sea._n by_o which_o it_o be_v mean_v that_o severus_n shall_v reign_v twenty_o year_n here_o the_o oracle_n reserve_v to_o itself_o a_o obscure_a meaning_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o in_o time_n of_o need_n but_o yet_o in_o the_o time_n when_o delphos_n be_v most_o flourish_a there_o be_v never_o better_o or_o more_o substantial_a oracle_n than_o these_o we_o find_v nevertheless_o that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o he_o compose_v either_o under_o severus_n or_o about_o that_o time_n say_v very_o plain_o that_o the_o fountain_n of_o castalia_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n and_o that_o of_o colophon_n and_o all_o the_o other_o prophetic_a fountain_n have_v at_o last_o though_o it_o be_v late_o first_o lose_v their_o fabulous_a virtue_n perhaps_o in_o that_o time_n these_o oracle_n be_v fall_v into_o one_o of_o those_o silence_n to_o which_o they_o be_v so_o subject_a by_o interval_n or_o perhaps_o because_o they_o be_v no_o more_o in_o reputation_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n think_v fit_a to_o say_v they_o be_v total_o silence_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o under_o constantius_n the_o father_n of_o constantine_n and_o during_o the_o youth_n of_o constantine_n delphos_n be_v not_o yet_o ruin_v since_o eusebius_n write_v in_o the_o life_n of_o constantine_n that_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v then_o a_o report_n that_o apollo_n have_v deliver_v a_o oracle_n not_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o priestess_n but_o from_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o obscure_a cavern_n which_o say_v that_o the_o just_a man_n who_o be_v upon_o earth_n be_v the_o cause_n that_o he_o can_v not_o speak_v truth_n a_o very_a pleasant_a reason_n this_o beside_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n must_v then_o necessary_o be_v in_o a_o very_a miserable_a condition_n since_o it_o can_v not_o maintain_v one_o priestess_n but_o this_o oracle_n receive_v a_o terrible_a blow_n under_o constantine_n who_o command_v or_o suffer_v that_o delphos_n shall_v be_v pillage_v then_o say_v eusebius_n in_o the_o life_n of_o constantine_n they_o produce_v in_o the_o open_a view_n of_o all_o the_o people_n in_o the_o public_a place_n of_o constantinople_n those_o statue_n which_o the_o error_n of_o man_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v so_o long_a time_n the_o object_n of_o veneration_n and_o worship_n here_o apollo_n pythius_n there_o sminthius_n the_o tripodes_fw-la be_v expose_v in_o the_o circus_n and_o the_o heliconian_a muse_n in_o the_o palace_n to_o the_o raillery_n of_o all_o the_o world._n but_o after_o all_o this_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n come_v into_o credit_n once_o again_o for_o the_o emperor_n theodoret_n julian_n send_v to_o inquire_v of_o it_o about_o the_o expedition_n that_o he_o be_v design_v against_o the_o persian_n if_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n do_v continue_v any_o long_o we_o can_v however_o extend_v its_o history_n far_o for_o there_o be_v no_o more_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o any_o author_n but_o in_o all_o likelihood_n that_o be_v the_o very_a time_n when_o it_o become_v silent_a and_o its_o last_o word_n be_v address_v to_o the_o emperor_n julian_n who_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o paganism_n i_o can_v therefore_o well_o understand_v how_o some_o great_a man_n can_v put_v augustus_n in_o the_o place_n of_o julian_n and_o bold_o affirm_v that_o the_o oracle_n of_o delphos_n end_v with_o the_o answer_v it_o deliver_v to_o augustus_n concern_v the_o hebrew_n infant_n some_o hospin_n modern_a author_n who_o think_v oracle_n worthy_a of_o a_o glorious_a end_n since_o they_o make_v so_o great_a a_o noise_n in_o the_o world_n have_v contrive_v one_o very_o fit_a to_o give_v they_o a_o reputation_n they_o find_v in_o sozomenus_n and_o theodoretus_n that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o julian_n the_o temple_n of_o apollo_n which_o be_v in_o the_o suburb_n of_o antioch_n call_v daphne_n be_v set_v on_o fire_n no_o body_n be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o author_n or_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o the_o pagan_n accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o this_o conflagration_n and_o the_o christian_n attribute_v it_o to_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n throw_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o god._n theodoretus_n indeed_o say_v that_o the_o lightning_n fall_v upon_o this_o temple_n but_o sozomenus_n say_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o it_o now_o these_o modern_a author_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o transplant_v this_o accident_n to_o the_o temple_n of_o delphos_n which_o be_v indeed_o far_o distant_a from_o thence_o and_o so_o they_o write_v that_o by_o the_o just_a vengeance_n of_o god_n it_o be_v destroy_v by_o lightning_n accompany_v with_o a_o mighty_a earthquake_n but_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n make_v of_o this_o great_a tremble_a of_o the_o earth_n neither_o by_o sozomenus_n nor_o theodoret_n in_o their_o relation_n of_o the_o fire_n of_o daphne_n though_o other_o add_v it_o to_o keep_v the_o thunder_n company_n and_o to_o heighten_v the_o prodigiousness_n of_o the_o accident_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a troublesome_a thing_n to_o give_v you_o a_o history_n of_o the_o duration_n of_o all_o the_o oracle_n after_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ._n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o consider_v in_o what_o time_n we_o find_v that_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a one_o speak_v their_o last_o but_o you_o must_v always_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v not_o understand_v that_o this_o be_v the_o very_a last_o time_n they_o speak_v but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o last_o occasion_n author_n have_v to_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o speak_v dion_z who_o do_v not_o finish_v his_o history_n till_o the_o eight_o year_n of_o alexander_n severus_n that_o be_v in_o the_o 230_o year_n of_o jesus_n christ_n say_v that_o in_o his_o time_n amphilochus_n deliver_v oracle_n in_o dream_n he_o tell_v we_o also_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o city_n of_o apollonia_n a_o oracle_n where_o thing_n to_o come_v be_v foretell_v by_o observe_v the_o manner_n how_o the_o fire_n take_v hold_v of_o the_o incense_n that_o be_v cast_v upon_o the_o altar_n but_o it_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o ask_v this_o oracle_n any_o question_n concern_v death_n or_o marriage_n these_o peevish_a restriction_n be_v sometime_o found_v upon_o the_o particular_a history_n of_o the_o god_n who_o in_o his_o life-time_n perhaps_o have_v a_o occasion_n give_v he_o of_o take_v a_o aversion_n to_o certain_a thing_n though_o i_o be_o also_o of_o opinion_n that_o they_o may_v sometime_o come_v from_o the_o ill_a success_n which_o those_o answer_n have_v that_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o oracle_n concern_v some_o particular_a matter_n zosimus_n under_o aurelius_n towards_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 272_o the_o palmyrenian_o be_v revolt_v consult_v the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n sarpedonius_fw-la in_o cilicia_n they_o consult_v likewise_o that_o of_o venus_n of_o aphaca_n the_o form_n of_o which_o be_v so_o very_o singular_a that_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v mention_v here_o aphaca_n be_v a_o place_n between_o heliopolis_n and_o biblus_n near_o the_o temple_n of_o venus_n be_v a_o lake_n like_o a_o cittern_n and_o at_o certain_a assembly_n that_o be_v hold_v there_o at_o some_o particular_a season_n there_o be_v to_o be_v see_v a_o fire_n in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o globe_n of_o lamp_n and_o this_o fire_n say_v zosimus_n have_v continue_v to_o be_v see_v even_o in_o our_o day_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o the_o 400_o year_n of_o jesus_n christ._n those_o that_o offer_v throw_v into_o the_o lake_n the_o present_v design_v for_o the_o goddess_n of_o what_o sort_n soever_o they_o be_v if_o she_o receive_v they_o they_o sink_v to_o the_o bottom_n if_o she_o receive_v they_o not_o they_o swim_v on_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o water_n though_o they_o be_v of_o silver_n or_o gold._n in_o the_o year_n before_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o palmyrenian_o their_o present_n sink_v to_o the_o bottom_n but_o the_o year_n follow_v every_o thing_n swim_v on_o the_o top_n zosiim_fw-la licinius_n have_v a_o design_n to_o renew_v his_o war_n with_o constantine_n consult_v the_o oracle_n of_o apollo_n didymaeus_n and_o have_v for_o answer_n two_o verse_n of_o homer_n of_o which_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n unhappy_a old_a man_n it_o be_v not_o for_o thou_o to_o fight_v against_o young_a man_n thou_o have_v not_o strength_n enough_o leave_v for_o old_a age_n pull_v thou_o down_o marcellinus_n a_o god_n of_o no_o great_a reputation_n name_v besas_n deliver_v oracle_n in_o answer_n to_o letter_n at_o abydum_n a_o town_n in_o the_o confine_n of_o thebais_n under_o the_o empire_n of_o constantius_n for_o there_o be_v send_v to_o this_o emperor_n certain_a letter_n which_o have_v be_v leave_v upon_o the_o altar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o besas_n upon_o which_o he_o begin_v to_o make_v a_o very_a rigorous_a prosecution_n against_o those_o who_o have_v lay_v those_o letter_n there_o and_o cast_v into_o prison_n or_o send_v to_o banishment_n a_o great_a
believe_v that_o they_o be_v immediate_o make_v by_o his_o hand_n and_o therefore_o he_o put_v between_o they_o and_o he_o this_o word_n as_o a_o degree_n by_o which_o the_o action_n of_o god_n may_v pass_v down_o to_o they_o the_o christian_n have_v the_o like_a idea_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o this_o may_v perhaps_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o no_o heresy_n have_v be_v more_o general_o receive_v and_o maintain_v with_o great_a heat_n than_o arrianism_n this_o platonism_n then_o which_o seem_v to_o honour_v the_o christian_a religion_n by_o countenance_v it_o be_v very_o full_a of_o notion_n about_o daemon_n and_o thence_o they_o easy_o pass_v into_o that_o opinion_n which_o the_o old_a christian_n have_v of_o oracle_n plato_n say_v that_o daemon_n be_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n between_o god_n and_o man_n that_o they_o be_v the_o aerial_a genii_n appoint_v to_o hold_v a_o commerce_n between_o god_n and_o we_o that_o although_o they_o be_v near_o we_o yet_o we_o can_v not_o see_v they_o that_o they_o penetrate_v into_o all_o our_o thought_n that_o they_o have_v a_o love_n for_o the_o good_a and_o a_o hatred_n for_o the_o bad_a and_o that_o it_o be_v for_o their_o honour_n that_o such_o variety_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o so_o many_o different_a ceremony_n be_v appoint_v but_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v that_o plato_n acknowledge_v any_o evil_a daemon_n to_o which_o may_v be_v attribute_v the_o management_n of_o the_o illusion_n of_o oracle_n plutarch_n notwithstanding_o assure_v we_o that_o plato_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o they_o and_o among_o the_o platonical_a philosopher_n the_o thing_n be_v out_o of_o doubt_n 6._o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n recite_v a_o great_a number_n of_o passage_n out_o of_o porphyrius_n where_o that_o pagan_a philosopher_n assure_v we_o that_o evil_a daemon_n be_v the_o author_n of_o enchantment_n philtre_n and_o witchcraft_n that_o they_o cheat_v our_o eye_n with_o spectres_n phantom_n and_o apparition_n that_o lie_v be_v essential_a to_o their_o nature_n that_o they_o raise_v in_o we_o the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o passion_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o ambition_n to_o pass_v with_o we_o for_o god_n that_o their_o aerial_a and_o spiritual_a body_n be_v nourish_v with_o suffumigation_n and_o with_o the_o blood_n and_o fat_a of_o sacrifice_n and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o these_o that_o employ_v themselves_o in_o give_v oracle_n and_o to_o who_o this_o task_n so_o full_a of_o fraud_n be_v assign_v in_o short_a at_o the_o head_n of_o this_o troop_n of_o evil_a daemon_n he_o place_v hecate_n and_o serapis_n apology_n jamblichus_n another_o platonist_n have_v say_v as_o much_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v true_a the_o christian_n receive_v they_o all_o with_o joy_n and_o have_v add_v to_o they_o beside_o a_o little_a of_o their_o own_o as_o for_o example_n that_o the_o daemon_n steal_v from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n some_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v and_o so_o get_v honour_n by_o it_o in_o their_o oracle_n this_o system_fw-la of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n have_v this_o advantage_n that_o it_o discover_v to_o the_o pagan_n by_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o original_a of_o their_o false_a worship_n and_o the_o source_n of_o those_o error_n which_o they_o always_o embrace_v they_o be_v persuade_v that_o there_o be_v something_o supernatural_a in_o their_o oracle_n and_o the_o christian_n who_o be_v always_o dispute_v against_o they_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o confute_v this_o opinion_n thus_o by_o daemon_n which_o both_o party_n believe_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o oracle_n they_o explicate_v all_o that_o be_v supernatural_a in_o they_o they_o acknowledge_v indeed_o that_o this_o sort_n of_o ordinary_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o then_o they_o ruin_v this_o advantage_n again_o by_o impute_v they_o to_o such_o author_n as_o evil_a spirit_n and_o this_o way_n of_o convince_a be_v more_o short_a and_o easy_a than_o to_o contradict_v the_o miracle_n be_v self_n by_o a_o long_a train_n of_o inquiry_n and_o argument_n thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o opinion_n which_o the_o first_o aâ—es_n of_o the_o church_n have_v of_o the_o pagan_a oracle_n be_v ground_v i_o may_v to_o the_o three_o reason_n which_o i_o have_v already_o bring_v add_v a_o four_o of_o no_o less_o authority_n perhaps_o than_o those_o that_o be_v that_o in_o the_o supposition_n of_o oracle_n be_v give_v by_o daemon_n there_o be_v something_o miraculous_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o humour_n of_o mankind_n a_o little_a we_o shall_v find_v how_o much_o we_o be_v take_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v miraculous_a but_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o enlarge_v myself_o on_o this_o reflection_n for_o those_o that_o think_v upon_o it_o will_v easy_o believe_v i_o and_o those_o that_o do_v not_o will_v perhaps_o give_v it_o no_o credit_n notwithstanding_o all_o my_o argument_n let_v we_o now_o examine_v the_o several_a reason_n which_o man_n have_v have_v to_o believe_v oracle_n to_o be_v supernatural_a chap._n iu._n that_o the_o surprise_v history_n of_o oracle_n ought_v to_o be_v suspect_v it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o those_o story_n and_o oracle_n which_o we_o have_v mention_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o daemon_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a let_v we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n before_o we_o trouble_v ourselves_o with_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n it_o be_v true_a that_o this_o method_n be_v too_o slow_a and_o dull_a for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n who_o run_v natural_o to_o the_o cause_n and_o pass_v over_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o for_o my_o part_n i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o to_o find_v out_o a_o cause_n for_o what_o be_v not_o this_o kind_n of_o misfortune_n happen_v so_o pleasant_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o age_n to_o some_o learned_a german_n that_o can_v forbear_v speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o year_n 1593._o there_o be_v a_o report_n that_o the_o tooth_n of_o a_o child_n of_o silesia_n of_o seven_o year_n old_a drop_v out_o and_o that_o one_o of_o gold_n come_v in_o the_o place_n of_o one_o of_o his_o great_a tooth_n horstius_n a_o physician_n in_o the_o university_n of_o helmstad_n write_v in_o the_o year_n 1595_o the_o history_n of_o this_o tooth_n and_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v partly_o natural_a and_o partly_o miraculous_a and_o that_o it_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o this_o infant_n to_o comfort_v the_o christian_n who_o be_v then_o afflict_v by_o the_o turk_n now_o fancy_n to_o yourself_o what_o a_o consolation_n this_o be_v and_o what_o this_o tooth_n can_v signify_v either_o to_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o turk_n in_o the_o same_o year_n that_o this_o tooth_n may_v not_o want_v for_o historian_n one_o rolandus_n write_v a_o book_n of_o it_o two_o year_n after_o ingolsteterus_fw-la another_o learned_a man_n write_v against_o the_o opinion_n of_o rolandus_n concern_v this_o golden_a tooth_n and_o rolandus_n present_o make_v a_o learned_a reply_n another_o great_a man_n name_v libavius_n collect_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v of_o this_o tooth_n to_o which_o he_o add_v his_o own_o opinion_n in_o fine_a there_o want_v nothing_o to_o so_o many_o famous_a work_n but_o only_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o be_v a_o golden_a tooth_n for_o when_o a_o goldsmith_n have_v examine_v it_o he_o find_v that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o thin_a plate_n of_o gold_n fix_v to_o the_o tooth_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o art._n thus_o they_o first_o go_v about_o to_o compile_v book_n and_o afterward_o they_o consult_v the_o goldsmith_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a than_o to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o all_o other_o case_n and_o i_o be_o not_o so_o convince_v of_o our_o ignorance_n by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v and_o of_o which_o the_o reason_n be_v unknown_a as_o by_o those_o which_o be_v not_o and_o for_o which_o we_o yet_o find_v out_o reason_n that_o be_v to_o say_v as_o we_o want_v those_o principle_n that_o lead_v we_o to_o truth_n so_o we_o have_v those_o which_o agree_v exceed_o well_o with_o error_n and_o falsehood_n some_o learned_a physician_n have_v find_v out_o the_o reason_n why_o place_n under_o ground_n be_v hot_a in_o the_o winter_n and_o cool_v in_o the_o summer_n and_o great_a physician_n have_v since_o discover_v that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o historical_a inquiry_n be_v much_o more_o liable_a to_o this_o error_n for_o when_o we_o argue_v from_o what_o be_v say_v in_o history_n what_o assurance_n have_v we_o that_o these_o historian_n have_v never_o be_v bias_v nor_o credulous_a nor_o misinform_v nor_o negligent_a it_o be_v necessary_a therefore_o that_o we_o shall_v look_v out_o for_o
his_o oracle_n of_o serapis_n be_v reproach_v with_o the_o same_o fault_n as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n that_o be_v of_o be_v too_o clear_o concern_v our_o mystery_n and_o far_o we_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o thulis_n king_n of_o egypt_n be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o ptolemy_n and_o what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o the_o whole_a oracle_n if_o serapis_n be_v a_o god_n first_o bring_v into_o egypt_n by_o a_o ptolemy_n who_o send_v for_o he_o out_o of_o pontus_n as_o many_o learned_a man_n pretend_v from_o very_o strange_a probability_n at_o least_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o herodotus_n who_o have_v write_v so_o plentiful_o about_o old_a egypt_n do_v not_o mention_n serapis_n and_o that_o tacitus_n recount_v at_o length_n how_o and_o why_o one_o of_o the_o ptolemy_n bring_v from_o pontus_n the_o god_n serapis_n that_o be_v then_o know_v no_o where_o else_o the_o oracle_n say_v to_o be_v give_v to_o augustus_n concern_v the_o hebrew_n child_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v receive_v cedrenus_n cite_v eusebius_n for_o it_o but_o at_o this_o day_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n to_o be_v find_v there_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a that_o cedrenus_n shall_v make_v a_o false_a citation_n or_o shall_v cite_v some_o work_n not_o right_o attribute_v to_o eusebius_n he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o relate_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o certain_a counterfeit_a history_n of_o st._n peter_n which_o pass_v for_o currant_n in_o his_o time_n that_o simon_n the_o magician_n have_v at_o his_o door_n a_o great_a dog_n which_o devour_v all_o those_o that_o his_o master_n will_v not_o have_v enter_v and_o that_o st._n peter_n come_v thither_o to_o speak_v with_o simon_n command_v the_o dog_n to_o go_v and_o tell_v his_o master_n in_o humane_a language_n that_o peter_n the_o servant_n of_o god_n will_v speak_v with_o he_o the_o dog_n go_v and_o perform_v that_o command_n to_o the_o great_a amazement_n of_o such_o as_o be_v then_o with_o simon_n but_o simon_n to_o show_v that_o he_o can_v do_v as_o much_o as_o st._n peter_n bid_v the_o dog_n go_v and_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o may_v enter_v which_o the_o dog_n immediate_o do_v hence_o you_o may_v see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o the_o greek_n call_v write_v of_o history_n cedrenus_n live_v in_o a_o ignorant_a age_n when_o the_o liberty_n of_o write_v fable_n be_v join_v with_o the_o general_n inclination_n of_o the_o greek_n towards_o towards_o they_o but_o though_o eusebius_n in_o some_o work_n of_o he_o which_o have_v not_o come_v down_o to_o we_o have_v effectual_o speak_v of_o the_o oracle_n of_o augustus_n yet_o we_o find_v eusebius_n himself_o be_v sometime_o deceive_v of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a proof_n the_o first_o defender_n of_o christianity_n justin_n tertullian_n theophilus_n tatian_n will_v they_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o a_o oracle_n so_o much_o in_o favour_n of_o their_o religion_n have_v they_o so_o little_a zeal_n as_o to_o neglect_v a_o thing_n of_o such_o advantage_n but_o even_o niceph_n those_o that_o give_v we_o this_o oracle_n spoil_v it_o by_o add_v that_o augustus_n in_o his_o return_n to_o rome_n build_v in_o the_o capitol_n a_o altar_n with_o this_o inscription_n this_o be_v the_o altar_n of_o the_o only_a son_n or_o elder_a son_n of_o god._n where_o have_v he_o the_o idea_n of_o this_o only_a son_n of_o god_n of_o which_o the_o oracle_n make_v no_o mention_n in_o short_a that_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a be_v that_o augustus_n after_o the_o voyage_n he_o make_v into_o greece_n nineteen_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n never_o return_v to_o rome_n but_o allow_v that_o he_o do_v he_o be_v not_o then_o in_o a_o humour_n to_o erect_v altar_n to_o any_o god_n but_o himself_o for_o he_o suffer_v not_o only_o the_o cassius_n asian_a maid_n to_o raise_v altar_n to_o he_o and_o celebrate_v holy_a game_n in_o his_o honour_n but_o also_o at_o rome_n they_o consecrate_v one_o to_o fortune_n return_v fortunae_fw-la reduci_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o himself_o and_o they_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o day_n of_o his_o happy_a return_n as_o a_o festival_n the_o oracle_n which_o eusebius_n relate_v out_o of_o porphyrius_n appear_v hard_a to_o make_v out_o than_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o eusebius_n will_v not_o have_v charge_v porphyrius_n with_o oracle_n of_o which_o he_o make_v no_o mention_n and_o porphyrius_n who_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o paganism_n will_v not_o have_v cite_v false_a oracle_n concern_v the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n themselves_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o in_o this_o case_n it_o seem_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o enemy_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o credit_n and_o force_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n porphyrius_n be_v not_o so_o unskilful_a a_o man_n as_o to_o furnish_v the_o christian_n with_o weapon_n against_o paganism_n without_o be_v necessary_o engage_v to_o it_o by_o the_o consequence_n of_o some_o reason_n which_o do_v not_o in_o this_o matter_n appear_v to_o be_v his_o case_n if_o these_o oracle_n have_v be_v allege_v by_o the_o christian_n and_o porphyrius_n own_v that_o they_o be_v effectual_o give_v have_v deny_v the_o consequence_n draw_v from_o they_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o will_v have_v then_o be_v much_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o but_o it_o be_v out_o of_o porphyrius_n himself_o that_o the_o christian_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o eusebius_n pretend_v to_o fetch_v these_o oracle_n it_o seem_v that_o porphyrius_n take_v pleasure_n to_o ruin_v his_o own_o religion_n and_o to_o establish_v another_o the_o truth_n be_v this_o be_v suspicious_a of_o itself_o and_o yet_o it_o become_v more_o so_o by_o his_o push_v the_o thing_n so_o far_o for_o they_o tell_v we_o from_o he_o of_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o oracle_n most_o clear_a and_o most_o positive_a concern_v the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n concern_v his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n in_o fine_a the_o most_o resolute_a and_o know_v among_o the_o pagan_n have_v load_v we_o with_o proof_n of_o christianity_n we_o may_v well_o suspect_v so_o great_a a_o piece_n of_o generosity_n eusebius_n believe_v it_o a_o very_a great_a advantage_n to_o be_v able_a to_o place_n porphyrius_n at_o the_o head_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o oracle_n so_o favourable_a to_o religion_n and_o he_o give_v they_o we_o strip_v of_o what_o ever_o accompany_v they_o in_o the_o write_n of_o porphyrius_n how_o do_v we_o know_v but_o that_o he_o do_v refute_v they_o according_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o cause_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o do_v it_o certain_o he_o have_v some_o hide_a intention_n it_o be_v to_o be_v suspect_v that_o porphyrius_n be_v wicked_a enough_o to_o frame_v false_a oracle_n and_o present_v they_o to_o christian_n with_o a_o design_n of_o make_v sport_n with_o their_o credulity_n if_o they_o shall_v receive_v they_o for_o true_a and_o endeavour_v to_o strengthen_v their_o religion_n by_o such_o like_a prop_n and_o then_o he_o will_v have_v draw_v thence_o such_o consequence_n as_o will_v be_v of_o great_a importance_n than_o these_o oracle_n and_o with_o this_o instance_n have_v attack_v the_o whole_a religion_n however_o at_o the_o botom_n this_o will_v have_v be_v but_o a_o frivolous_a argument_n it_o be_v very_o certain_a that_o this_o same_o porphyrius_n who_o furnish_v we_o with_o all_o these_o oracle_n hold_v as_o we_o have_v see_v that_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o lie_a spirit_n it_o may_v very_o well_o then_o be_v imagine_v that_o he_o have_v put_v into_o oracle_n all_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o destroy_v it_o by_o render_v it_o suspect_v of_o forgery_n as_o depend_v on_o the_o testimony_n of_o false_a witness_n i_o know_v the_o christian_n do_v not_o take_v it_o so_o yet_o see_v they_o can_v never_o prove_v by_o any_o argument_n that_o the_o daemon_n be_v sometime_o force_v to_o speak_v the_o truth_n porphyrius_n be_v always_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o make_v use_n of_o his_o oracle_n against_o they_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o take_v the_o matter_n right_a their_o better_a way_n have_v be_v to_o have_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o oracle_n as_o we_o do_v at_o this_o present_a this_o appear_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o porphyrius_n be_v so_o prodigal_a of_o oracle_n that_o be_v so_o favourable_a to_o our_o religion_n but_o what_o will_v have_v be_v the_o success_n of_o the_o great_a debate_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o infidel_n we_o can_v only_o conjecture_v for_o all_o the_o write_v piece_n of_o their_o dispute_n be_v not_o come_v to_o our_o hand_n thus_o in_o examine_v thing_n a_o little_a close_o than_o ordinary_a we_o find_v that_o the_o oracle_n which_o be_v reckon_v such_o
word_n for_o word_n from_o the_o inscription_n at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o oracle_n make_v this_o answer_n to_o a_o blind_a man_n name_v caius_n he_o be_v bid_v go_v to_o the_o sacred_a altar_n and_o kneel_v down_o and_o worship_n there_o then_o to_o go_v from_o the_o right_a side_n to_o the_o left_a and_o lay_v his_o five_o finger_n upon_o the_o altar_n and_o afterward_o clap_v his_o hand_n upon_o his_o eye_n after_o all_o this_o be_v do_v the_o blind_a man_n be_v restore_v to_o his_o sight_n as_o all_o the_o people_n be_v witness_n and_o testify_v the_o joy_n which_o they_o receive_v in_o see_v such_o mighty_a wonder_n wrought_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o our_o emperor_n antoninus_n the_o two_o other_o cure_n be_v less_o miraculous_a for_o one_o be_v of_o a_o pleurisy_n and_o the_o other_o of_o a_o loss_n of_o blood_n both_o of_o they_o very_o desperate_a disease_n without_o doubt_n but_o the_o god_n prescribe_v to_o the_o sick_a person_n some_o pine_n apple_n and_o honey_n with_o wine_n and_o certain_a ash_n which_o be_v thing_n that_o those_o man_n who_o be_v something_o incredulous_a will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v be_v mere_o natural_a remedy_n these_o inscription_n for_o all_o that_o they_o be_v in_o greek_a be_v certain_o do_v at_o rome_n for_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o the_o spell_a do_v not_o at_o all_o seem_v to_o be_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o grecian_a sculptor_n beside_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o roman_n make_v their_o inscription_n in_o latin_a yet_o they_o make_v some_o few_o in_o greek_a especial_o when_o they_o have_v some_o particular_a reason_n for_o it_o now_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o no_o other_o language_n but_o greek_a be_v use_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o aesculapius_n because_o he_o be_v original_o a_o grecian_a god_n and_o bring_v to_o rome_n in_o that_o great_a plague_n of_o which_o every_o one_o know_v the_o story_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o oracle_n of_o aesculapius_n be_v not_o of_o a_o roman_a institution_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o if_o it_o be_v a_o enquiry_n worth_a the_o while_n most_o of_o the_o italian_a oracle_n will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o a_o greek_a original_a however_o it_o be_v the_o smallness_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o italian_a oracle_n and_o even_o of_o those_o that_o be_v at_o rome_n itself_o make_v but_o a_o very_a inconsiderable_a exception_n to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o notion_n which_o we_o propose_v aesculapius_n deal_v only_o in_o physic_n and_o concern_v not_o himself_o in_o matter_n of_o government_n and_o though_o he_o have_v a_o rare_a knack_n at_o make_v blind_a man_n see_v yet_o i_o believe_v the_o senate_n will_v have_v be_v loath_a to_o have_v depend_v upon_o his_o advice_n in_o a_o case_n even_o of_o the_o small_a importance_n private_a person_n among_o the_o roman_n may_v give_v what_o credit_n they_o list_v to_o oracle_n but_o the_o state_n have_v little_a faith_n in_o they_o thus_o the_o sibylls_n book_n and_o the_o entrail_n of_o beast_n govern_v all_o and_o so_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o god_n fall_v into_o contempt_n when_o people_n take_v notice_n that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o world_n will_v not_o vouchsafe_v to_o consult_v consult_v they_o chap._n vi_o the_o second_o particular_a cause_n of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n but_o i_o meet_v with_o a_o difficulty_n in_o this_o business_n that_o i_o will_v not_o conceal_v for_o if_o about_o the_o time_n of_o pyrrhus_n apollo_n be_v reduce_v to_o prose_n this_o imply_v that_o oracle_n begin_v then_o to_o grow_v into_o discredit_n and_o yet_o the_o roman_n be_v not_o master_n of_o greece_n till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o pyrrhus_n and_o between_o the_o reign_n of_o pyrrhus_n and_o the_o roman_n conquest_n of_o greece_n there_o be_v as_o many_o war_n and_o commotion_n in_o that_o country_n as_o ever_o and_o by_o consequence_n as_o many_o important_a subject_n to_o consult_v the_o god_n of_o delphos_n about_o this_o indeed_o be_v true_a but_o we_o must_v also_o observe_v that_o about_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a a_o little_a before_o pyrrhus_n day_n there_o appear_v in_o greece_n certain_a great_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n such_o as_o the_o peripatetic_n and_o epicurean_o who_o make_v a_o mock_n of_o oracle_n the_o epicurean_o especial_o make_v sport_n with_o the_o paltry_a poetry_n that_o come_v from_o delphos_n for_o the_o priest_n hammer_v out_o their_o verse_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v and_o they_o oftentimes_o commit_v fault_n against_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o prosodia_fw-la now_o those_o fleer_a philosopher_n be_v mighty_o concern_v that_o apollo_n the_o very_a god_n of_o poetry_n shall_v come_v so_o far_o behind_o homer_n who_o be_v but_o a_o mere_a mortal_a and_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o same_o apollo_n for_o his_o inspiration_n it_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o excuse_v the_o matter_n by_o say_v that_o the_o badness_n of_o the_o verse_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o testimony_n that_o they_o be_v make_v by_o a_o god_n who_o noble_o scorn_v to_o be_v tie_v up_o to_o rule_n and_o to_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o beauty_n of_o a_o style_n for_o this_o make_v no_o impression_n upon_o the_o philosopher_n who_o to_o turn_v this_o answer_n into_o ridicule_n compare_v it_o to_o the_o story_n of_o a_o painter_n who_o be_v hire_v to_o draw_v the_o picture_n of_o a_o horse_n tumble_v on_o his_o back_n upon_o the_o ground_n draw_v one_o run_v full_a speed_n and_o when_o he_o be_v tell_v that_o this_o be_v not_o such_o a_o picture_n as_o be_v bespeak_v he_o turn_v it_o upside_o down_o and_o then_o ask_v if_o the_o horse_n do_v not_o tumble_v upon_o his_o back_n now_o thus_o these_o philosopher_n jeer_v such_o person_n who_o by_o a_o way_n of_o argue_v that_o will_v serve_v both_o way_n can_v equal_o prove_v that_o the_o verse_n be_v make_v by_o a_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a so_o that_o at_o length_n the_o priest_n of_o delphos_n be_v quite_o baffle_v with_o the_o raillery_n of_o those_o learned_a wit_n renounce_v all_o verse_n at_o least_o as_o to_o the_o speak_v they_o from_o the_o tripos_n for_o there_o be_v still_o some_o poet_n maintain_v in_o the_o temple_n who_o at_o leisure_n turn_v into_o verse_n what_o the_o divine_a fury_n have_v inspire_v the_o pythian_a priestess_n withal_o in_o prose_n it_o be_v very_o pretty_a that_o man_n can_v not_o be_v content_v to_o take_v the_o oracle_n just_a as_o it_o come_v pipe_v hot_a from_o the_o mouth_n of_o their_o god._n but_o perhaps_o when_o they_o have_v come_v a_o great_a way_n for_o it_o they_o think_v it_o will_v look_v silly_a to_o carry_v home_o a_o oracle_n in_o prose_n nay_o the_o god_n be_v willing_a to_o keep_v up_o the_o use_n of_o verse_n as_o long_o as_o ever_o they_o can_v do_v now_o and_o then_o stoop_v to_o borrow_v a_o line_n or_o two_o out_o of_o homer_n who_o poetry_n it_o seem_v be_v better_a than_o their_o own_o of_o this_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o example_n but_o both_o this_o borrow_n of_o verse_n and_o keep_v poet_n at_o stand_a wage_n in_o their_o temple_n may_v well_o pass_v for_o good_a argument_n that_o the_o old_a natural_a poetry_n of_o oracle_n have_v mighty_o lose_v its_o reputation_n but_o these_o great_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n enemy_n to_o oracle_n must_v needs_o have_v do_v they_o a_o more_o essential_a prejudice_n than_o the_o bare_a reduce_v they_o to_o prose_n for_o questionless_a they_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o a_o great_a many_o rational_a person_n and_o even_o among_o the_o populace_n they_o make_v the_o infallibility_n of_o those_o thing_n lie_v under_o more_o suspicion_n than_o it_o have_v do_v before_o for_o when_o oracle_n first_o creep_v out_o into_o the_o world_n philosophy_n have_v not_o yet_o appear_v chap._n vii_o the_o last_o particular_a cause_n of_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n the_o cheat_n of_o oracle_n be_v so_o gross_a that_o at_o last_o they_o be_v discover_v by_o a_o thousand_o several_a accident_n i_o suppose_v that_o oracle_n be_v at_o first_o entertain_v with_o greediness_n and_o joy_n because_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o convenient_a than_o to_o have_v god_n always_o ready_a at_o hand_n to_o answer_v every_o question_n that_o may_v be_v suggest_v by_o uneasiness_n or_o curiosity_n and_o i_o fancy_n that_o it_o be_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o reluctancy_n that_o people_n part_v with_o this_o suppose_a conveniency_n and_o that_o oracle_n will_v never_o have_v come_v to_o a_o end_n as_o long_o as_o heathenism_n last_v if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v the_o most_o impertinent_a thing_n in_o the_o world._n but_o at_o last_o man_n be_v force_v to_o yield_v to_o their_o own_o experience_n and_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v disabused_a to_o this_o the_o priest_n