into_o which_o number_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v receive_v this_o day_n be_v find_v in_o thy_o sight_n as_o a_o fair_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o thyself_o have_v prepare_v that_o so_o thou_o may_v accomplish_v what_o thou_o o_o true_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v foreshew_v wherefore_o i_o praise_v thou_o for_o all_o thy_o mercy_n i_o bless_v thou_o i_o glorify_v thou_o through_o the_o eternal_a high_a priest_n thy_o belove_a son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o who_o to_o thyself_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n to_o this_o eminent_a martyrdom_n of_o saint_n policarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n i_o can_v but_o subjoin_v that_o of_o pothinus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o his_o companion_n in_o that_o they_o suffer_v under_o the_o same_o prince_n with_o the_o same_o christian_a courage_n and_o resolution_n especial_o because_o pothinus_n also_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a age_n and_o almost_o as_o near_o the_o 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more_o brave_a or_o more_o venerable_a in_o all_o the_o monument_n of_o christian_a antiquity_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o very_a amaze_a story_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a example_n both_o of_o the_o modesty_n and_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o as_o they_o be_v treat_v with_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n so_o their_o behaviour_n under_o all_o their_o torment_n be_v decent_a and_o free_a from_o all_o appearance_n either_o of_o vanity_n or_o passion_n now_o what_o can_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o such_o man_n as_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n to_o who_o i_o shall_v have_v add_v pionius_n that_o suffer_v gallant_o about_o the_o same_o time_n who_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o have_v such_o opportunity_n to_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o shall_v thus_o frank_o resign_v their_o life_n upon_o any_o less_o account_n than_o the_o full_a 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the_o apostle_n themselves_o great_a use_n have_v of_o late_o be_v make_v of_o this_o objection_n by_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n mr._n hales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o his_o peevishness_n and_o before_o he_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v with_o great_a scorn_n upbraid_v its_o grossness_n and_o folly_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o daille_n topic_n against_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n and_o how_o often_o it_o have_v be_v since_o object_v by_o other_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o some_o man_n have_v a_o very_a great_a itch_n to_o be_v find_v fault_n for_o otherwise_o this_o grossness_n and_o folly_n this_o fantastic_a hurry_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n be_v schismatic_n as_o mr._n hales_n be_v please_v to_o speak_v of_o it_o with_o a_o great_a many_o other_o good_a word_n be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n both_o of_o the_o faithfulness_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o this_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o the_o beginning_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o different_a practice_n and_o so_o must_v have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n casual_o and_o without_o design_n prescribe_v different_a usage_n saint_n john_n in_o those_o part_n of_o asia_n where_o he_o reside_v continue_v easter_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o other_o place_n to_o prevent_v too_o much_o judaise_v in_o its_o observation_n make_v the_o same_o little_a alteration_n in_o its_o time_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o sabbath_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n of_o comply_v with_o or_o change_a jewish_a custom_n the_o apostle_n vary_v their_o order_n according_a to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n sometime_o come_v up_o close_o to_o they_o sometime_o keep_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n now_o these_o different_a custom_n about_o easter_n be_v once_o casual_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o contention_n among_o the_o people_n as_o we_o know_v the_o common_a people_n be_v always_o zealous_a for_o their_o own_o custom_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o stifle_v this_o fire_n that_o be_v break_v out_o among_o they_o policarp_n a_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o asia_n undertake_v a_o journey_n to_o rome_n if_o possible_a to_o allay_v and_o compose_v the_o controversy_n where_o upon_o debate_n between_o he_o and_o anicetus_n they_o conclude_v it_o the_o most_o proper_a course_n that_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o both_o party_n shall_v retain_v their_o own_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o communion_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o world_n they_o communicate_v together_o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n policarp_n consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o anicetus_n and_o so_o they_o part_v love_o and_o continue_v ever_o after_o good_a friend_n this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o these_o good_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n though_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v afterward_o revive_v by_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o one_o man_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o command_v the_o asiatic_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o he_o and_o all_o other_o church_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n to_o this_o they_o return_v he_o a_o sober_a answer_n represent_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o change_v so_o ancient_a a_o custom_n disclaim_v his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o advise_v he_o rather_o to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n than_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o particular_a custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o they_o alone_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n though_o they_o be_v of_o his_o own_o way_n unanimous_o condemn_v his_o heat_n and_o rashness_n in_o so_o trivial_a a_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n irenaeus_n have_v convene_v a_o synod_n in_o france_n write_v he_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o observation_n of_o easter_n but_o not_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unadvised_a thing_n to_o think_v of_o excommunicate_v whole_a church_n for_o observe_v the_o ancient_a custom_n derive_v down_o to_o they_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o there_o be_v as_o
be_v write_v by_o the_o first_o author_n of_o the_o sect_n and_o that_o they_o can_v be_v none_o other_o be_v plain_a enough_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n beside_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n peculiar_a to_o any_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v object_v that_o philo_n affirm_v that_o his_o therapeutic_a sect_n pray_v only_o twice_o a_o day_n whereas_o it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v their_o several_a other_o hour_n of_o prayer_n yes_o and_o so_o they_o may_v have_v and_o philo_n not_o know_v it_o however_o their_o most_o solemn_a season_n be_v morning_n and_o evening_n prayer_n when_o as_o philo_z tell_v we_o they_o resort_v to_o their_o consecrate_a chapel_n and_o that_o be_v their_o public_a devotion_n he_o therefore_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o alone_a whereas_o their_o other_o hour_n of_o prayer_n be_v rather_o set_v apart_o for_o private_a devotion_n which_o be_v more_o or_o less_o frequent_a according_a to_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o votary_n but_o philo_n say_v he_o affirm_v that_o this_o sect_n compose_v hymn_n and_o those_o in_o various_a measure_n and_o yet_o this_o custom_n be_v very_o well_o know_v not_o to_o have_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n till_o after_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o antonine_n it_o may_v be_v so_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n but_o in_o a_o church_n pure_o jewish_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a this_o be_v and_o be_v so_o agree_v to_o have_v be_v by_o all_o hand_n this_o custom_n be_v use_v from_o the_o beginning_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o new_a invention_n of_o the_o christian_n but_o continue_v by_o they_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a church_n but_o last_o say_v he_o the_o man_n of_o this_o sect_n according_a to_o philo_n description_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o scatter_v all_o the_o world_n over_o whereas_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o christian_n and_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o so_o they_o be_v if_o compare_v either_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n at_o that_o time_n or_o to_o their_o own_o multitude_n in_o after-age_n and_o yet_o their_o number_n be_v very_o great_a if_o consider_v as_o they_o be_v by_o philo_n as_o a_o philosophic_a sect_n and_o so_o at_o that_o time_n christianity_n be_v more_o observable_a than_o any_o other_o sect_n spread_v every_o where_o so_o fast_o and_o wherever_o it_o come_v prevail_v so_o much_o but_o if_o this_o great_a and_o famous_a sect_n that_o philo_n speak_v of_o be_v not_o christian_n our_o learned_a author_n will_v have_v do_v very_o well_o to_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o such_o a_o peculiar_a sect_n of_o man_n shall_v at_o that_o time_n have_v be_v disperse_v through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o any_o writer_n of_o that_o age_n but_o only_o in_o this_o little_a pamphlet_n of_o philo._n at_o least_o consider_v the_o exact_a agreement_n of_o the_o description_n itself_o to_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o utter_a silence_n about_o any_o other_o sect_n to_o which_o it_o may_v agree_v that_o seem_v to_o i_o no_o less_o than_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n that_o it_o must_v be_v intend_v of_o they_o and_o of_o they_o alone_o and_o beside_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o name_n be_v obvious_a enough_o for_o though_o as_o eusebius_n say_v it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o philo_n himself_o coin_v this_o name_n as_o most_o agree_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o person_n that_o he_o describe_v or_o whether_o the_o christian_n may_v not_o have_v that_o name_v give_v they_o in_o that_o place_n from_o the_o beginning_n the_o name_n of_o christian_n not_o be_v then_o use_v in_o all_o place_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o a_o synonymous_a word_n with_o that_o of_o christian_n especial_o when_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o hebrew_n into_o greek_a for_o the_o word_n jesus_n indifferent_o signify_v either_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d saviour_n or_o healer_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o philo_n who_o be_v a_o hebrew-greek_a to_o interpret_v it_o by_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o healer_n especial_o consider_v its_o near_a affinity_n both_o in_o sound_n and_o signification_n to_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o heal_v so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o appellation_n be_v that_o they_o be_v the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n i._n e._n the_o healer_n and_o thus_o have_v recover_v this_o ancient_a church_n from_o the_o perverseness_n of_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o a_o excellent_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n a_o very_a early_a writer_n in_o these_o western_a 3._o part_n of_o the_o world_n though_o say_v he_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a variety_n of_o language_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n in_o germany_n in_o spain_n in_o france_n in_o the_o east_n in_o egypt_n in_o lybia_n in_o the_o remote_a as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o middle_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o sun_n in_o the_o universe_n so_o be_v all_o man_n every_o where_o that_o be_v dispose_v enlighten_v by_o the_o same_o truth_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o this_o tradition_n i_o shall_v discourse_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n at_o present_a it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n that_o we_o have_v from_o hence_o a_o very_a early_a testimony_n of_o its_o universality_n §_o xix_o this_o then_o be_v so_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v as_o never_o doctrine_n do_v let_v we_o a_o little_a consider_v what_o extraordinary_a advantage_n it_o have_v to_o recommend_v itself_o to_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o mankind_n and_o here_o it_o be_v at_o first_o view_v apparent_a that_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o the_o possible_a disadvantage_n in_o the_o world_n except_v only_o its_o own_o naked_a and_o unassisted_a truth_n so_o that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o that_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o of_o its_o divine_a authority_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v ever_o have_v gain_v one_o proselyte_n over_o to_o its_o belief_n and_o here_o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o in_o itself_o so_o incredible_a that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v believe_v have_v it_o not_o be_v vouch_v by_o some_o testimony_n so_o unquestionable_a as_o to_o surmount_v its_o own_o incredibility_n for_o the_o story_n be_v plain_o this_o that_o under_o the_o prefectship_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n there_o be_v a_o poor_a young_a man_n in_o judaea_n of_o mean_a birth_n and_o no_o education_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o cancel_v that_o law_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v establish_v by_o moses_n to_o reform_v all_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v in_o a_o more_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o a_o more_o excellent_a way_n of_o worship_n and_o that_o for_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o commission_n he_o pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o often_o cure_v the_o blind_a the_o lame_a the_o leprous_a and_o sometime_o raise_v the_o dead_a but_o by_o this_o mean_n draw_v great_a multitude_n after_o he_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n grow_v jealous_a of_o his_o design_n and_o so_o apprehend_v he_o as_o a_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o a_o enemy_n to_o the_o establish_a religion_n and_o for_o those_o crime_n condemn_v he_o to_o the_o ignominious_a death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o that_o they_o take_v care_n that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v with_o all_o the_o aggravation_n of_o shame_n and_o disgrace_n in_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o his_o heartblood_n be_v let_v out_o with_o a_o spear_n whilst_o he_o be_v hang_v upon_o the_o cross_n he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n converse_v familiar_o with_o his_o disciple_n and_o at_o last_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o great_a number_n of_o they_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n now_o this_o story_n be_v in_o itself_o so_o strange_a and_o prodigious_a so_o without_o precedent_n so_o full_a of_o appear_v inconsistency_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o withal_o so_o public_a and_o so_o notorious_a that_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v certain_o true_a it_o can_v never_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a must_v have_v be_v demonstrative_o confute_v for_o the_o passage_n
meet_v with_o many_o bishop_n and_o find_v they_o all_o 22._o of_o one_o mind_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o have_v give_v some_o account_n of_o clement_n epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o add_v that_o the_o church_n remain_v after_o that_o in_o the_o pure_a and_o right_a doctrine_n until_o the_o time_n of_o primus_fw-la bishop_n there_o with_o who_o sail_v to_o rome_n i_o confer_v and_o abide_v many_o day_n be_v come_v to_o rome_n i_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n who_o deacon_n be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o soter_n succeed_v and_o after_o he_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o all_o their_o succession_n and_o in_o every_o one_o of_o their_o city_n it_o be_v no_o otherways_o teach_v than_o as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o lord_n himself_o preach_v this_o be_v a_o singular_a testimony_n of_o the_o sincere_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o one_o or_o two_o or_o a_o few_o church_n but_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o as_o he_o describe_v the_o ecclesiastical_a succession_n every_o where_o so_o have_v he_o the_o rise_v and_o birth_n of_o heresy_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o that_o james_n surname_v the_o just_a have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n his_o uncle_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n be_v choose_v bishop_n be_v prefer_v by_o the_o unanimous_a vote_n of_o all_o because_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n kinsman_n and_o hitherto_o that_o church_n be_v call_v a_o pure_a virgin_n because_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o be_v deflower_v with_o any_o false_a doctrine_n but_o thebalis_fw-la be_v displease_v that_o he_o be_v not_o choose_v bishop_n secret_o endeavour_v to_o debauch_v it_o from_o who_o spring_v those_o many_o heresy_n that_o he_o afterward_o reckon_v up_o and_o so_o have_v elsewhere_o describe_v the_o martyrdom_n 29._o of_o saint_n simeon_n he_o add_v until_o those_o time_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v a_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a virgin_n for_o such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o corrupt_v the_o perfect_a rule_n and_o the_o sincere_a delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n hide_v themselves_o till_o that_o time_n in_o secret_a and_o obscure_a place_n but_o after_o that_o the_o sacred_a company_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v wear_v out_o and_o that_o generation_n be_v whole_o spend_v that_o by_o special_a favour_n have_v hear_v with_o their_o ear_n the_o heavenly_a wisdom_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n than_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o wicked_a and_o detestable_a heresy_n through_o the_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n of_o such_o as_o affect_v to_o be_v master_n of_o new_a and_o strange_a doctrine_n take_v root_a and_o because_o none_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o survive_v they_o publish_v with_o all_o imaginable_a confidence_n and_o boldness_n their_o false_a conceit_n and_o impugn_a the_o old_a plain_a certain_a and_o know_a truth_n at_o these_o passage_n i_o must_v stop_v a_o little_a because_o though_o they_o be_v a_o great_a testimony_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o i_o find_v they_o very_o confident_o make_v use_n of_o by_o innovatour_n as_o unanswerable_a argument_n for_o reject_v its_o authority_n thus_o gittichius_n a_o eager_a socinian_n contend_v with_o 93._o ruarus_n both_o concern_v grotius_n his_o way_n of_o writing_n in_o make_v so_o much_o use_v of_o citation_n out_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n in_o his_o commentary_n and_o withal_o concern_v the_o primitive_a fast_n of_o the_o church_n which_o schliclingius_fw-la and_o some_o of_o that_o party_n begin_v to_o imitate_v condemn_v it_o not_o only_o as_o altogether_o useless_a but_o dangerous_a de_fw-fr antiquitate_fw-la in_o religionis_fw-la negotio_fw-la statuo_fw-la extra_fw-la ipsas_fw-la sacras_fw-la novi_fw-la foederis_fw-la literas_fw-la &_o in_o iis_fw-la exempla_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la nullius_fw-la omnino_fw-la antiquitatis_fw-la habendam_fw-la cviquam_fw-la christiano_n ullam_fw-la rationem_fw-la and_o then_o prove_v his_o assertion_n from_o this_o passage_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o the_o more_o ancient_a he_o say_v the_o tradition_n be_v after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o much_o the_o worse_o it_o be_v because_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o their_o dissolution_n the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o heresy_n and_o superstition_n so_o peevish_a be_v man_n against_o the_o honour_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n when_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o own_o apostasy_n from_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v all_o our_o innovatour_n agree_v in_o this_o one_o principle_n and_o that_o for_o this_o one_o very_o good_a reason_n because_o the_o ancient_a church_n if_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o give_v judgement_n upon_o they_o condemn_v they_o all_o for_o these_o man_n find_v error_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n instead_o of_o reform_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o fall_v to_o contrive_v new_a model_n and_o body_n of_o divinity_n out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n and_o among_o other_o socinus_n dislike_a the_o calvinian_a theology_n as_o contrary_a not_o only_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n set_v up_o a_o new_a divinity_n of_o his_o own_o contrivance_n without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o be_v advise_v of_o his_o fly_v so_o wide_o of_o it_o he_o together_o with_o his_o follower_n rather_o than_o part_v with_o their_o own_o fine_a new_a notion_n of_o which_o they_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v the_o first_o author_n and_o abettor_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a and_o uncorrupted_a church_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o with_o what_o vanity_n and_o arrogance_n it_o be_v none_o of_o my_o present_a task_n to_o inquire_v only_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n i_o must_v reply_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a wide_a and_o i_o be_o sure_a very_o far_o from_o a_o civil_a inference_n to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o else_o and_o they_o may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n have_v apply_v the_o objection_n against_o the_o apostolical_a church_n itself_o because_o then_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o complain_v the_o tare_n be_v sow_v though_o it_o seem_v not_o so_o open_o and_o so_o impudent_o as_o afterward_o nay_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v impossible_a their_o shall_v ever_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o pride_n and_o vanity_n among_o mankind_n there_o will_v be_v such_o man_n in_o all_o society_n as_o will_v be_v taint_v with_o their_o own_o idle_a dream_n and_o conceit_n and_o then_o rub_v their_o itch_n upon_o the_o common_a people_n but_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o i_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o long_o as_o it_o consist_v of_o man_n yet_o they_o be_v never_o able_a to_o prevail_v but_o after_o some_o struggle_n for_o admittance_n be_v soon_o or_o late_a utter_o stifle_v and_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o tradition_n of_o the_o birth_n growth_n and_o death_n of_o heresy_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n overwhelm_v the_o heretic_n with_o this_o one_o argument_n by_o convict_v they_o of_o apparent_a innovation_n and_o derive_v down_o their_o own_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o its_o apostolical_a tradition_n be_v never_o mix_v or_o taint_v with_o they_o but_o run_v down_o in_o a_o pure_a and_o clear_a channel_n by_o itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a as_o well_o as_o disingenuous_a objection_n against_o its_o authority_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o it_o that_o will_v have_v be_v corrupt_v the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n but_o be_v never_o able_a to_o compass_v their_o design_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o pass_v undiscovered_a or_o uncontrolled_a that_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o man_n and_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o inconsistency_n with_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o new_a fangle_a conceit_n of_o our_o own_o present_a innovatour_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o danger_n of_o our_o swallow_v down_o old_a heresy_n together_o with_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n than_o there_o be_v of_o suck_v in_o their_o new_a one_o whilst_o we_o adhere_v faithful_o to_o that_o and_o thus_o have_v upon_o occasion_n of_o this_o particular_a passage_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n clear_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o
be_v write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a so_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n who_o have_v borrow_v divers_a passage_n out_o of_o it_o word_n for_o word_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o revelation_n all_o allow_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n only_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n other_o by_o saint_n mark_v surname_v john_n other_o by_o saint_n john_n call_v the_o elder_a but_o whosoever_o it_o be_v that_o write_v it_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o it_o be_v moreover_o sufficient_o attest_v that_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o both_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o time_n of_o its_o writing_n last_o those_o that_o be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o be_v not_o afterward_o rash_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o be_v admit_v upon_o careful_a enquiry_n mature_a deliberation_n and_o unexceptionable_a testimony_n for_o as_o they_o be_v at_o first_o own_a by_o some_o and_o dispute_v by_o other_o this_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o debate_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o oblige_a they_o to_o make_v far_a enquiry_n after_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v at_o last_o satisfy_v of_o that_o which_o at_o first_o only_o a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v and_o this_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v after_o this_o manner_n the_o apostle_n direct_v many_o of_o their_o epistle_n to_o particular_a church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v know_v to_o some_o church_n and_o not_o to_o other_o who_o therefore_o doubt_v of_o they_o put_v those_o who_o assert_v they_o to_o have_v be_v true_a apostolical_a write_n to_o prove_v their_o assertion_n and_o they_o it_o seem_v bring_v such_o evident_a proof_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o gain_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o probable_o they_o do_v by_o produce_v the_o original_n write_v under_o the_o apostle_n own_o hand_n and_o reserve_v in_o the_o archive_v of_o the_o several_a church_n for_o that_o many_o such_o there_o be_v tertullian_n inform_v we_o even_o in_o his_o time_n and_o to_o they_o refer_v the_o man_n of_o his_o own_o age_n for_o their_o full_a satisfaction_n §_o x._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o very_a slender_a witticism_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o derogation_n of_o 33._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n live_v all_o in_o less_o than_o a_o age_n after_o christ_n ascension_n and_o have_v all_o of_o they_o see_v our_o saviour_n or_o be_v his_o disciple_n except_o saint_n paul_n and_o saint_n luke_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v by_o they_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o be_v they_o make_v canonical_a scripture_n only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n which_o first_o collect_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o recommend_v they_o to_o we_o as_o the_o write_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v hereby_o witty_o intimate_v or_o rather_o broad_o assert_v that_o these_o write_n be_v not_o canonical_a scripture_n till_o that_o council_n that_o be_v till_o the_o year_n 364._o but_o first_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o author_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o make_v a_o book_n canonical_a then_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n make_v so_o long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o enumerate_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o compile_v by_o clement_n as_o be_v vulgar_o suppose_v yet_o be_v they_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n so_o that_o upon_o this_o account_n they_o be_v stamp_v canonical_a almost_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v write_v second_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o more_o than_o a_o proof_n or_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o original_a and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n as_o any_o other_o testimony_n be_v or_o may_v be_v thus_o when_o we_o cite_v clement_n of_o rome_n ignatius_n policarp_n justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n yes_o and_o celsus_n himself_o that_o live_v either_o in_o or_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o give_v in_o testimony_n to_o their_o write_n no_o man_n can_v without_o very_o wilful_a impertinence_n thence_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v they_o that_o give_v the_o book_n their_o divine_a authority_n when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v only_o make_v use_n of_o as_o competent_a witness_n to_o attest_v that_o they_o be_v no_o forge_a write_n but_o be_v pen_v by_o those_o very_a person_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v and_o if_o they_o be_v than_o they_o themselves_o make_v good_a their_o own_o authority_n for_o authority_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o right_n or_o power_n of_o bind_v our_o assent_n which_o unless_o it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o author_n himself_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o other_o and_o all_o the_o council_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o give_v divine_a authority_n to_o any_o book_n if_o it_o have_v it_o not_o before_o all_o their_o office_n be_v to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o their_o authenticalness_n and_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a evidence_n of_o it_o when_o so_o many_o grave_n and_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n upon_o mature_a deliberation_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n in_o council_n declare_v that_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v but_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v as_o the_o leviathan_n do_v that_o their_o canonical_a authority_n that_o be_v their_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n as_o if_o it_o can_v give_v or_o take_v it_o away_o at_o pleasure_n only_o become_v mr._n hobbs_n logic_n and_o modesty_n and_o they_o it_o become_v equal_o for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o the_o conclusion_n be_v more_o impudent_a or_o more_o impertinent_a §_o xi_o and_o now_o beside_o this_o direct_a demonstrative_a proof_n of_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n there_o be_v another_o more_o remote_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o foreign_a writer_n jew_n or_o heathen_n who_o live_v in_o or_o about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o this_o evidence_n be_v so_o weak_a in_o comparison_n of_o that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o produce_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o prosecute_v it_o as_o a_o argument_n in_o my_o cause_n but_o rather_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o it_o viz._n that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o know_v and_o notorious_a as_o be_v pretend_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o so_o little_a notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o by_o any_o author_n but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v his_o own_o disciple_n there_o be_v many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n especial_o historian_n about_o that_o time_n so_o that_o if_o his_o action_n have_v be_v so_o great_a and_o remarkable_a as_o his_o disciple_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v pass_v he_o over_o with_o so_o slender_a a_o regard_n and_o scarce_o any_o mention_n of_o he_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n give_v a_o satisfactory_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o infidelity_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n notwithstanding_o christianity_n bring_v along_o with_o it_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o we_o pretend_v it_o do_v but_o beside_o this_o i_o shall_v here_o show_v that_o the_o best_a writer_n of_o that_o time_n concur_v with_o and_o so_o confirm_v the_o main_a stroke_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o by_o consequence_n all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v interweave_v with_o they_o especial_o when_o what_o they_o write_v be_v pure_o to_o deliver_v matter_n of_o fact_n without_o any_o design_n to_o serve_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o when_o all_o thing_n
this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v safe_o convey_v by_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o i_o choose_v to_o exemplify_v this_o thing_n in_o this_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o because_o of_o its_o great_a pre-eminence_n and_o resort_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o which_o account_n its_o tradition_n must_v needs_o be_v more_o public_a and_o better_o know_v the_o bless_a apostle_n therefore_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v the_o oversight_n of_o it_o to_o linus_n of_o who_o saint_n paul_n make_v mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n to_o he_o succeed_v anacletus_fw-la then_o clemens_n who_o familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o sound_v in_o his_o ear_n and_o their_o tradition_n before_o his_o eye_n in_o who_o time_n there_o happen_v a_o great_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o allay_v which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n direct_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n will_v produce_v policarp_n place_v there_o by_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o saint_n peter_n and_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n they_o show_v you_o the_o man_n that_o be_v settle_v in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o convey_v down_o their_o doctrine_n to_o posterity_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n 36._o its_o possession_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o for_o this_o you_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o your_o salvation_n may_v travel_v over_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o the_o very_a seat_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n preside_v be_v still_o remain_v where_o their_o own_o authentic_a letter_n be_v still_o extant_a do_v you_o live_v in_o or_o near_a to_o achaia_n go_v to_o corinth_n in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n or_o thessalonica_n in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_z in_o italy_n to_o rome_n and_o this_o certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_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 read_v in_o that_o church_n every_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v magnify_v by_o irenaeus_n not_o only_o for_o its_o 3._o own_o strength_n and_o piety_n but_o for_o the_o primitive_a antiquity_n of_o its_o author_n who_o he_o say_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n receive_v his_o christianity_n from_o they_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o fresh_a in_o his_o memory_n and_o their_o custom_n and_o tradition_n in_o his_o eye_n as_o divers_z other_o there_o be_v then_o live_v that_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n quote_v this_o epistle_n as_o he_o often_o do_v 4._o give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o his_o primitive_a antiquity_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o ancient_n it_o be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o though_o they_o have_v take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o destroy_v or_o impair_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o 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
same_o time_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n out_o of_o that_o undoubted_a assurance_n they_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o may_v now_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n in_o january_n 1648._o than_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n neither_o do_v the_o current_n of_o this_o tradition_n stop_v here_o in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n but_o as_o it_o come_v down_o from_o the_o first_o witness_n so_o it_o descend_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n to_o aftertime_n for_o as_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v own_a by_o this_o epistle_n so_o be_v this_o epistle_n by_o those_o who_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_a of_o its_o authority_n especial_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v for_o as_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n be_v write_v not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n probable_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n so_o be_v that_o of_o dionysius_n write_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o saint_n clemens_n for_o he_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o have_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o be_v authentic_a from_o its_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o that_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o begin_v his_o reign_n about_o the_o year_n 161._o as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o time_n so_o that_o if_o the_o corinthian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v a_o more_o satisfactory_a and_o unquestionable_a information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o preach_v than_o be_v give_v they_o from_o so_o clear_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n for_o that_o be_v 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testimony_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o christianity_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n connect_v with_o the_o certain_a history_n of_o aftertime_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o dark_a and_o unknown_a interval_n wherein_o the_o story_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v former_o act_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v be_v first_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v it_o undeniable_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o story_n have_v it_o not_o first_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a history_n by_o such_o a_o near_a and_o immediate_a witness_n to_o make_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o wave_v that_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v from_o this_o glorious_a martyr_n epistle_n because_o they_o breathe_v so_o much_o the_o genuine_a spirit_n of_o the_o ancient_a christianity_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n which_o show_v what_o mighty_a satisfaction_n they_o have_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o so_o firm_o believe_v and_o so_o vehement_o desire_v and_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o and_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o question_v but_o for_o their_o resolute_a opposition_n to_o some_o mens_fw-la prejudices_fw-la for_o they_o be_v resolve_v in_o their_o own_o innovation_n of_o church-government_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n which_o these_o epistle_n so_o zealous_o assert_v and_o that_o as_o establish_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v but_o stubborn_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v say_v impudent_o to_o reject_v their_o authority_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v so_o admirable_o vouch_v as_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v purposely_o design_v to_o secure_v their_o credit_n for_o ever_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o his_o friend_n policarp_n who_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n with_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o own_o now_o policarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o question_v nay_o it_o be_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o avoid_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a a_o testimony_n as_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o only_o by_o say_v that_o this_o particular_a passage_n be_v foist_v in_o without_o any_o shadow_n of_o ground_n for_o the_o surmise_n nay_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o 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very_a point_n of_o his_o dissolution_n as_o his_o legacy_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n communicate_v to_o several_a church_n public_o and_o vulgar_o know_v attest_v by_o saint_n policarp_n irenaeus_n clemens_n of_o alexandria_n and_o not_o long_o since_o by_o origen_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o such_o a_o write_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v lose_v about_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o a_o false_a one_o shall_v immediate_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n and_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o choice_a library_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v embrace_v so_o late_a and_o so_o gross_a a_o forgery_n and_o put_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v after_o he_o the_o man_n that_o can_v satisfy_v himself_o with_o such_o wild_a surmise_n and_o supposition_n as_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a but_o he_o may_v easy_o swallow_v its_o belief_n nor_o so_o demonstrative_o prove_v but_o he_o may_v withstand_v its_o evidence_n now_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n be_v vindicate_v and_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o they_o will_v never_o more_o be_v call_v in_o question_n they_o be_v a_o brave_a and_o generous_a assertion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v write_v with_o that_o mighty_a assurance_n of_o mind_n that_o show_v the_o author_n of_o they_o to_o have_v have_v a_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o a_o kind_n of_o a_o infallible_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v in_o every_o epistle_n his_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o that_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v of_o our_o saviour_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o particular_o in_o that_o to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n he_o protest_v that_o he_o can_v no_o more_o doubt_n of_o its_o reality_n than_o of_o his_o own_o chain_n and_o again_o positive_o affirm_v that_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o not_o withstand_v that_o all_o the_o ancient_a copy_n and_o all_o the_o quotation_n of_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o he_o agree_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o he_o know_v jesus_n to_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n after_o his_o death_n because_o in_o saint_n jerom_n translation_n who_o excuse_v himself_o for_o the_o haste_n and_o carelessness_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v render_v that_o he_o see_v jesus_n in_o the_o flesh_n this_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o new_a church_n of_o geneva_n as_o a_o sufficient_a objection_n to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o he_o may_v have_v see_v jesus_n in_o the_o flesh_n but_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a neither_o be_v it_o his_o design_n to_o affirm_v it_o in_o this_o place_n see_v he_o prove_v its_o truth_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o eye-witness_n and_o not_o from_o his_o own_o immediate_a knowledge_n but_o when_o he_o only_o say_v that_o from_o they_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a to_o put_v this_o assertion_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o see_v it_o with_o his_o own_o eye_n against_o the_o read_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a book_n from_o a_o careless_a translation_n prove_v nothing_o but_o the_o invincible_a stubbornness_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v these_o man_n have_v be_v so_o zealous_a for_o their_o faction_n as_o not_o to_o care_v how_o in_o pursuit_n of_o it_o they_o endanger_v nay_o destroy_v their_o religion_n for_o whereas_o one_o of_o the_o great_a pillar_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o the_o age_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o it_o be_v hereby_o particular_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v no_o figment_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n and_o that_o the_o record_n of_o it_o be_v of_o that_o antiquity_n that_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v yet_o because_o they_o do_v as_o positive_o assert_v the_o original_a constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o this_o faction_n of_o man_n have_v happen_v to_o renounce_v they_o have_v labour_v with_o indefatigable_a industry_n utter_o to_o overthrow_v all_o their_o authority_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n with_o that_o ill_a success_n that_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o shake_v our_o faith_n they_o have_v only_o make_v it_o to_o take_v the_o better_a root_n for_o by_o this_o occasion_n the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v be_v much_o more_o inquire_v into_o and_o better_v clear_v than_o if_o it_o have_v pass_v without_o any_o dispute_n or_o contradictition_n but_o to_o keep_v close_o to_o our_o ignatius_n what_o have_v be_v the_o bottom_n of_o all_o the_o zeal_n and_o fury_n against_o his_o epistle_n but_o his_o earnest_n press_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n or_o rather_o because_o he_o describe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a platform_n so_o accurate_o as_o to_o condemn_v their_o discipline_n of_o folly_n and_o rashness_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o prescription_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o yet_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n lay_v as_o great_a a_o stress_n as_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n as_o set_v over_o they_o by_o divine_a institution_n for_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o which_o they_o be_v then_o more_o tender_a than_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o think_v it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n preserve_v than_o by_o submission_n to_o those_o guide_n and_o governor_n that_o christ_n have_v set_v over_o it_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v evident_a out_o of_o their_o write_n especial_o saint_a cyprian_n who_o as_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n so_o be_v he_o full_a as_o peremptory_a in_o this_o point_n as_o ignatius_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n clement_n because_o of_o its_o great_a antiquity_n for_o if_o that_o assert_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o church_n government_n establish_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o prevent_v and_o confute_v the_o groundless_a conjecture_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n in_o which_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o church_n devolve_v upon_o the_o presbyter_n because_o they_o have_v appoint_v no_o one_o particular_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o government_n and_o this_o saint_n clement_n assert_n in_o these_o positive_a word_n the_o apostle_n be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o we_o from_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o jesus_n christ_n from_o god_n himself_o christ_n be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n by_o he_o the_o send_v of_o both_o be_v in_o a_o orderly_a manner_n after_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o command_n and_o have_v a_o full_a confidence_n through_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o a_o assurance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n go_v forth_o publish_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v erect_v they_o therefore_o preach_v the_o word_n through_o divers_a country_n and_o city_n ordain_v every_o where_o the_o first_o fruit_n of_o such_o as_o believe_v have_v make_v proof_n and_o trial_n of_o they_o by_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v overfeer_n and_o deacon_n to_o minister_v unto_o they_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v so_o that_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o neglect_v to_o provide_v governor_n for_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v careful_a beforehand_o to_o provide_v governor_n for_o future_a church_n and_o this_o he_o affirm_v the_o apostle_n do_v because_o they_o understand_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o strife_n and_o contention_n will_v arise_v about_o the_o title_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o this_o cause_n therefore_o have_v absolute_a knowledge_n beforehand_o thereof_o they_o ordain_v the_o forename_a officer_n and_o for_o the_o future_a give_v they_o moreover_o in_o command_n that_o whensoever_o they_o shall_v die_v other_o well_o approve_v of_o shall_v succeed_v into_o their_o office_n and_o ministry_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n order_n observe_v and_o prescribe_v a_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n to_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o future_a age_n and_o though_o our_o author_n do_v not_o express_v the_o several_a distinct_a order_n by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n yet_o he_o describe_v they_o as_o express_o by_o allusion_n to_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n under_o the_o name_n of_o highpriest_n priest_n and_o levite_n
however_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o hence_o that_o the_o apostle_n settle_v a_o perpetual_a form_n of_o church_n government_n to_o which_o all_o christian_a people_n be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o conform_v and_o then_o if_o that_o form_n be_v episcopacy_n and_o if_o they_o settle_v that_o by_o our_o saviour_n own_o advice_n with_o a_o eye_n to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o contention_n the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o ignatius_n his_o press_v all_o church_n so_o earnest_o to_o obedience_n to_o their_o bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o prosecution_n both_o of_o our_o saviour_n and_o their_o command_n and_o then_o that_o it_o be_v episcopacy_n be_v so_o evident_a from_o the_o unanimous_a and_o unquestionable_a testimony_n of_o all_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v positive_o assert_v by_o all_o the_o ancient_n and_o not_o oppose_v by_o any_o one_o but_o that_o will_v be_v too_o great_a a_o digression_n from_o the_o present_a argument_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v it_o though_o i_o have_v go_v thus_o far_o out_o of_o my_o way_n to_o show_v for_o what_o reason_n some_o man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o impair_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n not_o for_o any_o real_a defect_n and_o uncertainty_n that_o they_o find_v in_o they_o but_o because_o they_o give_v in_o such_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a witness_n against_o their_o fond_a and_o unwarrantable_a innovation_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v advise_v these_o gentleman_n as_o they_o value_v the_o peace_n either_o of_o the_o church_n or_o their_o own_o conscience_n that_o they_o will_v cease_v to_o struggle_v any_o long_o against_o their_o own_o conviction_n renounce_v their_o error_n when_o they_o can_v neither_o defend_v nor_o deny_v it_o and_o not_o be_v so_o headstrong_a as_o rather_o than_o part_v with_o a_o wrong_a notion_n or_o confess_v a_o mistake_n endeavour_v what_o in_o they_o lie_v to_o blow_v up_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n or_o to_o bespeak_v they_o in_o the_o word_n of_o saint_n clement_n be_v there_o any_o one_o then_o that_o be_v brave_o spirit_v among_o you_o be_v there_o any_o one_o that_o have_v compassion_n do_v any_o one_o abound_v in_o charity_n let_v he_o say_v if_o this_o sedition_n or_o contention_n or_o schism_n be_v for_o i_o or_o by_o my_o mean_n i_o will_v depart_v i_o will_v go_v my_o way_n whither_o soever_o you_o please_v i_o will_v do_v what_o the_o society_n command_v only_o let_v the_o sheepfold_n of_o christ_n enjoy_v peace_n with_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v place_v over_o it_o he_o that_o shall_v do_v so_o shall_v purchase_v to_o himself_o great_a glory_n in_o the_o lord_n thus_o they_o do_v and_o thus_o they_o will_v do_v who_o lead_v their_o life_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n policy_n this_o be_v the_o gentle_a and_o peaceable_a temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n but_o if_o they_o think_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o quit_v their_o country_n rather_o than_o occasion_v the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n how_o much_o more_o to_o forgo_v a_o false_a or_o a_o ungrounded_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o to_o deal_v plain_o with_o they_o i_o shall_v load_v their_o conscience_n with_o this_o one_o sad_a and_o serious_a truth_n that_o when_o man_n have_v once_o rash_o depart_v from_o the_o church_n that_o they_o live_v under_o and_o persevere_v in_o their_o schism_n in_o spite_n of_o the_o most_o evident_a conviction_n they_o have_v renounce_v together_o with_o the_o church_n their_o christian_a faith_n and_o be_v act_v mere_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o pride_n i._n e._n the_o devil_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v with_o all_o compassion_n to_o their_o soul_n request_v such_o man_n among_o we_o impartial_o to_o reflect_v upon_o themselves_o and_o their_o action_n and_o if_o they_o be_v convict_v in_o their_o own_o conscience_n of_o have_v make_v causeless_a schism_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o i_o know_v they_o must_v be_v by_o those_o peevish_a pitiful_a pretence_n that_o they_o will_v seem_v to_o plead_v in_o their_o own_o excuse_n with_o all_o possible_a speed_n to_o beg_v pardon_n of_o god_n and_o his_o church_n and_o as_o they_o will_v avoid_v the_o judgement_n and_o displeasure_n of_o almighty_n god_n against_o pride_n envy_n peevishness_n contention_n and_o sedition_n to_o make_v public_a confession_n of_o their_o fault_n to_o all_o the_o people_n that_o they_o have_v draw_v after_o they_o into_o the_o same_o sin_n and_o with_o all_o humility_n and_o lowliness_n beg_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o bosom_n and_o communion_n of_o this_o true_o ancient_a and_o apostolic_a church_n but_o my_o tender_a charity_n to_o these_o poor_a man_n that_o i_o see_v drive_v with_o so_o much_o fury_n self-conceit_n and_o confidence_n to_o utter_v destruction_n have_v again_o draw_v i_o out_o of_o my_o way_n to_o persuade_v they_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o turn_v back_o into_o the_o way_n of_o peace_n and_o salvation_n however_o it_o be_v high_a time_n for_o i_o to_o return_v to_o my_o discourse_n §_o xxxi_o after_o this_o great_a and_o glorious_a martyr_n the_o next_o eminent_a witness_n of_o the_o original_a tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v his_o dear_a friend_n and_o fellow_n disciple_n saint_n policarp_n who_o as_o he_o be_v educate_v together_o with_o he_o under_o the_o discipline_n of_o saint_n john_n so_o he_o outlive_v his_o martyrdom_n about_o sixty_o year_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o very_a great_a age_n be_v able_a to_o give_v his_o testimony_n not_o only_o to_o that_o but_o to_o the_o next_o period_n of_o time_n so_o that_o as_o he_o converse_v with_o saint_n john_n irenaeus_n converse_v with_o he_o and_o withal_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o journey_n to_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n and_o of_o his_o martyrdom_n under_o m._n aurelius_n which_o be_v not_o till_o the_o year_n 167._o so_o that_o through_o the_o great_a age_n of_o saint_n john_n and_o saint_n policarp_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v by_o they_o alone_o deliver_v down_o to_o the_o three_o century_n for_o irenaeus_n live_v into_o the_o beginning_n of_o it_o not_o suffer_v martyrdom_n himself_o by_o the_o early_a account_n till_o the_o year_n 202._o and_o this_o be_v the_o peculiar_a advantage_n of_o his_o testimony_n beyond_o all_o other_o that_o as_o it_o be_v as_o early_o as_o any_o so_o it_o continue_v into_o the_o most_o know_a time_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o it_o be_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o m._n aurelius_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a apologist_n flourish_v and_o beside_o that_o his_o great_a courage_n and_o constancy_n in_o suffer_v for_o the_o faith_n prove_v the_o great_a and_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o his_o tradition_n he_o be_v familiar_o conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n and_o eye_n witness_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o ignatius_n recommend_v to_o he_o the_o care_n of_o his_o church_n as_o know_v he_o to_o be_v a_o true_o apostolical_a man_n and_o so_o he_o continue_v his_o care_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o many_o year_n with_o great_a faith_n and_o resolution_n and_o at_o last_o seal_v his_o faith_n with_o his_o blood_n i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o as_o he_o declare_v at_o his_o trial_n he_o have_v faithful_o serve_v his_o lord_n and_o master_n fourscore_o and_o six_o year_n but_o among_o the_o record_n of_o his_o life_n there_o be_v none_o more_o certain_a or_o more_o remarkable_a than_o his_o own_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n concern_v his_o martyrdom_n in_o both_o which_o be_v show_v his_o great_a assurance_n of_o immortality_n in_o the_o first_o he_o bottom_n his_o exhortation_n to_o a_o holy_a life_n upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o the_o certain_a evidence_n of_o their_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o firm_a belief_n of_o their_o own_o in_o the_o second_o he_o cheerful_o resign_v up_o his_o last_o breath_n with_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o mind_n concern_v it_o in_o this_o short_a and_o excellent_a prayer_n o_o lord_n god_n almighty_a the_o father_n of_o thy_o well-beloved_a and_o everblessed_n son_n jesus_n christ_n by_o who_o we_o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o thou_o the_o god_n of_o angel_n power_n and_o of_o every_o creature_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o the_o righteous_a who_o live_v before_o thou_o i_o bless_v thou_o that_o thou_o have_v gracious_o condescend_v to_o bring_v i_o to_o this_o day_n and_o hour_n that_o i_o may_v receive_v a_o portion_n in_o the_o number_n of_o thy_o holy_a martyr_n and_o drink_v of_o christ_n cup_n for_o the_o resurrection_n to_o eternal_a life_n both_o of_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o the_o incorruptibleness_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n
little_a agreement_n among_o themselves_o concern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o preparatory_a fast_o before_o easter_n and_o yet_o this_o variety_n be_v of_o long_o stand_v among_o they_o no_o man_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o impose_v his_o own_o particular_a conceit_n upon_o other_o in_o such_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o last_o of_o all_o mind_n he_o of_o the_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n of_o his_o predecessor_n especial_o policarp_n and_o anicetus_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v one_o another_o to_o change_v the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o these_o epistle_n from_o all_o place_n especial_o of_o this_o of_o irenaeus_n probable_o be_v this_o that_o they_o divert_v victor_n from_o pursue_v his_o design_n for_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o ever_o actual_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n but_o only_o that_o he_o threaten_v it_o but_o whether_o he_o do_v or_o do_v not_o it_o be_v a_o worthy_a piece_n of_o ingenuity_n to_o charge_v the_o folly_n of_o one_o furious_a and_o intemperate_a man_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o in_o spite_n of_o their_o own_o protestation_n against_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n wherewith_o our_o innovatour_n have_v make_v so_o much_o noise_n against_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v remove_v this_o poor_a objection_n which_o i_o can_v not_o avoid_v because_o it_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o huff_n and_o confidence_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o remain_a witness_n of_o our_o primitive_a tradition_n and_o here_o i_o can_v pass_v by_o papias_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o no_o great_a learning_n or_o judgement_n yet_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o clear_a honesty_n and_o simplicity_n and_o live_v near_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v not_o search_v after_o their_o story_n in_o book_n but_o make_v it_o his_o particular_a business_n to_o inquire_v of_o their_o familiar_a acquaintance_n after_o their_o say_n and_o custom_n if_o any_o come_v in_o my_o way_n say_v he_o that_o be_v 39_o a_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n forthwith_o i_o inquire_v of_o he_o after_o the_o say_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o andrew_n what_o peter_n what_o philip_n what_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o matthew_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o lord_n disciple_n what_o ariston_n and_o john_n the_o elder_a distinguish_v from_o john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o out_o of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o apostle_n disciple_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v for_o i_o do_v not_o think_v i_o can_v profit_v myself_o more_o by_o read_v their_o book_n than_o by_o the_o more_o lively_a report_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v still_o alive_a and_o hear_v their_o discourse_n this_o be_v a_o peculiar_a sort_n of_o testimony_n give_v in_o to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o man_n plain_a and_o simple_a and_o yet_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a who_o inform_v himself_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o late_o transact_v not_o only_o by_o read_v the_o narratives_n that_o be_v write_v of_o they_o but_o from_o the_o more_o lively_a information_n of_o such_o who_o receive_v it_o from_o eye-witness_n i_o will_v easy_o grant_v that_o he_o be_v as_o eusebius_n describe_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o person_n of_o a_o small_a judgement_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o little_a authority_n as_o to_o his_o opinion_n especial_o of_o the_o millennium_n of_o which_o yet_o himself_o be_v not_o the_o first_o author_n but_o be_v betray_v into_o it_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o general_o believe_v that_o their_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v a_o thousand_o year_n upon_o earth_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o greatness_n and_o glory_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v from_o judaisme_n to_o christianity_n bring_v this_o opinion_n along_o with_o they_o only_o understand_v the_o jew_n more_o gross_a and_o carnal_a notion_n in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o spiritual_a sense_n and_o this_o be_v the_o dispute_n in_o those_o early_a day_n against_o the_o jewish_a heretic_n particular_o cerinthus_n who_o believe_v of_o our_o saviour_n as_o they_o have_v of_o the_o messiah_n that_o they_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v come_v once_o more_o upon_o earth_n and_o reign_v at_o jerusalem_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o pomp_n and_o grandeur_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v papias_n be_v ever_o think_v of_o as_o a_o man_n of_o a_o downright_a and_o untainted_a integrity_n and_o have_v both_o the_o advantage_n of_o converse_v with_o those_o that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o record_v all_o the_o tradition_n which_o they_o deliver_v to_o he_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o last_o be_v satisfy_v in_o that_o way_n of_o information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v register_v concern_v jesus_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o he_o aught_o to_o be_v rank_v quadratus_n who_o write_v a_o apologetic_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o which_o 3._o he_o positive_o aver_v that_o many_o of_o the_o person_n cure_v by_o our_o lord_n of_o their_o disease_n be_v alive_a in_o his_o time_n and_o aristides_n a_o christian_a philosopher_n at_o athens_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n present_v a_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a apology_n to_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n §_o xxxii_o this_o be_v the_o first_o file_n of_o witness_n next_z and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n though_o i_o may_v have_v reckon_v the_o follow_a rank_n into_o the_o same_o catalogue_n because_o they_o be_v twist_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v with_o one_o another_o for_o as_o these_o that_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v be_v not_o all_o precise_o of_o the_o same_o age_n yet_o be_v of_o antiquity_n enough_o to_o be_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v join_v together_o into_o one_o complicate_v testimony_n of_o it_o so_o their_o next_o successor_n follow_v they_o by_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o they_o follow_v one_o another_o for_o succession_n be_v not_o convey_v down_o like_o a_o chain_n by_o certain_a link_n but_o like_o a_o cord_n by_o the_o same_o continue_a interweave_v every_o part_n be_v some_o part_n of_o the_o part_n above_o it_o and_o though_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v by_o century_n yet_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v not_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o series_n live_v with_o some_o of_o the_o former_a as_o they_o live_v with_o the_o first_o that_o live_v with_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o make_v a_o interruption_n any_o where_o between_o the_o channel_n and_o the_o fountain_n head_n wherever_o we_o find_v the_o stream_n that_o alone_o will_v certain_o lead_v we_o up_o to_o its_o own_o original_a but_o this_o will_v appear_v more_o distinct_o by_o the_o degree_n of_o its_o conveyance_n have_v therefore_o bring_v the_o tradition_n down_o to_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n that_o be_v a_o considerable_a time_n beyond_o that_o of_o trajan_n to_o which_o time_n scaliger_n and_o some_o other_o be_v please_v to_o complain_v of_o a_o defect_n of_o record_n but_o with_o what_o reason_n we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o see_v and_o shall_v now_o further_o discover_v by_o our_o follow_a witness_n who_o be_v not_o only_o able_a to_o testify_v of_o their_o own_o time_n but_o of_o the_o forego_n age_n among_o who_o hegesippus_n deserve_v the_o first_o place_n not_o only_o for_o his_o great_a antiquity_n but_o for_o his_o manner_n of_o write_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o so_o not_o concern_v mere_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o own_o age_n but_o to_o make_v a_o diligent_a enquiry_n into_o the_o record_n and_o transaction_n of_o former_a time_n he_o write_v five_o book_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n which_o 8._o he_o style_v commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o he_o have_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o familiar_a style_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o it_o from_o our_o lord_n death_n till_o his_o own_o time_n which_o be_v about_o or_o rather_o before_o the_o reign_n of_o m._n aurelius_n for_o he_o say_v he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n now_o anicetus_n according_a to_o the_o late_a computation_n succeed_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o aurelius_n but_o according_a to_o the_o early_a account_n under_o antoninus_n pius_fw-la so_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n before_o policarp_n and_o this_o description_n he_o have_v give_v of_o his_o voyage_n that_o come_v to_o rome_n he_o
to_o their_o vow_n but_o one_o of_o the_o priest_n a_o recabite_n say_v hegesippus_n interpose_v to_o save_v james_n from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o people_n but_o this_o say_v scaliger_n can_v not_o be_v for_o the_o recabite_n be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o so_o uncapable_a of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o if_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o either_o have_v be_v exact_o observe_v at_o that_o time_n especial_o of_o the_o priesthood_n when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a those_o office_n even_o of_o the_o high-priesthood_n itself_o be_v entire_o dispose_v of_o by_o their_o governor_n who_o at_o pleasure_n put_v they_o in_o and_o out_o as_o they_o do_v any_o other_o officer_n of_o state_n but_o they_o place_v he_o say_v hegesippus_n on_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n whither_o great_a number_n of_o the_o people_n go_v up_o to_o cast_v he_o down_o which_o say_v scaliger_n they_o can_v not_o do_v because_o it_o be_v as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o so_o very_o thick_o set_v with_o point_a iron_n as_o to_o keep_v the_o bird_n from_o settle_v upon_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v probable_a the_o great_a and_o high_a battlement_n of_o all_o be_v but_o it_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v in_o the_o least_o probable_a that_o james_n shall_v be_v place_v there_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n when_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v hear_v from_o so_o great_a a_o height_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v dash_v apiece_o when_o he_o be_v cast_v thence_o instead_o of_o fall_v alive_a upon_o his_o knee_n as_o the_o historian_n report_v and_o therefore_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v any_o cover_n or_o battlement_n must_v have_v be_v some_o low_a frame_n of_o building_n from_o which_o he_o may_v be_v most_o convenient_o hear_v of_o the_o people_n now_o as_o from_o these_o objection_n say_v scaliger_n we_o may_v learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o hegesippus_n so_o say_v i_o from_o these_o reply_v to_o they_o may_v we_o learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o scaliger_n that_o upon_o such_o poor_a surmise_n as_o these_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o destroy_v and_o vilify_v the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o now_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n be_v full_o vindicated_n it_o do_v not_o only_o make_v good_a his_o own_o testimony_n but_o of_o all_o other_o that_o be_v record_v in_o his_o history_n between_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o his_o own_o and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o his_o account_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n go_v a_o great_a way_n for_o next_o to_o james_n the_o just_a he_o inform_v we_o that_o simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n and_o cousin_n german_n to_o our_o lord_n succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o sit_v there_o till_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v martyrdom_n only_o for_o the_o old_a jealousy_n of_o vespasian_n and_o domitian_n of_o be_v of_o the_o line_n of_o david_n and_o so_o a_o rival_n to_o the_o empire_n so_o that_o here_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o that_o time_n by_o as_o short_a a_o succession_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o clement_n and_o from_o clement_n to_o dionysius_n and_o in_o the_o asian_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n by_o policarp_n to_o pothinus_n and_o irenaeus_n §_o xxxiii_o next_o to_o hegesippus_n follow_v justin_n martyr_n though_o have_v not_o the_o other_o be_v a_o historian_n he_o may_v as_o be_v somewhat_o his_o senior_n have_v go_v before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n about_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o within_o eight_o year_n after_o address_v a_o excellent_a apology_n to_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o afterward_o a_o second_o to_o m._n aurelius_n his_o son_n and_o successor_n he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o eminent_a part_n and_o learning_n the_o most_o judicious_a philosopher_n of_o his_o time_n that_o have_v survey_v all_o the_o tenet_n of_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o study_v all_o kind_n of_o useful_a learning_n for_o the_o settlement_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o school_n of_o the_o stoic_n the_o peripatetic_n the_o pythagorean_n and_o the_o platonist_n of_o which_o himself_o have_v give_v a_o pleasant_a account_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o be_v at_o last_o advise_v by_o a_o unknown_a grave_a old_a man_n that_o meet_v he_o in_o his_o retire_a walk_n to_o consider_v the_o christian_a philosophy_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o apply_v himself_o but_o he_o find_v it_o the_o only_a certain_a and_o satisfactory_a philosophy_n in_o short_a he_o be_v such_o a_o proficient_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n that_o his_o own_o write_n make_v good_a photius_n his_o character_n of_o he_o that_o as_o he_o be_v admirable_o furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o read_v and_o history_n so_o he_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o perfection_n both_o of_o the_o christian_a and_o heathen_a philosophy_n and_o therefore_o immediate_o after_o his_o conversion_n give_v a_o learned_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o gentile_a religion_n as_o afterward_o in_o his_o apology_n and_o his_o other_o write_n he_o do_v of_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n both_o from_o the_o undoubted_a miracle_n that_o in_o his_o time_n be_v wrought_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o certain_a proof_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o frequent_o avow_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n and_o courage_n of_o mind_n and_o at_o last_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o though_o he_o foresee_v and_o foretell_v it_o not_o from_o any_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o in_o it_o but_o from_o the_o probable_a course_n and_o most_o natural_a event_n of_o thing_n yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o slacken_v his_o zeal_n for_o the_o christian_a cause_n but_o go_v on_o with_o all_o assurance_n of_o mind_n in_o its_o defence_n till_o it_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o encounter_n of_o death_n which_o he_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v with_o his_o eye_n open_a but_o with_o all_o joy_n and_o alacrity_n as_o be_v arrive_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o hope_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o happiness_n next_o to_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n follow_v in_o order_n who_o live_v much_o about_o or_o a_o little_a after_o the_o same_o time_n but_o of_o he_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v the_o less_o because_o i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o tradition_n that_o he_o have_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v from_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o other_o apostolical_a man_n only_o some_o few_o remark_n remain_v to_o make_v up_o his_o perfect_a character_n and_o make_v out_o his_o perfect_a knowledge_n and_o for_o this_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o he_o to_o florinus_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n this_o doctrine_n of_o thou_o o_o florinus_n that_o i_o may_v frank_o declare_v the_o truth_n savour_v not_o of_o the_o sincere_a faith_n disagree_v from_o the_o church_n and_o betray_v such_o as_o listen_v to_o it_o into_o extreme_a impiety_n this_o doctrine_n no_o not_o the_o heretic_n which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n dare_v ever_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n such_o as_o be_v elder_n before_o we_o and_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n never_o deliver_v unto_o thou_o i_o see_v thou_o when_o i_o be_v yet_o a_o youth_n with_o policarp_n in_o the_o lesser_a asia_n live_v gorgeous_o in_o the_o emperor_n palace_n and_o mighty_o buisy_v thyself_o to_o get_v into_o favour_n and_o credit_n with_o he_o for_o i_o remember_v better_o the_o thing_n of_o old_a than_o latter_a affair_n for_o the_o thing_n we_o learn_v in_o our_o young_a year_n sink_v deep_a into_o our_o mind_n and_o grow_v together_o with_o we_o so_o that_o i_o particular_o remember_v the_o very_a place_n where_o policarp_n sit_v when_o he_o teach_v his_o go_v out_o and_o his_o come_n in_o his_o course_n of_o life_n the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o his_o body_n the_o sermon_n he_o make_v to_o the_o people_n the_o report_n he_o make_v of_o his_o conversation_n with_o john_n and_o other_o which_o know_v the_o lord_n how_o he_o remember_v their_o say_n and_o what_o he_o hear_v from_o their_o mouth_n concern_v the_o lord_n
his_o power_n and_o his_o doctrine_n recite_v his_o commandment_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n out_o of_o their_o very_a mouth_n i_o say_v who_o have_v see_v with_o their_o eye_n the_o word_n of_o life_n incarnate_a these_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o wrought_v in_o i_o i_o diligent_o mark_v and_o print_v not_o in_o paper_n but_o my_o heart_n upon_o which_o continual_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n i_o ponder_v and_o meditate_v and_o i_o be_o able_a to_o testify_v before_o god_n that_o if_o that_o holy_a and_o apostolic_a elder_n have_v hear_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o you_o teach_v he_o will_v immediate_o have_v disavow_v it_o and_o after_o his_o manner_n stop_v his_o ear_n cry_v out_o good_a god_n into_o what_o time_n have_v thou_o reserve_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v hear_v and_o suffer_v such_o discourse_n yea_o and_o will_v straight_o have_v quit_v the_o place_n where_o he_o have_v hear_v they_o in_o short_a this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o neighbour_n church_n or_o to_o particular_a brethren_n and_o beside_o policarp_n he_o frequent_o quote_v in_o all_o his_o book_n apostolical_a ancient_n though_o he_o do_v not_o mention_v their_o name_n he_o be_v a_o diligent_a enquirer_n into_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v particular_o describe_v the_o order_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o gospel_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n clement_n ignatius_n the_o book_n of_o justin_n martyr_n his_o search_n into_o the_o record_n of_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n his_o inquire_v into_o the_o write_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a doctor_n and_o with_o this_o argument_n put_v to_o silence_v the_o heretic_n by_o demonstrate_v to_o they_o what_o be_v and_o what_o be_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o apostolic_a time_n all_o which_o consider_v how_o can_v we_o 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tradition_n so_o they_o seal_v its_o sincerity_n with_o their_o blood_n though_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o witness_n be_v so_o abundant_o satisfactory_a both_o from_o their_o number_n their_o quality_n and_o their_o agreement_n that_o i_o need_v produce_v no_o more_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v i_o shall_v have_v be_v very_o thankful_a for_o half_a so_o many_o but_o can_v never_o have_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o ask_v for_o more_o yet_o because_o a_o great_a number_n beside_o offer_v themselves_o we_o can_v in_o civility_n altogether_o refuse_v their_o kindness_n but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v too_o tedious_a i_o shall_v at_o present_v only_o give_v in_o a_o list_n of_o their_o name_n that_o any_o man_n may_v examine_v they_o at_o his_o leisure_n about_o this_o time_n then_o there_o be_v beside_o those_o that_o i_o have_v mention_v a_o great_a concourse_n of_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v not_o only_a confessor_n but_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o athenagoras_n the_o christian_a philosopher_n of_o athens_n theophilus_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n apollinaris_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n tatian_n the_o assyrian_a and_o scholar_n to_o justin_n martyr_n who_o all_o write_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o commodus_n pantoenus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n miltiades_n tertullian_n who_o be_v close_o follow_v by_o origen_n minutius_n felix_n arnobius_n st._n cyprian_n all_o man_n of_o learning_n who_o diligent_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n and_o have_v give_v their_o reason_n of_o renounce_v heathenism_n and_o embrace_a christianity_n in_o short_a they_o have_v all_o maintain_v it_o with_o their_o pen_n and_o most_o of_o they_o with_o their_o blood_n and_o most_o of_o their_o work_n be_v still_o remain_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a task_n be_v it_o not_o too_o tedious_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o every_o man_n performance_n but_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o that_o say_v already_o and_o to_o say_v more_o be_v only_o so_o much_o needless_a repetition_n of_o the_o same_o matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o the_o same_o argument_n and_o the_o most_o material_a passage_n of_o record_n extant_a in_o these_o author_n i_o have_v either_o allege_v already_o or_o shall_v have_v occasion_n so_o to_o do_v hereafter_o therefore_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o be_v do_v at_o present_a be_v only_o to_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v such_o write_n of_o such_o man_n and_o that_o i_o may_v easy_o do_v because_o they_o be_v so_o very_o common_a and_o so_o very_o well_o know_v at_o this_o day_n and_o then_o upon_o that_o supposition_n to_o argue_v the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n through_o their_o hand_n and_o that_o complete_v the_o demonstration_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n for_o when_o i_o have_v prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o its_o original_a from_o the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o complicate_v attestation_n of_o other_o that_o live_v either_o with_o or_o immediate_o after_o they_o and_o so_o downward_o from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o that_o by_o very_o short_a period_n of_o time_n into_o the_o three_o century_n for_o beyond_o that_o it_o be_v very_o impertinent_a to_o pursue_v the_o argument_n if_o i_o say_v this_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o premise_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o any_o man_n can_v in_o reason_n or_o modesty_n demand_v a_o great_a evidence_n and_o more_o satisfactory_a demonstration_n of_o his_o faith_n §_o xxxiv_o but_o if_o christianity_n come_v into_o the_o world_n attend_v with_o all_o this_o variety_n and_o train_n of_o proof_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o such_o great_a number_n of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n live_v and_o die_v in_o infidelity_n if_o the_o evidence_n be_v so_o full_a and_o free_a from_o all_o exception_n as_o be_v pretend_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v eyesight_n enough_o to_o discern_v the_o midday_n sun_n not_o to_o submit_v to_o its_o conviction_n much_o less_o how_o can_v such_o creature_n as_o man_n endue_v with_o rational_a faculty_n be_v so_o utter_o blind_a or_o extravagant_o mad_a that_o when_o almighty_a god_n have_v give_v such_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n they_o shall_v hate_v oppose_v and_o persecute_v this_o religion_n mear_n stupidity_n or_o want_n of_o enquiry_n may_v have_v leave_v man_n in_o infidelity_n though_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n have_v be_v as_o evident_a as_o we_o say_v it_o be_v but_o when_o man_n concern_v themselves_o with_o all_o their_o zeal_n and_o power_n to_o root_v it_o up_o they_o must_v understand_v what_o it_o be_v that_o they_o so_o eager_o oppose_v neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o mankind_n alone_o but_o by_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o learned_a who_o do_v not_o only_o reject_v it_o as_o a_o idle_a fable_n but_o bestir_v themselves_o with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o suppress_v it_o as_o pernicious_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v a_o objection_n in_o appearance_n very_o great_a for_o it_o can_v but_o look_v very_o strange_a that_o man_n learned_a and_o wise_a shall_v be_v so_o foolish_a and_o so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o perceive_v such_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n nay_o to_o scorn_n and_o to_o despise_v it_o and_o yet_o as_o big_a as_o this_o objection_n be_v in_o show_n it_o be_v in_o reality_n none_o at_o all_o and_o if_o it_o be_v any_o be_v abundant_o answer_v by_o the_o premise_n for_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o the_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a shall_v ever_o have_v be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o embrace_v such_o a_o story_n in_o all_o those_o circumstance_n and_o
crescens_n the_o cynic_n philosopher_n a_o man_n proud_a and_o ignorant_a and_o according_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o his_o sect_n ill-natured_a and_o implacable_a and_o as_o tatian_n who_o be_v very_o intimate_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o his_o manner_n describe_v he_o give_v up_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n now_o it_o happen_v that_o justin_n in_o public_a dispute_n have_v expose_v the_o extreme_a childishness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o this_o vainglorious_a pedant_n who_o to_o be_v revenge_v of_o he_o accuse_v he_o before_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o city_n who_o after_o he_o have_v in_o vain_a take_v some_o pain_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o renounce_v his_o saviour_n and_o to_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o god_n pronounce_v this_o sentence_n against_o he_o and_o six_o more_o they_o who_o refuse_v to_o do_v sacrifice_n to_o the_o god_n and_o to_o obey_v the_o imperial_a edict_n let_v they_o be_v first_o scourge_v and_o then_o behead_v according_a to_o the_o law_n the_o persecution_n at_o lion_n begin_v at_o the_o rabble_n as_o it_o be_v plain_o describe_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o that_o church_n to_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n in_o the_o first_o place_n say_v they_o they_o encounter_v with_o admirable_a courage_n and_o patience_n all_o the_o outrage_n and_o indignity_n of_o the_o promiscuous_a rabble_n as_o tumultuous_a outcry_n scourge_n dragging_n spoil_v ston_a and_o fetter_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o the_o heady_a and_o savage_a multitude_n be_v wont_a to_o practice_v against_o their_o most_o hate_a enemy_n and_o by_o they_o be_v they_o hale_v before_o the_o governor_n be_v tribunal_n and_o by_o he_o deliver_v back_o to_o their_o fury_n which_o they_o execute_v upon_o they_o with_o all_o the_o art_n and_o circumstance_n of_o fanatic_a zeal_n and_o barbarous_a cruelty_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o usual_a method_n to_o sacrifice_v the_o christian_n to_o the_o outrage_n of_o the_o superstitious_a rabble_n and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n any_o prince_n engage_v himself_o in_o the_o opposition_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v because_o that_o oppose_v the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o that_o be_v such_o a_o exorbitant_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o all_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o man_n can_v be_v in_o love_n with_o it_o after_o any_o fair_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n about_o it_o so_o that_o what_o such_o man_n act_v against_o christianity_n proceed_v not_o from_o any_o rational_a and_o sober_a counsel_n but_o mere_o from_o vulgar_a custom_n and_o prejudice_n and_o therefore_o if_o m._n aurelius_n or_o any_o other_o emperor_n that_o aught_o to_o have_v have_v more_o wit_n and_o temper_n than_o the_o common_a people_n show_v any_o zeal_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n their_o judgement_n be_v as_o little_a to_o be_v regard_v in_o this_o case_n as_o that_o of_o the_o multitude_n because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v act_v mere_o by_o superstitious_a zeal_n and_o folly_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v oppose_v christianity_n original_o upon_o its_o own_o account_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v have_v deserve_v some_o consideration_n but_o when_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o their_o displeasure_n against_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o their_o love_n of_o paganism_n the_o mere_a absurdity_n of_o that_o cause_n be_v too_o great_a a_o exception_n against_o their_o understanding_n in_o this_o controversy_n thus_o suppose_v that_o m._n aurelius_n himself_o be_v as_o forward_o as_o the_o people_n in_o his_o zeal_n against_o christianity_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v as_o wise_a too_o for_o whatever_o he_o be_v beside_o he_o be_v a_o great_a superstitionist_n and_o to_o a_o degree_n of_o stupidity_n zealous_a for_o the_o pagan_a folly_n out_o of_o that_o vain_a affectation_n that_o have_v possess_v he_o to_o be_v account_v the_o second_o numa_n of_o rome_n which_o one_o conceit_n transport_v he_o to_o a_o more_o than_o childish_a zeal_n for_o the_o old_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o decius_n and_o dioclesian_n in_o set_v on_o foot_n the_o eight_o and_o ten_o persecution_n to_o which_o they_o be_v hurry_v by_o a_o vehement_a and_o unlearned_a zeal_n for_o the_o pagan_a religion_n this_o in_o short_a be_v the_o true_a account_n that_o i_o can_v find_v of_o all_o the_o persecution_n by_o which_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o christianity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o oppose_v by_o its_o great_a enemy_n for_o any_o thing_n they_o have_v to_o object_v against_o itself_o as_o because_o it_o so_o shameful_o expose_v the_o bruitishness_n of_o their_o idolatry_n and_o yet_o as_o absurd_a as_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v the_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o their_o emperor_n be_v much_o worse_o for_o though_o their_o god_n be_v nothing_o better_a than_o dead_a man_n yet_o have_v live_v in_o age_n remote_a and_o almost_o unknown_a and_o thereby_o gain_v the_o advantageous_a reverence_n of_o antiquity_n the_o common_a people_n be_v not_o aware_a of_o their_o original_a but_o find_v they_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o their_o divinity_n they_o give_v they_o the_o worship_n due_a to_o that_o title_n but_o to_o give_v divine_a and_o religious_a worship_n to_o the_o roman_a emperor_n who_o death_n and_o who_o vice_n be_v so_o fresh_a in_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n be_v such_o a_o unmanly_a piece_n of_o flattery_n as_o any_o man_n that_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o generosity_n ought_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o but_o every_o man_n that_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o god_n or_o religion_n ought_v to_o defy_v and_o yet_o so_o infinite_o be_v those_o man_n besot_v with_o pride_n and_o insolence_n that_o they_o all_o have_v their_o temple_n and_o priest_n dedicate_v to_o their_o own_o divinity_n except_v only_a tiberius_n who_o be_v a_o great_a dissembler_n himself_o choose_v to_o refuse_v so_o gross_a a_o flattery_n and_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o permit_v his_o statue_n to_o be_v place_v among_o the_o image_n of_o the_o god_n but_o only_o among_o the_o ornament_n of_o private_a house_n but_o as_o for_o all_o the_o rest_n they_o either_o take_v to_o themselves_o all_o the_o title_n and_o dignity_n of_o divinity_n or_o have_v they_o confer_v on_o they_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o advance_v among_o the_o god_n all_o man_n be_v require_v under_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o pay_v they_o divine_a honour_n nay_o as_o tertullian_n too_o true_o upbraid_v they_o they_o be_v more_o religious_a towards_o their_o emperor_n than_o their_o supreme_a deity_n majore_fw-la formidine_fw-la &_o callidiore_fw-la timiditate_fw-la caesarem_fw-la observatis_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsum_fw-la de_fw-la olympo_fw-la jupiter_fw-la and_o all_o this_o though_o it_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a blasphemy_n against_o god_n than_o a_o affront_n to_o mankind_n yet_o so_o base_a and_o degenerate_a be_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n at_o that_o time_n that_o they_o refuse_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o so_o dishonourable_a a_o flattery_n only_o the_o christian_n out_o of_o that_o serious_a regard_n they_o have_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o creator_n unanimous_o scorn_v it_o with_o open_a and_o public_a defiance_n and_o for_o their_o generous_a freedom_n herein_o they_o be_v as_o familiar_o proceed_v against_o as_o for_o the_o contempt_n of_o their_o go_n but_o now_o if_o this_o be_v another_o ground_n of_o the_o heathen_n act_v against_o the_o christian_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o reasonable_a pretence_n that_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a shame_n of_o humane_a nature_n so_o that_o set_v aside_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o be_v to_o be_v produce_v in_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n the_o opposition_n make_v to_o it_o upon_o this_o or_o any_o of_o the_o forementioned_a account_n can_v reflect_v the_o least_o shadow_n of_o disadvantage_n upon_o the_o truth_n or_o the_o goodness_n of_o its_o cause_n §_o xli_o these_o be_v the_o real_a article_n of_o accusation_n in_o their_o charge_n against_o the_o christian_n but_o they_o be_v not_o so_o frivolous_a as_o their_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_a pretence_n be_v malicious_a for_o the_o heathen_a priest_n think_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o inflame_v the_o rage_n of_o the_o people_n with_o fanatic_a zeal_n unless_o they_o feed_v their_o malice_n as_o all_o impostor_n do_v with_o lie_n and_o calumny_n but_o when_o man_n be_v once_o reduce_v to_o this_o low_a and_o dirty_a artifice_n in_o defence_n of_o any_o cause_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v draw_v down_o to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o malice_n for_o it_o be_v only_o for_o want_v of_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o slander_n which_o the_o natural_a ingenuity_n of_o mankind_n will_v scorn_v if_o they_o can_v support_v themselves_o and_o their_o party_n without_o