husbandman_n after_o have_v destroy_v they_o as_o so_o maâ—y_v unfaithful_a servant_n another_o while_n that_o the_o king_n â—ho_fw-mi have_v invite_v they_o to_o the_o marriage_n of_o his_o son_n will_v â—nd_v his_o soldier_n to_o destroy_v they_o and_o burn_v up_o their_o city_n but_o not_o to_o go_v so_o far_o off_o one_o of_o the_o mark_n whereby_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v know_v that_o the_o event_n which_o esus_fw-la christ_n have_v foretell_v draw_v nigh_o be_v that_o the_o gentiles_n be_v to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o â—ue_v god_n this_o be_v express_o deliver_v in_o the_o place_n â—e_v have_v already_o quote_v he_o therefore_o that_o insertâ—_n this_o prophecy_n in_o the_o gospel_n must_v have_v imaginâ—_n that_o in_o his_o time_n the_o gentile_n have_v already_o be_v â—lled_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o since_o â—ere_z be_v then_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o christian_n diserse_v throughout_o world_n since_o a_o infinite_a number_n â—_o person_n have_v the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o assession_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a either_o to_o alter_v or_o â—d_a thereto_o several_a parable_n and_o chapter_n nay_o to_o irrupt_v three_o gospel_n in_o three_o essential_a place_n if_o ch_z a_o thing_n have_v be_v do_v in_o asia_n how_o can_v it_o afterward_o have_v be_v receive_v in_o europe_n where_o there_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o copy_n of_o that_o gospel_n for_o of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o gospel_n be_v first_o compose_v and_o now_o do_v not_o the_o incredulous_a as_o yet_o perceive_v that_o truth_n overthrow_v more_o scruple_n than_o they_o be_v able_a to_o raise_v against_o it_o that_o they_o continual_o offer_v violence_n to_o thelr_v reason_n by_o resist_v the_o truth_n which_o appear_v so_o strong_a and_o invincible_a on_o all_o hand_n and_o that_o though_o their_o reason_n be_v sometime_o pervert_v and_o blind_v by_o their_o passion_n so_o that_o they_o can_v see_v thing_n in_o their_o due_a light_n yet_o the_o object_n the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v immutable_a never_o shift_v or_o turn_v a_o side_n to_o follow_v the_o foolish_a fancy_n of_o their_o understanding_n or_o the_o perverse_a inclination_n of_o their_o heart_n chap._n ix_o wherein_o we_o shall_v examine_v the_o matter_n contain_v iâ—_n the_o book_n of_o acts._n the_o matter_n of_o this_o book_n may_v be_v reduce_v tâ—_n these_o three_o head_n viz._n the_o ascension_n of_o jesuâ—_n christ_n the_o come_n down_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o thâ—_n apostles_n and_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o christiaâ—_n church_n by_o the_o successful_a preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o these_o thing_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o can_v noâ—_n possible_o be_v forge_v the_o ascension_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v relate_v with_o toâ—_n many_o circumstance_n to_o leave_v we_o any_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o be_v deceiveâ—_n therein_o the_o author_n express_o affirm_v that_o jesâ—_n converse_v the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n with_o his_o disciple_n after_o his_o resurrection_n that_o he_o promise_v they_o theâ—_n shall_v be_v baptize_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o command_v they_o to_o wait_v at_o jerusalem_n for_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o promise_n that_o he_o carry_v they_o to_o the_o mount_n of_o olive_n that_o he_o be_v take_v up_o in_o a_o cloud_n which_o carry_v he_o out_o of_o their_o sight_n and_o that_o as_o they_o steadfast_o look_v up_o towards_o heaven_n as_o he_o go_v up_o two_o man_n stand_v by_o they_o in_o white_a apparel_n and_o promise_v they_o that_o jesus_n christ_n will_v come_v again_o in_o like_a manner_n as_o they_o have_v see_v he_o go_v into_o heaven_n so_o that_o â—t_a be_v no_o long_o a_o question_n whether_o the_o disciple_n be_v deceive_v in_o this_o respect_n but_o rather_o whether_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o deceive_v other_o by_o a_o false_a relation_n of_o so_o chimerical_a a_o event_n for_o the_o perfect_a understanding_n of_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o observe_v the_o time_n in_o which_o the_o disciple_n begin_v to_o declare_v it_o and_o when_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n be_v full_o come_v say_v st._n luke_n they_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n and_o sudden_o there_o come_v a_o sound_n from_o heaven_n as_o of_o a_o rush_v mighty_a wind_n and_o it_o fill_v all_o the_o house_n where_o they_o be_v sit_v and_o there_o appear_v unto_o they_o cleave_a tongue_n like_v as_o of_o fire_n and_o it_o â—at_a upon_o each_o of_o they_o and_o they_o be_v all_o fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o begin_v to_o speak_v with_o other_o tongue_n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v they_o utterance_n and_o there_o be_v dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n jew_n devout_a man_n out_o of_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n now_o when_o this_o be_v noise_v abroad_o the_o multitude_n come_v together_o and_o be_v confound_v because_o that_o every_o man_n hear_v they_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o language_n etc._n etc._n but_o peter_n stand_v up_o with_o the_o eleven_o lift_v â—p_v his_o voice_n and_o say_v etc._n etc._n then_o they_o that_o glad_o receive_v his_o word_n be_v baptize_v and_o the_o same_o day_n there_o be_v add_v unto_o they_o about_o three_o thousand_o soul_n etc._n etc._n and_o fear_n come_v upon_o every_o soul_n and_o many_o wonder_n and_o sign_n be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n act_n chap._n 2._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 14_o 41_o 43._o that_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o invent_v appear_v by_o the_o bare_a consideration_n of_o it_o because_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n as_o must_v have_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v at_o jerusalem_n upon_o a_o solemn_a feast_n day_n before_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o nation_n and_o as_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o universe_n and_o which_o consequent_o be_v such_o as_o can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v forge_v or_o invent_v what_o then_o can_v be_v object_v to_o shake_v the_o certainty_n of_o this_o history_n can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v insert_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st_n luke_n long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o that_o author_n but_o than_o it_o must_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v confess_v that_o the_o whole_a book_n be_v forge_v because_o that_o be_v a_o essential_a and_o fundamental_a matter_n of_o fact_n on_o which_o the_o other_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o act_n altogether_o depend_v thus_o for_o instance_n the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o success_n of_o it_o whole_o depend_v upon_o it_o whatever_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o epistle_n absolute_o relate_v to_o it_o and_o last_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v forge_v if_o the_o come_n down_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o apostle_n be_v a_o mere_a invention_n shall_v i_o believe_v that_o st._n luke_n himself_o invent_v this_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o no_o one_o ever_o speak_v of_o it_o before_o he_o if_o so_o what_o be_v it_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o those_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o what_o do_v they_o ground_v their_o preach_n upon_o but_o only_o on_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n what_o other_o right_a but_o that_o have_v they_o to_o preach_v do_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o deceive_v mankind_n pretend_v that_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o be_v the_o only_a plausible_a suspicion_n the_o incredulous_a can_v entertain_v yet_o for_o all_o that_o it_o be_v absurd_a for_o when_o be_v it_o they_o make_v this_o pretention_n it_o must_v necessary_o be_v either_o after_o they_o have_v found_v a_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n or_o some_o time_n before_o if_o it_o be_v after_o they_o have_v found_v a_o church_n therein_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a this_o church_n shall_v have_v be_v afterward_o persuade_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o they_o have_v public_o speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n and_o that_o their_o preach_v attend_v with_o several_a strange_a prodigy_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o form_v that_o church_n but_o if_o the_o apostle_n pretend_v they_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n before_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o christian_a church_n establish_v in_o jerusalem_n nay_o if_o it_o be_v by_o a_o false_a attestation_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o many_o other_o such_o that_o they_o found_v this_o church_n the_o apostle_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v learn_v all_o the_o language_n in_o the_o world_n since_o the_o death_n of_o their_o master_n and_o together_o with_o that_o the_o secret_a of_o make_v the_o lame_a walk_n and_o heal_v the_o sick_a because_o these_o be_v what_o they_o call_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o
the_o use_n of_o his_o tongue_n whilst_o he_o be_v in_o the_o temple_n that_o all_o the_o people_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o and_o that_o he_o remain_v speechless_a till_o the_o time_n be_v come_v wherein_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o give_v a_o name_n to_o that_o wonderful_a child_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o in_o his_o old_a age_n notwithstanding_o the_o barrenness_n of_o his_o wife_n suppose_v the_o gospel_n wherein_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v relate_v be_v compose_v long_o after_o that_o event_n still_o it_o be_v true_a that_o st._n luke_n compose_v his_o gospel_n before_o his_o book_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o that_o he_o compose_v the_o book_n of_o act_n sometime_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o we_o have_v in_o another_o place_n already_o observe_v and_o as_o it_o be_v without_o doubt_n true_a then_o suppose_v also_o forty_o fifty_o or_o sixty_o year_n if_o you_o will_v have_v past_a since_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v happen_v and_o before_o st._n luke_n compose_v his_o gospel_n can_v forty_o fifty_o or_o sixty_o year_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v several_a thousand_o of_o people_n nay_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o great_a and_o flourish_a city_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o they_o have_v see_v either_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n or_o that_o their_o forefather_n have_v see_v one_o of_o their_o priest_n whole_o deprive_v of_o the_o use_n of_o his_o tongue_n because_o he_o have_v see_v a_o vision_n in_o the_o holy_a place_n and_o yet_o that_o he_o recover_v it_o precise_o and_o exact_o at_o the_o time_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o give_v a_o name_n to_o his_o child_n certain_o have_v none_o but_o zachariah_n relation_n be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o event_n of_o those_o thing_n yet_o it_o will_v have_v argue_v rashness_n in_o any_o man_n to_o invent_v any_o thing_n false_a concern_v they_o for_o what_o a_o extravagance_n will_v it_o have_v be_v in_o any_o one_o to_o pretend_v to_o invent_v it_o against_o the_o public_a knowledge_n of_o a_o whole_a and_o very_o numerous_a nation_n so_o solemn_o assemble_v together_o and_o so_o intent_n upon_o that_o event_n nay_o so_o surprise_v at_o that_o prodigy_n or_o if_o you_o will_v according_a to_o the_o incredulous_a so_o full_o satisfy_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o a_o vain_a chimaera_n and_o delusion_n and_o the_o people_n say_v the_o historian_n wait_v for_o zacharias_n and_o marvel_v that_o he_o tarry_v so_o long_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o when_o he_o come_v out_o he_o can_v not_o speak_v unto_o they_o and_o they_o perceive_v that_o he_o have_v see_v a_o vision_n in_o the_o temple_n for_o he_o beckon_v unto_o they_o and_o remain_v speechless_a luke_n 1._o 21_o 22._o but_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o zacharias_n be_v heal_v be_v no_o less_o surprise_v and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v say_v the_o evangelist_n that_o on_o the_o eight_o day_n they_o come_v to_o circumcise_v the_o child_n and_o they_o call_v he_o zachariah_n after_o the_o name_n of_o his_o father_n and_o his_o mother_n answer_v and_o say_v not_o so_o but_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v john_n and_o they_o say_v unto_o she_o there_o be_v none_o of_o thy_o kindred_n that_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n and_o they_o make_v sign_n to_o his_o father_n how_o he_o will_v have_v he_o call_v and_o he_o ask_v for_o a_o write_v table_n and_o write_v say_v his_o name_n be_v john_n and_o they_o marvel_v all_o and_o his_o mouth_n be_v open_v immediate_o and_o his_o tongue_n loose_v and_o he_o speak_v and_o praise_v god_n and_o fear_n come_v on_o all_o that_o dwell_v round_o about_o they_o and_o all_o these_o say_n be_v noise_v abroad_o throughout_o all_o the_o country_n of_o judea_n luke_n 1._o 59_o 60_o 61_o 62_o 63_o 64_o 65._o thus_o it_o appear_v this_o history_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o other_o be_v spread_v abroad_o throughout_o all_o the_o country_n of_o judea_n and_o certain_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a any_o one_o shall_v have_v in_o the_o least_o design_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n in_o that_o respect_n against_o that_o double_a knowledge_n they_o must_v have_v have_v of_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o then_o the_o evangelist_n will_v have_v take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o belief_n from_o his_o narration_n by_o the_o choice_n of_o those_o circumstance_n he_o insert_v into_o his_o history_n now_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v natural_a for_o a_o author_n who_o write_v the_o history_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o miracle_n in_o a_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v so_o strict_o examine_v and_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o sect_n be_v adjudge_v and_o condemn_v to_o death_n with_o so_o much_o severity_n in_o a_o time_n wherein_o as_o he_o himself_o make_v the_o jew_n of_o rome_n tell_v it_o to_o st._n paul_n speak_v to_o he_o at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o book_n of_o act_n chap._n 28._o v._n 22._o for_o as_o concern_v this_o sect_n we_o know_v that_o every_o where_o it_o be_v speak_v against_o i_o say_v it_o do_v not_o seem_v natural_a that_o that_o same_o author_n who_o know_v it_o â—ay_n observe_v it_o himself_o shall_v have_v publish_v such_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o falsity_n of_o which_o he_o will_v soon_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o by_o twenty_o thousand_o of_o people_n who_o must_v have_v be_v present_a in_o the_o temple_n with_o zachariah_n or_o at_o least_o hear_v it_o relate_v by_o those_o who_o be_v there_o present_a one_o of_o the_o most_o dangerous_a error_n which_o the_o incredulous_a plunge_n themselves_o in_o be_v that_o they_o imagine_v that_o the_o same_o distance_n of_o time_n which_o be_v between_o we_o and_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v to_o we_o be_v also_o to_o be_v find_v between_o those_o very_a matter_n of_o fact_n themselves_o and_o those_o who_o so_o relate_v they_o and_o they_o perceive_v not_o that_o whereas_o with_o respect_n to_o we_o it_o be_v many_o age_n ago_o since_o all_o those_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v yet_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a while_n since_o these_o thing_n must_v necessary_o have_v happen_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o disciple_n who_o publish_v they_o to_o the_o world_n either_o by_o their_o preach_n or_o write_n now_o for_o st._n luke_n to_o have_v invent_v such_o matter_n of_o fact_n must_v either_o have_v argue_v in_o he_o a_o certain_a droll_a mirth_n and_o pleasant_a gaiety_n of_o spirit_n in_o tell_v such_o story_n so_o grave_o or_o else_o he_o must_v have_v have_v but_o a_o very_a mean_a opinion_n of_o man_n sense_n and_o understanding_n in_o his_o time_n to_o think_v they_o can_v so_o easy_o be_v delude_v and_o impose_v upon_o the_o history_n the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o wiseman_n of_o the_o east_n into_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o herod_n suspicious_a concern_v and_o the_o cruel_a caution_n he_o use_v to_o secure_v his_o own_o crown_n by_o command_v all_o the_o young_a child_n that_o be_v in_o the_o city_n of_o bethlehem_n and_o in_o all_o the_o coast_n thereof_o to_o be_v slay_v from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o according_a to_o the_o time_n he_o have_v diligent_o inquire_v of_o the_o wiseman_n i_o say_v this_o history_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o stamp_n with_o that_o we_o just_a now_o consider_v have_v the_o evangelist_n only_o tell_v we_o in_o general_a that_o the_o wiseman_n see_v a_o star_n in_o the_o east_n which_o they_o take_v to_o be_v the_o star_n that_o signify_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o will_v have_v be_v somewhat_o more_o suspicious_a have_v they_o tell_v we_o only_o that_o those_o wiseman_n come_v to_o jerusalem_n that_o will_v not_o positive_o have_v conclude_v much_o but_o when_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o come_v public_o to_o jerusalem_n not_o any_o way_n conceal_v themselves_o or_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o come_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a city_n be_v alarm_v and_o concern_v at_o it_o do_v it_o seem_v natural_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v fancy_v he_o can_v persuade_v so_o great_a a_o city_n as_o jerusalem_n be_v that_o it_o have_v be_v disturb_v and_o surprise_v at_o the_o arrival_n of_o certain_a wiseman_n who_o be_v come_v to_o worship_v the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v propose_v to_o himself_o to_o relate_v certain_a fable_n who_o it_o concern_v that_o they_o shall_v pass_v for_o true_a and_o certain_a matter_n of_o fact_n shall_v yet_o pick_v out_o such_o circumstance_n as_o those_o be_v to_o vent_v abroad_o to_o a_o nation_n that_o know_v so_o very_o well_o the_o falsehood_n of_o they_o for_o if_o we_o consider_v who_o it_o be_v that_o relate_v these_o thing_n it_o be_v
matthew_n who_o be_v bear_v a_o jew_n and_o who_o do_v he_o relate_v they_o to_o why_o to_o several_a thousand_o jew_n that_o have_v embrace_v christianity_n and_o who_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n know_v full_a as_o well_o what_o have_v happen_v therein_o both_o in_o their_o day_n and_o in_o those_o of_o their_o father_n as_o they_o know_v at_o paris_n what_o be_v do_v in_o that_o city_n in_o the_o day_n of_o cardinal_n richelieu_n or_o as_o they_o know_v at_o london_n every_o thing_n that_o happen_v in_o those_o of_o oliver_n cromwell_n and_o at_o stockolm_n in_o those_o of_o gustavus_n adolphus_n and_o now_o i_o pray_v consider_v whether_o it_o be_v probable_a any_o man_n can_v have_v make_v the_o like_a matter_n of_o fact_n believe_v in_o any_o of_o those_o great_a city_n by_o such_o a_o successful_a forgery_n or_o whether_o he_o can_v have_v gain_v over_o to_o his_o side_n several_a thousand_o of_o people_n by_o the_o mere_a strength_n of_o his_o fiction_n but_o if_o i_o grant_v that_o the_o evangelist_n have_v boldness_n enough_o express_o to_o denote_v the_o come_n of_o the_o wiseman_n and_o the_o impression_n it_o make_v on_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n against_o their_o public_a knowledge_n nay_o against_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o thing_n they_o have_v then_o fresh_a in_o their_o mind_n at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o consequence_n of_o that_o come_n and_o the_o dependency_n of_o that_o first_o event_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o character_n as_o not_o possible_o to_o have_v be_v forge_v or_o invent_v by_o the_o most_o bold_a face_a and_o impudent_a writer_n that_o ever_o be_v there_o be_v here_o two_o or_o three_o circumstance_n so_o natural_o and_o inseparable_o unite_v one_o with_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o grant_v one_o without_o grant_v the_o other_o too_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o wiseman_n to_o jerusalem_n if_o he_o allow_v that_o this_o come_n force_v herod_n to_o assemble_v the_o grand_a council_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o know_v of_o they_o where_o the_o messiah_n shall_v be_v bear_v neither_o can_v he_o doubt_v of_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v make_v he_o by_o the_o sanhedrin_n if_o he_o own_v that_o herod_n send_v his_o man_n into_o bethlehem_n to_o slay_v the_o young_a child_n that_o be_v there_o from_o two_o year_n old_a and_o under_o so_o that_o if_o it_o can_v be_v make_v out_o that_o this_o last_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a the_o other_o two_o will_v not_o need_v much_o proof_n now_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o evangelist_n dare_v not_o assert_v this_o last_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v it_o be_v utter_o false_a for_o what_o since_o the_o reign_n of_o herod_n surname_v the_o great_a be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o the_o least_o of_o his_o action_n be_v public_o talk_v of_o how_o can_v any_o one_o have_v presume_v to_o impute_v false_o to_o he_o a_o massacre_n so_o notable_a and_o extraordinary_a as_o that_o must_v have_v be_v the_o city_n of_o bethlehem_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o be_v destroy_v when_o the_o evangelist_n write_v those_o thing_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v the_o thing_n false_a there_o be_v so_o many_o witness_n of_o the_o falsity_n as_o there_o be_v inhabitant_n yet_o live_v in_o that_o city_n that_o city_n be_v not_o so_o far_o distant_a from_o jerusalem_n but_o that_o those_o christian_n who_o dwell_v in_o the_o latter_a may_v have_v very_o well_o know_v the_o certain_a truth_n of_o they_o beside_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a commerce_n between_o those_o two_o place_n and_o the_o time_n from_o the_o birth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o that_o in_o which_o this_o gospel_n be_v compose_v be_v not_o so_o long_o as_o to_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o so_o improbable_a a_o fiction_n suppose_v a_o man_n in_o these_o latter_a day_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o one_o of_o the_o present_a king_n in_o europe_n or_o if_o you_o will_v of_o those_o who_o reign_v 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a_o great_a many_o sign_n and_o wonder_n before_o a_o great_a number_n of_o witness_n and_o have_v set_v down_o the_o time_n and_o place_n when_o and_o where_o they_o be_v do_v they_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v void_a of_o all_o shame_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n to_o relate_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o if_o they_o be_v false_a they_o tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n with_o a_o few_o loaf_n and_o some_o small_a fish_n miraculous_o feed_v in_o the_o wilderness_n at_o one_o time_n five_o thousand_o and_o at_o another_o three_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n now_o i_o be_o at_o a_o stand_n to_o imagine_v how_o it_o can_v be_v think_v natural_a for_o one_o man_n to_o undertake_v to_o persuade_v several_a thousand_o that_o they_o have_v be_v wonderful_o feed_v and_o not_o only_o to_o relate_v the_o bare_a matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o but_o also_o bring_v in_o christ_n reproach_v the_o multitude_n that_o they_o follow_v he_o not_o pure_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o miracle_n but_o the_o loaf_n he_o feed_v they_o with_o and_o then_o the_o multitude_n excuse_v themselves_o and_o say_v that_o moses_n have_v feed_v their_o forefather_n and_o that_o he_o must_v also_o feed_v they_o if_o he_o will_v have_v they_o believe_v in_o he_o as_o also_o jesus_n christ_n bid_v they_o on_o this_o occasion_n to_o labour_v not_o for_o the_o meat_n which_o perish_v but_o for_o that_o meat_n which_o endure_v unto_o everlasting_a life_n joh._n 6._o 27._o and_o to_o that_o end_n promise_v to_o give_v they_o his_o flesh_n to_o eat_v and_o his_o blood_n to_o drink_v all_o which_o expression_n be_v indeed_o very_o extraordinary_a in_o themselves_o and_o such_o as_o no_o man_n ever_o make_v use_n of_o before_o he_o but_o there_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n more_o extraordinary_a and_o surprise_v than_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o remarkable_a and_o which_o strike_v we_o so_o much_o with_o astonishment_n as_o the_o description_n the_o evangelist_n give_v we_o of_o the_o prodigy_n that_o attend_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o behold_v say_v they_o the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v in_o twain_o from_o the_o top_n to_o the_o bottom_n and_o the_o earth_n do_v quake_v and_o the_o rock_n rend_v and_o the_o grave_n be_v open_v and_o many_o body_n of_o saint_n which_o sleep_v arise_v and_o come_v out_o of_o the_o grave_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o go_v into_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o appear_v unto_o many_o matth._n 27._o 51_o 52_o 53._o we_o shall_v not_o here_o insist_v on_o each_o particular_a circumstance_n that_o attend_v this_o miraculous_a matter_n of_o fact_n neither_o shall_v we_o nice_o examine_v the_o resurrection_n of_o those_o saint_n who_o body_n come_v out_o
three_o year_n or_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a as_o long_o as_o his_o office_n last_v wrought_v more_o surprise_v miracle_n than_o have_v be_v either_o see_v or_o know_v since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n be_v firm_o to_o believe_v that_o christ_n work_v those_o miracle_n which_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o circumstantial_o repeat_v in_o it_o and_o so_o inseparable_a from_o the_o other_o part_n and_o accident_n of_o his_o life_n it_o must_v not_o then_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n embrace_v christianity_n without_o inquire_v in_o the_o least_o into_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n for_o that_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n neither_o must_v we_o say_v that_o they_o believe_v those_o miracle_n without_o a_o due_a examination_n of_o they_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o indeed_o require_v no_o very_a great_a examination_n but_o they_o can_v not_o avoid_v examine_v they_o have_v they_o endeavour_v it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o whole_o leave_v to_o my_o choice_n either_o to_o know_v or_o not_o to_o know_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o place_n which_o i_o inhabit_v neither_o do_v it_o whole_o depend_v upon_o i_o to_o believe_v or_o not_o to_o believe_v certain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v contradictory_n to_o public_a knowledge_n and_o though_o a_o man_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n or_o otherwise_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v i_o believe_v he_o have_v raise_v a_o dead_a man_n to_o life_n again_o in_o a_o village_n a_o few_o mile_n distant_a from_o the_o place_n i_o dwell_v in_o who_o i_o may_v have_v both_o see_v and_o know_v after_o his_o resurrection_n or_o if_o i_o have_v not_o see_v he_o myself_o many_o other_o have_v both_o see_v and_o know_v and_o many_o go_v to_o see_v i_o say_v all_o this_o be_v no_o more_o leave_v to_o my_o choice_n to_o know_v or_o not_o to_o know_v than_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o my_o choice_n to_o be_v mad_a or_o in_o my_o sense_n for_o the_o better_a apprehend_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v make_v this_o supposition_n what_o if_o we_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o christ_n do_v all_o those_o miracle_n the_o gospel_n relate_v have_v go_v up_o to_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o reach_v thither_o just_a at_o the_o evening_n of_o that_o day_n of_o pentecost_n on_o which_o st._n peter_n convert_v so_o many_o people_n by_o convince_a they_o that_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n i_o dare_v maintain_v first_o that_o we_o can_v not_o have_v forbear_v examine_v such_o thing_n which_o make_v so_o great_a a_o noise_n then_o second_o i_o affirm_v that_o however_o willing_a we_o may_v have_v be_v to_o delude_v and_o impose_v upon_o ourselves_o we_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o much_o as_o twenty_o four_o hour_n at_o jerusalem_n without_o know_v very_o distinct_o the_o certain_a truth_n of_o all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o will_v have_v be_v no_o very_o great_a trouble_n for_o we_o to_o have_v inquire_v how_o lazarus_n do_v and_o his_o two_o sister_n mary_n and_o martha_n and_o though_o by_o chance_n they_o may_v have_v be_v all_o three_o dead_a to_o have_v desire_v to_o speak_v with_o their_o friend_n and_o relation_n or_o with_o those_o that_o have_v see_v lazarus_n and_o eat_v with_o he_o both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o may_v have_v easy_o speak_v with_o the_o friend_n and_o relation_n of_o jairus_n and_o with_o those_o too_o of_o other_o people_n who_o christ_n have_v heal_v or_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a in_o the_o different_a part_n of_o judea_n and_o galilee_n and_o that_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o easy_a because_o commerce_n be_v much_o more_o stir_v between_o the_o metropolis_n of_o judea_n and_o the_o other_o city_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n than_o between_o the_o metropolis_n and_o the_o other_o city_n of_o the_o other_o province_n the_o jew_n be_v wont_a to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o least_o on_o every_o solemn_a feast-day_n nay_o far_o we_o may_v have_v inquire_v about_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o those_o wonderful_a prodigy_n which_o as_o the_o gospel_n tell_v we_o attend_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o since_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o several_a thousand_o witness_n shall_v have_v be_v impose_v upon_o concern_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o evident_a and_o sensible_a matter_n of_o fact_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n it_o will_v have_v be_v absolute_o impossible_a we_o shall_v have_v become_v christian_n only_o for_o twenty_o four_o hour_n after_o we_o have_v leave_v jerusalem_n suppose_v those_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v be_v utter_o false_a i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v attend_v with_o such_o wonderful_a circumstance_n as_o the_o evangelist_n dare_v not_o have_v presume_v to_o invent_v have_v they_o be_v utter_o false_a neither_o have_v the_o power_n to_o forge_v or_o make_v one_o single_a person_n believe_v they_o have_v they_o design_v to_o impose_v upon_o man_n belief_n there_o remain_v only_o for_o our_o full_a conviction_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o show_v that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v forge_v they_o have_v it_o be_v whole_o leave_v to_o their_o choice_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o allege_v that_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n according_a to_o the_o recital_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v attend_v with_o such_o circumstance_n and_o so_o many_o strange_a event_n that_o it_o be_v inconceivable_a the_o disciple_n shall_v take_v any_o pleasure_n in_o invent_v they_o such_o be_v for_o example_n the_o tempt_a of_o our_o saviour_n a_o strange_a and_o most_o scandalous_a passage_n indeed_o to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o full_o acquaint_v with_o the_o true_a mystery_n of_o it_o since_o it_o represent_v christ_n to_o we_o as_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o sport_v himself_o with_o his_o weakness_n though_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o overcome_v his_o virtue_n one_o while_o place_v he_o upon_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n whence_o he_o advise_v he_o to_o cast_v himself_o down_o another_o while_n upon_o a_o exceed_a high_a mountain_n from_o whence_o he_o show_v he_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o they_o now_o to_o see_v a_o man_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o satan_n will_v be_v a_o sight_n that_o will_v shock_v we_o to_o see_v a_o just_a man_n will_v be_v a_o object_n more_o terrible_a but_o to_o see_v a_o prophet_n himself_o will_v be_v a_o wonder_n that_o will_v create_v horror_n in_o we_o what_o must_v it_o be_v then_o to_o see_v a_o divine_a person_n in_o his_o clutch_n or_o rather_o one_o that_o be_v both_o god_n and_o man_n one_o that_o be_v call_v by_o way_n of_o eminence_n the_o just_a the_o holy_a the_o man_n without_o sin_n or_o blemish_n the_o great_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n in_o â—ine_o the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o he_o must_v 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the_o revelation_n make_v to_o the_o apostle_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n viz._n the_o symbol_n or_o token_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o effect_n or_o gift_n of_o the_o say_v holy_a ghost_n and_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o the_o disciple_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o either_o respect_n i_o be_o willing_a however_o for_o once_o to_o suppose_v that_o they_o may_v have_v be_v deceive_v in_o those_o external_a and_o corporeal_a symbol_n that_o they_o may_v fancy_v they_o hear_v a_o mighty_a rush_a wind_n of_o which_o there_o be_v real_o no_o noise_n that_o their_o eye_n be_v dazzle_v they_o may_v have_v take_v that_o for_o fire_n which_o be_v not_o fire_n yet_o this_o supposition_n will_v certain_o be_v a_o little_a too_o extravagant_a for_o though_o the_o apostle_n by_o reason_n of_o some_o imperfection_n in_o their_o organ_n or_o some_o outward_a illusion_n may_v have_v fancy_v that_o they_o see_v fire_n where_o no_o fire_n be_v yet_o 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for_o it_o but_o i_o be_o willing_a some_o man_n shall_v make_v the_o most_o violent_a suposition_n they_o can_v at_o least_o they_o will_v not_o refuse_v to_o allow_v that_o the_o apostle_n who_o pretend_v to_o impart_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o other_o man_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n and_o who_o proffer_v to_o make_v it_o descend_v upon_o their_o proselyte_n by_o baptise_v they_o who_o go_v about_o preach_v every_o where_o that_o the_o time_n be_v come_v wherein_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o joel_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v to_o be_v pour_v upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o who_o in_o their_o gospel_n and_o history_n they_o compose_v of_o the_o life_n of_o their_o master_n affirm_v upon_o serious_a reflection_n that_o these_o sign_n shall_v follow_v they_o that_o believe_v etc._n etc._n i_o say_v it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v they_o will_v not_o refuse_v to_o allow_v that_o those_o man_n sincere_o believe_v they_o have_v receive_v and_o be_v able_a to_o impart_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o other_o perhaps_o it_o be_v their_o mistake_n if_o you_o will_v have_v it_o so_o but_o that_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n i_o now_o contend_v about_o whether_o they_o be_v mistake_v indeed_o or_o not_o still_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o unless_o they_o have_v sincere_o believe_v that_o mistake_v or_o that_o profess_a opinion_n they_o dare_v never_o have_v make_v such_o promise_n it_o be_v plain_a enough_o that_o a_o man_n who_o do_v not_o think_v within_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n will_v never_o promise_v to_o impart_v they_o to_o other_o now_o i_o will_v desire_v the_o reader_n careful_o to_o consider_v this_o last_o principle_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o give_v a_o invincible_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n in_o a_o word_n if_o the_o