clap_v one_o or_o both_o of_o these_o upon_o they_o to_o make_v up_o the_o objection_n and_o yet_o beside_o that_o they_o be_v a_o confession_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o they_o be_v thing_n of_o which_o he_o be_v oblige_v by_o his_o principle_n to_o entertain_v as_o little_a belief_n as_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n suppose_v some_o spirit_n or_o being_n distinct_a from_o matter_n and_o motion_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o man_n from_o the_o grave_a suppose_n soul_n distinct_a from_o blood_n and_o brain_n both_o which_o be_v mere_a contradiction_n to_o the_o epicurean_a philosophy_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o design_n to_o oppose_v they_o to_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o any_o truth_n that_o he_o suppose_v in_o they_o but_o only_o thereby_o to_o intimate_v that_o as_o they_o be_v fable_n so_o may_v that_o too_o which_o be_v such_o a_o slender_a way_n of_o argue_v as_o only_o betray_v its_o own_o weakness_n for_o 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it_o fit_a to_o pursue_v every_o bubble_n that_o he_o have_v blow_v up_o but_o whatsoever_o be_v any_o way_n pertinent_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v indeed_o to_o the_o argument_n though_o never_o so_o remote_o i_o shall_v give_v it_o as_o much_o confutation_n as_o and_o perhaps_o more_o than_o it_o deserve_v and_o when_o i_o have_v do_v that_o will_v make_v up_o a_o new_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n for_o thereby_o we_o shall_v see_v how_o little_a its_o great_a enemy_n be_v able_a to_o object_v against_o it_o the_o cavil_n of_o his_o first_o book_n than_o be_v such_o as_o these_o viz._n their_o clancular_a meeting_n against_o the_o law_n their_o be_v a_o barbarous_a sect_n as_o spring_v from_o the_o jew_n and_o not_o the_o grecian_n moses_n not_o be_v so_o ancient_a as_o be_v pretend_v the_o world_n not_o be_v create_v as_o he_o relate_v because_o eternal_a and_o his_o teach_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_n angel_n our_o saviour_n be_v a_o magician_n himself_o be_v poor_a and_o his_o disciple_n ignorant_a first_o then_o they_o keep_v clancular_a meeting_n against_o the_o law_n against_o what_o law_n why_o against_o such_o as_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o in_o its_o stead_n enjoin_v the_o worship_n of_o idol_n and_o dead_a men._n but_o as_o for_o the_o public_a law_n against_o the_o christian_n i_o have_v already_o give_v a_o sufficient_a account_n of_o their_o iniquity_n though_o as_o celsus_n have_v manage_v the_o cavil_v it_o need_v no_o reply_n because_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n mere_o to_o urge_v the_o law_n unless_o he_o have_v vindicate_v their_o goodness_n and_o justice_n in_o that_o there_o may_v be_v bad_a as_o well_o as_o good_a law_n and_o therefore_o unless_o he_o will_v have_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a the_o piety_n of_o those_o law_n that_o command_v the_o worship_n of_o their_o heathen_a god_n that_o himself_o know_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o very_o bad_a 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to_o this_o origen_n reply_n it_o be_v very_o true_a in_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o exercise_n for_o the_o justice_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n or_o obligation_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n without_o a_o sense_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v requisite_a to_o have_v the_o seed_n of_o those_o moral_a notion_n which_o god_n teach_v by_o his_o prophet_n and_o his_o son_n plant_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o all_o mankind_n that_o in_o the_o final_a judgement_n every_o man_n may_v be_v just_o call_v to_o a_o account_n for_o the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o his_o duty_n but_o beside_o be_v not_o this_o a_o fit_a objection_n to_o follow_v that_o of_o barbarity_n or_o their_o ignorance_n in_o the_o grecian_a philosophy_n that_o the_o christian_a church_n agree_v in_o all_o their_o main_a point_n and_o doctrine_n with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n the_o next_o thing_n object_v be_v credulity_n and_o contempt_n of_o humane_a learning_n but_o the_o charge_n of_o credulity_n be_v already_o answer_v by_o those_o undeniable_a proof_n that_o be_v produce_v for_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o as_o for_o the_o humane_a learning_n that_o they_o despise_v it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o pedantry_n of_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n who_o whilst_o they_o pretend_v to_o the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o all_o wisdom_n fall_v into_o the_o extreme_a ignorance_n and_o folly_n and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o what_o think_v he_o of_o the_o celebrate_a founder_n of_o his_o own_o séct_n who_o with_o abundance_n of_o pride_n and_o arrogance_n boast_v that_o he_o have_v rid_v the_o world_n of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n but_o with_o such_o trifle_a reason_v as_o be_v below_o the_o babble_n and_o folly_n of_o child_n let_v they_o therefore_o cease_v to_o upbraid_v the_o christian_n with_o the_o neglect_n of_o their_o learning_n when_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o true_a wisdom_n and_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o thing_n than_o to_o see_v through_o its_o folly_n and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o for_o the_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n he_o have_v as_o good_a have_v let_v that_o alone_o too_o when_o porphyry_n or_o any_o other_o learned_a man_n conversant_a in_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n can_v have_v tell_v he_o that_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a or_o undeniable_a than_o that_o moses_n live_v many_o age_n before_o linus_n or_o orpheus_n or_o any_o other_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o grecian_n but_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o epicurean_o to_o be_v confident_a upon_o the_o slight_a inquiry_n otherwise_o if_o he_o have_v take_v never_o so_o little_a pain_n in_o search_v and_o compare_v ancient_a record_n he_o can_v never_o have_v put_v such_o a_o
unprofitable_a cheat_n but_o yet_o however_o one_o will_v think_v rack_n and_o gibbet_n will_v have_v spoil_v the_o frolic_a and_o it_o be_v high_o credible_a that_o any_o man_n but_o much_o more_o these_o man_n who_o have_v give_v we_o no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v their_o integrity_n because_o they_o can_v have_v no_o motive_n to_o forgo_v it_o shall_v prevaricate_v after_o such_o a_o odd_a and_o extravagant_a manner_n with_o mankind_n yes_o and_o themselves_o too_o and_o when_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n so_o apparent_o without_o craft_n and_o without_o design_n without_o advantage_n without_o interest_n have_v give_v the_o world_n the_o most_o unquestionable_a proof_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n as_o to_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o reality_n of_o what_o they_o relate_v after_o all_o this_o what_o wise_a and_o wary_a man_n will_v not_o suspect_v the_o forgery_n and_o disbelieve_v the_o relation_n but_o this_o argument_n i_o find_v 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craft_n and_o hypocrisy_n to_o get_v a_o name_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o one_o and_o all_o join_v hand_n and_o enter_v into_o solemn_a covenant_n among_o ourselves_o to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o this_o impudent_a cheat_n among_o mankind_n and_o to_o fain_o all_o manner_n of_o lie_n for_o its_o confirmation_n to_o swear_v that_o we_o see_v he_o restore_v eye_n to_o the_o blind_a ear_n to_o the_o deaf_a and_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a and_o though_o it_o be_v all_o impudent_o false_a yet_o let_v we_o confident_o report_v it_o nay_o and_o stand_v too_o it_o to_o the_o last_o drop_n of_o our_o blood_n and_o because_o after_o all_o his_o great_a and_o glorious_a pretence_n of_o be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o be_v at_o last_o execute_v as_o a_o vile_a malefactor_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n we_o must_v agree_v among_o ourselves_o upon_o some_o lie_n to_o wipe_v off_o this_o disgrace_n let_v we_o therefore_o resolve_v to_o affirm_v with_o a_o undaunted_a impudence_n that_o after_o he_o be_v thus_o dishonourable_o crucify_a the_o three_o day_n he_o arise_v again_o and_o often_o converse_v with_o we_o in_o the_o same_o familiar_a way_n as_o he_o have_v always_o do_v before_o his_o execution_n but_o then_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o stand_v unalterable_o to_o the_o impudence_n of_o the_o lie_n and_o to_o persevere_v to_o death_n itself_o in_o its_o assertion_n for_o what_o absurdity_n be_v there_o in_o throw_v away_o our_o life_n for_o nothing_o and_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n think_v it_o hard_o to_o suffer_v stripe_n rack_n bond_n imprisonment_n reproach_n dishonur_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o let_v we_o therefore_o unanimous_o and_o vigorous_o set_v ourselves_o to_o the_o design_n and_o with_o one_o consent_n agree_v to_o report_v such_o impudent_a falsehood_n as_o be_v of_o no_o advantage_n either_o to_o ourselves_o or_o to_o those_o we_o deceive_v or_o to_o he_o for_o who_o sake_n we_o deceive_v neither_o let_v we_o be_v content_a to_o propagate_v this_o lie_n only_o among_o our_o own_o countryman_n but_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o spread_v it_o through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n impose_v new_a law_n upon_o all_o nation_n overthrow_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n command_v the_o roman_n to_o quit_v the_o god_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o greek_n to_o renounce_v the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o philosopher_n and_o the_o egyptian_n the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o their_o superstition_n neither_o will_v we_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o overthrow_v these_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o most_o polite_a and_o most_o powerful_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o force_n of_o learning_n or_o wit_n or_o eloquence_n but_o by_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o our_o crucify_a master_n neither_o will_v we_o stop_v here_o but_o we_o will_v travel_v to_o all_o barbarous_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n reverse_v all_o their_o ancient_a law_n and_o command_v their_o obedience_n to_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o this_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o go_v through_o with_o a_o undaunted_a courage_n and_o resolution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a reward_n that_o we_o expect_v for_o our_o impudence_n nor_o be_v it_o for_o vulgar_a crown_n and_o trophy_n that_o we_o engage_v ourselves_o in_o such_o hard_a and_o hazardous_a enterprise_n no_o no_o we_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o the_o utmost_a severity_n of_o the_o law_n in_o all_o place_n wherever_o we_o come_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v we_o deserve_v it_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a settlement_n only_o to_o establish_v a_o ridiculous_a cheat_n and_o imposture_n but_o for_o this_o who_o will_v not_o endure_v all_o the_o torment_n in_o the_o world_n burn_v hang_a behead_v crucify_a and_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n all_o which_o we_o must_v as_o we_o will_v secure_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o impostor_n encounter_n with_o a_o cheerful_a and_o resolve_a mind_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o praiseworthy_a than_o to_o abuse_v god_n and_o affront_n mankind_n to_o no_o purpose_n and_o to_o reap_v no_o other_o benefit_n from_o all_o our_o labour_n beside_o the_o pleasure_n of_o vain_a foolish_a and_o unprofitable_a lie_v and_o for_o that_o alone_o will_v we_o blaspheme_v all_o the_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o gain_v worship_n to_o a_o crucify_a malefactor_n nay_o we_o will_v lay_v down_o our_o life_n for_o his_o reputation_n notwithstanding_o that_o we_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o impudent_a impostor_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o we_o honour_v he_o so_o high_o because_o he_o have_v put_v such_o a_o dishonourable_a abuse_n upon_o ourselves_o who_o will_v not_o do_v or_o suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o so_o vile_a a_o man_n who_o will_v not_o undergo_v all_o manner_n of_o suffering_n for_o a_o cause_n that_o himself_o know_v to_o be_v mere_a falsehood_n and_o forgery_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o constant_o to_o the_o last_o breath_n aver_v that_o he_o raise_v the_o dead_a cleanse_a leper_n cast_v out_o devil_n and_o wrought_v all_o manner_n of_o miracle_n though_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o the_o gross_a falsehood_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n that_o we_o have_v mere_o forge_v out_o of_o our_o own_o brain_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o deceive_v as_o many_o as_o we_o can_v and_o if_o people_n will_v not_o be_v deceive_v yet_o however_o we_o shall_v sometime_o or_o other_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o suffering_n and_o perhaps_o of_o die_v for_o a_o unprofitable_a lie_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n credible_a that_o man_n shall_v discourse_v and_o act_n after_o such_o a_o extravagant_a rate_n as_o this_o or_o that_o humane_a nature_n that_o have_v above_o all_o other_o creature_n a_o high_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o life_n and_o self_n preservation_n shall_v thrust_v itself_o upon_o a_o voluntary_a death_n without_o any_o motive_n or_o any_o reward_n or_o if_o they_o shall_v that_o when_o so_o great_a a_o multitude_n have_v agree_v among_o themselves_o to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o frantic_a design_n they_o shall_v all_o persevere_v in_o the_o lie_n to_o the_o very_a death_n and_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o all_o the_o threaten_n and_o all_o the_o slattery_n in_o the_o world_n to_o betray_v the_o plot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o their_o testimony_n be_v not_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o require_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n against_o infidelity_n than_o only_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v men._n and_o that_o certain_o be_v as_o modest_a and_o moderate_a a_o postulatum_fw-la as_o can_v be_v premise_v to_o any_o question_n and_o yet_o that_o only_o be_v
the_o table_n of_o the_o consul_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o careful_o preserve_v in_o those_o time_n and_o as_o easy_o consult_v by_o any_o inquisitive_a person_n as_o any_o other_o public_a record_n and_o be_v so_o by_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o they_o or_o to_o convey_v the_o account_n of_o they_o to_o after-age_n and_o particular_o eusebius_n who_o as_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o other_o help_v and_o have_v all_o the_o other_o advantage_n of_o information_n will_v not_o want_v this_o that_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o satisfactory_a as_o himself_o 12._o particular_o inform_v we_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o transcribe_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o archive_v though_o set_v aside_o the_o information_n that_o he_o receive_v thence_o the_o history_n of_o the_o succession_n be_v sufficient_o preserve_v by_o other_o writer_n that_o of_o rome_n be_v already_o clear_v that_o of_o antioch_n be_v as_o clear_v only_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n about_o the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n whether_o it_o be_v euodius_n or_o ignatius_n probable_o it_o may_v be_v both_o as_o it_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o if_o euodius_n be_v the_o first_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o his_o successor_n ignatius_n be_v a_o apostolical_a man_n and_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o he_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a and_o undisputed_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o which_o eustathius_n be_v then_o present_a bishop_n be_v summon_v and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o eminent_a learning_n so_o he_o bear_v a_o considerable_a sway_n in_o it_o as_o for_o alexandria_n the_o succession_n run_v so_o clear_a there_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o most_o sceptical_a adversary_n in_o this_o point_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o question_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o succession_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o church_n be_v so_o early_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_a that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n than_o it_o be_v for_o any_o learned_a man_n now_o not_o to_o know_v the_o succession_n in_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o add_v many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o tedious_a but_o though_o i_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o a_o interrupt_a succession_n in_o any_o eminent_a church_n yet_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o two_o that_o next_o to_o those_o already_o mention_v most_o deserve_v our_o notice_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o athens_n a_o account_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o have_v from_o dionysius_n a_o learned_a 23._o man_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n antoninus_n as_o indeed_o we_o have_v of_o many_o other_o church_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o as_o for_o his_o own_o church_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o its_o succession_n when_o himself_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o have_v withal_o accidental_o let_v we_o understand_v his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v transact_v there_o before_o his_o own_o time_n and_o particular_o by_o his_o account_n of_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o after_o he_o mention_n publius_n and_o quadratus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o unknown_a interruption_n in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o the_o certain_a succession_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o undoubted_a tradition_n §_o xxix_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v its_o more_o particular_a conveyance_n down_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n after_o 201._o he_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o discipline_n of_o several_a master_n and_o several_a sect_n acquiesce_v at_o last_o without_o any_o far_a search_n in_o the_o christian_a institution_n because_o they_o that_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n receive_v it_o immediate_o from_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o paul_n the_o holy_a apostle_n as_o a_o son_n succeed_v a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v bring_v it_o down_o to_o we_o plant_v those_o seed_n of_o doctrine_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n and_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o learned_a man_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o succession_n itself_o in_o that_o the_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o with_o apostolical_a men._n as_o saint_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o write_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n receive_v with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n value_v next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o read_v with_o they_o in_o several_a church_n but_o especial_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o the_o apostolical_a book_n so_o be_v it_o the_o most_o undoubted_a write_n of_o the_o christian_a 38._o church_n it_o be_v say_v eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d receive_v without_o controversy_n and_o it_o be_v cite_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n a_o short_a time_n 23._o after_o who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v then_o 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ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v pass_v this_o epistle_n as_o undoubted_o genuine_a with_o a_o unanimous_a approbation_n now_o this_o suppose_v the_o own_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o assert_n particular_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o beside_o several_a other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v the_o first_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v its_o undoubted_a certainty_n by_o the_o testimony_n not_o only_o of_o himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o above_o five_o hundred_o witness_n beside_o most_o whereof_o be_v then_o alive_a beside_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a labour_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o assert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o great_a patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o vast_a number_n more_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o a_o thing_n present_a let_v we_o say_v he_o consider_v the_o generous_a and_o worthy_a example_n of_o our_o own_o age_n through_o emulation_n and_o envy_v the_o faithful_a pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v persecute_v even_o unto_o a_o most_o grievous_a death_n let_v we_o place_n before_o our_o eye_n our_o holy_a apostle_n and_o so_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o act_n and_o suffering_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n now_o how_o can_v this_o have_v be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o christianity_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o what_o more_o unquestionable_a tradition_n can_v we_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n especial_o of_o the_o resurrection_n when_o he_o quote_v the_o gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v record_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o number_n of_o eye-witness_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o innumerable_a other_o that_o live_v at_o the_o
trick_n upon_o himself_o as_o to_o think_v of_o bring_v down_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n below_o the_o know_a time_n of_o greece_n as_o for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n which_o follow_v next_o i_o shall_v not_o answer_v he_o here_o because_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o prove_v it_o false_a it_o run_v too_o far_o from_o the_o present_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o as_o for_o moses_n his_o command_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_n angel_n i_o scorn_v to_o answer_v it_o because_o it_o be_v so_o impudent_o false_a when_o the_o great_a commandment_n of_o his_o law_n be_v to_o worship_n one_o god_n alone_o and_o when_o himself_o have_v but_o a_o very_a little_a before_o object_v this_o as_o a_o singularity_n in_o the_o jew_n against_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o then_o as_o for_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o magician_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v now_o let_v that_o pass_v too_o without_o be_v suspect_v as_o guilty_a of_o any_o omission_n and_o as_o for_o his_o meanness_n and_o poverty_n i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o account_v for_o that_o too_o already_o in_o that_o it_o be_v but_o suitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n strip_v of_o all_o worldly_a advantage_n that_o he_o may_v subdue_v it_o pure_o by_o the_o power_n of_o truth_n and_o therefore_o that_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o enquiry_n whether_o he_o wrought_v such_o miracle_n in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o not_o if_o he_o do_v the_o meanness_n of_o his_o condition_n be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o miracle_n if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v for_o a_o much_o worse_a objection_n nay_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o bring_v any_o real_a disadvantage_n upon_o the_o christian_a cause_n that_o it_o bring_v a_o considerable_a accession_n to_o its_o demonstrative_a proof_n and_o evidence_n in_o so_o much_o that_o without_o it_o it_o must_v have_v ever_o be_v liable_a to_o suspicion_n for_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v with_o kingly_a splendour_n and_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o earthly_a power_n the_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a entertainment_n of_o his_o doctrine_n may_v have_v be_v impute_v to_o worldly_a interest_n and_o not_o to_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n and_o man_n will_v have_v follow_v he_o for_o politic_a end_n and_o not_o for_o any_o conscience_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v secure_a of_o the_o integrity_n of_o his_o disciple_n he_o give_v they_o no_o secular_a encouragement_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a ensure_n to_o they_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o their_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n his_o institution_n be_v pure_a religion_n and_o conscience_n towards_o god_n be_v its_o only_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o its_o own_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v carry_v along_o with_o it_o no_o other_o recommendation_n and_o thus_o i_o remember_v when_o julian_n object_n the_o meanness_n of_o our_o saviour_n condition_n 6._o in_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v a_o subject_a of_o the_o empire_n which_o as_o he_o fancy_n be_v below_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n st._n cyril_n answer_v that_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v with_o imperial_a power_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o command_v the_o obedience_n of_o mankind_n man_n must_v have_v submit_v to_o he_o for_o worldly_a interest_n and_o not_o out_o of_o any_o sense_n of_o duty_n or_o religion_n and_o he_o have_v be_v just_o such_o another_o deity_n as_o caligula_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o emperor_n be_v who_o force_v man_n in_o spite_n of_o themselves_o to_o give_v they_o the_o show_n of_o divine_a honour_n by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o whereas_o you_o object_v say_v he_o that_o he_o be_v subject_a to_o caesar_n what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o purpose_n when_o he_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o neither_o caesar_n nor_o any_o other_o man_n ever_o do_v he_o raise_v man_n from_o the_o dead_a do_v any_o of_o your_o caesar_n ever_o do_v so_o what_o then_o if_o he_o be_v subject_a to_o caesar_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o work_n that_o he_o be_v great_a and_o they_o alone_o demonstrate_v he_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o person_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o that_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o scorn_v all_o your_o outward_a pomp_n and_o show_n of_o majesty_n and_o will_v receive_v no_o honour_n but_o what_o reflect_v upon_o he_o from_o the_o glory_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o own_o work_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v origen_n reply_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o man_n that_o have_v all_o the_o advantage_n of_o birth_n and_o fortune_n to_o make_v themselves_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n but_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o wonderful_a in_o jesus_n that_o a_o person_n so_o obscure_a upon_o all_o worldly_a account_n shall_v raise_v himself_o to_o so_o great_a a_o fame_n and_o reputation_n that_o a_o man_n so_o poor_a and_o mean_o educate_v and_o never_o instruct_v in_o the_o art_n of_o eloquence_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o convert_v the_o world_n to_o a_o new_a doctrine_n to_o reform_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o abolish_v the_o superstition_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o yet_o that_o without_o any_o force_n or_o artifice_n he_o shall_v so_o speedy_o effect_v what_o he_o undertake_v this_o say_v he_o be_v a_o thing_n singular_a in_o he_o and_o be_v never_o do_v by_o any_o man_n that_o i_o know_v of_o in_o any_o other_o age._n nay_o far_a beside_o the_o obscurity_n of_o his_o life_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n design_o lay_v to_o eclipse_v his_o glory_n his_o ignominious_a death_n one_o will_v think_v shall_v have_v put_v it_o out_o for_o ever_o and_o that_o even_o those_o that_o he_o have_v delude_v in_o his_o life-time_n shall_v then_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o grossness_n of_o the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o wonderful_a of_o all_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v never_o see_v our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n or_o have_v no_o assurance_n of_o his_o divinity_n how_o it_o can_v ever_o come_v into_o their_o mind_n to_o leave_v their_o country_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n to_o publish_v and_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o know_a falsehood_n so_o that_o we_o see_v that_o the_o meanness_n of_o that_o state_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n appear_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o material_a objection_n against_o his_o divine_a authority_n that_o upon_o several_a account_n in_o the_o last_o result_n of_o thing_n it_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o itsdemonstration_n in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o flout_v at_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o voice_n from_o heaven_n at_o our_o saviour_n baptism_n as_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o absurd_a and_o incredible_a but_o here_o the_o epicurean_a forget_v that_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n in_o that_o there_o be_v many_o relation_n of_o such_o appearance_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o yet_o if_o this_o objection_n hold_v good_a every_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v false_a and_o impossible_a but_o to_o treat_v with_o he_o as_o a_o epicurean_a why_o be_v it_o impossible_a because_o all_o story_n of_o god_n concern_v himself_o in_o humane_a affair_n be_v undoubted_a fable_n a_o admirable_a way_n this_o of_o confute_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o by_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a upon_o a_o precarious_a principle_n of_o our_o own_o so_o that_o the_o last_o result_n of_o this_o rude_a objection_n against_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o can_v be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o divine_a providence_n but_o he_o add_v that_o there_o be_v no_o witness_n of_o it_o but_o only_o john_n the_o baptist_n his_o companion_n in_o wickedness_n and_o this_o be_v another_o unhappy_a mistake_n of_o a_o man_n that_o sustain_v the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n when_o all_o the_o jewish_a nation_n even_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o jesus_n have_v a_o very_a great_a reverence_n for_o john_n the_o baptist._n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o his_o testimony_n that_o we_o rely_v upon_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evangelist_n that_o have_v record_v it_o they_o know_v what_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o its_o reality_n and_o we_o know_v what_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o now_o have_v discharge_v all_o his_o little_a topic_n of_o calumny_n against_o our_o saviour_n own_o person_n in_o the_o last_o place_n he_o fall_v foul_a upon_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o with_o the_o same_o unhappy_a success_n for_o