apprehension_n of_o pagan_n as_o they_o be_v give_v out_o to_o be_v in_o the_o gospel_n at_o this_o day_n viz._n a_o religion_n institute_v by_o and_o a_o sect_n name_v from_o christ_n a_o person_n of_o such_o holiness_n as_o he_o deserve_v to_o be_v number_v in_o the_o rank_n of_o the_o best_a and_o divine_a philosopher_n and_o will_v have_v be_v enroll_v among_o the_o god_n but_o for_o fear_v that_o the_o religion_n of_o his_o institution_n will_v put_v down_o all_o other_o it_o contain_v those_o excellent_a precept_n which_o so_o civilise_a the_o follower_n of_o his_o doctrine_n as_o they_o be_v permit_v in_o the_o court_n of_o this_o emperor_n whence_o all_o vicious_a person_n be_v prohibit_v and_o be_v of_o that_o use_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o empire_n as_o this_o very_o best_a of_o heathen_a emperor_n take_v those_o rule_n and_o practice_n of_o christian_n for_o his_o pattern_n which_o the_o gospel_n exhibite_v shall_v i_o prosecute_v the_o reign_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o emperor_n who_o have_v a_o favour_n to_o christian_n though_o themselves_o be_v none_o it_o will_v swell_v my_o discourse_n to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n i_o will_v therefore_o content_v myself_o with_o two_o instance_n more_o §_o 3._o one_o out_o of_o pliny_n who_o in_o lay_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o trajan_n remit_v that_o persecution_n which_o his_o predecessor_n have_v raise_v against_o christian_n present_v they_o in_o their_o religious_a assembly_n and_o civil_a converse_n walk_v by_o that_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n which_o be_v extant_a at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a write_n this_o great_a agent_n of_o state_n under_o trajan_n inform_v the_o emperor_n that_o by_o examine_v those_o that_o be_v bring_v before_o he_o and_o accuse_v as_o christian_n he_o have_v learn_v this_o to_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o their_o religion_n of_o their_o crime_n or_o error_n as_o pliny_n call_v it_o that_o upon_o state_v day_n they_o be_v wont_a to_o assemble_v before_o day_n to_o sing_v song_n and_o make_v prayer_n together_o to_o christ_n as_o god_n to_o bind_v themselves_o by_o the_o sacrament_n not_o to_o any_o mischievous_a or_o dishonest_a action_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o commit_v theft_n robbery_n or_o adultery_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o break_v their_o word_n betray_v their_o trust_n or_o falsify_v their_o promise_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o withhold_v or_o deny_v the_o pledge_n when_o they_o be_v call_v to_o restore_v it_o that_o after_o the_o performance_n of_o divine_a service_n their_o custom_n be_v to_o depart_v every_o one_o home_n and_o afterward_o to_o meet_v together_o again_o to_o take_v meat_n in_o common_a to_o keep_v harmless_a love-feast_n this_o say_v he_o i_o extort_a and_o this_o be_v all_o i_o can_v learn_v by_o rack_a they_o to_o know_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o same_o epistle_n he_o testify_v the_o wonderful_a growth_n and_o prevail_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n through_o the_o perseverance_n of_o the_o martyr_n multitude_n profess_v it_o of_o all_o age_n order_n sex_n in_o city_n village_n hamblet_n insomuch_o as_o the_o idol-temple_n be_v almost_o leave_v desolate_a their_o solemnity_n of_o a_o long_a time_n intermit_v the_o sale_n of_o sacrifice_n and_o victim_n in_o a_o manner_n give_v over_o by_o reason_n there_o be_v so_o few_o buyer_n plin._n lib._n 10._o ep._n 103._o trajano_n a_o description_n of_o the_o religion_n and_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o exact_o answer_v that_o which_o the_o gospel_n give_v as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v transcribe_v thence_o be_v here_o draw_v out_o to_o the_o life_n and_o transmit_v to_o we_o by_o the_o pencil_n and_o pen_n of_o a_o heathen_a employ_v by_o the_o roman_a emperor_n to_o take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o religion_n profess_v by_o christian_n to_o inform_v himself_o what_o it_o be_v wherein_o they_o so_o far_o differ_v from_o the_o religion_n establish_v or_o allow_v by_o the_o imperial_a law_n as_o to_o be_v therefore_o universal_o hate_v and_o take_v from_o their_o mouth_n that_o be_v cognoscendis_fw-la causis_fw-la christianorum_fw-la plin._n ibid._n appoint_v to_o take_v cognisance_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o christian_n as_o such_o bring_v before_o they_o §_o 4._o my_o last_o instance_n here_o shall_v be_v the_o account_n upon_o which_o maximinus_n raise_v the_o six_o persecution_n as_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o by_o eusebius_n and_o provable_a out_o of_o lampridius_n and_o capitolinus_n maximinus_n by_o reason_n of_o that_o grievous_a envy_n wherewith_o he_o burn_v against_o the_o household_n of_o alexander_n where_o very_a many_o christian_n converse_v stir_v up_o a_o bitter_a tempest_n of_o persecution_n against_o the_o christian_a pastor_n because_o they_o have_v teach_v that_o doctrine_n whereby_o the_o imperial_a court_n have_v be_v so_o much_o civilise_a euseb._n hist._n l._n 6._o c._n 21._o this_o beast_n say_v capitolinus_n who_o be_v so_o cruel_a as_o some_o call_v he_o cyclops_n other_o busiris_n other_o phaleris_n some_o typho_n and_o the_o senate_n inade_v public_a and_o the_o whole_a city_n private_a supplication_n that_o such_o a_o monster_n as_o maximinus_n may_v never_o be_v see_v at_o rome_n so_o mortal_o hate_v alexander_n for_o his_o severe_a virtue_n and_o the_o strictness_n of_o his_o court_n to_o which_o he_o have_v bring_v it_o by_o converse_n with_o christian_n and_o by_o conform_v his_o government_n to_o their_o precept_n say_v lampridius_n in_o his_o alexander_n as_o the_o vulgar_a charge_v he_o with_o the_o murder_n of_o alexander_n and_o moreover_o he_o put_v to_o death_n all_o the_o minister_n of_o state_n and_o familiar_n of_o alexander_n dispositionibus_fw-la ejus_fw-la invidens_fw-la grieve_v to_o see_v so_o good_a man_n in_o place_n if_o now_o thou_o will_v seek_v reader_n what_o kind_n of_o man_n and_o courtier_n they_o be_v for_o who_o christian_a manner_n this_o monster_n hate_v they_o and_o persecute_v the_o christian_a doctor_n for_o introduce_v this_o civility_n into_o the_o roman_a then_o pagan_a palace_n and_o therewithal_o learn_v what_o go_v for_o christian_a virtue_n above_o 1400_o year_n ago_o thou_o will_v find_v that_o maximinus_n persecute_v as_o christian_a those_o evangelical_n precept_n which_o the_o apostolical_a write_n commend_v to_o we_o and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v but_o there_o or_o in_o book_n derive_v from_o thence_o and_o thou_o need_v not_o go_v far_o for_o a_o resolution_n of_o this_o enquiry_n for_o lampridius_n will_v resolve_v thou_o who_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o question_n of_o constantine_n how_o alexander_n a_o stranger_n bear_v of_o syrian_a extract_n become_v so_o excellent_a a_o prince_n tell_v he_o that_o though_o he_o can_v allege_v the_o indulgence_n of_o mother_n nature_n who_o be_v a_o stepdame_n to_o no_o country_n and_o the_o fate_n of_o heliogabalus_n which_o may_v have_v terrify_v he_o from_o vicious_a live_n yet_o because_o he_o will_v suggest_v to_o he_o the_o very_a truth_n he_o commend_v to_o he_o what_o he_o have_v already_o write_v and_o constantine_n read_v i_o suppose_v touch_v the_o favour_n he_o have_v to_o christian_n and_o his_o suck_n in_o their_o precept_n upon_o the_o perusal_n whereof_o and_o reflection_n upon_o that_o say_n of_o marius_n maximus_n it_o be_v better_a and_o more_o safe_a for_o the_o republic_n that_o the_o prince_n himself_o be_v evil_a than_o that_o his_o friend_n and_o counsellor_n be_v so_o for_o one_o evil_a man_n may_v be_v oversway_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o good_a man_n but_o a_o multitude_n of_o bad_a man_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v bring_v into_o order_n by_o one_o though_o never_o so_o good_a a_o prince_n and_o that_o answer_v which_o homulus_fw-la give_v to_o trajan_n when_o he_o say_v that_o domitian_n be_v the_o worst_a of_o man_n but_o have_v good_a friend_n and_o agent_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o worse_a prince_n than_o domitian_n who_o be_v a_o better_a man_n than_o he_o have_v commit_v the_o administration_n of_o public_a affair_n to_o man_n of_o a_o bad_a life_n he_o present_v it_o to_o constantine_n as_o a_o thing_n not_o at_o all_o strange_a that_o alexander_n shall_v prove_v so_o good_a a_o prince_n see_v by_o follow_v his_o mother_n mammaea_n instruction_n which_o she_o have_v learn_v of_o her_o christian_a doctor_n he_o himself_o become_v the_o best_a of_o man_n optimus_fw-la fuit_fw-la optimae_fw-la matris_fw-la consiliis_fw-la usus_fw-la and_o have_v constitute_v his_o court_n and_o adopt_a familiar_n of_o man_n not_o malicious_a not_o ravenous_a not_o thievish_a not_o factious_a crafty_a consent_v to_o evil_n hater_n of_o goodness_n lustful_a cruel_a circumventor_n scorner_n but_o holy_a venerable_a continent_n religious_a lover_n of_o their_o prince_n who_o will_v neither_o reproach_v he_o nor_o be_v a_o reproach_n to_o he_o who_o will_v take_v no_o bribe_n will_v not_o lie_v nor_o dissemble_v nor_o betray_v their_o
the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o who_o he_o make_v the_o world_n to_o be_v in_o the_o order_n and_o degree_n of_o a_o principle_n which_o be_v all_o i_o produce_v it_o for_o in_o this_o section_n but_o my_o general_a position_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o first_o section_n of_o this_o chapter_n that_o what_o the_o gospel_n assert_n in_o thesi_fw-la of_o our_o jesus_n the_o platonic_a school_n assert_v in_o hypothesi_fw-la concern_v he_o that_o be_v to_o relieve_v mankind_n plato_n doctrine_n of_o purgation_n come_v so_o near_o we_o say_v st._n austin_n de_fw-la vera_fw-la religione_fw-la cap._n 4._o as_o many_o platonic_n upon_o that_o account_n turn_v christian_a paucis_fw-la mutatis_fw-la verbis_fw-la &_o sententiis_fw-la aut_fw-la si_fw-la hoc_fw-la non_fw-la facerent_fw-la nescio_fw-la utrùm_fw-la possent_fw-la ad_fw-la ea_fw-la ipsa_fw-la quae_fw-la appetenda_fw-la esse_fw-la dixerunt_fw-la cum_fw-la istis_fw-la faecibus_fw-la viscóque_fw-la revolare_fw-la ex_fw-la platonis_fw-la phaedro_n &_o de_fw-la legibus_fw-la &_o timaeo_n with_o the_o alteration_n of_o a_o few_o word_n and_o sentence_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o i_o can_v tell_v how_o they_o can_v with_o the_o birdlime_n and_o dregs_o of_o those_o their_o error_n which_o christian_n religion_n confute_v have_v fly_v back_o to_o that_o good_a they_o say_v be_v to_o be_v desire_v and_o those_o their_o sound_a principle_n which_o both_o we_o and_o they_o joint_o hold_v the_o only_a thing_n they_o disgust_v be_v the_o application_n of_o those_o thing_n to_o christ_n they_o stumble_v at_o the_o same_o stone_n at_o which_o the_o jew_n stumble_v the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o take_v it_o in_o scorn_n that_o so_o mean_v a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazereth_n shall_v be_v repute_v to_o be_v the_o saviour_n to_o be_v that_o principle_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o son_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o enlighten_v every_o one_o that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n out_o of_o who_o fullness_n all_o our_o want_n be_v to_o be_v supply_v by_o the_o participation_n of_o who_o wisdom_n we_o be_v make_v wise_a etc._n etc._n for_o st._n austin_n when_o he_o say_v he_o can_v not_o find_v in_o their_o book_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n come_v to_o his_o own_o and_o his_o own_o receive_v he_o not_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n and_o humble_v himself_o to_o the_o death_n of_o the_o cross._n must_v not_o be_v understand_v to_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v or_o that_o himself_o have_v find_v in_o the_o platonic_a write_n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o order_n to_o humane_a redemption_n be_v to_o come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o assume_v our_o nature_n to_o be_v wound_v for_o our_o transgression_n for_o whoever_o it_o be_v by_o one_o or_o more_o that_o mankind_n be_v to_o be_v relieve_v that_o one_o or_o more_o must_v as_o we_o have_v hear_v the_o oracle_n the_o god_n of_o philosopher_n as_o they_o style_v he_o deliver_v descend_v from_o his_o or_o their_z supercelestial_a place_n into_o his_o dungeon_n of_o earth_n and_o in_o 〈◊〉_d or_o their_o assume_v body_n or_o body_n endure_v all_o the_o misery_n of_o this_o life_n etc._n etc._n as_o sect._n 3._o cap._n 4._o have_v be_v quote_v out_o of_o which_o sentence_n not_o only_o of_o plato_n but_o of_o all_o that_o exchange_v not_o the_o old_a traditional_a philosophy_n for_o the_o kitching-experiment_n of_o greece_n who_o jamblicus_n compare_v to_o ship_n without_o ballast_n for_o that_o they_o have_v empty_v themselves_o of_o what_o they_o have_v receive_v by_o the_o old_a tradition_n de_fw-la mysteriis_fw-la do_fw-mi de_fw-fr nominibus_fw-la sacris_fw-la we_o have_v be_v all_o this_o while_n bolt_v the_o bran_n of_o their_o conceit_a multiplicity_n of_o god-saviour_n by_o the_o sierce_a of_o their_o more_o sober_a and_o considerate_a doctrine_n pour_v out_o into_o the_o bosom_n of_o their_o friend_n sequester_v from_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o vulgar_a before_o who_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o speak_v all_o they_o think_v difficile_fw-la est_fw-la negare_fw-la credo_fw-la si_fw-la in_o concione_fw-la quaeratur_fw-la sed_fw-la in_o hujusmodi_fw-la concessu_fw-la facillimum_fw-la cicero_n de_fw-fr natura_fw-la deorum_fw-la lib._n 1._o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n i_o confess_v to_o deny_v this_o in_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o multitude_n but_o very_o easy_a in_o such_o a_o select_a assembly_n of_o friend_n and_o philosopher_n and_o have_v thereby_o gain_v from_o they_o the_o unforced_a confession_n of_o this_o evangelical_n truth_n that_o man_n restauration_n unto_o communion_n with_o and_o conformity_n to_o god_n can_v be_v obtain_v by_o the_o incarnation_n of_o separate_a spirit_n or_o bless_a soul_n but_o of_o god_n himself_o descend_v into_o the_o dungeon_n of_o this_o earth_n assume_v our_o nature_n and_o in_o that_o nature_n suffer_v what_o be_v due_a to_o we_o and_o deliver_v to_o we_o the_o divine_a oracle_n plato_n therefore_o in_o assign_v this_o effect_n to_o a_o multiplicity_n of_o holy_a soul_n or_o spirit_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n in_o several_a age_n and_o country_n be_v a_o popular_a compliance_n with_o the_o vulgar_a error_n either_o out_o of_o fear_n to_o in_o 〈…〉_z his_o master_n socrates_n his_o fortune_n or_o out_o of_o design_n to_o have_v the_o world_n believe_v as_o some_o of_o his_o great_a admirer_n do_v that_o himself_o be_v one_o of_o those_o officious_a spirit_n or_o if_o he_o speak_v as_o he_o think_v it_o be_v the_o froth_n and_o ebullition_n of_o that_o vanity_n of_o mind_n judicial_o inflict_v upon_o such_o as_o know_v god_n do_v not_o worship_v he_o as_o god_n that_o this_o be_v his_o error_n and_o such_o a_o error_n as_o himself_o in_o his_o lucid_a interval_n renounce_v and_o be_v forsake_v in_o by_o his_o own_o follower_n have_v be_v sufficient_o clear_v if_o the_o weight_n of_o this_o point_n and_o the_o dissatisfaction_n of_o some_o most_o deserve_o eminent_a modern_a divine_n do_v not_o make_v it_o shake_v upon_o its_o strong_a supporter_n and_o as_o it_o be_v by_o its_o nod_n beckon_v to_o we_o to_o strengthen_v it_o by_o buttress_n i_o shall_v therefore_o beg_v my_o reader_n patience_n which_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o obtain_v of_o he_o if_o he_o can_v but_o construe_v that_o of_o the_o epigrammatist_n non_fw-la sunt_fw-la long_fw-mi quibus_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la demere_fw-la possis_fw-la sed_fw-la tu_fw-la cosconi_n disticha_fw-la long_fw-mi facis_fw-la mart._n while_o i_o make_v it_o yet_o more_o manifest_a chap._n v._n none_o of_o their_o local_a saviour_n be_v able_a to_o save_v §_o 1._o their_o white_a witch_n impede_v in_o do_v good_a by_o the_o black_a lucan_n hag_n more_o mighty_a than_o any_o of_o their_o almighty_n §_o 2._o none_o of_o their_o saviour_n soul-purger_n §_o 3._o porphiry_n '_o s_o vote_n for_o one_o universal_a saviour_n not_o know_v in_o the_o heathen_a world_n altar_n to_o the_o unknown_a god_n whether_o god_n or_o goddess_n §_o 4._o the_o unknown_a god_n §_o 5._o great_a pan_n the_o all-heal_a his_o death_n §_o 6._o of_o their_o many_o lord_n none_o comparable_a to_o the_o lord_n christ_n to_o we_o but_o one_o lord_n §_o 1._o porphyry_n aug_n de_fw-fr civitat_fw-la 10._o 9_o 10._o reference_n from_o experience_n confess_v the_o inability_n of_o those_o repute_a good_a spirit_n or_o god-saviours_n to_o who_o the_o heathen_a apply_v themselves_o for_o cure_n to_o gratify_v the_o commerce_n to_o they_o their_o most_o severe_a worshipper_n in_o their_o desire_a soul-purgation_n in_o that_o they_o be_v often_o impede_v by_o their_o superior_n and_o their_o superior_n manacle_v in_o the_o conjurer_n band_n so_o as_o they_o dare_v not_o effect_v the_o desire_a purgation_n so_o terrify_v by_o the_o black_a witch_n as_o the_o white_a witch_n can_v not_o loose_v they_o from_o that_o fear_n and_o set_v they_o free_a to_o do_v that_o good_a to_o which_o their_o own_o nature_n incline_v they_o and_o their_o most_o religious_a votary_n solicit_v they_o whereupon_o st._n austin_n facetious_o thus_o explain_v ergo_fw-la &_o ligavit_fw-la iste_fw-la &_o iste_fw-la non_fw-la solvit_fw-la o_o animae_fw-la praedicanda_fw-la purgatio_fw-la ubi_fw-la plus_fw-la imperat_fw-la immunda_fw-la invidentia_fw-la quam_fw-la impetrat_fw-la pura_fw-la beneficentia_fw-la ubi_fw-la plus_fw-la valet_fw-la malevolus_fw-la impeditor_fw-la quam_fw-la beneficus_fw-la purgator_n animae_fw-la the_o cacodaemon_n it_o seem_v can_v bind_v and_o the_o good_a angel_n can_v not_o lose_v oh_o praiseworthy_a purgation_n of_o soul_n where_o unclean_a envy_n obtain_v that_o power_n which_o pure_a bounty_n can_v where_o the_o malicious_a opposer_n be_v of_o more_o strength_n than_o the_o liberal_a purger_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o however_o ridiculous_a either_o the_o opinion_n or_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v this_o doctrine_n the_o platonic_n ground_a upon_o that_o complaint_n which_o a_o
artabanus_n restitutus_fw-la est_fw-la in_o imperium_fw-la auditis_fw-la his_fw-la caesar_n petiit_fw-la amicitiam_fw-la artabani_fw-la &_o assentiente_fw-la illo_fw-la joseph_n antiq_n 18._o 6._o and_o it_o be_v after_o that_o peace_n that_o artabanus_n send_v his_o son_n darius_n a_o hostage_n to_o tiberius_n at_o what_o time_n say_v josephus_n herod_n inform_v tiberius_n of_o the_o article_n of_o that_o peace_n and_o therefore_o when_o vitellius_n send_v caesar_n a_o account_n thereof_o caesar_n return_v he_o answer_v that_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v that_o labour_n for_o herod_n have_v already_o give_v he_o information_n thereof_o at_o which_o return_n of_o caesar_n letter_n to_o vitellius_n josephus_n date_n the_o death_n of_o philip._n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v not_o be_v long_o before_o caesar_n death_n that_o philip_n die_v by_o this_o account_n of_o josephus_n to_o which_o point_n of_o chronology_n josephus_n himself_o subscribe_v tell_v we_o that_o at_o caligula_n the_o successor_n of_o tiberius_n his_o prefer_n agrippa_n to_o the_o tetrarchate_o of_o trachonitis_n philip_n be_v but_o new_o decease_v i_o leave_v it_o now_o to_o any_o man_n of_o common_a discretion_n to_o judge_v whether_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o josephus_n his_o numericals_n have_v be_v in_o this_o place_n corrupt_v or_o himself_o so_o foul_o mistake_v in_o a_o door-neighbour-story_n as_o to_o philip_n death_n in_o the_o twenty_o of_o tiberius_n which_o he_o make_v coetaneous_a with_o vitelius_n his_o make_v peace_n in_o tiberius_n his_o name_n with_o artabanus_n after_o his_o restauration_n which_o tacitus_n date_n so_o near_o the_o end_n of_o tiberius_n his_o twenty_o second_o as_o it_o be_v hardly_o imaginable_a how_o all_o those_o passage_n conduce_v to_o it_o and_o attend_v upon_o it_o can_v be_v crowd_v into_o that_o small_a remnant_n of_o his_o twenty_o second_o year_n which_o tacitus_n save_v from_o the_o conquest_n and_o flight_n of_o artabanus_n fall_v out_o in_o and_o take_v up_o the_o summer_n of_o that_o year_n after_o which_o artabanus_n when_o he_o have_v lurk_v and_o be_v grow_v squalid_a earn_v his_o sustenance_n with_o his_o bow_n among_o the_o scythian_n be_v restore_v tiberius_n inform_v of_o his_o restauration_n vitellius_n inform_v of_o caesar_n will_n to_o make_v peace_n etc._n etc._n that_o there_o can_v be_v a_o return_n of_o so_o many_o post_n as_o be_v requisite_a for_o intelligence_n within_o that_o year_n if_o we_o reckon_v its_o end_n at_o augustus_n his_o death_n august_n 19_o be_v next_o to_o impossible_a and_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a josephus_n and_o all_o other_o historian_n who_o account_n tiberius_n who_o death_n fall_v on_o the_o seventeen_o of_o the_o calends_o of_o april_n to_o have_v reign_v twenty_o two_o year_n five_o month_n and_o thirteen_o day_n must_v begin_v and_o end_v their_o account_n there_o it_o be_v therefore_o most_o probable_a all_o circumstance_n consider_v that_o philip_n death_n fall_v in_o the_o twenty_o three_o of_o tiberius_n and_o that_o the_o account_n stand_v so_o in_o josephus_n before_o it_o be_v corrupt_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o soon_o overslipt_v by_o a_o hasty_a scribe_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d brief_o if_o josephus_n his_o entire_a discourse_n be_v of_o more_o weight_n than_o two_o syllable_n pen_n can_v describe_v nor_o heart_n wish_v a_o clear_a computation_n of_o the_o time_n of_o philip_n death_n than_o in_o here_o present_v to_o wit_n after_o artabanus_n his_o recovery_n of_o the_o parthian_a crown_n and_o the_o pacification_n betwixt_o tiberius_n and_o he_o which_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v effect_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o propound_v by_o tiberius_n at_o which_o josephus_n in_o this_o chapter_n begin_v the_o story_n of_o artabanus_n and_o therefore_o that_o be_v the_o soon_a we_o can_v possible_o date_n the_o death_n of_o philip_n before_o the_o twenty_o three_o of_o tiberius_n be_v most_o palpable_o demonstrable_a from_o tacitus_n his_o place_v his_o expulsion_n out_o of_o parthia_n in_o the_o summer_n of_o tiberius_n his_o twenty_o second_o his_o report_n after_o that_o his_o reside_v in_o hyrcania_n till_o he_o be_v grow_v so_o squalid_a as_o the_o sight_n of_o he_o move_v pity_n in_o his_o subject_n neque_fw-la exuerat_fw-la pudorem_fw-la ut_fw-la vulgum_fw-la miseratione_n adverteret_fw-la hiero_n his_o digust_v the_o new_a make_v a_o party_n among_o the_o noble_n for_o their_o old_a king_n the_o noble_n apply_v themselves_o to_o artabanus_n with_o promise_n to_o restore_v he_o his_o gather_n of_o force_n tiridates_n his_o delay_n to_o give_v he_o battle_n till_o the_o roman_a legion_n come_v in_o the_o parthian_n steal_v away_o from_o tiridates_n etc._n etc._n to_o which_o if_o we_o add_v what_o tosephus_n subjoin_v hereto_o tiberius_n his_o receive_a information_n of_o all_o this_o his_o send_n to_o vitellius_n to_o offer_v peace_n to_o artabanus_n upon_o condition_n he_o will_v send_v his_o son_n and_o other_o hostage_n to_o he_o vitellius_n his_o transaction_n with_o artabanus_n and_o conclude_v a_o peace_n with_o he_o etc._n etc._n he_o that_o can_v think_v all_o this_o can_v be_v do_v betwixt_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o summer_n and_o the_o 19_o of_o august_n when_o tiberius_n his_o twenty_o second_o end_v may_v by_o that_o time_n he_o have_v give_v his_o brain_n another_o turn_n imagine_v that_o rome_n be_v build_v in_o a_o day_n chap._n vi_o the_o date_n of_o christ_n birth_n as_o it_o be_v assert_v by_o the_o church_n maintain_v by_o scripture_n §_o 1._o christ_n homage_v by_o the_o magi_n early_o after_o his_o birth_n §_o 2._o christ_n bear_v and_o baptize_v the_o same_o day_n of_o the_o year_n §_o 3._o god_n will_v have_v the_o church_n observe_v the_o day_n of_o christ_n birth_n the_o priestly_a course_n the_o character_n of_o it_o which_o from_o their_o first_o institution_n by_o solomon_n to_o the_o last_o and_o fatal_a year_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n stand_v be_v never_o interrupt_v §_o 4._o the_o calculation_n of_o these_o course_n lead_v we_o to_o the_o conception_n and_o birth_n of_o the_o baptist_n and_o our_o saviour_n §_o 5._o christ_n baptism_n and_o john_n ministry_n in_o the_o same_o year_n of_o tiberius_n reign_n point_v out_o the_o same_o thing_n objection_n answer_v §_o 6._o the_o tax_v of_o all_o the_o world_n ill-confounded_n with_o that_o of_o syria_n §_o 1._o and_o now_o neither_o st._n luke_n nor_o josephus_n need_v be_v behold_v to_o scaliger_n for_o endeavour_v if_o not_o to_o make_v they_o friend_n yet_o to_o prevent_v their_o be_v so_o far_o at_o odds_o by_o his_o interpret_n josephus_n to_o speak_v of_o philip_n death_n in_o the_o thirty_o seven_o incomplete_a year_n of_o his_o government_n a_o article_n of_o agreement_n which_o this_o text_n of_o josephus_n will_v not_o subscribe_v to_o after_o that_o he_o have_v preside_v over_o trachonitis_n thirty_o seven_o year_n for_o we_o may_v allow_v philip_n to_o have_v be_v tetrarch_n thirty_o seven_o and_o to_o have_v be_v well_o go_v in_o his_o thirty_o eight_o year_n at_o the_o pacification_n in_o the_o twenty_o three_o of_o tiberius_n and_o yet_o allow_v to_o christ_n birth_n time_n enough_o before_o herod_n death_n to_o do_v all_o that_o in_o which_o sacred_a scripture_n report_v he_o to_o have_v do_v thus_o christ_n be_v thirty_o complete_a in_o tiberius_n his_o fifteen_o december_n 25._o his_o thirty_o seven_o year_n complete_a therefore_o fall_v in_o the_o twenty_o second_o of_o tiberius_n december_n 25._o and_o his_o thirty_o eight_o current_n from_o thence_o overtake_v tiberius_n his_o twenty_o three_o the_o 19_o of_o august_n follow_v at_o what_o time_n philip_n government_n have_v be_v go_v in_o its_o thirty_o eight_o year_n but_o from_o the_o middle_n of_o march._n if_o we_o therefore_o will_v take_v the_o universal_a church_n word_n for_o this_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v december_n 25._o by_o so_o much_o soon_o do_v christ_n thirty_o eight_o commence_v than_o the_o thirty_o eight_o of_o philip_n government_n as_o christmas_n prece_v the_o middle_n of_o march._n so_o that_o this_o do_v not_o only_o reconcile_v secular_a and_o sacred_a history_n but_o afford_v we_o a_o place_n where_o we_o may_v fix_v our_o foot_n and_o stand_v our_o ground_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o church_n practice_n against_o all_o those_o opposer_n who_o employ_v their_o wit_n in_o remove_v old_a landmark_n and_o therefore_o for_o vindication_n of_o the_o church_n celebrate_v christ_n nativity_n on_o the_o 25._o of_o december_n i_o shall_v improve_v this_o occasion_n in_o lay_v down_o these_o proposition_n propos._n 1_o whatever_o the_o gospel_n report_v touch_v the_o occurrence_n betwixt_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o herod_n death_n may_v in_o all_o reason_n fall_v out_o in_o as_o small_z a_o parcel_n of_o time_n as_o intervene_v betwixt_o christmas_n and_o mid_a march_n next_o ensue_v at_o which_o time_n of_o the_o year_n to_o wit_n at_o