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this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o 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excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n will_v produce_v policarp_n place_v there_o by_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o saint_n peter_n and_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n they_o show_v you_o the_o man_n that_o be_v settle_v in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o convey_v down_o their_o doctrine_n to_o posterity_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n 36._o its_o possession_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o for_o this_o you_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o your_o salvation_n may_v travel_v over_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o the_o very_a seat_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n preside_v be_v still_o remain_v where_o their_o own_o authentic_a letter_n be_v still_o extant_a do_v you_o live_v in_o or_o near_a to_o achaia_n go_v to_o corinth_n in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n or_o thessalonica_n in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_z in_o italy_n to_o rome_n and_o this_o certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v
into_o which_o number_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v receive_v this_o day_n be_v find_v in_o thy_o sight_n as_o a_o fair_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o thyself_o have_v prepare_v that_o so_o thou_o may_v accomplish_v what_o thou_o o_o true_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v foreshew_v wherefore_o i_o praise_v thou_o for_o all_o thy_o mercy_n i_o bless_v thou_o i_o glorify_v thou_o through_o the_o eternal_a high_a priest_n thy_o belove_a son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o who_o to_o thyself_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n to_o this_o eminent_a martyrdom_n of_o saint_n policarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n i_o can_v but_o subjoin_v that_o of_o pothinus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o his_o companion_n in_o that_o they_o suffer_v under_o the_o same_o prince_n with_o the_o same_o christian_a courage_n and_o resolution_n especial_o because_o pothinus_n also_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a age_n and_o almost_o as_o near_o the_o 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the_o faithfulness_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o this_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o the_o beginning_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o different_a practice_n and_o so_o must_v have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n casual_o and_o without_o design_n prescribe_v different_a usage_n saint_n john_n in_o those_o part_n of_o asia_n where_o he_o reside_v continue_v easter_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o other_o place_n to_o prevent_v too_o much_o judaise_v in_o its_o observation_n make_v the_o same_o little_a alteration_n in_o its_o time_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o sabbath_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n of_o comply_v with_o or_o change_a jewish_a custom_n the_o apostle_n vary_v their_o order_n according_a to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n sometime_o come_v up_o close_o to_o they_o sometime_o keep_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n now_o these_o different_a custom_n about_o easter_n be_v once_o casual_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o contention_n among_o the_o people_n as_o we_o know_v the_o common_a people_n be_v always_o zealous_a for_o their_o own_o custom_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o stifle_v this_o fire_n that_o be_v break_v out_o among_o they_o policarp_n a_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o asia_n undertake_v a_o journey_n to_o rome_n if_o possible_a to_o allay_v and_o compose_v the_o controversy_n where_o upon_o debate_n between_o he_o and_o anicetus_n they_o conclude_v it_o the_o most_o proper_a course_n that_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o both_o party_n shall_v retain_v their_o own_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o communion_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o world_n they_o communicate_v together_o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n policarp_n consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o anicetus_n and_o so_o they_o part_v love_o and_o continue_v ever_o after_o good_a friend_n this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o these_o good_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n though_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v afterward_o revive_v by_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o one_o man_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o command_v the_o asiatic_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o he_o and_o all_o other_o church_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n to_o this_o they_o return_v he_o a_o sober_a answer_n represent_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o change_v so_o ancient_a a_o custom_n disclaim_v his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o advise_v he_o rather_o to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n than_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o particular_a custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o they_o alone_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n though_o they_o be_v of_o his_o own_o way_n unanimous_o condemn_v his_o heat_n and_o rashness_n in_o so_o trivial_a a_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n irenaeus_n have_v convene_v a_o synod_n in_o france_n write_v he_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o observation_n of_o easter_n but_o not_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unadvised_a thing_n to_o think_v of_o excommunicate_v whole_a church_n for_o observe_v the_o ancient_a custom_n derive_v down_o to_o they_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o there_o be_v as_o
party_n of_o man_n so_o that_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v as_o full_a a_o testimony_n as_o any_o the_o most_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o in_o this_o i_o be_o since_o the_o write_n of_o it_o very_o much_o confirm_v by_o a_o excellent_a discourse_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o upon_o that_o argument_n in_o dr._n beveridge_n his_o learned_a and_o judicious_a defence_n of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n against_o all_o the_o dalleans_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 5._o and_o in_o the_o last_o place_n as_o for_o the_o edessean_a story_n i_o will_v because_o i_o will_v not_o be_v too_o retentive_a grant_v that_o it_o may_v be_v more_o qucstionable_a than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o for_o though_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n of_o suspect_v the_o integrity_n of_o eusebius_n when_o he_o protest_v that_o he_o translate_v it_o out_o of_o the_o public_a record_n of_o the_o city_n upon_o which_o alone_o i_o ground_n my_o proof_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o story_n may_v have_v be_v foist_v into_o the_o record_n themselves_o and_o that_o this_o learned_a man_n may_v with_o too_o much_o greediness_n have_v swallow_v such_o a_o strange_a and_o surprise_a story_n at_o least_o he_o can_v not_o have_v that_o opportunity_n of_o make_v that_o exact_a enquiry_n into_o its_o truth_n that_o he_o do_v into_o the_o other_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n because_o it_o stand_v single_o by_o itself_o and_o can_v not_o as_o the_o other_o be_v be_v vouch_v by_o concurrent_a writer_n so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o impose_v upon_o eusebius_n with_o any_o forgery_n thrust_v upon_o the_o greek_a church_n yet_o even_o he_o be_v no_o more_o able_a as_o have_v no_o better_a mean_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o record_n so_o remote_a than_o any_o other_o person_n less_o learned_a and_o this_o i_o say_v not_o because_o i_o see_v any_o ground_n to_o suspect_v it_o of_o forgery_n but_o because_o i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o lay_v too_o great_a a_o stress_n upon_o it_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o its_o solitude_n and_o privacy_n for_o otherwise_o the_o weighty_a objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o it_o be_v too_o light_a to_o weigh_v any_o thing_n in_o my_o opinion_n these_o be_v the_o two_o chief_a first_o a_o passage_n in_o our_o saviour_n letter_n take_v out_o of_o the_o gospel_n of_o saint_n john_n when_o the_o gospel_n itself_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o write_v second_o such_o a_o mistake_n in_o chronology_n as_o antedate_v our_o saviour_n passion_n three_o year_n but_o as_o for_o the_o first_o viz._n bless_v be_v thou_o o_o agbarus_n who_o though_o thou_o have_v not_o see_v yet_o believe_v on_o i_o for_o it_o be_v write_v of_o i_o that_o they_o who_o see_v shall_v not_o believe_v and_o they_o who_o see_v not_o shall_v believe_v and_o be_v save_v this_o passage_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a sense_n from_o our_o saviour_n word_n in_o saint_n john_n chap._n 20._o v._n 29._o jesus_n say_v unto_o he_o thomas_z because_o thou_o have_v see_v i_o thou_o have_v believe_v bless_v be_v they_o that_o have_v not_o see_v and_o yet_o have_v believe_v where_o see_v and_o believe_v be_v not_o oppose_v as_o in_o the_o former_a word_n to_o agbarus_n but_o believe_v upon_o that_o rational_a evidence_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v give_v the_o world_n of_o his_o divine_a commission_n without_o that_o certainty_n of_o sight_n that_o thomas_n have_v be_v prefer_v as_o more_o ingenuous_a and_o commendable_a but_o second_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o that_o our_o saviour_n quote_v they_o not_o as_o a_o historical_a record_n but_o as_o a_o prophetic_a prediction_n and_o therefore_o use_v the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n that_o he_o do_v in_o the_o evangelist_n as_o often_o as_o he_o apply_v the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v write_v of_o i_o i._n e._n it_o be_v foretell_v but_o then_o the_o difficulty_n will_v be_v where_o to_o find_v out_o this_o prophecy_n valesius_fw-la have_v spy_v out_o a_o passage_n as_o he_o think_v somewhat_o like_o it_o in_o the_o six_o of_o isaiah_n but_o as_o the_o passage_n itself_o be_v very_o obscure_a and_o can_v without_o too_o unnatural_a a_o force_n be_v bring_v to_o parallel_v this_o say_n so_o i_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o accommodate_v the_o say_n itself_o to_o any_o particular_a prophecy_n when_o it_o agree_v so_o full_o with_o all_o those_o innumerable_a prediction_n concern_v the_o stubbornness_n and_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o our_o saviour_n converse_v and_o the_o wonderful_a conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_a world_n to_o his_o faith_n who_o be_v stranger_n to_o his_o person_n and_o conversation_n infinite_a be_v the_o passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o the_o holy_a evangelist_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o strange_a unbelief_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v every_o where_o represent_v as_o a_o thing_n so_o monstrous_o stupid_a as_o if_o no_o other_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o it_o than_o by_o the_o utter_a loss_n of_o the_o use_n of_o their_o eye_n and_o ear_n as_o if_o they_o neither_o see_v nor_o hear_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v daily_o say_v and_o do_v in_o their_o presence_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o our_o saviour_n use_v this_o say_n of_o himself_o without_o allude_v to_o any_o particular_a text_n when_o it_o be_v so_o exact_o suit_v to_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n concern_v his_o entertainment_n in_o the_o world_n as_o for_o the_o other_o objection_n if_o it_o can_v be_v certain_a it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o moment_n but_o chronological_a mistake_n be_v so_o very_o easy_a and_o indeed_o in_o length_n of_o time_n unavoidable_a that_o all_o history_n will_v be_v overrun_v with_o they_o be_v we_o not_o direct_v either_o by_o some_o other_o passage_n in_o the_o history_n itself_o or_o by_o some_o other_o contemporary_a writer_n to_o find_v out_o the_o fault_n and_o mistake_v creep_v into_o the_o copy_n so_o that_o in_o such_o a_o singular_a story_n as_o this_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o mistake_n of_o a_o transcriber_n we_o have_v no_o mean_n to_o correct_v it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v actual_o so_o in_o this_o case_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o great_a variety_n of_o copy_n that_o be_v so_o strange_o different_a that_o learned_a man_n can_v never_o make_v any_o probable_a conjecture_n of_o the_o certain_a time_n of_o their_o date_n till_o valesius_fw-la refer_v it_o to_o the_o edessean_a account_n but_o then_o say_v they_o according_a to_o that_o it_o must_v have_v happen_v in_o the_o 15_o the_o year_n of_o tiberius_n whereas_o learned_a man_n be_v now_o agree_v that_o our_o saviour_n suffer_v not_o till_o the_o 18_o the_o after_o which_o time_n thaddaeus_n must_v have_v come_v to_o edessa_n but_o be_v it_o so_o yet_o the_o difficulty_n be_v very_o easy_o solvable_a for_o if_o the_o date_n in_o eusebius_n refer_v as_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a it_o shall_v to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n writing_n it_o fall_v in_o exact_o enough_o with_o the_o 15_o the_o of_o tiberius_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n first_o public_o enter_v upon_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o office_n and_o go_v to_o the_o passover_n at_o jerusalem_n where_o proselyte_n of_o all_o nation_n be_v then_o assemble_v and_o whither_o some_o might_n as_o well_o repair_v from_o edessa_n and_o the_o part_n about_o it_o as_o the_o eunuch_n from_o ethiopia_n from_o who_o king_n agbarus_n may_v receive_v his_o information_n concern_v jesus_n the_o same_o year_n especial_o when_o the_o account_n of_o the_o edessean_a year_n commence_v from_o the_o autumnal_a equinox_n which_o be_v a_o considerable_a time_n from_o the_o passover_n and_o may_v take_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o year_n follow_v and_o so_o include_v the_o second_o passover_n so_o that_o if_o this_o account_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o main_a 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the_o world_n both_o of_o the_o sufficiency_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o their_o sufficiency_n in_o that_o they_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n and_o be_v themselves_o sufficient_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a and_o refuse_v to_o be_v convince_v till_o their_o distrustful_a mind_n be_v overbear_v by_o evidence_n of_o fact_n of_o their_o sincerity_n not_o only_o from_o the_o agreement_n of_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o honest_a and_o upright_a man_n in_o the_o same_o report_n but_o from_o their_o readiness_n to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n and_o what_o great_a assurance_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n than_o to_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o report_v and_o what_o great_a evidence_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o desire_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o report_n than_o they_o have_v give_v we_o of_o their_o fidelity_n so_o that_o here_o to_o withhold_v or_o deny_v our_o assent_n be_v first_o a_o direct_a affront_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o suppose_v none_o worthy_a of_o any_o belief_n beside_o ourselves_o for_o unless_o we_o will_v distrust_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o testimony_n and_o believe_v nothing_o but_o by_o the_o immediate_a information_n of_o our_o own_o sense_n there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n quit_v all_o degree_n of_o diffidence_n and_o suspicion_n in_o this_o affair_n second_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n shall_v conspire_v to_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n to_o a_o impudent_a lye_n three_o we_o must_v either_o believe_v that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n will_v lose_v their_o life_n for_o a_o ridiculous_a fable_n or_o that_o a_o company_n of_o fool_n and_o madman_n can_v so_o easy_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v such_o a_o wild_a story_n mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o report_n last_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o only_a employment_n to_o advance_v truth_n and_o virtue_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v yet_o die_v martyr_n to_o falsehood_n and_o villainy_n and_o that_o when_o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o jesus_n they_o be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n now_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o only_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n in_o the_o world_n i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o history_n or_o report_n to_o come_v attest_v with_o more_o various_a more_o pregnant_a more_o unquestionable_a motive_n of_o credibility_n than_o his_o action_n particular_o his_o resurrection_n as_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o apostle_n and_o thus_o have_v consider_v the_o evidence_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o give_v in_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o consider_v their_o testimony_n as_o record_v in_o their_o write_n and_o to_o show_v into_o what_o wild_a absurdity_n we_o must_v again_o run_v ourselves_o if_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture-history_n §_o vii_o first_o then_o we_o must_v believe_v either_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v or_o that_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o relate_v of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o true_a than_o we_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n if_o false_a then_o either_o for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a knowledge_n or_o sincerity_n not_o for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n for_o two_o of_o the_o evangelist_n saint_n matthew_n and_o saint_n john_n be_v immediate_a disciple_n and_o constant_a companion_n of_o the_o person_n who_o history_n they_o write_v and_o so_o be_v present_a at_o his_o work_n and_o miracle_n and_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n saint_n mark_n and_o saint_n luke_n if_o they_o be_v not_o disciple_n during_o our_o saviour_n abode_n upon_o the_o earth_n they_o be_v intimate_a associate_n with_o the_o chief_a apostle_n that_o be_v so_o that_o if_o they_o write_v not_o from_o their_o own_o immediate_a knowledge_n yet_o however_o they_o write_v from_o the_o information_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o as_o for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v by_o saint_n luke_n saint_n luke_n himself_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o if_o not_o all_o the_o history_n and_o so_o for_o the_o epistle_n pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n either_o they_o be_v or_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o their_o case_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o have_v sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o so_o plain_o be_v it_o that_o if_o those_o person_n write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o go_v for_o their_o author_n that_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o their_o report_n for_o want_n of_o sufficient_a knowledge_n and_o information_n and_o then_o as_o for_o their_o sincerity_n the_o case_n of_o their_o writing_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o their_o preach_n and_o so_o labour_v under_o all_o the_o forementioned_a difficulty_n and_o one_o more_o peculiar_a to_o itself_o viz._n that_o when_o they_o have_v be_v so_o wicked_a as_o to_o contrive_v a_o wilful_a lie_n and_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o shall_v meet_v with_o no_o contradiction_n in_o so_o gross_a and_o manifest_a a_o forgery_n these_o thing_n be_v write_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n after_o they_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o if_o they_o be_v false_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o they_o shall_v escape_v discovery_n or_o obtain_v any_o the_o least_o belief_n for_o example_n when_o saint_n luke_n report_v that_o a_o person_n bear_v lame_a and_o know_v to_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o his_o have_v beg_v daily_o for_o many_o year_n at_o the_o chief_a gate_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v cure_v by_o saint_n peter_n only_o with_o invocate_a the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o that_o this_o miracle_n be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v at_o jerusalem_n that_o it_o immediate_o convert_v no_o less_o than_o five_o thousand_o person_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n if_o all_o this_o have_v be_v a_o fable_n the_o mere_a publication_n of_o it_o have_v provoke_v thousand_o of_o people_n nay_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o the_o citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n and_o it_o can_v not_o but_o have_v meet_v with_o so_o much_o opposition_n as_o utter_o and_o for_o ever_o to_o disgrace_v and_o destroy_v itself_o and_o so_o again_o when_o saint_n paul_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n be_v see_v not_o only_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o himself_o but_o by_o above_o five_o hundred_o person_n at_o once_o most_o of_o who_o be_v then_o survive_v if_o this_o have_v be_v a_o lie_n it_o have_v be_v a_o very_a foolish_a and_o impudent_a one_o and_o too_o bold_a for_o any_o man_n to_o vent_v that_o be_v not_o lose_v not_o only_o to_o all_o modesty_n but_o all_o discretion_n and_o if_o any_o man_n can_v have_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o venture_v upon_o so_o lewd_a a_o falsehood_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v escape_v the_o shame_n of_o discovery_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v write_v to_o baffle_v some_o fanatic_a person_n who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o resurrection_n for_o as_o all_o other_o will_v be_v eager_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o curiosity_n so_o will_v those_o man_n especial_o be_v concern_v to_o examine_v it_o more_o strict_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o confute_v their_o adversary_n so_o that_o it_o be_v equal_o incredible_a that_o saint_n paul_n shall_v be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o vent_v so_o great_a a_o lie_n that_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o contradict_v and_o that_o when_o he_o have_v vent_v it_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o lucky_a as_o to_o escape_v all_o manner_n of_o contradiction_n from_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o oppose_v he_o for_o if_o he_o have_v be_v convict_v of_o falsehood_n in_o it_o all_o the_o corinthian_n must_v immediate_o have_v turn_v back_o to_o their_o infidelity_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v the_o christian_a faith_n prevail_v every_o where_o
when_o they_o be_v quote_v as_o such_o by_o those_o person_n that_o live_v next_o and_o immediate_o after_o they_o and_o have_v pass_v from_o the_o very_a first_o age_n through_o all_o age_n downward_o with_o a_o unquestionable_a authority_n there_o be_v no_o possible_a account_n to_o be_v give_v how_o they_o shall_v first_o come_v by_o it_o and_o then_o for_o ever_o after_o retain_v it_o unless_o they_o be_v for_o certain_a the_o work_v of_o those_o man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v thus_o particular_o saint_n matthew'_v gospel_n be_v quote_v by_o clemens_n of_o rome_n a_o familiar_a of_o saint_n paul_n by_o ignatius_n by_o policarp_n by_o papias_n the_o disciple_n of_o saint_n john_n not_o to_o mention_n justin_n martyr_n athenagoras_n irenaeus_n and_o all_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o age_n next_o after_o the_o apostle_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o first_o either_o this_o gospel_n be_v write_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o not_o how_o can_v it_o be_v cite_v by_o those_o that_o be_v their_o contemporary_n second_o the_o thing_n report_v in_o it_o be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o true_a then_o so_o be_v the_o gospel_n too_o if_o false_a than_o it_o have_v destroy_v its_o own_o credit_n by_o publish_v know_v falsehood_n for_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o forge_v a_o story_n act_v in_o former_a time_n without_o discovery_n and_o contradiction_n yet_o to_o make_v a_o forgery_n of_o so_o wonderful_a a_o transaction_n as_o be_v the_o history_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n so_o near_o the_o time_n in_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v act_v and_o that_o without_o control_v or_o contradiction_n nay_o with_o full_a credit_n and_o undoubted_a authority_n as_o appear_v by_o these_o apostolical_a man_n unanimous_a testimony_n be_v if_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n absurd_a and_o incredible_a enough_o to_o make_v up_o another_o article_n of_o infidelity_n three_o either_o this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o saint_n matthew_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o eye_n witness_v that_o converse_v with_o our_o saviour_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v thrust_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o age_n and_o gain_v so_o unquestionable_a a_o authority_n with_o those_o man_n that_o converse_v either_o with_o he_o or_o with_o his_o companion_n and_o now_o if_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o one_o gospel_n that_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o that_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o it_o be_v here_o record_v viz._n the_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v believe_v as_o they_o be_v here_o record_v be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divinity_n the_o same_o account_n i_o may_v give_v of_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o that_o they_o be_v receive_v from_o the_o begin_n as_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o be_v only_o to_o repeat_v the_o same_o argument_n so_o many_o time_n over_o and_o therefore_o suppose_v the_o same_o ancient_a testimony_n concern_v they_o as_o we_o have_v concern_v saint_n matthew_n i_o shall_v leave_v the_o reader_n to_o apply_v the_o same_o argument_n that_o i_o have_v urge_v concern_v he_o neither_o do_v i_o this_o only_a to_o avoid_v needless_a repetition_n but_o because_o it_o have_v be_v often_o do_v by_o other_o hand_n particular_o by_o eusebius_n of_o old_a and_o huetius_n of_o late_a who_o have_v vouch_v every_o book_n by_o itself_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o early_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o as_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o have_v rather_o refer_v to_o they_o than_o transcribe_v they_o though_o that_o be_v suppose_v the_o argument_n be_v of_o the_o same_o force_n in_o every_o one_o as_o it_o be_v in_o saint_n matthew_n gospel_n §_o ix_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o few_o book_n be_v for_o a_o good_a time_n doubt_v of_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o second_o of_o saint_n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o then_o first_o suppose_v their_o authority_n be_v still_o questionable_a the_o christian_a faith_n can_v subsist_v very_o well_o without_o they_o by_o the_o remain_a authority_n of_o those_o that_o be_v never_o question_v and_o though_o they_o be_v very_o useful_a and_o excellent_a discourse_n yet_o have_v they_o little_a peculiar_a in_o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o apostolical_a write_n and_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o matter_n aright_o though_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o only_o pious_a discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o be_v write_v occasional_o either_o to_o exhort_v we_o to_o a_o effectual_a belief_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o trial_n and_o persecution_n or_o to_o allay_v schism_n and_o contention_n or_o to_o confute_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v before_o firm_o lay_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n doctrine_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o that_o of_o the_o historical_a book_n that_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v suppose_v true_a they_o warrant_v both_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n that_o only_o deduce_v those_o proper_a and_o natural_a conclusion_n that_o flow_v from_o their_o premise_n nay_o far_o it_o be_v not_o 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torture_v and_o vex_v out_o of_o the_o body_n that_o they_o possess_v by_o the_o prayer_n of_o christian_n be_v force_v to_o confess_v themselves_o to_o be_v but_o devil_n even_o saturn_n serapis_n and_o jupiter_n and_o whatsoever_o other_o daemon_n you_o worship_v be_v force_v to_o confess_v what_o they_o be_v and_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o they_o will_v not_o belie_v themselves_o especial_o in_o your_o presence_n and_o therefore_o we_o only_o desire_v you_o to_o take_v their_o own_o testimony_n and_o their_o own_o confession_n for_o when_o they_o be_v adjure_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n it_o put_v they_o into_o tremble_n and_o convulsion_n fit_v and_o force_v they_o to_o quit_v their_o possession_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v saint_n cyprian_n challenge_v demetrian_n a_o stubborn_a and_o a_o prejudice_v enemy_n to_o come_v and_o see_v the_o demon_n who_o he_o worship_v how_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v whip_v by_o christian_n out_o of_o the_o body_n that_o they_o possess_v when_o weep_v and_o howl_v they_o confess_v that_o the_o time_n of_o their_o judgement_n be_v come_v come_v you_o and_o satisfy_v yourself_o that_o what_o i_o affirm_v be_v true_a but_o there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o these_o challenge_n in_o the_o primitive_a writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o i_o be_o tire_v with_o so_o often_o tranfcribe_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o man_n desire_v it_o he_o may_v read_v it_o repeat_v in_o eusebius_n contra_fw-la hieroclem_fw-la c._n 1._o in_o lactantius_n de_fw-la justitiâ_fw-la l._n 2._o c._n 15._o l._n 4._o c._n 27._o l._n 5._o c._n 21_o 22._o in_o firmicus_n de_fw-la errore_fw-la profanae_fw-la religionis_fw-la in_o prudentius_n apotheof_n in_o theodoret_n de_fw-fr curand_n graec._n affect_v serm._n 3_o and_o now_o after_o all_o it_o be_v no_o doubt_n very_o credible_a that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o learned_a and_o sober_a man_n that_o live_v in_o such_o remote_a and_o distant_a place_n shall_v be_v such_o impudent_a sot_n and_o fool_n as_o to_o publish_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o thing_n upon_o their_o own_o certain_a knowledge_n to_o appeal_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o great_a adversary_n to_o challenge_v they_o to_o convince_v they_o by_o trial_n and_o experiment_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o whole_a cause_n upon_o the_o event_n and_o that_o with_o the_o pawn_n of_o their_o life_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n in_o their_o public_a dispute_n with_o philosopher_n and_o apology_n to_o emperor_n and_o proconsul_n it_o be_v likely_a i_o say_v that_o they_o shall_v do_v all_o this_o have_v it_o all_o be_v a_o manifest_a and_o palpable_a fiction_n §_o xxv_o this_o be_v that_o mighty_a demonstration_n of_o power_n to_o which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n constant_o appeal_v with_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o mind_n to_o the_o very_a face_n of_o their_o
same_o time_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n out_o of_o that_o undoubted_a assurance_n they_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o may_v now_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n in_o january_n 1648._o than_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n neither_o do_v the_o current_n of_o this_o tradition_n stop_v here_o in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n but_o as_o it_o come_v down_o from_o the_o first_o witness_n so_o it_o descend_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n to_o aftertime_n for_o as_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v own_a by_o this_o epistle_n so_o be_v this_o epistle_n by_o those_o who_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_a of_o its_o authority_n especial_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v for_o as_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n be_v write_v not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n probable_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n so_o be_v that_o of_o dionysius_n write_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o saint_n clemens_n for_o he_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o have_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o be_v authentic_a from_o its_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o that_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o begin_v his_o reign_n about_o the_o year_n 161._o as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o time_n so_o that_o if_o the_o corinthian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v a_o more_o satisfactory_a and_o unquestionable_a information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o preach_v than_o be_v give_v they_o from_o so_o clear_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n for_o that_o be_v so_o entire_o free_a from_o all_o manner_n of_o doubt_n and_o suspicion_n the_o distance_n of_o time_n make_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o xxx_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o apostolical_a man_n we_o may_v join_v that_o of_o ignatius_n policarp_n papias_n and_o quadratus_n as_o have_v all_o converse_v with_o the_o follower_n and_o familiar_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o first_o as_o for_o ignatius_n he_o be_v educate_v under_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o by_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n of_o the_o great_a city_n of_o antioch_n where_o he_o sit_v many_o year_n and_o govern_v his_o charge_n with_o extraordinary_a zeal_n and_o prudence_n and_o at_o last_o with_o infinite_a courage_n and_o alacrity_n suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o faith_n there_o have_v be_v great_a controversy_n of_o late_a in_o the_o christian_a world_n concern_v his_o epistle_n though_o with_o how_o little_a reason_n on_o their_o side_n that_o oppose_v they_o i_o have_v account_v elsewhere_o and_o though_o i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o make_v use_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o make_v it_o good_a too_o yet_o our_o present_a argument_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o that_o dispute_n for_o whether_o these_o epistle_n that_o at_o this_o time_n pass_v under_o his_o name_n be_v genuine_a or_o counterfeit_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o write_v such_o epistle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o he_o be_v another_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a testimony_n and_o his_o great_a sense_n of_o immortality_n and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o martyrdom_n show_v his_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v so_o that_o he_o be_v another_o undoubted_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz._n that_o the_o christian_a faith_n descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o give_v that_o proof_n of_o their_o testimony_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o christianity_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n connect_v with_o the_o certain_a history_n of_o aftertime_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o dark_a and_o unknown_a interval_n wherein_o the_o story_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v former_o act_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v be_v first_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v it_o undeniable_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o story_n have_v it_o not_o first_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a history_n by_o such_o a_o near_a and_o immediate_a witness_n to_o make_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o wave_v that_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v from_o this_o glorious_a martyr_n epistle_n because_o they_o breathe_v so_o much_o the_o genuine_a spirit_n of_o the_o ancient_a christianity_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n which_o show_v what_o mighty_a satisfaction_n they_o have_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o so_o firm_o believe_v and_o so_o vehement_o desire_v and_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o and_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o question_v but_o for_o their_o resolute_a opposition_n to_o some_o mens_fw-la prejudices_fw-la for_o they_o be_v resolve_v in_o their_o own_o innovation_n of_o church-government_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n which_o these_o epistle_n so_o zealous_o assert_v and_o that_o as_o establish_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v but_o stubborn_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v say_v impudent_o to_o reject_v their_o authority_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v so_o admirable_o vouch_v as_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v purposely_o design_v to_o secure_v their_o credit_n for_o ever_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o his_o friend_n policarp_n who_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n with_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o own_o now_o policarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o question_v nay_o it_o be_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o avoid_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a a_o testimony_n as_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o only_o by_o say_v that_o this_o particular_a passage_n be_v foist_v in_o without_o any_o shadow_n of_o ground_n for_o the_o surmise_n nay_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o 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