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deny_v if_o he_o will_v no_o more_o than_o he_o can_v deny_v himself_o to_o be_v reasonable_a and_o do_v discover_v to_o we_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n by_o the_o natural_a emanation_n of_o which_o we_o fix_v upon_o many_o position_n as_o undoubted_o true_a and_o beyond_o all_o question_n or_o dispute_v and_o from_o thence_o measure_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n therefore_o aristotle_n say_v that_o in_o all_o acquisition_n of_o knowledge_n there_o be_v a_o proceed_n from_o premise_n know_v and_o agree_v to_o conclusion_n that_o before_o be_v not_o know_v nor_o agree_v these_o first_o principle_n be_v secure_v by_o the_o innate_a rectitude_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n these_o prove_v themselves_o by_o their_o consonancy_n to_o the_o rational_a nature_n and_o can_v be_v otherwise_o prove_v because_o they_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o other_o proof_n and_o of_o these_o it_o be_v true_a what_o the_o school_n say_v a_o 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to_o man_n of_o one_o persuasion_n whenever_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o sound_n of_o any_o science_n lay_v down_o position_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v if_o such_o principle_n be_v beyond_o the_o first_o and_o common_a rudiment_n of_o every_o man_n reason_n though_o in_o themselves_o never_o so_o true_a yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o debate_v and_o admit_v questionable_a in_o all_o reason_n about_o that_o very_a science_n not_o to_o admit_v some_o universal_a maxim_n be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v mankind_n certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o to_o admit_v any_o particular_a man_n opinion_n as_o indisputable_a principle_n be_v the_o way_n to_o enslave_v the_o world_n to_o every_o party_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o of_o men._n the_o first_o of_o christian_a religion_n but_o not_o of_o all_o science_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o begin_v their_o proof_n against_o all_o antiscriptural_a 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indit_fw-la pater_fw-la hominumque_fw-la deumque_fw-la and_o his_o book_n be_v fill_v throughout_o with_o enthusiastic_a advertisement_n direct_v to_o man_n from_o the_o go_n cicero_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 2._o book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n be_v large_a in_o his_o expression_n this_o way_n nec_fw-la unquam_fw-la magnus_fw-la vir_fw-la sine_fw-la aliquo_fw-la afflatu_fw-la divino_fw-la never_o be_v there_o any_o great_a man_n say_v he_o without_o some_o inspiration_n not_o only_o be_v the_o poet_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o divine_n of_o the_o pagan_n and_o the_o priest_n of_o their_o mystery_n all_o inspire_a man_n but_o not_o a_o eminent_a physician_n or_o a_o soldier_n be_v there_o among_o they_o nor_o a_o man_n any_o way_n excellent_a but_o they_o derive_v his_o ability_n from_o some_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o think_v his_o quality_n from_o above_o socrates_n that_o excellent_a person_n often_o say_v that_o virtue_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o thing_n to_o be_v learn_v 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with_o a_o supernatural_a stamp_n numa_n pompilius_n the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o roman_a ceremony_n declare_v he_o receive_v they_o from_o the_o goddess_n egeria_n no_o religion_n in_o any_o nation_n but_o have_v make_v some_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n that_o absurd_a imposter_n mahomet_n be_v wise_a enough_o to_o father_n his_o medley_n divinity_n and_o all_o the_o confuse_a trash_n of_o his_o koran_n upon_o revelation_n nothing_o else_o can_v have_v cheat_v so_o many_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o that_o they_o be_v first_o persuade_v it_o come_v from_o above_o and_o that_o mahomet_n have_v it_o reveal_v to_o he_o from_o heaven_n the_o heathen_a world_n be_v in_o truth_n without_o any_o revelation_n in_o religious_a affair_n that_o be_v they_o have_v no_o divine_a law_n give_v they_o from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v their_o religious_a obedience_n whether_o it_o please_v god_n to_o reveal_v any_o particular_a matter_n at_o any_o time_n to_o any_o of_o they_o i_o dispute_v not_o but_o he_o give_v his_o statute_n his_o divine_a law_n to_o israel_n and_o he_o do_v not_o deal_v so_o witâ—_n any_o nation_n beside_o and_o yet_o nothing_o more_o general_a than_o the_o expectation_n of_o it_o and_o nothing_o more_o common_a than_o pretension_n to_o it_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o catholic_n maxim_n that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v he_o must_v be_v reveal_v from_o above_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n seem_v to_o have_v concenter_v in_o this_o belief_n that_o divine_a revelation_n and_o a_o supernatural_a intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o present_a and_o future_a good_a of_o mankind_n it_o be_v well_o express_v by_o the_o learned_a camero_n omnium_fw-la gentium_fw-la etiam_fw-la barbararum_fw-la consensu_fw-la receptum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la homini_fw-la bene_fw-la sit_fw-la praeter_fw-la eam_fw-la rationem_fw-la quam_fw-la nimis_fw-la magnifico_n &_o superbo_fw-la titulo_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la ducem_fw-la vocant_fw-la requiri_fw-la coelestem_fw-la quandam_fw-la sapientiam_fw-la inde_fw-la nata_fw-la est_fw-la religio_fw-la ritus_fw-la cerimoniae_fw-la quae_fw-la sola_fw-la sanctitate_fw-la se_fw-la commendant_fw-la praelect_v de_fw-fr verb._n dei_fw-la it_o be_v a_o thing_n say_v he_o agree_v to_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n yea_o the_o most_o barbarous_a that_o in_o order_n to_o man_n well_o be_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o heavenly_a wisdom_n to_o direct_v he_o beside_o the_o guide_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o come_v religion_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v from_o this_o general_a apprehension_n that_o the_o world_n come_v to_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o easy_o impose_v upon_o by_o delude_a pretension_n to_o inspiration_n and_o the_o many_o gross_a cheat_n of_o enthusiasm_n the_o great_a impostor_n still_o set_v up_o for_o enthusiast_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o heathen_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v so_o enslave_v to_o their_o oracle_n
till_o our_o saviour_n come_v and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o there_o be_v again_o a_o floodgate_n of_o divine_a power_n let_v open_a in_o mighty_a and_o miraculous_a operation_n all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n write_v and_o they_o be_v not_o all_o write_a till_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n after_o who_o and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n god_n make_v no_o further_a addition_n all_o the_o other_o part_n i_o say_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v principal_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o establish_v work_v of_o miracle_n after_o his_o time_n be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o only_a rule_n of_o prophecy_n and_o revelation_n god_n have_v declare_v and_o command_v the_o contrary_a nor_o indeed_o have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n think_v fit_a to_o record_v to_o we_o whatever_o may_v be_v do_v in_o that_o kind_n that_o any_o one_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n wrought_v any_o miracle_n after_o moses_n his_o time_n it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o succession_n of_o the_o office_n of_o prophet_n after_o moses_n and_o certain_a school_n of_o they_o which_o first_o begin_v and_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o dwell_v disperse_v among_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n and_o of_o many_o that_o be_v probable_o train_v up_o in_o those_o school_n we_o read_v in_o scripture_n as_o of_o god_n and_o nathan_n and_o other_o seer_n and_o prophet_n that_o some_o of_o they_o write_v no_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o that_o we_o read_v of_o be_v any_o way_n extraordinary_o employ_v but_o most_o likely_a be_v so_o style_v because_o they_o have_v their_o education_n there_o &_o be_v breed_v up_o and_o devote_v to_o that_o office_n and_o employment_n that_o god_n do_v often_o make_v use_n of_o those_o that_o be_v of_o that_o prophetical_a society_n in_o extraordinary_a matter_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o 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write_v now_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o more_o superlative_a imposture_n and_o wickedness_n than_o to_o ascend_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n to_o speak_v in_o his_o name_n and_o pretend_v his_o authority_n without_o his_o order_n no_o man_n not_o whole_o forsake_v of_o all_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o respect_n to_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o make_v such_o a_o attempt_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n of_o know_a piety_n and_o honesty_n be_v reasonable_o suspect_v of_o it_o second_o and_o chief_o from_o the_o conformity_n of_o what_o be_v then_o write_v to_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o moses_n settle_v upon_o such_o unquestionable_a evidence_n for_o whatever_o be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o foundation_n come_v under_o the_o same_o justification_n so_o that_o if_o any_o write_n be_v publish_v in_o god_n name_n that_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v but_o a_o further_a discovery_n and_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n a_o renewal_a of_o those_o threaten_n and_o promise_n in_o moses_n to_o that_o people_n and_o a_o further_a promotion_n of_o those_o holy_a law_n and_o that_o religion_n and_o worship_n by_o he_o establish_v there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o miracle_n in_o such_o case_n if_o any_o man_n will_v suppose_v there_o may_v be_v in_o those_o time_n book_n pious_o write_v and_o ground_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o moses_n that_o come_v not_o from_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n in_o judge_v of_o which_o man_n may_v be_v possible_o deceive_v and_o mistake_v i_o answer_v either_o such_o book_n pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a mission_n from_o god_n or_o they_o do_v not_o if_o they_o do_v not_o no_o man_n can_v be_v endanger_v by_o they_o if_o they_o do_v they_o must_v either_o be_v write_v by_o true_a prophet_n or_o false_a no_o true_a prophet_n will_v do_v it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o think_v any_o false_a prophet_n shall_v because_o they_o can_v serve_v no_o design_n by_o it_o nor_o can_v the_o devil_n or_o any_o ill_a instrument_n any_o way_n promote_v their_o own_o interest_n by_o persuade_a man_n to_o serve_v the_o true_a god_n in_o the_o right_a way_n nor_o do_v we_o find_v that_o in_o fact_n any_o such_o thing_n ever_o be_v three_o there_o appear_v in_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o part_n of_o a_o bible_n a_o peculiar_a majesty_n a_o savour_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a way_n a_o great_a and_o eminent_a difference_n as_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n say_v between_o the_o chaff_n and_o the_o wheat_n nor_o be_v it_o fit_a to_o suppose_v but_o that_o whâ—â—_n come_v by_o a_o immediate_a inspiration_n from_o god_n shall_v carry_v some_o impression_n of_o his_o wisdom_n &_o power_n and_o be_v some_o way_n difference_v from_o the_o common_a write_n of_o weak_a and_o fallible_a man_n beside_o from_o many_o other_o circumstance_n attend_v the_o first_o edition_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n relate_v to_o the_o matter_n write_v and_o the_o author_n that_o write_v may_v god_n give_v a_o further_a evidence_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n of_o which_o we_o be_v now_o whole_o ignorant_a and_o it_o will_v be_v perhaps_o somewhat_o of_o curiosity_n and_o of_o little_a use_n to_o inquire_v after_o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v record_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o particular_o the_o foretell_v of_o future_a event_n that_o according_o come_v to_o pass_v two_o way_n god_n himself_o have_v previous_o appoint_v by_o moses_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o all_o false_a pretension_n to_o revelation_n first_o if_o any_o pretender_n that_o way_n come_v to_o seduce_v man_n from_o the_o true_a god_n and_o that_o divine_a worship_n of_o his_o then_o establish_v god_n command_v they_o shall_v be_v reject_v and_o second_o if_o
shall_v be_v terminate_v single_o in_o they_o but_o be_v of_o a_o much_o far_a extension_n and_o of_o a_o perpetual_a duration_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o apographa_n copy_n true_o take_v from_o the_o original_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o original_n themselves_o it_o be_v not_o the_o paper_n nor_o the_o ink_n nor_o the_o hand_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v nor_o any_o thing_n circumstantial_a of_o that_o kind_n but_o the_o matter_n itself_o as_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o and_o wheresoever_o that_o matter_n be_v true_o contain_v there_o be_v also_o the_o same_o authority_n present_a the_o great_a question_n in_o these_o day_n will_v be_v whether_o those_o copy_n we_o have_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o those_o original_a language_n in_o which_o they_o be_v first_o write_v be_v true_a and_o whether_o they_o have_v not_o be_v since_o deface_v or_o corrupt_v the_o satisfaction_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v give_v to_o this_o inquiry_n must_v arise_v these_o two_o way_n first_o by_o consider_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o in_o their_o present_a posture_n and_o second_o by_o consider_v such_o circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o first_o transcription_n and_o the_o various_a copy_n that_o be_v then_o and_o have_v be_v since_o take_v of_o they_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o latter_a first_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o know_v be_v deliver_v over_o as_o it_o first_o become_v write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o commit_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o their_o custody_n and_o it_o be_v they_o alone_a that_o have_v the_o care_n incumbent_a upon_o they_o punctual_o to_o transcribe_v and_o safe_o to_o secure_v it_o that_o they_o perform_v this_o trust_n with_o great_a care_n and_o exactness_n and_o deliver_v the_o old_a testament_n over_o entire_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o believe_v and_o that_o both_o upon_o general_n and_o some_o more_o particular_a ground_n first_o upon_o general_a ground_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o high_a value_n imaginable_a of_o their_o law_n and_o prize_v it_o above_o all_o else_o they_o possess_v both_o josephus_n and_o philo_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n will_v rather_o have_v suffer_v a_o thousand_o death_n then_o that_o the_o least_o thing_n shall_v be_v once_o alter_v in_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o statute_n of_o their_o nation_n the_o miraculous_a power_n upon_o which_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v establish_v have_v imprint_v in_o that_o people_n a_o indelible_a veneration_n of_o it_o second_o it_o be_v the_o municipal_a law_n of_o their_o country_n and_o that_o by_o which_o all_o matter_n of_o right_n be_v daily_o adjudge_v and_o by_o which_o each_o man_n property_n among_o they_o be_v maintain_v and_o secure_v three_o their_o law_n be_v not_o only_o the_o glory_n of_o their_o nation_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o their_o political_a and_o ecclesiastical_a be_v but_o it_o be_v also_o the_o great_a title_n they_o have_v to_o their_o country_n the_o scripture_n contain_v in_o themselves_o the_o deed_n by_o which_o god_n himself_o convey_v to_o they_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o give_v they_o the_o high_a right_a to_o possess_v it_o it_o be_v not_o hard_a from_o hence_o to_o conceive_v that_o the_o jew_n will_v be_v careful_a of_o such_o a_o book_n wherein_o their_o body_n their_o soul_n their_o estate_n their_o honour_n and_o indeed_o their_o all_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v second_o it_o appear_v more_o particular_o and_o in_o fact_n that_o they_o be_v so_o for_o after_o that_o by_o god_n providential_a disposal_n ezra_n and_o that_o famous_a synagogue_n with_o he_o have_v exact_o settle_v their_o canon_n and_o deliver_v over_o the_o scripture_n pure_a and_o entire_a to_o the_o people_n at_o their_o return_n out_o of_o babylon_n the_o indefatigable_a care_n of_o the_o succeed_a mastoriâ—es_n from_o those_o very_a time_n downward_o to_o preserve_v every_o letter_n and_o syllable_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n entire_a be_v notorious_o know_v to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o the_o jewish_a writer_n even_o to_o so_o great_a a_o exactness_n have_v they_o arrive_v that_o they_o know_v how_o often_o every_o letter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o bible_n and_o indeed_o they_o take_v such_o a_o course_n to_o preserve_v the_o original_a text_n entire_a that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o the_o least_o considerable_a alteration_n or_o change_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v make_v in_o it_o eusebius_n speak_v with_o great_a wonder_n of_o the_o industry_n and_o care_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o this_o matter_n mirabile_n mihi_fw-la videtur_fw-la say_v he_o duobus_fw-la annorum_fw-la millibus_fw-la inâ—o_fw-la majore_fw-la tempore_fw-la jam_fw-la ferè_fw-la transacto_fw-la non_fw-la enim_fw-la exquisitissimè_fw-la annorum_fw-la possum_fw-la dicere_fw-la numerum_fw-la nec_fw-la verbum_fw-la unum_fw-la in_o lege_fw-la illius_fw-la esse_fw-la immutatum_fw-la sed_fw-la centiès_fw-fr unusquisque_fw-la judaeorum_fw-la moritur_fw-la quam_fw-la lege_fw-la mosaicae_n derogavit_fw-la it_o seem_v wonderful_a to_o i_o that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o thousand_o year_n and_o upward_o for_o i_o can_v exact_o reckon_v the_o number_n of_o year_n not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n shall_v be_v change_v in_o their_o law_n but_o that_o every_o jew_n will_v rather_o die_v a_o hundred_o time_n over_o then_o derogate_v in_o the_o least_o from_o it_o and_o that_o this_o care_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n be_v by_o god_n blessing_n effectual_a and_o successful_a for_o the_o secure_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n from_o all_o maim_n or_o imperfection_n and_o the_o least_o considerable_a alteration_n from_o what_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v there_o need_v no_o other_o evidence_n then_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n full_o approve_v it_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o in_o possession_n of_o it_o and_o never_o charge_v they_o with_o the_o least_o gild_n either_o of_o corruption_n or_o neglect_v in_o that_o kind_n and_o to_o suppose_v the_o jew_n have_v corrupt_v it_o since_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v near_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n time_n translate_v into_o greek_a and_o that_o any_o after-corruption_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v manifest_o discover_v from_o thence_o and_o confider_v how_o much_o of_o it_o be_v quote_v in_o the_o new_a be_v very_o absurd_a so_o think_v st_o jerome_n in_o his_o time_n siquis_fw-la dixerit_fw-la post_fw-la adventum_fw-la christi_fw-la &_o predicationem_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la libros_fw-la hebraeos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la falsatos_fw-la risam_fw-la tenere_fw-la non_fw-la potero_fw-la ut_fw-la salvator_fw-la &_o apostoli_fw-la ita_fw-la testimonia_fw-la protuleriâ—_n sicut_fw-la à _fw-la judaeis_n falsandâ—erant_fw-la if_o any_o man_n think_v the_o old_a testament_n say_v he_o falsify_v after_o our_o saviour_n come_v i_o can_v scarce_o forbear_v smile_v to_o think_v that_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n shall_v quote_v the_o old_a testament_n so_o as_o the_o jew_n shall_v falsify_v it_o after_o their_o time_n and_o with_o the_o same_o contempt_n speak_v origen_n and_o s_o austin_n of_o such_o a_o vain_a and_o absurd_a supposition_n that_o we_o have_v also_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v safe_o and_o entire_o and_o without_o any_o considerable_a variation_n from_o what_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o write_v descend_v down_o to_o we_o will_v likewise_o appear_v first_o from_o the_o circumstance_n attend_v its_o first_o transcription_n and_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o its_o conveyance_n and_o second_o from_o its_o present_a condition_n and_o posture_n for_o the_o first_o when_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v first_o write_v so_o very_a many_o have_v embrace_v the_o doctrine_n thereof_o from_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o multitude_n of_o copy_n be_v immediate_o take_v and_o disperse_v into_o all_o part_n of_o europe_n into_o asia_n and_o egypt_n and_o wheresoever_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v by_o any_o receive_v nor_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o man_n that_o suffer_v daily_o for_o a_o religion_n the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n and_o estate_n will_v not_o be_v careful_a exact_o to_o know_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o and_o to_o be_v safe_o possess_v of_o that_o great_a rule_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n direct_v when_o '_o it_o be_v so_o easy_o to_o be_v have_v nay_o '_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o may_v disperse_v several_a transcript_n of_o their_o own_o write_n among_o the_o christian_n &_o so_o innumerable_a copy_n may_v be_v take_v from_o many_o original_n but_o however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o autographa_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o very_a original_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n