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st._n paul_n real_o understand_v no_o other_o language_n but_o that_o greek_a speak_v in_o cilicia_n can_v we_o suppose_v he_o will_v have_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o boast_v in_o asia_n of_o his_o speak_a latin_n or_o any_o other_o foreign_a language_n will_v he_o not_o have_v certain_o meet_v with_o people_n who_o will_v have_v immediate_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n neither_o be_v it_o more_o likely_a that_o the_o apostle_n can_v have_v be_v themselves_o deceive_v in_o this_o respect_n because_o it_o be_v a_o business_n of_o inward_a sense_n i_o may_v easy_o be_v delude_v outward_o and_o think_v that_o i_o see_v a_o man_n indeed_o when_o i_o see_v but_o the_o shadow_n or_o fantom_n of_o a_o man_n but_o i_o can_v never_o persuade_v myself_o that_o i_o speak_v several_a different_a language_n when_o i_o speak_v but_o one_o but_o when_o i_o see_v that_o man_n of_o
up_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o it_o be_v worth_a take_v notice_n of_o that_o st._n peter_n have_v but_o just_a make_v a_o very_a excellent_a confession_n of_o what_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o other_o disciple_n tell_v he_o thou_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v crown_v this_o admirable_a confession_n with_o that_o extraordinary_a promise_n of_o he_o bless_v be_v thou_o simon_n barjona_n for_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o i_o say_v also_o unto_o thou_o that_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o etc._n etc._n matth._n 16._o 17_o 18._o immediate_o after_o christ_n foretell_v what_o death_n he_o be_v to_o suffer_v from_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n but_o add_v withal_o he_o shall_v rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n whereupon_o st._n peter_n rebuke_v he_o and_o say_v be_v it_o far_o from_o thou_o o_o lord_n this_o shall_v not_o be_v unto_o thou_o but_o jesus_n christ_n instead_o of_o approve_v of_o that_o seem_a concern_v and_o affection_n his_o disciple_n have_v for_o he_o severe_o reprove_v his_o indiscretion_n in_o these_o word_n get_v thou_o behind_o i_o satan_n thou_o be_v a_o offence_n unto_o i_o for_o thou_o savory_a not_o etc._n etc._n this_o history_n seem_v to_o be_v very_o natural_a and_o sincere_a and_o that_o mixture_n of_o circumstance_n which_o in_o all_o probability_n have_v no_o manner_n of_o relation_n with_o one_o another_o can_v not_o of_o itself_o easy_o enter_v in_o any_o man_n mind_n st._n peter_n confession_n be_v excellent_a and_o the_o promise_n jesus_n christ_n make_v he_o be_v extraordinary_a nay_o the_o very_a expression_n of_o it_o imply_v somewhat_o strange_a and_o difficult_a but_o above_o all_o it_o seem_v at_o first_o view_n that_o jesus_n christ_n too_o rigorous_o censure_v the_o great_a zeal_n which_o peter_n show_v for_o his_o person_n and_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v very_o natural_a that_o he_o who_o tell_v he_o bless_v be_v thou_o simon_n barjona_n and_o promise_v to_o make_v he_o a_o pillar_n of_o his_o church_n shall_v tell_v he_o present_o after_o get_v thou_o behind_o i_o satan_n it_o be_v plain_a a_o man_n must_v in_o spite_n of_o himself_o perceive_v that_o it_o be_v â—he_n force_n of_o truth_n and_o not_o the_o natural_a agreement_n of_o those_o circumstance_n that_o oblige_v the_o evangelist_n to_o join_v they_o both_o together_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o recital_n and_o that_o which_o necessary_o occasion_n this_o reflection_n of_o we_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v real_o foretell_v his_o death_n and_o his_o resurrection_n before_o ever_o he_o have_v suffer_v the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v but_o what_o prove_v this_o better_a than_o any_o thing_n else_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n upon_o cool_a thought_n and_o the_o very_a day_n before_o his_o passion_n do_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o have_v never_o be_v do_v before_o and_o which_o doubtless_o never_o will_v be_v do_v again_o and_o that_o be_v he_o institute_v a_o memorial_n of_o that_o death_n he_o be_v just_a upon_o the_o point_n of_o suffer_v he_o foretell_v that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v death_n from_o the_o chief_a priest_n the_o scribes_z and_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n nevertheless_o he_o may_v have_v easy_o avoid_v it_o if_o he_o will_v by_o retire_v into_o another_o place_n but_o he_o chide_v or_o rather_o storm_v at_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o peter_n who_o will_v have_v divert_v he_o from_o that_o death_n therefore_o he_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o event_n that_o be_v to_o be_v attend_v with_o very_o happy_a and_o save_a consequence_n with_o respect_n to_o mankind_n and_o what_o happy_a consequence_n can_v his_o death_n have_v be_v attend_v withal_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o have_v be_v immediate_o follow_v by_o his_o resurrection_n he_o first_o institute_v a_o memorial_n of_o his_o death_n and_o then_o voluntary_o suffer_v it_o he_o command_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v commemorate_a therefore_o he_o regard_v it_o as_o a_o event_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o our_o salvation_n he_o foresee_v that_o it_o will_v be_v commemorate_a he_o foresee_v then_o what_o will_v most_o infallible_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v but_o little_a appearance_n of_o its_o ever_o happen_v he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o they_o shall_v commemorate_v his_o death_n only_o till_o he_o rise_v again_o but_o till_o his_o second_o come_v he_o foresee_v then_o that_o he_o shall_v speedy_o rise_v again_o and_o that_o after_o his_o resurrection_n he_o shall_v depart_v in_o order_n to_o return_v again_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v imagine_v that_o the_o evangelist_n have_v whole_o invent_v the_o account_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o eucharist_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o a_o doctrine_n and_o a_o practice_n a_o doctrine_n can_v hardly_o be_v forge_v especial_o because_o it_o must_v be_v concert_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o several_a person_n but_o a_o sensible_a practice_n a_o thing_n in_o use_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o speak_a doctrine_n can_v much_o less_o be_v palm_a upon_o mankind_n and_o certain_o it_o will_v be_v the_o great_a piece_n of_o folly_n imaginable_a in_o any_o one_o to_o think_v that_o a_o dozen_o poor_a fisherman_n astonish_v and_o cast_v down_o at_o the_o death_n of_o their_o master_n and_o undeceive_v in_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v entertain_v that_o he_o be_v to_o have_v restore_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n person_n who_o know_v not_o what_o thing_n may_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o their_o publish_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o crucify_a man_n that_o that_o they_o shall_v go_v and_o invent_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o eucharist_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o and_o make_v jesus_n christ_n utter_v these_o word_n this_o be_v my_o body_n which_o be_v break_v for_o you_o this_o be_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o my_o blood_n word_n that_o imply_v something_o new_a and_o very_o surprise_v which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o so_o many_o contest_v and_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o different_a interpretation_n word_n which_o s._n paul_n and_o the_o evangelist_n unanimous_o set_v down_o but_o without_o any_o mutual_a compact_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o little_a variety_n there_o occur_v in_o their_o recital_n of_o they_o i_o say_v it_o will_v be_v very_o extravagant_a to_o imagine_v that_o the_o disciple_n have_v in_o the_o least_o thought_n of_o invent_v these_o word_n or_o that_o history_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o eucharist_n so_o that_o we_o need_v not_o insist_v long_o on_o any_o far_a proof_n of_o it_o we_o have_v already_o touch_v upon_o it_o in_o another_o place_n and_o upon_o another_o subject_a the_o only_a consequence_n we_o shall_v draw_v from_o it_o here_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n foresee_v his_o death_n prepare_v himself_o for_o it_o and_o suffer_v it_o voluntary_o whereupon_o i_o argue_v thus_o if_o he_o foresee_v that_o he_o shall_v die_v and_o if_o he_o voluntary_o offer_v himself_o up_o to_o death_n he_o then_o either_o foresee_v that_o he_o shall_v rise_v again_o or_o he_o do_v not_o foresee_v it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o foresee_v it_o with_o what_o kind_n of_o hope_n than_o do_v he_o comfort_v his_o disciple_n what_o be_v it_o he_o promise_v they_o or_o what_o propose_v he_o to_o himself_o by_o his_o death_n why_o do_v he_o not_o shun_v it_o as_o he_o may_v yet_o have_v do_v when_o he_o be_v at_o supper_n with_o his_o disciple_n what_o mean_v he_o by_o institute_v a_o memorial_n of_o his_o dead_a body_n if_o that_o dead_a body_n be_v always_o to_o abide_v under_o the_o power_n of_o death_n and_o rot_v away_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o disciple_n and_o if_o he_o think_v he_o shall_v rise_v again_o as_o we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o imagine_v he_o do_v i_o say_v he_o himself_o can_v not_o have_v believe_v it_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o experience_n he_o have_v already_o make_v of_o that_o power_n which_o have_v restore_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a health_n to_o the_o sick_a and_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a for_o he_o can_v not_o think_v his_o own_o miracle_n false_a and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n believe_v he_o shall_v rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a if_o he_o think_v he_o shall_v rise_v again_o he_o also_o think_v his_o miracle_n to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o he_o believe_v his_o miracle_n to_o be_v true_a his_o miracle_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v be_v real_o so_o because_o they_o be_v of_o a_o nature_n
incapable_a of_o illusion_n and_o deceit_n at_o least_o with_o respect_n to_o those_o who_o wrought_v they_o jesus_n christ_n can_v never_o imagine_v that_o he_o have_v fill_v five_o thousand_o man_n at_o one_o time_n three_o thousand_o at_o another_o that_o he_o have_v raise_v to_o life_n the_o widow_n son_n of_o naim_n the_o daughter_n of_o jairus_n and_o lazarus_n of_o bethany_n that_o he_o have_v make_v st._n peter_n walk_v upon_o the_o sea_n etc._n etc._n if_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v not_o real_o be_v true_a no_o one_o sure_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o jesus_n christ_n foretell_v his_o resurrection_n if_o he_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n only_o that_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n appoint_v a_o watch_n to_o guard_v his_o sepulchre_n and_o command_v the_o stone_n of_o it_o to_o be_v seal_v sir_n we_o remember_v say_v they_o to_o pilate_n that_o that_o deceiver_n say_v while_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a after_o three_o day_n i_o will_v rise_v again_o command_v therefore_o that_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v make_v sure_a until_o the_o three_o day_n lest_o his_o disciple_n come_v by_o night_n and_o steal_v he_o away_o and_o say_v unto_o the_o people_n he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a so_o the_o last_o error_n shall_v be_v worse_o than_o the_o first_o pilate_n say_v unto_o they_o you_o have_v a_o watch_n go_v your_o way_n make_v it_o as_o sure_a as_o you_o can_v so_o they_o go_v and_o make_v the_o sepulchre_n sure_a seal_v the_o stone_n and_o set_v a_o watch_n mat._n 27._o 63_o 64_o 65_o 66._o this_o be_v such_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o the_o disciple_n can_v not_o dare_v not_o invent_v against_o the_o public_a knowledge_n every_o body_n have_v of_o it_o and_o which_o beside_o agree_v very_o well_o with_o the_o other_o circumstance_n of_o that_o event_n for_o how_o come_v that_o report_n to_o be_v spread_v in_o jerusalem_n that_o the_o watch_v sleep_v when_o the_o disciple_n take_v away_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n have_v they_o not_o real_o set_v a_o watch_n to_o guard_v his_o sepulchre_n and_o what_o necessity_n be_v there_o to_o appoint_v a_o watch_n to_o guard_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v to_o hinder_v the_o disciple_n from_o report_v abroad_o that_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o if_o christ_n real_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v rise_v again_o he_o can_v not_o have_v believe_v it_o but_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o miracle_n neither_o can_v he_o have_v believe_v his_o miracle_n to_o be_v true_a have_v they_o be_v false_a thus_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o connexion_n of_o all_o those_o circumstance_n if_o narrow_o consider_v form_n as_o it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o moral_a demonstration_n which_o can_v but_o thorough_o convince_v any_o just_a and_o reasonable_a man._n but_o let_v we_o not_o slight_o pass_v over_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o have_v see_v what_o christ_n think_v concern_v his_o resurrection_n let_v we_o next_o consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n concern_v it_o and_o the_o report_n the_o soldier_n make_v that_o be_v appoint_v to_o guard_v this_o sepulchre_n for_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o circumstance_n may_v give_v we_o some_o light_n in_o the_o discovery_n of_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o most_o important_a and_o the_o most_o essential_a that_o ever_o be_v or_o ever_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o scribes_z and_o pharisee_n and_o general_o every_o member_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n be_v instigate_v by_o the_o very_a same_o spirit_n that_o have_v induce_v they_o to_o put_v jesus_n christ_n to_o death_n be_v in_o a_o great_a apprehension_n lest_o his_o disciple_n shall_v take_v away_o his_o body_n and_o afterward_o report_v abroad_o that_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a we_o may_v judge_v how_o much_o they_o think_v it_o for_o their_o interest_n to_o prevent_v it_o by_o the_o attempt_v they_o have_v already_o make_v to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o since_o the_o sepulchre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v to_o have_v be_v guard_v but_o three_o day_n they_o take_v all_o care_n imaginable_a before_o hand_n for_o fear_v the_o watch_n through_o negligence_n or_o otherwise_o shall_v have_v suffer_v that_o body_n to_o be_v take_v away_o which_o it_o so_o mighty_o behove_v they_o to_o keep_v in_o their_o custody_n but_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o event_n of_o all_o this_o the_o soldier_n that_o watch_v the_o body_n can_v not_o hinder_v it_o from_o rise_v out_o of_o its_o sepulchre_n how_o so_o be_v it_o because_o they_o be_v afraid_a or_o be_v they_o bribe_v not_o to_o discover_v the_o business_n have_v they_o be_v bribe_v one_o may_v very_o well_o imagine_v it_o be_v not_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o disciple_n that_o they_o will_v run_v the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v their_o life_n for_o their_o negligence_n or_o treachery_n what_o then_o be_v they_o afraid_a but_o how_o can_v the_o watch_n prove_v so_o fearful_a and_o the_o disciple_n on_o a_o sudden_a so_o courageous_a as_o to_o attempt_v the_o take_v away_o the_o dead_a body_n of_o one_o from_o who_o they_o have_v so_o late_o flee_v while_o he_o be_v yet_o alive_a beside_o how_o can_v those_o soldier_n have_v report_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o do_v without_o manifest_o contradict_v themselves_o for_o if_o they_o be_v asleep_a how_o do_v they_o know_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n have_v take_v away_o his_o body_n but_o why_o do_v not_o the_o sanhedrin_n for_o their_o own_o honour_n and_o the_o respect_n they_o bear_v to_o the_o truth_n put_v all_o those_o soldier_n to_o the_o rack_n and_o if_o that_o thought_n come_v not_o present_o into_o their_o head_n be_v it_o not_o natural_a to_o think_v they_o will_v have_v do_v it_o when_o they_o find_v awhile_o after_o all_o jerusalem_n inclinable_a to_o believe_v in_o that_o crucify_a man_n and_o that_o about_o six_o thousand_o soul_n have_v already_o believe_v in_o he_o in_o one_o day_n and_o that_o too_o but_o fifty_o day_n after_o his_o death_n certain_o the_o soldier_n that_o watch_v his_o body_n be_v still_o at_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o sanhedrin_n have_v still_o the_o same_o power_n and_o authority_n as_o before_o it_o high_o concern_v they_o to_o punish_v the_o negligence_n of_o those_o soldier_n or_o make_v they_o confess_v the_o secret_a of_o their_o perfidy_n and_o who_o it_o be_v that_o suborn_v they_o i_o say_v it_o high_o concern_v they_o to_o make_v that_o strict_a examination_n both_o to_o justify_v their_o own_o procedure_n and_o prevent_v the_o utter_a loss_n of_o almost_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o person_n that_o have_v already_o side_v with_o the_o disciple_n of_o that_o pretend_a impostor_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o when_o on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n that_o be_v fifty_o day_n after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o apostle_n show_v themselves_o in_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o testify_v there_o that_o they_o have_v see_v he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o after_o he_o have_v several_a time_n appear_v to_o they_o and_o be_v go_v up_o into_o heaven_n he_o have_v pour_v down_o upon_o they_o the_o miraculous_a and_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n why_o do_v not_o the_o sanhedrin_n then_o who_o be_v so_o high_o concern_v in_o discover_v the_o author_n of_o the_o take_v away_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n christ_n i_o say_v why_o do_v they_o not_o seize_v upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o make_v they_o confess_v how_o all_o thing_n have_v happen_v why_o do_v they_o not_o confront_v they_o with_o the_o watch_n why_o do_v they_o not_o cast_v joseph_n of_o arimathea_n and_o those_o man_n in_o prison_n till_o they_o have_v make_v they_o confess_v what_o be_v become_v of_o that_o body_n as_o also_o every_o other_o circumstance_n of_o their_o imposture_n it_o be_v already_o very_o unlikely_a that_o if_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n have_v come_v by_o night_n and_o have_v steal_v his_o body_n away_o they_o 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copy_n of_o edition_n and_o translation_n make_v at_o first_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n render_v the_o execution_n of_o that_o design_n impossible_a for_o though_o a_o man_n have_v corrupt_v one_o single_a copy_n among_o all_o those_o copy_n or_o translate_v those_o book_n false_a yet_o how_o can_v he_o corrupt_v all_o the_o other_o copy_n of_o they_o which_o be_v disperse_v in_o the_o world_n or_o how_o can_v he_o alter_v so_o many_o other_o translation_n which_o have_v be_v make_v of_o they_o in_o different_a time_n and_o in_o different_a place_n but_o suppose_v this_o be_v feasible_a if_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v ever_o corrupt_v it_o must_v have_v be_v either_o in_o their_o essential_o or_o in_o thing_n of_o little_a importance_n i_o mean_v by_o their_o essential_o those_o miraculous_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o all_o those_o other_o which_o if_o true_a demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n now_o if_o those_o write_n be_v not_o corrupt_v in_o their_o essential_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o contain_v several_a true_a matter_n of_o fact_n sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n but_o if_o they_o be_v alter_v in_o their_o essential_o there_o must_v have_v be_v add_v to_o they_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o resurrection_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n the_o pour_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o apostle_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n the_o power_n the_o apostle_n have_v of_o speak_v strange_a language_n and_o of_o impart_v miraculous_a gift_n to_o other_o now_o i_o affirm_v that_o all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v not_o have_v be_v add_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n unless_o the_o whole_a book_n be_v forge_v because_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n consist_v of_o nothing_o else_o but_o of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o if_o you_o will_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o evident_o relate_v to_o they_o and_o which_o will_v certain_o be_v false_a if_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v false_a but_o let_v we_o join_v experience_n to_o reason_n and_o consider_v that_o if_o the_o christian_n have_v corrupt_v the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n will_v now_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o what_o they_o be_v in_o the_o former_a age_n and_o that_o have_v be_v continual_o alter_v from_o that_o time_n until_o now_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o such_o a_o alteration_n yet_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o perceive_v the_o contrary_a and_o it_o evident_o appear_v by_o a_o almost_o infinite_a number_n of_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o father_n that_o there_o never_o be_v a_o book_n that_o suffer_v less_o alteration_n by_o the_o revolution_n of_o year_n than_o that_o do_v there_o be_v but_o two_o thing_n in_o my_o opinion_n that_o may_v be_v answer_v to_o this_o argument_n the_o first_o be_v that_o in_o corrupt_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n those_o place_n quote_v in_o the_o work_v of_o the_o father_n may_v also_o have_v be_v alter_v but_o this_o thought_n can_v never_o enter_v into_o any_o reasonable_a man_n mind_n for_o he_o must_v then_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o person_n in_o a_o manner_n immortal_a who_o may_v have_v have_v time_n enough_o to_o alter_v so_o many_o book_n compose_v from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o a_o man_n too_o so_o much_o master_n of_o other_o man_n heart_n and_o understanding_n as_o to_o have_v be_v able_a to_o corrupt_v a_o book_n the_o most_o universal_o read_v and_o most_o careful_o preserve_v that_o ever_o be_v and_o to_o alter_v also_o with_o it_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n without_o any_o body_n ever_o perceive_v it_o or_o make_v the_o least_o opposition_n against_o it_o the_o second_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v answer_v be_v that_o this_o
corruption_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v do_v before_o any_o of_o the_o father_n begin_v to_o write_v that_o be_v fifteen_o or_o twenty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o we_o need_v only_o recall_v to_o mind_v all_o the_o reason_n that_o persuade_v we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o forge_v by_o the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o will_v appear_v they_o be_v no_o less_o conclusive_a in_o this_o place_n in_o short_a we_o need_v but_o join_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o be_v not_o certain_o so_o whimsical_a as_o to_o die_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o fiction_n with_o the_o passion_n the_o people_n have_v for_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o division_n which_o disunited_a the_o church_n immediate_o after_o their_o death_n the_o variety_n of_o translation_n the_o number_n of_o copy_n the_o constant_a and_o perpetual_a tradition_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n the_o connexion_n of_o the_o essential_a matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v such_o that_o he_o that_o admit_v of_o one_o be_v oblige_v to_o admit_v of_o the_o other_o too_o as_o he_o that_o believe_v the_o ascension_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v his_o resurrection_n also_o and_o he_o that_o deny_v those_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v no_o long_o a_o christian_a the_o number_n of_o the_o book_n which_o the_o new_a testament_n consist_v of_o the_o repetition_n of_o the_o same_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o invent_v or_o essential_o corrupt_v they_o the_o impossibility_n of_o it_o unless_o the_o book_n be_v whole_o forge_v the_o prodigious_a multitude_n of_o people_n who_o must_v have_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o that_o respect_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o must_v have_v be_v make_v to_o believe_v viz._n that_o whole_a society_n have_v receive_v some_o epistle_n from_o the_o apostle_n which_o contain_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v well_o remember_v the_o experience_n of_o time_n past_a which_o evident_o show_v that_o from_o clemens_n and_o polycarp_n down_o to_o we_o that_o be_v for_o sixteen_o age_n together_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o essential_o corrupt_v the_o distance_n of_o place_n where_o those_o book_n must_v have_v be_v forge_v or_o corrupt_v together_o with_o the_o impossibility_n of_o make_v many_o fiction_n which_o in_o all_o appearance_n those_o book_n will_v have_v be_v full_a of_o pass_v for_o truth_n and_o that_o so_o soon_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n when_o the_o world_n have_v their_o preach_v yet_o fresh_a in_o their_o memory_n the_o silence_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o christian_n on_o that_o account_n who_o never_o mention_v any_o thing_n concern_v that_o pretend_a forgery_n the_o distinction_n the_o primitive_a christian_n make_v at_o first_o between_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o those_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o absolute_a rule_n and_o standard_n of_o their_o faith_n all_o these_o consideration_n i_o say_v put_v together_o plain_o show_v we_o and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o evident_a manner_n that_o it_o will_v argue_v madness_n in_o the_o high_a degree_n long_a to_o entertain_v either_o of_o the_o two_o former_a suspicion_n i_o pass_v on_o therefore_o to_o a_o three_o which_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o compose_v fable_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o master_n but_o since_o this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a of_o they_o all_o and_o that_o which_o julian_n mahomet_n and_o almost_o every_o incredulous_a person_n of_o these_o time_n chief_o urge_v against_o we_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a i_o shall_v more_o particular_o and_o thorough_o examine_v it_o in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n for_o true_o upon_o that_o chief_o depend_v the_o solid_a proof_n of_o our_o religion_n chap._n iii_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o write_v what_o be_v false_a to_o comprehend_v distinct_o that_o the_o author_n we_o speak_v of_o do_v not_o impose_v upon_o we_o in_o their_o write_n it_o be_v fit_a to_o consider_v those_o write_n in_o particular_a one_o after_o another_o they_o consist_v of_o three_o principal_a part_n which_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n the_o book_n of_o act_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n st._n matthew_n write_v the_o first_o and_o his_o gospel_n be_v quote_v by_o clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n disciple_n and_o contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n barnabas_n quote_v it_o also_o in_o his_o epistle_n and_o ignatius_n and_o polycarp_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o st._n john_n justin_n iraeneus_n who_o live_v a_o little_a after_o athenagoras_n tertullian_n and_o all_o the_o other_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o succeed_v they_o unanimous_o receive_v it_o there_o be_v not_o only_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o st._n matthew_n concern_v which_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o entertain_v any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n but_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o st._n mark_n be_v also_o a_o while_n after_o write_v for_o a_o second_o support_v of_o our_o belief_n the_o same_o father_n who_o testify_v of_o the_o one_o testify_v also_o of_o the_o other_o papias_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n justin_n speak_v of_o it_o and_o st._n iraeneus_n relate_v that_o mark_v the_o disciple_n of_o st._n peter_n compose_v his_o gospel_n of_o those_o matter_n he_o have_v hear_v the_o latter_a speak_v of_o st._n luke_n who_o accompany_v st._n paul_n in_o all_o his_o travel_n write_v a_o three_o gospel_n which_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v also_o receive_v last_o st._n john_n the_o last_o of_o the_o apostle_n compose_v a_o four_o gospel_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o day_n as_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n tell_v we_o and_o this_o apostle_n declare_v at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o that_o he_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o disciple_n say_v he_o which_o testify_v of_o these_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v see_v chap._n 21._o 24._o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v first_o of_o all_o that_o the_o four_o evangelist_n who_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o plainness_n and_o ingenuity_n which_o appear_v in_o their_o relation_n have_v nevertheless_o a_o very_a different_a stile_n from_o one_o another_o thus_o st._n john_n express_v himself_o after_o a_o very_a simple_a manner_n if_o compare_v with_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n who_o be_v a_o physician_n aught_o to_o have_v write_v in_o a_o more_o lofty_a stile_n than_o st._n john_n who_o be_v original_o a_o fisherman_n and_o this_o consideration_n remove_v the_o suspicion_n we_o may_v entertain_v that_o all_o those_o gospel_n be_v compose_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o author_n second_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o although_o these_o writer_n agree_v essential_o in_o the_o matter_n they_o relate_v there_o be_v nevertheless_o some_o small_a difference_n betwixt_o they_o which_o very_o sensible_o show_v we_o that_o they_o compose_v their_o gospel_n separately_z divine_a providence_n have_v so_o order_v it_o the_o better_a to_o confirm_v ouâ—_n faith_n yet_o our_o incredulous_a adversary_n will_v not_o stand_v to_o this_o assertion_n they_o will_v perhaps_o imagine_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n have_v get_v together_o at_o jerusalem_n after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o master_n take_v certain_a measure_n to_o make_v man_n believe_v certain_a suppositition_n matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o very_o exact_o and_o precise_o set_v down_o lest_o they_o shall_v contradict_v themselves_o in_o the_o testimony_n they_o shall_v give_v of_o they_o and_o that_o after_o have_v found_v several_a church_n by_o then_o preach_v some_o of_o they_o take_v special_a care_n to_o digest_v those_o very_a matter_n of_o fact_n in_o write_v which_o they_o have_v preach_v throughout_o the_o world_n after_o have_v invent_v they_o i_o think_v this_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a objection_n of_o they_o that_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v raise_v against_o this_o subject_n but_o in_o order_n to_o confute_v this_o imagination_n it_o may_v perhaps_o suffice_v to_o call_v to_o mind_n what_o i_o have_v before_o mention_v the_o absurdity_n there_o be_v in_o suppose_v that_o a_o few_o simple_a and_o ignorant_a fisherman_n deject_v by_o the_o death_n of_o their_o master_n undeceive_v of_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v entertain_v that_o he_o be_v their_o messiah_n and_o so_o fearful_a that_o they_o flee_v when_o he_o be_v seize_v upon_o in_o order_n to_o his_o crucifixion_n shall_v contrive_v among_o themselves_o how_o to_o deceive_v other_o man_n when_o they_o themselves_o be_v so_o miserable_o delude_v that_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o invent_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o will_v certain_o fix_v a_o eternal_a blot_n and_o scandal_n upon_o their_o nation_n by_o make_v the_o jew_n be_v look_v