mankind_n for_o that_o as_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v can_v be_v preserve_v but_o by_o seek_v the_o good_a of_o other_o as_o well_o as_o our_o own_o whereas_o this_o utter_o neglect_v the_o public_a and_o mere_o regard_v every_o man_n private_a satisfaction_n and_o if_o all_o man_n shall_v betake_v themselves_o to_o this_o course_n of_o life_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n what_o will_v become_v of_o humane_a society_n but_o see_v epicurus_n cast_v these_o self-indulgers_a out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o his_o wise_a man_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v how_o he_o can_v do_v it_o and_o be_v consistent_a with_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o if_o our_o sovereign_a delight_n consist_v in_o those_o pleasure_n and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o happy_a man_n that_o enjoy_v they_o most_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n that_o most_o consult_v his_o own_o happiness_n there_o be_v no_o avoid_v it_o but_o that_o apicius_n will_v carry_v the_o cause_n from_o all_o their_o philosopher_n §_o xxiv_o and_o so_o again_o if_o we_o once_o take_v off_o those_o obligation_n to_o justice_n and_o honesty_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o we_o by_o our_o relation_n to_o the_o life_n to_o come_v it_o will_v be_v ever_o after_o absolute_o impossible_a by_o all_o the_o art_n and_o device_n in_o the_o world_n to_o preserve_v any_o sense_n of_o they_o any_o other_o way_n for_o whatever_o advantage_n man_n may_v think_v to_o reap_v as_o to_o their_o present_a interest_n from_o their_o observance_n of_o the_o law_n of_o justice_n and_o integrity_n that_o may_v make_v they_o crafty_a but_o never_o honest_a and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o get_v loose_a from_o the_o tie_n of_o conscience_n they_o be_v then_o not_o concern_v to_o be_v innocent_a but_o only_a to_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o and_o this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o restrain_v they_o from_o design_v and_o do_v vile_a thing_n but_o only_o engage_v they_o to_o be_v cunning_a in_o their_o wickedness_n and_o agreeable_o to_o this_o principle_n and_o these_o consequence_n do_v epicurus_n discourse_n when_o he_o challenge_v the_o world_n after_o they_o have_v set_v aside_o the_o consideration_n of_o present_a pleasure_n and_o self-advantage_n to_o assign_v he_o any_o other_o possible_a reason_n or_o end_n of_o virtue_n beside_o popular_a fame_n for_o that_o say_v he_o when_o all_o be_v do_v be_v the_o only_a measure_n of_o common_a honesty_n and_o if_o you_o once_o remove_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o multitude_n there_o remain_v nothing_o in_o itself_o either_o praiseworthy_a or_o dishonourable_a but_o this_o again_o say_v he_o be_v the_o fate_n of_o mankind_n that_o the_o vulgar_a rout_n take_v up_o with_o prejudices_fw-la and_o invincible_a conceit_n of_o thing_n and_o than_o whatever_o they_o authorise_v into_o custom_n must_v out_o of_o mere_a compliance_n with_o their_o importunity_n be_v vote_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o honesty_n so_o that_o a_o wise_a man_n setting_z aside_o all_o regard_n to_o his_o own_o present_a convenience_n can_v see_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a beside_o compliance_n with_o casual_a custom_n and_o popular_a opinion_n that_o it_o seem_v must_v be_v submit_v to_o as_o he_o ever_o intend_v to_o enjoy_v any_o peace_n or_o quiet_a of_o life_n in_o that_o the_o rabble_n be_v always_o so_o impatient_a of_o all_o contradiction_n to_o their_o customary_a belief_n and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o account_n that_o he_o or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o persuasion_n be_v able_a to_o give_v of_o the_o turpitude_n and_o deformity_n of_o vice_n so_o that_o a_o philosopher_n may_v just_o and_o wise_o betray_v his_o friend_n and_o his_o trust_n to_o defeat_v he_o of_o his_o pledge_n or_o murder_v his_o father_n to_o secure_v the_o inheritance_n if_o he_o can_v but_o avoid_v the_o shame_n of_o discovery_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o popular_a hatred_n so_o that_o if_o we_o remove_v the_o folly_n and_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o rabble_n there_o be_v no_o other_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n integrity_n and_o treachery_n but_o what_o be_v make_v pure_o by_o the_o consideration_n of_o every_o man_n be_v own_o private_a interest_n so_o utter_o destructive_a be_v these_o opinion_n not_o only_o of_o the_o happiness_n of_o humane_a nature_n in_o general_a but_o of_o the_o peace_n of_o every_o particular_a society_n of_o mankind_n and_o such_o as_o spread_v and_o propagate_v their_o repute_n in_o the_o world_n do_v but_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o falsehood_n treason_n and_o perjury_n and_o therefore_o deserve_v great_a severity_n from_o government_n than_o outlaw_n and_o open_a rebel_n as_o be_v beside_o their_o impiety_n more_o dangerous_a and_o mischievous_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n for_o their_o pedantry_n in_o that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o content_a to_o do_v wicked_a thing_n but_o think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o honour_n to_o bring_v their_o own_o wicked_a practice_n into_o reputation_n and_o to_o infect_v all_o other_o with_o such_o principle_n as_o will_v oblige_v and_o encourage_v they_o to_o imitate_v their_o villainy_n however_o these_o principle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o procure_v the_o happiness_n or_o secure_v the_o duty_n of_o single_a man_n that_o if_o embrace_v and_o reduce_v to_o practice_n they_o must_v unavoidable_o involve_v all_o mankind_n in_o eternal_a mischief_n wickedness_n and_o confusion_n and_o it_o be_v to_o these_o accurse_a principle_n that_o we_o owe_v the_o misery_n of_o common_a life_n they_o be_v the_o fundamental_a rule_n and_o maxim_n of_o all_o the_o tyranny_n fraud_n and_o oppression_n in_o the_o world_n but_o if_o the_o shame_n of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o people_n be_v sufficient_a to_o restrain_v from_o open_a and_o avow_a wickedness_n what_o shall_v withhold_v from_o secret_a attempt_n insecurity_n and_o fear_n of_o discovery_n say_v epicurus_n but_o beside_o that_o this_o only_a oblige_v wicked_a man_n to_o be_v more_o crafty_a and_o cautious_a in_o their_o villainy_n it_o be_v not_o powerful_a enough_o to_o give_v a_o true_a and_o real_a restraint_n to_o dishonest_a action_n in_o that_o the_o advantage_n be_v certain_a but_o not_o the_o discovery_n and_o a_o certain_a good_a be_v a_o much_o strong_a motive_n than_o a_o uncertain_a evil_n and_o though_o it_o may_v give_v check_n to_o fraud_n and_o violence_n in_o some_o common_a case_n as_o it_o be_v of_o very_o good_a use_n and_o service_n in_o humane_a life_n yet_o those_o acccident_n be_v very_o frequent_a in_o which_o man_n may_v be_v very_o high_o wicked_a and_o yet_o very_o secure_a in_o their_o wickedness_n as_o when_o saint_n peducoeus_fw-la be_v entrust_v by_o his_o friend_n with_o his_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n and_o that_o with_o so_o much_o privacy_n that_o if_o he_o have_v keep_v the_o whole_a estate_n to_o himself_o no_o body_n can_v have_v suspect_v his_o dishonesty_n that_o then_o he_o shall_v surprise_v the_o right_a heir_n who_o expect_v no_o such_o thing_n with_o the_o news_n of_o a_o great_a inheritance_n it_o be_v do_v like_o a_o gentleman_n of_o a_o roman_a education_n but_o he_o can_v not_o be_v force_v to_o it_o by_o any_o obligation_n upon_o the_o epicurean_a principle_n in_o that_o they_o can_v not_o requite_v his_o integrity_n with_o a_o reward_n equal_a to_o so_o fair_a a_o fortune_n a_o great_a estate_n and_o a_o fine_a house_n be_v of_o more_o value_n than_o the_o empty_a name_n of_o justice_n and_o friendship_n and_o so_o they_o be_v to_o the_o man_n that_o count_v upon_o no_o other_o interest_n and_o expect_v no_o other_o happiness_n than_o in_o this_o life_n and_o sestilius_fw-la who_o by_o a_o forge_a write_v cheat_v his_o friend_n child_n that_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o trust_n of_o their_o inheritance_n and_o secure_v the_o estate_n to_o himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n by_o a_o decree_n of_o law_n be_v upon_o the_o epicurean_a principle_n much_o the_o wise_a an_o nothing_o the_o worse_a man._n for_o by_o this_o one_o act_n he_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o happiness_n of_o his_o whole_a life_n and_o yet_o be_v so_o far_o from_o any_o fear_n of_o discovery_n that_o his_o fraud_n be_v abet_v and_o secure_v by_o law_n be_v no_o small_a accession_n to_o the_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o good_a fortune_n and_o in_o truth_n this_o restraint_n be_v so_o far_o from_o reach_v all_o case_n of_o fraud_n and_o oppression_n that_o one_o half_a of_o the_o wickedness_n of_o mankind_n be_v unavoidable_o abet_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o law_n themselves_o for_o see_v they_o can_v judge_v and_o determine_v only_o according_a to_o evidence_n and_o see_v the_o person_n who_o invade_v other_o man_n right_n will_v not_o stick_v to_o make_v out_o their_o title_n by_o any_o falsehood_n and_o villainy_n then_o as_o long_o as_o the_o forgery_n be_v not_o discover_v and_o that_o be_v no_o
easy_a matter_n the_o law_n be_v force_v to_o pass_v judgement_n on_o the_o wrong_a side_n but_o beside_o the_o injury_n of_o fraud_n the_o great_a misery_n bring_v upon_o mankind_n by_o injustice_n be_v support_v by_o power_n and_o greatness_n and_o in_o such_o case_n the_o tyrant_n and_o oppressor_n defy_v all_o discovery_n and_o though_o he_o care_v not_o if_o all_o the_o world_n see_v his_o wickedness_n yet_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v pretend_v to_o have_v his_o eye_n open_a he_o shall_v forfeit_v his_o head_n for_o the_o boldness_n of_o his_o eyesight_n so_o that_o if_o this_o be_v the_o only_a state_n of_o thing_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n have_v provide_v neither_o sufficient_a reward_n for_o justice_n and_o honesty_n nor_o restraint_n from_o fraud_n and_o oppression_n and_o if_o he_o have_v not_o than_o he_o have_v lay_v no_o effectual_a obligation_n upon_o mankind_n to_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a for_o the_o force_n of_o every_o command_n depend_v upon_o its_o sanction_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o have_v enjoin_v this_o duty_n and_o have_v not_o back_v it_o with_o sufficient_a motive_n of_o obedience_n he_o have_v only_o enact_v useless_a and_o ineffectual_a law_n in_o short_a the_o only_a difference_n between_o the_o man_n that_o be_v honest_a and_o the_o man_n that_o be_v not_o be_v mere_o this_o that_o the_o one_o prefer_v his_o duty_n before_o his_o present_a interest_n and_o the_o other_o his_o present_a interest_n before_o his_o duty_n for_o if_o he_o observe_v the_o rule_n of_o justice_n only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o conduce_v to_o his_o own_o end_n than_o whenever_o they_o happen_v to_o thwart_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o quit_v his_o duty_n rather_o than_o his_o interest_n and_o when_o he_o do_v so_o he_o be_v so_o far_o destitute_a of_o all_o principle_n of_o honesty_n that_o he_o be_v entire_o govern_v by_o the_o fundamental_a maxim_n of_o fraud_n and_o oppression_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o only_a difference_n that_o distinguish_v good_a and_o bad_a man_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o motive_n or_o reason_n a_o good_a man_n have_v to_o pursue_v his_o duty_n when_o contrary_a to_o his_o interest_n or_o a_o bad_a man_n have_v to_o quit_v his_o interest_n out_o of_o respect_n to_o his_o duty_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o state_n of_o thing_n than_o the_o present_a and_o therefore_o without_o immortality_n justice_n be_v so_o far_o from_o deserve_v our_o regard_n in_o all_o case_n that_o in_o many_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o first_o instinct_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v self-love_n in_o that_o it_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o act_v cross_a to_o that_o without_o any_o reason_n or_o recompense_v for_o his_o so_o do_v and_o therefore_o see_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v prescribe_v to_o we_o those_o many_o and_o plain_a law_n of_o justice_n that_o i_o have_v discover_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o upon_o that_o supposition_n those_o law_n that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v must_v be_v abet_v with_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o a_o future_a state_n because_o those_o of_o this_o if_o take_v alone_o and_o separate_a from_o those_o of_o that_o be_v not_o of_o sufficient_a force_n and_o validity_n and_o as_o justice_n the_o most_o necessary_a so_o fortitude_n the_o most_o noble_a of_o all_o virtue_n will_v have_v no_o foundation_n upon_o the_o epicurean_a principle_n or_o rather_o will_v sink_v together_o with_o they_o for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o justice_n to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v any_o man_n run_v himself_o into_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a office_n of_o magnanimity_n which_o when_o separate_v from_o a_o good_a cause_n be_v no_o more_o than_o folly_n and_o fool-hardiness_n and_o in_o a_o bad_a cause_n be_v no_o better_a than_o cruelty_n and_o oppression_n and_o beside_o this_o as_o every_o virtue_n must_v have_v some_o principle_n to_o warrant_v its_o wisdom_n and_o reasonableness_n so_o above_o all_o other_o magnanimity_n because_o it_o put_v we_o upon_o the_o severe_a and_o hard_a service_n and_o do_v more_o than_o any_o virtue_n beside_o endanger_v our_o own_o interest_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o duty_n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o interest_n than_o that_o of_o this_o life_n it_o be_v apparent_a madness_n for_o any_o man_n to_o hazard_v life_n and_o fortune_n and_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o he_o here_o for_o any_o thing_n whatsoever_o when_o all_o other_o motive_n that_o can_v be_v propose_v to_o he_o be_v of_o less_o concernment_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o own_o self-preservation_n beside_o true_a magnanimity_n bottom_n all_o its_o courage_n and_o assurance_n upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o the_o conscience_n of_o its_o own_o integrity_n it_o be_v that_o alone_a that_o give_v a_o man_n a_o sufficiency_n and_o satisfaction_n from_o himself_o that_o raise_v he_o to_o a_o contempt_n of_o all_o outward_a thing_n that_o make_v he_o searfull_a of_o all_o assault_n and_o danger_n and_o that_o support_v he_o under_o all_o loss_n and_o misfortune_n as_o esteem_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o as_o mean_v and_o worthless_a trifle_n in_o comparison_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o its_o own_o reflection_n but_o then_o as_o conscience_n be_v the_o only_a support_n of_o courage_n so_o be_v immortality_n of_o conscience_n for_o that_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n act_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o future_a judgement_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o from_o thence_o alone_o it_o derive_v all_o its_o force_n and_o authority_n and_o without_o that_o all_o seem_a regard_n to_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o pretence_n and_o pageantry_n for_o what_o comfort_n will_v a_o good_a conscience_n afford_v a_o man_n if_o he_o be_v to_o give_v no_o account_n of_o his_o action_n upon_o that_o supposition_n the_o guilty_a and_o the_o innocent_a be_v upon_o equal_a term_n when_o the_o best_a man_n be_v never_o the_o better_a for_o all_o his_o virtue_n nor_o the_o other_o the_o worse_o for_o all_o his_o villainy_n if_o then_o integrity_n of_o conscience_n be_v the_o only_a principle_n of_o all_o magnanimity_n and_o if_o the_o firmness_n of_o that_o depend_v mere_o upon_o immortality_n then_o that_o be_v take_v away_o the_o one_o sink_v into_o craft_n the_o other_o into_o cowardice_n in_o short_a there_o be_v but_o two_o office_n of_o magnanimity_n either_o to_o do_v or_o to_o suffer_v gallant_o both_o which_o be_v manifest_a contradiction_n to_o the_o epicurean_a principle_n for_o what_o inducement_n can_v that_o man_n have_v to_o put_v himself_o upon_o hardship_n who_o know_v no_o other_o happiness_n but_o ease_n and_o laziness_n and_o therefore_o upon_o their_o supposition_n it_o be_v wise_a advice_n of_o metrodorus_n to_o his_o brother_n not_o to_o concern_v himself_o in_o desence_n and_o preservation_n of_o his_o country_n but_o to_o eat_v and_o drink_v with_o philosophic_a wisdom_n and_o discretion_n and_o then_o as_o for_o bear_v up_o decent_o under_o calamity_n i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o they_o have_v not_o one_o principle_n wherewith_o to_o support_v themselves_o and_o without_o such_o principle_n as_o can_v supply_v the_o absence_n of_o their_o present_a happiness_n nothing_o else_o can_v relieve_v their_o loss_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o bear_v up_o with_o any_o cheerfulness_n under_o misery_n and_o affliction_n they_o must_v for_o ever_o sink_v into_o insupportable_a anguish_n and_o despair_n and_o now_o from_o these_o premise_n to_o mention_v no_o more_o particular_n because_o all_o the_o other_o virtue_n depend_v upon_o these_o it_o be_v demonstrative_o evident_a that_o to_o root_v up_o the_o sentiment_n of_o immortality_n out_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v to_o blast_v and_o put_v out_o the_o sun_n and_o to_o overwhelm_v the_o world_n in_o eternal_a night_n and_o darkness_n erase_v all_o the_o foundation_n of_o happiness_n tear_v up_o all_o the_o root_n of_o virtue_n and_o lay_v waste_v all_o the_o principle_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o humane_a society_n and_o as_o plutarch_n discourse_v where_o such_o principle_n colotem_fw-la of_o philosophy_n prevail_v as_o enervate_v the_o law_n of_o virtue_n man_n have_v nothing_o leave_v to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o brute-beast_n but_o that_o they_o want_v the_o claw_n of_o lion_n and_o the_o tooth_n of_o wolf_n the_o stomach_n of_o ox_n and_o the_o back_n of_o camel_n in_o a_o word_n upon_o this_o single_a principle_n of_o a_o future_a state_n depend_v all_o the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a if_o this_o stand_v firm_a virtue_n be_v secure_a but_o otherwise_o after_o all_o that_o care_n that_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v take_v to_o recommend_v it_o to_o we_o it_o be_v all_o no_o more_o than_o craft_n or_o folly_n §_o xxv_o and_o now_o have_v thus_o far_o and_o fair_o
into_o which_o number_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v receive_v this_o day_n be_v find_v in_o thy_o sight_n as_o a_o fair_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o thyself_o have_v prepare_v that_o so_o thou_o may_v accomplish_v what_o thou_o o_o true_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v foreshew_v wherefore_o i_o praise_v thou_o for_o all_o thy_o mercy_n i_o bless_v thou_o i_o glorify_v thou_o through_o the_o eternal_a high_a priest_n thy_o belove_a son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o who_o to_o thyself_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n to_o this_o eminent_a martyrdom_n of_o saint_n policarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n i_o can_v but_o subjoin_v that_o of_o pothinus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o his_o companion_n in_o that_o they_o suffer_v under_o the_o same_o prince_n with_o the_o same_o christian_a courage_n and_o resolution_n especial_o because_o pothinus_n also_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a age_n and_o almost_o as_o near_o the_o apostolical_a time_n as_o policarp_n and_o probable_o send_v by_o he_o into_o these_o western_a part_n and_o last_o because_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o public_a and_o undoubted_a epistle_n send_v from_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n by_o irenaeus_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n of_o both_o which_o epistle_n scaliger_n himself_o have_v 221._o give_v this_o just_a and_o deserve_a encomium_n that_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o most_o ancient_a martyrdom_n in_o the_o church_n so_o the_o read_n of_o they_o can_v but_o so_o affect_v every_o pious_a and_o devout_a mind_n as_o never_o to_o be_v satiate_v with_o it_o and_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n say_v he_o i_o do_v protest_v that_o i_o never_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o read_n whereof_o i_o have_v be_v so_o much_o transport_v as_o scarce_o to_o be_v myself_o and_o particular_o of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n what_o can_v be_v read_v more_o brave_a or_o more_o venerable_a in_o all_o the_o monument_n of_o christian_a antiquity_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o very_a amaze_a story_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a example_n both_o of_o the_o modesty_n and_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o as_o they_o be_v treat_v with_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n so_o their_o behaviour_n under_o all_o their_o torment_n be_v decent_a and_o free_a from_o all_o appearance_n either_o of_o vanity_n or_o passion_n now_o what_o can_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o such_o man_n as_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n to_o who_o i_o shall_v have_v add_v pionius_n that_o suffer_v gallant_o about_o the_o same_o time_n who_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o have_v such_o opportunity_n to_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o shall_v thus_o frank_o resign_v their_o life_n upon_o any_o less_o account_n than_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o believe_v but_o though_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a the_o evidence_n of_o the_o first_o and_o apostolical_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o two_o eminent_a martyr_n yet_o before_o i_o quit_v it_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o clear_v off_o one_o objection_n in_o which_o as_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o general_n so_o policarp_n in_o particular_a be_v concern_v and_o that_o be_v the_o contradictory_n tradition_n about_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n both_o party_n pretend_v to_o derive_v their_o different_a custom_n from_o the_o apostle_n policarp_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o lesser_a asia_n from_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o saint_n peter_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o destroy_v the_o credit_n of_o their_o tradition_n when_o they_o make_v so_o little_a conscience_n as_o to_o fasten_v contradiction_n upon_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o great_a use_n have_v of_o late_o be_v make_v of_o this_o objection_n by_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n mr._n hales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o his_o peevishness_n and_o before_o he_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v with_o great_a scorn_n upbraid_v its_o grossness_n and_o folly_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o daille_n topic_n against_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n and_o how_o often_o it_o have_v be_v since_o object_v by_o other_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o some_o man_n have_v a_o very_a great_a itch_n to_o be_v find_v fault_n for_o otherwise_o this_o grossness_n and_o folly_n this_o fantastic_a hurry_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n be_v schismatic_n as_o mr._n hales_n be_v please_v to_o speak_v of_o it_o with_o a_o great_a many_o other_o good_a word_n be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n both_o of_o the_o faithfulness_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o this_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o the_o beginning_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o different_a practice_n and_o so_o must_v have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n casual_o and_o without_o design_n prescribe_v different_a usage_n saint_n john_n in_o those_o part_n of_o asia_n where_o he_o reside_v continue_v easter_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o other_o place_n to_o prevent_v too_o much_o judaise_v in_o its_o observation_n make_v the_o same_o little_a alteration_n in_o its_o time_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o sabbath_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n of_o comply_v with_o or_o change_a jewish_a custom_n the_o apostle_n vary_v their_o order_n according_a to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n sometime_o come_v up_o close_o to_o they_o sometime_o keep_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n now_o these_o different_a custom_n about_o easter_n be_v once_o casual_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o contention_n among_o the_o people_n as_o we_o know_v the_o common_a people_n be_v always_o zealous_a for_o their_o own_o custom_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o stifle_v this_o fire_n that_o be_v break_v out_o among_o they_o policarp_n a_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o asia_n undertake_v a_o journey_n to_o rome_n if_o possible_a to_o allay_v and_o compose_v the_o controversy_n where_o upon_o debate_n between_o he_o and_o anicetus_n they_o conclude_v it_o the_o most_o proper_a course_n that_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o both_o party_n shall_v retain_v their_o own_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o communion_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o world_n they_o communicate_v together_o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n policarp_n consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o anicetus_n and_o so_o they_o part_v love_o and_o continue_v ever_o after_o good_a friend_n this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o these_o good_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n though_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v afterward_o revive_v by_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o one_o man_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o command_v the_o asiatic_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o he_o and_o all_o other_o church_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n to_o this_o they_o return_v he_o a_o sober_a answer_n represent_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o change_v so_o ancient_a a_o custom_n disclaim_v his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o advise_v he_o rather_o to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n than_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o particular_a custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o they_o alone_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n though_o they_o be_v of_o his_o own_o way_n unanimous_o condemn_v his_o heat_n and_o rashness_n in_o so_o trivial_a a_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n irenaeus_n have_v convene_v a_o synod_n in_o france_n write_v he_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o observation_n of_o easter_n but_o not_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unadvised_a thing_n to_o think_v of_o excommunicate_v whole_a church_n for_o observe_v the_o ancient_a custom_n derive_v down_o to_o they_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o there_o be_v as_o