and_o transaction_n of_o his_o life_n be_v open_a and_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o world_n he_o lay_v not_o the_o scene_n of_o his_o action_n in_o a_o dark_a unknown_a or_o undiscovered_a corner_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o he_o appear_v in_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a place_n of_o all_o asia_n all_o his_o work_n be_v perform_v amid_o his_o enemy_n and_o he_o choose_v the_o jew_n the_o most_o jealous_a and_o the_o most_o prejudice_v people_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o the_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n but_o above_o all_o jerusalem_n itself_o the_o most_o famous_a city_n at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o scene_n of_o his_o most_o public_a action_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o presence_n not_o only_o of_o that_o city_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a nation_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a there_o it_o be_v that_o his_o disciple_n first_o 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grant_v it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o premise_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o unaccountable_a than_o insidelity_n from_o the_o very_o be_v and_o constitution_n of_o humane_a nature_n §_o v._o but_o to_o advance_v one_o step_n far_o either_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v endue_v with_o common_a sense_n and_o discretion_n or_o that_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v then_o as_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o man_n possess_v with_o the_o natural_a instinct_n of_o self-love_n so_o much_o less_o that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o understanding_n will_v ruin_v themselves_o and_o their_o family_n will_v encounter_v all_o kind_n of_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n will_v endure_v bond_n and_o imprisonment_n will_v suffer_v persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n and_o all_o for_o no_o other_o than_o mere_o to_o win_v credit_n to_o a_o know_a falsehood_n for_o still_o so_o it_o must_v be_v if_o they_o be_v not_o real_o eye_n witness_n of_o the_o resurrection_n yes_o 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moment_n and_o last_o that_o with_o all_o the_o noise_n which_o must_v be_v make_v by_o roll_a away_o the_o stone_n and_o remove_v the_o corpse_n they_o shall_v never_o awake_v so_o much_o as_o one_o of_o the_o soldier_n so_o many_o strange_a and_o lucky_a accident_n as_o these_o no_o wise_a man_n can_v ever_o promise_v themselves_o and_o yet_o without_o they_o no_o wise_a man_n can_v ever_o undertake_v the_o design_n so_o that_o if_o man_n of_o common_a prudence_n can_v not_o be_v suppose_v to_o make_v such_o a_o wild_a and_o hazardous_a attempt_n for_o no_o end_n than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o body_n be_v not_o convey_v away_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o man_n of_o common_a prudence_n can_v never_o affirm_v its_o resurrection_n when_o they_o be_v so_o certain_a of_o be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n but_o last_o if_o they_o be_v man_n of_o common_a prudence_n how_o can_v they_o expect_v to_o gain_v belief_n to_o a_o story_n that_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v false_a and_o in_o itself_o next_o to_o incredible_a pure_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o own_o bare_a and_o naked_a relation_n for_o what_o story_n can_v be_v receive_v with_o more_o difficulty_n and_o examine_v with_o more_o severity_n than_o this_o of_o a_o man_n so_o miraculous_o raise_v from_o the_o dead_a especial_o at_o that_o time_n and_o in_o that_o place_n i._n e._n of_o one_o that_o be_v but_o the_o other_o day_n ignominious_o execute_v for_o treason_n and_o blasphemy_n if_o they_o be_v not_o assure_v of_o some_o great_a assistance_n than_o bare_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o testimony_n they_o must_v be_v worse_a than_o madman_n to_o go_v about_o to_o publish_v so_o incredible_a a_o story_n with_o such_o a_o slender_a authority_n but_o if_o they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n of_o their_o own_o and_o yet_o can_v expect_v to_o gain_v any_o belief_n to_o it_o only_o by_o their_o bare_a affirmation_n that_o must_v exceed_v all_o degree_n and_o example_n of_o humane_a madness_n nay_o far_o they_o must_v not_o only_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o witness_n of_o this_o strange_a thing_n be_v frantic_a and_o infatuate_v person_n but_o also_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o that_o and_o the_o next_o follow_v age_n be_v bear_v without_o the_o usual_a sense_n and_o understanding_n of_o men._n for_o how_o else_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o with_o so_o prodigious_a a_o tale_n only_o upon_o the_o report_n of_o some_o foolish_a and_o frantic_a fisherman_n we_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o story_n be_v propagate_v with_o incredible_a swiftness_n through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n not_o only_o without_o any_o assistance_n of_o power_n and_o wit_n but_o against_o all_o sort_n of_o opposition_n whether_o of_o force_n or_o zeal_n or_o prejudice_n or_o interest_n or_o learning_n and_o now_o that_o this_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v without_o any_o other_o proof_n or_o evidence_n than_o the_o mere_a relation_n of_o a_o company_n of_o foolish_a or_o frantic_a people_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o extravagant_a to_o suppose_v as_o exceed_v all_o the_o folly_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o that_o they_o shall_v work_v all_o rank_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n the_o learned_a as_o well_o as_o the_o unlearned_a to_o that_o height_n of_o infatuation_n as_o not_o only_o to_o win_v their_o serious_a belief_n to_o such_o a_o wild_a and_o proofless_a fable_n but_o to_o prevail_v upon_o they_o so_o prodigal_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n in_o its_o justification_n but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v treat_v more_o distinct_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n this_o
be_v write_v by_o the_o first_o author_n of_o the_o sect_n and_o that_o they_o can_v be_v none_o other_o be_v plain_a enough_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n beside_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n peculiar_a to_o any_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v object_v that_o philo_n affirm_v that_o his_o therapeutic_a sect_n pray_v only_o twice_o a_o day_n whereas_o it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v their_o several_a other_o hour_n of_o prayer_n yes_o and_o so_o they_o may_v have_v and_o philo_n not_o know_v it_o however_o their_o most_o solemn_a season_n be_v morning_n and_o evening_n prayer_n when_o as_o philo_z tell_v we_o they_o resort_v to_o their_o consecrate_a chapel_n and_o that_o be_v their_o public_a devotion_n he_o therefore_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o alone_a whereas_o their_o other_o hour_n of_o prayer_n be_v rather_o set_v apart_o for_o private_a devotion_n which_o be_v more_o or_o less_o frequent_a according_a to_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o votary_n but_o philo_n say_v he_o affirm_v that_o this_o sect_n compose_v hymn_n and_o those_o in_o various_a measure_n and_o yet_o this_o custom_n be_v very_o well_o know_v not_o to_o have_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n till_o after_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o antonine_n it_o may_v be_v so_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n but_o in_o a_o church_n pure_o jewish_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a this_o be_v and_o be_v so_o agree_v to_o have_v be_v by_o all_o hand_n this_o custom_n be_v use_v from_o the_o beginning_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o new_a invention_n of_o the_o christian_n but_o continue_v by_o they_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a church_n but_o last_o say_v he_o the_o man_n of_o this_o sect_n according_a to_o philo_n description_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o scatter_v all_o the_o world_n over_o whereas_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o christian_n and_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o so_o they_o be_v if_o compare_v either_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n at_o that_o time_n or_o to_o their_o own_o multitude_n in_o after-age_n and_o yet_o their_o number_n be_v very_o great_a if_o consider_v as_o they_o be_v by_o philo_n as_o a_o philosophic_a sect_n and_o so_o at_o that_o time_n christianity_n be_v more_o observable_a than_o any_o other_o sect_n spread_v every_o where_o so_o fast_o and_o wherever_o it_o come_v prevail_v so_o much_o but_o if_o this_o great_a and_o famous_a sect_n that_o philo_n speak_v of_o be_v not_o christian_n our_o learned_a author_n will_v have_v do_v very_o well_o to_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o such_o a_o peculiar_a sect_n of_o man_n shall_v at_o that_o time_n have_v be_v disperse_v through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o any_o writer_n of_o that_o age_n but_o only_o in_o this_o little_a pamphlet_n of_o philo._n at_o least_o consider_v the_o exact_a agreement_n of_o the_o description_n itself_o to_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o utter_a silence_n about_o any_o other_o sect_n to_o which_o it_o may_v agree_v that_o seem_v to_o i_o no_o less_o than_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n that_o it_o must_v be_v intend_v of_o they_o and_o of_o they_o alone_o and_o beside_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o name_n be_v obvious_a enough_o for_o though_o as_o eusebius_n say_v it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o philo_n himself_o coin_v this_o name_n as_o most_o agree_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o person_n that_o he_o describe_v or_o whether_o the_o christian_n may_v not_o have_v that_o name_v give_v they_o in_o that_o place_n from_o the_o beginning_n the_o name_n of_o christian_n not_o be_v then_o use_v in_o all_o place_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o a_o synonymous_a word_n with_o that_o of_o christian_n especial_o when_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o hebrew_n into_o greek_a for_o the_o word_n jesus_n indifferent_o signify_v either_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d saviour_n or_o healer_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o philo_n who_o be_v a_o hebrew-greek_a to_o interpret_v it_o by_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o healer_n especial_o consider_v its_o near_a affinity_n both_o in_o sound_n and_o signification_n to_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o heal_v so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o appellation_n be_v that_o they_o be_v the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n i._n e._n the_o healer_n and_o thus_o have_v recover_v this_o ancient_a church_n from_o the_o perverseness_n of_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o a_o excellent_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n a_o very_a early_a writer_n in_o these_o western_a 3._o part_n of_o the_o world_n though_o say_v he_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a variety_n of_o language_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n in_o germany_n in_o spain_n in_o france_n in_o the_o east_n in_o egypt_n in_o lybia_n in_o the_o remote_a as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o middle_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o sun_n in_o the_o universe_n so_o be_v all_o man_n every_o where_o that_o be_v dispose_v enlighten_v by_o the_o same_o truth_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o this_o tradition_n i_o shall_v discourse_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n at_o present_a it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n that_o we_o have_v from_o hence_o a_o very_a early_a testimony_n of_o its_o universality_n §_o xix_o this_o then_o be_v so_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v as_o never_o doctrine_n do_v let_v we_o a_o little_a consider_v what_o extraordinary_a advantage_n it_o have_v to_o recommend_v itself_o to_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o mankind_n and_o here_o it_o be_v at_o first_o view_v apparent_a that_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o the_o possible_a disadvantage_n in_o the_o world_n except_v only_o its_o own_o naked_a and_o unassisted_a truth_n so_o that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o that_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o of_o its_o divine_a authority_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v ever_o have_v gain_v one_o proselyte_n over_o to_o its_o belief_n and_o here_o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o in_o itself_o so_o incredible_a that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v believe_v have_v it_o not_o be_v vouch_v by_o some_o testimony_n so_o unquestionable_a as_o to_o surmount_v its_o own_o incredibility_n for_o the_o story_n be_v plain_o this_o that_o under_o the_o prefectship_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n there_o be_v a_o poor_a young_a man_n in_o judaea_n of_o mean_a birth_n and_o no_o education_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o cancel_v that_o law_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v establish_v by_o moses_n to_o reform_v all_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v in_o a_o more_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o a_o more_o excellent_a way_n of_o worship_n and_o that_o for_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o commission_n he_o pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o often_o cure_v the_o blind_a the_o lame_a the_o leprous_a and_o sometime_o raise_v the_o dead_a but_o by_o this_o mean_n draw_v great_a multitude_n after_o he_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n grow_v jealous_a of_o his_o design_n and_o so_o apprehend_v he_o as_o a_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o a_o enemy_n to_o the_o establish_a religion_n and_o for_o those_o crime_n condemn_v he_o to_o the_o ignominious_a death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o that_o they_o take_v care_n that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v with_o all_o the_o aggravation_n of_o shame_n and_o disgrace_n in_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o his_o heartblood_n be_v let_v out_o with_o a_o spear_n whilst_o he_o be_v hang_v upon_o the_o cross_n he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n converse_v familiar_o with_o his_o disciple_n and_o at_o last_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o great_a number_n of_o they_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n now_o this_o story_n be_v in_o itself_o so_o strange_a and_o prodigious_a so_o without_o precedent_n so_o full_a of_o appear_v inconsistency_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o withal_o so_o public_a and_o so_o notorious_a that_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v certain_o true_a it_o can_v never_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a must_v have_v be_v demonstrative_o confute_v for_o the_o passage_n
distract_v their_o thought_n there_o be_v no_o charm_n nor_o counsel_n against_o necessity_n and_o a_o terror_n that_o be_v unavoidable_a be_v above_o the_o power_n and_o the_o relief_n of_o philosophy_n and_o will_v not_o be_v vanquish_v by_o stubborn_a thought_n or_o proud_a word_n so_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o as_o easy_a to_o prevail_v with_o a_o man_n to_o hate_v and_o abhor_v his_o own_o be_v as_o to_o reconcile_v he_o to_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o own_o destruction_n for_o by_o the_o same_o necessity_n that_o nature_n love_v and_o desire_v the_o continuance_n of_o itself_o it_o recoil_v and_o start_v back_o from_o all_o thought_n of_o its_o dissolution_n this_o then_o be_v upon_o the_o epicurean_a supposition_n a_o vain_a a_o useless_a and_o unreasonable_a advice_n be_v it_o be_v so_o insuperable_a a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n so_o that_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o be_o now_o to_o represent_v be_v as_o certain_a and_o inexorable_a as_o death_n itself_o and_o man_n may_v as_o soon_o divest_v themselves_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n as_o suppress_v the_o convulsion_n of_o this_o inbred_a passion_n and_o now_o when_o it_o be_v so_o incurable_a and_o yet_o withal_o so_o importunate_a and_o disquiet_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v what_o desperate_o cheerful_a live_v those_o man_n must_v live_v that_o always_o live_v under_o its_o sad_a and_o dismal_a apprehension_n §_o xxii_o but_o beside_o this_o great_a and_o sovereign_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n they_o have_v several_a other_o little_a receipt_n scatter_v up_o and_o down_o in_o their_o write_n i_o shall_v but_o brief_o mention_v they_o because_o all_o that_o little_a force_n which_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v depend_v upon_o the_o former_a fundamental_a principle_n first_o say_v they_o let_v we_o be_v thankful_a to_o the_o bounty_n of_o nature_n for_o make_v our_o life_n so_o long_o instead_o of_o repine_v at_o it_o for_o make_v 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that_o how_o wise_a or_o foolish_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o fear_v death_n be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a but_o whether_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a though_o if_o it_o be_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v a_o very_a foolish_a thing_n to_o endeavour_v against_o it_o but_o how_o irksome_a soever_o death_n may_v be_v yet_o see_v it_o be_v fatal_a we_o ought_v to_o make_v it_o as_o easy_a as_o we_o can_v by_o a_o voluntary_a compliance_n with_o it_o but_o this_o beside_o the_o folly_n that_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o it_o advise_v to_o a_o impossibility_n be_v not_o so_o proper_o compliance_n as_o despair_v and_o be_v like_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o condemn_a malefactor_n that_o go_v to_o his_o execution_n only_o because_o otherwise_o he_o must_v be_v drive_v and_o whip_v to_o it_o and_o no_o man_n have_v any_o other_o comfort_n all_o his_o life-time_n against_o the_o terror_n of_o death_n than_o a_o thief_n upon_o the_o gallow_n that_o will_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a counterfeit_a to_o die_v cheerful_o because_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o other_o advice_n that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o fear_v death_n because_o it_o be_v natural_a necessary_a and_o inevitable_a that_o be_v because_o it_o be_v remediless_a and_o there_o lie_v the_o very_a agony_n of_o all_o our_o horror_n that_o a_o thing_n so_o infinite_o terrible_a shall_v withal_o be_v so_o utter_o unavoidable_a and_o when_o they_o tell_v we_o how_o strange_a a_o folly_n and_o madness_n it_o be_v to_o torment_v ourselves_o with_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o which_o we_o be_v infallible_o certain_a we_o can_v never_o escape_v they_o do_v but_o persuade_v we_o to_o the_o madness_n of_o despair_n instead_o of_o courage_n and_o resolution_n for_o how_o foolish_a or_o unreasonable_a soever_o this_o fear_n may_v be_v it_o be_v natural_a antecedent_n to_o the_o choice_n of_o our_o will_n and_o the_o discretion_n of_o our_o understanding_n and_o so_o above_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o prudence_n and_o prescription_n of_o philosophy_n they_o can_v only_o guide_v and_o instruct_v our_o mind_n in_o thing_n subject_a to_o their_o own_o election_n but_o can_v affect_v much_o less_o over_o rule_v the_o instinct_n of_o nature_n in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o be_v already_o dead_a say_v they_o to_o so_o much_o of_o our_o life_n as_o be_v past_a and_o go_v so_o that_o so_o much_o as_o we_o live_v we_o die_v and_o that_o which_o we_o call_v death_n be_v but_o our_o last_o death_n and_o therefore_o as_o we_o fear_v not_o our_o death_n that_o be_v past_o why_o shall_v we_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v but_o what_o child_n understand_v not_o the_o difference_n between_o life_n and_o death_n and_o if_o to_o live_v be_v to_o die_v notwithstanding_o this_o quibble_n we_o be_v trouble_v never_o the_o less_o that_o this_o new_a way_n of_o die_v put_v a_o end_n to_o our_o old_a way_n of_o die_a and_o if_o we_o have_v be_v die_v ever_o since_o we_o be_v bear_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o grieve_v we_o that_o we_o can_v be_v die_v so_o for_o ever_o but_o bassus_n aufidius_n the_o epicurean_a old_a man_n in_o 30._o seneca_n reconcile_v himself_o to_o his_o approach_a death_n with_o this_o reason_n because_o it_o be_v as_o absurd_a to_o fear_v death_n as_o old_a age_n which_o yet_o all_o man_n desire_v to_o come_v to_o in_o that_o as_o old_a age_n follow_v youth_n so_o death_n follow_v old_a age._n but_o if_o he_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_n satisfy_v it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o he_o have_v live_v not_o only_o to_o his_o old_a age_n but_o to_o his_o second_o childhood_n for_o old_a age_n be_v desirable_a not_o because_o it_o follow_v youth_n but_o because_o it_o defer_v death_n and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o make_v it_o so_o much_o less_o valuable_a than_o youth_n because_o it_o be_v so_o much_o near_o to_o death_n and_o the_o philosopher_n reason_n have_v be_v altogether_o as_o comfortable_a if_o he_o have_v prefer_v old_a age_n before_o youth_n because_o his_o youth_n be_v very_o old_a it_o be_v many_o year_n since_o he_o be_v a_o young_a man_n whereas_o his_o old_a age_n be_v of_o a_o late_a date_n he_o have_v be_v but_o a_o little_a time_n a_o old_a man._n by_o which_o device_n he_o may_v have_v prove_v to_o himself_o that_o youth_n be_v old_a age_n and_o old_a age_n youth_n much_o like_o this_o be_v that_o other_o reason_v wherewith_o gassendus_fw-la himself_o seem_v so_o much_o please_v that_o whereas_o we_o now_o count_v ourselves_o happy_a if_o we_o live_v to_o a_o hundred_o year_n yet_o if_o the_o natural_a course_n of_o our_o life_n be_v as_o much_o short_a we_o shall_v be_v as_o much_o satisfy_v with_o twenty_o and_o if_o our_o natural_a course_n reach_v to_o a_o thousand_o year_n we_o shall_v then_o be_v as_o much_o trouble_v to_o die_v at_o six_o hundred_o as_o now_o at_o sixty_o and_o so_o forward_o it_o be_v like_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o philosophic_a comfort_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o reconcile_a we_o to_o death_n at_o any_o time_n that_o it_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o there_o be_v no_o time_n in_o which_o a_o epicurean_a can_n or_o aught_o to_o be_v content_a to_o die_v and_o that_o be_v our_o life_n long_o or_o short_a yet_o unless_o they_o be_v eternal_a we_o can_v rid_v ourselves_o of_o this_o importunate_a and_o intolerable_a evil_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v that_o witty_a say_n of_o seneca_n that_o a_o little_a or_o great_a circle_n be_v both_o equal_a in_o perfection_n of_o figure_n though_o not_o in_o quantity_n so_o be_v the_o life_n of_o man_n whether_o it_o last_o to_o twenty_o or_o to_o a_o hundred_o year_n but_o certain_o no_o man_n that_o may_v live_v to_o a_o hundred_o
his_o divine_a authority_n from_o the_o undoubted_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o to_o that_o alone_o he_o refer_v we_o as_o the_o last_o and_o most_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o depend_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n not_o only_o of_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o other_o argument_n whereby_o he_o prove_v his_o doctrine_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o we_o find_v he_o so_o often_o injoin_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o publish_v his_o other_o work_n and_o miracle_n till_o after_o his_o resurrection_n thus_o when_o his_o apostle_n have_v declare_v to_o he_o the_o firmness_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n he_o straight_o charge_v they_o matt._n 16._o 20._o that_o they_o shall_v then_o tell_v no_o man_n of_o it_o and_o takes_z occasion_n thence_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o his_o approach_a death_n and_o passion_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o grave_a ascension_n into_o glory_n and_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o great_a miracle_n he_o be_v as_o saint_n paul_n observe_v rom._n 1._o 4._o to_o be_v declare_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n but_o chief_o by_o his_o resurrection_n for_o it_o be_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n elsewhere_o express_v it_o the_o work_n of_o the_o might_n of_o his_o power_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o christ_n when_o the_o father_n of_o glory_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a ephes._n 1._o 19_o and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n immediate_o add_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o forementioned_a discourse_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o there_o be_v those_o here_o present_a that_o shall_v not_o taste_v of_o death_n till_o they_o see_v the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v in_o his_o kingdom_n matt._n 16._o 28._o in_o that_o he_o be_v as_o evident_o declare_v by_o this_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o son_n of_o god_n as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v he_o solemn_o enthrone_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o holy_a angel_n so_o again_o when_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o cast_v out_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o still_o command_v they_o silence_n he_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v too_o much_o notice_n take_v of_o he_o before_o his_o resurrection_n because_o by_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v such_o a_o palpable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n as_o shall_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o all_o his_o former_a miracle_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o have_v take_v his_o three_o chief_a disciple_n to_o behold_v his_o transfiguration_n thereby_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n against_o the_o time_n of_o his_o suffer_v when_o he_o have_v do_v that_o he_o charge_v they_o say_v tell_v the_o vision_n to_o no_o man_n until_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a matt._n 17._o 9_o because_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o will_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o report_n whereas_o till_o then_o man_n will_v be_v very_a difficulty_n persuade_v to_o believe_v such_o prodigious_a and_o unusual_a thing_n though_o after_o that_o and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o apostle_n who_o attest_v it_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o all_o difficult_a to_o yield_v to_o their_o testimony_n that_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o distrust_v it_o and_o therefore_o according_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o their_o faith_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n this_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o all_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n and_o when_o man_n in_o those_o day_n inquire_v after_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o only_a state_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o alone_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o proof_n be_v think_v such_o a_o forcible_a and_o convictive_a confirmation_n that_o it_o supersede_v the_o consideration_n of_o all_o other_o less_o evident_a and_o important_a reason_n and_o where_o this_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o despair_v of_o any_o success_n from_o any_o other_o topic_n and_o principle_n this_o then_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o one_o article_n specify_v according_a to_o the_o method_n before_o propose_v those_o wild_a those_o extravagant_a those_o incredible_a absurdity_n that_o must_v be_v swallow_v upon_o its_o disbelief_n §_o iv._o first_o then_o they_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o both_o will_v and_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n with_o a_o manifest_a lie_n and_o in_o that_o they_o believe_v ten_o thousand_o absurdity_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o credible_a no_o doubt_n that_o man_n endue_v i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n reason_n and_o discretion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o i_o need_v suppose_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n only_o to_o suppose_v they_o possess_v with_o that_o natural_a instinct_n that_o they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o all_o other_o creature_n viz._n love_n of_o life_n and_o desire_n of_o self-preservation_n it_o be_v i_o say_v easy_o credible_a that_o such_o creature_n as_o these_o will_v so_o willing_o so_o wilful_o forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n so_o cheerful_o expose_v themselves_o to_o so_o many_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n so_o many_o reproach_n and_o contumely_n and_o so_o undaunted_o endure_v so_o many_o torture_n and_o misery_n so_o many_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n so_o many_o martyrdom_n and_o persecution_n only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o lewd_a and_o shameless_a imposture_n it_o be_v a_o likely_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n shall_v conspire_v together_o to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o all_o their_o worldly_a interest_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n and_o belief_n to_o a_o palpable_a falsehood_n that_o so_o many_o hundred_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v eye_n witness_n both_o of_o all_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o his_o life-time_n and_o his_o resurrection_n after_o death_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o attest_v a_o false_a report_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n no_o nor_o the_o most_o cruel_a death_n can_v ever_o prevail_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v or_o disow_v their_o testimony_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o though_o not_o very_o usual_a that_o man_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o a_o false_a opinion_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n credible_a that_o they_o shall_v persist_v to_o death_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o a_o false_a testimony_n for_o if_o it_o be_v false_a they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o then_o if_o they_o will_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o its_o truth_n they_o contradict_v the_o first_o instinct_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n for_o nothing_o especial_o when_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o present_a advantage_n in_o the_o lie_n itself_o so_o none_o can_v ensue_v upon_o it_o for_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o expect_v any_o reward_n of_o wealth_n or_o honour_n or_o power_n from_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o extravagant_a and_o a_o proofless_a lie_n nay_o they_o quick_o find_v that_o they_o must_v either_o part_v with_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o life_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o or_o forbear_v to_o spread_v and_o divulge_v the_o fable_n now_o that_o being_n endue_v with_o humane_a nature_n shall_v act_v and_o suffer_v after_o such_o a_o rate_n for_o no_o design_n at_o all_o nay_o against_o the_o design_n of_o all_o design_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o cross_a to_o all_o belief_n that_o i_o may_v challenge_v all_o the_o infidel_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assign_v any_o one_o thing_n that_o be_v more_o incredible_a if_o a_o great_a number_n of_o harmless_a and_o well-meaning_a person_n shall_v offer_v their_o oath_n to_o attest_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o just_o command_v and_o immediate_o overrule_v our_o belief_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o great_a multitude_n will_v seal_v it_o with_o their_o blood_n that_o they_o see_v jesus_n do_v so_o many_o miraculous_a thing_n though_o they_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o never_o see_v he_o do_v any_o one_o of_o they_o they_o be_v certain_o in_o a_o very_a pleasant_a humour_n when_o they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o sacrifice_v both_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n with_o a_o
as_o little_a as_o he_o gain_v by_o object_v the_o meanness_n of_o our_o saviour_n condition_n he_o gain_v just_a as_o much_o by_o insult_v over_o their_o ignorance_n that_o be_v but_o another_o enhance_a circumstance_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a thing_n for_o so_o obscure_a a_o person_n to_o make_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o world_n so_o be_v it_o much_o more_o so_o to_o effect_v it_o by_o such_o contemptible_a instrument_n for_o no_o man_n that_o ingenuous_o consider_v the_o prodigious_a success_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v ever_o impute_v it_o to_o any_o other_o cause_n than_o either_o some_o divine_a and_o extraordinary_a power_n or_o the_o great_a and_o irresistible_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o in_o that_o by_o the_o objection_n itself_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o all_o the_o art_n of_o eloquence_n and_o learning_n by_o which_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o they_o may_v persuade_v or_o deceive_v the_o people_n into_o any_o belief_n whereas_o if_o jesus_n have_v choose_v the_o learned_a and_o the_o eloquent_a for_o the_o propagation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n he_o may_v have_v be_v just_o suspect_v of_o the_o same_o design_n with_o the_o philosopher_n of_o erect_v a_o new_a sect_n by_o the_o power_n of_o wit_n and_o rhetoric_n but_o when_o a_o few_o fisherman_n that_o want_v all_o the_o improvement_n of_o learning_n and_o education_n as_o the_o evangelist_n record_v and_o celsus_n object_n effect_v it_o with_o such_o prodigious_a success_n it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a how_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o miracle_n either_o in_o their_o word_n or_o action_n and_o thus_o all_o along_o the_o more_o they_o object_v the_o contemptibleness_n of_o the_o mean_n the_o more_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o event_n return_v upon_o themselves_o so_o that_o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v something_o more_o than_o humane_a in_o the_o design_n it_o can_v never_o in_o the_o way_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prosecute_v have_v take_v any_o effect_n in_o the_o second_o book_n the_o counterfeit_a jew_n first_o rate_v his_o countryman_n for_o quit_v the_o law_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n to_o follow_v this_o innovatour_n but_o set_v aside_o the_o answer_n of_o origen_n that_o the_o christian_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o moses_n but_o pursue_v and_o improve_v it_o still_o this_o be_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o come_v not_o up_o to_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o they_o do_v it_o if_o they_o have_v none_o their_o lightness_n be_v just_o unblamable_a but_o whether_o they_o have_v or_o have_v not_o it_o concern_v not_o this_o atheist_n to_o inquire_v and_o then_o this_o become_v celsus_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o epicurean_a very_o well_o that_o when_o the_o epicurean_a have_v begin_v his_o discourse_n with_o a_o disparagement_n of_o the_o impostor_n moses_n the_o jew_n shall_v make_v this_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o christian_n that_o they_o renounce_v the_o man_n that_o his_o friend_n have_v prove_v a_o impostor_n in_o the_o next_o place_n when_o he_o object_n our_o saviour_n cowardice_n that_o he_o flee_v and_o hide_v himself_o and_o such_o other_o trash_n it_o be_v equal_a malice_n and_o folly_n without_o ground_n or_o pretence_n in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n of_o jesus_n extant_a beside_o the_o evangelist_n who_o all_o affirm_v that_o he_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n purposely_o to_o deliver_v up_o himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n now_o say_v origen_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o judge_v which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v these_o unvouched_a and_o vagabond_n surmise_n invent_v out_o of_o mere_a hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n or_o to_o believe_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o evangelist_n who_o pretend_v either_o to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n or_o to_o have_v have_v a_o full_a information_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n this_o strange_a constancy_n and_o resolution_n even_o to_o death_n itself_o be_v not_o like_a man_n who_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o have_v forge_v a_o false_a story_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o clear_a and_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o very_a well_o satisfy_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o record_v be_v not_o this_o then_o a_o ingenuous_a way_n of_o proceed_v to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o history_n with_o fly_a report_n that_o have_v neither_o author_n nor_o authority_n and_o indeed_o such_o that_o whilst_o there_o be_v malice_n in_o the_o world_n no_o true_a story_n can_v escape_v but_o say_v celsus_n though_o he_o be_v please_v not_o open_o to_o show_v his_o divinity_n before_o yet_o at_o least_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o by_o vanish_v miraculous_o from_o the_o cross._n no_o no_o celsus_n he_o have_v a_o far_a design_n to_o demonstrate_v not_o only_o his_o own_o divinity_n but_o man_n immortality_n if_o he_o have_v only_o disappear_v you_o may_v have_v impute_v that_o to_o a_o trick_n of_o magic_n but_o when_o he_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a after_o he_o have_v be_v so_o public_o execute_v this_o be_v both_o a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n and_o a_o full_a assurance_n to_o mankind_n of_o their_o capacity_n to_o subsist_v after_o death_n and_o though_o there_o be_v other_o indispensable_a reason_n why_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v sacrifice_v upon_o the_o cross_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v for_o these_o alone_a he_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o suffer_v what_o he_o do_v especial_o when_o himself_n have_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n refer_v the_o proof_n of_o his_o authority_n to_o his_o resurrection_n so_o that_o if_o he_o have_v according_a to_o celsus_n his_o advice_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o 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as_o our_o saviour_n be_v who_o own_a himself_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o then_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v murder_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o his_o resurrection_n but_o he_o say_v his_o disciple_n forsake_v he_o and_o will_v die_v neither_o with_o nor_o for_o he_o they_o do_v so_o by_o sudden_a surprise_n but_o what_o do_v the_o same_o disciple_n immediate_o after_o upon_o his_o resurrection_n they_o that_o be_v but_o a_o little_a before_o seize_v with_o so_o much_o cowardice_n fear_v then_o no_o danger_n to_o attest_v it_o to_o the_o world_n and_o most_o of_o they_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o this_o objection_n of_o cowardice_n in_o the_o apostle_n be_v just_a such_o another_o advantageous_a circumstance_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n as_o that_o of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o want_n of_o learning_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o their_o cause_n when_o man_n neither_o learned_a nor_o 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