a_o heroickfreedom_n of_o spirit_n appear_v in_o these_o word_n what_o magnanimity_n and_o courage_n be_v there_o now_o in_o that_o person_n who_o dare_v in_o the_o face_n of_o this_o court_n tell_v they_o of_o their_o murder_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n but_o by_o he_o who_o they_o have_v crucify_v well_o may_v they_o wonder_v at_o the_o boldness_n of_o the_o man_n who_o fear_v not_o the_o same_o death_n which_o they_o have_v so_o late_o bring_v their_o lord_n and_o master_n to_o neither_o be_v this_o single_o the_o case_n of_o peter_n and_o john_n but_o all_o 10._o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n undertake_v their_o work_n with_o the_o same_o resolution_n and_o preparation_n of_o spirit_n to_o under_o go_v the_o great_a hardship_n in_o the_o world_n sor_n the_o sake_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o preach_v and_o according_o as_o far_a as_o ecclesiastical_a history_n can_v ascertain_v we_o of_o it_o they_o do_v all_o but_o john_n and_o that_o to_o make_v good_a 22._o the_o prediction_n of_o christ_n suffer_v violent_a death_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o persecute_v they_o mere_o for_o their_o doctrine_n and_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a when_o christ_n design_v they_o first_o of_o all_o for_o this_o work_n he_o tell_v they_o before_o hand_n of_o reproach_n persecution_n all_o manner_n of_o hardship_n nay_o of_o death_n its_o self_n which_o they_o must_v undergo_v for_o his_o sake_n all_o that_o he_o give_v they_o 28._o by_o way_n of_o encouragement_n be_v that_o they_o can_v only_o kill_v the_o body_n and_o not_o the_o soul_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o shall_v fear_v he_o only_o who_o can_v destroy_v both_o body_n and_o soul_n in_o hell_n all_o the_o support_n they_o have_v be_v a_o expectation_n in_o another_o world_n and_o that_o animate_v they_o to_o go_v through_o all_o the_o hardship_n of_o this_o where_o do_v we_o ever_o read_v of_o any_o such_o boldness_n and_o courage_n in_o the_o most_o know_v philosopher_n of_o the_o heathen_n with_o what_o saintness_n and_o misgive_n of_o mind_n do_v socrates_n speak_v in_o his_o famous_a discourse_n suppose_v to_o be_v make_v by_o he_o before_o his_o death_n how_o phaed._n uncertain_o do_v he_o speak_v of_o a_o state_n of_o immortality_n and_o yet_o in_o all_o probability_n plato_n set_v it_o forth_o with_o all_o advantage_n imaginable_a where_o do_v we_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o of_o the_o great_a friend_n of_o socrates_n who_o be_v present_a at_o his_o death_n as_o phaedo_fw-la cebes_n crito_n and_o simmias_n dare_v enter_v the_o areopagus_n and_o condemn_v they_o there_o for_o the_o murder_n of_o socrates_n though_o this_o will_v be_v far_o short_a of_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v why_o be_v they_o not_o so_o charitable_a as_o to_o inform_v the_o world_n better_o of_o those_o grand_a truth_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o soul_n if_o at_o least_o they_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o they_o themselves_o why_o do_v not_o plato_n at_o least_o 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aethereal_a vehicle_n he_o have_v rather_o let_v his_o soul_n flutter_v up_o and_o down_o in_o a_o terrestrial_a matter_n or_o the_o cage_n it_o be_v pâ—nt_v up_o in_o then_o hazard_v too_o violent_a a_o open_n of_o it_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o areopagus_n and_o the_o great_a roman_a orator_n among_o the_o rest_n of_o plato_n sentiment_n have_v learn_v this_o too_o for_o although_o in_o his_o discourse_n he_o have_v many_o time_n sufficient_o lay_v open_a the_o folly_n of_o the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o theology_n yet_o he_o know_v how_o to_o bring_v himself_o off_o safe_a enough_o with_o the_o people_n and_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o be_v dogmatical_a only_o in_o this_o that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v innovate_v in_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n and_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o our_o ancestor_n be_v inviolable_o to_o be_v observe_v which_o principle_n have_v they_o be_v true_a as_o they_o be_v safe_a for_o the_o person_n who_o speak_v they_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v never_o gain_v any_o entertainment_n in_o the_o world_n for_o where_o ever_o it_o come_v it_o meet_v with_o this_o potent_a prejudice_n that_o it_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o innovation_n and_o therefore_o be_v shrewd_o suspect_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o commonwealth_n and_o the_o preacher_n of_o it_o punish_v as_o factious_a and_o seditious_a person_n which_o be_v all_o the_o pretext_n the_o wise_a politician_n of_o the_o world_n have_v for_o their_o cruel_a and_o inhuman_a persecution_n of_o such_o multitude_n of_o peaceable_a and_o innocent_a christian_n now_o when_o these_o thing_n be_v foretell_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o before_o their_o go_v abroad_o so_o plain_o that_o with_o the_o same_o say_v they_o do_v believe_v the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v to_o be_v true_a they_o must_v believe_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v what_o courage_n and_o magnanimity_n of_o spirit_n be_v it_o in_o they_o thus_o to_o encounter_v danger_n and_o as_o it_o be_v court_v the_o slame_n nay_o and_o before_o the_o time_n be_v come_v that_o they_o must_v die_v to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n their_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o continual_a peregrination_n wherein_o they_o be_v as_o so_o many_o job_n in_o pilgrimage_n encounter_v with_o peril_n and_o danger_n on_o every_o side_n of_o which_o one_o of_o the_o most_o painful_a and_o successful_a s._n paul_n have_v give_v in_o such_o a_o large_a inventory_n of_o his_o peril_n that_o the_o very_a read_n of_o they_o be_v 9_o enough_o to_o undo_v a_o poor_a epicurean_a philosopher_n and_o at_o once_o to_o spoil_v he_o of_o the_o two_o pillar_n of_o his_o happiness_n the_o quietness_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o ease_v of_o his_o body_n thus_o we_o see_v what_o a_o hazardous_a employment_n that_o be_v which_o the_o apostle_n go_v upon_o and_o that_o it_o be_v such_o as_o they_o very_o well_o understand_v the_o difficulty_n of_o before_o they_o set_v upon_o it_o second_o we_o 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〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d o_o miserable_a people_n have_v not_o you_o way_v enough_o to_o 5._o end_v your_o life_n at_o hâ—me_n but_o you_o must_v crowd_n for_o a_o execution_n this_o be_v a_o high_a ambition_n by_o far_o then_o any_o of_o those_o mancipia_fw-la gloriae_fw-la those_o chamaeleon_n that_o live_v on_o the_o breath_n of_o applause_n the_o heathen_a philosopher_n ever_o reach_v to_o who_o be_v as_o tertullian_n express_v it_o homines_fw-la gloriae_fw-la &_o eloquentiae_fw-la solius_fw-la libidinosi_fw-la unsatiable_a thirster_n after_o the_o honour_n and_o eloquence_n of_o 47._o the_o world_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o christian_a do_v soar_v too_o high_a to_o quarry_n on_o so_o mean_v a_o prâ—y_n when_o the_o more_o sober_a heathen_n have_v take_v a_o strict_a notice_n of_o the_o carriage_n and_o life_n of_o the_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o all_o
language_n though_o it_o be_v assert_v by_o some_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o questionable_a chief_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n can_v be_v assign_v of_o undertake_v a_o new_a translation_n at_o alexandria_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o extant_a before_o especial_o if_o all_o those_o circumstance_n of_o that_o translation_n be_v true_a which_o be_v common_o receive_v and_o deliver_v down_o to_o we_o with_o almost_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o person_n who_o have_v great_a advantage_n of_o know_v the_o certainty_n of_o such_o thing_n than_o we_o can_v have_v at_o this_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n and_o therefore_o certain_o every_o petty_a conjecture_n of_o some_o modern_a though_o learned_a man_n ought_v not_o to_o bear_v sway_n against_o so_o unanimous_a a_o tradition_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o former_a age_n and_o it_o be_v somewhat_o strange_a that_o the_o single_a testimony_n of_o one_o hermippus_n in_o diogenes_n laertius_n who_o age_n and_o authority_n be_v somewhat_o demetrii_n doubtful_a concern_v only_o one_o particular_a refer_v to_o demetrius_n phalcrous_a shall_v be_v think_v of_o force_n enough_o among_o person_n of_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o learning_n to_o infringe_v the_o credibility_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n deliver_v with_o so_o much_o consent_n not_o only_o by_o christian_a but_o jewish_a writer_n the_o testimony_n of_o one_o of_o which_o every_o whit_n as_o considerable_a as_o 13._o hermippus_n viz._n aristobulus_n judaeus_fw-la a_o peripatetical_a philosopher_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o ptolemy_n philometor_n do_v plain_o assert_v that_o which_o be_v so_o much_o question_v concern_v demetrius_n phalereus_n but_o whatever_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n 8._o be_v which_o i_o here_o inquire_v not_o after_o nor_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o aristeus_n from_o who_o the_o story_n be_v receive_v nor_o whether_o this_o translation_n be_v make_v by_o jew_n send_v out_o of_o judea_n or_o by_o jew_n reside_v at_o alexandria_n it_o suffice_v for_o our_o purpose_n that_o this_o translation_n be_v make_v before_o either_o the_o chaldaean_a dynasty_n of_o bâ—rosus_n or_o the_o egyptian_a of_o manetho_n be_v publish_v to_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o which_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o show_v in_o what_o time_n this_o translation_n be_v effect_v and_o herein_o that_o channel_n of_o tradition_n which_o convey_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o one_o certain_a course_n run_v not_o with_o so_o even_o a_o stream_n concern_v the_o exact_a time_n of_o it_o all_o indeed_o agree_v that_o it_o be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n but_o in_o what_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v very_o dubious_a joseph_n scaliger_n who_o have_v trouble_v 5_o the_o water_n so_o much_o concern_v the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o this_o translation_n yet_o full_o agree_v that_o it_o be_v do_v in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n only_o he_o contend_v with_o africanus_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o the_o 132._o olympiad_n which_o be_v in_o the_o 33._o year_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n but_o eusebius_n and_o jerom_n place_n it_o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o i_o think_v be_v far_o more_o probable_a and_o that_o in_o the_o time_n when_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n reign_v with_o his_o father_n ptolomaeus_n lagi_n for_o so_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a he_o do_v for_o two_o year_n before_o his_o father_n death_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o scaliger_n concern_v demetrius_n phalereus_n be_v quite_o take_v off_o for_o hermippus_n speak_v nothing_o of_o demetrius_n his_o be_v out_o of_o favour_n with_o philadelphus_n during_o his_o father_n â—hr_n life_n but_o that_o upon_o his_o father_n death_n he_o be_v banish_v by_o he_o and_o die_v in_o his_o banishment_n so_o that_o demetrius_n may_v have_v the_o oversight_n of_o the_o library_n at_o alexandria_n and_o be_v the_o main_a instrument_n of_o promote_a this_o translation_n and_o yet_o those_o thing_n be_v after_o true_a which_o hermippus_n speak_v viz._n when_o ptolomaeus_n lagi_n or_o soter_n be_v now_o dead_a for_o it_o stand_v not_o to_o reason_n that_o during_o his_o father_n life_n philadelphus_n shall_v discover_v his_o displeasure_n against_o demetrius_n it_o be_v conceive_v upon_o the_o advice_n give_v to_o his_o father_n for_o prefer_v the_o son_n of_o arsinoe_n to_o the_o crown_n before_o the_o son_n of_o berenice_n most_o likely_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o this_o translation_n may_v be_v begin_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n in_o the_o time_n of_o philadelphus_n his_o reign_v with_o his_o father_n but_o it_o may_v be_v not_o finish_v till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o soter_n when_o philadelphus_n reign_v alone_o and_o by_o this_o now_o we_o can_v perfect_o reconcile_v that_o difference_n which_o be_v among_o the_o father_n concern_v the_o time_n when_o this_o translation_n be_v make_v for_o irenaeus_n attribute_n it_o to_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n lagi_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n question_n whether_o in_o the_o time_n of_o lagi_n or_o philadelphus_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o chorus_n carry_v it_o for_o philadelphus_n but_o the_o word_n of_o anatolius_n in_o eusebius_n cast_v it_o full_o for_o both_o for_o there_o speak_v of_o aristobulus_n he_o say_v he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seventy_o who_o interpret_v the_o scripture_n 26._o to_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n and_o his_o father_n and_o dedicate_v his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o law_n to_o both_o those_o king_n haec_fw-la sane_fw-la omnem_fw-la scrupulum_fw-la eximunt_fw-la say_v vossius_fw-la upon_o produce_v this_o testimony_n this_o put_v it_o out_o of_o all_o doubt_n and_o to_o the_o same_o 9_o purpose_n speak_v the_o learned_a jesuite_n petavius_n in_o his_o note_n on_o 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then_o translate_v into_o greek_a do_v give_v of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n upon_o which_o we_o can_v imagine_v but_o so_o inquisitive_a a_o person_n as_o philadelphus_n be_v will_v be_v very_o earnest_a to_o have_v his_o curiosity_n satisfy_v as_o to_o what_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n who_o have_v boast_v so_o much_o of_o antiquity_n can_v produce_v to_o confront_v with_o the_o scripture_n whereupon_o the_o task_n be_v undertake_v by_o this_o manetho_n highpriest_n of_o heliopolis_n whereby_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n have_v to_o that_o time_n keep_v secret_a in_o their_o cloister_n be_v now_o divulge_v and_o expose_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o learned_a world_n but_o what_o satisfaction_n they_o be_v able_a to_o give_v inquisitive_a mind_n as_o to_o the_o main_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o matter_n inquire_v after_o may_v partly_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o manetho_n already_o and_o by_o what_o shall_v be_v speak_v of_o his_o dynastye_n afterward_o but_o all_o this_o will_v not_o persuade_v kircher_n for_o whatever_o scaliger_n nay_o what_o manetho_n himself_o say_v to_o the_o coutrary_a he_o with_o the_o confidence_n and_o learning_n of_o a_o jesuite_n affirm_v that_o this_o manetho_n be_v elder_a than_o alexander_n the_o great_a for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n frequens_fw-la apud_fw-la priscos_fw-la historicos_fw-la dynaestiarum_fw-la aegyptiacarum_fw-la fit_a mentio_fw-la quarum_fw-la tamen_fw-la alium_fw-la 9_o authorem_fw-la non_fw-la habemus_fw-la nisi_fw-la manethonem_fw-la sebennytam_fw-la sacerdotem_fw-la aegyptium_fw-la quem_fw-la ante_fw-la tempor_fw-la a_o alexandri_fw-la quicquid_fw-la dicat_fw-la scaliger_n in_o aegypto_n floruisse_fw-la comperio_fw-la certain_o some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a evidence_n may_v be_v expect_v after_o so_o confident_a a_o affirmation_n but_o whatever_o that_o person_n be_v in_o other_o undertake_n he_o be_v as_o unhappy_a a_o person_n in_o philology_n as_o any_o that_o have_v pretend_v so_o much_o acquaintance_n with_o it_o one_o will_v think_v he_o that_o have_v be_v twenty_o year_n as_o
the_o great_a period_n of_o year_n among_o they_o rise_v gradual_o as_o they_o grow_v more_o skilful_a in_o the_o understanding_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o year_n and_o that_o they_o have_v ancient_o no_o certain_a period_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o in_o their_o computation_n of_o ancient_a time_n nay_o the_o egyptian_n have_v not_o as_o appear_v any_o certain_a epocha_n to_o go_v by_o elder_a than_o the_o egyptian_a year_n of_o nabonassar_n and_o afterward_o from_o the_o death_n of_o alexander_n and_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n and_o augustus_n his_o victory_n at_o actium_n if_o from_o the_o egyptian_n we_o remove_v our_o discourse_n unto_o 2._o the_o grecian_n we_o be_v still_o plunge_v into_o great_a uncertainty_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a succession_n of_o time_n before_o the_o olympiad_n to_o which_o purpose_n the_o testimony_n of_o varro_n in_o censorinus_n be_v general_o take_v notice_n of_o distribute_v time_n into_o three_o part_n reckon_v two_o of_o they_o to_o be_v unknown_a and_o fabulous_a and_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o time_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o olympiad_n indeed_o scaliger_n and_o some_o other_o be_v loath_a to_o reject_v all_o that_o 3._o second_o part_n of_o time_n as_o fabulous_a which_o be_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o deucalion_n flood_n and_o the_o olympiad_n therefore_o they_o have_v rather_o call_v it_o heroical_a though_o much_o corrupt_v with_o fable_n and_o think_v that_o it_o be_v historical_a as_o to_o person_n but_o fabulous_a as_o to_o the_o action_n of_o those_o person_n but_o grant_v this_o yet_o we_o be_v whole_o to_o seek_v for_o any_o certain_a account_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o time_n and_o person_n for_o want_v of_o some_o certain_a epocha_n which_o like_o the_o polestar_n shall_v guide_v ut_fw-la in_o our_o passage_n through_o that_o boundless_a ocean_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o some_o of_o the_o learned_a heathen_n have_v take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n this_o way_n to_o find_v out_o some_o certain_a period_n to_o fix_v on_o in_o the_o time_n before_o the_o olympiad_n as_o philocorus_n apollodorus_n and_o dionysius_n halycarnassensis_fw-la and_o other_o who_o out_o of_o their_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n seek_v to_o bring_v down_o some_o certain_a interval_n between_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n and_o the_o first_o olympic_a game_n of_o pelops_n restore_v by_o hercules_n &_o atreus_n but_o grant_v that_o their_o epocha_n be_v fix_v and_o certain_a that_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n be_v upon_o the_o 23_o of_o thargelion_n the_o 11_o month_n of_o the_o attic_a account_n and_o that_o the_o olympic_a game_n fall_v out_o answerable_o to_o the_o nine_o of_o our_o july_n and_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_o prove_v from_o astronomical_a observation_n yet_o how_o vast_a a_o account_n of_o time_n be_v lose_v quite_o beyond_o the_o siege_n of_o troy_n and_o beside_o that_o as_o to_o all_o other_o accident_n in_o the_o intervals_a between_o these_o two_o epocha_n which_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v by_o celestial_a observation_n concurrent_a with_o they_o they_o be_v leave_v at_o a_o very_a great_a uncertainty_n still_o only_o they_o may_v guess_v whether_o they_o approach_v near_o to_o one_o epocha_n than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o series_n of_o family_n and_o their_o generation_n three_o of_o which_o make_v a_o century_n of_o year_n whereby_o they_o may_v come_v to_o some_o conjecture_n but_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o any_o certainty_n at_o all_o but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v that_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o original_a of_o greece_n the_o foundation_n of_o their_o 3_o several_a kingdom_n the_o succestion_n of_o their_o first_o king_n and_o all_o that_o come_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o history_n of_o their_o ancient_a time_n be_v clear_o give_v over_o by_o their_o own_o most_o skilful_a chronologer_n as_o matter_n out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o clear_a evidence_n thence_o come_v such_o great_a difference_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o ancient_a kingdom_n the_o argolick_a kingdom_n by_o dionysius_n halycarnass_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o elder_a and_o the_o attic_a young_a than_o it_o by_o 40_o generation_n which_o according_a to_o their_o computation_n come_v to_o a_o 1000_o year_n which_o be_v impossible_a and_o yet_o the_o arcadian_n who_o give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v elder_a than_o the_o moon_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v young_a by_o he_o then_o the_o grasshopper_n of_o athens_n by_o nine_o generation_n and_o the_o pthiotica_fw-la under_o deucalion_n young_a thenthe_n arcadica_n by_o 42_o generation_n which_o scaliger_n may_v well_o say_v be_v impossible_a and_o inconsistent_a the_o sycyonian_a kingdom_n be_v by_o most_o suppose_a to_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n among_o the_o grecian_n from_o which_o varro_n begin_v his_o history_n 2._o as_o s._n austin_n tell_v we_o and_o yet_o as_o to_o this_o pausanias_n only_o reckon_v the_o name_n of_o some_o king_n there_o without_o any_o succession_n of_o time_n among_o they_o and_o yet_o as_o to_o those_o name_n africanus_n and_o eusebius_n from_o he_o dissent_v from_o pausanias_n and_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a homer_n reckon_v adrastus_n who_o be_v the_o 23_o in_o the_o account_n of_o africanus_n to_o be_v the_o first_o that_o reign_v in_o secyon_n who_o time_n be_v after_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o olympic_a game_n by_o pelops_n of_o he_o thus_o homer_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o whereby_o he_o express_v adrastus_n to_o be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o sicyon_n and_o not_o as_o scaliger_n will_v interpret_v it_o that_o adrastus_n be_v first_o king_n of_o the_o sicyonian_o before_o he_o be_v of_o the_o argive_n for_o in_o the_o time_n of_o adrastus_n at_o sicyon_n either_o atreus_n or_o thyestes_n be_v king_n of_o the_o argive_n for_o in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o phaestus_n and_o adrastus_n his_o suppose_a predecessor_n in_o sicyon_n atreus_n restore_v the_o olympic_a game_n of_o pelops_n in_o the_o 41_o year_n of_o their_o reign_n and_o they_o reign_v at_o argi_n 65_o year_n now_o that_o phaestus_n at_o sicyon_n be_v suppose_v to_o reign_v but_o eight_o year_n and_o therefore_o the_o reign_n of_o adrastus_n at_o sicyon_n fall_v in_o with_o that_o of_o atreus_n &_o thyestes_n at_o argi_n or_o mycenae_n thus_o we_o see_v now_o how_o uncertain_a the_o account_n of_o time_n be_v before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n among_o the_o grecian_n which_o be_v full_o acknowledge_v by_o diodorus_n and_o the_o very_a reason_n give_v which_o we_o here_o insist_v on_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n in_o the_o ancient_a grecian_a history_n because_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a term_n which_o he_o call_v parapegma_n as_o other_o epocha_n and_o censorinus_n titulus_fw-la from_o whence_o to_o deduce_v their_o account_n but_o now_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o olympiad_n i._n e._n from_o the_o first_o of_o they_o after_o their_o restauration_n by_o iphitus_n wherein_o the_o name_n of_o the_o conqueror_n be_v engrave_v in_o brass_n tablet_n for_o the_o purpose_n the_o succession_n of_o time_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o historical_a among_o the_o grecian_n by_o which_o account_n we_o have_v from_o thence_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o commensurate_v the_o sacred_a and_o profane_a history_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v in_o what_o year_n of_o sacred_a history_n the_o olympiad_n begin_v which_o scaliger_n thus_o find_v out_o censorinus_n write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 238._o which_o be_v of_o the_o julian_n period_n 5._o 4951._o that_o that_o year_n be_v from_o the_o first_o olympiad_n of_o iphitus_n 1014._o the_o first_o olympiad_n be_v of_o the_o julian_n period_n 3938._o which_o be_v according_a to_o our_o learned_a primate_n a._n m._n 3228._o and_o the_o 35_o of_o uzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n or_o the_o 34._o as_o capellus_n think_v so_o that_o from_o henceforward_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o time_n which_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o have_v be_v so_o uncertain_a before_o if_o we_o come_v from_o the_o greek_n further_a into_o these_o european_a part_n we_o shall_v find_v as_o much_o darkness_n and_o obscurity_n as_o 4._o to_o ancient_a time_n if_o not_o more_o then_o in_o those_o already_o discourse_v of_o for_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o account_n of_o time_n before_o the_o roman_n in_o italy_n germany_n old_a gallia_n or_o britain_n be_v scarce_o fit_a to_o be_v discourse_v of_o under_o any_o head_n than_o that_o of_o imposture_n not_o that_o i_o think_v those_o nation_n have_v lie_v in_o a_o perpetual_a sleep_n till_o the_o roman_n wake_v they_o into_o some_o kind_n of_o civility_n but_o that_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a way_n of_o convey_v down_o the_o transaction_n of_o their_o own_o and_o former_a time_n to_o the_o view_n of_o posterity_n on_o
a_o crocodile_n for_o impudence_n and_o all_o to_o express_v this_o venerable_a apothegm_n o_o you_o that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o go_v out_o of_o it_o god_n hate_v impudence_n and_o therefore_o certain_o this_o kind_n of_o learning_n deserve_v the_o high_a form_n among_o the_o difficiles_fw-la nugae_fw-la and_o all_o these_o hieroglyphic_n put_v together_o will_v make_v but_o one_o good_a one_o and_o that_o shall_v be_v for_o labour_v lose_v there_o be_v yet_o one_o part_n of_o learning_n more_o among_o they_o 7._o which_o the_o egyptian_n be_v esteem_v for_o which_o be_v the_o political_a and_o civil_a part_n of_o it_o which_o may_v better_a be_v call_v wisdom_n then_o most_o of_o the_o foregoing_a two_o thing_n speak_v much_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o nation_n good_a law_n and_o a_o prudent_a management_n of_o they_o their_o law_n be_v high_o commend_v by_o strabo_n and_o diodorus_n and_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o commendation_n of_o they_o that_o solon_n and_o lycurgus_n borrow_v so_o many_o of_o their_o constitution_n from_o they_o and_o for_o the_o prudent_a management_n of_o their_o government_n as_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o state_n so_o long_o in_o peace_n and_o quietness_n be_v a_o invincible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o so_o the_o report_n give_v of_o they_o in_o scripture_n add_v a_o further_a testimony_n to_o it_o for_o therein_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a as_o well_o as_o the_o son_n of_o ancient_a king_n and_o his_o counsellor_n be_v call_v wise_a counsellor_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o 12._o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a prudence_n and_o policy_n must_v be_v understand_v can_v we_o now_o imagine_v such_o a_o person_n as_o moses_n be_v breed_v up_o in_o all_o the_o ingenucus_fw-la literature_n of_o egypt_n conversant_a among_o their_o wise_a person_n in_o pharaoh_n court_n have_v thereby_o all_o advantage_n to_o improve_v himself_o and_o to_o understand_v the_o utmost_a of_o all_o that_o they_o know_v shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n between_o a_o mere_a pretence_n and_o imposture_n and_o real_a and_o important_a â—_z can_v we_o think_v that_o one_o who_o have_v interest_n in_o so_o great_a a_o court_n all_o advantage_n of_o raise_v himself_o therein_o shall_v willing_o forsake_v all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n at_o present_a all_o his_o hope_n and_o advantage_n for_o the_o future_a be_v he_o not_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v record_v in_o his_o book_n be_v it_o possible_a a_o man_n of_o ordinary_a wisdom_n shall_v venture_v himself_o upon_o so_o hazardous_a unlikely_a and_o dangerous_a employment_n â—s_n that_o be_v moses_n undertake_v which_o can_v have_v no_o probability_n of_o success_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o belief_n that_o that_o god_n who_o appear_v unto_o he_o be_v great_a than_o all_o the_o god_n of_o egypt_n and_o can_v carry_v on_o his_o own_o design_n by_o his_o own_o power_n maugre_o all_o the_o opposition_n which_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o what_o possible_a ground_n can_v we_o have_v to_o think_v that_o such_o a_o person_n who_o do_v very_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o god_n reveal_v unto_o he_o shall_v dare_v to_o write_v any_o otherwise_o then_o as_o it_o be_v reveal_v unto_o he_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o common_a reason_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o universal_a deluge_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n the_o history_n of_o the_o patriarch_n have_v not_o moses_n rational_a faculty_n as_o well_o as_o we_o nay_o have_v he_o they_o not_o far_o better_o improve_v then_o any_o of_o we_o be_v and_o be_v not_o he_o then_o able_a to_o judge_v what_o be_v suitable_a to_o reason_n and_o what_o not_o and_o can_v we_o think_v he_o will_v then_o deliver_v any_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o reason_n or_o undoubted_a tradition_n then_o when_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n may_v so_o ready_o and_o plain_o have_v triumph_v over_o he_o by_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o what_o he_o write_v thus_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n be_v as_o high_o qualify_v as_o any_o of_o the_o acute_a heathen_a philosopher_n can_v be_v for_o discern_a truth_n from_o falsehood_n nay_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o far_o excel_v the_o most_o renown_a of_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n in_o that_o very_a kind_n of_o learning_n wherewith_o they_o make_v so_o great_a noise_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v original_o egyptian_a as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o grecian_a philospher_n who_o go_v age_n after_o age_n to_o egypt_n to_o get_v some_o scrap_n of_o that_o learning_n there_o which_o moses_n can_v not_o have_v but_o full_a meal_n of_o because_o of_o his_o high_a place_n great_a interest_n and_o power_n in_o egypt_n and_o must_v those_o hungry_a philosopher_n than_o become_v the_o only_a master_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o their_o dictate_v be_v receive_v as_o the_o sâ—nse_n and_o voice_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o either_o receive_v from_o uncertain_a tradition_n or_o else_o deliver_v in_o opposition_n to_o it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n must_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v confront_v with_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o a_o few_o pitiful_a symbol_n vie_v authority_n with_o divine_a command_n and_o exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a be_v soon_o believe_v then_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n what_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o so_o confident_a a_o presumption_n build_v upon_o when_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o without_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n and_o let_v this_o first_o be_v prove_v and_o we_o will_v never_o stick_v to_o grant_v the_o other_o i_o may_v confident_o say_v the_o great_a gullery_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v take_v philosophical_a dictate_v for_o the_o standard_n of_o reason_n and_o unproved_a hypothesis_n for_o certain_a foundation_n for_o our_o discourse_n to_o rely_v upon_o and_o the_o seek_v to_o reconcile_v the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o these_o have_v be_v that_o which_o have_v almost_o destroy_v it_o and_o turn_v our_o religion_n into_o a_o mere_a philosophical_a speculation_n but_o of_o this_o elsewhere_o we_o see_v then_o that_o insist_v mere_o on_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o rational_a perfection_n of_o the_o person_n who_o speak_v we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o yield_v credit_n to_o moses_n in_o his_o history_n then_o to_o any_o philosopher_n in_o their_o speculation_n and_o that_o which_o in_o the_o next_o place_n speak_v moses_n to_o be_v a_o person_n of_o wisdom_n and_o judgement_n and_o ability_n to_o find_v out_o 8._o truth_n be_v his_o age_n and_o experience_n when_o he_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n he_o vent_v no_o crude_a and_o indigested_a conception_n no_o sudden_a and_o temerarious_a fancy_n the_o usual_a issue_n of_o teem_a and_o juvenile_a wit_n he_o live_v long_o enough_o to_o have_v experience_n to_o try_v and_o judgement_n to_o distinguish_v a_o mere_a outside_n and_o varnish_n from_o what_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a we_o can_v then_o have_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n that_o moses_n be_v any_o way_n unfit_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o therefore_o be_v capable_a of_o judge_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o though_o person_n be_v never_o so_o high_o accomplish_v for_o part_n learning_n and_o experience_n yet_o if_o they_o want_v due_a information_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o deliver_v they_o may_v be_v still_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o if_o they_o preserve_v it_o for_o posterity_n be_v guilty_a of_o deceive_v other_o let_v we_o now_o therefore_o see_v whether_o moses_n have_v not_o as_o great_a advantage_n for_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o history_n as_o he_o have_v judgement_n to_o discern_v it_o and_o concern_v all_o those_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o he_o to_o his_o own_o death_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o shall_v have_v great_a than_o himself_o write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o be_v pars_fw-la magna_fw-la himself_n of_o what_o he_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o do_v and_o can_v any_o testimony_n be_v desire_v great_a than_o his_o who_o action_n they_o be_v or_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o do_v of_o they_o and_o that_o not_o in_o any_o private_a way_n but_o in_o the_o most_o public_a capacity_n for_o although_o private_a person_n may_v be_v present_a at_o great_a action_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v guilty_a of_o misrepresent_v they_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v all_o circumstance_n precedent_n and_o
be_v the_o great_a seal_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n so_o frequent_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o themselves_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o jesus_n say_v peter_n have_v god_n raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o all_o be_v witness_n and_o again_o and_o kill_v the_o prince_n of_o life_n who_o 32._o god_n have_v raise_v up_o from_o the_o dead_a whereof_o we_o be_v witness_n and_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n to_o the_o sanhedrin_n for_o we_o can_v 15._o but_o speak_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o the_o 20._o whole_a college_n of_o apostle_n afterward_o and_o we_o be_v his_o witness_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o so_o be_v also_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o god_n 32._o have_v give_v to_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o in_o which_o word_n they_o give_v they_o that_o twofold_a rational_a evidence_n which_o do_v manifest_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v for_o they_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o themselves_o be_v witness_n of_o and_o withal_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v true_a by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o and_o upon_o believer_n afterward_o we_o read_v the_o sum_n oâ—_n the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o the_o manner_n use_v by_o they_o to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o word_n of_o peter_n to_o cernâ—lius_n and_o his_o company_n how_o god_n anoint_v jesus_n of_o nazareth_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o power_n who_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o heal_v all_o that_o be_v 42._o oppress_v of_o the_o devil_n for_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o we_o be_v witness_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v both_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n who_o they_o stew_n and_o hang_v on_o a_o tree_n him_n god_n raise_v up_o the_o three_o day_n and_o show_v he_o open_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n but_o unto_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n even_o to_o we_o who_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o he_o command_v we_o to_o â—reach_v unto_o the_o people_n that_o it_o be_v be_v which_o be_v ordain_v of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o quick_a and_o dead_a by_o all_o which_o we_o see_v what_o care_n god_n be_v please_v to_o take_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o world_n in_o point_n of_o rational_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v discover_v concern_v our_o saviour_n christ_n because_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o person_n to_o be_v the_o preacher_n and_o writer_n of_o these_o thing_n who_o be_v the_o best_a able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o world_n about_o they_o viz._n such_o as_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o they_o now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v it_o more_o full_o evident_a what_o 14._o strength_n there_o be_v in_o this_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n we_o shall_v more_o full_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n which_o attend_v it_o in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v sufficient_o manifest_v if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evident_o prove_v in_o the_o high_a way_n it_o be_v capable_a 1._o of_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o be_v so_o interweave_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o christ_n that_o if_o the_o relation_n concern_v christ_n be_v true_a his_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a for_o if_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n who_o do_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o at_o last_o suffer_v the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o after_o he_o have_v lie_v three_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a what_o reason_n imaginable_a can_v i_o have_v to_o question_v but_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o person_n be_v certain_o divine_a and_o consequent_o what_o ever_o he_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n we_o must_v likewise_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n which_o come_v attest_v with_o such_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n which_o he_o have_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n no_o prince_n can_v think_v he_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o refuse_v audience_n to_o a_o ambassador_n when_o he_o find_v his_o credential_n such_o as_o he_o may_v rely_v upon_o although_o himself_o do_v not_o see_v the_o seal_n of_o they_o much_o less_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o we_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v christ_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o those_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v the_o great_a evidence_n which_o can_v be_v give_v to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n 2._o be_v the_o attest_v of_o it_o by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n whereon_o the_o firm_a assent_n be_v build_v as_o to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o although_o we_o conceive_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o story_n as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v convey_v only_o in_o a_o general_a way_n by_o a_o uncertain_a fame_n and_o tradition_n yet_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v attest_v by_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o credible_a person_n who_o profess_v themselves_o the_o cye-witness_n of_o it_o it_o be_v account_v a_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o distrust_v any_o long_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o especial_o in_o these_o two_o case_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o they_o may_v easy_o and_o clear_o perceive_v 2._o when_o many_o witness_n exact_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n itself_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o may_v be_v full_o perceive_v by_o those_o who_o see_v it_o i._n e._n if_o it_o be_v a_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n and_o thus_o it_o certain_o be_v as_o to_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ._n for_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o mankind_n and_o they_o have_v as_o great_a evidence_n that_o they_o converse_v with_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n as_o we_o can_v have_v that_o we_o converse_v one_o with_o another_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a and_o visible_a miracle_n they_o can_v be_v no_o illusion_n of_o sense_n nor_o deceit_n of_o their_o eye_n the_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v blind_a and_o cure_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v blind_a through_o all_o the_o country_n and_o his_o cure_n be_v after_o as_o public_a as_o his_o blindness_n before_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o 26._o christ_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o be_v do_v when_o christ_n raise_v up_o the_o dead_a man_n at_o naim_n it_o be_v before_o much_o people_n and_o such_o 12._o person_n in_o probability_n who_o be_v many_o of_o they_o present_a at_o his_o death_n but_o least_o there_o may_v be_v any_o suspicion_n as_o to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o dead_a the_o case_n be_v plain_a and_o beyond_o all_o dispute_n in_o lazarus_n who_o have_v be_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o person_n thereabouts_o dead_a four_o day_n here_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n at_o all_o 39_o when_o the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o and_o lazarus_n come_v forth_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o they_o all_o and_o yet_o further_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o plain_a object_n of_o sense_n do_v in_o presence_n of_o his_o great_a adversary_n the_o soldier_n themselves_o be_v sufficient_a witness_n of_o his_o be_v real_o dead_a when_o they_o come_v to_o break_v his_o bone_n and_o spare_v he_o because_o they_o see_v he_o be_v dead_a already_o at_o his_o resurrection_n the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o from_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o no_o body_n find_v therein_o although_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v guard_v by_o soldier_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n all_o so_o fearful_a that_o they_o be_v disperse_v up_o and_o down_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o real_a body_n which_o he_o rise_v withal_o and_o no_o aerial_a vehicle_n appear_v by_o thomas_n his_o serupulosity_n and_o unbelief_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v unless_o â—e_n may_v put_v his_o hand_n into_o the_o hole_n of_o his_o side_n and_o see_v 27._o
in_o his_o hand_n the_o â—rint_n of_o the_o nail_n now_o our_o saviour_n condeseend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o satisfy_v the_o incredulity_n of_o thomas_n have_v make_v it_o thereby_o evident_a that_o the_o body_n which_o our_o saviour_n rise_v from_o the_o grave_n with_o be_v the_o same_o individual_a body_n which_o before_o be_v crucify_v and_o bury_v in_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o we_o sin_v all_o the_o apostle_n together_o upon_o our_o saviour_n appearance_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n so_o far_o from_o be_v credulous_a in_o embrace_v a_o phantasm_n instead_o of_o christ_n that_o they_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v either_o a_o mere_a phantasm_n or_o a_o evil_a spirit_n which_o appear_v among_o they_o upon_o which_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v terrify_v 37._o and_o affright_v and_o suppose_v they_o have_v see_v a_o spirit_n which_o our_o saviour_n can_v not_o beat_v they_o off_o from_o but_o by_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o sense_n handle_v i_o and_o see_v for_o a_o spirit_n 39_o have_v not_o flesh_n and_o bone_n as_o you_o see_v i_o have_v and_o afterward_o more_o full_o to_o convince_v they_o he_o do_v eat_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o now_o the_o more_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a the_o apostle_n themselves_o 43._o at_o first_o be_v the_o great_a evidence_n be_v it_o how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o any_o design_n of_o abuse_v the_o world_n in_o what_o they_o after_o preach_v unto_o it_o and_o what_o strong_a conviction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n its_o self_n which_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v such_o scrupulous_a and_o suspicious_a person_n 2._o when_o many_o witness_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n nothing_o can_v disparage_v more_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o testimony_n than_o the_o counter_a witness_n of_o such_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o same_o action_n but_o when_o all_o the_o witness_n full_o agree_v not_o only_o in_o the_o substance_n but_o in_o all_o material_a circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n what_o ground_n or_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o suspect_v a_o forgery_n or_o design_n in_o it_o especial_o when_o the_o person_n can_v by_o any_o fear_n or_o threaten_n be_v bring_v to_o vary_v from_o each_o other_o in_o it_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n we_o find_v no_o real_a dissent_n at_o all_o mention_v either_o as_o to_o the_o birth_n miracle_n life_n death_n or_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n all_o the_o witness_n attest_v the_o same_o thing_n though_o write_v in_o different_a place_n and_o upon_o different_a occasion_n no_o alteration_n in_o any_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n out_o of_o any_o design_n of_o please_a or_o gratify_v any_o person_n by_o it_o most_o of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n not_o only_o his_o apostle_n but_o the_o people_n and_o his_o very_a enemy_n be_v witness_n of_o who_o posterity_n to_o this_o day_n dare_v not_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o strange_a work_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o he_o and_o for_o his_o resurrection_n it_o will_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o five_o hundred_o person_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n or_o death_n can_v bring_v any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v the_o great_a certainty_n in_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v give_v by_o eye-witness_n but_o either_o from_o question_v their_o knowledge_n 3._o of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v of_o or_o their_o fidelity_n in_o report_v they_o now_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_n either_o of_o these_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o person_n who_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n for_o first_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v intimate_o conversant_a both_o with_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v 1._o choose_v and_o train_v up_o for_o that_o very_a end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v sufficient_o qualify_v to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n concern_v himself_o after_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o according_o they_o follow_v he_o up_o and_o down_o wheresoever_o he_o go_v they_o be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o solitude_n and_o retirement_n and_o have_v thereby_o occasion_n to_o observe_v all_o his_o action_n and_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o unspotted_a innocency_n of_o his_o life_n some_o of_o his_o disciple_n be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o transfiguration_n other_o in_o his_o agony_n and_o bloody_a sweat_n they_o hear_v the_o expression_n which_o come_v from_o his_o mouth_n in_o all_o which_o he_o discover_v a_o wonderful_a submission_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o a_o great_a readiness_n of_o mind_n to_o suffer_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o world_n now_o therefore_o the_o first_o thing_n can_v at_o all_o be_v question_v their_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v neither_o second_o be_v there_o any_o reasâ—n_n to_o suspect_v their_o fidelity_n 1_o in_o report_v what_o they_o know_v for_o 1._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n wrought_v so_o far_o upon_o they_o that_o they_o part_v with_o all_o their_o worldly_a subsistence_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o although_o their_o riches_n be_v not_o great_a yet_o their_o way_n of_o subsistence_n in_o the_o world_n be_v necessary_a they_o leave_v their_o house_n their_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o all_o for_o christ_n and_o that_o not_o to_o gain_v any_o high_a preferment_n in_o this_o world_n which_o have_v they_o do_v it_o will_v have_v render_v their_o design_n suspicious_a to_o the_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a world_n but_o they_o let_v go_v at_o least_o a_o quiet_a and_o easy_a life_n for_o one_o most_o troublesome_a and_o dangerous_a so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o how_o much_o they_o part_v withal_o but_o how_o free_o they_o do_v it_o and_o with_o what_o cheerfulness_n they_o undergo_v disgrace_n persecution_n nay_o death_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gospel_n now_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o ever_o man_n be_v so_o prodigal_a of_o their_o ease_n and_o life_n as_o to_o throw_v both_o of_o they_o away_o upon_o a_o thing_n which_o themselves_o be_v not_o full_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o have_v be_v the_o high_a folly_n imaginable_a to_o have_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o they_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v be_v because_o all_o their_o hope_n and_o happiness_n depend_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v non_fw-la fas_fw-la est_fw-la ulli_fw-la de_fw-fr suâ_fw-la religione_fw-la mentiri_fw-la for_o say_v he_o he_o that_o say_v he_o worship_v any_o thing_n be_v side_n what_o he_o do_v he_o deny_v what_o he_o do_v worship_n and_o transfer_v his_o worship_n upon_o another_o and_o thereby_o do_v not_o worship_n that_o which_o he_o thus_o deny_v beside_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o man_n shall_v lie_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o tell_v they_o that_o those_o which_o do_v so_o shall_v not_o receive_v the_o reward_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o cordial_o adhere_v unto_o it_o nay_o they_o declare_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a of_o all_o person_n if_o their_o hope_n be_v only_o in_o this_o present_a life_n can_v we_o now_o 19_o think_v that_o any_o who_o have_v the_o common_a reason_n of_o man_n will_v part_v with_o all_o the_o contentment_n of_o this_o world_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o continual_a hazard_n and_o at_o last_o undergo_v death_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o something_o which_o be_v mere_o the_o fiction_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n what_o shall_v make_v they_o so_o sedulous_a and_o industrious_a in_o preach_v such_o thing_n that_o they_o can_v say_v necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o yea_o woe_n be_v unto_o they_o if_o they_o preach_v not_o the_o 16._o gospel_n when_o yet_o they_o see_v so_o many_o woe_n attend_v they_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o more_o powerful_a attractive_a in_o the_o beauty_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v than_o any_o can_v be_v in_o the_o ease_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o present_a world_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o apostle_n manifest_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o no_o other_o witness_n be_v ever_o yet_o willing_a to_o hazard_v they_o and_o therefore_o origen_n deserve_o 127_o condemn_v celsus_n of_o a_o ridiculous_a impertinency_n when_o he_o will_v parallel_v the_o relation_n of_o herodotus_n and_o pindarus_n concern_v aristeus_n proconnesius_n with_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v christ_n for_o faith_n he_o do_v either_o of_o those_o two_o
venture_v their_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o write_v concern_v he_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o preach_v concern_v our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 2._o the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v evident_a in_o their_o manner_n of_o 16._o report_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o deliver_v for_o if_o ever_o there_o may_v be_v any_o thing_n gather_v from_o the_o manner_n of_o expression_n or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d concern_v the_o particular_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o person_n from_o who_o it_o come_v we_o may_v certain_o read_v the_o great_a fidelity_n in_o the_o apostle_n from_o the_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o their_o express_a themselves_o to_o the_o world_n which_o they_o do_v 1._o with_o the_o great_a impartiality_n not_o declare_v only_o what_o be_v glorious_a and_o admirable_a to_o the_o world_n but_o what_o they_o know_v will_v be_v account_v foolishness_n by_o it_o they_o who_o have_v seek_v only_o to_o have_v be_v admire_v for_o the_o rare_a discovery_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o the_o world_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o conceal_v any_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v account_v ridiculous_a but_o the_o apostle_n fix_v themselves_o most_o on_o what_o be_v most_o contemptible_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n and_o what_o they_o be_v most_o mock_v and_o deride_v for_o that_o they_o delight_v most_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o which_o be_v the_o cross_n of_o christ._n paul_n be_v so_o much_o in_o love_n with_o this_o which_o be_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o foolishness_n to_o the_o greek_n that_o he_o value_v the_o knowledge_n of_o nothing_o else_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v nay_o 14._o he_o elsewhere_o say_v god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v glory_n save_v in_o the_o cross_n of_o christ._n what_o now_o shall_v be_v the_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o that_o most_o which_o be_v most_o despicable_a to_o the_o world_n have_v not_o they_o see_v far_o â—reater_a truth_n and_o excellency_n in_o it_o then_o in_o the_o most_o sublime_a speculation_n concern_v god_n or_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n or_o any_o other_o heathen_a philosopher_n that_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n to_o believe_v in_o one_o who_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o strange_a doctrine_n to_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n but_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o endeavour_v to_o have_v suit_v their_o doctrine_n to_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n what_o rare_a person_n may_v they_o have_v be_v account_v among_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n have_v they_o only_o in_o general_a term_n discourse_v of_o the_o benignity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o divine_a goodness_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o bring_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o a_o near_a participation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o perfect_a idea_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o the_o express_a image_n of_o the_o person_n of_o god_n and_o the_o resplendency_n of_o his_o glory_n have_v veil_v himself_o in_o humane_a nature_n and_o have_v everywhere_o scatter_v such_o beam_n of_o light_n and_o goodness_n as_o warm_v and_o invigorate_v the_o freeze_a spirit_n of_o man_n with_o high_a sentiment_n of_o god_n and_o themselves_o and_o raise_v they_o up_o above_o the_o feculency_n of_o this_o terrestrial_a matter_n to_o breath_n in_o a_o free_a air_n and_o converse_v with_o more_o noble_a object_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o fit_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n for_o those_o more_o pure_a illapse_n of_o real_a goodness_n which_o may_v always_o satisfy_v the_o soul_n desire_n and_o yet_o always_o keep_v they_o up_o till_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v sun_v its_o self_n to_o all_o eternity_n under_o the_o immediate_a beam_n of_o light_n and_o love_n and_o that_o after_o this_o incarnate_a deity_n have_v spread_v abroad_o the_o wing_n of_o his_o love_n for_o a_o while_n upon_o this_o low_a world_n till_o by_o his_o gentle_a heat_n and_o incubation_n he_o have_v quicken_v the_o more_o pliable_a world_n to_o some_o degree_n of_o a_o divine_a life_n he_o then_o retreat_v himself_o back_o again_o into_o the_o superior_a world_n and_o put_v off_o that_o vail_n by_o which_o he_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o those_o who_o be_v here_o confine_v to_o the_o prison_n of_o their_o body_n thus_o i_o say_v have_v the_o apostle_n mind_v applause_n among_o the_o admire_a philosopher_n of_o the_o heathen_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o they_o to_o have_v make_v some_o considerable_a addition_n to_o their_o high_a speculation_n and_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v seem_v so_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a as_o the_o death_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o the_o main_a thing_n which_o they_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v the_o vanity_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n without_o christ_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o all_o man_n believe_v in_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n indeed_o discover_v very_o much_o infinite_o more_o than_o ever_o the_o most_o lofty_a pl_z tonist_n can_v do_v concern_v the_o goodness_n and_o love_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n but_o that_o wherein_o they_o manifest_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n be_v that_o he_o give_v his_o 16._o only_a beget_v son_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o that_o herein_o be_v the_o love_n 8._o of_o god_n manifest_v that_o while_o we_o be_v yet_o sinner_n christ_n die_v for_o we_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o great_a truth_n and_o worthy_a of_o all_o 15._o acceptation_n that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n they_o never_o dream_v of_o any_o divine_a goodness_n which_o shall_v make_v man_n happy_a without_o christ_n no_o it_o be_v their_o design_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n to_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o in_o and_o through_o jesus_n christ_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o shall_v think_v otherwise_o unless_o plato_n know_v more_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n than_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o plotinus_n then_o saint_n paul_n can_v we_o think_v now_o that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v hazard_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n so_o much_o as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o world_n and_o be_v account_v babbler_n and_o fool_n and_o madman_n for_o preach_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n to_o be_v only_o by_o a_o person_n crucify_v between_o two_o thief_n at_o jerusalem_n have_v they_o not_o be_v convince_v not_o only_o of_o the_o truth_n but_o importance_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o concern_v man_n as_o much_o to_o believe_v it_o as_o it_o do_v to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n do_v saint_n paul_n preach_v ever_o the_o less_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n because_o he_o be_v tell_v to_o his_o face_n that_o his_o learning_n have_v make_v he_o mad_a but_o if_o he_o be_v beside_o himself_o it_o be_v for_o christ_n and_o what_o wonder_n be_v it_o if_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o apostle_n shall_v make_v he_o willing_a to_o lose_v his_o reputation_n for_o he_o see_v christ_n make_v himself_o of_o no_o reputation_n that_o he_o may_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o do_v we_o good_a we_o see_v the_o apostle_n be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n because_o they_o know_v it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o neither_o in_o their_o preach_n or_o their_o write_n will_v they_o omit_v any_o of_o those_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n death_n which_o may_v be_v account_v the_o most_o dishonourable_a to_o his_o person_n which_o be_v certain_o as_o great_a a_o evidence_n of_o their_o sidelity_n as_o can_v be_v expect_v which_o make_v origen_n say_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n write_v all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o candour_n and_o cels._n love_n of_o truth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n those_o passage_n of_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n which_o will_v be_v account_v most_o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a 2._o with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o speech_n such_o who_o design_n be_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o some_o cunning_o devise_v fable_n love_v as_o much_o ambiguity_n as_o ever_o apollo_n do_v in_o his_o most_o wind_a oracle_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v ambage_n nexâ_fw-la delphico_n mos_fw-la est_fw-la dco_o arcana_fw-la tegere_fw-la servius_n tell_v we_o that_o jupiter_n ammon_n be_v therefore_o picture_v id_fw-la with_o rams-horn_n because_o his_o answer_n
destruction_n of_o soul_n 2._o the_o devil_n great_a design_n be_v to_o draw_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o great_a wickedness_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v very_o observable_a in_o all_o the_o heathen_a mystery_n which_o the_o more_o recondite_v and_o hide_a they_o be_v the_o great_a wickedness_n lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o they_o and_o so_o be_v to_o purpose_n mystery_n of_o iniquity_n but_o now_o the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o promote_v the_o great_a purity_n both_o of_o heart_n and_o life_n there_o be_v in_o no_o other_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n either_o such_o incomparable_a precept_n of_o holiness_n or_o such_o encourage_v promise_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o from_o eternal_a life_n hereafter_o as_o the_o reward_n and_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n to_o help_v man_n here_o or_o such_o prevail_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o it_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n to_o the_o world_n the_o undertake_n of_o christ_n for_o we_o in_o his_o death_n and_o suffering_n the_o excellent_a pattern_n we_o have_v to_o follow_v in_o our_o saviour_n own_o example_n now_o these_o thing_n make_v it_o plain_a that_o the_o design_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v diametrical_o opposite_a to_o each_o other_o 3._o the_o design_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v to_o set_v god_n and_o mankind_n at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o each_o other_o the_o design_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o bring_v they_o near_o together_o the_o devil_n first_o tempt_v to_o sin_n and_o then_o for_o sin_n he_o make_v man_n presume_v to_o sin_n and_o to_o despair_v because_o they_o have_v sin_v christ_n first_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n by_o his_o precept_n and_o threaten_n and_o then_o suppose_v sin_n encourage_v they_o to_o repent_v with_o hope_n of_o pardon_n procure_v by_o himself_o for_o all_o true_o penitent_a and_o believe_a sinner_n thus_o in_o every_o thing_n the_o design_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v contrary_a which_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n can_v be_v from_o no_o evil_a spirit_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v from_o a_o true_o divine_a power_n true_a and_o divine_a miracle_n may_v be_v know_v and_o distinguish_v from_o false_a and_o diabolical_a from_o the_o circumstance_n or_o the_o manner_n 5._o of_o their_o operation_n there_o be_v some_o peculiar_a signature_n on_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o wrought_v by_o a_o power_n less_o than_o divine_a which_o arnobius_n etc._n well_o express_v in_o these_o word_n to_o the_o heathen_n potestis_fw-la aliquem_fw-la nobis_fw-la designare_fw-la monstrare_fw-la ex_fw-la omnibus_fw-la illis_fw-la magis_fw-la qui_fw-la unquam_fw-la fuere_fw-la per_fw-la secula_fw-la consimile_n aliquid_fw-la christo_fw-la millesima_fw-la ex_fw-la parte_fw-la qui_fw-la fecerit_fw-la qui_fw-fr sine_fw-la ulla_fw-la vi_fw-la carâ—â—inum_fw-la sine_fw-la herbarum_fw-la aut_fw-la graminum_fw-la succis_fw-la sine_fw-la ulla_fw-la aliqua_fw-la observatione_fw-la sollicita_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la libaminum_fw-la temporum_fw-la atqui_fw-la constitit_fw-la christum_fw-la sine_fw-la ullis_fw-la adminiculis_fw-la rerum_fw-la sine_fw-la ullius_fw-la ritus_fw-la observatione_fw-la vel_fw-la lege_fw-la omne_fw-la illa_fw-la quae_fw-la fecit_fw-la nominis_fw-la svi_fw-la possibilitate_fw-la fecisse_fw-la &_o quod_fw-la proprium_fw-la consentaneum_fw-la deo_fw-la dignum_fw-la fuerat_fw-la vero_fw-la nihil_fw-la nocens_fw-la aut_fw-la noxium_fw-la sed_fw-la opiferum_fw-la sed_fw-la salutare_fw-la sed_fw-la auxiliaribus_fw-la plenum_fw-la bonis_fw-la potestatis_fw-la munificae_fw-la liberalitate_fw-la donasse_n he_o challenge_v the_o heathen_n to_o produce_v any_o one_o of_o all_o their_o magician_n who_o do_v the_o thousand_o part_n of_o what_o our_o saviour_n do_v who_o make_v use_v of_o none_o of_o their_o magical_a rite_n and_o observation_n in_o what_o ever_o he_o do_v and_o what_o ever_o he_o do_v be_v mere_o by_o his_o own_o power_n and_o be_v withal_o most_o become_a god_n and_o most_o beneficial_a to_o the_o world_n and_o thence_o he_o proceed_v to_o answer_v the_o heathen_n about_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o their_o god_n which_o fall_v short_a of_o those_o of_o christ_n in_o three_o main_a particular_n the_o manner_n of_o their_o work_n and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o and_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n do_v 1._o the_o manner_n of_o their_o work_n what_o they_o do_v be_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pomp_n and_o ceremony_n what_o christ_n do_v be_v with_o a_o word_n speak_v and_o sometime_o without_o it_o by_o the_o touch_n of_o his_o garment_n non_fw-la inquiro_fw-la non_fw-la exigo_fw-la say_v he_o quis_fw-la deus_fw-la aut_fw-la quo_fw-la tempore_fw-la cui_fw-la fuerit_fw-la auxiliatus_fw-la aut_fw-la quem_fw-la fractum_fw-la restituerit_fw-la sanitati_fw-la illud_fw-la solum_fw-la audire_fw-la desidero_fw-la a_o sine_fw-la ullius_fw-la adjunctione_fw-la materiae_fw-la i._n e._n medicaminis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la ad_fw-la tactum_fw-la morbos_fw-la jusserit_fw-la abhominibus_fw-la evolare_fw-la imperaverit_fw-la fecerit_fw-la &_o emori_fw-la valetudinum_fw-la causam_fw-la &_o debilium_fw-la corpora_fw-la ad_fw-la svas_fw-la remeare_fw-la naturas_fw-la omit_v all_o other_o circumstance_n name_v i_o say_v he_o but_o which_o of_o your_o god_n ever_o cure_v a_o disease_n without_o any_o adjoin_v matter_n some_o prescription_n or_o other_o or_o which_o of_o they_o ever_o command_v disease_n out_o of_o body_n by_o their_o mere_a touch_n and_o quite_o remove_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o distemper_n aesculapius_n he_o say_v cure_v disease_n but_o in_o the_o way_n that_o ordinary_a physician_n do_v by_o prescribe_v something_o or_o other_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o patient_n nulla_fw-la autem_fw-la virtus_fw-la est_fw-la medicaminibus_fw-la amovere_fw-la quae_fw-la noceant_fw-la beneficia_fw-la ista_fw-la rerum_fw-la non_fw-la sunt_fw-la curantium_fw-la potestates_fw-la to_o cure_v disease_n by_o prescription_n argue_v no_o power_n at_o all_o in_o the_o prescriber_n but_o virtue_n in_o the_o medicine_n 2._o in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o person_n cure_v they_o be_v very_o few_o which_o be_v cure_v in_o the_o heathen_a temple_n christ_n cure_v whole_a multitude_n and_o that_o not_o in_o the_o revestrye_n of_o the_o temple_n where_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n may_v be_v easy_o suspect_v but_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n who_o bring_v to_o he_o all_o manner_n of_o person_n sick_a of_o all_o sort_n of_o disease_n which_o be_v cure_v by_o he_o and_o these_o so_o numerous_a that_o the_o evangelist_n who_o record_v many_o of_o christ_n miracle_n which_o have_v be_v omit_v by_o the_o other_o yet_o tell_v we_o at_o last_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o many_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n will_v not_o contain_v they_o but_o now_o arnobius_n tell_v the_o heathen_n quid_fw-la prodest_fw-la ostendere_fw-la 25._o tinum_fw-la aut_fw-la alterum_fw-la fortasse_fw-la curatos_fw-la cum_fw-la tot_fw-la millibus_fw-la subvenerit_fw-la nemo_fw-la &_o plena_fw-la sint_fw-la omne_fw-la miserorum_fw-la infeliciumque_fw-la delubra_fw-la what_o matter_n be_v it_o to_o show_v one_o or_o two_o cure_v when_o thousand_o lie_n continual_o in_o the_o temple_n perish_v for_o want_n of_o cure_n yea_o such_o as_o do_v aesculapium_fw-la ipsum_fw-la precibus_fw-la fatigare_fw-la &_o invitare_fw-la miserrimis_fw-la votis_fw-la that_o can_v not_o beg_v a_o cure_n of_o aesculapius_n with_o all_o their_o earnestness_n and_o importunity_n 3._o in_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o disease_n cure_v the_o cure_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v some_o slight_a thing_n in_o comparison_n of_o those_o perform_v by_o christ_n the_o most_o acute_a the_o most_o chronical_a the_o most_o malignant_a of_o disease_n cure_v by_o a_o touch_n a_o word_n a_o evangel_n thought_n a_o learned_a physician_n have_v undertake_v to_o make_v it_o evident_a from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n and_o from_o the_o receive_a principle_n among_o the_o most_o authentic_a physician_n that_o the_o disease_n cure_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v all_o incurable_a by_o the_o rule_n of_o physic_n if_o so_o the_o great_a the_o power_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o cure_v they_o with_o so_o much_o facility_n as_o he_o do_v and_o he_o not_o only_o cure_v all_o disease_n himself_o but_o give_v a_o power_n to_o other_o who_o be_v not_o at_o all_o verse_v in_o matter_n of_o art_n and_o subtlety_n that_o they_o shall_v do_v miracle_n likewise_o sine_fw-la fucis_fw-la &_o adminiculis_fw-la without_o any_o fraud_n or_o assistance_n quid_fw-la dicitis_fw-la o_o mentes_fw-la incredulae_fw-la difficiles_fw-la durae_fw-la alicuine_a mortalium_fw-la jupiter_n ille_fw-la capitolinus_n hujusmodi_fw-la potestatem_fw-la dedit_fw-la when_o do_v ever_o the_o great_a jupiter_n capitolinus_n ever_o give_v a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n to_o any_o i_o do_v not_o say_v say_v he_o of_o raise_v the_o dead_a or_o cure_v the_o blind_a or_o heal_v the_o lame_a sed_fw-la ut_fw-la pustulam_fw-la reduviam_fw-la pupulam_fw-la aut_fw-la vocis_fw-la imperio_fw-la aut_fw-la manus_fw-la contrectatione_fw-la comprimeret_fw-la but_o to_o cure_v a_o wart_n a_o
friend_n and_o while_o he_o be_v there_o thrust_v up_o his_o spear_n into_o a_o swallow_n nest_n and_o pull_v it_o down_o and_o kill_v the_o young_a one_o his_o friend_n ask_v he_o the_o reason_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o action_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o you_o bear_v say_v he_o how_o they_o false_o accuse_v i_o and_o cry_v out_o that_o i_o have_v kill_v my_o father_n which_o be_v by_o the_o person_n present_v carry_v to_o the_o king_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o find_v out_o he_o be_v execute_v for_o it_o such_o strange_a way_n do_v providence_n sometime_o use_v to_o show_v how_o vigilant_a it_o be_v even_o when_o we_o think_v it_o sleep_v the_o most_o 5._o though_o god_n spare_v the_o person_n of_o wicked_a man_n he_o do_v not_o defer_v their_o punishment_n when_o the_o thought_n of_o their_o evil_a action_n be_v the_o great_a torment_n to_o they_o maxima_fw-la peccatâ—_n pena_fw-la est_fw-la peccasse_fw-la as_o seneca_n speak_v sin_n bear_v its_o own_o punishment_n along_o with_o it_o wickedness_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o most_o exquisite_a contriver_n of_o misery_n which_o fill_v the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o commit_v it_o with_o continual_a consternation_n anxiety_n and_o perplexity_n of_o mind_n but_o as_o that_o often_o and_o deserve_o cite_v author_v on_o this_o subject_n plutarch_n tell_v we_o most_o man_n be_v in_o this_o like_a child_n who_o when_o they_o behold_v malefactor_n in_o the_o theatre_n in_o their_o cloth_n of_o gold_n and_o purple_a robe_n with_o their_o crown_n on_o their_o head_n dance_v about_o they_o admire_v they_o and_o imagine_v they_o to_o be_v most_o happy_a man_n till_o they_o see_v they_o lash_v and_o beat_v and_o fire_n come_v out_o from_o their_o brave_a apparel_n so_o say_v he_o as_o long_o as_o man_n see_v other_o in_o their_o pomp_n and_o grandeur_n they_o think_v they_o far_o from_o punishment_n till_o they_o behold_v their_o execution_n which_o say_v he_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o entrance_n of_o their_o punishment_n as_o the_o perfection_n of_o it_o so_o that_o the_o long_o the_o time_n of_o their_o life_n be_v the_o long_a be_v the_o time_n of_o their_o punishment_n here_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v not_o punish_v when_o they_o grow_v old_a but_o they_o be_v grow_v old_a in_o punishment_n can_v we_o say_v a_o person_n be_v punish_v while_o he_o be_v in_o prison_n and_o have_v his_o fetter_n upon_o he_o till_o his_o execution_n come_v nor_o that_o one_o that_o have_v drink_v poison_n be_v a_o die_a while_n he_o walk_v about_o till_o the_o cold_a come_v to_o his_o heart_n and_o kill_v he_o if_o we_o deny_v say_v he_o that_o all_o the_o inquietude_n horror_n and_o anxiety_n of_o mind_n which_o wicked_a man_n have_v be_v no_o part_n of_o their_o punishment_n we_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o a_o fish_n which_o bath_n swallow_v the_o hook_n be_v not_o take_v because_o he_o be_v not_o fry_v or_o cut_v in_o piece_n so_o it_o be_v with_o every_o wicked_a man_n he_o have_v swallow_v the_o hook_n when_o he_o have_v commit_v a_o evil_a action_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o his_o conscience_n within_o he_o as_o he_o express_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o prophet_n expression_n be_v the_o wicked_a be_v like_o a_o trouble_a sea_n which_o cast_v forth_o nothing_o but_o mire_n and_o dirt_n as_o 31._o apollodorus_n dream_v that_o he_o be_v flay_v and_o boil_a by_o the_o scythian_n and_o that_o his_o heart_n speak_v to_o he_o out_o of_o the_o cauldron_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o be_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o this_o god_n deal_v by_o wicked_a man_n as_o caligula_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v of_o those_o he_o command_v to_o be_v execute_v ferret_v ut_fw-la sentiant_fw-la se_fw-la mori_fw-la he_o so_o punish_v they_o as_o to_o make_v they_o sensible_a of_o their_o punishment_n and_o as_o tacitus_n speak_v of_o cruel_a and_o wicked_a person_n quorum_fw-la mentes_fw-la si_fw-la recludantur_fw-la possâ—nt_fw-la aspici_fw-la laniatus_fw-la &_o ictus_fw-la quando_fw-la ut_fw-la corpora_fw-la verberibus_fw-la ita_fw-la saevitia_fw-la libidine_fw-la malis_fw-la consult_v be_v animus_n dilaceretur_fw-la wiekedness_n be_v the_o only_a fury_n which_o continual_o haunt_v and_o lash_v those_o who_o delight_n in_o it_o and_o leave_v still_o behind_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d loathsome_a and_o terrible_a perturbation_n secret_a gripe_n of_o conscience_n and_o self_n condemn_v thought_n for_o their_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n like_o lysimachus_n who_o for_o extreme_a thirst_n offer_v his_o kingdom_n to_o the_o getae_n to_o quench_v it_o which_o when_o he_o have_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o a_o wretch_n be_v i_o say_v he_o to_o lose_v such_o a_o kingdom_n for_o so_o short_a a_o pleasure_n and_o though_o wicked_a man_n be_v not_o sensible_a of_o the_o loss_n of_o a_o far_o more_o glorious_a kingdom_n than_o this_o of_o lysimachus_n viz._n that_o of_o heaven_n yet_o they_o can_v but_o be_v sensible_a how_o much_o they_o have_v lose_v that_o kingdom_n which_o every_o good_a man_n have_v in_o the_o tranquillity_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o the_o command_n of_o his_o passion_n 6._o the_o time_n that_o god_n spare_v wicked_a man_n be_v not_o so_o long_o as_o we_o think_v for_o it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o plutarch_n say_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v complain_v that_o the_o malefactor_n be_v punish_v in_o the_o evening_n and_o not_o in_o the_o morning_n god_n forbearance_n be_v but_o for_o a_o very_a little_a time_n compare_v with_o his_o own_o duration_n we_o measure_v god_n by_o the_o short_a hourglass_n of_o our_o own_o time_n when_o we_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o confine_v he_o to_o our_o measure_n the_o time_n seem_v long_o to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v as_o nothing_o in_o its_o self_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o whole_a life_n of_o man_n compare_v with_o eternity_n be_v nothing_o beside_o all_o this_o time_n god_n suffer_v wicked_a man_n to_o live_v here_o he_o have_v they_o under_o safe_a custody_n he_o do_v but_o let_v they_o take_v the_o air_n within_o the_o prison-wall_n or_o it_o may_v be_v they_o may_v play_v and_o sport_n themselves_o there_o but_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o escape_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o divine_a justice_n 7._o god_n forbear_v wicked_a man_n here_o because_o the_o time_n be_v to_o come_v wherein_o god_n intend_v to_o punish_v they_o this_o be_v the_o high_a vindication_n of_o divine_a providence_n as_o to_o the_o present_a impunity_n of_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o world_n because_o this_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a season_n for_o the_o open_a execution_n of_o justice._n there_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n who_o justice_n cause_v to_o be_v execute_v in_o the_o â—rison_n of_o what_o be_v reserve_v for_o the_o general_a assize_n god_n reserve_v they_o for_o a_o fair_a and_o open_a trial_n for_o the_o great_a vindication_n of_o his_o honour_n and_o manifestation_n of_o his_o justice_n to_o the_o world_n and_o although_o god_n judgement_n even_o in_o this_o world_n be_v sometime_o so_o remarkable_a that_o we_o can_v but_o see_v a_o hand_n of_o providence_n in_o they_o yet_o they_o be_v but_o few_o who_o god_n do_v so_o remarkable_o punish_v here_o to_o make_v we_o more_o firm_o believe_v a_o day_n of_o judgement_n to_o come_v which_o though_o it_o be_v most_o clear_o and_o full_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n yet_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o from_o mere_a reason_n have_v have_v such_o a_o persuasion_n of_o it_o that_o they_o have_v give_v this_o as_o another_o great_a reason_n why_o god_n do_v forbear_v to_o punish_v wicked_a man_n here_o because_o he_o do_v reserve_v they_o for_o future_a punishment_n for_o as_o the_o same_o moralist_n speak_v in_o the_o same_o discourse_n concern_v the_o soul_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o present_a life_n be_v the_o place_n of_o the_o soul_n 561._o combat_n which_o when_o it_o have_v finish_v it_o than_o receive_v according_a to_o its_o performance_n of_o it_o and_o as_o he_o before_o speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o same_o reason_n which_o confirm_v providence_n do_v likewise_o confirm_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o if_o one_o be_v take_v away_o the_o other_o follow_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o if_o the_o soul_n do_v subsist_v after_o death_n it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o it_o shall_v there_o receive_v either_o reward_n or_o punishment_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o far_o natural_a light_n and_o moral_a reason_n will_v carry_v man_n in_o the_o vindicate_a divine_a providence_n as_o to_o the_o present_a impunity_n of_o wicked_a man_n the_o other_o part_n which_o concern_v the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n be_v not_o of_o so_o great_a difficulty_n because_o there_o be_v none_o so_o good_a 22._o as_o
as_o a_o matter_n trivial_a and_o impertinent_a which_o can_v arise_v but_o from_o one_o of_o these_o two_o ground_n that_o either_o they_o think_v it_o no_o great_a wisdom_n to_o let_v go_v their_o present_a hold_n as_o to_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n for_o that_o which_o they_o secret_o question_v whether_o they_o shall_v ever_o live_v to_o see_v or_o no_o or_o else_o that_o their_o mind_n be_v in_o suspense_n whether_o they_o be_v not_o send_v on_o a_o guiana_n voyage_n to_o heaven_n whâ—ther_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o be_v yet_o full_o discover_v or_o the_o instruction_n which_o be_v give_v be_v such_o as_o may_v infallible_o conduct_v they_o thâ—her_o the_o first_o though_o it_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o sense_n fruition_n delight_n and_o further_a expectation_n yet_o to_o a_o rational_a person_n who_o serious_o reflect_v on_o himself_o and_o sum_n up_o what_o after_o all_o his_o trouble_n and_o disquietment_n in_o the_o procure_n his_o care_n in_o keep_v his_o disappointment_n in_o his_o expectation_n his_o fear_n of_o lose_v what_o he_o do_v enjoy_v and_o that_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n which_o attend_v all_o these_o he_o have_v gain_v of_o true_a contentment_n to_o his_o mind_n can_v never_o certain_o believe_v that_o ever_o these_o thing_n be_v intend_v for_o his_o happiness_n for_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v ever_o enjoy_v its_o full_a and_o complete_a happiness_n in_o this_o world_n when_o nothing_o be_v â—ble_n to_o make_v it_o happy_a but_o what_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o its_o nature_n able_a to_o fill_v up_o its_o large_a capacity_n and_o commensurate_a with_o its_o duration_n but_o in_o this_o life_n the_o matter_n of_o man_n great_a delight_n be_v strange_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o rational_a being_n the_o measure_n of_o they_o too_o short_a for_o our_o vast_a desire_n to_o stretch_v themselves_o upon_o the_o proportion_n too_o scant_o and_o narrow_a to_o run_v parallel_n with_o immortality_n it_o must_v be_v then_o only_o a_o supreme_a insinite_a and_o eternal_a be_v which_o by_o the_o free_a communication_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n can_v fix_v and_o satiate_v the_o soul_n desire_n and_o by_o the_o constant_a flow_n forth_o of_o his_o uninterrupted_a stream_n of_o favour_n will_v always_o keep_v up_o desire_n and_o yet_o always_o satisfy_v it_o one_o who_o goodness_n can_v only_o be_v feel_v by_o some_o tansient_a touch_n here_o who_o love_n can_v be_v see_v but_o as_o through_o a_o lattice_n who_o constant_a presence_n may_v be_v rather_o wish_v for_o then_o enjoy_v who_o have_v reserve_v the_o full_a sight_n and_o fruition_n of_o himself_o to_o that_o future_a state_n when_o all_o these_o dark_a vail_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o and_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v continual_o sun_v herself_o under_o immediate_a beam_n of_o light_n and_o love_n but_o how_o or_o in_o what_o way_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o this_o degenerate_a condition_n shall_v come_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o so_o great_a a_o happiness_n by_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o that_o god_n our_o nature_n be_v now_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n from_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o important_a enquiry_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o we_o continual_o see_v how_o successless_a and_o unsatisfactory_a the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o have_v be_v to_o themselves_o at_o last_o who_o have_v seek_v for_o this_o happiness_n in_o a_o way_n of_o their_o own_o find_v out_o the_o large_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n wherein_o god_n have_v describe_v so_o much_o of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n be_v yet_o too_o dark_a and_o obscure_a too_o short_a and_o imperfect_a to_o set_v forth_o to_o we_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o eternal_a happiness_n unless_o then_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v man_n soul_n at_o first_o do_v show_v they_o the_o way_n for_o their_o recovery_n as_o they_o be_v in_o a_o degenerate_a so_o they_o will_v be_v in_o a_o desperate_a condition_n but_o the_o same_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n which_o do_v at_o first_o display_v its_o self_n in_o give_v be_v to_o man_n soul_n have_v in_o a_o high_a manner_n enlarge_v the_o discovery_n of_o its_o self_n by_o make_v know_v the_o way_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v take_v into_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n again_o which_o it_o now_o concern_v we_o particular_o to_o discover_v thereby_o 3_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o way_n be_v of_o that_o peculiar_a excellency_n that_o we_o may_v have_v from_o thence_o the_o great_a evidence_n it_o can_v come_v from_o no_o other_o author_n but_o god_n himself_o and_o do_v tend_v to_o no_o other_o end_n but_o our_o eternal_a happiness_n now_o that_o incomparable_a excellency_n which_o be_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n will_v full_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o under_o this_o threefold_a capacity_n 1._o as_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n 2._o as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n 3._o as_o contain_v that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o relate_v to_o man_n eternal_a happiness_n 1._o consider_v the_o scripture_n general_o as_o contain_v in_o it_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n appear_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v 2._o the_o manner_n wherein_o they_o be_v reveal_v 1._o the_o matter_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v these_o three_o way_n 1._o as_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n 2._o as_o mâ—tters_n of_o the_o great_a depth_n and_o mysteriousness_n 3._o as_o matter_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n 1._o they_o be_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n for_o man_n to_o know_v the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n be_v most_o know_v by_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v and_o therefore_o that_o wherein_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v discover_v can_v contain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v mean_a and_o trivial_a they_o must_v be_v matter_n of_o the_o high_a importance_n which_o the_o supreme_a ruler_n of_o the_o world_n vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v to_o man_n concern_v and_o such_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o matter_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n to_o be_v which_o either_o concern_v the_o rectify_v our_o apprehension_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o make_v know_v to_o man_n their_o state_n and_o condition_n or_o discover_v the_o way_n whereby_o to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n now_o which_o be_v there_o of_o these_o three_o which_o suppose_v god_n to_o discover_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o world_n it_o do_v not_o high_o become_v he_o to_o speak_v to_o man_n of_o 1._o what_o be_v there_o which_o it_o do_v more_o high_o concern_v man_n to_o know_v then_o god_n himself_o or_o what_o more_o glorious_a and_o excellent_a 4._o object_n can_v he_o discover_v then_o himself_o to_o the_o world_n there_o be_v nothing_o certain_o which_o shall_v more_o commend_v the_o scripture_n to_o we_o then_o that_o thereby_o we_o may_v grow_v more_o acquaint_v with_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v more_o of_o his_o nature_n and_o all_o his_o perfection_n and_o many_o of_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o his_o act_n in_o the_o world_n we_o may_v by_o they_o understand_v with_o safety_n what_o the_o eternal_a purpose_n of_o god_n be_v as_o to_o the_o wâ—y_n of_o man_n recovery_n by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n we_o may_v there_o see_v and_o understand_v the_o great_a wisdom_n of_o god_n not_o only_o in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o the_o world_n and_o order_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o gradual_a revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o his_o people_n by_o what_o step_n he_o train_v up_o his_o church_n till_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v come_v what_o his_o aim_n be_v in_o lay_v such_o a_o load_n of_o ceremony_n on_o his_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o what_o step_n &_o degrce_v he_o make_v way_n for_o the_o full_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n by_o speak_v in_o these_o last_o day_n by_o his_o son_n after_o he_o have_v speak_v at_o sundry_a time_n and_o divers_a manner_n by_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n unto_o the_o father_n in_o the_o scripture_n we_o read_v the_o most_o rich_a and_o admirable_a discovery_n of_o divine_a goodness_n and_o all_o the_o way_n and_o method_n he_o use_v in_o allure_a sinner_n to_o himself_o with_o what_o majesty_n he_o command_v with_o what_o condiscension_n he_o entreat_v with_o what_o importunity_n he_o woo_v man_n soul_n to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o he_o with_o what_o favour_n he_o embrace_v with_o what_o tenderness_n he_o chastise_v with_o what_o bowel_n he_o pity_v those_o who_o have_v choose_v he_o to_o be_v their_o god_n with_o what_o power_n he_o support_v with_o what_o wisdom_n he_o directâ—th_v with_o what_o cordial_n he_o
shall_v discover_v further_o than_o god_n general_a goodness_n to_o such_o as_o please_v he_o but_o no_o foundation_n can_v be_v gather_v thence_o of_o his_o readiness_n to_o pardon_v offender_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o grace_n must_v alone_o be_v discover_v by_o his_o will._n i_o can_v think_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n be_v such_o itinerant_a preacher_n as_o to_o unfold_v unto_o we_o the_o whole_a counsel_n and_o will_n of_o god_n in_o reference_n to_o man_n acceptance_n with_o god_n upon_o repentance_n it_o be_v not_o every_o star_n in_o the_o firmament_n can_v do_v that_o which_o the_o star_n once_o do_v to_o the_o wise_a man_n lead_v they_o unto_o christ._n the_o sun_n in_o the_o heaven_n be_v no_o parhelius_fw-la to_o the_o son_n of_o righteousness_n the_o best_a astronomer_n will_v never_o find_v the_o daystar_n from_o on_o high_a in_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o number_n what_o st._n austin_n say_v oâ—_n tully_n work_n be_v true_a of_o the_o whole_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n there_o be_v admirable_a thing_n to_o be_v find_v in_o they_o but_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o legible_a there_o the_o work_n of_o redemption_n be_v not_o engrave_v on_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n if_o it_o have_v a_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n have_v be_v unnecessary_a and_o the_o apostle_n be_v send_v on_o a_o needless_a errand_n which_o the_o world_n have_v understand_v without_o their_o preach_v viz_o that_o god_n be_v in_o christ_n reconcile_n the_o world_n unto_o himself_o not_o impute_v to_o man_n their_o trespass_n and_o have_v commit_v to_o they_o the_o ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n 19_o how_o be_v the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n commit_v to_o they_o if_o it_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o apostle_n quaere_fw-la elsewhere_o may_v have_v be_v easy_o answer_v how_o can_v man_n hear_v without_o a_o preacher_n for_o than_o they_o may_v have_v know_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n without_o 14._o any_o special_a messenger_n send_v to_o deliver_v it_o to_o they_o i_o grant_v that_o god_n long_o suffer_v and_o patience_n be_v intend_v to_o lead_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o that_o some_o general_a collection_n may_v be_v make_v from_o providence_n of_o the_o placability_n of_o god_n nature_n and_o that_o god_n never_o leave_v himself_o without_o a_o witness_n of_o his_o goodness_n in_o the_o world_n be_v king_n to_o the_o unthankful_a and_o do_v good_a in_o give_v rain_n and_o fruitful_a season_n but_o though_o 36._o these_o thing_n may_v sufficient_o discover_v to_o such_o who_o be_v apprehensive_a of_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n that_o god_n do_v not_o act_v according_a to_o his_o great_a severity_n and_o thereby_o do_v give_v man_n encouragement_n to_o hearken_v out_o &_o inquire_v after_o the_o true_a way_n of_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n yet_o all_o this_o amount_v not_o to_o a_o firm_a foundation_n for_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n which_o do_v suppose_v god_n himself_o publish_v a_o act_n of_o grace_n and_o indemnity_n to_o the_o world_n wherein_o he_o assure_v the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n to_o such_o as_o true_o repent_v and_o unfeigned_o believe_v his_o holy_a gospel_n now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o inestimable_a advantage_n we_o enjoy_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o therein_o we_o understand_v what_o god_n himself_o have_v discover_v of_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o perfection_n and_o of_o his_o readiness_n to_o pardon_v sin_n upon_o those_o gracious_a term_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o that_o which_o necessary_o follow_v from_o these_o two_o hearty_a and_o sincere_a obedience_n 2._o the_o scripture_n give_v the_o most_o faithful_a representation_n of_o â—_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n the_o world_n be_v almost_o lose_v in_o dispute_n concern_v the_o nature_n condition_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n before_o divine_a revelation_n be_v make_v know_v to_o mankind_n by_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n but_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v brrught_v to_o light_v by_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n not_o discover_v in_o a_o uncertain_a platonical_a way_n but_o with_o the_o great_a light_n and_o evidence_n from_o that_o god_n who_o have_v the_o supreme_a disposal_n of_o soul_n and_o therefore_o best_o know_v and_o understand_v they_o the_o scripture_n plain_o and_o full_o reveal_v a_o judgement_n to_o come_v in_o which_o god_n will_v judge_v the_o secret_n of_o all_o heart_n when_o every_o one_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o himself_o unto_o god_n and_o god_n will_v call_v man_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o stewardship_n here_o of_o all_o the_o receipt_n they_o have_v have_v from_o he_o and_o the_o expense_n they_o have_v be_v at_o and_o the_o improvement_n they_o have_v make_v of_o the_o talent_n he_o put_v into_o their_o hand_n so_o that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o full_a instrument_n of_o discovery_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o condition_n which_o abide_v it_o upon_o its_o be_v dislodge_v from_o the_o body_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o which_o the_o scripture_n discover_v as_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n for_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o prospective-glass_n reach_v to_o its_o future_a state_n but_o it_o be_v the_o most_o faithful_a looking-glass_n to_o discover_v all_o the_o spot_n and_o deformity_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o not_o only_o show_v where_o they_o be_v but_o whence_o they_o come_v what_o their_o nature_n be_v and_o whether_o they_o tend_v the_o true_a original_a of_o all_o that_o disorder_n and_o discomposure_n which_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v only_o full_o and_o satisfactory_o give_v we_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v the_o nature_n and_o work_n of_o this_o corruption_n in_o man_n have_v never_o be_v so_o clear_o manifest_v have_v not_o the_o law_n and_o will_n of_o god_n be_v discover_v to_o the_o world_n that_o be_v the_o glass_n whereby_o we_o see_v the_o secret_a work_n of_o those_o bee_n in_o our_o heart_n the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o set_v forth_o the_o folly_n of_o our_o imagination_n the_o unruliness_n of_o our_o passion_n the_o distemper_n of_o our_o will_n and_o the_o abundant_a deceitfulness_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o the_o most_o elephantine_n sinner_n one_o of_o the_o great_a magnitude_n so_o to_o trouble_v these_o water_n as_o not_o therein_o to_o discover_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o own_o deformity_n but_o that_o which_o tend_v most_o to_o awaken_v the_o drowsy_a senseless_a spirit_n of_o man_n the_o scripture_n do_v most_o full_o describe_v the_o tendency_n of_o corruption_n that_o the_o wage_n of_o sin_n be_v death_n and_o the_o issue_n of_o continuance_n in_o sin_n will_v be_v the_o everlasting_a misery_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o a_o perpetual_a separation_n from_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o undergo_a the_o lash_n and_o severity_n of_o conscience_n to_o all_o eternity_n what_o a_o great_a discovery_n be_v this_o of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o suffer_v not_o man_n to_o undo_v themselves_o without_o let_v they_o know_v of_o it_o beforehand_o that_o they_o may_v avoid_v it_o god_n seek_v not_o to_o entrap_v man_n soul_n nor_o do_v he_o rejoice_v in_o the_o misery_n and_o ruin_n of_o his_o creature_n but_o full_o declare_v to_o they_o what_o the_o consequence_n and_o issue_n of_o their_o sinful_a practice_n will_v be_v assure_v they_o of_o a_o judgement_n to_o come_v declare_v his_o own_o future_a severity_n against_o contumacious_a sinner_n that_o they_o may_v not_o think_v themselves_o surprise_v and_o that_o if_o they_o have_v know_v there_o have_v be_v so_o great_a danger_n in_o sin_n they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v such_o fool_n as_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o to_o run_v into_o eternal_a misery_n now_o god_n to_o prevent_v this_o with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o faithfulness_n have_v show_v man_n the_o nature_n and_o danger_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n and_o ask_v they_o before_o hand_n what_o they_o will_v do_v in_o the_o end_n thereof_o whether_o they_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v his_o wrath_n and_o wrestle_v with_o everlasting_a burn_n if_o not_o he_o bid_v they_o bethink_v themselves_o of_o what_o they_o have_v do_v already_o and_o repent_v &_o amend_v their_o life_n lest_o iniquity_n prove_v their_o ruin_n &_o destruction_n overtake_v they_o and_o that_o without_o remedy_n now_o if_o man_n have_v cause_n to_o prize_n and_o value_v a_o faithful_a monitor_n one_o that_o tender_v their_o good_a and_o will_v prevent_v their_o ruin_n we_o have_v cause_n exceed_o to_o prize_n and_o value_v the_o scripture_n which_o give_v we_o the_o true_a representation_n of_o the_o state_n and_o