the_o table_n of_o the_o consul_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o careful_o preserve_v in_o those_o time_n and_o as_o easy_o consult_v by_o any_o inquisitive_a person_n as_o any_o other_o public_a record_n and_o be_v so_o by_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o they_o or_o to_o convey_v the_o account_n of_o they_o to_o after-age_n and_o particular_o eusebius_n who_o as_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o other_o help_v and_o have_v all_o the_o other_o advantage_n of_o information_n will_v not_o want_v this_o that_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o satisfactory_a as_o himself_o 12._o particular_o inform_v we_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o transcribe_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o archive_v though_o set_v aside_o the_o information_n that_o he_o receive_v thence_o the_o history_n of_o the_o succession_n be_v sufficient_o preserve_v by_o other_o writer_n that_o of_o rome_n be_v already_o clear_v that_o of_o antioch_n be_v as_o clear_v only_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n about_o the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n whether_o it_o be_v euodius_n or_o ignatius_n probable_o it_o may_v be_v both_o as_o it_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o if_o euodius_n be_v the_o first_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o his_o successor_n ignatius_n be_v a_o apostolical_a man_n and_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o he_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a and_o undisputed_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o which_o eustathius_n be_v then_o present_a bishop_n be_v summon_v and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o eminent_a learning_n so_o he_o bear_v a_o considerable_a sway_n in_o it_o as_o for_o alexandria_n the_o succession_n run_v so_o clear_a there_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o most_o sceptical_a adversary_n in_o this_o point_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o question_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o succession_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o church_n be_v so_o early_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_a that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n than_o it_o be_v for_o any_o learned_a man_n now_o not_o to_o know_v the_o succession_n in_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o add_v many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o tedious_a but_o though_o i_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o a_o interrupt_a succession_n in_o any_o eminent_a church_n yet_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o two_o that_o next_o to_o those_o already_o mention_v most_o deserve_v our_o notice_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o athens_n a_o account_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o have_v from_o dionysius_n a_o learned_a 23._o man_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n antoninus_n as_o indeed_o we_o have_v of_o many_o other_o church_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o as_o for_o his_o own_o church_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o its_o succession_n when_o himself_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o have_v withal_o accidental_o let_v we_o understand_v his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v transact_v there_o before_o his_o own_o time_n and_o particular_o by_o his_o account_n of_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o after_o he_o mention_n publius_n and_o quadratus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o unknown_a interruption_n in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o the_o certain_a succession_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o undoubted_a tradition_n §_o xxix_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v its_o more_o particular_a conveyance_n down_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n after_o 201._o he_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o discipline_n of_o several_a master_n and_o several_a sect_n acquiesce_v at_o last_o without_o any_o far_a search_n in_o the_o christian_a institution_n because_o they_o that_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n receive_v it_o immediate_o from_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o paul_n the_o holy_a apostle_n as_o a_o son_n succeed_v a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v bring_v it_o down_o to_o we_o plant_v those_o seed_n of_o doctrine_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n and_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o learned_a man_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o succession_n itself_o in_o that_o the_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o with_o apostolical_a men._n as_o saint_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o write_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n receive_v with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n value_v next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o read_v with_o they_o in_o several_a church_n but_o especial_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o the_o apostolical_a book_n so_o be_v it_o the_o most_o undoubted_a write_n of_o the_o christian_a 38._o church_n it_o be_v say_v eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d receive_v without_o controversy_n and_o it_o be_v cite_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n a_o short_a time_n 23._o after_o who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v then_o read_v in_o that_o church_n every_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v magnify_v by_o irenaeus_n not_o only_o for_o its_o 3._o own_o strength_n and_o piety_n but_o for_o the_o primitive_a antiquity_n of_o its_o author_n who_o he_o say_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n receive_v his_o christianity_n from_o they_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o fresh_a in_o his_o memory_n and_o their_o custom_n and_o tradition_n in_o his_o eye_n as_o divers_z other_o there_o be_v then_o live_v that_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n quote_v this_o epistle_n as_o he_o often_o do_v 4._o give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o his_o primitive_a antiquity_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o ancient_n it_o be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o though_o they_o have_v take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o destroy_v or_o impair_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v pass_v this_o epistle_n as_o undoubted_o genuine_a with_o a_o unanimous_a approbation_n now_o this_o suppose_v the_o own_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o assert_n particular_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o beside_o several_a other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v the_o first_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v its_o undoubted_a certainty_n by_o the_o testimony_n not_o only_o of_o himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o above_o five_o hundred_o witness_n beside_o most_o whereof_o be_v then_o alive_a beside_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a labour_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o assert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o great_a patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o vast_a number_n more_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o a_o thing_n present_a let_v we_o say_v he_o consider_v the_o generous_a and_o worthy_a example_n of_o our_o own_o age_n through_o emulation_n and_o envy_v the_o faithful_a pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v persecute_v even_o unto_o a_o most_o grievous_a death_n let_v we_o place_n before_o our_o eye_n our_o holy_a apostle_n and_o so_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o act_n and_o suffering_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n now_o how_o can_v this_o have_v be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o christianity_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o what_o more_o unquestionable_a tradition_n can_v we_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n especial_o of_o the_o resurrection_n when_o he_o quote_v the_o gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v record_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o number_n of_o eye-witness_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o innumerable_a other_o that_o live_v at_o the_o
hope_n of_o immortality_n the_o vanity_n of_o epicurus_n his_o great_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n viz._n that_o death_n can_v hurt_v we_o because_o when_o that_o be_v we_o be_v not_o p._n 106._o §_o xxii_o all_o the_o other_o receipt_n prescribe_v by_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n represent_v and_o explode_v p._n 113._o §_o xxiii_o without_o a_o future_a state_n no_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o virtue_n first_o not_o for_o temperance_n p._n 120._o §_o xxiv_o second_o not_o for_o justice_n nor_o magnanimity_n p._n 124._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o stoical_a philosophy_n represent_v upon_o its_o principle_n neither_o happiness_n nor_o virtue_n without_o a_o future_a state_n p._n 131._o §_o xxvi_o a_o account_n of_o the_o platonic_a and_o peripatetic_a morality_n out_o of_o tully_n and_o first_o his_o consolatory_a discourse_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o tusculane_n question_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n prove_v vain_a and_o ineffectual_a p._n 139._o §_o xxvii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o remedy_n prescribe_v in_o his_o second_o book_n for_o the_o alleviate_a of_o pain_n p._n 147._o §_o xxviii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o book_n against_o grief_n and_o trouble_v under_o the_o calamity_n of_o life_n and_o all_o other_o perturbation_n of_o the_o mind_n p._n 151._o §_o xxix_o a_o account_n of_o the_o five_o book_n where_o he_o forsake_v the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n as_o insufficient_a to_o his_o purpose_n and_o what_o good_a reason_n he_o have_v so_o to_o do_v p._n 157._o §_o xxx_o the_o defect_n of_o his_o own_o new_a way_n of_o philosophise_v prove_v in_o general_n p._n 162._o §_o xxxi_o that_o great_a and_o glorious_a maxim_n of_o his_o friend_n brutus_n that_o virtue_n be_v sufficient_a to_o its_o own_o happiness_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o empty_a say_n without_o immortality_n the_o argument_n conclude_v p._n 167._o part_n ii_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n §_o i._o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n pag._n 175._o §_o ii_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o infinite_a and_o intolerable_a absurdity_n of_o unbelief_n p._n 179._o §_o iii_o this_o particular_o prove_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o advice_n in_o the_o article_n of_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 182._o §_o iv._o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v false_a in_o their_o testimony_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o first_o instinct_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n and_o desire_v of_o self-preservation_n p._n 184._o §_o v._o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o prudence_n and_o common_a understanding_n p._n 190._o §_o vi_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o inconsistency_n with_o and_o contrariety_n to_o their_o own_o design_n in_o publish_v christianity_n to_o the_o world_n p._n 193._o §_o vii_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n if_o write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v p._n 199._o §_o viii_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o any_o other_o demonstrative_o prove_v p._n 204._o §_o ix_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o authority_n be_v sometime_o dispute_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 207._o §_o x._o mr._n hobbs_n witticism_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o canon_n be_v first_o compile_v by_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n confute_v p._n 210._o §_o xi_o the_o concurrence_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n with_o the_o testimony_n of_o christian_a writer_n p._n 112._o §_o xii_o josephus_n and_o saint_n luke_n reconcile_v about_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n and_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n p._n 215._o §_o xiii_o the_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o saviour_n vindicate_v from_o the_o exception_n of_o tanaquil_n faber_n and_o other_o critic_n p._n 222._o §_o fourteen_o the_o testimony_n of_o phlegon_n concern_v the_o eclipse_n at_o the_o passion_n assert_v p._n 229._o §_o xv._n pontius_n pilate_n his_o narrative_a concern_v our_o saviour_n to_o tiberius_n and_o tiberius_n his_o opinion_n of_o it_o clear_v p._n 230._o §_o xvi_o the_o story_n of_o agbarus_n prove_v genuine_a p._n 235._o §_o xvii_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n prevail_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n if_o their_o story_n have_v be_v false_a p._n 239._o §_o xviii_o the_o speedy_a propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n describe_v philo_n therapeutae_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v christian_n p._n 241._o §_o xix_o the_o first_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a its_o be_v a_o late_a matter_n of_o fact_n p._n 251._o §_o xx._n the_o second_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o atheism_n and_o the_o luxury_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v publish_v p._n 256._o §_o xxi_o the_o three_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n both_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a p._n 259._o §_o xxii_o the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o all_o other_o disadvantage_n not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o rational_a evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o truth_n p._n 263._o §_o xxiii_o that_o the_o apostle_n plant_v the_o christian_a faith_n with_o so_o much_o speed_n by_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o have_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n p._n 266._o §_o xxiv_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o power_n to_o the_o next_o follow_v age_n assert_v and_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n appeal_v to_o by_o all_o the_o advocate_n of_o christianity_n in_o their_o public_a write_n p._n 275._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v wrought_v by_o magic_n p._n 283._o §_o xxvi_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o miracle_n oppose_v by_o the_o heathen_n to_o our_o saviour_n particular_o that_o of_o vespasian_n in_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a p._n 287._o §_o xxvii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o evident_a imposture_n of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n from_o his_o own_o historian_n philostratus_n p._n 293._o §_o xxviii_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n from_o mere_a humane_a tradition_n and_o that_o first_o public_a by_o the_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o chief_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n p._n 300._o §_o xxix_o the_o same_o prove_v by_o private_a tradition_n and_o first_o of_o saint_n clement_n bishop_n of_o rome_n p._n 308._o §_o xxx_o second_o of_o saint_n ignatius_n with_o a_o account_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o epistle_n p._n 311._o §_o xxxi_o three_o of_o saint_n policarp_n pothinus_n and_o papias_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v as_o to_o the_o paschal_n controversy_n p._n 320._o §_o xxxii_o of_o hegesippus_n the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n vindicate_v against_o all_o innovator_n and_o hegesippus_n his_o history_n against_o the_o cavil_n of_o scaliger_n p._n 328._o §_o xxxiii_o of_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n and_o a_o great_a number_n more_o p._n 338._o §_o xxxiv_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o infidelity_n of_o great_a number_n of_o man_n in_o that_o age_n answer_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v their_o invincible_a prejudice_n in_o honour_n of_o moses_n p._n 343._o §_o xxxv_o their_o second_o great_a prejudice_n be_v their_o expectation_n of_o a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n for_o their_o messiah_n and_o how_o they_o be_v cross_v in_o it_o by_o our_o saviour_n p._n 349._o §_o xxxvi_o atheism_n the_o ground_n of_o the_o sadducee_n oppose_v christianity_n and_o fanatic_a pride_n and_o arrogance_n of_o the_o pharisee_n p._n 357._o §_o xxxvii_o the_o heathen_n oppose_v christianity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o idolatry_n the_o neronian_a persecution_n only_o a_o trick_n of_o state_n to_o secure_v himself_o from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o multitude_n by_o deliver_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o it_o p._n 363._o §_o xxxviii_o domitian_n persecution_n found_v upon_o jealousy_n of_o state_n against_o the_o line_n of_o david_n hegesippus_n vindicate_v in_o his_o account_n of_o it_o against_o scaliger_n the_o jealousy_n both_o of_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o senate_n about_o the_o messiah_n p._n 370._o §_o thirty-nine_o a_o account_n of_o the_o follow_a persecution_n and_o of_o the_o injustice_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o several_a proceed_n against_o
wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o lay_v any_o thing_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n but_o upon_o the_o firm_a and_o most_o evident_a principle_n when_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o vast_a and_o infinite_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n so_o that_o when_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n it_o be_v but_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n shall_v be_v proportionable_a to_o the_o weight_n and_o value_n of_o its_o importance_n in_o short_a if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o particular_a history_n have_v as_o great_a evidence_n as_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o than_o all_o that_o they_o say_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o it_o have_v as_o much_o proof_n as_o it_o have_v if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o historical_a truth_n have_v as_o much_o certainty_n as_o any_o historical_a truth_n whatsoever_o be_v capable_a of_o then_o why_o shall_v they_o call_v this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n moral_n 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find_v he_o upon_o all_o occasion_n dispute_v with_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o he_o shall_v disperse_v all_o that_o heap_n and_o accumulation_n of_o argument_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n with_o any_o pitiful_a repartee_n that_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v void_a of_o all_o reason_n have_v scarce_o wit_n enough_o to_o tempt_v any_o man_n to_o laugh_v beside_o himself_o now_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o convince_v such_o man_n by_o downright_a dint_n of_o argument_n and_o therefore_o see_v they_o have_v not_o wit_n or_o learning_n enough_o to_o be_v reason_v into_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n i_o shall_v take_v another_o course_n with_o they_o by_o shame_v they_o into_o it_o let_v we_o then_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o consider_v a_o little_a how_o many_o strange_a and_o incredible_a thing_n those_o man_n be_v force_v to_o believe_v that_o be_v resolve_v to_o disbelieve_v the_o 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upon_o such_o appeal_n and_o challenge_v as_o these_o that_o be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o their_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o reality_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n suppose_v the_o book_n of_o it_o be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v though_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a proof_n of_o their_o integrity_n that_o eusebius_n 5._o have_v observe_v in_o their_o impartial_a way_n of_o writing_n thus_o only_a saint_n matthew_n himself_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n take_v notice_n of_o his_o own_o dishonourable_a employment_n before_o his_o conversion_n and_o saint_n mark_v who_o write_v his_o gospel_n from_o the_o information_n of_o saint_n peter_n be_v observable_o spare_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o that_o apostle_n and_o so_o can_v not_o with_o decent_a modesty_n be_v report_v by_o himself_o but_o more_o exact_a than_o any_o other_o 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christ._n whereas_o in_o saint_n mark_v all_o these_o magnificent_a expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o saint_n peter_n be_v modest_o omit_v and_o all_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v there_o make_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o and_o he_o charge_v 30._o they_o that_o they_o shall_v tell_v no_o man._n and_o so_o again_o though_o saint_n mark_v in_o all_o his_o other_o relation_n be_v more_o compendious_a than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n yet_o in_o the_o story_n of_o saint_n peter_n denial_n of_o his_o saviour_n he_o be_v most_o of_o all_o circumstantial_a and_o whereas_o saint_n matthew_n and_o saint_n luke_n set_v off_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o repentance_n afterward_o by_o say_v that_o he_o weep_v bitter_o saint_n mark_n express_v it_o more_o modest_o only_o that_o he_o weep_v now_o when_o writer_n pass_v by_o such_o thing_n as_o make_v for_o their_o own_o praise_n and_o record_v their_o own_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n that_o without_o their_o own_o discovery_n may_v never_o have_v be_v know_v to_o posterity_n they_o be_v of_o all_o man_n lest_o to_o be_v suspect_v of_o falsehood_n and_o give_v the_o strong_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n of_o their_o love_n to_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n so_o again_o grant_v that_o they_o will_v not_o stick_v at_o any_o falsehood_n to_o advance_v their_o master_n honour_n and_o reputation_n yet_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o forge_v lie_n of_o his_o disgrace_n and_o suffering_n especial_o all_o those_o shameful_a circumstance_n that_o they_o have_v record_v of_o his_o condemnation_n and_o execution_n now_o if_o we_o believe_v they_o in_o the_o black_a and_o tragical_a part_n of_o the_o story_n why_o not_o in_o all_o for_o if_o they_o only_o design_v to_o set_v off_o their_o master_n greatness_n why_o do_v they_o so_o careful_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o history_n of_o his_o misfortune_n why_o do_v they_o tell_v we_o of_o his_o great_a agony_n before_o his_o passion_n of_o his_o scourge_n and_o mock_n of_o his_o purple_a robe_n and_o reeden_fw-mi sceptre_n of_o the_o contumely_n and_o reproach_n that_o be_v throw_v at_o he_o whilst_o he_o be_v hang_v on_o the_o gibbet_n of_o his_o be_v forsake_v by_o all_o his_o follower_n of_o his_o be_v abjure_v by_o the_o most_o zealous_a of_o they_o all_o and_o that_o without_o the_o application_n of_o rack_n or_o torment_n these_o thing_n if_o not_o true_a to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o invent_v they_o nay_o if_o true_a why_o shall_v they_o not_o do_v what_o they_o be_v able_a to_o stifle_v they_o if_o the_o only_a design_n of_o their_o romance_n have_v be_v to_o gain_v honour_n to_o their_o master_n so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v honest_a and_o faithful_a in_o those_o sad_a relation_n concern_v he_o why_o not_o in_o those_o that_o carry_v triumph_n and_o reputation_n in_o they_o for_o if_o they_o have_v design_v to_o lie_v for_o his_o glory_n they_o must_v have_v baulk_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v any_o way_n offend_v the_o reader_n and_o if_o they_o have_v design_v a_o romance_n instead_o of_o that_o plain_a story_n that_o they_o have_v record_v to_o posterity_n they_o will_v have_v tell_v we_o that_o judas_n have_v no_o soon_o give_v the_o treacherous_a kiss_n but_o he_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o stone_n that_o the_o hand_n that_o strike_v he_o be_v immediate_o wither_v that_o caiphas_n and_o his_o accuser_n be_v strike_v blind_a that_o the_o soldier_n who_o suppose_v they_o have_v apprehend_v he_o have_v only_o seize_v a_o phantasm_n whilst_o he_o vanish_v away_o that_o his_o judge_n be_v befoold_v in_o all_o their_o fantastic_a process_n against_o he_o whilst_o he_o stand_v invisible_a among_o they_o despise_v their_o mock-solemnity_n in_o short_a be_v it_o in_o all_o humane_a account_n much_o more_o become_v the_o grandeur_n and_o dignity_n of_o that_o person_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o common_a misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o humane_a life_n but_o that_o when_o by_o his_o divine_a power_n he_o have_v establish_v his_o kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n he_o shall_v have_v return_v back_o to_o heaven_n without_o any_o suffering_n and_o with_o all_o the_o ornament_n of_o glory_n and_o triumph_n this_o certain_o have_v be_v much_o more_o proper_a matter_n for_o a_o romance_n if_o they_o have_v design_v nothing_o but_o their_o master_n greatness_n than_o to_o have_v feign_v those_o mix_a action_n that_o be_v record_v of_o he_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o those_o that_o will_v have_v believe_v their_o other_o report_n will_v not_o have_v disbelieved_a these_o and_o therefore_o see_v they_o will_v not_o corrupt_v or_o suppress_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o unpleasant_a part_n of_o the_o story_n we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v they_o of_o the_o least_o falsehood_n in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o it_o howsoever_o in_o itself_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o their_o design_n be_v real_a truth_n and_o not_o their_o master_n greatness_n §_o viii_o but_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v by_o those_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v than_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o either_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o their_o day_n or_o afterward_o if_o in_o their_o day_n than_o they_o either_o own_a they_o as_o true_a or_o not_o if_o they_o vouch_v they_o they_o give_v they_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v indict_v by_o themselves_o if_o they_o disow_v they_o as_o contain_v report_n that_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a than_o they_o themselves_o be_v oblige_v to_o discover_v the_o imposture_n which_o have_v never_o do_v that_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n that_o if_o they_o be_v write_v in_o their_o time_n either_o they_o themselves_o write_v they_o or_o at_o least_o approve_a of_o they_o but_o if_o they_o be_v write_v afterward_o how_o come_v they_o to_o meet_v with_o such_o a_o early_a and_o universal_a reception_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o find_v they_o always_o own_a as_o the_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n that_o live_v after_o they_o nay_o some_o with_o they_o now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o book_n that_o contain_v in_o they_o matter_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a if_o they_o have_v be_v counterfeit_a and_o spurious_a and_o thrust_v upon_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o pretend_v to_o bear_v shall_v command_v such_o a_o catholic_a and_o unquestionable_a reputation_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v pretend_v to_o have_v lie_v obscure_a for_o some_o time_n and_o to_o have_v be_v afterward_o retrieve_v there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n but_o when_o they_o be_v own_a as_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o church_n