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which_o how_o great_a satisfaction_n soever_o they_o may_v perhaps_o afford_v to_o these_o eager_a and_o eternal_a hunter_n of_o mere_a word_n and_o phrase_n be_v of_o little_a use_n i_o say_v many_o such_o person_n have_v a_o much_o small_a share_n of_o solid_a reason_n than_o they_o who_o these_o tyrant_n in_o the_o empire_n of_o learning_n will_v have_v to_o lie_v prostrate_a at_o their_o foot_n beside_o i_o can_v for_o my_o life_n conceive_v why_o any_o person_n how_o learned_a so_o ever_o they_o may_v esteem_v themselves_o to_o be_v how_o know_v soever_o they_o may_v be_v account_v by_o other_o who_o have_v go_v in_o the_o same_o tedious_a if_o not_o unprofitable_a track_n of_o study_n and_o what_o skill_n soever_o they_o may_v real_o have_v in_o read_v uncommon_a and_o almost_o obliterated_a character_n or_o compare_v almost_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o worm-eaten_a and_o voluminous_a manuscript_n i_o say_v i_o can_v conceive_v why_o such_o person_n shall_v desire_v and_o endeavour_v to_o engross_v all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n to_o themselves_o make_v it_o serve_v like_o the_o egyptian_a hieroglyphic_n to_o amaze_v but_o not_o instruct_v or_o reform_v mankind_n and_o prevent_v the_o generality_n of_o man_n from_o make_v inquiry_n into_o truth_n which_o these_o fond_a admirer_n of_o themselves_o represent_v as_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v vast_o beyond_o their_o reach_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o know_v which_o ought_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v prostitute_v to_o they_o for_o my_o part_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v never_o justify_v nor_o easy_o extenuate_v the_o common_a practice_n of_o the_o popish_a priest_n who_o forbid_v the_o laity_n to_o read_v even_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o if_o they_o be_v not_o render_v a_o mere_a nose_n of_o wax_n by_o their_o humane_a tradition_n and_o wrong_a interpretation_n be_v able_a under_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o make_v the_o injudicious_a and_o illiterate_a so_o wise_a as_o to_o secure_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n though_o not_o fit_a to_o dispute_v or_o manage_v a_o intriegue_n with_o subtle_a and_o design_v jesuit_n and_o can_v warm_v their_o heart_n with_o a_o much_o deep_a impression_n of_o the_o near_a relation_n in_o which_o they_o stand_v both_o to_o god_n and_o and_o to_o their_o neighbour_n and_o of_o those_o prudent_a method_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o take_v to_o perform_v their_o duty_n in_o the_o most_o pleasant_a and_o profitable_a manner_n than_o some_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a doctor_n of_o the_o sorbon_n can_v modest_o pretend_v to_o have_v and_o whether_o such_o person_n of_o intriegue_n dont_fw-fr discover_v as_o much_o ignorance_n as_o antichristian_a pride_n in_o take_v these_o irregular_a measure_n to_o gain_v the_o esteem_n and_o command_v the_o purse_n of_o the_o people_n to_o support_v the_o interest_n and_o raise_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o many_o pious_a cheat_n to_o
by_o what_o i_o shall_v seasonable_o produce_v in_o its_o defence_n provide_v i_o be_o able_a to_o confute_v his_o error_n i_o resolve_v to_o obey_v your_o most_o just_a command_n and_o to_o return_v a_o answer_n to_o the_o book_n you_o be_v please_v to_o send_v i_o the_o very_a title_n of_o which_o viz._n a_o true_a relation_n will_v hardly_o pass_v for_o such_o with_o they_o who_o be_v no_o great_a proficient_n even_o in_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n st._n paul_n know_v there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o greek_a philosophy_n that_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o contemptible_a but_o have_v by_o accident_n a_o malignant_a influence_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o common_a people_n represent_v error_n under_o the_o plausible_a appearance_n of_o solid_a and_o most_o important_a truth_n have_v these_o very_a word_n beware_v colos_n 2._o u._n 8._o lest_o any_o man_n spoil_v you_o through_o philosophy_n and_o vain_a deceit_n after_o the_o tradition_n of_o man_n after_o the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n and_o not_o after_o christ_n but_o this_o be_v more_o than_o i_o think_v any_o judicious_a person_n will_v allow_v the_o book_n which_o i_o be_o just_a go_v to_o answer_v for_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o forementioned_n thing_n by_o the_o name_n of_o vain_a deceit_n perhaps_o in_o contra-distinction_n to_o a_o certain_a kind_a of_o deceit_n which_o be_v not_o vain_a but_o innocent_a and_o useful_a which_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n consider_v make_v bold_a to_o apply_v the_o follow_a word_n to_o the_o great_a god_n himself_o oh_o lord_n thou_o have_v deceive_v i_o and_o jer._n 20._o u._n 7._o i_o be_v deceive_v thou_o be_v strong_a than_o i_o and_o have_v prevail_v but_o in_o my_o opinion_n what_o celsus_n publish_v do_v want_v even_o that_o plausible_a appearance_n to_o render_v it_o worthy_a to_o be_v call_v deceitful_a which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o those_o eminently-learned_n person_n who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o various_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n among_o the_o pagan_n and_o as_o in_o geometry_n tisn_v sufficient_a that_o what_o be_v offor_v for_o a_o demonstration_n be_v in_o itself_o false_a and_o dangerous_a but_o it_o must_v have_v some_o colour_n of_o truth_n or_o it_o can_v never_o deceive_v and_o engage_v even_o the_o most_o faint_a endeavour_n of_o one_o who_o will_v improve_v in_o that_o entertain_n and_o useful_a science_n so_o those_o discourse_n which_o deserve_v the_o character_n of_o vain_a deceit_n must_v have_v some_o affinity_n with_o those_o rational_a argument_n that_o be_v frequent_o make_v use_v of_o by_o the_o head_n of_o the_o several_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n when_o i_o have_v proceed_v in_o my_o answer_n to_o celsus_n as_o far_o as_o the_o place_n where_o he_o personate_v the_o jew_n discourse_v with_o our_o bless_a saviour_n i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v proper_a to_o put_v this_o preface_n before_o my_o book_n that_o so_o any_o one_o into_o who_o hand_n it_o may_v accidental_o fall_v may_v plain_o see_v that_o i_o didn't_fw-mi principal_o intend_v it_o for_o those_o christian_n who_o be_v full_o satisfy_v in_o their_o judgement_n but_o either_o for_o they_o who_o be_v entire_a stranger_n to_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o for_o they_o who_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n as_o the_o apostle_n call_v they_o he_o that_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n rom._n 14._o u._n 1._o receive_v i_o must_v add_v one_o thing_n here_o and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o i_o have_v a_o different_a design_n in_o answer_v celsus_n in_o the_o gross_a from_o what_o i_o have_v in_o answer_v the_o beginning_n of_o his_o book_n for_o at_o first_o i_o design_v no_o more_o than_o to_o mention_v some_o of_o the_o principal_a head_n and_o content_v myself_o with_o a_o mere_a compendium_n but_o after_o mature_a deliberation_n i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o proper_a to_o gather_v my_o discourse_n as_o it_o be_v into_o a_o perfect_a system_fw-la or_o body_n then_o i_o be_v satisfy_v from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o i_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o needless_a expense_n both_o of_o time_n and_o pain_n and_o content_v myself_o with_o what_o i_o have_v write_v against_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o book_n which_o celsus_n publish_v but_o in_o the_o remain_a part_n of_o my_o apology_n which_o if_o i_o may_v modest_o say_v it_o of_o my_o own_o performance_n be_v much_o more_o elaborate_a i_o determine_v to_o bend_v all_o my_o force_n against_o he_o and_o to_o return_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o every_o thing_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v material_a and_o even_o to_o some_o of_o his_o most_o trifle_a objection_n i_o must_v therefore_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o discover_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a candour_n in_o pass_v his_o judgement_n on_o what_o i_o have_v do_v especial_o on_o that_o part_n of_o my_o apology_n which_o immediate_o follow_v this_o epistle_n and_o if_o the_o other_o part_n shall_v have_v no_o better_a effect_n upon_o he_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v there_o also_o be_v extreme_o favourable_a in_o the_o sentence_n which_o he_o may_v pass_v upon_o i_o and_o if_o you_o virtuous_a ambrose_n desire_v a_o more_o complete_a answer_n to_o celsus_n than_o that_o which_o i_o shall_v give_v he_o at_o present_a i_o must_v refer_v you_o to_o they_o who_o have_v a_o far_o great_a share_n of_o judgement_n than_o that_o to_o which_o i_o lay_v my_o most_o humble_a claim_n and_o be_v better_o qualify_v for_o the_o due_a and_o honourable_a management_n of_o so_o difficult_a a_o province_n however_o that_o person_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v in_o a_o safe_a and_o much_o more_o desirable_a condition_n who_o have_v meet_v with_o celsus_n performance_n and_o be_v furnish_v by_o his_o own_o experience_n with_o a_o warm_a and_o effectual_a apology_n for_o that_o excellent_a religion_n which_o he_o profess_v and_o endeavour_n to_o practice_n to_o the_o utmost_a of_o his_o power_n be_v so_o well-guarded_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n who_o dwell_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o every_o sincere_a follower_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n that_o he_o can_v look_v with_o a_o holy_a contempt_n on_o the_o false_a representation_n and_o most_o plausible_a argument_n of_o the_o most_o celebrate_a heretic_n that_o do_v ever_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n origen_n against_o celsus_n chap._n i._n the_o first_o charge_n which_o celsus_n bring_v against_o the_o christian_n be_v their_o hold_a cabal_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n in_o which_o they_o live_v and_o to_o which_o as_o he_o think_v they_o ought_v to_o be_v entire_o subject_a he_o distinguish_v meeting_n into_o public_a and_o private_a the_o public_a meeting_n which_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n and_o the_o private_a and_o separate_a meeting_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o by_o schismatic_n and_o his_o design_n herein_o be_v to_o cast_v reproach_n on_o the_o love_n feast_n of_o the_o christian_n which_o be_v appoint_v to_o prevent_v a_o common_a and_o threaten_a danger_n and_o be_v far_o more_o bind_v than_o the_o sacred_a tie_n of_o mutual_a oath_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v i_o say_v he_o reproach_n they_o as_o if_o they_o manifest_o and_o gross_o interfere_v with_o that_o due_a and_o indispensible_a loyalty_n which_o as_o they_o be_v subject_n they_o owe_v and_o aught_o as_o he_o imagine_v to_o pay_v the_o national_a establishment_n since_o therefore_o he_o make_v his_o boast_n that_o he_o have_v the_o law_n on_o his_o side_n and_o will_v intimate_v that_o the_o separate_a meeting_n of_o the_o christian_n do_v countenance_n and_o promote_v schism_n and_o sedition_n i_o answer_v that_o as_o a_o stranger_n who_o have_v his_o lot_n providential_o cast_v among_o the_o scythian_n who_o be_v govern_v by_o most_o wicked_a law_n and_o have_v not_o a_o fair_a opportunity_n to_o make_v a_o safe_a escape_n will_v be_v esteem_v by_o that_o ignorant_a and_o uncivilise_v people_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o their_o constitution_n and_o a_o favourer_n of_o the_o sectary_n if_o he_o didn't_fw-mi comply_v with_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n but_o may_v still_o urge_v weighty_a and_o unanswerable_a argument_n to_o justify_v his_o separation_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v lawful_o dissent_v from_o the_o establish_v religion_n which_o introduce_v image-worship_n and_o a_o whole_a rifraff_n of_o the_o mock-deity_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o abound_v with_o more_o horrid_a impiety_n than_o be_v ever_o practise_v by_o the_o most_o barbarous_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o as_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o city_n may_v lawful_o defend_v themselves_o against_o a_o prince_n who_o have_v make_v a_o unjust_a descent_n upon_o their_o native_a country_n so_o the_o christian_n may_v warrantable_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o satan_n that_o great_a usurper_n to_o free_v themselves_o and_o other_o from_o his_o worse_a than_o scythian_a tyranny_n chap._n
punish_v by_o god_n be_v a_o ridiculous_a fable_n i_o may_v say_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o assyrian_n who_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v their_o own_o historian_n be_v ancient_o engage_v in_o long_a and_o bloody_a war_n with_o those_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o the_o jewish_a writer_n for_o perhaps_o i_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o speak_v from_o prejudice_n if_o i_o shall_v call_v they_o prophet_n make_v frequent_a mention_n of_o their_o war_n with_o the_o assyrian_n see_v therefore_o how_o celsus_n be_v lead_v aside_o by_o prejudice_n which_o he_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o charge_v other_o with_o when_o he_o ready_o believe_v some_o nation_n to_o be_v extreme_o wise_a and_o high_o esteem_v their_o history_n as_o be_v entire_o authentic_a and_o condemn_v those_o of_o other_o nation_n as_o be_v false_a and_o void_a even_o of_o common_a sense_n chap._n xu._n observe_v his_o word_n it_o be_v a_o opinion_n say_v he_o that_o be_v general_o receive_v by_o the_o ancient_n in_o which_o not_o only_o some_o few_o wise_a man_n but_o entire_a nation_n and_o those_o not_o a_o little_a remarkable_a for_o sense_n and_o learning_n have_v ready_o and_o unanimous_o agree_v he_o take_v special_a care_n not_o to_o reckon_v the_o jew_n among_o the_o wise_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o if_o they_o be_v vast_o inferior_a in_o respect_n of_o wisdom_n to_o the_o egyptian_n assyrian_n indian_n persian_n odrysae_n samothracian_o and_o the_o eleusinii_fw-la but_o how_o much_o do_v numenius_n the_o pythagorean_n deserve_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o he_o who_o have_v make_v his_o name_n immortal_a by_o his_o uncommon_a eloquence_n have_v take_v such_o care_n in_o his_o impartial_a inquiry_n into_o truth_n and_o heap_v up_o so_o many_o good_a authority_n to_o confirm_v his_o excellent_a and_o elaborate_a notion_n this_o learned_a author_n in_o his_o book_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d speak_v of_o those_o nation_n that_o hold_v god_n to_o be_v incorporeal_a have_v reckon_v the_o jew_n among_o they_o he_o also_o make_v mention_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o he_o take_v in_o a_o allegorical_a sense_n it_o be_v report_v also_o that_o hermippus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d acquaint_v we_o that_o pythagoras_n borrow_a his_o philosophy_n from_o the_o jew_n and_o teach_v it_o to_o the_o greek_n and_o there_o be_v extant_a hecataeus_n history_n of_o the_o jew_n wherein_o he_o do_v so_o high_o commend_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o people_n that_o herennius_n philo_n in_o a_o book_n that_o he_o have_v write_v concern_v they_o seem_v incline_v to_o think_v it_o spurious_a and_o afterward_o say_v that_o if_o it_o be_v real_o genuine_a it_o be_v probable_a he_o be_v inward_o a_o convert_n to_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o profess_v but_o i_o wonder_v in_o my_o heart_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o celsus_n shall_v reckon_v up_o the_o odrysae_n samothracian_o eleusinii_fw-la and_o hyperborei_n as_o be_v famous_a at_o once_o for_o their_o wisdom_n and_o antiquity_n and_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o egyptian_n phoenician_n and_o greek_n do_v by_o their_o own_o history_n give_v sufficient_a and_o ample_a testimony_n to_o the_o antiquity_n of_o that_o people_n which_o i_o think_v it_o be_v needless_a for_o i_o to_o produce_v for_o any_o one_o that_o read_v josephus_n two_o book_n of_o the_o jewish_a antiquity_n may_v see_v there_o a_o long_a catalogue_n of_o author_n who_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n by_o their_o concur_v testimony_n and_o tatian_n who_o write_v after_o he_o have_v make_v a_o learned_a discourse_n against_o the_o gentile_n wherein_o he_o quote_v abundance_n of_o author_n who_o have_v write_v concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o moses_n in_o particular_a so_o that_o celsus_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o talk_v at_o this_o extravagant_a rate_n rather_o from_o implacable_a malice_n than_o out_o of_o zeal_n for_o truth_n design_v to_o reproach_v the_o christian_a religion_n which_o have_v so_o close_a a_o connection_n with_o that_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n on_o the_o account_n of_o its_o original_a which_o he_o suppose_v to_o be_v late_a and_o mean_v and_o he_o say_v that_o the_o galactophagi_n of_o homer_n the_o druid_n of_o the_o gaul_n and_o the_o getae_n who_o agree_v with_o the_o jew_n in_o some_o opinion_n but_o have_v no_o write_n extant_a that_o i_o know_v of_o be_v remarkable_a for_o their_o wisdom_n and_o antiquity_n but_o he_o level_v all_o his_o malice_n at_o the_o jew_n and_o will_v neither_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v wise_a nor_o ancient_a then_o give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o wise_a and_o ancient_a person_n who_o be_v useful_a to_o their_o contemporary_n by_o their_o bright_a example_n and_o to_o posterity_n by_o their_o admirable_a write_n he_o have_v purposely_o leave_v moses_n out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o man_n remarkable_a for_o their_o wisdom_n though_o linus_n who_o be_v put_v at_o the_o head_n of_o they_o have_v leave_v behind_o he_o no_o law_n nor_o book_n for_o the_o regulation_n of_o society_n or_o reformation_n of_o manner_n whereas_o moses_n law_n be_v diligent_o observe_v by_o a_o entire_a and_o populous_a nation_n by_o who_o mean_n they_o have_v be_v diffuse_v almost_o through_o the_o whole_a habitable_a world_n take_v notice_n therefore_o of_o the_o unaccountable_a malice_n by_o which_o celsus_n be_v act_v who_o say_v nothing_o of_o moses_n but_o mention_n linus_n musaeus_n orpheus_n pherecydes_n zoroaster_n the_o persian_a and_o pythagoras_n with_o abundance_n of_o honour_n as_o have_v give_v wise_a and_o wholesome_a precept_n to_o mankind_n and_o take_v prudent_a and_o due_a care_n to_o transmit_v they_o to_o posterity_n by_o their_o write_n which_o be_v extant_a at_o this_o very_a day_n and_o i_o suppose_v he_o design_o omit_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o ridiculous_a fable_n especial_o in_o the_o write_n of_o orpheus_n which_o attribute_n humane_a and_o even_o exorbitant_a passion_n to_o their_o pretend_a deity_n chap._n xvi_o than_o he_o find_v great_a fault_n with_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n and_o can_v bear_v by_o any_o mean_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v take_v in_o a_o allegorical_a sense_n but_o one_o may_v ask_v this_o mighty_a man_n who_o call_v his_o book_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o true_a relation_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o most_o profound_a mystery_n in_o the_o strange_a accident_n which_o according_a to_o his_o own_o admire_a poet_n and_o philosopher_n have_v befall_v his_o god_n and_o goddess_n which_o have_v be_v pollute_v with_o incest_n have_v contend_v with_o their_o father_n and_o make_v they_o eunuch_n and_o do_v many_o immodest_a action_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o may_v be_v mention_v if_o occasion_n offer_v but_o when_o moses_n dont_fw-fr say_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v comparable_a to_o this_o of_o the_o great_a god_n who_o he_o adore_v or_o of_o the_o angel_n or_o of_o man_n for_o he_o do_v represent_v even_o they_o as_o make_v such_o a_o bold_a attempt_n as_o that_o of_o saturn_n against_o his_o father_n or_o that_o of_o jupiter_n against_o saturn_n or_o that_o of_o the_o incest_n which_o the_o father_n of_o the_o god_n and_o man_n commit_v with_o his_o daughter_n celsus_n treat_v even_o the_o famous_a lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o notorious_a and_o shameful_a impostor_n and_o take_v the_o people_n who_o be_v govern_v by_o his_o law_n to_o be_v weak_a and_o extreme_o credulous_a here_o he_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o act_v like_o thrasymachus_n in_o plato_n who_o will_v not_o suffer_v socrates_n to_o state_n his_o notion_n of_o justice_n but_o say_v have_v a_o care_n how_o you_o say_v that_o expediency_n or_o decency_n or_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v justice_n for_o reproach_v as_o he_o think_v the_o mosaic_a history_n and_o blame_v they_o severe_o who_o take_v it_o in_o a_o allegorical_a sense_n though_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o of_o the_o two_o they_o be_v more_o pardonable_a than_o they_o who_o literal_o interpret_v it_o and_o have_v form_v his_o accusation_n to_o his_o mind_n he_o will_v deny_v we_o the_o just_a liberty_n of_o make_v our_o own_o apology_n but_o we_o open_o challenge_v any_o person_n who_o may_v espouse_v his_o cause_n to_o set_v author_n against_o author_n and_o may_v address_v ourselves_o to_o he_o after_o the_o follow_a manner_n pray_v sir_n be_v please_v to_o produce_v the_o poem_n which_o be_v write_v by_o linus_n musaeus_n and_o orpheus_n and_o the_o history_n which_o be_v publish_v by_o pherecydes_n and_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o law_n which_o moses_n give_v to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n examine_v which_o have_v the_o great_a and_o most_o general_a influence_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o impartial_o consider_v how_o few_o of_o the_o write_n of_o those_o
jesus_n ever_o do_v that_o be_v true_o great_a and_o any_o way_n worthy_a of_o a_o god_n do_v he_o baffle_v his_o enemy_n and_o disconcert_v their_o most_o politic_a measure_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o earth_n shake_v the_o rock_n be_v rend_v the_o grave_n be_v open_v the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v in_o two_o the_o sun_n suffer_v a_o eclipse_n and_o the_o earth_n be_v cover_v with_o thick_a darkness_n even_o such_o as_o may_v be_v feel_v these_o be_v some_o of_o the_o awful_a circumstance_n that_o attend_v the_o most_o bitter_a passion_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n and_o i_o think_v celsus_n will_v have_v discover_v much_o more_o of_o a_o ingenuous_a temper_n if_o instead_o of_o rely_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o evangelist_n only_o when_o they_o offer_v any_o thing_n that_o make_v as_o he_o think_v for_o the_o cause_n which_o he_o espouse_n he_o have_v either_o whole_o reject_v the_o gospel_n or_o else_o whole_o admit_v they_o and_o have_v but_o thankful_o admit_v the_o amaze_a condescension_n of_o the_o eternal_a word_n who_o willing_o become_v incarnate_a with_o this_o great_a design_n to_o recover_v a_o degenerate_a world_n from_o the_o sad_a ruin_n of_o their_o first_o apostasy_n another_o very_a considerable_a circumstance_n that_o make_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v this_o viz._n that_o even_o at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n his_o name_n have_v such_o a_o admirable_a virtue_n that_o it_o infallible_o and_o easy_o cure_v the_o most_o dangerous_a distemper_n both_o of_o body_n and_o mind_n and_o as_o for_o the_o sympathy_n which_o the_o sun_n if_o i_o may_v so_o say_v discover_v when_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n itself_o be_v suffer_v a_o more_o dreadful_a eclipse_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n tiberius_n and_o as_o for_o the_o stupid_a earth_n which_o tremble_v when_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n groan_v and_o be_v ready_a to_o expire_v we_o have_v the_o concur_v testimony_n of_o phlegon_n if_o i_o mistake_v not_o in_o the_o thirteen_o book_n of_o his_o chronicon_fw-la then_o the_o jew_n think_v to_o ridicule_n our_o saviour_n quote_v those_o word_n of_o bacchus_n in_o euripides_n when_o ever_o i_o please_v euripid._n bacc._n heaven_n for_o my_o rescue_n deign_v to_o interpose_v but_o here_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o can_v but_o make_v this_o obvious_a remark_n that_o the_o jew_n of_o all_o people_n in_o the_o world_n be_v least_o fond_a of_o the_o heathen_a poet_n however_o for_o once_o we_o will_v suppose_v our_o jew_n to_o differ_v from_o all_o his_o countryman_n and_o to_o express_v a_o singular_a affection_n for_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o i_o ask_v he_o whether_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o any_o logic_n that_o he_o ever_o read_v it_o even_o seem_v to_o follow_v that_o because_o our_o saviour_n didn't_fw-mi avoid_v his_o suffering_n he_o can_o have_v free_v himself_o from_o they_o if_o he_o please_v i_o think_v he_o ought_v much_o rather_o to_o believe_v what_o be_v relate_v to_o we_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o a_o angel_n shake_v off_o st._n peter_n chain_n and_o deliver_v he_o from_o prison_n and_o that_o paul_n and_o silas_n who_o be_v put_v into_o the_o stock_n at_o philippi_n a_o city_n of_o macedonia_n escape_v out_o of_o prison_n by_o a_o miracle_n and_o much_o more_o will_v the_o power_n of_o god_n have_v be_v engage_v to_o preserve_v our_o saviour_n from_o the_o grievous_a suffering_n which_o he_o undergo_v if_o the_o decree_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n have_v conspire_v if_o i_o may_v so_o say_v to_o render_v they_o most_o high_o necessary_a for_o aught_o i_o know_v celsus_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o ridicule_n those_o story_n or_o perhaps_o may_v never_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o read_v they_o since_o in_o all_o probability_n if_o he_o have_v ever_o mind_v they_o at_o all_o he_o will_v present_o have_v resolve_v they_o as_o he_o do_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n into_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n then_o celsus_n have_v the_o follow_a word_n the_o person_n that_o condemn_v your_o pretend_a saviour_n didn't_fw-mi endure_v a_o punishment_n comparable_a to_o that_o of_o pentheus_n who_o be_v deprive_v of_o his_o sense_n and_o tear_v to_o piece_n but_o he_o be_v so_o horrible_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o know_v that_o pilate_n consider_v in_o his_o public_a capacity_n be_v not_o so_o proper_o concern_v in_o condemn_v our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n which_o we_o see_v be_v for_o that_o reason_n disperse_v over_o the_o whole_a habitable_a world_n and_o suffer_v a_o far_o worse_a distraction_n than_o ever_o pentheus_n do_v but_o why_o do_v he_o make_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o of_o the_o troublesome_a dream_n that_o the_o wife_n of_o the_o roman_a governor_n have_v insomuch_o that_o she_o say_v to_o her_o husband_n have_v thou_o nothing_o to_o do_v with_o matxxvii_n v._n 19_o that_o just_a man_n for_o i_o have_v suffer_v many_o thing_n this_o day_n in_o a_o dream_n because_o of_o he_o then_o he_o leave_v out_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v evident_a and_o remarkable_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n person_n and_o commission_n and_o take_v abundance_n of_o pain_n to_o dress_v up_o the_o lord_n of_o glory_n in_o a_o fool_n be_v goat_a by_o the_o disadvantageous_a and_o ludicrous_a relation_n which_o he_o give_v of_o the_o horrid_a affront_v that_o be_v offer_v he_o viz._n the_o scarlet_a robe_n that_o they_o put_v upon_o he_o in_o a_o way_n of_o mockery_n the_o crown_n of_o thorn_n that_o they_o put_v upon_o his_o head_n and_o the_o reed_n that_o they_o put_v into_o his_o hand_n but_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o ask_v you_o the_o follow_a question_n from_o whence_o can_v you_o learn_v these_o thing_n but_o from_o those_o very_a gospel_n which_o you_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o reject_v at_o pleasure_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o case_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v i_o beseech_v you_o that_o such_o person_n as_o you_o be_v can_v take_v occasion_n to_o reflect_v upon_o our_o saviour_n from_o those_o very_a passage_n of_o scripture_n which_o as_o many_o other_o with_o great_a reason_n judge_n do_v leave_v a_o eternal_a brand_n of_o infamy_n on_o those_o who_o have_v the_o horrid_a impudence_n to_o insult_v he_o i_o think_v you_o shall_v rather_o admire_v the_o remarkable_a integrity_n which_o appear_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o be_v fill_v with_o a_o holy_a awe_n when_o you_o consider_v the_o amaze_a condescension_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n who_o seal_v his_o doctrine_n with_o his_o most_o precious_a blood_n for_o we_o have_v no_o account_n that_o after_o the_o sentence_n of_o condemnation_n be_v pass_v upon_o he_o he_o make_v the_o least_o complaint_n or_o ever_o utter_v a_o word_n that_o even_o seem_v to_o be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o great_a hero_n that_o the_o world_n can_v ever_o boast_v of_o then_o celsus_n say_v one_o will_v think_v that_o now_o if_o ever_o he_o have_v a_o fair_a opportunity_n to_o give_v full_a proof_n of_o his_o pretend_a deity_n and_o in_o the_o face_n if_o i_o may_v so_o say_v of_o the_o whole_a habitable_a world_n to_o be_v revenge_v of_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o base_a affront_v which_o you_o see_v be_v offer_v both_o to_o he_o and_o to_o his_o dearly-beloved_a and_o highly-honoured_a father_n but_o here_o i_o ask_v those_o of_o the_o greek_n who_o believe_v a_o overruling_a providence_n and_o grant_v that_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v pray_v why_o do_v it_o the_o injure_a deity_n take_v that_o advantage_n as_o on_o your_o hypothesis_n he_o may_v easy_o do_v which_o be_v plain_o give_v he_o by_o those_o innumerable_a and_o great_a affront_v which_o be_v daily_o offer_v he_o by_o the_o bold_a assertor_n of_o a_o blind_a fatality_n and_o when_o they_o return_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o single_a question_n all_o the_o argument_n which_o they_o bring_v may_v easy_o be_v retort_v on_o themselves_o chap._n xxiii_o than_o say_v the_o pretend_a jew_n what!_o shall_v we_o say_v that_o this_o vile_a fellow_n that_o be_v crucify_v other_o day_n have_v such_o blood_n as_o from_o the_o immortal_a god_n do_v flow_v hom._n il._n l._n 5_o v._o 340_o this_o we_o must_v suppose_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o he_o in_o his_o usual_a way_n of_o banter_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a talon_n but_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o evangelist_n who_o relate_v these_o matter_n with_o a_o become_a gravity_n and_o prudent_a care_n have_v leave_v behind_o they_o a_o true_a and_o sufficient_a account_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a passage_n that_o occur_v let_v celsus_n say_v what_o
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