or_o good_a spirit_n never_o work_v those_o wonder_n but_o in_o subserviency_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n but_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o evil_a spirit_n only_o for_o the_o promote_a of_o error_n and_o wickedness_n 2._o angel_n or_o good_a spirit_n never_o cooperate_v in_o the_o production_n of_o those_o wonder_n with_o any_o prophet_n or_o teacher_n but_o such_o only_a as_o be_v send_v of_o god_n be_v good_a and_o righteous_a person_n but_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o evil_a spirit_n only_o with_o such_o as_o not_o be_v send_v of_o god_n be_v evil_a like_o themselves_o 3._o angel_n or_o good_a spirit_n never_o exert_v their_o power_n to_o work_v these_o wonder_n but_o in_o thing_n serious_a and_o grave_a whereby_o either_o the_o good_a of_o man_n or_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v promote_v but_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o evil_a spirit_n do_v it_o most_o in_o thing_n mischievous_a both_o to_o god_n honour_n and_o man_n good_a or_o else_o in_o such_o trivial_a and_o foolish_a matter_n as_o be_v beneath_o god_n or_o his_o holy_a angel_n to_o be_v concern_v in_o and_o by_o the_o same_o mark_v also_o may_v we_o distinguish_v god_n miracle_n from_o the_o devil_n juggle_v and_o those_o wonderful_a work_n which_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o almighty_a real_o effect_v from_o those_o false_a appearance_n which_o the_o devil_n make_v in_o imitation_n of_o they_o to_o put_v a_o cheat_n and_o a_o delusion_n upon_o we_o which_o particular_n being_n premise_a the_o answer_n to_o the_o forego_n objection_n will_v be_v as_o follow_v 1._o we_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o abundance_n of_o very_a wonderful_a work_n may_v be_v effect_v by_o power_n low_a than_o the_o divine_a and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o good_a spirit_n but_o also_o by_o evil._n 2._o that_o therefore_o such_o work_n alone_o be_v never_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o a_o divine_a mission_n unless_o corroborate_v by_o such_o concur_v circumstance_n as_o prove_v they_o not_o to_o be_v from_o evil_a spirit_n but_o only_o from_o good_n 3._o that_o wherever_o such_o wonderful_a work_n be_v do_v at_o the_o word_n of_o a_o wicked_a man_n or_o to_o a_o wicked_a purpose_n i._n e._n either_o to_o influence_n to_o a_o wicked_a practice_n or_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o some_o false_a doctrine_n or_o else_o in_o such_o mean_a and_o trivial_a case_n as_o be_v beneath_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n or_o his_o minister_a spirit_n to_o be_v concern_v in_o there_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o that_o do_v those_o work_n how_o much_o soever_o he_o may_v pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a mission_n be_v only_o a_o false_a prophet_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n or_o his_o good_a spirit_n but_o only_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o wicked_a spirit_n that_o they_o be_v wrought_v and_o against_o those_o wonder_n be_v it_o and_o the_o worker_n of_o they_o that_o moses_n warn_v the_o jew_n and_o jesus_n christ_n his_o disciple_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v aware_a of_o they_o 4._o where_o they_o who_o work_v those_o wonder_n be_v holy_a and_o righteous_a man_n and_o do_v not_o teach_v any_o doctrine_n contrary_a to_o the_o certain_a dictate_v of_o natural_a religion_n or_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n afore_o give_v unto_o we_o and_o the_o wonder_n which_o they_o work_v be_v in_o such_o serious_a and_o grave_a matter_n as_o be_v not_o unworthy_a of_o god_n or_o his_o minister_a spirit_n to_o be_v concern_v in_o there_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v satan_n power_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o such_o work_n may_v although_o not_o of_o themselves_o alone_o yet_o with_o these_o concur_v circumstance_n be_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o doctrine_n which_o they_o give_v testimony_n unto_o for_o although_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v immediate_o from_o god_n because_o produceable_a by_o inferior_a being_n yet_o with_o these_o circumstance_n accompany_v they_o they_o must_v at_o least_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o work_n of_o his_o minister_a spirit_n who_o can_v bear_v testimony_n to_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v from_o god_n who_o will_v they_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n subservient_fw-fr unto_fw-la 5._o as_o such_o work_n which_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o evil_a spirit_n can_v do_v be_v not_o of_o self-sufficient_a proof_n to_o a_o divine_a mission_n so_o neither_o be_v such_o which_o he_o can_v by_o juggle_v or_o delusion_n imitate_v because_o man_n may_v be_v deceive_v by_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o therefore_o the_o same_o concur_v circumstance_n be_v necessary_a to_o these_o also_o and_o by_o the_o same_o mark_n be_v they_o to_o be_v try_v whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n or_o no._n 6._o but_o where_o the_o work_n be_v such_o as_o no_o create_a be_v can_n either_o real_o produce_v or_o by_o juggle_v or_o delusion_n imitate_v there_o those_o work_n do_v of_o themselves_o alone_o prove_v a_o divine_a mission_n and_o give_v a_o authentic_a seal_n of_o undeniable_a truth_n to_o every_o doctrine_n thus_o reveal_v unto_o we_o 7._o although_o therefore_o it_o shall_v be_v allow_v that_o some_o of_o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v may_v be_v produceable_a by_o power_n low_a than_o the_o divine_a yet_o since_o they_o who_o do_v they_o be_v most_o holy_a and_o righteous_a person_n and_o do_v not_o teach_v any_o doctrine_n contrary_a either_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a religion_n or_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n afore_o give_v unto_o man_n and_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o be_v not_o in_o such_o mean_a and_o trivial_a case_n as_o be_v relate_v of_o apollonius_n tyanoeus_fw-la and_o other_o like_v he_o with_o these_o circumstance_n they_o sufficient_o appear_v to_o be_v if_o not_o immediate_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n yet_o at_o least_o from_o his_o minister_a spirit_n and_o their_o work_n since_o all_o do_v in_o subserviency_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n do_v as_o thorough_o prove_v a_o divine_a mission_n wherever_o they_o evident_o appear_v to_o be_v they_o as_o those_o of_o god_n himself_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v most_o holy_a and_o righteous_a person_n and_o teach_v no_o doctrine_n which_o be_v in_o the_o least_o contrary_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a religion_n have_v be_v afore_o show_v and_o how_o far_o their_o miracle_n be_v from_o be_v in_o mean_a and_o trivial_a matter_n the_o work_v themselves_o make_v evident_a and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o no_o doctrine_n of_o they_o ever_o contradict_v in_o the_o least_o any_o divine_a revelation_n afore-given_a unto_o men._n for_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n everywhere_o allow_v both_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v from_o god_n have_v they_o teach_v any_o thing_n which_o will_v have_v charge_v a_o falsehood_n on_o either_o they_o must_v then_o indeed_o have_v be_v say_v to_o contradict_v divine_a revelation_n afore-given_a and_o will_v thereby_o have_v fall_v under_o that_o character_n and_o mark_n of_o false_a prophet_n which_o i_o have_v above_o lay_v down_o but_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o this_o that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v the_o groundwork_n which_o they_o found_v all_o their_o doctrine_n upon_o for_o the_o law_n contain_v in_o type_n and_o shadow_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o their_o prophecy_n and_o dark_a say_n whatever_o the_o gospel_n have_v in_o substance_n and_o reality_n since_o clear_o deliver_v unto_o we_o and_o lay_v down_o all_o that_o in_o the_o first_o rudiment_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n afterward_o build_v up_o into_o perfection_n in_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o they_o have_v give_v unto_o we_o and_o therefore_o although_o the_o gospel_n have_v abolish_v the_o law_n it_o be_v not_o by_o contradict_v or_o condemn_v it_o but_o by_o perfect_v and_o fulfil_v it_o in_o that_o manner_n as_o all_o the_o prophet_n fore-showed_n that_o it_o shall_v 8._o but_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v most_o of_o they_o undeniable_o such_o as_o can_v not_o be_v produce_v but_o by_o the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n himself_o as_o necessary_o require_v the_o create_a power_n to_o effect_v they_o and_o also_o of_o that_o permanency_n as_o allow_v no_o room_n for_o juggle_v or_o delusion_n to_o take_v place_n in_o they_o for_o what_o other_o power_n but_o that_o of_o the_o almighty_a can_v raise_v a_o man_n who_o have_v be_v four_o day_n dead_a again_o to_o life_n or_o what_o other_o hand_n but_o that_o of_o the_o creator_n himself_o can_v make_v he_o see_v who_o have_v be_v without_o the_o natural_a organ_n of_o sight_n from_o his_o very_a birth_n or_o what_o but_o the_o same_o power_n which_o first_o form_v man_n of_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n can_v
a_o discourse_n for_o the_o vindicate_a of_o christianity_n from_o the_o charge_n of_o imposture_n offer_a by_o way_n of_o letter_n to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o deist_n of_o the_o present_a age._n by_o humphrey_n prideaux_n d._n d._n and_o archdeacon_n of_o suffolk_n the_o second_o edition_n london_n print_v by_o j._n h._n for_o w._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over-against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1697._o a_o letter_n to_o the_o deist_n etc._n etc._n gentleman_n if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v the_o reason_n you_o give_v for_o your_o renounce_v that_o religion_n you_o be_v baptize_v into_o and_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n in_o which_o you_o be_v bear_v be_v that_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v a_o imposture_n a_o assertion_n that_o i_o tremble_v to_o repeat_v but_o whether_o that_o gospel_n be_v right_a or_o you_o be_v in_o the_o right_n that_o deny_v it_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o imposture_n and_o from_o the_o life_n of_o that_o most_o infamous_a impostor_n who_o we_o as_o well_o as_o you_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v such_o which_o i_o have_v before_o give_v you_o the_o exact_a picture_n of_o and_o if_o you_o can_v find_v any_o one_o lineament_n of_o it_o any_o one_o line_n of_o all_o its_o filthy_a feature_n in_o the_o whole_a gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n i_o dare_v say_v so_o sure_o i_o be_o of_o the_o contrary_a that_o for_o the_o sake_n hereof_o i_o will_v give_v you_o all_o you_o contend_v for_o and_o yield_v you_o up_o the_o whole_a cause_n and_o therefore_o that_o we_o may_v thorough_o examine_v the_o matter_n i_o will_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o a_o imposture_n be_v two_o what_o be_v the_o inseparable_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o it_o and_o three_o that_o none_o of_o these_o mark_n can_v belong_v to_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o when_o i_o have_v do_v this_o i_o hope_v i_o shall_v convince_v all_o such_o of_o you_o who_o have_v not_o total_o abandon_v yourselves_o to_o your_o infidelity_n that_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v that_o sacred_a truth_n of_o god_n which_o you_o be_v all_o bind_v to_o believe_v a_o imposture_n take_v the_o word_n in_o the_o full_a latitude_n of_o its_o signification_n may_v denote_v any_o lie_n or_o cheat_v whereby_o one_o man_n impose_v upon_o another_o but_o it_o be_v most_o frequent_o use_v to_o express_v such_o cheat_n as_o be_v impose_v on_o we_o by_o those_o who_o come_v with_o false_a character_n of_o themselves_o pretend_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v not_o in_o order_n to_o delude_v and_o deceive_v and_o when_o this_o character_n which_o be_v thus_o false_o assume_v be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o pretend_a embassy_n from_o heaven_n and_o under_o the_o credit_n of_o it_o a_o new_a religion_n be_v deliver_v to_o the_o world_n as_o come_v from_o god_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o forgery_n invent_v by_o the_o first_o propagator_n of_o it_o to_o impose_v a_o cheat_n upon_o mankind_n it_o amount_v to_o be_v a_o imposture_n in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o you_o will_v have_v the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v such_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o so_o that_o the_o whole_a question_n which_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v into_o be_v whether_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v a_o truth_n real_o give_v unto_o we_o by_o divine_a revelation_n from_o god_n our_o creator_n or_o else_o a_o mere_a humane_a invention_n contrive_v by_o the_o first_o propagator_n of_o it_o to_o impose_v a_o cheat_n upon_o mankind_n and_o when_o i_o have_v full_o disprove_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o this_o question_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v such_o a_o invention_n contrive_v to_o cheat_v and_o impose_v upon_o we_o that_o will_v sufficient_o prove_v the_o former_a that_o it_o must_v be_v that_o divine_a truth_n which_o all_o we_o that_o be_v christian_n firm_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a such_o a_o cheat_n may_v be_v impose_v upon_o man_n can_v be_v deny_v it_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o the_o forego_n history_n which_o be_v a_o very_a full_a instance_n of_o it_o and_o i_o have_v lay_v it_o before_o you_o for_o this_o very_a purpose_n that_o you_o may_v therein_o see_v clear_o delineate_v and_o display_v in_o all_o its_o proper_a colour_n the_o whole_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o you_o charge_v our_o holy_a religion_n with_o all_o that_o i_o contend_v for_o be_v that_o if_o christianity_n be_v such_o a_o imposture_n as_o we_o all_o acknowledge_v the_o religion_n of_o mahomet_n to_o be_v it_o must_v be_v just_o such_o another_o thing_n as_o that_o be_v with_o all_o the_o same_o mark_n character_n and_o property_n of_o a_o imposture_n belong_v thereto_o and_o that_o if_o none_o of_o those_o mark_n character_n or_o property_n can_v be_v discover_v in_o it_o it_o must_v be_v a_o clear_a eviction_n of_o the_o whole_a charge_n and_o manifest_o prove_v that_o our_o holy_a religion_n can_v be_v that_o thing_n which_o you_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v for_o our_o only_a way_n of_o know_v thing_n be_v by_o their_o mark_n and_o property_n and_o it_o be_v by_o they_o only_o that_o we_o can_v discover_v what_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o be_v it_o be_v only_o by_o the_o mark_n and_o property_n of_o a_o man_n that_o we_o know_v a_o man_n from_o another_o live_a creature_n for_o we_o can_v see_v the_o essence_n of_o thing_n and_o so_o it_o must_v be_v only_o by_o the_o mark_n and_o property_n of_o a_o imposture_n that_o we_o can_v know_v a_o imposture_n from_o that_o which_o be_v a_o real_a truth_n when_o attest_v unto_o we_o and_o as_o where_o we_o find_v none_o of_o the_o mark_n and_o property_n of_o a_o man_n we_o assure_o know_v that_o can_v be_v a_o man_n how_o much_o soever_o any_o one_o may_v tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v so_o where_o we_o find_v none_o of_o the_o mark_n and_o property_n of_o a_o imposture_n we_o may_v assure_o know_v that_o can_v be_v a_o imposture_n how_o much_o soever_o you_o or_o any_o other_o like_o you_o may_v assert_v it_o so_o to_o be_v now_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n which_o i_o look_v on_o to_o be_v inseparable_a from_o every_o such_o imposture_n be_v these_o follow_v 1._o that_o it_o must_v always_o have_v for_o its_o end_n some_o carnal_a interest_n 2._o that_o it_o can_v have_v none_o but_o wicked_a man_n for_o the_o author_n of_o it_o 3._o that_o both_o these_o must_v necessary_o appear_v in_o the_o very_a contexture_n of_o the_o imposture_n itself_o 4._o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v so_o frame_v but_o that_o it_o must_v contain_v some_o palpable_a falsity_n which_o will_v discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n 5._o that_o wherever_o it_o be_v first_o propagate_v it_o must_v be_v do_v by_o craft_n and_o fraud_n 6._o that_o when_o entrust_v with_o many_o conspirator_n it_o can_v never_o be_v long_o conceal_v and_o 7._o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v establish_v unless_o back_v with_o force_n and_o violence_n that_o all_o these_o must_v belong_v to_o every_o imposture_n and_o all_o particular_o do_v so_o to_o mahometism_n and_o that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v be_v charge_v upon_o christianity_n be_v what_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o show_v you_o of_o each_o of_o they_o in_o their_o order_n sect_n i._o i._o that_o every_o imposture_n must_v have_v for_o its_o end_n some_o carnal_a interest_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o plain_a and_o evident_a that_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v not_o need_v much_o proof_n for_o to_o impose_v a_o cheat_n upon_o mankind_n and_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o that_o great_a importance_n as_o all_o that_o have_v any_o religion_n hold_v that_o to_o be_v be_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o difficulty_n to_o compass_v and_o of_o that_o danger_n to_o attempt_v that_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v why_o any_o one_o shall_v put_v himself_o upon_o such_o a_o design_n that_o do_v not_o propose_v some_o very_a valuable_a advantage_n to_o himself_o in_o the_o success_n to_o cheat_v one_o man_n be_v not_o always_o so_o easy_a a_o matter_n or_o be_v it_o without_o its_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n in_o the_o discovery_n but_o to_o enterprise_v a_o cheat_n upon_o all_o mankind_n and_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o importance_n as_o the_o introduce_v of_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o the_o abolish_n of_o the_o old_a one_o to_o which_o so_o many_o both_o by_o custom_n and_o education_n will_v be_v always_o zealous_o affect_v be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v must_v be_v a_o undertake_n of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o hazard_n imaginable_a for_o whoever_o engage_v himself_o in_o such_o a_o plot_n of_o imposture_n must_v unavoidable_o
meet_v with_o many_o strong_a opposition_n to_o struggle_v with_o in_o the_o management_n of_o it_o which_o will_v continual_o put_v his_o thought_n upon_o the_o rack_n to_o find_v out_o device_n to_o surmount_v they_o and_o his_o body_n to_o incessant_a pain_n and_o labour_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o execution_n and_o for_o the_o effect_n hereof_o he_o must_v have_v some_o confident_n to_o assist_v he_o some_o to_o help_v forward_o the_o design_n who_o he_o must_v trust_v with_o the_o secret_a of_o it_o and_o the_o more_o he_o have_v of_o such_o the_o more_o he_o hazard_v all_o to_o a_o discovery_n and_o all_o this_o while_n his_o mind_n will_v be_v fill_v with_o anxious_a care_n and_o his_o thought_n distract_v with_o many_o uneasy_a and_o affright_a apprehension_n as_o be_v usual_a with_o man_n on_o wicked_a design_n about_o the_o success_n and_o every_o failure_n will_v expose_v he_o to_o that_o terrible_a revenge_n from_o those_o he_o attempt_v to_o declude_v as_o such_o a_o villainy_n whenever_o detect_v most_o just_o deserve_v this_o be_v mahomet_n case_n all_o the_o while_o he_o be_v propagate_a his_o imposture_n at_o mecca_n and_o so_o it_o must_v be_v of_o every_o other_o such_o impostor_n also_o and_o when_o a_o man_n put_v himself_o upon_o all_o this_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n manifest_o lead_v we_o to_o conclude_v he_o must_v propose_v something_o to_o himself_o hereby_o which_o may_v make_v he_o amends_o for_o all_o in_o the_o result_n for_o when_o so_o much_o be_v put_v to_o hazard_v man_n do_v not_o use_v to_o do_v it_o for_o nothing_o there_o must_v always_o be_v some_o great_a interest_n in_o the_o bottom_n of_o such_o a_o design_n something_o that_o the_o undertaker_n value_v at_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a rate_n to_o make_v he_o engage_v in_o so_o exceed_o difficult_a and_o dangerous_a a_o enterprise_n for_o wherever_o the_o venture_n be_v great_a it_o must_v be_v take_v for_o grant_v there_o be_v a_o end_n propose_v which_o in_o the_o estimation_n of_o the_o venturer_n be_v equivalent_a thereto_o what_o it_o be_v that_o put_v mahomet_n on_o his_o imposture_n the_o forego_n history_n of_o his_o life_n sufficient_o show_v it_o be_v his_o ambition_n and_o his_o lust_n to_o have_v the_o sovereignty_n over_o his_o country_n to_o gratify_v his_o ambition_n and_o as_o many_o woman_n as_o he_o please_v to_o satiate_v his_o lust_n be_v what_o he_o aim_v at_o and_o to_o gain_v himself_o a_o party_n for_o the_o compass_v of_o this_o be_v the_o grand_a design_n of_o that_o new_a religion_n which_o he_o invent_v and_o the_o whole_a end_n and_o reason_n of_o his_o impose_v it_o on_o those_o he_o delude_v thereinto_o and_o whoever_o pursue_v the_o like_a method_n must_v certain_o have_v some_o such_o end_n in_o it_o it_o be_v total_o incredible_a that_o any_o one_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o the_o trouble_n fatigue_n and_o danger_n of_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o cheat_n only_o for_o cheat_v sake_n but_o here_o we_o challenge_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o we_o profess_v to_o find_v out_o any_o thing_n like_o this_o in_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n any_o thing_n that_o savour_v of_o worldly_a interest_n either_o in_o he_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o in_o any_o of_o his_o holy_a apostle_n who_o be_v the_o first_o propagator_n of_o it_o vaninus_n one_o of_o the_o most_o zealous_a champion_n of_o impiety_n that_o ever_o appear_v against_o the_o christian_a cause_n for_o he_o die_v a_o martyr_n for_o it_o have_v attempt_v this_o but_o after_o the_o most_o accurate_a and_o diligent_a search_n which_o so_o keen_a a_o adversary_n can_v make_v he_o be_v force_v to_o give_v up_o the_o point_n and_o plain_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o history_n and_o action_n of_o our_o saviour_n he_o can_v not_o find_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o can_v charge_v with_o secular_a interest_n or_o design_n to_o blast_v he_o or_o his_o religion_n with_o and_o if_o you_o will_v renew_v the_o same_o attempt_n though_o you_o extend_v the_o inquiry_n much_o far_o even_o to_o his_o apostle_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o disciple_n who_o first_o preach_v this_o holy_a religion_n to_o the_o world_n and_o take_v in_o to_o your_o assistance_n all_o the_o enemy_n of_o it_o after_o the_o strict_a scrutiny_n that_o you_o can_v make_v you_o will_v never_o have_v any_o better_a success_n herein_o for_o have_v our_o saviour_n design_n be_v to_o seduce_v the_o people_n for_o his_o own_o interest_n he_o must_v have_v take_v the_o same_o course_n that_o other_o seducer_n do_v he_o must_v have_v flatter_v they_o in_o their_o humour_n and_o form_v his_o doctrine_n to_o their_o fancy_n court_v those_o that_o be_v in_o great_a authority_n and_o esteem_n with_o they_o and_o make_v it_o his_o business_n most_o to_o preach_v against_o and_o decry_v those_o who_o be_v least_o in_o their_o favour_n and_o study_v and_o practise_v all_o other_o such_o art_n of_o popularity_n whereby_o he_o may_v best_o insinuate_v into_o their_o good_a like_n and_o gain_v that_o interest_n with_o they_o as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o serve_v his_o purpose_n and_o obtain_v the_o end_n propose_v these_o be_v the_o method_n whereby_o mahomet_n first_o propagate_v his_o imposture_n and_o these_o be_v they_o which_o all_o other_o must_v take_v who_o purpose_n it_o be_v to_o deceive_v the_o people_n but_o our_o saviour_n in_o every_o particular_a act_v contrary_a hereto_o which_o sufficient_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v no_o such_o design_n to_o compass_v for_o he_o free_o preach_v against_o whatever_o he_o find_v unblamable_a in_o the_o people_n spare_v not_o their_o most_o belove_a error_n or_o frame_v his_o doctrine_n to_o indulge_v they_o in_o any_o one_o evil_a practice_n how_o predominant_a so_o ever_o among_o they_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o court_v those_o in_o the_o great_a authority_n and_o esteem_n with_o they_o that_o he_o be_v most_o sharp_a and_o bitter_a against_o they_o above_o all_o other_o who_o they_o most_o idolise_v i_o mean_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n for_o he_o on_o all_o occasion_n detect_v their_o hypocrisy_n and_o lay_v open_v their_o evil_a practice_n and_o in_o the_o severe_a manner_n rebuke_v and_o condemn_v they_o for_o their_o iniquity_n therein_o even_o to_o the_o prefer_n and_o justify_v before_o they_o the_o wicked_a publican_n who_o for_o their_o exaction_n and_o oppression_n upon_o the_o people_n in_o their_o gather_v the_o public_a tax_n be_v hold_v among_o they_o the_o most_o hate_a of_o man_n and_o the_o worst_a of_o sinner_n and_o therefore_o though_o his_o miracle_n often_o draw_v their_o admiration_n and_o their_o applause_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n his_o doctrine_n and_o his_o preach_n as_o fast_v alienate_v they_o from_o he_o on_o the_o other_o so_o that_o those_o very_o same_o man_n who_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o former_a follow_v he_o often_o in_o multitude_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n be_v as_o violent_o set_v against_o he_o at_o other_o time_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o latter_a and_o at_o last_o crucify_v he_o on_o the_o account_n thereof_o and_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o conceive_v that_o he_o who_o take_v all_o those_o course_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o people_n without_o regard_v how_o much_o they_o tend_v to_o exasperate_v they_o against_o he_o shall_v have_v any_o interest_n or_o design_n of_o his_o own_o to_o serve_v himself_o of_o they_o when_o our_o saviour_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v promise_v have_v he_o do_v it_o only_o as_o a_o impostor_n to_o promote_v a_o secular_a interest_n and_o design_n of_o his_o own_o he_o will_v certain_o have_v assume_v that_o character_n according_a to_o those_o notion_n in_o which_o the_o jew_n expect_v he_o for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o expectation_n of_o the_o people_n must_v have_v be_v the_o grand_a motive_n to_o the_o imposture_n and_o their_o look_v for_o such_o a_o messiah_n to_o come_v the_o main_a induce_v reason_n of_o his_o put_a himself_o thereon_o and_o therefore_o to_o be_v sure_a have_v he_o be_v a_o impostor_n he_o will_v have_v offer_v himself_o to_o they_o no_o otherwise_o than_o just_a such_o a_o messiah_n as_o their_o notion_n of_o he_o will_v have_v he_o to_o be_v and_o there_o be_v two_o special_a reason_n which_o in_o this_o case_n will_v have_v determine_v he_o hereto_o 1._o because_o those_o notion_n offer_v to_o he_o the_o high_a secular_a interest_n that_o can_v be_v attain_v unto_o and_o 2._o because_o the_o suit_v of_o his_o pretension_n exact_o according_a to_o they_o will_v have_v be_v the_o ready_a and_o most_o likely_a way_n for_o he_o to_o carry_v the_o interest_n whatever_o it_o be_v which_o
derogate_v either_o from_o the_o excellency_n which_o they_o conceive_v of_o it_o or_o that_o opinion_n which_o they_o then_o have_v and_o still_o retain_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v immutable_o observe_v by_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o case_n of_o mahomet_n with_o his_o man_n of_o mecca_n be_v quite_o otherwise_o he_o find_v no_o such_o zeal_n in_o they_o for_o their_o old_a religion_n to_o struggle_v with_o they_o themselves_o be_v then_o grow_v so_o weary_a of_o it_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o have_v in_o a_o manner_n total_o exchange_v it_o for_o no_o religion_n at_o all_o at_o that_o time_n mahomet_n first_o begin_v to_o propagate_v his_o imposture_n among_o they_o they_o have_v then_o for_o the_o most_o part_n give_v themselves_o up_o to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o zendikee_n who_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o epicurean_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o too_o many_o nowadays_o among_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n but_o deny_v his_o providence_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o a_o future_a state_n do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n deny_v all_o manner_n of_o necessity_n of_o pay_v any_o worship_n unto_o he_o and_o no_o wonder_n then_o if_o such_o man_n who_o place_v their_o all_o in_o this_o world_n be_v easy_o bring_v over_o to_o a_o sect_n who_o chief_a aim_n be_v at_o worldly_a prosperity_n and_o worldly_a pleasure_n in_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o profess_v this_o mahomet_n be_v well_o enough_o aware_a of_o before_o he_o start_v his_o new_a religion_n among_o they_o and_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a encouragement_n which_o embolden_v he_o to_o venture_v on_o that_o attempt_n however_o since_o they_o still_o retain_v the_o outward_a form_n of_o their_o religion_n after_o they_o have_v desert_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o he_o find_v even_o from_o hence_o that_o opposition_n to_o his_o design_n that_o to_o make_v it_o go_v down_o he_o be_v force_v to_o retain_v all_o those_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n in_o his_o new_a religion_n which_o they_o have_v be_v afore_o use_v to_o in_o their_o old_a and_o in_o order_n hereto_o he_o choose_v to_o make_v some_o dangerous_a alteration_n in_o his_o first_o establishment_n as_o particular_o in_o that_o of_o the_o kebla_n rather_o than_o ruffle_v his_o arabian_n by_o abolish_n what_o he_o find_v they_o through_o long_a usage_n and_o custom_n any_o way_n affect_v to_o for_o his_o business_n be_v to_o deceive_v the_o people_n his_o care_n be_v to_o offer_v at_o nothing_o which_o may_v be_v difficult_a to_o go_v down_o with_o they_o and_o so_o must_v it_o be_v of_o every_o other_o deceiver_n who_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o act_v the_o like_a part_n but_o in_o every_o particular_a it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o our_o saviour_n and_o those_o who_o he_o first_o preach_v his_o gospel_n unto_o for_o the_o jew_n have_v undergo_v several_a terrible_a scourge_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n for_o the_o neglect_n of_o that_o law_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o be_v from_o their_o former_a too_o much_o disregard_n of_o it_o then_o grow_v into_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a of_o be_v with_o exceed_a superstition_n and_o bigotry_n too_o much_o devote_v to_o it_o they_o then_o look_v on_o it_o with_o the_o same_o veneration_n as_o they_o still_o do_v to_o be_v a_o immutable_a law_n never_o to_o be_v alter_v that_o the_o messiah_n himself_o on_o his_o come_n shall_v not_o make_v the_o least_o change_n therein_o but_o that_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o kingdom_n shall_v chief_o consist_v in_o the_o perfection_n of_o its_o observance_n and_o the_o exact_a performance_n of_o the_o worship_n it_o prescribe_v and_o for_o any_o one_o to_o advance_v any_o doctrine_n contrary_a hereto_o be_v reckon_v no_o less_o than_o 13._o blasphemy_n among_o they_o and_o therefore_o have_v our_o saviour_n only_o consult_v flesh_n and_o blood_n in_o the_o mission_n which_o he_o undertake_v have_v he_o have_v no_o other_o design_n therein_o than_o a_o secular_a interest_n and_o a_o worldly_a end_n he_o will_v never_o have_v oppose_v himself_o against_o the_o violent_a current_n of_o such_o predominant_a opinion_n as_o he_o find_v then_o reign_v among_o they_o who_o he_o first_o preach_v his_o gospel_n unto_o or_o ever_o dare_v have_v offer_v at_o the_o abolition_n of_o that_o law_n which_o they_o be_v so_o violent_o bigoted_a unto_o have_v he_o come_v to_o deceive_v they_o as_o a_o seducer_n the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v necessary_o have_v direct_v he_o to_o a_o quite_o contrary_a method_n that_o be_v to_o sooth_n and_o colloque_n with_o they_o who_o he_o come_v to_o impose_v upon_o to_o have_v contradict_v no_o opinion_n they_o be_v violent_a for_o or_o oppose_v any_o doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v zealous_o affect_v to_o but_o to_o have_v study_v their_o humour_n and_o learn_v their_o notion_n and_o so_o frame_v and_o suit_v all_o his_o doctrine_n according_a thereto_o as_o may_v best_o take_v to_o draw_v they_o over_o to_o the_o end_n design_v to_o have_v do_v otherwise_o will_v have_v be_v to_o set_v priest_n and_o people_n against_o he_o as_o a_o enemy_n to_o their_o religion_n and_o a_o blasphemer_n of_o their_o law_n and_o as_o our_o saviour_n find_v it_o so_o in_o the_o result_n so_o it_o must_v have_v be_v obvious_a to_o any_o one_o in_o his_o case_n to_o have_v forseen_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n and_o therefore_o since_o notwithstanding_o this_o he_o take_v this_o method_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o whole_a end_n and_o design_n of_o one_o that_o intend_v a_o cheat_n upon_o the_o people_n and_o without_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o that_o zeal_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o so_o violent_o bigoted_a to_o their_o law_n or_o that_o rage_n of_o resentment_n which_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o express_v against_o whatsoever_o in_o the_o least_o shall_v derogate_v from_o it_o do_v bold_o preach_v unto_o they_o such_o doctrine_n as_o total_o disannul_v it_o this_o manifest_o prove_v he_o can_v have_v no_o interest_n of_o his_o own_o to_o serve_v upon_o they_o in_o this_o undertake_n or_o that_o he_o have_v any_o other_o reason_n for_o his_o enter_v on_o it_o but_o that_o he_o be_v send_v of_o god_n so_o to_o do_v the_o grand_a and_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o the_o religion_n which_o jesus_n christ_n leave_v his_o church_n be_v that_o of_o his_o death_n and_o passion_n whereby_o he_o make_v atonement_n for_o our_o sin_n and_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o punishment_n which_o be_v due_a unto_o we_o for_o they_o by_o this_o mean_n only_o he_o propose_v to_o save_v we_o that_o be_v from_o sin_n the_o devil_n and_o eternal_a death_n and_o by_o this_o conflict_n only_o do_v he_o undertake_v to_o subdue_v these_o our_o enemy_n for_o we_o and_o on_o that_o conquest_n to_o found_v we_o a_o kingdom_n which_o shall_v make_v we_o holy_a and_o righteous_a here_o and_o for_o ever_o bless_v with_o he_o in_o glory_n hereafter_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a end_n and_o purpose_n of_o our_o saviour_n mission_n this_o he_o frequent_o foretell_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o on_o this_o be_v found_v the_o whole_a religion_n which_o he_o teach_v they_o and_o can_v any_o one_o say_v he_o can_v have_v a_o design_n of_o secular_a interest_n for_o himself_o in_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o this_o which_o can_v have_v no_o be_v but_o by_o his_o die_v for_o it_o or_o any_o reason_n for_o its_o establishment_n among_o man_n till_o he_o have_v lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o the_o complete_n of_o it_o to_o say_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o worldly_a interest_n in_o this_o will_v be_v to_o charge_v it_o on_o his_o cross_n and_o place_n it_o in_o that_o bitter_a and_o ignominious_a death_n which_o he_o undergo_v thereon_o man_n sometime_o put_v their_o life_n to_o great_a hazard_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o this_o world_n but_o for_o a_o man_n purposely_o to_o design_n death_n for_o such_o a_o end_n and_o part_n with_o this_o world_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o christ_n do_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o this_o world_n have_v be_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v never_o yet_o hear_v of_o and_o be_v in_o itself_o so_o contrary_a to_o the_o most_o obvious_a dictate_v both_o of_o reason_n and_o nature_n that_o no_o one_o can_v be_v so_o absurd_a as_o to_o imagine_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n so_o to_o do_v but_o that_o which_o i_o know_v you_o will_v say_v in_o this_o case_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o christ_n himself_o but_o his_o disciple_n after_o his_o death_n that_o make_v this_o a_o part_n of_o his_o religion_n that_o he_o intend_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o undertake_n he_o enter_v on_o that_o it_o shall_v end_v in_o his_o death_n and_o be_v complete_v by_o his_o crucifixion_n but_o that_o
that_o teach_v it_o to_o examine_v into_o all_o the_o labyrinth_n and_o abstruse_a speculation_n of_o reason_n and_o argument_n which_o may_v be_v bring_v for_o or_o against_o any_o religion_n be_v a_o operose_fw-la business_n which_o all_o have_v not_o capacity_n for_o and_o few_o care_n to_o attend_v to_o but_o of_o good_a and_o evil_a every_o man_n be_v judge_n and_o where_o they_o find_v the_o teacher_n of_o any_o religion_n to_o be_v wicked_a and_o naught_o it_o be_v a_o inference_n which_o they_o be_v all_o apt_a too_o precipitately_a to_o run_v into_o that_o the_o religion_n must_v be_v naught_o also_o and_o without_o any_o further_o examine_v into_o it_o condemn_v it_o so_o to_o be_v and_o i_o find_v there_o be_v nothing_o which_o you_o yourselves_o be_v more_o greedy_a to_o lay_v hold_n of_o for_o a_o argument_n against_o our_o holy_a christian_a religion_n than_o the_o fault_n which_o you_o observe_v in_o some_o of_o our_o minister_n who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o promote_v it_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o present_a teacher_n of_o christianity_n be_v apt_a thus_o to_o afford_v so_o popular_a and_o prevalent_a a_o argument_n against_o it_o how_o much_o more_o will_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o first_o founder_n and_o propagater_n of_o it_o have_v do_v so_o have_v there_o be_v any_o such_o to_o object_n against_o they_o and_o have_v there_o be_v any_o such_o so_o keen_a and_o search_a adversary_n will_v never_o have_v suffer_v the_o discovery_n to_o have_v escape_v they_o or_o ever_o fail_v to_o have_v object_v it_o for_o the_o serve_v of_o their_o turn_n to_o the_o utmost_a they_o be_v able_a and_o it_o can_v be_v owe_v to_o nothing_o but_o their_o most_o unblameable_a innocency_n that_o they_o have_v be_v secure_v herefrom_o to_o say_v that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v that_o knowledge_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n as_o be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o discern_v their_o fault_n and_o observe_v their_o miscarriage_n will_v not_o solve_v the_o matter_n though_o mahomet_n act_v his_o imposture_n so_o many_o hundred_o mile_n within_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o arabia_n among_o a_o people_n who_o by_o vast_a desert_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n cut_v off_o from_o the_o converse_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n where_o very_a few_o or_o none_o of_o any_o other_o nation_n ever_o come_v to_o spy_v out_o his_o action_n or_o observe_v his_o do_n and_o where_o he_o have_v none_o else_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o they_o but_o those_o only_o who_o all_o embrace_v his_o forgery_n and_o become_v zealous_o addict_v to_o it_o yet_o all_o this_o can_v not_o serve_v to_o conceal_v his_o fault_n or_o hide_v his_o monstrous_a wickedness_n from_o be_v observe_v and_o record_v against_o he_o the_o forego_v history_n give_v you_o a_o large_a catalogue_n of_o they_o and_o they_o be_v vouch_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o authentic_a writer_n of_o his_o own_o sect._n but_o christianity_n have_v not_o its_o birth_n in_o such_o a_o obscure_a hole_n nor_o do_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o or_o those_o who_o propagate_v it_o after_o he_o make_v their_o first_o appearance_n among_o such_o rude_a and_o illiterate_a barbarian_n as_o that_o impostor_n do_v but_o on_o one_o of_o the_o open_a stage_n in_o the_o world_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o the_o land_n of_o judea_n and_o not_o in_o a_o age_n when_o as_o former_o that_o nation_n separate_v itself_o from_o all_o other_o and_o have_v no_o converse_n with_o any_o but_o themselves_o but_o when_o they_o have_v scatter_v themselves_o abroad_o and_o mingle_v with_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o also_o be_v force_v to_o admit_v all_o other_o nation_n to_o mingle_v with_o they_o by_o be_v make_v a_o province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o bring_v not_o only_a soldier_n and_o merchant_n of_o other_o nation_n among_o they_o but_o also_o open_v the_o gate_n to_o all_o other_o as_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o come_v and_o reside_v among_o they_o and_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v that_o where_o all_o of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n worship_v this_o constant_o bring_v thither_o from_o all_o nation_n those_o who_o profess_v it_o which_o make_v a_o very_a great_a resort_n thither_o from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o at_o their_o three_o great_a festival_n and_o therefore_o just_a after_o our_o saviour_n suffering_n at_o the_o time_n of_o pentecost_n next_o follow_v we_o be_v tell_v that_o there_o be_v then_o at_o jerusalem_n 11._o parthian_n mede_n and_o elamites_n and_o the_o dweller_n of_o mesopotamia_n cappadocia_n pontus_n asia_n phrygia_n pamphylia_n egypt_n libya_n and_o cyrene_n with_o the_o stranger_n of_o rome_n cretes_n and_o arabian_n so_o that_o to_o be_v sure_a nothing_o can_v be_v hide_v or_o conceal_v which_o be_v do_v on_o so_o open_a a_o stage_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o so_o many_o nation_n as_o be_v then_o present_a upon_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o possible_a if_o those_o who_o then_o first_o deliver_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o the_o world_n have_v be_v such_o wicked_a person_n as_o mahomet_n be_v and_o all_o other_o impostor_n must_v be_v it_o can_v ever_o have_v escape_v their_o observation_n and_o if_o it_o have_v at_o jerusalem_n there_o be_v other_o occasion_n enough_o give_v for_o a_o full_a discovery_n afterward_o for_o the_o holy_a apostle_n after_o our_o saviour_n death_n do_v not_o confine_v themselves_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o land_n of_o judoea_n only_o but_o disperse_v themselves_o throughout_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o at_o rome_n at_o athens_n and_o in_o many_o other_o celebrate_v city_n appear_v open_o teach_v the_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v and_o form_v church_n of_o those_o who_o they_o have_v convert_v thereto_o and_o thereby_o expose_v their_o life_n and_o action_n public_o to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n make_v all_o mankind_n in_o a_o manner_n witness_n of_o what_o they_o do_v and_o christianity_n be_v not_o such_o a_o acceptable_a thing_n to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o move_v the_o man_n of_o it_o to_o be_v so_o candid_a and_o good-natured_a to_o the_o first_o author_n of_o it_o as_o to_o conceal_v their_o fault_n and_o hide_v their_o wickedness_n have_v there_o be_v any_o such_o in_o they_o no_o it_o be_v that_o which_o be_v against_o the_o lust_n and_o pleasure_n and_o the_o other_o evil_a course_n of_o this_o world_n more_o than_o any_o other_o religion_n which_o be_v ever_o teach_v therein_o and_o this_o put_v the_o world_n as_o much_o against_o it_o and_o all_o that_o adhere_v thereto_o and_o therefore_o we_o find_v they_o to_o be_v a_o party_n of_o man_n not_o only_o everywhere_o speak_v against_o but_o also_o everywhere_o hate_v oppose_a and_o persecute_v to_o the_o utmost_a and_o when_o so_o general_a a_o odium_n be_v rise_v against_o they_o and_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n conspire_v together_o therein_o to_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v not_o want_v abundance_n that_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o pry_v into_o their_o action_n and_o examine_v their_o practice_n with_o all_o that_o spite_n unfairness_n and_o ill_a interpretation_n of_o thing_n as_o be_v usual_a in_o such_o case_n and_o can_v they_o by_o all_o this_o search_n inquiry_n and_o strict_a observation_n have_v find_v any_o thing_n to_o charge_n upon_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n which_o may_v cast_v a_o blot_n upon_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v to_o be_v sure_a we_o shall_v have_v hear_v enough_o of_o it_o for_o those_o who_o propagate_v their_o odium_n against_o this_o holy_a religion_n to_o the_o next_o succeed_a age_n to_o that_o excessive_a degree_n in_o which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n experience_a it_o in_o those_o terrible_a persecution_n which_o they_o undergo_v for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o will_v certain_o have_v propagate_v therewith_o all_o the_o accusation_n they_o be_v able_a against_o those_o who_o be_v the_o first_o founder_n and_o teacher_n of_o it_o and_o to_o be_v sure_a when_o christ_n celsus_n porphyry_n and_o julian_n and_o other_o bitter_a opposer_n of_o christianity_n as_o well_o jew_n as_o heathen_n take_v pen_n in_o hand_n to_o write_v against_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v be_v tell_v enough_o of_o it_o but_o nothing_o of_o this_o appear_v in_o any_o of_o their_o write_n or_o any_o of_o the_o least_o memorial_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o record_n whatsoever_o against_o they_o this_o manifest_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v even_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o bitter_a enemy_n total_o free_a of_o this_o charge_n and_o consequent_o be_v just_a and_o righteous_a person_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o st._n james_n one_o of_o his_o apostle_n he_o josephus_n though_o a_o jew_n particular_o atte_v that_o they_o be_v so_o they_o can_v never_o be_v guilty_a of_o
so_o great_a a_o wickedness_n both_o against_o god_n and_o man_n as_o to_o have_v impose_v a_o cheat_n upon_o we_o in_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o deliver_v unto_o we_o sect_n iii_o iii_o and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v such_o wicked_a person_n as_o thus_o to_o have_v impose_v upon_o we_o a_o false_a religion_n for_o their_o own_o interest_n both_o their_o wickedness_n and_o the_o interest_n which_o they_o drive_v at_o must_v necessary_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o very_a contexture_n of_o the_o religion_n itself_o and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v will_v have_v as_o evident_o prove_v both_o these_o against_o they_o as_o the_o alcoran_n do_v against_o mahomet_n every_o chapter_n of_o which_o yield_v we_o manifest_a proof_n both_o of_o the_o wicked_a affection_n of_o the_o man_n and_o the_o self-end_n which_o he_o drive_v at_o for_o the_o gratify_n of_o they_o for_o first_o when_o a_o man_n propose_v a_o end_n of_o self-interest_n and_o invent_v a_o new_a religion_n and_o write_v a_o new_a law_n on_o purpose_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o this_o end_n must_v appear_v in_o the_o mean_n and_o the_o imposture_n which_o be_v invent_v of_o purpose_n to_o promote_v it_o must_v discover_v what_o it_o be_v for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o new_a religion_n and_o the_o new_a law_n must_v be_v calculate_v for_o this_o end_n and_o be_v all_o form_v and_o contrive_v in_o order_n thereto_o otherwise_o it_o can_v have_v no_o efficiency_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o nor_o at_o all_o answer_n the_o purpose_n of_o the_o inventor_n for_o the_o compass_v of_o what_o he_o propose_v and_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o calculate_v order_v and_o contrive_v for_o such_o a_o end_n that_o end_n can_v but_o be_v see_v and_o discover_v in_o those_o mean_n for_o the_o end_n and_o means_n prove_v each_o other_o that_o be_v as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o end_v propose_v show_v we_o what_o mean_n must_v be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o so_o do_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o mean_n which_o we_o use_v discover_v what_o be_v the_o end_n which_o they_o drive_v at_o and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o mean_n have_v a_o tendency_n to_o the_o end_n so_o much_o must_v they_o have_v of_o that_o end_n in_o they_o and_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o that_o use_v the_o one_o long_o to_o conceal_v the_o other_o and_o therefore_o nothing_o be_v more_o obvious_a and_o common_a among_o we_o than_o by_o the_o course_n which_o a_o man_n take_v to_o discern_v the_o end_n which_o he_o will_v have_v as_o mahomet_n invent_v his_o new_a religion_n to_o promote_v his_o own_o end_n so_o the_o alcoran_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v sufficient_o prove_v it_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o leaf_n in_o that_o book_n which_o do_v not_o lay_v down_o some_o particular_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o gratify_v either_o of_o the_o ambition_n or_o the_o lust_n of_o that_o monster_n who_o contrive_v it_o and_o have_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o our_o holy_a christian_a religion_n or_o they_o who_o be_v the_o first_o propagator_n of_o it_o any_o such_o end_n therein_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v will_v have_v as_o palpable_o show_v it_o but_o here_o we_o challenge_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o use_v their_o utmost_a skill_n to_o make_v any_o such_o discovery_n in_o they_o they_o have_v already_o go_v through_o the_o strict_a scrutiny_n of_o many_o age_n as_o well_o as_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o adversary_n and_o none_o have_v ever_o yet_o be_v able_a to_o tax_v they_o herewith_o for_o instead_o of_o be_v calculate_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o this_o world_n their_o whole_a design_n be_v to_o withdraw_v our_o heart_n from_o it_o and_o fix_v they_o upon_o the_o interest_n of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o therefore_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o inculcate_v be_v those_o of_o mortification_n repentance_n and_o self-denial_n which_o speak_v not_o unto_o we_o of_o fight_v bloodshed_n and_o conquest_n as_o the_o alcoran_n do_v for_o the_o advance_n of_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n but_o that_o recounce_v all_o the_o pomp_n and_o vanity_n and_o lust_n of_o this_o present_a world_n we_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o the_o presence_n of_o he_o that_o make_v we_o and_o instead_o of_o pursue_v after_o the_o perishable_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n we_o set_v our_o heart_n only_o on_o those_o heavenly_a riches_n which_o will_v make_v we_o great_a and_o glorious_a and_o bless_a for_o ever_o hereafter_o for_o as_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n so_o neither_o do_v those_o book_n in_o which_o be_v write_v the_o law_n of_o this_o kingdom_n savour_v any_o thing_n thereof_o the_o mammon_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o righteousness_n which_o they_o prescribe_v we_o be_v declare_v in_o they_o to_o be_v total_o inconsistent_a the_o old_a testament_n indeed_o as_o be_v under_o the_o dispensation_n of_o carnal_a ordinance_n which_o be_v the_o shadow_n only_o of_o those_o thing_n after_o to_o come_v under_o the_o gospel_n treat_v with_o man_n suitable_o thereto_o and_o therefore_o we_o find_v much_o of_o this_o world_n both_o by_o way_n of_o promise_n as_o well_o as_o threat_v to_o be_v propose_v therein_o but_o it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o the_o new_a for_o in_o that_o revelation_n be_v give_v to_o the_o perfect_a of_o righteousness_n all_o thing_n be_v advance_v thereby_o from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n and_o from_o flesh_n to_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o whole_a end_n of_o it_o be_v to_o make_v man_n spiritual_a so_o be_v we_o direct_v thereby_o to_o look_v only_o to_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a blessing_n for_o the_o reward_n hereof_o have_v our_o saviour_n propose_v victory_n or_o riches_n or_o carnal_a pleasure_n to_o his_o follower_n as_o mahomet_n do_v then_o indeed_o his_o law_n will_v have_v sufficient_o savour_v of_o this_o world_n to_o make_v man_n suspect_v that_o he_o aim_v at_o nothing_o else_o thereby_o but_o he_o be_v so_o far_o herefrom_o that_o instead_o of_o this_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o doctrine_n run_v the_o quite_o contrary_a way_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o nothing_o else_o through_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n but_o of_o tribulation_n affliction_n and_o persecution_n which_o shall_v attend_v all_o such_o as_o to_o this_o world_n who_o faithful_o set_v their_o heart_n to_o become_v his_o disciple_n and_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n since_o have_v sufficient_o verify_v the_o prediction_n and_o indeed_o the_o very_a religion_n which_o he_o have_v teach_v we_o be_v of_o that_o holiness_n that_o according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o this_o wicked_a world_n it_o natural_o lead_v we_o thereinto_o and_o how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o any_o thing_n of_o worldly_a interest_n can_v be_v contain_v either_o in_o this_o religion_n or_o those_o holy_a book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v i_o can_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n so_o crafty_a and_o cunning_a in_o pursue_v their_o interest_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o easy_o be_v discern_v in_o the_o mean_n what_o it_o be_v which_o they_o drive_v at_o for_o their_o end_n but_o how_o great_a a_o compass_n soever_o such_o may_v fetch_v about_o to_o the_o point_n which_o they_o aim_v at_o or_o in_o what_o by_o and_o secret_a path_n soever_o they_o make_v forward_o towards_o it_o yet_o if_o the_o mean_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o have_v any_o tendency_n thither_o they_o can_v never_o be_v so_o total_o blend_v but_o there_o will_v always_o appear_v in_o they_o enough_o of_o the_o end_n to_o make_v the_o discovery_n to_o any_o accurate_a observer_n and_o at_o length_n when_o the_o plot_n grow_v ripe_a for_o execution_n and_o the_o designer_n begin_v to_o offer_v at_o the_o put_v himself_o in_o possession_n of_o what_o he_o propose_v as_o all_o such_o designer_n must_v at_o last_o the_o whole_a scene_n must_v then_o be_v lay_v open_a and_o every_o one_o will_v be_v able_a to_o see_v thereinto_o and_o therefore_o if_o you_o will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o evangelist_n who_o be_v the_o first_o penner_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v such_o cunning_a and_o crafty_a man_n as_o to_o be_v able_a thus_o artful_o to_o conceal_v their_o design_n in_o those_o book_n which_o you_o suppose_v they_o write_v of_o purpose_n to_o promote_v they_o which_o can_v reasonable_o be_v imagine_v of_o man_n of_o their_o education_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n they_o be_v all_o except_z st._n paul_n and_o st._n luke_n of_o the_o mean_a occupation_n among_o the_o people_n and_o total_o unlearned_a yet_o if_o they_o contrive_v those_o book_n with_o any_o tendency_n towards_o those_o design_n and_o
it_o can_v be_v conceive_v how_o otherwise_o they_o can_v help_v forward_o to_o the_o obtain_n of_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o can_v thus_o have_v pass_v through_o so_o many_o age_n and_o all_o the_o strict_a examination_n of_o heathen_n jew_n atheist_n and_o all_o other_o adversary_n who_o have_v so_o strenuous_o endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v their_o authority_n and_o no_o discovery_n be_v make_v hereof_o for_o suppose_v at_o first_o under_o the_o mask_n of_o renounce_v the_o world_n they_o may_v a_o while_n conceal_v their_o design_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o utmost_a you_o can_v say_v in_o this_o case_n yet_o this_o can_v not_o last_v long_o for_o if_o this_o be_v all_o they_o design_v by_o teach_v that_o holy_a religion_n and_o write_v those_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v sometime_o or_o other_o they_o must_v have_v put_v those_o design_n in_o execution_n otherwise_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o vain_a lay_v sometime_o or_o other_o they_o must_v have_v endeavour_v by_o they_o to_o obtain_v what_o they_o aim_v at_o otherwise_o the_o whole_a projection_n of_o they_o will_v have_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o if_o they_o ever_o do_v so_o as_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o will_v have_v this_o be_v their_o end_n then_o as_o it_o happen_v in_o all_o other_o stratagem_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n with_o how_o much_o artifice_n soever_o they_o may_v conceal_v what_o they_o intend_v in_o the_o contrivance_n all_o at_o last_o must_v have_v come_v out_o in_o the_o execution_n and_o when_o they_o begin_v to_o put_v themselves_o in_o possession_n of_o the_o end_n they_o aim_v at_o or_o at_o least_o make_v any_o offer_n towards_o it_o the_o whole_a cheat_n must_v then_o have_v be_v unmask_v and_o every_o one_o will_v have_v be_v able_a to_o see_v into_o the_o depth_n thereof_o but_o when_o do_v our_o saviour_n or_o any_o of_o his_o holy_a apostle_n by_o virtue_n of_o any_o of_o those_o doctrine_n deliver_v down_o unto_o we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n ever_o put_v themselves_o in_o possession_n of_o any_o such_o worldly_a interest_n or_o when_o do_v they_o ever_o make_v the_o least_o offer_n in_o order_n thereto_o have_v any_o of_o the_o ancient_a enemy_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n and_o it_o have_v bitter_a one_o enough_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n ever_o record_v any_o such_o against_o they_o or_o have_v any_o other_o ever_o since_o from_o any_o good_a authority_n or_o any_o authority_n at_o all_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o tax_v they_o herewith_o or_o be_v it_o possible_a their_o name_n can_v have_v remain_v untainted_a of_o this_o charge_n amid_o so_o many_o adversary_n who_o have_v now_o for_o near_o seventeen_o hundred_o year_n stand_v up_o in_o every_o age_n to_o oppose_v that_o holy_a religion_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v unto_o we_o have_v they_o in_o the_o least_o be_v guilty_a hereof_o nay_o have_v it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o ever_o say_v of_o they_o that_o they_o practise_v as_o to_o this_o world_n any_o otherwise_o than_o they_o teach_v or_o ever_o deal_v with_o the_o interest_n of_o it_o in_o any_o other_o manner_n than_o total_o to_o renounce_v they_o or_o have_v they_o at_o all_o any_o other_o portion_n in_o this_o life_n than_o that_o of_o persecution_n affliction_n and_o tribulation_n as_o it_o be_v foretell_v in_o those_o holy_a book_n that_o they_o shall_v and_o what_o then_o can_v be_v a_o great_a madness_n than_o to_o suppose_v that_o man_n shall_v lay_v such_o a_o deep_a design_n as_o that_o of_o invent_v a_o new_a religion_n and_o undergo_v all_o that_o vast_a trouble_n and_o danger_n which_o they_o do_v to_o impose_v it_o on_o the_o world_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n and_o yet_o never_o put_v themselves_o in_o possession_n of_o that_o interest_n or_o ever_o make_v the_o least_o offer_n towards_o it_o if_o you_o say_v that_o the_o whole_a end_n of_o the_o religion_n be_v only_o to_o gain_v the_o party_n and_o â—hat_n the_o step_n to_o the_o interest_n be_v to_o be_v make_v afterward_o i_o still_o go_v on_o to_o ask_v who_o can_v tell_v we_o after_o the_o party_n be_v gain_v of_o any_o such_o step_n that_o be_v ever_o make_v or_o of_o any_o the_o least_o offer_n tend_v thereto_o be_v not_o the_o first_o christian_n for_o many_o age_n â—fter_o the_o first_o sound_n of_o our_o faith_n what_o â—hey_n ought_v still_o to_o be_v man_n that_o use_v this_o world_n as_o if_o they_o use_v it_o not_o who_o live_v in_o 〈◊〉_d without_o be_v of_o it_o and_o do_v true_o what_o â—hey_v vow_v in_o their_o baptism_n renounce_v all_o â—he_n pomp_n and_o vanity_n and_o lust_n thereof_o faithful_o to_o observe_v that_o holy_a law_n which_o â—hey_n have_v receive_v and_o in_o this_o they_o persevere_v so_o steady_o that_o even_o â—heir_a very_a enemy_n admire_v â—he_v righteousness_n of_o their_o â—â—ves_n and_o 51._o bear_v witness_v â—hereto_o and_o the_o cruel_a persecutor_n can_v never_o â—eat_n they_o therefrom_o but_o â—hey_n still_o go_v on_o in_o the_o observance_n of_o their_o holy_a religion_n without_o have_v â—ny_n other_o design_n therein_o â—han_o to_o practice_v that_o righteousness_n which_o it_o teach_v â—nd_v for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o stand_v firm_a thereto_o â—gainst_a also_o those_o terrible_a storm_n of_o persecution_n which_o be_v riseâ—_n against_o they_o till_o at_o length_n by_o the_o holâ—ness_n of_o their_o life_n and_o the_o constancy_n 〈◊〉_d their_o suffering_n they_o make_v a_o conquest_n oveâ—_n their_o very_a persecutor_n and_o bring_v oveâ—_n the_o world_n unto_o they_o and_o be_v not_o ouâ—_n principles_n still_o the_o same_o and_o also_o thank_v be_v to_o god_n notwithstanding_o the_o corruptâ—ons_n of_o the_o present_a age_n the_o practice_n toâ—_n of_o many_o thousand_o still_o among_o we_o whâ—_n i_o doubt_v not_o will_v be_v as_o ready_a to_o undergo_v the_o same_o suffering_n those_o primitive_a christians_n do_v when_o ever_o god_n shall_v try_v they_o foâ—_n that_o holy_a religion_n which_o they_o profess_v 〈◊〉_d they_o now_o be_v to_o observe_v the_o righteousness_n thereof_o but_o suppose_v this_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d otherwise_o and_o the_o mammon_n of_o this_o worâ—_n and_o not_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n weâ—â—_n real_o the_o end_n for_o which_o our_o religion_n wâ—â—_n design_v yet_o to_o renounce_v the_o world_n 〈◊〉_d gain_n a_o party_n and_o afterward_o make_v uâ—â—_n of_o this_o party_n to_o gain_v the_o world_n be_v a_o project_n so_o unfeasible_a that_o the_o former_a part_n 〈◊〉_d it_o must_v necessary_o have_v overthrow_v tâ—â—_n latter_a whenever_o it_o have_v be_v attemptâ—â—_n for_o when_o man_n have_v be_v draw_v over_o to_o 〈◊〉_d party_n under_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o â—â—nouncing_v the_o world_n and_o be_v instructâ—â—_n and_o firm_o fix_v in_o this_o principle_n to_o maâ—â—_n those_o very_a same_o man_n afterward_o to_o serâ—â—_n their_o turn_n for_o the_o gain_n of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n will_v be_v to_o make_v their_o doctrine_n and_o their_o practice_n so_o monstrous_o interfere_v as_o must_v necessary_o have_v break_v all_o into_o piece_n and_o destroy_v the_o whole_a design_n certain_o have_v they_o any_o such_o design_n they_o will_v never_o have_v thus_o possess_v their_o disciple_n with_o such_o principle_n against_o it_o by_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v they_o and_o in_o that_o they_o do_v so_o i_o think_v nothing_o can_v be_v a_o more_o evident_a demonstration_n that_o they_o can_v never_o intend_v any_o such_o end_n thereby_o mahomet_n know_v well_o enough_o this_o be_v not_o a_o way_n to_o carry_v what_o he_o design_v and_o therefore_o open_o own_v in_o his_o religion_n what_o he_o aim_v at_o thereby_o and_o make_v his_o law_n to_o speak_v for_o that_o empire_n and_o lust_n which_o he_o desire_v to_o enjoy_v and_o so_o when_o he_o have_v make_v his_o religion_n to_o obtain_v he_o gain_v by_o virtue_n thereof_o the_o whole_a which_o he_o project_v by_o it_o and_o become_v possess_v of_o the_o empire_n of_o all_o arabia_n for_o the_o gratify_n of_o his_o ambition_n and_o as_o many_o woman_n as_o he_o please_v for_o the_o satisfy_n of_o his_o lust_n which_o be_v the_o two_o end_n he_o drive_v at_o in_o the_o whole_a imposture_n and_o have_v jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v any_o such_o design_n in_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v they_o must_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n they_o make_v their_o religion_n speak_v for_o it_o or_o else_o it_o can_v never_o have_v serve_v their_o purpose_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o and_o if_o their_o religion_n have_v ever_o offer_v at_o any_o such_o thing_n it_o must_v necessary_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v and_o two_o if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o wicked_a as_o thus_o to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n
religion_n also_o and_o that_o the_o whole_a method_n of_o the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v regulate_v and_o state_v by_o they_o but_o that_o numa_n found_v any_o new_a religion_n be_v what_o i_o utter_o deny_v for_o numa_n leave_v no_o other_o religion_n behind_o he_o in_o rome_n at_o his_o death_n than_o that_o very_o same_o heathenism_n which_o he_o find_v there_o at_o his_o first_o come_v thither_o to_o be_v king_n for_o the_o city_n have_v be_v then_o but_o new_o found_v and_o the_o people_n make_v up_o of_o a_o collection_n of_o the_o refuse_n and_o scum_n of_o divers_a nation_n there_o gather_v together_o they_o be_v as_o much_o out_o of_o order_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o in_o those_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o all_o that_o numa_n do_v when_o he_o come_v to_o reign_v over_o they_o be_v to_o make_v law_n to_o regulate_v both_o and_o therefore_o as_o he_o found_v several_a wholesome_a constitution_n for_o the_o orderly_a govern_n of_o the_o state_n so_o also_o do_v he_o for_o the_o regular_a worship_v of_o the_o god_n then_o acknowledge_v among_o they_o without_o make_v any_o essential_a alteration_n in_o the_o religion_n afore_o practise_v by_o they_o for_o have_v he_o do_v so_o than_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o roman_n must_v have_v differ_v from_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o other_o city_n of_o italy_n which_o we_o find_v it_o do_v not_o for_o they_o communicate_v with_o each_o other_o in_o their_o worship_n as_o they_o do_v also_o with_o the_o greek_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o greek_a heathenism_n the_o same_o which_o be_v practise_v in_o greece_n and_o in_o all_o those_o country_n which_o be_v plant_v with_o colony_n from_o thence_o as_o almost_o all_o italy_n be_v at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o the_o roman_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o city_n of_o italy_n look_v on_o delphos_n as_o a_o principal_a place_n of_o their_o worship_n with_o the_o same_o veneration_n that_o the_o greek_n do_v and_o have_v frequent_a recourse_n thither_o on_o religious_a account_n as_o the_o roman_a history_n on_o many_o occasion_n acquaint_v we_o and_o this_o religion_n numa_n while_o he_o live_v among_o his_o sabine_n be_v accurate_o verse_v in_o and_o also_o a_o diligent_a practiser_n of_o it_o on_o his_o come_n to_o rome_n and_o find_v the_o roman_n all_o out_o of_o order_n in_o that_o little_a which_o they_o have_v of_o it_o for_o during_o the_o reign_n of_o romulus_n they_o mind_v little_a else_o but_o fight_v and_o therefore_o have_v not_o leisure_n or_o perchance_o any_o great_a regard_n for_o this_o matter_n he_o not_o only_o instruct_v they_o more_o full_o in_o it_o according_a as_o it_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n but_o also_o frame_v several_a rule_n and_o constitution_n for_o their_o more_o regular_a and_o orderly_a practice_n of_o it_o which_o do_v no_o more_o make_v the_o old_a heathenism_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o be_v a_o new_a religion_n than_o the_o body_n of_o canon_n give_v we_o by_o king_n james_n the_o first_o for_o the_o more_o orderly_o regulate_v of_o our_o worship_n and_o discipline_n make_v our_o religion_n a_o new_a christianity_n only_o numa_n the_o better_a to_o make_v his_o constitution_n to_o obtain_v among_o those_o barbarous_a people_n for_o who_o he_o make_v they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v instruct_v in_o they_o by_o a_o divine_a person_n and_o in_o this_o he_o practise_v a_o pious_a fraud_n but_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n guilty_a of_o such_o a_o imposture_n as_o we_o be_v now_o treat_v of_o for_o he_o teach_v they_o no_o new_a religion_n but_o only_o the_o very_a same_o greek_a heathenism_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n of_o italy_n from_o their_o forefather_n and_o real_o believe_v to_o be_v that_o very_o true_a religion_n whereby_o god_n be_v to_o be_v serve_v and_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o the_o deceit_n he_o make_v use_v of_o he_o may_v from_o the_o end_n which_o he_o propose_v and_o which_o he_o real_o effect_v thereby_o to_o the_o civilise_n of_o a_o very_a barbarous_a sort_n of_o people_n be_v still_o reckon_v a_o just_a and_o good_a man_n and_o to_o give_v he_o his_o due_n he_o real_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o excellent_a personage_n of_o that_o age_n in_o which_o he_o live_v and_o first_o sow_v among_o the_o roman_n the_o seed_n of_o that_o virtue_n with_o which_o they_o so_o eminent_o signalise_v themselves_o for_o so_o many_o age_n after_o but_o 3._o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n take_v on_o they_o not_o only_o to_o be_v messenger_n send_v of_o god_n but_o also_o to_o teach_v a_o new_a religion_n to_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o be_v impostor_n they_o must_v be_v so_o in_o the_o large_a and_o full_a sense_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o religion_n itself_o as_o well_o as_o the_o mean_n whereby_o they_o promote_v it_o and_o in_o this_o case_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o to_o excuse_v they_o from_o be_v altogether_o as_o wicked_a as_o i_o have_v allege_v where_o the_o religion_n be_v true_a or_o real_o believe_v so_o to_o be_v there_o be_v a_o pious_a intention_n in_o the_o end_n which_o may_v speak_v some_o goodness_n in_o he_o that_o use_v fraud_n to_o promote_v it_o and_o such_o a_o goodness_n as_o great_o exceed_v the_o obliquity_n of_o the_o fault_n which_o he_o commit_v about_o it_o and_o therefore_o although_o he_o can_v on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o good_a be_v excuse_v from_o the_o evil_n for_o it_o be_v always_o a_o scandal_n to_o religion_n to_o be_v promote_v by_o falsehood_n yet_o still_o he_o must_v be_v reckon_v more_o commendable_a from_o the_o one_o than_o faulty_a from_o the_o other_o and_o in_o this_o case_n there_o will_v still_o be_v room_n enough_o leave_v from_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o end_v design_v and_o the_o piety_n of_o the_o intention_n to_o denominate_v the_o man_n good_a and_o righteous_a in_o the_o main_a notwithstanding_o the_o fault_n commit_v in_o use_v such_o mean_n to_o bring_v it_o to_o effect_v but_o where_o the_o religion_n be_v all_o forgery_n and_o falsehood_n as_o well_o as_o the_o mean_n of_o promote_a it_o deceit_n and_o fraud_n the_o imposture_n than_o become_v so_o total_o and_o perfect_o wicked_a without_o the_o least_o mixture_n of_o good_a therein_o as_o must_v necessary_o denominate_v the_o author_n and_o first_o propagator_n of_o it_o to_o be_v perfect_o wicked_a also_o if_o you_o say_v that_o such_o a_o perfect_a imposture_n as_o this_o can_v have_v any_o good_a end_n for_o the_o sake_n whereof_o the_o author_n of_o it_o may_v be_v free_v from_o that_o charge_n of_o wickedness_n which_o i_o lay_v upon_o they_o that_o good_a end_n must_v be_v either_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n or_o the_o benefit_n of_o men._n but_o how_o can_v god_n be_v more_o dishonour_v than_o by_o a_o false_a religion_n or_o how_o can_v man_n be_v more_o mischieve_v than_o by_o have_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o impose_v on_o they_o whereby_o they_o must_v thus_o constant_o dishonour_n and_o consequent_o offend_v and_o lose_v the_o favour_n of_o he_o that_o make_v they_o a_o imposture_n in_o this_o case_n have_v that_o aggravation_n from_o the_o object_n it_o be_v about_o as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o perfection_n of_o iniquity_n which_o be_v in_o the_o act_n that_o suppose_v it_o can_v be_v make_v productive_a of_o any_o good_a end_n that_o good_a will_v be_v so_o vast_o over-balanced_n by_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o mean_n that_o it_o will_v be_v of_o no_o weight_n in_o comparison_n thereof_o or_o at_o all_o avail_n to_o the_o render_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o it_o less_o wicked_a than_o i_o have_v say_v but_o when_o a_o man_n can_v thus_o far_o proceed_v in_o wickedness_n towards_o god_n as_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o constant_a dishonour_n unto_o he_o in_o a_o false_a worship_n and_o towards_o man_n as_o to_o ensnare_v they_o into_o all_o that_o mischief_n which_o must_v be_v consequential_a hereto_o it_o must_v necessary_o imply_v such_o a_o thorough_a disregard_n of_o both_o as_o every_o good_a intention_n in_o respect_n of_o either_o must_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o and_o therefore_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o such_o a_o wicked_a imposture_n can_v ever_o be_v make_v the_o mean_n to_o a_o good_a end_n it_o be_v scarce_o to_o be_v conceive_v how_o they_o who_o be_v so_o wicked_a as_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o can_v ever_o intend_v any_o such_o good_a thereby_o but_o further_a if_o the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o imposture_n as_o we_o be_v now_o treat_v of_o can_v be_v less_o wicked_a than_o i_o have_v say_v on_o the_o account_n of_o any_o good_a which_o you_o pretend_v they_o may_v design_n thereby_o
i_o desire_v to_o know_v among_o what_o sort_n of_o man_n you_o will_v place_v they_o while_o you_o thus_o plead_v their_o excuse_n for_o they_o must_v be_v one_o of_o these_o three_o that_o be_v either_o atheist_n deist_n or_o believer_n of_o a_o institute_v religion_n 1._o if_o you_o say_v they_o be_v atheist_n that_o word_n alone_o contain_v enough_o to_o prove_v they_o perfect_o wicked_a whatever_o can_v be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_n it_o be_v indeed_o agreeable_a enough_o to_o the_o principes_fw-la of_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o such_o a_o imposture_n as_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o may_v laudable_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o a_o good_a end_n for_o they_o hold_v that_o all_o religion_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o device_n of_o politician_n to_o keep_v the_o world_n in_o awe_n but_o if_o the_o atheist_n be_v the_o deviser_n what_o intention_n of_o good_a can_v the_o device_n carry_v therewith_o none_o certain_o towards_o god_n since_o he_o utter_o deny_v his_o be_v or_o can_v it_o in_o this_o case_n have_v any_o towards_o man_n since_o by_o deny_v he_o for_o who_o sake_n it_o be_v that_o we_o be_v to_o do_v good_a to_o other_o he_o cast_v off_o therewith_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o obligation_n which_o he_o have_v abstractive_a of_o his_o own_o interest_n of_o do_v any_o such_o at_o all_o all_o the_o good_a therefore_o that_o such_o a_o one_o can_v aim_v at_o must_v total_o centre_n in_o himself_o to_o advance_v his_o own_o enjoyment_n and_o gratify_v his_o own_o lust_n in_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o his_o corrupt_a affection_n carry_v he_o after_o and_o to_o enjoy_v these_o without_o restraint_n of_o law_n or_o fear_n of_o punishment_n be_v that_o alone_a which_o be_v the_o real_a and_o true_a cause_n that_o make_v any_o man_n deny_v that_o supreme_a and_o infinite_o good_a and_o just_a be_v who_o all_o thing_n else_o prove_v whoever_o be_v a_o atheist_n must_v be_v perfect_o wicked_a before_o he_o can_v be_v such_o and_o what_o be_v there_o which_o can_v while_o in_o that_o impiety_n ever_o give_v he_o a_o better_a character_n afterward_o 2._o if_o you_o say_v they_o be_v deist_n such_o as_o you_o profess_v yourselves_o to_o be_v your_o main_a principle_n be_v against_o all_o institute_v religion_n whatever_o as_o if_o god_n be_v dishonour_v and_o man_n injure_v by_o every_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n practise_v among_o we_o and_o can_v you_o then_o think_v that_o any_o who_o be_v thus_o persuade_v can_v without_o be_v first_o corrupt_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o impiety_n as_o well_o as_o hypocrisy_n ever_o become_v themselves_o so_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o sentiment_n on_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o the_o author_n and_o teacher_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n among_o we_o 3._o but_o if_o you_o place_v they_o among_o those_o who_o be_v believer_n of_o a_o institute_v religion_n they_o must_v abolish_v that_o which_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a before_o they_o can_v introduce_v that_o by_o imposture_n which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a and_o this_o must_v be_v the_o case_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o they_o be_v such_o impostor_n as_o you_o hold_v they_o to_o be_v for_o they_o be_v educate_v and_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o jewish_a religion_n which_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v from_o god_n and_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v suppose_v it_o so_o to_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o only_a true_a way_n whereby_o god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v by_o they_o till_o they_o deliver_v their_o new_a revelation_n which_o total_o abolish_v this_o religion_n and_o establish_v the_o christian_a in_o its_o stead_n and_o therefore_o if_o those_o revelation_n be_v not_o true_a and_o real_a as_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v but_o all_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_v by_o they_o as_o you_o say_v they_o must_v abolish_v a_o religion_n which_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a to_o make_v way_n for_o that_o which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a and_o thereby_o become_v wilful_o and_o know_o according_a to_o their_o own_o belief_n the_o author_n of_o lead_v man_n from_o save_a truth_n into_o damn_v error_n to_o the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o their_o soul_n for_o ever_o and_o also_o of_o deprive_v god_n of_o that_o acceptable_a worship_n whereby_o he_o be_v true_o honour_v according_a to_o his_o own_o appointment_n to_o introduce_v in_o its_o stead_n a_o false_a superstition_n of_o their_o own_o devise_v which_o must_v be_v constant_a dishonour_n unto_o he_o as_o long_o as_o practise_v among_o we_o and_o if_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v such_o impostor_n as_o all_o this_o import_v and_o such_o they_o must_v be_v if_o they_o be_v impostor_n at_o all_o they_o must_v be_v guilty_a of_o that_o impiety_n towards_o god_n as_o well_o as_o that_o injustice_n towards_o man_n herein_o as_o must_v necessary_o suppose_v they_o the_o wicked_a of_o man_n before_o they_o can_v arrive_v hereto_o and_o therefore_o if_o they_o be_v not_o such_o wicked_a man_n this_o abundant_o demonstrate_v they_o can_v not_o be_v such_o impostor_n as_o you_o charge_v they_o to_o be_v as_o to_o the_o second_o objection_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o impostor_n through_o enthusiasm_n and_o mistake_v and_o false_o impose_v thing_n for_o divine_a revelation_n not_o out_o of_o a_o wicked_a design_n to_o deceive_v other_o but_o that_o he_o be_v herein_o real_o deceive_v himself_o and_o that_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n that_o all_o impostor_n shall_v be_v such_o wicked_a person_n as_o i_o have_v allege_v my_o answer_n hereto_o be_v 1._o i_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o enthusiasm_n have_v carry_v man_n into_o very_o strange_a conceit_n and_o extravagancy_n upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o religion_n already_o establish_v as_o we_o have_v instance_n enough_o hereof_o in_o the_o anabaptist_n of_o germany_n the_o quaker_n here_o with_o we_o the_o they_o batenist_n among_o the_o mahometan_n and_o in_o some_o of_o the_o recluse_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o that_o enthusiasm_n can_v ever_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o fancy_n a_o divine_a revelation_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o upon_o such_o a_o fancy_n propagate_v that_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n as_o if_o it_o come_v from_o god_n be_v that_o which_o i_o can_v believe_v and_o there_o be_v no_o instance_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o can_v be_v give_v hereof_o but_o two_o allow_v it_o possible_a this_o objection_n then_o as_o apply_v to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n must_v suppose_v jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v deceive_v by_o enthusiasm_n into_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v and_o that_o therefore_o although_o they_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n such_o wicked_a man_n as_o a_o wilful_a imposture_n must_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v yet_o still_o they_o may_v be_v impostor_n by_o mistake_n and_o be_v by_o enthusiasm_n so_o far_o delude_v as_o to_o think_v that_o to_o come_v to_o they_o from_o god_n by_o divine_a revelation_n which_o have_v no_o other_o birth_n but_o from_o their_o own_o wild_a fancy_n may_v preach_v it_o to_o man_n as_o such_o not_o out_o of_o a_o wicked_a design_n to_o deceive_v but_o that_o they_o be_v real_o herein_o deceive_v themselves_o but_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o conceive_v that_o so_o grave_a so_o serious_a and_o so_o wise_o a_o frame_a religion_n as_o christianity_n be_v can_v ever_o be_v the_o spawn_n of_o enthusiasm_n whatsoever_o be_v the_o product_n of_o that_o use_v ever_o to_o be_v like_o the_o parent_n wild_a and_o extravagant_a in_o all_o its_o part_n often_o disagree_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o reason_n and_o often_o as_o much_o with_o itself_o but_o christianity_n be_v in_o all_o its_o part_n as_o rational_a as_o it_o be_v good_a give_v we_o the_o just_a notion_n of_o god_n the_o best_a precept_n of_o our_o duty_n towards_o he_o and_o the_o exact_a rule_n of_o live_v honest_o and_o righteous_o with_o each_o other_o and_o have_v a_o thorough_a conformity_n to_o itself_o in_o every_o particular_a of_o it_o on_o which_o account_n it_o have_v be_v approve_v and_o admire_v for_o the_o excellency_n of_o its_o composure_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o its_o constitution_n even_o by_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a of_o those_o who_o never_o submit_v thereto_o and_o therefore_o always_o carry_v with_o it_o mark_v and_o evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o it_o sufficient_o to_o prove_v it_o vast_o above_o the_o power_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n ever_o to_o produce_v it_o 3._o the_o founder_n and_o first_o teacher_n of_o christianity_n give_v such_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n thereof_o as_o enthusiasm_n can_v never_o produce_v for_o can_v enthusiasm_n raise_v the_o dead_a to_o life_n again_o cure_v all_o manner_n of_o
much_o serve_v the_o design_n of_o those_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n who_o from_o the_o first_o do_v the_o utmost_a they_o can_v to_o suppress_v it_o what_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n pass_v uncontradict_v and_o uncontrolled_a in_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v transact_v and_o among_o those_o who_o think_v themselves_o great_o concern_v to_o have_v they_o believe_v false_a this_o must_v be_v take_v for_o a_o undeniable_a argument_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o this_o argument_n the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v on_o its_o side_n in_o its_o full_a strength_n for_o the_o book_n be_v write_v and_o publish_v in_o the_o very_a age_n in_o which_o the_o thing_n relate_v in_o they_o be_v do_v yet_o no_o one_o than_o ever_o contradict_v or_o convict_v of_o falsehood_n any_o one_o passage_n in_o they_o though_o christianity_n have_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n the_o professor_n of_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o most_o bitter_a enmity_n against_o it_o who_o will_v have_v be_v most_o ready_a and_o glad_a so_o to_o do_v can_v they_o have_v find_v but_o the_o least_o pretence_n for_o it_o and_o have_v any_o of_o those_o relation_n be_v false_a there_o be_v then_o mean_v enough_o undeniable_o to_o have_v convict_v they_o of_o it_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o there_o say_v to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o corner_n where_o none_o where_o present_a to_o contradict_v they_o but_o upon_o the_o open_a stage_n of_o the_o world_n and_o many_o of_o they_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o thousand_o and_o therefore_o have_v they_o not_o be_v real_o do_v or_o do_v otherwise_o than_o relate_v there_o can_v not_o have_v want_v witness_n enough_o to_o make_v proof_n hereof_o and_o most_o certain_o those_o who_o so_o bitter_o oppose_v christianity_n from_o the_o first_o will_v have_v find_v they_o out_o and_o make_v use_v of_o their_o testimony_n to_o the_o utmost_a for_o the_o overthrow_v of_o the_o cause_n they_o so_o violent_o oppose_v and_o have_v they_o do_v so_o to_o be_v sure_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v those_o testimony_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o its_o enemy_n ever_o since_o for_o they_o will_v have_v yield_v they_o the_o strong_a and_o the_o most_o prevail_a argument_n they_o can_v possible_o have_v urge_v against_o it_o the_o false_a pretence_n of_o 〈…〉_z impostor_n have_v be_v detect_v by_o 〈…〉_z who_o live_v in_o their_o time_n and_o the_o true_a history_n be_v give_v of_o they_o instead_o of_o the_o false_a one_o which_o they_o give_v of_o themselves_o and_o have_v jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v like_o impostor_n and_o the_o thing_n relate_v of_o they_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n false_a and_o forge_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o conceive_v especial_o in_o the_o circumstance_n abovementioned_a how_o they_o can_v have_v escape_v the_o like_a discovery_n but_o certain_o in_o this_o case_n amid_o so_o many_o witness_n who_o can_v have_v prove_v the_o falsehood_n and_o so_o many_o enemy_n who_o be_v eager_a to_o detect_v it_o all_o must_v have_v come_v out_o and_o every_o false_a narrative_n will_v have_v be_v show_v to_o be_v such_o and_o the_o true_a one_o give_v in_o its_o stead_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v hear_v enough_o hereof_o from_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n through_o every_o age_n since_o and_o that_o this_o be_v not_o do_v when_o there_o be_v such_o bitter_a opposition_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o first_o propagate_a of_o it_o and_o it_o will_v have_v be_v so_o strong_a a_o argument_n against_o it_o can_v be_v assign_v to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o that_o the_o thing_n relate_v be_v so_o evident_o and_o manifest_o true_a as_o not_o to_o afford_v the_o least_o pretence_n for_o the_o contradict_v of_o they_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o we_o have_v to_o say_v in_o the_o case_n for_o it_o have_v not_o only_o happen_v that_o none_o of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v ever_o be_v contradict_v or_o prove_v false_a by_o any_o of_o the_o first_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n who_o be_v best_a able_a to_o have_v do_v so_o have_v there_o be_v that_o imposture_n in_o they_o which_o you_o allege_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a many_o of_o they_o have_v be_v allow_v true_a and_o attest_v by_o they_o for_o two_o of_o the_o most_o surprise_v particular_n relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a writer_n i_o mean_v the_o murder_n of_o the_o innocent_n by_o herod_n at_o bethlehem_n and_o the_o wonderful_a eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o happen_v at_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o solar_a eclipse_n when_o the_o moon_n be_v in_o the_o full._n 4._o macrobius_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o former_a and_o 35._o phlegon_n trallianus_n of_o the_o latter_a and_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o important_a part_n of_o all_o and_o bear_v the_o great_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v allow_v and_o acknowledge_v on_o all_o hand_n both_o by_o jew_n and_o heathen_n even_o in_o their_o bitter_a opposition_n against_o the_o christian_a cause_n i_o mean_v the_o account_n which_o be_v give_v in_o those_o sacred_a book_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o both_o of_o they_o have_v yield_v to_o the_o truth_n hereof_o only_o the_o jew_n say_v that_o he_o wrought_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr or_o the_o sacred_a name_n jehovah_n steal_v by_o he_o out_o of_o the_o temple_n which_o the_o ridiculousness_n of_o the_o fable_n they_o relate_v concern_v it_o sufficient_o confute_v and_o the_o heathen_n by_o magic_a art_n and_o therefore_o philostratus_n and_o hierocles_n find_v no_o other_o way_n to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n which_o those_o miracle_n give_v his_o religion_n confront_v against_o he_o the_o history_n of_o apollonius_n tyanoeus_fw-la who_o they_o pretend_v by_o the_o same_o art_n of_o magic_a to_o have_v do_v as_o wonderful_a thing_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v endeavour_v at_o least_o to_o invalidate_v those_o miraculous_a work_n of_o he_o which_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v and_o two_o as_o to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o truth_n of_o their_o event_n in_o every_o particular_a prove_v the_o truth_n of_o he_o that_o predict_v they_o for_o do_v he_o not_o come_v from_o god_n how_o can_v he_o have_v this_o wonderful_a knowledge_n as_o thus_o to_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v be_v he_o not_o of_o the_o secret_n of_o the_o almighty_a how_o can_v he_o so_o certain_o have_v fore-shown_a what_o in_o aftertime_n he_o will_v bring_v to_o pass_v if_o it_o be_v only_o by_o guess_n that_o he_o do_v so_o how_o possible_o can_v all_o thing_n so_o exact_o fall_v out_o in_o the_o event_n that_o nothing_o shall_v in_o the_o least_o happen_v otherwise_o than_o as_o he_o predict_v especial_o since_o as_o to_o most_o of_o they_o it_o can_v be_v as_o much_o as_o say_v that_o there_o be_v any_o place_n for_o humane_a sagacity_n or_o the_o least_o probable_a conjecture_n to_o help_v he_o to_o any_o foresight_n therein_o for_o how_o improbable_a be_v it_o that_o the_o religion_n which_o he_o teach_v shall_v against_o the_o bent_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n have_v make_v so_o great_a and_o speedy_a progress_n therein_o as_o he_o foretold_v that_o it_o shall_v or_o that_o such_o instrument_n as_o he_o employ_v in_o this_o work_n a_o company_n of_o poor_a ignorant_a and_o contemptible_a fisherman_n shall_v ever_o have_v be_v able_a to_o have_v effect_v it_o without_o the_o extraordinary_a providence_n of_o god_n overrule_a the_o heart_n as_o well_o as_o the_o power_n of_o man_n a_o thing_n in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o humane_a affair_n so_o unlikely_a to_o succeed_v can_v never_o have_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v or_o can_v our_o saviour_n have_v any_o manner_n of_o ground_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o much_o as_o to_o guess_v at_o so_o strange_a a_o event_n and_o therefore_o can_v never_o have_v so_o punctual_o foretell_v it_o but_o that_o be_v send_v of_o god_n to_o begin_v this_o work_n he_o foreknow_v all_o that_o he_o will_v do_v for_o the_o perfect_a of_o it_o and_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o what_o he_o further_o predict_v of_o this_o holy_a religion_n as_o to_o its_o continuance_n among_o we_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n thereinto_o and_o the_o reject_v of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o great_a calamity_n which_o shall_v attend_v that_o people_n as_o according_o they_o have_v through_o all_o age_n since_o and_o particular_o of_o that_o great_a and_o terrible_a calamity_n which_o be_v to_o fall_v
upon_o they_o in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o according_o happen_v about_o forty_o year_n after_o which_o he_o so_o exact_o foretold_v not_o only_o as_o to_o the_o time_n for_o he_o say_v it_o shall_v be_v before_o that_o 34_o generation_n shall_v pass_v away_o but_o also_o as_o to_o all_o other_o the_o most_o considerable_a circumstance_n of_o it_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o more_o exact_a and_o perfect_a comment_n on_o the_o 24_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n and_o those_o other_o passage_n in_o the_o gospel_n where_o this_o dismal_a destruction_n be_v foretold_v than_o that_o history_n of_o josephus_n which_o give_v we_o a_o account_n how_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v and_o that_o part_n of_o the_o prophecy_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o final_a destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n foretell_v that_o one_o stone_n shall_v not_o be_v leave_v upon_o another_o have_v be_v so_o exact_o verify_v that_o notwithstanding_o several_a attempt_n which_o have_v be_v make_v for_o the_o re-edify_n of_o it_o it_o can_v never_o be_v effect_v no_o not_o as_o far_o as_o the_o lay_n of_o one_o stone_n upon_o another_o in_o order_n thereto_o even_o to_o this_o day_n and_o when_o julian_n the_o apostate_n out_o of_o design_n to_o confront_v this_o prophecy_n and_o give_v the_o lie_n thereto_o employ_v both_o the_o power_n and_o the_o treasure_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o the_o rebuild_n of_o it_o heaven_n itself_o interpose_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n to_o make_v good_a what_o he_o have_v predict_v to_o be_v the_o establish_a purpose_n of_o the_o almighty_a which_o nothing_o be_v able_a to_o alter_v and_o by_o a_o miraculous_a fire_n destroy_v the_o work_n as_o fast_o as_o it_o be_v build_v and_o at_o length_n force_v the_o undertaker_n total_o to_o desist_v therefrom_o for_o the_o truth_n whereof_o i_o will_v not_o refer_v you_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o socrates_n scholasticus_n sozomen_n chrysostom_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n who_o relate_v it_o but_o to_o one_o who_o you_o can_v suspect_v of_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n herein_o he_o be_v as_o much_o a_o adversary_n thereto_o as_o any_o of_o you_o i_o mean_v ammianus_n marcellinus_n who_o be_v a_o heathen_a writer_n and_o then_o serve_v under_o julian_n in_o his_o war_n in_o the_o east_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o this_o happen_v his_o word_n concern_v it_o lib._n 23._o c._n 1._o be_v as_o follow_v ambitiosum_fw-la quondam_a apud_fw-la hierosolymam_fw-la templum_fw-la quod_fw-la post_fw-la multa_fw-la &_o interneciva_fw-la certamina_fw-la obsidente_fw-la vespasiano_n posteaque_fw-la tito_n oegre_n est_fw-la expugnatum_fw-la instaurare_fw-la sumtibus_fw-la excogitabat_fw-la immodicis_fw-la negotiumque_fw-la maturandum_fw-la alypio_fw-la dederat_fw-la antiochensi_fw-la qui_fw-la olim_fw-la britannos_fw-la curaverat_fw-la pro_fw-la proefectis_fw-la cum_fw-la itaque_fw-la rei_fw-la idem_fw-la fortiter_fw-la instaret_fw-la alypius_n juvaretque_fw-la provincioe_v rector_n metuendi_fw-la globi_fw-la flammarum_fw-la prope_fw-la fundamenta_fw-la crebris_fw-la assultibus_fw-la erumpentes_fw-la fecere_fw-la locum_fw-la exustis_fw-la aliquoties_fw-la operantibus_fw-la inaccessum_fw-la hocque_fw-la modo_fw-la elemento_fw-la destinatius_fw-la repellente_fw-la cessavit_fw-la inceptum_fw-la i._n e._n julian_n have_v a_o design_n to_o rebuild_v with_o extraordinary_a expense_n the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n former_o a_o very_a stately_a structure_n which_o first_o vespasian_n and_o after_o titus_n lay_v siege_n thereto_o be_v after_o many_o bloody_a conflict_n at_o length_n with_o difficulty_n take_v and_o destroy_v commit_v the_o care_n of_o the_o business_n to_o alypius_n the_o antiochian_a who_o former_o have_v be_v proprefect_a of_o britanny_n to_o be_v with_o all_o speed_n expedit_v by_o he_o but_o while_o alypius_n be_v diligent_o press_v on_o the_o work_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o province_n help_v he_o therein_o dreadful_a ball_n of_o fire_n break_v forth_o from_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o building_n do_v by_o their_o frequent_a eruption_n make_v the_o place_n unaccessible_a the_o workman_n be_v several_a time_n destroy_v by_o the_o fire_n as_o they_o go_v to_o their_o labour_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o element_n still_o persist_v as_o of_o purpose_n to_o obstruct_v it_o the_o work_n cease_v and_o it_o have_v never_o since_o be_v again_o attempt_v even_o to_o this_o day_n nor_o be_v there_o now_o leave_v the_o least_o remainder_n of_o its_o ruin_n to_o show_v so_o much_o as_o the_o place_n where_o this_o temple_n once_o stand_v or_o have_v those_o who_o travel_v thither_o any_o other_o mark_v whereby_o to_o find_v it_o out_o but_o the_o mahometan_a mosque_n erect_v on_o the_o same_o plat_v by_o omar_n the_o second_o successor_n of_o mahomet_n and_o which_o have_v now_o continue_v for_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n to_o pollute_v with_o the_o worst_a of_o superstition_n that_o sacred_a ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v former_o build_v have_v our_o saviour_n be_v a_o impostor_n and_o foretell_v all_o these_o thing_n without_o any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o counsel_n of_o he_o who_o be_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v something_o certain_o must_v have_v happen_v in_o the_o event_n of_o so_o many_o particular_n as_o will_v have_v give_v the_o lie_n to_o his_o prediction_n and_o you_o the_o opportunity_n of_o convict_v he_o thereof_o by_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n fall_v out_o contrary_a to_o they_o and_o although_o this_o can_v not_o have_v be_v do_v at_o first_o but_o possible_o such_o prophecy_n as_o these_o may_v have_v impose_v for_o a_o while_n on_o the_o credulity_n of_o many_o yet_o we_o that_o have_v pass_v the_o time_n of_o their_o completion_n can_v never_o be_v deceive_v thereby_o but_o by_o the_o event_n must_v plain_o know_v whether_o what_o he_o foretell_v be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o from_o thence_o have_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o judgement_n also_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o he_o that_o predict_v they_o and_o therefore_o have_v our_o saviour_n like_o mahomet_n invent_v his_o religion_n to_o deceive_v the_o world_n if_o he_o intend_v it_o shall_v have_v continue_v he_o must_v have_v take_v the_o same_o course_n that_o mahomet_n do_v and_o never_o venture_v at_o any_o prophecy_n at_o all_o that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v confute_v by_o the_o event_n and_o so_o lose_v his_o whole_a design_n if_o you_o answer_v that_o our_o saviour_n foretold_v future_a event_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o pharisee_n say_v he_o wrought_v his_o miracle_n that_o be_v by_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o devil_n you_o ascribe_v that_o knowledge_n to_o the_o wicked_a one_o which_o be_v above_o his_o reach_n to_o attain_v unto_o the_o oracle_n which_o he_o give_v in_o the_o heathen_a temple_n only_o prove_v he_o able_a to_o cheat_v mankind_n with_o dubious_a and_o dark_a answer_n but_o never_o clear_o to_o inform_v they_o of_o the_o future_a purpose_n of_o the_o almighty_a and_o indeed_o how_o ever_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o such_o a_o accurse_a one_o as_o he_o that_o be_v cast_v off_o at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o god_n who_o alone_o govern_v all_o the_o work_n of_o his_o creation_n and_o by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o providence_n order_v every_o event_n that_o attend_v they_o shall_v ever_o be_v so_o privy_a to_o his_o counsel_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o foreknow_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o determine_v concern_v they_o unless_o it_o be_v where_o he_o himself_o be_v employ_v as_o a_o executioner_n of_o his_o justice_n to_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v but_o all_o our_o saviour_n prediction_n be_v clear_a and_o full_a foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o historian_n relate_v they_o when_o past_a without_o ambiguity_n in_o the_o word_n or_o perplexity_n in_o the_o matter_n or_o the_o least_o room_n leave_v for_o evasion_n of_o deceit_n in_o they_o and_o be_v all_o as_o exact_o fulfil_v in_o their_o appoint_a time_n and_o we_o have_v the_o continuance_n of_o his_o gospel_n the_o spread_a of_o it_o through_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o rejection_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o calamity_n of_o those_o people_n in_o a_o continue_a exile_n and_o the_o total_a destruction_n of_o their_o temple_n stand_v evidence_n hereof_o even_o to_o this_o day_n and_o how_o can_v all_o this_o have_v ever_o happen_v so_o exact_o according_a to_o his_o word_n but_o that_o he_o be_v that_o holy_a and_o bless_a one_o who_o have_v the_o counsel_n of_o the_o almighty_a communicate_v unto_o he_o and_o be_v send_v by_o he_o on_o purpose_n to_o declare_v unto_o we_o as_o many_o of_o they_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v in_o order_n to_o the_o attain_n of_o everlasting_a life_n and_o three_o as_o to_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n of_o his_o religion_n what_o can_v be_v more_o worthy_a of_o god_n than_o the_o notion_n which_o he_o give_v we_o of_o he_o and_o the_o worship_n which_o he_o direct_v we_o to_o
render_v upon_o he_o and_o what_o more_o worthy_a of_o we_o and_o perfect_v of_o our_o nature_n than_o that_o law_n for_o the_o conduct_n of_o our_o life_n which_o he_o have_v deliver_v unto_o we_o and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o holy_a pure_a and_o perfect_a than_o the_o precept_n thereof_o here_o the_o sublimity_n and_o vast_a extent_n of_o the_o matter_n give_v scope_n large_a enough_o for_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n to_o bewilder_n and_o lose_v themselves_o in_o error_n and_o mistake_n and_o yet_o convince_v we_o but_o of_o any_o one_o such_o in_o the_o whole_a extent_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o that_o alone_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o imposture_n you_o will_v charge_v it_o with_o and_o i_o will_v yield_v you_o all_o you_o will_v have_v for_o the_o sake_n thereof_o but_o it_o be_v so_o far_o herefrom_o that_o i_o dare_v make_v you_o yourselves_o the_o judge_n whether_o it_o deliver_v any_o thing_n else_o unto_o we_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o excellency_n of_o god_n but_o what_o the_o reason_n of_o every_o man_n although_o bare_o that_o alone_a through_o that_o cloud_n of_o ignorance_n and_o error_n which_o the_o fall_n have_v overspread_v we_o with_o can_v never_o clear_o make_v the_o discovery_n must_v now_o when_o thus_o discover_v ever_o justify_v and_o admire_v whether_o it_o prescribe_v we_o any_o one_o particular_a relate_v to_o his_o worship_n but_o what_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o those_o his_o excellency_n and_o whether_o the_o precept_n and_o law_n therein_o lay_v down_o unto_o we_o for_o the_o govern_n of_o our_o life_n and_o conversation_n be_v any_o other_o than_o what_o do_v all_o correspond_v so_o exact_o with_o every_o thing_n which_o the_o rational_a dictate_v of_o our_o nature_n direct_v we_o to_o that_o they_o take_v they_o all_o in_o without_o omission_n or_o defect_n and_o improve_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a with_o error_n or_o mistake_n in_o the_o least_o circumstance_n that_o belong_v unto_o they_o if_o you_o say_v that_o all_o this_o may_v be_v attain_v to_o by_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o study_n i_o answer_v suppose_v it_o can_v yet_o look_v on_o our_o saviour_n bare_o as_o a_o man_n and_o his_o holy_a apostle_n without_o any_o other_o assistance_n than_o that_o of_o their_o own_o natural_a endowment_n how_o possible_o can_v they_o reach_v so_o high_a to_o do_v this_o require_v that_o vast_a compass_n of_o knowledge_n in_o all_o the_o thing_n of_o nature_n law_n and_o morality_n as_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o conceive_v man_n of_o their_o education_n and_o low_a employment_n in_o the_o world_n can_v ever_o have_v arrive_v unto_o if_o you_o examine_v what_o other_o man_n have_v do_v by_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o study_n only_o you_o will_v find_v those_o of_o the_o most_o elevate_a genius_n and_o sublimest_n understanding_n can_v never_o with_o their_o utmost_a industry_n and_o search_n attain_v unto_o what_o you_o suppose_v herein_o or_o that_o the_o high_a knowledge_n of_o man_n can_v ever_o reach_v that_o perfection_n in_o any_o of_o the_o particular_n abovementioned_a in_o which_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n deliver_v they_o unto_o we_o for_o what_o blunder_n and_o absurdity_n do_v the_o wise_a of_o the_o philosopher_n lay_v down_o concern_v the_o deity_n what_o error_n and_o folly_n have_v they_o teach_v and_o practise_v concern_v his_o worship_n and_o what_o mistake_v have_v those_o who_o exalt_a morality_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n among_o man_n make_v therein_o plato_n in_o his_o commonwealth_n allow_v the_o common_a use_n of_o woman_n aristotle_n assert_n it_o to_o be_v natural_a and_o just_a for_o the_o greek_n to_o make_v war_n upon_o the_o barbarian_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o that_o they_o be_v so_o and_o both_o he_o and_o tully_n place_n revenge_n among_o their_o virtue_n and_o whoever_o have_v vast_a capacity_n for_o humane_a knowledge_n or_o ever_o go_v high_o by_o the_o ability_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o understanding_n only_o in_o the_o search_n thereof_o than_o those_o man_n yet_o still_o be_v no_o more_o than_o man_n they_o can_v not_o avoid_v put_v something_o of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o man_n even_o into_o that_o wherein_o they_o make_v appear_v their_o high_a perfection_n error_n mistake_v and_o ignorance_n be_v so_o natural_a unto_o all_o of_o we_o that_o neither_o the_o great_a the_o wise_a nor_o the_o best_a among_o we_o can_v be_v total_o free_a therefrom_o and_o therefore_o have_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o other_o help_n in_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o teach_v but_o that_o which_o be_v humane_a they_o must_v also_o in_o like_a manner_n have_v put_v that_o which_o be_v humane_a thereinto_o and_o the_o infirmity_n mistake_n and_o error_n that_o attend_v humane_a nature_n will_v have_v appear_v in_o all_o that_o they_o deliver_v unto_o we_o but_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o teach_v and_o the_o book_n in_o which_o they_o deliver_v they_o unto_o we_o be_v so_o total_o free_a from_o all_o such_o error_n and_o mistake_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o they_o be_v this_o direct_v we_o to_o look_v high_a than_o man_n for_o the_o founder_n of_o this_o holy_a religion_n and_o the_o original_a author_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v and_o necessary_o prove_v that_o only_o he_o who_o be_v infinite_a in_o knowledge_n and_o infinite_a in_o all_o other_o perfection_n can_v thus_o give_v we_o a_o law_n so_o exact_o like_o himself_o thorough_o perfect_a in_o the_o whole_a and_o infallible_o true_a in_o every_o particular_a thereof_o sect_n v._o v._o another_o mark_n of_o imposture_n be_v that_o wherever_o it_o be_v first_o propagate_v it_o must_v be_v do_v by_o craft_n and_o fraud_n and_o this_o be_v natural_a to_o all_o manner_n of_o cheat_n for_o the_o end_n of_o such_o be_v to_o deceive_v craft_n and_o fraud_n be_v the_o mean_n whereby_o it_o be_v to_o be_v effect_v in_o this_o case_n a_o lie_n must_v be_v make_v to_o go_v for_o a_o truth_n and_o a_o appearance_n for_o a_o reality_n and_o to_o compass_v this_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o art_n must_v be_v make_v use_n of_o both_o to_o dress_v up_o the_o cheat_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v what_o it_o pretend_v and_o also_o to_o cast_v such_o a_o mist_n before_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n that_o they_o may_v not_o see_v it_o to_o be_v otherwise_o and_o that_o especial_o where_o the_o cheat_n be_v a_o imposture_n in_o religion_n for_o whoever_o come_v with_o a_o new_a religion_n to_o be_v propose_v to_o the_o world_n must_v find_v all_o man_n so_o far_o prejudice_v and_o prepossessed_n against_o it_o as_o they_o be_v affect_v to_o the_o old_a one_o they_o have_v before_o profess_v and_o therefore_o when_o man_n be_v educate_v or_o any_o otherwise_o fix_v and_o settle_v in_o a_o religion_n and_o all_o mankind_n be_v in_o some_o or_o other_o they_o be_v not_o apt_a easy_o to_o forego_v it_o but_o it_o must_v be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a that_o must_v bring_v they_o over_o to_o another_o contrary_n thereto_o when_o the_o new_a religion_n real_o come_v from_o god_n as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n first_o and_o after_o the_o christian_a do_v it_o bring_v its_o credential_n with_o it_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n to_o make_v way_n for_o its_o reception_n for_o when_o man_n find_v the_o omnipotency_n of_o god_n work_v with_o it_o they_o have_v from_o thence_o sufficient_a evidence_n give_v they_o from_o who_o it_o come_v and_o there_o be_v need_n of_o no_o other_o mean_n to_o induce_v they_o to_o believe_v but_o that_o the_o religion_n which_o god_n do_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n own_o and_o attest_v must_v be_v from_o he_o but_o where_o there_o be_v no_o such_o power_n accompany_v the_o new_a religion_n to_o gain_v credit_n thereto_o the_o defect_n hereof_o must_v be_v make_v up_o by_o somewhat_o else_o to_o draw_v over_o the_o people_n to_o its_o belief_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o must_v put_v all_o impostor_n upon_o craft_n and_o fraud_n in_o order_n to_o the_o compass_v of_o their_o end_n but_o that_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n make_v use_v of_o no_o such_o craft_n or_o fraud_n to_o induce_v man_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o they_o teach_v and_o consequent_o can_v be_v no_o such_o impostor_n will_v be_v best_a make_v appear_v by_o go_v over_o all_o those_o way_n of_o craft_n and_o fraud_n which_o mahomet_n serve_v himself_o of_o and_o by_o show_v you_o that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v practise_v by_o any_o of_o they_o for_o mahomet_n be_v one_o of_o the_o crafty_a cheat_n that_o ever_o set_v up_o to_o impose_v a_o false_a religion_n on_o mankind_n and_o the_o only_a person_n that_o ever_o carry_v on_o his_o wicked_a design_n with_o success_n you_o may_v be_v
people_n so_o indifferent_a in_o religion_n first_o to_o manifest_v himself_o unto_o for_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v weary_a of_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v so_o long_o profess_v when_o he_o first_o appear_v in_o his_o mission_n among_o they_o that_o they_o be_v then_o grow_v into_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a a_o very_a extravagant_a bigotry_n and_o superstition_n concern_v it_o so_o that_o nothing_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o it_o nor_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o offensive_a to_o they_o than_o a_o offer_n tend_v thereto_o and_o so_o it_o continue_v with_o they_o even_o to_o this_o day_n and_o the_o case_n be_v not_o much_o otherwise_o as_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n the_o gentile_n be_v then_o grow_v almost_o as_o tenacious_a of_o their_o idolatry_n as_o the_o jew_n of_o their_o law_n and_o learning_n be_v in_o that_o age_n among_o both_o at_o the_o high_a pitch_n that_o ever_o it_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o man_n be_v never_o less_o dispose_v than_o at_o that_o time_n to_o receive_v a_o new_a religion_n or_o ever_o better_a able_a to_o defend_v their_o old_a and_o therefore_o have_v christianity_n be_v a_o imposture_n it_o can_v never_o have_v escape_v in_o such_o a_o age_n as_o that_o a_o full_a detection_n or_o ever_o have_v be_v able_a to_o have_v bear_v up_o against_o it_o such_o inquisitive_a head_n and_o pierce_a wit_n as_o be_v then_o in_o the_o world_n will_v have_v sift_v it_o to_o the_o bottom_n dive_v into_o its_o deep_a secret_n and_o unravel_v and_o lay_v open_a the_o whole_a plot_n and_o the_o prejudice_v world_n will_v immediate_o have_v crush_v it_o to_o piece_n thereon_o so_o that_o it_o shall_v never_o more_o have_v appear_v among_o mankind_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n be_v such_o that_o it_o bold_o offer_v itself_o to_o this_o trial_n and_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v choose_v such_o a_o age_n as_o this_o first_o to_o come_v into_o the_o world_n of_o purpose_n to_o undergo_v it_o that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v the_o better_o justify_v there_o by_o and_o justify_v by_o it_o it_o be_v for_o although_o it_o be_v oppose_v by_o the_o utmost_a violence_n of_o the_o prejudice_v world_n they_o can_v get_v no_o ground_n of_o it_o though_o it_o be_v thorough_o examine_v and_o diligent_o search_v into_o by_o the_o acute_a and_o subtle_a wit_n of_o those_o age_n in_o which_o it_o first_o appear_v they_o can_v never_o discover_v any_o fraud_n or_o make_v out_o the_o least_o flaw_n therein_o but_o in_o spite_n of_o both_o it_o triumph_v by_o its_o own_o naked_a truth_n only_o over_o all_o manner_n of_o opposition_n and_o by_o god_n mercy_n continue_v still_o so_o to_o do_v even_o to_o this_o day_n that_o a_o cheat_n and_o a_o fraud_n in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v be_v impose_v on_o man_n total_o ignorant_a and_o illiterate_a or_o that_o such_o as_o they_o when_o void_a of_o all_o manner_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o man_n of_o mecca_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v when_o mahomet_n begin_v his_o imposture_n among_o they_o shall_v be_v easy_a to_o embrace_v a_o new_a one_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o conceive_v but_o that_o a_o imposture_n shall_v be_v receive_v and_o obtain_v such_o prevalency_n over_o man_n in_o so_o learned_a and_o discern_a a_o age_n as_o that_o wherein_o christianity_n first_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n or_o that_o they_o who_o where_o then_o so_o zealous_o addict_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n shall_v ever_o have_v be_v induce_v to_o forsake_v it_o for_o a_o new_a one_o found_v only_o on_o a_o cheat_n and_o fraud_n be_v what_o moral_o speak_v we_o may_v very_o well_o reckon_v impossible_a 7._o mahomet_n offer_v at_o no_o prophecy_n that_o he_o may_v not_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o be_v confute_v by_o the_o event_n but_o jesus_n christ_n deliver_v many_o clear_a and_o plain_a prophecy_n several_a of_o which_o respect_v that_o very_a age_n in_o which_o he_o live_v and_o be_v all_o in_o their_o proper_a time_n as_o plain_o verify_v by_o the_o completion_n of_o they_o 8._o mahomet_n offer_v at_o no_o miracle_n in_o public_a although_o continual_o call_v upon_o and_o provoke_v to_o it_o by_o his_o opposer_n for_o not_o be_v able_a to_o work_v any_o true_a one_o or_o will_v not_o hazard_v himself_o to_o a_o discovery_n by_o those_o which_o be_v counterfeit_v and_o therefore_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o will_v have_v go_v for_o miracle_n that_o be_v his_o converse_n with_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n his_o journey_n to_o heaven_n and_o the_o army_n of_o angel_n that_o help_v he_o in_o his_o battle_n be_v only_o relate_v by_o he_o as_o thing_n act_v behind_o the_o curtain_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o other_o witness_n but_o himself_o alone_o and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o witness_n on_o the_o other_o side_n ever_o to_o contradict_v they_o but_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v the_o real_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n do_v they_o open_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o thousand_o where_o all_o manner_n of_o opportunity_n be_v give_v to_o every_o spectator_n to_o examine_v into_o they_o and_o try_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o no_o and_o therefore_o have_v there_o be_v any_o cheat_n or_o fraud_n in_o they_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o conceive_v how_o they_o shall_v have_v escape_v a_o discovery_n and_o yet_o no_o such_o discovery_n can_v ever_o be_v make_v which_o be_v so_o convince_a a_o argument_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o reality_n that_o even_o the_o bitter_a enemy_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n from_o the_o first_o yield_v in_o this_o particular_a and_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n allow_v all_o those_o miraculous_a work_n which_o be_v relate_v of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o have_v be_v real_o and_o true_o wrought_v by_o they_o as_o have_v be_v afore-observed_n and_o indeed_o the_o evidence_n be_v too_o manifest_a to_o be_v deny_v since_o those_o very_a blind_a that_o receive_v their_o sight_n those_o dumb_a that_o be_v enable_v to_o speak_v those_o deaf_a that_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o hear_n those_o lame_a that_o be_v make_v to_o walk_v and_o those_o dead_a that_o be_v raise_v again_o to_o life_n live_v many_o year_n after_o to_o be_v as_o stand_a monument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o no_o one_o can_v contradict_v and_o therefore_o the_o opposer_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v all_o along_o rather_o choose_v to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o miracle_n than_o deny_v the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o they_o for_o they_o allow_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n object_n that_o there_o be_v other_o power_n low_a than_o the_o divine_a that_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v and_o therefore_o although_o those_o work_n be_v wrought_v they_o do_v not_o yet_o prove_v either_o the_o person_n or_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o teach_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o consequent_o can_v give_v no_o such_o evidence_n as_o that_o which_o we_o insist_v upon_o from_o they_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o we_o profess_v that_o other_o by_o magic_a art_n have_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o tell_v we_o so_o of_o janne_n and_o jambres_n and_o simon_n magus_n and_o profane_a writer_n of_o apollonius_n tyanoeus_fw-la apuleius_n and_o other_o that_o both_o moses_n and_o jesus_n christ_n know_v this_o very_a well_o and_o therefore_o forewarn_v their_o disciple_n against_o it_o tell_v they_o that_o false_a prophet_n shall_v arise_v who_o shall_v show_v sign_n and_o wonder_n to_o deceive_v if_o possible_a the_o very_a elect_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v take_v care_n not_o to_o hearken_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o say_v they_o if_o sign_n and_o wonder_n can_v be_v wrought_v by_o false_a prophet_n how_o can_v they_o be_v evidence_n for_o the_o true_a or_o how_o can_v we_o at_o all_o rely_v upon_o they_o for_o the_o verify_n of_o any_o doctrine_n which_o they_o deliver_v unto_o we_o or_o if_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o they_o who_o be_v send_v of_o god_n be_v only_o true_a miracle_n and_o all_o other_o false_a one_o how_o shall_v we_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o so_o as_o by_o they_o to_o discern_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n be_v of_o god_n or_o no_o but_o these_o difficulty_n will_v be_v easy_o remove_v and_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o they_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v true_o wrought_v by_o they_o so_o also_o will_v they_o as_o true_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o teach_v to_o come_v from_o god_n if_o you_o
still_o keep_v up_o those_o gross_a error_n in_o their_o church_n which_o neither_o reason_n nor_o religion_n can_v ever_o support_v and_o the_o same_o must_v be_v do_v as_o to_o all_o other_o falsity_n impose_v on_o mankind_n before_o they_o can_v have_v any_o firm_a foot_n among_o they_o for_o it_o be_v only_a force_n and_o violence_n that_o can_v cram_v such_o thing_n down_o man_n throat_n which_o their_o reason_n and_o their_o judgement_n must_v ever_o renounce_v the_o unthinking_a multitude_n may_v for_o a_o while_o be_v carry_v away_o by_o the_o craft_n of_o the_o impostor_n and_o by_o the_o art_n of_o hypocrisy_n and_o delusion_n be_v make_v easy_a to_o swallow_v any_o forgery_n that_o shall_v be_v offer_v â—nto_fw-mi they_o but_o when_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o firsâ—_o zeal_n be_v over_o and_o the_o matter_n come_v to_o be_v examine_v into_o by_o reason_n and_o cool_o scan_v through_o by_o the_o inquisitive_a imposture_n can_v stand_v the_o test_n but_o muâ—â—_n soon_o be_v lay_v open_a blast_v and_o explode_v thereon_o and_o therefore_o unless_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o force_n to_o suppress_v this_o inquiry_n and_o have_v power_n on_o its_o side_n to_o compel_v man_n to_o acquiesce_v therein_o how_o much_o soever_o it_o may_v delude_v man_n at_o first_o it_o can_v never_o obtain_v any_o last_a establishment_n among_o they_o and_o this_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o the_o impostor_n which_o have_v ever_o yet_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n without_o this_o power_n to_o back_v they_o and_o how_o great_a progress_n soever_o any_o of_o they_o may_v have_v make_v in_o the_o first_o heat_n they_o have_v all_o at_o length_n be_v detect_v and_o explode_v and_o sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o want_n of_o this_o support_n on_o their_o side_n to_o keep_v they_o up_o for_o nothing_o but_o truth_n can_v of_o itself_o alone_o stand_v the_o test_n of_o age_n upon_o its_o own_o bottom_n only_o falsehood_n and_o error_n be_v too_o weak_a for_o such_o a_o trial_n and_o therefore_o unless_o support_v by_o some_o external_a strength_n and_o fence_v thereby_o against_o all_o assault_n of_o opposer_n they_o must_v necessary_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o again_o come_v to_o nothing_o and_o where_o education_n or_o the_o force_n of_o long_o receive_v custom_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o for_o this_o and_o neither_o can_v in_o the_o first_o propagate_a of_o a_o imposture_n there_o the_o sword_n must_v come_v in_o to_o over_o rule_v all_o or_o nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n can_v be_v establish_v among_o men._n but_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n instead_o of_o make_v use_n of_o any_o such_o force_n to_o establish_v the_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v have_v all_o the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o the_o world_n in_o opposition_n against_o it_o and_o yet_o in_o spite_n of_o the_o world_n it_o at_o length_n prevail_v over_o the_o world_n by_o the_o dint_n of_o its_o own_o truth_n only_o and_o after_o have_v stand_v the_o assault_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o persecution_n as_o well_o as_o other_o opposition_n for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o carry_v the_o victory_n over_o the_o fierce_a of_o its_o enemy_n and_o make_v the_o great_a of_o they_o even_o the_o roman_a emperor_n themselves_o to_o submit_v thereto_o and_o all_o this_o while_o it_o have_v sharpen_v against_o it_o not_o only_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o superior_a power_n but_o also_o the_o tongue_n of_o the_o slanderer_n and_o the_o wit_n of_o all_o the_o learned_a of_o those_o time_n but_o how_o much_o soever_o it_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o first_o of_o these_o blacken_v by_o the_o second_o and_o sift_v and_o search_v into_o by_o the_o last_o it_o stand_v all_o these_o trial_n without_o lose_v any_o thing_n thereby_o but_o at_o last_o come_v out_o of_o they_o all_o like_o gold_n out_o of_o the_o furnace_n still_o of_o the_o same_o weight_n fineness_n and_o purity_n without_o receive_v from_o that_o fire_n which_o consume_v all_o thing_n else_o the_o least_o waist_n or_o diminution_n thereof_o have_v it_o be_v false_a and_o owe_v its_o original_a only_a to_o deceit_n and_o imposture_n it_o will_v have_v need_v all_o those_o mean_n of_o violence_n for_o its_o establishment_n and_o support_n but_o since_o it_o thus_o stand_v not_o only_o without_o they_o but_o also_o in_o spite_n of_o they_o when_o all_o arm_a on_o the_o adversary_n side_n for_o three_o century_n together_o in_o bitter_a opposition_n against_o it_o what_o great_a argument_n can_v we_o have_v for_o the_o truth_n thereof_o for_o can_v you_o think_v that_o falsehood_n and_o imposture_n can_v ever_o have_v hold_v out_o with_o such_o steady_a and_o unshaken_a constancy_n for_o so_o many_o year_n as_o christianity_n thus_o do_v or_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o sort_n of_o man_n so_o long_o to_o have_v bear_v all_o this_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o lie_n falshood_n can_v have_v no_o foundation_n for_o such_o a_o constancy_n or_o imposture_n any_o reason_n to_o engage_v man_n thereto_o the_o interest_n of_o this_o world_n be_v ever_o the_o bottom_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o such_o forgery_n and_o therefore_o as_o soon_o as_o punishment_n and_o persecution_n make_v it_o to_o be_v no_o man_n interest_n to_o be_v for_o they_o they_o ever_o fall_v of_o themselves_o for_o want_n of_o that_o foundation_n on_o which_o they_o afore-stood_a but_o christianity_n have_v come_v into_o the_o world_n contrary_a to_o all_o the_o interest_n of_o it_o and_o in_o its_o very_a infancy_n thus_o stand_v the_o shock_n of_o all_o the_o power_n thereof_o engage_v in_o persecution_n against_o it_o as_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o also_o prosper_v and_o become_v establish_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o hot_a assault_n thereof_o this_o plain_o show_v that_o it_o have_v another_o kind_n of_o foundation_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v a_o foundation_n of_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o a_o foundation_n that_o be_v lay_v and_o fix_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n himself_o as_o never_o to_o be_v shake_v for_o what_o truth_n of_o itself_o alone_a can_v ever_o have_v make_v its_o way_n into_o the_o world_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v or_o ever_o have_v gain_v against_o all_o the_o power_n thereof_o such_o a_o prevalency_n over_o it_o without_o some_o extraordinary_a assistance_n conduct_v and_o help_v it_o therein_o the_o strong_a truth_n we_o know_v be_v crush_v by_o such_o mean_n of_o violence_n as_o that_o encounter_v with_o and_o even_o first_o principle_n themselves_o have_v be_v overpower_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o that_o christianity_n shall_v thus_o enter_v the_o world_n and_o thus_o from_o its_o first_o entry_n bear_v up_o against_o such_o long_a and_o terrible_a trial_n of_o persecution_n and_o oppression_n as_o it_o meet_v with_o without_o the_o least_o flinch_v under_o they_o must_v be_v owe_v to_o somewhat_o more_o than_o its_o own_o bare_a truth_n and_o what_o but_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n himself_o back_v and_o strengthen_v it_o in_o the_o conflict_n can_v be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v it_o such_o a_o victory_n therein_o for_o that_o a_o few_o poor_a fisherman_n the_o disciple_n of_o a_o crucify_a master_n shall_v without_o power_n learning_n or_o reputation_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o interest_n or_o favour_n of_o the_o world_n on_o their_o side_n be_v able_a to_o introduce_v a_o new_a religion_n into_o the_o world_n direct_o opposite_a to_o all_o the_o interest_n pleasure_n and_o prevail_a humour_n of_o it_o as_o christianity_n then_o be_v and_o that_o this_o religion_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o power_n cunning_a malice_n and_o learning_n of_o the_o world_n join_v together_o in_o most_o fierce_a opposition_n and_o bitter_a persecution_n against_o it_o for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o shall_v not_o only_o bear_v up_o but_o also_o at_o length_n prevail_v over_o the_o world_n and_o subject_a the_o high_a power_n therein_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o its_o law_n be_v a_o event_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a and_o moral_o speak_v so_o far_o above_o the_o possibility_n of_o all_o ordinary_a mean_n to_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v as_o plain_o manifest_v the_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o god_n himself_o therein_o and_o for_o my_o part_n have_v christian_a religion_n no_o other_o miracle_n to_o bear_v witness_n thereto_o this_o alone_a will_v be_v miracle_n enough_o to_o i_o sufficient_o to_o convince_v i_o of_o the_o truth_n thereof_o at_o least_o since_o it_o thus_o enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o become_v establish_v in_o it_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v so_o far_o differ_v from_o a_o imposture_n in_o that_o method_n of_o violence_n which_o that_o need_v for_o its_o establishment_n as_o to_o be_v total_o opposite_a thereto_o and_o in_o this_o
in_o the_o world_n and_o have_v it_o not_o go_v so_o far_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v such_o a_o imposture_n as_o you_o will_v have_v christianity_n to_o be_v or_o at_o all_o fit_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o in_o the_o argument_n now_o before_o we_o and_o two_o how_o foul_a soever_o the_o picture_n of_o mahomet_n may_v be_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n ever_o to_o imagine_v that_o any_o other_o impostor_n can_v have_v a_o fair_a till_o you_o bring_v we_o a_o instance_n thereof_o and_o these_o two_o i_o hope_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o clear_v i_o from_o act_v any_o way_n unfair_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o if_o i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o the_o life_n of_o so_o wicked_a a_o person_n as_o mahomet_n therein_o to_o picture_n out_o a_o imposture_n unto_o you_o only_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v in_o the_o foul_a dress_v it_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o better_a to_o advantage_v thereby_o that_o cause_n which_o i_o handle_v but_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o answer_n i_o foresee_v this_o objection_n will_v be_v make_v if_o mahomet_n be_v the_o only_a impostor_n that_o ever_o establish_v his_o imposture_n in_o the_o world_n how_o then_o have_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o have_v be_v so_o many_o false_a religion_n among_o mankind_n to_o which_o i_o reply_v not_o by_o imposture_n such_o as_o mahomet_n be_v and_o such_o as_o christianity_n must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v such_o a_o imposture_n as_o your_o charge_n against_o it_o suppose_v but_o by_o corruption_n insensible_o grow_v on_o from_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v first_o true_a the_o first_o religion_n which_o god_n give_v unto_o man_n be_v that_o natural_a religion_n which_o he_o imprint_v on_o his_o very_a nature_n when_o he_o first_o create_v he_o and_o as_o much_o of_o that_o as_o escape_v that_o ruin_n with_o which_o the_o fall_v overwhelm_v he_o be_v that_o whereby_o god_n be_v worship_v and_o serve_v by_o he_o afterward_o only_o with_o this_o addition_n that_o whereas_o man_n in_o his_o innocency_n address_v himself_o to_o god_n immediate_o of_o himself_o alone_o and_o in_o his_o own_o name_n he_o can_v never_o after_o his_o fall_n from_o it_o have_v any_o more_o access_n unto_o he_o but_o through_o a_o mediator_n god_n infinite_a purity_n and_o greatness_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o man_n infinite_a guilt_n and_o vileness_n on_o the_o other_o after_o that_o fatal_a miscarriage_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n do_v put_v they_o at_o so_o vast_a a_o distance_n the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o that_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n thenceforth_o of_o maintain_v any_o communion_n between_o they_o and_o therefore_o have_v not_o this_o way_n be_v find_v out_o again_o to_o bring_v man_n to_o god_n he_o must_v total_o have_v be_v estrange_v from_o he_o for_o ever_o after_o but_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n have_v resolve_v not_o thus_o to_o cast_v we_o off_o he_o appoint_v we_o a_o mediator_n as_o soon_o as_o we_o have_v fall_v and_o promise_v to_o send_v he_o in_o his_o appoint_a time_n to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o and_o therein_o pay_v down_o that_o price_n of_o redemption_n for_o we_o by_o virtue_n whereof_o his_o mediation_n shall_v always_o be_v sufficient_a to_o obtain_v mercy_n and_o pardon_v and_o acceptance_n for_o we_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v mean_v by_o god_n be_v promise_v immediate_o after_o the_o fall_n that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n which_o be_v far_o explain_v by_o after_o revelation_n the_o whole_a religion_n of_o god_n people_n after_o that_o be_v to_o offer_v up_o their_o worship_n unto_o he_o through_o hope_n in_o this_o mediator_n and_o all_o the_o idolatry_n polytheism_n and_o other_o false_a worship_n which_o after_o arise_v in_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v all_o by_o such_o corrupt_a deviation_n therefrom_o as_o the_o superstition_n of_o man_n the_o unfaithful_a way_n of_o transmit_v divine_a revelation_n by_o tradition_n only_o and_o the_o decay_n of_o all_o divine_a knowledge_n occasion_v thereby_o in_o process_n of_o time_n introduce_v among_o they_o for_o when_o mankind_n begin_v to_o increase_v after_o the_o flood_n and_o they_o be_v teach_v from_o noah_n their_o forefather_n thus_o to_o worship_n god_n through_o hope_n in_o a_o mediator_n as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o divine_a truth_n which_o he_o deliver_v to_o they_o begin_v to_o decay_v and_o superstition_n to_o increase_v among_o they_o they_o begin_v to_o determine_v themselves_o to_o such_o mediator_n as_o their_o own_o imagination_n lead_v they_o to_o fancy_n and_o some_o choose_v angel_n and_o other_o man_n decease_v for_o this_o office_n and_o in_o process_n of_o time_n erect_v temple_n and_o image_n unto_o they_o and_o honour_v they_o with_o divine_a worship_n in_o order_n to_o render_v they_o the_o more_o helpful_a and_o beneficent_a unto_o they_o the_o babylonian_n or_o chaldean_n who_o be_v the_o first_o form_v state_n after_o the_o flood_n look_v on_o angel_n to_o have_v be_v the_o mediator_n god_n have_v appoint_v through_o who_o they_o be_v to_o come_v unto_o he_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n direct_v their_o worship_n to_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o planet_n which_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v the_o habitation_n they_o where_o those_o angel_n dwell_v and_o also_o erect_v image_n unto_o they_o into_o which_o they_o reckon_v their_o influence_n and_o divine_a power_n do_v descend_v &_o remain_v with_o they_o when_o those_o luminary_n themselves_o be_v set_v and_o disappear_v in_o their_o horizon_n so_o that_o their_o notion_n be_v to_o make_v their_o address_n through_o the_o image_n to_o the_o planet_n and_o through_o the_o planet_n to_o the_o angel_n that_o dwell_v in_o they_o and_o through_o the_o angel_n to_o god_n himself_o who_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o one_o supreme_a be_v who_o be_v the_o creator_n and_o governor_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o idolatrous_a religion_n which_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o long_o prevail_v over_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o and_o be_v still_o preserve_v in_o the_o east_n among_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o sabian_o even_o to_o this_o day_n but_o the_o persian_n not_o like_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o planet_n by_o image_n will_v endure_v no_o other_o symbol_n to_o represent_v those_o glorious_a luminary_n by_o but_o fire_n only_o of_o which_o they_o reckon_v they_o to_o be_v constitute_v and_o therefore_o wherever_o they_o prevail_v they_o destroy_v all_o image_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n and_o place_v fire_n in_o their_o stead_n and_o from_o hence_o the_o magi_n or_o the_o worshipper_n of_o fire_n have_v their_o original_a but_o from_o their_o have_v one_o symbol_n they_o speedy_o come_v to_o the_o assert_v but_o of_o one_o deity_n represent_v by_o it_o which_o they_o will_v have_v to_o be_v light_n and_o that_o of_o the_o mixture_n of_o this_o and_o darkness_n all_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n be_v compound_v that_o light_n be_v the_o cause_n or_o principle_n of_o all_o good_a and_o darkness_n the_o cause_n or_o principle_n of_o all_o evil_a and_o therefore_o under_o the_o symbol_n of_o fire_n they_o worship_v light_a as_o their_o god_n but_o detest_a darkness_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o we_o do_v the_o devil_n and_o from_o hence_o manes_n the_o heretic_n have_v his_o two_o principle_n which_o he_o will_v have_v introduce_v into_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o above_o both_o these_o they_o acknowledge_v a_o supreme_a god_n in_o respect_n of_o who_o their_o god_n light_n be_v but_o a_o inferior_a deity_n or_o a_o god_n mediator_n by_o who_o they_o be_v to_o have_v access_n unto_o he_o and_o this_o religion_n obtain_v through_o all_o persia_n and_o other_o part_n on_o the_o east_n of_o it_o and_o do_v there_o remain_v even_o unto_o this_o day_n among_o the_o persee_n in_o india_n and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o province_n of_o kerman_n on_o the_o southern_a coast_n of_o persia_n but_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o babylonian_n or_o chaldean_n in_o worship_v their_o god_n mediator_n by_o image_n obtain_v in_o all_o the_o western_a part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o they_o hold_v that_o they_o be_v to_o have_v access_n to_o god_n through_o angel_n as_o their_o mediator_n and_o to_o the_o angel_n through_o the_o planet_n and_o to_o the_o planet_n through_o the_o image_n which_o they_o erect_v to_o they_o do_v give_v to_o those_o image_n the_o name_n of_o the_o planet_n and_o under_o those_o name_n pay_v divine_a worship_n unto_o they_o which_o idolatry_n pass_v from_o babylon_n or_o chaldea_n into_o arabia_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o egyptian_n and_o phoenician_n be_v by_o they_o carry_v into_o greece_n and_o from_o
thence_o spread_v itself_o into_o all_o part_n on_o this_o western-side_n of_o the_o world_n as_o that_o of_o the_o magi_n do_v on_o the_o eastern_a for_o the_o chief_a god_n of_o the_o greek_n as_o well_o as_o the_o name_n by_o which_o they_o be_v call_v come_v from_o the_o egyptian_n and_o phoenician_n and_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o image_n by_o which_o the_o babylonian_n worship_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o other_o planet_n with_o the_o name_n of_o those_o planet_n give_v unto_o they_o afterwards_o indeed_o they_o add_v to_o their_o number_n other_o deity_n also_o which_o be_v original_o either_o some_o of_o the_o fix_a star_n or_o else_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n depart_v as_o of_o bel_n or_o belus_n among_o the_o babylonian_n abraham_n and_o ishmael_n among_o the_o arabian_n orus_n and_o osiris_n among_o the_o egyptian_n aesculapius_n and_o hercules_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o romulus_n or_o quirinus_n among_o the_o roman_n for_o it_o early_o begin_v a_o custom_n among_o all_o the_o worshipper_n of_o image_n as_o well_o greek_o as_o barbarian_n to_o deify_v man_n depart_v reckon_v those_o who_o live_v just_o and_o righteous_o or_o have_v make_v themselves_o eminent_a by_o any_o great_a and_o worthy_a action_n in_o this_o life_n to_o have_v those_o habitation_n allot_v they_o in_o the_o heaven_n above_o where_o they_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o be_v mediator_n to_o god_n for_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o offer_v divine_a worship_n to_o they_o as_o such_o and_o this_o be_v it_o that_o give_v occasion_n to_o so_o many_o apotheose_n or_o deification_n among_o they_o and_o so_o vast_o increase_v the_o number_n of_o their_o god_n in_o all_o the_o idolatrous_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o also_o the_o various_a method_n of_o superstition_n whereby_o they_o pay_v their_o worship_n unto_o they_o yet_o they_o all_o still_o hold_v to_o their_o notion_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o reckon_v all_o the_o other_o to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o god_n mediator_n under_o he_o and_o this_o one_o god_n who_o they_o hold_v to_o be_v make_v of_o none_o and_o to_o be_v the_o maker_n or_o father_n of_o all_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v be_v among_o the_o chaldean_n of_o old_a as_o still_o among_o the_o sabian_o who_o be_v the_o remainder_n of_o they_o call_v deus_n deorum_n and_o among_o the_o arab_n allah_n taal_n i._n e._n the_o high_a or_o supreme_a god_n and_o agreeable_a hereto_o among_o the_o greek_n be_v there_o also_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n one_o supreme_a god_n who_o be_v the_o father_n both_o of_o god_n and_o men._n and_o thus_o far_o in_o answer_n to_o your_o question_n have_v i_o give_v you_o a_o account_n how_o all_o the_o false_a religion_n in_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v their_o original_a and_o herein_o i_o have_v be_v the_o long_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o two_o reflection_n which_o be_v obvious_a for_o you_o to_o make_v hereon_o 1._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v that_o which_o do_v run_v through_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o come_v of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o be_v the_o fundamental_a principle_n which_o prevail_v in_o every_o one_o of_o they_o as_o to_o all_o the_o worship_n which_o be_v practise_v in_o they_o which_o can_v no_o otherwise_o become_v so_o universal_a among_o mankind_n but_o by_o a_o tradition_n as_o universal_o deliver_v unto_o they_o and_o what_o can_v better_v account_n both_o for_o this_o tradition_n and_o also_o the_o universality_n of_o it_o than_o what_o be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o in_o scripture_n of_o our_o be_v descend_v from_o one_o common_a parent_n who_o on_o his_o fall_n from_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n have_v have_v this_o promise_n of_o a_o mediator_n make_v unto_o he_o through_o who_o we_o may_v be_v again_o reconcile_v unto_o he_o transmit_v it_o to_o all_o his_o posterity_n 2_o dly_z that_o the_o mistake_n and_o error_n about_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o service_n we_o owe_v unto_o he_o which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o run_v into_o when_o leave_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o own_o light_n only_o be_v monstrous_a and_o endless_a and_o therefore_o evident_o demonstrate_v the_o necessity_n of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o if_o god_n do_v expect_v from_o we_o a_o account_n of_o our_o action_n it_o be_v necessary_a he_o shall_v give_v we_o a_o law_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o they_o and_o if_o the_o law_n of_o our_o reason_n alone_o be_v insufficient_a for_o this_o as_o from_o the_o continual_a error_n and_o endless_a absurdity_n which_o mankind_n when_o leave_v to_o themselves_o have_v ever_o hitherto_o run_v into_o it_o do_v evident_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v this_o demonstrable_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o another_o to_o supply_v its_o defect_n and_o that_o in_o our_o case_n we_o must_v have_v a_o reveal_v religion_n as_o well_o as_o a_o natural_a or_o else_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certain_a certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n or_o any_o of_o those_o duty_n of_o worship_n and_o service_n which_o we_o be_v to_o perform_v towards_o he_o and_o if_o this_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o reveal_v religion_n as_o i_o think_v it_o undeniable_o must_v to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v god_n will_v account_v with_o we_o for_o what_o we_o do_v all_o that_o i_o have_v far_o to_o offer_n be_v that_o you_o will_v thorough_o examine_v and_o consider_v that_o holy_a christian_a religion_n which_o we_o profess_v and_o compare_v it_o with_o all_o the_o other_o religion_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v vast_o above_o they_o all_o the_o worthy_a of_o god_n for_o he_o to_o give_v unto_o we_o and_o the_o worthy_a of_o we_o to_o observe_v and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o honour_n give_v to_o he_o but_o also_o of_o the_o improvement_n and_o perfection_n bring_v to_o our_o own_o nature_n thereby_o i_o will_v be_v content_a that_o you_o shall_v then_o persist_v to_o believe_v it_o a_o imposture_n and_o as_o such_o reject_v it_o for_o ever_o humphrey_n prideaux_n a_o account_n of_o the_o author_n quote_v in_o this_o book_n arabic_a author_n abul_n faraghius_n a_o physician_n of_o malatia_n in_o lesser_n armenia_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o jacobite_n he_o be_v a_o author_n of_o eminent_a note_n in_o the_o east_n as_o well_o among_o mahometan_n as_o christian_n his_o history_n of_o the_o dynasty_n be_v from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1284._o it_o be_v publish_v at_o oxford_n with_o a_o latin_a version_n by_o dr._n pocock_n a._n d._n 1663._o he_o flourish_v about_o the_o time_n where_o his_o history_n end_v his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v gregorius_n ebn_n hacim_fw-la abul_n faraghi_n abul_n feda_n a_o author_n of_o great_a repute_n in_o the_o east_n for_o two_o book_n which_o he_o write_v the_o first_o a_o general_n geography_n of_o the_o world_n after_o the_o method_n of_o ptolemy_n and_o the_o other_o a_o general_n history_n which_o he_o call_v the_o epitome_n of_o the_o history_n of_o nation_n he_o be_v bear_v a._n d._n 1273._o he_o finish_v his_o geography_n a._n d._n 1321._o twenty_o year_n after_o that_o he_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o principality_n of_o hamah_n in_o syria_n from_o whence_o he_o be_v common_o call_v shahab_n hamah_n i._n e._n prince_n of_o hamah_n where_o after_o have_v reign_v three_o year_n two_o month_n and_o thirteen_o day_n he_o die_v a._n d._n 1345._o be_v seventy_o two_o year_n old_a he_o be_v by_o nation_n a_o turk_n of_o the_o noble_a family_n of_o the_o jobidae_n of_o which_o be_v saladin_n the_o famous_a sultan_n of_o egypt_n his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v ishmael_n ebn_n ali_n all_o melec_n all_o moaiyad_n amadoddin_n abul_n feda_n ecchellensis_n quote_v he_o by_o the_o name_n of_o ishmael_n shiahinshiah_n abunazar_n a_o legendary_a writer_n of_o the_o mahometan_n much_o quote_v by_o hottinger_n agar_n a_o book_n of_o great_a authority_n among_o the_o mahometan_n say_v guadagnol_n pag._n 165._o wherein_o a_o account_n be_v give_v of_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o mahomet_n joannes_n andrea_n make_v great_a use_n of_o it_o under_o the_o name_n of_o azaer_n as_o do_v bellonius_fw-la in_o the_o three_o book_n of_o his_o observation_n under_o the_o name_n of_o asaer_n guadagnol_n who_o have_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o book_n call_v it_o the_o book_n agar_n and_o take_v most_o of_o what_o he_o object_n against_o the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o mahomet_n out_o of_o it_o ahmed_n ebn_n edris_n a_o author_n that_o write_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o jew_n ahmed_n ebn_n yuseph_n a_o historian_n who_o flourish_v a
of_o our_o lord_n 1556._o his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v abn_n mohammed_n mustapha_n ebnol_n saiy_v hasan_n all_o jannabi_n al_n kamus_n i._n e._n the_o ocean_n a_o famous_a arabic_a dictionary_n so_o call_v because_o of_o the_o ocean_n of_o word_n contain_v in_o it_o it_o be_v write_v by_o mohammed_n ebn_n jaacub_n ebn_n mohammed_n all_o shirazi_n all_o firauzabadi_n he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o great_a esteem_n among_o the_o prince_n of_o his_o time_n for_o his_o eminent_a learning_n and_o worth_n particular_o with_o ishmael_n ebn_n abbas_n king_n of_o yaman_n bajazet_n king_n of_o the_o turk_n and_o tamerlan_n the_o tartar_n from_o the_o last_o of_o which_o he_o receive_v a_o gift_n of_o five_o thousand_o piece_n of_o gold_n at_o one_o time_n he_o be_v bear_v a._n d._n 1328._o be_v a_o persian_a by_o birth_n but_o he_o live_v most_o at_o sanua_n in_o yaman_n he_o finish_v his_o dictionary_n at_o mecca_n and_o dedicate_v it_o to_o ishmael_n ebn_n abbas_n under_o who_o patronage_n he_o have_v long_o live_v and_o afterward_o die_v at_o zibit_v in_o arabia_n a._n d._n 1414._o be_v near_o ninety_o year_n old_a al_n kodai_n a_o historian_n he_o write_v his_o history_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1045._o and_o die_v a._n d._n 1062._o his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v abu_n abdollah_n mohammed_n ebn_n salamah_n ebn_n jaafar_n all_o kodai_n al_n masudi_n a_o historian_n he_o write_v a_o history_n call_v the_o golden_a meadow_n but_o in_o what_o time_n he_o live_v i_o do_v not_o find_v his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v ali_n ebn_n hosain_o all_o masudi_n he_o write_v also_o another_o book_n wherein_o he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o discover_v and_o expose_v the_o fraud_n which_o the_o christian_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v guilty_a of_o about_o light_v candle_n at_o the_o sepulchre_n of_o our_o saviour_n on_o easter-eve_n for_o than_o three_o lamp_n be_v place_v within_o the_o chapel_n of_o the_o sepulchre_n when_o the_o hymn_n of_o the_o resurrection_n be_v sing_v at_o the_o evening-service_n they_o contrive_v that_o these_o three_o lamp_n be_v all_o light_v which_o they_o will_v have_v believe_v to_o be_v by_o fire_n from_o heaven_n and_o then_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n of_o all_o nation_n be_v present_a with_o candle_n to_o light_v they_o at_o this_o holy_a fire_n which_o have_v be_v a_o fraudulent_a practice_n keep_v up_o among_o they_o for_o many_o hundred_o year_n and_o the_o emperor_n cantacuzenus_n be_v so_o far_o impose_v on_o by_o this_o cheat_n that_o in_o his_o three_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o the_o mahometan_n he_o make_v mention_n of_o it_o and_o urge_v it_o against_o those_o infidel_n as_o a_o miracle_n which_o be_v annual_o perform_v in_o their_o sight_n aught_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o convert_v they_o thereto_o but_o the_o imposture_n have_v all_o along_o be_v too_o well_o know_v to_o the_o mahometan_n to_o be_v of_o any_o such_o effect_n with_o they_o for_o the_o patriarch_n of_o jerusalem_n always_o compound_v with_o the_o mahometan_a governor_n to_o permit_v he_o to_o practice_v this_o trick_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gain_n which_o it_o bring_v to_o his_o church_n and_o annual_o allow_v he_o his_o share_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o be_v of_o any_o effect_n to_o convert_v they_o it_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o continual_a scandal_n among_o they_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o not_o only_o this_o author_n but_o ahmed_n ebn_n edris_n and_o most_o other_o of_o the_o mahometan_n that_o write_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n object_n it_o as_o a_o reproach_n thereto_o as_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v and_o urge_v it_o with_o the_o same_o earnestness_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o cantacuzenus_n do_v for_o it_o al_n mansor_n hakem_n beamrilla_n calif_n of_o egypt_n be_v so_o offend_v at_o it_o that_o a._n d._n 1007._o he_o order_v the_o church_n of_o the_o resurrection_n at_o jerusalem_n wherein_o this_o chapel_n of_o the_o sepulchre_n stand_v to_o be_v for_o this_o very_a reason_n pull_v down_o and_o raze_v to_o the_o ground_n that_o he_o may_v thereby_o put_v a_o end_n to_o so_o infamous_a a_o cheat._n but_o the_o emperor_n of_o constantinople_n have_v by_o the_o release_n of_o five_o thousand_o mahometan_a captive_n obtain_v leave_v to_o have_v it_o rebuilt_a again_o the_o imposture_n have_v still_o go_v on_o at_o the_o same_o rate_n and_o it_o be_v there_o to_o the_o great_a sport_n of_o the_o mahometan_n who_o come_v in_o multitude_n every_o year_n to_o see_v this_o farce_n act_v over_o in_o their_o sight_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o be_v above_o relate_v even_o unto_o this_o day_n thevenot_n who_o be_v once_o present_a at_o it_o give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n of_o this_o whole_a foolery_n in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o travel_n book_n ii_o chapter_n 43._o all_o mostatraf_n the_o name_n of_o a_o book_n write_v by_o a_o unknown_a author_n al_n motarrezi_n the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n call_v mogreb_n he_o be_v bear_v a._n d._n 1143._o and_o die_v a._n d._n 1213._o his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v nasir_n ebn_n abil_n macarem_n abul_n phatah_n al_n motarrezi_n he_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o motazali_n and_o seem_v by_o his_o last_o name_n all_o motarrezi_n by_o which_o he_o be_v usual_o call_v to_o have_v be_v by_o trade_n a_o tailor_n that_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o arabic_n assamael_n a_o book_n much_o quote_v by_o johannes_n andreas_n and_o also_o by_o guadagnol_n bidawi_n a_o famous_a commentator_n on_o the_o alcoran_n he_o die_v a._n d._n 1293._o his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v naseroddin_n abdollah_n ebn_n omar_n all_o bidawi_n his_o commentary_n be_v write_v for_o the_o most_o part_n out_o of_o zamachshari_fw-la kazwini_n a_o arabic_a author_n so_o call_v from_o the_o city_n kaswin_n his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v zacharias_n ebn_n mohammed_n ebn_n mahmud_n all_o kaswini_n in_o what_o age_n he_o live_v i_o can_v find_v dialogus_fw-la makometis_n cum_fw-la abdollah_n ebn_n salem_n a_o book_n write_v in_o arabic_a contain_v a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o foolery_n of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o dialogue_n between_o mahomet_n and_o this_o jew_n who_o be_v his_o chief_a helper_n in_o forge_v the_o imposture_n it_o be_v translate_v into_o latin_a by_o hermannus_n dalmata_n and_o that_o version_n of_o it_o be_v publish_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o latin_a alcoran_n set_v forth_o by_o bibliander_n disputatio_fw-la christiani_n contra_fw-la saracenum_fw-la de_fw-la lege_fw-la mahometis_n it_o be_v write_v in_o arabic_n by_o a_o christian_a who_o be_v a_o officer_n in_o the_o court_n of_o a_o king_n of_o the_o saracen_n to_o a_o mahometan_a friend_n of_o he_o who_o be_v a_o officer_n with_o he_o in_o the_o same_o court_n and_o contain_v a_o confutation_n of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n peter_n the_o famous_a abbot_n of_o clunie_n in_o burgundy_n who_o flourish_v a._n d._n 1130._o cause_v it_o to_o be_v translate_v into_o latin_a by_o peter_n of_o toledo_n a_o epitome_n of_o which_o be_v print_v with_o the_o latin_a alcoran_n by_o bibliander_n take_v out_o of_o the_o 24_o book_n of_o the_o speculum_fw-la historiale_n of_o vincentius_n bellovacensis_n elmacinus_n a_o historian_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n his_o history_n be_v from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1118._o the_o latter_a part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o mahometism_n be_v publish_v by_o erpenius_n under_o the_o title_n of_o historia_fw-la saracenica_fw-la a._n d._n 1625._o he_o be_v son_n to_o yaser_n al_n amid_o who_o be_v secretary_n of_o the_o council_n of_o war_n under_o the_o sultan_n of_o egypt_n of_o the_o family_n of_o the_o jobidae_n for_o 45_o year_n together_o and_o in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1238._o in_o which_o his_o father_n die_v succeed_v he_o in_o his_o place_n his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v georgius_n ebn_n amid_o and_o for_o his_o eminent_a learning_n he_o be_v also_o style_v all_o shaich_n al_n raiis_fw-la al_n macin_n i._n e._n the_o prime_a doctor_n solid_o learned_a the_o last_o of_o which_o title_n almacin_n be_v that_o whereby_o erpenius_n who_o pronounce_v it_o elmacin_n choose_v to_o call_v he_o but_o by_o other_o he_o be_v general_o quote_v by_o the_o name_n ebn_n amid_o ebnol_n athir_n a_o mahometan_a author_n who_o be_v bear_v a._n d._n 1149._o and_o die_v a._n d._n 1209._o his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v abussaadat_fw-la al_n moharac_n ebn_n mohammed_n all_o shaibani_n ebnol_n athir_n all_o jazari_n magdoddin_n ali_n ebnol_n athir_n a_o historian_n brother_n to_o the_o former_a ebnol_n athir_n his_o name_n at_o length_n be_v abul_n hasan_n ali_n ebn_n mohammed_n all_o
grammar_n and_o dictionary_n which_o he_o have_v write_v of_o the_o hebrew_n language_n both_o by_o many_o degree_n the_o best_a of_o their_o kind_n the_o first_o of_o these_o he_o call_v miclol_n and_o the_o other_o sepher_n shorashim_n i._n e._n the_o book_n of_o root_n buxtorf_n make_v his_o thesaurus_fw-la linguae_fw-la hebraeae_fw-la out_o of_o the_o former_a and_o his_o lexicon_fw-la linguae_fw-la hebraeae_fw-la out_o of_o the_o latter_a he_o flourish_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1270._o maimonides_n a_o famous_a jewish_a writer_n his_o book_n have_v hachazakah_n be_v a_o digest_v of_o the_o jewish_a law_n according_a to_o the_o talmudist_n his_o book_n moreh_n nevochim_n contain_v a_o explication_n of_o word_n phrase_n metaphor_n parable_n allegory_n and_o other_o difficulty_n which_o occur_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n it_o be_v first_o write_v in_o arabic_a and_o after_o translate_v into_o hebrew_n by_o rabbi_n samuel_n ebn_n judah_n ebn_n tibbon_n from_o which_o translation_n it_o be_v publish_v in_o latin_a by_o buxtorf_n a._n d._n 1629._o he_o be_v bear_v at_o corduba_n in_o spain_n a._n d._n 1131._o but_o live_v most_o in_o egypt_n from_o whence_o he_o be_v common_o call_v rabbi_n moses_n aegyptius_n where_o he_o die_v a._n d._n 1208._o mishnah_n a_o collection_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o the_o time_n of_o rabbi_n judah_n hakkodish_n the_o compiler_n of_o it_o who_o flourish_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o second_o century_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n pius_n this_o book_n be_v the_o text_n to_o the_o talmud_n and_o that_o a_o comment_n on_o it_o the_o jerusalem_n talmud_n be_v compile_v by_o the_o jew_n who_o dwell_v in_o judaea_n about_o 300_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o the_o babylonish_n talmud_n by_o those_o who_o dwell_v in_o mesopotomia_n about_o 500_o year_n after_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o account_n which_o the_o jewish_a writer_n give_v of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n contain_v in_o the_o latter_a which_o seem_v to_o refer_v to_o a_o much_o late_a date_n these_o three_o with_o the_o two_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n of_o onkelos_n and_o jonathan_n be_v the_o ancient_a book_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v next_o the_o bible_n for_o how_o much_o noise_n soever_o may_v be_v make_v about_o their_o rabbinical_a writer_n there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o above_o seven_o hundred_o year_n old_a there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o indeed_o lie_v claim_n to_o a_o much_o ancient_a date_n but_o without_o any_o reason_n for_o it_o greek_n author_n aristotelis_fw-la ethica_fw-la &_o politica_fw-la bartholomaei_fw-la edesseni_fw-la confutatio_fw-la hagareni_n a_o greek_a tract_n against_o mahometism_n publish_v by_o le_fw-fr moyne_n among_o his_o varia_n sacra_fw-la the_o author_n be_v a_o monk_n of_o edessa_n in_o mesopotamia_n in_o what_o age_n he_o live_v it_o do_v not_o appear_v cantacuzenus_n contra_fw-la sectam_fw-la mahometicam_fw-la this_o book_n contain_v four_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o four_o oration_n against_o the_o mahometan_a the_o author_n have_v be_v emperor_n of_o constantinople_n but_o resign_v his_o empire_n to_o john_n palaeologus_n his_o son-in-law_n a._n d._n 1355._o he_o retire_v into_o a_o monastery_n where_o be_v accompany_v by_o meletius_n former_o call_v achaememid_n who_o he_o have_v convert_v from_o mahometism_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o there_o write_v this_o book_n for_o the_o say_v meletius_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o letter_n write_v to_o he_o by_o sampsates_n a_o persian_a of_o hispahan_n to_o reduce_v he_o back_o again_o to_o the_o mahometan_a superstition_n cedreni_n compendium_n historiarum_fw-la a_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1057._o chrysostomi_n homiliae_fw-la confutatio_fw-la mahometis_n a_o greek_a tract_n publish_v by_o le_fw-fr moyne_n among_o his_o varia_n sacra_fw-la the_o author_n not_o know_v dionysii_n halicarnassaei_n antiquitates_fw-la romanae_fw-la eusebii_n historia_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la and_o praeparatio_fw-la evangelica_n hierocles_n the_o fomenter_n and_o chief_a manager_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n against_o the_o christian_n he_o be_v first_o governor_n of_o bythinia_n and_o after_o of_o egypt_n in_o both_o which_o place_n he_o prosecute_v the_o christian_n with_o the_o utmost_a severity_n and_o not_o content_a herewith_o he_o also_o write_v two_o book_n against_o they_o which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wherein_o among_o other_o thing_n he_o compare_v apollonius_n tyanaeus_n with_o jesus_n christ_n and_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v he_o in_o work_v of_o miracle_n to_o have_v be_v equal_a to_o he_o to_o which_o particular_a eusebius_n write_v a_o answer_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a among_o his_o work_n but_o these_o book_n of_o hierocles_n be_v now_o whole_o lose_v except_v some_o fragment_n preserve_v in_o the_o say_a answer_n of_o eusebius_n josephi_fw-la antiquitates_fw-la judaicae_n and_o de_fw-fr bello_fw-la judaico_fw-la origenes_n contra_fw-la celsum_fw-la philostratus_n de_fw-fr vita_fw-la apollonii_fw-la tyanaei_n phlegon_n trallianus_n a_o free_a man_n of_o adrian_n the_o emperor_n he_o write_v a_o chronicon_fw-la or_o history_n which_o he_o call_v the_o history_n of_o the_o olympiad_n it_o contain_v 229_o olympiad_n whereof_o the_o last_o end_v in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n pius_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o this_o work_n now_o extant_a except_o some_o few_o fragment_n as_o they_o be_v preserve_v in_o such_o author_n as_o have_v quote_v it_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n at_o our_o saviour_n crucifixion_n be_v preserve_v in_o eusebius_n chronicon_fw-la and_o be_v also_o make_v mention_n of_o by_o origen_n in_o his_o 35th_o tract_n on_o st._n matthews_n gospel_n and_o in_o his_o second_o book_n against_o celsus_n plato_n plutarchi_n vitæ_fw-la strabonis_n geographia_fw-la socratis_n scholastici_fw-la historia_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la sozomenis_fw-la historia_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la theophanis_fw-la chronographia_fw-la this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o byzantine_n historian_n and_o contain_v a_o chronological_a history_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n from_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 285._o to_o the_o year_n 813._o the_o author_n be_v a_o nobleman_n of_o constantinople_n where_o he_o be_v first_o a_o officer_n of_o the_o imperial_a court_n but_o afterward_o turn_v monk_n write_v this_o history_n he_o be_v bear_v a._n d._n 758._o and_o a._n d._n 815._o die_v in_o prison_n in_o the_o island_n of_o samothracia_n a_o martyr_n for_o image-worship_n for_o which_o he_o have_v be_v a_o zealous_a champion_n in_o the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a zonarae_fw-la compendium_n historiarum_fw-la another_o of_o the_o byzantine_n historian_n it_o contain_v a_o history_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o death_n of_o alexius_n comnenus_n emperor_n of_o constantinople_n which_o happen_v a._n d._n 1118._o when_o the_o author_n flourish_v he_o be_v first_o a_o prime_a officer_n of_o the_o imperial_a court_n at_o constantinople_n but_o afterward_o become_v a_o ecclesiastic_a and_o be_v the_o same_o who_o write_v the_o comment_n on_o the_o greek_a canon_n latin_n author_n ancient_a and_o modern_a ammiani_n marcellini_fw-la historia_fw-la anastasii_n bibliothecarii_fw-la historia_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la the_o author_n be_v a_o priest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o library-keeper_n to_o the_o pope_n he_o flourish_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 870._o bellonii_fw-la observationes_fw-la de_fw-la locis_fw-la ac_fw-la rebus_fw-la memorabilibus_fw-la in_o asia_n the_o book_n be_v first_o publish_v in_o french_a a._n d._n 1553._o and_o after_o in_o latin_a a._n d._n 1589._o bocharti_fw-la hierozoicon_n busbequi_fw-la epistolae_fw-la the_o author_n be_v ambassador_n from_o the_o emperor_n ferdinand_n the_o first_o to_o the_o port_n from_o whence_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n buxtorfii_fw-la lexicon_fw-la rabbinicum_fw-la buxtorfii_fw-la synagoga_fw-la judaica_n caroli_n à _fw-it sancto_fw-it paulo_n geographia_fw-la sacra_fw-la sive_fw-la notitia_fw-la antiqua_fw-la episcopatuum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la universae_fw-la lutetiae_n parisiorum_n a._n d._n 1641._o clenardi_fw-la epistolae_fw-la the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n be_v the_o famous_a grammarian_n of_o his_o age._n out_o of_o love_n to_o the_o arabic_a tongue_n he_o go_v to_o fez_n of_o purpose_n to_o learn_v it_o a._n d._n 1540_o when_o well_o advance_v in_o year_n from_o whence_o he_o write_v many_o thing_n in_o his_o epistle_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o religion_n of_o the_o mahometan_n he_o die_v at_o granada_n in_o spain_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o return_v cusani_fw-la crebratio_fw-la alcorani_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n be_v the_o famous_a nicolas_n de_fw-fr cusa_n the_o eminent_a scholar_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o he_o live_v in_o the_o year_n 1448._o he_o be_v make_v cardinal_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o title_n of_o st._n peter_n ad_fw-la vincula_fw-la and_o die_v a._n d._n 1464._o about_o ten_o year_n after_o the_o turk_n have_v take_v constantinople_n which_o seem_v
to_o have_v give_v he_o the_o occasion_n of_o write_v this_o book_n that_o so_o he_o may_v provide_v a_o antidote_n against_o that_o false_a religion_n which_o on_o that_o success_n have_v get_v so_o great_a a_o advantage_n for_o its_o further_o spread_v itself_o in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o dedication_n that_o this_o book_n be_v not_o write_v till_o after_o the_o loss_n of_o that_o city_n it_o be_v dedicate_v to_o pope_n pius_fw-la secundus_fw-la who_o enter_v not_o on_o the_o papacy_n till_o the_o turk_n have_v be_v about_o three_o year_n in_o possession_n of_o it_o abrahami_n ecchellensis_n historia_n arabum_n this_o book_n be_v subjoin_v to_o his_o chronicon_fw-la orientale_n in_o two_o part_n collect_v out_o of_o the_o arab_n writer_n the_o author_n be_v a_o maronite_n of_o mount_n lebanus_n in_o syria_n and_o be_v employ_v as_o professor_n of_o the_o oriental_a language_n in_o the_o college_n de_fw-fr propaganda_fw-la fide_fw-la at_o rome_n from_o whence_o about_o the_o year_n 1640._o he_o be_v call_v to_o paris_n to_o assist_v in_o prepare_v the_o great_a polyglot_n bible_n for_o the_o press_n which_o be_v there_o publish_v and_o make_v the_o king_n professor_n of_o the_o oriental_a language_n in_o that_o city_n the_o part_n assign_v he_o in_o this_o work_n be_v that_o which_o they_o have_v afore_o employ_v sionita_n in_o a_o man_n of_o thorough_a ability_n to_o perform_v it_o but_o on_o some_o distaste_n take_v against_o he_o they_o discharge_v he_o and_o send_v to_o rome_n for_o ecchellensis_n of_o who_o performance_n herein_o a_o learned_a sorbonist_n make_v a_o censure_n true_o say_v ibi_fw-la peccatum_fw-la est_fw-la toties_fw-la ac_fw-la tam_fw-la enormiter_fw-la in_o apponendis_fw-la vocalibus_fw-la &_o apiculis_fw-la ut_fw-la quod_fw-la ibi_fw-la primum_fw-la inter_fw-la legendum_fw-la occurrerit_fw-la summam_fw-la sapere_fw-la videatur_fw-la tyronis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la oscitantiam_fw-la he_o be_v indeed_o a_o man_n but_o of_o little_a accuracy_n in_o the_o learning_n which_o he_o profess_v and_o show_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o very_a futilous_a and_o injudicious_a writer_n in_o most_o of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v publish_v abrahami_n ecchellensis_n eutychius_n vindicatus_fw-la which_o book_n be_v in_o two_o part_n the_o first_o write_v against_o mr._n selden_n eutychij_fw-la patriarchae_fw-la alexandrini_n ecclesiae_fw-la suae_fw-la origines_fw-la and_o the_o second_o against_o hottinger_n historia_fw-la orientalis_n the_o great_a skill_n which_o he_o show_v in_o this_o book_n be_v in_o rail_v it_o be_v publish_v at_o rome_n a_o d._n 1661._o forbesij_fw-la instructiones_fw-la historico_fw-la theologicae_fw-la publish_v at_o amsterdam_n a._n d._n 1645._o fortalitium_fw-la fidei_fw-la a_o book_n write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o the_o jew_n mahometan_n and_o other_o infidel_n the_o author_n be_v a_o franciscan_a friar_n who_o write_v this_o book_n a._n d._n 1459._o and_o it_o be_v first_o print_v at_o nurenbergh_n a._n d._n 1494._o and_o afterward_o at_o lion_n a._n d._n 1525._o golij_fw-la notae_fw-la ad_fw-la alfragani_fw-la elementa_fw-la astronomica_fw-la which_o be_v exceed_o useful_a for_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o geography_n of_o the_o east_n the_o book_n be_v publish_v at_o leiden_fw-mi a._n d._n 1669._o philippi_n guadagnoli_fw-la apologia_fw-la pro_fw-la christiana_n religione_fw-la contra_fw-la objectiones_fw-la ahmed_n silij_fw-la zin_n alabedin_n persae_n asphahensis_n of_o which_o book_n i_o have_v already_o give_v a_o account_n in_o what_o i_o have_v write_v of_o ahmed_n ebn_n zin_n against_o who_o it_o be_v write_v gentij_fw-la notae_fw-la ad_fw-la musladini_n saadi_n rosarium_fw-la politicum_fw-la publish_v at_o amsterdam_n a._n d._n 1651._o grotiâ—â—_n de_fw-fr veritate_fw-la christianae_n religionis_fw-la &_o epistolae_fw-la ad_fw-la gallos_n hottingeri_fw-la historia_n orientalis_n of_o this_o book_n there_o be_v two_o edition_n the_o first_o a.d._n 1651._o and_o the_o second_o a._n d._n 1660._o the_o latter_a be_v much_o enlarge_v the_o author_n be_v professor_n of_o the_o oriental_a tongue_n first_o at_o zurich_n in_o switzerland_n and_o afterward_o at_o heidelbergh_n from_o whence_o be_v call_v to_o be_v professor_n at_o leiden_fw-mi he_o be_v while_n on_o his_o removal_n thither_o unfortunate_o drown_v in_o the_o rhine_n he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o great_a industry_n and_o learning_n but_o have_v write_v very_o much_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o few_o year_n for_o he_o die_v young_a his_o book_n want_v accuracy_n though_o all_o of_o they_o have_v their_o use_n historia_fw-la miscella_fw-la a_o roman_a history_n begin_v by_o eutropius_n continue_v by_o paulus_n diaconus_fw-la and_o finish_v by_o landulphus_n sagax_fw-la johannes_n andreas_n de_fw-fr confusione_n sectae_fw-la mahometanae_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n be_v former_o a_o alfaki_n or_o a_o doctor_n of_o the_o mahometan_a law_n but_o in_o the_o year_n 1487._o be_v at_o valentia_n in_o spain_n convert_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o be_v receive_v into_o holy_a order_n and_o write_v this_o book_n in_o spanish_a against_o the_o religion_n which_o he_o forsake_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v translate_v into_o italian_a by_o dominicus_n de_fw-fr gazelu_n a.d._n 1540_o and_o out_o of_o that_o translation_n it_o be_v publish_v in_o latin_a by_o johannes_n lauterbach_n a.d._n 1595._o and_o reprint_v by_o voetius_fw-la at_o utrecht_n a._n d._n 1656._o he_o have_v thorough_o understand_v the_o religion_n which_o he_o confute_v do_v much_o more_o pertinent_o write_v against_o it_o than_o many_o other_o do_v that_o handle_v this_o argument_n macrobij_fw-la saturnalia_fw-la caij_fw-la plinij_fw-la secundi_fw-la naturalis_fw-la historia_fw-la caij_fw-la plinij_fw-la caecilij_fw-la secundi_fw-la epistolae_fw-la pocock_n the_o famous_a professor_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o arabic_a tongue_n at_o oxford_n who_o be_v for_o eminency_n of_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o learning_n the_o great_a ornament_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o he_o live_v and_o god_n bless_v he_o with_o a_o long_a life_n to_o be_v useful_a thereto_o he_o be_v bear_v a._n d._n 1604._o and_o die_v at_o christ-church_n in_o oxford_n in_o the_o month_n of_o september_n a_o d._n 1691._o he_o be_v for_o above_o sixty_o year_n a_o constant_a editor_n of_o learned_a and_o useful_a book_n the_o first_o which_o he_o publish_v contain_v a_o edition_n of_o four_o of_o the_o catholic_n epistle_n in_o syriac_n i._n e._n the_o second_o of_o st._n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o st._n john_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n judas_n with_o version_n and_o note_n which_o be_v print_v at_o leiden_fw-mi a._n d._n 1630._o by_o vossius_fw-la to_o who_o he_o present_v it_o the_o year_n before_o at_o oxford_n on_o his_o come_n thither_o to_o see_v that_o university_n and_o the_o last_o be_v his_o commentary_n on_o joel_n which_o come_v forth_o the_o year_n in_o which_o he_o die_v his_o specimen_fw-la historiae_fw-la arabicae_fw-la which_o i_o frequent_o make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o tract_n be_v publish_v a._n d._n 1650._o and_o be_v a_o most_o accurate_a and_o judicious_a collection_n out_o of_o the_o best_a arab_n writer_n relate_v to_o the_o subject_n which_o he_o handle_v richardi_fw-la confutatio_fw-la legis_fw-la saracenicae_fw-la the_o author_n be_v a_o dominican_n friar_n who_o in_o the_o year_n 1210._o go_v to_o bagdad_n of_o purpose_n to_o study_v the_o mahometan_a religion_n out_o of_o their_o own_o book_n in_o order_n to_o confute_v it_o and_o on_o his_o return_n publish_v this_o learned_a and_o judicious_a tract_n concern_v it_o demetrius_n cydonius_n translate_v it_o into_o greek_a for_o the_o emperor_n cantacuzenus_n who_o make_v great_a use_n of_o it_o take_v thence_o most_o of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v of_o any_o moment_n in_o his_o four_o oration_n against_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n from_o this_o greek_a version_n of_o demetrius_n cydonius_n it_o be_v translate_v back_o again_o into_o latin_a by_o bartholomaeus_n picenus_n which_o translation_n be_v publish_v with_o the_o latin_a alcoran_n of_o bibliander_n and_o that_o be_v all_o we_o now_o have_v of_o it_o the_o original_a be_v lose_v this_o and_o johannes_n andreas_n tract_n de_fw-es confusione_n sectae_fw-la mahometanae_n be_v the_o best_a of_o any_o that_o have_v be_v former_o publish_v by_o the_o western_a writer_n on_o this_o argument_n and_o best_a accord_n with_o what_o the_o mahometan_n themselves_o teach_v of_o their_o religion_n other_o have_v too_o much_o spend_v themselves_o on_o false_a notion_n concern_v it_o for_o want_v of_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o that_o which_o they_o write_v against_o roderici_fw-la toletani_n historia_n arabum_n it_o contain_v a_o history_n of_o the_o saracen_n from_o the_o birth_n of_o mahomet_n to_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1150._o the_o author_n be_v archbishop_n of_o toledo_n in_o spain_n and_o be_v present_a at_o the_o lateran_n council_n a._n d._n 1215._o his_o history_n from_o the_o ten_o chapter_n be_v most_o confine_v to_o the_o saracen_n of_o spain_n and_o be_v
particular_a as_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v show_v of_o all_o the_o rest_n not_o to_o have_v the_o least_o mark_n or_o character_n thereof_o and_o thus_o far_o have_v lay_v before_o you_o all_o the_o obvious_a mark_n of_o imposture_n and_o prove_v that_o none_o of_o they_o can_v belong_v to_o christianity_n i_o hope_v what_o have_v be_v say_v will_v sufficient_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o unto_o you_o that_o our_o holy_a christian_a religion_n can_v be_v such_o a_o imposture_n as_o you_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v but_o real_o be_v that_o sacred_a truth_n of_o god_n which_o you_o be_v all_o bind_v to_o believe_v it_o be_v too_o common_a with_o mankind_n to_o frame_v their_o judgement_n according_a to_o their_o inclination_n and_o upon_o very_o slight_a ground_n hasty_o to_o run_v away_o with_o idea_n of_o thing_n when_o they_o correspond_v with_o the_o prevail_a bent_n of_o their_o affection_n which_o whenever_o put_v into_o a_o true_a light_n before_o they_o must_v all_o appear_v to_o be_v false_a and_o wrong_n take_v and_o this_o i_o reckon_v to_o be_v your_o case_n your_o inclination_n strong_o lead_v you_o into_o infidelity_n you_o will_v fain_o have_v christianity_n be_v a_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o have_v over-easy_o and_o hasty_o be_v induce_v on_o very_o weak_a ground_n to_o believe_v it_o so_o to_o be_v and_o that_o you_o may_v be_v undeceive_v in_o so_o dangerous_a and_o destructive_a a_o error_n i_o have_v endeavour_v in_o the_o easy_a and_o most_o familiar_a manner_n i_o can_v think_v of_o to_o put_v this_o business_n in_o a_o true_a light_n before_o you_o 1._o by_o let_v you_o see_v what_o a_o imposture_n be_v in_o that_o true_a picture_n which_o i_o have_v draw_v of_o it_o in_o the_o life_n of_o he_o who_o be_v real_o and_o true_o such_o a_o impostor_n as_o you_o will_v have_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v and_o 2._o by_o examine_v into_o the_o mark_n and_o property_n which_o natural_o belong_v to_o every_o such_o imposture_n and_o show_v of_o each_o of_o they_o that_o they_o can_v belong_v to_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o we_o profess_v and_o i_o hope_v when_o you_o have_v consider_v all_o this_o thorough_o you_o will_v see_v how_o much_o you_o have_v be_v deceive_v in_o those_o opinion_n which_o you_o have_v so_o precipitately_a give_v up_o yourselves_o unto_o you_o can_v but_o be_v sensible_a how_o great_a the_o stress_n be_v which_o we_o lie_v on_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o very_o ill_a your_o case_n must_v be_v if_o we_o be_v in_o the_o right_n and_o you_o in_o the_o wrong_n and_o therefore_o the_o thing_n be_v of_o sufficient_a importance_n to_o deserve_v your_o most_o serious_a consideration_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v you_o lay_v aside_o all_o those_o groundless_a prejudices_fw-la and_o wrong_a byass_n which_o may_v obstruct_v a_o impartial_a inquiry_n and_o if_o you_o will_v be_v please_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o your_o own_o soul_n to_o do_v thus_o much_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v the_o success_n of_o what_o i_o now_o offer_v unto_o you_o to_o god_n grace_n and_o your_o own_o judgement_n as_o to_o the_o particular_a reason_n which_o you_o may_v allege_v for_o your_o disbelief_n of_o our_o holy_a christian_a religion_n whether_o they_o be_v objection_n draw_v against_o it_o either_o from_o history_n philosophy_n or_o the_o inconsistency_n which_o you_o imagine_v you_o find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a writ_n in_o which_o it_o be_v deliver_v down_o unto_o we_o it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n now_o to_o enter_v into_o any_o dispute_n with_o you_o about_o they_o that_o which_o i_o at_o present_a purpose_n be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o consider_v those_o premise_n as_o the_o conclusion_n which_o you_o pretend_v to_o draw_v herefrom_o that_o christianity_n must_v therefore_o be_v a_o imposture_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o imposture_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o holy_a christian_a religion_n lay_v in_o a_o true_a light_n and_o compare_v together_o with_o each_o other_o to_o evidence_n unto_o you_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o this_o charge_n and_o if_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v can_v be_v of_o any_o force_n to_o let_v you_o in_o to_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o this_o matter_n it_o will_v be_v total_o needless_a for_o i_o to_o meddle_v any_o further_a for_o all_o those_o objection_n which_o you_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v the_o particular_a reason_n of_o your_o infidelity_n have_v be_v already_o abundant_o answer_v and_o confute_v by_o other_o but_o the_o opinion_n which_o you_o have_v conceit_v that_o christianity_n be_v a_o imposture_n have_v so_o far_o prepossessed_n your_o judgement_n as_o to_o influence_n it_o against_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o can_v be_v propose_v unto_o you_o it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o offer_v any_o thing_n far_o as_o to_o those_o particular_n till_o this_o prejudice_n be_v remove_v and_o be_v it_o once_o remove_v what_o have_v already_o be_v say_v in_o answer_n to_o they_o will_v be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o give_v you_o full_a satisfaction_n although_o this_o method_n may_v seem_v illogical_a thus_o to_o assault_v the_o conclusion_n without_o meddle_v with_o the_o premise_n from_o which_o you_o pretend_v to_o have_v deduce_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o you_o yourselves_o have_v necessitate_v i_o unto_o by_o take_v up_o the_o conclusion_n first_o and_o the_o premise_n afterward_o have_v you_o indeed_o first_o begin_v with_o those_o reason_n which_o you_o offer_v for_o your_o infidelity_n and_o be_v real_o by_o the_o conviction_n of_o they_o lead_v into_o this_o conclusion_n that_o christianity_n be_v a_o imposture_n it_o will_v then_o have_v be_v proper_a and_o fit_v that_o i_o shall_v have_v begin_v there_o too_o and_o no_o otherwise_o have_v endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o conclusion_n but_o by_o first_o overthrow_v the_o premise_n from_o whence_o you_o deduce_v it_o but_o since_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o conclusion_n have_v be_v of_o great_a force_n with_o the_o most_o of_o you_o to_o make_v you_o assent_v to_o the_o premise_n than_o the_o premise_n to_o prove_v the_o conclusion_n and_o it_o be_v only_o the_o fond_a conceit_n you_o have_v take_v up_o in_o compliance_n with_o ill-company_n or_o worse_a inclination_n that_o christianity_n must_v be_v a_o imposture_n that_o have_v make_v any_o of_o those_o argument_n seem_v so_o conclusive_a with_o you_o which_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v it_o this_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o i_o to_o begin_v my_o endeavour_n for_o your_o conviction_n at_o that_o same_o point_n where_o you_o first_o begin_v your_o infidelity_n and_o to_o attack_v the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o first_o place_n before_o any_o success_n can_v be_v expect_v towards_o the_o set_n you_o right_a as_o to_o any_o thing_n else_o for_o as_o long_o as_o you_o be_v wilful_o bend_v out_o of_o a_o mere_a fondness_n for_o infidelity_n to_o hold_v christianity_n to_o be_v a_o imposture_n this_o will_v make_v every_o argument_n seem_v strong_a to_o you_o that_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v it_o and_o every_o solution_n insufficient_a which_o be_v give_v thereto_o and_o render_v all_o mean_n for_o your_o conviction_n utter_o ineffectual_a unto_o you_o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o first_o error_n which_o have_v influence_v your_o mind_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n this_o must_v be_v first_o remove_v and_o if_o what_o i_o have_v say_v can_v be_v of_o any_o force_n in_o order_n hereto_o by_o let_v you_o see_v how_o much_o you_o have_v be_v mistake_v herein_o this_o i_o hope_v will_v remove_v that_o prejudice_n which_o have_v hinder_v you_o from_o see_v the_o strength_n of_o those_o argument_n which_o have_v be_v already_o offer_v for_o your_o conviction_n as_o to_o all_o other_o particular_n of_o that_o infidelity_n which_o you_o have_v give_v up_o yourselves_o unto_o and_o make_v you_o clear_o discern_v how_o much_o you_o have_v be_v mistake_v in_o they_o also_o and_o thereby_o become_v the_o mean_n of_o deliver_v your_o soul_n from_o that_o terrible_a danger_n which_o you_o expose_v they_o unto_o the_o accomplish_n of_o which_o be_v the_o whole_a end_n scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o discourse_n which_o i_o now_o offer_v unto_o you_o but_o here_o perchance_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v and_o i_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o give_v you_o satisfaction_n herein_o why_o i_o have_v set_v forth_o unto_o you_o a_o imposture_n by_o so_o foul_a a_o picture_n as_o that_o of_o mahomet_n and_o to_o this_o i_o have_v these_o two_o answer_n to_o return_v 1._o because_o i_o have_v none_o other_o to_o do_v it_o by_o mahomet_n be_v the_o only_a impostor_n who_o can_v ever_o prevail_v so_o far_o as_o to_o establish_v his_o imposture_n and_o make_v it_o a_o stand_a religion_n