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the_o figure_n of_o he_o that_o be_v to_o come_v a_o man_n be_v the_o image_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n but_o the_o woman_n be_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o man_n notwithstanding_o which_o all_o that_o be_v of_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n be_v style_v and_o account_v in_o the_o scripture_n sinner_n ungodly_a enemy_n of_o god_n dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n servant_n of_o sin_n and_o corruption_n child_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o nature_n child_n of_o wrath_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v further_o that_o sin_n dwell_v in_o we_o and_o reign_v in_o our_o mortal_a body_n that_o when_o we_o will_v do_v good_a evil_a be_v present_a with_o we_o and_o we_o find_v the_o flesh_n lust_a against_o the_o spirit_n and_o a_o law_n in_o our_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o bring_v it_o into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n the_o jew_n be_v represent_v as_o subject_a to_o ordinance_n and_o a_o law_n which_o have_v only_o a_o shadow_n of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v 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by_o jesus_n christ_n curse_a be_v every_o man_n that_o continue_v not_o in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n to_o do_v they_o the_o man_n that_o do_v they_o shall_v live_v in_o they_o but_o this_o be_v impossible_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o no_o man_n be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o law_n give_v which_o can_v have_v give_v life_n righteousness_n shall_v have_v be_v by_o the_o law_n but_o the_o scripture_n have_v conclude_v all_o under_o sin_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o faith_n by_o jesus_n christ_n may_v be_v give_v to_o they_o that_o believe_v in_o many_o thing_n we_o offend_v all_o but_o if_o we_o repent_v and_o be_v baptize_v and_o believe_v and_o show_v our_o faith_n by_o our_o work_n and_o persevere_v unto_o the_o end_n we_o shall_v be_v save_v but_o if_o we_o believe_v not_o the_o truth_n and_o have_v pleasure_n in_o unrighteousness_n and_o repent_v not_o of_o the_o evil_n we_o 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my_o design_n plain_o oblige_v i_o to_o do_v the_o other_o branch_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o concern_v the_o practice_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o may_v proper_o be_v style_v christian_a morality_n consist_v of_o such_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o action_n as_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v his_o life_n to_o and_o without_o which_o his_o faith_n be_v dead_a and_o vain_a he_o be_v still_o in_o his_o sin_n and_o he_o must_v expect_v the_o wage_n of_o they_o eternal_a death_n the_o principal_a head_n of_o christian_a duty_n be_v these_o to_o love_n god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o our_o power_n to_o honour_n praise_n
be_v with_o much_o enquiry_n and_o examination_n establish_v this_o every_o one_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o and_o a_o free_a disquisition_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v every_o where_o to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o ancient_a writer_n then_o as_o to_o the_o persecution_n they_o be_v so_o many_o they_o continue_v so_o long_o together_o be_v so_o wide_o spread_v be_v attend_v with_o so_o vast_a a_o number_n of_o very_o new_a and_o remarkalbe_n fact_n and_o so_o many_o of_o the_o writer_n live_v in_o the_o heat_n of_o they_o and_o have_v so_o large_a a_o share_n and_o concern_v in_o they_o themselves_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v most_o of_o they_o at_o least_o very_o true_a the_o four_o observation_n i_o have_v to_o make_v upon_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n writer_n be_v that_o there_o be_v so_o 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several_a other_o remark_n and_o observation_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o write_n of_o those_o christian_n call_v orthodox_n but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a for_o what_o i_o design_n to_o prove_v by_o they_o and_o so_o i_o pass_v on_o to_o consider_v what_o we_o have_v write_v by_o heretiek_n jew_n and_o heathen_n with_o relation_n to_o christianity_n a_o great_a many_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o person_n of_o these_o several_a denomination_n in_o the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a aera_fw-la but_o very_o little_a of_o they_o that_o express_o concern_v christianity_n remain_v now_o and_o a_o great_a many_o of_o these_o write_n be_v lose_v in_o eusebius_n time_n so_o that_o almost_o all_o we_o know_v of_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o orthodox_n writer_n in_o many_o of_o which_o there_o be_v several_a considerable_a fragment_n yet_o to_o be_v find_v and_o account_n of_o what_o be_v lose_v from_o all_o which_o we_o may_v collect_v that_o none_o of_o the_o enemy_n 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endeavour_v to_o evince_v that_o several_a testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o he_o quote_v be_v cut_v out_o of_o the_o bible_n by_o the_o jew_n which_o charge_n whether_o true_a or_o false_a prove_v thus_o much_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o resist_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o by_o deny_v or_o in_o some_o manner_n evade_n the_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n here_o they_o place_v the_o chief_a strength_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o not_o in_o the_o confutation_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o be_v plain_o grant_v in_o the_o argument_n they_o make_v use_v of_o to_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o inference_n draw_v from_o it_o particular_o josephus_n do_v comfirm_v the_o truth_n of_o several_a of_o the_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o such_o as_o necessary_o determine_v the_o oririginal_a of_o christianity_n the_o like_a
themselves_o in_o christ_n their_o whole_a life_n be_v take_v up_o in_o travel_v and_o preach_v and_o labour_v with_o their_o hand_n to_o maintain_v themselves_o their_o whole_a business_n and_o design_n be_v to_o persuade_v people_n to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n many_o be_v their_o trouble_n and_o suffering_n upon_o this_o account_n all_o which_o they_o undergo_v very_o cheerful_o and_o never_o show_v the_o least_o sign_n of_o fear_n or_o regret_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o they_o they_o never_o decline_v a_o opportunity_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n or_o convert_v people_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o upon_o any_o prospect_n of_o danger_n whatsoever_o and_o no_o power_n or_o authority_n of_o ruler_n and_o governor_n no_o severity_n of_o persecutor_n can_v discourage_v they_o in_o their_o work_n the_o other_o person_n concern_v in_o the_o ministry_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n by_o whatever_o name_n and_o office_n distinguish_v 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in_o the_o faith_n who_o he_o have_v convert_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o first_o common_a believer_n who_o be_v not_o call_v to_o the_o ministry_n be_v of_o the_o low_a sort_n of_o the_o people_n and_o several_a of_o they_o scandalous_a and_o notorious_a sinner_n before_o their_o conversion_n but_o some_o there_o be_v of_o the_o better_a and_o rich_a sort_n and_o some_o ruler_n and_o priest_n that_o believe_v in_o christ_n though_o but_o a_o very_a few_o that_o we_o read_v of_o the_o character_n of_o which_o believer_n after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o first_o sermon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v this_o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o of_o one_o soul_n neither_o say_v any_o of_o they_o that_o ought_v of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o possess_v be_v his_o own_o but_o they_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a neither_o be_v there_o any_o among_o they_o that_o lack_v for_o as_o many_o as_o be_v possessor_n of_o land_n or_o house_n sell_v they_o and_o bring_v the_o price_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v sell_v and_o lay_v they_o at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n and_o distribution_n be_v make_v to_o every_o man_n according_a as_o he_o have_v need_v in_o other_o place_n it_o be_v say_v of_o they_o that_o believe_v that_o before_o they_o be_v servant_n of_o sin_n but_o after_o they_o have_v obey_v from_o the_o heart_n that_o form_n of_o doctrine_n that_o be_v deliver_v they_o they_o be_v make_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o become_v the_o servant_n of_o righteousness_n that_o in_o time_n past_a they_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o this_o world_n fulfil_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o mind_n but_o now_o be_v create_v in_o christ_n jesus_n unto_o good_a work_n do_v walk_v in_o they_o that_o some_o of_o they_o who_o be_v before_o fornicator_n idolator_n adulterer_n abuser_n of_o themselves_o with_o mankind_n thief_n covetous_a drunkard_n reviler_n and_o extortioner_n be_v wash_v and_o sanctify_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n many_o of_o they_o that_o believe_v come_v and_o confess_v and_o show_v their_o deed_n many_o also_o of_o they_o which_o use_v curious_a art_n bring_v their_o book_n together_o and_o burn_v they_o before_o all_o men._n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n when_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o manifest_v their_o faith_n by_o their_o work_n turn_v from_o the_o vanity_n of_o idol_n to_o the_o live_a god_n renounce_v all_o the_o hide_a work_n of_o sin_n and_o darkness_n and_o be_v ashamed_a of_o those_o thing_n in_o which_o before_o they_o take_v pleasure_n yet_o offence_n and_o heresy_n do_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o care_n of_o those_o that_o first_o plant_v the_o church_n and_o those_o that_o afterward_o preside_v over_o they_o and_o some_o there_o be_v that_o walk_v disorderly_a that_o preach_v christ_n out_o of_o envy_n that_o teach_v other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o they_o have_v receive_v that_o turn_v after_o satan_n that_o love_v this_o present_a world_n that_o put_v away_o faith_n and_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n but_o these_o bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o faithful_a who_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n be_v speak_v of_o throughout_o the_o world_n such_o be_v the_o first_o publisher_n and_o believer_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o person_n who_o endeavour_v to_o discourage_v the_o belief_n and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o it_o by_o all_o the_o mean_n they_o can_v but_o especial_o by_o contemn_v disgrace_v revile_v and_o persecute_v those_o who_o be_v any_o way_n concern_v in_o maintain_v or_o propagate_a this_o new_a religion_n be_v among_o the_o jew_n their_o king_n governor_n chief_a priest_n elder_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o jew_n as_o also_o the_o scribe_n pharisee_n and_o saducee_n who_o be_v the_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o jewish_a nation_n some_o of_o which_o be_v represent_v as_o very_o wicked_a man_n and_o notorious_a hypocrite_n and_o other_o as_o disbeliever_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o among_o the_o gentile_n the_o magistrate_n ruler_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o city_n philosopher_n sorcerer_n craftsman_n for_o idolatrous_a shrine_n and_o certain_a lewd_a fellow_n of_o the_o base_a sort_n most_o of_o which_o be_v stir_v up_o and_o move_v to_o what_o they_o do_v by_o the_o jew_n that_o live_v among_o they_o this_o be_v the_o short_a and_o plain_a account_n i_o can_v give_v of_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o that_o book_n which_o be_v such_o as_o every_o body_n that_o read_v it_o will_v find_v there_o and_o consequent_o must_v subscribe_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o representation_n however_o he_o may_v doubt_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o original_a the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o 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where_o every_o body_n be_v as_o capable_a and_o certain_a a_o judge_n of_o the_o cheat_n as_o they_o be_v not_o there_o such_o a_o man_n as_o christ_n do_v he_o not_o in_o all_o appearance_n maintain_v such_o a_o character_n do_v he_o not_o pretend_v to_o such_o discovery_n and_o wonderful_a work_n and_o do_v he_o not_o real_o suffer_v such_o thing_n upon_o account_n of_o his_o pretence_n as_o we_o find_v record_v in_o those_o book_n call_v the_o gospel_n all_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v in_o the_o present_a supposition_n which_o fix_v the_o real_a publication_n of_o that_o religion_n we_o now_o profess_v at_o the_o same_o date_n we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o if_o it_o be_v allow_v that_o these_o fact_n be_v true_a then_o do_v it_o certain_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a for_o otherwise_o they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v believe_v as_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v already_o and_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v under_o 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be_v not_o those_o strange_a fact_n believe_v by_o those_o that_o be_v the_o immediate_a witness_n of_o they_o if_o they_o be_v and_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n spread_v and_o increase_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o they_o as_o be_v affirm_v and_o if_o the_o miracle_n be_v true_a must_v needs_o be_v allow_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o neither_o we_o nor_o our_o forefather_n ever_o hear_v of_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o we_o have_v no_o history_n or_o monument_n of_o they_o remain_v how_o shall_v such_o a_o new_a religion_n as_o this_o establish_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o propagate_v by_o vast_a multitude_n of_o professor_n be_v quite_o lose_v and_o wear_v out_o of_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n already_o how_o come_v you_o that_o publish_v it_o to_o be_v the_o only_a person_n that_o can_v recover_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o what_o reason_n have_v you_o now_o to_o believe_v what_o have_v be_v lay_v aside_o by_o those_o who_o by_o be_v near_o the_o original_a be_v better_a judge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o what_o authority_n have_v you_o to_o receive_v it_o and_o enjoin_v mankind_n the_o belief_n of_o it_o these_o be_v question_n which_o a_o impostor_n can_v never_o give_v any_o answer_n to_o and_o without_o satisfaction_n in_o these_o matter_n so_o great_a and_o wise_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n as_o be_v now_o and_o be_v former_o thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v not_o voluntary_o lay_v aside_o all_o their_o ancient_a prejudices_fw-la and_o engagement_n and_o embrace_v a_o new_a religion_n with_o all_o the_o dangerous_a consequence_n that_o they_o know_v must_v attend_v such_o a_o change_n it_o be_v therefore_o manifest_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v there_o ever_o be_v any_o man_n foolish_a and_o impudent_a enough_o to_o publish_v a_o false_a history_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n pretend_v to_o be_v do_v just_a before_o the_o publication_n and_o in_o the_o very_a place_n where_o 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consequence_n of_o which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v very_o great_a and_o concern_v to_o all_o mankind_n and_o which_o by_o the_o credit_n they_o have_v obtain_v and_o the_o opposition_n that_o have_v be_v make_v to_o they_o have_v occasion_v mighty_a change_n and_o alteration_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v very_o absurd_a i_o say_v to_o maintain_v that_o such_o fact_n as_o these_o which_o never_o happen_v at_o all_o shall_v at_o any_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v happen_v ever_o come_v to_o be_v geneneral_o believe_v in_o or_o near_o those_o place_n they_o be_v appropriate_v to_o bare_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o publication_n when_o those_o that_o be_v suppose_v to_o believe_v they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o their_o faith_n but_o this_o that_o some_o body_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o
in_o the_o new_a testament_n believe_v how_o then_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o any_o body_n shall_v contrive_v and_o publish_v such_o a_o scheme_n as_o this_o and_o how_o come_v any_o body_n to_o believe_v it_o when_o publish_v if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v true_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o first_o contriver_n publisher_n and_o believer_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n whoever_o they_o be_v must_v have_v be_v either_o person_n of_o no_o religion_n at_o all_o before_o or_o of_o a_o different_a one_o from_o the_o christian_a they_o must_v have_v be_v either_o good_a man_n or_o ill_a man_n such_o as_o live_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o contrary_a to_o they_o but_o whichsoever_o of_o these_o character_n we_o suppose_v belong_v to_o the_o first_o christian_n i_o can_v possible_o account_v for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o principal_a fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o true_a i_o can_v conceive_v that_o a_o atheist_n or_o a_o wicked_a man_n that_o be_v breed_v up_o in_o different_a notion_n of_o religion_n and_o who_o practice_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o christian_a rule_n of_o life_n can_v invent_v such_o a_o scheme_n as_o contradict_v and_o condemn_v all_o his_o former_a opinion_n and_o practice_n or_o will_v have_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o do_v it_o if_o he_o can_v and_o i_o can_v as_o little_o imagine_v that_o there_o be_v any_o person_n before_o the_o appearance_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n who_o can_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o own_o capacity_n without_o any_o divine_a assistance_n find_v out_o such_o a_o noble_a plan_n and_o model_n of_o humane_a life_n as_o that_o contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o by_o the_o extraordinary_a force_n and_o goodness_n of_o his_o own_o disposition_n live_v up_o to_o it_o himself_o before_o he_o recommend_v it_o to_o other_o and_o as_o impossible_a be_v it_o to_o suppose_v that_o such_o a_o good_a man_n as_o this_o shall_v throw_v off_o those_o contrary_a sentiment_n and_o impression_n of_o religion_n he_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o for_o be_v false_a and_o ineffectual_a for_o the_o promote_a a_o good_a life_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n forge_v a_o set_a of_o the_o most_o unaccountable_a lie_n that_o be_v ever_o know_v and_o make_v use_n of_o this_o imposture_n to_o enforce_v the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o his_o new_a principle_n which_o be_v plain_o and_o direct_o inconsistent_a with_o such_o method_n but_o can_v we_o suppose_v any_o person_n capable_a of_o frame_v such_o a_o scheme_n as_o the_o 〈…〉_o without_o the_o help_n of_o revelation_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o or_o true_a history_n for_o the_o fact_n it_o be_v build_v upon_o what_o end_v or_o motive_n can_v be_v imagine_v sufficient_a to_o determine_v he_o to_o do_v it_o he_o can_v not_o propose_v any_o profit_n or_o advantage_n to_o himself_o from_o a_o work_n which_o he_o know_v will_v render_v all_o the_o promoter_n of_o it_o liable_a to_o reproach_n trouble_n and_o affliction_n and_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v hard_a and_o grievous_a in_o life_n for_o this_o whoever_o publish_v the_o christian_a religion_n first_o assure_v we_o be_v to_o be_v the_o lot_n and_o portion_n of_o those_o that_o embrace_v it_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n where_o we_o be_v command_v to_o quit_v all_o we_o possess_v to_o renounce_v all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o world_n to_o expect_v tribulation_n and_o anguish_n ignominy_n and_o death_n and_o to_o suffer_v all_o manner_n of_o persecution_n glad_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o christian_a profession_n how_o can_v a_o man_n that_o make_v this_o a_o part_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o have_v foresight_n enough_o to_o know_v he_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o practise_v it_o himself_o think_v of_o advance_v his_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n by_o such_o a_o invention_n and_o how_o can_v we_o imagine_v any_o uncertain_a doubtful_a prospect_n of_o future_a reputation_n after_o death_n shall_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o bear_v he_o up_o against_o all_o the_o sure_a and_o sensible_a discouragement_n he_o be_v to_o meet_v with_o while_o he_o live_v as_o this_o can_v well_o be_v imagine_v so_o neither_o be_v it_o probable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o mere_a pleasure_n of_o deceive_a shall_v put_v a_o man_n upon_o the_o contrivance_n of_o such_o a_o scheme_n as_o be_v very_o unlikely_a to_o take_v very_o hazardous_a to_o the_o impostor_n and_o very_o beneficial_a to_o all_o that_o be_v deceive_v it_o be_v moreover_o very_o unconceivable_a how_o any_o man_n shall_v think_v of_o advance_v the_o present_a interest_n and_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n by_o persuade_v they_o to_o believe_v all_o the_o wonderful_a fact_n and_o extraordinary_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o relation_n to_o it_o and_o how_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o be_v so_o mighty_o for_o their_o happiness_n in_o a_o future_a state_n which_o he_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o from_o revelation_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o be_v give_v why_o he_o shall_v imagine_v the_o belief_n of_o those_o fact_n and_o doctrine_n necessary_a to_o their_o happiness_n in_o a_o future_a state_n if_o he_o have_v be_v sure_a there_o be_v one_o nor_o why_o he_o shall_v pitch_v upon_o the_o gross_a forgery_n imaginable_a in_o order_n to_o promote_v the_o practice_n of_o such_o virtue_n among_o man_n as_o be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o mean_n he_o use_v for_o this_o end_n we_o can_v therefore_o account_v for_o the_o contrivance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o any_o end_n or_o motive_n that_o be_v likely_a to_o put_v a_o man_n upon_o such_o a_o work_n because_o it_o be_v very_o manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o this_o religion_n that_o the_o author_n of_o it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o imposture_n can_v not_o have_v promise_v himself_o any_o kind_n of_o advantage_n from_o his_o undertake_n and_o upon_o further_a enquiry_n and_o examination_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o if_o any_o man_n have_v be_v wise_a enough_o to_o invent_v such_o a_o religion_n and_o foolish_a enough_o to_o have_v have_v some_o certain_a aim_n and_o prospect_n in_o effect_v it_o his_o success_n can_v never_o have_v be_v answerable_a to_o his_o expectation_n for_o how_o can_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o the_o christian_a have_v ever_o obtain_v so_o general_a a_o credit_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o find_v it_o now_o have_v if_o it_o have_v be_v pure_o humane_a invention_n the_o morality_n of_o it_o be_v so_o pure_a and_o holy_a so_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o prevail_a inclination_n and_o interest_n of_o mankind_n in_o this_o life_n that_o we_o find_v it_o the_o hard_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n by_o continual_a care_n and_o instruction_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o submit_v to_o it_o who_o have_v be_v accustom_v by_o education_n to_o believe_v it_o reveal_v by_o god_n and_o establish_v upon_o the_o condition_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o misery_n in_o another_o world_n who_o be_v confirm_v in_o that_o belief_n by_o the_o concurrent_a faith_n of_o all_o they_o know_v and_o converse_v with_o and_o who_o be_v leave_v without_o a_o possibility_n of_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o pretend_a revetion_n if_o it_o have_v be_v at_o first_o a_o imposture_n how_o then_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o the_o christian_a law_n and_o rule_n of_o life_n shall_v have_v be_v so_o easy_o receive_v at_o their_o first_o publication_n so_o wide_o propagate_v afterward_o and_o so_o absolute_o and_o entire_o submit_v to_o that_o they_o shall_v become_v the_o stand_a unalterable_a law_n of_o so_o many_o different_a country_n and_o nation_n as_o do_v now_o profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n how_o i_o say_v can_v this_o have_v ever_o happen_v if_o the_o first_o set_v of_o person_n that_o embrace_v this_o morality_n have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o it_o have_v be_v express_o reveal_v by_o god_n and_o enjoin_v mankind_n under_o the_o sanction_n of_o eternal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o how_o can_v any_o man_n be_v persuade_v of_o this_o without_o believe_v those_o wonderful_a fact_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a revelation_n be_v found_v but_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o first_o christian_n that_o ever_o be_v believe_v all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n how_o can_v this_o be_v suppose_v of_o they_o except_o they_o be_v true_a how_o can_v we_o possible_o imagine_v that_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v now_o a_o necessary_a part_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o christian_n shall_v be_v believe_v by_o those_o in_o who_o time_n the_o scheme_n be_v lay_v in_o contradiction_n to_o all_o their_o
indirect_o and_o negative_o by_o show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o supposition_n which_o exclude_v the_o be_v of_o god_n can_v be_v true_a p._n 57_o matter_n alone_o consider_v at_o rest_n can_v not_o be_v eternal_a and_o in_o time_n produce_v the_o present_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 59_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o account_v for_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o atheist_n hypothesis_n of_o move_a atom_n p._n 61._o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o world_n have_v exi_v eternal_o under_o the_o same_o form_n we_o now_o behold_v it_o without_o a_o god_n p._n 64._o the_o eternal_a coexistence_n of_o matter_n and_o mind_n improbable_a p._n 71._o suppose_v it_o probable_a neither_o matter_n alone_o nor_o matter_n and_o motion_n nor_o the_o present_a constitution_n of_o thing_n can_v have_v be_v eternal_a independent_o of_o god_n p._n 77._o the_o original_a of_o all_o thing_n from_o god_n further_o evince_v from_o general_a reflection_n p._n 81._o a_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n of_o religion_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o relation_n there_o be_v betwixt_o they_o p._n 91._o of_o the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o obligation_n together_o with_o the_o right_n and_o power_n of_o oblige_v ib._n that_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o order_v his_o life_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v prove_v p._n 102._o from_o the_o natural_a judgement_n we_o make_v concern_v our_o action_n p._n 105._o from_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o god_n in_o make_v we_o which_o appear_v by_o several_a token_n and_o indication_n p._n 117._o in_o the_o frame_n and_o disposition_n of_o our_o mind_n p._n 118._o and_o in_o the_o oeconomy_n and_o constitution_n of_o humane_a society_n p._n 125._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n itself_o a_o regular_a practice_n of_o which_o conduce_v to_o the_o great_a happiness_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o life_n p._n 129._o and_o from_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n which_o be_v prove_v p._n 137._o from_o the_o defect_n of_o a_o general_n and_o regular_a practice_n of_o religion_n here_o p._n 138._o and_o from_o the_o general_n want_v necessity_n and_o imperfection_n of_o our_o present_a nature_n p._n 141._o from_o all_o which_o consideration_n it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v more_o for_o our_o happiness_n to_o live_v religious_o then_o otherwise_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o live_v so_o p._n 146._o the_o certainty_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n further_o show_v from_o the_o pernicious_a effect_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o irreligion_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n p._n 149._o the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o all_o the_o ground_n and_o pretence_n of_o irreligion_n and_o whatever_o be_v allege_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o p._n 181._o irreligion_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o direct_a proof_n p._n 183._o the_o usual_a way_n and_o method_n of_o defend_v it_o improper_a and_o insufficient_a p._n 187._o ridicul_v religion_n prove_v nothing_o against_o it_o ib._n require_v a_o more_o certain_a and_o mathematical_a proof_n of_o it_o unreasonable_a p._n 188._o scheme_n and_o hypothesis_n to_o account_v for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n without_o god_n and_o religion_n absurd_a and_o inconsistent_a p._n 192._o the_o chief_a and_o most_o common_a objection_n against_o religion_n answer_v viz._n p._n 200._o mystery_n seem_v inconsistency_n and_o absurdity_n in_o scripture_n p._n 201._o extravagant_a notion_n and_o pernicious_a doctrine_n maintain_v under_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n p._n 202._o variety_n of_o opinion_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n p._n 204._o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a argument_n urge_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o p._n 205._o scandalous_a life_n of_o great_a pretender_n to_o piety_n and_o virtue_n p._n 206._o religion_n the_o effect_n of_o fear_n and_o education_n p._n 209._o religion_n a_o politic_a contrivance_n p._n 211._o the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o irreligious_a principle_n and_o practice_n demonstrate_v from_o general_a reflection_n upon_o the_o different_a ground_n and_o foundation_n religion_n and_o irreligion_n stand_v upon_o and_o the_o different_a conduct_n of_o those_o that_o act_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o p._n 213._o irreligion_n further_o expose_v from_o the_o cause_n and_o reason_n that_o induce_v man_n to_o take_v up_o atheistical_a and_o profane_a opinion_n p._n 227._o the_o chief_a cause_n of_o atheism_n show_v to_o be_v these_o two_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o after_o reckon_v for_o a_o wicked_a life_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o appear_v great_a and_o wise_a than_o other_o men._n p._n 230._o the_o doctrine_n of_o irreligion_n the_o sole_a result_n of_o prejudice_n and_o not_o deliberate_a reason_v more_o plain_o make_v out_o p._n 239._o from_o the_o character_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o atheist_n ib._n from_o the_o manner_n and_o process_n of_o their_o infidelity_n p._n 242._o and_o from_o the_o confession_n of_o several_a atheist_n themselves_o p._n 246._o a_o account_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o atheism_n and_o deism_n and_o how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v p._n 249._o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v it_o etc._n etc._n the_o content_n the_o connexion_n of_o this_o discourse_n with_o the_o former_a page_n 1._o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o establish_n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n p._n 3._o a_o abstract_n or_o summary_n of_o the_o christian_a scheme_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 8._o the_o general_n subject_a of_o the_o several_a book_n or_o volume_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 9_o the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n p._n 19_o a_o short_a account_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o gospel_n p._n 31._o the_o character_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o that_o assist_v he_o in_o the_o publishing_n and_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n p._n 42._o the_o character_n of_o those_o that_o persecute_v he_o and_o his_o disciple_n and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n p._n 50._o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v with_o all_o the_o important_a circumstance_n which_o refer_v to_o the_o form_n and_o composition_n of_o those_o write_n p._n 51._o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n show_v to_o be_v true_a by_o a_o plain_a direct_a proof_n according_a to_o this_o distinction_n of_o they_o premise_v viz_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n miracle_n and_o prophecy_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n p._n 59_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n prove_v to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o follow_a manner_n p._n 60._o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n right_o assign_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 61._o a_o survey_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n p._n 70._o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o same_o in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n as_o it_o be_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n p._n 74._o this_o proposition_n make_v out_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o p._n 75._o and_o from_o many_o other_o extrinsic_a sign_n and_o monument_n remain_v at_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a under_o constantine_n p._n 105._o such_o as_o be_v several_a custom_n and_o usage_n p._n 107._o relic_n building_n and_o other_o the_o like_a monnment_n p._n 108._o book_n and_o write_a record_n of_o several_a kind_n viz._n p._n 109._o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n p._n 110._o public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v to_o society_n p._n 113._o genuine_a write_n of_o orthodox_n christian_n p._n 119._o book_n write_v by_o heretic_n p._n 132._o jewish_a and_o pagan_a book_n p._n 133._o forge_v and_o suppositious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n p._n 137._o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n show_v to_o be_v true_a fact_n according_a to_o the_o relation_n there_o give_v of_o they_o p._n 140._o a_o account_n by_o way_n of_o introduction_n of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n in_o this_o place_n p._n 141._o and_o what_o kind_n of_o evidence_n these_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o p._n 143._o the_o miracle_n consider_v by_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o different_a period_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v and_o the_o different_a person_n they_o be_v do_v by_o p._n 144._o the_o prophecy_n consider_v apart_o according_a to_o the_o same_o distinction_n of_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 158._o the_o truth_n of_o these_o extraordinary_a fact_n call_v miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o those_o