distract_v their_o thought_n there_o be_v no_o charm_n nor_o counsel_n against_o necessity_n and_o a_o terror_n that_o be_v unavoidable_a be_v above_o the_o power_n and_o the_o relief_n of_o philosophy_n and_o will_v not_o be_v vanquish_v by_o stubborn_a thought_n or_o proud_a word_n so_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o as_o easy_a to_o prevail_v with_o a_o man_n to_o hate_v and_o abhor_v his_o own_o be_v as_o to_o reconcile_v he_o to_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o own_o destruction_n for_o by_o the_o same_o necessity_n that_o nature_n love_v and_o desire_v the_o continuance_n of_o itself_o it_o recoil_v and_o start_v back_o from_o all_o thought_n of_o its_o dissolution_n this_o then_o be_v upon_o the_o epicurean_a supposition_n a_o vain_a a_o useless_a and_o unreasonable_a advice_n be_v it_o be_v so_o insuperable_a a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n so_o that_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o be_o now_o to_o represent_v be_v as_o certain_a and_o inexorable_a as_o death_n itself_o and_o man_n may_v as_o soon_o divest_v themselves_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n as_o suppress_v the_o convulsion_n of_o this_o inbred_a passion_n and_o now_o when_o it_o be_v so_o incurable_a and_o yet_o withal_o so_o importunate_a and_o disquiet_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v what_o desperate_o cheerful_a live_v those_o man_n must_v live_v that_o always_o live_v under_o its_o sad_a and_o dismal_a apprehension_n §_o xxii_o but_o beside_o this_o great_a and_o sovereign_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n they_o have_v several_a other_o little_a receipt_n scatter_v up_o and_o down_o in_o their_o write_n i_o shall_v but_o brief_o mention_v they_o because_o all_o that_o little_a force_n which_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v depend_v upon_o the_o former_a fundamental_a principle_n first_o say_v they_o let_v we_o be_v thankful_a to_o the_o bounty_n of_o nature_n for_o make_v our_o life_n so_o long_o instead_o of_o repine_v at_o it_o for_o make_v they_o no_o long_o but_o i_o say_v if_o our_o whole_a be_v be_v at_o all_o mortal_a we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v at_o all_o thankful_a for_o it_o and_o if_o our_o whole_a be_v be_v wear_v out_o with_o this_o life_n it_o be_v much_o more_o eligible_a never_o to_o have_v be_v but_o then_o say_v they_o we_o be_v admit_v into_o life_n upon_o this_o condition_n that_o we_o shall_v give_v place_n to_o other_o as_o other_o have_v give_v place_n to_o we_o be_v we_o so_o then_o be_v we_o all_o admit_v upon_o unacceptable_a term_n yes_o but_o by_o trouble_v ourselves_o in_o vain_a we_o do_v but_o add_v one_o misery_n to_o another_o it_o be_v true_a but_o that_o be_v a_o fatal_a misery_n and_o it_o be_v as_o necessary_a to_o fear_v death_n as_o it_o be_v to_o die_v and_o that_o be_v it_o that_o make_v up_o the_o complaint_n that_o we_o be_v put_v in_o such_o a_o state_n of_o be_v which_o we_o can_v enjoy_v without_o this_o continual_a anguish_n and_o perplexity_n annex_v to_o it_o so_o that_o how_o wise_a or_o foolish_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o fear_v death_n be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a but_o whether_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a though_o if_o it_o be_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v a_o very_a foolish_a thing_n to_o endeavour_v against_o it_o but_o how_o irksome_a soever_o death_n may_v be_v yet_o see_v it_o be_v fatal_a we_o ought_v to_o make_v it_o as_o easy_a as_o we_o can_v by_o a_o voluntary_a compliance_n with_o it_o but_o this_o beside_o the_o folly_n that_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o it_o advise_v to_o a_o impossibility_n be_v not_o so_o proper_o compliance_n as_o despair_v and_o be_v like_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o condemn_a malefactor_n that_o go_v to_o his_o execution_n only_o because_o otherwise_o he_o must_v be_v drive_v and_o whip_v to_o it_o and_o no_o man_n have_v any_o other_o comfort_n all_o his_o life-time_n against_o the_o terror_n of_o death_n than_o a_o thief_n upon_o the_o gallow_n that_o will_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a counterfeit_a to_o die_v cheerful_o because_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o other_o advice_n that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o fear_v death_n because_o it_o be_v natural_a necessary_a and_o inevitable_a that_o be_v because_o it_o be_v remediless_a and_o there_o lie_v the_o very_a agony_n of_o all_o our_o horror_n that_o a_o thing_n so_o infinite_o terrible_a shall_v withal_o be_v so_o utter_o unavoidable_a and_o when_o they_o tell_v we_o how_o strange_a a_o folly_n and_o madness_n it_o be_v to_o torment_v ourselves_o with_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o which_o we_o be_v infallible_o certain_a we_o can_v never_o escape_v they_o do_v but_o persuade_v we_o to_o the_o madness_n of_o despair_n instead_o of_o courage_n and_o resolution_n for_o how_o foolish_a or_o unreasonable_a soever_o this_o fear_n may_v be_v it_o be_v natural_a antecedent_n to_o the_o choice_n of_o our_o will_n and_o the_o discretion_n of_o our_o understanding_n and_o so_o above_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o prudence_n and_o prescription_n of_o philosophy_n they_o can_v only_o guide_v and_o instruct_v our_o mind_n in_o thing_n subject_a to_o their_o own_o election_n but_o can_v affect_v much_o less_o over_o rule_v the_o instinct_n of_o nature_n in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o be_v already_o dead_a say_v they_o to_o so_o much_o of_o our_o life_n as_o be_v past_a and_o go_v so_o that_o so_o much_o as_o we_o live_v we_o die_v and_o that_o which_o we_o call_v death_n be_v but_o our_o last_o death_n and_o therefore_o as_o we_o fear_v not_o our_o death_n that_o be_v past_o why_o shall_v we_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v but_o what_o child_n understand_v not_o the_o difference_n between_o life_n and_o death_n and_o if_o to_o live_v be_v to_o die_v notwithstanding_o this_o quibble_n we_o be_v trouble_v never_o the_o less_o that_o this_o new_a way_n of_o die_v put_v a_o end_n to_o our_o old_a way_n of_o die_a and_o if_o we_o have_v be_v die_v ever_o since_o we_o be_v bear_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o grieve_v we_o that_o we_o can_v be_v die_v so_o for_o ever_o but_o bassus_n aufidius_n the_o epicurean_a old_a man_n in_o 30._o seneca_n reconcile_v himself_o to_o his_o approach_a death_n with_o this_o reason_n because_o it_o be_v as_o absurd_a to_o fear_v death_n as_o old_a age_n which_o yet_o all_o man_n desire_v to_o come_v to_o in_o that_o as_o old_a age_n follow_v youth_n so_o death_n follow_v old_a age._n but_o if_o he_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_n satisfy_v it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o he_o have_v live_v not_o only_o to_o his_o old_a age_n but_o to_o his_o second_o childhood_n for_o old_a age_n be_v desirable_a not_o because_o it_o follow_v youth_n but_o because_o it_o defer_v death_n and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o make_v it_o so_o much_o less_o valuable_a than_o youth_n because_o it_o be_v so_o much_o near_o to_o death_n and_o the_o philosopher_n reason_n have_v be_v altogether_o as_o comfortable_a if_o he_o have_v prefer_v old_a age_n before_o youth_n because_o his_o youth_n be_v very_o old_a it_o be_v many_o year_n since_o he_o be_v a_o young_a man_n whereas_o his_o old_a age_n be_v of_o a_o late_a date_n he_o have_v be_v but_o a_o little_a time_n a_o old_a man._n by_o which_o device_n he_o may_v have_v prove_v to_o himself_o that_o youth_n be_v old_a age_n and_o old_a age_n youth_n much_o like_o this_o be_v that_o other_o reason_v wherewith_o gassendus_fw-la himself_o seem_v so_o much_o please_v that_o whereas_o we_o now_o count_v ourselves_o happy_a if_o we_o live_v to_o a_o hundred_o year_n yet_o if_o the_o natural_a course_n of_o our_o life_n be_v as_o much_o short_a we_o shall_v be_v as_o much_o satisfy_v with_o twenty_o and_o if_o our_o natural_a course_n reach_v to_o a_o thousand_o year_n we_o shall_v then_o be_v as_o much_o trouble_v to_o die_v at_o six_o hundred_o as_o now_o at_o sixty_o and_o so_o forward_o it_o be_v like_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o philosophic_a comfort_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o reconcile_a we_o to_o death_n at_o any_o time_n that_o it_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o there_o be_v no_o time_n in_o which_o a_o epicurean_a can_n or_o aught_o to_o be_v content_a to_o die_v and_o that_o be_v our_o life_n long_o or_o short_a yet_o unless_o they_o be_v eternal_a we_o can_v rid_v ourselves_o of_o this_o importunate_a and_o intolerable_a evil_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v that_o witty_a say_n of_o seneca_n that_o a_o little_a or_o great_a circle_n be_v both_o equal_a in_o perfection_n of_o figure_n though_o not_o in_o quantity_n so_o be_v the_o life_n of_o man_n whether_o it_o last_o to_o twenty_o or_o to_o a_o hundred_o year_n but_o certain_o no_o man_n that_o may_v live_v to_o a_o hundred_o
affirm_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o quite_o vanish_v away_o at_o last_o he_o only_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o go_v away_o and_o this_o though_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v after_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n and_o no_o body_n know_v how_o be_v a_o pitiful_a abatement_n to_o the_o bigness_n of_o his_o former_a expression_n vanish_v away_o though_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o he_o have_v stand_v to_o it_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v prove_v itself_o a_o lie_n for_o it_o be_v utter_o incredible_a that_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n as_o that_o shall_v have_v be_v do_v in_o so_o great_a a_o presence_n as_o that_o and_o yet_o never_o any_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o historian_n will_v fain_o bid_v at_o something_o of_o his_o hero_n appear_v after_o death_n yet_o he_o do_v it_o so_o faint_o that_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o it_o come_v to_o nothing_o especial_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a and_o that_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o take_v in_o no_o less_o than_o the_o compass_n of_o thirty_o year_n and_o then_o they_o that_o be_v so_o utter_o at_o a_o loss_n as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o for_o so_o long_a a_o space_n be_v likely_a to_o give_v a_o very_a wise_a account_n of_o the_o certain_a time_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o do_v after_o it_o but_o how_o or_o to_o who_o do_v he_o appear_v 13._o why_o to_o a_o young_a man_n one_o of_o his_o follower_n that_o doubt_v of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n for_o ten_o month_n together_o after_o his_o death_n but_o how_o or_o where_o why_o the_o young_a man_n be_v tire_v with_o watch_v and_o pray_v to_o apollonius_n that_o he_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o only_o to_o satisfy_v he_o in_o this_o point_n one_o day_n fall_v into_o a_o dead_a sleep_n in_o the_o school_n where_o the_o young_a man_n be_v perform_v their_o several_a exercise_n and_o on_o the_o sudden_a start_n up_o in_o a_o great_a fright_n and_o a_o great_a sweat_n cry_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o believe_v thou_o o_o tyanaeus_n and_o be_v ask_v by_o his_o companion_n the_o meaning_n of_o his_o transport_n why_o say_v he_o do_v you_o not_o see_v apollonius_n they_o answer_v he_o no_o but_o that_o they_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o give_v all_o the_o world_n that_o they_o can_v it_o be_v true_a say_v he_o for_o he_o only_o appear_v to_o i_o and_o for_o my_o satisfaction_n and_o be_v invisible_a to_o all_o other_o and_o so_o tell_v they_o what_o he_o have_v say_v to_o he_o in_o his_o sleep_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o soul_n this_o poor_a account_n of_o a_o dream_n and_o a_o vision_n of_o a_o over-watched_n boy_n be_v all_o that_o this_o great_a story_n afford_v to_o vie_v with_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o now_o upon_o review_n of_o this_o whole_a history_n it_o seem_v evident_a to_o i_o that_o this_o man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v endue_v with_o any_o extraordinary_a or_o divine_a power_n that_o he_o do_v not_o deserve_v the_o reputation_n of_o a_o ordinary_a conjurer_n for_o though_o huetius_n have_v take_v some_o pain_n to_o prove_v he_o so_o yet_o he_o give_v no_o evidence_n of_o it_o beside_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o common_a people_n and_o if_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o conjurer_n there_o be_v no_o man_n of_o a_o odd_a and_o a_o singular_a humour_n as_o apollonius_n affect_v to_o be_v who_o be_v not_o so_o think_v of_o by_o the_o common_a people_n and_o therefore_o when_o he_o be_v accuse_v for_o it_o before_o domitian_n the_o emperor_n when_o he_o come_v to_o hear_v the_o cause_n slight_v both_o he_o and_o his_o accuser_n and_o dismiss_v he_o the_o court_n for_o a_o idle_a and_o fantastic_a fellow_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o history_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a vain_a man_n and_o affect_v to_o be_v think_v something_o extraordinary_a and_o so_o wander_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o odd_a garb_n to_o be_v gaze_v at_o and_o admire_v and_o make_v himself_o considerable_a in_o that_o age_n by_o wit_n impudence_n and_o flattery_n of_o all_o which_o he_o have_v a_o very_a competent_a share_n but_o for_o his_o wonder-working_a faculty_n which_o he_o will_v needs_o pretend_v to_o he_o fetch_v that_o as_o far_o off_o as_o the_o east_n indies_n that_o be_v the_o far_a off_o as_o he_o think_v from_o confutation_n and_o yet_o the_o account_n that_o he_o have_v give_v of_o those_o part_n be_v so_o gross_o fabulous_a that_o that_o alone_o convict_v his_o whole_a life_n of_o imposture_n and_o impudence_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o make_v good_a this_o part_n of_o the_o demonstration_n of_o our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n from_o the_o certain_a evidence_n both_o of_o his_o own_o and_o his_o apostle_n miracle_n and_o to_o set_v it_o above_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o manner_n either_o of_o objection_n or_o competition_n §_o xxviii_o but_o though_o the_o history_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n have_v this_o advantage_n of_o all_o other_o in_o that_o the_o tradition_n whereby_o it_o have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o its_o own_o testimony_n by_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a miracle_n yet_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o this_o peculiar_a divine_a attestation_n and_o consider_v the_o tradition_n by_o itself_o as_o mere_o humane_a and_o deliver_v down_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n it_o have_v be_v so_o constant_a so_o catholic_a and_o so_o uninterrupted_a as_o to_o be_v its_o own_o demonstration_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o story_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n in_o that_o age_n there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o tradition_n or_o if_o there_o be_v it_o be_v so_o early_o that_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a it_o must_v immediate_o have_v perish_v as_o a_o manifest_a lie_n in_o that_o when_o it_o come_v so_o near_o the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v nothing_o but_o undoubted_a truth_n can_v ever_o have_v maintain_v its_o authority_n for_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a at_o a_o distance_n to_o tell_v strange_a story_n of_o the_o time_n of_o old_a as_o we_o find_v by_o those_o many_o idle_a and_o incredible_a legend_n add_v to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o after-age_n of_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n yet_o to_o raise_v a_o story_n so_o strange_a and_o remarkable_a as_o that_o of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o his_o apostle_n without_o any_o ground_n or_o foundation_n for_o it_o nay_o against_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v first_o broach_v and_o to_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o such_o a_o notorious_a fiction_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n for_o to_o pass_v by_o all_o the_o other_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v that_o this_o tradition_n must_v labour_v under_o if_o it_o rise_v not_o up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o especial_o that_o of_o its_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v destroy_v it_o if_o false_a that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o propose_v and_o come_v now_o to_o prosecute_v seem_v as_o insuperable_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n viz._n that_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o it_o shall_v after_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n concern_v its_o truth_n not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o so_o late_a and_o palpable_a a_o fiction_n but_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o defence_n of_o it_o this_o be_v not_o credible_a unless_o they_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o their_o assurance_n alone_o be_v to_o we_o a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n of_o it_o but_o though_o that_o be_v enough_o yet_o i_o will_v undertake_v more_o viz._n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o assurance_n by_o trace_v up_o the_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o derive_v it_o down_o to_o after-age_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o wise_a learned_a and_o judicious_a man_n and_o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o will_v make_v a_o new_a and_o distinct_a demonstration_n of_o the_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o this_o tradition_n be_v convey_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n either_o by_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n or_o of_o single_a person_n first_o by_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n and_o
his_o divine_a authority_n from_o the_o undoubted_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o to_o that_o alone_o he_o refer_v we_o as_o the_o last_o and_o most_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o depend_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n not_o only_o of_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o other_o argument_n whereby_o he_o prove_v his_o doctrine_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o we_o find_v he_o so_o often_o injoin_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o publish_v his_o other_o work_n and_o miracle_n till_o after_o his_o resurrection_n thus_o when_o his_o apostle_n have_v declare_v to_o he_o the_o firmness_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n he_o straight_o charge_v they_o matt._n 16._o 20._o that_o they_o shall_v then_o tell_v no_o man_n of_o it_o and_o takes_z occasion_n thence_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o his_o approach_a death_n and_o passion_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o grave_a ascension_n into_o glory_n and_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o great_a miracle_n he_o be_v as_o saint_n paul_n observe_v rom._n 1._o 4._o to_o be_v declare_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n but_o chief_o by_o his_o resurrection_n for_o it_o be_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n elsewhere_o express_v it_o the_o work_n of_o the_o might_n of_o his_o power_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o christ_n when_o the_o father_n of_o glory_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a ephes._n 1._o 19_o and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n immediate_o add_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o forementioned_a discourse_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o there_o be_v those_o here_o present_a that_o shall_v not_o taste_v of_o death_n till_o they_o see_v the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v in_o his_o kingdom_n matt._n 16._o 28._o in_o that_o he_o be_v as_o evident_o declare_v by_o this_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o son_n of_o god_n as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v he_o solemn_o enthrone_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o holy_a angel_n so_o again_o when_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o cast_v out_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o still_o command_v they_o silence_n he_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v too_o much_o notice_n take_v of_o he_o before_o his_o resurrection_n because_o by_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v such_o a_o palpable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n as_o shall_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o all_o his_o former_a miracle_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o have_v take_v his_o three_o chief_a disciple_n to_o behold_v his_o transfiguration_n thereby_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n against_o the_o time_n of_o his_o suffer_v when_o he_o have_v do_v that_o he_o charge_v they_o say_v tell_v the_o vision_n to_o no_o man_n until_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a matt._n 17._o 9_o because_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o will_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o report_n whereas_o till_o then_o man_n will_v be_v very_a difficulty_n persuade_v to_o believe_v such_o prodigious_a and_o unusual_a thing_n though_o after_o that_o and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o apostle_n who_o attest_v it_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o all_o difficult_a to_o yield_v to_o their_o testimony_n that_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o distrust_v it_o and_o therefore_o according_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o their_o faith_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n this_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o all_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n and_o when_o man_n in_o those_o day_n inquire_v after_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o only_a state_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o alone_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o proof_n be_v think_v such_o a_o forcible_a and_o convictive_a confirmation_n that_o it_o supersede_v the_o consideration_n of_o all_o other_o less_o evident_a and_o important_a reason_n and_o where_o this_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o despair_v of_o any_o success_n from_o any_o other_o topic_n and_o principle_n this_o then_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o one_o article_n specify_v according_a to_o the_o method_n before_o propose_v those_o wild_a those_o extravagant_a those_o incredible_a absurdity_n that_o must_v be_v swallow_v upon_o its_o disbelief_n §_o iv._o first_o then_o they_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o both_o will_v and_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n with_o a_o manifest_a lie_n and_o in_o that_o they_o believe_v ten_o thousand_o absurdity_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o credible_a no_o doubt_n that_o man_n endue_v i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n reason_n and_o discretion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o i_o need_v suppose_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n only_o to_o suppose_v they_o possess_v with_o that_o natural_a instinct_n that_o they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o all_o other_o creature_n viz._n love_n of_o life_n and_o desire_n of_o self-preservation_n it_o be_v i_o say_v easy_o credible_a that_o such_o creature_n as_o these_o will_v so_o willing_o so_o wilful_o forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n so_o cheerful_o expose_v themselves_o to_o so_o many_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n so_o many_o reproach_n and_o contumely_n and_o so_o undaunted_o endure_v so_o many_o torture_n and_o misery_n so_o many_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n so_o many_o martyrdom_n and_o persecution_n only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o lewd_a and_o shameless_a imposture_n it_o be_v a_o likely_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n shall_v conspire_v together_o to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o all_o their_o worldly_a interest_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n and_o belief_n to_o a_o palpable_a falsehood_n that_o so_o many_o hundred_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v eye_n witness_n both_o of_o all_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o his_o life-time_n and_o his_o resurrection_n after_o death_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o attest_v a_o false_a report_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n no_o nor_o the_o most_o cruel_a death_n can_v ever_o prevail_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v or_o disow_v their_o testimony_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o though_o not_o very_o usual_a that_o man_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o a_o false_a opinion_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n credible_a that_o they_o shall_v persist_v to_o death_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o a_o false_a testimony_n for_o if_o it_o be_v false_a they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o then_o if_o they_o will_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o its_o truth_n they_o contradict_v the_o first_o instinct_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n for_o nothing_o especial_o when_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o present_a advantage_n in_o the_o lie_n itself_o so_o none_o can_v ensue_v upon_o it_o for_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o expect_v any_o reward_n of_o wealth_n or_o honour_n or_o power_n from_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o extravagant_a and_o a_o proofless_a lie_n nay_o they_o quick_o find_v that_o they_o must_v either_o part_v with_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o life_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o or_o forbear_v to_o spread_v and_o divulge_v the_o fable_n now_o that_o being_n endue_v with_o humane_a nature_n shall_v act_v and_o suffer_v after_o such_o a_o rate_n for_o no_o design_n at_o all_o nay_o against_o the_o design_n of_o all_o design_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o cross_a to_o all_o belief_n that_o i_o may_v challenge_v all_o the_o infidel_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assign_v any_o one_o thing_n that_o be_v more_o incredible_a if_o a_o great_a number_n of_o harmless_a and_o well-meaning_a person_n shall_v offer_v their_o oath_n to_o attest_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o just_o command_v and_o immediate_o overrule_v our_o belief_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o great_a multitude_n will_v seal_v it_o with_o their_o blood_n that_o they_o see_v jesus_n do_v so_o many_o miraculous_a thing_n though_o they_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o never_o see_v he_o do_v any_o one_o of_o they_o they_o be_v certain_o in_o a_o very_a pleasant_a humour_n when_o they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o sacrifice_v both_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n with_o a_o
in_o the_o gospel_n that_o other_o historian_n be_v concern_v to_o record_v as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n be_v exact_o true_a that_o be_v at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o the_o christian_a writer_n be_v faithful_a in_o those_o other_o relation_n that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o their_o own_o history_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o foreign_a testimony_n for_o if_o such_o writer_n have_v be_v exact_a in_o the_o record_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n they_o have_v then_o be_v christian_n and_o not_o jew_n or_o heathen_n suppose_v they_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v no_o friend_n to_o christianity_n they_o have_v give_v in_o all_o that_o suffrage_n to_o it_o that_o can_v be_v reasonable_o demand_v from_o they_o and_o now_o as_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o it_o have_v be_v much_o more_o easy_a than_o it_o be_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o care_v very_o little_a what_o become_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n so_o they_o can_v show_v their_o censure_a faculty_n upon_o word_n and_o particular_o they_o have_v in_o this_o case_n set_v themselves_o with_o their_o utmost_a critical_a severity_n to_o disparage_v or_o destroy_v the_o most_o eminent_a testimony_n cite_v by_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o foreign_a writer_n in_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n scaliger_n the_o father_n of_o they_o all_o lead_v the_o dance_n upon_o what_o motive_n i_o can_v imagine_v unless_o it_o be_v out_o of_o envy_n to_o the_o fame_n and_o glory_n of_o eusebius_n against_o who_o he_o particular_o set_v himself_o and_o his_o endeavour_n but_o however_o the_o design_n look_v like_o a_o novelty_n and_o carry_v in_o it_o a_o ostentation_n of_o learning_n for_o that_o reason_n alone_o he_o can_v not_o want_v a_o great_a number_n of_o follower_n among_o that_o sort_n of_o men._n but_o to_o what_o little_a purpose_n they_o have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n and_o peevishness_n i_o now_o come_v to_o represent_v and_o here_o first_o josephus_n the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n agree_v all_o along_o with_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n he_o give_v the_o same_o account_n and_o description_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o gospel_n he_o give_v we_o the_o same_o narration_n of_o herod_n the_o tetrarch_n and_o particular_o of_o his_o marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n he_o mention_n the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n he_o record_v the_o act_n of_o the_o several_a governor_n of_o judaea_n pontius_n pilate_n felix_n and_o portius_n festus_n and_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o several_a high_a priest_n caiaphas_n joha_n and_o alexander_n the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n and_o of_o saint_n james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n nay_o he_o give_v not_o only_o a_o just_a history_n but_o a_o high_a character_n of_o our_o lord_n himself_o all_o which_o our_o learned_a man_n be_v willing_a enough_o to_o pass_v as_o certain_a and_o warrantable_a history_n except_v only_o that_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n only_o there_o be_v one_o difficulty_n in_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n which_o saint_n luke_n say_v be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n but_o josephus_n not_o till_o after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n which_o happen_v at_o least_o nine_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n so_o that_o which_o way_n to_o reconcile_v this_o difference_n learned_a man_n have_v be_v much_o puzzle_v and_o towards_o its_o solution_n have_v start_v variety_n of_o conjecture_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v of_o no_o very_a great_a concernment_n i_o shall_v give_v some_o account_n of_o it_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o testimony_n concern_v jesus_n §_o xii_o and_o first_o of_o all_o baronius_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o josephus_n be_v mistake_v but_o then_o etc._n this_o be_v to_o cut_v the_o knot_n not_o to_o untie_v it_o for_o our_o business_n be_v to_o reconcile_v he_o and_o the_o sacred_a history_n but_o if_o we_o utter_o reject_v he_o instead_o of_o answer_v the_o objection_n we_o grant_v it_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v irreconcilable_a difference_n between_o he_o and_o the_o evangelist_n though_o here_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o unusual_a disingenuity_n of_o casaubon_n 28._o who_o whereas_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o josephus_n do_v in_o many_o thing_n of_o chronology_n contradict_v saint_n luke_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o must_v stand_v to_o his_o authority_n that_o will_v enforce_v we_o to_o reject_v the_o evangelist_n he_o i_o say_v inveigh_v and_o declaim_v upon_o this_o as_o if_o it_o be_v baronius_n his_o assertion_n and_o not_o his_o argument_n and_o rate_v he_o severe_o as_o if_o he_o have_v positive_o affirm_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o quit_v that_o of_o the_o evangelist_n whereas_o he_o only_o make_v use_v of_o it_o as_o a_o forcible_a objection_n against_o appeal_n to_o josephus_n in_o any_o matter_n wherein_o he_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o such_o case_n say_v he_o we_o can_v admit_v he_o without_o reject_v they_o now_o i_o say_v from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v so_o to_o do_v become_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o a_o learned_a man._n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v to_o observe_v once_o for_o all_o casaubon_n be_v little_o less_o partial_a towards_o one_o extreme_a than_o baronius_n towards_o the_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o that_o learned_a cardinal_n and_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o rake_v together_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v serve_v their_o cause_n embrace_v the_o forge_a and_o spurious_a as_o well_o as_o the_o true_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o casaubon_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o way_n have_v be_v as_o diligent_a to_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o most_o authentic_a writer_n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o slip_n in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_n that_o they_o have_v not_o observe_v in_o their_o critical_a note_n upon_o they_o and_o beside_o that_o they_o reject_v whole_a book_n of_o the_o best_a and_o early_a antiquity_n but_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o have_v between_o they_o both_o do_v this_o great_a service_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o as_o they_o have_v discover_v the_o fraud_n of_o supposititious_a book_n so_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a and_o it_o be_v by_o occasion_n of_o their_o dispute_n that_o we_o be_v come_v to_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o sincere_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o that_o at_o last_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n that_o have_v be_v most_o of_o all_o oppose_a have_v by_o those_o great_a endeavour_n that_o have_v be_v employ_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n gain_v and_o will_v for_o ever_o keep_v as_o undoubted_a a_o credit_n as_o the_o most_o unquestioned_a piece_n of_o justin_n martyr_n or_o irenaeus_n the_o next_o guess_n be_v that_o of_o beza_n which_o be_v follow_v and_o various_o emprove_v 32._o by_o scaliger_n casaubon_n grotius_n and_o other_o viz._n that_o cyrenius_n be_v employ_v by_o augustus_n to_o take_v two_o several_a muster_n of_o the_o people_n one_o with_o a_o tax_n and_o the_o other_o without_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o that_o be_v make_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n for_o augustus_n design_v that_o compendious_a account_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o historian_n so_o often_o speak_v of_o and_o which_o he_o leave_v as_o a_o guide_n and_o direction_n to_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n send_v several_a officer_n through_o the_o several_a province_n to_o take_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o number_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o for_o this_o purpose_n though_o quintilius_n varus_n be_v then_o perfect_a of_o syria_n cyrenius_n be_v join_v in_o commission_n with_o he_o as_o a_o person_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o residence_n in_o syria_n and_o his_o war_n in_o cilicia_n exact_o acquaint_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o east_n as_o afterward_o he_o be_v send_v with_o c._n caesar_n on_o the_o same_o errand_n and_o when_o judaea_n be_v reduce_v into_o the_o form_n of_o a_o province_n after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n and_o the_o first_o tax_n to_o be_v impose_v immediate_o by_o the_o roman_n upon_o the_o people_n he_o be_v particular_o single_v out_o as_o the_o person_n most_o able_a to_o manage_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o he_o may_v be_v employ_v in_o this_o business_n though_o not_o himself_o but_o quintilius_n varus_n be_v then_o perfect_a of_o syria_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o
and_o transaction_n of_o his_o life_n be_v open_a and_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o world_n he_o lay_v not_o the_o scene_n of_o his_o action_n in_o a_o dark_a unknown_a or_o undiscovered_a corner_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o he_o appear_v in_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a place_n of_o all_o asia_n all_o his_o work_n be_v perform_v amid_o his_o enemy_n and_o he_o choose_v the_o jew_n the_o most_o jealous_a and_o the_o most_o prejudice_v people_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o the_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n but_o above_o all_o jerusalem_n itself_o the_o most_o famous_a city_n at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o scene_n of_o his_o most_o public_a action_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o presence_n not_o only_o of_o that_o city_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a nation_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a there_o it_o be_v that_o his_o disciple_n first_o publish_v his_o resurrection_n and_o there_o it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o they_o wrought_v undeniable_a miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o his_o power_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o own_o testimony_n and_o origen_n have_v observe_v very_o well_o that_o the_o public_a death_n of_o jesus_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o 2._o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v design_v by_o the_o divine_a providence_n as_o a_o advantageous_a circumstance_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o if_o it_o have_v be_v private_a and_o not_o notorious_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n though_o he_o have_v afterward_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a as_o he_o do_v the_o obscurity_n of_o his_o death_n may_v have_v be_v plead_v against_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o resurrection_n but_o beside_o the_o notoriety_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o strange_a story_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o in_o a_o little_a time_n fill_v the_o world_n with_o noise_n and_o wonder_n no_o affair_n in_o that_o age_n be_v more_o talk_v of_o than_o the_o story_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n every_o body_n make_v enquiry_n into_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o action_n and_o they_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o the_o philosopher_n there_o be_v never_o man_n bear_v as_o eusebius_n 3._o observe_v upon_o who_o account_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v as_o upon_o that_o of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n mankind_n be_v as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o divide_v concern_v he_o so_o that_o the_o controversy_n be_v not_o improper_o style_v by_o nicephorus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o struggle_a and_o concussion_n of_o the_o world_n now_o it_o be_v a_o likely_a matter_n and_o worthy_a our_o belief_n that_o a_o few_o simple_a and_o illiterate_a person_n shall_v have_v the_o confidence_n but_o much_o more_o the_o ability_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o legend_n so_o palpable_a and_o so_o obnoxious_a to_o contradiction_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o begin_v to_o publish_v the_o strange_a story_n of_o his_o life_n and_o stranger_n one_o of_o his_o resurrection_n even_o in_o jerusalem_n itself_o and_o amid_o his_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n where_o though_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o discover_v the_o bold_a and_o manifest_a cheat_n if_o a_o cheat_n at_o all_o that_o yet_o it_o shall_v pass_v without_o any_o contradiction_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o meet_v with_o such_o prodigious_a and_o unparalleled_a entertainment_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o its_o inhabitant_n certain_o they_o must_v have_v be_v puissant_a and_o irresistible_a argument_n wherewith_o they_o can_v so_o brisk_o bear_v down_o and_o vanquish_v jewish_a stubbornness_n their_o prejudices_fw-la be_v too_o strong_a to_o be_v overcome_v by_o any_o weak_a proof_n than_o evident_a and_o undeniable_a demonstration_n and_o have_v they_o not_o bring_v some_o such_o thing_n along_o with_o they_o they_o may_v to_o as_o much_o purpose_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o stone_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o to_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o that_o i_o say_v be_v the_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v first_o publish_v this_o strange_a story_n in_o the_o very_a place_n where_o it_o be_v act_v and_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v false_a not_o only_o escape_v be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v upon_o supposition_n of_o its_o be_v false_a but_o force_v great_a number_n of_o person_n against_o their_o most_o stubborn_a prejudices_fw-la to_o own_o and_o submit_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o from_o that_o very_a place_n in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o all_o the_o world_n over_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o i_o affirm_v not_o to_o be_v at_o all_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n that_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o under_o these_o circumstance_n if_o real_o and_o indeed_o false_a shall_v ever_o gain_v so_o great_a a_o belief_n of_o its_o be_v true_a i_o will_v grant_v that_o mankind_n may_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o mere_a opinion_n as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n can_v require_v but_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n that_o depend_v not_o so_o much_o upon_o man_n understanding_n as_o their_o sense_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v alike_o here_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a and_o though_o a_o false_a story_n may_v for_o a_o while_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o common_a people_n yet_o unless_o it_o appear_v to_o prove_v itself_o true_a with_o a_o evidence_n proportionable_a to_o its_o weight_n it_o either_o die_v and_o vanish_v of_o its_o own_o accord_n or_o be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n by_o the_o more_o wise_a and_o judicious_a when_o they_o come_v to_o inquire_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o pretence_n and_o yet_o this_o story_n the_o more_o it_o be_v inquire_v into_o the_o more_o firm_o it_o be_v believe_v and_o learned_a man_n every_o where_o and_o of_o all_o persuasion_n when_o they_o come_v to_o examine_v into_o it_o can_v not_o bring_v their_o mind_n to_o any_o issue_n concern_v it_o till_o at_o length_n they_o be_v force_v to_o resign_v up_o themselves_o to_o its_o full_a belief_n i_o have_v indeed_o hear_v some_o witty_a gentleman_n as_o our_o fantastic_a age_n very_o much_o abound_v with_o such_o shrewd_a person_n compare_v the_o first_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o that_o of_o the_o late_a growth_n and_o spread_v of_o the_o folly_n of_o quakerism_n in_o england_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o enormous_o surmise_v for_o set_v aside_o a_o thousand_o other_o defect_n in_o the_o comparison_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o that_o wild_a and_o enthusiastic_a sect_n do_v not_o set_v up_o upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o new_a revelation_n but_o only_o pretend_v to_o raise_v some_o foolish_a and_o fanatique_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o old_a one_o but_o if_o the_o leader_n of_o that_o rabble_n when_o they_o first_o appear_v about_o thirty_o year_n since_o at_o york_n and_o bristol_n have_v pretend_v to_o have_v wrought_v in_o those_o great_a city_n such_o kind_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v record_v of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o have_v be_v long_o since_o bury_v in_o contempt_n and_o oblivion_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o christianity_n that_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o that_o be_v gain_v such_o a_o firm_a belief_n in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v first_o publish_v and_o act_v too_o and_o from_o thence_o all_o the_o world_n over_o only_o by_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o own_o proof_n and_o miracle_n for_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o cautious_a and_o incredulous_a as_o the_o wit_n of_o we_o and_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v anon_o their_o mind_n be_v prepossess_v with_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n how_o then_o can_v this_o story_n of_o jesus_n prevail_v so_o effectual_o upon_o they_o but_o by_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o when_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n whereby_o it_o may_v bribe_v their_o belief_n nay_o when_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o other_o objection_n but_o only_a evidence_n of_o truth_n i_o will_v challenge_v any_o sober_a man_n to_o frame_v any_o the_o least_o tolerable_a hypothesis_n how_o it_o be_v so_o much_o as_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v prevail_v have_v not_o its_o truth_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o most_o undoubted_a and_o
unquestionable_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xx._n this_o be_v the_o first_o invincible_a impediment_n of_o christianity_n suppose_v it_o have_v be_v false_a but_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a it_o labour_v under_o many_o other_o great_a disadvantage_n that_o it_o can_v never_o have_v surmount_v but_o by_o the_o irresistible_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o that_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v first_o divulge_v the_o world_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o it_o extreme_o debauch_v both_o in_o its_o manner_n and_o principle_n for_o julius_n caesar_n have_v violate_v all_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n and_o overthrow_v the_o old_a government_n that_o have_v always_o keep_v up_o a_o generous_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v chief_o raise_v itself_o to_o that_o vast_a greatness_n that_o afterward_o so_o much_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o attempt_n of_o ambitious_a men._n for_o though_o that_o spirit_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o time_n of_o marius_n and_o pass_v down_o through_o all_o the_o great_a man_n cinna_z silvius_n and_o pompey_n all_o of_o they_o struggle_v for_o the_o sole_a sovereignty_n of_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n the_o design_n be_v never_o complete_o compass_v but_o by_o the_o boldness_n and_o activity_n of_o julius_n caesar._n now_o the_o success_n of_o the_o caesarean_a faction_n that_o be_v general_o atheist_n and_o epicurean_o against_o the_o patriot_n of_o the_o old_a state_n that_o be_v as_o general_o eminent_a for_o worth_n and_o honour_n virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o public_a good_a make_v the_o thrive_a principle_n and_o practice_n quick_o come_v into_o fashion_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o world_n and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o brutus_n we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o ancient_a roman_a but_o what_o he_o say_v in_o passion_n be_v serious_o and_o universal_o embrace_v as_o a_o great_a truth_n that_o virtue_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a name_n so_o that_o if_o we_o survey_v the_o roman_a history_n before_o and_o after_o the_o usurpation_n of_o caesar_n it_o do_v not_o look_v like_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n the_o former_a abound_v with_o the_o brave_a example_n of_o gallantry_n and_o magnanimity_n whereas_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o be_v general_o entertain_v with_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o fraud_n and_o treachery_n even_o the_o admire_a wisdom_n of_o the_o great_a augustus_n himself_o be_v no_o better_a than_o craft_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o though_o his_o successor_n tiberius_n be_v particular_o remarque_v for_o that_o vice_n it_o be_v only_o because_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v his_o part_n so_o artificial_o as_o his_o predecessor_n have_v do_v who_o die_v with_o that_o particular_a comfort_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v so_o skilful_o play_v the_o comedy_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o certain_o of_o all_o prince_n upon_o record_n he_o have_v the_o most_o subtle_a faculty_n of_o appear_v high_o honest_a without_o any_o design_n of_o ever_o be_v so_o in_o short_a under_o his_o reign_n all_o the_o principle_n of_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n be_v prevalent_a in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n that_o then_o prescribe_a manner_n to_o the_o best_a part_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n neither_o be_v their_o practice_n disagree_v to_o their_o principle_n for_o as_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o restraint_n of_o virtue_n and_o modesty_n so_o they_o entire_o devote_v themselves_o to_o luxury_n and_o sensuality_n and_o study_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o emprove_v their_o brutish_a pleasure_n to_o the_o utmost_a extravagance_n of_o enjoyment_n and_o as_o be_v the_o great_a court_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v all_o the_o other_o lesser_a court_n of_o their_o several_a prefect_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o imitation_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a baseness_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o scarce_o any_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n that_o be_v epicurean_o and_o vilain_n by_o principle_n be_v prefer_v by_o j._n caesar_n to_o authority_n in_o the_o empire_n though_o thing_n grow_v much_o worse_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o mark_n anthony_n a_o man_n knead_v up_o of_o lust_n and_o malice_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o he_o be_v not_o more_o of_o each_o be_v because_o he_o be_v all_o both_o for_o he_o will_v never_o unless_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o lust_n quit_v his_o cruelty_n nor_o ever_o unless_o to_o satisfy_v his_o cruelty_n forsake_v his_o lust_n and_o as_o himself_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o baseness_n so_o he_o will_v advance_v none_o to_o preferment_n but_o such_o as_o have_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o his_o good_a like_n by_o their_o more_o than_o ordinary_a wickedness_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o judaea_n and_o the_o part_n about_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n more_o overrun_v with_o vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o in_o any_o former_a age_n in_o that_o herod_n one_o of_o the_o vile_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v have_v by_o the_o patronage_n of_o mark_n anthony_n obtain_v their_o government_n and_o by_o a_o long_a reign_n over_o they_o after_o his_o patron_n be_v death_n under_o augustus_n have_v familiarise_v all_o manner_n of_o the_o most_o licentious_a wickedness_n to_o the_o people_n even_o so_o much_o that_o one_o half_a of_o the_o lead_a man_n even_o among_o the_o jew_n themselves_o that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a through_o all_o age_n for_o their_o reverence_n to_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o better_a than_o open_a and_o avow_v atheist_n now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n that_o consist_v of_o precept_n of_o chastity_n and_o sobriety_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o kindness_n and_o charity_n and_o of_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o reward_n of_o another_o to_o make_v its_o way_n into_o such_o a_o wicked_a world_n as_o this_o man_n of_o atheistical_a principle_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o stubborn_a and_o inflexible_a they_o scorn_v all_o manner_n of_o better_a information_n and_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v possible_o undeceive_v they_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o overcome_v person_n so_o prejudice_v and_o so_o conceit_v unless_o we_o can_v by_o the_o mere_a evidence_n of_o thing_n force_v they_o into_o conviction_n and_o as_o for_o man_n of_o luxurious_a life_n they_o have_v neither_o mind_n nor_o leisure_n to_o attend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v reclaim_v they_o it_o be_v pain_n to_o they_o to_o think_v of_o part_v with_o their_o pleasure_n they_o will_v labour_v to_o preserve_v they_o upon_o any_o term_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v no_o information_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o fasten_v on_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o sudden_o reform_v infinite_a number_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n it_o must_v have_v bring_v along_o with_o it_o a_o real_a evidence_n equal_a to_o its_o pretend_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a commission_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o it_o require_v strict_a obedience_n to_o all_o its_o command_n so_o it_o must_v have_v prove_v the_o reality_n of_o its_o commission_n by_o such_o certain_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o most_o refractory_a person_n to_o withstand_v its_o force_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v such_o multitude_n so_o wonderful_o prevail_v upon_o to_o quit_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n and_o vice_n we_o have_v reason_n from_o thence_o only_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o convince_v of_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o its_o pretence_n §_o xxi_o the_o next_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o bold_a and_o open_a defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n for_o of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la those_o of_o religion_n be_v the_o strong_a and_o the_o old_a they_o be_v the_o deep_a root_n they_o take_v and_o therefore_o when_o its_o enemy_n can_v plead_v the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o hundred_o year_n against_o it_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o persuade_v they_o out_o of_o such_o a_o ancient_a prescription_n it_o be_v mere_a novelty_n be_v a_o objection_n of_o no_o small_a force_n but_o when_o a_o new_a and_o upstart_a religion_n will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o its_o own_o authority_n but_o must_v disgrace_v all_o the_o settle_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o refuse_v its_o own_o settlement_n unless_o they_o may_v be_v utter_o extirpate_v this_o can_v not_o but_o seem_v too_o saucy_a a_o demand_n especial_o to_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n to_o require_v of_o they_o not_o only_o
little_a agreement_n among_o themselves_o concern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o preparatory_a fast_o before_o easter_n and_o yet_o this_o variety_n be_v of_o long_o stand_v among_o they_o no_o man_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o impose_v his_o own_o particular_a conceit_n upon_o other_o in_o such_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o last_o of_o all_o mind_n he_o of_o the_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n of_o his_o predecessor_n especial_o policarp_n and_o anicetus_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v one_o another_o to_o change_v the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o these_o epistle_n from_o all_o place_n especial_o of_o this_o of_o irenaeus_n probable_o be_v this_o that_o they_o divert_v victor_n from_o pursue_v his_o design_n for_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o ever_o actual_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n but_o only_o that_o he_o threaten_v it_o but_o whether_o he_o do_v or_o do_v not_o it_o be_v a_o worthy_a piece_n of_o ingenuity_n to_o charge_v the_o folly_n of_o one_o furious_a and_o intemperate_a man_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o in_o spite_n of_o their_o own_o protestation_n against_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n wherewith_o our_o innovatour_n have_v make_v so_o much_o noise_n against_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v remove_v this_o poor_a objection_n which_o i_o can_v not_o avoid_v because_o it_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o huff_n and_o confidence_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o remain_a witness_n of_o our_o primitive_a tradition_n and_o here_o i_o can_v pass_v by_o papias_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o no_o great_a learning_n or_o judgement_n yet_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o clear_a honesty_n and_o simplicity_n and_o live_v near_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v not_o search_v after_o their_o story_n in_o book_n but_o make_v it_o his_o particular_a business_n to_o inquire_v of_o their_o familiar_a acquaintance_n after_o their_o say_n and_o custom_n if_o any_o come_v in_o my_o way_n say_v he_o that_o be_v 39_o a_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n forthwith_o i_o inquire_v of_o he_o after_o the_o say_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o andrew_n what_o peter_n what_o philip_n what_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o matthew_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o lord_n disciple_n what_o ariston_n and_o john_n the_o elder_a distinguish_v from_o john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o out_o of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o apostle_n disciple_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v for_o i_o do_v not_o think_v i_o can_v profit_v myself_o more_o by_o read_v their_o book_n than_o by_o the_o more_o lively_a report_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v still_o alive_a and_o hear_v their_o discourse_n this_o be_v a_o peculiar_a sort_n of_o testimony_n give_v in_o to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o man_n plain_a and_o simple_a and_o yet_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a who_o inform_v himself_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o late_o transact_v not_o only_o by_o read_v the_o narratives_n that_o be_v write_v of_o they_o but_o from_o the_o more_o lively_a information_n of_o such_o who_o receive_v it_o from_o eye-witness_n i_o will_v easy_o grant_v that_o he_o be_v as_o eusebius_n describe_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o person_n of_o a_o small_a judgement_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o little_a authority_n as_o to_o his_o opinion_n especial_o of_o the_o millennium_n of_o which_o yet_o himself_o be_v not_o the_o first_o author_n but_o be_v betray_v into_o it_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o general_o believe_v that_o their_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v a_o thousand_o year_n upon_o earth_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o greatness_n and_o glory_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v from_o judaisme_n to_o christianity_n bring_v this_o opinion_n along_o with_o they_o only_o understand_v the_o jew_n more_o gross_a and_o carnal_a notion_n in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o spiritual_a sense_n and_o this_o be_v the_o dispute_n in_o those_o early_a day_n against_o the_o jewish_a heretic_n particular_o cerinthus_n who_o believe_v of_o our_o saviour_n as_o they_o have_v of_o the_o messiah_n that_o they_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v come_v once_o more_o upon_o earth_n and_o reign_v at_o jerusalem_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o pomp_n and_o grandeur_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v papias_n be_v ever_o think_v of_o as_o a_o man_n of_o a_o downright_a and_o untainted_a integrity_n and_o have_v both_o the_o advantage_n of_o converse_v with_o those_o that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o record_v all_o the_o tradition_n which_o they_o deliver_v to_o he_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o last_o be_v satisfy_v in_o that_o way_n of_o information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v register_v concern_v jesus_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o he_o aught_o to_o be_v rank_v quadratus_n who_o write_v a_o apologetic_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o which_o 3._o he_o positive_o aver_v that_o many_o of_o the_o person_n cure_v by_o our_o lord_n of_o their_o disease_n be_v alive_a in_o his_o time_n and_o aristides_n a_o christian_a philosopher_n at_o athens_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n present_v a_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a apology_n to_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n §_o xxxii_o this_o be_v the_o first_o file_n of_o witness_n next_z and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n though_o i_o may_v have_v reckon_v the_o follow_a rank_n into_o the_o same_o catalogue_n because_o they_o be_v twist_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v with_o one_o another_o for_o as_o these_o that_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v be_v not_o all_o precise_o of_o the_o same_o age_n yet_o be_v of_o antiquity_n enough_o to_o be_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v join_v together_o into_o one_o complicate_v testimony_n of_o it_o so_o their_o next_o successor_n follow_v they_o by_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o they_o follow_v one_o another_o for_o succession_n be_v not_o convey_v down_o like_o a_o chain_n by_o certain_a link_n but_o like_o a_o cord_n by_o the_o same_o continue_a interweave_v every_o part_n be_v some_o part_n of_o the_o part_n above_o it_o and_o though_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v by_o century_n yet_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v not_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o series_n live_v with_o some_o of_o the_o former_a as_o they_o live_v with_o the_o first_o that_o live_v with_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o make_v a_o interruption_n any_o where_o between_o the_o channel_n and_o the_o fountain_n head_n wherever_o we_o find_v the_o stream_n that_o alone_o will_v certain_o lead_v we_o up_o to_o its_o own_o original_a but_o this_o will_v appear_v more_o distinct_o by_o the_o degree_n of_o its_o conveyance_n have_v therefore_o bring_v the_o tradition_n down_o to_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n that_o be_v a_o considerable_a time_n beyond_o that_o of_o trajan_n to_o which_o time_n scaliger_n and_o some_o other_o be_v please_v to_o complain_v of_o a_o defect_n of_o record_n but_o with_o what_o reason_n we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o see_v and_o shall_v now_o further_o discover_v by_o our_o follow_a witness_n who_o be_v not_o only_o able_a to_o testify_v of_o their_o own_o time_n but_o of_o the_o forego_n age_n among_o who_o hegesippus_n deserve_v the_o first_o place_n not_o only_o for_o his_o great_a antiquity_n but_o for_o his_o manner_n of_o write_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o so_o not_o concern_v mere_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o own_o age_n but_o to_o make_v a_o diligent_a enquiry_n into_o the_o record_n and_o transaction_n of_o former_a time_n he_o write_v five_o book_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n which_o 8._o he_o style_v commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o he_o have_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o familiar_a style_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o it_o from_o our_o lord_n death_n till_o his_o own_o time_n which_o be_v about_o or_o rather_o before_o the_o reign_n of_o m._n aurelius_n for_o he_o say_v he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n now_o anicetus_n according_a to_o the_o late_a computation_n succeed_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o aurelius_n but_o according_a to_o the_o early_a account_n under_o antoninus_n pius_fw-la so_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n before_o policarp_n and_o this_o description_n he_o have_v give_v of_o his_o voyage_n that_o come_v to_o rome_n he_o
with_o they_o in_o their_o atheistical_a idolatry_n and_o this_o be_v the_o grand_a motive_n of_o all_o their_o persecution_n against_o they_o in_o which_o they_o proceed_v upon_o no_o other_o article_n than_o that_o they_o refuse_v to_o sacrifice_v to_o their_o go_n so_o that_o if_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v absurd_a and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o so_o and_o if_o all_o their_o hatred_n to_o christianity_n be_v found_v mere_o upon_o their_o zeal_n to_o that_o this_o give_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o oppose_v the_o christian_a faith_n notwithstanding_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v as_o i_o have_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o and_o thereby_o it_o will_v appear_v not_o only_o that_o the_o assertion_n be_v a_o probable_a but_o a_o certain_a truth_n and_o so_o will_v not_o only_o answer_v but_o confute_v the_o objection_n by_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o reason_n that_o man_n have_v to_o oppose_v christianity_n be_v their_o be_v gross_o unreasonable_a and_o this_o i_o shall_v make_v good_a first_o as_o to_o public_a persecution_n second_o private_a opposition_n the_o first_o persecution_n be_v raise_v by_o nero_n a_o prince_n sufficient_o brand_v for_o all_o manner_n of_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n but_o above_o all_o for_o his_o brutish_a and_o inhuman_a cruelty_n and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o a_o person_n so_o barbarous_a to_o all_o mankind_n even_o to_o his_o dear_a friend_n and_o near_a relation_n shall_v vent_v some_o of_o his_o fury_n upon_o the_o christian_n but_o as_o bad_a as_o he_o be_v and_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v any_o prince_n unless_o caligula_n more_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a in_o his_o manner_n and_o will_v allow_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o character_n which_o suetonius_n give_v of_o he_o it_o a_o degenerasse_fw-la à _fw-la suorum_fw-la virtutibus_fw-la neronem_fw-la ut_fw-la tamen_fw-la vitia_n cujusque_fw-la quasi_fw-la tradita_fw-la &_o ingenita_fw-la retulerit_fw-la that_o he_o lose_v all_o the_o virtue_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o retain_v all_o their_o vice_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v but_o think_v he_o to_o have_v be_v paint_v a_o much_o great_a monster_n than_o he_o deserve_v i_o will_v indeed_o grant_v his_o folly_n to_o have_v exceed_v the_o ordinary_a rate_n of_o madness_n especial_o his_o vanity_n of_o fiddle_v sing_v and_o act_v of_o play_n for_o which_o he_o so_o high_o value_v himself_o and_o be_v so_o ridiculous_o flatter_v by_o other_o and_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o it_o neglect_v all_o affair_n of_o state_n leave_v rome_n to_o show_v his_o skill_n in_o the_o city_n of_o greece_n return_v home_o with_o triumphal_a pomp_n in_o the_o habit_n of_o a_o player_n and_o with_o the_o show_v of_o all_o his_o victory_n in_o short_a he_o be_v not_o so_o jealous_a of_o a_o rival_n in_o the_o empire_n as_o of_o a_o skilful_a comedian_n and_o at_o his_o fall_n be_v much_o more_o grieve_a to_o be_v upbraid_v with_o be_v a_o bad_a fiddler_n than_o a_o bad_a emperor_n neither_o be_v he_o less_o exorbitant_a in_o his_o lust_n than_o in_o his_o vanity_n and_o it_o be_v both_o together_o that_o so_o much_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o public_a scorn_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o people_n but_o for_o the_o vice_n of_o cruelty_n wherewith_o he_o be_v so_o severe_o charge_v and_o of_o which_o no_o doubt_n he_o be_v high_o guilty_a i_o can_v but_o think_v he_o overload_v by_o the_o historian_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o wild_a paradox_n attempt_v by_o cardan_n though_o witty_o perform_v to_o write_v a_o encomium_n of_o his_o great_a virtue_n but_o above_o all_o his_o clemency_n in_o which_o he_o will_v have_v he_o to_o have_v excel_v the_o best_a of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n yet_o that_o he_o be_v not_o so_o bloody_a as_o he_o be_v usual_o represent_v appear_v as_o by_o many_o other_o act_n of_o mercy_n towards_o his_o enemy_n so_o particular_o as_o tender_a as_o he_o be_v of_o his_o reputation_n by_o not_o punish_v as_o most_o other_o emperor_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v the_o know_a libeler_n against_o his_o person_n and_o government_n with_o capital_a penalty_n and_o as_o for_o his_o other_o severity_n this_o at_o least_o be_v to_o be_v plead_v in_o his_o behalf_n the_o prodigious_a and_o unparalleled_a wickedness_n of_o the_o age_n that_o be_v so_o universal_o debauch_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o man_n in_o it_o of_o reputation_n enough_o to_o give_v testimony_n against_o he_o so_o that_o though_o he_o be_v both_o hate_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o senate_n itself_o yet_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o contention_n between_o they_o be_v who_o shall_v have_v the_o great_a empire_n in_o wickedness_n and_o his_o restraint_n of_o their_o enormity_n particular_o their_o inhuman_a extortion_n be_v no_o improbable_a account_n of_o their_o great_a displeasure_n against_o he_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o number_n of_o his_o execution_n be_v no_o proper_a objection_n against_o his_o government_n for_o that_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v not_o from_o his_o cruelty_n but_o from_o their_o own_o wicked_a practice_n and_o therefore_o nothing_o can_v be_v determine_v from_o that_o against_o he_o but_o by_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n of_o those_o that_o suffer_v and_o unless_o it_o appear_v as_o it_o do_v not_o that_o they_o be_v false_o accuse_v and_o unjust_o condemn_v their_o be_v execute_v prove_v nothing_o either_o for_o or_o against_o he_o and_o as_o for_o his_o cut_n off_o so_o many_o of_o his_o near_a kindred_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o themselves_o force_v he_o not_o to_o it_o in_o his_o own_o defence_n and_o if_o they_o do_v than_o it_o be_v not_o choice_n but_o necessity_n and_o whatever_o he_o do_v for_o reason_n of_o state_n be_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o time_n very_o allowable_a as_o for_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n claudius_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n that_o he_o have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o that_o be_v whole_o the_o wickedness_n of_o agrippina_n and_o though_o he_o seem_v too_o ungrateful_a to_o his_o memory_n by_o speak_v reproachful_o of_o he_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o he_o be_v put_v upon_o it_o by_o the_o instigation_n of_o seneca_n who_o it_o seem_v that_o dull_a emperor_n have_v disoblige_v as_o for_o agrippina_n she_o be_v a_o woman_n of_o intolerable_a pride_n and_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n she_o have_v poison_v her_o husband_n to_o derive_v the_o crown_n upon_o her_o son_n she_o have_v threaten_v to_o poison_v he_o and_o transfer_v it_o to_o germanicus_n in_o short_a she_o will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o enjoy_v any_o share_n or_o any_o quiet_a in_o the_o government_n now_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v with_o a_o woman_n of_o this_o temper_n indeed_o to_o kill_v she_o she_o be_v his_o mother_n how_o wicked_a soever_o be_v inhuman_a and_o unnatural_a yet_o however_o her_o practice_n can_v not_o but_o force_v he_o to_o some_o undecent_a severity_n at_o least_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o at_o first_o he_o use_v she_o with_o due_a respect_n and_o bear_v her_o insolence_n with_o extraordinary_a patience_n till_o he_o see_v both_o his_o life_n and_o his_o empire_n attempt_v and_o then_o it_o be_v but_o time_n to_o secure_v himself_o though_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o some_o gentle_a way_n than_o by_o put_v she_o to_o death_n in_o short_a if_o agrippina_n be_v so_o bad_a as_o the_o historian_n represent_v she_o to_o have_v be_v nero_n be_v not_o because_o his_o cruel_a usage_n of_o she_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n force_v by_o she_o own_o wickedness_n as_o for_o germanicus_n he_o must_v die_v not_o only_o as_o a_o declare_a rival_n to_o the_o empire_n but_o as_o the_o true_a and_o rightful_a heir_n of_o the_o crown_n and_o this_o practice_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o emperor_n but_o either_o get_v the_o crown_n or_o secure_v it_o by_o murder_n all_o which_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o prodigious_a dotage_n of_o augustus_n who_o after_o all_o his_o great_a craft_n instead_o of_o secure_v the_o empire_n to_o his_o own_o near_a kindred_n only_o oblige_v his_o successor_n to_o murder_v they_o for_o their_o own_o security_n for_o when_o he_o pass_v over_o the_o right_a heir_n to_o settle_v the_o empire_n upon_o tiberius_n it_o be_v obvious_a that_o tiberius_n can_v never_o think_v himself_o secure_a in_o his_o throne_n till_o all_o that_o have_v a_o antecedent_n right_a to_o it_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n so_o that_o the_o blame_n of_o tiberius_n his_o cruelty_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o be_v charge_v upon_o augustus_n his_o folly_n who_o by_o his_o preposterous_a settlement_n of_o the_o crown_n upon_o he_o make_v it_o
illic_fw-la reperietis_fw-la primum_fw-la neronem_fw-la in_o hanc_fw-la sectam_fw-la cum_fw-la maximè_fw-la romae_fw-la orientem_fw-la caesariano_n gladio_fw-la ferocisse_fw-la sed_fw-la tali_fw-la dedicatore_fw-la damnationis_fw-la nostrae_fw-la etiam_fw-la gloriamur_fw-la qai_fw-fr enim_fw-la scit_fw-la illum_fw-la intelligere_fw-la potest_fw-la non_fw-la nisi_fw-la grande_fw-fr aliquod_fw-la bonum_fw-la à _fw-la nerone_n damnatum_fw-la tentaverat_fw-la &_o domitianus_n portio_fw-la neronis_n de_fw-la crudelitate_fw-la sed_fw-la qua_fw-la &_o homo_fw-la facile_fw-la coeptum_fw-la repressit_fw-la restitatis_fw-la etiam_fw-la quos_fw-la relegaverat_fw-la if_o you_o search_v your_o own_o record_n you_o will_v find_v that_o nero_n be_v the_o first_o emperor_n that_o imbrue_v his_o hand_n in_o christian_a blood_n but_o we_o glory_n in_o the_o hatred_n of_o such_o a_o enemy_n as_o nero_n for_o whoever_o know_v the_o man_n can_v but_o know_v that_o it_o must_v be_v some_o very_a great_a good_a thing_n that_o nero_n hate_v and_o domitian_n too_o a_o piece_n of_o the_o same_o cruelty_n make_v the_o same_o attempt_n but_o have_v in_o he_o either_o some_o little_a humanity_n or_o the_o inconstancy_n of_o mankind_n for_o which_o of_o these_o tertullian_n mean_v by_o his_o qua_fw-la &_o homo_fw-la be_v altogether_o ambiguous_a he_o desist_v from_o his_o design_n and_o revoke_v his_o own_o proscription_n §_o thirty-nine_o the_o three_o persecution_n happen_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n and_o be_v set_v on_o foot_n upon_o variety_n of_o design_n all_o which_o be_v very_o remote_a from_o any_o fair_a inquiry_n into_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n itself_o the_o first_o be_v the_o old_a jealousy_n of_o our_o saviour_n kindred_n and_o the_o line_n of_o david_n and_o this_o as_o hegesippus_n inform_v we_o be_v start_v by_o 32._o the_o jew_n and_o the_o gnostic_n against_o symeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n the_o brother_n of_o joseph_n than_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o at_o a_o time_n when_o all_o the_o royal_a family_n of_o judah_n be_v seek_v after_o and_o dispatch_v out_o of_o the_o way_n as_o pretend_a rival_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v this_o good_a old_a man_n put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o hundred_o and_o one_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o his_o age._n the_o second_o motive_n of_o this_o persecution_n be_v the_o emperor_n great_a jealousy_n of_o those_o society_n call_v heteriae_n that_o have_v often_o create_v great_a mischief_n and_o trouble_n to_o the_o empire_n and_o therefore_o for_o the_o prevention_n of_o such_o disturbance_n he_o strict_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o association_n and_o public_a meeting_n and_o in_o this_o point_n of_o government_n he_o be_v so_o peremptory_a that_o when_o pliny_n move_v he_o to_o erect_v a_o corporation_n of_o smith_n at_o nicomedia_n as_o a_o great_a convenience_n to_o the_o city_n he_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v induce_v to_o allow_v it_o now_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n be_v grow_v numerous_a they_o fall_v under_o the_o edge_n of_o this_o law_n and_o it_o be_v according_o execute_v against_o they_o by_o the_o governor_n and_o pro_fw-la consul_n in_o their_o several_a province_n it_o be_v common_o suppose_v that_o this_o edict_n against_o these_o illegal_a society_n be_v publish_v on_o purpose_n to_o ensnare_v the_o christian_a meeting_n and_o it_o be_v possible_a it_o may_v be_v so_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o in_o history_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o emperor_n be_v possess_v with_o a_o particular_a jealousy_n against_o all_o kind_n of_o assembly_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o forementioned_a case_n of_o the_o smith_n of_o nicomedia_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o particular_a design_n against_o the_o christian_n be_v evident_a from_o his_o answer_n to_o pliny_n letter_n by_o which_o he_o inform_v the_o emperor_n how_o he_o have_v execute_v this_o edict_n in_o his_o province_n against_o they_o and_o what_o number_n he_o have_v punish_v for_o their_o obstinacy_n against_o the_o law_n but_o have_v make_v enquiry_n into_o the_o design_n of_o their_o meeting_n he_o be_v sufficient_o satisfy_v of_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o man_n and_o therefore_o desire_v direction_n from_o he_o after_o what_o manner_n he_o shall_v proceed_v against_o they_o or_o whether_o at_o all_o the_o emperor_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o he_o receive_v of_o the_o peaceableness_n of_o the_o christian_n take_v off_o the_o severity_n of_o his_o edict_n against_o they_o and_o gives_z instruction_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v seek_v for_o as_o be_v real_o innocent_a yet_o if_o they_o be_v accuse_v and_o convict_a they_o shall_v be_v punish_v according_a to_o law_n that_o be_v for_o the_o good_a example_n of_o government_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v all_o that_o emperor_n design_n in_o his_o law_n and_o proceed_n against_o the_o christian_n otherwise_o certain_o he_o will_v never_o have_v remit_v the_o execution_n of_o a_o law_n of_o which_o he_o be_v so_o tender_a only_o for_o their_o sake_n but_o because_o this_o be_v the_o first_o prosecution_n in_o which_o we_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n like_o legal_a proceed_n against_o the_o christian_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a method_n of_o procedure_v against_o they_o both_o in_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a persecution_n and_o so_o without_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o a_o distinct_a narrative_n of_o every_o one_o give_v he_o a_o true_a state_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o all_o and_o from_o thence_o it_o will_v evident_o appear_v that_o they_o proceed_v not_o upon_o any_o sober_a enquiry_n but_o be_v mere_o drive_v on_o by_o brutish_a folly_n and_o madness_n the_o head_n of_o their_o accusation_n then_o be_v either_o real_a or_o feign_a the_o feign_a be_v apparent_o the_o contrivance_n of_o malice_n and_o the_o real_a be_v as_o apparent_o the_o charge_n of_o folly_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o each_o particular_a the_o first_o and_o great_a charge_n of_o all_o be_v the_o christian_n contempt_n of_o their_o god_n and_o religion_n but_o here_o the_o cause_n of_o paganism_n be_v so_o foul_a and_o brutish_a that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o dishonourable_a abuse_n that_o ever_o be_v put_v upon_o humane_a nature_n and_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n undeniable_o evident_a it_o will_v have_v be_v incredible_a that_o mankind_n shall_v ever_o sink_v into_o such_o a_o senseless_a stupidity_n the_o barbarous_a people_n who_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n so_o much_o despise_v worship_v only_o the_o heavenly_a body_n but_o these_o polite_a these_o civilise_v these_o philosophical_a nation_n deify_v the_o worst_a of_o thing_n and_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o replenish_a heaven_n with_o such_o a_o rout_n of_o deity_n as_o make_v it_o look_v more_o like_o a_o jail_n full_a of_o rogue_n and_o villain_n than_o a_o habitation_n of_o god_n and_o they_o relate_v such_o foul_a thing_n of_o they_o that_o one_o will_v scarce_o believe_v such_o ill_a report_n of_o the_o vile_a of_o man_n and_o if_o their_o enemy_n will_v have_v set_v themselves_o to_o have_v contrive_v story_n that_o may_v render_v they_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a the_o black_a calumny_n they_o can_v have_v fasten_v upon_o they_o must_v have_v fall_v short_a of_o the_o extravagance_n of_o their_o own_o report_n and_o as_o be_v their_o god_n such_o be_v their_o worship_n too_o all_o lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o such_o thing_n be_v act_v in_o their_o temple_n as_o be_v not_o allow_v in_o the_o public_a stew_n the_o foul_a uncleanness_n be_v their_o high_a devotion_n how_o lascivious_a and_o obscene_a be_v the_o ceremony_n of_o cibele_n priapus_n flora_n and_o venus_n who_o be_v worship_v with_o nothing_o but_o the_o vile_a lust_n and_o wantonness_n so_o foul_a and_o beastly_a be_v the_o celebrate_a mystery_n of_o bacchus_n that_o the_o senate_n of_o rome_n itself_o be_v at_o last_o force_v to_o banish_v they_o out_o of_o italy_n as_o the_o foul_a example_n of_o lust_n and_o debauchery_n in_o short_a the_o prodigious_a story_n that_o they_o tell_v of_o their_o great_a deity_n saturn_n jupiter_n ceres_n or_o the_o mother_n of_o the_o god_n as_o much_o exceed_v the_o wickedness_n of_o mankind_n as_o heaven_n be_v high_a than_o the_o earth_n though_o the_o truth_n be_v they_o represent_v they_o much_o worse_a than_o they_o be_v whilst_o they_o make_v they_o work_v miracle_n to_o compass_v their_o brutish_a end_n for_o when_o all_o be_v do_v they_o be_v neither_o better_o nor_o worse_o than_o mortal_a men._n saturn_n and_o jupiter_n be_v know_v tyrant_n in_o crete_n apollo_n a_o common_a fiddler_n the_o muse_n servant_n maid_n aesculapius_n a_o tooth_n drawer_n in_o arcadia_n venus_n a_o know_a strumpet_n to_o cinyras_n king_n of_o cyprus_n not_o long_o before_o the_o trojan_a war._n these_o and_o like_o these_o be_v the_o god_n they_o worship_v and_o how_o this_o folly_n first_o