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well_o be_v account_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n no_o less_o than_o the_o other_o apostle_n although_o he_o do_v not_o actual_o expire_v under_o his_o suffering_n as_o they_o do_v now_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o a_o man_n especial_o one_o who_o stand_v much_o upon_o his_o credit_n may_v be_v willing_a after_o he_o have_v tell_v a_o lie_n to_o suffer_v a_o great_a deal_n rather_o than_o own_v himself_o a_o liar_n though_o i_o think_v it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v either_o that_o any_o man_n will_v suffer_v so_o many_o other_o great_a evil_n as_o the_o apostle_n do_v only_o upon_o a_o point_n of_o honour_n or_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v stand_v so_o much_o upon_o their_o honour_n yet_o when_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o this_o that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v tell_v a_o lie_n must_v either_o retract_v it_o or_o die_v for_o it_o and_o that_o he_o may_v in_o all_o probability_n save_o his_o life_n by_o retract_v it_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o any_o man_n will_v be_v a_o martyr_n for_o a_o know_a falsehood_n for_o it_o be_v a_o very_a true_a say_v and_o to_o which_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o exception_n though_o it_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o father_n of_o lie_n 2.4_o job_n 2.4_o that_o skin_n for_o skin_n yea_o all_o that_o a_o man_n have_v he_o will_v give_v for_o his_o life_n it_o be_v not_o credible_a therefore_o that_o so_o much_o as_o one_o man_n shall_v be_v find_v so_o foolish_a as_o to_o sacrifice_v his_o life_n to_o a_o know_a lie_n and_o that_o too_o a_o unprofitable_a lie_n to_o himself_o to_o his_o family_n and_o to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o this_o only_a to_o save_v his_o reputation_n it_o be_v much_o less_o credible_a that_o so_o many_o man_n viz._n all_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n and_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v immediate_a disciple_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o such_o prodigious_a and_o unheard_a of_o folly_n and_o it_o be_v least_o of_o all_o credible_a that_o among_o so_o many_o as_o there_o be_v that_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o evangelical_n history_n not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o man_n shall_v be_v find_v that_o be_v honest_a and_o wise_a than_o the_o rest_n not_o one_o that_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o his_o fault_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o world_n by_o a_o public_a own_n of_o the_o cheat_n he_o have_v be_v engage_v in_o not_o one_o that_o will_v choose_v to_o undergo_v the_o disgrace_n of_o a_o liar_n rather_o than_o the_o shameful_a death_n of_o a_o malefactor_n these_o be_v in_o short_a the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o the_o honesty_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o evangelical_n historian_n those_o evidence_n i_o mean_v which_o they_o themselves_o have_v give_v thereof_o and_o they_o be_v plain_o as_o good_a as_o can_v be_v desire_v they_o be_v the_o best_a that_o can_v be_v give_v by_o men._n and_o put_v together_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v on_o this_o and_o the_o forego_n head_n now_o and_o in_o my_o last_o discourse_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evangelical_n history_n i_o think_v we_o may_v true_o and_o confident_o affirm_v that_o although_o we_o consider_v it_o only_o as_o a_o mere_a humane_a history_n we_o have_v much_o great_a reason_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o it_o than_o to_o any_o history_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o if_o we_o receive_v the_o witness_n of_o man_n and_o who_o be_v there_o that_o do_v not_o 5.9_o 1_o joh._n 5.9_o the_o witness_n of_o god_n be_v great_a and_o therefore_o in_o order_n to_o show_v further_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o the_o evangelical_n historian_n in_o their_o relation_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v record_v i_o propose_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o five_o and_o last_o place_n 5_o the_o confirmation_n that_o be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o history_n by_o god_n himself_o for_o what_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o his_o own_o be_v likewise_o true_a of_o the_o speech_n and_o preach_v of_o all_o the_o other_o apostle_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n 5._o 1_o cor._n 2.4_o 5._o that_o the_o faith_n of_o their_o hearer_n shall_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o so_o st._n luke_n say_v act_v 4.33_o with_o great_a power_n give_v the_o apostle_n witness_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o witness_v the_o miracle_n of_o their_o master_n they_o give_v assurance_n to_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o do_v the_o like_a miracle_n themselves_o heal_v the_o sick_a cast_v out_o devil_n raise_v the_o dead_a etc._n etc._n just_a as_o jesus_n himself_o have_v do_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o pursuant_n to_o their_o commission_n they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o man_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o language_n they_o plain_o demonstrate_v both_o that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o commission_n from_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n which_o they_o preach_v by_o speak_v to_o every_o man_n of_o every_o nation_n in_o his_o own_o tongue_n thus_o as_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n say_v 2.4_o heb._n 2.4_o god_n do_v bear_v they_o witness_n both_o with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o his_o own_o will._n and_o he_o may_v well_o say_v that_o god_n do_v hereby_o bear_v they_o witness_n because_o that_o power_n wherewith_o they_o be_v endue_v be_v so_o evident_o from_o on_o high_a that_o none_o that_o see_v their_o work_n 24.49_o luke_n 24.49_o and_o consider_v withal_o the_o purity_n and_o excellence_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n that_o be_v thereby_o establish_v can_v have_v any_o reasonable_a doubt_v whether_o they_o be_v do_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n or_o no._n we_o know_v 3.2_o joh._n 3.2_o say_v nicodemus_n to_o our_o saviour_n that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n send_v from_o god_n for_o no_o man_n can_v do_v the_o miracle_n that_o thou_o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o 14.12_o joh._n 14.12_o but_o the_o same_o work_n that_o jesus_n do_v do_v his_o disciple_n also_o after_o he_o have_v send_v down_o the_o promise_n of_o his_o father_n upon_o they_o on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n yea_o and_o great_a work_n than_o those_o do_v they_o do_v so_o that_o whoever_o behold_v their_o work_n may_v so_o far_o as_o miracle_n be_v evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v rather_o more_o certain_a that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o than_o nicodemus_n can_v be_v that_o he_o be_v with_o our_o lord_n himself_o for_o though_o their_o other_o miracle_n that_o be_v of_o the_o same_o sort_n with_o those_o which_o our_o saviour_n have_v do_v be_v such_o proof_n of_o divine_a assistance_n as_o can_v not_o with_o any_o reason_n be_v gainsay_v yet_o i_o think_v it_o may_v true_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o they_o and_o wherein_o they_o do_v as_o we_o may_v say_v excel_v even_o our_o lord_n himself_o be_v more_o convince_a than_o any_o of_o they_o for_o he_o that_o see_v one_o of_o their_o other_o miracle_n may_v possible_o entertain_v some_o little_a doubt_n whether_o the_o effect_n that_o appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v miraculous_a may_v not_o yet_o be_v do_v by_o some_o secret_a power_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o be_v unknown_a to_o he_o but_o we_o all_o know_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n so_o well_o that_o we_o be_v sure_a the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o language_n can_v possible_o be_v attain_v natural_o even_o by_o a_o person_n of_o the_o quick_a part_n and_o faithful_a memory_n but_o in_o so_o much_o time_n at_o the_o least_o as_o it_o will_v necessary_o take_v up_o to_o be_v tell_v by_o tutor_n or_o to_o learn_v from_o lexicon_n what_o every_o particular_a word_n of_o the_o language_n to_o be_v learn_v be_v by_o the_o people_n of_o that_o language_n design_v to_o signify_v because_o word_n have_v not_o a_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o notion_n or_o thing_n thereby_o express_v but_o be_v mere_a arbitrary_a sign_n thereof_o so_o that_o whoever_o know_v the_o education_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o be_v before_o altogether_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a and_o yet_o see_v they_o every_o one_o on_o a_o sudden_a on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n able_a to_o speak_v ready_o in_o all_o the_o language_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n under_o heaven_n from_o whence_o have_v come_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v present_a at_o jerusalem_n at_o that_o
place_n it_o and_o by_o the_o same_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o history_n we_o learn_v that_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n in_o less_o than_o forty_o year_n after_o it_o be_v preach_v in_o all_o the_o province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o in_o all_o other_o country_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v then_o know_v and_o of_o which_o we_o have_v any_o history_n leave_v and_o that_o wherever_o it_o be_v preach_v it_o make_v a_o very_a swift_a progress_n insomuch_o that_o in_o a_o few_o year_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n become_v very_o considerable_a and_o bare_a a_o great_a proportion_n to_o the_o people_n of_o all_o other_o religion_n for_o it_o be_v not_o much_o above_o threescore_o year_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v disperse_v themselves_o in_o order_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n when_o pliny_n proconsul_n of_o bythinia_n write_v that_o epistle_n to_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n wherein_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_n then_o under_o a_o severe_a persecution_n for_o their_o religion_n by_o the_o emperor_n order_n he_o tell_v he_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o man_n obnoxious_a to_o suffering_n upon_o that_o account_n that_o many_o of_o all_o age_n of_o all_o order_n and_o degree_n and_o of_o both_o sex_n be_v every_o day_n call_v in_o question_n for_o it_o that_o the_o contagion_n of_o that_o superstition_n as_o he_o call_v it_o have_v spread_v its_o self_n not_o only_o in_o great_a city_n but_o also_o in_o town_n and_o country_n village_n insomuch_o that_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n have_v for_o some_o time_n before_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n desolate_a and_o their_o worship_n and_o sacrifice_n intermit_v now_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o effect_n without_o a_o cause_n of_o sufficient_a power_n to_o produce_v it_o and_o it_o be_v evident_o impossible_a that_o christianity_n shall_v make_v so_o swift_a a_o progress_n and_o prevail_v so_o much_o in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o do_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n only_o by_o natural_a mean_n for_o without_o good_a skill_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o several_a nation_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n it_o have_v be_v in_o vain_a for_o they_o to_o have_v go_v about_o to_o convert_v all_o nation_n or_o if_o they_o have_v attempt_v it_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v have_v be_v with_o success_n and_o how_o can_v it_o be_v conceive_v possible_a that_o twelve_o grow_v man_n who_o before_o understand_v not_o a_o word_n of_o any_o but_o their_o own_o mother_n tongue_n and_o that_o perhaps_o not_o well_o who_o have_v never_o be_v breed_v up_o to_o study_n and_o who_o be_v then_o past_o the_o proper_a age_n of_o learning_n language_n shall_v yet_o be_v able_a in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n to_o become_v perfect_a master_n of_o all_o the_o language_n then_o in_o use_n in_o the_o world_n so_o as_o to_o speak_v they_o ready_o and_o fluent_o as_o if_o every_o one_o 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the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o such_o ready_a natural_a part_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o learn_v all_o the_o language_n which_o they_o can_v have_v any_o use_n of_o in_o as_o few_o day_n as_o it_o will_v have_v take_v other_o man_n year_n to_o do_v it_o in_o or_o else_o that_o they_o have_v in_o truth_n be_v breed_v up_o to_o the_o study_n of_o language_n from_o their_o childhood_n and_o only_o conceal_v their_o knowledge_n thereof_o until_o that_o famous_a day_n of_o pentecost_n that_o so_o then_o it_o may_v be_v take_v to_o be_v miraculous_a yet_o what_o can_v twelve_o man_n furnish_v with_o this_o excellent_a skill_n do_v by_o their_o own_o natural_a power_n only_o towards_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n to_o christianity_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v to_o reach_v in_o the_o world_n be_v the_o most_o contrary_a that_o can_v be_v to_o the_o carnal_a lust_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n that_o it_o promise_v no_o worldly_a greatness_n no_o increase_n of_o riches_n no_o enjoyment_n of_o sensual_a pleasure_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n teach_v all_o those_o that_o embrace_v it_o to_o be_v mortify_v to_o all_o these_o thing_n and_o not_o to_o set_v their_o affection_n on_o any_o thing_n here_o below_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v also_o that_o it_o propose_v to_o man_n belief_n such_o doctrine_n as_o to_o the_o carnal_a mind_n of_o man_n can_v not_o but_o appear_v foolish_a or_o incredible_a as_o that_o the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n do_v for_o our_o sake_n become_v man_n and_o take_v on_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n that_o in_o that_o form_n he_o submit_v to_o be_v scornful_o use_v cruel_o scourge_v and_o at_o last_o barbarous_o crucify_a as_o a_o vile_a malefactor_n by_o his_o own_o creature_n that_o this_o same_o jesus_n be_v afterward_o declare_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n by_o the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a that_o he_o be_v take_v up_o into_o heaven_n seat_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o father_n have_v all_o power_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n commit_v to_o he_o be_v order_v to_o be_v worship_v â—nd_n adore_v by_o all_o man_n with_o the_o same_o honour_n wherewith_o they_o honour_v the_o father_n and_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o the_o quick_a and_o dead_a etc._n etc._n it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v a_o religion_n perfect_o destructive_a of_o all_o other_o form_n of_o religion_n then_o receive_v or_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n only_o must_v needs_o meet_v with_o the_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la all_o the_o man_n it_o be_v preach_v to_o be_v before_o from_o their_o childhood_n breed_v up_o and_o already_o fix_v in_o another_o way_n and_o last_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v further_o that_o the_o fact_n upon_o which_o this_o religion_n be_v ground_v that_o be_v by_o which_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v prove_v viz._n his_o miraculous_a work_n be_v such_o as_o be_v above_o the_o know_a power_n of_o natural_a cause_n be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v easy_o credit_v that_o he_o heal_v the_o sick_a that_o he_o give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a hear_v to_o the_o deaf_a speech_n to_o the_o dumb_a foot_n to_o the_o lame_a and_o strength_n to_o the_o cripple_n that_o he_o do_v cast_v out_o devil_n that_o he_o raise_v the_o dead_a and_o all_o these_o only_a with_o a_o word_n be_v speak_v that_o he_o feed_v sometime_o great_a multitude_n of_o four_o or_o five_o thousand_o with_o only_a so_o much_o bread_n and_o fish_n as_o to_o appearance_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o twenty_o man_n and_o that_o after_o they_o be_v all_o satisfy_v there_o be_v more_o in_o bulk_n leave_v in_o fragment_n than_o there_o have_v be_v before_o in_o whole_a provision_n that_o he_o walk_v on_o the_o water_n as_o on_o dry_a land_n that_o he_o have_v the_o wind_n and_o sea_n obedient_a to_o his_o 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1700._o be_v the_o seven_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n d._n d._n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a when_o i_o first_o begin_v to_o discourse_n on_o these_o word_n i_o propose_v to_o speak_v to_o these_o three_o point_n i._o to_o show_v that_o the_o present_a stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n i_o add_v they_o have_v also_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o ii_o to_o show_v that_o have_v already_o such_o good_a ground_n of_o faith_n such_o full_a direction_n for_o practice_n and_o such_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a request_n to_o desire_v more_o nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o iii_o last_o to_o show_v that_o in_o case_n god_n shall_v condescend_v to_o gratify_v man_n in_o this_o unreasonable_a desire_n work_v every_o day_n new_a miracle_n before_o their_o eye_n or_o send_v their_o decease_a friend_n to_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a to_o assure_v they_o of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o to_o 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thing_n be_v a_o power_n of_o do_v such_o miracle_n and_o mighty_a work_n as_o be_v manifest_o above_o the_o skill_n and_o strength_n of_o a_o man_n to_o do_v it_o be_v therefore_o high_o requisite_a and_o what_o may_v reasonable_o be_v look_v for_o that_o god_n shall_v grant_v such_o a_o power_n as_o this_o to_o all_o those_o who_o he_o have_v ever_o inspire_v with_o new_a light_n and_o commission_v to_o make_v any_o new_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o mankind_n and_o this_o he_o have_v always_o do_v he_o give_v this_o power_n to_o moses_n in_o a_o large_a measure_n because_o the_o matter_n that_o man_n be_v to_o trust_v he_o for_o be_v many_o and_o very_o considerable_a he_o give_v it_o also_o to_o some_o of_o the_o succeed_a prophet_n but_o in_o a_o less_o measure_n because_o their_o business_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v only_o to_o interpret_v or_o to_o press_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v before_o and_o he_o 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testimonial_n of_o their_o divine_a mission_n than_o moses_n himself_o have_v do_v and_o such_o testimonial_n they_o have_v such_o they_o do_v produce_v work_v more_o miracle_n and_o those_o as_o i_o may_v say_v more_o wonderful_a and_o miraculous_a than_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n together_o have_v wrought_v before_o but_o when_o these_o testimonial_n have_v be_v once_o fair_o produce_v and_o examine_v and_o by_o all_o reasonable_a man_n allow_v to_o be_v true_a and_o sufficient_a and_o when_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v make_v and_o publish_v all_o that_o revelation_n which_o they_o be_v commissioned_n to_o make_v and_o when_o to_o prevent_v all_o misunderstanding_n of_o it_o or_o mistake_v concern_v it_o they_o have_v commit_v it_o all_o to_o write_v and_o the_o man_n that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o the_o book_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v indeed_o they_o and_o contain_v in_o substance_n all_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o no_o other_o which_o they_o have_v before_o declare_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n after_o this_o i_o say_v when_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v thus_o once_o at_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o it_o so_o full_o confirm_v there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v prove_v any_o more_o and_o all_o other_o proof_n thereof_o will_v have_v be_v superfluous_a because_o the_o whole_a matter_n both_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n be_v once_o faithful_o record_v and_o those_o record_n well_o attest_v there_o can_v afterward_o be_v no_o reasonable_a cause_n to_o call_v it_o again_o in_o question_n so_o that_o the_o reason_n of_o work_a miracle_n be_v then_o cease_v it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o the_o