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of_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o in_o after_o time_n and_o if_o they_o be_v destroy_v by_o the_o christian_n this_o must_v have_v be_v do_v either_o soon_o after_o they_o be_v write_v or_o else_o after_o they_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n receive_v and_o allow_v as_o true_a history_n by_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o these_o book_n be_v not_o write_v till_o a_o good_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v preach_v and_o the_o evangelist_n write_v the_o gospel_n they_o be_v write_v too_o late_o to_o be_v of_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o weaken_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o gospel-history_n for_o how_o can_v those_o that_o be_v not_o bear_v when_o the_o thing_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v pretend_v to_o contradict_v the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o be_v live_v at_o that_o time_n and_o who_o testify_v either_o that_o they_o see_v they_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n or_o that_o they_o receive_v that_o account_n of_o they_o which_o they_o publish_v from_o very_o credible_a person_n who_o say_v they_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n thereof_o but_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v soon_o even_o as_o soon_o almost_o as_o the_o evangelist_n write_v or_o the_o apostle_n begin_v to_o publish_v by_o their_o preach_v the_o gospel_n history_n then_o i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v suppress_v and_o destroy_v by_o the_o christian_n either_o then_o or_o afterward_o not_o then_o for_o though_o we_o grant_v that_o christianity_n from_o the_o very_a first_o preach_v of_o it_o make_v a_o very_a swift_a progress_n in_o the_o world_n and_o from_o a_o beginning_n no_o big_a than_o a_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n grow_v up_o quick_o to_o be_v a_o goodly_a tree_n shadow_v many_o nation_n under_o the_o branch_n of_o it_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o spring_v up_o like_o a_o mushroom_n in_o a_o night_n it_o do_v not_o grow_v to_o this_o bigness_n all_o at_o once_o and_o what_o be_v the_o christian_n in_o the_o weak_a and_o infant_n state_n of_o the_o church_n but_o a_o handful_n of_o man_n in_o comparison_n with_o their_o numberless_a opposer_n and_o those_o too_o without_o wealth_n without_o power_n of_o no_o interest_n or_o esteem_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o shall_v undertake_v to_o corrupt_v or_o stifle_v the_o evidence_n that_o be_v give_v against_o they_o which_o be_v support_v by_o the_o secular_a power_n and_o glad_o receive_v and_o embrace_v by_o all_o other_o man_n but_o themselves_o what_o be_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o call_v in_o all_o the_o book_n that_o have_v be_v write_v against_o they_o and_o to_o suppress_v and_o destroy_v they_o at_o their_o pleasure_n and_o that_o too_o so_o full_o and_o effectual_o as_o that_o with_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o they_o destroy_v all_o memory_n of_o they_o shall_v likewise_o perish_v a_o powerful_a and_o prevail_a party_n with_o the_o government_n on_o its_o side_n may_v indeed_o do_v much_o in_o this_o kind_n and_o yet_o hardly_o so_o much_o as_o this_o but_o they_o that_o believe_v the_o christian_n to_o have_v be_v such_o a_o powerful_a and_o prevail_a party_n early_a enough_o to_o hinder_v the_o spread_a and_o disperse_v of_o any_o book_n that_o be_v write_v against_o they_o believe_v without_o any_o ground_n or_o warrant_n from_o history_n a_o more_o unaccountable_a and_o incredible_a thing_n than_o any_o that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o if_o this_o can_v not_o be_v do_v then_o it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v do_v afterward_o for_o in_o progress_n of_o time_n it_o be_v certain_a it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o christian_n do_v come_v to_o be_v of_o very_o great_a power_n and_o interest_n and_o able_a to_o bear_v down_o all_o their_o opposer_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a enough_o that_o then_o they_o may_v set_v themselves_o to_o destroy_v all_o those_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n whereby_o their_o fabulous_a gospel_n have_v be_v contradict_v and_o disprove_v and_o it_o be_v not_o incredible_a that_o they_o shall_v so_o far_o succeed_v in_o their_o attempt_n as_o to_o leave_v no_o mean_n to_o posterity_n to_o discern_v how_o weak_a and_o sandy_a a_o foundation_n their_o religion_n be_v build_v upon_o but_o this_o supposition_n take_v it_o altogether_o involve_v a_o great_a difficulty_n and_o suppose_v a_o great_a miracle_n than_o the_o former_a do_v for_o whatever_o the_o christian_n may_v attempt_v to_o do_v or_o whatever_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o do_v after_o they_o have_v attain_v to_o such_o great_a power_n and_o be_v become_v the_o most_o numerous_a and_o prevail_a party_n it_o be_v utter_o incredible_a that_o they_o ever_o can_v have_v attain_v to_o such_o great_a power_n that_o they_o ever_o can_v have_v become_v the_o most_o numerous_a and_o prevail_a party_n if_o indeed_o the_o gospel_n history_n have_v almost_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n be_v oppose_v and_o contradict_v by_o other_o history_n that_o be_v more_o credible_a than_o the_o gospel_n history_n be_v for_o it_o must_v be_v and_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o that_o at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o christianity_n all_o worldly_a power_n and_o interest_n be_v on_o the_o other_o side_n and_o engage_v most_o strong_o to_o hinder_v the_o growth_n and_o spread_v of_o it_o now_o when_o truth_n be_v on_o one_o side_n and_o power_n and_o interest_n on_o the_o other_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a that_o truth_n may_v at_o last_o prevail_v against_o interest_n and_o bring_v the_o power_n also_o to_o be_v of_o its_o side_n but_o if_o truth_n i_o mean_v that_o which_o have_v most_o appearance_n of_o truth_n i_o say_v if_o truth_n and_o power_n and_o interest_n be_v all_o on_o the_o same_o side_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v they_o be_v by_o those_o who_o say_v that_o the_o gospel_n history_n be_v quick_o prove_v false_a by_o other_o history_n write_v and_o publish_v about_o the_o same_o 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have_v be_v so_o much_o as_o any_o remembrance_n of_o it_o leave_v and_o now_o if_o nothing_o more_o can_v be_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a for_o i_o have_v not_o time_n at_o present_a to_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o other_o proof_n before_o hint_v at_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel-history_n i_o think_v what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n in_o their_o relation_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v record_v this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o that_o upon_o much_o less_o evidence_n and_o assurance_n of_o truth_n than_o we_o have_v in_o this_o we_o general_o give_v credit_n to_o other_o history_n for_o we_o believe_v other_o historian_n in_o their_o relation_n of_o such_o matter_n as_o they_o can_v not_o have_v so_o certain_a knowledge_n or_o so_o good_a assurance_n of_o as_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n may_v have_v of_o those_o 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26.31_o mat._n 26.31_o he_o tell_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n that_o they_o will_v all_o forsake_v he_o when_o they_o every_o one_o profess_a themselves_o resolve_v to_o suffer_v with_o he_o 3.14.8.28.12.32_o joh._n 3.14.8.28.12.32_o rather_o than_o leave_v he_o he_o signify_v before_o by_o what_o death_n he_o shall_v die_v and_o who_o shall_v be_v instrumental_a therein_o 16.21.26.32.28.16_o mat._n 16.21.26.32.28.16_o he_o assure_v his_o disciple_n that_o after_o three_o day_n he_o will_v rise_v again_o and_o appoint_v they_o a_o place_n in_o galilee_n where_o they_o shall_v all_o see_v he_o he_o prophesy_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o contempt_n he_o be_v have_v in_o and_o the_o great_a contempt_n that_o his_o ignominious_a death_n will_v bring_v upon_o he_o his_o religion_n shall_v by_o their_o mean_n a_o company_n of_o poor_a illiterate_a fisherman_n be_v preach_v with_o good_a success_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n 24.14.3.19_o mat._n 24.14.3.19_o he_o foretell_v likewise_o the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n 21._o mat._n 24._o mar._n 13._o luk._n 21._o before_o that_o generation_n pass_v away_o and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o all_o nation_n and_o several_a other_o thing_n which_o it_o will_v take_v up_o too_o much_o time_n now_o to_o mention_v he_o foretell_v shall_v be_v just_a in_o that_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o afterward_o come_v to_o pass_v concern_v which_o it_o may_v be_v note_v that_o some_o of_o his_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v soon_o after_o they_o be_v speak_v the_o punctual_a accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v to_o those_o that_o both_o hear_v they_o speak_v and_o see_v they_o fulfil_v a_o evident_a proof_n of_o his_o prophetical_a spirit_n and_o a_o just_a ground_n of_o expect_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o all_o his_o other_o prophecy_n in_o their_o season_n and_o that_o other_o be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v till_o a_o good_a while_n after_o the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o at_o the_o 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and_o yet_o depend_v so_o entire_o upon_o the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o unless_o hinder_v by_o a_o miracle_n they_o will_v as_o certain_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o the_o sun_n will_v rise_v tomorrow_o and_o these_o the_o devil_n who_o understand_v much_o better_a than_o we_o do_v the_o power_n and_o course_n of_o nature_n may_v foresee_v and_o consequent_o foretell_v and_o when_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v foretell_v we_o who_o understand_v very_o little_a of_o nature_n may_v think_v it_o a_o prophecy_n whereas_o in_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o more_o of_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n in_o the_o devil_n when_o he_o foretell_v such_o thing_n than_o there_o be_v in_o a_o skilful_a astronomer_n when_o he_o calculate_v and_o foretell_v to_o a_o minute_n for_o several_a age_n to_o come_v the_o motion_n and_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o planet_n and_o even_o in_o future_a contingency_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o the_o event_n have_v sometime_o verify_v the_o 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great_a many_o thing_n which_o a_o less_o think_v and_o experience_a man_n will_v never_o have_v think_v of_o and_o when_o the_o thing_n happen_v that_o be_v foretell_v it_o may_v be_v past_o the_o skill_n of_o other_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v foretell_v by_o a_o sagacious_a guest_n or_o by_o a_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o what_o will_v be_v and_o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o diviner_n and_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_n concern_v future_a contingency_n have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o only_o probable_a conjecture_n unless_o when_o they_o have_v be_v borrow_v from_o divine_a prophecy_n as_o they_o may_v have_v often_o be_v be_v evident_a by_o their_o uncertain_a accomplishment_n some_o thing_n indeed_o have_v happen_v as_o they_o have_v be_v foretell_v but_o other_o have_v not_o so_o happen_v and_o because_o the_o devil_n can_v not_o always_o certain_o tell_v what_o the_o event_n of_o those_o thing_n will_v be_v which_o he_o be_v consult_v with_o about_o he_o common_o give_v out_o his_o oracle_n in_o ambiguous_a expression_n that_o so_o whatever_o happen_v he_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v foretell_v it_o and_o when_o the_o prediction_n of_o any_o person_n pretend_v to_o prophecy_n have_v fail_v in_o some_o instance_n though_o in_o other_o they_o have_v be_v accomplish_v this_o be_v a_o certain_a argument_n that_o he_o do_v not_o prophesy_v by_o a_o divine_a spirit_n according_a to_o what_o be_v say_v deut._n xviii_o 21_o 22._o if_o thou_o say_v in_o thy_o heart_n how_o shall_v we_o know_v the_o word_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v when_o a_o prophet_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o thing_n follow_v not_o nor_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v but_o the_o propheth_n have_v speak_v it_o presumptuous_o in_o which_o word_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v imply_v though_o it_o be_v not_o express_o say_v that_o if_o the_o thing_n foretell_v do_v come_v to_o pass_v and_o especial_o that_o if_o of_o many_o thing_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v and_o which_o can_v not_o be_v fore-known_a by_o the_o great_a skill_n in_o natural_a cause_n such_o as_o be_v the_o action_n of_o a_o free_a agent_n not_o one_o thing_n fail_v but_o his_o word_n be_v make_v good_a by_o the_o event_n in_o every_o particular_a they_o may_v then_o depend_v upon_o it_o that_o he_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n except_o only_o in_o one_o case_n mention_v in_o deut._n 13._o 3._o deut._n 13.1_o 2_o 3._o viz._n when_o he_o make_v use_v of_o that_o credit_n which_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o prediction_n have_v gain_v he_o to_o draw_v man_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a and_o only_o god_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o idol_n and_o according_o it_o be_v observe_v in_o 1_o sam._n three_o 19_o 20._o that_o because_o the_o lord_n do_v let_v none_o of_o samuel_n
power_n of_o work_a miracle_n shall_v cease_v too_o at_o least_o till_o such_o time_n as_o god_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v some_o alteration_n in_o or_o addition_n to_o his_o former_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o think_v he_o will_v never_o do_v or_o till_o he_o shall_v please_v to_o undertake_v the_o conversion_n of_o those_o nation_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n to_o who_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o former_a miracle_n that_o have_v be_v wrought_v for_o its_o confirmation_n can_v not_o be_v so_o well_o communicate_v by_o credible_a history_n as_o it_o be_v to_o we_o for_o as_o be_v hint_v before_o credible_a history_n be_v all_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n that_o we_o ever_o think_v reasonable_a to_o require_v in_o other_o case_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n as_o for_o instance_n when_o a_o new_a law_n be_v make_v concern_v any_o matter_n it_o be_v requisite_a according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o our_o country_n that_o it_o shall_v pass_v both_o 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will_v not_o allow_v of_o the_o same_o sort_n of_o proof_n though_o indeed_o much_o better_a in_o its_o kind_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o though_o we_o have_v as_o authentic_a history_n as_o any_o be_v in_o the_o world_n such_o history_n as_o the_o great_a adversary_n of_o christianity_n have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n to_o invalidate_v the_o truth_n of_o which_o declare_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n and_o wrought_v such_o and_o such_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n yet_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v true_a and_o divine_a unless_o they_o may_v have_v special_a messenger_n send_v to_o they_o to_o declare_v afresh_o all_o the_o same_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n once_o do_v and_o those_o endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_v in_o their_o sight_n and_o presence_n the_o same_o miracle_n over_o again_o that_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v former_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o confirm_v the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v 2._o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o that_o request_n which_o the_o rich_a man_n here_o make_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o his_o brethren_n viz._n that_o god_n will_v make_v a_o new_a revelation_n for_o their_o particular_a conversion_n or_o in_o general_a the_o unreasonableness_n of_o our_o now_o desire_v fresh_a revelation_n new_a miracle_n or_o apparition_n of_o man_n from_o the_o dead_a to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v already_o sufficient_o prove_v to_o we_o by_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v further_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o to_o we_o who_o live_v now_o in_o christian_a country_n other_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n than_o we_o have_v already_o in_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o excellency_n of_o faith_n may_v destroy_v the_o virtue_n of_o believe_v and_o may_v be_v too_o great_a a_o force_n and_o constraint_n upon_o we_o such_o as_o will_v in_o a_o manner_n take_v away_o our_o liberty_n of_o choice_n for_o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n at_o all_o in_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v there_o be_v no_o praise_n or_o thanks_o at_o all_o due_a for_o do_v what_o we_o be_v drive_v or_o force_v to_o do_v and_o for_o we_o who_o have_v already_o abundant_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v and_o embrace_v christianity_n to_o have_v fresh_a miracle_n wrought_v every_o day_n before_o our_o own_o eye_n such_o miracle_n as_o we_o can_v not_o possible_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o to_o confirm_v those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v already_o sufficient_o confirm_v will_v not_o be_v to_o persuade_v we_o but_o to_o force_v we_o to_o be_v christian_o so_o that_o then_o the_o state_n we_o be_v now_o in_o will_v not_o be_v as_o god_n design_v it_o shall_v be_v a_o state_n of_o trial_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o 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our_o freedom_n of_o choice_n and_o with_o it_o the_o virtue_n and_o excellency_n of_o believe_v for_o it_o be_v not_o faith_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v and_o feel_v and_o it_o be_v no_o commendation_n to_o a_o man_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a if_o his_o virtue_n be_v not_o the_o fruit_n of_o a_o wise_a judgement_n and_o a_o free_a choice_n which_o it_o will_v not_o be_v if_o his_o judgement_n be_v over_o bear_v by_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n and_o if_o that_o far_a proof_n and_o evidence_n that_o be_v desire_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o such_o as_o will_v leave_v we_o a_o freedom_n of_o choice_n and_o a_o possibility_n of_o doubt_v than_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o likely_a it_o shall_v be_v more_o convince_a to_o we_o than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v already_o in_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o holy_a scripture_n for_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v further_o in_o the_o second_o place_n 2._o that_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n 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all_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o other_o history_n as_o ancient_a and_o much_o more_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o the_o hundred_o part_n of_o thâ—t_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o and_o he_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o whether_o he_o say_v and_o do_v the_o thing_n record_v of_o he_o by_o the_o evangelist_n and_o whether_o by_o the_o preach_a of_o his_o apostle_n he_o do_v spread_v his_o spiritual_a empire_n over_o all_o the_o country_n of_o the_o world_n a_o empire_n which_o be_v still_o keep_v up_o in_o most_o of_o the_o country_n over_o which_o it_o be_v first_o extend_v and_o of_o which_o there_o be_v evident_a mark_n and_o memorial_n still_o remain_v even_o in_o those_o country_n that_o have_v since_o revolt_v from_o it_o he_o i_o say_v that_o doubt_n of_o these_o thing_n although_o witness_v by_o the_o 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