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tradition_n another_o set_a of_o testimony_n which_o eusebius_n furnish_v we_o with_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n be_v relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n several_a of_o which_o be_v remain_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v by_o he_o himself_o such_o be_v christian_a burying-place_n and_o sepulcher_n with_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n upon_o they_o particular_o those_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n statue_n and_o picture_n particular_o the_o statue_n of_o the_o woman_n cure_v by_o christ_n of_o the_o bloody_a flux_n picture_n of_o christ_n peter_n and_o paul_n in_o colour_n these_o be_v all_o see_v by_o eusebius_n himself_o as_o be_v likewise_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n of_o james_n at_o jerusalem_n several_a christian_a library_n and_o several_a christian_a temple_n before_o they_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v by_o the_o order_n of_o dieclesian_n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n remain_v in_o eusebius_n time_n whether_o 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proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n genuine_a write_n of_o profess_a christian_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o common_a agreement_n in_o some_o certain_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v style_v orthodox_n book_n write_v by_o heretic_n who_o be_v man_n of_o particular_a opinion_n different_a from_o those_o common_o receive_v by_o other_o christian_n jewish_n and_o pagan_a book_n contain_v such_o thing_n as_o have_v relation_n to_o christianity_n forge_v and_o supposititious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n which_o do_v some_o way_n or_o other_o concern_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o to_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n in_o eusebius_n time_n i_o have_v these_o thing_n to_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v then_o multiply_v to_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n that_o hardly_o a_o christian_a family_n be_v without_o some_o of_o the_o book_n that_o they_o be_v translate_v into_o several_a different_a language_n that_o in_o those_o country_n where_o the_o translation_n be_v of_o common_a use_n a_o great_a many_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n be_v preserve_v that_o in_o most_o of_o the_o great_a city_n and_o episcopal_a church_n there_o be_v a_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n more_o ancient_a than_o the_o rest_n from_o whence_o the_o other_o copy_n be_v take_v and_o translation_n make_v that_o such_o copy_n as_o these_o may_v not_o only_o by_o tradition_n but_o by_o several_a intrinsic_a mark_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o their_o age_n pretty_a near_o determine_v that_o upon_o comparison_n there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a agreement_n betwixt_o these_o ancient_a copy_n preserve_v in_o several_a very_o distant_a and_o remote_a church_n that_o such_o care_n have_v be_v take_v in_o transcribe_v and_o translate_n from_o they_o that_o the_o difference_n find_v between_o any_o copy_n either_o of_o the_o original_n or_o translation_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a that_o all_o christian_n think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o preserve_v the_o jewish_a canon_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o copy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o original_a tongue_n and_o translation_n of_o it_o into_o several_a vulgar_a language_n be_v multiply_v careful_o transcribe_v and_o keep_v together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a that_o upon_o a_o diligent_a search_n into_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v find_v that_o beside_o those_o copy_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v alike_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o all_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v other_o receive_v in_o some_o church_n and_o by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n then_o vouch_v to_o be_v as_o early_o and_o of_o as_o great_a authority_n as_o the_o rest_n from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o infer_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v as_o early_o as_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v its_o original_a in_o judea_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v it_o which_o be_v less_o than_o 300_o year_n before_o eusebius_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o plain_o suppose_v a_o antecedent_n propagation_n and_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v write_v some_o time_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n eusebius_n or_o any_o other_o person_n of_o his_o age_n who_o thorough_o examine_v the_o matter_n concern_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o receive_v must_v needs_o be_v satisfy_v from_o this_o consideration_n only_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v as_o early_o a_o publication_n in_o the_o world_n as_o be_v now_o ascribe_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v somewhat_o early_o and_o the_o same_o then_o as_o it_o be_v in_o these_o book_n represent_v to_o have_v be_v this_o will_v further_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o next_o sort_n of_o write_n to_o be_v consider_v viz._n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n such_o be_v catalogue_n of_o bishop_n decree_n of_o synod_n letter_n from_o church_n and_o society_n of_o man_n general_a record_n of_o remarkable_a matter_n particular_a act_n and_o monument_n of_o martyr_n psalm_n hymn_n creed_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o most_o famous_a church_n especial_o those_o constitute_v by_o apostle_n keep_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n with_o great_a care_n lay_v up_o in_o their_o archive_v record_v their_o name_n and_o day_n of_o their_o death_n in_o a_o pair_n of_o write_v table_n this_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o these_o table_n he_o assure_v we_o he_o diligent_o examine_v and_o he_o be_v very_o exact_a in_o the_o account_n he_o take_v of_o they_o as_o particular_o appear_v from_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n viz._n that_o he_o find_v from_o old_a record_n fifteen_o bishop_n with_o their_o name_n who_o have_v succeed_v in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o siege_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o adrian_n be_v time_n but_o can_v not_o find_v preserve_v in_o write_v the_o space_n of_o time_n each_o bishop_n spend_v in_o his_o presidency_n over_o that_o see_n the_o like_a diligence_n and_o exactness_n be_v observable_a in_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o several_a other_o church_n most_o of_o their_o name_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o several_a succession_n presidency_n and_o death_n punctual_o determine_v and_o reason_n give_v why_o he_o can_v not_o speak_v with_o the_o same_o certainty_n of_o the_o rest_n omit_v there_o be_v likewise_o extant_a in_o his_o time_n a_o great_a many_o canon_n and_o decree_n make_v by_o several_a council_n and_o
indirect_o and_o negative_o by_o show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o supposition_n which_o exclude_v the_o be_v of_o god_n can_v be_v true_a p._n 57_o matter_n alone_o consider_v at_o rest_n can_v not_o be_v eternal_a and_o in_o time_n produce_v the_o present_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 59_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o account_v for_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o atheist_n hypothesis_n of_o move_a atom_n p._n 61._o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o world_n have_v exi_v eternal_o under_o the_o same_o form_n we_o now_o behold_v it_o without_o a_o god_n p._n 64._o the_o eternal_a coexistence_n of_o matter_n and_o mind_n improbable_a p._n 71._o suppose_v it_o probable_a neither_o matter_n alone_o nor_o matter_n and_o motion_n nor_o the_o present_a constitution_n of_o thing_n can_v have_v be_v eternal_a independent_o of_o god_n p._n 77._o the_o original_a of_o all_o thing_n from_o god_n further_o evince_v from_o general_a reflection_n p._n 81._o a_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n of_o religion_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o relation_n there_o be_v betwixt_o they_o p._n 91._o of_o the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o obligation_n together_o with_o the_o right_n and_o power_n of_o oblige_v ib._n that_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o order_v his_o life_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v prove_v p._n 102._o from_o the_o natural_a judgement_n we_o make_v concern_v our_o action_n p._n 105._o from_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o god_n in_o make_v we_o which_o appear_v by_o several_a token_n and_o indication_n p._n 117._o in_o the_o frame_n and_o disposition_n of_o our_o mind_n p._n 118._o and_o in_o the_o oeconomy_n and_o constitution_n of_o humane_a society_n p._n 125._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n itself_o a_o regular_a practice_n of_o which_o conduce_v to_o the_o great_a happiness_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o life_n p._n 129._o and_o from_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n which_o be_v prove_v p._n 137._o from_o the_o defect_n of_o a_o general_n and_o regular_a practice_n of_o religion_n here_o p._n 138._o and_o from_o the_o general_n want_v necessity_n and_o imperfection_n of_o our_o present_a nature_n p._n 141._o from_o all_o which_o consideration_n it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v more_o for_o our_o happiness_n to_o live_v religious_o then_o otherwise_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o live_v so_o p._n 146._o the_o certainty_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n further_o show_v from_o the_o pernicious_a effect_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o irreligion_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n p._n 149._o the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o all_o the_o ground_n and_o pretence_n of_o irreligion_n and_o whatever_o be_v allege_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o p._n 181._o irreligion_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o direct_a proof_n p._n 183._o the_o usual_a way_n and_o method_n of_o defend_v it_o improper_a and_o insufficient_a p._n 187._o ridicul_v religion_n prove_v nothing_o against_o it_o ib._n require_v a_o more_o certain_a and_o mathematical_a proof_n of_o it_o unreasonable_a p._n 188._o scheme_n and_o hypothesis_n to_o account_v for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n without_o god_n and_o religion_n absurd_a and_o inconsistent_a p._n 192._o the_o chief_a and_o most_o common_a objection_n against_o religion_n answer_v viz._n p._n 200._o mystery_n seem_v inconsistency_n and_o absurdity_n in_o scripture_n p._n 201._o extravagant_a notion_n and_o pernicious_a doctrine_n maintain_v under_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n p._n 202._o variety_n of_o opinion_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n p._n 204._o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a argument_n urge_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o p._n 205._o scandalous_a life_n of_o great_a pretender_n to_o piety_n and_o virtue_n p._n 206._o religion_n the_o effect_n of_o fear_n and_o education_n p._n 209._o religion_n a_o politic_a contrivance_n p._n 211._o the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o irreligious_a principle_n and_o practice_n demonstrate_v from_o general_a reflection_n upon_o the_o different_a ground_n and_o foundation_n religion_n and_o irreligion_n stand_v upon_o and_o the_o different_a conduct_n of_o those_o that_o act_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o p._n 213._o irreligion_n further_o expose_v from_o the_o cause_n and_o reason_n that_o induce_v man_n to_o take_v up_o atheistical_a and_o profane_a opinion_n p._n 227._o the_o chief_a cause_n of_o atheism_n show_v to_o be_v these_o two_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o after_o reckon_v for_o a_o wicked_a life_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o appear_v great_a and_o wise_a than_o other_o men._n p._n 230._o the_o doctrine_n of_o irreligion_n the_o sole_a result_n of_o prejudice_n and_o not_o deliberate_a reason_v more_o plain_o make_v out_o p._n 239._o from_o the_o character_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o atheist_n ib._n from_o the_o manner_n and_o process_n of_o their_o infidelity_n p._n 242._o and_o from_o the_o confession_n of_o several_a atheist_n themselves_o p._n 246._o a_o account_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o atheism_n and_o deism_n and_o how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v p._n 249._o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v it_o etc._n etc._n the_o content_n the_o connexion_n of_o this_o discourse_n with_o the_o former_a page_n 1._o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o establish_n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n p._n 3._o a_o abstract_n or_o summary_n of_o the_o christian_a scheme_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 8._o the_o general_n subject_a of_o the_o several_a book_n or_o volume_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 9_o the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n p._n 19_o a_o short_a account_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o gospel_n p._n 31._o the_o character_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o that_o assist_v he_o in_o the_o publishing_n and_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n p._n 42._o the_o character_n of_o those_o that_o persecute_v he_o and_o his_o disciple_n and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n p._n 50._o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v with_o all_o the_o important_a circumstance_n which_o refer_v to_o the_o form_n and_o composition_n of_o those_o write_n p._n 51._o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n show_v to_o be_v true_a by_o a_o plain_a direct_a proof_n according_a to_o this_o distinction_n of_o they_o premise_v viz_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n miracle_n and_o prophecy_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n p._n 59_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n prove_v to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o follow_a manner_n p._n 60._o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n right_o assign_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 61._o a_o survey_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n p._n 70._o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o same_o in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n as_o it_o be_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n p._n 74._o this_o proposition_n make_v out_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o p._n 75._o and_o from_o many_o other_o extrinsic_a sign_n and_o monument_n remain_v at_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a under_o constantine_n p._n 105._o such_o as_o be_v several_a custom_n and_o usage_n p._n 107._o relic_n building_n and_o other_o the_o like_a monnment_n p._n 108._o book_n and_o write_a record_n of_o several_a kind_n viz._n p._n 109._o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n p._n 110._o public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v to_o society_n p._n 113._o genuine_a write_n of_o orthodox_n christian_n p._n 119._o book_n write_v by_o heretic_n p._n 132._o jewish_a and_o pagan_a book_n p._n 133._o forge_v and_o suppositious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n p._n 137._o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n show_v to_o be_v true_a fact_n according_a to_o the_o relation_n there_o give_v of_o they_o p._n 140._o a_o account_n by_o way_n of_o introduction_n of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n in_o this_o place_n p._n 141._o and_o what_o kind_n of_o evidence_n these_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o p._n 143._o the_o miracle_n consider_v by_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o different_a period_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v and_o the_o different_a person_n they_o be_v do_v by_o p._n 144._o the_o prophecy_n consider_v apart_o according_a to_o the_o same_o distinction_n of_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 158._o the_o truth_n of_o these_o extraordinary_a fact_n call_v miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o those_o
doctrine_n and_o miracle_n all_o which_o be_v tell_v as_o happen_v in_o the_o life-time_n of_o christ_n most_o of_o the_o thing_n concern_v he_o must_v be_v suppose_v by_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o have_v write_v present_o after_o his_o death_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a all_o the_o evangelist_n do_v to_o be_v general_o know_v and_o fresh_o remember_v at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o write_n which_o supposition_n further_a appear_v from_o the_o short_a and_o disorderly_a relation_n of_o several_a matter_n of_o fact_n in_o each_o gospel_n which_o in_o such_o case_n where_o we_o be_v not_o assist_v with_o a_o full_a account_n from_o the_o other_o gospel_n or_o follow_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n seem_v very_o obscure_a to_o we_o now_o who_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o circumstance_n omit_v this_o be_v what_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o remark_n concern_v the_o subject_a and_o form_n of_o that_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o new_a testament_n and_o now_o that_o this_o book_n do_v real_o contain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v before_o mention_v and_o be_v write_v in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o i_o have_v here_o represent_v i_o think_v may_v be_v take_v for_o grant_v since_o whatever_o have_v be_v observe_v under_o this_o head_n must_v necessary_o appear_v too_o true_a to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v read_v over_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v any_o judgement_n of_o a_o book_n ii_o suppose_v then_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o just_a account_n and_o character_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o several_a book_n or_o volume_n it_o consist_v of_o i_o shall_v from_o hence_o advance_v to_o the_o main_a design_n propose_v which_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v real_o true_a that_o be_v do_v real_o happen_v out_o at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n they_o be_v there_o record_v to_o have_v happen_v this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o make_v good_a by_o a_o direct_a proof_n according_a to_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o several_a fact_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o before_o lay_v down_o viz._n common_a historical_a fact_n prophecy_n and_o miracle_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n i._o the_o first_o step_v then_o i_o be_o to_o make_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o i_o have_v before_o assert_v be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a the_o principal_a of_o which_o be_v these_o follow_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n of_o such_o a_o character_n who_o teach_v such_o doctrine_n pretend_v to_o such_o mighty_a work_n and_o be_v execute_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a person_n who_o be_v follower_n and_o adherent_n of_o christ_n who_o after_o his_o death_n profess_v to_o believe_v the_o miracle_n we_o find_v now_o record_v of_o he_o and_o to_o do_v as_o great_a themselves_o who_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n he_o do_v in_o his_o life-time_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o while_o he_o be_v alive_a and_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n afterward_o and_o who_o make_v be_v their_o business_n to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o what_o they_o teach_v throughout_o the_o world_n who_o character_n and_o suffering_n be_v such_o as_o be_v before_o describe_v that_o the_o doctrine_n or_o religion_n of_o christ_n be_v according_o propagate_v through_o all_o judea_n and_o most_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n so_o that_o great_a number_n of_o people_n every_o where_o own_a and_o profess_v it_o and_o that_o all_o this_o happen_v within_o that_o compass_n of_o time_n include_v between_o the_o death_n of_o julius_n caesar_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o these_o be_v such_o remarkable_a notorious_a fact_n have_v be_v so_o well_o prove_v by_o multiplicity_n of_o evidence_n and_o so_o little_o contest_v by_o the_o several_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n that_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o by_o give_v a_o summary_n proof_n of_o they_o without_o enter_v upon_o that_o great_a variety_n of_o particular_a argument_n every_o general_a branch_n of_o evidence_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o proof_n i_o shall_v cast_v into_o this_o method_n first_o i_o shall_v take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n and_o show_v that_o this_o religion_n must_v have_v come_v first_o into_o the_o world_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v for_o this_o event_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n afterward_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o state_n of_o christianity_n at_o another_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v allow_v that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o stand_v now_o record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o believe_v and_o then_o i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o same_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v likewise_o believe_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v say_v to_o happen_v and_o so_o continual_o down_o to_o that_o particular_a period_n fix_v upon_o which_o last_o proposition_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o and_o from_o many_o other_o extrinsic_a sign_n and_o monument_n remain_v at_o that_o time_n from_o which_o constant_a and_o universal_a belief_n among_o christian_n of_o all_o the_o principal_a fact_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a continue_v down_o to_o such_o a_o period_n from_o the_o very_a first_o time_n in_o which_o they_o several_o happen_v i_o conconclude_v that_o at_o least_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n such_o as_o i_o have_v just_a before_o instance_a in_o must_v be_v true_a first_o then_o as_o to_o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n no_o portion_n of_o time_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o thing_n at_o any_o great_a distance_n from_o we_o that_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a full_a and_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o than_o we_o have_v of_o that_o which_o pass_v under_o the_o twelve_o first_o caesar_n or_o emperor_n of_o rome_n both_o learning_n and_o empire_n be_v then_o at_o the_o high_a pitch_n and_o furnish_v abundance_n of_o matter_n for_o the_o pen_n of_o that_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n and_o as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n be_v the_o true_a and_o best_a know_v of_o any_o so_o no_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v happen_v within_o that_o time_n which_o be_v more_o remarkable_a or_o can_v more_o easy_o and_o certain_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o posterity_n than_o the_o first_o rise_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v of_o any_o country_n where_o we_o have_v the_o least_o remain_v of_o history_n leave_v we_o as_o what_o religion_n be_v profess_v there_o and_o what_o considerable_a alteration_n be_v make_v in_o it_o all_o the_o law_n custom_n and_o policy_n of_o a_o nation_n be_v intermix_v with_o their_o religion_n most_o of_o the_o action_n opinion_n and_o character_n of_o particular_a man_n bear_v the_o mark_n of_o it_o and_o if_o we_o examine_v thing_n more_o narrow_o and_o trace_v they_o up_o to_o their_o original_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o religion_n put_v a_o great_a distinction_n betwixt_o one_o nation_n and_o another_o than_o any_o difference_n of_o climate_n can_v do_v but_o not_o to_o pursue_v that_o speculation_n any_o further_a it_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o all_o history_n what_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v and_o what_o religion_n they_o have_v at_o rome_n and_o in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o augustus_n there_o be_v no_o such_o person_n then_o to_o he_o hear_v of_o as_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n no_o such_o religion_n any_o where_o profess_v as_o that_o which_o be_v now_o call_v christian_a the_o plan_n and_o model_n of_o which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o person_n at_o rome_n tacitus_n tacitus_n call_v christian_n put_v to_o death_n and_o several_a other_o way_n persecute_v and_o torment_v for_o be_v so_o by_o that_o emperor_n which_o denomination_n and_o whatever_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v or_o do_v upon_o that_o account_n be_v then_o general_o acknowledge_v by_o themselves_o and_o other_o to_o be_v derive_v to_o they_o from_o one_o christ_n who_o be_v sometime_o before_o crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n now_o the_o time_n when_o this_o
of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nicene_n father_n and_o most_o of_o they_o by_o all_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o all_o the_o public_a decision_n and_o order_n of_o the_o council_n that_o they_o be_v ground_v upon_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n now_o in_o our_o hand_n if_o they_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o that_o time_n and_o that_o they_o be_v eusebius_n one_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o this_o council_n be_v a_o sufficient_a witness_n who_o in_o a_o history_n he_o have_v leave_v we_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v all_o writ_n and_o the_o author_n they_o be_v write_v by_o which_o be_v another_o very_a good_a argument_n that_o most_o of_o the_o nicene_n bishop_n have_v the_o same_o bible_n for_o eusebius_n be_v not_o only_o present_a among_o and_o converse_v with_o several_a of_o they_o but_o have_v a_o great_a share_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o 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