o be_v no_o end_n or_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v determine_v any_o of_o the_o first_o publisher_n or_o professor_n of_o christianity_n to_o pretend_v to_o believe_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a all_o the_o end_n and_o motive_n we_o can_v imagine_v any_o man_n to_o act_v upon_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v reckon_v up_o before_o and_o we_o find_v that_o if_o we_o put_v ourselves_o into_o the_o same_o circumstance_n with_o those_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n it_o will_v have_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v be_v influence_v by_o any_o of_o they_o to_o make_v the_o same_o pretence_n be_v infallible_o assure_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o be_v utter_o false_a and_o groundless_a from_o whence_o we_o conclude_v that_o neither_o do_v they_o since_o all_o man_n be_v so_o make_v and_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o same_o general_a motive_n though_o according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o