author_n tacitus_n suetonius_n and_o the_o young_a pliny_n tell_v we_o how_o considerable_a a_o figure_n the_o christian_n make_v in_o the_o world_n within_o less_o than_o half_a a_o century_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o by_o the_o end_n of_o the_o next_o age_n they_o be_v spread_v all_o over_o the_o roman_a empire_n as_o tertullian_n in_o his_o apology_n direct_v to_o the_o roman_a magistrate_n tell_v they_o and_o though_o this_o mighty_a progress_n of_o it_o only_o make_v the_o enemy_n thereof_o complain_v that_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n be_v environ_v on_o all_o side_n with_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o god_n that_o the_o christian_n be_v spread_v all_o over_o the_o empire_n that_o the_o province_n be_v full_a of_o they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v person_n among_o they_o of_o the_o great_a quality_n and_o dignity_n yet_o they_o ought_v as_o that_o far_a remark_n to_o have_v make_v this_o inference_n from_o it_o for_o undoubted_o it_o be_v a_o just_a one_o that_o a_o religion_n 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evidence_n we_o have_v for_o our_o religion_n be_v this_o we_o say_v god_n himself_o have_v give_v testimony_n to_o it_o and_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o his_o testimony_n be_v true_a that_o god_n have_v give_v testimony_n to_o it_o by_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o we_o prove_v by_o the_o best_a evidence_n a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o we_o produce_v a_o whole_a cloud_n of_o witness_n who_o relate_v these_o fact_n upon_o their_o knowledge_n who_o can_v have_v no_o interest_n to_o serve_v by_o prevaricate_a who_o venture_v their_o all_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o who_o seal_v their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n and_o this_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o if_o it_o be_v false_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o be_v sure_a that_o any_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o see_v be_v true_a &_o also_o support_v with_o variety_n of_o collateral_a proof_n record_n and_o write_n of_o the_o enemy_n as_o well_o as_o friend_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o to_o disbelieve_v they_o be_v not_o scepticism_n but_o madness_n now_o what_o proof_n do_v or_o can_v the_o deist_n urge_v against_o we_o why_o he_o must_v protest_v against_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n he_o must_v suppose_v all_o our_o scripture_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n writing_n wherein_o they_o be_v quote_v to_o be_v forgery_n and_o those_o of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n who_o have_v write_v against_o they_o to_o be_v so_o too_o or_o else_o that_o all_o these_o have_v be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o all_o christian_n among_o who_o they_o be_v disperse_v over_o the_o world_n who_o all_o agree_v to_o deliver_v in_o their_o book_n not_o any_o deny_v so_o to_o do_v or_o own_v or_o complain_v of_o it_o and_o receive_v they_o again_o so_o interpolate_v and_o yet_o still_o venture_v their_o salvation_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o or_o he_o must_v suppose_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o honest_a and_o undesigning_a man_n will_v not_o only_o lie_v for_o lie_a sake_n but_o rather_o than_o not_o impose_v it_o upon_o the_o world_n will_v die_v martyr_n to_o a_o lie_n and_o that_o multitude_n of_o person_n of_o all_o condition_n swallow_v these_o lie_n either_o without_o examination_n though_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o high_a importance_n to_o they_o or_o else_o after_o that_o upon_o examination_n they_o have_v find_v they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o so_o obstinate_o believe_v they_o that_o they_o stake_v body_n and_o soul_n quit_v their_o estate_n liberty_n life_n all_o their_o enjoyment_n in_o this_o world_n and_o venture_v upon_o they_o all_o their_o hope_n in_o the_o next_o so_o that_o i_o think_v the_o matter_n be_v pretty_a clear_a on_o the_o christian_n side_n as_o to_o point_v of_o evidence_n as_o to_o danger_n if_o the_o christian_a run_v any_o hazard_n it_o must_v be_v because_o his_o religion_n be_v deficient_a in_o something_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o practise_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n or_o it_o impose_v some_o thing_n upon_o his_o belief_n or_o practice_n inconsistent_a with_o it_o as_o to_o the_o former_a i_o do_v assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n in_o natural_a religion_n relate_v to_o faith_n or_o practice_n to_o god_n our_o neighbour_n or_o ourselves_o to_o the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o each_o or_o the_o obligation_n we_o lie_v under_o to_o discharge_v those_o duty_n but_o what_o be_v more_o clear_o explain_v the_o duty_n enjoin_v in_o a_o more_o extensive_a meaning_n and_o enforce_v by_o more_o powerful_a sanction_n in_o the_o christian_a than_o in_o the_o natural_a religion_n as_o to_o the_o other_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o positive_a institution_n peculiar_a to_o christianity_n i_o do_v affirm_v that_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n repugnant_a to_o any_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n or_o that_o can_v have_v any_o 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this_o belief_n yet_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o at_o least_o very_a pardonable_a error_n by_o our_o gracious_a god_n but_o if_o the_o deist_n be_v mistake_v and_o that_o religion_n which_o he_o reject_v and_o be_v the_o object_n of_o his_o laughter_n and_o scorn_n shall_v prove_v true_a at_o last_o what_o a_o miserable_a condition_n must_v he_o be_v in_o i_o grant_v a_o religion_n be_v condemn_v all_o those_o that_o do_v not_o comply_v with_o it_o be_v no_o sure_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v suppose_v it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a proof_n of_o the_o danger_n they_o be_v in_o that_o reject_v it_o now_o the_o proposal_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v set_v forth_o as_o the_o utmost_a effect_n and_o struggle_v of_o the_o divine_a compassion_n the_o last_o tender_v of_o mercy_n to_o mankind_n we_o be_v there_o tell_v that_o for_o those_o who_o neglect_v that_o great_a salvation_n there_o be_v no_o escape_n nothing_o remain_v more_o but_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o fiery_a indignation_n the_o tenor_n of_o it_o be_v he_o that_o believe_v shall_v be_v save_v but_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v nay_o it_o declare_v that_o the_o judgement_n of_o those_o who_o refuse_v it_o after_o it_o have_v be_v propose_v to_o they_o shall_v be_v heavy_a than_o if_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o such_o offer_v make_v to_o they_o and_o what_o have_v the_o infidel_n to_o plead_v by_o which_o he_o can_v hope_v to_o mitigate_v his_o crime_n or_o his_o punishment_n why_o only_o that_o he_o have_v not_o other_o or_o more_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n revelation_n than_o the_o matter_n will_v bear_v that_o god_n do_v not_o use_v such_o irresistible_a mean_n for_o his_o conviction_n as_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o
capable_a of_o and_o such_o as_o we_o can_v not_o have_v have_v better_a suppose_v it_o true_a 3._o i_o will_v inquire_v what_o cloak_n the_o unbeliever_n have_v for_o his_o sin_n what_o plea_n he_o can_v offer_v what_o excuse_v he_o can_v pretend_v for_o his_o infidelity_n and_o 4._o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o some_o practical_a application_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o particular_a occasion_n of_o our_o meeting_n 1._o the_o work_n which_o we_o say_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v such_o as_o no_o person_n unassisted_a with_o a_o divine_a power_n can_v have_v do_v they_o be_v command_v the_o wind_n and_o sea_n still_v tempest_n cast_v out_o devil_n cleanse_v leper_n heal_v the_o most_o inveterate_a disease_n restore_v the_o deaf_a to_o their_o hear_v and_o give_v sight_n and_o use_n of_o limb_n to_o those_o who_o be_v bear_v blind_a and_o lame_a etc._n etc._n and_o all_o these_o be_v do_v in_o so_o many_o moment_n without_o the_o application_n of_o any_o or_o any_o competent_a mean_n for_o the_o effect_n of_o they_o by_o a_o bare_a touch_n or_o but_o speak_v a_o word_n and_o yet_o the_o effect_n be_v real_a and_o last_a the_o blind_a deaf_a and_o lame_a immediate_o see_v hear_v walk_v and_o continue_v so_o to_o do_v now_o by_o what_o power_n less_o than_o divine_a can_v these_o thing_n have_v be_v do_v as_o for_o nature_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o she_o work_v not_o beyond_o the_o law_n prescribe_v she_o but_o such_o as_o may_v be_v do_v by_o some_o secret_a and_o unknown_a power_n in_o she_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o she_o never_o exert_v that_o power_n before_o nor_o since_o but_o i_o shall_v only_o ask_v how_o the_o author_n and_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n come_v to_o be_v upon_o the_o secret_a at_o that_o time_n privy_a to_o that_o design_n of_o she_o of_o put_v herself_o forth_o in_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n then_o that_o they_o 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that_o these_o will_v be_v miracle_n if_o they_o ever_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v do_v these_o thing_n then_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o power_n less_o than_o infinite_a the_o evidence_n of_o fact_n that_o they_o have_v be_v do_v and_o that_o for_o the_o attestation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v make_v out_o in_o my_o next_o 2._o proposition_n and_o that_o by_o the_o best_a proof_n a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o i_o say_v the_o best_a proof_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o for_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o mathematical_a or_o metaphysical_a evidence_n matter_n of_o fact_n which_o happen_v before_o our_o time_n or_o in_o distant_a place_n from_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o we_o call_v moral_a proof_n but_o if_o they_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o best_a evidence_n of_o that_o sort_n they_o be_v as_o well_o prove_v in_o their_o kind_n as_o proposition_n in_o either_o of_o those_o science_n which_o be_v demonstrate_v now_o as_o to_o the_o moral_a evidence_n that_o the_o above_o mention_v fact_n be_v do_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o have_v they_o record_v in_o a_o venerable_a history_n against_o which_o none_o of_o those_o objection_n can_v be_v just_o make_v which_o can_v render_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o history_n suspect_v for_o if_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o history_n it_o must_v be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o either_o the_o book_n or_o the_o author_n if_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o book_n it_o be_v either_o because_o the_o book_n be_v in_o the_o whole_a spurious_a not_o write_v by_o the_o pretend_a author_n but_o the_o work_n of_o some_o late_a impostor_n or_o else_o because_o it_o be_v faulty_a in_o part_n have_v be_v interpolate_v or_o corrupt_v if_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o author_n it_o must_v be_v because_o he_o have_v not_o either_o sufficient_a opportunity_n of_o know_v himself_o the_o matter_n he_o relate_v or_o honesty_n enough_o to_o relate_v true_o what_o he_o do_v know_v either_o he_o be_v impose_v upon_o believe_v those_o thing_n to_o fall_v out_o which_o do_v not_o or_o else_o he_o have_v a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o other_o but_o where_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v reasonable_o suspect_v where_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v a_o book_n to_o be_v genuine_a entire_a and_o pure_a and_o the_o author_n both_o know_v and_o honest_a well_o acquaint_v himself_o with_o what_o he_o relate_v and_o without_o any_o design_n to_o lead_v other_o into_o error_n in_o such_o a_o case_n there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n nor_o pretence_n of_o a_o cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o history_n now_o that_o the_o book_n wherein_o these_o miracle_n be_v record_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v genuine_a we_o have_v certain_a information_n from_o the_o very_a man_n polycarp_n clem._n roman_n ignat._n polycarp_n that_o know_v and_o converse_v with_o the_o writer_n of_o they_o those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o author_n and_o converse_v with_o they_o have_v certain_o opportunity_n of_o know_v whether_o the_o book_n be_v genuine_a or_o not_o and_o it_o mighty_o concern_v they_o to_o inquire_v nice_o and_o be_v well_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v so_o and_o no_o doubt_n they_o be_v upon_o inquiry_n so_o satisfy_v when_o they_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o with_o the_o utmost_a hazard_n of_o what_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o world_n and_o venture_v likewise_o thereupon_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n in_o the_o next_o we_o find_v these_o book_n transmit_v as_o authentic_a to_o the_o next_o generation_n and_o receive_v as_o such_o by_o they_o tertull._n justin_n m._n irâ—nâ—…us_n and_o the_o apologist_n tertull._n nay_o the_o very_a original_n appeal_v to_o as_o remain_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o age._n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n they_o be_v so_o unquestionable_o satisfy_v in_o the_o next_o that_o rather_o than_o deliver_v up_o these_o book_n to_o their_o persecutor_n they_o choose_v to_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o the_o severe_a torment_n and_o death_n and_o from_o thence_o we_o have_v a_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o genuiness_n of_o they_o continue_v down_o to_o our_o time_n and_o as_o they_o be_v genuine_a so_o that_o they_o be_v pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a the_o early_o disperse_v they_o into_o distant_a place_n and_o translate_n they_o into_o several_a language_n will_v not_o suffer_v any_o one_o to_o doubt_v for_o since_o in_o all_o the_o copy_n and_o translation_n now_o extant_a there_o be_v such_o a_o perfect_a agreement_n in_o the_o main_a that_o they_o hardly_o differ_v in_o any_o thing_n of_o great_a moment_n how_o
can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o so_o many_o man_n of_o different_a country_n and_o tongue_n live_v remote_o and_o have_v little_a commerce_n with_o each_o other_o shall_v all_o conspire_v together_o to_o falsify_v their_o copy_n to_o put_v such_o a_o cheat_n upon_o themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n as_o to_o interpolate_v those_o book_n which_o they_o believe_v and_o assert_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o transmit_v they_o so_o corrupt_v to_o age_n to_o come_v for_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o know_v whether_o the_o matter_n which_o they_o relate_v be_v true_a or_o false_a be_v certain_a from_o the_o fact_n themselves_o which_o be_v matter_n of_o sense_n they_o be_v very_o competent_a judge_n of_o they_o and_o which_o they_o do_v not_o relate_v as_o do_v in_o age_n past_a and_o place_n remote_a which_o they_o do_v not_o take_v upon_o trust_n nor_o tell_v upon_o hearsay_n but_o as_o do_v in_o 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promise_v for_o himself_o as_o the_o great_a proof_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o religion_n that_o in_o three_o day_n he_o will_v raise_v again_o the_o temple_n of_o his_o body_n then_o if_o after_o three_o day_n he_o be_v not_o rise_v what_o shall_v move_v they_o to_o try_v with_o so_o much_o hazard_n to_o themselves_o to_o make_v man_n believe_v he_o be_v rise_v whereas_o if_o he_o have_v fail_v they_o in_o this_o they_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o impostor_n and_o themselves_o as_o cheat_v by_o he_o who_o have_v avouch_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o answer_v the_o character_n give_v by_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o messiah_n who_o have_v make_v himself_o the_o antitype_n of_o ionas_n who_o lie_v three_o day_n and_o night_n in_o the_o whale_n belly_n and_o declare_v that_o in_o conformity_n to_o the_o type_n he_o will_v lie_v three_o day_n and_o night_n in_o the_o belly_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o 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that_o happiness_n whereof_o their_o nature_n be_v capable_a orac._n of_o reas_n p._n 198_o etc._n etc._n the_o force_n of_o which_o objection_n depend_v upon_o a_o false_a supposition_n they_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o we_o teach_v that_o those_o who_o can_v not_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v out_o of_o a_o capacity_n of_o be_v save_v thus_o they_o will_v have_v it_o believe_v that_o we_o say_v because_o otherwise_o they_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o this_o argument_n but_o for_o our_o part_n we_o deny_v that_o our_o church_n teach_v any_o such_o doctrine_n we_o do_v not_o determine_v peremptory_o of_o the_o eternal_a state_n of_o the_o heathen_n we_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o judge_v those_o that_o be_v without_o to_o their_o own_o master_n they_o stand_v or_o fall_v we_o say_v indeed_o infidelity_n be_v a_o damn_v sin_n but_o we_o mean_v not_o a_o negative_a but_o a_o privative_a infidelity_n a_o want_n of_o faith_n in_o a_o subject_a 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