interpreter_n of_o it_o be_v that_o in_o jer._n 7._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o god_n of_o israel_n put_v your_o burnt-offering_n unto_o your_o sacrifice_n and_o eat_v their_o flesh_n yourselves_o for_o i_o speak_v not_o unto_o your_o father_n nor_o command_v they_o in_o the_o day_n that_o i_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n concern_v burn_v offering_n and_o sacrifice_n but_o this_o thing_n command_v i_o they_o say_v obey_v my_o voice_n and_o i_o will_v be_v your_o god_n and_o you_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n and_o walk_v you_o in_o all_o the_o way_n that_o i_o have_v command_v you_o that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o unto_o you_o agree_v with_o this_o be_v that_o in_o hosea_n 6._o to_o show_v mercy_n to_o man_n be_v more_o acceptable_a to_o i_o than_o sacrifice_n to_o think_v right_o of_o god_n more_o than_o all_o burnt-offering_n last_o in_o the_o six_o of_o micah_n when_o the_o question_n be_v make_v what_o be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o obtain_v the_o favour_n of_o god_n whether_o by_o come_v before_o he_o with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ram_n or_o with_o a_o great_a quantity_n of_o oil_n or_o with_o calf_n of_o a_o year_n old_a to_o this_o god_n answer_n and_o say_v i_o will_v tell_v thou_o what_o be_v true_o good_a and_o acceptable_a unto_o i_o namely_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n by_o all_o which_o place_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o sacrifice_n be_v not_o in_o the_o number_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n desire_v for_o themselves_o or_o primary_o and_o that_o the_o people_n a_o naughty_a superstition_n creep_v in_o as_o be_v usual_a by_o little_a and_o little_a among_o they_o place_v a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o piety_n in_o they_o and_o believe_v they_o make_v a_o sufficient_a compensation_n for_o their_o sin_n by_o sacrifice_n what_o wonder_n be_v it_o if_o god_n at_o length_n take_v away_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o now_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a but_o who_o use_n be_v now_o become_v a_o vice_n since_o king_n hezekiah_n do_v not_o stick_v to_o break_v even_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n erect_v by_o moses_n because_o the_o people_n begin_v to_o honour_v it_o with_o religious_a worship_n moreover_o there_o be_v divers_a prophecy_n that_o foretell_v these_o sacrifice_n whereof_o we_o speak_v shall_v come_v to_o a_o end_n which_o any_o one_o may_v easy_o conceive_v who_o do_v but_o consider_v that_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n only_o the_o posterity_n of_o aaron_n be_v to_o do_v sacrifice_n and_o that_o only_a in_o their_o own_o country_n but_o in_o the_o 110_o psalm_n there_o be_v a_o king_n promise_v who_o dominion_n shall_v be_v most_o ample_a the_o beginning_n whereof_o shall_v be_v out_o of_o zion_n and_o this_o same_o king_n be_v to_o be_v a_o priest_n also_o for_o ever_o and_o that_o after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedeck_v so_o isaiah_n say_v chap._n 19_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o altar_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n where_o not_o only_o the_o egyptian_n but_o the_o assyrian_n also_o and_o the_o israelite_n shall_v worship_v god_n and_o in_o the_o 66_o chapter_n he_o say_v that_o the_o people_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o language_n which_o be_v far_o and_o wide_o distant_a shall_v come_v as_o well_o as_o the_o israelite_n and_o offer_v gift_n unto_o god_n and_o of_o they_o also_o there_o shall_v be_v ordain_v priest_n and_o levite_n all_o which_o can_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v so_o long_o as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n remain_v in_o force_n add_v unto_o these_o that_o in_o the_o first_o of_o malachy_n god_n foretell_v future_a thing_n say_v he_o abhor_v the_o offering_n of_o the_o hebrew_n i_o have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o you_o neither_o will_v i_o accept_v a_o offering_n at_o your_o hand_n for_o from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n even_o unto_o the_o go_n down_o of_o the_o same_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o every_o place_n incense_n shall_v be_v offer_v unto_o my_o name_n and_o a_o pure_a offering_n for_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o heathen_a say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n last_o daniel_n in_o his_o 9_o chapter_n rehearse_v the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n concern_v christ_n say_v that_o he_o shall_v cause_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o the_o oblation_n to_o cease_v and_o not_o by_o word_n only_o but_o real_o and_o indeed_o god_n plain_o enough_o show_n that_o he_o like_v not_o any_o long_o those_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v prescribe_v by_o moses_n see_v that_o he_o have_v suffer_v the_o jew_n for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o year_n and_o more_o to_o be_v without_o temple_n without_o altar_n and_o without_o any_o certain_a distinction_n of_o their_o tribe_n or_o lineage_n whence_o it_o may_v appear_v who_o they_o be_v that_o may_v lawful_o offer_v sacrifice_n sect_n ix_o the_o difference_n of_o meat_n now_o what_o we_o have_v declare_v concern_v the_o law_n of_o sacrifice_n the_o same_o may_v be_v prove_v of_o that_o law_n which_o forbid_v the_o use_n of_o some_o kind_n of_o meat_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o after_o the_o great_a deluge_n god_n give_v licence_n unto_o noah_n and_o his_o posterity_n to_o use_v any_o sort_n of_o victual_n which_o right_o therefore_o pass_v not_o only_o to_o japhet_n and_o cham_n but_o also_o unto_o sem_fw-mi and_o his_o posterity_n abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n but_o afterward_o when_o the_o people_n be_v in_o egypt_n be_v addict_v to_o the_o naughty_a superstition_n of_o that_o country_n then_o begin_v god_n to_o forbid_v they_o the_o eat_n of_o some_o kind_n of_o live_a creature_n either_o because_o the_o egyptian_n offer_v those_o creature_n unto_o their_o god_n and_o make_v divination_n by_o they_o or_o because_o in_o that_o ceremonial_a law_n man_n sundry_a vice_n be_v shadow_v out_o by_o divers_a kind_n of_o live_a creature_n again_o that_o these_o precept_n be_v not_o universal_a it_o be_v manifest_a by_o that_o statute_n which_o be_v make_v touch_v the_o flesh_n of_o a_o beast_n that_o die_v of_o itself_o deut._n 14._o which_o to_o eat_v be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o israelite_n but_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o stranger_n that_o dwell_v among_o they_o unto_o who_o the_o jew_n by_o divine_a command_n be_v to_o perform_v all_o office_n of_o courtesy_n as_o person_n esteem_v by_o god_n likewise_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n doctor_n do_v plain_o teach_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o law_n concern_v forbid_v meat_n shall_v cease_v when_o the_o sow_n shall_v be_v as_o clean_a and_o pure_a as_o the_o ox_n and_o very_o in_o as_o much_o as_o god_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n will_v collect_v unto_o himself_o one_o church_n it_o be_v more_o just_a and_o equitable_a to_o have_v a_o common_a liberty_n than_o a_o bondage_n in_o such_o thing_n sect_n x._o and_o of_o day_n it_o follow_v that_o we_o consider_v of_o festival_n day_n all_o which_o be_v institute_v and_o ordain_v in_o remembrance_n of_o that_o benefit_n receive_v of_o god_n when_o they_o be_v free_v from_o egyptian_a calamity_n and_o afterward_o bring_v into_o the_o promise_a land_n now_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o the_o 16._o and_o 23._o chapter_n say_v that_o the_o time_n will_v come_v when_o more_o new_a and_o great_a benefit_n shall_v so_o obscure_v the_o remembrance_n of_o that_o benefit_n as_o that_o afterward_o there_o shall_v scarce_o be_v any_o mention_n thereof_o beside_o that_o which_o but_o now_o be_v say_v concern_v sacrifice_n be_v true_a also_o of_o festival_n day_n the_o people_n begin_v to_o put_v confidence_n in_o they_o think_v that_o if_o they_o keep_v and_o observe_v they_o well_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n though_o they_o transgress_v in_o other_o matter_n whereupon_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o isaiah_n god_n faith_n that_o his_o soul_n hate_v their_o new_a moon_n and_o appoint_v feast_n and_o that_o they_o be_v such_o a_o trouble_n unto_o he_o as_o that_o he_o be_v weary_a to_o bear_v they_o more_o particular_o it_o be_v object_v concern_v the_o sabbath_n that_o the_o law_n thereof_o be_v universal_a and_o perpetual_a because_o it_o be_v not_o give_v to_o one_o peculiar_a people_n only_o but_o to_o adam_n the_o parent_n of_o all_o mankind_n at_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n i_o answer_v with_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o the_o hebrew_n that_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a precept_n concern_v the_o sabbath_n the_o first_o be_v a_o precept_n for_o commemoration_n exod._n 20._o 8._o and_o the_o second_o be_v a_o precept_n for_o observation_n exod._n 31._o 31._o the_o former_a be_v fulfil_v by_o a_o religious_a remembrance_n of_o the_o world_n creation_n and_o the_o latter_a
the_o first_o christian_n and_o by_o those_o next_o to_o the_o first_o and_o by_o the_o doctor_n which_o follow_v afterward_o even_o those_o that_o witness_v their_o faith_n in_o christ_n by_o their_o death_n for_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o any_o indifferent_a judge_n that_o must_v needs_o be_v repute_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o so_o many_o have_v successive_o acknowledge_v and_o profess_v like_o as_o we_o be_v persuade_v that_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o socrates_n which_o we_o read_v in_o plato_n and_o xenophon_n as_o also_o that_o of_o zeno_n the_o philosopher_n which_o we_o find_v hold_v by_o the_o stoic_n sect_n xx._n the_o excellency_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v further_o prove_v from_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o author_n the_o three_o thing_n wherein_o we_o say_v christian_a religion_n excel_v all_o other_o that_o be_v or_o can_v be_v devise_v be_v the_o manner_n whereby_o it_o be_v deliver_v and_o divulge_v where_o first_o we_o shall_v speak_v of_o the_o author_n they_o that_o be_v author_n of_o the_o wisdom_n among_o the_o grecian_n confess_v that_o they_o can_v not_o affirm_v almost_o any_o thing_n for_o certain_a in_o their_o doctrine_n because_o quoth_v they_o truth_n lie_v bid_v in_o a_o deep_a pit_n and_o our_o mind_n be_v no_o less_o dazzle_v in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o divine_a thing_n than_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o owl_n in_o behold_v the_o bright_a shine_a of_o the_o sun_n beside_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o but_o be_v notorious_o guilty_a of_o some_o vice_n or_o other_o for_o some_o be_v flatterer_n of_o prince_n other_o addict_v to_o the_o impure_a love_n of_o boy_n or_o harlot_n other_o glory_v in_o a_o doglike_a impudence_n and_o that_o they_o all_o envy_v one_o another_o their_o scold_n about_o word_n or_o matter_n of_o no_o moment_n be_v a_o great_a argument_n as_o this_o be_v of_o their_o coldness_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o even_o they_o who_o believe_v one_o god_n set_v he_o aside_o and_o not_o only_o worship_v other_o but_o such_o as_o they_o know_v be_v no_o god_n make_v that_o only_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o be_v common_o receive_v and_o practise_v in_o public_a touch_v the_o reward_n of_o godliness_n they_o determine_v nothing_o for_o certain_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o last_o farewell_o disputation_n of_o socrates_n at_o his_o death_n mahomet_n the_o author_n of_o a_o religion_n that_o be_v spread_v very_o far_o his_o own_o follower_n do_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v be_v a_o man_n that_o abandon_v himself_o to_o lust_n throughout_o his_o whole_a life_n but_o give_v no_o assurance_n at_o all_o by_o which_o man_n may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o there_o shall_v indeed_o be_v such_o a_o reward_n as_o he_o promise_v consist_v in_o banquet_v and_o in_o venery_n since_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v that_o his_o body_n be_v raise_v to_o life_n again_o but_o it_o lie_v bury_v at_o medina_n to_o this_o day_n and_o as_o for_o moses_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o hebrew_n law_n though_o he_o be_v a_o excellent_a person_n yet_o he_o can_v be_v free_v from_o all_o blame_n since_o he_o can_v scarce_o be_v persuade_v with_o much_o rejuctance_n to_o undertake_v the_o embassy_n which_o god_n charge_v he_o withal_o to_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n and_o express_v also_o some_o distrust_n of_o god_n promise_n for_o bring_v water_n out_o of_o the_o rock_n as_o the_o hebrew_n themselves_o confess_v and_o he_o do_v scarce_o partake_v of_o any_o one_o of_o those_o promise_n which_o by_o the_o law_n he_o make_v unto_o the_o people_n but_o be_v perplex_v with_o continual_a mutiny_n and_o sedition_n in_o the_o wilderness_n neither_o be_v he_o permit_v to_o enter_v into_o that_o bless_a and_o pleasant_a land_n so_o much_o desire_v but_o christ_n be_v describe_v by_o his_o disciple_n as_o a_o person_n without_o all_o sin_n nor_o do_v other_o ever_o produce_v any_o testimony_n to_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o least_o but_o whatsoever_o he_o prescribe_v to_o other_o he_o perform_v himself_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o god_n give_v he_o in_o charge_n which_o he_o do_v not_o faithful_o perform_v be_v most_o simple_a and_o void_a of_o guile_n in_o his_o whole_a life_n most_o patient_a of_o injury_n nay_o of_o cruel_a torment_n as_o he_o show_v in_o suffer_v even_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o cross_n most_o love_a and_o kind_n to_o all_o man_n even_o to_o his_o enemy_n yea_o those_o enemy_n who_o put_v he_o to_o death_n on_o who_o he_o have_v such_o compassion_n that_o he_o beseech_v god_n to_o forgive_v they_o as_o for_o the_o reward_n which_o he_o promise_v unto_o his_o disciple_n it_o be_v both_o say_v and_o prove_v by_o undoubted_a argument_n that_o he_o himself_o be_v make_v partaker_n thereof_o after_o a_o most_o eminent_a and_o excellent_a manner_n for_o after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a there_o be_v many_o that_o behold_v and_o hear_v and_o handle_v and_o feel_v he_o he_o also_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o twelve_o disciple_n where_o he_o obtain_v the_o high_a power_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o according_a to_o his_o promise_n make_v at_o his_o departure_n he_o endue_v they_o that_o be_v his_o follower_n with_o ability_n to_o speak_v those_o language_n which_o they_o have_v never_o learn_v and_o with_o other_o wonder-working_a power_n which_o will_v not_o let_v we_o doubt_v either_o of_o his_o faithfulness_n nor_o of_o his_o power_n to_o bestow_v upon_o we_o the_o reward_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v and_o thus_o we_o have_v show_v how_o that_o this_o religion_n be_v more_o excellent_a than_o other_o in_o regard_n that_o christ_n the_o author_n of_o it_o have_v himself_o perform_v what_o he_o command_v as_o also_o in_o his_o own_o person_n obtain_v and_o already_o enjoy_v the_o happiness_n that_o he_o promise_v sect_n xxi_o also_o from_o the_o wonderful_a spread_n of_o this_o religion_n let_v we_o in_o the_o next_o place_n descend_v to_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o doctrine_n bring_v by_o he_o to_o the_o world_n which_o if_o they_o be_v well_o weigh_v will_v appear_v to_o be_v such_o that_o if_o god_n have_v any_o care_n of_o humane_a affair_n this_o doctrine_n can_v but_o be_v believe_v to_o be_v divine_a it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o divine_a providence_n to_o make_v that_o which_o be_v best_a to_o be_v of_o the_o great_a and_o large_a extent_n now_o such_o be_v the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o we_o see_v publish_v and_o teach_v through_o all_o europe_n not_o except_v the_o most_o northern_a province_n and_o no_o less_o through_o all_o asia_n even_o the_o island_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sea_n through_o egypt_n also_o and_o aethiopia_n and_o some_o other_o part_n of_o africa_n and_o last_o through_o america_n nor_o be_v this_o only_o do_v now_o but_o be_v so_o ancient_o as_o be_v witness_v by_o the_o history_n of_o all_o time_n by_o the_o book_n of_o christian_n the_o act_n of_o synod_n and_o by_o that_o old_a tradition_n at_o this_o day_n preserve_v among_o the_o barbarian_n concern_v the_o travel_n and_o miracle_n of_o thomas_n andrew_n and_o other_o apostle_n clemens_n tertullian_n and_o some_o ancient_n beside_o have_v note_v how_o far_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v know_v among_o the_o britain_n german_n and_o other_o most_o remote_a nation_n in_o their_o time_n and_o certain_o there_o be_v no_o other_o religion_n comparable_a hereunto_o for_o ample_a and_o large_a extent_n paganism_n indeed_o be_v one_o name_n but_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v one_o religion_n since_o that_o it_o be_v neither_o agree_v upon_o by_o the_o professor_n thereof_o what_o one_o thing_n they_o shall_v worship_v but_o some_o adore_v the_o star_n other_o the_o element_n and_o a_o three_o sort_n reverence_v their_o cattle_n other_o such_o thing_n as_o have_v no_o subsistence_n nor_o be_v this_o worship_n perform_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o law_n nor_o from_o any_o common_a master_n the_o jew_n indeed_o be_v disperse_v and_o scatter_v up_o and_o down_o yet_o remain_v one_o people_n howbeit_o their_o religion_n have_v never_o any_o notable_a growth_n or_o increase_n after_o christ_n ascension_n and_o their_o law_n be_v not_o so_o much_o make_v know_v by_o they_o as_o by_o christian_n then_o for_o mahumetanisme_n it_o be_v possess_v of_o land_n enough_o but_o it_o be_v not_o alone_a for_o christian_a religion_n be_v also_o profess_a in_o the_o same_o country_n where_o in_o some_o place_n there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n than_o of_o turk_n who_o on_o the_o contrary_a be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v at_o all_o in_o most_o part_n where_o christianity_n be_v plant_v sect_n xxii_o consider_v the_o meekness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o they_o that_o first_o teach_v this_o religion_n it_o
out_o or_o add_v but_o it_o be_v a_o unjust_a thing_n to_o bring_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o book_n or_o evidence_n only_o because_o in_o so_o many_o age_n there_o can_v not_o but_o be_v great_a variety_n of_o copy_n since_o both_o custom_n and_o reason_n require_v that_o what_o appear_v in_o the_o most_o and_o most_o ancient_a copy_n be_v prefer_v to_o the_o rest_n but_o that_o either_o by_o fraud_n or_o any_o other_o way_n all_o the_o copy_n be_v corrupt_v and_o that_o in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n or_o some_o remarkable_a piece_n of_o history_n will_v never_o be_v prove_v for_o there_o be_v neither_o any_o evidence_n nor_o any_o witness_n of_o those_o time_n which_o attest_v it_o but_o if_o as_o be_v say_v before_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n urge_v in_o much_o late_a time_n by_o those_o who_o bear_v a_o implacable_a hatred_n to_o the_o disciple_n of_o these_o book_n that_o aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o reproach_n not_o as_o a_o testimony_n and_o this_o true_o which_o we_o have_v say_v may_v be_v well_o think_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o those_o who_o object_n a_o change_n in_o the_o scripture_n for_o he_o who_o affirm_v that_o especial_o against_o a_o writing_n which_o have_v be_v long_o and_o in_o abundance_n of_o place_n receive_v ought_v himself_o to_o prove_v his_o charge_n but_o to_o make_v the_o vanity_n of_o this_o objection_n more_o full_o appear_v we_o will_v show_v that_o what_o they_o feign_v neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v do_v we_o have_v prove_v before_o that_o the_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v which_o be_v grant_v it_o follow_v that_o other_o book_n be_v not_o foist_v into_o their_o room_n nor_o be_v any_o notable_a part_n of_o they_o change_v for_o since_o that_o change_n must_v needs_o have_v some_o design_n that_o part_n will_v notorious_o differ_v from_o the_o other_o part_n and_o book_n which_o be_v not_o change_v which_o can_v now_o any_o where_o be_v discern_v nay_o there_o be_v a_o admirable_a agreement_n as_o we_o say_v in_o their_o sense_n beside_o as_o soon_o as_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a man_n publish_v any_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o christian_n with_o great_a diligence_n as_o become_v their_o piety_n and_o care_v to_o preserve_v and_o propagate_v truth_n to_o posterity_n take_v from_o thence_o many_o copy_n for_o their_o use_n which_o therefore_o be_v disperse_v as_o far_o as_o the_o christian_a name_n through_o europe_n asia_n and_o egypt_n in_o which_o place_n the_o greek_a language_n be_v speak_v and_o more_o than_o this_o the_o original_a copy_n also_o as_o we_o say_v before_o be_v preserve_v till_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n now_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o any_o book_n diffuse_v into_o so_o many_o copy_n and_o keep_v not_o only_o by_o the_o private_a diligence_n of_o particular_a person_n but_o the_o common_a care_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v alter_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o falsifier_n add_v further_o that_o these_o book_n in_o the_o follow_a age_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o syriac_a ethiopick_n arabic_a and_o latin_a tongue_n which_o translation_n be_v yet_o extant_a and_o do_v not_o differ_v in_o any_o thing_n of_o moment_n from_o the_o greek_a copy_n themselves_o beside_o we_o have_v the_o write_n of_o those_o man_n who_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o by_o their_o disciple_n wherein_o many_o place_n be_v cite_v out_o of_o these_o book_n to_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o meaning_n which_o now_o we_o read_v they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o in_o the_o church_n of_o so_o great_a authority_n in_o those_o time_n as_o to_o have_v meet_v with_o obedience_n if_o he_o will_v have_v change_v any_o thing_n as_o be_v plain_a enough_o by_o the_o free_a and_o open_a dissent_n of_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n and_o cyprian_a from_o those_o that_o be_v most_o eminent_a in_o the_o church_n after_o which_o time_n there_o succeed_v many_o other_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n who_o have_v first_o make_v diligent_a inquiry_n thereof_o receive_v these_o book_n as_o retain_v their_o original_a purity_n hitherto_o also_o may_v be_v refer_v what_o but_o now_o we_o say_v of_o divers_a sect_n of_o christian_n all_o which_o at_o least_o such_o as_o acknowledge_v god_n to_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o the_o world_n and_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o a_o new_a law_n do_v receive_v and_o use_v these_o book_n according_o as_o we_o do_v the_o same_o and_o if_o any_o have_v attempt_v to_o alter_v or_o put_v any_o thing_n new_a into_o any_o part_n thereof_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v accuse_v by_o the_o rest_n for_o forgery_n and_o false-dealing_a therein_o neither_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o sect_n that_o have_v the_o liberty_n at_o their_o pleasure_n to_o alter_v any_o of_o these_o book_n for_o their_o own_o turn_n for_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o all_o of_o they_o do_v draw_v their_o argument_n one_o against_o another_o out_o of_o the_o same_o and_o as_o for_o that_o which_o we_o touch_v concern_v divine_a providence_n it_o belong_v no_o less_o unto_o the_o chief_a part_n than_o unto_o the_o whole_a book_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o it_o that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v so_o many_o thousand_o man_n which_o sincere_o desire_v to_o be_v godly_a and_o earnest_o seek_v after_o eternal_a life_n to_o be_v lead_v headlong_o into_o that_o error_n which_o they_o can_v no_o way_n avoid_v and_o thus_o much_o shall_v suffice_v to_o be_v speak_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n whence_o alone_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o help_n we_o may_v be_v sufficient_o instruct_v concern_v the_o true_a religion_n sect_n xvi_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o leave_v we_o also_o the_o writing_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n which_o be_v ancient_o the_o true_a and_o afford_v no_o small_a testimony_n for_o christianity_n therefore_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o justify_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o first_o then_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v be_v manifest_a in_o like_a manner_n as_o we_o have_v prove_v of_o we_o before_o of_o the_o new_a covenant_n these_o author_n be_v either_o prophet_n or_o other_o very_a faithful_a and_o credible_a man_n such_o as_o be_v esdras_n who_o be_v think_v to_o have_v collect_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n into_o one_o volume_n during_o the_o life_n time_n of_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n malachy_n and_o zachary_n i_o will_v not_o here_o repeat_v again_o what_o be_v say_v before_o in_o the_o commendation_n of_o moses_n both_o that_o part_n of_o history_n which_o at_o first_o be_v deliver_v by_o he_o as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o book_n and_o that_o also_o which_o be_v collect_v after_o his_o time_n be_v witness_v even_o by_o many_o of_o the_o heathen_a thus_o the_o annal_n of_o the_o phoenician_n have_v record_v the_o name_n of_o david_n and_o solomon_n and_o their_o league_n with_o the_o man_n of_o tyre_n aswell_o berosus_n as_o the_o hebrew_n writer_n make_v mention_n of_o nobuchadonosor_n and_o of_o other_o chaldean_a king_n he_o who_o jeremy_n call_v vaphres_n king_n of_o egypt_n be_v term_v apries_n by_o herodotus_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o book_n of_o the_o grecian_n be_v replenish_v with_o narration_n concern_v cyrus_n and_o his_o successor_n until_o the_o time_n of_o darius_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n concern_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v relate_v by_o josephus_n in_o his_o book_n against_o appion_n whereunto_o we_o may_v add_v what_o before_o we_o have_v touch_v out_o of_o strabo_n and_o trogus_n but_o as_o for_o we_o christian_n we_o can_v in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n out_o of_o every_o one_o of_o which_o almost_o there_o be_v testimony_n extant_a in_o our_o book_n which_o be_v find_v likewise_o in_o the_o hebrew_n neither_o do_v we_o find_v when_o christ_n reprehend_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n and_o pharisees_n of_o his_o time_n that_o ever_o he_o accuse_v they_o of_o forgery_n commit_v against_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n or_o that_o they_o use_v counterfeit_a book_n or_o such_o as_o be_v change_v then_o after_o christ_n time_n it_o can_v be_v prove_v neither_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v corrupt_v in_o matter_n of_o any_o moment_n if_o we_o consider_v right_o how_o far_o and_o wide_o over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v spread_v who_o every_o where_o be_v
the_o keeper_n of_o these_o book_n for_o first_o of_o all_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v lead_v away_o captive_a by_o the_o assyrian_n into_o media_n then_o afterward_o the_o two_o other_o tribe_n and_o many_o of_o these_o also_o after_o cyrus_n grant_v they_o liberty_n to_o return_v settle_v themselves_o in_o foreign_a country_n the_o macedonian_n invite_v they_o with_o great_a promise_n to_o come_v into_o alexandria_n the_o cruelty_n of_o antiochus_n the_o civil_a war_n of_o the_o maccabee_n together_o with_o those_o of_o pompey_n and_o sossius_n from_o without_o do_v disperse_v and_o scatter_v abroad_o many_o of_o they_o the_o part_n of_o africa_n about_o cyrene_n be_v full_a of_o the_o jew_n so_o be_v the_o city_n of_o asia_n macedonia_n lycaonia_n and_o likewise_o the_o isle_n of_o cyprus_n crete_n and_o other_o also_o what_o a_o number_n of_o they_o there_o be_v at_o rome_n may_v be_v learn_v out_o of_o horace_n juvenal_n and_o martial_n now_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o such_o multitude_n so_o far_o distant_a one_o from_o another_o shall_v be_v cozen_v in_o this_o kind_n neither_o can_v they_o ever_o accord_v all_o in_o the_o coin_n of_o a_o untruth_n add_v moreover_o that_o almost_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n at_o the_o appointment_n and_o care_n of_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n those_o book_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v translate_v into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n by_o those_o that_o be_v call_v the_o seventy_o interpreter_n so_o as_o then_o the_o grecian_n have_v the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o they_o though_o in_o another_o language_n whereby_o they_o be_v the_o less_o liable_a to_o be_v change_v nay_o more_o these_o book_n be_v translate_v both_o into_o the_o chaldee_n tongue_n and_o into_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v the_o half_a syriac_n a_o little_a before_o and_o a_o little_a after_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n other_o greek_a translation_n afterward_o there_o be_v as_o namely_o by_o aquila_n symmachus_n and_o theodotion_n all_o which_o origen_n compare_v with_o that_o of_o the_o seventy_o interpreter_n and_o after_o he_o other_o also_o who_o can_v find_v no_o diversity_n of_o history_n or_o of_o any_o matter_n worth_n speak_v of_o philo_z live_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n and_o josephus_n survive_v the_o time_n of_o both_o the_o vespasian_n which_o two_o writer_n allege_v out_o of_o the_o hebrew_n book_n the_o same_o thing_n that_o we_o read_v at_o this_o day_n now_o in_o these_o very_a time_n begin_v christian_a religion_n to_o be_v more_o and_o more_o propagate_v be_v profess_v by_o many_o of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o by_o sundry_a person_n that_o have_v learn_v the_o hebrew_n tongue_n who_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v falsify_v in_o any_o notable_a part_n can_v have_v quick_o discover_v it_o by_o compare_v more_o ancient_a copy_n and_o so_o have_v make_v it_o public_o know_v but_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v this_o that_o on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o allege_v many_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o old_a covenant_n to_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o meaning_n that_o they_o be_v use_v by_o the_o hebrew_n which_o hebrew_n may_v soon_o be_v accuse_v of_o any_o other_o fault_n than_o i_o will_v not_o say_v falsehood_n but_o of_o so_o much_o as_o negligence_n about_o these_o book_n which_o they_o have_v so_o religious_o and_o exact_o describe_v and_o compare_v that_o they_o know_v how_o often_o any_o one_o letter_n be_v find_v therein_o the_o last_o though_o not_o the_o least_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o purposely_o corrupt_a or_o alter_v the_o scripture_n may_v be_v because_o the_o christian_n out_o of_o the_o very_a book_n which_o be_v read_v by_o the_o jew_n do_v evince_v and_o as_o they_o trust_v very_o strong_o that_o their_o lord_n and_o master_n jesus_n be_v that_o same_o very_a messiah_n which_o be_v ancient_o promise_v to_o the_o jew_n their_o forefather_n which_o above_o all_o thing_n the_o jew_n will_v have_v take_v care_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v do_v when_o the_o controversy_n arise_v between_o they_o and_o the_o christian_n if_o ever_o it_o have_v be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o have_v change_v what_o they_o list_v the_o four_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n sect_n i._o a_o particular_a confutation_n of_o the_o religion_n opposite_a to_o christianity_n the_o four_o book_n begin_v with_o that_o pleasure_n which_o many_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o take_v in_o behold_v the_o danger_n wherein_o other_o be_v while_o they_o be_v in_o none_o themselves_o show_n that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o great_a pleasure_n of_o a_o christian_a man_n in_o this_o life_n not_o only_o to_o rejoice_v and_o bless_v himself_o that_o he_o have_v find_v out_o the_o truth_n but_o to_o lend_v his_o help_n also_o to_o other_o that_o wander_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o labyrinth_n of_o error_n and_o to_o make_v they_o partaker_n of_o so_o great_a a_o benefit_n which_o we_o in_o some_o measure_n have_v endeavour_v to_o do_v in_o the_o former_a book_n the_o demonstration_n of_o that_o which_o be_v true_a contain_v in_o itself_o the_o confutation_n of_o what_o be_v false_a yet_o in_o regard_n that_o all_o kind_n of_o religion_n which_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o the_o christian_a viz._n paganism_n judaisme_n and_o mahometism_n beside_o that_o which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o have_v certain_a error_n proper_a to_o every_o one_o of_o they_o and_o their_o peculiar_a argument_n which_o they_o be_v wont_v to_o oppose_v we_o withal_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o make_v a_o particular_a disputation_n against_o every_o one_o of_o these_o first_o beseech_v the_o reader_n to_o free_v their_o judgement_n from_o lean_v to_o a_o party_n and_o from_o long_a custom_n and_o prejudice_n as_o impediment_n of_o a_o good_a mind_n that_o with_o the_o great_a indifferency_n they_o may_v take_v cognizance_n of_o what_o shall_v be_v say_v sect_n ii_o and_o first_o of_o paganism_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n create_v spirit_n be_v good_a or_o bad_a the_o good_a not_o to_o be_v honour_v but_o as_o the_o most_o high_a god_n direct_v to_o begin_v then_o against_o pagan_n if_o they_o say_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a eternal_a and_o coequal_a god_n we_o have_v confute_v this_o opinion_n before_o in_o the_o first_o book_n where_o we_o teach_v that_o there_o be_v but_o only_o one_o god_n who_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n or_o if_o they_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n do_v understand_v the_o create_v spirit_n which_o be_v superior_a to_o man_n they_o then_o either_o mean_v the_o good_a or_o the_o bad_a if_o they_o say_v the_o good_a first_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o such_o be_v so_o indeed_o otherwise_o they_o commit_v a_o dangerous_a error_n in_o receive_v enemy_n in_o stead_n of_o friend_n and_o traitor_n for_o ambassador_n then_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v in_o their_o very_a worship_n make_v a_o evident_a difference_n between_o the_o most_o high_a god_n and_o those_o spirit_n and_o likewise_o be_v satisfy_v what_o order_n there_o be_v among_o they_o what_o good_a may_v be_v expect_v from_o each_o of_o they_o and_o what_o honour_n the_o most_o high_a be_v willing_a shall_v be_v bestow_v on_o every_o one_o of_o they_o all_o which_o being_n want_v in_o their_o religion_n it_o be_v plain_a from_o thence_o how_o uncertain_a that_o religion_n be_v and_o how_o it_o be_v a_o safe_a course_n for_o they_o to_o betake_v themselves_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o almighty_a god_n which_o even_o plato_n confess_v be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o wise_a man_n special_o for_o that_o to_o whosoever_o god_n be_v propitious_a and_o favourable_a to_o they_o these_o good_a angel_n must_v needs_o be_v serviceable_a and_o gracious_a be_v the_o minister_n and_o servant_n of_o the_o most_o high_a sect_n iii_o evil_a spirit_n adore_v by_o pagan_n and_o how_o impious_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v but_o it_o be_v the_o bad_a not_o the_o good_a spirit_n which_o the_o pagan_n do_v worship_v as_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o weighty_a reason_n first_o because_o these_o adore_a angel_n do_v not_o throw_v off_o their_o worshipper_n unto_o the_o service_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v labour_v to_o abolish_v the_o same_o or_o at_o least_o in_o every_o respect_n require_v equal_a honour_n with_o the_o almighty_a second_o because_o they_o procure_v all_o the_o mischief_n they_o can_v to_o the_o worshipper_n of_o the_o one_o most_o high_a god_n by_o provoke_v both_o magistrate_n and_o people_n to_o inflict_v punishment_n upon_o they_o for_o when_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o poet_n to_o sing_v of_o the_o murder_n and_o adultery_n commit_v by_o the_o god_n and_o for_o the_o epicure_n to_o take_v away_o all_o divine_a providence_n and_o any_o other_o religion_n though_o never_o