be_v write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a so_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n who_o have_v borrow_v divers_a passage_n out_o of_o it_o word_n for_o word_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o revelation_n all_o allow_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n only_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n other_o by_o saint_n mark_v surname_v john_n other_o by_o saint_n john_n call_v the_o elder_a but_o whosoever_o it_o be_v that_o write_v it_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o it_o be_v moreover_o sufficient_o attest_v that_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o both_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o time_n of_o its_o writing_n last_o those_o that_o be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o be_v not_o afterward_o rash_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o be_v admit_v upon_o careful_a enquiry_n mature_a deliberation_n and_o unexceptionable_a testimony_n for_o as_o they_o be_v at_o first_o own_a by_o some_o and_o dispute_v by_o other_o this_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o debate_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o oblige_a they_o to_o make_v far_a enquiry_n after_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v at_o last_o satisfy_v of_o that_o which_o at_o first_o only_o a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v and_o this_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v after_o this_o manner_n the_o apostle_n direct_v many_o of_o their_o epistle_n to_o particular_a church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v know_v to_o some_o church_n and_o not_o to_o other_o who_o therefore_o doubt_v of_o they_o put_v those_o who_o assert_v they_o to_o have_v be_v true_a apostolical_a write_n to_o prove_v their_o assertion_n and_o they_o it_o seem_v bring_v such_o evident_a proof_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o gain_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o probable_o they_o do_v by_o produce_v the_o original_n write_v under_o the_o apostle_n own_o hand_n and_o reserve_v in_o the_o archive_v of_o the_o several_a church_n for_o that_o many_o such_o there_o be_v tertullian_n inform_v we_o even_o in_o his_o time_n and_o to_o they_o refer_v the_o man_n of_o his_o own_o age_n for_o their_o full_a satisfaction_n §_o x._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o very_a slender_a witticism_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o derogation_n of_o 33._o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n live_v all_o in_o less_o than_o a_o age_n after_o christ_n ascension_n and_o have_v all_o of_o they_o see_v our_o saviour_n or_o be_v his_o disciple_n except_o saint_n paul_n and_o saint_n luke_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v by_o they_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o be_v they_o make_v canonical_a scripture_n only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n which_o first_o collect_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o recommend_v they_o to_o we_o as_o the_o write_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v hereby_o witty_o intimate_v or_o rather_o broad_o assert_v that_o these_o write_n be_v not_o canonical_a scripture_n till_o that_o council_n that_o be_v till_o the_o year_n 364._o but_o first_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o author_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o make_v a_o book_n canonical_a then_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n make_v so_o long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o enumerate_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o compile_v by_o clement_n as_o be_v vulgar_o suppose_v yet_o be_v they_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n so_o that_o upon_o this_o account_n they_o be_v stamp_v canonical_a almost_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v write_v second_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o more_o than_o a_o proof_n or_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o original_a and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n as_o any_o other_o testimony_n be_v or_o may_v be_v thus_o when_o we_o cite_v clement_n of_o rome_n ignatius_n policarp_n justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n yes_o and_o celsus_n himself_o that_o live_v either_o in_o or_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o give_v in_o testimony_n to_o their_o write_n no_o man_n can_v without_o very_o wilful_a impertinence_n thence_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v they_o that_o give_v the_o book_n their_o divine_a authority_n when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v only_o make_v use_n of_o as_o competent_a witness_n to_o attest_v that_o they_o be_v no_o forge_a write_n but_o be_v pen_v by_o those_o very_a person_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v and_o if_o they_o be_v than_o they_o themselves_o make_v good_a their_o own_o authority_n for_o authority_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o right_n or_o power_n of_o bind_v our_o assent_n which_o unless_o it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o author_n himself_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o other_o and_o all_o the_o council_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o give_v divine_a authority_n to_o any_o book_n if_o it_o have_v it_o not_o before_o all_o their_o office_n be_v to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o their_o authenticalness_n and_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a evidence_n of_o it_o when_o so_o many_o grave_n and_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n upon_o mature_a deliberation_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n in_o council_n declare_v that_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v but_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v as_o the_o leviathan_n do_v that_o their_o canonical_a authority_n that_o be_v their_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n as_o if_o it_o can_v give_v or_o take_v it_o away_o at_o pleasure_n only_o become_v mr._n hobbs_n logic_n and_o modesty_n and_o they_o it_o become_v equal_o for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o the_o conclusion_n be_v more_o impudent_a or_o more_o impertinent_a §_o xi_o and_o now_o beside_o this_o direct_a demonstrative_a proof_n of_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n there_o be_v another_o more_o remote_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o foreign_a writer_n jew_n or_o heathen_n who_o live_v in_o or_o about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o this_o evidence_n be_v so_o weak_a in_o comparison_n of_o that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o produce_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o prosecute_v it_o as_o a_o argument_n in_o my_o cause_n but_o rather_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o it_o viz._n that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o know_v and_o notorious_a as_o be_v pretend_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o so_o little_a notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o by_o any_o author_n but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v his_o own_o disciple_n there_o be_v many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n especial_o historian_n about_o that_o time_n so_o that_o if_o his_o action_n have_v be_v so_o great_a and_o remarkable_a as_o his_o disciple_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v pass_v he_o over_o with_o so_o slender_a a_o regard_n and_o scarce_o any_o mention_n of_o he_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n give_v a_o satisfactory_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o infidelity_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n notwithstanding_o christianity_n bring_v along_o with_o it_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o we_o pretend_v it_o do_v but_o beside_o this_o i_o shall_v here_o show_v that_o the_o best_a writer_n of_o that_o time_n concur_v with_o and_o so_o confirm_v the_o main_a stroke_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o by_o consequence_n all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v interweave_v with_o they_o especial_o when_o what_o they_o write_v be_v pure_o to_o deliver_v matter_n of_o fact_n without_o any_o design_n to_o serve_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o when_o all_o thing_n
hope_n of_o immortality_n the_o vanity_n of_o epicurus_n his_o great_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n viz._n that_o death_n can_v hurt_v we_o because_o when_o that_o be_v we_o be_v not_o p._n 106._o §_o xxii_o all_o the_o other_o receipt_n prescribe_v by_o the_o philosopher_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n represent_v and_o explode_v p._n 113._o §_o xxiii_o without_o a_o future_a state_n no_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o virtue_n first_o not_o for_o temperance_n p._n 120._o §_o xxiv_o second_o not_o for_o justice_n nor_o magnanimity_n p._n 124._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o stoical_a philosophy_n represent_v upon_o its_o principle_n neither_o happiness_n nor_o virtue_n without_o a_o future_a state_n p._n 131._o §_o xxvi_o a_o account_n of_o the_o platonic_a and_o peripatetic_a morality_n out_o of_o tully_n and_o first_o his_o consolatory_a discourse_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o tusculane_n question_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n prove_v vain_a and_o ineffectual_a p._n 139._o §_o xxvii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o remedy_n prescribe_v in_o his_o second_o book_n for_o the_o alleviate_a of_o pain_n p._n 147._o §_o xxviii_o the_o same_o show_v of_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o book_n against_o grief_n and_o trouble_v under_o the_o calamity_n of_o life_n and_o all_o other_o perturbation_n of_o the_o mind_n p._n 151._o §_o xxix_o a_o account_n of_o the_o five_o book_n where_o he_o forsake_v the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n as_o insufficient_a to_o his_o purpose_n and_o what_o good_a reason_n he_o have_v so_o to_o do_v p._n 157._o §_o xxx_o the_o defect_n of_o his_o own_o new_a way_n of_o philosophise_v prove_v in_o general_n p._n 162._o §_o xxxi_o that_o great_a and_o glorious_a maxim_n of_o his_o friend_n brutus_n that_o virtue_n be_v sufficient_a to_o its_o own_o happiness_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o empty_a say_n without_o immortality_n the_o argument_n conclude_v p._n 167._o part_n ii_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n §_o i._o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o the_o gospel_n above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n pag._n 175._o §_o ii_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o infinite_a and_o intolerable_a absurdity_n of_o unbelief_n p._n 179._o §_o iii_o this_o particular_o prove_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o advice_n in_o the_o article_n of_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 182._o §_o iv._o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v false_a in_o their_o testimony_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o first_o instinct_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n and_o desire_v of_o self-preservation_n p._n 184._o §_o v._o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o prudence_n and_o common_a understanding_n p._n 190._o §_o vi_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o its_o inconsistency_n with_o and_o contrariety_n to_o their_o own_o design_n in_o publish_v christianity_n to_o the_o world_n p._n 193._o §_o vii_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n if_o write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v p._n 199._o §_o viii_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o any_o other_o demonstrative_o prove_v p._n 204._o §_o ix_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o authority_n be_v sometime_o dispute_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 207._o §_o x._o mr._n hobbs_n witticism_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o canon_n be_v first_o compile_v by_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n confute_v p._n 210._o §_o xi_o the_o concurrence_n of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n with_o the_o testimony_n of_o christian_a writer_n p._n 112._o §_o xii_o josephus_n and_o saint_n luke_n reconcile_v about_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n and_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n p._n 215._o §_o xiii_o the_o famous_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v our_o saviour_n vindicate_v from_o the_o exception_n of_o tanaquil_n faber_n and_o other_o critic_n p._n 222._o §_o fourteen_o the_o testimony_n of_o phlegon_n concern_v the_o eclipse_n at_o the_o passion_n assert_v p._n 229._o §_o xv._n pontius_n pilate_n his_o narrative_a concern_v our_o saviour_n to_o tiberius_n and_o tiberius_n his_o opinion_n of_o it_o clear_v p._n 230._o §_o xvi_o the_o story_n of_o agbarus_n prove_v genuine_a p._n 235._o §_o xvii_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n prevail_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n if_o their_o story_n have_v be_v false_a p._n 239._o §_o xviii_o the_o speedy_a propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n describe_v philo_n therapeutae_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v christian_n p._n 241._o §_o xix_o the_o first_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a its_o be_v a_o late_a matter_n of_o fact_n p._n 251._o §_o xx._n the_o second_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o atheism_n and_o the_o luxury_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v publish_v p._n 256._o §_o xxi_o the_o three_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n both_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a p._n 259._o §_o xxii_o the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o all_o other_o disadvantage_n not_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o rational_a evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o truth_n p._n 263._o §_o xxiii_o that_o the_o apostle_n plant_v the_o christian_a faith_n with_o so_o much_o speed_n by_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o have_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n p._n 266._o §_o xxiv_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o power_n to_o the_o next_o follow_v age_n assert_v and_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n appeal_v to_o by_o all_o the_o advocate_n of_o christianity_n in_o their_o public_a write_n p._n 275._o §_o xxv_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v wrought_v by_o magic_n p._n 283._o §_o xxvi_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o miracle_n oppose_v by_o the_o heathen_n to_o our_o saviour_n particular_o that_o of_o vespasian_n in_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a p._n 287._o §_o xxvii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o evident_a imposture_n of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n from_o his_o own_o historian_n philostratus_n p._n 293._o §_o xxviii_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n from_o mere_a humane_a tradition_n and_o that_o first_o public_a by_o the_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o chief_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n p._n 300._o §_o xxix_o the_o same_o prove_v by_o private_a tradition_n and_o first_o of_o saint_n clement_n bishop_n of_o rome_n p._n 308._o §_o xxx_o second_o of_o saint_n ignatius_n with_o a_o account_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o epistle_n p._n 311._o §_o xxxi_o three_o of_o saint_n policarp_n pothinus_n and_o papias_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v as_o to_o the_o paschal_n controversy_n p._n 320._o §_o xxxii_o of_o hegesippus_n the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n vindicate_v against_o all_o innovator_n and_o hegesippus_n his_o history_n against_o the_o cavil_n of_o scaliger_n p._n 328._o §_o xxxiii_o of_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n and_o a_o great_a number_n more_o p._n 338._o §_o xxxiv_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o infidelity_n of_o great_a number_n of_o man_n in_o that_o age_n answer_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v their_o invincible_a prejudice_n in_o honour_n of_o moses_n p._n 343._o §_o xxxv_o their_o second_o great_a prejudice_n be_v their_o expectation_n of_o a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n for_o their_o messiah_n and_o how_o they_o be_v cross_v in_o it_o by_o our_o saviour_n p._n 349._o §_o xxxvi_o atheism_n the_o ground_n of_o the_o sadducee_n oppose_v christianity_n and_o fanatic_a pride_n and_o arrogance_n of_o the_o pharisee_n p._n 357._o §_o xxxvii_o the_o heathen_n oppose_v christianity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o idolatry_n the_o neronian_a persecution_n only_o a_o trick_n of_o state_n to_o secure_v himself_o from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o multitude_n by_o deliver_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o it_o p._n 363._o §_o xxxviii_o domitian_n persecution_n found_v upon_o jealousy_n of_o state_n against_o the_o line_n of_o david_n hegesippus_n vindicate_v in_o his_o account_n of_o it_o against_o scaliger_n the_o jealousy_n both_o of_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o senate_n about_o the_o messiah_n p._n 370._o §_o thirty-nine_o a_o account_n of_o the_o follow_a persecution_n and_o of_o the_o injustice_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o several_a proceed_n against_o
in_o the_o gospel_n that_o other_o historian_n be_v concern_v to_o record_v as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n be_v exact_o true_a that_o be_v at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o the_o christian_a writer_n be_v faithful_a in_o those_o other_o relation_n that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o their_o own_o history_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o foreign_a testimony_n for_o if_o such_o writer_n have_v be_v exact_a in_o the_o record_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n they_o have_v then_o be_v christian_n and_o not_o jew_n or_o heathen_n suppose_v they_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v no_o friend_n to_o christianity_n they_o have_v give_v in_o all_o that_o suffrage_n to_o it_o that_o can_v be_v reasonable_o demand_v from_o they_o and_o now_o as_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o it_o have_v be_v much_o more_o easy_a than_o it_o be_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o care_v very_o little_a what_o become_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n so_o they_o can_v show_v their_o censure_a faculty_n upon_o word_n and_o particular_o they_o have_v in_o this_o case_n set_v themselves_o with_o their_o utmost_a critical_a severity_n to_o disparage_v or_o destroy_v the_o most_o eminent_a testimony_n cite_v by_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o foreign_a writer_n in_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n scaliger_n the_o father_n of_o they_o all_o lead_v the_o dance_n upon_o what_o motive_n i_o can_v imagine_v unless_o it_o be_v out_o of_o envy_n to_o the_o fame_n and_o glory_n of_o eusebius_n against_o who_o he_o particular_o set_v himself_o and_o his_o endeavour_n but_o however_o the_o design_n look_v like_o a_o novelty_n and_o carry_v in_o it_o a_o ostentation_n of_o learning_n for_o that_o reason_n alone_o he_o can_v not_o want_v a_o great_a number_n of_o follower_n among_o that_o sort_n of_o men._n but_o to_o what_o little_a purpose_n they_o have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n and_o peevishness_n i_o now_o come_v to_o represent_v and_o here_o first_o josephus_n the_o jew_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n agree_v all_o along_o with_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n he_o give_v the_o same_o account_n and_o description_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o gospel_n he_o give_v we_o the_o same_o narration_n of_o herod_n the_o tetrarch_n and_o particular_o of_o his_o marry_v his_o brother_n wife_n he_o mention_n the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n he_o record_v the_o act_n of_o the_o several_a governor_n of_o judaea_n pontius_n pilate_n felix_n and_o portius_n festus_n and_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o several_a high_a priest_n caiaphas_n joha_n and_o alexander_n the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n and_o of_o saint_n james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n nay_o he_o give_v not_o only_o a_o just_a history_n but_o a_o high_a character_n of_o our_o lord_n himself_o all_o which_o our_o learned_a man_n be_v willing_a enough_o to_o pass_v as_o certain_a and_o warrantable_a history_n except_v only_o that_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n only_o there_o be_v one_o difficulty_n in_o the_o tax_n of_o cyrenius_n which_o saint_n luke_n say_v be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n but_o josephus_n not_o till_o after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n which_o happen_v at_o least_o nine_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n so_o that_o which_o way_n to_o reconcile_v this_o difference_n learned_a man_n have_v be_v much_o puzzle_v and_o towards_o its_o solution_n have_v start_v variety_n of_o conjecture_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v of_o no_o very_a great_a concernment_n i_o shall_v give_v some_o account_n of_o it_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o testimony_n concern_v jesus_n §_o xii_o and_o first_o of_o all_o baronius_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o josephus_n be_v mistake_v but_o then_o etc._n this_o be_v to_o cut_v the_o knot_n not_o to_o untie_v it_o for_o our_o business_n be_v to_o reconcile_v he_o and_o the_o sacred_a history_n but_o if_o we_o utter_o reject_v he_o instead_o of_o answer_v the_o objection_n we_o grant_v it_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v irreconcilable_a difference_n between_o he_o and_o the_o evangelist_n though_o here_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o unusual_a disingenuity_n of_o casaubon_n 28._o who_o whereas_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o josephus_n do_v in_o many_o thing_n of_o chronology_n contradict_v saint_n luke_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o must_v stand_v to_o his_o authority_n that_o will_v enforce_v we_o to_o reject_v the_o evangelist_n he_o i_o say_v inveigh_v and_o declaim_v upon_o this_o as_o if_o it_o be_v baronius_n his_o assertion_n and_o not_o his_o argument_n and_o rate_v he_o severe_o as_o if_o he_o have_v positive_o affirm_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o quit_v that_o of_o the_o evangelist_n whereas_o he_o only_o make_v use_v of_o it_o as_o a_o forcible_a objection_n against_o appeal_n to_o josephus_n in_o any_o matter_n wherein_o he_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o such_o case_n say_v he_o we_o can_v admit_v he_o without_o reject_v they_o now_o i_o say_v from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v so_o to_o do_v become_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o a_o learned_a man._n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v to_o observe_v once_o for_o all_o casaubon_n be_v little_o less_o partial_a towards_o one_o extreme_a than_o baronius_n towards_o the_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o that_o learned_a cardinal_n and_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o rake_v together_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v serve_v their_o cause_n embrace_v the_o forge_a and_o spurious_a as_o well_o as_o the_o true_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o casaubon_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o way_n have_v be_v as_o diligent_a to_o weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o most_o authentic_a writer_n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o slip_n in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_n that_o they_o have_v not_o observe_v in_o their_o critical_a note_n upon_o they_o and_o beside_o that_o they_o reject_v whole_a book_n of_o the_o best_a and_o early_a antiquity_n but_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o have_v between_o they_o both_o do_v this_o great_a service_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o as_o they_o have_v discover_v the_o fraud_n of_o supposititious_a book_n so_o they_o have_v confirm_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a and_o it_o be_v by_o occasion_n of_o their_o dispute_n that_o we_o be_v come_v to_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o sincere_a record_n of_o antiquity_n so_o that_o at_o last_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n that_o have_v be_v most_o of_o all_o oppose_a have_v by_o those_o great_a endeavour_n that_o have_v be_v employ_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n gain_v and_o will_v for_o ever_o keep_v as_o undoubted_a a_o credit_n as_o the_o most_o unquestioned_a piece_n of_o justin_n martyr_n or_o irenaeus_n the_o next_o guess_n be_v that_o of_o beza_n which_o be_v follow_v and_o various_o emprove_v 32._o by_o scaliger_n casaubon_n grotius_n and_o other_o viz._n that_o cyrenius_n be_v employ_v by_o augustus_n to_o take_v two_o several_a muster_n of_o the_o people_n one_o with_o a_o tax_n and_o the_o other_o without_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o that_o be_v make_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n for_o augustus_n design_v that_o compendious_a account_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o historian_n so_o often_o speak_v of_o and_o which_o he_o leave_v as_o a_o guide_n and_o direction_n to_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n send_v several_a officer_n through_o the_o several_a province_n to_o take_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o number_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o for_o this_o purpose_n though_o quintilius_n varus_n be_v then_o perfect_a of_o syria_n cyrenius_n be_v join_v in_o commission_n with_o he_o as_o a_o person_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o residence_n in_o syria_n and_o his_o war_n in_o cilicia_n exact_o acquaint_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o east_n as_o afterward_o he_o be_v send_v with_o c._n caesar_n on_o the_o same_o errand_n and_o when_o judaea_n be_v reduce_v into_o the_o form_n of_o a_o province_n after_o the_o banishment_n of_o archelaus_n and_o the_o first_o tax_n to_o be_v impose_v immediate_o by_o the_o roman_n upon_o the_o people_n he_o be_v particular_o single_v out_o as_o the_o person_n most_o able_a to_o manage_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o he_o may_v be_v employ_v in_o this_o business_n though_o not_o himself_o but_o quintilius_n varus_n be_v then_o perfect_a of_o syria_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o