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be_v in_o itself_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corporation_n of_o debauch_a and_o evil_a man_n destructive_a to_o all_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n whatever_o and_o perfect_o ruinous_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o this_o world_n of_o which_o there_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n but_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o sober_a mind_a man_n never_o be_v there_o any_o doctrine_n bring_v to_o light_n so_o holy_a and_o so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n that_o have_v visible_o the_o high_a tendency_n to_o those_o two_o great_a end_n of_o all_o religion_n the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o man_n present_a and_o future_a happiness_n no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o particular_a duty_n enjoin_v destructive_a to_o man_n true_a happiness_n but_o all_o perfective_a of_o it_o the_o strict_a self-denial_n have_v a_o recompense_n propose_v to_o we_o of_o a_o hundred_o fold_n in_o thing_n of_o a_o far_o more_o noble_a and_o excellent_a nature_n and_o most_o suitable_a in_o all_o such_o case_n to_o a_o rational_a choice_n the_o result_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v this_o whenever_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n be_v likely_a to_o come_v from_o god_n we_o be_v upon_o the_o high_a and_o most_o unquestionable_a ground_n of_o assurance_n that_o we_o can_v be_v whenever_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v a_o contrary_a doctrine_n it_o be_v the_o high_a trial_n but_o still_o god_n be_v please_v to_o order_v it_o so_o that_o we_o have_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o oppose_v and_o will_v sâ—â—nd_v it_o and_o â—â—â—kon_v in_o only_a as_o such_o whâ—â—â—ver_o consult_v thâ—_n writing_n of_o the_o primiâ—iâ—e_n châ—â—sâ—â—â—â—_n will_v and_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n upon_o which_o they_o â—hâ—â—â—lâ—_n inâ—â—â—â—d_n and_o by_o the_o strength_n whereof_o the_o christian_a religion_n make_v its_o sâ—â—st_a enâ—â—aâ—ce_n and_o ravel_v through_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n the_o excellency_n of_o its_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v â—o_o confirm_v it_o and_o these_o two_o conjoin_v give_v â—s_a the_o mâ—st_o inâ—aâ—â—ible_a assurance_n of_o religion_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o world_n the_o miraâ—â—es_v justify_v the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o doctrine_n reflect_v a_o testimony_n back_o to_o the_o miracle_n and_o in_o that_o conjunction_n the_o proof_n be_v invincible_a and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o case_n of_o the_o bible_n for_o we_o can_v have_v no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o find_v here_o the_o best_a doctrine_n with_o the_o high_a attestation_n whoever_o wary_o consider_v our_o saviour_n reason_v with_o the_o jew_n shall_v find_v he_o go_v upon_o this_o ground_n for_o as_o he_o frequent_o justify_v his_o doctrine_n from_o his_o miracle_n so_o he_o likewise_o often_o justify_v his_o doctrine_n to_o be_v in_o itself_o divine_a corresponding_n to_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v teach_v and_o so_o make_v the_o testimony_n of_o his_o miracle_n unquestionable_a thereby_o for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n accompany_v with_o such_o miraculous_a evidence_n must_v needs_o be_v from_o god_n and_o can_v admit_v of_o no_o rational_a opposition_n and_o therefore_o in_o discourse_v this_o matter_n in_o hand_n neither_o aught_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o neither_o the_o doctrine_n nor_o the_o miracle_n distinct_o and_z separately_z from_o the_o other_o but_o both_o urge_v in_o that_o excellent_a conjunction_n in_o which_o they_o be_v hand_v down_o to_o we_o three_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o book_n in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conneyance_n we_o have_v from_o thence_o still_o further_o evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o more_o rational_a persuasion_n to_o derive_v it_o from_o god_n as_o a_o book_n of_o his_o own_o compose_v and_o about_o which_o he_o have_v exercise_v a_o peculiar_a care_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o that_o this_o book_n though_o write_v at_o several_a time_n all_o so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o some_o of_o it_o before_o any_o other_o book_n be_v extant_a have_v yet_o in_o its_o passage_n through_o so_o many_o age_n escape_v all_o the_o danger_n to_o which_o it_o have_v be_v expose_v and_o be_v preserve_v entire_a to_o we_o to_o this_o day_n second_o that_o this_o rock_n and_o the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v make_v its_o entrance_n into_o the_o world_n and_o gain_v a_o acceptance_n among_o mankind_n in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o itself_o and_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o when_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o it_o will_v seem_v absord_n and_o ridiculous_a to_o all_o common_a reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o wicked_a sergeant_n and_o the_o stande_v piece_n of_o imposture_n about_o god_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o to_o do_v or_o indeed_o that_o any_o book_n of_o religion_n shall_v upon_o such_o perme_n arrive_v at_o such_o a_o reception_n but_o one_o that_o contain_v the_o high_a and_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o have_v the_o great_a god_n for_o its_o author_n for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v true_a that_o other_o book_n very_o ancient_a and_o write_v long_o ago_o as_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v have_v descend_v entire_a to_o this_o very_a age._n but_o herein_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o bible_n through_o the_o channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o write_n not_o only_o that_o it_o be_v some_o of_o it_o much_o elder_a than_o they_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n more_o liable_a to_o loss_n and_o decay_n but_o that_o no_o book_n or_o write_n the_o world_n be_v ever_o possess_v of_o have_v have_v that_o violent_a opposition_n make_v against_o it_o nor_o such_o design_n form_v for_o its_o ruin_n and_o extirpation_n as_o this_o have_v have_v other_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a passage_n this_o have_v be_v often_o beset_v with_o most_o keen_a and_o inveterate_a enemy_n beside_o that_o great_a hazard_n so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n be_v in_o as_o than_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n when_o for_o aught_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n there_o be_v but_o one_o copy_n and_o that_o have_v be_v lose_v for_o sixty_o eight_o or_o sixty_o nine_o year_n and_o be_v hide_v either_o in_o the_o rubbish_n or_o else_o in_o some_o secret_a part_n of_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o temple_n for_o it_o be_v find_v when_o the_o temple_n come_v to_o be_v repair_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v there_o hide_v during_o the_o wicked_a reign_n of_o manasseh_n by_o some_o malicious_a idolater_n with_o a_o intention_n utter_o to_o extinguish_v it_o which_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v do_v in_o a_o way_n that_o have_v make_v it_o irrecoverable_a have_v not_o a_o divine_a hand_n over_o rule_v and_o secure_v it_o beside_o this_o and_o some_o other_o hazard_n the_o bible_n have_v escape_v of_o a_o like_a nature_n we_o read_v of_o two_o famous_a and_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n furnish_v with_o all_o humane_a power_n that_o with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o skill_n have_v beset_v it_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o empâ—rour_n dioclesian_n under_o the_o nâ—w_n this_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n call_v likewise_o and_o much_o moâ—â—_n true_o epiâ—â—aâ—â—â—_n the_o mad_a and_o the_o furious_a be_v prophefy_v of_o and_o plain_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n david_n in_o the_o eight_o and_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n he_o there_o call_v he_o a_o king_n of_o fierce_a countâ—â—â—â—ce_n and_o say_v his_o heart_n shall_v be_v against_o the_o hâ—ly_a covenant_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v indignation_n against_o the_o holy_a covenant_n which_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a this_o antiochus_n come_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o most_o cruel_o destroy_v and_o waste_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v it_o his_o grand_a business_n to_o ruin_v the_o jew_n and_o utter_o extinguish_v their_o whole_a religion_n and_o worship_n dedicate_v their_o temple_n to_o jupiter_n olympius_n erect_v a_o altar_n therein_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o that_o â—â—â—l_n and_o in_o contempt_n of_o the_o jew_n cause_v many_o swine_n to_o be_v slay_v and_o offer_v up_o in_o sacâ—â—fiâ—e_n to_o he_o and_o as_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o pat_o a_o perfect_a â—â—nd_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o that_o place_n and_o people_n with_o utmost_a diligence_n make_v search_v after_o their_o law_n and_o wheresoever_o he_o sound_v it_o iâ—â—â—_n dirty_o burn_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o threatened_a â—â—st_n exquisite_a torment_n and_o death_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v dare_v to_o conceal_v or_o retain_v it_o of_o which_o josephas_n give_v we_o the_o relation_n
shall_v be_v terminate_v single_o in_o they_o but_o be_v of_o a_o much_o far_a extension_n and_o of_o a_o perpetual_a duration_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o apographa_n copy_n true_o take_v from_o the_o original_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o original_n themselves_o it_o be_v not_o the_o paper_n nor_o the_o ink_n nor_o the_o hand_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v nor_o any_o thing_n circumstantial_a of_o that_o kind_n but_o the_o matter_n itself_o as_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o and_o wheresoever_o that_o matter_n be_v true_o contain_v there_o be_v also_o the_o same_o authority_n present_a the_o great_a question_n in_o these_o day_n will_v be_v whether_o those_o copy_n we_o have_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o those_o original_a language_n in_o which_o they_o be_v first_o write_v be_v true_a and_o whether_o they_o have_v not_o be_v since_o deface_v or_o corrupt_v the_o satisfaction_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v give_v to_o this_o inquiry_n must_v arise_v these_o two_o way_n first_o by_o consider_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o in_o their_o present_a posture_n and_o second_o by_o consider_v such_o circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o first_o transcription_n and_o the_o various_a copy_n that_o be_v then_o and_o have_v be_v since_o take_v of_o they_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o latter_a first_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o know_v be_v deliver_v over_o as_o it_o first_o become_v write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o commit_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o their_o custody_n and_o it_o be_v they_o alone_a that_o have_v the_o care_n incumbent_a upon_o they_o punctual_o to_o transcribe_v and_o safe_o to_o secure_v it_o that_o they_o perform_v this_o trust_n with_o great_a care_n and_o exactness_n and_o deliver_v the_o old_a testament_n over_o entire_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o believe_v and_o that_o both_o upon_o general_n and_o some_o more_o particular_a ground_n first_o upon_o general_a ground_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o high_a value_n imaginable_a of_o their_o law_n and_o prize_v it_o above_o all_o else_o they_o possess_v both_o josephus_n and_o philo_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n will_v rather_o have_v suffer_v a_o thousand_o death_n then_o that_o the_o least_o thing_n shall_v be_v once_o alter_v in_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o statute_n of_o their_o nation_n the_o miraculous_a power_n upon_o which_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v establish_v have_v imprint_v in_o that_o people_n a_o indelible_a veneration_n of_o it_o second_o it_o be_v the_o municipal_a law_n of_o their_o country_n and_o that_o by_o which_o all_o matter_n of_o right_n be_v daily_o adjudge_v and_o by_o which_o each_o man_n property_n among_o they_o be_v maintain_v and_o secure_v three_o their_o law_n be_v not_o only_o the_o glory_n of_o their_o nation_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o their_o political_a and_o ecclesiastical_a be_v but_o it_o be_v also_o the_o great_a title_n they_o have_v to_o their_o country_n the_o scripture_n contain_v in_o themselves_o the_o deed_n by_o which_o god_n himself_o convey_v to_o they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o give_v they_o the_o high_a right_a to_o possess_v it_o it_o be_v not_o hard_a from_o hence_o to_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n will_v be_v careful_a of_o such_o a_o book_n wherein_o their_o body_n their_o soul_n their_o estate_n their_o honour_n and_o indeed_o their_o all_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v second_o it_o appear_v more_o particular_o and_o in_o fact_n that_o they_o be_v so_o for_o after_o that_o by_o god_n providential_a disposal_n ezra_n and_o that_o famous_a synagogue_n with_o he_o have_v exact_o settle_v their_o canon_n and_o deliver_v over_o the_o scripture_n pure_a and_o entire_a to_o the_o people_n at_o their_o return_n out_o of_o babylon_n the_o indefatigable_a care_n of_o the_o succeed_a mastoriâ—es_n from_o those_o very_a time_n downward_o to_o preserve_v every_o letter_n and_o syllable_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n entire_a be_v notorious_o know_v to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o the_o jewish_a writer_n even_o to_o so_o great_a a_o exactness_n have_v they_o arrive_v that_o they_o know_v how_o often_o every_o letter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o bible_n and_o indeed_o they_o take_v such_o a_o course_n to_o preserve_v the_o original_a text_n entire_a that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o the_o least_o considerable_a alteration_n or_o change_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v make_v in_o it_o eusebius_n speak_v with_o great_a wonder_n of_o the_o industry_n and_o care_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o this_o matter_n mirabile_n mihi_fw-la videtur_fw-la say_v he_o duobus_fw-la annorum_fw-la millibus_fw-la inâ—o_fw-la majore_fw-la tempore_fw-la jam_fw-la ferè_fw-la transacto_fw-la non_fw-la enim_fw-la exquisitissimè_fw-la annorum_fw-la possum_fw-la dicere_fw-la numerum_fw-la nec_fw-la verbum_fw-la unum_fw-la in_o lege_fw-la illius_fw-la esse_fw-la immutatum_fw-la sed_fw-la centiès_fw-fr unusquisque_fw-la judaeorum_fw-la moritur_fw-la quam_fw-la lege_fw-la mosaicae_n derogavit_fw-la it_o seem_v wonderful_a to_o i_o that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o thousand_o year_n and_o upward_o for_o i_o can_v exact_o reckon_v the_o number_n of_o year_n not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n shall_v be_v change_v in_o their_o law_n but_o that_o every_o jew_n will_v rather_o die_v a_o hundred_o time_n over_o then_o derogate_v in_o the_o least_o from_o it_o and_o that_o this_o care_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n be_v by_o god_n blessing_n effectual_a and_o successful_a for_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o all_o maim_n or_o imperfection_n and_o the_o least_o considerable_a alteration_n from_o what_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v there_o need_v no_o other_o evidence_n then_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n full_o approve_v it_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o in_o possession_n of_o it_o and_o never_o charge_v they_o with_o the_o least_o gild_n either_o of_o corruption_n or_o neglect_v in_o that_o kind_n and_o to_o suppose_v the_o jew_n have_v corrupt_v it_o since_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v near_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n time_n translate_v into_o greek_a and_o that_o any_o after-corruption_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v manifest_o discover_v from_o thence_o and_o confider_v how_o much_o of_o it_o be_v quote_v in_o the_o new_a be_v very_o absurd_a so_o think_v st_o jerome_n in_o his_o time_n siquis_fw-la dixerit_fw-la post_fw-la adventum_fw-la christi_fw-la &_o predicationem_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la libros_fw-la hebraeos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la falsatos_fw-la risam_fw-la tenere_fw-la non_fw-la potero_fw-la ut_fw-la salvator_fw-la &_o apostoli_fw-la ita_fw-la testimonia_fw-la protuleriâ—_n sicut_fw-la à _fw-la judaeis_n falsandâ—erant_fw-la if_o any_o man_n think_v the_o old_a testament_n say_v he_o falsify_v after_o our_o saviour_n come_v i_o can_v scarce_o forbear_v smile_v to_o think_v that_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n shall_v quote_v the_o old_a testament_n so_o as_o the_o jew_n shall_v falsify_v it_o after_o their_o time_n and_o with_o the_o same_o contempt_n speak_v origen_n and_o s_o austin_n of_o such_o a_o vain_a and_o absurd_a supposition_n that_o we_o have_v also_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v safe_o and_o entire_o and_o without_o any_o considerable_a variation_n from_o what_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o write_v descend_v down_o to_o we_o will_v likewise_o appear_v first_o from_o the_o circumstance_n attend_v its_o first_o transcription_n and_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o its_o conveyance_n and_o second_o from_o its_o present_a condition_n and_o posture_n for_o the_o first_o when_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v first_o write_v so_o very_a many_o have_v embrace_v the_o doctrine_n thereof_o from_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o multitude_n of_o copy_n be_v immediate_o take_v and_o disperse_v into_o all_o part_n of_o europe_n into_o asia_n and_o egypt_n and_o wheresoever_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v by_o any_o receive_v nor_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o man_n that_o suffer_v daily_o for_o a_o religion_n the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n and_o estate_n will_v not_o be_v careful_a exact_o to_o know_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o and_o to_o be_v safe_o possess_v of_o that_o great_a rule_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n direct_v when_o '_o it_o be_v so_o easy_o to_o be_v have_v nay_o '_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o may_v disperse_v several_a transcript_n of_o their_o own_o write_n among_o the_o christian_n &_o so_o innumerable_a copy_n may_v be_v take_v from_o many_o original_n but_o however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o autographa_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o very_a original_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n