Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
death_n age_n life_n old_a 5,148 5 5.6715 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A46761 The reasonableness and certainty of the Christian religion by Robert Jenkin ... Jenkin, Robert, 1656-1727. 1700 (1700) Wing J571; ESTC R8976 581,258 1,291

There are 12 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

death_n of_o his_o father_n terah_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o year_n which_o terah_n live_v be_v set_v down_o gen._n xi_o 32._o and_o that_o the_o departure_n of_o abram_n out_o of_o haran_n which_o be_v relate_v gen._n twelve_o yet_o happen_v before_o his_o father_n death_n there_o will_v be_v no_o inconsistency_n but_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a if_o terah_n be_v but_o seventy_o year_n old_a when_o abram_n be_v beget_v and_o abram_n be_v but_o seventy_o five_o year_n old_a when_o he_o go_v out_o of_o haran_n that_o abram_n leave_v his_o father_n terah_n in_o haran_n where_o he_o live_v after_o abram_n departure_n from_o he_o to_o the_o age_n of_o two_o hundred_o and_o five_o year_n though_o during_o his_o father_n life_n he_o do_v upon_o occasion_n return_n to_o haran_n for_o the_o final_a removal_n of_o abram_n be_v not_o till_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o act_n seven_o 4._o and_o if_o this_o way_n of_o relate_v that_o in_o general_n first_o which_o be_v afterward_o set_v forth_o in_o the_o particular_n be_v attend_v to_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o will_v afford_v a_o solution_n of_o many_o difficulty_n as_o 25._o as_o aug._n qu._n sup._n genef_n c._n 25._o st_n austin_n have_v observe_v which_o otherwise_o be_v inexplicable_a other_o suppose_v abrant_n be_v the_o young_a of_o terah_n son_n though_o mention_v first_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o chronology_n only_o by_o this_o and_o other_o instance_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o elder_a brother_n be_v not_o always_o place_v first_o in_o scripture_n but_o sometime_o the_o young_a out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o for_o his_o favour_n with_o god_n and_o his_o great_a dignity_n and_o worth_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n arise_v upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o son_n first_o name_v must_v therefore_o necessary_o be_v first_o bear_v proceed_v from_o a_o mistake_n 2._o sometime_o the_o principal_a number_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o odd_a or_o lesser_a number_n be_v omit_v which_o be_v add_v to_o the_o great_a or_o principal_a number_n in_o some_o other_o place_n cause_v a_o difference_n not_o to_o be_v reconcile_v but_o by_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v customary_a in_o the_o best_a author_n not_o always_o to_o mention_v the_o lesser_a number_n where_o the_o matter_n do_v not_o require_v it_o and_o we_o have_v evident_a proof_n of_o this_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o time_n of_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o of_o their_o dwell_n in_o egypt_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o year_n gen._n xv_o 13._o act_n seven_o 6._o which_o yet_o be_v in_o all_o four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n exod._n twelve_o 40._o galat._n iii._o 17._o the_o israelite_n who_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n be_v compute_v to_o be_v six_o hundred_o thousand_o and_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o num._n i._n 46._o two_o 32._o but_o moses_n speak_v of_o they_o num._n xi_o 21._o leaf_n out_o the_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o jerubbual_a or_o gideon_n be_v say_v to_o have_v have_v threescore_o and_o ten_o son_n by_o his_o wife_n beside_o abimelech_n who_o he_o have_v by_o a_o concubine_n judg._n viij_o 30_o 31._o and_o abimelech_n be_v often_o say_v to_o have_v slay_v these_o threescore_o and_o ten_o brethren_n though_o jotham_n the_o young_a of_o they_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n say_v to_o have_v escape_v judg._n ix_o 5_o 18_o 24_o 56._o the_o benjamite_n that_o be_v slay_v judg._n 20.35_o be_v say_v to_o be_v twenty_o and_o five_o thousand_o and_o a_o hundred_o man_n whereas_o vers_fw-la 46._o they_o be_v reckon_v only_o twenty_o and_o five_o thousand_o man_n 1_o cor._n xv_o 5._o we_o read_v that_o our_o saviour_n be_v see_v of_o cephas_n then_o of_o the_o twelve_o though_o st_n mathias_n be_v not_o choose_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o apostle_n till_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o st_n mark_n say_v precise_o that_o he_o appear_v unto_o the_o eleven_o as_o they_o sit_v at_o meat_n mark_v xuj_o 14._o thus_o in_o heathen_a author_n the_o trojan_a 1._o trojan_a si_fw-mi inquam_fw-la numerus_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la ad_fw-la amussim_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la dicimus_fw-la mille_fw-la nave_n iisse_fw-la ad_fw-la trojam_fw-la centumvirale_fw-la esse_fw-la judicium_fw-la romae_fw-la varro_n de_fw-fr re_fw-mi rust_n lib._n two_o c._n 1._o fleet_n be_v say_v to_o consist_v of_o a_o thousand_o ship_n whereas_o homer_n make_v they_o two_o hundred_o more_o as_o 10._o as_o thucyd._n lib._n i_o c._n 10._o thucydides_n reckon_v they_o or_o one_o hundred_o sixty_o six_o by_o his_o scholiast_n count_v but_o the_o historian_n do_v not_o care_n to_o be_v so_o punctual_a the_o judge_n style_v centumviri_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v at_o first_o five_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o and_o afterward_o 33._o afterward_o plin._n lib._n vi_fw-la epist_n 33._o almost_o twice_o that_o number_n yet_o still_o they_o retain_v the_o same_o name_n as_o the_o lxxii_o interpreter_n be_v common_o style_v the_o septuagint_n since_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o lesser_a number_n be_v sometime_o omit_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o author_n and_o the_o principal_a and_o great_a number_n whether_o more_a or_o less_o than_o the_o precise_a calculation_n be_v only_o set_v down_o and_o at_o other_o time_n the_o lesser_a number_n be_v specify_v it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o make_v abatement_n for_o this_o in_o adjust_v the_o account_n of_o chronology_n 3._o sometime_o a_o epocha_n may_v be_v mistake_v by_o chronologer_n as_o gen._n vi_fw-la 3._o and_o the_o lord_n say_v my_o spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o man_n for_o that_o he_o also_o be_v flesh_n yet_o his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o from_o gen._n v._n 32._o compare_v with_o gen._n viij_o 13._o the_o flood_n must_v happen_v but_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o these_o word_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v speak_v though_o if_o we_o compute_v not_o from_o the_o time_n when_o this_o be_v threaten_v but_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o man_n apostasy_n which_o we_o may_v suppose_v then_o to_o have_v be_v already_o twenty_o year_n there_o will_v be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o it_o or_o else_o the_o threaten_v though_o place_v after_o it_o may_v be_v denounce_v twenty_o year_n before_o the_o five_o hundred_o year_n of_o noah_n age_n which_o fall_v under_o the_o observation_n abovementioned_a of_o st_n austin_n genes_n austin_n hieron_n qu._n in_o genes_n st_o jerom_n indeed_o say_v that_o the_o time_n allow_v mankind_n for_o repantance_n be_v shorten_v for_o their_o contumacy_n and_o the_o flood_n be_v bring_v upon_o the_o world_n twenty_o year_n soon_o than_o be_v design_v if_o their_o provocation_n have_v not_o hasten_v it_o 4._o variation_n in_o chronology_n may_v sometime_o proceed_v from_o the_o likeness_n of_o two_o word_n which_o occasion_v the_o writing_n the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o thus_o act_v xiii_o 20._o some_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o famous_a copy_n from_o whence_o most_o other_o now_o remain_v may_v have_v be_v transcribe_v may_v happen_v to_o be_v uncorrect_a in_o some_o of_o these_o less_o material_a part_n of_o scripture_n the_o numeral_a letter_n be_v easy_o mistake_v as_o we_o see_v our_o figure_n now_o be_v and_o when_o they_o number_v by_o letter_n mistake_n may_v the_o often_o happen_v because_o the_o transcriber_n may_v unaware_o write_v down_o a_o letter_n of_o the_o forego_n or_o follow_v word_n instead_o of_o the_o true_a numeral_a letter_n when_o there_o be_v any_o likeness_n between_o they_o and_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n be_v some_o of_o they_o so_o very_o much_o alike_o may_v be_v a_o ready_a occasion_n of_o mistake_n this_o change_n of_o numeral_a letter_n some_o think_v to_o have_v occasion_v the_o difficulty_n concern_v the_o age_n of_o ahazia_n son_n of_o jehoram_n king_n of_o judah_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o reign_v 2_o king_n viij_o 26.2_o chron._n xxii_o 2._o and_o that_o such_o mistake_n have_v be_v make_v in_o transcribe_v the_o septuagint_n be_v evident_a because_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o that_o version_n have_v different_a account_n of_o chronology_n and_o they_o also_o differ_v from_o the_o copy_n make_v use_v of_o by_o africanus_n and_o eusebius_n mistake_v of_o this_o kind_n be_v very_o 70._o very_o error_n fortasse_fw-la ex_fw-la notis_fw-la ortus_fw-la nusquam_fw-la non_fw-la isto_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o bonis_fw-la utriusque_fw-la linguae_fw-la scriptoribus_fw-la est_fw-la peccatum_fw-la casaub_n ad_fw-la theoph._n charact._n proem_n sed_fw-la non_fw-la dubito_fw-la lib_fw-la ariorum_fw-la potius_fw-la
he_o see_v that_o he_o be_v condemn_v repent_v himself_o and_o bring_v again_o the_o thirty_o piece_n of_o silver_n to_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n say_v i_o have_v sin_v in_o that_o i_o have_v betray_v the_o innocent_a blood_n and_o they_o say_v what_o be_v that_o to_o we_o see_v thou_o to_o that_o and_o he_o cast_v down_o the_o piece_n of_o silver_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o go_v and_o hang_v himself_o matt._n xxvii_o 3_o 4._o how_o can_v the_o chief_a priest_n themselves_o have_v contrive_v a_o better_a way_n to_o vindicate_v our_o saviour_n innocence_n if_o they_o have_v never_o so_o much_o endeavour_v it_o than_o for_o one_o of_o his_o own_o disciple_n after_o he_o have_v betray_v he_o instead_o of_o witness_v against_o he_o which_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o suppose_v he_o will_v have_v do_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o as_o to_o come_v before_o they_o all_o and_o fling_v down_o the_o money_n in_o the_o temple_n which_o they_o have_v give_v he_o as_o the_o hire_n of_o his_o treachery_n and_o declare_v public_o that_o he_o have_v betray_v the_o innocent_a blood_n and_o then_o to_o give_v a_o further_a proof_n of_o all_o this_o out_o of_o mere_a anguish_n and_o horror_n of_o mind_n to_o go_v immediate_o from_o they_o and_o hang_v himself_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v do_v any_o thing_n whereby_o he_o can_v deserve_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n judas_n must_v needs_o have_v know_v it_o and_o when_o he_o have_v once_o betray_v he_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v he_o will_v forbear_v to_o discover_v any_o thing_n he_o know_v of_o he_o but_o when_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o accuse_v he_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o see_v he_o condemn_v at_o the_o accusation_n of_o other_o false_a witness_n he_o can_v not_o bear_v the_o agony_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n but_o go_v and_o make_v away_o with_o himself_o this_o be_v as_o evident_a a_o proof_n of_o christ_n innocence_n as_o any_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n themselves_o can_v ever_o give_v and_o judas_n be_v so_o far_o a_o apostle_n still_o as_o to_o proclaim_v his_o master_n innocence_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sanedrim_n and_o then_o to_o seal_v that_o testimony_n with_o his_o blood_n it_o have_v be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o judas_n as_o wicked_a as_o he_o be_v have_v never_o any_o design_n to_o cause_v his_o master_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n or_o to_o be_v any_o way_n instrumental_a towards_o it_o but_o he_o suppose_v that_o christ_n will_v be_v secure_a enough_o against_o the_o chief_a priest_n in_o his_o own_o innocence_n and_o holiness_n or_o that_o they_o will_v not_o dare_v to_o hurt_v he_o for_o fear_n of_o the_o people_n which_o have_v be_v a_o restraint_n upon_o they_o in_o their_o former_a attempt_n or_o that_o he_o can_v easy_o make_v his_o escape_n from_o they_o as_o he_o have_v former_o do_v and_o therefore_o his_o covetousness_n tempt_v he_o to_o believe_v that_o though_o he_o shall_v betray_v his_o master_n yet_o he_o will_v come_v to_o no_o harm_n by_o it_o however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o judas_n himself_o clear_v our_o saviour_n snnocence_n by_o betray_v he_o more_o than_o any_o other_o man_n can_v have_v do_v who_o have_v not_o be_v his_o dlsciple_n and_o his_o make_v that_o confession_n and_o then_o his_o die_v upon_o that_o account_n and_o in_o that_o manner_n may_v afford_v we_o that_o evidence_n which_o we_o must_v have_v want_v to_o certify_v we_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o christ_n have_v not_o be_v betray_v or_o have_v be_v betray_v by_o any_o but_o one_o of_o his_o own_o disciple_n when_o he_o be_v condemn_v and_o crucified_a one_o of_o the_o thief_n who_o be_v crucify_v with_o he_o make_v a_o open_a profession_n of_o he_o when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o temptation_n of_o flattery_n nor_o leisure_n or_o patience_n for_o a_o man_n in_o that_o condition_n to_o speak_v in_o that_o manner_n but_o by_o the_o special_a providence_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o to_o give_v a_o early_a instance_n of_o the_o great_a efficacy_n of_o his_o cross_n and_o of_o the_o mercy_n which_o it_o reach_v forth_o to_o all_o repent_a sinner_n our_o saviour_n assure_v he_o that_o that_o very_a day_n he_o shall_v be_v with_o he_o in_o paradise_n a_o strange_a discourse_n upon_o the_o cross_n to_o speak_v of_o kingdom_n and_o promise_v paradise_n under_o so_o much_o infamy_n and_o torment_n that_o one_o shall_v have_v the_o faith_n to_o ask_v and_o the_o other_o the_o power_n to_o promise_v so_o great_a thing_n in_o that_o condition_n who_o can_v have_v have_v the_o courage_n to_o promise_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o cross_n but_o he_o who_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v it_o and_o as_o no_o ill_n can_v ever_o be_v prove_v against_o he_o but_o all_o circumstance_n concur_v to_o confirm_v his_o innocence_n as_o herod_n dismiss_v he_o and_o pilate_n often_o declare_v he_o to_o have_v commit_v nothing_o worthy_a of_o death_n so_o the_o devil_n themselves_o during_o his_o life_n here_o upon_o earth_n confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o after_o his_o death_n 6._o death_n porphyr_n apud_fw-la euscb_n demonstr_n evang._n lib._n 3._o c._n 6._o by_o their_o oracle_n acknowledge_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o holy_a person_n who_o soul_n be_v translate_v into_o heaven_n and_o this_o person_n thus_o innocent_a and_o holy_a both_o in_o his_o life_n and_o doctrine_n be_v prophesy_v of_o many_o age_n before_o his_o birth_n and_o all_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v exact_o and_o in_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n fulfil_v in_o he_o these_o prophecy_n concern_v either_o his_o birth_n or_o his_o life_n or_o his_o death_n or_o his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n 1._o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v fulfil_v in_o our_o saviour_n for_o his_o birth_n be_v prophesy_v of_o in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o time_n and_o the_o place_n of_o it_o and_o the_o person_n of_o who_o he_o be_v bear_v 1._o as_o for_o the_o time_n by_o jacob_n prophecy_n gen._n xlix_o 10._o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o come_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n the_o sceptre_n be_v not_o to_o depart_v from_o judah_n that_o be_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o jewish_a government_n be_v not_o to_o cease_v until_o shilo_n come_v which_o the_o ancient_a creed_n ancient_a see_v bp._n pearson_n on_o the_o creed_n jewish_a interpreter_n expound_v of_o the_o come_n of_o their_o messiah_n to_o 21._o to_o lightfoot'_v prospect_n of_o the_o temple_n c._n 21._o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v hold_v by_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n sit_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n though_o but_o part_n of_o the_o court_n in_o which_o they_o sit_v be_v of_o that_o tribe_n and_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n and_o the_o jew_n among_o all_o their_o objection_n never_o object_v against_o the_o time_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n but_o many_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v that_o the_o messiah_n be_v bear_v at_o that_o time_n but_o say_v that_o because_o of_o their_o sin_n he_o have_v messiâ_fw-la have_v munster_n de_fw-fr messiâ_fw-la conceal_v himself_o ever_o since_o and_o the_o latter_a jew_n have_v by_o a_o great_a many_o story_n endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o kingdom_n still_o of_o their_o nation_n in_o some_o unknown_a part_n of_o the_o world_n though_o if_o this_o be_v true_a it_o can_v prove_v nothing_o to_o their_o purpose_n the_o prophecy_n be_v concern_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o promise_v land_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o soon_o after_o our_o saviour_n come_v jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o jew_n disperse_v and_o upon_o severe_a penalty_n forbid_v to_o come_v to_o their_o desolate_a and_o ruin_a city_n or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o look_v upon_o zion_n the_o city_n of_o their_o solemnity_n unless_o it_o be_v once_o every_o year_n to_o lament_v their_o calamity_n and_o they_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v a_o wander_a and_o despicable_a people_n and_o several_a time_n when_o they_o have_v at_o tempt_v to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n they_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o do_v it_o particular_o when_o they_o have_v the_o favour_n and_o encouragement_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n who_o out_o of_o malice_n to_o the_o christian_a name_n and_o doctrine_n be_v forward_o to_o promote_v the_o work_n they_o be_v hinder_v by_o a_o earthquake_n and_o a_o miraculous_a eruption_n of_o fire_n burst_v out_o from_o under_o the_o foundation_n which_o burn_v down_o what_o they_o have_v erect_v and_o destroy_v those_o that_o be_v employ_v in_o it_o and_o this_o we_o have_v attest_v not_o only_o from_o christian_a writer_n
patience_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n that_o be_v to_o declare_v a_o ungrateful_a and_o despise_a truth_n among_o those_o who_o will_v think_v themselves_o so_o much_o concern_v to_o oppose_v and_o suppress_v it_o if_o they_o have_v wrought_v no_o miracle_n their_o courage_n and_o resolution_n may_v have_v pass_v for_o a_o groundless_a confidence_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o stand_v so_o resolute_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v their_o miracle_n themselves_o may_v have_v become_v suspect_v but_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o be_v support_v in_o all_o their_o suffering_n by_o a_o supernatural_a constancy_n and_o greatness_n of_o mind_n and_o be_v so_o sudden_o change_v and_o raise_v above_o themselves_o in_o all_o they_o do_v or_o suffer_v and_o work_v the_o same_o change_n in_o other_o they_o give_v all_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o give_v and_o as_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n down_o upon_o their_o disciple_n so_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o patience_n under_o affliction_n communicate_v to_o they_o and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o god_n be_v please_v not_o to_o raise_v up_o any_o christian_a emperor_n till_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v show_v that_o the_o religion_n which_o come_v from_o heaven_n can_v need_v no_o human_a aid_n nor_o be_v suppress_v by_o any_o human_a force_n and_o that_o he_o may_v recommend_v the_o great_a virtue_n of_o meekness_n and_o patience_n to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o example_n man_n as_o eminent_a for_o these_o as_o for_o the_o miracle_n they_o wrought_v and_o may_v instruct_v mankind_n in_o a_o suffer_a religion_n for_o to_o assure_v the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o he_o will_v not_o grant_v it_o protection_n from_o christian_a emperor_n till_o most_o of_o the_o empire_n be_v become_v christian_a and_o christianity_n have_v diffuse_v itself_o into_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o before_o the_o last_o persecution_n begin_v by_o dioclesian_n 1._o dioclesian_n euseb_n hist_o lib._n viij_o c._n 1._o the_o church_n flourish_v as_o much_o and_o have_v the_o favour_n of_o the_o court_n and_o of_o great_a man_n in_o as_o high_a a_o degree_n almost_o as_o under_o constantine_n himself_o till_o their_o prosperity_n cause_v their_o sin_n and_o these_o bring_v persecution_n but_o at_o last_o the_o persecute_v emperor_n be_v force_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n manifest_v in_o miraculous_a disease_n inflict_v on_o they_o to_o restore_v the_o christian_n to_o their_o former_a liberty_n in_o their_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n need_v no_o patronage_n of_o man_n for_o god_n will_v compel_v its_o worst_a enemy_n to_o become_v its_o protector_n when_o he_o see_v it_o fit_v and_o 16._o and_o sozom_n lib._n v._o c._n 16._o when_o julian_n make_v it_o his_o great_a aim_n and_o business_n to_o restore_v paganism_n again_o in_o the_o world_n he_o see_v to_o his_o grief_n how_o ineffectual_a all_o his_o endeavour_n prove_v he_o observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n still_o retain_v a_o general_a esteem_n and_o approbation_n and_o that_o the_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n of_o his_o own_o priest_n themselves_o be_v most_o of_o they_o christian_n if_o any_o one_o then_o upon_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o all_o circumstance_n can_v withstand_v the_o conviction_n of_o so_o great_a evidence_n i_o will_v only_o ask_v he_o whether_o he_o believe_v any_o history_n or_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o he_o never_o see_v and_o desire_v he_o to_o show_v what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n he_o can_v discern_v in_o any_o of_o they_o which_o be_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v here_o and_o beside_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o in_o a_o vicious_a and_o subtle_a age_n a_o doctrine_n so_o contrary_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n by_o so_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a mean_n can_v obtain_v so_o universal_o among_o man_n of_o all_o temper_n and_o profession_n and_o interest_n in_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n against_o so_o violent_a opposition_n without_o the_o help_n of_o miracle_n this_o be_v as_o great_a a_o miracle_n as_o can_v be_v conceive_v either_o therefore_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v propagate_v by_o miracle_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o the_o miracle_n by_o which_o it_o be_v propagate_v prove_v it_o to_o be_v from_o god_n if_o it_o be_v not_o propagate_v by_o miracle_n the_o propagation_n itself_o be_v a_o miracle_n and_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v from_o he_o chap._n xvii_o of_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v just_o esteem_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o the_o credibility_n of_o any_o history_n if_o it_o be_v write_v by_o man_n of_o integrity_n man_n who_o have_v no_o suspicion_n upon_o they_o of_o dishonesty_n and_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o deceive_v and_o who_o relate_v nothing_o but_o of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o within_o their_o own_o knowledge_n though_o the_o author_n never_o suffer_v any_o loss_n nor_o run_v any_o hazard_n in_o assert_v what_o they_o deliver_v but_o the_o history_n of_o christ_n have_v this_o further_a advantage_n that_o many_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v do_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o history_n to_o future_a age_n be_v rather_o a_o appeal_n to_o that_o age_n whether_o the_o thing_n relate_v be_v true_a or_o not_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n and_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n as_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v be_v attest_v by_o his_o apostle_n to_o the_o face_n of_o his_o very_a crucifier_n and_o they_o all_o remain_v upon_o the_o place_n where_o what_o they_o witness_v have_v be_v do_v for_o several_a year_n afterward_o declare_v and_o preach_v to_o all_o people_n the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o soon_o after_o his_o ascension_n when_o all_o the_o proceed_n against_o he_o be_v fresh_a in_o memory_n they_o commit_v the_o same_o to_o write_v in_o greek_a which_o be_v the_o most_o common_a language_n and_o general_o know_v at_o that_o time_n st._n matthew_n who_o first_o pen_v his_o gospel_n be_v say_v to_o have_v write_v it_o in_o hebrew_n or_o syriack_n though_o it_o be_v soon_o after_o translate_v into_o greek_n so_o that_o whover_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o greek_a tongue_n may_v read_v the_o gospel_n in_o their_o own_o language_n not_o long_o after_o the_o other_o gospel_n be_v pen_v and_o they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o short_a time_n disperse_v into_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o translate_v into_o all_o language_n it_o be_v particular_o relate_v ebion_n relate_v e●iphan_n haer●●_n ebion_n that_o st._n john_n gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v soon_o translate_v into_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n the_o evangelist_n give_v such_o a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o birth_n and_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o must_v suppose_v they_o record_v at_o rome_n for_o there_o the_o censual_a table_n be_v keep_v where_o by_o st._n luke_n account_n the_o name_n of_o our_o saviour_n must_v have_v be_v register_v and_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n be_v so_o remarkable_a as_o they_o relate_v they_o that_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n use_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a province_n the_o emperor_n must_v have_v a_o relation_n send_v he_o of_o they_o and_o as_o i_o have_v show_v both_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n appeal_v to_o the_o roman_a record_n for_o the_o truth_n both_o of_o the_o birth_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o massacre_n of_o the_o infant_n by_o herod_n be_v preserve_v to_o we_o by_o a_o say_n of_o augustus_n concern_v herod_n upon_o it_o 4._o it_o macrobius_n saturnal_a lib._n two_o c._n 4._o which_o be_v mention_v in_o macrobius_n a_o heathen_a author_n for_o augustus_n be_v tell_v that_o among_o other_o herod_n have_v cause_v his_o own_o child_n to_o be_v slay_v which_o whether_o true_a or_o no_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o emperor_n to_o make_v this_o observation_n that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n swine_n than_o his_o son_n tacitus_n mention_n our_o saviour_n suffering_n under_o pontius_n pilate_n and_o tertullian_n in_o his_o 21._o his_o tertul._n apol._n c._n 21._o apology_n tell_v the_o heathen_n that_o the_o miraculous_a eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v at_o christ_n death_n stand_v upon_o record_n in_o their_o own_o register_n whether_o it_o be_v for_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o course_n
the_o god_n of_o other_o nation_n do_v not_o worship_v they_o after_o their_o manner_n and_o yet_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o roman_n themselves_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o cybele_n flora_n bacchus_n etc._n etc._n be_v very_o scandalous_a and_o wicked_a and_o all_o their_o sport_n and_o spectacle_n which_o have_v nothing_o sure_o in_o they_o that_o can_v be_v proper_a for_o divine_a worship_n be_v invent_v and_o perform_v in_o honour_n of_o their_o god_n 8._o god_n quintil_n institut_fw-la lib._n iii._o c._n 8._o whence_o quinctilian_n say_v the_o theatre_n may_v be_v style_v a_o kind_n of_o temple_n 3._o but_o beside_o their_o bloody_a spectacle_n where_o man_n be_v expose_v to_o be_v kill_v by_o beast_n or_o by_o one_o another_o their_o altar_n themselves_o be_v not_o free_a from_o humane_a blood_n for_o the_o barbarous_a cruelty_n of_o the_o religion_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v such_o that_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o offer_v up_o innocent_a man_n and_o child_n in_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o deity_n some_o of_o the_o rabbin_n have_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o jephtha_n sacrifice_v his_o daughter_n but_o other_o deny_v it_o 40._o it_o vicunque_fw-la autem_fw-la seres_fw-fr ea_fw-la habuerit_fw-la id_fw-la certum_fw-la puto_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la reperiri_fw-la apud_fw-la magistros_fw-la qui_fw-la ex_fw-la jure_fw-la aliquo_fw-la immolandam_fw-la eam_fw-la esse_fw-la affirmave●it_fw-la selden_n de_fw-la jure_fw-la nat._n &_o gent._n lib._n four_o c._n 2._o the_o daughter_n of_o israel_n go_v yearly_a to_o lament_v or_o to_o talk_v with_o 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o margin_n judg._n xi_o 40._o and_o all_o be_v agree_v that_o if_o he_o do_v sacrifice_v she_o he_o sin_v in_o do_v it_o and_o we_o know_v that_o abraham_n be_v hinder_v by_o a_o miracle_n and_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o slay_v isaac_n but_o it_o be_v a_o custom_n among_o the_o 10._o the_o grot._fw-la ad_fw-la deutr._fw-la xviii_o 10._o phoenician_n and_o canaanites_n for_o their_o king_n in_o time_n of_o great_a calamity_n to_o sacrifice_v one_o of_o their_o son_n who_o they_o love_v best_a and_o it_o be_v common_a both_o with_o they_o and_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n to_o sacrifice_v their_o child_n the_o egyptian_n the_o athenian_n and_o lacedaemonian_n and_o general_o all_o the_o grecian_n the_o roman_n and_o carthaginian_n the_o german_n and_o gaul_n and_o britain_n and_o in_o brief_a all_o the_o heathen_a nation_n throughout_o the_o world_n offer_v up_o man_n upon_o their_o altar_n and_o this_o not_o on_o certain_a emergency_n and_o in_o imminent_a danger_n only_o but_o constant_o and_o in_o some_o place_n every_o day_n but_o upon_o extraordinary_a accident_n multitude_n be_v sacrifice_v at_o once_o to_o their_o bloody_a deity_n festo_fw-la deity_n diodo_fw-la sic._n apud_fw-la euseb_n de_fw-fr laudib_n constant_n c._n xiii_o lanctant_fw-la lib._n i_o c._n 21._o ex_fw-la piscennio_n festo_fw-la as_o diodorus_n siculus_n and_o other_o relate_v that_o in_o africa_n two_o hundred_o child_n of_o the_o principal_a nobility_n be_v sacrifice_v to_o saturn_n at_o one_o time_n and_o ult_v and_o euseb_n praepar_fw-la lib._n four_o c._n 16._o macrob._n saturn_n lib._n i_o c._n 7._o alex._n ab_fw-la alexand._n lib._n 6._o c._n ult_v aristomenes_n sacrifice_v three_o hundred_o man_n together_o to_o jupiter_n ithometes_n one_o of_o who_o be_v theopompus_n king_n of_o the_o lacedæmonians_n and_o the_o same_o custom_n be_v find_v practise_v among_o the_o idolatrous_a indian_n of_o offer_v whole_a hecatomb_n of_o humane_a sacrifice_n to_o their_o false_a go_n 21._o go_n jos_n accost_n hist_o lib._n 5._o c._n 19_o 21._o in_o peru_n when_o their_o new_a ingra_n be_v crown_v they_o sacrifice_v two_o hundred_o child_n from_o four_o to_o ten_o year_n of_o age_n and_o the_o son_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v sacrifice_v for_o the_o life_n of_o the_o father_n when_o he_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o death_n sometime_o the_o mexican_n have_v sacrifice_v above_o five_o thousand_o of_o their_o captive_n in_o a_o day_n and_o in_o divers_a place_n above_o twenty_o thousand_o as_o acosta_n write_v out_o of_o the_o information_n he_o have_v from_o the_o indian_n 57_o indian_n liv._o lib._n xxii_o c._n 57_o livy_n make_v mention_n of_o humane_a sacrifice_n at_o rome_n and_o initio_fw-la and_o plutarch_n in_o marcello_n initio_fw-la plutarch_n say_v they_o continue_v in_o his_o time_n and_o it_o be_v not_o till_o about_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n reign_n that_o a_o final_a stop_n be_v put_v to_o so_o strange_a and_o abominable_a a_o practice_n for_o though_o it_o abate_v very_o much_o under_o adrian_n yet_o it_o be_v use_v when_o minutius_n felix_n write_v and_o 21._o and_o lact._n lib._n 1._o c._n 21._o lanctantius_n mention_n it_o as_o not_o lay_v aside_o in_o his_o time_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o much_o against_o humane_a nature_n as_o well_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o goodness_n yet_o it_o make_v up_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n and_o be_v become_v so_o customary_a that_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o bring_v man_n off_o from_o it_o which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n demonstate_v both_o how_o false_a such_o religion_n be_v and_o that_o man_n have_v a_o most_o undoubted_a experience_n of_o invisible_a power_n or_o else_o in_o so_o many_o nation_n both_o the_o king_n and_o people_n will_v never_o have_v sacrifice_v their_o own_o child_n to_o their_o false_a god_n to_o avert_v the_o evil_n which_o they_o be_v threaten_v withal_o the_o person_n that_o introduce_v the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v either_o man_n of_o design_n who_o establish_v themselves_o in_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n by_o it_o as_o numa_n or_o man_n of_o fancy_n and_o fiction_n as_o the_o poet_n who_o plato_n will_v have_v banish_v out_o of_o his_o commonwealth_n and_o the_o god_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o reveal_v these_o mystery_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v always_o more_o wicked_a than_o their_o votary_n who_o great_a immorality_n consist_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o they_o the_o gross_a enormity_n not_o only_o of_o venus_n and_o bacchus_n but_o of_o saturn_n and_o jupiter_n be_v too_o well_o know_v to_o need_v any_o particular_a relation_n there_o be_v no_o body_n of_o law_n or_o rule_n of_o good_a life_n propose_v by_o their_o oracle_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v in_o commendation_n of_o lascivions_n poet_n or_o they_o flatter_v tyrant_n or_o they_o appoint_v divine_a worship_n to_o be_v pay_v to_o such_o as_o win_v the_o mastery_n at_o the_o olympic_a game_n or_o to_o inanimate_a thing_n or_o they_o promote_v some_o other_o ill_o or_o vain_a and_o unprofitable_a design_n as_o oenomaus_n the_o philosopher_n observe_v and_o prove_v by_o particular_a instance_n recite_v out_o of_o he_o by_o 35._o by_o euseb_n praepar_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n 34_o 35._o eusebius_n the_o law_n of_o lycurg_n of_o plutarch_n in_o lycurg_n lycurgus_n be_v approve_v of_o and_o confirm_v by_o the_o delphic_a oracle_n and_o yet_o theft_n and_o a_o community_n of_o wife_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o infant_n be_v allow_v by_o these_o law_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o the_o heathen_a religion_n can_v not_o be_v from_o god_n since_o they_o teach_v the_o worship_n of_o idol_n and_o of_o devil_n and_o the_o mystery_n and_o rite_n of_o they_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n and_o purity_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o whoever_o do_v but_o look_v into_o the_o religion_n at_o this_o day_n among_o the_o idolatrous_a indian_n by_o their_o ridiculous_a and_o cruel_a penance_n and_o other_o superstition_n beside_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o man_n and_o sometime_o of_o themselves_o as_o the_o woman_n who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o be_v burn_v with_o the_o body_n of_o their_o dead_a husband_n and_o the_o like_a will_v soon_o be_v convince_v that_o they_o can_v be_v of_o god_n institution_n the_o chineses_n themselves_o who_o have_v so_o great_a a_o reputation_n for_o wisdom_n be_v like_o the_o rest_n both_o in_o their_o idolatry_n and_o in_o many_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n it_o be_v evident_a therefore_o that_o none_o of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n can_v make_v any_o probable_a claim_n to_o divine_a revelation_n have_v none_o of_o the_o requisite_n to_o such_o a_o revelation_n but_o be_v but_o of_o a_o late_a original_a not_o far_o divulge_v support_v neither_o by_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n from_o god_n and_o contain_v doctrine_n that_o be_v idolatrous_a impure_a cruel_a and_o every_o way_n wicked_a and_o absurd_a chap._n v._o of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_n but_o beside_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_a divers_a of_o the_o philosopherss_n pretend_v to_o something_o supernatural_a as_o pythagoras_n socrates_n and_o some_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v proper_a here_o to_o examinlikewise_o the_o justice_n of_o their_o pretension_n and_o
to_o himself_o thereby_o the_o great_a master_n of_o decency_n have_v not_o think_v it_o always_o improper_a for_o man_n to_o commend_v themselves_o either_o because_o they_o suppose_v some_o occasion_n may_v require_v it_o or_o because_o it_o be_v a_o more_o usual_a thing_n in_o ancient_a time_n when_o man_n life_n and_o manner_n be_v more_o natural_a and_o sincere_a and_o they_o often_o speak_v as_o they_o think_v both_o of_o themselves_o and_o other_o yet_o we_o no_o where_n find_v man_n speak_v so_o free_o in_o disparagement_n of_o themselves_o as_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o show_v that_o moses_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o inspire_a writer_n little_o regard_v their_o own_o praise_n or_o dispraise_v but_o write_v what_o god_n be_v please_v to_o appoint_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a to_o they_o so_o god_n may_v be_v honour_v whether_o they_o lose_v or_o gain_v in_o their_o own_o reputation_n by_o it_o but_o what_o we_o read_v of_o moses_n num._n twelve_o 3._o that_o he_o be_v very_o meek_a above_o all_o the_o man_n which_o be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o only_a commendable_a character_n that_o moses_n give_v of_o himself_o may_v be_v translate_v that_o he_o be_v the_o most_o afflict_a man_n according_a to_o the_o marginal_a read_n and_o if_o he_o mention_n his_o own_o meekness_n he_o mention_n also_o his_o great_a anger_n or_o heat_n of_o anger_n exod._n xi_o 8._o and_o his_o be_v very_o wroth_a num._n xuj_o 15._o but_o if_o moses_n have_v not_o have_v more_o respect_n to_o truth_n than_o to_o his_o own_o reputation_n he_o will_v never_o have_v leave_v it_o upon_o record_n that_o he_o so_o often_o decline_v the_o message_n and_o employment_n which_o god_n appoint_v he_o to_o undertake_v exod._n iii._o 11_o 13._o &_o four_o 1_o 10_o 13_o 14._o and_o that_o god_n be_v angry_a with_o he_o upon_o other_o occasion_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n will_v not_o permit_v he_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o promise_a land_n he_o will_v certain_o have_v ascribe_v balaam_n prophecy_n and_o jethro_n advice_n to_o himself_o at_o least_o he_o will_v never_o have_v record_v that_o by_o jethro_n counsel_n he_o take_v up_o a_o new_a and_o better_a method_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n if_o he_o have_v be_v lead_v by_o ambition_n and_o vainglory_n he_o will_v have_v endeavour_v by_o these_o thing_n to_o adorn_v his_o own_o character_n and_o will_v never_o have_v lessen_v it_o by_o tell_v his_o own_o infirmity_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o to_o the_o diminution_n of_o himself_o he_o publish_v the_o excellency_n of_o other_o the_o wonder_n of_o the_o magician_n of_o egypt_n be_v not_o conceal_v by_o he_o and_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o own_o genealogy_n from_o levi_n he_o first_o set_v down_o the_o family_n of_o reuben_n and_o simeon_n the_o two_o elder_a brother_n lest_o he_o may_v seem_v to_o arrogate_v too_o much_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o tribe_n some_o have_v observe_v that_o moses_n relate_v his_o own_o birth_n to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o marriage_n contrary_n to_o the_o law_n afterward_o by_o himself_o establish_v which_o indeed_o be_v doubtful_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o latitude_n of_o signification_n in_o the_o word_n sister_n in_o the_o hebrew_n language_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o be_v not_o careful_a to_o avoid_v the_o be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v from_o such_o a_o marriage_n as_o he_o will_v have_v be_v if_o his_o law_n have_v be_v of_o his_o own_o contrivance_n lest_o his_o own_o reputation_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n or_o perhaps_o both_o may_v have_v suffer_v by_o it_o exod._n vi_fw-la 14_o 20._o he_o set_v forth_o the_o ingratitude_n idolatry_n and_o perpetual_a revolt_v and_o murmur_n of_o his_o whole_a nation_n and_o relate_v the_o fail_n and_o fault_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o patriarch_n and_o particular_o of_o levi_n from_o who_o he_o be_v descend_v gen._n xxxiv_o 30._o &_o xlix_o 6._o he_o spare_v neither_o his_o people_n nor_o his_o ancestor_n nor_o himself_o in_o what_o he_o relate_v and_o these_o be_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o faithful_a historian_n and_o a_o sincere_a man_n that_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o as_o moses_n be_v not_o ambitious_a of_o praise_n so_o neither_o be_v he_o ambitious_a of_o power_n and_o dominion_n for_o beside_o that_o he_o enter_v upon_o such_o a_o undertake_n as_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v have_v attempt_v without_o a_o revelation_n it_o appear_v otherwise_o impossible_a to_o accomplish_v it_o his_o whole_a conduct_n show_v that_o he_o have_v no_o design_n of_o advance_v his_o own_o interest_n or_o dominion_n if_o he_o have_v be_v never_o so_o ambitious_a he_o need_v not_o have_v go_v into_o the_o wilderness_n to_o seek_v his_o preferment_n among_o a_o wander_a and_o stubborn_a people_n when_o he_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o to_o all_o the_o honour_n and_o the_o pleasure_n that_o egypt_n or_o pharaoh_n court_n can_v afford_v but_o he_o refuse_v to_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n choose_v rather_o to_o suffer_v affliction_n with_o the_o people_n of_o god_n than_o to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n for_o a_o season_n esteem_v the_o reproach_n of_o christ_n great_a riches_n than_o the_o treasure_n of_o egypt_n heb._n xi_o 24_o 25._o he_o undertake_v to_o lead_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n for_o forty_o year_n through_o a_o barren_a wilderness_n where_o he_o can_v promise_v himself_o but_o a_o very_a uneasy_a and_o inglorious_a reign_n if_o that_o have_v be_v his_o design_n and_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v not_o hope_v to_o outlive_v that_o period_n of_o time_n and_o though_o he_o be_v preserve_v in_o his_o old_a age_n in_o the_o full_a strength_n and_o vigour_n of_o manhood_n yet_o upon_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o promise_a land_n he_o meek_o resign_v himself_o to_o death_n in_o the_o very_a sight_n and_o border_n of_o canaan_n know_v beforehand_o that_o he_o must_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o possess_v the_o land_n which_o he_o have_v be_v so_o many_o year_n in_o so_o great_a danger_n lead_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o enjoy_v though_o he_o do_v not_o conceal_v how_o desirous_a he_o be_v to_o pass_v over_o jordan_n deut._n iii._o 23_o etc._n etc._n the_o history_n of_o his_o death_n be_v like_a that_o of_o his_o life_n relate_v with_o a_o peculiar_a kind_n of_o native_a simplicity_n he_o be_v not_o say_v to_o be_v take_v up_o into_o heaven_n as_o enoch_n and_o elijah_n be_v and_o as_o the_o roman_n feign_v of_o romulus_n but_o to_o die_v and_o his_o sepulchre_n be_v hide_v to_o prevent_v the_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a veneration_n which_o may_v have_v be_v pay_v to_o the_o remain_v of_o so_o great_a a_o person_n and_o though_o he_o have_v son_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o private_a man_n no_o otherwise_o know_v to_o we_o than_o as_o they_o be_v his_o son_n the_o government_n he_o confer_v upon_o joshua_n one_o of_o another_o tribe_n moses_n therefore_o be_v the_o further_a of_o any_o man_n from_o vainglorious_a or_o ambitious_a and_o aspire_a design_n and_o can_v propose_v no_o other_o advantage_n to_o himself_o but_o the_o fulfil_n the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o deliver_v his_o commandment_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n and_o follow_v his_o direction_n in_o his_o conduct_n and_o government_n aaron_z be_v of_o a_o different_a temper_n from_o moses_n and_o be_v envious_a of_o he_o and_o both_o aaron_n and_o miriam_n murmur_v against_o he_o it_o be_v so_o notorious_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o contrivance_n between_o they_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n that_o it_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o visible_a power_n of_o god_n which_o keep_v aaron_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n in_o obedience_n to_o moses_n upon_o moses_n absence_n aaron_n comply_v with_o the_o people_n in_o make_v a_o golden_a calf_n and_o his_o two_o elder_a son_n offer_v strange_a fire_n before_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o have_v not_o command_v for_o which_o they_o be_v both_o destroy_v by_o fire_n miraculous_o issue_v out_o from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o aaron_n hold_v his_o peace_n know_v that_o this_o punishment_n be_v inflict_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o have_v nothing_o to_o reply_v to_o moses_n when_o he_o declare_v to_o he_o the_o justice_n of_o it_o and_o both_o aaron_n and_o his_o other_o two_o son_n be_v forbid_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o mourn_v for_o they_o leu._n x._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 6._o at_o last_o by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n aaron_n go_v up_o into_o mount_n hor_n to_o die_v there_o not_o be_v permit_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n thus_o moses_n and_o aaron_n be_v sometime_o at_o disagreement_n aaron_n envy_v moses_n aaron_n lose_v two_o of_o his_o son_n by_o a_o
the_o word_n that_o we_o do_v tell_v thou_o in_o egypt_n say_v let_v we_o alone_o that_o we_o may_v serve_v the_o egyptian_n for_o it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o we_o to_o serve_v the_o egyptian_n than_o that_o we_o shall_v die_v in_o the_o wilderness_n exod._n fourteen_o 11_o 12._o but_o the_o israelite_n be_v purposely_o bring_v into_o this_o distress_n by_o god_n express_a will_n and_o command_n that_o he_o may_v get_v he_o honour_n upon_o pharaoh_n and_o upon_o all_o his_o do_v upon_o his_o chariot_n and_o upon_o his_o horseman_n ver_fw-la 17._o and_o ●he_v sea_n be_v divide_v at_o moses_n lift_v up_o his_o rod_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o it_o upon_o dry-ground_n and_o the_o water_n be_v a_o wall_n unto_o they_o on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o on_o the_o jest_n ver_fw-la 22._o and_o can_v they_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o they_o walk_v in_o the_o water_n or_o upon_o dry_a land_n whether_o they_o be_v the_o man_n that_o have_v escape_v or_o whether_o they_o have_v be_v all_o drown_v the_o word_n be_v express_v that_o the_o water_n be_v on_o both_o side_n of_o they_o in_o their_o passage_n and_o that_o they_o be_v separate_v to_o make_v way_n for_o they_o which_o can_v not_o fall_v out_o by_o any_o ebb_a of_o the_o sea_n for_o than_o they_o will_v have_v have_v water_n but_o on_o one_o side_n of_o they_o whereas_o now_o the_o water_n stand_v equal_o on_o both_o hand_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v suppose_v more_o absurd_a than_o it_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o neither_o the_o egyptian_n nor_o the_o israelite_n shall_v understand_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o red-sea_n but_o that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o tide_n shall_v be_v know_v only_o to_o moses_n at_o the_o give_n of_o the_o law_n the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n have_v warning_n give_v they_o three_o day_n before_o that_o they_o may_v sanctify_v and_o prepare_v themselves_o to_o make_v their_o appearance_n before_o the_o lord_n all_z the_o people_n see_v the_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o trumpet_n and_o behold_v the_o mountain_n smoke_v and_o the_o lord_n speak_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n the_o word_n of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o they_o be_v strike_v with_o such_o a_o terror_n that_o they_o remove_v and_o stand_v afar_o off_o and_o desire_v moses_n that_o he_o will_v acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o god_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o give_v he_o in_o command_n concern_v they_o that_o they_o may_v no_o long_o hear_v god_n speak_v to_o they_o lest_o they_o shall_v die_v exod._n xx_o 18._o deut._n v._n 22._o the_o clond_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o the_o tabernacle_n by_o day_n and_o fire_n be_v on_o it_o by_o night_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n throughout_o all_o their_o journey_n exod._n xl_o 38._o whether_o it_o be_v two_o day_n or_o a_o month_n or_o a_o year_n that_o the_o cloud_n tarry_v upon_o the_o tabernacle_n remain_v thereon_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n abode_n in_o their_o tent_n and_o journey_v not_o but_o when_o it_o be_v take_v up_o they_o journey_v num._n ix_o 22._o from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o escape_n out_o of_o egypt_n the_o pillar_n of_o the_o cloud_n by_o day_n and_o the_o pillar_n of_o fire_n by_o might_n the_o manna_n with_o which_o they_o be_v yf_v during_o the_o whole_a time_n of_o their_o journey_v in_o the_o wilderness_n till_o the_o very_a day_n after_o they_o have_v eat_v of_o the_o corn_n of_o the_o land_n of_o can●●n_n exod._n xuj_o 35._o jos_n v._o 12._o and_o their_o garment_n last_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n without_o any_o decay_n deut._n xxix_o 5._o these_o be_v constant_a and_o perpetual_a miracle_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o and_o it_o be_v the_o most_o impossible_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o people_n consist_v of_o so_o many_o hundred_o thousand_o shall_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n be_v impose_v upon_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n their_o eve_n and_o taste_v and_o all_o their_o sense_n be_v witness_n that_o they_o be_v conduct_v and_o feed_v and_o clothe_v by_o miracle_n for_o forty_o year_n together_o indeed_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o lead_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n through_o a_o vast_a and_o barren_a wilderness_n by_o so_o long_a and_o tedious_a journey_n without_o the_o help_n of_o miracle_n if_o they_o have_v be_v under_o no_o other_o distress_n but_o want_n of_o food_n in_o so_o barren_a a_o place_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o number_n of_o man_n and_o much_o more_o for_o so_o vast_a a_o multitude_n to_o subsist_v for_o any_o time_n without_o a_o miracle_n but_o they_o be_v say_v with_o manna_n from_o heaven_n not_o with_o such_o as_o the_o manna_n be_v which_o be_v now_o any_o where_n to_o be_v find_v which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o honey-dew_n but_o with_o manna_n which_o be_v fit_a for_o nourishment_n not_o for_o physic_n and_o so_o hard_a as_o to_o be_v ground_n in_o mill_n and_o beat_v in_o mortar_n and_o bake_v in_o pan_n num._n xi_o 8._o and_o yet_o it_o be_v melt_v by_o the_o sun_n and_o breed_v worm_n and_o stink_v if_o it_o be_v keep_v but_o one_o night_n except_o it_o be_v on_o the_o night_n before_o the_o sabbath_n though_o again_o when_o it_o be_v to_o be_v preserve_v for_o a_o memorial_n to_o future_a generation_n nothing_o be_v more_o last_a and_o it_o fall_v on_o every_o day_n of_o the_o week_n but_o the_o sabbath_n the_o manna_n therefore_o which_o be_v now_o of_o what_o sort_n soever_o it_o be_v be_v of_o quite_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o this_o miraculous_a manna_n though_o it_o have_v its_o name_n from_o it_o as_o a_o learned_a physician_n 2._o physician_n jo_n chrys_n magnen_n de_fw-fr manna_n c._n 2._o have_v prove_v their_o water_n be_v as_o miraculous_a as_o their_o food_n and_o their_o clothing_n as_o either_o neither_o their_o raiment_n decay_v nor_o their_o bread_n and_o water_n fail_v till_o they_o arrive_v in_o the_o promise_v land_n the_o march_n of_o the_o greek_a army_n out_o of_o asia_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o xenophon_n after_o the_o death_n of_o cyrus_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o thing_n scarce_o to_o be_v equal_v in_o all_o humane_a story_n though_o that_o be_v but_o for_o one_o year_n and_o three_o month_n and_o the_o difficulty_n they_o meet_v with_o be_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o beset_v the_o israelite_n on_o every_o side_n in_o that_o great_a and_o terrible_a wilderness_n wherein_o be_v fiery_a serpent_n and_o scorpion_n and_o drought_n deut._n viij_o 15._o a_o land_n of_o desert_n and_o of_o pit_n of_o drought_n and_o of_o the_o shadow_n ●f_fw-fr death_n a_o land_n that_o no_o man_n pass_v through_o and_o where_o no_o man_n dwell_v jer._n two_o 6._o nothing_o but_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n can_v have_v sustain_v they_o and_o nothing_o but_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o can_v have_v keep_v they_o within_o any_o bound_n of_o duty_n and_o obedience_n we_o see_v how_o froward_a and_o rebellious_a they_o be_v upon_o all_o occasion_n notwithstanding_o the_o wonderful_a power_n and_o presence_n of_o god_n continual_o manifest_a among_o they_o they_o will_v have_v be_v content_a with_o the_o egyptian_a slavery_n and_o the_o egyptian_a god_n too_o rather_o than_o endure_v the_o hardship_n of_o the_o wilderness_n moses_n complain_v that_o they_o be_v almost_o ready_a to_o stone_n he_o exod._n xvii_o 4._o and_o out_o of_o despondency_n pray_v that_o god_n will_v kill_v he_o out_o of_o hand_n rather_o than_o lay_v so_o great_a a_o burden_n upon_o he_o num._n xi_o 15._o and_o whoever_o can_v believe_v that_o moses_n by_o his_o own_o skill_n and_o management_n can_v lead_v such_o a_o multitude_n through_o such_o a_o wilderness_n so_o many_o year_n journey_n can_v it_o seem_v believe_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o the_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o incredible_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v but_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o incredible_a that_o he_o may_v do_v it_o by_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o assistance_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n tempt_v god_n ten_o time_n by_o their_o murmur_n and_o their_o distrust_n of_o his_o power_n and_o care_n over_o they_o num._n fourteen_o 22._o for_o which_o many_o of_o they_o be_v punish_v with_o death_n till_o at_o last_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o man_n that_o be_v twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_o have_v this_o judgement_n denounce_v against_o they_o that_o for_o their_o murmur_n but_o two_o of_o they_o by_o name_n caleb_n the_o son_n of_o jephunneh_n and_o joshua_n the_o son_n of_o nun_n shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o promise_a land_n and_o the_o rest_n shall_v all_o die_v in_o the_o wilderness_n but_o that_o after_o
that_o their_o most_o ancient_a book_n be_v in_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v not_o expound_v by_o any_o who_o live_v near_o than_o mdcc_o year_n to_o the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o that_o the_o number_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o mistake_v or_o that_o month_n be_v put_v for_o year_n but_o of_o what_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n soever_o their_o first_o writer_n be_v there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o book_n now_o remain_v since_o that_o general_a destruction_n of_o all_o ancient_a book_n by_o the_o emperor_n xi_o hoam_n ti_o who_o live_v but_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n he_o command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n all_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n to_o be_v destroy_v relate_v either_o to_o history_n or_o philosophy_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o confucius_n and_o kill_v many_o of_o their_o learned_a man_n so_o that_o from_o his_o time_n they_o have_v only_o some_o fragment_n of_o old_a author_n leave_v the_o chinese_n be_v a_o people_n vain_a enough_o and_o love_n to_o magnify_v themselves_o to_o the_o european_n which_o make_v they_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v sufficient_o entire_a notwithstanding_o this_o destruction_n of_o their_o book_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o describe_v the_o emperor_n observatory_n as_o the_o most_o complete_a and_o the_o best_a fit_v for_o the_o use_n of_o astronomy_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o upon_o the_o view_n it_o appear_v very_o inconsiderable_a and_o the_o instrument_n be_v find_v useless_a and_o new_a one_o be_v place_v in_o their_o room_n make_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o father_n verbiest_n this_o people_n after_o all_o their_o boast_n of_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v a_o exact_a calendar_n and_o their_o table_n of_o eclipse_n be_v so_o uncorrect_a that_o they_o can_v scarce_o foretell_v about_o what_o time_n that_o of_o the_o sun_n shall_v happen_v and_o in_o a_o petition_n which_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n in_o favour_n it_o seem_v to_o the_o missionary_n have_v private_o draw_v up_o to_o be_v present_v by_o they_o to_o himself_o in_o public_a it_o be_v say_v that_o father_n adam_n schaal_n make_v it_o know_v to_o all_o the_o court_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o celestial_a motion_n establish_v by_o the_o ancient_a astronomer_n of_o china_n be_v all_o false_a and_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n of_o china_n but_o the_o chief_a mandarine_n be_v so_o ignorant_a and_o superstitious_a that_o when_o they_o see_v the_o sun_n or_o moon_n under_o a_o eclipse_n with_o sacrifice_n and_o other_o rite_n and_o with_o great_a noise_n and_o clamour_n they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o rescue_v they_o from_o the_o dog_n or_o dragon_n which_o they_o imagine_v be_v like_a to_o devour_v they_o so_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o pretence_n which_o the_o several_a nation_n among_o the_o heathen_n have_v make_v to_o antiquity_n without_o any_o ground_n from_o history_n but_o upon_o wander_a discourse_n of_o observation_n in_o astronomy_n which_o they_o have_v little_a or_o no_o skill_n in_o and_o it_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o divers_a learned_a man_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o the_o very_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v but_o man_n who_o the_o scripture_n mention_v as_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n such_o as_o no●h_v joseph_n moses_n etc._n etc._n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o several_a religion_n profess_v among_o the_o heathen_n have_v be_v very_o inconsiderable_a for_o they_o be_v never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v and_o examine_v but_o their_o mystery_n be_v keep_v secret_a and_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o knowledge_n the_o people_n have_v of_o they_o be_v from_o the_o priest_n every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v seldom_o receive_v or_o know_v but_o in_o those_o place_n where_o they_o be_v first_o set_v up_o the_o 3._o the_o valer-max_n de_fw-fr peregrina_fw-la relig._n rejecta_fw-la lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o roman_n reject_v many_o foreign_a religion_n as_o abominable_a and_o none_o of_o their_o religion_n ever_o prevail_v but_o where_o they_o have_v the_o temporal_a power_n to_o uphold_v they_o and_o they_o lose_v ground_n daily_o by_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n whilst_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppress_v it_o and_o to_o maintain_v the_o heathen_a religion_n against_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o this_o day_n preach_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o its_o first_o propagation_n as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v before_o but_o where_o christianity_n have_v prevail_v heathenism_n have_v be_v never_o able_a to_o maintain_v its_o ground_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o but_o christian_n except_v some_o few_o jew_n to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_a country_n which_o make_v a_o great_a abatement_n in_o the_o disproportion_n that_o heathenism_n in_o general_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v in_o its_o number_n above_o christianity_n but_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n here_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v whether_o any_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n exceed_v or_o equal_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o point_n of_o promulgation_n for_o who_o ever_o can_v imagine_v that_o all_o or_o any_o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n must_v suppose_v god_n to_o reveal_v contradiction_n the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v not_o whether_o heathen_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o christian_n but_o whether_o any_o of_o their_o religion_n have_v be_v as_o full_o promulge_v as_o the_o christian_a one_o herald_n be_v enough_o to_o promulge_v a_o law_n to_o many_o thousand_o the_o city_n of_o nineve_n be_v convert_v by_o one_o prophet_n and_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v more_o christian_n in_o it_o than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v chap._n iii_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o history_n but_o that_o many_o wonder_n have_v be_v do_v by_o magician_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n have_v be_v foreshow_v and_o foretell_v among_o heathen_n by_o dream_n and_o prodigy_n and_o oracle_n which_o do_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o then_o all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o there_o be_v invisible_a power_n and_o that_o devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o man_n can_v do_v and_o to_o know_v more_o than_o man_n can_v know_v for_o which_o reason_n in_o former_a age_n there_o be_v no_o more_o doubt_n make_v whether_o there_o be_v spirit_n than_o whether_o there_o be_v man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o they_o be_v continual_o sensible_a of_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n of_o invisible_a being_n which_o make_v they_o exceed_o prone_a to_o idolatry_n but_o not_o incline_v to_o atheism_n and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o now_o in_o heathen_a country_n where_o apparition_n and_o delusion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n be_v affirm_v by_o all_o writer_n to_o be_v very_o frequent_a but_o if_o at_o any_o time_n evil_a spirit_n by_o their_o subtlety_n and_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o world_n do_v foretell_v thing_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_n they_o be_v thing_n that_o happen_v not_o long_o after_o and_o common_o such_o as_o themselves_o do_v excite_v and_o prompt_v man_n to_o thus_o when_o the_o conspiracy_n against_o caesar_n be_v come_v just_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n and_o the_o devil_n have_v his_o agent_n concern_v in_o it_o he_o can_v foretell_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o his_o death_n but_o it_o have_v be_v foretell_v to_o pompey_n crassus_n and_o caesar_n himself_o before_o as_o two_o as_o tull._n de_fw-fr divin_n lib._n two_o tully_n inform_v we_o from_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o die_v in_o their_o bed_n and_o in_o a_o honourable_a old_a age._n some_o oracle_n may_v possible_o take_v their_o answer_n from_o the_o scripture_n as_o that_o of_o jupiter_n hammon_n concern_v alexander_n victory_n if_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o a_o piece_n of_o flattery_n which_o prove_v true_a by_o chance_n evil_a spirit_n may_v likewise_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v man_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o victory_n the_o same_o day_n they_o be_v win_v as_o it_o be_v relate_v ib._n relate_v ib._n of_o several_a and_o in_o
for_o what_o book_n be_v there_o without_o they_o or_o what_o book_n of_o the_o same_o bigness_n and_o of_o any_o antiquity_n have_v so_o few_o various_a lection_n as_o the_o bible_n and_o what_o book_n can_v be_v transcribe_v or_o print_v but_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o have_v mistake_v make_v in_o it_o iu._n no_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o several_a version_n themselves_o be_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v ever_o different_a in_o any_o thing_n material_a from_o what_o it_o be_v now_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n 8._o septuagint_n id._n prolegom_n ix_o s_o ●2_n &_o x._o s_o 8._o as_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v from_o st._n jerom_n and_o other_o be_v in_o many_o place_n rather_o a_o comment_n or_o paraphrase_n than_o a_o strict_a version_n and_o give_v the_o sense_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n many_o time_n there_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o difference_n where_o there_o be_v none_o for_o want_v of_o a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o original_a as_o 46._o as_o pocock_n append._n ad_fw-la por●_n mos_fw-la c._n 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o pear_n praef._n ad_fw-la septuag_n edit_fw-la cantab_n be_v voss_n de_fw-fr lxx_o interpret_v walt_n proleg_n ix_o 46._o dr_n pocock_n have_v show_v in_o divers_a instance_n and_o bp_o pearson_n in_o other_o beside_o what_o have_v be_v write_v by_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la to_o this_o purpose_n and_o one_o very_o skilful_a in_o the_o oriental_a tongue_n have_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o agreement_n between_o hebrew_a and_z and_o the_o septuagint_n throughout_o and_o have_v make_v a_o considerable_a progress_n in_o the_o work_n as_o bishop_n walton_n inform_v we_o other_o difference_n proceed_v from_o the_o mistake_v of_o transcriber_n as_o it_o must_v needs_o happen_v in_o book_n of_o which_o so_o many_o copy_n have_v be_v take_v in_o all_o age_n and_o from_o the_o rashness_n of_o critic_n in_o make_v unnecessary_a alteration_n or_o by_o insert_v into_o the_o text_n such_o note_n as_o be_v at_o first_o place_v only_o for_o explication_n in_o the_o margin_n in_o some_o thing_n of_o less_o consequence_n the_o translator_n may_v be_v mistake_v or_o they_o may_v follow_v a_o different_a copy_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v great_o confirm_v from_o the_o citation_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n the_o copy_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o have_v no_o such_o variation_n from_o those_o we_o now_o use_v as_o to_o be_v of_o any_o ill_a consequence_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o to_o the_o imputation_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o jew_n by_o some_o of_o the_o father_n that_o they_o have_v corrupt_v the_o scripture_n in_o such_o place_n as_o according_a to_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o ancestor_n must_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o they_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o version_n of_o aquila_n symmachus_n and_o theodosian_a who_o be_v all_o either_o profess_a jew_n or_o judaize_v heretic_n design_v their_o translation_n to_o countenance_v their_o own_o error_n especial_o aquila_n who_o undertake_v his_o version_n purposely_o to_o oppose_v that_o of_o the_o septuagint_n for_o it_o be_v now_o general_o agree_v that_o the_o jew_n never_o deserve_v the_o censure_n of_o have_v corrupt_v the_o hebrew_n text_n though_o they_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o where_o there_o be_v various_a readins_n choose_v to_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v most_o favourable_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n though_o it_o be_v in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o forefather_n as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n philo_z in_o a_o discourse_n cite_v 6._o cite_v euseb_n praepar_fw-la evang._n lib._n viij_o c._n 6._o by_o eusebius_n who_o thereby_o own_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o say_v that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o word_n alter_v in_o the_o law_n but_o that_o the_o jew_n will_v choose_v to_o die_v never_o so_o many_o death_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v consent_v to_o any_o thing_n in_o prejudice_n of_o it_o and_o i._n and_o contra_fw-la apion_n lib._n i._n josephus_n declare_v of_o the_o whole_a old_a testament_n that_o it_o have_v suffer_v no_o alteration_n from_o the_o begin_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n 38._o time_n antiqu._n eccl._n orient_a epist_n 38._o morinus_n himself_o whatever_o he_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a declare_v in_o a_o letter_n to_o dr_n comber_n dean_n of_o carlisle_n that_o he_o suppose_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o jewish_a copy_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o any_o copy_n of_o the_o samaritan_n which_o he_o in_o his_o write_n so_o high_o magnify_v it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o verse_n and_o word_n and_o letter_n and_o the_o observe_v which_o be_v the_o middle_a letter_n of_o every_o book_n can_v signify_v little_a to_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entire_a because_o there_o may_v be_v the_o same_o number_n of_o verse_n and_o word_n and_o letter_n in_o different_a book_n and_o the_o same_o number_n of_o letter_n may_v make_v up_o different_a word_n and_o the_o same_o word_n diverse_o place_v and_o apply_v may_v express_v a_o very_a different_a sense_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o charm_n in_o a_o word_n that_o stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o book_n to_o keep_v all_o the_o rest_n in_o their_o proper_a place_n but_o this_o scrupulous_a and_o even_o superstitious_a diligence_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o little_a thing_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a study_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o great_a value_n and_o reverence_n they_o have_v for_o it_o so_o that_o they_o will_v neither_o corrupt_v it_o themselves_o nor_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o other_o but_o be_v careful_a and_o zealous_a to_o preserve_v every_o ever_o letter_n and_o tittle_n and_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o from_o josephus_n they_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o it_o that_o he_o think_v he_o can_v not_o full_o enough_o express_v their_o skill_n and_o accuracy_n but_o by_o say_v that_o they_o know_v it_o better_o than_o their_o own_o name_n v._o it_o be_v evident_a and_o confess_v by_o the_o critic_n that_o neither_o by_o these_o nor_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n any_o such_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o several_a copy_n of_o the_o bible_n as_o to_o prejudice_v the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n or_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n all_o relate_v to_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v eager_o debate_v by_o contend_a party_n who_o yet_o agree_v in_o this_o whatever_o they_o differ_v in_o beside_o that_o the_o various_a lection_n do_v not_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o render_v they_o ineffectual_a to_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n inasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o various_a lection_n take_v together_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n nor_o to_o any_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n 2._o salvation_n non_fw-la minus_fw-la ex_fw-la ijs_fw-la quae_fw-la supra_fw-la disputata_fw-la sunt_fw-la planum_fw-la est_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la statim_fw-la libri_fw-la primi_fw-la initio_fw-la monuimus_fw-la &_o saepius_fw-la toto_fw-la opere_fw-la inculcavimus_fw-la plerasque_fw-la omnes_fw-la quae_fw-la observari_fw-la &_o deprehendi_fw-la in_o sacris_fw-la libris_fw-la possunt_fw-la varias_fw-la lectiones_fw-la levissimi_fw-la esse_fw-la ac_fw-la pene_fw-la nullius_fw-la momenti_fw-la ut_fw-la parum_fw-la admodum_fw-la intersit_fw-la aut_fw-la vero_fw-la perinde_v omnino_fw-la sit_fw-la utram_fw-la sequaris_fw-la sive_fw-la hanc_fw-la sive_fw-la illam_fw-la ludovic_n cappel_n crit._n sacr._n lib._n 6._o c._n 2._o ludovicus_n cappellus_n who_o have_v study_v this_o subject_n as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n and_o be_v as_o well_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o it_o after_o the_o strict_a examination_n he_o can_v make_v find_v that_o the_o thing_n relate_v either_o to_o faith_n or_o practice_n be_v plain_o contain_v in_o all_o copy_n whatever_o difference_n there_o be_v in_o lesser_a thing_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o chronology_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o alteration_n or_o the_o omission_n or_o addition_n of_o a_o letter_n or_o in_o the_o name_n of_o man_n or_o of_o city_n or_o country_n but_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o disperse_v throughout_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o can_v receive_v no_o damage_n nor_o alteration_n unless_o the_o whole_a scripture_n shall_v have_v be_v change_v wherefore_o not_o only_o the_o most_o learned_a protestant_n but_o 2._o but_o
this_o notion_n of_o their_o legal_a worship_n abraham_n to_o who_o circumcision_n be_v appoint_v see_v the_o day_n of_o christ_n he_o sore_o see_v his_o descent_n from_o himself_o which_o be_v thereby_o prefigure_v and_o be_v glad_a joh._n viij_o 56._o and_o moses_n by_o who_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n be_v ordain_v have_v so_o clear_a a_o prospect_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o his_o kingdom_n that_o he_o esteem_v the_o reproach_n of_o christ_n great_a riches_n than_o the_o treasure_n of_o egypt_n hebr._n xi_o 26._o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o the_o apostle_n apply_v to_o christ_n out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v at_o that_o time_n by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o to_o who_o they_o cite_v they_o understand_v of_o the_o messiah_n they_o always_o suppose_v that_o whatever_o be_v great_a and_o excellent_a among_o they_o be_v but_o a_o faint_a and_o imperfect_a resemblance_n of_o that_o glory_n and_o excellency_n which_o be_v to_o be_v in_o its_o full_a perfection_n and_o accomplishment_n under_o the_o messiah_n 4._o during_o this_o ceremonial_a dispensation_n there_o be_v a_o sufficient_a revelation_n of_o the_o internal_a and_o spiritual_a part_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o love_n of_o god_n with_o all_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o love_n of_o their_o neighbour_n as_o of_o themselves_o be_v express_o command_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n leu._n nineteeen_o 18._o deut._n vi_fw-la 5._o the_o high_a priest_n office_n be_v to_o bless_v the_o people_n numb_a vi_fw-la 23._o and_o the_o office_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n beside_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n be_v to_o stand_v every_o morning_n to_o thank_v and_o praise_v the_o lord_n and_o likewise_o at_o even_o 1_o chron._n xxiii_o 30._o 2_o chron._n xxxi_o 2._o and_o 9_o and_o vid._n qutr_n de_fw-fr sacrific_a lib._n 1._o c._n 15._o s._n 9_o no_o sacrifice_n be_v ever_o offer_v without_o prayer_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v imply_v in_o that_o expression_n which_o be_v often_o use_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n that_o man_n when_o they_o die_v be_v gather_v to_o their_o people_n which_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o their_o soul_n their_o body_n be_v bury_v at_o different_a place_n and_o in_o divers_a country_n not_o where_o their_o ancestor_n have_v be_v bury_v and_o though_o this_o and_o such_o like_a phrase_n may_v sometime_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o their_o leave_v the_o world_n as_o other_o have_v do_v before_o they_o as_o most_o word_n and_o expression_n be_v often_o use_v improper_o and_o may_v in_o some_o place_n be_v apply_v to_o ill_a man_n yet_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o reason_n or_o foundation_n for_o such_o a_o phrase_n but_o from_o a_o supposition_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n balaam_n wish_v to_o die_v the_o death_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o that_o his_o last_o end_n may_v be_v like_o that_o of_o the_o righteous_a numb_a xxiii_o 10._o for_o what_o reason_n but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v miserable_a but_o happy_a after_o death_n a_o future_a state_n be_v always_o believe_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o reveal_v to_o they_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o whatever_o text_n there_o may_v be_v which_o seem_v to_o imply_v the_o contrary_a they_o be_v either_o speak_v only_o by_o way_n of_o objection_n as_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ecclesiastes_n or_o else_o they_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o state_n after_o this_o life_n either_o to_o affirm_v or_o deny_v it_o but_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v to_o proceed_v from_o that_o desire_n which_o pious_a man_n have_v to_o honour_n and_o glorify_v god_n in_o their_o several_a generation_n by_o restore_v his_o worship_n where_o it_o have_v be_v neglect_v or_o in_o propagate_a his_o religion_n where_o it_o have_v not_o be_v yet_o know_v thus_o that_o good_a king_n hezekiah_n say_v to_o god_n in_o his_o thanksgiving_n the_o grave_a can_v praise_v thou_o death_n can_v celebrate_v thou_o they_o that_o go_v down_o into_o the_o pit_n can_v hope_v for_o thy_o truth_n the_o live_n the_o live_n he_o shall_v praise_v thou_o as_o i_o do_v this_o day_n the_o father_n to_o the_o child_n shall_v make_v know_v thy_o truth_n isa_n xxxviii_o 18_o 19_o this_o be_v speak_v with_o the_o same_o zeal_n and_o spirit_n by_o which_o he_o be_v act_v in_o his_o reformation_n and_o when_o david_n say_v in_o death_n there_o be_v no_o remembrance_n of_o thou_o in_o the_o grave_a who_o shall_v give_v thou_o thanks_o psal_n vi_fw-la 5._o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v any_o doubtfulness_n concern_v a_o future_a state_n for_o in_o other_o psalm_n he_o plain_o assert_v it_o psal_n xuj_o 11._o xvii_o 15._o but_o his_o mean_v be_v explain_v psal_n thirty_o 9_o where_o he_o say_v what_o profit_n be_v there_o in_o my_o blood_n when_o i_o go_v down_o into_o the_o pit_n shall_v the_o dust_n praise_v thou_o shall_v it_o declare_v thy_o truth_n in_o our_o other_o translation_n it_o be_v shall_v the_o dust_n give_v thanks_o to_o thou_o to_o give_v thanks_o then_o to_o god_n be_v in_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n for_o his_o mercy_n to_o praise_v and_o magnify_v his_o name_n and_o manifest_v his_o truth_n among_o man_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o grave_a god_n dispensation_n to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v with_o this_o design_n pious_a man_n desire_v that_o their_o life_n may_v be_v prolong_v for_o this_o purpose_n that_o they_o may_v declare_v his_o truth_n and_o vindicate_v and_o promote_v his_o honour_n in_o this_o world_n before_o they_o be_v call_v to_o the_o next_o where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o opportunity_n for_o this_o service_n to_o god_n and_o benefit_n to_o mankind_n enoch_n be_v take_v up_o alive_a into_o heaven_n to_o be_v a_o example_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o those_o who_o walk_v with_o he_o and_o please_v he_o gen._n v._n 24._o and_o our_o saviour_n mark_v twelve_o 26._o prove_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a from_o exod._n iii._o 6._o those_o for_o who_o god_n have_v that_o peculiar_a favour_n as_o to_o style_v himself_o their_o god_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o be_v his_o name_n or_o title_n for_o ever_o and_o this_o to_o be_v his_o memorial_n unto_o all_o generation_n verse_n 15._o we_o may_v be_v assure_v be_v not_o so_o dead_a as_o utter_o to_o have_v perish_v and_o if_o their_o soul_n have_v survive_v their_o body_n their_o body_n likewise_o must_v be_v raise_v again_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o soul_n of_o abraham_n without_o his_o body_n be_v not_o abraham_n but_o only_o one_o part_n of_o he_o and_o his_o soul_n can_v not_o be_v style_v abraham_n but_o with_o respect_n not_o only_o to_o its_o past_a but_o to_o its_o future_a union_n with_o his_o body_n for_o though_o a_o part_n be_v often_o put_v for_o the_o whole_a yet_o it_o always_o suppose_v either_o the_o present_a or_o future_a existence_n of_o the_o whole_a but_o be_v never_o put_v for_o the_o whole_a when_o it_o remain_v alone_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v utter_o and_o final_o extinct_a abraham_n consist_v of_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o therefore_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o abraham_n be_v god_n both_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o abraham_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o abraham_n now_o live_v and_o that_o his_o body_n shall_v live_v again_o for_o all_o live_v to_o god_n and_o he_o will_v not_o have_v give_v himself_o a_o solemn_a title_n and_o denomination_n from_o a_o man_n who_o have_v no_o long_o any_o be_v nor_o from_o that_o part_n of_o he_o which_o have_v utter_o perish_v i_o be_o the_o god_n of_o thy_o father_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob._n abraham_n have_v his_o name_n in_o token_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o father_n of_o many_o nation_n gen._n xvii_o 5._o and_o isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v heir_n of_o the_o same_o promise_n and_o therefore_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n be_v the_o god_n of_o that_o father_n of_o nation_n and_o have_v a_o particular_a regard_n to_o the_o body_n from_o which_o those_o nation_n be_v descend_v as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o soul_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n i_o be_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n not_o i_o be_v but_o i_o be_o which_o suppose_v abraham_n yet_o to_o be_v i_o be_o the_o same_o god_n still_o to_o he_o that_o i_o be_v during_o his_o life_n upon_o earth_n he_o be_v still_o the_o object_n of_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o goodness_n and_o therefore_o shall_v be_v reward_v both_o in_o body_n and_o soul_n god_n be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o be_v call_v their_o god_n for_o he_o have_v prepare_v for_o they_o a_o city_n heb._n xi_o 16._o that_o be_v a_o habitation_n in_o heaven_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n before_o the_o give_n of_o the_o law_n be_v
if_o therefore_o christ_n have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n how_o many_o more_o pretence_n will_v those_o man_n have_v feign_v to_o themselves_o for_o their_o infidelity_n who_o be_v now_o so_o prone_a to_o unbelief_n and_o so_o unwilling_a to_o be_v christian_n man_n be_v tempt_v to_o suspect_v that_o there_o be_v something_o of_o obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n in_o all_o thing_n long_o since_o past_a and_o if_o christ_n have_v be_v bear_v a_o thousand_o or_o two_o thousand_o year_n soon_o those_o who_o now_o think_v he_o come_v too_o late_o will_v then_o have_v cavil_v that_o he_o come_v too_o soon_o and_o that_o it_o be_v too_o long_o ago_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o have_v happen_v in_o a_o dark_a and_o fabulous_a age._n and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v that_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o very_a season_n and_o centre_n of_o time_n that_o as_o the_o former_a age_n be_v not_o so_o remote_a as_o not_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o all_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o death_n and_o passion_n to_o be_v in_o due_a time_n accomplish_v so_o the_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n may_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o any_o account_n of_o the_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n since_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n this_o may_v be_v the_o case_n for_o aught_o any_o man_n can_v tell_v or_o many_o other_o reason_n there_o may_v be_v much_o better_a and_o more_o important_a than_o this_o to_o defer_v the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o raise_v objection_n about_o it_o many_o reason_n there_o may_v be_v for_o it_o which_o we_o be_v uncapable_a of_o know_v and_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n and_o that_o this_o time_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a and_o expedient_a and_o therefore_o be_v the_o time_n appoint_v and_o determine_v by_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n 4._o god_n have_v by_o the_o various_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n give_v such_o signal_n opportunity_n to_o the_o gentile_n to_o become_v acquaint_v with_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o do_v might_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o christ_n at_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n all_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v be_v as_o so_o many_o several_a preparation_n to_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n god_n choose_v abraham_n to_o be_v the_o father_n of_o a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o when_o that_o people_n have_v be_v by_o the_o constant_a manifestation_n of_o a_o miraculous_a providence_n preserve_v and_o by_o their_o law_n and_o ceremony_n distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o people_n they_o be_v drive_v into_o captivity_n as_o well_o in_o mercy_n to_o other_o nation_n as_o by_o god_n just_a judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o gentile_n may_v be_v instruct_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v christ_n may_v become_v divulge_v and_o all_o nation_n may_v be_v in_o a_o readiness_n to_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v he_o who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o all_o people_n first_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v by_o shalmaneser_n carry_v away_o captive_a and_o then_o the_o two_o remain_a tribe_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o cyrus_n be_v by_o name_n appoint_v to_o restore_v they_o alexander_n conquest_n make_v yet_o way_n for_o a_o far_a reception_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n and_o beside_o the_o prophecy_n of_o balaam_n by_o which_o the_o wise_a man_n be_v direct_v to_o find_v out_o christ_n by_o the_o guidance_n of_o a_o star_n those_o of_o isaiah_n and_o jeremiah_n and_o daniel_n must_v be_v well_o know_v in_o the_o east_n the_o bible_n have_v be_v about_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n at_o the_o command_n of_o a_o heathen_a prince_n translate_v into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n which_o be_v by_o the_o victory_n of_o alexander_n become_v the_o most_o know_a language_n in_o the_o world_n and_o we_o read_v of_o no_o revolution_n of_o empire_n no_o blessing_n no_o affliction_n which_o befall_v the_o jew_n but_o it_o contribute_v in_o a_o remarkable_a manner_n to_o raise_v a_o expectation_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o prepare_v for_o his_o come_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o birth_n there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o universal_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o receive_a opinion_n in_o that_o age_n all_o over_o the_o east_n that_o a_o great_a prince_n shall_v arise_v out_o of_o judea_n this_o appear_v both_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o from_o v._n from_o sueton._n in_o vespas_fw-la c._n 4._o tacit._n hist_o lib._n v._n heathen_a writer_n the_o wise_a man_n come_v to_o inquire_v after_o he_o and_o herod_n jealousy_n proceed_v to_o the_o utmost_a rage_n and_o cruelty_n and_o can_v not_o have_v fail_v of_o success_n if_o it_o have_v be_v against_o any_o but_o the_o true_a messiah_n who_o god_n do_v by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n deliver_v out_o of_o his_o hand_n all_o the_o world_n stand_v in_o expectation_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a person_n and_o it_o be_v no_o unwellcome_a piece_n of_o flattery_n to_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n not_o long_o after_o to_o have_v it_o report_v that_o he_o be_v the_o prince_n speak_v of_o and_o expect_v in_o the_o east_n but_o it_o be_v esteem_v his_o glory_n and_o his_o happiness_n to_o be_v think_v the_o king_n that_o be_v to_o arise_v among_o a_o despise_a and_o hate_a people_n the_o expectation_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o great_a that_o he_o can_v not_o lie_v conceal_v in_o that_o obscure_a and_o mean_a condition_n but_o be_v adore_v in_o a_o manger_n and_o receive_v more_o than_o royal_a honour_n from_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n it_o be_v the_o fullness_n of_o time_n or_o the_o most_o convenient_a and_o proper_a time_n for_o christ_n to_o appear_v because_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v wonderful_o dispose_v and_o prepare_v the_o world_n for_o the_o expectation_n of_o he_o 5._o the_o particular_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v make_v it_o the_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a age_n for_o he_o to_o be_v bear_v in_o for_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n peculiar_a to_o that_o age_n which_o very_o much_o conduce_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o religion_n that_o age_n be_v so_o remarkable_a and_o the_o history_n of_o it_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o by_o so_o many_o eminent_a writer_n that_o it_o be_v more_o study_v and_o general_o better_a know_v than_o any_o age_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o consequence_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o such_o a_o age_n that_o it_o may_v be_v full_o inquire_v into_o in_o any_o age_n afterward_o and_o that_o no_o distance_n of_o time_n may_v cause_v such_o doubt_n concern_v it_o as_o shall_v ever_o render_v it_o the_o less_o certain_a to_o any_o who_o be_v willing_a to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o imposture_n this_o sure_o have_v be_v the_o most_o unlikely_a time_n of_o any_o for_o it_o to_o succeed_v no_o prince_n can_v be_v more_o jealous_a than_o herod_n who_o be_v so_o enrage_v at_o the_o report_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o too_o plain_o show_v how_o much_o he_o credit_v it_o and_o no_o age_n perhaps_o since_o the_o creation_n can_v be_v more_o unlikely_a to_o have_v a_o cheat_n put_v upon_o it_o than_o this_o in_o which_o peace_n and_o learning_n and_o all_o polite_a art_n flourish_v which_o refine_v man_n understanding_n and_o make_v they_o the_o most_o unfit_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o policy_n be_v in_o its_o high_a perfection_n in_o the_o court_n of_o augustus_n and_o tiberius_n which_o have_v be_v esteem_v the_o great_a pattern_n of_o it_o ever_o since_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v in_o great_a power_n and_o authority_n at_o jerusalem_n who_o be_v a_o subtle_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o the_o worst_a enemy_n any_o one_o can_v have_v to_o deal_v withal_o vice_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o give_v the_o great_a hindrance_n to_o a_o holy_a religion_n be_v the_o fashion_n of_o the_o time_n and_o that_o empire_n be_v never_o so_o abandon_v to_o wickedness_n as_o at_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o man_n be_v then_o most_o able_a to_o discover_v any_o imposture_n so_o they_o must_v have_v be_v most_o
persuasion_n do_v not_o determine_v right_o and_o wrong_n true_a and_o false_a the_o remain_a difficulty_n be_v how_o to_o distinguish_v they_o and_o that_o must_v be_v by_o the_o proper_a evidence_n and_o the_o intrinsic_a goodness_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o our_o evidence_n in_o behalf_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n and_o if_o our_o religion_n have_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o what_o we_o assert_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o other_o religion_n have_v not_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o that_o authority_n to_o which_o they_o lay_v claim_v this_o must_v determine_v the_o point_n though_o a_o mahometan_a or_o pagan_n shall_v be_v as_o zealous_a for_o his_o religion_n as_o a_o christian_a can_v be_v it_o be_v common_o and_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o suffer_a but_o the_o cause_n which_o make_v the_o martyr_n and_o if_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n have_v never_o so_o much_o confidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o this_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o ground_n and_o proof_n upon_o which_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n depend_v other_o religion_n may_v have_v their_o zealot_n who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o die_v for_o they_o but_o the_o christian_a religion_n proper_o have_v the_o only_a martyr_n for_o martyr_n be_v witness_n and_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v attest_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n no_o other_o religion_n be_v ever_o propagate_v by_o witness_n who_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o be_v every_o way_n conversant_a in_o what_o they_o witness_v concern_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n no_o religion_n beside_o be_v ever_o preach_v by_o man_n who_o after_o a_o unalterable_a constancy_n under_o all_o kind_n of_o suffering_n at_o last_o die_v for_o assert_v it_o when_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o therefore_o certain_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a or_o else_o they_o will_v never_o have_v suffer_v and_o die_v in_o that_o manner_n for_o it_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v ever_o atto_v from_o its_o first_o propagation_n for_o several_a hundred_o of_o year_n together_o by_o man_n who_o have_v either_o see_v the_o first_o preacher_n themselves_o or_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o other_o who_o have_v see_v they_o or_o have_v wrought_v miracle_n and_o see_v other_o work_v they_o no_o other_o religion_n be_v contain_v in_o book_n which_o be_v write_v at_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o it_o and_o disperse_v into_o all_o country_n in_o all_o language_n among_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o be_v most_o concern_v and_o most_o able_a and_o desirous_a to_o disprove_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a no_o religion_n beside_o have_v by_o so_o weak_a and_o unlikely_a mean_n prevail_v over_o all_o the_o power_n and_o policy_n of_o the_o world_n none_o be_v in_o its_o doctrine_n so_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o so_o worthy_a of_o god_n for_o its_o author_n and_o none_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o with_o so_o clear_a a_o continue_a and_o uninterrupted_a testimony_n through_o all_o age_n and_o convey_v by_o a_o succession_n of_o testimony_n to_o this_o present_a age_n and_o therefore_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v have_v martyr_n who_o can_v die_v in_o confirmation_n of_o such_o a_o testimony_n as_o this_o or_o who_o can_v be_v martyr_n and_o witness_n to_o it_o by_o assure_v the_o world_n at_o their_o death_n that_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o religion_n thus_o testify_v and_o confirm_v for_o which_o they_o die_v it_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a assert_v a_o thing_n bold_o and_o then_o die_v for_o it_o which_o make_v a_o martyr_n but_o the_o qualification_n necessary_a in_o a_o witness_n be_v necessary_a in_o he_o that_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v all_o opportunity_n needful_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o no_o temptation_n to_o speak_v the_o contrary_n which_o qualification_n be_v evident_a in_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o martyr_n who_o testimony_n be_v that_o upon_o which_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v found_v and_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o latter_a age_n be_v additional_a testimony_n which_o without_o the_o former_a will_v be_v insignificant_a but_o suppose_v they_o be_v all_o the_o testimony_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o be_v as_o much_o beyond_o the_o suffering_n in_o behalf_n of_o any_o other_o religion_n as_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v beyond_o the_o evidence_n for_o all_o other_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o zeal_n though_o it_o proceed_v even_o to_o death_n and_o martyrdom_n upon_o which_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n but_o the_o reason_n which_o christian_n have_v for_o their_o zeal_n divers_a nation_n have_v be_v as_o earnest_a assertor_n of_o their_o fabulous_a antiquity_n as_o other_o can_v be_v of_o they_o which_o be_v know_v to_o be_v true_a but_o be_v these_o ever_o the_o less_o or_o those_o ever_o the_o more_o true_a upon_o that_o account_n we_o insist_v upon_o it_o that_o we_o have_v book_n to_o show_v and_o clear_a evidence_n to_o produce_v for_o what_o we_o maintain_v and_o these_o have_v be_v examine_v by_o many_o man_n in_o every_o age_n and_o compare_v with_o what_o be_v to_o be_v allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o contrary_a religion_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n and_o prudence_n have_v choose_v to_o die_v rather_o than_o to_o renounce_v this_o religion_n for_o any_o other_o after_o the_o nice_a and_o most_o impartial_a examination_n they_o can_v make_v whereas_o the_o zealot_n and_o martyr_n for_o the_o religion_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o christianity_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v man_n that_o understand_v nothing_o of_o antiquity_n but_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o history_n of_o their_o several_a religion_n and_o take_v all_o upon_o uncertain_a report_n and_o absurd_a tradition_n without_o any_o proof_n or_o possibility_n of_o it_o and_o even_o against_o manifest_a reason_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o undoubted_a history_n so_o plain_o be_v it_o that_o the_o zeal_n and_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o die_v for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o enthusiasm_n and_o vain_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o some_o zealot_n can_v be_v no_o more_o a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o human_a reason_n that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o fool_n and_o madman_n in_o the_o world_n chap._n xxxii_o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o have_v prove_v a_o a_o great_a snare_n and_o scandal_n to_o weak_a mind_n nor_o which_o give_v the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n great_a advantage_n as_o they_o think_v against_o it_o than_o the_o dissension_n among_o christian_n and_o the_o different_a sect_n and_o party_n into_o which_o they_o be_v divide_v this_o make_v some_o willing_a to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n on_o any_o side_n when_o they_o see_v equal_a zeal_n and_o equal_a confidence_n in_o man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o contend_v for_o their_o several_a opinion_n but_o st._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o corinthian_n that_o there_o must_v be_v not_o only_a division_n but_o heresy_n also_o and_o not_o only_o that_o they_o must_v be_v but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o without_o their_o use_n and_o expediency_n in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o real_a prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o religion_n that_o they_o do_v indeed_o conduce_v to_o manifest_v the_o excellency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o for_o there_o must_v be_v also_o heresy_n among_o you_o that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a among_o you_o 1_o cor._n xi_o 19_o from_o whence_o i_o shall_v show_v i._o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v among_o christian_n unless_o god_n shall_v miraculous_o and_o irresistible_o interpose_v to_o prevent_v they_o ii_o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a nor_o expedient_a that_o god_n shall_v thus_o interpose_v iii_o that_o these_o difference_n how_o great_a and_o how_o many_o soever_o they_o be_v even_o the_o worst_a of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o religion_n i._o that_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v among_o
who_o be_v not_o as_o singular_a in_o other_o thing_n and_o in_o his_o notion_n of_o religion_n but_o he_o have_v firm_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o concern_v all_o who_o have_v any_o doubt_n about_o these_o thing_n to_o weigh_v the_o objection_n with_o the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o divers_a author_n and_o withal_o to_o observe_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o objection_n and_o how_o far_o they_o affect_v the_o main_a cause_n and_o still_o to_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v at_o every_o man_n be_v own_o peril_n if_o he_o make_v a_o rash_a and_o partial_a judgement_n if_o our_o faith_n can_v be_v of_o no_o benefit_n or_o advantage_n to_o we_o nor_o infidelity_n any_o prejudice_n we_o may_v take_v the_o same_o liberty_n to_o give_v credit_n or_o no_o credit_n to_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o bible_n that_o we_o use_v in_o the_o read_n all_o other_o book_n and_o to_o receive_v or_o reject_v it_o as_o we_o think_v fit_a or_o to_o believe_v only_o just_a so_o much_o as_o lies_z even_o with_o our_o own_o understanding_n and_o notion_n of_o thing_n and_o at_o the_o worst_a this_o will_v be_v but_o folly_n in_o we_o but_o it_o be_v madness_n to_o reject_v our_o own_o happiness_n and_o make_v ourselves_o miserable_a because_o we_o do_v not_o perceive_v the_o reason_n of_o all_o the_o mean_n and_o method_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o use_v to_o make_v we_o happy_a or_o be_v not_o able_a to_o understand_v every_o word_n of_o that_o book_n which_o contain_v the_o term_n of_o our_o salvation_n this_o be_v as_o if_o a_o son_n shall_v choose_v to_o live_v miserable_o rather_o than_o to_o enjoy_v a_o large_a estate_n leave_v he_o by_o his_o father_n because_o he_o do_v not_o perceive_v the_o design_n and_o full_a meaning_n of_o every_o particular_a in_o his_o will_n he_o search_v out_o for_o all_o way_n and_o art_n for_o cavil_v at_o it_o and_o be_v fond_a of_o any_o pretence_n to_o cast_v it_o aside_o as_o counterfeit_n be_v resolve_v never_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v his_o father_n for_o his_o father_n be_v a_o wise_a man_n and_o if_o it_o be_v he_o such_o and_o such_o clause_n will_v not_o be_v in_o it_o since_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o he_o can_v see_v why_o they_o shall_v be_v insert_v several_a thing_n mention_v in_o it_o he_o believe_v be_v mistimed_n the_o bound_n of_o the_o land_n be_v not_o describe_v by_o fit_a name_n beside_o it_o be_v interline_v and_o he_o never_o will_v accept_v of_o such_o a_o estate_n convey_v to_o he_o by_o such_o a_o will_n but_o choose_v rather_o to_o be_v miserable_a all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n this_o will_v be_v such_o peevishness_n and_o perverseness_n as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v meet_v withal_o where_o our_o temporal_a interest_n be_v concern_v but_o too_o many_o be_v too_o forward_o to_o reject_v the_o tender_v and_o despise_v the_o term_n of_o a_o everlasting_a inheritance_n in_o heaven_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o become_v obnoxious_a to_o all_o the_o curse_n threaten_v to_o unbeliever_n because_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n contain_v some_o thing_n which_o may_v afford_v matter_n of_o exception_n and_o cavil_v to_o captious_a men._n god_n have_v send_v his_o prophet_n to_o call_v and_o admonish_v we_o and_o his_o son_n to_o reconcile_v we_o to_o himself_o by_o his_o death_n and_o to_o offer_v we_o eternal_a peace_n and_o happiness_n and_o he_o have_v give_v we_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o it_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v admit_v the_o jew_n have_v assert_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o christian_n assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o not_o to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o not_o without_o any_o prospect_n of_o advantage_n by_o it_o in_o this_o world_n but_o with_o a_o certain_a expectation_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o become_v christian_n when_o in_o this_o world_n christian_n be_v of_o all_o man_n the_o most_o miserable_a and_o be_v support_v only_o by_o the_o steadfast_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n after_o this_o life_n and_o all_o thing_n consider_v we_o have_v as_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o we_o have_v not_o only_o that_o any_o other_o book_n be_v compose_v by_o the_o author_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v but_o as_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n else_o in_o the_o world_n now_o what_o do_v these_o man_n how_o do_v they_o receive_v so_o great_a a_o blessing_n why_o they_o overlook_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o search_v up_o and_o down_o for_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a passage_n to_o disprove_v it_o by_o not_o consider_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o nothing_o can_v overthrow_v their_o authority_n but_o that_o which_o can_v invalidate_v the_o evidence_n by_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v it_o will_v be_v the_o high_a folly_n and_o ingratitude_n thus_o to_o despise_v god_n mercy_n and_o care_n over_o we_o if_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n in_o it_o but_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o infinite_a danger_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o madness_n for_o what_o mild_a term_n can_v be_v find_v to_o express_v the_o desperate_a folly_n of_o they_o who_o reject_v a_o book_n which_o set_v before_o we_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n forewarn_v we_o upon_o pain_n of_o the_o severe_a effect_n of_o god_n displeasure_n not_o to_o neglect_v they_o it_o be_v madness_n i_o say_v if_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o to_o reject_v such_o a_o book_n and_o at_o once_o both_o to_o affront_v the_o mercy_n and_o despise_v the_o threaten_n of_o the_o infinite_o merciful_a and_o the_o infinite_o great_a and_o powerful_a god_n it_o be_v a_o good_a caution_n to_o the_o atheist_n to_o forbear_v his_o blasphemy_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n for_o fear_v it_o shall_v prove_v true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n at_o last_o and_o then_o it_o will_v be_v a_o dismal_a thing_n after_o all_o his_o profane_a talk_v and_o argue_v to_o be_v call_v before_o that_o god_n who_o he_o have_v so_o often_o deny_v and_o it_o be_v as_o good_a advice_n to_o those_o who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o scripture_n to_o consider_v serious_o whether_o they_o be_v sure_a that_o these_o be_v not_o god_n word_n after_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v against_o they_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o certain_a of_o this_o the_o name_n and_o title_n which_o they_o bear_v and_o which_o man_n as_o wise_a and_o as_o judicious_a as_o themselves_o think_v to_o belong_v to_o they_o shall_v methinks_v keep_v man_n within_o some_o bound_n of_o modesty_n and_o discretion_n for_o if_o they_o be_v indeed_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o nothing_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v make_v more_o evident_a than_o how_o dear_o must_v they_o pay_v for_o a_o little_a cavil_v wit_n and_o subtilty_n the_o best_a and_o most_o divine_a thing_n may_v be_v despise_v and_o affront_v by_o a_o bold_a and_o scurrilous_a wit_n but_o can_v man_n think_v it_o a_o safe_a or_o a_o prudent_a thing_n to_o ridicule_n and_o scoff_n at_o those_o book_n which_o for_o aught_o they_o know_v may_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n when_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o which_o they_o fancy_n themselves_o so_o great_a master_n can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v the_o argument_n bring_v in_o vindication_n of_o they_o can_v they_o value_v the_o contemptible_a reputation_n of_o a_o little_a satyr_n and_o drollery_n at_o that_o mighty_a rate_n as_o to_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o be_v damn_v for_o it_o if_o man_n have_v any_o real_a doubt_n or_o scruple_n they_o must_v needs_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v too_o serious_a a_o thing_n to_o jest_n and_o trifle_v withal_o when_o no_o less_o than_o the_o term_n of_o our_o everlasting_a happiness_n or_o everlasting_a misery_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o controversy_n and_o what_o wit_n there_o may_v be_v in_o it_o i_o can_v tell_v but_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o a_o very_a wise_a man_n to_o speak_v contemptible_o of_o a_o book_n by_o which_o he_o can_v never_o prove_v but_o that_o he_o must_v be_v judge_v at_o the_o last_o day_n as_o a_o madman_n say_v solomon_n who_o cast_v firebrand_n arrow_n and_o death_n so_o be_v the_o man_n that_o deceive_v his_o neighbour_n and_o say_v be_o not_o i_o