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must_v be_v attend_v with_o yet_o allow_v but_o threescore_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o for_o so_o wonderful_a a_o event_n this_o add_v to_o the_o 150_o before_o account_v for_o bring_v we_o to_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n we_o be_v sure_o therefore_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v not_o have_v a_o late_a original_a than_o under_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n pliny_n pliny_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o a_o eminent_a minister_n of_o his_o court_n that_o there_o be_v then_o vast_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o in_o province_n very_o remote_a from_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o within_o the_o district_n of_o rome_n itself_o and_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o that_o religion_n manifest_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o the_o same_o with_o what_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o profess_v by_o all_o christian_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a since_o therefore_o as_o have_v before_o be_v prove_v the_o christian_a 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tradition_n another_o set_a of_o testimony_n which_o eusebius_n furnish_v we_o with_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n be_v relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n several_a of_o which_o be_v remain_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v by_o he_o himself_o such_o be_v christian_a burying-place_n and_o sepulcher_n with_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n upon_o they_o particular_o those_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n statue_n and_o picture_n particular_o the_o statue_n of_o the_o woman_n cure_v by_o christ_n of_o the_o bloody_a flux_n picture_n of_o christ_n peter_n and_o paul_n in_o colour_n these_o be_v all_o see_v by_o eusebius_n himself_o as_o be_v likewise_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n of_o james_n at_o jerusalem_n several_a christian_a library_n and_o several_a christian_a temple_n before_o they_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v by_o the_o order_n of_o dieclesian_n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n remain_v in_o eusebius_n time_n whether_o 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and_o
their_o faith_n and_o christian_a resolution_n this_o way_n but_o the_o general_a character_n of_o these_o writer_n as_o well_o as_o the_o authority_n of_o what_o they_o say_v will_v be_v further_o make_v out_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o subject_n they_o write_v about_o the_o several_a kind_n and_o sort_n of_o their_o write_n and_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v all_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o bring_v under_o one_o view_n and_o raise_v such_o observation_n from_o they_o as_o will_v plain_o confirm_v the_o main_a conclusion_n i_o be_o to_o establish_v the_o common_a subject_n of_o all_o the_o book_n and_o write_n of_o the_o first_o orthodox_n author_n be_v the_o christian_a religion_n though_o in_o several_a way_n and_o method_n discourse_v of_o most_o of_o these_o concern_v the_o history_n of_o christian_a affair_n either_o express_o or_o occasional_o for_o beside_o those_o author_n who_o purposely_o design_v a_o historical_a relation_n either_o 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a_o epistle_n of_o he_o to_o florinus_n quote_v by_o eusebus_n part_n of_o which_o i_o think_v worth_a the_o transcribe_v when_o reprove_v florinus_n for_o some_o ill_a opinion_n he_o hold_v he_o speak_v to_o he_o in_o this_o manner_n 26._o eus_n ec._n h._n l._n 5._o c._n 26._o these_o opinion_n the_o presbyter_n who_o live_v before_o our_o time_n who_o also_o be_v the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o no_o wise_n deliver_v unto_o thou_o for_o i_o see_v thou_o when_o be_v yet_o a_o child_n i_o be_v in_o the_o low_a asia_n with_o polycarp_n behave_v thyself_o very_o well_o in_o the_o palace_n and_o endeavour_v to_o get_v thyself_o well_o esteem_v of_o by_o he_o for_o i_o remember_v the_o thing_n then_o do_v better_o than_o what_o have_v happen_v of_o late_a for_o what_o we_o learn_v be_v child_n increase_v together_o with_o the_o mind_n itself_o and_o be_v close_o unite_v to_o it_o insomuch_o that_o i_o be_o able_a to_o tell_v where_o the_o bless_a polycarp_n sit_v and_o 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his_o piece_n say_v thus_o i_o adjure_v thou_o who_o shall_v transcribe_v this_o book_n by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n and_o by_o his_o glorious_a come_n to_o judge_n the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a that_o you_o compare_v what_o you_o shall_v transcribe_v and_o correct_v it_o diligent_o according_a to_o that_o copy_n whence_o you_o shall_v transcribe_v and_o that_o in_o like_a manner_n you_o ascribe_v this_o adjuration_n and_o annex_v it_o to_o your_o copy_n which_o concern_v of_o irenaeus_n for_o the_o faithful_a conveyance_n of_o truth_n contain_v in_o his_o own_o write_n to_o posterity_n be_v a_o very_a good_a argument_n of_o his_o care_n in_o examine_v the_o tradition_n and_o write_n that_o come_v down_o to_o he_o from_o elder_a time_n respect_v the_o same_o important_a truth_n a_o great_a many_o other_o such_o like_a instance_n as_o these_o may_v be_v give_v where_o the_o primitive_a christian_a writer_n positive_o and_o express_o declare_v that_o they_o have_v see_v and_o converse_v 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they_o among_o the_o chief_a ruler_n many_o believe_v on_o he_o but_o do_v not_o confess_v he_o lest_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n his_o countryman_n acknowledge_v that_o mighty_a work_n be_v wrought_v by_o his_o hand_n but_o be_v offend_v because_o so_o mean_a a_o person_n do_v they_o who_o birth_n relation_n and_o education_n they_o know_v the_o gergesenes_n be_v astonish_v at_o the_o wonderful_a thing_n he_o do_v though_o they_o beseech_v he_o to_o depart_v out_o of_o their_o coast_n and_o the_o devil_n confess_v his_o power_n before_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o though_o he_o come_v to_o torment_v they_o before_o the_o time_n a_o great_a many_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o miracle_n but_o do_v not_o hearken_v to_o what_o he_o teach_v because_o none_o of_o the_o ruler_n or_o pharisee_n believe_v on_o he_o and_o because_o they_o take_v he_o for_o a_o galilean_a and_o think_v that_o no_o prophet_n arise_v out_o of_o galilee_n several_n 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zachariah_n and_o other_o sign_n that_o attend_v the_o birth_n of_o john_n and_o christ_n the_o dove_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n at_o the_o baptism_n of_o christ_n the_o darkness_n earthquake_n rent_v of_o the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o resurrection_n of_o dead_a body_n at_o his_o crucifixion_n several_a of_o these_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v know_v immediate_o to_o the_o evangelist_n that_o relate_v they_o or_o to_o any_o other_o disciple_n of_o christ_n but_o to_o those_o only_o who_o they_o be_v tell_v of_o and_o upon_o their_o credit_n we_o must_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n rely_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o but_o several_a of_o they_o be_v very_o public_a and_o consequent_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o rest_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o witness_n beside_o those_o that_o relate_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n be_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o all_o the_o wonder_n and_o sign_n that_o accompany_v he_o from_o his_o conception_n to_o his_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o his_o apostle_n relate_v and_o attest_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o of_o the_o same_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v so_o many_o wonderful_a thing_n there_o report_v of_o he_o it_o be_v far_o testify_v that_o he_o confer_v a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n upon_o a_o great_a many_o of_o his_o follower_n who_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o that_o a_o great_a many_o miracle_n be_v according_o perform_v by_o their_o hand_n in_o his_o life-time_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o give_v this_o power_n to_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o he_o send_v out_o into_o all_o the_o town_n and_o village_n of_o judea_n with_o a_o commission_n to_o preach_v his_o gospel_n to_o cast_v out_o devil_n and_o to_o cure_v disease_n and_o they_o go_v about_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o heal_v every_o where_o and_o the_o devil_n be_v subject_a to_o they_o through_o his_o name_n this_o we_o have_v their_o own_o testimony_n for_o and_o whoever_o be_v 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in_o mesopotamia_n and_o in_o judea_n and_o cappadocia_n in_o pontus_n and_o asia_n phrygia_n and_o pamphylia_n in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o part_n of_o libya_n about_o cyrene_n and_o stranger_n of_o rome_n jew_n and_o proselyte_n cretes_n and_o arabian_n who_o be_v amaze_v to_o hear_v galilean_n speak_v in_o their_o tougues_n the_o wonderful_a thing_n of_o god_n those_o also_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n who_o foolish_o impute_v it_o to_o new_a wine_n after_o this_o we_o read_v of_o a_o great_a many_o other_o miracle_n of_o different_a kind_n perform_v by_o several_a apostle_n and_o disciple_n who_o receive_v their_o power_n immediate_o from_o jesus_n christ_n and_o by_o the_o account_n that_o be_v give_v we_o of_o they_o we_o find_v that_o the_o particular_a fact_n be_v more_o numerous_a more_o frequent_a and_o more_o public_a than_o those_o of_o their_o master_n christ_n himself_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n ministry_n be_v but_o three_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o the_o 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soul_n be_v able_a to_o frame_v of_o god_n and_o therefore_o since_o it_o can_v not_o proceed_v from_o man_n as_o have_v already_o be_v show_v we_o must_v ascribe_v it_o to_o god_n but_o moreover_o beside_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v the_o way_n and_o method_n make_v use_v of_o to_o communicate_v they_o to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o establish_v and_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o they_o among_o man_n be_v infallible_a mark_n that_o the_o revelation_n come_v from_o god_n his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n be_v as_o legible_a in_o this_o whole_a dispensation_n as_o in_o the_o frame_n and_o structure_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o will_v easy_o appear_v from_o a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o progress_n and_o conduct_n of_o this_o great_a work_n of_o the_o salvation_n of_o man._n for_o except_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v in_o it_o how_o come_v the_o jew_n to_o have_v better_a and_o just_a notion_n of_o god_n the_o original_a of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n than_o any_o other_o nation_n under_o heaven_n when_o they_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o learning_n among_o they_o no_o gradual_a improvement_n in_o knowledge_n as_o we_o find_v other_o country_n have_v how_o come_v the_o whole_a people_n to_o have_v these_o notion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o know_v among_o they_o in_o all_o the_o period_n of_o learning_n among_o the_o egyptian_n chaldean_n greek_n and_o roman_n the_o people_n be_v general_o idolater_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o philosopher_n dare_v not_o propagate_v better_a notion_n of_o god_n when_o they_o have_v find_v they_o out_o though_o even_o their_o best_a have_v a_o ridiculous_a mixture_n of_o fable_n and_o superstition_n in_o they_o how_o then_o come_v the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o remain_v entire_o free_a from_o idolatry_n for_o so_o many_o year_n ever_o since_o they_o become_v a_o nation_n or_o if_o we_o believe_v their_o own_o story_n and_o they_o be_v as_o inclinable_a to_o worship_n idol_n 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notwithstanding_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v to_o they_o by_o the_o reason_n and_o dispute_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o by_o the_o force_n and_o authority_n of_o magistrate_n and_o man_n in_o power_n notwithstanding_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v be_v everywhere_o speak_v against_o and_o the_o preacher_n and_o believer_n of_o it_o be_v everywhere_o persecute_v and_o afflict_a with_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o suffering_n their_o enemy_n can_v invent_v and_o when_o we_o perceive_v it_o so_o order_v that_o the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v confound_v the_o wise_a that_o the_o weak_a and_o base_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thing_n which_o be_v despise_v shall_v confound_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v mighty_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n have_v choose_v they_o and_o what_o be_v thus_o wonderful_a in_o our_o eye_n be_v the_o lord_n be_v do_v thus_o it_o become_v god_n almighty_a to_o humble_a man_n and_o show_v his_o power_n in_o a_o way_n direct_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o measure_n they_o will_v have_v imagine_v proper_a be_v it_o not_o likewise_o every_o way_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o agreeable_a both_o to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o his_o design_n in_o give_v mankind_n a_o more_o perfect_a model_n of_o religion_n than_o they_o be_v hitherto_o acquaint_v with_o that_o he_o shall_v convince_v they_o of_o the_o beauty_n and_o reasonableness_n and_o encourage_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o by_o exemplify_a the_o whole_a scheme_n in_o the_o live_v of_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o preacher_n of_o this_o religion_n and_o where_o be_v such_o perfect_a character_n of_o man_n ever_o hear_v of_o before_o as_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o most_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n believer_n what_o can_v more_o demonstrate_v the_o force_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o recommend_v it_o more_o effectual_o to_o the_o world_n 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himself_o he_o can_v give_v we_o than_o such_o prophecy_n and_o such_o miracle_n as_o those_o record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n no_o great_a instance_n of_o knowledge_n and_o power_n beside_o what_o appear_v in_o the_o make_v and_o govern_v the_o world_n be_v conceivable_a by_o we_o and_o what_o better_o deserve_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o immediate_a manifestation_n of_o these_o attribute_n of_o god_n than_o the_o gospel_n to_o what_o noble_a end_n can_v god_n employ_v his_o power_n than_o for_o the_o confirm_v and_o promote_a the_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o just_a reasonable_a and_o beneficial_a scheme_n of_o thing_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o beside_o these_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v not_o only_o certain_a indication_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o assistance_n in_o themselves_o and_o more_o undoubted_o so_o to_o we_o for_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o confirm_v a_o doctrine_n which_o deserve_v such_o attestation_n but_o they_o be_v also_o the_o 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make_v upon_o the_o course_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v conceive_v or_o imagine_v that_o such_o event_n as_o these_o shall_v ever_o happen_v that_o there_o never_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o any_o thing_n like_o the_o christian_a scheme_n which_o be_v prove_v or_o allow_v by_o any_o body_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v a_o imposture_n i_o shall_v take_v for_o grant_v since_o none_o of_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n have_v ever_o produce_v one_o as_o for_o mahometism_n which_o some_o have_v have_v the_o impudence_n to_o compare_v with_o christianity_n so_o far_o as_o both_o they_o and_o we_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v a_o imposture_n it_o can_v have_v no_o manner_n of_o place_n here_o as_o a_o parallel_n instance_n for_o it_o be_v on_o all_o hand_n grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o mahomet_n who_o live_v at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n it_o be_v pretend_v by_o his_o follower_n he_o do_v it_o be_v grant_v likewise_o that_o he_o write_v the_o alcoran_n 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prospect_n all_o the_o principal_a fact_n there_o record_v draw_v forth_o in_o all_o their_o variety_n of_o circumstance_n the_o whole_a system_n of_o doctrine_n and_o rule_n in_o their_o just_a dependence_n and_o connexion_n the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n concern_v in_o the_o publishing_n and_o establish_v they_o together_o with_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v write_v and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v this_o let_v we_o true_o and_o impartial_o ask_v our_o self_n whether_o we_o can_v possible_o conceive_v how_o any_o person_n can_v at_o that_o time_n invent_v and_o publish_v that_o whole_a scheme_n of_o thing_n at_o jerusalem_n rome_n or_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n without_o any_o ground_n of_o truth_n to_o build_v upon_o and_o suppose_v it_o publish_v how_o it_o can_v be_v believe_v so_o firm_o and_o propagate_v so_o far_o and_o wide_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v fix_v and_o continue_v in_o all_o this_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o day_n without_o any_o footstep_n or_o motive_n remain_v whereby_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o detect_v the_o imposture_n this_o i_o say_v appear_v to_o i_o as_o hard_o to_o conceive_v as_o that_o rome_n shall_v build_v itself_o and_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v will_v appear_v so_o to_o any_o one_o else_o that_o have_v as_o full_o and_o impartial_o consider_v the_o matter_n as_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o do_v if_o we_o date_n the_o imposture_n late_a the_o same_o difficulty_n will_v attend_v the_o invention_n and_o propagation_n of_o it_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v further_o puzzle_v to_o account_v for_o all_o the_o sign_n and_o monument_n of_o christianity_n which_o will_v appear_v to_o have_v be_v before_o the_o period_n assign_v for_o its_o original_a wheresoever_o we_o place_v it_o but_o if_o we_o deal_v as_o fair_o by_o christianity_n as_o we_o do_v by_o mahometism_n and_o allow_v the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n record_v of_o it_o to_o be_v true_a if_o we_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o christ_n who_o live_v at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n it_o be_v affirm_v by_o christian_n he_o do_v that_o he_o and_o his_o disciple_n pretend_v to_o what_o be_v record_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o they_o that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n spread_v and_o prevail_v over_o the_o world_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n and_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o those_o pretence_n we_o have_v there_o a_o account_n of_o grant_v i_o say_v all_o these_o thing_n as_o by_o the_o general_a acknowledgement_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o the_o impossibility_n of_o their_o be_v false_a just_a before_o prove_v they_o must_v be_v grant_v from_o hence_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o other_o extraordinary_a fact_n be_v true_a and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n come_v from_o god_n and_o lay_v a_o necessary_a obligation_n upon_o mankind_n to_o believe_v it_o and_o conform_v themselves_o to_o it_o this_o be_v certain_a in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o reason_v we_o use_v before_o because_o there_o never_o be_v a_o instance_n and_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v there_o ever_o shall_v be_v one_o where_o such_o mark_n and_o indication_n of_o truth_n as_o accompany_v these_o thing_n shall_v all_o belong_v to_o a_o imposture_n upon_o this_o account_n therefore_o it_o be_v that_o we_o affirm_v all_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v impossible_a viz._n that_o person_n of_o such_o character_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n be_v represent_v to_o be_v shall_v invent_v and_o contrive_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o institution_n or_o perform_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o mere_o by_o their_o own_o skill_n and_o power_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n shall_v pretend_v to_o have_v do_v such_o extraordinary_a fact_n as_o be_v attribute_v to_o they_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o they_o be_v not_o the_o true_a and_o immediate_a instrument_n by_o who_o they_o be_v do_v that_o such_o multitude_n of_o person_n as_o we_o there_o read_v of_o shall_v believe_v these_o fact_n and_o embrace_v christianity_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o true_a or_o shall_v pretend_v to_o believe_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o real_o persuade_v of_o their_o truth_n and_o if_o all_o the_o principal_a fact_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a be_v certain_o true_a as_o far_o as_o the_o person_n concern_v in_o bear_v testimony_n to_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o perceive_v their_o truth_n it_o be_v likewise_o impossible_a but_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n and_o all_o the_o conduct_n and_o management_n in_o the_o discovery_n and_o propagation_n of_o it_o must_v come_v from_o god_n all_o these_o proposition_n we_o be_v firm_o assure_v of_o upon_o this_o ground_n viz._n because_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a of_o any_o thing_n here_o allege_v no_o parallel_n instance_n can_v be_v give_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o suppose_v and_o if_o we_o represent_v any_o of_o these_o case_n to_o ourselves_o fair_o in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n we_o can_v possible_o conceive_v it_o shall_v ever_o happen_v it_o be_v true_a indeed_o there_o have_v be_v person_n of_o low_a fortune_n and_o mean_a employment_n in_o the_o world_n who_o have_v by_o the_o mere_a force_n of_o their_o natural_a genius_n speak_v wise_o and_o act_v gallant_o upon_o some_o occasion_n but_o it_o be_v never_o know_v and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o person_n of_o no_o learning_n or_o education_n who_o know_v nothing_o beyond_o the_o mean_a affair_n of_o their_o own_o village_n and_o never_o converse_v with_o any_o of_o high_a improvement_n than_o themselves_o it_o be_v impossible_a i_o say_v to_o imagine_v that_o such_o person_n