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 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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 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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
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 likewise_o upon_o all_o occasion_n make_v use_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o they_o find_v the_o jew_n possess_v of_o it_o nor_o have_v we_o the_o least_o intimation_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v either_o mistake_v in_o the_o number_n of_o those_o book_n they_o receive_v or_o that_o the_o least_o alteration_n have_v be_v make_v in_o those_o book_n since_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o write_v and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o the_o old_a tement_n as_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v it_o and_o as_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n approve_v it_o descend_v down_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v constant_o so_o receive_v the_o primitive_a writer_n agree_v universal_o in_o it_o cyprian_a epiphanius_n athanasius_n nazianzen_n all_o bear_v witness_n to_o it_o cyril_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o he_o have_v reckon_v up_o to_o his_o catechumini_fw-la the_o 22_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o now_o receive_v add_v hos_fw-la lege_fw-la viginti_fw-la dvos_fw-la cum_fw-la apocryphis_fw-la nil_fw-la habe_fw-la negotii_fw-la catechis_n 4._o read_v these_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n but_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o apocrypha_fw-la origen_n quote_v for_o it_o at_o large_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o history_n reckon_v up_o the_o very_a same_o twenty_o two_o book_n for_o the_o canonical_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o so_o do_v st._n jerome_n and_o express_o reckon_v the_o other_o apocryphal_a the_o same_o we_o find_v in_o russinus_n who_o say_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n they_o never_o ancient_o call_v libros_fw-la canonicos_fw-la but_o ecclesiasticos_fw-la and_o the_o first_o council_n we_o read_v of_o that_o enter_v into_o a_o consideration_n of_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o of_o laodicea_n about_o the_o year_n 364._o in_o their_o 59_o canon_n declare_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o
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
of_o and_o if_o so_o these_o two_o thing_n will_v follow_v upon_o it_o first_o that_o he_o that_o reject_v the_o bible_n oblige_v himself_o to_o believe_v no_o other_o book_n without_o apparent_a disingenuity_n second_o he_o that_o do_v credit_v the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n with_o the_o same_o credit_n wherewith_o he_o credit_n other_o author_n and_o suppose_v they_o be_v man_n of_o common_a honesty_n that_o will_v not_o know_o write_v a_o untruth_n can_v then_o refuse_v to_o receive_v it_o as_o a_o book_n divine_a and_o infallible_a upon_o as_o good_a term_n of_o credibility_n as_o he_o believe_v any_o the_o best_a humane_a author_n in_o its_o kind_a to_o be_v true_a because_o they_o themselves_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v so_o which_o be_v it_o otherwise_o without_o most_o impudent_a falsehood_n they_o can_v not_o do_v that_o god_n himself_o inspire_v they_o to_o write_v it_o that_o it_o be_v no_o product_n of_o their_o own_o but_o that_o every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v the_o genuine_a dictate_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n we_o shall_v find_v a_o further_o and_o more_o unquestionable_a ground_n of_o satisfaction_n and_o a_o divine_a witness_n give_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o write_n to_o assure_v we_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a doubt_n they_o be_v write_v by_o man_n that_o do_v not_o deceive_v we_o but_o such_o as_o be_v entrust_v by_o himself_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o that_o be_v the_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v and_o which_o visible_o accompany_v their_o first_o publication_n in_o the_o discourse_n of_o which_o after_o a_o due_a sort_n these_o three_o thing_n will_v natural_o fall_v under_o consideration_n first_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o miracle_n in_o general_n what_o proper_o it_o be_v second_o what_o evidence_n we_o have_v for_o the_o fact_n of_o those_o miracle_n we_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v justify_v by_o three_o whether_o 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the_o bible_n we_o be_v much_o ease_v of_o the_o labour_n of_o proof_n from_o a_o general_n concession_n and_o it_o be_v of_o great_a remark_n that_o the_o warm_a adversary_n the_o scripture_n have_v meet_v with_o have_v never_o deny_v the_o fact_n of_o those_o miracle_n plead_v in_o their_o behalf_n but_o endeavour_v to_o invalidate_v their_o testimony_n some_o other_o way_n neither_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o find_v often_o mention_v in_o heathen_a story_n nor_o of_o christ_n be_v deny_v by_o any_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n but_o both_o father_v upon_o egyptian_a magic_a those_o of_o moses_n by_o the_o heathen_n heretofore_o as_o we_o find_v in_o pliny_n and_o apuleius_n pliny_n say_v there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a magic_n depend_v upon_o moses_n and_o the_o cabala_n though_o he_o may_v have_v remember_v that_o never_o any_o law_n so_o positive_o forbid_v magic_a as_o do_v that_o which_o moses_n deliver_v and_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n by_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o heathen_n since_o the_o jew_n affirm_v that_o all_o that_o our_o saviour_n do_v be_v do_v by_o a_o magical_a skill_n he_o first_o learn_v in_o egypt_n and_o bring_v with_o he_o from_o thence_o and_o julian_n the_o heathen_a say_v that_o peter_n and_o paul_n be_v the_o most_o expeâ—t_a man_n in_o magic_n that_o ever_o live_v and_o that_o â—hrist_n himself_o write_v a_o boâ—k_n of_o that_o profession_n and_o dedicate_v it_o to_o they_o two_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o only_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o jew_n but_o express_o both_o by_o celsus_n and_o julian_n two_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a malicious_a and_o industrious_a adversary_n that_o ever_o oppose_v the_o christian-profession_n and_o this_o we_o may_v see_v in_o origin_n second_o book_n against_o celsus_n of_o who_o wâ—â—kâ—_n there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v but_o what_o be_v there_o repeat_v and_o cyâ—ill's_v six_o book_n against_o juâ—ian_n and_o â—n_o truth_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o that_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o christian-church_n be_v in_o fact_n so_o many_o so_o eminent_a so_o visible_a last_v so_o long_o for_o in_o the_o church_n for_o three_o hundred_o year_n in_o some_o measure_n they_o last_v and_o the_o relation_n of_o they_o have_v descend_v down_o to_o we_o by_o such_o a_o constant_a uninterrupted_a write_v and_o unwritten_a tradition_n that_o no_o man_n have_v yet_o assume_v impudence_n enough_o public_o to_o gainsay_v they_o for_o the_o three_o whether_o miracle_n simple_o in_o themselves_o be_v always_o a_o unquestionable_a proof_n of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o be_v bâ—â—ugâ—t_v to_o confirm_v and_o a_o infallible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n that_o work_v they_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o general_a they_o be_v not_o if_o the_o doctrine_n be_v no_o way_n destructive_a to_o those_o natural_a noâ—â—ons_n of_o god_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o evident_o to_o our_o reason_n dishonourable_a to_o h_n m_o tend_v to_o seduce_v we_o from_o he_o and_o opposite_a to_o that_o natural_a duty_n we_o owe_v he_o they_o be_v but_o if_o otherwise_o if_o they_o come_v in_o direct_a competition_n with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v not_o no_o miracle_n whatever_o can_v or_o aught_o to_o oblige_v i_o to_o what_o my_o judgement_n dissent_v from_o as_o sinful_a and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o it_o be_v previous_a to_o all_o law_n so_o it_o be_v a_o unrepealeable_a law_n because_o it_o be_v so_o perfect_o the_o result_n of_o my_o reasonable_a self_n that_o shall_v god_n contradict_v it_o he_o will_v cease_v to_o deal_v with_o i_o as_o a_o rational_a be_v which_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o account_n to_o be_v think_v second_o it_o be_v not_o against_o reason_n to_o suppose_v a_o possibility_n that_o god_n may_v in_o some_o case_n exert_v a_o supernatural_a power_n by_o ill_a instrument_n for_o trial_n as_o well_o as_o establishment_n god_n 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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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of_o imposture_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o way_n reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o such_o who_o design_v to_o personate_v the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o write_v a_o book_n shall_v choose_v to_o compose_v it_o in_o such_o a_o prophetic_a way_n and_o so_o positive_o and_o plain_o deliver_v themselves_o about_o so_o many_o future_a event_n indeed_o about_o most_o of_o the_o great_a thing_n that_o have_v come_v to_o pass_v among_o mankind_n for_o the_o first_o miscarriage_n in_o that_o kind_n a_o palpable_a mistake_n in_o any_o one_o particular_a must_v needs_o ruin_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o whole_a no_o man_n can_v believe_v that_o god_n can_v lie_v or_o that_o a_o infinite_a knowledge_n can_v ever_o give_v a_o wrong_a divination_n about_o what_o be_v to_o come_v he_o therefore_o that_o personate_v the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o such_o a_o foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n must_v be_v sure_a never_o to_o miss_v or_o else_o resolve_v to_o take_v the_o shame_n of_o his_o own_o imposture_n that_o in_o the_o heathen-world_n there_o have_v be_v great_a pretension_n to_o a_o foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o upon_o very_o different_a term_n to_o what_o we_o find_v of_o that_o kind_n in_o the_o bible_n first_o many_o thing_n pretend_v to_o therein_o in_o a_o prophetical_a way_n be_v such_o as_o may_v humane_o be_v fore-seen_a and_o be_v only_o the_o regular_a consequent_n of_o some_o natural_a and_o then_o extant_a though_o more_o remote_a and_o less_o visible_a cause_n the_o first_o discoverer_n of_o many_o secret_a working_n in_o nature_n may_v upon_o that_o account_n have_v soon_o arrive_v to_o a_o great_a prophetical_a credit_n thales_n who_o first_o among_o the_o heathen_n foresee_v a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n may_v easy_o have_v pass_v for_o a_o eminent_a prophet_n before_o the_o knowledge_n of_o its_o natural_a cause_n grow_v common_a two_o the_o heathen_a prediction_n be_v general_o clothe_v with_o expression_n so_o enigmatical_a and_o so_o unintelligible_a as_o in_o truth_n render_v they_o problem_n rather_o than_o prophecy_n they_o seem_v to_o be_v frame_v more_o to_o confound_v and_o amuse_v than_o to_o inform_v or_o satisfy_v and_o to_o be_v chief_o calculate_v to_o abuse_v the_o weak_a part_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o adore_v what_o they_o least_o understand_v and_o to_o suppose_v some_o extraordinary_a matter_n to_o be_v wrap_v up_o in_o all_o such_o cloud_a expression_n according_a to_o that_o of_o lucretius_n omnia_fw-la enim_fw-la stolidi_fw-la magis_fw-la admirantut_o amantque_fw-la inversis_fw-la quae_fw-la sub_fw-la verbis_fw-la latitantia_fw-la cernunt_fw-la three_o their_o oraculous_a divination_n of_o future_a thing_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n so_o deliver_v that_o they_o have_v divers_a aspect_n carry_v in_o they_o divers_a intricate_a sense_n manifold_a ambiguity_n and_o to_o secure_v their_o credit_n be_v make_v capable_a of_o divers_a and_o those_o contrary_n interpretation_n which_o make_v the_o heathen_n themselves_o call_v their_o great_a oracle_n at_o delphos_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o thwarter_n or_o crooked-speaker_n four_o many_o of_o their_o plain_a and_o most_o intelligible_a prediction_n have_v be_v consequent_o find_v to_o be_v false_a and_o mistake_v and_o other_o of_o they_o have_v have_v a_o direct_a tendency_n to_o a_o perfect_a subversion_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n and_o to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o bible_n so_o it_o be_v when_o the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n which_o we_o find_v repeat_v by_o porphiry_n declare_v that_o all_z other_z god_n be_v but_o airy_a spirit_n and_o that_o the_o god_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v alone_o to_o be_v worship_v which_o direction_n have_v it_o be_v follow_v have_v put_v a_o final_a end_n to_o all_o their_o own_o religion_n so_o it_o be_v when_o the_o sibyl_n prophesy_v so_o full_o of_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n which_o we_o find_v repeat_v out_o of_o their_o work_n in_o the_o four_o eglogue_n of_o virgil._n we_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o for_o some_o secret_a and_o to_o we_o unknown_a end_n god_n who_o as_o the_o heathen_n general_o acknowledge_v can_v only_o do_v it_o for_o they_o still_o ascribe_v it_o even_o porphiry_n himself_o unto_o their_o god_n might_n and_o do_v sometime_o reveal_v some_o future_a event_n which_o no_o other_o way_n can_v be_v know_v as_o he_o do_v the_o death_n of_o saul_n and_o his_o son_n at_o endor_n to_o the_o devil_n or_o to_o other_o which_o they_o may_v communicate_v but_o nothing_o that_o ever_o be_v extant_a in_o that_o kind_n can_v be_v any_o way_n put_v in_o balance_n with_o that_o prophetic_a spirit_n we_o find_v in_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v much_o in_o this_o case_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o business_n of_o miracle_n the_o heathen-world_n be_v fill_v with_o pretension_n both_o way_n some_o of_o they_o real_a and_o true_a but_o most_o general_o fictitious_a and_o false_a and_o when_o true_a both_o the_o miracle_n and_o the_o prophecy_n from_o whence_o we_o derive_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v so_o different_o circumstance_v and_o there_o be_v such_o a_o superior_a eminency_n and_o lustre_n in_o the_o one_o as_o render_v the_o other_o no_o objection_n at_o all_o in_o this_o case_n here_o we_o have_v clear_a plain_a and_o positive_a prediction_n of_o most_o of_o the_o great_a thing_n that_o have_v happen_v prediction_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o can_v have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o any_o natural_a cause_n then_o extant_a when_o they_o be_v make_v such_o as_o must_v needs_o have_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o unbounded_a will_n of_o god_n or_o the_o free_a choice_n of_o man_n a_o multitude_n of_o such_o prediction_n with_o marvalous_a variety_n and_o great_a exactness_n and_o particularity_n concern_v person_n and_o thing_n in_o all_o age_n and_o throughout_o a_o constant_a and_o un-erring_a success_n without_o a_o failure_n in_o a_o tittle_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o truth_n of_o the_o most_o of_o they_o record_v in_o the_o general_a story_n of_o the_o world_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o can_v we_o suppose_v can_v pronounce_v with_o such_o a_o positive_a certainty_n upon_o all_o future_a event_n not_o to_o foretell_v once_o or_o a_o second_o time_n what_o shall_v be_v here_o or_o there_o but_o to_o speak_v with_o a_o positive_a prophetic_a determination_n about_o all_o the_o great_a thing_n that_o be_v to_o happen_v and_o write_v of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o world_n as_o man_n write_v history_n of_o age_n past_a and_o to_o have_v thing_n always_o right_o come_v to_o pass_v never_o to_o mistake_v constant_o to_o give_v right_a divination_n this_o be_v single_o the_o property_n of_o god_n nor_o can_v any_o other_o be_v reasonable_o though_o the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o prophetical_a book_n but_o he_o that_o grasp_v all_o age_n with_o a_o infinite_a knowledge_n span_n all_o time_n and_o season_n from_o who_o nothing_o can_v be_v conceal_v and_o who_o with_o the_o sane_a 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break_v forth_o like_o the_o sun_n in_o his_o strength_n have_v overspread_n the_o whole_a horizon_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o where_o ever_o the_o gospel_n be_v own_v these_o book_n be_v receive_v with_o that_o veneration_n that_o become_v due_a to_o such_o sacred_a write_n the_o church_n of_o england_n judge_n the_o doubt_n that_o have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n not_o worthy_a of_o our_o notice_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o six_o article_n it_o be_v thus_o express_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o do_v understand_v those_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n of_o who_o authority_n be_v never_o any_o doubt_n in_o the_o church_n that_o be_v no_o considerable_a doubt_n no_o general_a doubt_n in_o the_o whole_a church_n nor_o indeed_o any_o such_o doubt_n as_o aught_o to_o disturb_v either_o the_o church_n determination_n or_o any_o particular_a man_n judgement_n about_o this_o matter_n for_o it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o any_o one_o entire_a church_n or_o that_o any_o national_a or_o provincial_a council_n or_o indeed_o that_o any_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n in_o any_o public_a confession_n catechism_n or_o otherwise_o have_v reject_v any_o of_o those_o book_n we_o now_o reckon_v within_o the_o canon_n the_o most_o considerable_a doubt_n that_o we_o find_v make_v about_o any_o one_o of_o they_o be_v about_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o for_o some_o time_n be_v doubt_v of_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o yet_o eusebius_n say_v only_o it_o be_v doubt_v of_o a_o quibusdam_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la romana_fw-la by_o some_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a much_o of_o that_o doubt_n be_v whether_o st._n paul_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o or_o no_o but_o to_o conclude_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n let_v these_o two_o thing_n be_v consider_v first_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o soon_o as_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v finish_v the_o canon_n of_o that_o be_v exact_o settle_v by_o man_n of_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o those_o last_o prophet_n contemporary_a with_o he_o and_o so_o no_o further_a doubt_n be_v or_o can_v reasonable_o be_v make_v about_o that_o second_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o please_v god_n so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o he_o that_o close_v up_o the_o whole_a bible_n and_o write_v the_o conclusion_n of_o it_o so_o far_o outlive_v all_o the_o other_o penman_n that_o he_o himself_o may_v very_o well_o see_v the_o whole_a conjoin_v and_o deliver_v it_o over_o to_o the_o church_n entire_a as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o the_o apostle_n st._n john_n not_o only_o survive_v titus_n and_o that_o famous_a destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o jew_n in_o his_o time_n but_o he_o live_v through_o domitian_n time_n and_o cocceius_n nerva_n time_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n which_o be_v somewhat_o above_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o sixty_o and_o odd_a after_o his_o crucifixion_n so_o irenaeus_n tell_v we_o lib._n 2._o p._n 192._o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n it_o shall_v seem_v live_v long_o for_o the_o same_o author_n say_v that_o there_o be_v in_o his_o time_n saniores_fw-la qui_fw-la non_fw-la solum_fw-la johannem_fw-la viderint_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o alios_fw-la apostolos_fw-la elder_n that_o have_v not_o only_o see_v s._n john_n but_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v establish_v and_o settle_v by_o apostolical_a authority_n seem_v very_o probable_a s._n austin_n contra_fw-la faust_n man._n lib._n 11._o cap._n 5._o and_o in_o his_o 19_o epist_n positive_o affirm_v it_o distincta_fw-la est_fw-la say_v he_o à _fw-la posteriorum_fw-la libris_fw-la excellentia_fw-la canonica_n authoritatis_fw-la veteris_fw-la &_o novi_fw-la testamenti_fw-la quae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la confirmata_fw-la temporibus_fw-la saint_n jerome_n say_v johannem_fw-la omnium_fw-la longissimè_fw-la vixisse_fw-la &_o videre_fw-la libros_fw-la omnes_fw-la &_o confirmare_fw-la posset_n &_o si_fw-la qui_fw-la fictitij_fw-la liberi_fw-la ederentur_fw-la eos_fw-la à _fw-la sâ—cris_fw-la &_o verè_fw-la canonicis_fw-la distinguere_fw-la that_o the_o apostle_n john_n outlive_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o may_v peruse_v and_o confirm_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o counterfeit_a write_n if_o any_o such_o come_v abroad_o and_o he_o further_o add_v that_o some_o spurious_a write_n concern_v the_o action_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v bring_v to_o he_o and_o that_o he_o by_o his_o apostolical_a authirity_n condemn_v they_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr prescript_n say_v express_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v found_v upon_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o eusebius_n give_v this_o plain_a testimony_n to_o it_o narrant_fw-la veteres_fw-la johannem_fw-la asiaticarum_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la rogatu_fw-la germanum_fw-la scripturae_fw-la canonem_fw-la constituisse_fw-la the_o ancients_n tell_v we_o say_v he_o that_o st._n john_n upon_o the_o request_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n settle_v the_o true_a canon_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o s._n john_n before_o his_o death_n make_v his_o abode_n much_o at_o sardis_n and_o ephesus_n and_o among_o those_o asiatic_a church_n for_o after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n he_o be_v restore_v from_o his_o banishment_n by_o the_o emperor_n nerva_n and_o return_v from_o patmos_n into_o asia_n and_o there_o govern_v the_o church_n until_o his_o death_n and_o it_o be_v extreme_o probable_a that_o upon_o their_o desire_n he_o then_o full_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o that_o there_o be_v then_o occasion_n for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o we_o sin_v by_o enseâ—ius_n his_o history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o s._n john_n himself_o that_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n have_v be_v attempt_v by_o false_a apostle_n in_o those_o day_n and_o whatever_o doubt_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v then_o extant_a we_o can_v otherwise_o suppose_v but_o that_o they_o will_v be_v propose_v to_o he_o and_o end_v in_o his_o apostolical_a determination_n so_o that_o if_o we_o lie_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o st._n john_n live_v so_o long_o after_o all_o â—he_n part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o the_o revelation_n be_v write_v and_o his_o survive_v some_o very_a considerable_a time_n after_o the_o write_n of_o that_o for_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o he_o receive_v those_o vision_n and_o write_v they_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n his_o close_n the_o whole_a with_o that_o book_n after_o which_o he_o declare_v as_o many_o think_v by_o pronounce_v a_o curse_n to_o he_o that_o shall_v add_v to_o it_o or_o diminish_v from_o it_o that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v no_o further_o revelation_n expect_v have_v therein_o give_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n consider_v the_o doubt_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a about_o some_o part_n among_o such_o as_o have_v not_o a_o thorough_a information_n about_o they_o and_o that_o false_a apostle_n do_v then_o appear_v consider_v of_o how_o great_a a_o concern_v it_o be_v then_o and_o will_v be_v to_o all_o future_a age_n to_o have_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o whole_a bible_n settle_v by_o a_o infallible_a judgement_n and_o consider_v the_o material_a evidence_n we_o have_v from_o many_o primative_a writer_n that_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o all_o these_o thing_n consider_v there_o seem_v very_o probable_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n john_n before_o he_o leave_v the_o world_n do_v full_o determine_v this_o matter_n and_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a that_o as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v come_v to_o be_v publish_v abroad_o the_o doubt_n that_o be_v then_o make_v disappeared_n and_o we_o that_o live_v in_o these_o latter_a age_n see_v that_o all_o the_o question_n and_o doubt_n that_o have_v at_o any_o time_n be_v be_v perfect_o vanish_v and_o the_o whole_a bopy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v now_o gain_v a_o universal_a reception_n three_o how_o can_v we_o that_o have_v not_o the_o original_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o the_o outographa_n be_v of_o those_o that_o write_v they_o but_o only_o the_o copy_n of_o they_o and_o most_o but_o the_o translation_n of_o those_o copy_n rest_v assure_v we_o have_v god_n mind_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v in_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o original_a record_n of_o every_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v at_o first_o consist_v of_o perishable_a matter_n and_o have_v undergo_v the_o common_a fate_n of_o all_o other_o write_n it_o be_v evident_a it_o be_v not_o the_o pleasure_n of_o god_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n
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 the_o bible_n and_o retain_v a_o christian_a profession_n from_o thence_o in_o a_o limit_a sensâ—_n of_o his_o own_o for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v he_o receive_v the_o bible_n as_o he_o receive_v other_o credible_a writing_n as_o a_o book_n general_o true_a and_o write_v by_o man_n that_o mean_v honest_o and_o well_o but_o believe_v it_o not_o write_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n nor_o to_o carry_v a_o divine_a authority_n along_o with_o it_o nor_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o be_v to_o say_v a_o thing_n extreme_o incongruous_a to_o all_o good_a sense_n and_o to_o indulge_v himself_o in_o a_o perfect_a absurdity_n for_o the_o bible_n come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o claim_n oâ—_n god_n authority_n attend_v it_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o name_n be_v a_o book_n that_o disow_v all_o humane_a contrivement_n propose_v itself_o as_o write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o immediate_a direction_n from_o god_n admit_v of_o no_o composition_n for_o its_o reception_n in_o such_o a_o case_n there_o can_v be_v no_o middle-way_n but_o either_o we_o must_v receive_v this_o book_n and_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o or_o else_o reject_v it_o with_o the_o just_a contempt_n imaginable_a it_o be_v in_o nothing_o to_o be_v credit_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o truth_n what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v for_o there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o vile_a and_o pernicious_a falsehood_n impose_v upon_o the_o world_n then_o to_o counterfeit_v a_o divine_a law_n and_o to_o pretend_v that_o to_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o product_n of_o men._n whoever_o will_v admit_v these_o premise_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v in_o every_o part_n of_o they_o by_o the_o infallible_a direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n when_o they_o themselves_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v so_o must_v needs_o descend_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o they_o then_o contain_v the_o most_o impudent_a falsehood_n and_o be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a designer_n against_o mankind_n the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o relate_v and_o stand_v in_o so_o near_o a_o conjunction_n as_o they_o do_v the_o be_v of_o the_o one_o have_v so_o necessary_a a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v to_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o assert_v their_o divine_a authority_n and_o to_o justify_v that_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o man_n that_o be_v indeed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d divine_o inspire_v and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o that_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o will_v inform_v rule_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n he_o that_o undertake_v this_o province_n and_o design_n to_o himself_o such_o a_o service_n be_v oblige_v first_o to_o consider_v with_o who_o he_o be_v like_a to_o encounter_v and_o to_o proportion_v his_o defence_n to_o those_o various_a assault_n the_o scripture_n be_v usual_o expose_v to_o this_o be_v admit_v which_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v that_o no_o man_n can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n close_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n renounce_v the_o bible_n that_o maxim_n of_o st._n austin_n be_v undeniable_a that_o contra_fw-la scripturas_fw-la nemo_fw-la christianus_n there_o be_v but_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n by_o who_o the_o scripture_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v general_o attact_v and_o from_o who_o principle_n their_o sacred_a authority_n can_v receive_v a_o universal_a invasion_n first_o such_o who_o whole_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o religion_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v relative_n such_o who_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n of_o a_o atheistical_a profession_n second_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o a_o supreme_a and_o first_o cause_n but_o deny_v his_o providence_n and_o believe_v he_o be_v no_o way_n concer_v about_o the_o world_n 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
can_v now_o be_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o will_v come_v under_o any_o sensible_a demonstration_n the_o proposal_n of_o this_o book_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o law_n divine_a be_v not_o so_o make_v as_o by_o mathematical_a evidence_n or_o gross_a visible_a absurdity_n in_o its_o denial_n to_o introduce_v itself_o irresistable_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n but_o this_o book_n be_v so_o propose_v to_o our_o belief_n as_o that_o all_o man_n by_o a_o serious_a and_o impartial_a consideration_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o a_o due_a enquity_n into_o all_o the_o circumstance_n attend_v it_o may_v have_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o as_o divine_a and_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v such_o as_o itself_o claim_v to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o bible_n shall_v be_v upon_o such_o term_n and_o no_o other_o propose_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o world_n seem_v high_o reasonable_a when_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n intend_v this_o book_n as_o the_o great_a shibbole_v by_o which_o he_o will_v try_v the_o world_n that_o from_o the_o believe_a or_o not_o believe_v of_o it_o shall_v arise_v the_o great_a discrimination_n between_o virtuous_a and_o good_a man_n and_o such_o who_o free_a from_o the_o prevail_a influence_n of_o corrupt_a and_o sensual_a interest_n pursue_v the_o genuine_a dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o improve_v those_o notion_n of_o divinity_n they_o be_v bear_v with_o and_o other_o who_o either_o choose_v to_o be_v sottish_o ignorant_a or_o else_o wilful_o to_o oppose_v what_o god_n have_v make_v in_o itself_o most_o suitable_a and_o correspond_v to_o the_o reason_n and_o conscience_n of_o every_o unprejudiced_a man._n the_o truth_n be_v our_o assent_n or_o not_o to_o the_o bible_n be_v make_v a_o matter_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v so_o propose_v to_o our_o belief_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o both_o the_o way_n to_o this_o discourse_n 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systeme_n of_o divine_a truth_n by_o which_o god_n will_v inform_v rule_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v a_o proof_n of_o from_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o book_n itself_o and_o from_o such_o external_a concomitant_n of_o it_o as_o high_o concur_v to_o create_v a_o belief_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n and_o last_o propose_v all_o such_o considerable_a doubt_n query_n and_o difficulty_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v usual_o busy_v withal_o about_o this_o matter_n and_o attempt_v their_o satisfaction_n therein_o to_o make_v the_o first_o thing_n propose_v evident_a that_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v in_o the_o general_n that_o god_n shall_v give_v we_o some_o further_a direction_n than_o what_o our_o natural_a light_n will_v afford_v we_o that_o he_o shall_v promulge_v some_o supernatural_a law_n to_o the_o world_n let_v these_o several_a thing_n follow_v be_v due_o consider_v first_o what_o wretched_a and_o dismal_a ignorance_n have_v the_o world_n be_v in_o yea_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a part_n of_o it_o and_o in_o what_o disagreement_n with_o itself_o about_o all_o part_n of_o religion_n where_o this_o supernatural_a law_n have_v be_v either_o not_o know_v or_o not_o receive_v how_o sad_o have_v that_o inbred_a principle_n of_o religion_n wherewith_o all_o man_n be_v bear_v be_v seduce_v and_o mislead_v where_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o supernatural_a to_o guide_v and_o direct_v it_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n have_v corrupt_v into_o all_o folly_n and_o vanity_n and_o man_n have_v form_v religion_n not_o only_o hateful_a to_o god_n but_o at_o last_o nauseous_a to_o themselves_o devotion_n man_n still_o have_v to_o somewhat_o above_o they_o but_o they_o know_v not_o well_o how_o to_o express_v it_o the_o wise_a saw_n reason_n enough_o to_o scorn_v their_o own_o religion_n but_o know_v not_o how_o to_o compose_v a_o better_a some_o go_v far_o in_o the_o negative_a in_o say_v what_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v that_o then_o be_v among_o themselves_o but_o none_o ever_o attain_v to_o a_o certain_a directory_n of_o what_o shall_v be_v when_o we_o view_v over_o the_o utmost_a product_n of_o all_o humane_a ability_n and_o the_o great_a discovery_n at_o any_o time_n make_v by_o natural_a light_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n to_o have_v be_v great_o defective_a in_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o in_o their_o divinity_n in_o their_o conception_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o their_o worship_n of_o he_o second_o in_o the_o account_n they_o give_v to_o themselves_o of_o the_o world_n first_o production_n and_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n three_o in_o their_o morality_n and_o in_o their_o ethical_a institutes_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o the_o converse_n of_o mankind_n together_o first_o in_o their_o divinity_n varro_z rank_n all_o the_o heathen_a theology_n under_o three_o head_n their_o fabulous_a and_o historical_a theology_n their_o natural_a and_o mystical_a theology_n their_o civil_a and_o political_a theology_n which_o he_o also_o call_v mythical_a physical_a and_o civil_a the_o first_o come_v from_o their_o poet_n and_o contain_v such_o a_o rhapsody_n of_o nonsense_n and_o folly_n as_o the_o like_a to_o it_o have_v not_o upon_o any_o occasion_n nor_o upon_o any_o subject_n be_v collect_v since_o the_o world_n begin_v that_o one_o god_n be_v bear_v from_o a_o man_n head_n another_z from_o a_o man_n thigh_n a_o three_o from_o some_o drop_n of_o blood_n that_o some_o god_n be_v thief_n other_o adulterer_n other_o servant_n to_o man_n with_o multitude_n of_o such_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a fiction_n the_o second_o sort_n come_v from_o their_o wise_a man_n and_o from_o their_o philosopher_n they_o dispute_v what_o the_o god_n be_v where_o they_o be_v and_o whence_o they_o be_v and_o among_o they_o we_o find_v a_o endless_a diversity_n and_o most_o stupendous_a folly_n some_o make_v the_o god_n to_o consist_v of_o fire_n some_o of_o number_n other_o of_o atom_n and_o by_o their_o mystical_a divinity_n interpret_n jupiter_n to_o fire_n juno_n to_o earth_n pluto_n to_o air_n nestis_fw-la to_o water_n and_o other_o of_o their_o god_n to_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o many_o other_o so_o gross_a and_o notorious_a absurdity_n that_o justin_n martyr_n tell_v the_o grecian_n that_o the_o divinity_n of_o their_o philosopher_n multo_fw-la sit_fw-la quam_fw-la poctarum_fw-la theologia_n atque_fw-la de_fw-la diis_fw-la doctrina_fw-la ridiculosior_fw-la be_v much_o more_o absurd_a than_o that_o of_o their_o poet._n the_o three_o sort_n relate_v itself_o to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o particular_a city_n and_o country_n by_o which_o they_o order_v their_o priest_n what_o god_n they_o shall_v worship_v at_o what_o time_n and_o season_n and_o upon_o what_o occasion_n what_o sacrifice_n and_o service_n and_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n both_o upon_o the_o stage_n in_o their_o theatre_n and_o also_o in_o their_o temple_n for_o in_o the_o one_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n and_o have_v play_n act_v in_o honour_n to_o they_o as_o a_o part_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o other_o they_o worship_v they_o in_o all_o which_o we_o find_v they_o shed_v the_o blood_n one_o of_o another_o and_o offer_v most_o inhuman_a sacrifice_n and_o a_o numberless_a multitude_n not_o only_o of_o childish_a and_o foolish_a but_o profane_a and_o impious_a obscene_a and_o lascivious_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n if_o we_o look_v back_o as_o far_o as_o any_o heathen_a record_n will_v carry_v we_o and_o view_v over_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o so_o the_o grecian_n be_v please_v to_o call_v all_o but_o themselves_o according_a to_o that_o of_o varro_n barbarae_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnes_fw-la nationes_fw-la praeter_fw-la graecos_n the_o phaenician_o the_o caldaean_o the_o egyptian_n and_o such_o other_o as_o we_o have_v
and_o so_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o be_v the_o one_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o god_n because_o of_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n never_o will_v nor_o can_v do_v and_o the_o other_o it_o assure_v i_o can_v be_v do_v the_o bible_n tell_v we_o of_o no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o high_a supernatural_a discovery_n it_o make_v to_o we_o but_o what_o be_v in_o itself_o very_o possible_a to_o be_v nor_o of_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o seem_v to_o our_o reason_n very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v and_o very_o fit_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v when_o we_o be_v tell_v of_o god_n so_o that_o it_o be_v second_o never_o any_o book_n make_v such_o a_o discovery_n to_o we_o of_o what_o be_v true_o natural_a and_o so_o far_o revive_v and_o restore_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o themselves_o as_o this_o have_v do_v the_o natural_a law_n of_o our_o own_o being_n all_o impartial_a reason_n be_v judge_n no_o humane_a wisdom_n ever_o do_v or_o ever_o can_v have_v give_v mankind_n such_o a_o prospect_n of_o their_o natural_a duty_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o themselves_o as_o the_o ten_o commandment_n have_v do_v or_o compose_v such_o a_o systeme_n of_o law_n natural_a or_o make_v such_o a_o exact_a compendium_n of_o it_o none_o but_o god_n that_o make_v man_n at_o first_o and_o know_v his_o original_a can_v have_v so_o far_o discover_v he_o to_o himself_o and_o retrieve_v to_o his_o knowledge_n so_o much_o of_o his_o primitive_a state_n and_o discover_v to_o he_o what_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o his_o own_o breast_n he_o still_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o scripture-religion_n both_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o god_n and_o his_o worship_n and_o our_o performance_n of_o relative_n duty_n to_o each_o other_o carry_v in_o it_o the_o high_a perfection_n attainable_a by_o our_o natural_a light_n and_o wherein_o it_o exceed_v it_o be_v the_o most_o suitable_a to_o it_o and_o the_o most_o justify_v by_o it_o of_o any_o religion_n the_o world_n have_v be_v ever_o yet_o possess_v of_o what_o pure_a and_o admirable_a discovery_n of_o god_n excellent_a nature_n do_v it_o afford_v we_o without_o the_o least_o savour_n of_o what_o be_v earthly_a and_o from_o below_o so_o correspond_v to_o a_o rational_a idea_n of_o he_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o religion_n and_o worship_n without_o the_o least_o taint_n of_o idolatry_n or_o superstition_n rule_n of_o holy_a live_n without_o the_o least_o mixture_n of_o impurity_n such_o direction_n for_o our_o behaviour_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n as_o every_o man_n own_o breast_n subscribe_v to_o as_o just_o holy_a and_o good_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o religion_n that_o so_o perfect_v nature_n and_o whatever_o it_o reveal_v that_o be_v above_o nature_n it_o be_v so_o graff_v upon_o the_o stock_n of_o our_o natural_a knowledge_n and_o in_o such_o a_o suitable_a way_n superadd_v to_o it_o and_o so_o incorporates_n with_o it_o as_o be_v admittable_a to_o conceive_v and_o can_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o nothing_o but_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n even_o of_o god_n himself_o who_o perfect_o know_v what_o be_v in_o man_n and_o what_o will_v be_v best_o for_o he_o and_o most_o agreeable_a to_o he_o what_o just_a cause_n be_v there_o to_o reject_v and_o disclaim_v all_o other_o religion_n upon_o this_o single_a account_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o shall_v be_v a_o law_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a that_o prove_v any_o way_n destructive_a to_o what_o be_v true_o natural_a what_o unworthy_a unreasonable_a and_o unnatural_a conception_n of_o god_n and_o his_o be_v do_v the_o heathen_a religion_n stand_v just_o charge_v withal_o how_o contrary_a be_v it_o to_o the_o true_a dictate_v of_o nature_n and_o the_o natural_a shame_n inherent_a in_o every_o man_n be_v to_o use_v such_o horrible_a obscene_a and_o lascivious_a ceremony_n as_o they_o do_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o some_o of_o their_o god_n how_o unnatural_a and_o inhuman_a be_v it_o to_o murder_n each_o other_o and_o shed_v the_o blood_n of_o mankind_n as_o they_o do_v in_o their_o sacrifice_n how_o may_v vice_n that_o nature_n condemn_v grow_v up_o under_o the_o shadow_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o no_o way_n reprove_v yea_o some_o allow_v and_o justify_v by_o it_o the_o bible_n spare_v not_o one_o go_v to_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o all_o natural_a evil_n and_o all_o natural_a good_n the_o koran_n also_o fall_v slat_n before_o the_o bible_n upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o perfect_v our_o natural_a light_n or_o correspond_v with_o it_o that_o in_o some_o thing_n it_o direct_o overthrow_v it_o and_o be_v every_o where_o stuff_v with_o such_o absurd_a ridiculous_a and_o incredible_a soppery_n as_o do_v inevitable_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o just_a scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n four_o we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v that_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n a_o law_n supernatural_a to_o which_o a_o universal_a obedience_n be_v require_v shall_v have_v such_o a_o conveyance_n to_o we_o as_o be_v suitable_a to_o its_o author_n and_o that_o great_a concern_v mankind_n have_v in_o it_o that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o most_o irrational_a admission_n that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n and_o not_o do_v it_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o shall_v carry_v in_o it_o evidence_n sufficient_a to_o every_o rational_a enquiry_n we_o ought_v to_o believe_v that_o when_o god_n require_v our_o obedience_n to_o law_n as_o divine_a he_o shall_v afford_v we_o mean_n sufficient_a to_o know_v that_o they_o be_v so_o such_o as_o may_v satisfy_v all_o reasonable_a doubt_n and_o shame_v all_o wilful_a opposition_n it_o be_v to_o impeach_v the_o wisdom_n justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o think_v otherwise_o without_o this_o neither_o god_n end_n nor_o man_n end_n can_v be_v attain_v not_o god_n end_n for_o he_o can_v never_o with_o justice_n proceed_v to_o reward_v or_o punish_v man_n by_o a_o law_n revea'_v unless_o they_o have_v notice_n sufficient_a that_o it_o be_v so_o not_o man_n end_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v any_o way_n advantage_v by_o a_o revelation_n as_o such_o unless_o i_o be_v first_o assure_v that_o it_o be_v such_o how_o general_a soever_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n have_v be_v and_o man_n belief_n of_o those_o pretence_n yet_o no_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n but_o the_o bible_n alone_o have_v in_o any_o age_n be_v accompany_v with_o such_o a_o rational_a justification_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o expect_v a_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v to_o ascertain_v we_o that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o of_o this_o the_o fact_n be_v sufficient_o evident_a all_o pretension_n that_o way_n have_v be_v either_o recommend_v to_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o man_n bare_a word_n or_o else_o have_v obtain_v a_o reception_n by_o mean_n visible_o capable_a of_o delusion_n and_o imposture_n what_o reasonable_a assurance_n have_v the_o heathen_a world_n of_o a_o divinity_n in_o their_o oracle_n which_o yet_o make_v the_o most_o probable_a pretention_n of_o any_o thing_n among_o they_o to_o it_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n that_o the_o response_n of_o those_o oracle_n be_v give_v by_o person_n visible_a and_o see_v when_o they_o do_v it_o in_o some_o of_o they_o by_o young_a virgin_n which_o they_o suppose_v they_o to_o receive_v in_o a_o strange_a obscene_a way_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v mention_v and_o in_o other_o of_o they_o by_o a_o man_n who_o they_o call_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o speak_v under_o the_o oracle_n out_o of_o the_o cavern_n of_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o vapour_n of_o which_o they_o suppose_v he_o inspire_v and_o to_o become_v a_o enthusiast_n that_o those_o oracle_n for_o the_o most_o part_n utter_v thing_n doubtful_a and_o un-intelligible_a be_v evident_a and_o sometime_o contrary_a to_o truth_n as_o we_o may_v see_v plain_o set_v down_o in_o thucydides_n and_o other_o author_n of_o their_o own_o and_o which_o never_o come_v to_o pass_v one_o instance_n of_o which_o be_v single_o sufficient_a to_o confute_v their_o divinity_n no_o almanac_n maker_n write_v with_o less_o certainty_n of_o the_o wether_n than_o they_o general_o pronounce_v about_o future_a event_n and_o the_o best_a excuse_n their_o great_a adorer_n make_v then_o for_o they_o be_v that_o those_o daemon_n that_o inspire_v the_o prediction_n do_v not_o themselves_o know_v thing_n future_a otherwise_o then_o by_o their_o inspection_n of_o the_o star_n and_o so_o can_v collect_v from_o thence_o but_o uncertain_a conjecture_n plutarch_n after_o all_o the_o pain_n he_o have_v take_v to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o right_a account_n of_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o those_o oracle_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o after_o cease_v and_o spend_v much_o time_n in_o discourse_v
whether_o the_o daemon_n that_o first_o cause_v they_o be_v not_o mortal_a and_o perishable_a or_o whether_o they_o remove_v not_o their_o place_n and_o change_v their_o abode_n and_o many_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n at_o last_o conclude_v with_o this_o excellent_a philosophy_n that_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o those_o oracle_n be_v that_o the_o earth_n in_o some_o place_n be_v endue_v with_o certain_a prophetic_a virtue_n which_o come_v by_o exhalation_n to_o be_v mingle_v with_o and_o insinuate_v into_o soul_n fit_v to_o receive_v those_o inspiration_n and_o so_o cause_n in_o they_o enthusiasm_n and_o prediction_n of_o future_a thing_n and_o at_o last_o that_o virtue_n in_o the_o subterranean_a cavern_n be_v spend_v and_o evaporate_n and_o so_o the_o oracular_a spirit_n cease_v what_o ground_n have_v the_o heathen_a for_o all_o that_o religion_n they_o take_v from_o their_o poet_n but_o their_o own_o word_n that_o they_o be_v inspire_v what_o other_o evidence_n have_v the_o roman_n at_o first_o for_o their_o religion_n but_o that_o numa_n pompilius_n tell_v they_o hâ—_n converse_v with_o a_o goddess_n and_o receive_v it_o from_o she_o what_o have_v the_o turk_n to_o this_o day_n to_o assure_v they_o that_o mahomet_n be_v a_o prophet_n 〈◊〉_d and_o converse_v with_o god_n and_o the_o anâ—â—_n 〈…〉_o beside_o his_o own_o bare_a â—ord_n he_o 〈…〉_o claim_v work_v of_o mâ—â—acles_n anâ—_n aâ—â—â—â—_n hâ—mself_n send_v from_o heâ—â—â—â—_n to_o conveâ—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o with_o his_o sword_n a_o reâ—â—â—â—tion_n from_o 〈…〉_o to_o be_v accompany_v and_o â—â—nnot_v 〈…〉_o to_o be_v otherwâ—â—eâ—_n with_o such_o plan_n and_o 〈◊〉_d evidence_n as_o be_v â—â—ed_v to_o all_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n though_o 〈◊〉_d prevail_v nâ—t_v to_o a_o universal_a conviction_n such_o as_o will_v abundant_o jusâ—â—fie_v it_o 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o strict_a scrutiny_n or_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n however_o it_o be_v judge_v or_o by_o perverse_a and_o corrupt_a man_n the_o biâ—le_n be_v not_o only_o sâ—â—h_v for_o the_o matter_n out_o as_o that_o we_o make_v appeal_v to_o the_o most_o genuine_a issue_n of_o every_o â—â—ns_n reason_n whether_o the_o justice_n helmess_n and_o gâ—oâ—â—s_n of_o god_n be_v not_o very_o transparent_a in_o it_o but_o in_o its_o gradual_a conveyance_n to_o the_o world_n at_o â—â—veâ—â—al_a time_n and_o in_o distant_a age_n and_o place_n have_v be_v visible_o accompany_v with_o open_a and_o apparent_a evidence_n of_o god_n infinite_a and_o almighty_a power_n such_o and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n visible_a as_o no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o itself_o can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o and_o such_o as_o the_o fact_n of_o they_o its_o worst_a enemy_n not_o a_o celsus_n nor_o a_o julian_n do_v ever_o assume_v impudence_n enough_o to_o deny_v and_o indeed_o be_v eminent_o and_o singular_o justify_v to_o we_o as_o in_o particular_n shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o by_o a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o those_o evidence_n from_o whence_o a_o rational_a satisfaction_n about_o a_o law_n supernatural_a and_o divine_a aught_o final_o to_o result_v five_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o must_v be_v without_o any_o visible_a defect_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o father_n that_o upon_o god_n which_o we_o ourselves_o upon_o good_a ground_n be_v able_a to_o charge_n with_o fail_v and_o imperfection_n whatever_o claim_v from_o he_o and_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o name_n must_v have_v nothing_o in_o it_o unlike_o he_o or_o unworthy_a of_o he_o a_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n must_v be_v above_o any_o just_a and_o reasonable_a exception_n or_o it_o natural_o become_v its_o own_o executioner_n if_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reâ—son_n it_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n or_o of_o any_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o be_v but_o equal_a to_o reject_v it_o as_o a_o spurious_a and_o fictitious_a delusion_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v right_o say_v of_o st._n austin_n to_o st._n jerome_n si_fw-mi mendacium_fw-la aliquod_fw-la in_o scripture_n vel_fw-la levissimum_fw-la admittatur_fw-la scripturâ—â—_n authoritatem_fw-la omnem_fw-la moâ—_n labefactari_fw-la ac_fw-la convelli_fw-la if_o we_o admit_v the_o least_o falshhod_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n we_o ruin_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a all_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o revelation_n have_v upon_o this_o account_n visible_o betray_v themselves_o and_o reveal_v to_o we_o their_o own_o original_n no_o one_o but_o the_o bible_n can_v the_o world_n produce_v that_o will_v not_o some_o way_n or_o other_o disclose_v its_o own_o shame_n and_o that_o fall_v not_o under_o some_o nay_o many_a just_a and_o reasonable_a exception_n it_o be_v this_o book_n alone_o in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o a_o flaw_n to_o be_v find_v it_o be_v only_o this_o divine_a law_n that_o be_v perfect_a the_o bible_n consist_v of_o three_o part_n the_o doctrinal_a the_o historical_a and_o the_o prophetical_a let_v the_o most_o acute_a anti_n scripturist_n live_a produce_v any_o one_o doctrine_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n that_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n seem_v corrupt_a and_o unsound_a let_v he_o show_v any_o one_o prophecy_n relate_v to_o thing_n past_a not_o due_o fulfil_v let_v he_o upon_o good_a and_o sufficient_a historical_a authority_n palpable_o disprove_v any_o one_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o we_o i_o yield_v he_o the_o cause_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v as_o in_o fact_n it_o never_o have_v be_v and_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v never_o can_v be_v if_o a_o book_n contain_v so_o much_o variety_n of_o history_n far_o beyond_o any_o other_o book_n extant_a for_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o year_n it_o a_o book_n pronounce_v with_o that_o positive_a certainty_n about_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o future_a event_n in_o so_o many_o several_a age_n and_o relate_v to_o so_o many_o several_a person_n and_o place_n contain_v in_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n of_o it_o direction_n and_o rule_n for_o the_o whoâ—â—_n business_n of_o â—ens_n duty_n â—o_o god_n and_o towards_o each_o other_o iâ—_n this_o book_n have_v not_o a_o â—â—â—un_n to_o be_v sound_a in_o it_o if_o it_o be_v proof_n against_o all_o exception_n if_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o truth_n in_o it_o in_o all_o these_o respect_n what_o more_o invincible_a evidence_n can_v there_o be_v give_v to_o its_o divinity_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o can_v have_v indict_v in_o hâ—a_n â—ock_n 〈◊〉_d who_o but_o a_o man_n wilful_a and_o absurd_a can_v withstand_v such_o a_o conviction_n it_o be_v the_o bâ—â—le_a and_o it_o be_v that_o book_n alone_o upon_o every_o page_n of_o which_o that_o image_n and_o superscription_n of_o god_n be_v engraven_v truâ—_n itself_o it_o be_v a_o â—oâ—â—_n 〈◊〉_d in_o its_o â—niverâ—â—â—_n triumph_n over_o all_o 〈◊〉_d where_o be_v 〈◊〉_d a_o book_n to_o be_v â—ound_v 〈◊〉_d of_o any_o considerable_a subject_n much_o 〈…〉_o a_o â—auâ—â—â—â—_n this_o â—â—â—t_a câ—â—â—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o â—â—â—â—tonâ—â—_n judgement_n of_o mankind_n 〈…〉_o worst_a enemy_n to_o find_v 〈…〉_o pâ—oâ—ucts_v be_v bring_v forth_o in_o 〈…〉_o fail_v and_o imperfect_a nâ—â—â—â—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o the_o wise_a or_o mâ—n_z 〈…〉_o bind_v of_o this_o we_o be_v experimental_o â—â—â—â—ed_v by_o all_o history_n philosophy_n and_o all_o 〈…〉_o this_o holy_a 〈…〉_o legitimate_a off_o spring_n of_o god_n and_o thâ—t_v which_o only_o contain_v his_o mind_n authoritative_o reveal_v and_o make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n so_o it_o have_v single_o appertinent_a to_o it_o all_o those_o requisite_n necessary_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o without_o which_o no_o such_o thing_n can_v rational_o be_v suppose_v these_o thing_n be_v so_o he_o that_o reject_v the_o bible_n will_v find_v he_o be_v avoidable_o obâ—â—â—ed_v either_o to_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o revelation_n aâ—_n all_o and_o consequent_o to_o give_v some_o good_a answer_n to_o what_o have_v be_v urge_v for_o the_o reasonable_a supposal_n of_o it_o and_o some_o tolleâ—â—â—â—â—_n account_v hâ—w_o mankind_n when_o we_o consider_v god_n goodness_n and_o our_o own_o necessity_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v leave_v without_o it_o or_o else_o to_o proâ—â—â—ce_v somewhat_o that_o with_o more_o justâ—â—â—_n and_o better_a evidence_n can_v put_v in_o a_o claim_n to_o it_o be_v mâ—â—â—l_o more_o become_v the_o greatness_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o more_o suitable_a and_o use_v â—l_a to_o man_n the_o first_o i_o dare_v say_v will_v be_v find_v a_o task_n utter_o impracticable_a if_o unprejudiced_a reason_n may_v be_v judge_n and_o with_o what_o success_n the_o latter_a iâ—_n like_o 〈◊〉_d procee_v and_o how_o visible_o absurd_a it_o will_v renâ—eâ—_n its_o undertaker_n will_v soon_o be_v determine_v by_o every_o sober_a mind_n when_o it_o plain_o appâ—â—â—s_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o so_o many_o thing_n which_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o must_v all_o necessary_o accompany_v a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o without_o which_o it_o
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
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
have_v and_o in_o its_o own_o antiquity_n answer_v that_o antiquity_n we_o may_v just_o expect_v to_o accompany_v god_n first_o revelation_n the_o bible_n i_o say_v upon_o this_o account_n have_v a_o singular_a evidence_n give_v in_o to_o its_o credibility_n and_o its_o antiquity_n do_v strong_o affirm_v its_o divine_a authority_n second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v point_v we_o to_o its_o divinity_n because_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o first_o written_a account_n the_o world_n have_v of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o cheat_n that_o the_o first_o eminent_a record_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o not_o only_o a_o lie_n but_o the_o worst_a of_o lie_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a falsehood_n for_o so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o law_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o god_n name_n without_o his_o authority_n that_o ever_o be_v publish_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o 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most_o concern_v to_o know_v and_o upon_o the_o right_a knowledge_n of_o which_o their_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n do_v unavoidable_o depend_v this_o very_a one_o consideration_n will_v prevail_v much_o upon_o every_o impartial_a judgement_n who_o can_v believe_v the_o first_o religion_n shall_v be_v the_o worst_a when_o true_a religion_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o old_a as_o the_o world_n and_o the_o early_o notion_n of_o god_n the_o false_a when_o we_o must_v needs_o think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n or_o that_o the_o first_o book_n we_o sin_v write_v shall_v contain_v the_o high_a imposture_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n and_o more_o dishonour_n god_n and_o abuse_v the_o world_n than_o any_o or_o all_o the_o book_n write_v since_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o credit_n that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v false_a information_n to_o be_v give_v in_o his_o own_o name_n of_o himself_o 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dishonour_v and_o man_n more_o delude_v then_o by_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v yet_o extant_a shall_v have_v this_o to_o say_v in_o its_o justisication_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o have_v be_v long_a last_v among_o mankind_n the_o consideration_n therefore_o of_o this_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n it_o contain_v and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o itself_o as_o a_o book_n write_v long_o before_o all_o other_o and_o of_o so_o early_a a_o date_n in_o the_o world_n do_v with_o great_a evidence_n point_v we_o to_o its_o divine_a original_a and_o very_o strong_o tend_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o second_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n to_o we_o the_o method_n of_o god_n thus_o record_v his_o pleasure_n have_v be_v such_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v we_o have_v all_o those_o reasonable_a inducement_n and_o 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unlikely_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o that_o they_o either_o do_v or_o can_v abuse_v the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o these_o several_a thing_n first_o the_o unblemished_a credit_n and_o reputation_n of_o these_o writer_n second_o the_o several_a qualification_n and_o quality_n of_o they_o three_o their_o interest_n as_o moral_a and_o reasonable_a man_n four_o their_o number_n and_o that_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n in_o which_o many_o of_o they_o write_v one_o from_o another_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o we_o know_v do_v more_o credit_n ancient_a author_n than_o the_o good_a report_n of_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v transfer_v to_o posterity_n not_o one_o of_o those_o holy_a penman_n god_n employ_v in_o write_v the_o bible_n be_v that_o ever_o we_o find_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n taint_v in_o reputation_n or_o convict_v of_o any_o sort_n of_o impostor_n in_o their_o own_o or_o future_a age_n but_o be_v man_n of_o acknowledge_a integrity_n and_o sanctity_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o many_o of_o they_o give_v the_o high_a testimony_n to_o their_o integrity_n in_o become_a martyr_n in_o justification_n of_o what_o themselves_o write_v for_o the_o second_o the_o various_a quality_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o writer_n seem_v much_o to_o secure_v we_o against_o so_o vile_a a_o design_n as_o this_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v compose_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n some_o of_o they_o be_v king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a quality_n before_o they_o write_v and_o not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o baseness_n and_o meanness_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o work_n and_o also_o man_n of_o deep_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o they_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o most_o of_o the_o
apostle_n be_v man_n illiterate_a and_o of_o part_n and_o education_n so_o mean_a that_o they_o seem_v no_o way_n capable_a to_o write_v so_o profound_o to_o lay_v so_o deep_a a_o contrivement_n of_o mischief_n or_o by_o the_o single_a strength_n of_o their_o own_o ability_n to_o bid_v so_o fair_a to_o delude_v the_o world_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o imagine_v man_n of_o such_o distant_a quality_n and_o different_a ability_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o imposture_n and_o so_o harmonise_v as_o we_o find_v they_o do_v in_o the_o promotion_n of_o it_o three_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o interest_n of_o these_o writer_n as_o they_o be_v reasonable_a man_n for_o so_o we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v they_o and_o to_o act_v upon_o the_o same_o inducement_n that_o mankind_n do_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n no_o man_n can_v reap_v any_o advantage_n by_o counterfeit_v this_o book_n nor_o can_v the_o composer_n thereof_o design_v any_o earthly_a or_o heavenly_a good_a to_o themselves_o as_o a_o recompense_n for_o such_o a_o undertake_n not_o heavenly_a for_o it_o be_v the_o high_a offence_n against_o god_n and_o merit_v the_o high_a punishment_n nor_o earthly_a and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o because_o the_o tendency_n of_o the_o book_n throughout_o be_v to_o mortify_v man_n earthly_a ambition_n and_o appetite_n and_o to_o propose_v a_o happiness_n of_o another_o nature_n as_o man_n great_a interest_n and_o relate_v to_o another_o world_n and_o no_o man_n of_o common_a discretion_n that_o design_v to_o greaten_v himself_o here_o will_v choose_v to_o become_v the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o doctrine_n in_o order_n to_o it_o because_o every_o step_n he_o advance_v that_o way_n will_v visible_o betray_v a_o apostasy_n from_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o render_v he_o a_o open_a impostor_n merit_v the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o all_o mankind_n second_o the_o most_o of_o those_o that_o god_n employ_v in_o that_o work_n actual_o expose_v themselves_o 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himself_o any_o interest_n in_o this_o world_n when_o he_o prophesy_v himself_o into_o the_o dungeon_n and_o at_o last_o into_o his_o grave_n or_o that_o the_o apostle_n design_v greatness_n or_o happiness_n here_o when_o they_o know_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o the_o rage_n that_o be_v then_o upon_o earth_n and_o endure_v the_o shock_n of_o all_o that_o fury_n which_o either_o jew_n or_o gentile_n or_o the_o whole_a world_n together_o can_v execute_v upon_o they_o he_o that_o read_v the_o story_n of_o st._n paul_n must_v needs_o suppose_v he_o to_o act_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o all_o folly_n and_o madness_n and_o not_o like_o a_o man_n either_o capable_a of_o instruct_v or_o abuse_v mankind_n if_o he_o intend_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n as_o his_o end_n the_o motive_n of_o those_o holy_a writer_n in_o what_o they_o do_v can_v with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n be_v judge_v to_o be_v other_o then_o pure_a obedience_n to_o god_n love_v to_o truth_n and_o prefer_v a_o reward_n hereafter_o above_o their_o own_o life_n and_o all_o enjoyment_n here_o how_o high_o do_v they_o preach_v up_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o magistrate_n when_o all_o the_o ruler_n upon_o earth_n be_v their_o most_o bitter_a enemy_n and_o that_o doctrine_n can_v have_v no_o other_o effect_n but_o to_o bring_v their_o own_o head_n to_o the_o block_n the_o author_n of_o the_o heathen_a superstition_n be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a genius_n and_o as_o one_o say_v well_o of_o they_o cute_fw-la authores_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la inter_fw-la gentes_fw-la omnes_fw-la sibi_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la semper_fw-la conciliarunt_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la nor_o be_v there_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o with_o any_o the_o least_o show_n of_o intention_n to_o greaten_v or_o advance_v themselves_o thereby_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a many_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o they_o have_v themselves_o record_v their_o own_o great_a fatling_n and_o imperfection_n as_o well_o secret_a as_o open_v they_o all_o appear_v to_o be_v themselves_o under_o a_o subjection_n to_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v which_o plain_o declare_v they_o be_v inspire_v from_o above_o and_z no_o way_n master_n of_o it_o as_o a_o creature_n of_o their_o own_o throughout_o the_o whole_a book_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a antipathy_n to_o all_o self-seeking_a flattery_n or_o compliance_n god_n alone_o be_v exalt_v and_o all_o man_n person_n action_n and_o reputation_n be_v open_o postpone_v to_o his_o honour_n and_o put_v in_o subjection_n to_o those_o holy_a and_o excellent_a truth_n there_o deliver_v moses_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n seem_v the_o gâ—etâ—st_a gainer_n in_o this_o world_n because_o it_o be_v necessary_a at_o that_o time_n god_n shall_v raise_v up_o a_o leader_n to_o his_o people_n yet_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o have_v no_o design_n for_o himself_o for_o he_o pronounce_v a_o grievous_a curse_n and_o a_o sore_a judgement_n upon_o his_o own_o tribe_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n reject_v his_o own_o posterity_n leave_v they_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o common_a levite_n set_v up_o joshuah_n to_o succeed_v he_o and_o place_n the_o kingly_a superiority_n over_o that_o people_n in_o another_o tribe_n from_o his_o own_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o himself_o while_o he_o live_v attain_v to_o no_o more_o but_o to_o spend_v his_o day_n with_o great_a trouble_n among_o a_o murmur_a mutinous_a people_n in_o a_o wearisome_a wilderness_n fouruthly_a the_o number_n of_o those_o writer_n and_o the_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n may_v of_o they_o live_v in_o from_o the_o other_o do_v as_o probable_o secure_v we_o against_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n in_o the_o composure_n of_o this_o book_n as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v the_o world_n afford_v not_o a_o instance_n that_o ever_o so_o many_o man_n that_o live_v in_o so_o many_o several_a and_o distinct_a age_n so_o exact_o agree_v about_o any_o one_o thing_n much_o less_o 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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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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
these_o latter_a age_n in_o whole_a stream_n of_o blood_n that_o run_v from_o its_o primitive_a martyr_n god_n please_v to_o introduce_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o without_o any_o thing_n humane_a to_o befriend_v it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v for_o ever_o ascertain_v of_o its_o author_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o by_o a_o power_n from_o above_o can_v we_o reasonable_o imagine_v can_v have_v enable_v a_o few_o mean_a ignorant_a and_o contemptible_a man_n so_o to_o confront_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n of_o it_o when_o other_o religion_n have_v so_o long_o last_v and_o be_v so_o fast_o root_v to_o erect_v a_o religion_n destructive_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o break_v through_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o philosophy_n and_o learning_n of_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o law_n and_o force_n of_o the_o roman-empire_n in_o its_o great_a splendour_n and_o strength_n can_v form_v against_o it_o and_o what_o doctrine_n but_o one_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n diâ—â—â—â—_n and_o attend_v with_o the_o visible_a effect_n 〈◊〉_d almighty_a power_n to_o own_o and_o juâ—â—â—â—â—_n can_v we_o conceive_v can_v have_v 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n so_o to_o bow_v before_o it_o how_o ridiculous_a do_v it_o appear_v to_o suppose_v a_o company_n of_o mean_a impostor_n that_o have_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n beside_o themselves_o to_o befriend_v they_o nor_o any_o other_o foundadation_n but_o a_o design_n in_o the_o high_a manner_n to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n can_v have_v effect_v all_o this_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v final_o so_o prevail_v and_o impose_v the_o gross_a delusion_n imaginable_a upon_o mankind_n against_o all_o such_o opposition_n have_v i_o no_o other_o consideration_n to_o induce_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o bible_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o hence_o this_o one_o seem_v single_o sufficient_a to_o i_o to_o justify_v its_o divinity_n against_o all_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o imposture_n and_o for_o ever_o to_o silence_v all_o the_o doubt_n that_o can_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v about_o it_o what_o great_a assurance_n can_v we_o have_v that_o a_o doctrine_n be_v divine_a and_o come_v from_o above_o then_o when_o we_o see_v it_o have_v venture_v itself_o upon_o its_o own_o divine_a evidence_n against_o all_o humane_a opposition_n and_o single_o by_o that_o prevail_v and_o spread_v itself_o all_o the_o world_n over_o neither_o arm_n nor_o council_n neither_o the_o policy_n of_o julian_n nor_o the_o sword_n of_o dioclesian_n can_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o its_o progress_n have_v god_n disow_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o nay_o have_v he_o not_o eminent_o and_o visible_o witness_v to_o it_o from_o heaven_n we_o can_v possible_o imagine_v how_o it_o can_v have_v take_v one_o step_n forward_o it_o have_v doubtless_o as_o it_o be_v then_o circumstance_v be_v stifle_v in_o its_o first_o birth_n and_o bury_v in_o perpetual_a silence_n we_o find_v all_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n have_v still_o grow_v up_o under_o the_o shadow_n of_o humane_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o have_v still_o decay_v when_o humane_a prop_n have_v be_v remove_v i_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o show_v i_o any_o other_o religion_n that_o ever_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n without_o humane_a help_n and_o that_o ever_o stand_v out_o the_o brunt_n of_o persecution_n all_o other_o religion_n but_o what_o have_v be_v found_v upon_o the_o bible_n have_v still_o fall_v before_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n it_o be_v only_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n found_v at_o first_o upon_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o that_o have_v weather_v out_o all_o attempt_n for_o its_o eradication_n it_o be_v a_o marvellous_a evidence_n of_o that_o solemn_a and_o divine_a foundation_n upon_o which_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v at_o first_o establish_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v suffer_v and_o their_o very_a be_v in_o a_o national_a way_n and_o their_o national_a worship_n in_o which_o their_o religion_n chief_o consist_v be_v utter_o extinguish_v yet_o still_o they_o retain_v their_o profession_n submit_v to_o a_o yoke_n of_o most_o burdensome_a ceremony_n &_o remain_v disperse_v in_o the_o world_n a_o monument_n of_o scripture-verity_n and_o so_o many_o stand_a witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o many_o eminent_a prediction_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o thus_o from_o the_o success_n of_o this_o book_n also_o since_o its_o first_o conveyance_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v attend_v the_o progress_n of_o it_o since_o its_o first_o publication_n have_v we_o as_o great_a a_o assurance_n as_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o can_v well_o expect_v that_o god_n himself_o and_o no_o other_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o author_n of_o it_o i_o come_v in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n to_o consider_v this_o book_n in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o at_o the_o present_a we_o find_v it_o and_o as_o it_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o i_o mean_v not_o to_o insist_v separately_z and_o abstract_o upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o to_o take_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o former_a and_o all_o other_o collateral_a proof_n it_o be_v neither_o reasonable_a nor_o warrantable_a to_o disjoin_v the_o proof_n god_n have_v afford_v we_o of_o his_o word_n and_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o its_o justification_n upon_o any_o one_o single_a evidence_n for_o when_o god_n command_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o obey_v this_o book_n as_o his_o word_n and_o impose_v the_o high_a penalty_n upon_o our_o not_o do_v it_o he_o lay_v not_o the_o stress_n of_o his_o command_n or_o the_o penalty_n nor_o ought_v we_o upon_o any_o one_o particular_a sort_n of_o evidence_n external_n or_o internal_a but_o upon_o the_o whole_a entire_a proof_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o of_o it_o and_o all_o those_o mean_n he_o have_v afford_v for_o our_o conviction_n and_o satisfaction_n about_o it_o when_o we_o be_v upon_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o insist_v upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o bible_n itself_o as_o single_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o or_o enter_v into_o any_o debate_n whether_o it_o real_o be_v so_o or_o no_o because_o we_o have_v all_o the_o cumulative_a advantage_n of_o a_o external_n justification_n and_o if_o all_o together_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v what_o we_o that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n take_v it_o to_o be_v it_o be_v enough_o for_o our_o purpose_n and_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o with_o what_o ever_o evidence_n will_v arise_v from_o thence_o be_v not_o to_o be_v abstract_o insist_v on_o from_o other_o collateral_a proof_n nor_o that_o any_o collateral_a proof_n will_v prevail_v in_o this_o case_n without_o there_o be_v also_o a_o innate_a evidence_n result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o so_o that_o a_o conjunction_n of_o the_o evidence_n in_o both_o kind_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o general_a proof_n will_v be_v thus_o make_v to_o appear_v the_o bible_n as_o have_v be_v say_v consist_v of_o three_o part_n doctrinal_a prophetical_a and_o historical_a whatever_o evidence_n we_o have_v from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o to_o prove_v its_o own_o divinity_n must_v needs_o chief_o arise_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n because_o the_o prophetical_a and_o historical_a part_n can_v never_o be_v full_o justify_v without_o foreign_a proof_n we_o can_v know_v the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o be_v certain_o true_a from_o the_o bible_n itself_o nor_o can_v we_o sufficient_o prove_v any_o prophecy_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o have_v be_v actual_o fâ—llfilled_v because_o they_o be_v say_v in_o other_o place_n of_o that_o book_n so_o to_o be_v for_o it_o be_v to_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o admit_v the_o book_n to_o be_v true_a when_o we_o be_v debate_v whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o no_o this_o we_o may_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a part_n from_o that_o divine_a evidence_n that_o come_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a that_o we_o find_v such_o history_n and_o such_o prophecy_n in_o a_o admirable_a conjunction_n with_o such_o a_o doctrine_n subservient_fw-fr to_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o and_o environ_v with_o all_o probable_a circumstance_n of_o be_v true_a both_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o also_o from_o the_o excellent_a manner_n of_o their_o fulfil_n and_o from_o the_o rare_a method_n of_o the_o history_n in_o
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 exist_v in_o the_o holy_a nature_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o conformity_n to_o it_o and_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n be_v the_o high_a and_o noble_a account_n of_o all_o good_a live_n for_o we_o can_v do_v better_a than_o in_o our_o measure_n to_o correspond_v to_o divine_a perfection_n no_o law_n can_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o less_o arbitrariness_n nor_o more_o indispensable_o oblige_v we_o than_o that_o which_o appear_v to_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o such_o be_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o be_v to_o assimilate_v man_n so_o far_o as_o their_o faculty_n will_v bear_v it_o to_o the_o excellent_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o that_o rational_a idea_n of_o it_o we_o be_v all_o bear_v withal_o what_o crooked_a and_o imperfect_a line_n have_v man_n draw_v in_o their_o best_a document_n both_o moral_a and_o divine_a compare_v with_o this_o complete_a and_o excellent_a rule_n of_o holy_a live_n what_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a worship_n be_v here_o how_o suitable_a to_o the_o holy_a nature_n of_o god_n what_o undefiled_a religion_n without_o the_o least_o mixture_n of_o idolatry_n or_o superstition_n what_o superlative_a piety_n and_o virtue_n without_o any_o one_o spot_n of_o vice_n yea_o forbid_v evil_a in_o the_o very_a thought_n what_o punctual_a and_o perpetual_a truth_n and_o honesty_n be_v here_o require_v upon_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o please_a god_n do_v good_a to_o other_o and_o hope_n of_o a_o reward_n hereafter_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o taint_n upon_o any_o one_o duty_n the_o scripture_n require_v from_o we_o by_o propose_v any_o base_a mean_a or_o sordid_a ends._n no_o vain_a glory_n no_o esteem_n from_o man_n no_o corrupt_a advantage_n be_v make_v the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o our_o obedience_n the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v and_o upon_o the_o noble_a account_n be_v here_o propose_v to_o we_o a_o exact_a scripture-life_n have_v as_o much_o of_o heaven_n as_o can_v well_o descend_v upon_o earth_n make_v the_o world_n as_o quiet_v a_o habitation_n as_o it_o can_v be_v and_o mankind_n as_o happy_a in_o themselves_o and_o as_o easy_a one_o to_o another_o in_o all_o converse_n and_o society_n as_o they_o themselves_o can_v wish_v to_o be_v where_o be_v there_o a_o man_n not_o degenerate_v below_o his_o own_o reason_n but_o approve_v the_o scripture-precept_n as_o excellent_a and_o justify_v he_o in_o his_o own_o breast_n that_o conform_v most_o to_o they_o no_o welldisciplined_a heathen_a can_v refuse_v so_o to_o do_v what_o charity_n be_v here_o require_v still_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o hope_v the_o best_a to_o look_v upon_o all_o man_n with_o a_o kind_a eye_n and_o to_o interpret_v they_o into_o the_o best_a sense_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o what_o command_v not_o to_o offend_v weak_a one_o what_o mutual_a forgiveness_n what_o provocation_n to_o love_n what_o strict_a injunction_n 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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and_o man_n expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n thereby_o a_o beatitude_n infinite_o transcend_v whatever_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n can_v contrive_v or_o invent_v which_o the_o rational_a soul_n the_o more_o it_o consider_v still_o the_o more_o it_o adore_v and_o admire_v and_o in_o which_o to_o the_o utmost_a it_o be_v delight_v and_o satisfy_v in_o short_a if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o have_v all_o those_o thing_n if_o we_o respect_v both_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o we_o appertinent_a to_o it_o that_o we_o can_v rational_o expect_v shall_v accompany_v a_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n and_o such_o a_o supernatural_a law_n by_o which_o we_o may_v suppose_v god_n will_v enlighten_v and_o rule_v the_o world_n a_o book_n that_o every_o way_n answer_v all_o the_o great_a end_n of_o revelation_n propose_v most_o suitable_a remedy_n to_o all_o our_o natural_a defect_n leave_v not_o a_o disease_n in_o humane_a nature_n uncured_a nor_o a_o breach_n that_o man_n fall_n have_v occasion_v un-made_a up_o if_o there_o be_v not_o one_o thing_n we_o can_v imagine_v god_n shall_v reveal_v to_o we_o in_o order_n to_o our_o present_a or_o future_a welfare_n about_o thing_n visible_a or_o invisible_a about_o this_o world_n or_o the_o next_o that_o we_o be_v not_o here_o tell_v of_o if_o we_o have_v here_o such_o discovery_n make_v of_o thing_n supernatural_a and_o unseen_a as_o have_v evident_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o restless_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n of_o man_n about_o those_o matter_n and_o such_o as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o judge_v can_v be_v the_o product_n of_o any_o humane_a thought_n nor_o of_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o the_o infinite_a and_o boundless_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n himself_o if_o we_o have_v find_v such_o a_o book_n if_o the_o bible_n be_v thus_o qualify_v what_o can_v be_v otherwise_o judge_v upon_o such_o premise_n but_o that_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o that_o 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point_n of_o time_n the_o precedency_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o be_v of_o a_o ancient_a date_n than_o any_o divine_a truth_n the_o world_n can_v pretend_v to_o who_o that_o believe_v the_o supreme_a existence_n of_o god_n can_v imagine_v that_o the_o best_a document_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n that_o ever_o mankind_n be_v discipline_v by_o shall_v have_v the_o devil_n or_o the_o vile_a of_o man_n for_o their_o author_n that_o such_o shall_v contrive_v and_o publish_v a_o doctrine_n that_o bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a method_n of_o live_v that_o such_o shall_v reduce_v mankind_n to_o the_o happy_a and_o best_a condition_n and_o out_o do_v the_o divine_a goodness_n in_o that_o particular_a who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o devil_n or_o any_o ill_a man_n in_o promote_a the_o high_a treason_n against_o god_n counterfeit_n his_o name_n and_o authority_n and_o
the_o great_a ruin_n to_o mankind_n delude_v they_o with_o false_a information_n about_o their_o chief_a concern_v shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o their_o justification_n the_o most_o eminent_a miracle_n and_o all_o the_o great_a evidence_n that_o rational_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o ascertain_v the_o world_n in_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o high_a supernatural_a truth_n in_o a_o word_n who_o can_v believe_v a_o book_n so_o circumstance_v as_o we_o find_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a instrument_n and_o with_o the_o worst_a of_o design_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v ever_o be_v credit_v while_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o god_n rule_v above_o and_o man_n live_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o reason_n below_o it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o any_o book_n false_o pretend_v to_o god_n name_n and_o authority_n design_v his_o dishonour_n and_o man_n destruction_n shall_v be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o have_v be_v bring_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o yet_o so_o must_v the_o table_n be_v turn_v the_o whole_a proof_n must_v so_o be_v invert_v of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v a_o contrary_a application_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v make_v if_o this_o book_n come_v not_o from_o god_n and_o be_v not_o in_o truth_n what_o itself_o open_o claim_v to_o be_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o this_o book_n we_o call_v the_o bible_n be_v thus_o upon_o the_o forementioned_a ground_n establish_v i_o come_v in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o a_o consideration_n of_o such_o doubt_n and_o objection_n as_o be_v usual_o make_v about_o it_o all_o the_o material_a difficulty_n that_o can_v be_v propose_v will_v be_v reduceable_a to_o these_o four_o question_n i._n first_o how_o can_v man_n come_v to_o be_v assure_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v first_o write_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o upon_o sure_a ground_n distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o write_n ii_o second_o how_o come_v we_o certain_o to_o know_v the_o true_a compass_n and_o extent_n of_o holy_a writ_n how_o can_v we_o know_v that_o we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o bible_n all_o that_o be_v write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o intend_v as_o a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o be_v now_o safe_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v able_a upon_o good_a ground_n to_o say_v what_o be_v canonical_a and_o what_o be_v not_o iii_o three_o how_o can_v we_o that_o have_v not_o the_o original_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o the_o autographa_n of_o those_o that_o write_v it_o but_o only_o the_o copy_n of_o they_o and_o most_o but_o the_o translation_n of_o those_o copy_n rest_v assure_v we_o have_v god_n mind_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v iu._n four_o how_o can_v we_o believe_v this_o book_n say_v some_o to_o be_v from_o god_n when_o we_o find_v contain_v in_o 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
till_o our_o saviour_n come_v and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o there_o be_v again_o a_o floodgate_n of_o divine_a power_n let_v open_a in_o mighty_a and_o miraculous_a operation_n all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n write_v and_o they_o be_v not_o all_o write_a till_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n after_o who_o and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n god_n make_v no_o further_a addition_n all_o the_o other_o part_n i_o say_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v principal_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o establish_v work_v of_o miracle_n after_o his_o time_n be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o only_a rule_n of_o prophecy_n and_o revelation_n god_n have_v declare_v and_o command_v the_o contrary_a nor_o indeed_o have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n think_v fit_a to_o record_v to_o we_o whatever_o may_v be_v do_v in_o that_o kind_n that_o any_o one_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n wrought_v any_o miracle_n after_o moses_n his_o time_n it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o succession_n of_o the_o office_n of_o prophet_n after_o moses_n and_o certain_a school_n of_o they_o which_o first_o begin_v and_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o dwell_v disperse_v among_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n and_o of_o many_o that_o be_v probable_o train_v up_o in_o those_o school_n we_o read_v in_o scripture_n as_o of_o god_n and_o nathan_n and_o other_o seer_n and_o prophet_n that_o some_o of_o they_o write_v no_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o that_o we_o read_v of_o be_v any_o way_n extraordinary_o employ_v but_o most_o likely_a be_v so_o style_v because_o they_o have_v their_o education_n there_o &_o be_v breed_v up_o and_o devote_v to_o that_o office_n and_o employment_n that_o god_n do_v often_o make_v use_n of_o those_o that_o be_v of_o that_o prophetical_a society_n in_o extraordinary_a matter_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o dictate_v the_o bible_n god_n be_v please_v arbitrary_o to_o choose_v out_o what_o instrument_n of_o conveyance_n he_o please_v and_o confine_v not_o himself_o to_o any_o one_o sort_n of_o man_n nor_o to_o any_o prophetical_a office_n to_o give_v we_o any_o assurance_n from_o thence_o in_o this_o case_n for_o he_o sometime_o choose_v man_n out_o of_o the_o court_n as_o he_o do_v isaiah_n the_o king_n nephew_n and_o sometime_o from_o the_o herd_n as_o he_o do_v amoz_fw-mi the_o shepherd_n who_o say_v himself_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o prophet_n nor_o the_o son_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o god_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n by_o the_o word_n and_o the_o prophecy_n that_o he_o give_v such_o to_o utter_v create_v they_o prophet_n and_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o such_o man_n prophetical_a authority_n arise_v if_o no_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o they_o from_o the_o word_n they_o utter_v and_o if_o any_o be_v of_o which_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v silent_a about_o it_o from_o a_o conjunction_n of_o both_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o any_o doctrine_n correspend_v to_o what_o god_n by_o moses_n have_v at_o first_o establish_v be_v the_o great_a assurance_n that_o the_o judaical_a church_n after_o moses_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o false_a prophet_n in_o those_o day_n ever_o arrive_v so_o far_o that_o be_v they_o never_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o a_o personal_a and_o a_o doctrinal_a justification_n together_o if_o any_o such_o wrought_v a_o miracle_n to_o gain_v they_o a_o personal_a credit_n yet_o their_o doctrine_n be_v still_o faulty_a and_o be_v to_o lead_v man_n from_o god_n and_o to_o subvert_v those_o law_n of_o he_o by_o moses_n so_o solemn_o settle_v that_o be_v a_o intimation_n sufficient_a from_o god_n own_o direction_n to_o discover_v and_o shame_v they_o but_o suppose_v the_o several_a penman_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n at_o all_o and_o that_o god_n make_v 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write_v and_o the_o author_n that_o write_v may_v god_n give_v a_o further_a evidence_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n of_o which_o we_o be_v now_o whole_o ignorant_a and_o it_o will_v be_v perhaps_o somewhat_o of_o curiosity_n and_o of_o little_a use_n to_o inquire_v after_o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v record_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o particular_o the_o foretell_v of_o future_a event_n that_o according_o come_v to_o pass_v two_o way_n god_n himself_o have_v previous_o appoint_v by_o moses_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o all_o false_a pretension_n to_o revelation_n first_o if_o any_o pretender_n that_o way_n come_v to_o seduce_v man_n from_o the_o true_a god_n and_o that_o divine_a worship_n of_o his_o then_o establish_v god_n command_v they_o shall_v be_v reject_v and_o second_o if_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 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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 work_n for_o its_o total_a suppression_n and_o extirpation_n and_o yet_o against_o all_o these_o seem_a invincible_a opposition_n do_v the_o bible_n prevail_v the_o power_n of_o that_o great_a empire_n can_v not_o withstand_v the_o naked_a proposal_n of_o a_o simple_a truth_n and_o both_o judaisme_n in_o the_o main_a of_o it_o as_o a_o national_a establismment_n and_o heathenism_n final_o fall_v before_o it_o this_o book_n and_o the_o religion_n it_o contain_v as_o it_o avow_v itself_o to_o be_v sole_o from_o god_n and_o come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o command_a voice_n from_o heaven_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o god_n own_o name_n and_o upon_o that_o single_a account_n require_v our_o obedience_n and_o those_o that_o write_v it_o neither_o have_v nor_o pretend_v to_o have_v any_o other_o authority_n but_o what_o be_v divine_a and_o from_o above_o so_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o by_o mean_n suitable_a thereunto_o never_o be_v there_o at_o first_o any_o force_n use_v to_o compel_v man_n nor_o any_o art_n practise_v to_o deceive_v man_n about_o this_o matter_n no_o man_n can_v prove_v out_o of_o any_o story_n that_o ever_o the_o apostle_n or_o the_o primitive_a professor_n of_o this_o religion_n raise_v arm_n to_o introduce_v or_o promote_v it_o or_o that_o any_o humane_a authority_n do_v countenance_n or_o assist_v it_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v this_o to_o say_v for_o itself_o above_o all_o other_o that_o it_o be_v to_o debtor_n to_o the_o sword_n either_o in_o a_o civil_a or_o military_a way_n neither_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n nor_o the_o sword_n of_o war_n can_v lay_v any_o claim_n to_o it_o as_o a_o product_n of_o they_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a world_n â—ad_v embrace_v it_o and_o be_v become_v criâ—tians_n before_o constantine_n public_o own_v it_o it_o owe_v nothing_o to_o any_o violent_a course_n for_o its_o primitive_a reception_n nor_o indeed_o to_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n neither_o the_o subtlety_n of_o philosopher_n nor_o the_o eloquence_n of_o orator_n assist_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o never_o advance_v one_o step_n further_o in_o its_o first_o publication_n than_o its_o own_o innate_a excellency_n &_o the_o divine_a evidence_n attend_v it_o procure_v it_o acceptance_n nor_o do_v it_o ever_o gain_v a_o convert_n but_o where_o it_o can_v approve_v itself_o by_o divine_a evidence_n to_o the_o reason_n &_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o be_v divine_a i_o make_v a_o peremptory_a demand_n to_o all_o antiscriptural_a man_n to_o grant_v i_o this_o as_o a_o truth_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o denial_n that_o for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o gospel_n by_o its_o own_o divine_a strength_n withstand_v the_o most_o furious_a and_o violent_a wind_n &_o tide_n of_o all_o humane_a opposition_n and_o by_o no_o other_o assistance_n but_o what_o be_v pure_o divine_a travel_v most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n over_o it_o offer_v itself_o to_o man_n reception_n upon_o no_o other_o term_n but_o by_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n and_o be_v content_v to_o stand_v and_o fall_v by_o the_o rational_a determination_n of_o every_o man_n own_o breast_n and_o sâ—_n prevail_v such_o who_o embrace_v it_o haâ—_n no_o other_o way_n of_o contest_v but_o holiness_n oâ—_n live_v and_o patience_n in_o suffer_v 〈◊〉_d both_o which_o they_o be_v very_o eminent_a to_o the_o first_o their_o very_a enemy_n the_o heathen_n bear_v testimony_n pliny_n and_o other_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_n harmless_a and_o holy_a behaviour_n for_o the_o latter_a never_o be_v any_o religion_n so_o begin_v and_o propagate_v by_o such_o indefatigable_a suffering_n how_o few_o martyr_n for_o religion_n can_v the_o heathen_a world_n boast_v of_o if_o we_o admit_v socrates_n for_o one_o how_o few_o successor_n have_v he_o and_o those_o few_o they_o pretend_v to_o seem_v by_o all_o circumstance_n to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o perpetuate_v their_o own_o name_n to_o posterity_n by_o suffer_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v the_o world_n will_v high_o magnify_v but_o for_o christian-religion_n we_o find_v innumerable_a suffering_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o all_o rank_n quality_n age_n and_o condition_n in_o many_o of_o which_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o thing_n but_o conscience_n and_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n can_v possible_o be_v the_o motive_n be_v person_n of_o such_o mean_a part_n and_o condition_n as_o can_v no_o way_n be_v think_v to_o design_n a_o name_n to_o themselves_o hereafter_o nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o reasonable_o suppose_v a_o esteem_n upon_o earth_n and_o vainglory_n can_v be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o any_o of_o they_o suffer_v when_o we_o consider_v they_o suffer_v for_o a_o religion_n the_o very_a name_n of_o which_o be_v every_o where_o odious_a and_o detestable_a and_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o bring_v nothing_o but_o shame_n and_o contempt_n it_o swim_v down_o to_o
same_o term_n must_v i_o believe_v all_o thing_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a unless_o god_n give_v i_o new_a faculty_n or_o some_o way_n extraordinary_o assist_v i_o and_o make_v i_o somewhat_o more_o than_o i_o be_v nor_o do_v any_o man_n that_o be_v not_o himself_o divine_a and_o infallible_a as_o the_o apostle_n be_v and_o inspire_v infallible_o to_o know_v that_o he_o be_v so_o ever_o receive_v any_o revelation_n upon_o any_o high_a term_n then_o that_o we_o call_v moral_a assurance_n and_o humane_a credibility_n for_o first_o if_o i_o receive_v a_o revelation_n upon_o motive_n external_n and_o foreign_a to_o itself_o such_o motive_n be_v all_o grant_v to_o be_v in_o themselves_o of_o a_o humane_a and_o fallible_a nature_n if_o i_o receive_v it_o upon_o any_o motive_n internal_a any_o testimony_n result_v from_o such_o revelation_n itself_o to_o justify_v its_o own_o divinity_n to_o i_o yet_o i_o must_v of_o necessity_n without_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n judge_v of_o such_o 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