the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n nor_o before_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o book_n then_o extant_a in_o truth_n write_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o great_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n though_o they_o have_v not_o be_v within_o their_o canon_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o they_o be_v not_o and_o philo_n or_o josephus_n most_o diligent_a searcher_n of_o their_o antiquity_n will_v have_v make_v some_o eminent_a mention_n of_o they_o in_o who_o work_n we_o find_v altum_fw-la silentium_fw-la about_o any_o such_o book_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v they_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o such_o real_a book_n then_o extant_a but_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o after_o the_o apostle_n judas_n have_v in_o his_o epistle_n quote_v a_o prophecy_n of_o enoch_n which_o prophecy_n without_o doubt_n he_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o either_o pure_o by_o revelation_n which_o i_o rather_o believe_v or_o else_o by_o a_o tradition_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v ascertain_v to_o he_o by_o revelation_n by_o which_o mean_n come_v other_o also_o of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v ascertain_v of_o what_o they_o write_v about_o divers_a thing_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o his_o book_n for_o in_o the_o psalm_n we_o find_v mention_n of_o some_o thing_n do_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n that_o be_v not_o record_v in_o his_o book_n st._n paul_n in_o the_o 9_o to_o the_o hebrew_n say_v that_o when_o moses_n have_v speak_v every_o precept_n according_a to_o the_o law_n he_o take_v the_o blood_n of_o calf_n and_o goat_n with_o water_n and_o scarlet_a wool_n and_o hyssop_n and_o sprinkle_v bâ—th_v the_o book_n and_o all_o the_o people_n say_v this_o be_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o testament_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n have_v add_v several_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o insert_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o selation_n of_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o 24_o of_o exodus_fw-la so_o stephen_n speech_n set_v down_o in_o the_o 7_o of_o the_o act_n tell_v we_o that_o moses_n in_o kill_v the_o egyptian_a suppose_a that_o his_o brethren_n will_v have_v understand_v how_o that_o god_n by_o his_o hand_n will_v deliver_v they_o but_o they_o understand_v not_o by_o which_o we_o have_v a_o reason_n give_v for_o moses_n kill_v the_o egyptian_a that_o he_o himself_o have_v no_o where_o set_v down_o and_o by_o which_o we_o come_v to_o understand_v that_o before_o moses_n go_v into_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a god_n reveal_v to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o that_o people_n which_o moses_n himself_o have_v not_o any_o where_n tell_v we_o i_o say_v it_o be_v probable_a that_o some_o heretic_n in_o the_o church_n most_o likely_a the_o gnostic_n who_o much_o cry_v up_o those_o spurious_a write_n to_o promote_v their_o own_o corrupt_a opinion_n and_o interest_n take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o frame_v certain_a counterfeit_a book_n just_a as_o some_o other_o do_v under_o the_o name_n of_o jaâ—nes_n and_o jambres_n after_o st._n paul_n mention_n of_o they_o as_o write_v by_o enoch_n before_o the_o flood_n which_o book_n have_v sufficient_o betray_v themselves_o for_o those_o that_o be_v publish_v under_o his_o name_n be_v stuff_v as_o st._n austin_n say_v with_o such_o absurd_a and_o fabulous_a story_n of_o angel_n and_o such_o ridiculous_a relation_n of_o giant_n who_o father_n be_v angel_n and_o no_o man_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v just_o reject_v as_o palpable_o counterfeit_v and_o fictitious_a of_o the_o same_o mind_n be_v jerom_n chrysostom_n and_o epiphanius_n and_o when_o celsus_n allege_v some_o absurd_a story_n out_o of_o those_o writing_n in_o reproach_n to_o the_o christian_n origen_n in_o his_o five_o book_n answer_v he_o by_o show_v what_o a_o mean_a esteem_n the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n than_o have_v of_o they_o for_o the_o second_o those_o pillar_n of_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o credit_n that_o any_o such_o pillar_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o with_o a_o intention_n to_o outlast_v the_o deluge_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v so_o do_v or_o that_o any_o engraving_n upon_o they_o shall_v be_v visible_a some_o thousand_o of_o year_n after_o especial_o upon_o one_o of_o brick_n for_o josephus_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v two_o at_o first_o erect_v one_o of_o brick_n and_o another_o of_o stone_n and_o that_o of_o stone_n they_o make_v on_o purpose_n to_o last_v if_o the_o other_o shall_v decay_v how_o he_o come_v to_o such_o a_o exact_a account_n of_o their_o mind_n the_o reader_n may_v guess_v and_o yet_o he_o say_v it_o be_v that_o of_o brick_n that_o then_o remain_v upon_o which_o he_o do_v not_o absolute_o say_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n write_v in_o letter_n but_o that_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n engrave_v upon_o they_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v invent_v which_o may_v be_v by_o many_o other_o representation_n and_o other_o way_n then_o by_o letter_n for_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o a_o symbolical_a representation_n of_o man_n thought_n one_o to_o another_o be_v extreme_a early_o in_o the_o world_n though_o they_o want_v alphabetical_a letter_n nor_o do_v josephus_n say_v that_o he_o see_v it_o it_o himself_o or_o give_v any_o punctual_a account_n what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v engrave_v upon_o it_o or_o any_o certain_a place_n where_o the_o pillar_n be_v to_o be_v see_v but_o only_o in_o general_a that_o it_o be_v then_o in_o the_o country_n of_o syria_n where_o he_o leave_v man_n of_o leisure_n to_o inquire_v after_o it_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v so_o very_a many_o improbable_a and_o unlikely_a if_o not_o impossible_a circumstance_n do_v attend_v this_o vain_a story_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a josephus_n though_o in_o the_o general_a a_o historian_n of_o deserve_a credit_n take_v it_o upon_o bare_a report_n from_o other_o some_z late_a author_n think_v and_o perhaps_o not_o amiss_o from_o the_o fabulous_a relation_n of_o manetho_n who_o say_v he_o take_v his_o history_n from_o some_o pillar_n set_v up_o before_o the_o flood_n and_o be_v marvailous_o abuse_v in_o that_o countenance_n he_o seem_v to_o give_v to_o it_o nor_o ought_v it_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o we_o sin_v many_o of_o the_o best_a historian_n have_v take_v up_o thing_n upon_o trust_n and_o fall_v thereby_o into_o very_o great_a mistake_n suetonius_n and_o tacitus_n be_v both_o eminent_a historian_n among_o the_o roman_n yet_o both_o guilty_a of_o strange_a mistake_v tacitus_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o history_n that_o the_o jew_n worship_v a_o ass_n head_n with_o the_o high_a veneration_n then_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o untrue_o and_o upon_o less_o ground_n affirm_v and_o suetonius_n so_o mistake_v that_o he_o think_v christ_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n judaeos_fw-la impulsore_fw-la chresto_fw-la assidue_fw-la tumultuantes_fw-la civitate_fw-la expulit_fw-la that_o claudius_n expel_v the_o jew_n out_o of_o rome_n who_o be_v continual_o make_v uproar_n be_v stir_v up_o thereunto_o by_o christ_n then_o which_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o absurd_a mistake_n nor_o a_o great_a falsehood_n well_o utter_v for_o the_o three_o the_o mention_n that_o moses_n make_v in_o the_o 21_o of_o number_n and_o the_o 14_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o a_o book_n then_o extant_a his_o word_n be_v wherefore_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n what_o he_o didin_fw-mi the_o red_a sea_n and_o in_o the_o brook_n of_o arnon_n first_o divers_a probable_a sense_n be_v give_v of_o the_o place_n that_o render_v it_o no_o objection_n in_o this_o case_n the_o geneva_n translation_n not_o much_o differ_v from_o some_o other_o render_v it_o thus_o wherefore_o it_o shall_v be_v speak_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o battle_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n if_o so_o then_o it_o be_v prophetical_a and_o may_v relate_v to_o joshuah_n who_o be_v say_v to_o sight_n the_o battle_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o relation_n in_o the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n or_o judge_n that_o be_v to_o be_v after_o junius_n read_v the_o word_n thus_o idcirco_fw-la dici_fw-la solet_fw-la in_o recensione_n bellorum_fw-la jehovae_fw-la etc._n etc._n wherefore_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v say_v in_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o understand_v it_o not_o of_o any_o particular_a book_n but_o that_o among_o the_o war_n that_o god_n dispose_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o israelite_n there_o be_v in_o those_o time_n a_o famous_a mention_n in_o the_o
sort_n of_o christian_n under_o the_o gospel_n st._n jerom_n call_v it_o a_o book_n full_a of_o idle_a dream_n the_o papist_n themselves_o though_o they_o have_v admit_v many_o other_o book_n that_o we_o reckon_v apocryphal_a into_o their_o canon_n yet_o have_v still_o reject_v this_o and_o bellarmine_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n speak_v with_o great_a contempt_n of_o this_o whole_a book_n and_o call_v the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v a_o writer_n of_o romance_n second_o there_o be_v many_o very_a good_a and_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o there_o be_v no_o where_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o least_o mention_n not_o by_o esdras_n himself_o though_o he_o give_v we_o a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o he_o himself_o do_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a but_o so_o eminent_a a_o thing_n as_o god_n inspire_v one_o man_n to_o write_v over_o again_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o so_o many_o have_v be_v inspire_v to_o write_v before_o will_v have_v be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o record_v nor_o be_v it_o credible_a but_o that_o so_o great_a a_o judgement_n upon_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o total_a loss_n of_o their_o law_n will_v have_v be_v distinct_o mention_v when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v so_o very_o particular_a in_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o lossâ—s_v the_o jew_n underweâ—â—_n at_o that_o time_n of_o all_o the_o ruin_n make_v by_o the_o babylonian_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o spoil_n they_o carry_v into_o babylon_n from_o thence_o second_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v multitude_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o religious_a jew_n especial_o the_o priest_n of_o who_o there_o be_v many_o hundred_o who_o have_v a_o constant_a use_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o people_n also_o dâ—d_v general_o possess_v themselves_o of_o it_o after_o that_o eminent_a danger_n it_o have_v undergo_v and_o the_o recovery_n of_o â—â—â—n_n the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o jâ—siah_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o all_o the_o copy_n can_v be_v destroy_v those_o that_o probable_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o jeremiah_n gedalich_n and_o many_o other_o who_o stay_v behind_o and_o accept_v their_o liberty_n to_o continue_v still_o in_o judea_n and_o those_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o daniel_n ezekiel_n and_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o they_o in_o the_o first_o captivity_n to_o babylon_n long_o before_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o all_o those_o which_o be_v probable_o keep_v by_o many_o of_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n after_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o we_o no_o where_n find_v that_o the_o babylonian_n make_v it_o any_o part_n of_o their_o business_n in_o particular_a to_o destroy_v and_o extirpate_v their_o law_n and_o when_o antiochus_n do_v afterward_o with_o all_o his_o might_n endeavour_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o copy_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o good_a man_n hand_n he_o be_v no_o way_n able_a to_o effect_v it_o three_o it_o appear_v the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n with_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n both_o from_o daniel_n prophecy_n who_o prophesy_v there_o and_o also_o from_o other_o historical_a evidence_n first_o from_o his_o prophecy_n for_o we_o find_v he_o in_o the_o 9_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n quote_v several_a time_n particular_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o chapter_n he_o say_v he_o understand_v by_o book_n the_o number_n of_o year_n whereof_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n that_o he_o will_v accomplish_v seventy_o year_n in_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o those_o book_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n itself_o with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n wherein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o time_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v bring_v thither_o which_o daniel_n compare_v together_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o end_n of_o jâ—remies_n seventy_o year_n and_o of_o the_o captivity_n the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o have_v be_v four_o distinct_a captivity_n and_o four_o several_a king_n of_o judah_n carry_v into_o babylon_n at_o four_o several_a time_n first_o manasses_n than_o jehojakim_n and_o with_o he_o among_o other_o daniel_n himself_o three_o jeconias_n and_o with_o he_o ezekiel_n and_o mordecai_n and_o last_o zedekias_n when_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v destroy_v and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n very_o easy_a to_o know_v from_o which_o of_o these_o captivity_n to_o reckon_v the_o seventy_o â—aâ—s_n ezekiel_n seem_v to_o begin_v it_o eleven_o year_n before_o the_o city_n be_v destroy_v when_o jeâ—â—onias_n be_v carry_v away_o thither_o for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o our_o be_v in_o captivity_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n in_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o the_o month_n in_o the_o fourteen_o year_n after_o that_o the_o city_n be_v smite_v and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o jecenias_n use_v these_o word_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v in_o babel_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n by_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o begin_v the_o seventy_o year_n from_o thence_o but_o in_o other_o place_n be_v very_o express_v that_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o so_o it_o appear_v the_o captivity_n mention_v by_o ezekiel_n be_v not_o that_o by_o which_o the_o seventy_o â—ears_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v nor_o be_v the_o prophecy_n utter_v by_o jeremy_n to_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v captivate_v with_o jeconias_n to_o commence_v when_o utter_v nor_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o last_o captivity_n of_o zedekiah_n all_o which_o daniel_n consider_v and_o by_o compare_v these_o prophecy_n together_o find_v the_o exact_a time_n from_o whence_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v second_o from_o historical_a evidence_n for_o josephus_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o cyrus_n set_v on_o foot_n the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o restore_v of_o the_o jew_n to_o their_o country_n be_v his_o read_v the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n which_o be_v write_v â—10_n year_n before_o his_o time_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v in_o god_n name_n that_o cyrus_n shall_v be_v raise_v up_o for_o that_o very_a purpose_n upon_o read_v of_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n he_o save_v cyrus_n be_v ravish_v with_o admiration_n of_o god_n and_o surprise_v with_o a_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o bring_v about_o what_o be_v so_o long_o before_o write_v and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o sight_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o engage_v cyrus_n to_o what_o he_o do_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o most_o absurd_o impolitic_a and_o against_o all_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o discretion_n to_o restore_v such_o a_o people_n and_o rebuild_v such_o a_o place_n that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o terrible_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o especial_o when_o as_o josephus_n say_v there_o go_v out_o of_o babylon_n at_o their_o return_n of_o those_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n there_o captivate_v four_o million_o six_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o eight_o thousand_o person_n that_o be_v above_o twelve_o year_n old_a beside_o four_o thousand_o and_o seventy_o levite_n and_o of_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n together_o forty_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o forty_o and_o two_o beside_o also_o some_o hundred_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n that_o be_v porter_n singer_n and_o other_o sacred_a servitor_n four_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o zerubbabel_n joshuah_n haggai_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o they_o will_v have_v so_o labour_v as_o they_o do_v to_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n toâ—e-build_a their_o temple_n and_o restore_v their_o ancient_a worship_n if_o the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o great_a rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v whole_o lâ—st_o and_o extinguish_v nay_o it_o appear_v evident_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n that_o those_o jew_n that_o firstâ—etâ—â—â—ed_v into_o judaea_n before_o esdras_n come_v out_o of_o babylon_n bring_v the_o law_n out_o of_o babylon_n with_o they_o for_o in_o the_o six_o of_o esdras_n it_o be_v there_o say_v they_o set_v the_o priest_n in_o their_o division_n and_o the_o levite_n in_o their_o corpse_n and_o settle_v the_o worship_n oâ—the_v temple_n
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of_o those_o who_o have_v themselves_o universal_o proclaim_v the_o bible_n in_o all_o age_n to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o if_o christian-tradition_n be_v credit_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v thereby_o establish_v and_o if_o it_o be_v dis-believed_n in_o thaâ—_n there_o can_v be_v then_o no_o good_a reason_n to_o receiuâ—_v any_o other_o matter_n touch_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o conveyance_n to_o retain_v therefore_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o yet_o disow_v the_o bible_n be_v to_o become_v a_o perfect_a problem_n no_o such_o man_n can_v produce_v anâ—_n law_n or_o rule_n of_o his_o religion_n nor_o give_v anâ—_n account_v wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v or_o bâ—_n who_o or_o by_o what_o church_n with_o a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o bible_n they_o have_v be_v at_o any_o timâ—_n receive_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n rational_o make_v a_o partial_a rejection_n of_o 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nor_o trouble_v himself_o to_o exercise_v any_o rule_n or_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o it_o three_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o religion_n and_o providence_n but_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o not_o true_a and_o embrace_v some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o of_o those_o first-born_a monster_n of_o mankind_n that_o anomalous_a offspring_n who_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n who_o principle_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o utmost_a dregs_n of_o all_o humane_a apostasy_n and_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o absurd_a for_o as_o cicero_n say_v deos_fw-la esse_fw-la ita_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la negate_fw-la vix_fw-la eum_fw-la sanae_fw-la mentis_fw-la existimem_fw-la the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v think_v well_o in_o his_o wit_n that_o deny_v it_o a_o previous_a consideration_n be_v necessary_a to_o whatever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o divine_a subject_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v already_o contest_v with_o such_o and_o dispatch_v all_o my_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o order_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o last_o converse_n i_o mean_v to_o have_v with_o that_o evil_a generation_n of_o who_o it_o may_v most_o true_o be_v say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o the_o avow_a opposer_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o indeed_o they_o be_v host_n humani_fw-la generis_fw-la the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o mankind_n who_o by_o deny_v a_o supreme_a be_v above_o demolish_v the_o great_a support_n of_o all_o well-being_n here_o below_o of_o this_o belief_n they_o be_v heretofore_o at_o athens_n in_o those_o primitive_a time_n of_o atheism_n and_o first_o dawning_n of_o â—speculative_a irreligion_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o cotta_n tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n that_o when_o protagoras_n begin_v his_o book_n with_o this_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n de_fw-fr diis_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la habeo_fw-la dicere_fw-la atheniensum_fw-la jussu_fw-la urbe_fw-la atque_fw-la agro_n est_fw-la exterminatus_fw-la librique_fw-la ejus_fw-la in_o concione_fw-la combusti_fw-la and_o he_o add_v exit_fw-la quo_fw-la equidem_fw-la existimo_fw-la tardiores_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la profitendam_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la factos_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la poenam_fw-la ne_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la quidem_fw-la effugere_fw-la potuisset_fw-la for_o those_o secundary_a enemy_n to_o the_o bible_n and_o together_o with_o that_o of_o all_o religion_n such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o divine_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n such_o who_o out_o of_o shame_n disow_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o atheism_n but_o yet_o by_o this_o method_n secure_v all_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o to_o themselves_o of_o those_o a_o preliminary_a consideration_n on_o aught_o to_o be_v have_v a_o previous_a confutation_n of_o such_o principle_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o discourse_n in_o hand_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o impracticable_a project_n to_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v any_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o a_o law_n give_v forth_o from_o god_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n any_o where_o in_o be_v which_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o never_o can_v be_v if_o god_n no_o way_n concern_v himself_o with_o what_o man_n do_v nor_o exercise_n any_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a such_o principle_n do_v uno_fw-la ictu_fw-la dispatch_v all_o religion_n out_o of_o the_o world_n put_v a_o perfect_a period_n to_o all_o divinity_n and_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n very_o absurd_a to_o submit_v either_o in_o our_o belief_n or_o practice_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o divine_a to_o this_o purpose_n cicero_n conclude_v in_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat_n deor._n sin_n autem_fw-la dii_fw-la say_v he_o neque_fw-la possunt_fw-la nos_fw-la juvare_fw-la nec_fw-la volunt_fw-la
be_v the_o reasonable_a bound_n of_o all_o such_o future_a debate_n as_o be_v bottom_v upon_o they_o but_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v when_o the_o principle_n themselves_o be_v in_o question_n nor_o upon_o such_o who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v they_o as_o erroneous_a and_o mistake_v when_o two_o mabumetan_o be_v in_o dispute_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o koran_n be_v to_o they_o a_o proper_a umpirage_n because_o a_o principle_n grant_v by_o both_o but_o when_o a_o mahometan_a dispute_n with_o a_o christian_a the_o proof_n of_o the_o koran_n itself_o must_v precede_v any_o proof_n he_o can_v make_v of_o religion_n from_o thence_o because_o whatever_o be_v itself_o under_o question_n and_o doubt_n can_v never_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o determine_v other_o controversy_n by_o nor_o ought_v this_o the_o fact_n whereof_o be_v so_o verify_v to_o we_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o man_n shall_v often_o mistake_v and_o general_o differ_v and_o divide_v upon_o all_o such_o acquire_v principle_n as_o they_o do_v that_o it_o be_v hard_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o find_v a_o instance_n wherein_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v be_v able_a universal_o to_o take_v one_o step_v together_o beyond_o those_o first_o and_o irrisistible_a institute_n of_o knowledge_n and_o those_o primary_n element_n of_o a_o rational_a be_v it_o be_v no_o way_n strange_a to_o see_v what_o be_v lay_v as_o a_o foundation_n by_o one_o shall_v seem_v a_o absolute_a nullity_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o another_o what_o one_o man_n resign_v up_o himself_o to_o as_o his_o guide_n another_o shall_v reject_v with_o contempt_n if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o difficulty_n wherewith_o all_o acquire_v knowledge_n be_v attain_v and_o the_o various_a path_n man_n tread_v towards_o it_o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o reduce_v thing_n to_o a_o harmony_n with_o the_o rational_a nature_n with_o what_o labour_n and_o sweat_v of_o the_o mind_n we_o come_v to_o measure_v out_o thing_n by_o the_o line_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o to_o find_v out_o those_o proper_a medium_n of_o demonstration_n that_o lie_v in_o a_o direct_a line_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n and_o how_o natural_a be_v it_o to_o doubt_v and_o object_n to_o the_o utmost_a in_o all_o rational_a progression_n second_o with_o what_o various_a ability_n the_o world_n be_v capacitate_v for_o all_o intellectual_a attainment_n and_o how_o different_o man_n do_v improve_v their_o know_a faculty_n first_o principle_n arise_v from_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o its_o naked_a existence_n but_o all_o second_o principle_n from_o the_o exercise_n and_o improvement_n of_o it_o how_o few_o be_v there_o that_o travel_n so_o far_o as_o their_o own_o reason_n will_v guide_v they_o or_o suffer_v that_o noble_a faculty_n to_o do_v what_o it_o will_v do_v what_o unequal_a concern_v have_v mankind_n about_o truth_n it_o be_v the_o jewel_n and_o delight_n of_o some_o it_o be_v a_o absolute_a drug_n to_o other_o some_o man_n make_v the_o talon_n of_o their_o reason_n ten_o talent_n oother_n fold_v up_o their_o know_a faculty_n in_o the_o slumber_n of_o a_o drowsy_a sensuality_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n sit_v down_o satisfy_v with_o what_o they_o do_v know_v not_o what_o they_o may_v know_v and_o choose_v a_o lazy_a enjoyment_n of_o ignorance_n and_o error_n rather_o than_o a_o inquisitive_a possession_n of_o truth_n man_n be_v not_o only_o bear_v of_o several_a stature_n in_o the_o know_a part_n but_o they_o continual_o render_v themselves_o so_o by_o the_o various_a and_o different_a improvement_n of_o those_o ability_n they_o possess_v three_o the_o faculty_n of_o our_o reason_n itself_o render_v all_o thing_n capable_a of_o dispute_n and_o debate_n that_o be_v not_o bound_v with_o visible_a contradiction_n to_o its_o own_o be_v and_o be_v beyond_o the_o limit_n of_o those_o primary_n law_n it_o necessary_o give_v to_o itself_o and_o make_v various_a determination_n about_o all_o such_o disputable_a matter_n and_o very_o often_o where_o we_o may_v well_o suppose_v a_o equal_a ability_n on_o both_o side_n man_n differ_v about_o the_o same_o thing_n the_o cause_n whereof_o must_v not_o be_v impute_v to_o any_o innate_a defect_n in_o the_o rational_a nature_n as_o if_o god_n have_v make_v we_o with_o a_o lame_a faculty_n for_o whoever_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o must_v needs_o retort_v the_o lie_n to_o himself_o because_o he_o have_v no_o other_o faculty_n to_o judge_v by_o but_o the_o true_a reason_n of_o it_o lie_v collateral_o either_o first_o from_o the_o difficulty_n relative_a to_o our_o reason_n in_o the_o object_n it_o be_v conversant_a about_o from_o whence_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v to_o arise_v various_a and_o different_a sentiment_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n capable_a of_o positive_a determination_n we_o meet_v with_o few_o thing_n without_o some_o difficulty_n but_o with_o very_a many_o thing_n that_o great_o pose_v we_o with_o some_o thing_n so_o much_o out_o of_o our_o reach_n that_o they_o exceed_v all_o bound_n of_o comprehension_n be_v beyond_o the_o verge_n of_o problem_n and_o serve_v only_a to_o show_v we_o the_o limit_n of_o a_o finite_a understanding_n or_o second_o from_o the_o want_n of_o such_o perfect_a information_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o ground_v a_o complete_a and_o perfect_a judgement_n upon_o there_o be_v not_o a_o little_a share_n of_o uncertain_a guess_n and_o conjecture_v mingle_v with_o most_o of_o our_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n which_o nothing_o but_o experience_n can_v deliver_v we_o from_o or_o three_o which_o be_v most_o general_a and_o a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o man_n fall_n from_o the_o bias_n of_o some_o interest_n or_o concern_v whereby_o man_n be_v engage_v or_o some_o natural_a propensity_n and_o inclination_n they_o be_v bear_v with_o that_o oppose_v and_o undiscerned_o prevail_v over_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a issue_n of_o reason_n enslave_v they_o to_o appetite_n and_o sway_v the_o judgement_n another_o way_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o prudent_a observation_n that_o one_o make_v heretofore_o upon_o those_o various_a sect_n that_o arise_v among_o the_o philosopher_n in_o graece_fw-la that_o qui_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la ingenio_fw-la severo_fw-la rigido_fw-la &_o moroso_fw-la querulo_fw-la &_o aroganti_fw-la ij_o stoicismum_n sun_n amplecti_fw-la qui_fw-la vero_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la ingenio_fw-la molli_fw-la &_o stadiosi_fw-la tranquillitatis_fw-la &_o atij_fw-la ij_o fuerunt_fw-la epicurei_n qui_fw-la denique_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la ingenio_fw-la civili_fw-la modestoque_fw-la &_o liberali_fw-la ij_o peripateticorum_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la sunt_fw-la secuti_fw-la and_o aristotle_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o the_o summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la say_v vnumquemque_fw-la prout_fw-la animo_fw-la affectus_fw-la est_fw-la ita_fw-la de_fw-fr summâ—_n rono_fw-it judicare_fw-la atque_fw-la inde_fw-la oriri_fw-la quod_fw-la alij_fw-la summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la collecant_v in_fw-la divitiis_fw-la alij_fw-la in_o honoribus_fw-la alij_fw-la in_o voluptate_fw-la it_o be_v from_o hence_o and_o from_o those_o many_o other_o circumstantial_a impediment_n we_o be_v liable_a to_o in_o all_o our_o rational_a determination_n and_o not_o from_o the_o faculty_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o itself_o consider_v that_o have_v be_v derive_v that_o great_a variety_n of_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n whereby_o the_o world_n in_o all_o the_o age_n of_o it_o have_v be_v divide_v of_o this_o second_o sort_n of_o acquire_v and_o accidental_a principle_n be_v man_n assent_n to_o and_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o book_n pen_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o be_v of_o extraordinary_a mission_n from_o god_n it_o be_v not_o of_o those_o first_o bear_v principle_n of_o reason_n from_o which_o we_o can_v dissent_v without_o a_o apparent_a absurdity_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o those_o first_o praerequisites_n to_o all_o debate_n and_o discourse_n and_o the_o stand_a boundary_n of_o all_o ratiocination_n but_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o admit_v man_n doubt_n query_n and_o debate_n about_o it_o and_o the_o absolute_a positive_a belief_n of_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o any_o man_n but_o all_o man_n reason_v and_o discourse_v into_o a_o assent_n to_o it_o upon_o such_o ground_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o such_o a_o subject_n and_o man_n satisfaction_n about_o it_o natural_a religion_n be_v bear_v with_o man_n and_o be_v connate_a with_o their_o being_n and_o must_v be_v suppose_v but_o all_o supernatural_a religion_n be_v discourse_v into_o man_n and_o make_v its_o entrance_n that_o way_n though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o all_o science_n there_o must_v be_v some_o principle_n grant_v yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o other_o nor_o need_v to_o be_v than_o such_o as_o be_v general_a and_o common_a to_o all_o mankind_n and_o such_o as_o lie_v adequate_a to_o every_o man_n reason_n and_o not_o such_o as_o be_v only_o the_o property_n of_o one_o party_n and_o be_v peculiar_a
the_o world_n thales_n miletius_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jonick_a school_n who_o be_v antiquissimus_fw-la sapientum_fw-la in_o graece_fw-la and_o the_o first_o author_n among_o they_o of_o that_o science_n they_o afterward_o call_v natural_a philosophy_n and_o come_v near_a to_o the_o story_n of_o moses_n he_o derive_v all_o thing_n from_o water_n rerum_fw-la omnium_fw-la principium_fw-la dixit_fw-la esse_fw-la aquam_fw-la ex_fw-la aqua_fw-la namque_fw-la omne_fw-la existere_fw-la &_o in_o aquam_fw-la resolvi_fw-la omne_fw-la follow_v therein_o homer_n the_o great_a prophet_n of_o graece_fw-la who_o book_n be_v indeed_o the_o great_a pagan-bible_n and_o from_o who_o not_o only_o most_o of_o the_o gracian_a religion_n but_o most_o of_o all_o the_o heethen_a theology_n be_v after_o derive_v for_o he_o make_v the_o sea_n the_o common_a parent_n of_o all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d occanum_fw-la rerum_fw-la genuit_fw-la qui_fw-la cuncta_fw-la parentem_fw-la year_n of_o the_o god_n themselves_o for_o he_o derive_v their_o pedigree_n no_o high_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oceanumque_fw-la deumm_n patrem_fw-la tethymque_fw-la parentem_fw-la anaximander_n his_o successor_n he_o think_v the_o world_n come_v from_o no_o one_o particular_a thing_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n have_v their_o proper_a and_o singular_a beginning_n which_o he_o hold_v to_o be_v infinite_a and_o that_o infinite_a world_n be_v thereby_o beget_v all_o which_o have_v their_o successive_a original_a continuance_n and_o end_n anaximenes_n he_o think_v all_o thing_n come_v from_o air_n exit_fw-la aere_fw-la omne_fw-la fieri_fw-la &_o in_o hunc_fw-la desinere_fw-la omne_fw-la heraclitus_n ascribe_v all_o to_o fire_n think_v all_o thing_n come_v first_o from_o fire_n and_o will_v revert_v to_o fire_n again_o pythagoras_n the_o author_n of_o the_o italic_a philosophy_n and_o the_o first_o introducer_n of_o the_o name_n of_o philosophy_n according_a to_o laertius_n and_o as_o clemens_n alex._n tell_v we_o the_o first_o that_o take_v the_o name_n of_o a_o philosopher_n upon_o himself_o which_o st._n austin_n say_v he_o do_v out_o of_o modesty_n refuse_v to_o be_v call_v a_o wise_a man_n which_o every_o philosopher_n be_v before_o but_o choose_v rather_o to_o style_v himself_o a_o lover_n of_o wisdom_n he_o ascribe_v all_o thing_n to_o number_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o mention_v all_o the_o absurd_a and_o contradictory_n speculation_n the_o philosopher_n have_v about_o this_o matter_n the_o three_o best_a of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n who_o successive_o instruct_v each_o other_o and_o attain_v to_o the_o top_n of_o the_o grecian_a literature_n socrates_n plato_n and_o aristotle_n what_o a_o cloud_n do_v those_o elevate_a understanding_n set_v in_o about_o these_o matter_n socrates_n so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v judge_n of_o he_o by_o what_o his_o scholar_n have_v collect_v of_o his_o for_o he_o write_v nothing_o himself_n see_v so_o great_a vanity_n in_o the_o sentiment_n of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n about_o these_o thing_n &_o withal_o be_v so_o convince_v of_o his_o own_o inability_n to_o come_v to_o a_o right_a comprehension_n of_o they_o that_o he_o apply_v himself_o chief_o to_o morality_n wave_v all_o dispute_n about_o they_o as_o uncertain_a and_o no_o way_n satisfy_v and_o make_v his_o business_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a live_n and_o to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o such_o speculation_n wherein_o he_o find_v they_o have_v be_v ever_o benight_a and_o lose_v which_o doubtless_o be_v the_o wise_a resolve_n by_o far_o that_o any_o of_o they_o ever_o come_v to_o it_o be_v a_o singular_a part_n of_o prudence_n to_o be_v silent_a in_o that_o about_o which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a and_o in_o this_o particular_a happy_o he_o make_v good_a what_o the_o oracle_n say_v of_o he_o mortalium_fw-la unus_fw-la socrates_n veer_fw-la sapit_fw-la plato_n assert_n three_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n deum_fw-la materiam_fw-la &_o idaeam_n deum_fw-la conditorem_fw-la omnium_fw-la materiam_fw-la autem_fw-la primariae_fw-la rerum_fw-la genitarum_fw-la generationi_fw-la subjacentem_fw-la &_o causam_fw-la occasionemque_fw-la deo_fw-la creationis_fw-la praebentem_fw-la ideam_fw-la porro_fw-la creaturae_fw-la cujusque_fw-la exemplar_n and_o sometime_o add_v a_o four_o animam_fw-la universalem_fw-la aristotle_n make_v but_o two_o principle_n deum_n &_o materiam_fw-la and_o indeed_o so_o contradict_v the_o former_a hypothesis_n of_o plato_n and_o so_o little_a agreement_n be_v there_o in_o those_o thing_n between_o they_o though_o he_o have_v be_v his_o scholar_n from_o fifteen_o that_o plato_n complain_v he_o kick_v at_o he_o as_o foal_v use_v to_o do_v at_o their_o dame_n that_o have_v breed_v they_o up_o some_o think_v the_o world_n eternal_a without_o a_o deity_n aristotle_n he_o think_v it_o eternal_a with_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o the_o world_n flow_v natural_o from_o the_o divine_a be_v as_o light_n do_v from_o the_o sun_n nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o one_o philosopher_n among_o they_o all_o but_o hold_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o posture_n or_o other_o about_o which_o they_o much_o differ_v be_v eternal_a as_o well_o as_o the_o deity_n itself_o and_o therefore_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n say_v omnes_fw-la philosophi_fw-la in_o his_o consenserunt_fw-la semper_fw-la prater_fw-la deum_fw-la ab_fw-la omni_fw-la eater_n nitate_fw-la aliquid_fw-la fuisse_fw-la in_o this_o all_o philosopher_n have_v agree_v that_o there_o be_v somewhat_o else_o beside_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n they_o never_o admit_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n can_v possible_o come_v original_o from_o divine_a potentiality_n and_o so_o from_o nothing_o if_o you_o respect_v matter_n that_o maxim_n fieri_fw-la é_fw-fr nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la in_fw-la nihilum_fw-la nil_fw-la posse_fw-la reverti_fw-la be_v universal_a among_o they_o and_o still_o confine_v by_o they_o all_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o matter_n for_o divinity_n no_o part_n of_o the_o world_n before_o or_o since_o ever_o produce_v a_o far_a corruption_n therein_o then_o greece_n and_o rome_n in_o their_o great_a splendour_n they_o make_v god_n of_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o themselves_o living_n and_o dead_a idolatry_n be_v then_o in_o its_o meridian_n that_o natural_a notion_n man_n have_v of_o a_o deity_n have_v be_v in_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n more_o notorious_o debauch_v to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o all_o false_a worship_n then_o in_o those_o know_a time_n whatever_o they_o general_o love_v or_o fear_v fancy_a and_o not_o understand_v that_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o adore_v their_o back_n be_v bow_v down_o with_o a_o ignorant_a implicit_a reverence_n to_o what_o they_o know_v not_o and_o so_o their_o devotion_n prove_v as_o ruinous_a to_o they_o as_o their_o vice_n it_o be_v their_o religion_n in_o graece_fw-la that_o make_v man_n turn_v atheist_n and_o make_v that_o learned_a country_n the_o first_o soil_n that_o ever_o atheism_n grow_v in_o it_o be_v so_o gross_o absurd_a and_o their_o poet_n have_v make_v it_o so_o ridiculous_a that_o it_o become_v loathsome_a to_o the_o most_o intelligent_a part_n of_o themselves_o at_o athens_n so_o blind_a be_v they_o in_o their_o devotion_n and_o withal_o so_o confuse_v with_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o their_o own_o deity_n not_o sometime_o know_v which_o to_o apply_v to_o that_o they_o inscribe_v altar_n to_o the_o unknown_a god_n by_o which_o they_o fall_v accidental_o into_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n before_o they_o be_v aware_a for_o the_o unknown_a god_n among_o they_o 〈◊〉_d indeed_o the_o true_a god_n the_o occasion_n of_o 〈◊〉_d â—uch_o we_o find_v in_o laertius_n in_o the_o life_n of_o epimenides_n who_o he_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o great_a plague_n that_o be_v at_o athens_n oves_fw-la alas_o &_o nigras_fw-la in_o areopagum_fw-la adduxit_fw-la ac_fw-la dimissis_fw-la deinde_fw-la quo_fw-la ire_n vellent_fw-la auctor_fw-la suis_fw-la ut_fw-la ubi_fw-la illi_fw-la recubuissent_fw-la ibi_fw-la sacrificarent_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d these_o altar_n be_v likewise_o mention_v by_o pausanias_n lib._n 1._o and_o by_o phylostratus_n lib._n 6._o such_o altar_n so_o inscribe_v also_o they_o have_v in_o rome_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o earthquake_n there_o when_o they_o know_v not_o which_o of_o their_o god_n to_o apply_v to_o as_o appear_v by_o agelli_fw-la lib._n 11._o chap._n 28._o in_o rome_n their_o religion_n be_v grow_v to_o that_o height_n of_o absurdity_n that_o one_o tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n the_o roman_a priest_n themselves_o do_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n contemn_v their_o own_o devotion_n and_o ceremony_n that_o they_o can_v scarce_o forbear_v smile_v at_o each_o other_o when_o they_o meet_v in_o the_o street_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o believe_v god_n shall_v be_v please_v with_o what_o man_n mock_v at_o themselves_o cotta_n in_o cicero_n book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n say_v plain_o religion_n must_v be_v continue_v as_o they_o be_v first_o institute_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o commonwealth_n but_o that_o otherwise_o all_o
wise_a people_n laugh_v at_o those_o mystery_n never_o any_o man_n scorn_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o caesar_n himself_o do_v his_o own_o god_n and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v please_v himself_o often_o in_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v his_o god_n feel_v the_o power_n of_o his_o anger_n what_o a_o childish_a folly_n it_o be_v then_o to_o believe_v that_o a_o roman_a consul_n lose_v his_o whole_a army_n because_o he_o slight_v the_o feed_n of_o some_o young_a chicken_n or_o that_o marcus_n crassus_n be_v therefore_o slay_v by_o the_o parthian_n because_o he_o despise_v some_o foppery_n of_o atteius_n if_o we_o look_v off_o from_o their_o public_a religion_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o their_o divinity_n and_o take_v a_o view_n of_o what_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a thought_n what_o a_o poor_a product_n be_v all_o their_o notion_n compare_v with_o the_o bible_n what_o a_o midnight_n be_v man_n in_o in_o respect_n of_o religion_n in_o that_o clear_a sunshine_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n socrates_n who_o see_v the_o further_a of_o any_o man_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v into_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o heathen_a theology_n and_o die_v for_o a_o pretend_a contempt_n of_o it_o for_o the_o charge_n that_o melius_n one_o of_o his_o accuser_n bring_v against_o he_o at_o athens_n as_o laertius_n say_v be_v jura_n violat_a socrates_n quos_fw-la ex_fw-la majorum_fw-la instituto_fw-la suscepit_fw-la civitas_n deos_fw-la esse_fw-la negans_fw-la alia_fw-la vero_fw-la nova_fw-la demonia_fw-la inducens_fw-la the_o first_o philosophical_a martyr_n that_o we_o read_v of_o have_v yet_o leave_v but_o little_o better_a divinity_n behind_o he_o nor_o can_v i_o perceive_v he_o have_v any_o design_n or_o ability_n to_o reform_v the_o world_n that_o way_n for_o he_o answer_v his_o charge_n by_o a_o flat_a denial_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o apology_n in_o plato_n and_o his_o whole_a carriage_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o it_o be_v out_o of_o choice_n and_o not_o out_o of_o fear_n that_o he_o do_v so_o sometime_o also_o before_o he_o advise_v other_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n they_o live_v in_o and_o we_o find_v likewise_o in_o plato_n how_o uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a he_o be_v about_o that_o great_a point_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n and_o a_o future_a state_n of_o man_n after_o this_o life_n and_o can_v determine_v nothing_o with_o himself_o positive_o about_o it_o though_o he_o seem_v to_o incline_v that_o way_n and_o to_o think_v it_o the_o more_o probable_a opinion_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a much_o in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o cicero_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o tusculane_n question_n who_o give_v it_o but_o a_o probability_n and_o as_o plato_n do_v in_o his_o phaed_n who_o say_v in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a about_o it_o nor_o will_v not_o be_v confident_a of_o it_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n in_o his_o thought_n about_o those_o matter_n that_o make_v he_o say_v he_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v better_o to_o die_v or_o to_o live_v and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n to_o be_v trouble_v about_o that_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v or_o fear_v and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o to_o his_o end_n he_o express_v great_a contentment_n in_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v with_o hercules_n and_o palamedes_n in_o the_o next_o world_n but_o still_o qualify_v those_o hope_n with_o this_o doubtful_a parenthesis_n in_o case_n the_o soul_n be_v not_o extinguish_v with_o the_o body_n he_o choose_v indeed_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o good_a moralist_n and_o to_o deal_v in_o those_o notion_n wherein_o he_o find_v some_o certainty_n then_o to_o attempt_v much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o divinity_n be_v whole_o unable_a to_o frame_v any_o satisfactory_a notion_n to_o himself_o about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o divine_a worship_n he_o often_o plain_o declare_v that_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o business_n of_o another_o world_n he_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a and_o many_o of_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n acknowledge_v as_o much_o and_o think_v those_o thing_n utter_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o humane_a knowledge_n all_o notion_n about_o they_o to_o be_v full_a of_o uncertainty_n and_o therefore_o choose_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o vulgar_a sentiment_n rather_o than_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o doubtful_a and_o unsatisfy_a speculation_n and_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o contradict_v the_o public_a religion_n of_o those_o country_n where_o they_o live_v plato_n the_o famous_a divine_a philosopher_n who_o exceed_v all_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n as_o much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o religion_n as_o socrates_n do_v in_o the_o practic_n though_o there_o be_v more_o true_a divinity_n utter_v by_o he_o then_o by_o any_o of_o the_o philosopher_n where_o he_o first_o have_v it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o determine_v yet_o attend_v with_o marvellous_a vanity_n and_o intolerable_a error_n '_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o forbear_v smile_v in_o read_v over_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o make_v to_o be_v eternal_a the_o fabulous_a conceit_n he_o have_v about_o that_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n it_o will_v tire_v out_o any_o ordinary_a patience_n to_o read_v a_o great_a promoter_n he_o be_v of_o that_o gross_a idolatry_n of_o damon-worship_n for_o he_o say_v that_o when_o man_n die_v their_o soul_n become_v daemon_n and_o if_o their_o merit_n be_v good_a they_o be_v lar_n if_o evil_a lemures_n if_o different_a manes_n of_o which_o st._n austin_n give_v a_o large_a account_n de_n civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 9_o ch._n 11._o though_o he_o speak_v much_o of_o one_o god_n yet_o himself_o then_o as_o all_o the_o platonist_n since_o hold_v that_o many_o god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o in_o his_o timaeus_n he_o call_v saturn_n ops_n juno_n and_o other_o god_n and_o say_v the_o daemon_n and_o heroe_n be_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o and_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o city_n commend_v to_o they_o cicero_n observe_v likewise_o out_o of_o his_o timaeus_n that_o he_o speak_v with_o great_a obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n about_o this_o one_o god_n sometime_o call_v he_o a_o eternal_a mind_n and_o sometime_o call_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n &_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o whatever_o the_o heathen_n worship_v go_n and_o at_o last_o conclude_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o his_o principle_n per_fw-la se_fw-la sunt_fw-la falsa_fw-la &_o sibi_fw-la inuicem_fw-la repugnantia_fw-la be_v in_o themselves_o false_a and_o self_n contradictious_a aristotle_n that_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o rational_a world_n a_o man_n of_o a_o most_o sagacious_a wit_n who_o travel_v with_o such_o unparalleled_a success_n through_o all_o the_o theorem_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o part_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n what_o mushrom-divinity_n have_v he_o leave_v behind_o he_o with_o what_o obscurity_n uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n with_o himself_o have_v he_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o great_a fundamental_o of_o all_o religion_n the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o many_o of_o his_o disciple_n since_o have_v avow_v that_o he_o deny_v the_o latter_a if_o out_o of_o aristotle_n book_n we_o shall_v but_o extract_v a_o model_n of_o his_o religion_n it_o may_v be_v for_o a_o monument_n of_o wonder_n that_o such_o a_o giant_n in_o all_o natural_a knowleage_n shall_v die_v such_o a_o child_n in_o divinity_n cicero_n who_o carry_v the_o topsail_n of_o learning_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v to_o who_o the_o elder_a pliny_n give_v this_o testimony_n that_o he_o only_o have_v a_o wit_n equal_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n why_o do_v not_o he_o compose_v a_o right_a systeme_n of_o divinity_n and_o leave_v a_o good_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n to_o posterity_n behind_o he_o from_o who_o may_v we_o with_o more_o reason_n have_v expect_v it_o he_o design_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o god_n and_o divinity_n for_o his_o subject_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o book_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o what_o unequal_a sentiment_n man_n have_v debate_v those_o matter_n some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o god_n as_o protagoras_n some_o positive_o affirm_v there_o be_v none_o as_o diagoras_n and_o theodorus_n cyrenaicus_n â—â—â—i_fw-la vero_fw-la deos_fw-la esse_fw-la dixerunt_fw-la tanta_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o varietate_fw-la ac_fw-la dissentione_fw-la constituti_fw-la ut_fw-la corum_fw-la molestum_fw-la sit_fw-la annumerare_fw-la sententias_fw-la no_o &_o de_fw-la siguris_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr locis_fw-la atque_fw-la sedibus_fw-la &_o actione_n aquavitae_fw-la multadicuntur_fw-la deque_fw-la
consider_v in_o order_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o such_o a_o enquiry_n first_o the_o internal_a cause_n of_o it_o and_o second_o the_o external_n mean_v by_o which_o it_o have_v be_v bring_v about_o the_o internal_a cause_n of_o it_o have_v lie_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o a_o insussiciency_n in_o our_o natural_a ability_n since_o the_o fall_n to_o ascertain_v we_o full_o about_o divine_a thing_n and_o to_o give_v a_o satisfy_a answer_n to_o all_o those_o inquiry_n we_o natural_o make_v about_o they_o second_o the_o general_a ill_a improvement_n the_o world_n have_v make_v of_o those_o ability_n it_o have_v and_o the_o universal_a declension_n and_o apostasy_n of_o mankind_n from_o that_o knowledge_n they_o may_v have_v arrive_v at_o for_o the_o first_o though_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o supreme_a power_n be_v witness_v to_o by_o every_o man_n reason_n and_o every_o man_n be_v bear_v with_o a_o relation_n to_o somewhat_o above_o he_o and_o there_o be_v many_o maxim_n of_o natural_a divinty_a connate_a to_o the_o true_a exercise_n of_o our_o rational_a faculty_n yet_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n can_v never_o be_v attain_v by_o any_o natural_a search_n first_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n what_o god_n be_v and_o second_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n how_o he_o be_v to_o be_v serve_v neither_o a_o satisfy_v account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o be_v nor_o of_o a_o worship_n acceptable_a to_o he_o be_v to_o be_v compass_v without_o revelation_n about_o these_o two_o thing_n when_o man_n have_v have_v nothing_o tell_v they_o from_o heaven_n to_o fix_v they_o their_o opinion_n have_v be_v as_o various_a as_o their_o invention_n the_o grosser_n part_n of_o the_o world_n god_n be_v only_o a_o intellectual_a object_n who_o they_o can_v not_o see_v general_o fall_v to_o conceive_v of_o he_o by_o what_o they_o do_v see_v cicero_n himself_o confess_v that_o when_o we_o come_v to_o consider_v qualis_fw-la sit_fw-la deorum_fw-la natura_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la dificilius_fw-la quam_fw-la a_o consuctudine_fw-la oculorum_fw-la aciem_fw-la mentis_fw-la abducere_fw-la lib._n 2._o de_fw-fr nat._n dear_a and_o the_o more_o refine_a part_n lose_v themselves_o in_o a_o wilderness_n of_o abstract_a speculation_n about_o what_o they_o can_v never_o distinct_o comprehend_v for_o the_o second_o it_o be_v plain_a a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n arise_v not_o only_o from_o their_o mistake_v in_o what_o they_o can_v not_o know_v but_o from_o a_o corrupt_a defection_n from_o what_o they_o may_v know_v those_o notice_n their_o own_o natural_a ability_n give_v they_o of_o god_n thwart_v their_o sensual_a inclination_n they_o delight_v not_o to_o retain_v such_o a_o knowledge_n of_o god_n in_o their_o mind_n but_o willing_o turn_v aside_o to_o delusion_n leave_v the_o guide_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o choose_v the_o conduct_n of_o appetite_n the_o stupendous_a folly_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v as_o a_o thousand_o 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by_o which_o the_o world_n lie_v subject_v to_o all_o diabolical_a delusion_n and_o five_o from_o their_o corrupt_a legislator_n such_o as_o numa_n in_o rome_n and_o other_o who_o find_v the_o world_n sequacious_a in_o point_n of_o religion_n and_o mankind_n apt_a to_o adore_v every_o fiction_n impose_v upon_o their_o belief_n whatever_o they_o think_v most_o conduce_v to_o their_o own_o politic_a ends._n nor_o have_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n be_v free_a from_o defect_n in_o its_o moral_n though_o man_n attain_v far_o therein_o and_o their_o morality_n much_o outgo_v their_o divinity_n cicero_n wrought_v with_o much_o better_a success_n de_fw-fr officiis_n than_o he_o he_o do_v the_o nat._n deorum_n yet_o the_o bible_n have_v great_o improve_v the_o world_n herein_o let_v any_o man_n extract_v the_o most_o exact_a scheme_n he_o can_v of_o morality_n out_o of_o the_o best_a philosopher_n and_o the_o acute_a moralist_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o doctrine_n the_o bible_n propose_v to_o we_o about_o those_o thing_n and_o the_o defect_n of_o it_o will_v be_v visible_a amiraldus_n observe_v in_o his_o treatise_n of_o religion_n that_o scarce_o can_v there_o be_v find_v any_o commonwealth_n among_o those_o which_o have_v be_v esteem_v the_o best_a policy_v in_o which_o some_o grand_a and_o signal_n vice_n have_v not_o be_v excuse_v or_o permit_v or_o even_o sometime_o recommend_v by_o public_a law_n plato_n make_v a_o community_n of_o woman_n one_o of_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o his_o republic_n socrates_n and_o cato_n i_o think_v be_v agree_v to_o be_v two_o as_o famous_a moralist_n as_o ever_o be_v in_o graece_fw-la or_o in_o rome_n cato_n the_o great_a exemplar_n for_o virtue_n and_o justice_n among_o the_o roman_n and_o socrates_n the_o phoenix_n of_o graece_fw-la for_o virtue_n and_o piety_n of_o who_o xenophon_n give_v this_o admirable_a account_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr socratis_n memorabilibus_fw-la dictis_fw-la nemo_fw-la autem_fw-la unquam_fw-la socratem_n
furnish_v mankind_n with_o all_o those_o necessary_a requisite_n to_o their_o own_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o and_o which_o they_o can_v otherwise_o obtain_v adaquate_a therefore_o to_o our_o natural_a defect_n ought_v our_o expectance_n to_o be_v in_o this_o matter_n when_o a_o book_n propose_v itself_o to_o we_o as_o a_o law_n supernatural_a and_o conta_v god_n mind_n reveal_v and_o make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o most_o reasonable_a way_n of_o trial_n to_o examine_v whether_o this_o book_n contain_v all_o those_o thing_n i_o may_v just_o expect_v from_o such_o a_o revelation_n and_o be_v rational_o accommodate_v to_o all_o those_o want_v i_o expect_v a_o revelation_n shall_v supply_v and_o for_o which_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n my_o own_o reason_n tell_v i_o must_v needs_o be_v design_v now_o the_o bible_n stand_v single_a in_o this_o respect_n likewise_o no_o one_o book_n nor_o all_o the_o book_n that_o now_o do_v or_o 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ought_v to_o be_v justify_v to_o we_o by_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o to_o be_v a_o re-inforcement_n of_o the_o law_n true_o natural_a second_o whatever_o it_o propose_v to_o our_o belief_n as_o supernatural_a aught_o to_o be_v no_o way_n unsuitable_a to_o a_o rational_a reception_n as_o such_o for_o though_o i_o may_v well_o suppose_v god_n to_o reveal_v thing_n to_o i_o that_o be_v above_o and_o beyond_o i_o and_o which_o my_o reason_n can_v not_o discover_v and_o can_v refuse_v so_o to_o do_v without_o a_o negative_a upon_o the_o great_a end_n of_o revelation_n yet_o i_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v he_o to_o reveal_v any_o thing_n to_o i_o that_o be_v in_o itself_o direct_o contradictory_n to_o my_o reason_n to_o believe_v when_o it_o be_v so_o discover_v or_o uncapable_a of_o a_o rational_a assent_n to_o its_o verity_n when_o in_o such_o a_o way_n propose_v because_o the_o design_n of_o all_o revelation_n must_v needs_o be_v in_o a_o reasonable_a though_o supernatural_a way_n to_o instruct_v and_o inform_v mankind_n the_o bible_n upon_o this_o account_n will_v be_v find_v to_o justify_v itself_o against_o all_o exception_n and_o to_o prevail_v against_o all_o competition_n first_o not_o a_o syllable_n in_o it_o destructive_a to_o the_o rational_a nature_n some_o thing_n indeed_o above_o the_o full_a reach_n and_o comprehension_n of_o it_o but_o no_o way_n destructive_a to_o it_o and_o those_o such_o and_o in_o such_o a_o way_n propose_v to_o our_o belief_n as_o aught_o to_o enhance_v and_o no_o way_n to_o lessen_v our_o value_n and_o esteem_v of_o it_o because_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n proper_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o majesty_n and_o greatness_n of_o god_n and_o that_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o expect_v from_o he_o to_o bring_v such_o thing_n about_o and_o to_o make_v such_o sublime_a discovery_n of_o himself_o to_o we_o as_o may_v provoke_v we_o to_o reverence_n and_o adore_v as_o well_o as_o to_o believe_v when_o god_n discourse_v to_o we_o of_o his_o own_o infinite_a be_v and_o tell_v we_o how_o the_o deity_n itself_o do_v exist_v it_o be_v a_o most_o rational_a thing_n to_o suppose_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a he_o shall_v tell_v we_o many_o thing_n that_o we_o can_v now_o grasp_v in_o our_o mind_n nor_o full_o comprehend_v indeed_o whenever_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n every_o man_n reason_n will_v tell_v he_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n fit_a to_o be_v that_o many_o thing_n shall_v be_v receive_v and_o believe_v bare_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o god_n authority_n and_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o their_o author_n when_o they_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o our_o comprehension_n what_o respect_n and_o reverence_n do_v we_o otherwise_o pay_v to_o the_o great_a god_n more_o than_o we_o shall_v do_v to_o the_o mean_a humane_a pretender_n to_o who_o we_o can_v deny_v a_o assent_n to_o whatever_o he_o can_v demonstrate_v either_o to_o sense_n or_o to_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n 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can_v be_v admit_v as_o such_o be_v all_o 〈◊〉_d they_o find_v peculiar_o appertinent_a to_o the_o â—iblâ—_n and_o can_v belong_v to_o any_o other_o book_n or_o write_n or_o to_o any_o other_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o have_v thus_o establish_v these_o two_o general_a point_n first_o that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o reasonable_a and_o fit_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o revelation_n make_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n some_o supernatural_a law_n promulge_v as_o the_o great_a rule_n of_o man_n life_n here_o and_o god_n judgement_n hereafter_o and_o that_o these_o law_n shall_v be_v somewhere_o or_o other_o extant_a upon_o record_n that_o mankind_n may_v be_v full_o assure_v and_o ascertain_v about_o they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o such_o book_n as_o the_o bible_n pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v great_o unreasonable_a to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n and_o second_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n there_o be_v many_o general_a qualification_n that_o must_v necessary_o be_v appertinent_a to_o such_o a_o revelation_n wheresoever_o it_o be_v extant_a and_o by_o which_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o mankind_n shall_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o every_o pretence_n to_o it_o and_o that_o all_o those_o qualification_n be_v find_v punctual_o and_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o the_o bible_n and_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o extant_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n propose_v which_o be_v a_o more_o distinct_a and_o particular_a proof_n and_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o send_v we_o from_o heaven_n and_o be_v in_o truth_n that_o revelation_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o expect_v from_o above_o and_o that_o we_o have_v all_o those_o reason_n concur_v to_o make_v we_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o as_o such_o from_o whence_o a_o judgement_n in_o such_o a_o case_n ought_v final_o to_o result_v that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o evidence_n to_o be_v give_v in_o to_o prove_v its_o divinity_n as_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o desire_v nor_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v more_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o so_o much_o that_o where_o man_n corrupt_a interest_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v not_o predominant_a will_v appear_v sufficient_a to_o every_o impartial_a enquiry_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v prosecute_v in_o this_o method_n i_o will_v these_o several_a way_n consider_v this_o book_n first_o in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o the_o world_n second_o in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n three_o in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conveyance_n and_o last_o in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o we_o now_o find_v it_o and_o from_o each_o of_o these_o consideration_n will_v a_o signal_n testimony_n be_v give_v in_o to_o its_o divinity_n and_o when_o we_o have_v take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o whole_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o book_n both_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v at_o any_o time_n attend_v it_o do_v eminent_o relate_v itself_o to_o god_n as_o its_o author_n and_o can_v be_v reasonable_o judge_v the_o product_n of_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n whatsoever_o for_o the_o first_o when_o we_o reslâ—ct_v upon_o the_o â—â—me_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n we_o shall_v find_v two_o thing_n of_o very_a great_a weight_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o consideration_n first_o the_o antiquity_n of_o those_o thing_n it_o relate_v to_o we_o and_o inform_v we_o of_o and_o second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o 〈◊〉_d iâ—â—â—lâ—_n since_o compose_v and_o deliver_v to_o we_o with_o such_o a_o relation_n the_o content_n of_o this_o book_n â—â—ch_a aâ—_n far_o as_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o heaven_n and_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o god_n revelation_n to_o man_n since_o his_o first_o mâ—â—â—_n and_o original_a and_o of_o a_o oral_a and_o â—erâ—all_a intâ—â—â—â—â—â—se_n between_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o two_o thousand_o four_o hundred_o and_o old_a year_n before_o it_o be_v any_o where_o extant_a upon_o râ—â—â—â—d_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o write_v which_o no_o other_o bâ—â—â—_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v so_o much_o as_o make_v 〈◊〉_d â—â—â—â—â—â—ce_n to_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o revelation_n historical_o contain_v in_o this_o book_n it_o be_v wat_fw-mi be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o beginning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o 〈…〉_o the_o world_n itself_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o edition_n of_o it_o in_o this_o book_n and_o the_o time_n 〈◊〉_d this_o book_n aâ—â—ual_a publication_n with_o all_o the_o aâ—â—â—tional_a revelation_n contain_v in_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v this_o book_n to_o be_v the_o first_o bear_v in_o its_o kind_n to_o precede_v all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o and_o in_o truth_n to_o be_v extant_a while_n thales_n mileâ—â—us_n hamer_n hâ—rmes_n and_o the_o most_o primative_a writer_n the_o world_n have_v be_v unborn_a and_o unthought_a of_o moses_n write_v of_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n long_o before_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a god_n have_v a_o write_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o god_n please_v so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o although_o the_o revelation_n he_o make_v to_o the_o world_n be_v not_o write_v from_o the_o beginning_n yet_o they_o be_v write_v long_o before_o any_o other_o write_n be_v extant_a and_o his_o own_o law_n be_v first_o record_v and_o all_o other_o write_n be_v of_o a_o subsequent_a date_n to_o this_o holy_a book_n first_o i_o will_v evidence_n this_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o that_o to_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o due_a the_o right_n of_o primogeniture_n and_o that_o all_o other_o book_n be_v of_o a_o much_o after-edition_n and_o becond_o examine_v what_o reasonable_o result_v from_o thence_o towards_o that_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n we_o be_v about_o to_o all_o which_o this_o must_v be_v premise_v that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o thus_o ancient_n we_o intend_v actual_o no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v above_o four_o thousand_o year_n in_o a_o gradual_a publication_n and_o the_o bible_n itself_o above_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n in_o writing_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o the_o time_n that_o moses_n write_v to_o st._n john_n the_o revealer_n nor_o need_v we_o intend_v more_o to_o justify_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o whole_a because_o it_o be_v all_o there_o virtual_o contain_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o as_o its_o â—oâ—ndation_n and_o every_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n after_o moses_n till_o the_o top-stone_n be_v lay_v appear_v evident_o to_o be_v write_v in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o deliver_v and_o so_o much_o st._n paul_n affirm_v before_o foelix_n that_o he_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v long_o before_o extant_a in_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o fact_n the_o most_o ancient_a i_o find_v both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v be_v great_o concern_v to_o make_v it_o manifest_a as_o judge_v it_o a_o point_n that_o do_v great_o credit_v their_o profession_n and_o high_o justify_v that_o religion_n they_o adhere_v to_o josephus_n and_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n have_v much_o insist_v upon_o it_o and_o among_o the_o christian_a writer_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n eusebius_n cyrill_n of_o alexandria_n in_o his_o book_n against_o julian_n st._n austin_n and_o other_o but_o most_o especial_o justin_n martyr_n and_o eusebius_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o parenaetick_n to_o the_o grecian_n because_o they_o use_v with_o great_a arrogance_n to_o boast_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o own_o learning_n and_o religion_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n to_o look_v with_o great_a contempt_n upon_o other_o prove_v against_o they_o out_o of_o pagan_a author_n and_o those_o chief_o their_o own_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v of_o much_o great_a antiquity_n than_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n they_o can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o natural_a issue_n of_o those_o write_n found_v upon_o they_o and_o derive_v from_o they_o be_v no_o new_a or_o upstart_a invention_n but_o indeed_o the_o first_o and_o most_o ancient_a write_v and_o unwritten_a truth_n the_o world_n be_v possess_v of_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v afterward_o more_o large_o and_o distinct_o prove_v and_o make_v good_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n who_o thus_o conclude_v quare_fw-la omnibus_fw-la diis_fw-la ac_fw-la heroibus_fw-la graecorum_n multo_fw-la vetustior_fw-la
and_o indeed_o well_o may_v he_o tell_v they_o so_o for_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n and_o isaiah_n be_v contemporary_a with_o the_o first_o olympiad_n which_o begin_v as_o scaliger_n prove_v aut_fw-la of_o eusebius_n and_o other_o but_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n ahaz_n who_o son_n hezekiah_n live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o numa_n in_o rome_n and_o eâ—dras_n himself_o and_o the_o late_a writer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n write_v before_o socrates_n philosophize_v in_o athens_n who_o teach_v not_o there_o till_o some_o time_n after_o the_o captivity_n this_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n and_o his_o write_n and_o their_o precedency_n to_o all_o other_o write_v religion_n or_o learning_n be_v in_o fact_n so_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o tolerable_a denial_n and_o as_o scaliger_n say_v in_o his_o discourse_n upon_o eusebius_n the_o proof_n of_o it_o result_v so_o plain_o from_o the_o universal_a testimony_n of_o heathen_a author_n themselves_o nihil_fw-la superesse_fw-la paganis_fw-la videtâ—r_fw-la nisi_fw-la aut_fw-la ut_fw-la ingeâ—ua_fw-la confessio_fw-la ab_fw-la this_fw-mi exprimcretur_fw-la aut_fw-la silentium_fw-la pertinacâ—ae_fw-la sinem_fw-la faceret_fw-la and_o he_o add_v quod_fw-la certe_fw-la faeliciter_fw-la câ—ssit_fw-la ut_fw-la &_o hac_fw-la in_o parte_fw-la porphrius_n manus_fw-la daret_fw-la it_o be_v not_o make_v out_o from_o any_o nice_a dispute_n between_o chronologer_n come_v not_o within_o any_o near_a compass_n of_o time_n but_o from_o a_o general_a concurrence_n of_o all_o history_n and_o be_v so_o far_o beyond_o the_o â—each_n of_o all_o contradiction_n that_o the_o worst_a enemy_n to_o our_o religion_n have_v agree_v it_o and_o give_v in_o their_o testimony_n to_o it_o of_o this_o eusebius_n in_o the_o ten_o book_n of_o his_o praep._n evan._n chap._n 3._o take_v special_a notice_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o porphrie_n one_o of_o the_o most_o rage_a malicious_a enemy_n that_o ever_o the_o christian_n meet_v with_o have_v in_o his_o four_o book_n which_o he_o write_v against_o they_o give_v this_o testimony_n to_o moses_n and_o his_o antiquity_n that_o he_o have_v write_v the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n true_o which_o thing_n he_o have_v perceive_v by_o confer_v it_o with_o sanchoniathon_n the_o berutian_a who_o rehearse_v the_o very_a same_o circumstance_n and_o name_n and_o place_n that_o moses_n do_v the_o which_o he_o have_v learn_v out_o of_o the_o register_n of_o one_o hierumbalus_n a_o priest_n of_o the_o god_n of_o levi_n and_o out_o of_o the_o chronicle_n of_o the_o city_n and_o out_o of_o holy_a book_n dedicate_v to_o temple_n and_o this_o sanchoniathon_n say_v he_o be_v after_o moses_n about_o the_o time_n of_o semiramis_n by_o which_o it_o evident_o appear_v he_o have_v such_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n that_o he_o make_v he_o to_o be_v much_o early_o in_o the_o world_n than_o we_o affirm_v he_o to_o be_v but_o it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n he_o live_v and_o write_v in_o a_o time_n long_o before_o any_o other_o author_n of_o book_n or_o any_o other_o write_v learning_n be_v know_v and_o this_o clear_a evidence_n we_o have_v so_o clear_a that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n a_o clear_a can_v be_v expect_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o preeminence_n of_o his_o write_n above_o all_o other_o in_o that_o respect_n give_v we_o very_o probable_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v the_o first_o introducer_n of_o letter_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o book_n whatever_o other_o nation_n have_v fabulous_o boast_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o notwithstanding_o pliny_n absurd_a supposition_n that_o letter_n be_v eternal_a because_o he_o imagine_v the_o world_n to_o have_v be_v so_o for_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o think_v if_o the_o world_n have_v enjoy_v the_o use_n of_o letter_n before_o but_o that_o there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o monument_n of_o it_o before_o his_o time_n remain_v at_o the_o least_o to_o the_o next_o after_o age_n of_o which_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v some_o credible_a account_n from_o they_o and_o therefore_o diodorus_n siculus_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o there_o be_v no_o more_o ancient_a history_n and_o that_o the_o action_n of_o king_n be_v not_o record_v of_o old_a because_o the_o world_n want_v letter_n impossibile_fw-it est_fw-la say_v he_o primas_fw-la literas_fw-la aeque_fw-la ac_fw-la primos_fw-la reges_fw-la vetuslas_fw-la extitisse_fw-la and_o josephus_n give_v the_o very_a same_o reason_n why_o we_o have_v no_o more_o ancient_a history_n than_o we_o have_v because_o the_o world_n ancient_o want_v the_o use_n of_o letter_n but_o especial_o we_o can_v suppose_v but_o that_o those_o revelation_n god_n make_v before_o of_o himself_o and_o his_o mind_n to_o some_o part_n of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v safe_o preserve_v in_o write_v and_o leave_v upon_o record_n to_o posterity_n long_o before_o moses_n write_v nor_o can_v we_o well_o imagine_v that_o those_o holy_a man_n to_o who_o at_o any_o time_n god_n please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o shall_v not_o use_v their_o utmost_a diligence_n in_o the_o best_a way_n to_o secure_v and_o communicate_v so_o inestimable_a a_o treasure_n of_o this_o we_o hear_v not_o the_o least_o upon_o any_o tolerable_a ground_n of_o credit_n nor_o of_o any_o other_o write_n before_o moses_n but_o upon_o report_n that_o appear_v gross_o fictitious_a and_o fabulous_a it_o be_v a_o thing_n great_o probable_a that_o till_o moses_n his_o time_n the_o world_n know_v nothing_o of_o letter_n for_o we_o neither_o find_v any_o law_n of_o god_n or_o of_o man_n write_v before_o and_o it_o be_v likewise_o most_o probable_a that_o we_o owe_v they_o not_o nor_o their_o use_n to_o humane_a invention_n but_o to_o divine_a revelation_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a plato_n have_v learn_v so_o much_o from_o the_o jew_n when_o he_o say_v in_o his_o cratilus_n that_o the_o original_a of_o letter_n be_v from_o the_o god_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n offer_v its_o self_n very_o fair_o to_o our_o belief_n that_o god_n himself_o when_o he_o give_v the_o ten_o commandment_n write_v by_o his_o own_o singer_n to_o moses_n introduce_v the_o first_o alphabet_n and_o that_o letter_n themselves_o and_o those_o divine_a precept_n be_v of_o a_o equal_a date_n i_o insist_v not_o on_o this_o as_o capable_a of_o any_o certain_a and_o positive_a proof_n nor_o if_o it_o be_v be_v it_o to_o be_v urge_v as_o a_o convince_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o circumstance_n of_o very_a considerable_a weight_n and_o have_v very_o good_a probability_n for_o its_o belief_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v if_o we_o consult_v but_o what_o chrysostome_n theophilact_fw-mi and_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v say_v in_o the_o justification_n of_o it_o cyrill_n of_o alexandria_n in_o his_o seven_o book_n against_o julian_n insist_o much_o upon_o it_o vives_z upon_o the_o thirty_o nine_o chapter_n of_o st._n augustine_n 18_o book_n the_o civ_o dei_fw-la say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o common_a opinion_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o christian_n that_o moses_n first_o give_v letter_n to_o the_o hebrew_n language_n which_o doubtless_o have_v the_o priority_n of_o all_o other_o and_o that_o eupolemus_n artapanus_n and_o many_o other_o profane_a author_n affirm_v it_o and_o that_o both_o the_o egyptian_n and_o also_o the_o phaenician_o from_o who_o the_o grecian_n first_o learn_v the_o use_n of_o letter_n have_v their_o letter_n from_o he_o and_o that_o moâ—es_n be_v that_o mercury_n to_o who_o the_o egyptian_n ascribe_v the_o first_o invention_n of_o they_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v usual_o make_v against_o this_o seem_v but_o of_o very_o little_a weight_n first_o we_o be_v tell_v of_o certain_a tractate_v of_o enoch_n that_o be_v write_v before_o the_o flood_n second_o of_o two_o pillar_n of_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n with_o observation_n astronomical_a engrave_v upon_o they_o which_o they_o set_v up_o to_o continue_v their_o learning_n and_o that_o it_o may_v remain_v beyond_o the_o flood_n which_o adam_n have_v foretell_v they_o of_o the_o one_o of_o which_o remain_v in_o the_o country_n of_o syria_n till_o the_o time_n of_o josephus_n as_o he_o himself_o say_v three_o that_o moses_n in_o the_o 21_o of_o number_n make_v mention_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o a_o book_n extant_a before_o that_o time_n and_o fourthly_a that_o moses_n himself_o be_v say_v to_o be_v learned_a in_o all_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o egyptian_n which_o learn_v probable_o be_v write_v for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v book_n of_o enoch_n write_v before_o the_o flood_n which_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o ark_n for_o so_o they_o must_v be_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o story_n whole_o fabulous_a we_o find_v not_o one_o word_n of_o they_o among_o
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such_o a_o way_n that_o to_o the_o best_a exercise_n of_o my_o sense_n and_o reason_n it_o seem_v supernatural_a and_o miraculous_a it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o i_o as_o if_o it_o real_o be_v so_o and_o to_o my_o judgement_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o same_o prevalency_n with_o a_o miracle_n itself_o nor_o have_v i_o the_o least_o way_n to_o help_v myself_o if_o i_o be_o bind_v simple_o to_o subscribe_v to_o whatever_o be_v attest_v to_o by_o a_o miracle_n and_o look_v no_o further_o for_o that_o must_v needs_o go_v for_o a_o miracle_n with_o i_o which_o to_o my_o sense_n and_o reason_n seem_v so_o to_o be_v and_o it_o be_v evident_a such_o who_o make_v those_o distinction_n do_v themselves_o thereby_o subject_a the_o witness_n of_o a_o miracle_n to_o the_o doctrine_n it_o be_v bring_v to_o confirm_v for_o if_o those_o they_o call_v miranda_n and_o mirabâ—lia_n be_v in_o all_o outward_a appearance_n as_o true_a miracle_n as_o they_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v they_o will_v then_o have_v be_v so_o call_v and_o that_o distinction_n have_v never_o be_v make_v have_v not_o the_o doctrine_n they_o be_v several_o bring_v to_o confirm_v be_v â—â—judged_v a_o ground_n â—uâ—licient_a to_o create_v the_o distinction_n he_o that_o tell_v i_o it_o be_v not_o sit_v to_o suppose_v as_o not_o consistent_a with_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n that_o in_o a_o way_n supernatural_a and_o miraculous_a any_o wâ—â—ness_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o a_o docâ—â—â—â—â—_n saâ—se_v anâ—_n corrupt_v and_o yet_o tell_v i_o the_o devil_n and_o â—â—_o man_n be_v often_o permit_v with_o nâ—_n any_o mâ—ans_n leave_v of_o conviction_n by_o power_n meeâ—ly_o natural_a to_o â—â—ect_v such_o a_o counterfeit_n of_o it_o that_o to_o the_o best_a sense_n and_o reasonâ—â—_n mankâ—nâ—_n be_v not_o discoverable_a fiâ—st_o must_v neeâ—â—_n bare_o suppose_v the_o counteâ—cit_a and_o next_o say_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o salve_v the_o justice_n oâ—_n god_n about_o that_o matter_n second_o it_o be_v against_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n what_o the_o magician_n do_v in_o egypt_n in_o opposition_n to_o moses_n seem_v to_o be_v plain_o and_o undeniable_o miraculous_a turn_v rod_n into_o serpent_n water_n into_o blood_n and_o bring_v forth_o multitude_n of_o frog_n out_o of_o the_o water_n by_o stretch_v out_o the_o band_n with_o a_o rod_n in_o it_o can_v beâ—eckoned_v otherwise_v and_o pharaoh_n and_o the_o egyptiaus_n be_v satisfy_v they_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o those_o kind_n that_o moses_n do_v have_v the_o same_o exercise_n of_o their_o sense_n and_o reason_n about_o both_o and_o be_v harden_v thereupon_o and_o that_o what_o moses_n do_v in_o those_o particular_n be_v miraculous_a be_v plain_a for_o god_n say_v to_o he_o in_o the_o 7_o of_o exodus_fw-la when_o he_o first_o send_v he_o to_o pharaoh_n when_o pharaoh_n shall_v speak_v unto_o thou_o say_v show_v a_o miracle_n for_o you_o than_o thou_o shall_v say_v unto_o aaron_n take_v thy_o rod_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o the_o 105_o psalm_n those_o thing_n do_v by_o moses_n be_v speak_v of_o as_o miraculous_a and_o in_o the_o 27_o verse_n call_v the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o god_n show_v in_o the_o land_n of_o ham_n of_o which_o it_o be_v express_o say_v in_o exodus_fw-la the_o magician_n do_v the_o same_o in_o the_o 13_o of_o deut._n we_o find_v there_o by_o god_n direction_n a_o caution_n give_v if_o a_o prophet_n arise_v or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n that_o be_v one_o pretend_v to_o see_v vision_n or_o one_o that_o speak_v only_o from_o dream_n which_o be_v a_o inseriour_a sort_n of_o prophet_n that_o see_v thing_n more_o obsemâ—ly_o of_o which_o kind_n soever_o it_o be_v and_o shall_v give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n any_o miraculous_a or_o supernatural_a thing_n the_o word_n signify_v and_o the_o sigâ—_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v if_o he_o say_v let_v we_o follow_v strange_a god_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o know_v thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v to_o he_o for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o etc._n etc._n in_o the_o new_a testament_n our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o matthew_n of_o false_a prophet_n that_o shall_v arise_v and_o show_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d great_a wonder_n and_o miracle_n even_o such_o as_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a will_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect._n and_o in_o the_o 13_o of_o the_o revelation_n we_o read_v of_o another_o beast_n rise_v up_o that_o do_v great_a wonder_n so_o that_o he_o make_v firâ—_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n on_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o sigh_n of_o man_n and_o deceive_v they_o that_o dwell_v on_o the_o earth_n â—y_a reason_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v power_n to_o do_v in_o the_o sight_n â—f_o the_o beast_n and_o in_o the_o 19_o chapter_n we_o be_v tolâ—_n of_o the_o take_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n who_o work_v miracle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o the_o same_o book_n we_o read_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o dâ—vils_n work_a miracle_n thirdâ—y_o it_o be_v against_o great_a evidence_n of_o history_n for_o though_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o world_n have_v be_v abuse_v and_o delude_v with_o pretension_n this_o way_n which_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o think_v when_o we_o consider_v what_o a_o superior_a power_n to_o what_o be_v among_o man_n the_o devil_n have_v by_o their_o angelical_a nature_n and_o what_o sâ—â—ange_a and_o secret_a operation_n there_o be_v in_o nature_n itself_o of_o which_o we_o can_v give_v yet_o no_o better_a account_n in_o many_o thing_n for_o aught_o i_o see_v than_o arislotle_n do_v long_o since_o when_o he_o derive_v they_o from_o invisible_a cause_n that_o he_o call_v occult_a quality_n and_o also_o when_o we_o consider_v how_o the_o woâ—ld_n in_o all_o age_n have_v general_o dote_v upon_o the_o art_n and_o practice_n of_o magic_n the_o reason_n of_o which_o pliny_n say_v be_v not_o only_o because_o such_o strange_a thing_n be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o it_o but_o because_o there_o be_v also_o a_o concurrence_n in_o it_o of_o three_o such_o eminent_a science_n as_o physic_n mathematics_n and_o religion_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o way_n reasonable_a to_o reject_v all_o the_o account_n we_o have_v in_o story_n of_o supernatural_a and_o miraculous_a thing_n that_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o heathen_a world_n nothing_o more_o frequent_a in_o history_n than_o relation_n of_o such_o thing_n it_o seem_v a_o unreasonable_a resistance_n of_o historical_a evidence_n to_o think_v there_o be_v nothing_o real_a of_o that_o kind_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o supernatural_a in_o all_o the_o business_n of_o esculapius_n of_o jarchas_n so_o famous_a among_o indian_n brachmanâ—s_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n tespesion_n among_o the_o gymnosophist_n of_o ethiopia_n simon_n magus_n of_o who_o we_o have_v such_o strange_a story_n and_o most_o especial_o apollonius_n tyenaeus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o domitian_n though_o leasy_o grant_v much_o of_o what_o they_o all_o pretend_a to_o be_v visible_o but_o a_o counterfâ—it_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v i_o whole_o disbelieve_v what_o i_o find_v in_o the_o roman_a story_n about_o clauda_n vestalis_fw-la tucia_n and_o other_o of_o the_o vestal_a virginâ—_n nor_o many_o other_o report_v i_o find_v in_o credible_a author_n about_o such_o thing_n especial_o that_o story_n of_o vespasian_n cure_v a_o lame_a and_o wither_a i_o high_a by_o tread_v upon_o it_o and_o a_o blind_a man_n in_o egypt_n by_o spit_v upon_o his_o eye_n of_o which_o latter_a cure_n tacitas_fw-la and_o suetonius_n historian_n of_o great_a credit_n both_o give_v we_o a_o very_a full_a and_o perfect_a account_n and_o very_o exact_o agree_v in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o and_o as_o dr._n jackson_n say_v in_o his_o book_n upon_o the_o creed_n both_o those_o cure_n be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o most_o judicious_a roman_a writer_n of_o those_o time_n and_o so_o constant_o avouch_v by_o they_o as_o can_v leave_v no_o place_n say_v he_o for_o suspicion_n in_o age_n follow_v four_o the_o admission_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v no_o way_n destinctive_a to_o those_o natural_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o god_n attribute_n and_o his_o providential_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n because_o god_n never_o put_v man_n under_o any_o rational_a necessity_n by_o it_o to_o credit_v a_o falsehood_n he_o never_o permit_v man_n to_o be_v exercise_v with_o any_o such_o trial_n but_o when_o there_o be_v evidence_n sufficient_a accompany_v it_o to_o assure_v we_o it_o be_v but_o a_o trial_n of_o our_o stability_n and_o so_o intend_v it_o be_v no_o way_n unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_o wise_a and_o above_o we_o in_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o his_o supreme_a rule_n shall_v for_o holy_a and_o excellent_a end_n we_o can_v
be_v in_o itself_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corporation_n of_o debauch_a and_o evil_a man_n destructive_a to_o all_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n whatever_o and_o perfect_o ruinous_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o this_o world_n of_o which_o there_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n but_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o sober_a mind_a man_n never_o be_v there_o any_o doctrine_n bring_v to_o light_n so_o holy_a and_o so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n that_o have_v visible_o the_o high_a tendency_n to_o those_o two_o great_a end_n of_o all_o religion_n the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o man_n present_a and_o future_a happiness_n no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o particular_a duty_n enjoin_v destructive_a to_o man_n true_a happiness_n but_o all_o perfective_a of_o it_o the_o strict_a self-denial_n have_v a_o recompense_n propose_v to_o we_o of_o a_o hundred_o fold_n in_o thing_n of_o a_o far_o more_o noble_a and_o excellent_a nature_n 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testament_n and_o in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v teach_v and_o so_o make_v the_o testimony_n of_o his_o miracle_n unquestionable_a thereby_o for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n accompany_v with_o such_o miraculous_a evidence_n must_v needs_o be_v from_o god_n and_o can_v admit_v of_o no_o rational_a opposition_n and_o therefore_o in_o discourse_v this_o matter_n in_o hand_n neither_o aught_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o neither_o the_o doctrine_n nor_o the_o miracle_n distinct_o and_z separately_z from_o the_o other_o but_o both_o urge_v in_o that_o excellent_a conjunction_n in_o which_o they_o be_v hand_v down_o to_o we_o three_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o book_n in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conneyance_n we_o have_v from_o thence_o still_o further_o evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o more_o rational_a persuasion_n to_o derive_v it_o from_o god_n as_o a_o book_n of_o his_o own_o compose_v and_o about_o which_o he_o have_v exercise_v a_o peculiar_a care_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o that_o this_o book_n though_o write_v at_o several_a time_n all_o so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o some_o of_o it_o before_o any_o other_o book_n be_v extant_a have_v yet_o in_o its_o passage_n through_o so_o many_o age_n escape_v all_o the_o danger_n to_o which_o it_o have_v be_v expose_v and_o be_v preserve_v entire_a to_o we_o to_o this_o day_n second_o that_o this_o rock_n and_o the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v make_v its_o entrance_n into_o the_o world_n and_o gain_v a_o acceptance_n among_o mankind_n in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o itself_o and_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o when_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o it_o will_v seem_v absord_n and_o ridiculous_a to_o all_o common_a reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o wicked_a sergeant_n and_o the_o stande_v piece_n of_o imposture_n about_o god_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o to_o do_v or_o indeed_o that_o any_o book_n of_o religion_n shall_v upon_o such_o perme_n arrive_v at_o such_o a_o reception_n but_o one_o that_o contain_v the_o high_a and_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o have_v the_o great_a god_n for_o its_o author_n for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v true_a that_o other_o book_n very_o ancient_a and_o write_v long_o ago_o as_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v have_v descend_v entire_a to_o this_o very_a age._n but_o herein_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o bible_n through_o the_o channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o write_n not_o only_o that_o it_o be_v some_o of_o it_o much_o elder_a than_o they_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n more_o liable_a to_o loss_n and_o decay_n but_o that_o no_o book_n or_o write_n the_o world_n be_v ever_o possess_v of_o have_v have_v that_o violent_a opposition_n make_v against_o it_o nor_o such_o design_n form_v for_o its_o ruin_n and_o extirpation_n as_o this_o have_v have_v other_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a passage_n this_o have_v be_v often_o beset_v with_o most_o keen_a and_o inveterate_a enemy_n beside_o that_o great_a hazard_n so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n be_v in_o as_o than_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n when_o for_o aught_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n there_o be_v but_o one_o copy_n and_o that_o have_v be_v lose_v for_o sixty_o eight_o or_o sixty_o nine_o year_n and_o be_v hide_v either_o in_o the_o rubbish_n or_o else_o in_o some_o secret_a part_n of_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o temple_n for_o it_o be_v find_v when_o the_o temple_n come_v to_o be_v repair_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v there_o hide_v during_o the_o wicked_a reign_n of_o manasseh_n by_o some_o malicious_a idolater_n with_o a_o intention_n utter_o to_o extinguish_v it_o which_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v do_v in_o a_o way_n that_o have_v make_v it_o irrecoverable_a have_v not_o a_o divine_a hand_n over_o rule_v and_o secure_v it_o beside_o this_o and_o some_o other_o hazard_n the_o bible_n have_v escape_v of_o a_o like_a nature_n we_o read_v of_o two_o famous_a and_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n furnish_v with_o all_o humane_a power_n that_o with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o skill_n have_v beset_v it_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o empâ—rour_n dioclesian_n under_o the_o nâ—w_n this_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n call_v likewise_o and_o much_o moâ—â—_n true_o epiâ—â—aâ—â—â—_n the_o mad_a and_o the_o furious_a be_v prophefy_v of_o and_o plain_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n david_n in_o the_o eight_o and_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n he_o there_o call_v he_o a_o king_n of_o fierce_a countâ—â—â—â—ce_n and_o say_v his_o heart_n shall_v be_v against_o the_o hâ—ly_a covenant_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v indignation_n against_o the_o holy_a covenant_n which_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a this_o antiochus_n come_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o most_o cruel_o destroy_v and_o waste_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v it_o his_o grand_a business_n to_o ruin_v the_o jew_n and_o utter_o extinguish_v their_o whole_a religion_n and_o worship_n dedicate_v their_o temple_n to_o jupiter_n olympius_n erect_v a_o altar_n therein_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o that_o â—â—â—l_n and_o in_o contempt_n of_o the_o jew_n cause_v many_o swine_n to_o be_v slay_v and_o offer_v up_o in_o sacâ—â—fiâ—e_n to_o he_o and_o as_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o pat_o a_o perfect_a â—â—nd_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o that_o place_n and_o people_n with_o utmost_a diligence_n make_v search_v after_o their_o law_n and_o wheresoever_o he_o sound_v it_o iâ—â—â—_n dirty_o burn_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o threatened_a â—â—st_n exquisite_a torment_n and_o death_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v dare_v to_o conceal_v or_o retain_v it_o of_o which_o josephas_n give_v we_o the_o relation_n
a_o word_n that_o famous_a and_o venerable_a senate_n in_o which_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v present_a all_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v complete_v and_o the_o whole_a prophecy_n that_o god_n vouchsafe_v till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n deliver_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o punctual_a collection_n of_o the_o several_a part_n together_o and_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n against_o any_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n exact_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o the_o jew_n keep_v punctual_o to_o till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o full_o approve_v the_o scripture_n as_o he_o then_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o possession_n of_o they_o second_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o any_o book_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v whole_o lose_v we_o utter_o deny_v the_o affirmation_n of_o it_o be_v neither_o consist_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o general_n nor_o can_v any_o particular_a proof_n be_v bring_v to_o make_v it_o good_a those_o who_o insist_v upon_o this_o as_o bellarmine_n and_o some_o of_o the_o papist_n do_v thereby_o to_o gain_v a_o advantage_n to_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v put_v in_o balance_n with_o the_o bible_n and_o other_o with_o design_n by_o prove_v the_o loss_n of_o any_o part_n to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a instance_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o parable_n or_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o a_o thousand_o and_o five_o song_n speak_v of_o 1_o king_n 4.32_o the_o book_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o gad_n the_o seer_n mention_v in_o the_o second_o of_o chronicle_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ahijah_n the_o shilonite_n and_o the_o vision_n of_o iddo_n or_o addo_n the_o seer_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 2_o chron._n 9_o and_o some_o other_o and_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n write_v as_o they_o suppose_v to_o the_o laodicaean_n mention_v colos_n 4.16_o although_o very_o many_o of_o these_o write_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n in_o particular_a it_o be_v probable_a that_o nathan_n and_o gad_n write_v some_o part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o samâ—â—_n and_o the_o king_n so_o much_o at_o least_o as_o concern_v the_o action_n of_o david_n of_o which_o they_o be_v exact_o know_v if_o they_o write_v not_o the_o whole_a second_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o the_o first_o of_o the_o king_n which_o some_o upon_o probable_a ground_n suppose_v yet_o admit_v all_o these_o be_v other_o writing_n than_o be_v now_o contain_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o will_v no_o way_n follow_v they_o be_v ever_o any_o part_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n when_o the_o scripture_n mention_n book_n write_v by_o these_o or_o any_o other_o man_n and_o relate_v historical_o to_o the_o matter_n oâ—_n they_o as_o st_n paul_n sometime_o quote_v heathy_a author_n will_v that_o infer_v they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o bible_n by_o no_o mean_n nay_o the_o very_a writer_n of_o the_o bible_n themselves_o such_o as_o david_n solâ—mon_n and_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n may_v and_o without_o all_o doubt_n some_o of_o they_o do_v write_v many_o thing_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n that_o be_v true_a without_o any_o divine_a or_o infallible_a direction_n and_o which_o be_v never_o incorporate_v with_o the_o bible_n and_o so_o say_v st._n austin_n in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civ_o dei_fw-la say_v be_v those_o prophet_n who_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o inspire_v write_v some_o thing_n as_o man_n and_o those_o work_n we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d in_o our_o canon_n nor_o have_v the_o jew_n in_o they_o and_o other_o thing_n as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n and_o these_o work_n be_v real_o distinct_a some_o be_v hold_v their_o own_o as_o man_n and_o some_o the_o lord_n as_o speak_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o that_o will_v prove_v from_o hence_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v must_v first_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o these_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o be_v now_o possess_v of_o and_o second_o that_o admit_v they_o be_v not_o that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o ence_n within_o the_o canon_n of_o which_o latter_a we_o be_v well_o assure_v the_o least_o proof_n can_v be_v make_v for_o the_o jew_n be_v most_o faithful_a preserver_n of_o those_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v unto_o their_o change_n nor_o be_v they_o ever_o so_o much_o as_o once_o blame_v by_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n for_o any_o miscarriage_n that_o way_n as_o for_o a_o epistle_n suppose_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o the_o laodicaeons_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v the_o supposition_n be_v frivolous_a and_o groundless_a for_o the_o word_n in_o the_o greck_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o from_o laodicaea_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o laodicae_fw-la but_o of_o one_o write_v from_o laodicaea_n either_o to_o the_o colossian_n themselves_o which_o they_o then_o have_v by_o they_o or_o else_o to_o st._n paul_n which_o he_o send_v they_o and_o require_v they_o to_o read_v it_o as_o contain_v something_o expedient_a for_o they_o to_o know_v the_o mistake_a opinion_n from_o this_o place_n of_o a_o epistle_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodiceans_n have_v most_o probable_o arisen_a from_o the_o ill_a rendition_n in_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a where_o the_o word_n be_v render_v &_o illa_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la laodicentium_n but_o without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o original_a catherinus_n confess_v that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o chrisostome_n and_o oecumenius_n non_fw-la hic_fw-la nominari_fw-la epistolam_fw-la a_o paulo_n scriptam_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la sed_fw-la ex_fw-la co_fw-la loco_fw-la scriptam_fw-la that_o here_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n but_o of_o some_o epistle_n write_v from_o laodicaea_n that_o there_o be_v ancient_o a_o counterfeit_n epistle_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v be_v most_o true_a but_o in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v extant_a it_o be_v universal_o reject_v as_o spurious_a and_o know_v so_o to_o be_v st._n i_o speak_v of_o it_o but_o say_v abomnibus_fw-la exploditur_fw-la the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o their_o six_o canon_n say_v thus_o of_o it_o inter_fw-la epistolas_fw-la pauli_n apostoli_fw-la quaedam_fw-la fertur_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la quam_fw-la patres_fw-la nostri_fw-la tanquam_fw-la alienam_fw-la reprobaverunt_fw-la tertullian_n against_o martion_n and_o theophilact_fw-mi both_o reject_v it_o with_o great_a contempt_n and_o say_v it_o be_v apostolico_fw-la nomine_fw-la planâ—_n indigna_fw-es and_o bellarmine_n himself_o though_o he_o have_v former_o affirm_v there_o be_v such_o a_o epistle_n which_o be_v certain_o lose_v yet_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n which_o he_o call_v his_o recognition_n or_o after-view_n of_o his_o work_n retract_v it_o say_v he_o be_v mistake_v and_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o such_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n so_o that_o all_o the_o insinuation_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n any_o book_n write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n appear_v to_o be_v very_o weak_o and_o ill_o ground_v and_o in_o truth_n the_o foot_n step_v of_o divine_a providence_n have_v be_v eminent_o visible_a in_o secure_v those_o holy_a writing_n upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n from_o destruction_n addition_n and_o alteration_n first_o no_o accident_n of_o time_n nor_o design_n of_o its_o worst_a enemy_n have_v total_o obliterated_a the_o whole_a or_o any_o part._n second_o though_o many_o have_v attempt_v to_o piece_n in_o and_o add_v to_o it_o false_a and_o counterfeit_a fragment_n and_o some_o whole_a gospel_n yet_o in_o defiance_n to_o all_o those_o essay_n the_o scripture_n have_v remain_v entire_a and_o stand_v like_o a_o rock_n impenetrable_a no_o spurious_a write_n have_v be_v able_a to_o incorporate_v with_o this_o holy_a book_n such_o who_o have_v go_v about_o to_o forge_v scripture_n have_v but_o make_v the_o lustre_n of_o the_o bible_n more_o eminent_a and_o more_o evident_o show_v we_o the_o difference_n of_o god_n reâ—ealing_v from_o heaven_n and_o man_n counterfeit_v upon_o earth_n man_n write_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a ability_n and_o man_n writing_n as_o they_o be_v move_v thereunto_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n three_o from_o alteration_n no_o man_n have_v be_v suffer_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o attempt_n of_o heretic_n to_o that_o purpose_n to_o pollute_v or_o corrupt_v it_o all_o
such_o attempt_n have_v still_o be_v discover_v and_o open_o shame_v how_o many_o heretic_n have_v carry_v about_o their_o own_o confutation_n while_o they_o possess_v this_o book_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o change_v or_o alter_v such_o passage_n as_o have_v be_v most_o cogent_n against_o themselves_o the_o bible_n pass_v through_o the_o arian-world_n with_o all_o those_o plain_a evidence_n it_o contain_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o emperor_n council_n and_o indeed_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o whole_a christian-world_n wâ—â—etainted_v with_o that_o heresy_n the_o bible_n escape_v the_o infection_n when_o the_o alteration_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plain_a text_n will_v have_v do_v they_o more_o service_n than_o all_o the_o volume_n they_o write_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o great_a design_n be_v on_o foot_n that_o way_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o disappoint_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n need_v no_o other_o confutation_n than_o their_o own_o bible_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v be_v theiâ—_n great_a accuser_n all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o this_o day_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o uriaâ—_n be_v of_o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n which_o contain_v his_o own_o ruin_n and_o as_o goliaâ—_n be_v of_o hiâ—_n sword_n which_o serve_v at_o last_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o own_o head_n second_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o book_n since_o its_o conveyance_n give_v in_o a_o signal_n and_o most_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o its_o divinity_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v gain_v that_o reception_n we_o find_v it_o have_v have_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o a_o religion_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corrupt_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o call_v man_n to_o the_o high_a mortification_n and_o self-denial_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o invisible_a world_n to_o come_v naked_o propose_v by_o man_n upon_o a_o worldly_a account_n always_o inconsiderable_a without_o any_o the_o least_o earthly_a support_n a_o religion_n period_v the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o total_o subvert_v all_o other_o religion_n a_o religion_n oppose_v &_o disow_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o though_o it_o derive_v itself_o whole_o from_o they_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a completion_n of_o all_o they_o believe_v and_o expect_v a_o religion_n in_o oppostion_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v agree_v and_o indeed_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n perfect_o concur_v i_o say_v it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n so_o circumstance_v against_o all_o the_o religion_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o first_o make_v its_o entrance_n and_o be_v embrace_v by_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n and_o within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o after_o its_o first_o publication_n for_o so_o it_o be_v be_v spread_v not_o only_o throughout_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o also_o among_o the_o parthian_n and_o remote_a heathen_n to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o it_o be_v own_o innate_a worth_n and_o the_o divine_a evidence_n from_o heaven_n attend_v it_o can_v it_o with_o any_o tolerable_a colour_n of_o reason_n be_v ascribe_v the_o zeal_n man_n have_v for_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v sufficient_o prompt_v they_o to_o hate_v abhor_v and_o persecute_v it_o the_o learning_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v employ_v to_o render_v it_o despicable_a and_o to_o bring_v it_o under_o contempt_n and_o all_o the_o force_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v every_o where_o violent_o at_o 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bring_v we_o to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o world_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n of_o ourselves_o and_o all_o other_o the_o doctrine_n and_o precept_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n be_v so_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o do_v so_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o so_o guide_v we_o to_o what_o we_o ourselves_o judge_v to_o be_v best_a that_o it_o be_v extreme_a unreasonable_a to_o judge_v it_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o vile_a and_o worst_a sort_n of_o imposture_n never_o any_o doctrine_n teach_v man_n to_o live_v so_o dutiful_o to_o god_n so_o comfortable_o to_o themselves_o and_o so_o useful_o one_o to_o another_o so_o tuneable_o in_o all_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n as_o this_o of_o the_o bible_n do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o book_n be_v most_o transparent_a beam_n of_o divine_a perfection_n they_o be_v a_o rule_n give_v according_a to_o what_o be_v eternal_o 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to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n upon_o all_o occasion_n with_o what_o patience_n and_o meekness_n be_v we_o teach_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o make_v a_o man_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v to_o every_o good_a work_n bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v the_o nobless_a principle_n of_o suffer_v and_o the_o comfortable_a way_n of_o die_v now_o how_o can_v we_o better-judge_n of_o a_o law_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a mission_n than_o by_o its_o nature_n the_o great_a tendency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o influence_n it_o have_v upon_o humane_a life_n and_o when_o we_o find_v so_o holy_a and_o excellent_a a_o design_n as_o appear_v throughout_o this_o whole_a book_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o complete_n the_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o way_n so_o correspond_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o that_o divinity_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o what_o can_v we_o 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the_o best_a reason_n be_v the_o most_o pure_a and_o excellent_a and_o most_o useful_a to_o the_o world_n of_o any_o we_o find_v in_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o devil_n or_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o impostor_n and_o that_o â—t_a must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n for_o there_o be_v no_o middle_a way_n it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o such_o shall_v outdo_v divine-goodness_n in_o that_o wherein_o my_o reason_n bid_v i_o expect_v the_o high_a expression_n of_o it_o and_o in_o truth_n that_o the_o world_n shall_v stand_v more_o indebt_v to_o such_o benefactor_n for_o the_o best_a thing_n than_o to_o god_n himself_o four_o we_o find_v in_o this_o book_n a_o full_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a account_n of_o the_o revolution_n of_o this_o whole_a world_n in_o all_o its_o changeable_a vicissitude_n and_o of_o god_n visible_a providence_n in_o the_o disposal_n of_o all_o humane_a affair_n indeed_o we_o find_v this_o book_n a_o complete_a map_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o god_n government_n of_o it_o there_o evident_o appear_v a_o exact_a conformity_n between_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n and_o what_o we_o be_v here_o tell_v of_o it_o nothing_o come_v at_o any_o time_n to_o pass_v contradictive_a of_o but_o according_a to_o what_o be_v here_o reveal_v to_o we_o and_o this_o we_o shall_v sin_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o course_n of_o thing_n either_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n a_o moral_a way_n or_o a_o spiritual_a way_n first_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n the_o natural_a course_n of_o the_o world_n have_v continue_v to_o this_o time_n according_a to_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n declare_v about_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v seedtime_n and_o harvest_n cold_a and_o heat_n summer_n and_o winter_n and_o that_o day_n and_o night_n shall_v not_o cease_v but_o succeed_v each_o other_o second_o in_o a_o moral_a way_n the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o a_o summary_n yet_o satisfactory_a and_o full_a account_n of_o whatever_o we_o have_v see_v act_v among_o mankind_n to_o this_o day_n and_o tell_v we_o in_o general_a of_o all_o those_o principle_n design_n and_o practice_n by_o which_o the_o wheel_n of_o this_o world_n have_v be_v turn_v about_o by_o the_o restless_a mind_n of_o man_n in_o all_o age_n so_o that_o we_o see_v nothing_o under_o the_o sun_n of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o some_o way_n inform_v in_o this_o book_n three_o in_o a_o spiritual_o way_n here_o we_o have_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o all_o that_o divine_a intercourse_n which_o have_v be_v or_o at_o any_o time_n be_v between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o manner_n of_o it_o set_v down_o and_o the_o general_a method_n of_o god_n proceed_n in_o his_o convince_a enlighten_v sanctify_a satisfy_a and_o comfort_v the_o
mind_n of_o man_n no_o man_n can_v well_o judge_v this_o a_o effect_n of_o any_o humane_a design_n nor_o can_v reasonable_o think_v that_o the_o private_a observation_n or_o experience_n of_o any_o particular_a man_n can_v have_v reach_v so_o far_o providential_a occurrence_n will_v soon_o have_v confute_v any_o counterfeit_a pretence_n to_o such_o a_o universal_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o can_v any_o but_o god_n himself_o be_v secure_a not_o to_o mistake_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n the_o more_o we_o contemplate_v this_o world_n in_o its_o various_a motion_n the_o more_o we_o consider_v the_o many_o intricacy_n and_o change_n of_o it_o the_o more_o be_v the_o bible_n still_o justify_v to_o we_o because_o we_o perceive_v the_o whole_a transaction_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v there_o strange_o epitomise_v we_o be_v not_o only_o tell_v in_o the_o general_n what_o shall_v fall_v out_o that_o bad_a man_n shall_v often_o prosper_v and_o good_a man_n 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safe_o to_o disengage_v mankind_n from_o all_o the_o entanglement_n of_o their_o lapse_v and_o apostate_n condition_n i_o appeal_v to_o every_o unprejudiced_a man_n whether_o this_o book_n be_v not_o a_o general_a storehouse_n a_o divine_a treasury_n far_o beyond_o what_o the_o world_n beside_o can_v afford_v to_o supply_v all_o the_o want_n of_o humane_a nature_n not_o only_o more_o clear_o and_o full_o than_o be_v ever_o before_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o great_a good_a point_v we_o to_o that_o true_a summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la of_o a_o rational_a be_v which_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n with_o so_o much_o ignorance_n and_o disagreement_n with_o themselves_o have_v be_v grope_v after_o and_o conduct_v we_o to_o the_o great_a happiness_n but_o apply_v suitable_a remedy_n to_o every_o distemper_n where_o can_v any_o man_n under_o the_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o displeasure_n of_o god_n or_o under_o any_o other_o dejection_n of_o mind_n poverty_n or_o disgrace_n in_o the_o world_n sickness_n of_o body_n loss_n of_o friend_n or_o any_o sort_n of_o affliction_n comfort_n himself_o as_o he_o may_v here_o what_o a_o sacrifice_n be_v we_o here_o tell_v of_o for_o sin_n we_o find_v all_o man_n in_o all_o religion_n have_v still_o harp_v upon_o a_o sacrifice_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o live_a man_n be_v most_o inhuman_a detest_a by_o the_o best_a of_o heathen_n the_o sacrifice_v of_o beast_n though_o general_o practise_v the_o wise_a know_v not_o what_o to_o make_v of_o and_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v atone_v by_o the_o fat_a of_o a_o bruit_n how_o infinite_o do_v the_o sacrifice_n we_o be_v acquaint_v withal_o by_o the_o gospel_n exceed_v all_o the_o world_n have_v think_v of_o in_o that_o kind_n of_o how_o amaze_a and_o yet_o of_o how_o satisfy_v a_o nature_n be_v it_o what_o divine_a antidote_n be_v there_o provide_v in_o this_o book_n from_o suitable_a example_n comfort_v promise_n wise_a direction_n heavenly_a counsel_n to_o keep_v up_o a_o sink_a mind_n it_o be_v like_o that_o wood_n where_o jonathan_n come_v in_o his_o extremity_n and_o find_v honey_n every_o where_o drop_v and_o a_o taste_n of_o it_o revive_v his_o spirit_n and_o renew_v his_o vigour_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o consideration_n the_o reality_n the_o excellent_a and_o proper_a nature_n of_o that_o relief_n and_o those_o satisfaction_n that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n be_v here_o propose_v to_o we_o they_o be_v no_o such_o delude_a trifle_n as_o man_n be_v cheat_v into_o by_o education_n and_o acquiess_n in_o only_a because_o they_o be_v breed_v up_o with_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o this_o book_n but_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v of_o intrinsic_a value_n such_o as_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n most_o real_a &_o most_o suitable_a to_o a_o rational_a be_v in_o all_o such_o case_n and_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o that_o innate_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o a_o deity_n the_o voice_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v if_o thou_o do_v well_o they_o own_o conscience_n be_v judge_n thou_o shall_v be_v accept_v if_o not_o sin_n lie_v at_o the_o door_n we_o find_v no_o resemblance_n here_o of_o the_o heathen_a superstition_n nor_o of_o those_o vanity_n wherewith_o other_o religion_n through_o man_n ignorance_n and_o the_o tract_n of_o education_n have_v besot_v the_o world_n the_o term_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n and_o our_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o be_v such_o and_o so_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o every_o man_n own_o reason_n must_v needs_o acquiesce_v in_o and_o there_o be_v a_o self-evident_a satisfaction_n result_v from_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o it_o prevail_v much_o upon_o i_o this_o general_a provision_n i_o find_v here_o make_v to_o suit_n all_o man_n condition_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n and_o the_o great_a worth_n and_o transcendent_a excellency_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a account_n to_o we_o of_o that_o wonderful_a variety_n we_o find_v in_o this_o book_n both_o for_o matter_n and_o expression_n what_o depth_n and_o shallow_n in_o both_o respect_n sometime_o the_o sublimest_n notion_n clothe_v with_o the_o high_a expression_n sometime_o the_o easy_a plain_a truth_n imaginable_a sometime_o divinity_n deck_v with_o the_o rich_a expression_n of_o oratory_n to_o delight_v and_o instruct_v the_o noble_a and_o large_a mind_n sometime_o bring_v down_o to_o the_o mean_a similitude_n and_o express_v by_o thing_n of_o the_o most_o common_a use_n among_o mankind_n to_o be_v grasp_v by_o the_o poor_a understanding_n and_o yet_o a_o decency_n and_o majesty_n in_o all_o no_o part_n of_o mankind_n but_o find_v here_o a_o plentiful_a and_o suitable_a provision_n for_o every_o condition_n not_o a_o impotent_a impoverish_v mind_n but_o be_v here_o relieve_v nor_o a_o condition_n so_o mean_v but_o be_v care_v for_o and_o this_o tell_v we_o much_o of_o the_o vanity_n of_o those_o 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it_o divers_a contradiction_n several_a strange_a and_o incredible_a story_n and_o other_o thing_n great_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o answer_v the_o first_o question_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v previous_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v advantage_n peculiar_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o who_o first_o receive_v the_o bible_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o live_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v that_o we_o have_v not_o and_o we_o have_v likewise_o some_o advantage_n and_o those_o very_a considerable_a to_o our_o belief_n which_o they_o have_v not_o they_o converse_v with_o the_o penman_n themselves_o the_o name_n of_o many_o of_o who_o be_v to_o we_o whole_o unknown_a the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o record_v they_o foresee_v the_o scripture_n will_v descend_v to_o we_o upon_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n they_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o personal_a integrity_n and_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n see_v the_o original_a write_n and_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n many_o know_v some_o of_o their_o hand_n these_o we_o have_v not_o but_o we_o see_v the_o progress_n and_o success_n of_o this_o book_n which_o they_o see_v not_o we_o see_v this_o book_n translate_v into_o all_o language_n whole_a nation_n convert_v by_o it_o the_o gospel_n spread_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o many_o prediction_n since_o which_o they_o can_v not_o then_o be_v witness_n of_o with_o many_o other_o great_a effect_n of_o it_o we_o see_v the_o whole_a conjoin_v and_o the_o excellent_a harmony_n of_o it_o and_o the_o relation_n each_o part_n have_v to_o complete_a the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v in_o divers_a respect_n upon_o different_a term_n of_o judge_v now_o upon_o the_o whole_a from_o what_o man_n be_v in_o judge_v at_o first_o upon_o any_o particular_a part_n but_o to_o come_v to_o a_o direct_a answer_n to_o this_o question_n there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o ascertain_v man_n in_o their_o reception_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n when_o it_o first_o become_v public_a first_o by_o some_o outward_a visible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o that_o service_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o commissionated_a from_o god_n or_o second_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o write_n themselves_o and_o herein_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o those_o time_n and_o season_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o the_o then_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o order_n of_o write_v it_o will_v much_o inform_v we_o moses_n who_o lay_v the_o first_o and_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a fabric_n in_o the_o five_o book_n that_o he_o write_v he_o have_v a_o justification_n personal_n beyond_o all_o question_n his_o commission_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o he_o there_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o assure_v those_o that_o then_o live_v that_o god_n have_v employ_v he_o for_o god_n admit_v he_o open_o to_o a_o personal_a converse_n with_o himself_o we_o read_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o of_o exodus_fw-la that_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n loe_o i_o come_v to_o thou_o in_o a_o thick_a cloud_n that_o the_o people_n may_v bear_v when_o i_o speak_v with_o thou_o and_o believe_v thou_o for_o ever_o etc._n etc._n he_o impower_v he_o upon_o many_o occasion_n to_o work_v the_o great_a miracle_n that_o since_o the_o world_n have_v a_o be_v have_v ever_o be_v wrought_v and_o open_o to_o shame_n and_o outdo_v all_o his_o opposer_n and_o all_o pretender_n that_o way_n and_o whensoever_o there_o be_v a_o doubt_n make_v about_o this_o divine_a authority_n or_o any_o contest_v with_o he_o upon_o that_o account_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o korah_n and_o at_o other_o time_n god_n plain_o and_o open_o from_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n decide_v the_o matter_n to_o assure_v they_o and_o all_o generation_n to_o come_v that_o moses_n be_v no_o impostor_n but_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a commission_n in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o first_o time_n that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n in_o a_o write_a way_n and_o publish_v those_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o standard_n to_o all_o that_o succeed_v and_o the_o great_a cornerstone_n of_o all_o that_o revelation_n that_o he_o will_v at_o any_o time_n after_o make_v to_o mankind_n it_o be_v but_o necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v fix_v and_o establish_v upon_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a ground_n so_o that_o such_o who_o live_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n can_v have_v no_o good_a reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v in_o the_o least_o of_o his_o sincerity_n for_o all_o be_v do_v that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o put_v that_o matter_n out_o of_o question_n and_o god_n visible_o show_v himself_o as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o of_o exodus_fw-la and_o his_o own_o glory_n among_o they_o for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o see_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n and_o there_o be_v under_o his_o foot_n as_o it_o be_v a_o pave_a work_n of_o a_o saphire-stone_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o body_n of_o heaven_n in_o its_o clearness_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o doubt_n raise_v whether_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o moses_n be_v right_o record_v and_o as_o he_o intend_v they_o shall_v for_o before_o his_o death_n he_o himself_o by_o god_n special_a command_n in_o a_o public_a assembly_n deliver_v over_o his_o five_o book_n to_o the_o levite_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark._n after_o moses_n his_o time_n
in_o palestine_n nor_o understand_v by_o any_o but_o the_o disperse_a hellenist_n and_o so_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a to_o be_v send_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o that_o church_n who_o never_o own_v any_o scripture_n for_o canonical_a but_o what_o be_v in_o hebrew_n a_o language_n peculiar_a to_o they_o and_o the_o bibles_n they_o constant_o use_v till_o our_o saviour_n time_n in_o their_o synagogue_n be_v all_o in_o hebrew_n three_o there_o be_v in_o most_o of_o these_o book_n some_o eminent_a discovery_n of_o their_o own_o humane_a extraction_n as_o in_o the_o second_o of_o macc._n 2.24_o the_o author_n of_o that_o book_n whoever_o he_o be_v tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v borrow_v what_o he_o write_v out_o of_o jason_n of_o cyrene_n and_o contract_v five_o book_n of_o his_o into_o one_o volumn_n and_o so_o what_o he_o there_o write_v he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o father_v it_o on_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o any_o dictate_v of_o his_o that_o he_o plain_o confess_v it_o be_v none_o of_o his_o own_o but_o the_o bare_a epitome_n of_o another_o man_n write_n and_o desire_n to_o be_v excuse_v if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o well_o and_o it_o be_v most_o notorious_o evident_a to_o every_o common_a reader_n that_o many_o of_o these_o book_n contain_v such_o ridiculous_a story_n and_o gross_a absurdity_n that_o without_o high_a impiety_n and_o great_a contradiction_n to_o all_o those_o natural_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o god_n they_o can_v be_v impute_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o their_o author_n four_o these_o book_n be_v never_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n nor_o be_v to_o this_o day_n and_o so_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v never_o receive_v by_o any_o church_n for_o there_o be_v then_o no_o other_o which_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o conceive_v of_o any_o part_n of_o god_n write_a and_o supreme_a law_n as_o also_o that_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o in_o a_o most_o peculiar_a way_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n be_v commit_v and_o who_o have_v the_o custody_n of_o all_o god_n sacred_a record_n and_o be_v as_o st._n austin_n call_v they_o god_n &_o the_o church_n great_a library-keeper_n shall_v so_o notorious_o err_v as_o to_o reject_v for_o not_o to_o receive_v into_o their_o canon_n be_v to_o reject_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v somewhat_o strange_a that_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n with_o who_o chief_o we_o contest_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o who_o annex_v to_o the_o church_n a_o infallible_a judgement_n shall_v imagine_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o fall_v into_o so_o great_a and_o gross_a a_o mistake_n in_o so_o fundamental_a a_o matter_n that_o the_o jewish_a church_n never_o heretofore_o receive_v these_o apocryphal_a book_n into_o their_o canon_n nor_o do_v to_o this_o day_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o with_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o reason_n can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o do_v not_o to_o this_o day_n be_v know_v all_o the_o world_n over_o wheresoever_o the_o jew_n be_v and_o their_o bible_n be_v to_o be_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v no_o other_o book_n within_o their_o canon_n than_o those_o we_o now_o have_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n who_o there_o tâ—lls_v we_o what_o book_n the_o jew_n reckon_v canonical_a and_o say_v they_o be_v only_o twenty_o two_o in_o number_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o letter_n in_o their_o alphabet_n and_o reckon_v those_o very_a book_n we_o now_o receive_v as_o only_o canonical_a other_o book_n he_o say_v there_o be_v write_v after_o the_o captivity_n but_o they_o be_v never_o number_v with_o the_o sacred_a record_n origen_n st._n jerome_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v large_o prove_v the_o same_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n who_o have_v turn_v every_o stone_n to_o ease_v themselves_o from_o the_o dint_n of_o this_o argument_n have_v find_v no_o other_o countenance_n that_o ever_o these_o book_n receive_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o make_v we_o suppose_v they_o receive_v they_o into_o their_o canon_n but_o that_o in_o some_o place_n some_o few_o of_o the_o hellenist_n jew_n that_o live_v remote_a from_o palestine_n have_v annex_v some_o of_o these_o book_n to_o their_o septuagint_n bibles_n but_o such_o hellenist_n themselves_o have_v any_o esteem_n of_o they_o as_o canonical_a write_n nor_o can_v it_o any_o more_o be_v prove_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o have_v than_o it_o can_v that_o we_o in_o england_n receive_v they_o into_o our_o canon_n because_o they_o be_v bind_v up_o with_o some_o of_o our_o bibles_n and_o never_o be_v any_o of_o these_o book_n annex_v to_o the_o hobrew-bibles_n use_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o palestine_n nor_o be_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o read_v or_o admit_v into_o their_o synagogue_n there_o in_o truth_n this_o matter_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v so_o notorious_a and_o evident_a that_o bellarmine_n himself_o make_v a_o ingenuous_a confession_n of_o it_o and_o say_v plain_o hos_fw-la omnes_fw-la libros_fw-la speak_v of_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n ad_fw-la unum_fw-la rejici_fw-la ab_fw-la hebraeis_n that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n be_v rect_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n contr._n 1._o lib._n 1._o ch_n 10._o and_o confirm_v the_o same_o out_o of_o st._n jerome_n and_o if_o so_o we_o have_v then_o not_o only_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n in_o this_o case_n which_o be_v single_o sufficient_a for_o it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a contradiction_n to_o make_v any_o book_n part_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o which_o be_v not_o so_o receive_v then_o but_o we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o infallible_a determination_n for_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n full_o and_o constant_o approve_v the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o possess_v of_o it_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v with_o so_o much_o exactness_n reduce_v all_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o tacit_o approve_v and_o silent_o pass_v over_o so_o great_a a_o mistake_n about_o the_o rule_n itself_o our_o saviour_n direct_v the_o jew_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n as_o they_o then_o have_v they_o as_o be_v perfect_a and_o complete_a appeal_n to_o their_o own_o bibles_n upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o his_o own_o defence_n expound_v moses_n the_o psalm_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o those_o to_o who_o he_o speak_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v then_o extant_a nay_o he_o himself_o read_v and_o preach_v in_o their_o synagogue_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o he_o there_o find_v they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v there_o public_o use_v and_o no_o man_n can_v sober_o imagine_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v go_v about_o to_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o any_o false_a and_o imperfect_a rule_n the_o apostle_n 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that_o have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n since_o more_o dexterous_a then_o heretofore_o be_v celsus_n juliâ—n_n porphiry_n and_o faustus_n the_o manichee_n how_o mean_v their_o attempt_n be_v and_o how_o little_a impression_n they_o make_v will_v appear_v by_o the_o instance_n of_o some_o of_o their_o chief_a objection_n in_o this_o kind_n first_o they_o object_n against_o the_o bible_n because_o we_o be_v tell_v therein_o of_o divers_a incredible_a thing_n as_o that_o a_o serpent_n shall_v speak_v to_o eve_n a_o ass_n reprove_v his_o master_n that_o the_o sun_n shall_v stand_v stâ—â—â—_n and_o a_o woman_n be_v turn_v into_o salt_n with_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n that_o the_o devil_n shall_v speak_v in_o a_o serpent_n or_o that_o god_n shall_v open_v the_o mouth_n of_o a_o ass_n can_v seem_v impossible_a and_o so_o incredible_a to_o none_o that_o acknowledge_v such_o superior_a and_o invisible_a power_n especial_o it_o be_v absurd_a in_o celsus_n and_o julian_n 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