he_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n and_o to_o show_v they_o how_o easy_o they_o may_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o they_o pretend_v to_o so_o much_o skill_n but_o mistake_v of_o this_o kind_n have_v be_v yet_o more_o frequent_o make_v by_o those_o who_o have_v employ_v their-critick_n upon_o those_o heathen_a author_n which_o have_v be_v leave_v to_o we_o either_o by_o the_o grecian_a or_o latin_a antiquity_n every_o body_n know_v the_o witty_a trick_n muret_n put_v upon_o scaliger_n how_o he_o compose_v some_o verse_n and_o tell_v he_o he_o have_v find_v they_o in_o a_o old_a manuscript_n and_o how_o scaliger_n who_o boast_v that_o he_o be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o genius_n and_o style_n of_o every_o age_n both_o in_o prose_n and_o verse_n find_v immediate_o a_o ancient_a author_n for_o those_o verse_n of_o muret_n make_v and_o be_v afterward_o inform_v they_o be_v of_o his_o compose_n he_o revenge_v himself_o of_o he_o by_o a_o distich_n upon_o his_o cheat._n these_o feign_a and_o counterfeit_n work_n be_v not_o unknown_a to_o ancient_n greece_n since_o the_o learned_a of_o those_o time_n make_v it_o their_o study_n to_o find_v they_o out_o dionysius_n longinus_n make_v a_o treatise_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o we_o shall_v be_v 〈◊〉_d inform_v now_o of_o a_o great_a many_o fabulous_a relation_n insert_v into_o history_n have_v not_o the_o ill_a fate_n of_o learn_v deprive_v we_o of_o the_o work_n of_o that_o excellent_a critic_n but_o see_v that_o man_n have_v natural_o a_o respect_n for_o thing_n which_o belong_v to_o religion_n one_o will_v think_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v mislead_v by_o those_o who_o have_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n by_o invent_v fable_n and_o publish_v supposititious_a ecclesiastical_a write_n and_o transaction_n nevertheless_o by_o what_o misfortune_n i_o know_v not_o these_o fraud_n have_v be_v more_o frequent_a in_o the_o church_n than_o any_o where_o else_o and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o sum_n up_o the_o mistake_n they_o have_v occasion_v among_o the_o learned_a in_o all_o christian_a society_n so_o many_o spurious_a write_n and_o supposititious_a fact_n be_v make_v and_o publish_v even_o in_o the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n that_o amphilochius_n bishop_n of_o iconium_n so_o much_o esteem_v by_o st._n basil_n one_o of_o the_o most_o worthy_a father_n of_o the_o church_n compose_v a_o whole_a book_n of_o they_o which_o be_v cite_v in_o the_o act_n 552._o of_o the_o seven_o council_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v see_v to_o make_v use_n of_o fontanel_n word_n in_o his_o history_n of_o oracle_n but_o false_a gospel_n false_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n false_a history_n of_o their_o life_n etc._n etc._n the_o chief_a man_n of_o the_o church_n have_v be_v sometime_o deceive_v etc._n etc._n they_o do_v not_o always_o narrow_o examine_v what_o seem_v to_o favour_v religion_n the_o heat_n and_o fervour_n they_o feel_v when_o they_o fight_v for_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n do_v not_o always_o suffer_v they_o to_o choose_v the_o best_a weapon_n and_o the_o distemper_n be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v in_o the_o follow_a age_n that_o it_o still_o more_o increase_v and_o tâ—e_v boldness_n in_o invent_v fable_n and_o forge_v false_a life_n of_o martyr_n and_o saint_n go_v so_o far_o and_o become_v so_o common_a that_o the_o church_n think_v it_o necessary_a to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o it_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o its_o canon_n for_o in_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n hold_v in_o the_o year_n 692_o under_o justinian_n the_o young_a the_o church_n condemn_v in_o the_o 63_o d_o canon_n the_o false_a passion_n and_o fabulous_a life_n of_o saint_n and_o martyr_n a_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a man_n have_v endeavour_v in_o these_o latter_a time_n to_o find_v out_o these_o supposititious_a write_n and_o to_o ascribe_v to_o every_o author_n the_o work_n belong_v proper_o to_o he_o and_o they_o will_v undoubted_o have_v be_v more_o successful_a in_o it_o have_v they_o not_o be_v miss_v lead_v as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n by_o interest_n or_o partiality_n for_o oftentimes_o both_o their_o mind_n and_o pen_n be_v sway_v by_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n as_o if_o a_o work_n be_v good_a or_o bad_a ancient_a or_o modern_a as_o it_o chance_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o protestant_a or_o popish_a eye_n false_a and_o supposititious_a if_o contrary_a to_o their_o opinion_n but_o ancient_n and_o of_o the_o true_a stamp_n if_o it_o prove_v fovourable_a to_o they_o but_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o have_v be_v free_a from_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n to_o see_v man_n differ_v in_o their_o judgement_n this_o follow_v necessary_o the_o different_a application_n and_o natural_a inclination_n of_o their_o mind_n some_o view_n thing_n only_o on_o one_o side_n and_o some_o on_o another_o the_o great_a part_n fix_v themselves_o before_o they_o have_v well_o examine_v all_o the_o reason_n that_o be_v and_o may_v be_v produce_v on_o both_o side_n and_o sometime_o it_o happen_v that_o man_n concern_v themselves_o for_o some_o work_n as_o they_o do_v for_o some_o person_n without_o know_v why_o they_o be_v more_o for_o those_o than_o for_o the_o other_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o same_o church_n do_v not_o always_o 25._o agree_v in_o their_o opinion_n cardinal_n baronius_n speak_v of_o the_o recognition_n attribute_v to_o st._n clement_n as_o of_o a_o sink_n full_a of_o filthiness_n and_o lie_n whereas_o bellarmine_n maintain_v that_o they_o be_v st._n clement_n own_o or_o of_o some_o other_o author_n as_o ancient_n and_o as_o learned_a as_o he_o the_o same_o difference_n in_o opinion_n be_v observe_v among_o the_o protestant_n concern_v st._n ignatius_n letter_n though_o these_o letter_n be_v general_o and_o with_o good_a reason_n look_v upon_o as_o one_o of_o the_o fair_a monument_n of_o the_o apostolic_a age._n and_o mr._n dupin_n in_o his_o bibliotheca_fw-la nova_fw-la set_v aside_o in_o a_o hundred_o place_n the_o judgement_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o friend_n possevinus_n sixtus_n of_o sienna_n rainaldus_n bellarmine_n labbe_n and_o other_o writer_n of_o his_o religion_n who_o have_v criticise_v upon_o the_o work_v of_o the_o father_n this_o show_v that_o the_o most_o learned_a may_v sometime_o be_v mistake_v in_o their_o judgement_n upon_o the_o work_v of_o the_o ancient_n nor_o be_v this_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o since_o the_o intricacy_n and_o confusedness_n wherewith_o some_o transaction_n be_v relate_v and_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o happen_v make_v it_o a_o very_a hard_a matter_n for_o we_o now_o to_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n critic_n borrow_v most_o part_n of_o their_o light_n from_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o manuscript_n and_o sometime_o these_o manuscript_n the_o antiquity_n whereof_o sound_v so_o high_a with_o some_o man_n be_v but_o modern_a write_n and_o particular_o we_o shall_v consider_v in_o another_o place_n wh_z a_o judgement_n one_o ought_v to_o pass_v upon_o a_o relation_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n which_o peter_n francis_n chifflet_n take_v out_o of_o a_o ancient_a manuscript_n of_o st._n claudius_n monastery_n but_o it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o come_v to_o our_o proof_n chap._n v._n that_o st._n eucherius_n bishop_n of_o lion_n â—s_v not_o the_o author_n who_o write_v that_o passion_n of_o the_o thebean_a soldier_n which_o both_o surius_n and_o baronius_n have_v follow_v the_o first_o proof_n we_o bring_v against_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o thebean_a legion_n be_v that_o it_o be_v clear_a and_o plain_a that_o st._n eucherius_n bishop_n of_o lion_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o his_o name_n have_v be_v set_v to_o it_o by_o some_o cheat_n to_o gain_v more_o credit_n thereto_o from_o the_o esteem_n which_o the_o church_n always_o have_v for_o the_o extraordinary_a virtue_n and_o merit_n of_o this_o great_a prelate_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o it_o will_v suffice_v to_o mention_v only_o one_o passage_n wherein_o it_o be_v say_v of_o sigismond_n king_n of_o burgundy_n est_fw-la that_o they_o never_o cease_v night_n nor_o day_n to_o sing_v psalm_n and_o hymn_n in_o the_o monastery_n of_o agaunum_n and_o that_o this_o holy_a praclice_n first_o appoint_v there_o by_o the_o bless_a king_n and_o martyr_n st._n sigismond_n be_v observe_v there_o to_o this_o very_a day_n it_o visible_o appear_v from_o this_o place_n that_o when_o this_o relation_n be_v make_v king_n sigismond_n be_v dead_a it_o follow_v moreover_o from_o thence_o that_o it_o must_v have_v be_v compose_v several_a year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o this_o prince_n since_o that_o author_n after_o he_o
into_o armenia_n and_o mesopotamia_n which_o happen_v several_a year_n after_o maximian_n advancement_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o his_o bagaudian_a expedition_n chap._n xvi_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o the_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v death_n for_o refuse_v to_o persecute_v they_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v notice_n here_o of_o a_o objection_n which_o may_v perhaps_o be_v make_v a_o against_o we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o persecution_n mention_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n do_v not_o begin_v till_o near_o the_o year_n 298_o or_o 301_o but_o that_o maximian_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v off_o the_o theb._n legion_n upon_o another_o account_n which_o be_v that_o those_o people_n who_o have_v revolt_v and_o go_v under_o the_o nickname_n of_o bagaud_n be_v christian_n the_o emperor_n be_v afraid_a lest_o the_o theb._n soldier_n who_o 219._o be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n shall_v join_v with_o the_o rebel_n and_o therefore_o he_o think_v it_o the_o best_a course_n he_o can_v take_v to_o get_v himself_o thus_o rid_v of_o they_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a and_o indeed_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o martyrdom_n here_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o mezeray_n say_v in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o origin_n of_o the_o french_a concern_v this_o matter_n these_o be_v his_o word_n after_o carinus_n at_o his_o departure_n from_o gaul_n have_v draw_v thence_o all_o his_o legion_n to_o go_v and_o encounter_n dioclesian_n the_o province_n be_v free_v from_o the_o troop_n that_o keep_v they_o in_o awe_n attempt_v likewise_o to_o shake_v off_o the_o heavy_a yoke_n of_o settle_a tax_n and_o the_o arbitrary_a extorsion_n of_o their_o governor_n which_o lie_v heavy_a upon_o the_o country_n people_n they_o take_v up_o arm_n first_o &_o aelianus_n and_o amandus_n two_o officer_n in_o the_o roman_a army_n be_v so_o unwise_a as_o to_o put_v themselves_o at_o the_o head_n of_o they_o such_o slave_n as_o be_v hardly_o use_v by_o their_o master_n join_v with_o they_o some_o come_v into_o this_o party_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o other_o be_v surprise_v into_o it_o several_z be_v sollioit_v but_o most_o of_o they_o scorn_v the_o invitation_n this_o rise_n be_v call_v bagaud_n and_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o bagaud_n or_o bagaudian_n which_o word_n as_o some_o say_v signify_v revolt_n and_o perhaps_o a_o revolt_n of_o such_o as_o live_v in_o wood._n the_o wood_n according_a to_o the_o etymology_n of_o the_o word_n from_o the_o ancient_a celtic_a language_n for_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o those_o people_n have_v no_o other_o fortress_n and_o place_n to_o retire_v to_o but_o wood_n they_o there_o entrench_v themselves_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o german_n and_o ancient_a gaul_n there_o be_v many_o wood_n without_o doubt_n in_o several_a place_n of_o that_o country_n but_o the_o chief_a and_o big_a of_o they_o be_v two_o league_n from_o paris_n on_o the_o river_n marne_n in_o a_o place_n where_o now_o stand_v the_o abbey_n of_o st._n maur_n call_v des_fw-fr fossez_fw-fr or_o of_o the_o ditch_n because_o they_o have_v dig_v up_o a_o very_a spacious_a trench_n to_o incamp_v there_o most_o of_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o who_o know_v but_o that_o after_o so_o many_o horrid_a persecution_n which_o they_o have_v suffer_v their_o patience_n do_v turn_v at_o last_o into_o a_o just_a fury_n in_o arm_v they_o both_o against_o the_o torment_n and_o their_o tormentor_n maximian_n take_v a_o review_n of_o his_o troop_n near_o the_o town_n of_o aoste_n on_o this_o side_n of_o the_o alpê_n the_o theb._n legion_n refuse_v to_o take_v the_o oath_n with_o the_o ceremony_n use_v among_o the_o pagan_n and_o be_v encourage_v by_o the_o speech_n of_o their_o tribune_n mauritius_n choose_v rather_o to_o undergo_v two_o or_o three_o decimation_n and_o at_o last_o to_o be_v all_o cut_n to_o piece_n then_o to_o desite_fw-la themselves_z by_o those_o abominable_a rite_n the_o whole_a legion_n be_v not_o there_o some_o cohort_n have_v be_v detach_v who_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o in_o another_o place_n signalise_v themselves_o by_o a_o like_a victory_n so_o many_o brave_a man_n who_o despise_a death_n will_v have_v sell_v their_o life_n to_o the_o roman_n at_o a_o very_a dear_a rate_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v more_o glorious_a to_o die_v for_o the_o faith_n which_o they_o profess_v than_o to_o fight_v for_o it_o i_o say_v further_o that_o they_o will_v have_v strengthen_v very_o much_o the_o bagaudian_a party_n have_v their_o religion_n permit_v they_o to_o dissemble_v till_o they_o have_v join_v they_o however_o maximian_n have_v defeat_v some_o of_o these_o bagaud_n and_o receive_v other_o into_o his_o favour_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n have_v divide_v they_o he_o besiege_v their_o great_a entrenchment_n both_o by_o land_n and_o by_o water_n with_o so_o great_a vigour_n and_o resolution_n that_o at_o last_o he_o take_v it_o all_o those_o who_o be_v find_v in_o it_o be_v put_v to_o the_o sword_n without_o exception_n and_o their_o strong_a work_n be_v so_o entire_o ruin_v and_o demolish_v that_o nothing_o of_o they_o but_o some_o few_o ditch_n remain_v we_o be_v to_o believe_v say_v the_o author_n of_o the_o life_n of_o st._n baboulene_n that_o these_o man_n be_v christian_n and_o despise_v their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o religion_n pass_v through_o martyrdom_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o though_o we_o have_v not_o their_o act_n in_o writing_n nevertheless_o their_o memory_n and_o name_n shall_v never_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n these_o be_v the_o new_a weapon_n wherewith_o m._n de_fw-fr mezeray_fw-fr furnish_v the_o asserter_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n now_o all_o these_o difficulty_n we_o be_v very_o desirous_a to_o remove_v the_o better_a to_o clear_v this_o piece_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n first_o than_o it_o be_v suppose_v in_o the_o objection_n that_o most_o part_n of_o the_o bagaud_n army_n be_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o emperor_n maximian_n cause_v the_o theb._n legion_n to_o be_v cut_v off_o for_o fear_v so_o many_o brave_a man_n shall_v join_v with_o and_o strengthen_v the_o rebel_n then_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o objection_n be_v take_v out_o of_o a_o ancient_a anonymous_n writer_n who_o have_v give_v we_o the_o life_n of_o st._n baboulene_n and_o who_o ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v credit_v by_o reason_n that_o these_o transaction_n happen_v in_o a_o age_n near_o to_o his_o than_o to_o our_o time_n our_o answer_n to_o this_o will_v not_o a_o little_a contribute_v i_o hope_v to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n and_o first_o in_o this_o account_n of_o mezeray_n support_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o anonymous_n writer_n we_o find_v the_o christian_n divide_v in_o their_o practice_n upon_o a_o very_a considerable_a point_n of_o morality_n for_o some_o of_o they_o leave_v the_o blow_n take_v up_o arm_n against_o their_o sovereign_n and_o other_o on_o the_o contrary_n be_v up_o in_o arm_n lay_v they_o down_o and_o patient_o submit_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o barbarous_a order_n of_o their_o prince_n now_o to_o what_o shall_v we_o ascribe_v this_o difference_n in_o their_o judgement_n and_o practice_n be_v it_o that_o the_o morality_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o alps_o differ_v from_o that_o of_o the_o gaul_n or_o must_v we_o attribute_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o difference_n to_o the_o diversity_n of_o their_o climate_n education_n temper_n and_o manner_n but_o we_o shall_v spend_v too_o much_o time_n shall_v we_o go_v about_o to_o untie_v this_o knot_n therefore_o the_o short_a way_n be_v to_o 〈◊〉_d it_o and_o to_o 〈◊〉_d positive_o that_o both_o 〈…〉_z of_o 〈…〉_z that_o be_v christianity_n will_v rather_o loose_v than_o get_v by_o it_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v assert_v because_o it_o be_v think_v very_o honourable_a to_o christianity_n but_o then_o to_o support_v the_o assertion_n and_o insurrection_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n in_o gaul_n be_v bring_v in_o and_o a_o rebellious_a conspiracy_n to_o shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o their_o master_n so_o that_o if_o those_o who_o set_v up_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o a_o obedience_n so_o entire_o passive_a have_v in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o theb._n soldier_n a_o legion_n of_o martyr_n to_o boast_v of_o those_o who_o on_o the_o contrary_n believe_v that_o there_o be_v some_o case_n and_o time_n in_o which_o patience_n ought_v to_o give_v place_n to_o other_o virtue_n shall_v find_v in_o the_o bagaud_n a_o whole_a army_n of_o christian_n in_o rebellion_n against_o the_o empire_n to_o oppose_v to_o that_o legion_n and_o shall_v the_o example_n of_o one_o single_a
gaul_n in_o the_o year_n 285_o the_o very_a time_n wherein_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v massacre_v we_o be_v then_o much_o in_o the_o right_a to_o produce_v eusebius_n in_o this_o cause_n as_o a_o witness_n very_o fit_a to_o inform_v we_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o falsehood_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n but_o in_o all_o his_o work_n there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n speak_v either_o of_o this_o legion_n or_o of_o this_o martyrdom_n however_o he_o have_v often_o a_o fair_a opportunity_n to_o speak_v of_o it_o see_v that_o his_o whole_a ecclesiastical_a history_n be_v chief_o fill_v up_o with_o long_a account_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o conflict_n of_o martyr_n his_o eight_o book_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o ample_a narrative_n both_o of_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_o cruelty_n and_o of_o all_o the_o great_a example_n of_o zeal_n and_o constancy_n which_o the_o christian_n of_o all_o order_n and_o condition_n soever_o give_v in_o those_o time_n if_o any_o ancient_a writer_n have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o theb._n legion_n without_o doubt_n it_o be_v eusebius_n but_o since_o he_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o it_o his_o silence_n be_v a_o historical_a demonstration_n that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o mere_a fable_n to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o same_o silence_n be_v observe_v by_o socrates_n sozomen_n theodoret_n and_o evagrius_n who_o have_v now_o and_o then_o pick_v up_o some_o fact_n that_o be_v want_v in_o eusebius_n that_o st._n jerom_n who_o have_v follow_v eusebius_n in_o his_o chronology_n and_o careful_o collect_v those_o thing_n that_o have_v escape_v his_o knowledge_n say_v nothing_o of_o the_o theb._n legion_n that_o sulpitius_n severus_n who_o ecclesiastical_a history_n go_v beyond_o the_o aera_fw-la of_o martyr_n and_o who_o be_v so_o much_o note_v for_o his_o great_a credulity_n and_o fondness_n of_o opinion_n about_o saint_n and_o miracle_n have_v not_o hear_v of_o it_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o age_n that_o we_o find_v it_o not_o in_o paulus_n orosius_n who_o speak_v of_o the_o bagaud_n of_o amandus_n and_o aelianus_n of_o maximian_n expedition_n into_o gaul_n and_o greedy_o swallow_v any_o thing_n that_o do_v but_o serve_v his_o turn_n whether_o 3._o well_o ground_v or_o no_o as_o monsieur_n dupin_n observe_v 14._o and_o sometime_o even_o debase_v the_o dignity_n of_o history_n so_o much_o as_o to_o insert_v into_o it_o mere_a popular_a report_n according_a to_o vossius_n judgement_n however_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n be_v not_o yet_o bring_v into_o the_o world_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n arcadius_n and_o honorius_n wherein_o he_o live_v we_o do_v not_o see_v he_o have_v adorn_v the_o seven_o book_n of_o his_o history_n with_o the_o recital_n of_o it_o it_o remain_v then_o only_o for_o we_o to_o examine_v whether_o according_a 190._o to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n we_o may_v not_o infer_v a_o good_a conclusion_n from_o this_o negative_a argument_n john_n launoy_n a_o doctor_n of_o paris_n in_o his_o dissertation_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o negative_a argument_n lay_v down_o this_o rule_n that_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v the_o untruth_n of_o a_o fact_n from_o it_o be_v not_o be_v attest_v either_o by_o contemporary_a writer_n or_o by_o any_o author_n within_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o confess_v that_o this_o space_n of_o two_o hundred_o year_n be_v indeed_o too_o long_o but_o that_o he_o fear_v if_o he_o have_v chalk_v out_o a_o short_a he_o shall_v thereby_o have_v draw_v upon_o himself_o the_o reproach_n and_o calumny_n of_o most_o people_n who_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o too_o strict_a a_o search_n shall_v be_v make_v after_o truth_n but_o what_o if_o mr._n de_fw-fr launoy_n have_v be_v so_o very_o complaisant_a to_o the_o monk_n and_o the_o admirer_n of_o fable_n and_o legend_n as_o to_o throw_v they_o in_o other_o fifty_o year_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o in_o the_o least_o have_v weaken_v the_o strength_n of_o our_o argument_n since_o that_o it_o be_v almost_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o maximian_n expedition_n into_o gaul_n that_o not_o one_o writer_n have_v speak_v of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n it_o be_v true_a that_o upon_o the_o superstitious_a party_n of_o the_o popish_a church_n be_v alarm_v by_o mr._n de_fw-fr launoy_n book_n because_o they_o see_v that_o the_o method_n in_o it_o be_v like_a to_o pull_v down_o a_o great_a number_n of_o their_o saint_n and_o will_v bring_v into_o contempt_n their_o miracle_n and_o relic_n john_n baptist_n thiers_n a_o divine_a of_o paris_n endeavour_v to_o re_fw-mi assure_v they_o by_o a_o dissertation_n in_o answer_n to_o that_o of_o mr_n de_fw-fr launoy_n which_o indeed_o he_o do_v not_o think_v worth_a his_o while_n to_o answer_v or_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o his_o argument_n and_o evasion_n now_o this_o be_v the_o tenet_n of_o john_n 6._o baptist_n of_o thiers_n we_o grant_v that_o a_o negative_a argument_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o some_o force_n in_o historical_a account_n when_o in_o matter_n of_o very_o ancient_a fact_n the_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o the_o general_a silence_n of_o grave_a learned_a and_o diligent_a writer_n who_o be_v not_o light_o wrought_v upon_o but_o prudent_a in_o their_o judgement_n and_o choice_n and_o who_o have_v succeed_v one_o another_o during_o many_o age_n where_o notwithstanding_o that_o all_o his_o word_n be_v exact_o measure_v and_o fit_v to_o his_o design_n viz._n to_o render_v negative_a argument_n of_o no_o use_n by_o put_v they_o under_o impossible_a condition_n etc._n etc._n yet_o nevertheless_o we_o desire_v no_o other_o concession_n than_o what_o he_o himself_o grant_v for_o the_o fact_n here_o in_o question_n be_v very_a ancient_n and_o no_o body_n can_v deny_v but_o the_o writer_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v some_o of_o the_o most_o grave_a learned_a and_o diligent_a that_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o for_o a_o continue_a succession_n of_o two_o or_o three_o age_n and_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o be_v whole_o silent_a upon_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o theb._n legion_n now_o after_o this_o long_a silence_n on_o the_o one_o side_n let_v we_o see_v who_o those_o be_v who_o first_o open_v their_o mouth_n on_o the_o other_o and_o who_o shall_v these_o be_v but_o two_o author_n who_o live_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o six_o century_n 15._o namely_o gregory_n of_o tours_n and_o venantius_n honorius_n fortunatus_n the_o latter_a of_o which_o be_v a_o poet_n and_o consequent_o more_o likely_a to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o old_a privilege_n in_o the_o verse_n pictoribus_fw-la atque_fw-la poetis_fw-la he_o have_v translate_v into_o verse_n a_o abridgement_n of_o st._n george_n legend_n which_o baronius_n confess_v to_o have_v be_v original_o write_v by_o the_o arrian_n see_v then_o that_o this_o poet_n be_v so_o gross_o mistake_v in_o attribute_v the_o character_n of_o a_o saint_n to_o one_o who_o be_v a_o arrian_n and_o a_o wicked_a man_n may_v we_o not_o think_v but_o his_o credulity_n may_v have_v be_v likewise_o impose_v upon_o concern_v another_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o a_o old_a date_n than_o this_o be_v 90._o and_o as_o for_o gregory_n of_o tours_n mr._n dupin_n observe_v that_o he_o be_v very_o credulous_a and_o easy_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o miracle_n and_o make_v no_o scruple_n of_o recount_v uncertain_a and_o fabulous_a history_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o abbot_n hilduinus_n write_v concern_v he_o to_o the_o emperor_n lewis_n we_o ought_v to_o pardon_v the_o simplicity_n of_o this_o pious_a man_n for_o have_v write_v several_a thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o history_n not_o indeed_o out_o of_o any_o crafty_a design_n of_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o mere_o through_o his_o credulity_n and_o see_v that_o fortunatus_n take_v a_o journey_n to_o tours_n where_o he_o hope_v to_o have_v be_v cure_v of_o his_o sore_a eye_n by_o the_o intercession_n of_o st._n martin_n and_o that_o he_o have_v a_o great_a esteem_n and_o affection_n for_o gregory_n it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o he_o receive_v all_o that_o he_o know_v concern_v the_o theb._n legion_n from_o this_o good_a bishop_n now_o to_o let_v you_o see_v the_o very_a foundation_n on_o which_o gregory_n own_o belief_n of_o this_o matter_n be_v establish_v i_o shall_v only_o transcribe_v the_o place_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o ten_o book_n of_o his_o history_n of_o france_n i_o find_v say_v he_o a_o little_a chest_n in_o st._n martin_n treasury_n in_o which_o our_o father_n have_v deposit_v the_o relic_n of_o the_o agaunian_a martyr_n as_o i_o be_v inform_v by_o some_o very_a age_a priest_n the_o very_a seal_n which_o their_o piety_n have_v put_v to_o it_o be_v