hope_n of_o immortality_n the_o vanity_n of_o epicurus_n his_o great_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n viz._n that_o death_n can_v hurt_v we_o because_o when_o that_o be_v we_o be_v not_o p._n 106._o §_o xxii_o all_o the_o other_o receipt_n prescribe_v by_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n represent_v and_o explode_v p._n 113._o §_o xxiii_o without_o a_o future_a state_n no_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o virtue_n first_o not_o for_o temperance_n p._n 120._o §_o xxiv_o second_o not_o for_o justice_n nor_o magnanimity_n p._n 124._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o stoical_a philosophy_n represent_v upon_o its_o principle_n neither_o happiness_n nor_o virtue_n without_o a_o future_a state_n p._n 131._o §_o xxvi_o a_o account_n of_o the_o platonic_a and_o peripatetic_a morality_n out_o of_o tully_n and_o first_o his_o consolatory_a discourse_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o tusculane_n question_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n prove_v vain_a and_o ineffectual_a p._n 139._o §_o xxvii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o remedy_n prescribe_v in_o his_o second_o book_n for_o the_o alleviate_a of_o pain_n p._n 147._o §_o xxviii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o book_n against_o grief_n and_o trouble_v under_o the_o calamity_n of_o life_n and_o all_o other_o perturbation_n of_o the_o mind_n p._n 151._o §_o xxix_o a_o account_n of_o the_o five_o book_n where_o he_o forsake_v the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n as_o insufficient_a to_o his_o purpose_n and_o what_o good_a reason_n he_o have_v so_o to_o do_v p._n 157._o §_o xxx_o the_o defect_n of_o his_o own_o new_a way_n of_o philosophise_v prove_v in_o general_n p._n 162._o §_o xxxi_o that_o great_a and_o glorious_a maxim_n of_o his_o friend_n brutus_n that_o virtue_n be_v sufficient_a to_o its_o own_o happiness_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o empty_a say_n without_o immortality_n the_o argument_n conclude_v p._n 167._o part_n ii_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n §_o i._o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n pag._n 175._o §_o ii_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o infinite_a and_o intolerable_a absurdity_n of_o unbelief_n p._n 179._o §_o iii_o this_o particular_o prove_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o advice_n in_o the_o article_n of_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 182._o §_o iv._o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v false_a in_o their_o testimony_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o first_o instinct_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n and_o desire_v of_o self-preservation_n p._n 184._o §_o v._o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o prudence_n and_o common_a understanding_n p._n 190._o §_o vi_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o inconsistency_n with_o and_o contrariety_n to_o their_o own_o design_n in_o publish_v christianity_n to_o the_o world_n p._n 193._o §_o vii_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n if_o write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v p._n 199._o §_o viii_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o any_o other_o demonstrative_o prove_v p._n 204._o §_o ix_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o authority_n be_v sometime_o dispute_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 207._o §_o x._o mr._n hobbs_n witticism_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o canon_n be_v first_o compile_v by_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n confute_v p._n 210._o §_o xi_o the_o concurrence_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n with_o the_o testimony_n of_o christian_a writer_n p._n 112._o §_o xii_o josephus_n and_o saint_n luke_n reconcile_v about_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n and_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n p._n 215._o §_o xiii_o the_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o saviour_n vindicate_v from_o the_o exception_n of_o tanaquil_n faber_n and_o other_o critic_n p._n 222._o §_o fourteen_o the_o testimony_n of_o phlegon_n concern_v the_o eclipse_n at_o the_o passion_n assert_v p._n 229._o §_o xv._n pontius_n pilate_n his_o narrative_a concern_v our_o saviour_n to_o tiberius_n and_o tiberius_n his_o opinion_n of_o it_o clear_v p._n 230._o §_o xvi_o the_o story_n of_o agbarus_n prove_v genuine_a p._n 235._o §_o xvii_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n prevail_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n if_o their_o story_n have_v be_v false_a p._n 239._o §_o xviii_o the_o speedy_a propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n describe_v philo_n therapeutae_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v christian_n p._n 241._o §_o xix_o the_o first_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a its_o be_v a_o late_a matter_n of_o fact_n p._n 251._o §_o xx._n the_o second_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o atheism_n and_o the_o luxury_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v publish_v p._n 256._o §_o xxi_o the_o three_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n both_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a p._n 259._o §_o xxii_o the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o all_o other_o disadvantage_n not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o rational_a evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o truth_n p._n 263._o §_o xxiii_o that_o the_o apostle_n plant_v the_o christian_a faith_n with_o so_o much_o speed_n by_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o have_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n p._n 266._o §_o xxiv_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o power_n to_o the_o next_o follow_v age_n assert_v and_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n appeal_v to_o by_o all_o the_o advocate_n of_o christianity_n in_o their_o public_a write_n p._n 275._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v wrought_v by_o magic_n p._n 283._o §_o xxvi_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o miracle_n oppose_v by_o the_o heathen_n to_o our_o saviour_n particular_o that_o of_o vespasian_n in_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a p._n 287._o §_o xxvii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o evident_a imposture_n of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n from_o his_o own_o historian_n philostratus_n p._n 293._o §_o xxviii_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n from_o mere_a humane_a tradition_n and_o that_o first_o public_a by_o the_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o chief_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n p._n 300._o §_o xxix_o the_o same_o prove_v by_o private_a tradition_n and_o first_o of_o saint_n clement_n bishop_n of_o rome_n p._n 308._o §_o xxx_o second_o of_o saint_n ignatius_n with_o a_o account_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o epistle_n p._n 311._o §_o xxxi_o three_o of_o saint_n policarp_n pothinus_n and_o papias_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v as_o to_o the_o paschal_n controversy_n p._n 320._o §_o xxxii_o of_o hegesippus_n the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n vindicate_v against_o all_o innovator_n and_o hegesippus_n his_o history_n against_o the_o cavil_n of_o scaliger_n p._n 328._o §_o xxxiii_o of_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n and_o a_o great_a number_n more_o p._n 338._o §_o xxxiv_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o infidelity_n of_o great_a number_n of_o man_n in_o that_o age_n answer_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v their_o invincible_a prejudice_n in_o honour_n of_o moses_n p._n 343._o §_o xxxv_o their_o second_o great_a prejudice_n be_v their_o expectation_n of_o a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n for_o their_o messiah_n and_o how_o they_o be_v cross_v in_o it_o by_o our_o saviour_n p._n 349._o §_o xxxvi_o atheism_n the_o ground_n of_o the_o sadducee_n oppose_v christianity_n and_o fanatic_a pride_n and_o arrogance_n of_o the_o pharisee_n p._n 357._o §_o xxxvii_o the_o heathen_n oppose_v christianity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o idolatry_n the_o neronian_a persecution_n only_o a_o trick_n of_o state_n to_o secure_v himself_o from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o multitude_n by_o deliver_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o it_o p._n 363._o §_o xxxviii_o domitian_n persecution_n found_v upon_o jealousy_n of_o state_n against_o the_o line_n of_o david_n hegesippus_n vindicate_v in_o his_o account_n of_o it_o against_o scaliger_n the_o jealousy_n both_o of_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o senate_n about_o the_o messiah_n p._n 370._o §_o thirty-nine_o a_o account_n of_o the_o follow_a persecution_n and_o of_o the_o injustice_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o several_a proceed_n against_o
vanity_n of_o their_o principle_n before_o we_o can_v hope_v to_o work_v they_o to_o any_o effectual_a reformation_n and_o though_o i_o think_v it_o a_o imprudent_a thing_n to_o be_v dispute_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n to_o the_o common_a people_n if_o it_o can_v be_v avoid_v because_o it_o common_o rather_o weaken_v than_o confirm_v their_o faith_n and_o make_v they_o think_v that_o to_o be_v only_o problematical_a which_o before_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v unquestionable_a yet_o when_o they_o have_v raise_v the_o dispute_n among_o themselves_o and_o have_v by_o chance_n for_o they_o never_o judge_v of_o any_o thing_n upon_o due_a enquiry_n because_o they_o never_o make_v it_o run_v away_o with_o the_o wrong_a side_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reduce_v by_o better_a information_n and_o that_o be_v the_o design_n of_o this_o follow_a treatise_n to_o demonstrate_v to_o they_o these_o two_o great_a fundamental_a truth_n viz._n the_o evident_a obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o alone_o will_v scatter_v away_o all_o their_o little_a principle_n and_o pretence_n of_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n and_o if_o it_o do_v not_o work_v so_o effectual_o upon_o they_o as_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o a_o right_a sense_n yet_o it_o will_v at_o least_o destroy_v the_o rudeness_n and_o confidence_n of_o their_o impiety_n and_o force_v they_o to_o be_v more_o decent_a and_o modest_a in_o their_o wickedness_n by_o let_v they_o see_v that_o what_o they_o suppose_v a_o high_a attainment_n in_o wisdom_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o extreme_a ignorance_n and_o mere_a want_n of_o enquiry_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o lamentable_o dull_a and_o silly_a as_o the_o atheistical_a philosophy_n and_o now_o when_o we_o have_v spoil_v their_o pedantry_n that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o spoil_v they_o we_o have_v half_o reduce_v they_o by_o let_v they_o see_v that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o they_o to_o be_v philosophise_v and_o that_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o will_v turn_v to_o a_o much_o better_a account_n as_o to_o their_o own_o design_n if_o instead_o of_o bewildr_v their_o fancy_n in_o the_o leviathan_n they_o will_v learn_v the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o creed_n and_o the_o ten_o commandment_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n for_o after_o all_o their_o labour_n after_o philosophic_a knack_n and_o curiosity_n they_o be_v certain_a to_o loose_v their_o vanity_n and_o instead_o of_o be_v admire_v for_o their_o learning_n as_o they_o design_v only_o make_v themselves_o despise_v for_o their_o conceit_a folly_n a_o ass_n will_v never_o become_v a_o lion_n skin_n nor_o a_o mechanic_n a_o philosopher_n cloak_n and_o yet_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o have_v scarce_o any_o hope_n of_o reclaim_v such_o of_o the_o multitude_n as_o be_v already_o taint_v with_o this_o plague_n for_o i_o know_v by_o too_o much_o experience_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n more_o inflexible_a than_o ignorance_n steel_v and_o harden_v with_o wickedness_n and_o therefore_o my_o only_a design_n be_v to_o step_v in_o between_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o live_n the_o infect_a and_o the_o sound_n and_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o give_v some_o stop_n to_o the_o contagion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o keep_v the_o disease_n from_o descend_v to_o posterity_n for_o as_o for_o this_o unhappy_a age_n it_o be_v so_o universal_o overspread_v with_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n that_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o find_v any_o just_a entertainment_n in_o it_o but_o certain_o undebauched_a posterity_n will_v judge_v more_o impartial_o and_o such_o i_o know_v be_v the_o power_n of_o truth_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o if_o it_o can_v but_o gain_v audience_n it_o will_v at_o last_o prevail_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v disengage_v from_o prejudice_n and_o disdain_v not_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o result_v of_o sober_a reason_n and_o that_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n that_o whenever_o virtue_n shall_v begin_v to_o lift_v up_o its_o head_n and_o recover_v its_o right_n i_o may_v give_v some_o little_a assistance_n to_o its_o restauration_n and_o both_o as_o a_o clergyman_n do_v something_o towards_o promote_a the_o happiness_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o as_o a_o englishman_n towards_o recover_v the_o ancient_a reputation_n of_o my_o native_a country_n for_o civility_n justice_n and_o integrity_n as_o for_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o first_o part_n i_o must_v confess_v there_o have_v be_v much_o talk_n in_o the_o world_n about_o it_o but_o very_o little_o say_v the_o civilian_n canonist_n and_o schoolman_n have_v attempt_v little_o more_o than_o to_o define_v it_o and_o in_o that_o they_o have_v fail_v too_o even_o grotius_n himself_o have_v so_o far_o mistake_v it_o as_o to_o suppose_v it_o obligatory_a without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o deity_n puffendorf_n have_v indeed_o of_o late_o happen_v upon_o its_o right_a definition_n in_o general_n but_o have_v neither_o describe_v its_o particular_a branch_n nor_o demonstrate_v any_o of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o its_o obligation_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr principiis_fw-la justi_n &_o decori_fw-la once_o or_o twice_o start_v the_o right_a notion_n of_o it_o but_o quite_o lose_v it_o in_o the_o chase_n by_o quit_v his_o own_o scent_n to_o follow_v mr._n hobbs_n cry_n among_o the_o ancient_n both_o greek_n and_o roman_n i_o find_v as_o little_o perform_v seldom_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o mere_a definition_n and_o positive_a assertion_n and_o at_o most_o some_o witty_a and_o fancifull_a reason_n in_o the_o platonic_a writer_n what_o be_v do_v by_o tully_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr republicâ_fw-la where_o as_o he_o inform_v we_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr legibus_fw-la it_o be_v copious_o treat_v of_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v know_v that_o excellent_a treatise_n which_o himself_o value_v much_o above_o all_o his_o other_o write_n be_v unfortunate_o perish_v but_o by_o those_o fragment_n that_o be_v remain_v of_o it_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o this_o loss_n have_v be_v competent_o compensated_a by_o the_o learned_a and_o judicious_a treatise_n of_o our_o countryman_n dr._n cumberland_n upon_o this_o argument_n who_o have_v not_o only_o hit_v upon_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o have_v in_o a_o method_n heretofore_o proper_a only_o to_o mathematics_n demonstrate_v its_o obligation_n but_o his_o discourse_n be_v every_o where_o interweave_v with_o mathematical_a logical_a metaphysical_a and_o physiological_a term_n and_o notion_n i_o meet_v with_o very_a few_o that_o have_v be_v able_a to_o master_v its_o sense_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v take_v his_o main_a notion_n alone_o strip_v of_o all_o accessional_a ornament_n of_o learning_n and_o prosecute_v the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o my_o own_o way_n in_o a_o familiar_a style_n and_o a_o easy_a method_n as_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o depend_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o author_n of_o nature_n for_o unless_o that_o be_v antecedent_o grant_v we_o can_v so_o much_o as_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v after_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n because_o if_o he_o never_o contrive_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v evident_o in_o vain_a to_o search_v for_o his_o design_n in_o the_o contrivance_n and_o herein_o i_o have_v a_o very_a considerable_a advantage_n of_o the_o learned_a author_n that_o i_o follow_v for_o he_o begin_n at_o the_o dispute_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v force_v to_o presume_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o its_o author_n which_o without_o any_o presumption_n i_o demand_v and_o challenge_v for_o have_v first_o prove_v all_o those_o physical_a end_n and_o design_n that_o he_o have_v discover_v of_o his_o providence_n in_o all_o part_n of_o nature_n if_o after_o that_o any_o moral_a end_n and_o design_n discover_v themselves_o in_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o providence_n and_o that_o plain_o connect_v the_o proof_n of_o one_o with_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o other_o now_o as_o to_o the_o former_a i_o have_v run_v through_o all_o part_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n and_o show_v that_o no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n can_v ever_o have_v be_v as_o it_o be_v but_o by_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n and_o that_o all_o their_o several_a attempt_n to_o give_v any_o other_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n be_v intolerable_o childish_a and_o beyond_o all_o thing_n ridiculous_a and_o this_o may_v be_v presume_v without_o any_o breach_n of_o modesty_n because_o nature_n itself_o be_v its_o own_o demonstration_n
a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o two_o part_n by_o samuel_n parker_n d._n d._n archdeacon_n of_o canterbury_n london_n print_v by_o m._n flesher_n for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n and_o r._n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o saint_n to_o paul_n churchyard_n 1681._o to_o the_o reverend_a d_o r_o bathurst_n dean_n of_o well_n and_o precedent_n of_o trinity_n college_n in_o oxon_n sir_n be_v myself_o competent_o satisfy_v in_o the_o true_a reason_n and_o thorough_o assure_v of_o the_o good_a meaning_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n i_o be_o thereby_o encourage_v to_o present_v it_o to_o your_o view_n as_o the_o most_o able_a judge_n that_o i_o know_v both_o of_o the_o argument_n and_o the_o performance_n and_o to_o beg_v your_o impartial_a censure_n and_o opinion_n of_o it_o i_o know_v indeed_o by_o long_a experience_n your_o candour_n and_o 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foolish_a as_o to_o act_v against_o the_o persuasion_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o condemn_v themselves_o in_o their_o own_o practice_n but_o we_o be_v so_o prudent_a and_o philosophical_a that_o unless_o we_o can_v argue_v ourselves_o into_o liberty_n from_o those_o uneasy_a restraint_n we_o will_v never_o violent_o break_v through_o they_o so_o that_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n be_v at_o length_n become_v as_o common_a as_o vice_n and_o debauchery_n and_o the_o vulgar_a by_o which_o i_o intend_v both_o sort_n as_o seneca_n express_v it_o the_o man_n of_o title_n as_o well_o as_o the_o clout_a shoe_n if_o equal_o unlearned_a and_o barbarous_a declare_v that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o wicked_a as_o they_o be_v if_o they_o think_v that_o they_o lie_v under_o any_o obligation_n to_o be_v good_a in_o short_a this_o be_v the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n that_o i_o know_v of_o in_o which_o atheism_n ever_o appear_v any_o where_o in_o public_a open_a and_o bare-faced_n for_o though_o in_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n man_n be_v as_o prodigious_a in_o their_o impiety_n as_o debauchery_n yet_o the_o public_a reverence_n of_o religion_n such_o as_o it_o be_v be_v in_o appearance_n preserve_v with_o some_o show_n of_o sacredness_n among_o the_o rank_a atheist_n and_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n this_o be_v think_v intolerable_a when_o all_o other_o wickedness_n be_v open_o allow_v and_o practise_v but_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v among_o we_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o the_o hypocrisy_n of_o one_o age_n make_v way_n for_o the_o atheism_n of_o another_o i_o know_v not_o the_o plebeian_n and_o mechanic_n have_v philosophised_a themselves_o into_o principle_n of_o impiety_n and_o read_v their_o lecture_n of_o atheism_n in_o the_o street_n and_o the_o highway_n and_o they_o be_v able_a to_o demonstrate_v out_o of_o the_o leviathan_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o providence_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o a_o 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his_o natural_a ability_n and_o no_o man_n will_v ever_o pretend_v in_o his_o behalf_n that_o he_o want_v sufficient_a mean_n for_o make_v the_o discovery_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a they_o be_v so_o legible_a in_o the_o whole_a contrivance_n and_o all_o the_o appearance_n of_o nature_n they_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v and_o preservation_n of_o mankind_n their_o equity_n be_v so_o apparent_a and_o their_o convenience_n so_o obvious_a in_o every_o action_n of_o humane_a life_n that_o no_o man_n can_v reflect_v upon_o any_o thing_n either_o within_o or_o without_o he_o but_o it_o must_v make_v he_o sensible_a of_o their_o obligation_n and_o he_o that_o do_v not_o perceive_v it_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o unconceivable_a stupidity_n as_o the_o man_n that_o shall_v pass_v through_o the_o world_n without_o ever_o know_v that_o twice_o two_o make_v four_o §_o iii_o for_o there_o be_v but_o two_o rule_n 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of_o some_o attention_n and_o if_o man_n will_v not_o attend_v they_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o all_o mean_n of_o information_n if_o they_o will_v not_o make_v use_n of_o their_o faculty_n it_o be_v not_o the_o certainty_n nor_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n that_o can_v force_v or_o obtrude_v a_o impression_n upon_o their_o mind_n and_o though_o perchance_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n may_v overcome_v their_o dulness_n yet_o this_o be_v violent_a and_o preternatural_a and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o he_o shall_v alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n only_o to_o repair_v our_o wilful_a sottishness_n for_o that_o be_v to_o destroy_v the_o principle_n of_o all_o morality_n and_o to_o make_v we_o uncapable_a of_o all_o practice_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a by_o force_v i._n e._n destroy_v our_o wi_n and_o therefore_o humane_a kind_a must_v be_v govern_v in_o a_o humane_a way_n and_o not_o be_v overpowr_v by_o any_o such_o forcible_a and_o vehement_a mean_n as_o may_v offer_v violence_n to_o its_o liberty_n so_o that_o when_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v do_v all_o that_o be_v fit_a or_o necessary_a to_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o duty_n it_o must_v after_o all_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o power_n and_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o choice_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o will_v not_o make_v use_n of_o the_o mean_n that_o he_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o as_o to_o this_o it_o matter_n not_o whether_o the_o natural_a law_n be_v write_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n for_o wheresoever_o it_o may_v be_v record_v or_o howsoever_o collect_v it_o can_v be_v draw_v forth_o into_o use_n and_o practice_n without_o the_o help_n of_o reflection_n and_o though_o it_o be_v proper_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o certain_a number_n of_o proposition_n imprint_v upon_o the_o heart_n or_o conscience_n of_o man_n yet_o he_o may_v as_o easy_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o what_o be_v legible_a within_o he_o as_o not_o observe_v what_o be_v plain_o deducible_a from_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o nature_n without_o he_o in_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o both_o depend_v entire_o upon_o his_o own_o animadversion_n so_o that_o if_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n have_v make_v any_o sufficient_a discovery_n of_o his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n either_o by_o instinct_n or_o by_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o due_a government_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o common_a welfare_n of_o the_o world_n and_o though_o there_o be_v some_o few_o in_o it_o so_o monstrous_o dull_a and_o sottish_a as_o not_o to_o take_v the_o least_o notice_n of_o the_o most_o obvious_a truth_n yet_o that_o be_v mere_o the_o defect_n of_o their_o own_o will_n and_o not_o any_o default_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o secure_v the_o common_a good_a that_o their_o 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deity_n have_v enact_v those_o law_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n it_o follow_v with_o undeniable_a demonstration_n that_o for_o that_o reason_n alone_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o he_o have_v withal_o provide_v some_o other_o state_n of_o thing_n beyond_o that_o of_o this_o present_a life_n because_o otherwise_o when_o he_o have_v build_v this_o world_n with_o so_o much_o art_n and_o contrive_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n with_o so_o much_o wisdom_n he_o have_v do_v it_o all_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o then_o there_o be_v neither_o art_n nor_o wisdom_n so_o that_o these_o be_v antecedent_o prove_v this_o that_o be_v so_o unavoidable_o connect_v with_o they_o though_o it_o have_v no_o other_o proof_n stand_v upon_o the_o same_o evidence_n of_o reason_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o needful_a not_o only_o to_o moral_v but_o to_o natural_a philosophy_n that_o without_o it_o not_o 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that_o be_v so_o certain_o connect_v with_o it_o as_o it_o be_v of_o itself_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n part_n ii_o §_o i._o have_v demonstrate_v the_o general_a providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n by_o those_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o he_o have_v enact_v and_o proclaim_v to_o all_o his_o rational_a creature_n and_o proceed_v as_o far_o as_o the_o natural_a use_n of_o our_o faculty_n will_v guide_v i_o to_o discover_v both_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n i_o now_o advance_v to_o a_o much_o great_a and_o more_o glorious_a discovery_n of_o both_o by_o that_o particular_a revelation_n that_o he_o have_v make_v both_o of_o they_o and_o himself_o in_o the_o christian_a institution_n and_o here_o the_o advantage_n both_o as_o to_o the_o certainty_n 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the_o nature_n of_o thing_n after_o that_o we_o be_v force_v to_o work_v the_o proof_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n out_o of_o they_o and_o though_o the_o connexion_n when_o it_o be_v discover_v be_v very_o evident_a and_o undeniable_a yet_o it_o require_v some_o careful_a intention_n of_o mind_n and_o competent_a skill_n in_o the_o art_n of_o reason_v to_o discover_v it_o whereas_o now_o it_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o we_o beyond_o all_o doubt_n and_o exception_n both_o by_o certain_a revelation_n and_o experimental_a proof_n the_o knowledge_n whereof_o be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o such_o undoubted_a record_n that_o we_o can_v scarce_o receive_v great_a satisfaction_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o the_o testimony_n and_o conviction_n of_o our_o own_o sense_n and_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v give_v we_o so_o great_a a_o assurance_n of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o future_a state_n that_o we_o have_v not_o much_o more_o of_o the_o present_a at_o least_o the_o ground_n and_o motive_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n be_v so_o convince_a and_o demonstrative_a as_o not_o only_o to_o persuade_v but_o even_o to_o enforce_v our_o belief_n so_o that_o no_o ingenuous_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n though_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o malice_n and_o peevishness_n may_v defeat_v their_o efficacy_n and_o so_o it_o may_v too_o if_o it_o please_v over_o rule_v the_o power_n of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n but_o if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o impartial_a in_o the_o enquiry_n and_o not_o do_v manifest_a violence_n to_o their_o own_o conviction_n it_o will_v be_v as_o easy_a for_o they_o to_o doubt_v of_o or_o disbelieve_v all_o the_o problem_n about_o line_n or_o number_n as_o to_o suspect_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n not_o that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o evidence_n but_o because_o its_o proof_n be_v so_o forcible_a in_o their_o own_o kind_n that_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v distrust_v or_o demur_v upon_o their_o credibility_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o a_o universal_a unsettledness_n and_o irresolution_n of_o mind_n for_o when_o we_o have_v weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o whole_a account_n of_o thing_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o rank_a scepticism_n to_o be_v very_o little_o more_o unreasonable_a than_o infidelity_n because_o though_o the_o evidence_n of_o all_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o faith_n be_v only_o historical_a yet_o some_o historical_a evidence_n be_v so_o strong_a and_o convictive_a as_o in_o the_o last_o result_n of_o thing_n to_o equal_v mathematical_a demonstration_n i_o know_v indeed_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o learned_a man_n that_o in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n we_o be_v not_o to_o expect_v demonstrative_a argument_n when_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o other_o than_o moral_a certainty_n but_o here_o i_o will_v first_o inquire_v what_o they_o mean_v by_o moral_a certainty_n and_o to_o this_o their_o answer_n be_v ready_a that_o it_o be_v all_o the_o certainty_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o but_o if_o that_o be_v the_o definition_n of_o moral_a certainty_n then_o be_v all_o certainty_n moral_a for_o every_o truth_n be_v capable_a of_o its_o own_o kind_n of_o certainty_n but_o then_o second_o there_o be_v very_o many_o thing_n from_o which_o i_o be_o in_o reason_n oblige_v to_o suspend_v my_o assent_n because_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o warrant_v its_o wisdom_n and_o though_o i_o can_v rational_o expect_v more_o certain_a ground_n concern_v they_o yet_o i_o can_v rational_o give_v up_o my_o assent_n to_o they_o because_o their_o evidence_n though_o the_o clear_a that_o in_o that_o case_n i_o can_v expect_v be_v too_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a to_o found_v any_o confident_a assent_n upon_o thus_o have_v i_o a_o moral_a certainty_n that_o romulus_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o rome_n i._n e._n i_o have_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o that_o the_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o yet_o have_v i_o not_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o venture_v any_o thing_n that_o near_o concern_v i_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o because_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v in_o many_o thing_n very_o fabulous_a and_o in_o all_o very_o far_o from_o be_v sufficient_o certain_a and_o therefore_o three_o if_o by_o moral_a certainty_n they_o mean_v any_o less_o degree_n of_o evidence_n as_o they_o plain_o do_v when_o they_o distinguish_v it_o from_o the_o more_o certain_a way_n of_o proof_n than_o the_o scruple_n that_o remain_v after_o this_o their_o determination_n be_v this_o that_o the_o very_a thing_n the_o belief_n whereof_o be_v make_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o high_a degree_n of_o evidence_n than_o only_o moral_a certainty_n in_o that_o it_o seem_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a
unprofitable_a cheat_n but_o yet_o however_o one_o will_v think_v rack_n and_o gibbet_n will_v have_v spoil_v the_o frolic_a and_o it_o be_v high_o credible_a that_o any_o man_n but_o much_o more_o these_o man_n who_o have_v give_v we_o no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v their_o integrity_n because_o they_o can_v have_v no_o motive_n to_o forgo_v it_o shall_v prevaricate_v after_o such_o a_o odd_a and_o extravagant_a manner_n with_o mankind_n yes_o and_o themselves_o too_o and_o when_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n so_o apparent_o without_o craft_n and_o without_o design_n without_o advantage_n without_o interest_n have_v give_v the_o world_n the_o most_o unquestionable_a proof_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n as_o to_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o reality_n of_o what_o they_o relate_v after_o all_o this_o what_o wise_a and_o wary_a man_n will_v not_o suspect_v the_o forgery_n and_o disbelieve_v the_o relation_n but_o this_o argument_n i_o find_v prosecute_v by_o eusebius_n with_o extraordinary_a acuteness_n both_o of_o wit_n and_o reason_n suppose_v say_v he_o that_o 3_o our_o saviour_n never_o wrought_v any_o of_o those_o miracle_n that_o be_v unanimous_o report_v of_o he_o by_o his_o disciple_n we_o must_v then_o suppose_v that_o they_o enter_v into_o covenant_n among_o themselves_o after_o this_o manner_n man_n and_o brethren_n what_o that_o seducer_n be_v that_o live_v among_o we_o other_o day_n and_o how_o just_o he_o suffer_v death_n for_o his_o vile_a imposture_n we_o of_o all_o man_n have_v most_o reason_n to_o know_v and_o though_o other_o that_o be_v less_o intimate_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o his_o way_n of_o deceive_a may_v have_v some_o opinion_n of_o his_o worth_n and_o honesty_n yet_o we_o that_o be_v the_o daily_a companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n see_v nothing_o in_o he_o answerable_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o pretence_n but_o that_o his_o whole_a design_n be_v by_o all_o the_o bold_a art_n of_o craft_n and_o hypocrisy_n to_o get_v a_o name_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o one_o and_o all_o join_v hand_n and_o enter_v into_o solemn_a covenant_n among_o ourselves_o to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o this_o impudent_a cheat_n among_o mankind_n and_o to_o fain_o all_o manner_n of_o lie_n for_o its_o confirmation_n to_o swear_v that_o we_o see_v he_o restore_v eye_n to_o the_o blind_a ear_n to_o the_o deaf_a and_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a and_o though_o it_o be_v all_o impudent_o false_a yet_o let_v we_o confident_o report_v it_o nay_o and_o stand_v too_o it_o to_o the_o last_o drop_n of_o our_o blood_n and_o because_o after_o all_o his_o great_a and_o glorious_a pretence_n of_o be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o be_v at_o last_o execute_v as_o a_o vile_a malefactor_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n we_o must_v agree_v among_o ourselves_o upon_o some_o lie_n to_o wipe_v off_o this_o disgrace_n let_v we_o therefore_o resolve_v to_o affirm_v with_o a_o undaunted_a impudence_n that_o after_o he_o be_v thus_o dishonourable_o crucify_a the_o three_o day_n he_o arise_v again_o and_o often_o converse_v with_o we_o in_o the_o same_o familiar_a way_n as_o he_o have_v always_o do_v before_o his_o execution_n but_o then_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o stand_v unalterable_o to_o the_o impudence_n of_o the_o lie_n and_o to_o persevere_v to_o death_n itself_o in_o its_o assertion_n for_o what_o absurdity_n be_v there_o in_o throw_v away_o our_o life_n for_o nothing_o and_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n think_v it_o hard_o to_o suffer_v stripe_n rack_n bond_n imprisonment_n reproach_n dishonur_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o let_v we_o therefore_o unanimous_o and_o vigorous_o set_v ourselves_o to_o the_o design_n and_o with_o one_o consent_n agree_v to_o report_v such_o impudent_a falsehood_n as_o be_v of_o no_o advantage_n either_o to_o ourselves_o or_o to_o those_o we_o deceive_v or_o to_o he_o for_o who_o sake_n we_o deceive_v neither_o let_v we_o be_v content_a to_o propagate_v this_o lie_n only_o among_o our_o own_o countryman_n but_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o spread_v it_o through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n impose_v new_a law_n upon_o all_o nation_n overthrow_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n command_v the_o roman_n to_o quit_v the_o god_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o greek_n to_o renounce_v the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o philosopher_n and_o the_o egyptian_n the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o their_o superstition_n neither_o will_v we_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o overthrow_v these_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o most_o polite_a and_o most_o powerful_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o force_n of_o learning_n or_o wit_n or_o eloquence_n but_o by_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o our_o crucify_a master_n neither_o will_v we_o stop_v here_o but_o we_o will_v travel_v to_o all_o barbarous_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n reverse_v all_o their_o ancient_a law_n and_o command_v their_o obedience_n to_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o this_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o go_v through_o with_o a_o undaunted_a courage_n and_o resolution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a reward_n that_o we_o expect_v for_o our_o impudence_n nor_o be_v it_o for_o vulgar_a crown_n and_o trophy_n that_o we_o engage_v ourselves_o in_o such_o hard_a and_o hazardous_a enterprise_n no_o no_o we_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o the_o utmost_a severity_n of_o the_o law_n in_o all_o place_n wherever_o we_o come_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v we_o deserve_v it_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a settlement_n only_o to_o establish_v a_o ridiculous_a cheat_n and_o imposture_n but_o for_o this_o who_o will_v not_o endure_v all_o the_o torment_n in_o the_o world_n burn_v hang_a behead_v crucify_a and_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n all_o which_o we_o must_v as_o we_o will_v secure_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o impostor_n encounter_n with_o a_o cheerful_a and_o resolve_a mind_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o praiseworthy_a than_o to_o abuse_v god_n and_o affront_n mankind_n to_o no_o purpose_n and_o to_o reap_v no_o other_o benefit_n from_o all_o our_o labour_n beside_o the_o pleasure_n of_o vain_a foolish_a and_o unprofitable_a lie_v and_o for_o that_o alone_o will_v we_o blaspheme_v all_o the_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o gain_v worship_n to_o a_o crucify_a malefactor_n nay_o we_o will_v lay_v down_o our_o life_n for_o his_o reputation_n notwithstanding_o that_o we_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o impudent_a impostor_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o we_o honour_v he_o so_o high_o because_o he_o have_v put_v such_o a_o dishonourable_a abuse_n upon_o ourselves_o who_o will_v not_o do_v or_o suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o so_o vile_a a_o man_n who_o will_v not_o undergo_v all_o manner_n of_o suffering_n for_o a_o cause_n that_o himself_o know_v to_o be_v mere_a falsehood_n and_o forgery_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o constant_o to_o the_o last_o breath_n aver_v that_o he_o raise_v the_o dead_a cleanse_a leper_n cast_v out_o devil_n and_o wrought_v all_o manner_n of_o miracle_n though_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o the_o gross_a falsehood_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n that_o we_o have_v mere_o forge_v out_o of_o our_o own_o brain_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o deceive_v as_o many_o as_o we_o can_v and_o if_o people_n will_v not_o be_v deceive_v yet_o however_o we_o shall_v sometime_o or_o other_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o suffering_n and_o perhaps_o of_o die_v for_o a_o unprofitable_a lie_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n credible_a that_o man_n shall_v discourse_v and_o act_n after_o such_o a_o extravagant_a rate_n as_o this_o or_o that_o humane_a nature_n that_o have_v above_o all_o other_o creature_n a_o high_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o life_n and_o self_n preservation_n shall_v thrust_v itself_o upon_o a_o voluntary_a death_n without_o any_o motive_n or_o any_o reward_n or_o if_o they_o shall_v that_o when_o so_o great_a a_o multitude_n have_v agree_v among_o themselves_o to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o frantic_a design_n they_o shall_v all_o persevere_v in_o the_o lie_n to_o the_o very_a death_n and_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o all_o the_o threaten_n and_o all_o the_o slattery_n in_o the_o world_n to_o betray_v the_o plot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o their_o testimony_n be_v not_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o require_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n against_o infidelity_n than_o only_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v men._n and_o that_o certain_o be_v as_o modest_a and_o moderate_a a_o postulatum_fw-la as_o can_v be_v premise_v to_o any_o question_n and_o yet_o that_o only_o be_v
when_o they_o be_v quote_v as_o such_o by_o those_o person_n that_o live_v next_o and_o immediate_o after_o they_o and_o have_v pass_v from_o the_o very_a first_o age_n through_o all_o age_n downward_o with_o a_o unquestionable_a authority_n there_o be_v no_o possible_a account_n to_o be_v give_v how_o they_o shall_v first_o come_v by_o it_o and_o then_o for_o ever_o after_o retain_v it_o unless_o they_o be_v for_o certain_a the_o work_v of_o those_o man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v thus_o particular_o saint_n matthew'_v gospel_n be_v quote_v by_o clemens_n of_o rome_n a_o familiar_a of_o saint_n paul_n by_o ignatius_n by_o policarp_n by_o papias_n the_o disciple_n of_o saint_n john_n not_o to_o mention_n justin_n martyr_n athenagoras_n irenaeus_n and_o all_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o age_n next_o after_o the_o apostle_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o first_o either_o this_o gospel_n be_v write_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o not_o how_o can_v it_o be_v cite_v by_o those_o that_o be_v their_o contemporary_n second_o the_o thing_n report_v in_o it_o be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o true_a then_o so_o be_v the_o gospel_n too_o if_o false_a than_o it_o have_v destroy_v its_o own_o credit_n by_o publish_v know_v falsehood_n for_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o forge_v a_o story_n act_v in_o former_a time_n without_o discovery_n and_o contradiction_n yet_o to_o make_v a_o forgery_n of_o so_o wonderful_a a_o transaction_n as_o be_v the_o history_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n so_o near_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v act_v and_o that_o without_o control_v or_o contradiction_n nay_o with_o full_a credit_n and_o undoubted_a authority_n as_o appear_v by_o these_o apostolical_a man_n unanimous_a testimony_n be_v if_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n absurd_a and_o incredible_a enough_o to_o make_v up_o another_o article_n of_o infidelity_n three_o either_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o saint_n matthew_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o eye_n witness_v that_o converse_v with_o our_o saviour_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v thrust_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o age_n and_o gain_v so_o unquestionable_a a_o authority_n with_o those_o man_n that_o converse_v either_o with_o he_o or_o with_o his_o companion_n and_o now_o if_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o one_o gospel_n that_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o that_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o it_o be_v here_o record_v viz._n the_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v believe_v as_o they_o be_v here_o record_v be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divinity_n the_o same_o account_n i_o may_v give_v of_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o that_o they_o be_v receive_v from_o the_o begin_n as_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o be_v only_o to_o repeat_v the_o same_o argument_n so_o many_o time_n over_o and_o therefore_o suppose_v the_o same_o ancient_a testimony_n concern_v they_o as_o we_o have_v concern_v saint_n matthew_n i_o shall_v leave_v the_o reader_n to_o apply_v the_o same_o argument_n that_o i_o have_v urge_v concern_v he_o neither_o do_v i_o this_o only_a to_o avoid_v needless_a repetition_n but_o because_o it_o have_v be_v often_o do_v by_o other_o hand_n particular_o by_o eusebius_n of_o old_a and_o huetius_n of_o late_a who_o have_v vouch_v every_o book_n by_o itself_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o early_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o as_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o have_v rather_o refer_v to_o they_o than_o transcribe_v they_o though_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o argument_n be_v of_o the_o same_o force_n in_o every_o one_o as_o it_o be_v in_o saint_n matthew_n gospel_n §_o ix_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o few_o book_n be_v for_o a_o good_a time_n doubt_v of_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o second_o of_o saint_n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o then_o first_o suppose_v their_o authority_n be_v still_o questionable_a the_o christian_a faith_n can_v subsist_v very_o well_o without_o they_o by_o the_o remain_a authority_n of_o those_o that_o be_v never_o question_v and_o though_o they_o be_v very_o useful_a and_o excellent_a discourse_n yet_o have_v they_o little_a peculiar_a in_o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o apostolical_a write_n and_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o matter_n aright_o though_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o only_o pious_a discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o be_v write_v occasional_o either_o to_o exhort_v we_o to_o a_o effectual_a belief_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o trial_n and_o persecution_n or_o to_o allay_v schism_n and_o contention_n or_o to_o confute_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v before_o firm_o lay_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n doctrine_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o that_o of_o the_o historical_a book_n that_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v suppose_v true_a they_o warrant_v both_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n that_o only_o deduce_v those_o proper_a and_o natural_a conclusion_n that_o flow_v from_o their_o premise_n nay_o far_o it_o be_v not_o primary_o necessary_a to_o christianity_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v dictate_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o historical_a book_n be_v good_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o design_n of_o his_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v pious_a discourse_n consonant_n with_o and_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o christianity_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o seem_v to_o lie_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o work_n he_o pretend_v to_o come_v about_o by_o divine_a commission_n for_o god_n have_v set_v several_a hypothesis_n of_o providence_n on_o work_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o end_n and_o perfection_n at_o last_o design_v this_o as_o the_o most_o complete_a model_n of_o all_o virtue_n goodness_n and_o morality_n so_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n both_o do_v and_o teach_v be_v true_o record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o his_o historian_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o another_o score_n in_o that_o we_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o all_o those_o write_n be_v inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o than_o that_o we_o know_v only_o from_o the_o write_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o their_o truth_n must_v be_v suppose_v antecedent_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o that_o be_v suppose_v our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n be_v thereby_o prove_v and_o that_o be_v prove_v that_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o second_o if_o those_o few_o book_n be_v so_o long_o debate_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n that_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a care_n and_o caution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o belief_n in_o that_o it_o will_v not_o light_o receive_v any_o book_n till_o it_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o its_o be_v authentic_a and_o therefore_o its_o long_a doubtfulness_n and_o disputation_n about_o these_o book_n clear_v it_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o rashness_n and_o credulity_n as_o to_o those_o that_o she_o always_o own_a with_o a_o full_a and_o unanimous_a approbation_n three_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dispute_v book_n relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o their_o antiquity_n as_o their_o author_n and_o they_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o question_n because_o they_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o because_o it_o seem_v uncertain_a by_o who_o they_o be_v then_o write_v thus_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n some_o attribute_n to_o saint_n paul_n some_o to_o saint_n luke_n some_o to_o barnabas_n some_o to_o clemens_n but_o if_o it_o
unquestionable_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xx._n this_o be_v the_o first_o invincible_a impediment_n of_o christianity_n suppose_v it_o have_v be_v false_a but_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a it_o labour_v under_o many_o other_o great_a disadvantage_n that_o it_o can_v never_o have_v surmount_v but_o by_o the_o irresistible_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o that_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v first_o divulge_v the_o world_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o it_o extreme_o debauch_v both_o in_o its_o manner_n and_o principle_n for_o julius_n caesar_n have_v violate_v all_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n and_o overthrow_v the_o old_a government_n that_o have_v always_o keep_v up_o a_o generous_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v chief_o raise_v itself_o to_o that_o vast_a greatness_n that_o afterward_o so_o much_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o attempt_n of_o ambitious_a men._n for_o though_o that_o spirit_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o time_n of_o marius_n and_o pass_v down_o through_o all_o the_o great_a man_n cinna_z silvius_n and_o pompey_n all_o of_o they_o struggle_v for_o the_o sole_a sovereignty_n of_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n the_o design_n be_v never_o complete_o compass_v but_o by_o the_o boldness_n and_o activity_n of_o julius_n caesar._n now_o the_o success_n of_o the_o caesarean_a faction_n that_o be_v general_o atheist_n and_o epicurean_o against_o the_o patriot_n of_o the_o old_a state_n that_o be_v as_o general_o eminent_a for_o worth_n and_o honour_n virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o public_a good_a make_v the_o thrive_a principle_n and_o practice_n quick_o come_v into_o fashion_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o world_n and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o brutus_n we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o ancient_a roman_a but_o what_o he_o say_v in_o passion_n be_v serious_o and_o universal_o embrace_v as_o a_o great_a truth_n that_o virtue_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a name_n so_o that_o if_o we_o survey_v the_o roman_a history_n before_o and_o after_o the_o usurpation_n of_o caesar_n it_o do_v not_o look_v like_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n the_o former_a abound_v with_o the_o brave_a example_n of_o gallantry_n and_o magnanimity_n whereas_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o be_v general_o entertain_v with_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o fraud_n and_o treachery_n even_o the_o admire_a wisdom_n of_o the_o great_a augustus_n himself_o be_v no_o better_a than_o craft_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o though_o his_o successor_n tiberius_n be_v particular_o remarque_v for_o that_o vice_n it_o be_v only_o because_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v his_o part_n so_o artificial_o as_o his_o predecessor_n have_v do_v who_o die_v with_o that_o particular_a comfort_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v so_o skilful_o play_v the_o comedy_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o certain_o of_o all_o prince_n upon_o record_n he_o have_v the_o most_o subtle_a faculty_n of_o appear_v high_o honest_a without_o any_o design_n of_o ever_o be_v so_o in_o short_a under_o his_o reign_n all_o the_o principle_n of_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n be_v prevalent_a in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n that_o then_o prescribe_a manner_n to_o the_o best_a part_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n neither_o be_v their_o practice_n disagree_v to_o their_o principle_n for_o as_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o restraint_n of_o virtue_n and_o modesty_n so_o they_o entire_o devote_v themselves_o to_o luxury_n and_o sensuality_n and_o study_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o emprove_v their_o brutish_a pleasure_n to_o the_o utmost_a extravagance_n of_o enjoyment_n and_o as_o be_v the_o great_a court_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v all_o the_o other_o lesser_a court_n of_o their_o several_a prefect_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o imitation_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a baseness_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o scarce_o any_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n that_o be_v epicurean_o and_o vilain_n by_o principle_n be_v prefer_v by_o j._n caesar_n to_o authority_n in_o the_o empire_n though_o thing_n grow_v much_o worse_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o mark_n anthony_n a_o man_n knead_v up_o of_o lust_n and_o malice_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o he_o be_v not_o more_o of_o each_o be_v because_o he_o be_v all_o both_o for_o he_o will_v never_o unless_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o lust_n quit_v his_o cruelty_n nor_o ever_o unless_o to_o satisfy_v his_o cruelty_n forsake_v his_o lust_n and_o as_o himself_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o baseness_n so_o he_o will_v advance_v none_o to_o preferment_n but_o such_o as_o have_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o his_o good_a like_n by_o their_o more_o than_o ordinary_a wickedness_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o judaea_n and_o the_o part_n about_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n more_o overrun_v with_o vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o in_o any_o former_a age_n in_o that_o herod_n one_o of_o the_o vile_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v have_v by_o the_o patronage_n of_o mark_n anthony_n obtain_v their_o government_n and_o by_o a_o long_a reign_n over_o they_o after_o his_o patron_n be_v death_n under_o augustus_n have_v familiarise_v all_o manner_n of_o the_o most_o licentious_a wickedness_n to_o the_o people_n even_o so_o much_o that_o one_o half_a of_o the_o lead_a man_n even_o among_o the_o jew_n themselves_o that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a through_o all_o age_n for_o their_o reverence_n to_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o better_a than_o open_a and_o avow_v atheist_n now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n that_o consist_v of_o precept_n of_o chastity_n and_o sobriety_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o kindness_n and_o charity_n and_o of_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o reward_n of_o another_o to_o make_v its_o way_n into_o such_o a_o wicked_a world_n as_o this_o man_n of_o atheistical_a principle_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o stubborn_a and_o inflexible_a they_o scorn_v all_o manner_n of_o better_a information_n and_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v possible_o undeceive_v they_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o overcome_v person_n so_o prejudice_v and_o so_o conceit_v unless_o we_o can_v by_o the_o mere_a evidence_n of_o thing_n force_v they_o into_o conviction_n and_o as_o for_o man_n of_o luxurious_a life_n they_o have_v neither_o mind_n nor_o leisure_n to_o attend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v reclaim_v they_o it_o be_v pain_n to_o they_o to_o think_v of_o part_v with_o their_o pleasure_n they_o will_v labour_v to_o preserve_v they_o upon_o any_o term_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v no_o information_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o fasten_v on_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o sudden_o reform_v infinite_a number_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n it_o must_v have_v bring_v along_o with_o it_o a_o real_a evidence_n equal_a to_o its_o pretend_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a commission_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o it_o require_v strict_a obedience_n to_o all_o its_o command_n so_o it_o must_v have_v prove_v the_o reality_n of_o its_o commission_n by_o such_o certain_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o most_o refractory_a person_n to_o withstand_v its_o force_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v such_o multitude_n so_o wonderful_o prevail_v upon_o to_o quit_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n and_o vice_n we_o have_v reason_n from_o thence_o only_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o convince_v of_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o its_o pretence_n §_o xxi_o the_o next_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o bold_a and_o open_a defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n for_o of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la those_o of_o religion_n be_v the_o strong_a and_o the_o old_a they_o be_v the_o deep_a root_n they_o take_v and_o therefore_o when_o its_o enemy_n can_v plead_v the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o hundred_o year_n against_o it_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o persuade_v they_o out_o of_o such_o a_o ancient_a prescription_n it_o be_v mere_a novelty_n be_v a_o objection_n of_o no_o small_a force_n but_o when_o a_o new_a and_o upstart_a religion_n will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o its_o own_o authority_n but_o must_v disgrace_v all_o the_o settle_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o refuse_v its_o own_o settlement_n unless_o they_o may_v be_v utter_o extirpate_v this_o can_v not_o but_o seem_v too_o saucy_a a_o demand_n especial_o to_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n to_o require_v of_o they_o not_o only_o
to_o give_v way_n to_o a_o upstart_n sect_n but_o to_o renounce_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o ancestor_n confirm_v as_o well_o by_o their_o own_o law_n as_o ancient_a custom_n and_o submit_v themselves_o and_o their_o power_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o few_o galilaean_a fisherman_n and_o this_o the_o author_n of_o that_o age_n say_v be_v the_o main_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o all_o adventure_n reject_v by_o the_o roman_a senate_n because_o it_o will_v allow_v none_o other_o beside_o itself_o and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o jewish_a religion_n beside_o its_o very_a great_a antiquity_n it_o be_v establish_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o with_o plausible_a appearance_n of_o reason_n believe_v by_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v of_o eternal_a obligation_n at_o least_o not_o otherways_o reversible_a but_o with_o the_o same_o dreadful_a sign_n and_o appearance_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n wherewith_o it_o be_v at_o first_o enact_v and_o therefore_o when_o a_o young_a man_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o cancel_v the_o only_a true_a way_n of_o worship_v the_o only_a true_a god_n that_o design_n seem_v so_o like_a to_o blasphemy_n and_o idolatry_n that_o his_o very_a pretend_v to_o it_o without_o any_o far_a enquiry_n be_v whatever_o he_o can_v say_v or_o do_v a_o invincible_a prejudice_n and_o a_o unpardonable_a crime_n this_o be_v evident_a through_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o his_o life_n that_o the_o jew_n every_o where_o conclude_v he_o a_o impostor_n because_o he_o set_v up_o against_o moses_n and_o then_o let_v he_o work_v what_o miracle_n he_o will_v they_o will_v regard_v neither_o he_o nor_o they_o and_o particular_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n when_o he_o cure_v the_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v blind_a when_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o parent_n and_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o the_o neighbour_n who_o know_v he_o to_o have_v sit_v and_o beg_v in_o a_o certain_a place_n for_o many_o year_n yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o the_o pharisee_n conclude_v against_o his_o do_v any_o miracle_n because_o he_o be_v a_o sinner_n that_o be_v as_o they_o think_v a_o blasphemer_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o when_o the_o blind_a man_n argue_v with_o they_o that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o miracle_n as_o have_v never_o be_v do_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n before_o it_o be_v all_o one_o for_o that_o they_o answer_v all_o with_o this_o peremptory_a assertion_n we_o know_v that_o god_n 29._o speak_v unto_o moses_n as_o for_o this_o fellow_n we_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v so_o that_o whatever_o miracle_n he_o work_v they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o he_o derogate_a from_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o therefore_o origen_n very_o well_o observe_v that_o the_o difficulty_n of_o our_o saviour_n work_n 92._o be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o moses_n from_o the_o great_a prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o people_n against_o his_o undertake_n for_o moses_n have_v to_o do_v with_o the_o off_o spring_v of_o abraham_n who_o have_v all_o along_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o circumcision_n and_o those_o other_o rite_n and_o custom_n that_o he_o have_v deliver_v down_o to_o his_o posterity_n and_o only_o undertake_v to_o deliver_v they_o from_o a_o grievous_a bondage_n and_o bring_v they_o into_o that_o happy_a land_n that_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o their_o forefather_n but_o our_o saviour_n be_v send_v to_o a_o people_n to_o command_v they_o to_o forsake_v that_o way_n of_o worship_n in_o which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v and_o to_o prescribe_v a_o new_a model_n of_o religion_n against_o a_o old_a one_o that_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o be_v comply_v with_o as_o moses_n be_v he_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o all_o the_o fierce_a contradiction_n both_o of_o zeal_n and_o malice_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n say_v he_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o requisite_a that_o he_o shall_v do_v great_a miracle_n than_o moses_n or_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v record_v to_o have_v do_v to_o convince_v they_o that_o god_n have_v give_v he_o great_a authority_n and_o so_o thereby_o oblige_v they_o to_o submit_v to_o his_o discipline_n as_o they_o have_v hitherto_o do_v to_o that_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o as_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v at_o that_o time_n a_o insuperable_a prejudice_n against_o christianity_n so_o be_v it_o to_o this_o very_a day_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n who_o always_o lie_v this_o supposition_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a law_n but_o of_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o far_a account_n when_o i_o come_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o infidelity_n notwithstanding_o the_o gospel_n bring_v all_o that_o evidence_n along_o with_o it_o that_o we_o pretend_v it_o do_v and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o gentile_n beside_o its_o proud_a pretence_n to_o the_o great_a antiquity_n it_o now_o value_v itself_o upon_o a_o much_o proud_a title_n of_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o vast_a extent_n of_o that_o it_o be_v root_v in_o all_o part_n of_o it_o with_o more_o strength_n and_o unity_n than_o it_o can_v have_v be_v under_o several_a government_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v make_v people_n more_o fond_a of_o their_o religion_n than_o to_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o belief_n of_o its_o universality_n now_o when_o a_o religion_n so_o catholic_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o law_n be_v own_a by_o the_o emperor_n and_o be_v make_v the_o only_a religion_n of_o power_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n its_o votary_n can_v not_o endure_v to_o see_v it_o treat_v with_o scorn_n and_o dishonour_n by_o a_o upstart_n sect_n of_o man_n destitute_a of_o all_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o pliny_n tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n inveigh_v against_o christianity_n with_o so_o much_o scorn_n and_o indignation_n not_o that_o they_o have_v any_o concern_v for_o religion_n themselves_o be_v profess_v epicurean_o and_o so_o inward_o as_o great_a despiser_n of_o paganism_n as_o the_o christian_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v but_o they_o be_v angry_a that_o a_o religion_n abet_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o great_a statesman_n such_o as_o themselves_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v shall_v be_v so_o dishonourable_o bear_v down_o by_o a_o company_n of_o superstitious_a and_o despicable_a jew_n and_o that_o prove_v another_o very_a great_a disadvantage_n to_o christianity_n the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o government_n against_o its_o reception_n in_o that_o statesman_n be_v ever_o jealous_a of_o all_o innovation_n in_o religion_n as_o dangerous_a to_o the_o present_a government_n so_o that_o though_o themselves_o look_v upon_o all_o religion_n as_o a_o mere_a design_n of_o state-craft_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o zealous_a for_o that_o which_o they_o find_v already_o establish_v as_o that_o by_o which_o they_o enjoy_v their_o present_a security_n and_o therefore_o vigilant_a against_o all_o alteration_n as_o natural_o tend_v to_o the_o subversion_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n so_o that_o it_o be_v none_o of_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o plea_n of_o a_o new_a religion_n but_o its_o be_v new_a be_v with_o they_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n of_o proceed_v against_o it_o as_o be_v sedition_n ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la against_o the_o establish_a law_n and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n of_o most_o of_o those_o many_o severe_a edict_n and_o rescript_n of_o several_a emperor_n against_o the_o christian_n who_o look_v upon_o their_o numerous_a assembly_n upon_o pretence_n of_o religion_n as_o dangerous_a association_n against_o the_o state_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o particular_o trajan_n a_o wise_a and_o politic_a prince_n who_o either_o because_o he_o will_v not_o give_v the_o christian_n the_o advantage_n of_o plead_v religion_n or_o suffering_n for_o it_o or_o rather_o out_o of_o his_o particular_a jealousy_n and_o fear_n of_o tumult_n put_v in_o execution_n against_o they_o the_o law_n against_o the_o heteriae_n which_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o numerous_a meeting_n upon_o what_o account_n soever_o though_o only_o of_o friendship_n or_o good-fellowship_n for_o which_o those_o heteriae_n be_v first_o institute_v so_o that_o upon_o pretence_n of_o this_o law_n he_o seem_v not_o to_o proceed_v against_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o religion_n but_o as_o unlawful_a riot_n and_o tumult_n against_o the_o state_n §_o xxii_o now_o from_o the_o concurrence_n of_o all_o these_o mighty_a prejudices_fw-la against_o christianity_n it_o meet_v
very_a point_n of_o his_o dissolution_n as_o his_o legacy_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n communicate_v to_o several_a church_n public_o and_o vulgar_o know_v attest_v by_o saint_n policarp_n irenaeus_n clemens_n of_o alexandria_n and_o not_o long_o since_o by_o origen_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o such_o a_o write_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v lose_v about_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o a_o false_a one_o shall_v immediate_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n and_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o choice_a library_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v embrace_v so_o late_a and_o so_o gross_a a_o forgery_n and_o put_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v after_o he_o the_o man_n that_o can_v satisfy_v himself_o with_o such_o wild_a surmise_n and_o supposition_n as_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a but_o he_o may_v easy_o swallow_v its_o belief_n nor_o so_o demonstrative_o prove_v but_o he_o may_v withstand_v its_o evidence_n now_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n be_v vindicate_v and_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o they_o will_v never_o more_o be_v call_v in_o question_n they_o be_v a_o brave_a and_o generous_a assertion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v write_v with_o that_o mighty_a assurance_n of_o mind_n that_o show_v the_o author_n of_o they_o to_o have_v have_v a_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o a_o kind_n of_o a_o infallible_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v in_o every_o epistle_n his_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o that_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v of_o our_o saviour_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o particular_o in_o that_o to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n he_o protest_v that_o he_o can_v no_o more_o doubt_n of_o its_o reality_n than_o of_o his_o own_o chain_n and_o again_o positive_o affirm_v that_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o not_o withstand_v that_o all_o the_o ancient_a copy_n and_o all_o the_o quotation_n of_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o he_o agree_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o he_o know_v jesus_n to_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n after_o his_o death_n because_o in_o saint_n jerom_n translation_n who_o excuse_v himself_o for_o the_o haste_n and_o carelessness_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v render_v that_o he_o see_v jesus_n in_o the_o flesh_n this_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o new_a church_n of_o geneva_n as_o a_o sufficient_a objection_n to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o he_o may_v have_v see_v jesus_n in_o the_o flesh_n but_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a neither_o be_v it_o his_o design_n to_o affirm_v it_o in_o this_o place_n see_v he_o prove_v its_o truth_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o eye-witness_n and_o not_o from_o his_o own_o immediate_a knowledge_n but_o when_o he_o only_o say_v that_o from_o they_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a to_o put_v this_o assertion_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o see_v it_o with_o his_o own_o eye_n against_o the_o read_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a book_n from_o a_o careless_a translation_n prove_v nothing_o but_o the_o invincible_a stubbornness_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v these_o man_n have_v be_v so_o zealous_a for_o their_o faction_n as_o not_o to_o care_v how_o in_o pursuit_n of_o it_o they_o endanger_v nay_o destroy_v their_o religion_n for_o whereas_o one_o of_o the_o great_a pillar_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o the_o age_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o it_o be_v hereby_o particular_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v no_o figment_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n and_o that_o the_o record_n of_o it_o be_v of_o that_o antiquity_n that_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v yet_o because_o they_o do_v as_o positive_o assert_v the_o original_a constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o this_o faction_n of_o man_n have_v happen_v to_o renounce_v they_o have_v labour_v with_o indefatigable_a industry_n utter_o to_o overthrow_v all_o their_o authority_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n with_o that_o ill_a success_n that_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o shake_v our_o faith_n they_o have_v only_o make_v it_o to_o take_v the_o better_a root_n for_o by_o this_o occasion_n the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v be_v much_o more_o inquire_v into_o and_o better_v clear_v than_o if_o it_o have_v pass_v without_o any_o dispute_n or_o contradictition_n but_o to_o keep_v close_o to_o our_o ignatius_n what_o have_v be_v the_o bottom_n of_o all_o the_o zeal_n and_o fury_n against_o his_o epistle_n but_o his_o earnest_n press_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n or_o rather_o because_o he_o describe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a platform_n so_o accurate_o as_o to_o condemn_v their_o discipline_n of_o folly_n and_o rashness_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o prescription_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o yet_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n lay_v as_o great_a a_o stress_n as_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n as_o set_v over_o they_o by_o divine_a institution_n for_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o which_o they_o be_v then_o more_o tender_a than_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o think_v it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n preserve_v than_o by_o submission_n to_o those_o guide_n and_o governor_n that_o christ_n have_v set_v over_o it_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v evident_a out_o of_o their_o write_n especial_o saint_a cyprian_n who_o as_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n so_o be_v he_o full_a as_o peremptory_a in_o this_o point_n as_o ignatius_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n clement_n because_o of_o its_o great_a antiquity_n for_o if_o that_o assert_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o church_n government_n establish_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o prevent_v and_o confute_v the_o groundless_a conjecture_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n in_o which_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o church_n devolve_v upon_o the_o presbyter_n because_o they_o have_v appoint_v no_o one_o particular_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o government_n and_o this_o saint_n clement_n assert_n in_o these_o positive_a word_n the_o apostle_n be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o we_o from_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o jesus_n christ_n from_o god_n himself_o christ_n be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n by_o he_o the_o send_v of_o both_o be_v in_o a_o orderly_a manner_n after_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o command_n and_o have_v a_o full_a confidence_n through_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o a_o assurance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n go_v forth_o publish_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v erect_v they_o therefore_o preach_v the_o word_n through_o divers_a country_n and_o city_n ordain_v every_o where_o the_o first_o fruit_n of_o such_o as_o believe_v have_v make_v proof_n and_o trial_n of_o they_o by_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v overfeer_n and_o deacon_n to_o minister_v unto_o they_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v so_o that_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o neglect_v to_o provide_v governor_n for_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v careful_a beforehand_o to_o provide_v governor_n for_o future_a church_n and_o this_o he_o affirm_v the_o apostle_n do_v because_o they_o understand_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o strife_n and_o contention_n will_v arise_v about_o the_o title_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o this_o cause_n therefore_o have_v absolute_a knowledge_n beforehand_o thereof_o they_o ordain_v the_o forename_a officer_n and_o for_o the_o future_a give_v they_o moreover_o in_o command_n that_o whensoever_o they_o shall_v die_v other_o well_o approve_v of_o shall_v succeed_v into_o their_o office_n and_o ministry_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n order_n observe_v and_o prescribe_v a_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n to_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o future_a age_n and_o though_o our_o author_n do_v not_o express_v the_o several_a distinct_a order_n by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n yet_o he_o describe_v they_o as_o express_o by_o allusion_n to_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n under_o the_o name_n of_o highpriest_n priest_n and_o levite_n
to_o their_o vow_n but_o one_o of_o the_o priest_n a_o recabite_n say_v hegesippus_n interpose_v to_o save_v james_n from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o people_n but_o this_o say_v scaliger_n can_v not_o be_v for_o the_o recabite_n be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o so_o uncapable_a of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o if_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o either_o have_v be_v exact_o observe_v at_o that_o time_n especial_o of_o the_o priesthood_n when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a those_o office_n even_o of_o the_o high-priesthood_n itself_o be_v entire_o dispose_v of_o by_o their_o governor_n who_o at_o pleasure_n put_v they_o in_o and_o out_o as_o they_o do_v any_o other_o officer_n of_o state_n but_o they_o place_v he_o say_v hegesippus_n on_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n whither_o great_a number_n of_o the_o people_n go_v up_o to_o cast_v he_o down_o which_o say_v scaliger_n they_o can_v not_o do_v because_o it_o be_v as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o so_o very_o thick_o set_v with_o point_a iron_n as_o to_o keep_v the_o bird_n from_o settle_v upon_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v probable_a the_o great_a and_o high_a battlement_n of_o all_o be_v but_o it_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v in_o the_o least_o probable_a that_o james_n shall_v be_v place_v there_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n when_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v hear_v from_o so_o great_a a_o height_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v dash_v apiece_o when_o he_o be_v cast_v thence_o instead_o of_o fall_v alive_a upon_o his_o knee_n as_o the_o historian_n report_v and_o therefore_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v any_o cover_n or_o battlement_n must_v have_v be_v some_o low_a frame_n of_o building_n from_o which_o he_o may_v be_v most_o convenient_o hear_v of_o the_o people_n now_o as_o from_o these_o objection_n say_v scaliger_n we_o may_v learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o hegesippus_n so_o say_v i_o from_o these_o reply_v to_o they_o may_v we_o learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o scaliger_n that_o upon_o such_o poor_a surmise_n as_o these_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o destroy_v and_o vilify_v the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o now_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n be_v full_o vindicated_n it_o do_v not_o only_o make_v good_a his_o own_o testimony_n but_o of_o all_o other_o that_o be_v record_v in_o his_o history_n between_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o his_o own_o and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o his_o account_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n go_v a_o great_a way_n for_o next_o to_o james_n the_o just_a he_o inform_v we_o that_o simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n and_o cousin_n german_n to_o our_o lord_n succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o sit_v there_o till_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v martyrdom_n only_o for_o the_o old_a jealousy_n of_o vespasian_n and_o domitian_n of_o be_v of_o the_o line_n of_o david_n and_o so_o a_o rival_n to_o the_o empire_n so_o that_o here_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o that_o time_n by_o as_o short_a a_o succession_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o clement_n and_o from_o clement_n to_o dionysius_n and_o in_o the_o asian_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n by_o policarp_n to_o pothinus_n and_o irenaeus_n §_o xxxiii_o next_o to_o hegesippus_n follow_v justin_n martyr_n though_o have_v not_o the_o other_o be_v a_o historian_n he_o may_v as_o be_v somewhat_o his_o senior_n have_v go_v before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n about_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o within_o eight_o year_n after_o address_v a_o excellent_a apology_n to_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o afterward_o a_o second_o to_o m._n aurelius_n his_o son_n and_o successor_n he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o eminent_a part_n and_o learning_n the_o most_o judicious_a philosopher_n of_o his_o time_n that_o have_v survey_v all_o the_o tenet_n of_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o study_v all_o kind_n of_o useful_a learning_n for_o the_o settlement_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o school_n of_o the_o stoic_n the_o peripatetic_n the_o pythagorean_n and_o the_o platonist_n of_o which_o himself_o have_v give_v a_o pleasant_a account_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o be_v at_o last_o advise_v by_o a_o unknown_a grave_a old_a man_n that_o meet_v he_o in_o his_o retire_a walk_n to_o consider_v the_o christian_a philosophy_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o apply_v himself_o but_o he_o find_v it_o the_o only_a certain_a and_o satisfactory_a philosophy_n in_o short_a he_o be_v such_o a_o proficient_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n that_o his_o own_o write_n make_v good_a photius_n his_o character_n of_o he_o that_o as_o he_o be_v admirable_o furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o read_v and_o history_n so_o he_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o perfection_n both_o of_o the_o christian_a and_o heathen_a philosophy_n and_o therefore_o immediate_o after_o his_o conversion_n give_v a_o learned_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o gentile_a religion_n as_o afterward_o in_o his_o apology_n and_o his_o other_o write_n he_o do_v of_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n both_o from_o the_o undoubted_a miracle_n that_o in_o his_o time_n be_v wrought_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o certain_a proof_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o frequent_o avow_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n and_o courage_n of_o mind_n and_o at_o last_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o though_o he_o foresee_v and_o foretell_v it_o not_o from_o any_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o in_o it_o but_o from_o the_o probable_a course_n and_o most_o natural_a event_n of_o thing_n yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o slacken_v his_o zeal_n for_o the_o christian_a cause_n but_o go_v on_o with_o all_o assurance_n of_o mind_n in_o its_o defence_n till_o it_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o encounter_n of_o death_n which_o he_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v with_o his_o eye_n open_a but_o with_o all_o joy_n and_o alacrity_n as_o be_v arrive_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o hope_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o happiness_n next_o to_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n follow_v in_o order_n who_o live_v much_o about_o or_o a_o little_a after_o the_o same_o time_n but_o of_o he_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v the_o less_o because_o i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o tradition_n that_o he_o have_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v from_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o other_o apostolical_a man_n only_o some_o few_o remark_n remain_v to_o make_v up_o his_o perfect_a character_n and_o make_v out_o his_o perfect_a knowledge_n and_o for_o this_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o he_o to_o florinus_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n this_o doctrine_n of_o thou_o o_o florinus_n that_o i_o may_v frank_o declare_v the_o truth_n savour_v not_o of_o the_o sincere_a faith_n disagree_v from_o the_o church_n and_o betray_v such_o as_o listen_v to_o it_o into_o extreme_a impiety_n this_o doctrine_n no_o not_o the_o heretic_n which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n dare_v ever_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n such_o as_o be_v elder_n before_o we_o and_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n never_o deliver_v unto_o thou_o i_o see_v thou_o when_o i_o be_v yet_o a_o youth_n with_o policarp_n in_o the_o lesser_a asia_n live_v gorgeous_o in_o the_o emperor_n palace_n and_o mighty_o buisy_v thyself_o to_o get_v into_o favour_n and_o credit_n with_o he_o for_o i_o remember_v better_o the_o thing_n of_o old_a than_o latter_a affair_n for_o the_o thing_n we_o learn_v in_o our_o young_a year_n sink_v deep_a into_o our_o mind_n and_o grow_v together_o with_o we_o so_o that_o i_o particular_o remember_v the_o very_a place_n where_o policarp_n sit_v when_o he_o teach_v his_o go_v out_o and_o his_o come_n in_o his_o course_n of_o life_n the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o his_o body_n the_o sermon_n he_o make_v to_o the_o people_n the_o report_n he_o make_v of_o his_o conversation_n with_o john_n and_o other_o which_o know_v the_o lord_n how_o he_o remember_v their_o say_n and_o what_o he_o hear_v from_o their_o mouth_n concern_v the_o lord_n
his_o power_n and_o his_o doctrine_n recite_v his_o commandment_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n out_o of_o their_o very_a mouth_n i_o say_v who_o have_v see_v with_o their_o eye_n the_o word_n of_o life_n incarnate_a these_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o wrought_v in_o i_o i_o diligent_o mark_v and_o print_v not_o in_o paper_n but_o my_o heart_n upon_o which_o continual_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n i_o ponder_v and_o meditate_v and_o i_o be_o able_a to_o testify_v before_o god_n that_o if_o that_o holy_a and_o apostolic_a elder_n have_v hear_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o you_o teach_v he_o will_v immediate_o have_v disavow_v it_o and_o after_o his_o manner_n stop_v his_o ear_n cry_v out_o good_a god_n into_o what_o time_n have_v thou_o reserve_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v hear_v and_o suffer_v such_o discourse_n yea_o and_o will_v straight_o have_v quit_v the_o place_n where_o he_o have_v hear_v they_o in_o short_a this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o neighbour_n church_n or_o to_o particular_a brethren_n and_o beside_o policarp_n he_o frequent_o quote_v in_o all_o his_o book_n apostolical_a ancient_n though_o he_o do_v not_o mention_v their_o name_n he_o be_v a_o diligent_a enquirer_n into_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v particular_o describe_v the_o order_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o four_o gospel_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n clement_n ignatius_n the_o book_n of_o justin_n martyr_n his_o search_n into_o the_o record_n of_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n his_o inquire_v into_o the_o write_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a doctor_n and_o with_o this_o argument_n put_v to_o silence_v the_o heretic_n by_o demonstrate_v to_o they_o what_o be_v and_o what_o be_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o apostolic_a time_n all_o which_o consider_v how_o can_v we_o 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tradition_n so_o they_o seal_v its_o sincerity_n with_o their_o blood_n though_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o witness_n be_v so_o abundant_o satisfactory_a both_o from_o their_o number_n their_o quality_n and_o their_o agreement_n that_o i_o need_v produce_v no_o more_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v i_o shall_v have_v be_v very_o thankful_a for_o half_a so_o many_o but_o can_v never_o have_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o ask_v for_o more_o yet_o because_o a_o great_a number_n beside_o offer_v themselves_o we_o can_v in_o civility_n altogether_o refuse_v their_o kindness_n but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v too_o tedious_a i_o shall_v at_o present_v only_o give_v in_o a_o list_n of_o their_o name_n that_o any_o man_n may_v examine_v they_o at_o his_o leisure_n about_o this_o time_n then_o there_o be_v beside_o those_o that_o i_o have_v mention_v a_o great_a concourse_n of_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v not_o only_a confessor_n but_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o athenagoras_n the_o christian_a philosopher_n of_o athens_n theophilus_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n apollinaris_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n tatian_n the_o assyrian_a and_o scholar_n to_o justin_n martyr_n who_o all_o write_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o commodus_n pantoenus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n miltiades_n tertullian_n who_o be_v close_o follow_v by_o origen_n minutius_n felix_n arnobius_n st._n cyprian_n all_o man_n of_o learning_n who_o diligent_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n and_o have_v give_v their_o reason_n of_o renounce_v heathenism_n and_o embrace_a christianity_n in_o short_a they_o have_v all_o maintain_v it_o with_o their_o pen_n and_o most_o of_o they_o with_o their_o blood_n and_o most_o of_o their_o work_n be_v still_o remain_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a task_n be_v it_o not_o too_o tedious_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o every_o man_n performance_n but_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o that_o say_v already_o and_o to_o say_v more_o be_v only_o so_o much_o needless_a repetition_n of_o the_o same_o matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o the_o same_o argument_n and_o the_o most_o material_a passage_n of_o record_n extant_a in_o these_o author_n i_o have_v either_o allege_v already_o or_o shall_v have_v occasion_n so_o to_o do_v hereafter_o therefore_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o be_v do_v at_o present_a be_v only_o to_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v such_o write_n of_o such_o man_n and_o that_o i_o may_v easy_o do_v because_o they_o be_v so_o very_o common_a and_o so_o very_o well_o know_v at_o this_o day_n and_o then_o upon_o that_o supposition_n to_o argue_v the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n through_o their_o hand_n and_o that_o complete_v the_o demonstration_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n for_o when_o i_o have_v prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o its_o original_a from_o the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o complicate_v attestation_n of_o other_o that_o live_v either_o with_o or_o immediate_o after_o they_o and_o so_o downward_o from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o that_o by_o very_o short_a period_n of_o time_n into_o the_o three_o century_n for_o beyond_o that_o it_o be_v very_o impertinent_a to_o pursue_v the_o argument_n if_o i_o say_v this_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o premise_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o any_o man_n can_v in_o reason_n or_o modesty_n demand_v a_o great_a evidence_n and_o more_o satisfactory_a demonstration_n of_o his_o faith_n §_o xxxiv_o but_o if_o christianity_n come_v into_o the_o world_n attend_v with_o all_o this_o variety_n and_o train_n of_o proof_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o such_o great_a number_n of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n live_v and_o die_v in_o infidelity_n if_o the_o evidence_n be_v so_o full_a and_o free_a from_o all_o exception_n as_o be_v pretend_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v eyesight_n enough_o to_o discern_v the_o midday_n sun_n not_o to_o submit_v to_o its_o conviction_n much_o less_o how_o can_v such_o creature_n as_o man_n endue_v with_o rational_a faculty_n be_v so_o utter_o blind_a or_o extravagant_o mad_a that_o when_o almighty_a god_n have_v give_v such_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n they_o shall_v hate_v oppose_v and_o persecute_v this_o religion_n mear_n stupidity_n or_o want_n of_o enquiry_n may_v have_v leave_v man_n in_o infidelity_n though_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n have_v be_v as_o evident_a as_o we_o say_v it_o be_v but_o when_o man_n concern_v themselves_o with_o all_o their_o zeal_n and_o power_n to_o root_v it_o up_o they_o must_v understand_v what_o it_o be_v that_o they_o so_o eager_o oppose_v neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o mankind_n alone_o but_o by_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o learned_a who_o do_v not_o only_o reject_v it_o as_o a_o idle_a fable_n but_o bestir_v themselves_o with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o suppress_v it_o as_o pernicious_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v a_o objection_n in_o appearance_n very_o great_a for_o it_o can_v but_o look_v very_o strange_a that_o man_n learned_a and_o wise_a shall_v be_v so_o foolish_a and_o so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o perceive_v such_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n nay_o to_o scorn_n and_o to_o despise_v it_o and_o yet_o as_o big_a as_o this_o objection_n be_v in_o show_n it_o be_v in_o reality_n none_o at_o all_o and_o if_o it_o be_v any_o be_v abundant_o answer_v by_o the_o premise_n for_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o the_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a shall_v ever_o have_v be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o embrace_v such_o a_o story_n in_o all_o those_o circumstance_n and_o
he_o and_o after_o that_o he_o be_v kill_v he_o shall_v rise_v the_o three_o day_n yet_o they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_n mark_n 9_o 3._o one_o will_v think_v the_o say_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v make_v it_o but_o though_o they_o understand_v the_o grammatical_a sense_n of_o they_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o possess_v with_o this_o jewish_a prejudice_n of_o his_o be_v a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n that_o nothing_o that_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o it_o can_v enter_v into_o their_o head_n so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_n be_v that_o they_o understand_v not_o how_o they_o can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o those_o prophecy_n that_o they_o have_v of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o upon_o occasion_n of_o all_o such_o discourse_n they_o still_o mind_v he_o of_o the_o recovery_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o when_o those_o hope_n be_v bury_v in_o his_o grave_n than_o all_o their_o expectation_n utter_o die_v together_o with_o he_o saint_n peter_n think_v of_o return_v 3._o to_o his_o old_a trade_n of_o fish_v and_o we_o trust_v say_v the_o two_o disciple_n that_o it_o have_v be_v he_o which_o shall_v have_v redeem_v israel_n luke_n 24._o 21._o and_o after_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o his_o resurrection_n the_o very_a first_o thing_n they_o be_v sure_a to_o put_v he_o in_o mind_n of_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o his_o crown_n lord_n will_v thou_o not_o at_o this_o time_n restore_v again_o the_o kingdom_n to_o israel_n act_v 1._o 6._o these_o be_v the_o big_a and_o swell_a expectation_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n concern_v their_o messiah_n but_o whilst_o they_o be_v eager_o gaze_v upon_o the_o outward_a pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o world_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n so_o order_v it_o that_o their_o prince_n shall_v slip_v into_o it_o clothe_v in_o all_o the_o dress_n of_o meanness_n and_o humility_n that_o he_o may_v have_v nothing_o to_o recommend_v he_o to_o mankind_n but_o mere_a evidence_n of_o truth_n every_o circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n life_n and_o death_n be_v design_v cross_a to_o all_o the_o grandeur_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o be_v he_o bear_v not_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o imperial_a city_n but_o at_o bethlehem_n the_o least_o among_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n not_o in_o the_o town_n but_o in_o the_o suburb_n in_o a_o poor_a cottage_n not_o in_o the_o dwell_a house_n but_o in_o the_o stable_a among_o beast_n and_o beggar_n rag_n be_v his_o only_a imperial_a robe_n and_o his_o first_o throne_n a_o manger_n and_o instead_o of_o post_v away_o currier_n to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n or_o persia_n the_o message_n of_o his_o birth_n be_v impart_v to_o a_o few_o plain_a and_o honest_a peasant_n they_o be_v shepherd_n a_o simple_a and_o innocent_a sort_n of_o people_n that_o make_v the_o first_o address_n and_o do_v the_o first_o homage_n to_o this_o infant_n prince_n and_o the_o whole_a progress_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o this_o humble_a coronation_n he_o be_v subject_a to_o his_o poor_a parent_n and_o as_o some_o who_o be_v no_o incompetent_a witness_n tell_v we_o wrought_v at_o his_o father_n trade_n and_o get_v his_o live_n by_o make_v of_o plough_n and_o yoke_n and_o after_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o office_n and_o declare_v who_o he_o be_v he_o choose_v for_o the_o principal_a place_n of_o his_o residence_n galilee_n the_o most_o ignoble_a part_n of_o all_o judaea_n not_o only_o because_o it_o lay_v most_o remote_a from_o jerusalem_n the_o place_n of_o their_o court_n and_o temple_n but_o because_o it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o a_o mix_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o thence_o common_o style_v galilee_n of_o the_o gentile_n partly_o in_o that_o lie_a next_o to_o they_o and_o have_v more_o commerce_n with_o they_o they_o be_v not_o so_o coy_a of_o admit_v they_o into_o their_o kindred_n as_o the_o other_o jew_n and_o partly_o in_o that_o it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o some_o of_o those_o jew_n that_o return_v from_o the_o captivity_n who_o settle_v there_o among_o the_o gentile_n that_o have_v during_o the_o captivity_n place_v themselves_o in_o it_o so_o that_o the_o galilean_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o sort_n of_o mongrel_n jew_n and_o a_o galilean_a be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o name_n of_o reproach_n whence_o the_o proverb_n shall_v christ_n come_v out_o of_o galilee_n and_o as_o he_o choose_v the_o worst_a part_n of_o his_o country_n for_o the_o chief_a place_n of_o his_o residence_n though_o at_o time_n he_o show_v himself_o in_o other_o place_n but_o still_o under_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o a_o galilean_a so_o he_o choose_v the_o mean_a of_o his_o countryman_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o kingdom_n fisherman_n a_o poor_a and_o beggarly_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v make_v so_o much_o the_o poor_a by_o be_v his_o disciple_n we_o have_v leave_v all_o say_v peter_n to_o follow_v thou_o and_o this_o mighty_a all_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o few_o totter_a net_n but_o yet_o with_o they_o be_v they_o able_a to_o get_v a_o small_a maintenance_n for_o their_o family_n whereas_o when_o they_o leave_v their_o trade_n to_o follow_v he_o they_o become_v perfect_a beggar_n for_o the_o fox_n have_v hole_n etc._n etc._n nay_o what_o be_v still_o a_o great_a condescension_n he_o converse_v not_o only_o with_o the_o mean_a but_o as_o his_o office_n require_v with_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n publican_n and_o sinner_n the_o most_o hate_a and_o most_o scandalous_a person_n insomuch_o that_o his_o enemy_n take_v advantage_n from_o it_o to_o reproach_v himself_o as_o a_o person_n that_o live_v a_o life_n of_o looseness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o thus_o he_o pass_v on_o through_o perpetual_a affront_v reproach_n and_o calumny_n till_o he_o purposely_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o deliver_v up_o himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o with_o what_o scorn_n insolence_n and_o cruelty_n he_o be_v there_o treat_v and_o with_o what_o meekness_n patience_n and_o humility_n he_o there_o behave_v himself_o i_o need_v not_o here_o represent_v they_o indeed_o put_v upon_o he_o a_o royal_a robe_n but_o it_o be_v in_o derision_n they_o crown_v he_o but_o it_o be_v with_o thorn_n they_o bow_v the_o knee_n before_o he_o bâ—â—_n it_o be_v in_o mockery_n and_o they_o write_v he_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o it_o be_v upon_o his_o cross_n where_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v execute_v with_o two_o thief_n and_o that_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o the_o great_a villain_n of_o the_o three_o all_o which_o as_o he_o suffer_v for_o other_o weighty_a end_n so_o not_o lest_o of_o all_o in_o order_n to_o his_o resurrection_n partly_o because_o that_o be_v design_v as_o the_o groundwork_n of_o his_o religion_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n take_v particular_a care_n to_o make_v it_o stand_v upon_o its_o own_o unassisted_a evidence_n and_o for_o that_o purpose_n not_o only_o lay_v it_o so_o very_o deep_a but_o clear_v away_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o give_v it_o the_o least_o assistance_n partly_o because_o be_v the_o most_o material_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o withal_o most_o difficult_a to_o be_v believe_v god_n be_v please_v to_o confirm_v its_o truth_n by_o sensible_a experience_n as_o arnobius_n have_v very_o well_o observe_v cumque_fw-la novitas_fw-la rerum_fw-la &_o inaudita_fw-la promissio_fw-la audientium_fw-la 1._o turbaret_fw-la mentes_fw-la &_o credulitatem_fw-la faceret_fw-la hoesitare_fw-la virtutum_fw-la omnium_fw-la dominus_fw-la atque_fw-la ipsius_fw-la mortis_fw-la extinctor_fw-la hominem_fw-la suum_fw-la permiserit_fw-la interfici_fw-la ut_fw-la ex_fw-la rebus_fw-la consequentibus_fw-la scirent_fw-la in_o tuto_fw-la esse_fw-la spes_fw-la svas_fw-la quas_fw-la jamdudum_fw-la acceperant_fw-la de_fw-la animarum_fw-la salute_n nec_fw-la periculum_fw-la mortis_fw-la aliâ_fw-la se_fw-la posse_fw-la ratione_fw-la vitare_fw-la when_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o immortal_a happiness_n amaze_v man_n mind_n and_o stumble_v their_o belief_n the_o lord_n of_o all_o power_n and_o conqueror_n of_o death_n permit_v his_o humane_a nature_n to_o be_v slay_v that_o from_o his_o resurrection_n and_o those_o thing_n that_o follow_v after_o his_o death_n they_o may_v be_v assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o future_a salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n now_o this_o humble_a appearance_n of_o jesus_n be_v design_v so_o utter_o cross_v to_o the_o proud_a and_o revengeful_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o thirst_v for_o the_o come_n of_o their_o messiah_n only_o to_o be_v avenge_v of_o all_o their_o enemy_n it_o do_v not_o only_o raise_v their_o prejudice_n â—ut_v their_o indignation_n against_o he_o but_o especial_o when_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o great_a prerogative_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o
thing_n and_o after_o that_o when_o man_n report_v that_o to_o have_v be_v do_v which_o they_o know_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v what_o follow_v but_o away_o with_o they_o for_o idle_a cheat_n and_o liar_n and_o therefore_o without_o ever_o examine_v they_o they_o thrust_v they_o into_o prison_n with_o all_o manner_n of_o scorn_n and_o indignation_n act_v 5._o 17_o 18._o second_o as_o for_o the_o pharisee_n who_o be_v of_o the_o great_a power_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o people_n they_o be_v a_o strange_a sort_n of_o ignorant_a supercilious_a and_o conceit_a fanatic_n and_o there_o be_v no_o temper_n of_o mind_n so_o fix_v and_o stubborn_a as_o religious_a pride_n and_o self-conceitedness_a it_o be_v of_o all_o illusion_n the_o most_o delightful_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o thorough_o possess_v with_o it_o it_o bar_n up_o their_o understanding_n against_o all_o argument_n it_o take_v away_o the_o use_n of_o their_o natural_a faculty_n and_o to_o go_v about_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o folly_n and_o hypocrisy_n be_v only_o to_o provoke_v their_o rage_n and_o choler_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o pharisee_n they_o pretend_v to_o the_o strict_a piety_n and_o value_v themselves_o at_o a_o mighty_a rate_n beyond_o all_o other_o man_n for_o the_o singularity_n and_o exactness_n of_o their_o devotion_n and_o yet_o this_o they_o place_v not_o in_o any_o conformity_n to_o the_o divine_a law_n but_o in_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o vain_a custom_n and_o tradition_n derive_v from_o their_o forefather_n now_o this_o be_v so_o gross_a and_o so_o foolish_a a_o imposture_n our_o saviour_n set_v himself_o particular_o to_o represent_v its_o vanity_n and_o take_v all_o occasion_n to_o convince_v they_o that_o they_o have_v utter_o forsake_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n for_o which_o they_o pretend_v so_o much_o reverence_n and_o that_o the_o custom_n they_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o be_v no_o part_n of_o his_o religion_n because_o no_o where_o enjoin_v in_o his_o law_n but_o mere_a arbitrary_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o devise_v and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o raise_v their_o displeasure_n against_o he_o to_o so_o great_a a_o height_n of_o hatred_n and_o indignation_n that_o a_o person_n who_o pretend_v to_o so_o great_a a_o office_n and_o authority_n as_o that_o of_o the_o messiah_n shall_v represent_v they_o so_o contemptible_o in_o his_o public_a and_o constant_a discourse_n to_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o consider_v the_o nature_n and_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n they_o all_o along_o set_v themselves_o to_o trapan_n he_o in_o his_o discourse_n and_o mind_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o pursue_v their_o revenge_n against_o he_o and_o never_o rest_v till_o they_o have_v wreck_v all_o their_o malice_n upon_o he_o as_o the_o mortal_a enemy_n of_o their_o sect._n now_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o person_n of_o this_o complexion_n be_v so_o strange_o blind_v against_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o our_o saviour_n give_v of_o his_o divine_a commission_n for_o none_o so_o blind_a as_o those_o that_o will_v not_o see_v and_o none_o so_o wilful_a as_o those_o that_o be_v in_o love_n with_o themselves_o and_o no_o self-love_n so_o dote_v as_o that_o which_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o false_a conceit_n of_o sanctity_n and_o religion_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o some_o of_o the_o more_o ingenuous_a among_o they_o as_o nicodemus_n and_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n be_v overcome_v by_o the_o divinity_n of_o his_o work_n and_o afterward_o even_o gamaliel_n himself_o be_v startle_v at_o they_o for_o the_o advice_n he_o give_v to_o let_v the_o apostle_n alone_o seem_v to_o have_v proceed_v mere_o from_o the_o unsettledness_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o be_v not_o then_o thorough_o satisfy_v concern_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o their_o pretence_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v his_o advice_n take_v with_o the_o sanhedrin_n not_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v but_o very_o foolish_a counsel_n that_o if_o this_o work_n be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v of_o its_o own_o accord_n come_v to_o nought_o for_o by_o that_o principle_n they_o must_v give_v liberty_n to_o all_o the_o impostor_n in_o the_o world_n to_o disturb_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o mankind_n but_o when_o it_o be_v doubtful_a as_o it_o then_o seem_v to_o he_o lest_o haply_o by_o punish_v 39_o the_o apostle_n they_o may_v be_v find_v to_o fight_v against_o god_n upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o be_v not_o only_o wise_a but_o pious_a advice_n to_o stay_v for_o a_o little_o far_a trial_n of_o the_o cause_n before_o they_o undertake_v its_o utter_a extirpation_n and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a observable_a that_o though_o some_o of_o the_o pharisee_n be_v shockt_v out_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la the_o sadducee_n be_v all_o impregnable_a for_o we_o no_o where_o read_v that_o any_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o their_o first_o principle_n suppose_v its_o truth_n utter_o impossible_a and_o then_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o inquire_v after_o it_o or_o hear_v any_o thing_n concern_v it_o but_o the_o pharisee_n not_o lie_v under_o this_o invincible_a prejudice_n be_v notwithstanding_o all_o their_o other_o great_a hindrance_n in_o some_o capacity_n of_o conviction_n so_o that_o though_o we_o find_v that_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v at_o first_o the_o fierce_a enemy_n to_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n yet_o afterward_o they_o be_v outstrip_v by_o the_o sadducee_n in_o their_o zeal_n and_o fury_n against_o it_o for_o as_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o pharisee_n be_v every_o where_o note_v as_o his_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n so_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n after_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n the_o sadducee_n be_v remark_v as_o their_o most_o bitter_a and_o vehement_a prosecutor_n and_o now_o this_o i_o think_v may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a account_n of_o the_o incredulity_n of_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o our_o saviour_n give_v all_o that_o evidence_n of_o his_o authority_n that_o we_o pretend_v he_o do_v and_o it_o be_v obvious_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o understand_v humane_a nature_n to_o apprehend_v how_o easy_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o man_n not_o only_o bias_v but_o press_v down_o by_o all_o these_o prejudices_fw-la to_o avoid_v or_o neglect_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o argument_n and_o demonstration_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xxxvii_o and_o thus_o have_v describe_v the_o several_a unreasonable_a prejudices_fw-la that_o withhold_v so_o many_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o embrace_v of_o the_o christian_a faith_n we_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o the_o ground_n that_o the_o heathen_n go_v upon_o in_o their_o opposition_n to_o it_o and_o these_o be_v as_o much_o more_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a than_o those_o of_o the_o jew_n as_o be_v their_o religion_n for_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v some_o appearance_n of_o pretence_n against_o our_o saviour_n alteration_n in_o religion_n we_o have_v already_o show_v in_o that_o it_o be_v own_a by_o himself_o to_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o the_o war_n that_o the_o heathen_a world_n raise_v against_o it_o they_o ground_v it_o upon_o such_o false_a principle_n as_o though_o christianity_n itself_o have_v be_v false_a betray_v their_o own_o folly_n and_o absurdity_n atheism_n and_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o all_o religion_n be_v their_o master-objection_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n they_o set_v up_o and_o contend_v for_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o be_v their_o own_o wretched_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n both_o which_o be_v too_o great_a demonstration_n of_o a_o invincible_a prejudice_n and_o inflexible_a partiality_n and_o they_o be_v both_o so_o very_o absurd_a that_o which_o be_v most_o so_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v for_o whatever_o the_o christian_n be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o atheism_n of_o any_o party_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o as_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o gentile_n it_o be_v so_o gross_o wicked_a and_o foolish_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o wise_a man_n to_o embrace_v it_o without_o affront_a both_o god_n and_o his_o own_o conscience_n this_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o they_o they_o never_o enter_v into_o the_o debate_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o so_o much_o as_o once_o inquire_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n but_o for_o this_o reason_n alone_o they_o repute_v all_o christian_n as_o vile_a and_o profligate_v person_n because_o they_o will_v not_o join_v
with_o they_o in_o their_o atheistical_a idolatry_n and_o this_o be_v the_o grand_a motive_n of_o all_o their_o persecution_n against_o they_o in_o which_o they_o proceed_v upon_o no_o other_o article_n than_o that_o they_o refuse_v to_o sacrifice_v to_o their_o go_n so_o that_o if_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v absurd_a and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o so_o and_o if_o all_o their_o hatred_n to_o christianity_n be_v found_v mere_o upon_o their_o zeal_n to_o that_o this_o give_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o oppose_v the_o christian_a faith_n notwithstanding_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v as_o i_o have_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o and_o thereby_o it_o will_v appear_v not_o only_o that_o the_o assertion_n be_v a_o probable_a but_o a_o certain_a truth_n and_o so_o will_v not_o only_o answer_v but_o confute_v the_o objection_n by_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o reason_n that_o man_n have_v to_o oppose_v christianity_n be_v their_o be_v gross_o unreasonable_a and_o this_o i_o shall_v make_v good_a first_o as_o to_o public_a persecution_n second_o private_a opposition_n the_o first_o persecution_n be_v raise_v by_o nero_n a_o prince_n sufficient_o brand_v for_o all_o manner_n of_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n but_o above_o all_o for_o his_o brutish_a and_o inhuman_a cruelty_n and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o a_o person_n so_o barbarous_a to_o all_o mankind_n even_o to_o his_o dear_a friend_n and_o near_a relation_n shall_v vent_v some_o of_o his_o fury_n upon_o the_o christian_n but_o as_o bad_a as_o he_o be_v and_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v any_o prince_n unless_o caligula_n more_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a in_o his_o manner_n and_o will_v allow_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o character_n which_o suetonius_n give_v of_o he_o it_o a_o degenerasse_fw-la à _fw-la suorum_fw-la virtutibus_fw-la neronem_fw-la ut_fw-la tamen_fw-la vitia_n cujusque_fw-la quasi_fw-la tradita_fw-la &_o ingenita_fw-la retulerit_fw-la that_o he_o lose_v all_o the_o virtue_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o retain_v all_o their_o vice_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v but_o think_v he_o to_o have_v be_v paint_v a_o much_o great_a monster_n than_o he_o deserve_v i_o will_v indeed_o grant_v his_o folly_n to_o have_v exceed_v the_o ordinary_a rate_n of_o madness_n especial_o his_o vanity_n of_o fiddle_v sing_v and_o act_v of_o play_n for_o which_o he_o so_o high_o value_v himself_o and_o be_v so_o ridiculous_o flatter_v by_o other_o and_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o it_o neglect_v all_o affair_n of_o state_n leave_v rome_n to_o show_v his_o skill_n in_o the_o city_n of_o greece_n return_v home_o with_o triumphal_a pomp_n in_o the_o habit_n of_o a_o player_n and_o with_o the_o show_v of_o all_o his_o victory_n in_o short_a he_o be_v not_o so_o jealous_a of_o a_o rival_n in_o the_o empire_n as_o of_o a_o skilful_a comedian_n and_o at_o his_o fall_n be_v much_o more_o grieve_a to_o be_v upbraid_v with_o be_v a_o bad_a fiddler_n than_o a_o bad_a emperor_n neither_o be_v he_o less_o exorbitant_a in_o his_o lust_n than_o in_o his_o vanity_n and_o it_o be_v both_o together_o that_o so_o much_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o public_a scorn_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o people_n but_o for_o the_o vice_n of_o cruelty_n wherewith_o he_o be_v so_o severe_o charge_v and_o of_o which_o no_o doubt_n he_o be_v high_o guilty_a i_o can_v but_o think_v he_o overload_v by_o the_o historian_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o wild_a paradox_n attempt_v by_o cardan_n though_o witty_o perform_v to_o write_v a_o encomium_n of_o his_o great_a virtue_n but_o above_o all_o his_o clemency_n in_o which_o he_o will_v have_v he_o to_o have_v excel_v the_o best_a of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n yet_o that_o he_o be_v not_o so_o bloody_a as_o he_o be_v usual_o represent_v appear_v as_o by_o many_o other_o act_n of_o mercy_n towards_o his_o enemy_n so_o particular_o as_o tender_a as_o he_o be_v of_o his_o reputation_n by_o not_o punish_v as_o most_o other_o emperor_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v the_o know_a libeler_n against_o his_o person_n and_o government_n with_o capital_a penalty_n and_o as_o for_o his_o other_o severity_n this_o at_o least_o be_v to_o be_v plead_v in_o his_o behalf_n the_o prodigious_a and_o unparalleled_a wickedness_n of_o the_o age_n that_o be_v so_o universal_o debauch_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o man_n in_o it_o of_o reputation_n enough_o to_o give_v testimony_n against_o he_o so_o that_o though_o he_o be_v both_o hate_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o senate_n itself_o yet_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o contention_n between_o they_o be_v who_o shall_v have_v the_o great_a empire_n in_o wickedness_n and_o his_o restraint_n of_o their_o enormity_n particular_o their_o inhuman_a extortion_n be_v no_o improbable_a account_n of_o their_o great_a displeasure_n against_o he_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o number_n of_o his_o execution_n be_v no_o proper_a objection_n against_o his_o government_n for_o that_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v not_o from_o his_o cruelty_n but_o from_o their_o own_o wicked_a practice_n and_o therefore_o nothing_o can_v be_v determine_v from_o that_o against_o he_o but_o by_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n of_o those_o that_o suffer_v and_o unless_o it_o appear_v as_o it_o do_v not_o that_o they_o be_v false_o accuse_v and_o unjust_o condemn_v their_o be_v execute_v prove_v nothing_o either_o for_o or_o against_o he_o and_o as_o for_o his_o cut_n off_o so_o many_o of_o his_o near_a kindred_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o themselves_o force_v he_o not_o to_o it_o in_o his_o own_o defence_n and_o if_o they_o do_v than_o it_o be_v not_o choice_n but_o necessity_n and_o whatever_o he_o do_v for_o reason_n of_o state_n be_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o time_n very_o allowable_a as_o for_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n claudius_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n that_o he_o have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o that_o be_v whole_o the_o wickedness_n of_o agrippina_n and_o though_o he_o seem_v too_o ungrateful_a to_o his_o memory_n by_o speak_v reproachful_o of_o he_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o he_o be_v put_v upon_o it_o by_o the_o instigation_n of_o seneca_n who_o it_o seem_v that_o dull_a emperor_n have_v disoblige_v as_o for_o agrippina_n she_o be_v a_o woman_n of_o intolerable_a pride_n and_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n she_o have_v poison_v her_o husband_n to_o derive_v the_o crown_n upon_o her_o son_n she_o have_v threaten_v to_o poison_v he_o and_o transfer_v it_o to_o germanicus_n in_o short_a she_o will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o enjoy_v any_o share_n or_o any_o quiet_a in_o the_o government_n now_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v with_o a_o woman_n of_o this_o temper_n indeed_o to_o kill_v she_o she_o be_v his_o mother_n how_o wicked_a soever_o be_v inhuman_a and_o unnatural_a yet_o however_o her_o practice_n can_v not_o but_o force_v he_o to_o some_o undecent_a severity_n at_o least_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o at_o first_o he_o use_v she_o with_o due_a respect_n and_o bear_v her_o insolence_n with_o extraordinary_a patience_n till_o he_o see_v both_o his_o life_n and_o his_o empire_n attempt_v and_o then_o it_o be_v but_o time_n to_o secure_v himself_o though_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o some_o gentle_a way_n than_o by_o put_v she_o to_o death_n in_o short_a if_o agrippina_n be_v so_o bad_a as_o the_o historian_n represent_v she_o to_o have_v be_v nero_n be_v not_o because_o his_o cruel_a usage_n of_o she_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n force_v by_o she_o own_o wickedness_n as_o for_o germanicus_n he_o must_v die_v not_o only_o as_o a_o declare_a rival_n to_o the_o empire_n but_o as_o the_o true_a and_o rightful_a heir_n of_o the_o crown_n and_o this_o practice_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o emperor_n but_o either_o get_v the_o crown_n or_o secure_v it_o by_o murder_n all_o which_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o prodigious_a dotage_n of_o augustus_n who_o after_o all_o his_o great_a craft_n instead_o of_o secure_v the_o empire_n to_o his_o own_o near_a kindred_n only_o oblige_v his_o successor_n to_o murder_v they_o for_o their_o own_o security_n for_o when_o he_o pass_v over_o the_o right_a heir_n to_o settle_v the_o empire_n upon_o tiberius_n it_o be_v obvious_a that_o tiberius_n can_v never_o think_v himself_o secure_a in_o his_o throne_n till_o all_o that_o have_v a_o antecedent_n right_a to_o it_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n so_o that_o the_o blame_n of_o tiberius_n his_o cruelty_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o be_v charge_v upon_o augustus_n his_o folly_n who_o by_o his_o preposterous_a settlement_n of_o the_o crown_n upon_o he_o make_v it_o
raise_v against_o christianity_n but_o as_o for_o that_o private_a opposition_n that_o it_o meet_v with_o from_o philosopher_n and_o pretend_o learn_v man_n it_o be_v so_o very_o contemptible_a that_o it_o scarce_o deserve_v consideration_n for_o though_o one_o will_v expect_v to_o have_v find_v all_o the_o learned_a world_n engage_v in_o a_o controversy_n that_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o few_o that_o concern_v themselves_o against_o the_o christian_a cause_n and_o those_o that_o do_v so_o only_o pelt_v at_o it_o with_o remote_a and_o far-fetched_a cavil_n but_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o only_a pertinent_a subject_n in_o this_o enquiry_n and_o if_o that_o stand_v firm_a all_o other_o opposition_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o break_v its_o own_o force_n upon_o itself_o by_o endeavour_v to_o disparage_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o it_o can_v deny_v or_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a that_o it_o can_v but_o confess_v to_o be_v true_a nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o put_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o the_o question_n that_o they_o be_v all_o force_a to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v porphyry_n and_o celsus_n impute_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n to_o magic_n hierole_n and_o trypho_n say_v only_o that_o the_o christian_n make_v too_o much_o of_o they_o by_o make_v a_o god_n of_o a_o divine_a man_n julian_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o do_v no_o such_o great_a matter_n but_o only_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a so_o that_o it_o seem_v none_o of_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n hardy_a enough_o so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v of_o control_a the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n for_o fear_n of_o too_o much_o disadvantage_n in_o the_o controversy_n now_o after_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o foretell_v with_o what_o trifle_a pretence_n they_o must_v satisfy_v themselves_o and_o they_o be_v so_o very_a trifle_a that_o itwill_a require_v but_o very_o little_a pain_n to_o show_v their_o vanity_n all_o the_o opposition_n then_o that_o be_v make_v to_o it_o this_o way_n proceed_v mere_o either_o from_o gross_a superstition_n or_o avow_a atheism_n the_o first_o be_v coincident_a with_o the_o former_a account_n of_o the_o public_a persecution_n and_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a zeal_n for_o the_o old_a pagan_a idolatry_n and_o this_o be_v chief_o manage_v by_o the_o pythagorean_n the_o only_a superstitious_a sect_n among_o all_o the_o philosopher_n who_o be_v all_o along_o so_o zealous_a of_o the_o grecian_a rite_n that_o they_o may_v proper_o be_v style_v the_o monk_n and_o friar_n of_o that_o religion_n this_o humour_n they_o derive_v from_o their_o first_o founder_n pythagoras_n himself_o who_o have_v learn_v that_o part_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n from_o thales_n and_o anaximander_n that_o explain_v the_o mechanical_a contrivance_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n to_o which_o alone_o those_o philosopher_n 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this_o be_v another_o unhappy_a mistake_n of_o a_o man_n that_o sustain_v the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n when_o all_o the_o jewish_a nation_n even_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o jesus_n have_v a_o very_a great_a reverence_n for_o john_n the_o baptist._n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o his_o testimony_n that_o we_o rely_v upon_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evangelist_n that_o have_v record_v it_o they_o know_v what_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o its_o reality_n and_o we_o know_v what_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o now_o have_v discharge_v all_o his_o little_a topic_n of_o calumny_n against_o our_o saviour_n own_o person_n in_o the_o last_o place_n he_o fall_v foul_a upon_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o with_o the_o same_o unhappy_a success_n for_o
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gospel_n and_o here_o immediate_o appear_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o horrid_a and_o ghastly_a incongruity_n as_o be_v enough_o to_o scare_v any_o ingenuous_a man_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n rather_o than_o be_v trouble_v with_o such_o a_o monstrous_a and_o unreasonable_a infidelity_n they_o must_v force_v their_o understanding_n to_o believe_v numberless_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a reason_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o they_o swallow_v not_o single_a absurdity_n but_o every_o article_n of_o their_o unbelief_n be_v pregnant_a with_o swarm_n of_o extravagant_a and_o incredible_a conceit_n §_o iii_o and_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o i_o fhall_v represent_v no_o more_o than_o the_o incredibility_n of_o one_o viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o herein_o i_o follow_v his_o own_o wise_a and_o admirable_a advice_n to_o begin_v the_o demonstration_n of_o
it_o be_v aggravate_v with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o can_v heighten_v its_o baseness_n it_o be_v without_o all_o plea_n of_o excuse_n or_o palliation_n and_o this_o certain_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o unexemplified_a severity_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n against_o christendom_n for_o never_o be_v any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n harass_v with_o such_o remarkable_a plague_n and_o judgement_n as_o this_o have_v be_v in_o that_o their_o big_a impiety_n be_v but_o ordinary_a thing_n if_o compare_v to_o the_o vileness_n of_o our_o apostasy_n the_o time_n of_o their_o ignorance_n as_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n god_n wink_v at_o but_o now_o that_o his_o wrath_n be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v against_o all_o ungodliness_n and_o unrighteousness_n of_o man_n if_o they_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n persevere_v in_o hardness_n and_o impenitence_n they_o can_v but_o treasure_n up_o to_o themselves_o anguish_n and_o tribulation_n and_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n and_o be_v still_o heap_v up_o store_n of_o vengeance_n till_o some_o time_n or_o other_o the_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v open_v upon_o they_o and_o overwhelm_v they_o in_o irrecoverable_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n at_o least_o to_o conclude_v with_o my_o believe_a reader_n for_o if_o he_o be_v a_o infidel_n i_o turn_v he_o back_o to_o the_o premise_n of_o this_o discourse_n our_o saviour_n have_v a_o second_o come_v when_o he_o shall_v as_o he_o have_v say_v he_o will_v once_o more_o rise_v up_o from_o his_o throne_n of_o majesty_n shall_v put_v on_o the_o robe_n of_o justice_n and_o return_v accompany_v with_o a_o innumerable_a army_n of_o bless_a spirit_n to_o destroy_v the_o wicked_a and_o disobedient_a and_o take_v vengeance_n of_o his_o open_a enemy_n but_o much_o more_o of_o his_o disloyal_a and_o treacherous_a friend_n and_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v what_o horror_n and_o anguish_n must_v then_o seize_v all_o guilty_a soul_n with_o what_o tremble_a and_o infinite_a amazement_n must_v every_o careless_a and_o disobedient_a christian_a appear_v before_o all_o this_o dreadful_a glory_n and_o how_o will_v even_o their_o spirit_n die_v away_o under_o a_o intolerable_a fear_n and_o confusion_n of_o conscience_n who_o can_v conceive_v the_o bitterness_n and_o the_o agony_n of_o guilty_a mind_n whilst_o they_o receive_v their_o last_o sentence_n what_o a_o wild_a and_o stupid_a thing_n be_v man_n that_o can_v believe_v and_o yet_o forget_v these_o thing_n and_o sleep_v careless_a under_o the_o expectation_n of_o a_o day_n of_o doom_n for_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n will_v once_o come_v to_o condemn_v the_o world_n as_o he_o once_o come_v to_o redeem_v it_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n it_o be_v then_o past_a question_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v our_o judge_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o how_o do_v man_n who_o serious_o think_v that_o they_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n live_v as_o if_o they_o be_v secure_a that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v call_v to_o any_o future_a account_n careless_a and_o forgetful_a of_o all_o thing_n but_o a_o few_o vanish_v pleasure_n and_o trifle_n here_o below_o with_o slender_a regard_n or_o total_a neglect_n of_o their_o eternal_a condition_n in_o brief_a the_o terror_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n and_o the_o different_a portion_n of_o woe_n or_o bliss_n hereafter_o be_v so_o evident_o declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o for_o any_o man_n who_o believe_v it_o to_o live_v careless_a of_o they_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o sottishness_n that_o i_o can_v neither_o conceive_v nor_o express_v much_o less_o load_n or_o upbraid_v with_o any_o high_a aggravation_n than_o bare_o its_o own_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o leave_v this_o great_a meditation_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o my_o christian_a reader_n and_o conjure_v they_o all_o to_o a_o serious_a and_o habitual_a practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n as_o they_o hope_v for_o any_o benefit_n from_o our_o saviour_n first_o come_n and_o desire_v to_o escape_v the_o terror_n of_o the_o second_o the_o end_n errata_fw-la page_n 1._o line_n 4._o from_o the_o end_n in_o the_o preface_n for_o vice_n 1._o in_o vice_n p._n 127._o l._n 1._o for_o sextus_n r._n saint_n pag._n 130._o l._n 3._o for_o fearless_a r._n fearful_a book_n late_o print_v for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o pourtraicture_n of_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o of_o ever_o bless_a memory_n in_o his_o solitude_n and_o suffering_n new_o reprint_v by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n in_o octavo_fw-la dr._n hammond_n annotation_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o folio_n the_o five_o edition_n correct_v the_o book_n of_o psalm_n paraphrase_a with_o argument_n to_o each_o psalm_n in_o two_o volume_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o peterburgh_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n octavo_fw-la the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o six_o book_n write_v in_o latin_a by_o hugo_n grotius_n and_o now_o translate_v into_o english_a with_o the_o addition_n of_o a_o seven_o book_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n etc._n etc._n octavo_fw-la a_o book_n for_o beginner_n or_o a_o help_n to_o young_a communicant_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fit_v for_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o receive_v it_o with_o profit_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n in_o 240._o christ_n counsel_n to_o his_o church_n in_o two_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o two_o last_o fast_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n in_o quarto_n new_a the_o establish_v church_n or_o a_o subversion_n of_o all_o the_o romanist_n plea_n for_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n in_o england_n together_o with_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o present_a government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o allow_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n against_o all_o fanatical_a exception_n particular_o of_o mr._n hickeringill_n in_o his_o scandalous_a pamphlet_n style_v naked_a truth_n the_o second_o part_n by_o fran._n fulwood_n d._n d._n archdeacon_n of_o totnes_n in_o devon_n in_o octavo_n new_a a_o discourse_n of_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o exposition_n of_o exod._n 20._o v_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o humble_o offer_v to_o this_o present_a age_n by_o john_n gregory_n archdeacon_n of_o gloucester_n in_o octavo_n new_a the_o new_a distemper_n or_o the_o dissenter_n usual_a plea_n for_o comprehension_n toleration_n and_o the_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n consider_v and_o discuss_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n alsop_n late_a pamphlet_n publish_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o reverend_a dean_n of_o s._n paul_n sermon_n concern_v separation_n by_o the_o late_a reverend_a dr._n tomkins_n in_o octavo_n the_o lively_a picture_n of_o lewis_n du_fw-fr moulin_n draw_v by_o a_o incomparable_a hand_n together_o with_o his_o last_o word_n be_v his_o retractation_n of_o all_o the_o personal_a reflection_n he_o have_v make_v on_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o several_a book_n of_o his_o sign_v by_o himself_o on_o the_o five_o and_o seventeen_o of_o october_n 1680._o in_o quarto_n new_a the_o daily_a practice_n of_o devotion_n or_o the_o hour_n of_o prayer_n fit_v to_o the_o main_n use_v of_o a_o christian_a life_n with_o prayer_n for_o the_o peaceful_a re-settlement_n of_o this_o church_n and_o state_n by_o the_o late_a pious_a and_o reverend_a h._n hammond_n in_o 120._o book_n print_v for_o and_o sell_v by_o richard_n chiswell_n speed_n map_n and_o geography_n of_o great_a britain_n and_o ireland_n and_o of_o foreign_a part_n fol._n dr._n cave_n life_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n fol._n dr._n cary_n chronological_a account_n of_o ancient_a time_n fol._n wanly_n wonder_n of_o the_o little_a world_n or_o history_n of_o man._n fol._n sir_n tho._n herbert_n travel_n into_o persia_n etc._n etc._n folly_n sir_n rich._n baker_n chronicle_n of_o england_n fol._n causin_n holy_a court_n fol._n wilson_n complete_a christian_a dictionary_n fol._n bishop_n wilkin_n real_a character_n or_o philosophical_a language_n fol._n pharmacopaeia_fw-la regalis_fw-la collegii_fw-la medicorum_fw-la londinensis_fw-la fol._n judge_n jones_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n judge_n vaughan_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n cave_fw-la tabulae_fw-la ecclesiasticorum_fw-la scriptorum_fw-la fol._n sir_n will._n dugdale_n baronage_n of_o england_n in_o two_o vol._n fol._n dr._n littleton_n latin_a dictionary_n quarto_fw-la bishop_n nicholson_n on_o the_o church_n catechism_n quarto_fw-la the_o complete_a clerk_n quarto_n history_n of_o the_o late_a war_n of_o new_a england_n quarto_fw-la dr._n outram_n de_fw-fr sacrificiis_fw-la quarto_fw-la fowler_n be_v defence_n of_o the_o design_n of_o christianity_n against_o john_n bunynan_n 1_o s._n quarto_fw-la dr._n sherlock_n visitation-sermon_n at_o warrington_n 1659._o 6_o d._n quarto_fw-la the_o magistrate_n authority_n assert_v in_o
a_o sermon_n by_o james_n paston_n quar._n elborow'_v rationale_n upon_o the_o english_a service_n octavo_fw-la wilkin_n natural_a religion_n octavo_fw-la hardcastle_n christian_n geography_n and_o arithmetic_n octavo_fw-la ashton_n apology_n for_o the_o honour_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o clergy_n octavo_fw-la lord_n hollis_n vindication_n of_o the_o judicature_n of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n in_o the_o case_n of_o skinner_n octavo_fw-la jurisdiction_n of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n in_o case_n of_o appeal_n octavo_fw-la jurisdiction_n of_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n in_o case_n of_o imposition_n octavo_fw-la letter_n about_o the_o bishop_n vote_n in_o capital_a case_n octavo_fw-la xenophontis_fw-la cyropaedia_fw-la gr._n lat._n octavo_fw-la duporti_fw-la versio_fw-la psalmorum_fw-la graeca_n octavo_fw-la grew_n idea_n of_o philological_a history_n continue_v on_o root_n octavo_fw-la spaniard_n conspiracy_n against_o the_o state_n of_o venice_n octavo_fw-la several_a tract_n of_o mr._n hales_n of_o eton_n octavo_fw-la dr._n simpson_n chemical_a anatomy_n of_o the_o yorkshire_n spaw_v octavo_fw-la his_o hydrological_a essay_n with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o allum-work_n at_o whitby_n octavo_fw-la dr._n gave_n primitive_a christianity_n in_o three_o part_n octavo_fw-la a_o discourse_n of_o the_o nature_n end_n and_o difference_n of_o the_o two_o covenant_n 1672._o 2_o s._n octavo_fw-la ignatius_n fuller_n sermon_n of_o peace_n and_o holiness_n 1672._o 1_o s._n 6_o d._n octavo_fw-la lipsius_n discourse_n of_o constancy_n 2_o s._n 6_o d._n octavo_fw-la buckler_n of_o state_n and_o justice_n against_o france_n design_n of_o universal_a monarchy_n 1673._o octavo_fw-la hodder_n arithmetic_n twelve_o grotius_n de_fw-fr veritate_fw-la religionis_fw-la christianae_n twelve_o bishop_n hacket_n christian_a consolation_n twelve_o valentine_n devotion_n 240._o trial_n of_o the_o regicide_n octavo_fw-la dangerfield_n narrative_a of_o the_o pretend_a presbyterian_a plot._n folio_n guillim_n display_v of_o heraldry_n with_o large_a addition_n folio_n dr._n burnet_n history_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o two_o volume_n folio_n his_o vindication_n of_o the_o ordination_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n oct._n his_o relation_n of_o the_o massacre_n of_o the_o protestant_n in_o france_n quarto_fw-la his_o sermon_n before_o the_o l._n mayor_n upon_o the_o fast_a for_o the_o fire_n quarto_fw-la his_o account_n of_o eve_n cohan_n a_o person_n of_o quality_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n late_o convert_v to_o christianity_n quarto_fw-la some_o passage_n of_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o the_o right_n honourable_a john_n late_a earl_n of_o rochester_n write_v by_o his_o lordship_n be_v own_o direction_n on_o his_o deathbed_n by_o the_o say_v gilbert_n burnet_n d._n d._n octavo_fw-la his_o fast_a sermon_n before_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o decemb._n 22._o 1680._o his_o translation_n of_o the_o decree_n make_v at_o rome_n march_v 22._o 1979._o condemn_v some_o opinion_n of_o the_o jesuit_n and_o other_o casuist_n quarto_fw-la dr._n burnet_n sermon_n before_o the_o alderman_n of_o london_n on_o the_o 30_o of_o january_n 1681_o 81._o in_o the_o press_n dr._n will._n sherlock_n practical_a discourse_n of_o religious_a assembly_n octo._n  _fw-fr dr._n outram_n sermon_n preach_v on_o several_a occasion_n octavo_fw-la  _fw-fr a_o defence_n of_o dr._n stillingfleet_n of_o separation_n octavo_fw-la dr._n burlace_n history_n of_o the_o irish_a rebellion_n folio_n herodoti_n historia_n gr._n lat._n cum_fw-la indicibus_fw-la &_o var._n lectionibus_fw-la folio_n mr._n williams_n his_o sermon_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n octob._n 12._o 1679._o his_o impartial_a examination_n of_o the_o speech_n of_o the_o five_o jesnit_n late_o execute_v for_o treason_n folio_n his_o history_n of_o the_o powder_n plot_n with_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o proceed_n and_o matter_n relate_v thereunto_o from_o the_o exception_n make_v against_o it_o by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o catholic_n apology_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o parallel_n betwixt_o that_o and_o the_o present_a plot._n quarto_n mr._n ja._n brome_n two_o fast_a sermon_n 1679._o dr._n jane_n fast_a sermon_n before_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o april_n 11._o 79._o quarto_fw-la mr._n john_n james_n visitation_n sermon_n quarto_fw-la mr._n john_n cave_n fast_a sermon_n jan._n 30._o 79._o quarto_fw-la his_o assize_n sermon_n at_o leicester_n july_n 31._o 79._o dr._n william_n cave_n sermon_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n novemb_n 5._o 1680._o dr._n puller_n discourse_n of_o the_o moderation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n octavo_fw-la dr._n saywell_n original_a of_o all_o the_o plot_n in_o christendom_n octavo_fw-la sir_n john_n munson_n discourse_n of_o supreme_a power_n and_o common_a right_n octavo_fw-la dr._n edw._n bagshaw_n discourse_n on_o several_a select_a text_n octavo_fw-la speculum_fw-la baxterianum_n or_o baxter_n against_o baxter_n quarto_fw-la mr._n rushworth_n historical_a collection_n the_o second_o volume_n in_o two_o part_n folio_n his_o large_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o strafford_n trial_n fol._n the_o country_n man_n physician_n octavo_fw-la a_o apology_n for_o a_o treatise_n of_o humane_a reason_n by_o matth._n clifford_n esquite_v twelve_o the_o law_n against_o jesuit_n seminary_n priest_n etc._n etc._n explain_v by_o divers_a judgement_n and_o resolution_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o other_o observation_n thereupon_o by_o will._n cawley_n esq_n fol._n fowlis_n history_n of_o the_o romish_a conspiracy_n treason_n and_o usurpation_n folio_n seller_n remark_n on_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n octavo_fw-la bishop_n sanderson_n sermon_n with_o his_o life_n folio_n markham_n perfect_a horseman_n octavo_fw-la mr._n john_n cave_n gospel_n preach_v to_o the_o roman_n octavo_fw-la finis_fw-la p._n 205._o de_fw-fr sibyl_n orac._n cap._n 11._o plut._n non_fw-la posse_fw-la suaviter_fw-la plut._n nonposse_a sua_fw-la etc._n etc._n dissert_n 32._o non_fw-la posse_fw-la suaviter_fw-la etc._n etc._n adu._n colot_n epist._n 30._o seneca_n de_fw-fr vit._n beat._n c._n 11._o adu._n colotem_fw-la de_fw-fr constan._n cap._n 3._o de_fw-fr fin._n l._n 4._o de_fw-fr consol._n l._n 1._o de_fw-fr consol._n l._n 1._o de_fw-fr consol._n l._n 3._o cicero_n podag_n enc._n de_fw-fr fin._n l._n 4._o domonst_a evang._n l._n 3._o sect._n 3_o demonst._n evang._n lib._n 3._o sect._n 5._o matth._n 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o chap._n 8._o verf._n 30._o leviath_n chap._n 33._o appar_fw-la n._n 82_o etc._n etc._n exerc._n 1._o n._n 28._o v._o scal._n in_o euseb._n chron._n p._n 174._o grot._n in_o luc._n c._n 2._o v._n 2._o casaub._n exerc._n 1._o n._n 28_o 29_o 30_o 31_o 32._o â—_o vales._n annot._n euseb._n l._n 1._o c._n 5._o hist._n jud._n comp_n p._n 107._o demonst._n eu._n p._n 391._o epist._n 44._o v._o huet_n prop._n 3._o sect._n 8._o grot._n in_o luc._n c._n 27._o v._n 45._o apol._n c._n 21._o apol._n c._n 5._o &_o 21._o apol._n 2._o exerc._n 16._o n._n 154._o aâ—â—l_n c._n 21._o l._n 1._o c._n 13._o v._o baron_n an._n 31._o n._n 60._o v._o vales._n not._n in_o l._n 1._o c._n 13._o euseb._n eccles._n hist._n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o lib._n 1._o p._n 21_o item_n 68_o p._n 345._o p._n 502._o apol._n c._n 37._o cap._n 7._o lib._n 2._o annot._n in_o euseb._n p._n 62._o de_fw-fr emend_n temp._n l._n 6._o annot._n in_o euseb._n p._n 34._o adu._n heres_fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 3._o lib._n 2._o hist._n eccles._n l._n 1._o c._n 3._o john_n 9_o 29._o lib._n 2._o p._n 92._o praep._n evang._n lib._n 3._o sect._n 6._o contra_fw-la cels._n l._n 1._o p._n 34._o act_n 2._o 32._o de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n l._n 7_o 12._o apol._n 1._o adu._n haeres_fw-la l._n 2._o c._n 56_o 57_o apol._n c._n 23._o animad_fw-la euseb_n p._n 222._o l._n 1._o p._n 5._o p._n 7._o p._n 35._o p._n 80._o l._n 3._o p._n 124._o l._n 7._o euseb._n adv_o hier._n l._n 1._o demonst._n evang._n prop._n 9_o cap._n 39_o sect_n 2._o v._o euseb._n dem._n eu._n l._n 3._o §_o 6._o lib._n 1._o orig._n adv_o cels._n l._n 2._o demonst._n evang._n c._n 142._o §_o 6._o in_o vitâ_fw-la vespas_fw-la lib._n 5._o histor._n suet._n in_o vespas_fw-la c._n 5._o euseb._n eccles._n hist._n l._n 3._o c._n 12._o philost_n l._n 5._o c._n 9_o l._n 3._o c._n 3._o c._n 5._o c._n 8._o c._n 14._o c._n 2._o demonst._n eu._n c._n 147._o §_o 4._o proâ—os_fw-la 1._o sect._n 5._o l._n 8._o c._n 4._o l._n 8._o c._n 13._o adu._n haeres_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 3._o haeres_fw-la 27._o hist._n eccles._n l._n 5._o c._n 12._o prescript_n haeret._n c._n 32._o c._n 36._o hist._n eccles._n l._n 5._o c._n 12._o apud_fw-la euseb._n l._n 4._o c._n 23._o strom._n l._n 1._o p._n 201._o hist._n l._n 3._o c._n 16._o 38._o apud_fw-la euseb._n hist._n l._n 4._o c._n 23._o adu._n haeres_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 3._o strom._n l._n 4._o animad_fw-la euseb_n p._n 221._o apud_fw-la euseb._n l._n 3._o c._n 39_o apud_fw-la euseb._n l._n 4._o c._n 3._o apud_fw-la euseb._n l._n 4._o c._n 8._o c._n 22._o apud_fw-la euseb._n l._n 3._o c._n 29._o ruari_fw-la ep._n 93._o l._n 2._o c._n 23._o 12._o 20._o annot._n in_o euseb._n p._n 40._o orig._n adv_o celsus_n l._n 2._o justin_n martyr_n dial_n cum_fw-la trip_v p._n 249._o john_n 21._o 3._o lib._n 1._o in_o matt._n 22._o 23._o act_n 5._o 39_o sueton._n in_o domit._n c._n 10._o c._n 1_o euseb._n l._n 3._o c._n 20._o animad_fw-la euseb._n anno_fw-la mmcxii_o in_o augusta_n c._n 94._o apud_fw-la euseb._n l._n 3._o c._n 32._o apol._n c._n 35._o euseb._n l._n 5._o c._n 1._o apol._n 2._o cyril_n contra_fw-la jul._n l._n 6._o epist._n 15._o