be_v his_o power_n be_v or_o will_v be_v great_a nor_o can_v he_o have_v this_o power_n unless_o it_o be_v give_v he_o by_o god_n they_o therefore_o who_o shall_v resist_v antichrist_n according_a to_o this_o new_a doctrine_n resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o we_o know_v what_o follow_v they_o shall_v receive_v damnation_n from_o which_o sentence_n as_o well_o as_o doctrine_n good_a lord_n deliver_v we_o when_o i_o first_o reflect_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o calvin_n touch_v god_n providential_a influence_n and_o the_o consequence_n of_o such_o doctrine_n i_o be_v much_o amaze_v that_o a_o person_n of_o his_o fame_n and_o learning_n shall_v run_v upon_o such_o a_o precipice_n but_o when_o i_o reflect_v upon_o geneva_n also_o and_o the_o alteration_n he_o occasion_v there_o by_o his_o doctrine_n my_o wonder_n cease_v geneva_n be_v the_o meridian_n for_o which_o the_o ominous_a prediction_n be_v calculate_v hence_o it_o be_v that_o wheresoever_o calvin_n doctrine_n do_v 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this_o day_n in_o christendom_n that_o therefore_o which_o make_v all_o these_o crude_a beginning_n to_o digest_v and_o ripen_v into_o lawful_a government_n be_v not_o a_o imaginary_a jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la but_o time_n and_o the_o follow_a consent_n of_o the_o people_n who_o by_o mutual_a comport_v and_o by_o mature_a and_o equitable_a law_n give_v that_o due_a mixture_n of_o these_o first_o jar_a instrument_n or_o principle_n as_o make_v the_o body_n compound_v of_o they_o to_o be_v fix_v and_o solid_a good_a law_n than_o be_v those_o essential_a and_o vital_a part_n of_o government_n which_o carry_v the_o image_n and_o superscription_n of_o divine_a authoriry_n these_o be_v ground_v upon_o truth_n and_o right_a reason_n which_o without_o dispute_n spring_n from_o god_n the_o better_a therefore_o a_o government_n be_v make_v up_o of_o these_o principle_n the_o better_a be_v its_o constitution_n and_o whatsoever_o occasion_n may_v introduce_v a_o alteration_n and_o whatsoever_o disaster_n may_v attend_v it_o it_o be_v pious_a and_o christian-like_a to_o look_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o god_n clemency_n in_o the_o chastisement_n and_o although_o god_n may_v and_o do_v sometime_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n and_o independent_a on_o secondary_a cause_n to_o dispose_v of_o circumstance_n and_o give_v a_o issue_n to_o they_o beyond_o the_o prospect_n of_o any_o human_a view_n yet_o unless_o we_o know_v what_o and_o when_o it_o be_v it_o be_v arrogance_n in_o we_o to_o stamp_v they_o all_o promiscuous_o with_o the_o image_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o revere_v he_o and_o humble_v ourselves_o under_o all_o his_o providential_a method_n as_o for_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v monarchy_n to_o be_v ex_fw-la jure_fw-la naturae_fw-la and_o so_o by_o antecedence_n ex_fw-la jure_fw-la divino_fw-la from_o that_o paternal_a authority_n or_o jurisdiction_n which_o the_o head_n of_o family_n or_o tribe_n have_v over_o their_o own_o member_n and_o dependent_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n this_o i_o say_v be_v no_o good_a argument_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o head_n or_o father_n of_o every_o tribe_n have_v a_o despotic_a and_o supreme_a power_n over_o all_o who_o live_v within_o their_o own_o territory_n this_o than_o be_v the_o order_n or_o oeconomy_n of_o mankind_n for_o every_o family_n to_o make_v a_o neighbourhood_n within_o itself_o and_o not_o to_o dispose_v themselves_o into_o remote_a place_n as_o now_o a-days_o they_o endeavour_v also_o to_o increase_v their_o family_n by_o the_o number_n of_o servant_n who_o be_v also_o incorporate_v into_o they_o so_o that_o these_o ascititious_a or_o adopt_a member_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o branch_n graft_v into_o the_o common_a stock_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n where_o we_o read_v of_o king_n of_o every_o town_n or_o village_n almost_o which_o be_v no_o more_o but_o toparche_n or_o the_o head_n of_o so_o many_o family_n which_o in_o ancient_a time_n be_v call_v nation_n also_o the_o like_a we_o may_v observe_v at_o this_o very_a day_n in_o the_o highland_n of_o scotland_n which_o country_n be_v never_o yet_o conquer_a or_o hardly_o overrun_v they_o still_o retain_v that_o primaeval_n oeconomy_n of_o unite_n their_o family_n into_o body_n which_o they_o call_v clan_n of_o which_o each_o have_v its_o head_n who_o have_v in_o a_o manner_n a_o absolute_a command_n over_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o tribe_n or_o clan_n as_o be_v obvious_a to_o all_o this_o then_o i_o say_v be_v the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o the_o ancient_a world_n in_o the_o age_n after_o the_o flood_n but_o be_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v continue_v in_o this_o state_n for_o the_o multiplication_n of_o so_o many_o toparche_n or_o prince_n of_o family_n neighbour_a one_o upon_o another_o beget_v infinite_a disorder_n and_o quarrel_n which_o can_v not_o be_v terminate_v
all_o these_o difficulty_n on_o one_o side_n and_o on_o the_o other_o these_o few_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n enter_v upon_o their_o warfare_n they_o break_v through_o all_o disaster_n which_o oppose_v they_o by_o withstand_v all_o the_o dispute_v of_o philosopher_n all_o the_o placart_n of_o the_o senate_n all_o the_o prison_n and_o torture_n of_o the_o officer_n with_o infinite_a other_o hardship_n still_o attend_v their_o business_n by_o baptise_v preach_a and_o pray_v and_o at_o length_n seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o belief_n and_o doctrine_n with_o their_o blood_n a_o eternal_a proof_n indeed_o of_o its_o truth_n for_o though_o man_n may_v lie_v sometime_o for_o gain_n yet_o we_o never_o hear_v of_o any_o much_o less_o so_o many_o and_o for_o so_o many_o age_n who_o will_v persevere_v in_o a_o lie_n that_o they_o may_v be_v miserable_a and_o when_o they_o may_v enjoy_v all_o the_o comfort_n of_o life_n by_o follow_a truth_n will_v voluntary_o plunge_v themselves_o into_o a_o train_n of_o perpetual_a calamity_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o to_o come_v by_o assert_v falsehood_n and_o indeed_o as_o the_o natural_a weakness_n and_o the_o supernatural_a courage_n and_o constancy_n of_o the_o abettor_n of_o christianity_n hear_v its_o truth_n so_o also_o that_o this_o truth_n be_v of_o a_o divine_a extraction_n and_o virtue_n be_v far_a demonstrable_a from_o the_o possession_n it_o get_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o most_o prejudice_v man_n over_o their_o judgement_n will_n and_o affection_n and_o contrary_a to_o all_o humane_a interest_n and_o natural_a inclination_n whatsoever_o whereas_o the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n after_o so_o long_a a_o continuance_n and_o even_o in_o the_o infancy_n of_o christianity_n flourish_v in_o those_o great_a master_n of_o reason_n plotirus_n lorgirus_n and_o porphyrus_n can_v never_o so_o insinuate_v into_o the_o miracle_n and_o manner_n of_o man_n as_o to_o draw_v any_o one_o village_n throughout_o the_o world_n unto_o its_o principle_n and_o make_v they_o live_v after_o the_o prescript_n and_o rule_n of_o its_o philosophy_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n be_v so_o universal_a and_o early_a that_o even_o in_o the_o day_n of_o st._n paul_n his_o doctrine_n have_v convert_v some_o of_o caesar_n household_n phil._n 4._o as_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o trajan_n reign_n we_o read_v of_o flavia_n domisilla_n a_o person_n of_o the_o imperial_a blood_n who_o with_o her_o two_o eunuch_n nâ—râ—us_a and_o achelleus_n make_v her_o blood_n more_o noble_a yet_o by_o the_o effusion_n of_o it_o in_o martyrdom_n and_o but_o four_o year_n after_o pliny_n go_v over_o proconsul_n to_o the_o province_n of_o bythinia_n find_v such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n in_o it_o that_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o consult_v the_o emperor_n what_o to_o do_v in_o the_o matter_n not_o dare_v to_o draw_v the_o sword_n against_o all_o at_o once_o and_o so_o fast_o do_v 3â—_n plin_n v_o l._n 10_o epist_n 97._o apologit_fw-la cap._n 3â—_n their_o number_n grow_v maugre_o all_o the_o terror_n and_o effort_n of_o persecution_n as_o make_v turtullainus_a in_o his_o apologetic_n to_o the_o roman_a noble_n say_v by_o a_o word_n of_o triumph_n we_o have_v fill_v the_o city_n the_o isle_n the_o castle_n the_o council_n the_o camp_n the_o corporation_n your_o tribe_n your_o palace_n your_o court_n and_o your_o senate_n we_o have_v leave_v you_o nothing_o to_o yourselves_o but_o the_o temple_n and_o thus_o christianity_n go_v on_o still_o acquire_v strength_n by_o its_o progression_n till_o at_o length_n in_o defiance_n of_o all_o the_o instrument_n of_o wit_n and_o cruelty_n it_o subdue_v principality_n and_o power_n and_o change_v the_o law_n of_o empire_n it_o subvert_v their_o religion_n and_o cast_v their_o false_a god_n and_o idolatrous_a temple_n to_o the_o ground_n and_o as_o a_o perpetual_a monument_n of_o their_o victory_n it_o make_v they_o throw_v away_o their_o laurel_n abjure_v their_o triumph_n and_o in_o the_o crown_n they_o wear_v erect_v the_o crown_n upon_o the_o globe_n the_o figure_n or_o symbol_n of_o the_o world_n they_o preâ—â—nded_v to_o command_v and_o which_o they_o ever_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v in_o subjection_n to_o the_o cross_n chap._n xxvi_o of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n the_o mahometan_a superstition_n make_v the_o last_o branch_n of_o reveal_v or_o of_o a_o pretend_o reveal_v religion_n this_o fall_v in_o most_o opportune_o to_o be_v speak_v to_o as_o be_v in_o appearance_n the_o great_a objection_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v make_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n which_o notwithstanding_o when_o impartia_o and_o thorough_o consider_v will_v afford_v we_o one_o of_o the_o great_a argument_n to_o prove_v its_o divine_a authority_n upon_o which_o consideration_n i_o have_v reserve_v the_o handle_n of_o this_o point_n to_o the_o last_o place_n for_o as_o much_o as_o mahomet_n be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o mortal_a enemy_n which_o hitherto_o have_v appear_v against_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o fit_a to_o follow_v it_o in_o its_o triumph_n in_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n then_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n at_o first_o sight_n which_o occur_v to_o our_o consideration_n viz._n its_o duration_n and_o its_o extent_n as_o for_o its_o duration_n it_o have_v flourish_v or_o rather_o insect_v the_o world_n for_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n and_o then_o for_o its_o extent_n although_o its_o original_a be_v from_o a_o obscure_a imposture_n yet_o in_o less_o than_o seventy_o year_n the_o disciple_n of_o this_o sect_n under_o the_o name_n of_o saracen_n have_v diffuse_v themselves_o over_o armenia_n persia_n palestine_n egypt_n lybia_n and_o almost_o all_o africa_n and_o for_o some_o age_n past_a even_o to_o this_o very_a day_n they_o possess_v the_o large_a and_o noble_a part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n in_o the_o persian_a and_o ottoman_a empire_n the_o better_a part_n of_o judea_n as_o also_o all_o tartary_n with_o three_o quarter_n also_o of_o africa_n so_o that_o the_o crescent_n seem_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o verify_v that_o arrogant_a prediction_n of_o grow_v great_a and_o great_a donec_fw-la totum_fw-la impleat_fw-la orbem_fw-la now_o that_o such_o a_o pestilent_a sect_n shall_v so_o long_o triumph_v over_o and_o almost_o extenuate_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o spread_v its_o root_n and_o branch_n wide_a also_o be_v a_o point_n which_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n may_v seem_v to_o stagger_v we_o but_o how_o formidable_a soever_o this_o scandal_n may_v appear_v to_o a_o young_a believer_n we_o shall_v find_v no_o great_a danger_n in_o it_o if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o age_n when_o this_o innovation_n first_o begin_v it_o be_v about_o the_o year_n 630_o and_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o heraclius_n the_o emperor_n that_o mahomet_n be_v say_v to_o have_v depart_v this_o life_n before_o which_o time_n almost_o the_o space_n of_o 200_o year_n the_o vandal_n have_v overrun_v almost_o all_o africa_n a_o country_n always_o famous_a for_o wild_a beast_n and_o monster_n so_o that_o almost_o all_o that_o vast_a tract_n or_o region_n be_v overcome_v with_o barbarity_n and_o ignorance_n the_o soil_n seem_v ready_o prepare_v for_o weed_n to_o grow_v in_o to_o which_o consideration_n we_o may_v add_v that_o also_o of_o the_o eastern_a church_n overrun_v with_o nistorianism_n and_o contend_v with_o the_o western_a for_o the_o primacy_n all_o this_o the_o impostor_n understand_v very_o well_o as_o also_o that_o ignorance_n natural_o lead_v man_n to_o innovation_n and_o as_o the_o state_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o seven_o century_n suit_v well_o with_o the_o genius_n and_o design_n of_o such_o a_o prophet_n so_o may_v we_o observe_v also_o the_o like_a disposition_n and_o confluence_n of_o cause_n in_o the_o succeed_a age_n to_o propagate_v and_o enlarge_v the_o same_o for_o the_o hunns_n goth_n vandal_n who_o uncouth_a name_n be_v of_o harsh_a and_o barbarous_a sound_n still_o throng_v in_o upon_o all_o quarter_n of_o the_o empire_n disturb_v the_o repose_n and_o course_n of_o thing_n whilst_o the_o great_a prelate_n contend_v with_o one_o another_o and_o pursue_v their_o ancient_a quarrel_n about_o precedency_n and_o enter_v into_o new_a one_o with_o the_o secular_a power_n about_o superiority_n and_o right_n of_o investiture_n all_o religion_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n degenerate_v into_o emulation_n faction_n and_o superstition_n by_o this_o mean_n i_o say_v the_o mahometan_a doctrine_n advance_v apace_o and_o the_o prince_n who_o where_o of_o it_o under_o the_o title_n of_o caliphes_n and_o sultan_n become_v formidable_a whereupon_o the_o christian_a prince_n of_o the_o west_n find_v the_o eastern_a either_o immerse_v in_o idleness_n and_o luxury_n or_o unable_a to_o withstand_v the_o inundation_n of_o this_o sect_n enter_v into_o a_o league_n call_v the_o holy_a war_n which_o for_o some_o time_n repel_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o
reward_n and_o wicked_a man_n due_a punishment_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n most_o just_a it_o follow_v of_o course_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o how_o far_o this_o belief_n of_o they_o may_v make_v they_o capable_a of_o such_o happiness_n or_o of_o salvation_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v promise_v as_o a_o foundation_n or_o first_o principle_n to_o what_o shall_v follow_v that_o the_o efficient_a or_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o procure_v salvation_n to_o mankind_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o jesus_n christ_n who_o by_o his_o obedience_n and_o passion_n have_v redeem_v good_a man_n and_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o eternal_a happiness_n next_o that_o all_o good_a motion_n virtuous_a inclination_n and_o intellectual_a improvement_n be_v not_o acquirable_a by_o any_o natural_a strength_n but_o by_o the_o help_n and_o concurrence_n of_o god_n so_o st._n paul_n say_v express_o rom._n 1._o where_o speak_v of_o the_o heathen_a he_o declare_v how_o that_o which_o may_v be_v know_v of_o god_n be_v manifest_a in_o they_o for_o god_n have_v show_v it_o to_o they_o our_o present_a enquiry_n then_o will_v be_v of_o the_o instrumental_a course_n or_o of_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n life_n and_o passion_n may_v be_v apply_v to_o man_n in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n for_o the_o more_o methodical_a prosecution_n of_o which_o point_n it_o will_v be_v expedient_a to_o consider_v first_o the_o state_n of_o mankind_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n second_o the_o state_n and_o circumstance_n of_o mandkind_a after_o his_o come_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n as_o have_v be_v already_o show_v the_o gentile_n though_o they_o have_v solid_a notion_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o a_o deity_n yet_o there_o be_v little_a or_o nothing_o extant_a which_o can_v countenance_v any_o expectation_n they_o have_v of_o such_o a_o deliverer_n as_o we_o be_v now_o discourse_v of_o and_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n for_o what_o appear_v from_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o know_v but_o little_a and_o obscure_o of_o another_o life_n as_o we_o have_v also_o before_o spoken-unto_a they_o expect_v a_o deliverer_n or_o messiah_n it_o be_v true_a but_o then_o they_o figure_v he_o to_o be_v a_o temporal_a conqueror_n such_o as_o caesar_n or_o alexander_n who_o shall_v erect_v their_o nation_n also_o into_o a_o vast_a empire_n and_o bring_v the_o world_n under_o their_o subjection_n a_o thing_n indeed_o which_o they_o earnest_o hope_v for_o have_v be_v themselves_o under_o heavy_a oppression_n for_o many_o age_n nay_o so_o deep_o be_v this_o opinion_n root_v in_o the_o jew_n that_o even_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v daily_o teach_v by_o and_o converse_v with_o he_o can_v hardly_o be_v wean_a from_o this_o belief_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o address_n or_o petition_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o zebedee_n child_n that_o they_o may_v sit_v one_o on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o other_o on_o the_o left_a hand_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o kingdom_n as_o also_o from_o their_o constant_a enquiry_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o will_v restore_v the_o kingdom_n or_o empire_n unto_o israel_n but_o this_o as_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v of_o and_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o will_v admit_v of_o little_a dispute_n i_o shall_v ready_o leave_v and_o pass_v on_o to_o take_v a_o glance_n of_o mankind_n after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n they_o who_o have_v have_v the_o happiness_n to_o be_v bear_v within_o the_o church_n where_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v suck_v in_o with_o their_o first_o milk_n and_o grow_v up_o into_o their_o nature_n such_o i_o say_v can_v but_o have_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o what_o the_o christian_a religion_n teach_v concern_v christ_n and_o his_o merit_n so_o that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o act_v suitable_o to_o that_o knowledge_n they_o be_v very_o inexcusable_a but_o then_o for_o those_o who_o never_o have_v such_o a_o education_n nor_o ever_o hear_v of_o christ_n or_o his_o gospel_n and_o yet_o retain_v true_a notion_n of_o the_o nature_n power_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n and_o live_v just_o and_o conformable_o to_o that_o knowledge_n retain_v a_o disposition_n to_o receive_v far_a instruction_n with_o all_o propensity_n to_o virtue_n i_o can_v see_v but_o that_o they_o may_v just_o be_v rank_v with_o those_o great_a and_o wise_a man_n among_o the_o ancient_n whether_o philosopher_n or_o other_o in_o who_o life_n and_o write_n we_o find_v so_o many_o remain_v of_o the_o true_a apprehension_n they_o have_v of_o a_o deity_n together_o with_o their_o great_a pregnancy_n in_o virtue_n now_o of_o both_o these_o sort_n of_o man_n whether_o before_o or_o after_o christ_n the_o question_n will_v be_v the_o same_o for_o as_o much_o as_o both_o be_v under_o the_o same_o state_n and_o guidance_n of_o natural_a illumination_n and_o moral_a virtue_n i_o know_v it_o be_v grant_v and_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o that_o such_o as_o be_v contemporary_n with_o the_o patriarch_n though_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o lineage_n with_o abraham_n have_v such_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n as_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o salvation_n such_o a_o one_o be_v melchisedech_n of_o who_o we_o read_v so_o great_a thing_n such_o a_o one_o also_o job_n who_o live_v probable_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o patriarch_n for_o we_o read_v that_o he_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o chaldean_a greatness_n also_o jethro_n the_o father-in-law_n of_o moses_n have_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o infallible_a information_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n from_o the_o mouth_n and_o miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o be_v himself_o also_o a_o person_n of_o great_a conduct_n and_o wisdom_n as_o appear_v from_o scripture_n he_o can_v not_o but_o transmit_v the_o like_a instruction_n to_o his_o posterity_n as_o do_v melchisedech_n and_o job_n without_o all_o question_n the_o same_o likewise_o we_o may_v conclude_v of_o the_o descendants_n from_o abraham_n by_o ishmael_n and_o of_o his_o offspring_n by_o keturah_n nor_o be_v it_o unusual_a in_o those_o day_n whilst_o man_n live_v under_o that_o unpolished_a but_o golden_a age_n for_o god_n to_o manifest_v his_o will_n by_o singular_a revelation_n to_o wise_a man_n even_o long_o after_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o history_n of_o balaam_n who_o though_o a_o alien_n from_o the_o house_n of_o abraham_n have_v a_o free_a communication_n with_o god_n upon_o occasion_n of_o moment_n and_o prophesy_v as_o clear_o of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o any_o other_o '_o of_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n and_o prophet_n now_o for_o those_o who_o doctrine_n and_o action_n be_v not_o record_v in_o sacred_a writ_n as_o pythagoras_n socrates_n plato_n solon_n lycurgus_n numa_n and_o among_o they_o i_o know_v not_o why_o i_o may_v not_o reckon_v that_o strenuous_a defender_n of_o his_o country_n liberty_n tullius_n ciccro_n i_o say_v these_o and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o same_o class_n as_o they_o be_v know_v to_o have_v have_v noble_a notion_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o to_o have_v be_v great_a and_o prudent_a master_n in_o matter_n of_o morality_n so_o likewise_o be_v they_o famous_a for_o their_o own_o exemplary_a life_n and_o government_n and_o be_v by_o the_o most_o impartial_a and_o learned_a writer_n hold_v to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n but_o for_o such_o of_o the_o wise_a and_o more_o virtuous_a gentile_n who_o live_v after_o christ_n writer_n general_o seem_v a_o little_a more_o severe_a though_o in_o truth_n the_o same_o reason_n conclude_v favourable_o for_o both_o alike_o it_o be_v no_o less_o difficult_a for_o many_o great_a man_n of_o former_a age_n though_o after_o christ_n to_o know_v the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n as_o it_o be_v for_o any_o of_o the_o present_a age_n to_o know_v the_o transaction_n in_o the_o dominion_n of_o prester_n john_n or_o of_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n nay_o much_o more_o difficult_a for_o of_o these_o country_n so_o remote_a as_o they_o be_v we_o have_v by_o the_o help_n of_o navigation_n and_o commerce_n some_o sort_n of_o account_n but_o the_o jew_n as_o they_o be_v to_o the_o roman_n but_o a_o inconsiderable_a part_n of_o their_o government_n so_o the_o roman_n themselves_o hold_v no_o such_o communication_n by_o sea_n as_o now_o a-days_o be_v surround_v with_o german_n dacian_o parthian_n indian_n and_o the_o like_a with_o who_o they_o be_v in_o perpetual_a hostility_n and_o what_o country_n and_o kingdom_n lay_v beyond_o these_o be_v utter_o unknown_a to_o they_o by_o any_o kind_n of_o correspondence_n so_o that_o we_o may_v as_o rational_o conclude_v that_o every_o man_n now_o a-days_o be_v a_o ignorant_a idiot_n who_o do_v not_o know_v perhaps_o some_o new_a and_o great_a