tradition_n another_o set_a of_o testimony_n which_o eusebius_n furnish_v we_o with_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n be_v relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n several_a of_o which_o be_v remain_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v by_o he_o himself_o such_o be_v christian_a burying-place_n and_o sepulcher_n with_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n upon_o they_o particular_o those_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n statue_n and_o picture_n particular_o the_o statue_n of_o the_o woman_n cure_v by_o christ_n of_o the_o bloody_a flux_n picture_n of_o christ_n peter_n and_o paul_n in_o colour_n these_o be_v all_o see_v by_o eusebius_n himself_o as_o be_v likewise_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n of_o james_n at_o jerusalem_n several_a christian_a library_n and_o several_a christian_a temple_n before_o they_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v by_o the_o order_n of_o dieclesian_n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n remain_v in_o eusebius_n time_n whether_o all_o the_o particular_a traditional_a report_n concern_v they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a may_v easy_o be_v perceive_v upon_o view_n or_o divers_a other_o way_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o whatever_o age_n they_o be_v of_o they_o must_v be_v good_a proof_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o man_n of_o those_o time_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v to_o prove_v it_o but_o the_o tradition_n of_o christianity_n from_o its_o first_o original_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a with_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v build_v be_v further_a and_o more_o especial_o secure_v to_o we_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o forego_n testimony_n confirm_v by_o book_n and_o write_v record_n vast_a number_n of_o which_o of_o different_a kind_n and_o different_a age_n write_v by_o several_a man_n of_o different_a country_n character_n design_n and_o religious_a persuasion_n be_v extant_a in_o eusebius_n time_n a_o great_a many_o of_o which_o be_v general_o know_v multitude_n of_o copy_n of_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o several_a of_o these_o write_n be_v careful_o preserve_v in_o particular_a place_n and_o either_o never_o communicate_v further_o by_o any_o transcript_n or_o copy_n to_o remain_v there_o to_o be_v see_v in_o their_o primitive_a state_n after_o transcription_n now_o all_o these_o write_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o they_o be_v who_o authority_n be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o establish_n the_o christian_a faith_n i_o shall_v rank_v under_o certain_a distinct_a head_n in_o order_n to_o show_v what_o sense_n and_o weight_n they_o have_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o maintain_v the_o several_a book_n and_o write_n then_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v copy_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n genuine_a write_n of_o profess_a christian_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o common_a agreement_n in_o some_o certain_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v style_v orthodox_n book_n write_v by_o heretic_n who_o be_v man_n of_o particular_a opinion_n different_a from_o those_o common_o receive_v by_o other_o christian_n jewish_n and_o pagan_a book_n contain_v such_o thing_n as_o have_v relation_n to_o christianity_n forge_v and_o supposititious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n which_o do_v some_o way_n or_o other_o concern_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o to_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n in_o eusebius_n time_n i_o have_v these_o thing_n to_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v then_o multiply_v to_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n that_o hardly_o a_o christian_a family_n be_v without_o some_o of_o the_o book_n that_o they_o be_v translate_v into_o several_a different_a language_n that_o in_o those_o country_n where_o the_o translation_n be_v of_o common_a use_n a_o great_a many_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n be_v preserve_v that_o in_o most_o of_o the_o great_a city_n and_o episcopal_a church_n there_o be_v a_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n more_o ancient_a than_o the_o rest_n from_o whence_o the_o other_o copy_n be_v take_v and_o translation_n make_v that_o such_o copy_n as_o these_o may_v not_o only_o by_o tradition_n but_o by_o several_a intrinsic_a mark_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o their_o age_n pretty_a near_o determine_v that_o upon_o comparison_n there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a agreement_n betwixt_o these_o ancient_a copy_n preserve_v in_o several_a very_o distant_a and_o remote_a church_n that_o such_o care_n have_v be_v take_v in_o transcribe_v and_o translate_n from_o they_o that_o the_o difference_n find_v between_o any_o copy_n either_o of_o the_o original_n or_o translation_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a that_o all_o christian_n think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o preserve_v the_o jewish_a canon_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o copy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o original_a tongue_n and_o translation_n of_o it_o into_o several_a vulgar_a language_n be_v multiply_v careful_o transcribe_v and_o keep_v together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a that_o upon_o a_o diligent_a search_n into_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v find_v that_o beside_o those_o copy_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v alike_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o all_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v other_o receive_v in_o some_o church_n and_o by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n then_o vouch_v to_o be_v as_o early_o and_o of_o as_o great_a authority_n as_o the_o rest_n from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o infer_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v as_o early_o as_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v its_o original_a in_o judea_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v it_o which_o be_v less_o than_o 300_o year_n before_o eusebius_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o plain_o suppose_v a_o antecedent_n propagation_n and_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v write_v some_o time_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n eusebius_n or_o any_o other_o person_n of_o his_o age_n who_o thorough_o examine_v the_o matter_n concern_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o receive_v must_v needs_o be_v satisfy_v from_o this_o consideration_n only_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v as_o early_o a_o publication_n in_o the_o world_n as_o be_v now_o ascribe_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v somewhat_o early_o and_o the_o same_o then_o as_o it_o be_v in_o these_o book_n represent_v to_o have_v be_v this_o will_v further_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o next_o sort_n of_o write_n to_o be_v consider_v viz._n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n such_o be_v catalogue_n of_o bishop_n decree_n of_o synod_n letter_n from_o church_n and_o society_n of_o man_n general_a record_n of_o remarkable_a matter_n particular_a act_n and_o monument_n of_o martyr_n psalm_n hymn_n creed_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o most_o famous_a church_n especial_o those_o constitute_v by_o apostle_n keep_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n with_o great_a care_n lay_v up_o in_o their_o archive_v record_v their_o name_n and_o day_n of_o their_o death_n in_o a_o pair_n of_o write_v table_n this_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o these_o table_n he_o assure_v we_o he_o diligent_o examine_v and_o he_o be_v very_o exact_a in_o the_o account_n he_o take_v of_o they_o as_o particular_o appear_v from_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n viz._n that_o he_o find_v from_o old_a record_n fifteen_o bishop_n with_o their_o name_n who_o have_v succeed_v in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o siege_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o adrian_n be_v time_n but_o can_v not_o find_v preserve_v in_o write_v the_o space_n of_o time_n each_o bishop_n spend_v in_o his_o presidency_n over_o that_o see_n the_o like_a diligence_n and_o exactness_n be_v observable_a in_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o several_a other_o church_n most_o of_o their_o name_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o several_a succession_n presidency_n and_o death_n punctual_o determine_v and_o reason_n give_v why_o he_o can_v not_o speak_v with_o the_o same_o certainty_n of_o the_o rest_n omit_v there_o be_v likewise_o extant_a in_o his_o time_n a_o great_a many_o canon_n and_o decree_n make_v by_o several_a council_n and_o
christ_n the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o sect_n of_o man_n call_v christian_n begin_v to_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n be_v very_o particular_o and_o circumstantial_o set_v down_o by_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n and_o herod_n be_v tetrarch_n of_o galilee_n and_o his_o brother_n philip_n tetrarch_n of_o iturea_n and_o of_o the_o region_n of_o trachonitis_n and_o lysanias_n the_o tetrarch_n of_o abilene_n annas_n and_o caiaphas_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o the_o book_n call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o st._n luke_n it_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o disciple_n by_o which_o word_n be_v there_o mean_v all_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o he_o be_v call_v christian_n first_o at_o antioch_n which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o christian_a historian_n record_v to_o have_v happen_v at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n who_o be_v the_o next_o that_o succeed_v tiberius_n in_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o low_a point_n of_o time_n it_o can_v be_v fix_v at_o appear_v from_o the_o same_o place_n of_o st._n luke_n where_o immediate_o after_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v it_o follow_v and_o in_o these_o day_n come_v prophet_n from_o jerusalem_n unto_o antioch_n and_o there_o stand_v up_o one_o of_o they_o name_v agabus_n and_o signify_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a dearth_n throughout_o all_o the_o world_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o agabus_n concur_v in_o time_n with_o that_o other_o account_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o be_v say_v concern_v the_o completion_n of_o agabus_n prophecy_n in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n that_o he_o first_o utter_v his_o prophecy_n some_o time_n before_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n the_o time_n when_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n must_v likewise_o be_v soon_o or_o late_a before_o the_o reign_n of_o claudius_n which_o claudius_n be_v the_o immediate_a successor_n of_o caligula_n in_o the_o empire_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o question_n must_v happen_v in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n or_o at_o some_o time_n before_o now_o from_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n when_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o last_o of_o caligula_n when_o his_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n at_o antioch_n be_v about_o twelve_o year_n from_o whence_o to_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o nero_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v first_o persecute_v at_o rome_n be_v a_o little_a above_o twenty_o year_n within_o five_o year_n after_o which_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o a_o end_n be_v put_v to_o the_o jewish_a government_n and_o policy_n so_o that_o from_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n when_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o gospel_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o first_o of_o vespasian_n when_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v be_v about_o forty_o year_n and_o no_o more_o if_o therefore_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o neronian_a persecution_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v true_a as_o be_v constant_o attest_v by_o heathen_a and_o jewish_a as_o well_o as_o christian_a writer_n it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o those_o mention_v by_o st._n luke_n be_v so_o too_o for_o before_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n no_o sign_n or_o footstep_n of_o christianity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v it_o pretend_v by_o any_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o this_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v early_o and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n fall_v in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o vespasian_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o thence_o to_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v as_o early_o a_o date_n of_o that_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o find_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n in_o nero_n time_n both_o the_o propagation_n as_o well_o as_o original_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v have_v happen_v not_o only_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o some_o time_n between_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o the_o ten_o of_o nero_n and_o consequent_o the_o account_n before_o give_v by_o st._n luke_n of_o these_o great_a event_n can_v well_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v false_a but_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o mistake_n in_o time_n if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o suppose_a can_v be_v considerable_a from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v profess_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n and_o be_v derive_v from_o one_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o it_o and_o suffer_v death_n at_o jerusalem_n upon_o that_o account_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o tiberius_n reign_n as_o i_o find_v it_o record_v by_o st._n luke_n and_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o next_o view_n i_o shall_v take_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v under_o constantine_n another_o emperor_n of_o rome_n who_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o be_v dispose_v to_o embrace_v this_o religion_n about_o 300_o year_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v very_o notorious_a that_o christianity_n be_v the_o prevail_a religion_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n the_o extent_n of_o which_o be_v then_o very_o great_a this_o manifest_o appear_v from_o all_o the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o the_o history_n of_o this_o famous_a emperor_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n under_o his_o reign_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o which_o be_v hold_v a_o general_n council_n which_o be_v a_o meeting_n or_o assembly_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n who_o come_v from_o all_o the_o different_a province_n and_o city_n both_o of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a empire_n and_o be_v person_n that_o in_o their_o several_a district_n govern_v and_o direct_v in_o religion_n affair_n the_o chief_a design_n of_o that_o meeting_n be_v by_o constantine_n who_o call_v they_o together_o declare_v to_o be_v for_o the_o decision_n of_o a_o controversy_n that_o have_v happen_v between_o certain_a christian_a professor_n concern_v a_o particular_a article_n or_o doctrine_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o some_o affirm_v aught_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o one_o sense_n and_o some_o in_o another_o these_o bishop_n do_v meet_v according_o to_o the_o number_n of_o about_o 300_o decide_v the_o matter_n they_o be_v call_v about_o by_o appoint_v a_o form_n of_o word_n for_o all_o christian_n to_o express_v their_o belief_n of_o that_o and_o several_a other_o particular_n in_o which_o be_v unanimous_o approve_v and_o subscribe_v by_o all_o but_o two_o beside_o which_o form_n of_o faith_n they_o make_v several_a canon_n or_o rule_n with_o relation_n to_o discipline_n which_o concern_v the_o qualification_n of_o such_o person_n as_o be_v to_o perform_v religious_a office_n or_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o effect_n of_o they_o their_o manner_n of_o act_v upon_o such_o occasion_n and_o their_o behaviour_n to_o one_o another_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o religious_a distinction_n but_o in_o order_n to_o take_v a_o more_o particular_a survey_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n under_o constantine_n from_o the_o account_n that_o be_v give_v we_o of_o this_o council_n by_o eusebius_n and_o athanasius_n who_o be_v present_a at_o it_o and_o other_o credible_a writer_n who_o live_v at_o or_o near_o the_o same_o time_n i_o shall_v draw_v these_o follow_a observation_n and_o reflection_n i._o constantine_n be_v the_o first_o roman_a emperor_n that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v no_o king_n consul_n dictator_n emperor_n or_o any_o other_o the_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n before_o he_o that_o ever_o depart_v from_o the_o ancient_a institution_n make_v upon_o the_o first_o settlement_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n or_o public_o embrace_v a_o new_a religion_n of_o a_o different_a character_n from_o that_o establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o numa_n 2._o there_o never_o be_v before_o this_o council_n any_o such_o general_n meet_v of_o eminent_a and_o learned_a person_n who_o be_v assemble_v together_o from_o so_o many_o different_a quarter_n of_o the_o world_n pure_o to_o settle_v some_o controversy_n in_o religion_n which_o two_o surprise_a circumstance_n must_v make_v this_o
teacher_n and_o multitude_n of_o their_o disciple_n and_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o nero_n time_n must_v have_v believe_v most_o of_o this_o to_o have_v happen_v in_o half_a that_o space_n thus_o by_o the_o help_n of_o mere_a tradition_n only_o do_v it_o plain_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o same_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a as_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o publish_a and_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n such_o as_o i_o have_v before_o give_v a_o account_n of_o be_v all_o along_o believe_v by_o those_o who_o style_v themselves_o christian_n and_o therefore_o all_o those_o common_a historical_a fact_n the_o certainty_n of_o which_o it_o be_v my_o present_a business_n to_o show_v must_v be_v true_a all_o the_o authority_n i_o have_v make_v use_n of_o to_o strengthen_v this_o tradition_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o some_o heathen_a author_n of_o unquestionable_a credit_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o one_o point_n only_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o person_n style_v christian_n who_o be_v persecute_v for_o what_o they_o believe_v and_o do_v as_o such_o at_o rome_n by_o nero_n and_o in_o other_o remote_a province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n by_o trajan_n which_o two_o matter_n of_o fact_n happen_v at_o such_o particular_a distance_n from_o the_o suppose_a original_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o choose_v to_o mention_v rather_o for_o the_o better_a illustration_n of_o the_o matter_n i_o be_v to_o prove_v than_o for_o any_o distinct_a proof_n of_o it_o for_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o that_o time_n be_v such_o as_o i_o have_v represent_v and_o allow_v further_o what_o i_o think_v i_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v profess_v in_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o same_o place_n from_o whence_o the_o nicene_n bishop_n come_v and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o use_v of_o those_o religious_a custom_n and_o institution_n i_o have_v before_o instance_a in_o 150_o year_n before_o as_o it_o be_v then_o it_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o particular_a testimony_n of_o heathen_a or_o other_o writer_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_a monument_n of_o history_n that_o all_o those_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o head_n must_v needs_o be_v true_a for_o according_a to_o this_o supposition_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n believe_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n 150_o year_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a must_v consequent_o believe_v that_o in_o less_o than_o 150_o year_n before_o that_o time_n the_o christian_a religion_n be_v first_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n at_o jerusalem_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o christian_a before_o and_o that_o within_o that_o space_n of_o time_n down_o from_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o their_o present_a belief_n of_o it_o it_o must_v have_v be_v preach_v and_o propagate_v through_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o the_o same_o person_n who_o preach_v it_o be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n copy_n of_o which_o have_v be_v disperse_v so_o far_o and_o multiply_v to_o so_o great_a great_a a_o variety_n that_o most_o of_o the_o people_n that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o every_o country_n have_v they_o in_o their_o hand_n which_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o other_o particular_n depend_v upon_o they_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o general_o believe_v at_o a_o time_n so_o near_o that_o in_o which_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o happen_v that_o the_o first_o and_o remote_a of_o all_o be_v not_o 150_o year_n past_a and_o the_o other_o must_v fall_v out_o much_o late_a but_o further_a beside_o this_o proof_n that_o i_o have_v bring_v from_o tradition_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o other_o concurrent_a authority_n which_o do_v not_o only_o confirm_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o tradition_n but_o be_v of_o themselves_o a_o distinct_a and_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n which_o we_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o way_n for_o at_o the_o same_o period_n of_o time_n wherein_o we_o have_v choose_v to_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o from_o whence_o we_o have_v trace_v it_o up_o to_o its_o first_o original_a and_o show_v the_o constancy_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o conveyance_n viz._n at_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o first_o general_n council_n of_o nice_a we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o fix_v and_o stand_a monument_n of_o several_a age_n and_o different_a place_n that_o every_o body_n may_v have_v recourse_n to_o and_o examine_v when_o they_o please_v all_o which_o do_v very_o exact_o and_o full_o prove_v the_o antiquity_n and_o uninterrupted_a continuance_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o to_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n eusebius_n one_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n before_o mention_v have_v write_v a_o history_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o its_o first_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o the_o book_n be_v now_o extant_a warrant_v to_o be_v his_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o abundance_n of_o succeed_a writer_n and_o question_v by_o none_o now_o in_o this_o history_n he_o give_v we_o a_o very_a large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o the_o several_a place_n of_o the_o world_n wherever_o he_o can_v learn_v it_o have_v be_v entertain_v which_o account_n consist_v of_o a_o vast_a variety_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n beside_o those_o already_o instance_a in_o as_o preserve_v by_o tradition_n the_o memory_n of_o most_o of_o which_o be_v not_o only_o preserve_v the_o same_o way_n but_o be_v further_o secure_v by_o last_a monument_n and_o record_n the_o most_o remarkable_a matter_n in_o he_o which_o i_o think_v sufficient_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n to_o mention_v for_o the_o further_a confirmation_n of_o those_o truth_n i_o have_v already_o prove_v may_v be_v refer_v to_o these_o three_o head_n custom_n and_o usage_n relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n book_n and_o write_v word_n and_o first_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a beside_o those_o religious_a custom_n and_o institution_n before_o instance_a in_o which_o be_v general_a and_o constant_a in_o all_o age_n and_o country_n since_o the_o first_o original_a of_o christianity_n there_o be_v several_a other_o custom_n and_o usage_n then_o practise_v some_o of_o which_o obtain_v as_o general_o as_o the_o former_a do_v and_o other_o be_v confine_v to_o some_o particular_a place_n such_o be_v the_o annual_a feast_n of_o christmas_n easter_n and_o pentecost_n state_v time_n of_o the_o year_n and_o week_n for_o fast_v anniversary_n commemoration_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o martyr_n and_o often_o meet_v at_o the_o place_n where_o they_o suffer_v use_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n upon_o several_a occasion_n call_v child_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o saint_n etc._n etc._n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a custom_n as_o these_o be_v plain_o found_v upon_o and_o suppose_v a_o antecedent_n belief_n of_o christianity_n and_o particular_o those_o principal_a fact_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n upon_o which_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n turn_v these_o therefore_o be_v both_o fresh_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n we_o have_v undertake_v to_o prove_v and_o do_v also_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v the_o tradition_n of_o those_o other_o custom_n and_o institution_n we_o have_v before_o instance_a in_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o the_o same_o history_n that_o give_v we_o this_o account_n inform_v we_o of_o viz._n that_o the_o christian_a custom_n now_o mention_v be_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o such_o necessary_a part_n of_o that_o religion_n nor_o of_o so_o early_a a_o original_a as_o the_o other_o and_o that_o both_o these_o and_o the_o former_a be_v in_o several_a place_n and_o age_n practise_v after_o several_a manner_n with_o different_a additional_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o general_a reception_n of_o some_o custom_n and_o general_a distinction_n betwixt_o necessary_a and_o unnecessary_a substance_n and_o manner_n in_o all_o that_o be_v receive_v be_v certain_a argument_n of_o a_o sincere_a and_o well-examined_a
to_o convince_v they_o that_o there_o be_v at_o present_a other_o strange_a thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o see_v and_o which_o they_o believe_v their_o sense_n as_o capable_a judge_n of_o as_o of_o those_o which_o they_o do_v see_v but_o whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v believe_v in_o this_o case_n by_o few_o or_o more_o those_o who_o have_v not_o be_v dispose_v to_o like_v they_o will_v have_v have_v great_a and_o more_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o make_v to_o they_o from_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n than_o our_o present_a unbeliever_n have_v how_o can_v a_o faithful_a christian_a who_o live_v before_o copernicus_n and_o des_n cartes_n have_v defend_v the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o such_o as_o reject_v the_o forementioned_a notion_n and_o expose_v they_o as_o ridiculous_a and_o absurd_a the_o bare_a authority_n of_o the_o revelation_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o all_o our_o modern_a experiment_n and_o observation_n will_v have_v be_v less_o effectual_a to_o convince_v gainsayer_n then_o than_o it_o be_v now_o because_o the_o opinion_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n than_o will_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a and_o popular_a than_o those_o contain_v in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o scripture_n notion_n be_v not_o true_a no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o they_o shall_v be_v there_o for_o it_o can_v not_o then_o be_v say_v as_o it_o be_v very_o just_o and_o proper_o now_o in_o several_a case_n that_o the_o expression_n of_o scripture_n be_v suit_v to_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v to_o read_v they_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o appear_a falsehood_n of_o the_o opinion_n abovementioned_a if_o they_o have_v be_v find_v in_o scripture_n will_v have_v be_v a_o more_o puzzle_v objection_n to_o the_o christian_n of_o former_a time_n than_o the_o allow_a falsehood_n of_o the_o common_a vulgar_a notion_n of_o philosophy_n which_o the_o scripture_n be_v at_o present_a charge_v with_o can_v be_v to_o we_o and_o what_o we_o suppose_v of_o the_o time_n before_o copernicus_n will_v hold_v good_a of_o the_o present_a upon_o the_o like_a trial_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v contest_v but_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o other_o true_a notion_n in_o philosophy_n hitherto_o unknown_a to_o we_o which_o upon_o the_o first_o discovery_n will_v appear_v as_o shock_v and_o contrary_a to_o all_o our_o former_a knowledge_n as_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o planetary_a world_n etc._n etc._n do_v to_o our_o predecessor_n and_o be_v these_o deliver_v in_o our_o bibles_n as_o we_o have_v suppose_v the_o other_o to_o be_v they_o will_v furnish_v as_o much_o matter_n of_o cavil_v to_o our_o modern_a and_o all_o succeed_a sceptic_n as_o those_o will_v have_v do_v to_o the_o philosopher_n of_o former_a age_n till_o further_a experience_n have_v reconcile_v they_o to_o their_o reason_n which_o can_v never_o be_v expect_v in_o all_o point_n for_o have_v every_o thing_n the_o scripture_n have_v occasion_n to_o mention_v be_v express_v according_a to_o the_o true_a philosophy_n of_o it_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o mankind_n can_v never_o make_v experiment_n and_o observation_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o scripture-notion_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o revelation_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n endure_v but_o beside_o this_o general_a defence_n of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o scripture_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o several_a seem_a contradiction_n to_o reason_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n have_v lay_v a_o great_a stress_n upon_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a and_o consistent_a by_o learned_a man_n and_o some_o of_o they_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o mathematical_o demonstrate_v as_o particular_o the_o capacity_n of_o noah_n ark._n the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v answer_v to_o the_o next_o objection_n make_v to_o scripture_n viz._n that_o several_a place_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v one_o another_o have_v be_v plain_o reconcile_v and_o several_a thing_n which_o have_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o mistake_v as_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n connexion_n of_o the_o part_n chronology_n geography_n etc._n etc._n have_v be_v clear_o prove_v to_o be_v none_o by_o those_o who_o have_v particular_o undertake_v the_o examination_n of_o these_o difficulty_n and_o as_o to_o those_o place_n which_o do_v not_o admit_v of_o such_o a_o solution_n all_o the_o fault_n and_o defect_n they_o be_v charge_v with_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o the_o tradition_n and_o way_n of_o conveyance_n which_o be_v pure_o humane_a and_o be_v not_o in_o the_o original_a revelation_n which_o we_o say_v be_v divine_a and_o have_v prove_v to_o be_v so_o by_o many_o incontestable_a evidence_n allow_v therefore_o that_o the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n like_o that_o of_o other_o book_n have_v receive_v some_o alteration_n by_o time_n and_o variety_n of_o copy_n that_o some_o of_o the_o roll_n or_o sheet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v misplace_v that_o some_o thing_n have_v be_v insert_v afterward_o word_n and_o sentence_n have_v be_v leave_v out_o letter_n have_v be_v change_v and_o other_o mistake_v have_v be_v make_v by_o transcriber_n that_o some_o of_o the_o book_n or_o some_o part_n of_o they_o be_v ascribe_v to_o wrong_a author_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v much_o controvert_v whether_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n shall_v we_o i_o say_v allow_v all_o this_o i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o use_n can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o to_o the_o prejudice_n either_o of_o the_o truth_n or_o divinity_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a revelation_n for_o variety_n of_o copy_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o text_n proceed_v be_v a_o very_a great_a argument_n of_o the_o sincerity_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o original_a as_o be_v the_o best_a preservative_n against_o all_o corruption_n in_o the_o substance_n and_o principal_a part_n of_o it_o and_o the_o controvert_v book_n only_o show_v what_o care_n and_o faithful_a examination_n there_o be_v of_o every_o book_n before_o it_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o to_o give_v all_o the_o force_n and_o weight_n to_o these_o objection_n which_o they_o can_v possible_o have_v shall_v we_o reject_v all_o controvert_v book_n and_o passage_n whatsoever_o and_o shall_v we_o establish_v any_o read_n we_o please_v where_o there_o be_v variety_n only_o let_v the_o authentic_a undoubted_a place_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o exposition_n to_o the_o doubtful_a than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o reasonable_a in_o this_o case_n i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o not_o one_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o rule_n of_o practice_n or_o any_o of_o the_o principal_a fact_n our_o religion_n be_v build_v upon_o will_v be_v cut_v off_o but_o may_v be_v as_o evident_o prove_v from_o what_o remain_v uncontested_a as_o from_o the_o whole_a it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v from_o those_o change_n and_o alteration_n that_o have_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n since_o they_o be_v deposit_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n to_o keep_v or_o the_o contest_v they_o have_v have_v about_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o part_n of_o they_o that_o what_o remain_v unaltered_a and_o uncontested_a be_v not_o true_a and_o of_o divine_a original_a because_o god_n have_v no_o where_o promise_v to_o exempt_v the_o book_n in_o which_o his_o revelation_n to_o man_n be_v preserve_v from_o the_o accident_n common_a to_o other_o book_n nay_o further_o shall_v we_o allow_v what_o some_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n themselves_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o mistake_v as_o other_o man_n be_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n from_o 〈◊〉_d own_o memory_n or_o the_o information_n of_o credible_a witness_n it_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o any_o of_o the_o principal_a fact_n which_o make_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v false_a because_o these_o be_v all_o so_o very_o extraordinary_a and_o notorious_a and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o pass_v by_o without_o censure_n and_o contradiction_n if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v deny_v that_o have_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v no_o peculiar_a assistance_n from_o god_n in_o the_o composure_n of_o they_o we_o can_v have_v no_o manner_n of_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v or_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o substance_n and_o principal_a part_n either_o of_o the_o history_n or_o doctrine_n there_o deliver_v for_o suppose_v those_o we_o call_v the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v not_o divine_o inspire_v as_o we_o believe_v they_o be_v yet_o be_v they_o capable_a and_o faithful_a witness_n of_o what_o they_o write_v and_o do_v not_o this_o appear_v to_o we_o from_o their_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v