a_o most_o perfect_a and_o comprehensive_a knowledge_n of_o the_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n 4._o have_v they_o be_v some_o ordinary_a and_o obscure_a writer_n even_o of_o the_o apostolical_a time_n man_n of_o no_o note_n no_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n though_o still_o whilst_o we_o have_v a_o good_a account_n of_o their_o integrity_n the_o very_a advantage_n of_o the_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v will_v have_v render_v their_o discourse_n just_o venerable_a to_o we_o yet_o shall_v we_o not_o perhaps_o have_v be_v oblige_v to_o pay_v such_o a_o deference_n to_o their_o write_n as_o not_o to_o make_v allowance_n for_o some_o little_a defect_n or_o mistake_v that_o may_v have_v happen_v to_o they_o but_o now_o have_v to_o do_v with_o man_n not_o only_o instruct_v in_o common_a by_o the_o apostle_n with_o the_o other_o christian_n of_o those_o day_n but_o particular_o breed_v up_o and_o institute_v by_o they_o have_v here_o the_o write_n of_o man_n who_o have_v attain_v to_o such_o a_o perfect_a knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n and_o be_v judge_v to_o have_v be_v so_o well_o ground_v and_o settle_v in_o it_o as_o to_o deserve_v to_o be_v raise_v up_o by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o government_n of_o such_o eminent_a church_n as_o those_o over_o which_o these_o holy_a man_n be_v overseer_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v to_o we_o as_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n but_o aught_o to_o receive_v it_o if_o not_o with_o equal_a veneration_n yet_o but_o with_o a_o little_a less_o respect_n than_o we_o do_v the_o sacred_a write_n of_o those_o who_o be_v their_o master_n and_o instructer_n 5._o yet_o far_o three_o the_o follow_a author_n be_v not_o only_o such_o eminent_a man_n and_o breed_v up_o under_o such_o mighty_a advantage_n and_o so_o well_o instruct_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o i_o have_v now_o observe_v but_o they_o be_v moreover_o person_n of_o a_o consummate_v piety_n adorn_v with_o all_o those_o christian_a virtue_n they_o so_o affectionate_o recommend_v to_o we_o but_o especial_o they_o be_v zealous_a watchman_n over_o their_o church_n careful_a to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o no_o less_o careful_a to_o preserve_v they_o against_o the_o contagion_n of_o those_o heresy_n which_o even_o in_o their_o day_n begin_v to_o corrupt_v the_o purity_n of_o it_o hence_o we_o read_v with_o what_o earnestness_n that_o bless_a martyr_n ignatius_n first_o and_o then_o his_o fellow-disciple_n st._n polycarp_n set_v themselves_o against_o those_o who_o will_v insinuate_v some_o other_o doctrine_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o people_n than_o what_o the_o apostle_n have_v deliver_v unto_o they_o what_o wise_a direction_n they_o give_v they_o for_o the_o discovery_n of_o such_o false_a teacher_n and_o how_o earnest_o they_o exhort_v they_o by_o keep_v firm_a to_o their_o 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out_o with_o astonishment_n and_o grief_n good_a god_n to_o what_o time_n have_v thou_o reserve_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v endure_v this_o nay_o he_o will_v not_o tarry_v in_o the_o same_o place_n with_o such_o a_o person_n but_o will_v leave_v the_o house_n if_o he_o know_v that_o any_o heretic_n be_v in_o it_o 7._o but_o of_o the_o care_n which_o these_o holy_a man_n have_v to_o keep_v close_o in_o every_o the_o least_o circumstance_n to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v i_o think_v desire_v a_o fair_a instance_n to_o convince_v we_o than_o what_o eusebius_n have_v record_v of_o the_o same_o bless_a martyr_n how_o that_o hear_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n about_o the_o time_n of_o keep_v easter_n he_o think_v it_o worthy_a his_o pain_n at_o a_o extreme_a old_a age_n to_o take_v a_o journey_n as_o far_o as_o rome_n for_o the_o compose_n of_o it_o and_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o anicetus_n who_o be_v then_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n can_v say_v to_o move_v he_o from_o his_o practice_n yet_o have_v this_o ground_n for_o it_o that_o st._n john_n be_v wont_a to_o keep_v easter_n as_o he_o do_v the_o good_a man_n hold_v close_o to_o it_o and_o will_v not_o hear_v of_o change_v a_o custom_n which_o that_o bless_a apostle_n have_v deliver_v to_o he_o 8._o and_o when_o such_o be_v the_o care_n which_o these_o holy_a writer_n have_v of_o hold_v fast_o even_o to_o the_o least_o particular_a of_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n that_o they_o will_v not_o comply_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n in_o such_o a_o indifferent_a matter_n only_o because_o by_o so_o do_v they_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o one_o of_o they_o sure_o we_o may_v with_o confidence_n depend_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o deliver_v as_o most_o pure_a and_o genuine_a what_o our_o saviour_n teach_v his_o apostle_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o and_o what_o irenaeus_n once_o say_v of_o his_o master_n polycarp_n we_o may_v with_o equal_a truth_n and_o assurance_n apply_v to_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o father_n who_o treatise_n i_o have_v here_o put_v together_o that_o they_o teach_v evermore_o what_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o also_o they_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o which_o only_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ._n 9_o to_o this_o general_a piety_n of_o their_o life_n and_o care_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o their_o religion_n let_v i_o add_v four_o their_o courage_n and_o constancy_n in_o the_o maintain_n of_o it_o how_o great_a this_o be_v i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o the_o particular_a account_n which_o i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o several_a father_n who_o write_n be_v here_o subjoin_v it_o shall_v suffice_v in_o this_o place_n to_o observe_v that_o the_o most_o of_o they_o after_o have_v spend_v their_o life_n in_o a_o careful_a administration_n of_o the_o great_a charge_n to_o which_o they_o be_v call_v be_v at_o last_o make_v perfect_a by_o martyrdom_n and_o undergo_v the_o most_o exquisite_a cruelty_n with_o a_o courage_n and_o constancy_n worthy_a both_o of_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v and_o of_o the_o eminent_a character_n which_o they_o have_v obtain_v in_o the_o church_n 10._o now_o though_o this_o do_v not_o immediate_o argue_v the_o purity_n of_o their_o doctrine_n yet_o be_v add_v to_o what_o i_o have_v before_o observe_v will_v give_v we_o a_o new_a ground_n to_o rely_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v for_o since_o we_o can_v reasonable_o doubt_v but_o that_o such_o person_n as_o these_o must_v needs_o have_v know_v what_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v and_o have_v be_v perfect_o instruct_v in_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v esteem_v able_a and_o worthy_a to_o preach_v to_o other_o we_o have_v in_o this_o a_o clear_a demonstration_n of_o their_o integrity_n both_o in_o their_o teach_v and_o write_v of_o it_o and_o must_v conclude_v that_o they_o who_o live_v such_o excellent_a life_n and_o take_v so_o much_o pain_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o stick_v with_o such_o firmness_n to_o it_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o endeavour_n of_o their_o enemy_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o choose_v rather_o to_o undergo_v the_o most_o bitter_a death_n than_o they_o will_v in_o any_o wise_a depart_n from_o it_o have_v doubtless_o deal_v most_o upright_o in_o this_o matter_n and_o deliver_v nothing_o to_o we_o but_o what_o they_o take_v for_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o therefore_o we_o may_v conclude_v undoubted_o be_v so_o 11._o such_o good_a reason_n then_o have_v we_o upon_o all_o these_o account_n to_o look_v upon_o the_o write_n of_o these_o holy_a man_n as_o contain_v the_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a doctrine_n of_o
the_o viii_o the_o general_a council_n by_o the_o party_n of_o that_o ignatius_n who_o be_v then_o set_v up_o in_o opposition_n to_o photius_n and_o from_o thence_o derive_v both_o to_o anastasius_n among_o the_o latin_n and_o to_o metaphrastes_n among_o the_o greek_n 7._o to_o pass_v then_o from_o this_o fabulous_a account_n of_o this_o title_n let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o true_a import_n of_o it_o now_o for_o that_o as_o we_o can_v have_v any_o better_a so_o neither_o need_n we_o desire_v any_o other_o account_n than_o what_o this_o holy_a man_n himself_o give_v the_o emperor_n of_o that_o name_n when_o be_v ask_v by_o he_o who_o be_v theophorus_n he_o reply_v he_o who_o have_v christ_n in_o his_o breast_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n be_v this_o name_n common_o use_v among_o the_o ancient_n as_o have_v be_v show_v in_o a_o multitude_n of_o example_n by_o bishop_n pearson_n in_o his_o elaborate_v vindication_n of_o ignatius_n epistle_n i_o shall_v offer_v only_o one_o of_o they_o that_o of_o st._n cyrill_n who_o anathematize_n those_o who_o shall_v call_v our_o saviour_n christ_n theophorus_n lest_o say_v he_o he_o shall_v thereby_o be_v understand_v to_o have_v be_v no_o other_o than_o one_o of_o the_o saint_n 8._o it_o remain_v then_o that_o ignatius_n be_v call_v theophorus_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n than_o as_o any_o other_o divine_a or_o excellent_a person_n may_v have_v be_v so_o call_v namely_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o admirable_a piety_n because_o his_o soul_n be_v full_a of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o sanctify_v with_o a_o extraordinary_a portion_n of_o the_o divine_a grace_n as_o both_o his_o life_n show_v and_o the_o earnest_n desire_v he_o have_v to_o be_v dissolve_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n and_o his_o joy_n when_o he_o see_v himself_o approach_v towards_o it_o and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o his_o constancy_n in_o his_o last_o and_o most_o terrible_a conflict_n with_o the_o wild_a beast_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o doubt_v 9_o but_o though_o the_o story_n then_o of_o our_o saviour_n take_v st._n ignatius_n into_o his_o arm_n be_v of_o no_o credit_n yet_o thus_o much_o st._n chrysostome_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o instruct_v by_o they_o in_o the_o full_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n what_o be_v the_o country_n that_o give_v birth_n to_o this_o bless_a saint_n or_o who_o his_o parent_n we_o can_v tell_v indeed_o as_o to_o the_o former_a of_o these_o his_o country_n a_o late_a author_n have_v endeavour_v from_o a_o passage_n in_o abulfaragius_n set_v out_o by_o our_o incomparable_a dr._n pocock_n to_o fix_v it_o at_o nora_n in_o sardinia_n a_o place_n which_o still_o retain_v its_o anicent_a name_n with_o very_o little_a variation_n this_o be_v certain_a that_o grow_v eminent_a both_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o a_o life_n exact_o frame_v according_a to_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o it_o he_o be_v upon_o the_o death_n of_o evodius_n choose_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v still_o live_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n the_o metropolis_n of_o syria_n and_o whatever_o anastasius_n pretend_v receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o they_o 10._o how_o he_o behave_v himself_o in_o this_o great_a station_n though_o we_o have_v no_o particular_a account_n leave_v to_o we_o yet_o may_v we_o easy_o conclude_v from_o that_o short_a hint_n that_o be_v give_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n where_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n in_o all_o thing_n like_v unto_o the_o apostle_n that_o as_o a_o good_a governor_n by_o the_o helm_n of_o prayer_n and_o fast_v by_o the_o constancy_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o spiritual_a labour_n he_o oppose_v himself_o to_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o adversary_n that_o he_o be_v like_o a_o divine_a lamp_n illuminate_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a by_o his_o exposition_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o last_o that_o to_o preserve_v his_o church_n he_o doubt_v not_o free_o and_o of_o his_o own_o accord_n to_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o most_o bitter_a death_n this_o be_v in_o general_a the_o character_n of_o his_o behaviour_n in_o his_o church_n of_o antioch_n and_o a_o great_a than_o which_o can_v hardly_o be_v give_v to_o any_o man._n nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o doubt_v but_o that_o he_o who_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o and_o as_o his_o epistle_n still_o remain_v abundant_o testify_v be_v so_o careful_a of_o all_o the_o other_o church_n to_o confirm_v they_o in_o a_o sound_a faith_n and_o in_o a_o constant_a adherence_n to_o their_o holy_a religion_n be_v certain_o much_o more_o vigilant_a to_o promote_v the_o interest_n of_o piety_n within_o his_o own_o diocese_n which_o be_v bless_v with_o his_o government_n above_o forty_o year_n 11._o hence_o we_o may_v observe_v what_o a_o tender_a concern_v he_o express_v in_o all_o his_o epistle_n for_o his_o church_n at_o antioch_n with_o what_o affection_n he_o recommend_v it_o to_o the_o prayer_n of_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v and_o especial_o to_o the_o care_n of_o his_o dear_a friend_n and_o fellow-disciple_n st._n polycarp_n and_o when_o he_o hear_v at_o troas_n of_o the_o cease_n of_o the_o persecution_n there_o how_o do_v he_o rejoice_v at_o it_o and_o require_v all_o the_o neighbour_a church_n to_o rejoice_v with_o he_o and_o to_o send_v their_o messenger_n and_o letter_n thither_o to_o congratulate_v with_o they_o upon_o that_o account_n 12._o such_o be_v his_o affection_n towards_o his_o own_o church_n and_o his_o care_n of_o all_o the_o other_o round_o about_o he_o and_o by_o which_o he_o become_v in_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a favour_n with_o they_o that_o they_o think_v nothing_o can_v be_v sufficient_a to_o express_v their_o respect_n towards_o he_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o when_o he_o be_v carry_v from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n in_o order_n to_o his_o suffer_v there_o all_o the_o church_n every_o where_o send_v messenger_n on_o the_o way_n to_o attend_v he_o and_o to_o communicate_v to_o his_o want_n and_o what_o be_v yet_o more_o they_o be_v general_o their_o bishop_n themselves_o that_o come_v to_o meet_v he_o and_o think_v it_o a_o singular_a happiness_n to_o receive_v some_o spiritual_a exhortation_n from_o he_o and_o when_o he_o be_v dead_a they_o pay_v such_o a_o honour_n to_o his_o memory_n as_o to_o account_v the_o few_o bone_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o he_o by_o the_o wild_a beast_n more_o precious_a than_o the_o rich_a jewel_n insomuch_o that_o we_o be_v tell_v they_o be_v several_a age_n after_o take_v up_o from_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v first_o deposit_v as_o not_o honourable_a enough_o for_o they_o to_o lie_v in_o and_o that_o be_v bring_v within_o the_o city_n where_o he_o once_o be_v bishop_n there_o be_v institute_v a_o yearly_o festival_n in_o memory_n of_o he_o 13._o as_o for_o what_o concern_v the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o death_n they_o be_v so_o particular_o recount_v in_o the_o relation_n i_o have_v here_o subjoin_v of_o it_o that_o there_o need_v nothing_o further_a to_o be_v add_v to_o what_o be_v there_o deliver_v of_o this_o matter_n yet_o one_o remark_n i_o can_v but_o make_v on_o that_o particular_a of_o his_o story_n which_o have_v puzzle_v so_o many_o learned_a man_n to_o account_v for_o but_o may_v easy_o be_v resolve_v and_o i_o believe_v most_o true_o too_o into_o the_o overrule_a hand_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n and_o that_o be_v of_o the_o send_n of_o this_o holy_a man_n from_o antioch_n as_o far_o as_o rome_n to_o suffer_v for_o whatever_o the_o design_n of_o the_o emperor_n may_v have_v be_v in_o it_o whether_o he_o intend_v to_o increase_v his_o suffering_n by_o a_o journey_n so_o wearisome_a and_o attend_v with_o so_o many_o bitter_a circumstance_n as_o that_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v to_o a_o person_n very_o probable_o at_o that_o time_n fourscore_o year_n of_o age_n or_o whether_o he_o hope_v by_o this_o mean_n to_o have_v overcome_v his_o constancy_n and_o have_v draw_v he_o away_o from_o his_o faith_n or_o last_o whether_o as_o metaphrastes_n tell_v we_o upon_o his_o consult_v with_o those_o of_o the_o senate_n who_o be_v with_o he_o he_o be_v advise_v not_o to_o let_v he_o suffer_v at_o antioch_n lest_o thereby_o he_o shall_v raise_v his_o esteem_n the_o more_o among_o the_o people_n there_o and_o render_v he_o the_o more_o dear_a and_o desirable_a to_o they_o we_o can_v but_o doubt_n that_o god_n hereby_o design_v to_o present_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n through_o which_o he_o be_v to_o pass_v a_o glorious_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o his_o religion_n that_o can_v enable_v this_o bless_a martyr_n with_o so_o
found_v by_o st._n paul_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o belove_a disciple_n st._n john_n who_o continue_v there_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o trajan_n above_o 100_o year_n after_o christ._n hence_o tertullian_n direct_v those_o who_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v what_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o inquire_v among_o the_o chief_a church_n in_o every_o part_n what_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o they_o and_o be_v the_o faith_n receive_v and_o teach_v among_o they_o bid_v they_o if_o they_o be_v in_o italy_n go_v to_o rome_n if_o in_o achaja_n to_o corinth_n if_o in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n if_o in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_n insomuch_o that_o as_o evagrius_n tell_v we_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n have_v a_o patriarchal_a power_n within_o the_o diocese_n of_o asia_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o four_o general_n council_n and_o long_o after_o that_o theodorus_n bishop_n of_o this_o see_v subscribe_v to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o six_o general_n council_n 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write_v from_o that_o place_n and_o that_o either_o by_o st._n paul_n to_o some_o other_o church_n or_o person_n or_o by_o the_o laodicean_n to_o he_o or_o whether_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o it_o some_o epistle_n that_o be_v to_o be_v communicate_v from_o thence_o to_o the_o colossian_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o the_o more_o probable_a and_o particular_o that_o which_o he_o write_v by_o tychicus_n to_o the_o ephesian_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o write_v by_o he_o to_o the_o colossian_n certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o epistle_n now_o extant_a under_o that_o title_n be_v none_o of_o st._n paul_n nor_o do_v his_o expression_n in_o that_o place_n to_o the_o colossian_n before_o mention_v any_o more_o prove_v there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o than_o that_o other_o in_o 1_o cor._n v_o 9_o prove_v a_o three_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n which_o some_o also_o have_v pretend_v as_o sixtus_n sinensis_n and_o other_o observe_v 17._o it_o will_v be_v endless_a to_o insist_v upon_o all_o the_o other_o spurious_a piece_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n that_o have_v be_v attribute_v to_o this_o great_a apostle_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o observe_v that_o neither_o eusebius_n nor_o st._n jerome_n know_v any_o thing_n more_o of_o his_o write_n than_o what_o we_o have_v in_o those_o epistle_n that_o be_v still_o extant_a in_o our_o bibles_n under_o his_o name_n except_o it_o be_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o which_o thou_o doubt_v of_o by_o some_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v yet_o ascribe_v to_o he_o by_o eusebius_n who_o express_o account_v fourteen_o of_o his_o epistle_n and_o speak_v of_o that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n as_o he_o though_o he_o add_v that_o be_v not_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v by_o some_o suspect_v whether_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n 18._o but_o much_o great_a be_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o supposititious_a piece_n which_o the_o same_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o be_v even_o in_o those_o day_n attribute_v to_o that_o other_o great_a apostle_n st._n peter_n viz._n the_o act_n the_o gosple_n the_o preach_a and_o the_o revelation_n of_o st._n peter_n nevertheless_o see_v he_o at_o the_o same_o time_n declare_v that_o they_o be_v never_o look_v upon_o as_o catholic_n but_o rather_o as_o set_v out_o by_o some_o heretic_n of_o those_o time_n as_o many_o other_o piece_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n be_v under_o the_o venerable_a name_n of_o that_o apostle_n the_o better_a to_o gain_v thereby_o credit_n to_o their_o doctrine_n how_o ancient_a soever_o they_o may_v otherwise_o be_v yet_o they_o will_v not_o fall_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o present_a collection_n nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n of_o they_o remain_v to_o we_o except_o the_o name_n and_o perhaps_o a_o few_o fragment_n scatter_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o quotation_n that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n out_o of_o they_o 19_o to_o these_o let_v i_o add_v 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authority_n but_o then_o as_o du_n pin_n well_o observe_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o ancient_n know_v nothing_o of_o it_o nor_o be_v the_o act_n we_o now_o have_v quote_v by_o any_o before_o the_o time_n of_o etherius_fw-la beforementioned_a and_o yet_o how_o they_o can_v have_v escape_v the_o search_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n have_v they_o be_v extant_a in_o their_o day_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v 34._o but_o much_o less_o be_v the_o credit_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o pretend_a work_n of_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n which_o as_o alexander_n confess_v two_o very_a great_a critic_n of_o his_o own_o communion_n to_o have_v deny_v to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o that_o holy_a man_n so_o have_v a_o three_o very_o late_o give_v such_o reason_n to_o show_v that_o the_o write_n now_o extant_a under_o his_o name_n can_v not_o have_v be_v compose_v by_o he_o as_o aught_o to_o satisfy_v every_o consider_a man_n of_o their_o imposture_n for_o not_o to_o say_v 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and_o suspect_v pope_n gregory_n the_o great_a to_o have_v have_v a_o hand_n in_o the_o forgery_n and_o indeed_o the_o argument_n which_o our_o very_a learned_a mr._n dodwell_n bring_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v original_o write_v by_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v not_o without_o their_o just_a weight_n but_o whatever_o become_v of_o this_o thus_o much_o be_v certain_a that_o these_o book_n be_v not_o write_v before_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o iv_o the_o century_n and_o therefore_o be_v without_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o present_a undertake_n 37._o and_o now_o have_v take_v such_o a_o view_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o present_a design_n of_o all_o those_o other_o piece_n which_o have_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n for_o apostolical_a write_n beside_o what_o be_v either_o here_o collect_v or_o have_v be_v before_o publish_v in_o the_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o suppose_v i_o may_v with_o good_a ground_n conclude_v that_o the_o 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a_o anvil_n when_o it_o be_v beat_v upon_o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o a_o brave_a combatant_n indeed_o to_o be_v beat_v wound_v and_o yet_o overcome_v and_o especial_o we_o ought_v to_o endure_v all_o thing_n for_o god_n sake_n that_o he_o may_v bear_v with_o we_o be_v every_o day_n diligent_a better_o than_o other_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o expect_v he_o who_o be_v above_o all_o time_n eternal_n invisible_a though_o for_o our_o sake_n make_v visible_a impalpible_a and_o impassable_a yet_o for_o we_o subject_v to_o suffering_n endure_v all_o manner_n of_o way_n for_o our_o salvation_n iv._o let_v not_o the_o widow_n be_v neglect_v be_v thou_o after_o god_n their_o guardian_n let_v nothing_o be_v do_v but_o with_o thy_o knowledge_n and_o consent_n neither_o do_v thou_o any_o thing_n but_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o also_o thou_o do_v well-setled_n with_o all_o constancy_n let_v your_o assembly_n be_v more_o frequent_a inquire_v into_o all_o by_o name_n 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relation_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o st._n ignatius_n i._o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a while_n after_o trajan's_n advancement_n to_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o ignatius_n the_o disciple_n of_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n a_o man_n in_o all_o thing_n apostolical_a like_v unto_o the_o apostle_n govern_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n who_o be_v scarce_o able_a to_o mitigate_v the_o storm_n of_o many_o persecution_n before_o under_o domitian_n as_o a_o good_a governor_n by_o the_o helm_n of_o prayer_n and_o fast_v by_o the_o constancy_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o spiritual_a ms._n labour_n oppose_v himself_o to_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o adversary_n fear_v lest_o he_o shall_v happen_v to_o overthrow_v any_o of_o those_o who_o either_o want_a courage_n or_o infirmum_fw-la be_v not_o so_o strong_a in_o the_o faith_n as_o be_v necessary_a at_o such_o a_o time_n ii_o wherefore_o the_o persecution_n be_v at_o present_a somewhat_o abate_v he_o rejoice_v great_o at_o the_o firmness_n of_o his_o church_n yet_o doubt_v himself_o within_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v not_o attain_v to_o a_o true_a love_n of_o christ_n nor_o be_v come_v up_o to_o the_o order_n pitch_n of_o a_o perfect_a disciple_n for_o he_o think_v that_o the_o confession_n which_o be_v make_v by_o martyrdom_n will_v bring_v he_o lord_n to_o a_o yet_o more_o close_a and_o intimate_a union_n with_o the_o lord_n wherefore_o continue_v a_o few_o year_n long_o with_o the_o church_n and_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o a_o divine_a candle_n lamp_n illuminate_v the_o heart_n heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a by_o the_o exposition_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o attain_v to_o what_o he_o have_v so_o long_o and_o earnest_o desire_v iii_o for_o trajan_n after_o the_o 1_o nine_o year_n of_o his_o empire_n be_v lift_v up_o with_o his_o victory_n over_o the_o scythian_n and_o dacian_o and_o many_o diverse_a other_o nation_n and_o think_v that_o the_o church_n of_o the_o christian_n worship_v the_o true_a god_n be_v yet_o want_v in_o a_o entire_a obedience_n to_o he_o unless_o he_o compel_v they_o nation_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o all_o other_o people_n to_o embrace_v the_o service_n of_o devil_n he_o oblige_v all_o such_o as_o be_v the_o worshipper_n servant_n of_o the_o true_a god_n with_o the_o threat_n of_o persecution_n either_o to_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o heathen_a deity_n or_o to_o die_v wherefore_o our_o manly_n brave_a soldier_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o fear_n for_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v voluntary_o bring_v before_o trajan_n who_o be_v at_o that_o time_n there_o on_o his_o way_n to_o armenia_n and_o the_o parthian_n against_o who_o he_o be_v hasten_v iv._o be_v come_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n the_o emperor_n ask_v he_o say_v what_o a_o