and_o his_o birth_n proclaim_v by_o angel_n that_o his_o come_v into_o the_o world_n be_v signify_v by_o a_o star_n which_o bring_v wise_a man_n from_o the_o east_n to_o worship_v he_o that_o mighty_a thing_n be_v immediate_o before_o and_o after_o his_o birth_n say_v of_o he_o by_o angel_n and_o just_a person_n move_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n from_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n till_o he_o be_v thirty_o year_n of_o age_n very_o little_o be_v mention_v of_o he_o beside_o some_o discourse_n he_o hold_v with_o the_o doctor_n in_o the_o temple_n at_o twelve_o but_o when_o he_o begin_v to_o be_v about_o thirty_o he_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n who_o be_v style_v his_o forerunner_n that_o prepare_v the_o way_n for_o he_o and_o at_o his_o baptism_n the_o heaven_n be_v open_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n descend_v upon_o he_o like_o a_o dove_n and_o a_o voice_n be_v hear_v from_o heaven_n say_v this_o be_v my_o belove_a son_n in_o who_o i_o be_o well_o please_v the_o principal_a thing_n that_o be_v afterward_o record_v of_o he_o be_v his_o call_n of_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n his_o sermon_n and_o instruction_n to_o the_o people_n his_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o his_o suffering_n death_n and_o burial_n with_o some_o other_o remarkable_a passage_n that_o happen_v after_o his_o death_n his_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n but_o more_o especial_o twelve_o of_o they_o be_v favour_v with_o a_o near_a and_o more_o intimate_a conversation_n than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n he_o direct_v his_o instruction_n to_o these_o be_v the_o constant_a companion_n of_o his_o labour_n and_o witness_n of_o his_o most_o private_a behaviour_n these_o he_o instruct_v in_o a_o more_o plain_a and_o open_a manner_n than_o he_o do_v other_o and_o communicate_v several_a thing_n to_o they_o which_o he_o keep_v secret_a from_o his_o common_a auditor_n and_o follower_n to_o these_o he_o give_v a_o commission_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o jew_n and_o to_o do_v mighty_a thing_n among_o they_o while_o he_o live_v and_o to_o preach_v to_o all_o nation_n after_o his_o death_n and_o propagate_v his_o doctrine_n with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n he_o himself_o be_v represent_v as_o preach_v and_o teach_v throughout_o all_o judea_n and_o several_a of_o his_o public_a sermon_n and_o discourse_n as_o also_o many_o thing_n which_o he_o say_v in_o private_a to_o his_o disciple_n be_v every_o where_n throughout_o the_o several_a gospel_n repeat_v sometime_o in_o short_a and_o only_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o sometime_o more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o same_o form_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v the_o miracle_n or_o wonderful_a thing_n mention_v to_o be_v do_v by_o christ_n exceed_v all_o the_o observation_n and_o power_n of_o mankind_n be_v these_o fast_v forty_o day_n and_o forty_o night_n together_o turn_v water_n into_o wine_n still_v tempest_n walk_v upon_o the_o sea_n tell_v the_o secret_a thought_n of_o man_n heart_n cure_v the_o blind_a lame_a and_o maim_a heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n with_o a_o word_n or_o touch_v of_o his_o garment_n cast_v out_o devil_n and_o unclean_a spirit_n and_o restore_a man_n possess_v with_o they_o to_o their_o former_a state_n of_o health_n and_o sense_n feed_v vast_a multitude_n of_o people_n with_o a_o few_o small_a loaf_n and_o fish_n by_o his_o bare_a word_n cause_v a_o figtree_n immediate_o to_o wither_v great_a number_n of_o fish_n to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o net_n and_o a_o single_a fish_n to_o come_v to_o the_o hook_n with_o money_n in_o its_o mouth_n to_o pay_v his_o tribute_n with_o transfigure_v himself_o before_o some_o of_o his_o disciple_n so_o that_o they_o see_v the_o fashion_n of_o his_o face_n alter_v and_o his_o raiment_n change_v raise_v the_o dead_a and_o rise_v himself_o after_o his_o burial_n appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n after_o he_o be_v rise_v and_o converse_v with_o they_o forty_o day_n sometime_o be_v know_v by_o they_o and_o sometime_o not_o according_a as_o he_o please_v and_o at_o last_o in_o their_o presence_n ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n the_o matter_n we_o find_v in_o the_o gospel_n foretell_v by_o jesus_n christ_n be_v his_o own_o passion_n death_n resurrection_n ascension_n and_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n or_o comforter_n with_o several_a particular_a circumstance_n of_o they_o the_o persecution_n and_o suffering_n of_o his_o disciple_n the_o death_n of_o some_o of_o they_o and_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v to_o die_v as_o also_o their_o future_a glory_n and_o office_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o rejection_n of_o the_o jew_n vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n success_n and_o continuance_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o christian_a religion_n the_o appearance_n of_o false_a prophet_n and_o teacher_n and_o false_a christ_n the_o spring_v up_o of_o heresy_n and_o fall_v away_o of_o professor_n the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a temple_n and_o constitution_n and_o dispersion_n of_o that_o whole_a people_n with_o many_o strange_a and_o terrible_a sign_n forego_v and_o last_o the_o second_o appearance_n of_o himself_o in_o glory_n to_o judge_v the_o world_n which_o be_v set_v forth_o in_o a_o very_a large_a and_o pompous_a description_n of_o the_o whole_a scene_n as_o to_o his_o suffering_n death_n and_o burial_n and_o what_o follow_v afterward_o which_o be_v the_o next_o thing_n that_o challenge_v our_o consideration_n we_o read_v that_o he_o be_v betray_v by_o one_o of_o his_o disciple_n deny_v by_o another_o and_o desert_v by_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o he_o be_v take_v and_o carry_v first_o before_o the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o before_o pilate_n and_o herod_n that_o he_o be_v scourge_v mock_v spit_v upon_o revile_v and_o at_o last_o upon_o false_a and_o frivolous_a accusation_n condemn_v by_o pilate_n contrary_a to_o his_o conscience_n only_o to_o please_v the_o jew_n and_o then_o crucify_v between_o two_o common_a malefactor_n one_o of_o which_o reproach_v he_o the_o other_o believe_v in_o he_o while_o he_o be_v upon_o the_o cross_n the_o sun_n be_v darken_v the_o veil_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v in_o twain_o and_o the_o earth_n quake_v and_o the_o rock_n rend_v and_o the_o grave_n be_v open_v and_o many_o body_n that_o sleep_v arise_v and_o come_v out_o of_o their_o grave_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o appear_v unto_o many_o his_o body_n be_v take_v down_o from_o the_o cross_a unbroken_a be_v lay_v in_o a_o sepulchre_n hew_v out_o of_o a_o rock_n with_o a_o stone_n roll_v to_o the_o door_n of_o it_o and_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v make_v sure_a by_o seal_v the_o stone_n and_o set_v a_o watch_n notwithstanding_o which_o he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n after_o he_o be_v bury_v and_o appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o many_o other_o but_o the_o soldier_n that_o be_v appoint_v to_o watch_v the_o sepulchre_n be_v affright_v by_o the_o appearance_n of_o a_o angel_n who_o descend_v from_o heaven_n and_o roll_v back_o the_o stone_n from_o the_o door_n come_v into_o the_o city_n and_o show_v the_o chief_a priest_n all_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v and_o have_v money_n give_v they_o to_o say_v his_o disciple_n come_v by_o night_n and_o steal_v he_o away_o after_o this_o the_o disciple_n that_o betray_v he_o repent_v of_o the_o fact_n bring_v back_o the_o money_n he_o have_v receive_v for_o betray_v he_o and_o hang_v himself_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o four_o gospel_n in_o the_o next_o book_n call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o find_v the_o eleven_o who_o be_v peculiar_o style_v apostle_n after_o their_o return_n from_o behold_v the_o ascension_n of_o their_o master_n assemble_v together_o at_o jerusalem_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o who_o be_v more_o particular_o distinguish_v by_o the_o name_n of_o disciple_n where_o they_o make_v choice_n of_o another_o apostle_n to_o supply_v the_o room_n of_o judas_n that_o have_v hang_v himself_o after_o which_o choice_n the_o twelve_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n they_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o speak_v with_o other_o tongue_n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v they_o utterance_n which_o wonderful_a gift_n of_o divers_a language_n be_v confer_v upon_o they_o with_o very_o strange_a amaze_a sign_n and_o appearance_n viz._n a_o sound_n from_o heaven_n as_o of_o a_o rush_v mighty_a wind_n cleave_a tongue_n like_o as_o of_o fire_n etc._n etc._n have_v receive_v this_o extraordinary_a assistance_n we_o find_v they_o whole_o employ_v in_o preach_v the_o thing_n concern_v jesus_n interpret_n the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n with_o relation_n to_o he_o baptise_v in_o his_o name_n convert_v people_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o doctrine_n build_v upon_o they_o
christ_n the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o sect_n of_o man_n call_v christian_n begin_v to_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n be_v very_o particular_o and_o circumstantial_o set_v down_o by_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n and_o herod_n be_v tetrarch_n of_o galilee_n and_o his_o brother_n philip_n tetrarch_n of_o iturea_n and_o of_o the_o region_n of_o trachonitis_n and_o lysanias_n the_o tetrarch_n of_o abilene_n annas_n and_o caiaphas_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o the_o book_n call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o st._n luke_n it_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o disciple_n by_o which_o word_n be_v there_o mean_v all_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o he_o be_v call_v christian_n first_o at_o antioch_n which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o christian_a historian_n record_v to_o have_v happen_v at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n who_o be_v the_o next_o that_o succeed_v tiberius_n in_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o low_a point_n of_o time_n it_o can_v be_v fix_v at_o appear_v from_o the_o same_o place_n of_o st._n luke_n where_o immediate_o after_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v it_o follow_v and_o in_o these_o day_n come_v prophet_n from_o jerusalem_n unto_o antioch_n and_o there_o stand_v up_o one_o of_o they_o name_v agabus_n and_o signify_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a dearth_n throughout_o all_o the_o world_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o agabus_n concur_v in_o time_n with_o that_o other_o account_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o be_v say_v concern_v the_o completion_n of_o agabus_n prophecy_n in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n that_o he_o first_o utter_v his_o prophecy_n some_o time_n before_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n the_o time_n when_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n must_v likewise_o be_v soon_o or_o late_a before_o the_o reign_n of_o claudius_n which_o claudius_n be_v the_o immediate_a successor_n of_o caligula_n in_o the_o empire_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o question_n must_v happen_v in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n or_o at_o some_o time_n before_o now_o from_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n when_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o last_o of_o caligula_n when_o his_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n at_o antioch_n be_v about_o twelve_o year_n from_o whence_o to_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o nero_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v first_o persecute_v at_o rome_n be_v a_o little_a above_o twenty_o year_n within_o five_o year_n after_o which_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o a_o end_n be_v put_v to_o the_o jewish_a government_n and_o policy_n so_o that_o from_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n when_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o gospel_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o first_o of_o vespasian_n when_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v be_v about_o forty_o year_n and_o no_o more_o if_o therefore_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o neronian_a persecution_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v true_a as_o be_v constant_o attest_v by_o heathen_a and_o jewish_a as_o well_o as_o christian_a writer_n it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o those_o mention_v by_o st._n luke_n be_v so_o too_o for_o before_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n no_o sign_n or_o footstep_n of_o christianity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v it_o pretend_v by_o any_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o this_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v early_o and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n fall_v in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o vespasian_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o thence_o to_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v as_o early_o a_o date_n of_o that_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o find_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n in_o nero_n time_n both_o the_o propagation_n as_o well_o as_o original_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v have_v happen_v not_o only_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o some_o time_n between_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o the_o ten_o of_o nero_n and_o consequent_o the_o account_n before_o give_v by_o st._n luke_n of_o these_o great_a event_n can_v well_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v false_a but_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o mistake_n in_o time_n if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o suppose_a can_v be_v considerable_a from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v profess_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n and_o be_v derive_v from_o one_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o it_o and_o suffer_v death_n at_o jerusalem_n upon_o that_o account_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o tiberius_n reign_n as_o i_o find_v it_o record_v by_o st._n luke_n and_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o next_o view_n i_o shall_v take_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v under_o constantine_n another_o emperor_n of_o rome_n who_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o be_v dispose_v to_o embrace_v this_o religion_n about_o 300_o year_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v very_o notorious_a that_o christianity_n be_v the_o prevail_a religion_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n the_o extent_n of_o which_o be_v then_o very_o great_a this_o manifest_o appear_v from_o all_o the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o the_o history_n of_o this_o famous_a emperor_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n under_o his_o reign_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o which_o be_v hold_v a_o general_n council_n which_o be_v a_o meeting_n or_o assembly_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n who_o come_v from_o all_o the_o different_a province_n and_o city_n both_o of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a empire_n and_o be_v person_n that_o in_o their_o several_a district_n govern_v and_o direct_v in_o religion_n affair_n the_o chief_a design_n of_o that_o meeting_n be_v by_o constantine_n who_o call_v they_o together_o declare_v to_o be_v for_o the_o decision_n of_o a_o controversy_n that_o have_v happen_v between_o certain_a christian_a professor_n concern_v a_o particular_a article_n or_o doctrine_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o some_o affirm_v aught_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o one_o sense_n and_o some_o in_o another_o these_o bishop_n do_v meet_v according_o to_o the_o number_n of_o about_o 300_o decide_v the_o matter_n they_o be_v call_v about_o by_o appoint_v a_o form_n of_o word_n for_o all_o christian_n to_o express_v their_o belief_n of_o that_o and_o several_a other_o particular_n in_o which_o be_v unanimous_o approve_v and_o subscribe_v by_o all_o but_o two_o beside_o which_o form_n of_o faith_n they_o make_v several_a canon_n or_o rule_n with_o relation_n to_o discipline_n which_o concern_v the_o qualification_n of_o such_o person_n as_o be_v to_o perform_v religious_a office_n or_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o effect_n of_o they_o their_o manner_n of_o act_v upon_o such_o occasion_n and_o their_o behaviour_n to_o one_o another_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o religious_a distinction_n but_o in_o order_n to_o take_v a_o more_o particular_a survey_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n under_o constantine_n from_o the_o account_n that_o be_v give_v we_o of_o this_o council_n by_o eusebius_n and_o athanasius_n who_o be_v present_a at_o it_o and_o other_o credible_a writer_n who_o live_v at_o or_o near_o the_o same_o time_n i_o shall_v draw_v these_o follow_a observation_n and_o reflection_n i._o constantine_n be_v the_o first_o roman_a emperor_n that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v no_o king_n consul_n dictator_n emperor_n or_o any_o other_o the_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n before_o he_o that_o ever_o depart_v from_o the_o ancient_a institution_n make_v upon_o the_o first_o settlement_n of_o that_o commonwealth_n or_o public_o embrace_v a_o new_a religion_n of_o a_o different_a character_n from_o that_o establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o numa_n 2._o there_o never_o be_v before_o this_o council_n any_o such_o general_n meet_v of_o eminent_a and_o learned_a person_n who_o be_v assemble_v together_o from_o so_o many_o different_a quarter_n of_o the_o world_n pure_o to_o settle_v some_o controversy_n in_o religion_n which_o two_o surprise_a circumstance_n must_v make_v this_o
tradition_n another_o set_a of_o testimony_n which_o eusebius_n furnish_v we_o with_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n be_v relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n several_a of_o which_o be_v remain_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v by_o he_o himself_o such_o be_v christian_a burying-place_n and_o sepulcher_n with_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n upon_o they_o particular_o those_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n statue_n and_o picture_n particular_o the_o statue_n of_o the_o woman_n cure_v by_o christ_n of_o the_o bloody_a flux_n picture_n of_o christ_n peter_n and_o paul_n in_o colour_n these_o be_v all_o see_v by_o eusebius_n himself_o as_o be_v likewise_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n of_o james_n at_o jerusalem_n several_a christian_a library_n and_o several_a christian_a temple_n before_o they_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v by_o the_o order_n of_o dieclesian_n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n remain_v in_o eusebius_n time_n whether_o all_o the_o particular_a traditional_a report_n concern_v they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a may_v easy_o be_v perceive_v upon_o view_n or_o divers_a other_o way_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o whatever_o age_n they_o be_v of_o they_o must_v be_v good_a proof_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o man_n of_o those_o time_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v to_o prove_v it_o but_o the_o tradition_n of_o christianity_n from_o its_o first_o original_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a with_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v build_v be_v further_a and_o more_o especial_o secure_v to_o we_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o forego_n testimony_n confirm_v by_o book_n and_o write_v record_n vast_a number_n of_o which_o of_o different_a kind_n and_o different_a age_n write_v by_o several_a man_n of_o different_a country_n character_n design_n and_o religious_a persuasion_n be_v extant_a in_o eusebius_n time_n a_o great_a many_o of_o which_o be_v general_o know_v multitude_n of_o copy_n of_o they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o several_a of_o these_o write_n be_v careful_o preserve_v in_o particular_a place_n and_o either_o never_o communicate_v further_o by_o any_o transcript_n or_o copy_n to_o remain_v there_o to_o be_v see_v in_o their_o primitive_a state_n after_o transcription_n now_o all_o these_o write_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o they_o be_v who_o authority_n be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o establish_n the_o christian_a faith_n i_o shall_v rank_v under_o certain_a distinct_a head_n in_o order_n to_o show_v what_o sense_n and_o weight_n they_o have_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o maintain_v the_o several_a book_n and_o write_n then_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v copy_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n genuine_a write_n of_o profess_a christian_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o common_a agreement_n in_o some_o certain_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v style_v orthodox_n book_n write_v by_o heretic_n who_o be_v man_n of_o particular_a opinion_n different_a from_o those_o common_o receive_v by_o other_o christian_n jewish_n and_o pagan_a book_n contain_v such_o thing_n as_o have_v relation_n to_o christianity_n forge_v and_o supposititious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n which_o do_v some_o way_n or_o other_o concern_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o to_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n in_o eusebius_n time_n i_o have_v these_o thing_n to_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v then_o multiply_v to_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n that_o hardly_o a_o christian_a family_n be_v without_o some_o of_o the_o book_n that_o they_o be_v translate_v into_o several_a different_a language_n that_o in_o those_o country_n where_o the_o translation_n be_v of_o common_a use_n a_o great_a many_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n be_v preserve_v that_o in_o most_o of_o the_o great_a city_n and_o episcopal_a church_n there_o be_v a_o copy_n in_o the_o original_a language_n more_o ancient_a than_o the_o rest_n from_o whence_o the_o other_o copy_n be_v take_v and_o translation_n make_v that_o such_o copy_n as_o these_o may_v not_o only_o by_o tradition_n but_o by_o several_a intrinsic_a mark_n be_v know_v to_o be_v ancient_a and_o their_o age_n pretty_a near_o determine_v that_o upon_o comparison_n there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a agreement_n betwixt_o these_o ancient_a copy_n preserve_v in_o several_a very_o distant_a and_o remote_a church_n that_o such_o care_n have_v be_v take_v in_o transcribe_v and_o translate_n from_o they_o that_o the_o difference_n find_v between_o any_o copy_n either_o of_o the_o original_n or_o translation_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a that_o all_o christian_n think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o preserve_v the_o jewish_a canon_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o copy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o original_a tongue_n and_o translation_n of_o it_o into_o several_a vulgar_a language_n be_v multiply_v careful_o transcribe_v and_o keep_v together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a that_o upon_o a_o diligent_a search_n into_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v find_v that_o beside_o those_o copy_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v alike_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o all_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v other_o receive_v in_o some_o church_n and_o by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n then_o vouch_v to_o be_v as_o early_o and_o of_o as_o great_a authority_n as_o the_o rest_n from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o infer_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v as_o early_o as_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v its_o original_a in_o judea_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v it_o which_o be_v less_o than_o 300_o year_n before_o eusebius_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o plain_o suppose_v a_o antecedent_n propagation_n and_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v write_v some_o time_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n eusebius_n or_o any_o other_o person_n of_o his_o age_n who_o thorough_o examine_v the_o matter_n concern_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o receive_v must_v needs_o be_v satisfy_v from_o this_o consideration_n only_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v as_o early_o a_o publication_n in_o the_o world_n as_o be_v now_o ascribe_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v somewhat_o early_o and_o the_o same_o then_o as_o it_o be_v in_o these_o book_n represent_v to_o have_v be_v this_o will_v further_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o next_o sort_n of_o write_n to_o be_v consider_v viz._n public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v proper_o to_o society_n and_o not_o to_o particular_a author_n such_o be_v catalogue_n of_o bishop_n decree_n of_o synod_n letter_n from_o church_n and_o society_n of_o man_n general_a record_n of_o remarkable_a matter_n particular_a act_n and_o monument_n of_o martyr_n psalm_n hymn_n creed_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o most_o famous_a church_n especial_o those_o constitute_v by_o apostle_n keep_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n with_o great_a care_n lay_v up_o in_o their_o archive_v record_v their_o name_n and_o day_n of_o their_o death_n in_o a_o pair_n of_o write_v table_n this_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o these_o table_n he_o assure_v we_o he_o diligent_o examine_v and_o he_o be_v very_o exact_a in_o the_o account_n he_o take_v of_o they_o as_o particular_o appear_v from_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n viz._n that_o he_o find_v from_o old_a record_n fifteen_o bishop_n with_o their_o name_n who_o have_v succeed_v in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o siege_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o adrian_n be_v time_n but_o can_v not_o find_v preserve_v in_o write_v the_o space_n of_o time_n each_o bishop_n spend_v in_o his_o presidency_n over_o that_o see_n the_o like_a diligence_n and_o exactness_n be_v observable_a in_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o several_a other_o church_n most_o of_o their_o name_n be_v set_v down_o and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o several_a succession_n presidency_n and_o death_n punctual_o determine_v and_o reason_n give_v why_o he_o can_v not_o speak_v with_o the_o same_o certainty_n of_o the_o rest_n omit_v there_o be_v likewise_o extant_a in_o his_o time_n a_o great_a many_o canon_n and_o decree_n make_v by_o several_a council_n and_o