we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o babble_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 rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o now_o be_v 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 it_o be_v too_o apparent_a a_o truth_n that_o nothing_o by_o the_o power_n of_o its_o own_o worth_a and_o excellency_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o escape_v contempt_n and_o reproach_n from_o the_o unruly_a will_n and_o debauch_a mind_n of_o corrupt_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n the_o bible_n have_v meet_v with_o its_o share_n in_o this_o kind_n some_o upon_o fanatical_a pretence_n have_v despise_v and_o reject_v the_o whole_a other_o have_v mangle_v and_o sever_v it_o as_o themselves_o think_v good_a receive_v some_o part_n only_o as_o divine_a and_o reject_v the_o rest_n as_o they_o please_v of_o this_o iraeneus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n st._n austin_n and_o many_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o manichee_n reject_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o come_v from_o a_o evil_a god_n the_o ptolemaite_v as_o epiphamus_n tell_v we_o reject_v all_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o gnostic_n with_o some_o other_o heretic_n reject_v the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n cerdon_n and_o after_o he_o martion_n reject_v all_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o divers_a other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o find_v by_o tertullian_n the_o valentimans_fw-la reject_v all_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n john_n as_o we_o see_v in_o irenaeus_n other_o reject_v all_o that_o st._n john_n write_v the_o ebionite_n receive_v no_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n matthen_n and_o reject_v in_o gross_a all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v not_o one_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o that_o have_v escape_v the_o reprobation_n of_o some_o bad_a men._n but_o all_o such_o attempt_n be_v soon_o blow_v away_o expire_v in_o the_o birth_n bear_v about_o they_o their_o own_o shame_n and_o reproach_n make_v no_o considerable_a battery_n upon_o the_o truth_n in_o any_o age_n nor_o do_v they_o reach_v further_o than_o the_o vitiate_a mind_n and_o corrupt_a breast_n of_o such_o profligate_v heretic_n as_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o in_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n how_o we_o come_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o those_o book_n now_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o protestant_a church_n as_o such_o be_v all_o canonical_a and_o no_o other_o two_o thing_n only_o will_v occur_v that_o be_v of_o any_o seem_a moment_n in_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o which_o all_o will_v be_v say_v that_o be_v needful_a about_o this_o matter_n first_o how_o we_o come_v to_o reject_v out_o of_o our_o canon_n those_o book_n common_o call_v apocryphal_a which_o be_v write_v at_o least_o all_o but_o one_o of_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o second_o upon_o what_o ground_n we_o now_o receive_v some_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v sometime_o lie_v under_o question_n if_o we_o mistake_v in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o ought_v if_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o have_v much_o more_o than_o we_o shall_v about_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n there_o be_v among_o christian_n themselves_o a_o present_a disagreement_n but_o concern_v the_o other_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n be_v at_o this_o day_n of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o reject_v those_o book_n common_o call_v the_o apocrypha_fw-la that_o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n nor_o send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o any_o part_n of_o those_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o so_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v within_o the_o canon_n will_v be_v make_v very_o evident_a to_o any_o reasonable_a judge_n upon_o these_o consideration_n follow_v first_o after_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n it_o be_v universal_o agree_v by_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a jew_n and_o christian_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n among_o they_o nor_o do_v god_n raise_v up_o any_o man_n with_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n from_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n who_o be_v agree_v to_o be_v the_o last_o prophet_n till_o john_n the_o baptist_n which_o be_v for_o the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a year_n now_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v all_o write_v after_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n and_o so_o can_v be_v of_o no_o extraordinary_a mission_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v write_v before_o and_o have_v be_v extant_a in_o ezra_n time_n which_o they_o be_v not_o it_o have_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a reason_n for_o their_o rejection_n now_o because_o they_o be_v not_o receive_v then_o for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o none_o of_o these_o book_n now_o in_o question_n be_v by_o he_o incorporate_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o be_v within_o the_o canon_n at_o that_o time_n settle_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n by_o who_o all_o part_n of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v write_v for_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v call_v prophecy_n nor_o any_o man_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n among_o they_o after_o the_o captivity_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n general_o agree_v josephus_n be_v express_v in_o it_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n though_o certain_a book_n have_v be_v write_v yet_o they_o deserve_v not_o the_o same_o credit_n and_o belief_n that_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n do_v because_o there_o be_v no_o succession_n of_o propher_n among_o they_o saint_n austin_n in_o the_o 45th_o chapter_n of_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophecy_n after_o ezra_n time_n and_o the_o same_o eusebius_n affirm_v in_o his_o demonstrationes_fw-la evangelicae_fw-la post_fw-la zachartam_fw-la &_o malachiam_fw-la non_fw-la fuâ—sse_fw-la amplius_fw-la apud_fw-la judaeos_fw-la prophetam_fw-la et_fw-la a_fw-la reditu_fw-la ex_fw-la captivitate_fw-la ad_fw-la tempora_fw-la servatoris_fw-la nullum_fw-la babucrint_fw-la judaei_n sacrum_fw-la volumen_fw-la the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n after_o zachary_n and_o malachi_n nor_o any_o sacred_a write_n after_o the_o captivity_n till_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o some_o of_o these_o very_a book_n tell_v we_o as_o much_o themselves_o for_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n chap._n 9_o it_o be_v there_o say_v that_o there_o be_v then_o great_a tribulation_n in_o israel_n such_o as_o have_v not_o be_v since_o the_o day_n that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o prophet_n in_o israel_n relate_v to_o ezra_n time_n and_o indeed_o it_o appear_v very_o plain_a from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o divine_a write_n publish_v between_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o evangelist_n take_v thing_n up_o just_a where_o he_o leave_v they_o and_o begin_v the_o gospel_n from_o the_o end_n of_o malachi_n prophecy_n for_o he_o end_v his_o prophecy_n at_o john_n the_o baptist_n under_o the_o type_n and_o title_n of_o elias_n and_o the_o evangelist_n begin_v the_o gospel_n with_o he_o for_o st._n mark_v express_o declare_v the_o end_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a combination_n from_o thence_o from_o that_o period_n of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n together_o second_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v prophet_n to_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o write_n and_o prophecy_n be_v direct_v chief_o to_o they_o and_o so_o they_o be_v all_o writ_n except_o some_o passage_n in_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n dialect_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v in_o their_o captivity_n be_v much_o accustom_v in_o their_o own_o native_a language_n the_o language_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v the_o hebrew_n but_o these_o book_n be_v confess_o most_o of_o they_o first_o write_v in_o greek_a and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o the_o jew_n at_o jerusalem_n and_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
moses_n invenitur_fw-la and_o indeed_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o the_o grecian_a god_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o own_o history_n be_v not_o of_o a_o much_o early_a date_n than_o the_o war_n and_o ruin_n of_o troy_n which_o moses_n precede_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n josephus_n say_v in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n that_o the_o grecian_n have_v no_o elder_a write_v then_o homer_n who_o live_v as_o pliny_n say_v two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o trojan_a war_n which_o war_n be_v about_o four_o hundred_o and_o seven_o year_n before_o the_o olympiad_n begin_v according_a to_o solinus_n two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o year_n as_o herodotus_n think_v three_o hundred_o but_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o his_o own_o poem_n that_o he_o live_v some_o very_a considerable_a time_n after_o at_o least_o one_o hundred_o year_n by_o the_o low_a calculation_n moses_n be_v so_o long_o before_o he_o and_o so_o much_o his_o predecessor_n that_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o that_o make_v mention_n of_o he_o that_o he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n at_o least_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a before_o the_o battle_n of_o troy_n before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n not_o less_o than_o eight_o hundred_o and_o forty_o year_n till_o which_o time_n the_o grecian_a history_n be_v general_o confuse_a and_o impâ—râ—â—â—â—_n nâ—r_o have_v they_o any_o certainty_n in_o stâ—ry_a till_o thâ—n_v which_o varro_n positive_o affirm_v and_o eusâ—bâ—â—â—_n also_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o annal_n of_o africaâ—us_n who_o tell_v we_o usâ—iad_n oâ—â—mpiadas_n niâ—il_fw-la exploratum_fw-la in_o histori_n graecorum_n mâ—â—tur_fw-la sed_fw-la omne_fw-la consusis_fw-la conscripta_fw-la temporiâ—us_fw-la sunt_fw-la post_v olympiad_a â—s_n uâ—ro_fw-la quoniam_fw-la quadrâ—â—unto_n dilâ—gentissime_fw-la oâ—nia_fw-la notahantuâ—_n nulla_fw-la penitus_fw-la confusio_fw-la temporum_fw-la su_fw-es and_o indeed_o till_o that_o time_n there_o be_v little_a certainty_n in_o any_o story_n but_o that_o o_o the_o bible_n he_o live_v bâ—fore_o the_o build_a oâ—_n rome_n about_o eight_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o five_o year_n for_o rome_n be_v found_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o olimpiad_n which_o be_v twenty_o five_o year_n after_o their_o first_o beginning_n but_o suppose_v homer_n be_v not_o the_o first_o grecian_a writer_n as_o euschius_n and_o other_o think_v and_o perhaps_o true_o enough_o that_o they_o have_v other_o before_o he_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o agree_v to_o by_o all_o they_o have_v no_o letter_n among_o they_o till_o cadmus_n nor_o any_o written-â—earning_a for_o some_o considerable_a time_n after_o he_o and_o â—tis_o well_o know_v that_o cadmus_n be_v late_a than_o moses_n those_o that_o carry_v he_o high_a make_v he_o but_o contemporary_a with_o josuah_n and_o he_o be_v as_o some_o think_v more_o true_o to_o be_v reckon_v of_o the_o same_o time_n with_o othâ—icl_n mention_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o ancient_a learning_n the_o world_n possess_v of_o beside_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v in_o the_o greek_a toâ—â—â—e_n so_o justin_n martyr_n observe_v speak_v of_o this_o matter_n say_v â—e_n si_fw-mi quis_fw-la vel_fw-la pâ—etarâ—â—_n veterum_fw-la vel_fw-la legislaterum_fw-la vel_fw-la â—isioâ—â—orâ—m_fw-la well_fw-mi plilosopherum_n meminissâ—_n velit_fw-la comperiet_fw-la tamen_fw-la illâ—s_fw-la libros_fw-la sue_v â—râ—cerum_fw-la composâ—â—sse_fw-la literis_fw-la both_o justin_n martyr_n who_o live_v within_o a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o of_o christ_n and_o â—uschiâ—s_a aâ—our_n two_o hundred_o aâ—ter_v he_o have_v evident_o prove_v from_o the_o best_a and_o most_o acknowledge_a calculation_n and_o from_o the_o mention_n that_o be_v make_v of_o moses_n by_o prophâ—â—e_a writer_n such_o as_o sanconiathon_n the_o phaenician_a antiquate_v berâ—sus_n caldeus_n ptolomen_n and_o manâ—tho_n egyptian_a chronologer_n and_o among_o the_o creacâ—aâ—s_n artapanus_n polemon_n eupolemus_n and_o from_o tregus_fw-la pompâ—ius_n epitomise_v by_o justin_n and_o other_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o legislator_n and_o live_v long_o before_o any_o author_n of_o book_n be_v extant_a and_o this_o be_v also_o very_o particular_o affirm_v by_o dioderus_fw-la siculus_n the_o best_a and_o most_o eminent_a historian_n the_o graciansâ—â—d_n â—â—d_z who_o say_v himself_o he_o spend_v thirty_o year_n in_o travel_n to_o search_v out_o the_o antiquity_n of_o all_o country_n and_o to_o enable_v himself_o to_o write_v a_o general_n story_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o history_n that_o â—e_n have_v learn_v from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n that_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o legislator_n and_o precede_v all_o other_o in_o that_o kind_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o many_o ancient_a author_n that_o he_o live_v with_o and_o to_o they_o st._n austin_n agree_v in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civet_n dei_fw-la and_o by_o other_o that_o he_o precede_v cecrops_n the_o founder_n of_o athens_n after_o who_o all_o those_o ancient_n and_o memorable_a thing_n fall_v out_o in_o greece_n as_o deucalion_n flood_n phaeton_n sire_n the_o birth_n of_o ericthonius_n the_o ripe_a of_o proserpina_n the_o mystery_n of_o ceres_n the_o â—â—titution_n of_o the_o eliâ—â—â—â—â—â—_n sacrifice_n triptolemus_n his_o art_n of_o tilling_n the_o ground_n the_o carry_v away_o of_o europa_n the_o birth_n of_o apollo_n the_o build_n of_o thebes_n by_o cadmus_n after_o who_o also_o where_o bacchus_n minos_n perseus_n esculapius_n hercules_n and_o other_o who_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o grecian_a author_n as_o most_o ancient_a nor_o have_v the_o grecian_n any_o high_a term_n to_o express_v antiquity_n by_o than_o cecropian_a and_o ogygian_a which_o they_o use_v to_o call_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v most_o ancient_a from_o cecrops_n and_o ogyges_n in_o who_o time_n they_o suppose_v man_n like_o mushroom_n spring_v natural_o out_o of_o the_o earth_n about_o athens_n but_o the_o certain_a account_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o direct_a time_n in_o which_o moses_n live_v be_v this_o that_o he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o inachus_n the_o first_o king_n of_o the_o archieâ—es_n in_o this_o chronologer_n seem_v most_o general_o to_o agree_v as_o scaliger_n show_v in_o his_o most_o learned_a animadversion_n upon_o eusebius_n his_o chronologie_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n tatianus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n athenagoras_n theophilus_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n affirm_v it_o and_o from_o many_o heathen_a author_n we_o have_v direct_a evidence_n for_o it_o polemon_n in_o his_o first_o book_n rerum_fw-la graecanicarum_fw-la be_v express_v in_o it_o and_o apion_n both_o in_o his_o commentary_n that_o he_o write_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o also_o in_o other_o of_o his_o write_n speak_v of_o the_o jew_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n regnante_fw-la apud_fw-la archivos_fw-la inacho_n quibus_fw-la say_v he_o prefuit_n moses_n and_o ptolomen_n mendiâ—us_n a_o egyptian_a that_o write_v the_o chronicle_n of_o egypt_n say_v that_o moses_n govern_v the_o jew_n and_o lead_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n quando_fw-la inachus_n argis_n regnabat_fw-la and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o that_o be_v any_o way_n verse_v in_o antiquity_n that_o inachus_n and_o also_o cecrops_n live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o trojan_a war_n and_o long_o enough_o before_o any_o book_n or_o the_o most_o ancient_a write_a learning_n the_o world_n have_v be_v extant_a tertullian_n in_o the_o 19_o chapter_n of_o his_o apology_n tell_v the_o roman_n they_o also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o grecian_n glorify_v much_o in_o antiquity_n say_v he_o our_o religion_n far_o out_o do_v all_o you_o can_v produce_v of_o that_o kind_n for_o the_o book_n of_o one_o of_o our_o prophet_n only_o viz._n moses_n wherein_o it_o seem_v god_n have_v enclose_v as_o in_o a_o treasury_n all_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o consequent_o all_o the_o christian_a religion_n precede_v for_o many_o age_n together_o reach_v beyond_o the_o ancient_a you_o have_v even_o all_o your_o public_a monument_n the_o antiquity_n of_o your_o original_n the_o establishment_n of_o your_o estate_n the_o birth_n of_o most_o part_n of_o the_o people_n the_o foundation_n of_o many_o great_a city_n all_o that_o most_o advance_a by_o you_o in_o all_o age_n of_o history_n and_o memory_n of_o time_n the_o invention_n of_o character_n which_o be_v interpreter_n of_o science_n and_o the_o guardian_n of_o all_o excellent_a thing_n i_o think_v i_o may_v say_v more_o even_o your_o god_n temple_n oracle_n and_o sacrifice_n have_v you_o hear_v mention_v make_v of_o that_o great_a prophet_n moses_n he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o inachus_n he_o precede_v danaus_n three_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o thirteen_o year_n the_o ancient_a of_o all_o that_o have_v a_o name_n in_o your_o history_n he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o ruin_n of_o troy_n every_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n succeed_v moses_n and_o yet_o the_o last_o of_o they_o all_o be_v of_o the_o same_o age_n as_o your_o first_o wise_a man_n lawgiver_n and_o historian_n be_v
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 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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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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 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of_o fact_n be_v so_o notorious_a and_o evident_a that_o bellarmine_n himself_o make_v a_o ingenuous_a confession_n of_o it_o and_o say_v plain_o hos_fw-la omnes_fw-la libros_fw-la speak_v of_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n ad_fw-la unum_fw-la rejici_fw-la ab_fw-la hebraeis_n that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n be_v rect_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n contr._n 1._o lib._n 1._o ch_n 10._o and_o confirm_v the_o same_o out_o of_o st._n jerome_n and_o if_o so_o we_o have_v then_o not_o only_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n in_o this_o case_n which_o be_v single_o sufficient_a for_o it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a contradiction_n to_o make_v any_o book_n part_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o which_o be_v not_o so_o receive_v then_o but_o we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o infallible_a determination_n for_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n full_o and_o constant_o approve_v the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o possess_v of_o it_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v with_o so_o much_o exactness_n reduce_v all_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o tacit_o approve_v and_o silent_o pass_v over_o so_o great_a a_o mistake_n about_o the_o rule_n itself_o our_o saviour_n direct_v the_o jew_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n as_o they_o then_o have_v they_o as_o be_v perfect_a and_o complete_a appeal_n to_o their_o own_o bibles_n upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o his_o own_o defence_n expound_v moses_n the_o psalm_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o those_o to_o who_o he_o speak_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v then_o extant_a nay_o he_o himself_o read_v and_o preach_v in_o their_o synagogue_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o he_o there_o find_v they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v there_o public_o use_v and_o no_o man_n can_v sober_o imagine_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v go_v about_o to_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o any_o false_a and_o imperfect_a rule_n the_o apostle_n 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all_o the_o certain_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o another_o and_o a_o far_a world_n and_o the_o great_a account_n of_o all_o invisible_a thing_n and_o second_o because_o it_o be_v the_o high_a motive_n we_o have_v to_o all_o good_a live_n it_o be_v from_o hence_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o book_n that_o we_o be_v chief_o oblige_v to_o all_o that_o be_v holy_a and_o good_a and_o engage_v against_o all_o the_o corrupt_a prastise_n of_o humane_a life_n when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o difficulty_n we_o attain_v in_o the_o first_o case_n to_o a_o fix_a and_o unshaken_a belief_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o we_o do_v not_o actual_o see_v and_o how_o apt_a we_o be_v in_o the_o latter_a to_o decline_v from_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o a_o good_a life_n nothing_o can_v seem_v more_o necessary_a than_o a_o rational_a insurance_n about_o the_o great_a foundation_n of_o all_o belief_n and_o practice_n in_o both_o that_o with_o a_o perfect_a security_n to_o our_o present_a and_o future_a 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nor_o trouble_v himself_o to_o exercise_v any_o rule_n or_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o it_o three_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o religion_n and_o providence_n but_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o not_o true_a and_o embrace_v some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o of_o those_o first-born_a monster_n of_o mankind_n that_o anomalous_a offspring_n who_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n who_o principle_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o utmost_a dregs_n of_o all_o humane_a apostasy_n and_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o absurd_a for_o as_o cicero_n say_v deos_fw-la esse_fw-la ita_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la negate_fw-la vix_fw-la eum_fw-la sanae_fw-la mentis_fw-la existimem_fw-la the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v think_v well_o in_o his_o wit_n that_o deny_v it_o a_o previous_a consideration_n be_v necessary_a to_o whatever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o 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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
to_o man_n of_o one_o persuasion_n whenever_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o sound_n of_o any_o science_n lay_v down_o position_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v if_o such_o principle_n be_v beyond_o the_o first_o and_o common_a rudiment_n of_o every_o man_n reason_n though_o in_o themselves_o never_o so_o true_a yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o debate_v and_o admit_v questionable_a in_o all_o reason_n about_o that_o very_a science_n not_o to_o admit_v some_o universal_a maxim_n be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v mankind_n certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o to_o admit_v any_o particular_a man_n opinion_n as_o indisputable_a principle_n be_v the_o way_n to_o enslave_v the_o world_n to_o every_o party_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o of_o men._n the_o first_o of_o christian_a religion_n but_o not_o of_o all_o science_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o begin_v their_o proof_n against_o all_o antiscriptural_a opposition_n from_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o every_o man_n religion_n and_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o induce_v a_o assent_n to_o their_o divine_a and_o sacred_a authority_n which_o we_o shall_v find_v god_n have_v make_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o a_o rational_a and_o impartial_a inquiry_n second_o the_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o it_o be_v the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o they_o and_o that_o way_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reserve_v to_o himself_o of_o give_v man_n a_o unquestionable_a satisfaction_n about_o that_o and_o all_o other_o divine_a thing_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o its_o profess_a adversary_n and_o that_o upon_o two_o account_n first_o because_o the_o bless_a spirit_n itself_o be_v not_o a_o common_a demonstrable_a principle_n among_o mankind_n and_o so_o can_v be_v make_v use_n of_o against_o those_o that_o know_v no_o such_o testimony_n nor_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o any_o such_o principle_n nothing_o but_o what_o a_o man_n do_v assent_v to_o can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n be_v urge_v upon_o he_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o do_v not_o assent_v to_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n by_o any_o evidence_n arise_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v needs_o be_v visible_o absurd_a because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o be_v as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o so_o that_o what_o i_o be_o about_o to_o prove_v must_v first_o be_v admit_v before_o i_o can_v make_v good_a the_o existence_n of_o that_o medium_fw-la i_o take_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o second_o whatever_o evidence_n the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v to_o any_o man_n to_o assure_v he_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n that_o evidence_n as_o such_o can_v never_o go_v 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assertain_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n it_o be_v heterodox_n and_o false_a and_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o enthusiasm_n to_o say_v that_o divine_a illumination_n be_v not_o always_o accompany_v with_o rational_a evidence_n and_o that_o any_o thing_n be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o which_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v it_o be_v most_o unsuitable_a to_o a_o reasonable_a be_v and_o most_o contrary_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o man_n all_o the_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v maintain_v by_o the_o true_a exercise_n of_o our_o rational_a faculty_n and_o no_o otherwise_o whoever_o rest_v assure_v from_o a_o divine_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o come_v from_o god_n may_v deal_v with_o a_o antiscripturist_n by_o those_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o such_o testimony_n be_v build_v but_o will_v vain_o and_o to_o no_o purpose_n urge_v that_o satisfaction_n he_o receive_v of_o the_o validity_n of_o such_o ground_n and_o reason_n from_o such_o a_o testimony_n when_o that_o testimony_n can_v be_v no_o further_o make_v evident_a then_o by_o such_o reason_n and_o argument_n as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v for_o it_o of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o which_o every_o other_o man_n reason_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n must_v necessary_o be_v the_o judge_n to_o this_o present_a undertake_n there_o ought_v also_o to_o be_v this_o praeliminary_a consideration_n that_o as_o there_o be_v divers_a thing_n of_o divers_a nature_n true_a so_o there_o be_v various_a way_n of_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o evident_a and_o medium_n of_o proof_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o each_o this_o be_v visible_a in_o aethick_n in_o physics_n in_o mathematics_n and_o in_o all_o other_o science_n when_o we_o discourse_n of_o the_o bible_n divers_a thing_n will_v come_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o by_o various_a medium_n of_o proof_n must_v be_v establish_v first_o in_o the_o general_n whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o such_o supernatural_a law_n as_o this_o send_v from_o heaven_n or_o no_o this_o be_v to_o be_v clear_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o such_o natural_a religion_n as_o every_o man_n be_v bear_v with_o second_o whether_o this_o book_n as_o it_o be_v now_o propose_v to_o we_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o such_o as_o be_v likely_a to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v that_o law_n by_o which_o the_o supreme_a maker_n of_o all_o thing_n will_v rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n this_o must_v also_o be_v clear_v from_o that_o natural_a divinity_n that_o lodge_v in_o every_o man_n be_v own_o breast_n and_o those_o primary_n notion_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n which_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n assent_v to_o and_o which_o be_v antecedent_o suppose_v to_o all_o discourse_n of_o revelation_n and_o whatever_o be_v supernatural_a three_o whether_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v and_o in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o avow_v itself_o to_o be_v write_v whether_o such_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v such_o prediction_n fulfil_v all_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n must_v be_v prove_v to_o we_o by_o credible_a testimony_n and_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o can_v ascertain_v we_o about_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o a_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a he_o that_o demand_v to_o be_v satisfy_v about_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o since_o past_a and_o yet_o deny_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o historical_a evidence_n be_v so_o absurd_a as_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o propose_v a_o doubt_n and_o resolve_v against_o all_o way_n of_o answer_n four_o whether_o this_o book_n as_o now_o we_o have_v it_o be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o write_v and_o have_v not_o be_v since_o corrupt_v or_o change_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o depend_v upon_o what_o may_v be_v rational_o urge_v to_o make_v it_o credible_a that_o this_o book_n shall_v still_o be_v secure_v by_o a_o divine_a care_n and_o to_o render_v the_o way_n and_o mean_v historical_o evident_a by_o which_o such_o a_o divine_a care_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n have_v be_v exert_v and_o so_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v in_o doubt_n about_o the_o bible_n there_o be_v proper_a inducement_n to_o our_o belief_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o and_o such_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o subject_n require_v and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o acquiesce_v in_o a_o belief_n of_o thing_n upon_o the_o evidence_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o though_o perhaps_o not_o so_o full_a and_o convince_a as_o some_o other_o thing_n will_v afford_v declare_v himself_o to_o be_v obstinate_o wilful_a and_o absurd_a nothing_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
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 to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n and_o carry_v it_o on_o in_o such_o a_o continue_v write_v way_n never_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o any_o kind_n nor_o be_v it_o supposable_a upon_o the_o ground_n of_o common_a reason_n that_o ever_o any_o such_o thing_n shall_v be_v it_o be_v strange_a it_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o high_a concernment_n wherein_o god_n honour_n &_o man_n welfare_n be_v to_o the_o utmost_a engage_v that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o impostor_n shall_v be_v at_o several_a distant_a time_n for_o fifteen_o or_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n together_o in_o contrive_v and_o compose_v such_o a_o book_n as_o the_o bible_n be_v to_o delude_v and_o deceive_v the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o all_o that_o time_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o palpable_a discovery_n make_v of_o they_o nor_o they_o themselves_o shall_v so_o trip_v in_o the_o do_v it_o as_o visible_o to_o shame_v their_o own_o undertake_n and_o betray_v those_o corrupt_a and_o rot_a principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v as_o it_o be_v high_o improbable_a that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o man_n live_v at_o such_o distance_n of_o time_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o design_n and_o the_o same_o way_n of_o promote_a it_o and_o agree_v they_o must_v for_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v it_o can_v happen_v so_o to_o be_v by_o chance_n because_o most_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v still_o write_v with_o a_o reference_n to_o thing_n future_a and_o no_o man_n that_o write_v any_o one_o part_n can_v at_o that_o time_n know_v that_o other_o in_o future_a age_n will_v justify_v what_o he_o say_v and_o take_v up_o the_o design_n in_o a_o right_a nick_n of_o time_n just_o where_o he_o leave_v it_o and_o so_o still_o carry_v it_o on_o and_o yet_o this_o must_v still_o so_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v by_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n
as_o his_o minister_n to_o execute_v so_o many_o dreadful_a judgement_n upon_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o will_v establish_v he_o by_o those_o extraordinary_a act_n in_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o with_o great_a difficulty_n and_o against_o much_o probability_n to_o the_o contrary_n he_o obtain_v and_o as_o suetonâ—us_n say_v of_o he_o after_o he_o have_v obtain_v it_o want_v personal_a authority_n and_o majesty_n to_o manage_v such_o a_o dominion_n a_o clear_a instance_n concern_v this_o whole_a matter_n god_n give_v we_o at_o first_o in_o the_o magician_n opposition_n to_o moses_n wherein_o he_o give_v we_o to_o know_v that_o although_o divine_a truth_n may_v by_o miracle_n be_v oppose_v yet_o the_o superior_a luster_n of_o his_o own_o miracle_n shall_v be_v so_o visible_a to_o all_o as_o perfect_o to_o silence_n and_o vanquish_v the_o rest_n and_o both_o in_o number_n continuance_n and_o quality_n as_o then_o it_o be_v the_o difference_n shall_v be_v to_o every_o eye_n obvious_a and_o apparent_a three_o the_o matter_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o which_o divine_a miracle_n be_v ever_o wrought_v afford_v we_o ground_n sufficient_a to_o distinguish_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v always_o a_o doctrine_n lead_v we_o to_o that_o god_n of_o who_o we_o have_v a_o notion_n imprint_v in_o our_o own_o nature_n reveal_v he_o further_o to_o we_o and_o instruct_v we_o in_o all_o those_o holy_a virtue_n and_o excellent_a way_n of_o live_v that_o most_o correspond_v to_o our_o natural_a light_n be_v most_o suitable_a to_o that_o natural_a divinity_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o and_o evident_o tend_v to_o make_v we_o most_o happy_a here_o and_o conduct_v we_o to_o the_o high_a reward_n hereafter_o whatever_o miracle_n we_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n see_v wrought_v to_o justify_v a_o contrary_a doctrine_n my_o own_o reason_n will_v reject_v as_o a_o temptation_n and_o assure_v i_o that_o in_o the_o one_o case_n a_o miracle_n be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o ascertain_v i_o and_o in_o the_o other_o the_o devil_n be_v only_o enable_v in_o the_o high_a manner_n to_o tempt_v and_o to_o try_v i_o and_o these_o three_o way_n in_o the_o case_n of_o miracle_n be_v we_o sufficient_o secure_v against_o all_o the_o attempt_n that_o can_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v to_o seduce_v we_o that_o way_n and_o may_v hereby_o rest_v abundant_o satisfy_v in_o the_o testimony_n of_o divine_a miracle_n give_v to_o divine_a truth_n by_o whatever_o way_n the_o devil_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o countenance_n and_o promote_v a_o contrary_a interest_n now_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v attend_v with_o miracle_n in_o their_o conveyance_n be_v not_o as_o before_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o deny_v and_o that_o those_o miracle_n have_v the_o advantage_n of_o all_o the_o forego_n circumstance_n be_v likewise_o very_o evident_a the_o doctrine_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o bâ—rn_n of_o all_o other_o be_v the_o religion_n that_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n god_n in_o the_o first_o place_n settle_v and_o consecrate_v that_o by_o a_o miraculous_a power_n before_o any_o other_o systeme_n of_o religion_n be_v extant_a and_o give_v it_o therein_o the_o precedency_n of_o all_o false_a prophet_n and_o impostor_n and_o whatsoever_o doctrine_n they_o shall_v by_o that_o mean_n oppose_v it_o withal_o and_o so_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o the_o old_a be_v by_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n at_o the_o first_o and_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n after_o upon_o the_o validity_n of_o both_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v secure_v against_o all_o opposition_n that_o can_v that_o way_n be_v make_v against_o it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n second_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o god_n work_v those_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v justify_v to_o we_o to_o be_v his_o word_n have_v eminent_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o operation_n of_o that_o kind_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n when_o the_o devil_n by_o the_o magician_n go_v further_a that_o way_n then_o ever_o he_o do_v after_o how_o far_o do_v the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n exceed_v his_o more_o miracle_n great_a miracle_n more_o continue_a miracle_n undeniable_a and_o uncontrollable_a evidence_n of_o god_n infinite_a and_o almighty_a power_n in_o a_o way_n far_o superior_a to_o what_o they_o can_v bring_v about_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o miracle_n have_v be_v such_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o work_n as_o leave_v no_o room_n to_o doubt_v of_o god_n intention_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o heaven_n â—â—ereby_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o â—â—â—â—rine_n if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o grand_a â—â—â—â—sion_n of_o they_o to_o fullfil_v the_o old_a testament_n and_o establish_v the_o new_a and_o this_o by_o private_a man_n respect_v the_o world_n without_o the_o least_o clothing_n of_o humane_a power_n or_o authority_n who_o can_v imagine_v less_o than_o that_o a_o commission_n to_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v seal_v from_o 〈◊〉_d heaven_n in_o extroardinary_a way_n to_o assure_v the_o world_n of_o their_o authority_n to_o do_v this_o second_o the_o admirable_a nature_n of_o those_o miracle_n raise_v dead_a person_n cure_v all_o sort_n of_o disease_n command_v wind_n and_o sea_n vanish_v in_o a_o moment_n out_o of_o the_o sight_n of_o multitude_n three_o their_o number_n be_v exceed_o many_o do_v in_o all_o place_n and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n where_o they_o come_v four_o their_o visibility_n open_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o present_a by_o multitude_n five_o without_o the_o use_n of_o any_o secondary_a mean_n or_o the_o least_o show_n of_o diabolical_a enchantment_n and_o as_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n say_v sine_fw-la â—lla_fw-la vi_fw-la carminum_fw-la sine_fw-la herbarum_fw-la aut_fw-la graminum_fw-la sâ—ccis_fw-la sine_fw-la ulla_fw-la aliqua_fw-la observatione_fw-la sollicita_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la libaminum_fw-la temporum_fw-la etc._n etc._n all_o most_o frequent_a in_o heathenish_a sorcery_n and_o enchantment_n six_o the_o long_a and_o last_a continuance_n of_o they_o not_o only_o during_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o one_o of_o they_o the_o apostle_n john_n live_v till_o trajan_n time_n which_o be_v above_o a_o hundred_o year_n from_o christ_n birth_n but_o also_o for_o very_o many_o year_n after_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n what_o miraracle_n do_v the_o world_n pretend_v to_o that_o can_v compare_v themselves_o with_o these_o miracle_n upon_o all_o or_o any_o of_o these_o account_n no_o man_n noâ—_n devil_n ever_o do_v such_o work_n nor_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o these_o be_v what_o lamentable_a and_o pitiful_a thing_n be_v those_o of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n esculapius_n or_o any_o other_o compare_v with_o these_o and_o what_o a_o shameful_a and_o indeed_o ridiculous_a partiality_n do_v appear_v in_o hierocles_n and_o porphiry_n who_o design_v thereby_o to_o incense_v the_o emperor_n against_o the_o christian_n who_o much_o justify_v themselves_o upon_o the_o power_n oâ—_n miracle_n and_o to_o bring_v they_o under_o persecution_n have_v endeavour_v to_o draw_v a_o parallel_n between_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o apollonius_n we_o find_v by_o eusebius_n that_o hierocles_n in_o a_o book_n that_o be_v since_o lose_v compare_v apollonius_n and_o christ_n the_o evangelist_n who_o write_v our_o saviour_n story_n and_o philostratus_n the_o writer_n of_o apollonius_n his_o life_n upon_o that_o account_n together_o and_o prefer_v apollonius_n and_o philostâ—atus_n before_o the_o other_o but_o with_o what_o a_o unreasonable_a partiality_n be_v eaâ—y_o to_o be_v see_v by_o any_o that_o wilâ—_n consult_v eusebius_n his_o answer_n to_o he_o one_o chieâ—_n miracle_n philostratus_n tell_v we_o off_o be_v that_o appollonius_n sit_v at_o meat_n be_v serve_v after_o wonderful_a manner_n with_o man_n of_o brass_n and_o another_o be_v that_o a_o elm_n three_fw-mi speak_v to_o he_o and_o salute_v he_o with_o many_o other_o such_o thing_n which_o to_o every_o common_a understanding_n appear_v at_o first_o sight_n very_o capable_a of_o deceit_n and_o delusion_n the_o sun_n be_v not_o in_o lustre_n more_o superior_a to_o the_o dim_a star_n than_o christ_n miracle_n be_v to_o all_o pretension_n of_o that_o kind_n nor_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o operation_n either_o of_o man_n or_o of_o angel_n visible_a in_o this_o world_n that_o with_o any_o colour_n of_o justice_n and_o truth_n can_v all_o circumstance_n consider_v be_v put_v in_o balance_n with_o those_o eminent_o miraculous_a act_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n three_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v and_o to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o deliver_v they_o to_o we_o be_v most_o evident_o from_o god_n most_o correspond_v to_o our_o natural_a obligation_n to_o he_o and_o
at_o large_a in_o the_o 12_o book_n of_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n some_o will_v needs_o imagine_v that_o antiochus_n so_o far_o prevail_v in_o this_o undertake_n that_o the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a be_v whole_o destroy_v but_o the_o contrary_n be_v most_o evident_a and_o a_o special_a providence_n in_o their_o preservation_n sufficient_o visible_a for_o no_o soon_o be_v that_o storm_n over_o but_o the_o bible_n be_v every_o where_o public_o extant_a have_v be_v particular_o preserve_v by_o mathias_n the_o son_n of_o asmonaeus_fw-la and_o his_o son_n who_o as_o josephus_n say_v resolute_o venture_v their_o life_n in_o the_o do_v it_o and_o also_o by_o other_o good_a man_n and_o be_v universal_o know_v in_o that_o age_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v so_o calvin_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o institutes_n observe_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v undergo_v the_o malice_n of_o manifold_a enemy_n on_o all_o hand_n yet_o neither_o the_o loss_n nor_o the_o change_n nor_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o law_n be_v ever_o by_o their_o worst_a enemy_n object_v against_o they_o and_o indeed_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o enmity_n be_v against_o their_o religion_n yet_o they_o never_o deny_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o law_n they_o have_v be_v the_o same_o he_o deliâ—cred_a at_o first_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n since_o the_o closure_n and_o completion_n of_o the_o whole_a what_o a_o fâ—â—ious_a persecution_n do_v the_o bible_n escape_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n who_o after_o the_o grievous_a suffering_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o i_o before_o persecution_n assault_v they_o about_o the_o year_n 302_o with_o the_o sore_a and_o most_o cruel_a of_o all_o and_o with_o a_o full_a purpose_n to_o root_n christianity_n utter_o out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o destroy_v its_o very_a name_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n euselius_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o publish_v a_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o christianity_n itself_o in_o which_o he_o so_o much_o glory_v that_o he_o cause_v a_o pillar_n to_o be_v erect_v as_o his_o memorial_n to_o all_o posterity_n with_o this_o inscription_n dioclesiano_n casari_fw-la augusto_fw-la superstitione_n christi_fw-la ubique_fw-la deleta_fw-la to_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n have_v abolish_v the_o superstition_n of_o christ_n all_o the_o world_n over_o by_o that_o edict_n he_o command_v that_o the_o christian-churche_n shall_v every_v where_o be_v demolish_v the_o christian_n all_o seize_v and_o imprison_v et_fw-la quibuâ—cunque_fw-la adhiâ—itis_fw-la machinis_fw-la victimas_fw-la idolis_fw-la immolare_fw-la cogerentur_fw-la that_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o mean_n fair_a and_o foul_a they_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o sacrifice_v unto_o his_o idol_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v every_o where_o seek_v for_o burn_v and_o destroy_v and_o whoever_o retain_v they_o shall_v be_v most_o sharp_o torment_v dioclesian_n at_o this_o time_n have_v the_o command_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n for_o as_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a writer_n say_v romanâ—_n spatium_fw-la est_fw-la vrbis_fw-la &_o orbis_n idem_fw-la the_o scripture_n be_v then_o but_o in_o write_a hand_n man_n general_o quake_v with_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o rage_a tyrant_n very_o many_o apostatise_v and_o deliver_v up_o the_o bible_n to_o his_o wrath_n and_o be_v thereupon_o brand_v with_o the_o name_n of_o traditores_fw-la of_o which_o and_o of_o the_o whole_a business_n we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v a_o large_a account_n have_v not_o the_o life_n of_o deoclesian_n write_v by_o eusthenius_n his_o secretary_n be_v since_o lose_v for_o as_o baronius_n have_v right_o observe_v in_o his_o annal_n we_o have_v now_o no_o writer_n who_o do_v at_o that_o time_n historical_o set_v down_o the_o action_n of_o that_o emperor_n yet_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n deliver_v this_o book_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n disappoint_v his_o fury_n and_o suffer_v he_o not_o to_o quench_v the_o light_n of_o these_o divine_a law_n the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n tire_v out_o the_o invention_n of_o their_o enemy_n in_o find_v out_o way_n to_o torment_v they_o and_o by_o their_o constant_a and_o patient_a suffer_v the_o utmost_a of_o humane_a misery_n even_o weary_v out_o their_o executioner_n one_o remarkable_a passage_n we_o have_v in_o euseblus_fw-la that_o happen_v upon_o this_o occasion_n a_o noble_a man_n in_o nicomedia_n of_o eminent_a quality_n hear_v this_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o bible_n publish_v at_o nicemedâ—a_n after_o it_o be_v read_v and_o open_o fix_v to_o a_o public_a pillar_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o dioclesian_n himself_o maximinius_n galerius_n constantius_n and_o other_o the_o chief_a person_n in_o the_o empire_n for_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o emperor_n to_o come_v themselves_o in_o person_n with_o their_o chief_a attendants_n to_o hear_v their_o own_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n proclaim_v to_o see_v the_o christian_n torment_v and_o to_o make_v themselves_o sport_n with_o their_o misery_n this_o noble_a man_n have_v such_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o before_o the_o emperor_n face_n he_o take_v down_o that_o profane_a and_o impious_a edict_n and_o with_o a_o holy_a indignation_n open_o tear_v it_o to_o piece_n and_z and_o thereby_o willing_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o utmost_a suffering_n the_o fury_n and_o rage_n of_o the_o emperor_n can_v any_o way_n make_v he_o the_o subject_n of_o two_o thing_n be_v usual_o urge_v in_o diminution_n of_o the_o â—â—ble_a and_o its_o authority_n upon_o a_o quite_o contrary_a account_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v preserve_v entire_a in_o the_o whole_a or_o in_o its_o part_n that_o first_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n periâ—â—ed_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n and_o that_o esdras_n write_v it_o himself_o all_o over_o again_o upon_o their_o return_n and_o that_o we_o have_v now_o so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n only_o from_o he_o and_o as_o he_o re-pâ—â—ned_n it_o in_o this_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o the_o 33_o chapter_n of_o his_o leviathan_n where_o he_o have_v not_o fail_v to_o insinuate_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v gratify_v man_n of_o sceptical_a notion_n about_o the_o bible_n be_v very_o positive_a and_o tell_v we_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v derive_v to_o we_o from_o no_o other_o time_n then_o that_o of_o esdras_n and_o be_v retrive_v by_o he_o when_o they_o be_v lose_v and_o second_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o many_o particular_a book_n and_o write_n pen_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o once_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v since_o consume_v by_o time_n and_o be_v now_o whole_o lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n the_o first_o that_o so_o much_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o be_v then_o extant_a which_o be_v the_o whole_a as_o we_o have_v it_o save_o some_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezeâ—iel_n daniel_n haggai_n zachary_n and_o masachai_n and_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v total_o lose_v and_o all_o the_o copy_n destroy_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v a_o assertion_n very_o weak_o ground_v and_o there_o be_v very_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o persuade_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o weak_o ground_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o that_o in_o a_o apocryphal_a book_n that_o go_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o four_o book_n of_o esdras_n a_o book_n every_o where_o stuff_v with_o childish_a and_o fabulous_a stoties_fw-la there_o we_o find_v this_o absurd_a fiction_n that_o esdras_n shall_v speak_v unto_o god_n and_o tell_v he_o thy_o law_n be_v burn_v and_o no_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n that_o thou_o have_v do_v and_o therefore_o desire_v to_o be_v inspire_v to_o write_v it_o all_o over_o again_o and_o to_o wrire_fw-fr all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o after_o he_o have_v be_v forty_o day_n and_o night_n with_o god_n in_o a_o apish_a foolish_a imitation_n of_o moses_n and_o have_v take_v a_o potion_n god_n have_v prepare_v for_o he_o he_o dictate_v all_o the_o bible_n over_o again_o to_o five_o man_n now_o of_o how_o little_a credit_n this_o relation_n be_v no_o where_n find_v but_o in_o this_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v with_o any_o consider_a man_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o book_n be_v not_o only_o constant_o reject_v as_o apocryphal_a by_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o a_o counterfeit_n under_o esdras_n his_o name_n and_o none_o of_o he_o but_o have_v be_v so_o by_o all_o
according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o can_v conceive_v after_o seventy_o year_n they_o can_v so_o exact_o have_v do_v or_o will_v ever_o have_v attempt_v to_o have_v do_v it_o have_v not_o they_o have_v the_o law_n with_o they_o while_o esdras_n himself_o be_v yoten_n babylon_n and_o when_o esdras_n do_v come_v to_o jerusalem_n we_o find_v in_o the_o 8_o of_o nehemiah_n the_o people_n be_v so_o far_o from_o want_v the_o law_n or_o stay_v for_o any_o such_o restoration_n or_o re-penning_a of_o it_o by_o he_o as_o be_v pretend_v that_o they_o desire_v he_o only_o to_o read_v the_o law_n open_o to_o they_o which_o he_o immediate_o do_v as_o a_o thing_n they_o be_v then_o possess_v of_o and_o which_o be_v notorious_a among_o they_o five_o it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o esdras_n shall_v so_o repen_n the_o bible_n because_o we_o find_v his_o own_o writing_n full_a of_o caldee_n word_n as_o also_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n but_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v in_o pure_a hebrew_n and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n conceivable_a but_o that_o if_o he_o have_v re-penned_a the_o whole_a he_o will_v have_v write_v it_o in_o the_o same_o way_n he_o write_v his_o own_o book_n and_o according_a to_o the_o idiom_n that_o be_v then_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n either_o whole_o in_o caldee_n or_o else_o with_o some_o mixture_n of_o caldee_n and_o hebrew_n together_o the_o whole_a of_o this_o story_n do_v evident_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o romantic_a fable_n take_v out_o of_o a_o book_n souse_v with_o many_o vain_a and_o ridiculous_a folly_n and_o be_v contradict_v by_o another_o apecryphal_a book_n of_o much_o better_a credit_n 〈◊〉_d we_o will_v depend_v upon_o such_o evidence_n for_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n we_o be_v there_o tell_v that_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o ark_n in_o the_o side_n of_o which_o the_o law_n we_o know_v be_v place_v be_v secure_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n and_o hide_v in_o a_o cave_n at_o mount_n nebo_n when_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v though_o the_o law_n be_v not_o particular_o mention_v yet_o be_v always_o keep_v in_o the_o ark_n â—â—s_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o jeremy_n preserve_v it_o with_o the_o ark_n and_o have_v a_o especial_a reference_n to_o the_o secure_n of_o it_o in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v this_o we_o affirm_v as_o a_o truth_n to_o which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v assent_v that_o at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o people_n out_o of_o babylon_n the_o care_n of_o esdras_n about_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n that_o be_v then_o according_a to_o moses_n his_o first_o institution_n assemble_v in_o which_o be_v present_a haggai_n zacharie_n malachy_n nehemias_n and_o zerubbabel_n be_v very_o eminent_a and_o great_a and_o to_o this_o day_n we_o derive_v singular_a advantage_n from_o it_o for_o first_o with_o great_a diligence_n they_o make_v a_o exact_a separation_n between_o such_o write_n as_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o be_v to_o be_v a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o whether_o write_v by_o true_a prophet_n or_o false_a for_o even_o true_a prophet_n and_o such_o as_o be_v most_o eminent_a might_n and_o without_o doubt_n many_o of_o they_o do_v write_v diverse_a thing_n without_o any_o immediate_a assistance_n or_o direction_n from_o god_n and_o consequent_o which_o be_v nor_o of_o divine_a authority_n they_o collect_v all_o the_o sacred_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n together_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n lie_v disperse_v in_o private_a hand_n no_o public_a use_n be_v make_v of_o they_o incorporate_v the_o whole_a into_o one_o entire_a volumn_n a_o admirable_a work_n in_o the_o order_n we_o now_o have_v it_o which_o before_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v for_o several_a psalm_n several_a of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o some_o other_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o people_n into_o babylon_n and_o it_o do_v no_o where_n appear_v that_o those_o part_n write_v before_o be_v conjoin_v in_o one_o entire_a volumn_n more_o of_o they_o then_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o original_a copy_n whereof_o moses_n himself_o deliver_v in_o a_o public_a assembly_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 the_o peculiar_a archive_n god_n have_v by_o his_o special_a command_n appoint_v for_o it_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o unite_v they_o rank_v under_o three_o class_n and_o divide_v into_o three_o part_n which_o division_n be_v continue_v among_o the_o jew_n till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o st._n luke_n refer_v to_o it_o when_o he_o say_v all_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n second_o their_o care_n in_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v eminent_o great_a and_o most_o high_o be_v it_o to_o be_v applaud_v in_o add_v point_n to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o facilitate_v the_o read_n and_o learn_v of_o it_o divide_v the_o sacred_a write_n into_o verse_n with_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n most_o probable_o first_o begin_v by_o they_o of_o which_o the_o jewish_a writer_n give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o whole_a of_o their_o endeavour_n this_o way_n and_o of_o those_o among_o the_o jew_n that_o succeed_v they_o therein_o be_v call_v the_o massora_n which_o god_n wonderful_o bless_v to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o deliver_v the_o old_a testament_n safe_o and_o entire_o over_o to_o we_o what_o a_o useful_a and_o most_o laborious_a enterprise_n this_o massora_n be_v we_o may_v know_v by_o the_o description_n buxtorffe_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o his_o most_o excellent_a commentarius_fw-la massorethicus_n massora_n say_v he_o est_fw-la doctrina_fw-la critica_fw-la a_o priscis_fw-la hebraeorum_n sapientibus_fw-la circa_fw-la textum_fw-la hebraeum_n sacrae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la ingeniosâ—_n inuenta_fw-la quâ—_n versas_fw-la voces_fw-la &_o literae_fw-la ejus_fw-la nâ—meratae_fw-la omnisque_fw-la ipsarum_fw-la variet_fw-la as_o notata_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la locis_fw-la cum_fw-la singulorum_fw-la versuum_fw-la recitatione_n indicata_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la sic_fw-la constans_fw-la &_o genuina_fw-la ejus_fw-la lectio_fw-la conservetur_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la mutatione_n aut_fw-la corruptio_fw-la e_fw-la aeternum_fw-la preservetur_fw-la &_o valide_fw-la premuniatur_fw-la the_o massora_n be_v a_o critical_a learning_n about_o the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n ingenios_o invent_v by_o the_o ancient_a wise_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o which_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n be_v all_o number_v and_o all_o their_o variation_n particular_o note_v and_o set_v down_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n with_o a_o recital_n of_o the_o particular_a verse_n that_o so_o the_o constant_a and_o genuine_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v preserve_v and_o for_o ever_o secure_v against_o all_o change_n or_o corruption_n and_o that_o ezra_n and_o this_o great_a synagogue_n be_v most_o probable_o the_o first_o author_n and_o contriver_n of_o the_o massora_n however_o augment_v by_o other_o in_o after_o age_n and_o not_o some_o learned_a jew_n at_o tiberias_n that_o long_o live_v after_o ouâ—_n saviour_n as_o some_o have_v suppose_v buxtorffe_n in_o the_o eleven_o chap._n of_o the_o samebook_n have_v large_o and_o learned_o prove_v from_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o thus_o conclude_v upon_o the_o whole_a haec_fw-la communis_fw-la est_fw-la hebraeorum_n sententia_fw-la massoram_fw-la a_o viris_fw-la synagogae_fw-la magnae_fw-la prosectam_fw-la esse_fw-la this_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o massora_n come_v from_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n three_o that_o ezra_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n to_o render_v the_o sacred_a text_n more_o intelligible_a and_o make_v the_o truth_n of_o some_o historical_a relation_n more_o evident_a do_v make_v some_o small_a addition_n and_o some_o verbal_a alteration_n in_o some_o place_n be_v great_o probable_a and_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v do_v but_o no_o re-penning_a the_o bible_n nor_o the_o least_o violation_n offer_v to_o the_o sacred_a record_n nor_o to_o the_o credit_n of_o its_o authority_n nor_o can_v the_o least_o objection_n though_o many_o have_v endeavour_v it_o be_v raise_v from_o hence_o to_o that_o purpose_n when_o so_o many_o person_n of_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n be_v present_a in_o that_o assembly_n and_o who_o be_v without_o doubt_n divine_o direct_v about_o what_o they_o do_v in_o that_o matter_n in_o
a_o word_n that_o famous_a and_o venerable_a senate_n in_o which_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v present_a all_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v complete_v and_o the_o whole_a prophecy_n that_o god_n vouchsafe_v till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n deliver_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o punctual_a collection_n of_o the_o several_a part_n together_o and_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n against_o any_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n exact_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o the_o jew_n keep_v punctual_o to_o till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o full_o approve_v the_o scripture_n as_o he_o then_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o possession_n of_o they_o second_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o any_o book_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v whole_o lose_v we_o utter_o deny_v the_o affirmation_n of_o it_o be_v neither_o consist_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o general_n nor_o can_v any_o particular_a proof_n be_v bring_v to_o make_v it_o good_a those_o who_o insist_v upon_o this_o as_o bellarmine_n and_o some_o of_o the_o papist_n do_v thereby_o to_o gain_v a_o advantage_n to_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v put_v in_o balance_n with_o the_o bible_n and_o other_o with_o design_n by_o prove_v the_o loss_n of_o any_o part_n to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a instance_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o parable_n or_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o a_o thousand_o and_o five_o song_n speak_v of_o 1_o king_n 4.32_o the_o book_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o gad_n the_o seer_n mention_v in_o the_o second_o of_o chronicle_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ahijah_n the_o shilonite_n and_o the_o vision_n of_o iddo_n or_o addo_n the_o seer_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 2_o chron._n 9_o and_o some_o other_o and_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n write_v as_o they_o suppose_v to_o the_o laodicaean_n mention_v colos_n 4.16_o although_o very_o many_o of_o these_o write_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n in_o particular_a it_o be_v probable_a that_o nathan_n and_o gad_n write_v some_o part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o samâ—â—_n and_o the_o king_n so_o much_o at_o least_o as_o concern_v the_o action_n of_o david_n of_o which_o they_o be_v exact_o know_v if_o they_o write_v not_o the_o whole_a second_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o the_o first_o of_o the_o king_n which_o some_o upon_o probable_a ground_n suppose_v yet_o admit_v all_o these_o be_v other_o writing_n than_o be_v now_o contain_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o will_v no_o way_n follow_v they_o be_v ever_o any_o part_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n when_o the_o scripture_n mention_n book_n write_v by_o these_o or_o any_o other_o man_n and_o relate_v historical_o to_o the_o matter_n oâ—_n they_o as_o st_n paul_n sometime_o quote_v heathy_a author_n will_v that_o infer_v they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o bible_n by_o no_o mean_n nay_o the_o very_a writer_n of_o the_o bible_n themselves_o such_o as_o david_n solâ—mon_n and_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n may_v and_o without_o all_o doubt_n some_o of_o they_o do_v write_v many_o thing_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n that_o be_v true_a without_o any_o divine_a or_o infallible_a direction_n and_o which_o be_v never_o incorporate_v with_o the_o bible_n and_o so_o say_v st._n austin_n in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civ_o dei_fw-la say_v be_v those_o prophet_n who_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o inspire_v write_v some_o thing_n as_o man_n and_o those_o work_n we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d in_o our_o canon_n nor_o have_v the_o jew_n in_o they_o and_o other_o thing_n as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n and_o these_o work_n be_v real_o distinct_a some_o be_v hold_v their_o own_o as_o man_n and_o some_o the_o lord_n as_o speak_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o that_o will_v prove_v from_o hence_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v must_v first_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o these_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o be_v now_o possess_v of_o and_o second_o that_o admit_v they_o be_v not_o that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o ence_n within_o the_o canon_n of_o which_o latter_a we_o be_v well_o assure_v the_o least_o proof_n can_v be_v make_v for_o the_o jew_n be_v most_o faithful_a preserver_n of_o those_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v unto_o their_o change_n nor_o be_v they_o ever_o so_o much_o as_o once_o blame_v by_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n for_o any_o miscarriage_n that_o way_n as_o for_o a_o epistle_n suppose_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o the_o laodicaeons_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v the_o supposition_n be_v frivolous_a and_o groundless_a for_o the_o word_n in_o the_o greck_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o from_o laodicaea_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o laodicae_fw-la but_o of_o one_o write_v from_o laodicaea_n either_o to_o the_o colossian_n themselves_o which_o they_o then_o have_v by_o they_o or_o else_o to_o st._n paul_n which_o he_o send_v they_o and_o require_v they_o to_o read_v it_o as_o contain_v something_o expedient_a for_o they_o to_o know_v the_o mistake_a opinion_n from_o this_o place_n of_o a_o epistle_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodiceans_n have_v most_o probable_o arisen_a from_o the_o ill_a rendition_n in_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a where_o the_o word_n be_v render_v &_o illa_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la laodicentium_n but_o without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o original_a catherinus_n confess_v that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o chrisostome_n and_o oecumenius_n non_fw-la hic_fw-la nominari_fw-la epistolam_fw-la a_o paulo_n scriptam_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la sed_fw-la ex_fw-la co_fw-la loco_fw-la scriptam_fw-la that_o here_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n but_o of_o some_o epistle_n write_v from_o laodicaea_n that_o there_o be_v ancient_o a_o counterfeit_n epistle_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v be_v most_o true_a but_o in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v extant_a it_o be_v universal_o reject_v as_o spurious_a and_o know_v so_o to_o be_v st._n i_o speak_v of_o it_o but_o say_v abomnibus_fw-la exploditur_fw-la the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o their_o six_o canon_n say_v thus_o of_o it_o inter_fw-la epistolas_fw-la pauli_n apostoli_fw-la quaedam_fw-la fertur_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la quam_fw-la patres_fw-la nostri_fw-la tanquam_fw-la alienam_fw-la reprobaverunt_fw-la tertullian_n against_o martion_n and_o theophilact_fw-mi both_o reject_v it_o with_o great_a contempt_n and_o say_v it_o be_v apostolico_fw-la nomine_fw-la planâ—_n indigna_fw-es and_o bellarmine_n himself_o though_o he_o have_v former_o affirm_v there_o be_v such_o a_o epistle_n which_o be_v certain_o lose_v yet_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n which_o he_o call_v his_o recognition_n or_o after-view_n of_o his_o work_n retract_v it_o say_v he_o be_v mistake_v and_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o such_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n so_o that_o all_o the_o insinuation_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n any_o book_n write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n appear_v to_o be_v very_o weak_o and_o ill_o ground_v and_o in_o truth_n the_o foot_n step_v of_o divine_a providence_n have_v be_v eminent_o visible_a in_o secure_v those_o holy_a writing_n upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n from_o destruction_n addition_n and_o alteration_n first_o no_o accident_n of_o time_n nor_o design_n of_o its_o worst_a enemy_n have_v total_o obliterated_a the_o whole_a or_o any_o part._n second_o though_o many_o have_v attempt_v to_o piece_n in_o and_o add_v to_o it_o false_a and_o counterfeit_a fragment_n and_o some_o whole_a gospel_n yet_o in_o defiance_n to_o all_o those_o essay_n the_o scripture_n have_v remain_v entire_a and_o stand_v like_o a_o rock_n impenetrable_a no_o spurious_a write_n have_v be_v able_a to_o incorporate_v with_o this_o holy_a book_n such_o who_o have_v go_v about_o to_o forge_v scripture_n have_v but_o make_v the_o lustre_n of_o the_o bible_n more_o eminent_a and_o more_o evident_o show_v we_o the_o difference_n of_o god_n reâ—ealing_v from_o heaven_n and_o man_n counterfeit_v upon_o earth_n man_n write_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a ability_n and_o man_n writing_n as_o they_o be_v move_v thereunto_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n three_o from_o alteration_n no_o man_n have_v be_v suffer_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o attempt_n of_o heretic_n to_o that_o purpose_n to_o pollute_v or_o corrupt_v it_o all_o
such_o attempt_n have_v still_o be_v discover_v and_o open_o shame_v how_o many_o heretic_n have_v carry_v about_o their_o own_o confutation_n while_o they_o possess_v this_o book_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o change_v or_o alter_v such_o passage_n as_o have_v be_v most_o cogent_n against_o themselves_o the_o bible_n pass_v through_o the_o arian-world_n with_o all_o those_o plain_a evidence_n it_o contain_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o emperor_n council_n and_o indeed_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o whole_a christian-world_n wâ—â—etainted_v with_o that_o heresy_n the_o bible_n escape_v the_o infection_n when_o the_o alteration_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plain_a text_n will_v have_v do_v they_o more_o service_n than_o all_o the_o volume_n they_o write_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o great_a design_n be_v on_o foot_n that_o way_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o disappoint_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n need_v no_o other_o confutation_n than_o their_o own_o bible_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v be_v theiâ—_n great_a accuser_n all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o this_o day_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o uriaâ—_n be_v of_o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n which_o contain_v his_o own_o ruin_n and_o as_o goliaâ—_n be_v of_o hiâ—_n sword_n which_o serve_v at_o last_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o own_o head_n second_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o book_n since_o its_o conveyance_n give_v in_o a_o signal_n and_o most_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o its_o divinity_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v gain_v that_o reception_n we_o find_v it_o have_v have_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o a_o religion_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corrupt_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o call_v man_n to_o the_o high_a mortification_n and_o self-denial_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o invisible_a world_n to_o come_v naked_o propose_v by_o man_n upon_o a_o worldly_a account_n always_o inconsiderable_a without_o any_o the_o least_o earthly_a support_n a_o religion_n period_v the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o total_o subvert_v all_o other_o religion_n a_o religion_n oppose_v &_o disow_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o though_o it_o derive_v itself_o whole_o from_o they_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a completion_n of_o all_o they_o believe_v and_o expect_v a_o religion_n in_o oppostion_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v agree_v and_o indeed_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n perfect_o concur_v i_o say_v it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n so_o circumstance_v against_o all_o the_o religion_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o first_o make_v its_o entrance_n and_o be_v embrace_v by_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n and_o within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o after_o its_o first_o publication_n for_o so_o it_o be_v be_v spread_v not_o only_o throughout_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o also_o among_o the_o parthian_n and_o remote_a heathen_n to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o it_o be_v own_o innate_a worth_n and_o the_o divine_a evidence_n from_o heaven_n attend_v it_o can_v it_o with_o any_o tolerable_a colour_n of_o reason_n be_v ascribe_v the_o zeal_n man_n have_v for_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v sufficient_o prompt_v they_o to_o hate_v abhor_v and_o persecute_v it_o the_o learning_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v employ_v to_o render_v it_o despicable_a and_o to_o bring_v it_o under_o contempt_n and_o all_o the_o force_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v every_o where_o violent_o at_o 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
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then_o extant_a and_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n after_o the_o captivity_n it_o be_v clear_a from_o all_o story_n that_o the_o jew_n that_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n continue_v under_o a_o national_a establishment_n though_o not_o under_o a_o succession_n of_o kingly_a government_n from_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n for_o god_n have_v declare_v by_o jeremiah_n that_o none_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o jeconaih_n shall_v any_o more_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n of_o david_n have_v sovereign_a jurisdiction_n among_o they_o which_o the_o ten_o tribe_n have_v whole_o lose_v and_o long_o before_o be_v total_o deprive_v of_o nay_o be_v still_o govern_v by_o some_o of_o themselves_o till_o the_o roman_n impose_v herod_n and_o idumaean_a upon_o they_o in_o who_o time_n our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v so_o that_o the_o sceptre_n do_v not_o depart_v from_o judah_n nor_o a_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n till_o shiloe_n come_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o any_o reasonable_a man_n to_o disbelieve_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n in_o fact_n as_o our_o saviour_n and_o such_o man_n as_o the_o apostle_n that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n that_o erect_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o of_o the_o succession_n of_o it_o in_o multitude_n of_o professor_n ever_o since_o and_o the_o write_a account_n we_o have_v of_o it_o not_o only_o from_o christian_n themselves_o but_o from_o jew_n and_o heathen_n in_o those_o time_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n both_o make_v mention_n of_o christ_n tacitus_n in_o the_o 15_o book_n of_o his_o annal_n speak_v of_o nero_n cruelty_n to_o the_o christian_n say_v the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v one_o christ_n who_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n be_v punish_v with_o death_n by_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n josephus_n speak_v of_o he_o pliny_n suetonius_n and_o other_o write_v of_o the_o christian_n extant_a in_o those_o time_n of_o their_o principle_n their_o manner_n of_o live_v and_o of_o their_o suffering_n suetonius_n say_v in_o the_o life_n of_o nero_n christianos_n genus_fw-la hominum_fw-la maleficae_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la suppliciis_fw-la affixit_fw-la that_o he_o pumsh_v the_o christian_n a_o sort_n of_o man_n of_o a_o magical_a superstition_n many_o historical_a passage_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v attest_v to_o we_o by_o heathen_a and_o jewish-writters_a though_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o roman_a historian_n of_o that_o age_n know_v not_o much_o of_o the_o affair_n of_o palestine_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o they_o have_v write_v concern_v the_o jew_n especial_o tacitus_n who_o appear_v very_o gross_o ignorant_a both_o about_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n the_o star_n that_o appear_v at_o our_o saviour_n birth_n be_v mention_v by_o pliny_n lib._n 2._o chap._n 5._o and_o by_o the_o philosopher_n chalcidius_n large_o in_o his_o comment_n upon_o plato_n timaeas_n herodi_n kill_v the_o child_n in_o bethlehem_n by_o macrobius_n the_o eclipse_n of_o
the_o sun_n upon_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o consider_v the_o position_n of_o the_o moon_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n passeover_n must_v needs_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v prodigious_o supernatural_a be_v mention_v in_o many_o heathen_a writer_n which_o eusebius_n say_v he_o himself_o have_v read_v both_o eusebius_n in_o his_o chronology_n and_o origen_n in_o his_o second_o book_n against_o celsus_n tell_v we_o that_o phlegon_n trallianus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n in_o the_o thirteen_o book_n of_o his_o chronicle_n write_v of_o this_o eclipse_n and_o say_v that_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o the_o two_o hundred_o and_o ten_o olympiad_n there_o be_v the_o great_a eclipse_n of_o thâ—â—an_n that_o ever_o be_v behold_v and_o withal_o a_o strange_a earthquake_n and_o that_o year_n be_v exact_o the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n suffer_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o tertullia_n â—â—â—loâ—y_n and_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n in_o those_o first_o age_n that_o this_o and_o divers_a other_o passage_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o stoâ—â—_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o those_o time_n reâ—â—red_v among_o the_o roman_n for_o they_o ofâ—en_o appeal_v to_o their_o own_o record_n to_o â—â—ove_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o and_o many_o other_o particular_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n which_o â—e_n write_v but_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n persuade_v the_o emperor_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n refer_v he_o to_o the_o act_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n then_o register_v at_o rome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o our_o saviour_n say_v he_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o register_n of_o the_o act_n do_v under_o pontius_n pilate_n josephus_n who_o be_v bear_v about_o five_o or_o six_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n suffering_n and_o survive_v the_o reign_n of_o both_o the_o vâ—spatians_n relate_v much_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n story_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n of_o his_o holy_a life_n and_o also_o of_o his_o death_n tell_v we_o of_o herod_n and_o give_v a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o strange_a and_o remarkable_a death_n of_o pilate_n of_o festus_n foelix_n gamaliel_n and_o other_o indeed_o neither_o jew_n nor_o heathen_n do_v ever_o in_o those_o time_n contradict_v or_o deny_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n story_n judge_v it_o certain_a beyond_o all_o denial_n julian_n himself_o admit_v the_o fact_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o miracle_n and_o plain_o acknowledge_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o those_o time_n and_o by_o those_o very_a man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v that_o we_o have_v no_o full_a and_o exacter_n a_o account_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o judea_n in_o his_o time_n in_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v not_o to_o be_v much_o wonder_v at_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o peaceable_a posture_n that_o country_n be_v then_o in_o news_n which_o best_o please_v the_o roman_n from_o any_o of_o their_o province_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v most_o concern_v tacitus_n observe_v that_o judea_n be_v most_o quiet_a in_o the_o reign_n of_o tâ—berius_n as_o well_o it_o may_v all_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o follower_n do_v tend_v high_o to_o peace_n and_o subjection_n now_o we_o find_v that_o the_o roman-writer_n chief_o apply_v themselves_o to_o write_v of_o some_o famous_a war_n the_o suppression_n of_o some_o eminent_a mutiny_n or_o some_o such_o accident_n as_o in_o their_o issue_n redound_v much_o to_o the_o roman-glory_n the_o peaceable_a condition_n of_o any_o province_n usual_o shorten_v their_o relation_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o neither_o of_o the_o jew_n not_o of_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o age_n have_v they_o vouchsafe_v to_o say_v much_o nor_o do_v the_o christian_n at_o any_o time_n such_o be_v their_o peaceable_a and_o submissive_a behaviour_n give_v historian_n occasion_n to_o mention_n much_o more_o of_o they_o than_o their_o patient_a suffering_n but_o in_o the_o aftertime_n of_o vâ—spatian_n trajan_n &_o adrian_n when_o the_o roman-sword_n be_v draw_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o there_o be_v great_a mutiny_n rebellion_n and_o war_n among_o they_o the_o roman-historian_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o ample_a relation_n of_o all_o those_o affair_n two_o thing_n there_o be_v of_o great_a eminency_n in_o themselves_o and_o of_o most_o public_a nature_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n the_o fact_n of_o which_o have_v have_v such_o signal_n justification_n as_o do_v great_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o to_o which_o a_o very_a peculiar_a remark_n be_v due_a the_o one_o be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o and_o the_o repeopling_a of_o the_o world_n after_o it_o by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o other_o be_v those_o prophetical_a prediction_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o affliction_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o jew_n utter_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o flood_n nothing_o i_o have_v show_v have_v have_v a_o more_o universal_a belief_n that_o the_o earth_n according_a to_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v again_o repeopled_n by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n and_o that_o the_o nation_n be_v divide_v in_o the_o earth_n from_o his_o three_o son_n and_o their_o issue_n as_o moses_n tell_v we_o we_o have_v from_o the_o record_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o history_n abundant_a cause_n to_o believe_v and_o that_o upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n first_o we_o find_v that_o in_o those_o eastern_a part_n where_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n be_v say_v first_o to_o land_n and_o settle_v themselves_o after_o the_o deluge_n the_o grandeur_n of_o the_o world_n first_o begin_v of_o which_o the_o greatness_n and_o splendour_n of_o the_o assyrian-empire_n be_v a_o sufficient_a instance_n those_o eastern_a country_n arrive_v to_o much_o state_n and_o pomp_n and_o to_o much_o greatness_n in_o dominion_n and_o government_n long_o before_o either_o in_o greece_n italy_n or_o any_o of_o the_o western_a part_n any_o such_o thing_n be_v attain_v to_o or_o know_v which_o evident_o show_v that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o country_n be_v the_o first-born_a and_o heir_n of_o the_o world_n who_o have_v the_o great_a court_n and_o metropolis_n among_o they_o and_o that_o other_o nation_n be_v of_o the_o young_a house_n and_o colony_n of_o a_o latter_a edition_n second_o the_o earliness_n of_o learning_n of_o art_n science_n and_o invention_n among_o â—he_n assyrian_n chaldaeâ—ns_n and_o egyptian_n before_o they_o so_o much_o as_o bud_v forth_o or_o appeat_v in_o other_o conntry_n do_v argue_v that_o those_o part_n be_v first_o inhabit_v that_o they_o be_v the_o elder_a possessor_n oâ—_n the_o world_n have_v be_v long_a in_o it_o werâ—_n of_o great_a experience_n and_o that_o other_o nation_n &_o people_n be_v gradual_o deriveâ—_n and_o plant_v from_o those_o country_n anâ—_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n three_o we_o find_v that_o those_o in_o honour_n of_o who_o the_o nation_n receive_v their_o first_o name_n be_v the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n that_o moses_n tell_v we_o of_o from_o japhet_n most_o probable_o the_o elder_a son_n of_o noaâ—_n call_v by_o hesiod_n and_o other_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n japito_n and_o his_o posterito_fw-la japeâ—â—onides_n come_v the_o gomerian_o or_o â—ymbrians_n from_o his_o son_n gomer_n the_o magogim_n from_o magog_n the_o mede_n or_o madian_o from_o madus_n the_o jones_n after_o call_v graeâ—â—ns_n from_o javan_n in_o greek_a jovan_n and_o so_o from_o the_o posterity_n of_o the_o other_o two_o the_o canaanite_n from_o canaan_n the_o sabaeâ—ns_n from_o seba_n which_o the_o grecian_n write_v saba_n the_o philistines_n from_o palesthim_n the_o thracian_n from_o thyras_n the_o sidonâ—ans_n from_o sidon_n the_o egyptian_n from_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n egypt_n be_v call_v mizraim_n from_o mizraim_n one_o of_o his_o son_n mizraim_n in_o hebrew_a be_v the_o name_n of_o egypt_n and_o ancient_o even_o to_o the_o time_n of_o josephus_n the_o egyptian_n he_o say_v be_v call_v chuseans_n from_o cush_n or_o chus_n the_o elder_a son_n of_o cham_n and_o so_o throughout_o all_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n we_o find_v the_o several_a nation_n by_o their_o ancient_a denomination_n to_o be_v original_o descend_v from_o that_o posterity_n of_o noab_n set_v down_o in_o the_o ten_o of_o genesis_n seem_v posterity_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o planter_n of_o asia_n cham_n of_o africa_n and_o japhet_n of_o most_o part_n of_o europe_n with_o asia_n the_o less_o
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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age_n thaâ—_n have_v many_o hundred_o of_o year_n beforâ—_n some_o of_o they_o happen_v pronounce_v with_o a_o absolute_a prophetic_a certainty_n about_o thâ—m_n and_o have_v never_o be_v find_v tâ—_n mistake_v in_o a_o tittle_n though_o it_o have_v sometimes_o descend_v so_o to_o particular_n as_o 〈◊〉_d name_n even_o the_o person_n of_o man_n long_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v can_v once_o be_v impeach_v for_o give_v a_o wrong_a divination_n about_o the_o least_o circumstance_n relate_v either_o to_o person_n or_o thing_n if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v signal_o preserve_v from_o the_o great_a rage_n of_o many_o powerful_a adversary_n and_o from_o the_o most_o violent_a and_o potent_a attempt_n for_o its_o total_a suppression_n and_o ruin_n of_o such_o who_o be_v in_o high_a authority_n and_o furnish_v with_o great_a advantage_n to_o effect_v it_o a_o book_n that_o have_v escape_v all_o sort_n of_o contrivance_n against_o it_o and_o safe_o descend_v through_o the_o channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o be_v to_o this_o day_n providential_o secure_v and_o unmaimed_a and_o entire_o deliver_v over_o to_o we_o if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o evident_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o right_a reason_n improve_v mankind_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n in_o all_o worthy_a and_o excellent_a attainment_n boâ—h_v moral_a and_o divine_a bring_v the_o world_n into_o the_o best_a posture_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v man_n wise_a better_a and_o happy_a than_o they_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v themselves_o find_v out_o how_o to_o be_v if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o by_o mean_n utter_o unthought_a of_o and_o far_o out_o of_o all_o humane-reach_a and_o yet_o of_o a_o most_o holy_a and_o excellent_a nature_n sweet_o and_o safe_o even_o to_o our_o great_a admiration_n reconcile_v we_o to_o god_n fill_v up_o that_o vast_a gulf_n that_o be_v between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o make_v way_n for_o a_o free_a and_o perpetual_a intercourse_n between_o god_n 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 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sacred_a instrument_n wherein_o god_n have_v record_v his_o sovereign_a pleasure_n this_o be_v in_o truth_n that_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n have_v so_o much_o expect_v and_o to_o which_o so_o many_o false_a pretension_n have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v make_v here_o be_v indeed_o contain_v that_o system_n of_o law_n supernatural_a by_o the_o publication_n whereof_o god_n have_v abound_v in_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o even_o outdo_v the_o further_a conception_n the_o world_n have_v at_o any_o time_n have_v of_o his_o goodness_n how_o strange_o unreasonable_a be_v it_o to_o derive_v such_o a_o book_n from_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o imposture_n how_o heterodox_n be_v it_o to_o all_o good_a sense_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o worst_a and_o most_o pernicious_a delusion_n by_o which_o the_o world_n have_v be_v ever_o abuse_v which_o we_o must_v needs_o reckon_v this_o book_n to_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n shall_v have_v in_o 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 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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 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write_v now_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o more_o superlative_a imposture_n and_o wickedness_n than_o to_o ascend_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n to_o speak_v in_o his_o name_n and_o pretend_v his_o authority_n without_o his_o order_n no_o man_n not_o whole_o forsake_v of_o all_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o respect_n to_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o make_v such_o a_o attempt_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n of_o know_a piety_n and_o honesty_n be_v reasonable_o suspect_v of_o it_o second_o and_o chief_o from_o the_o conformity_n of_o what_o be_v then_o write_v to_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o moses_n settle_v upon_o such_o unquestionable_a evidence_n for_o whatever_o be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o foundation_n come_v under_o the_o same_o justification_n so_o that_o if_o any_o write_n be_v publish_v in_o god_n name_n that_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v but_o a_o further_a discovery_n and_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n a_o renewal_a 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may_v serve_v in_o some_o measure_n to_o manifest_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o pretension_n to_o a_o infalible_a belief_n without_o a_o divine_a and_o infalible_a assistance_n of_o reveal_v and_o supernatural_a truth_n and_o the_o mistake_v of_o such_o who_o suppose_v we_o can_v never_o be_v settle_v in_o any_o point_n of_o religion_n without_o it_o and_o may_v sufficient_o justify_v a_o endeavour_n to_o make_v a_o rational_a proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o a_o pretence_n to_o any_o such_o divine_a and_o infalible_a judgement_n about_o they_o if_o so_o much_o be_v urge_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o general_n and_o in_o answer_n to_o particular_a doubt_n relate_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n as_o will_v amount_v to_o a_o rational_a assurance_n and_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v all_o we_o can_v have_v without_o inspiration_n and_o all_o we_o ought_v to_o expect_v in_o this_o case_n all_o we_o pretend_v to_o from_o attempt_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v 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