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design_n in_o the_o follow_a method_n first_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o miracle_n by_o themselves_o and_o this_o according_a to_o the_o different_a period_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v and_o the_o different_a person_n they_o be_v do_v by_o second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o prophecy_n apart_o according_a to_o the_o same_o distinction_n of_o time_n and_o person_n as_o i_o observe_v in_o treat_v of_o miracle_n three_o i_o shall_v make_v some_o general_a reflection_n with_o relation_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a miracle_n and_o prophecy_n take_v altogether_o first_o then_z as_o to_z miracle_n it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o a_o great_a many_o such_o fact_n as_o these_o that_o i_o call_v miracle_n be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v by_o jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v every_o where_o assert_v or_o suppose_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o gospel_n give_v a_o very_a particular_a and_o circumstantial_a account_n of_o several_a of_o they_o it_o be_v certain_a also_o from_o the_o general_a proof_n before_o give_v of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o these_o miracle_n be_v believe_v by_o the_o first_o christian_n both_o by_o those_o that_o live_v in_o judea_n and_o those_o that_o dwell_v in_o other_o country_n and_o the_o real_a truth_n of_o they_o will_v as_o evident_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v at_o first_o believe_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v of_o christ_n be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o great_a multitude_n at_o the_o most_o public_a place_n in_o judea_n and_o at_o the_o most_o solemn_a time_n of_o meet_v nay_o he_o be_v so_o constant_o employ_v in_o travel_v and_o go_v about_o and_o perform_v so_o many_o sign_n and_o wonder_n wherever_o he_o come_v and_o give_v so_o many_o repeat_v instance_n of_o his_o power_n in_o the_o same_o place_n that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o in_o that_o whole_a country_n who_o have_v not_o see_v some_o of_o his_o mighty_a work_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o sole_a ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n of_o palestine_n believe_v these_o miracle_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o their_o own_o sense_n the_o fact_n themselves_o be_v so_o level_a to_o their_o capacity_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v they_o be_v so_o open_a and_o so_o easy_o and_o full_o perceive_v that_o they_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o distrust_v their_o sense_n and_o therefore_o they_o ready_o conclude_v they_o to_o be_v true_a a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o first_o believer_n of_o christ_n miracle_n have_v a_o further_a and_o more_o intimate_a perception_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o than_o the_o rest_n viz._n those_o upon_o who_o some_o of_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v or_o who_o be_v make_v to_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o action_n themselves_o such_o be_v all_o those_o that_o be_v heal_v or_o feed_v by_o christ_n that_o have_v devil_n cast_v out_o of_o they_o that_o have_v their_o secret_a thought_n or_o private_a action_n reveal_v to_o they_o etc._n etc._n those_o who_o see_v none_o of_o these_o mighty_a work_n themselves_o but_o believe_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o be_v confirm_v in_o their_o faith_n by_o a_o universal_a concurrence_n of_o all_o person_n their_o curiosity_n or_o concern_v dispose_v they_o to_o inquire_v of_o for_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n all_o kind_n of_o people_n believe_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o those_o who_o reverence_v his_o person_n and_o character_n and_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n but_o even_o those_o who_o despise_v he_o and_o set_v he_o at_o nought_o and_o reject_v his_o gospel_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o be_v the_o most_o powerful_a and_o most_o zealous_a enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n acknowledge_v his_o miracle_n but_o attribute_v they_o to_o evil_a spirit_n some_o of_o the_o pharisee_n can_v not_o deny_v his_o wonderful_a cure_n of_o a_o blind_a man_n but_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o he_o be_v of_o god_n because_o he_o keep_v not_o the_o sabbath-day_n though_o other_o of_o they_o say_v how_o can_v a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o sinner_n do_v such_o miracle_n none_o of_o the_o jew_n upon_o the_o strict_a examination_n be_v able_a to_o disprove_v this_o or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o miracle_n but_o notwithstanding_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v in_o christ_n or_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n because_o they_o be_v moses_n disciple_n and_o they_o know_v that_o god_n speak_v unto_o moses_n but_o as_o for_o that_o fellow_n who_o cure_v the_o blind_a man_n they_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n never_o doubt_v of_o the_o mighty_a work_v do_v by_o he_o but_o only_o question_v his_o authority_n in_o do_v
to_o convince_v they_o that_o there_o be_v at_o present_a other_o strange_a thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o see_v and_o which_o they_o believe_v their_o sense_n as_o capable_a judge_n of_o as_o of_o those_o which_o they_o do_v see_v but_o whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v believe_v in_o this_o case_n by_o few_o or_o more_o those_o who_o have_v not_o be_v dispose_v to_o like_v they_o will_v have_v have_v great_a and_o more_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o make_v to_o they_o from_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n than_o our_o present_a unbeliever_n have_v how_o can_v a_o faithful_a christian_a who_o live_v before_o copernicus_n and_o des_n cartes_n have_v defend_v the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o such_o as_o reject_v the_o forementioned_a notion_n and_o expose_v they_o as_o ridiculous_a and_o absurd_a the_o bare_a authority_n of_o the_o revelation_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o all_o our_o modern_a experiment_n and_o observation_n will_v have_v be_v less_o 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have_v every_o thing_n the_o scripture_n have_v occasion_n to_o mention_v be_v express_v according_a to_o the_o true_a philosophy_n of_o it_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o mankind_n can_v never_o make_v experiment_n and_o observation_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o scripture-notion_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o revelation_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n endure_v but_o beside_o this_o general_a defence_n of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o scripture_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o several_a seem_a contradiction_n to_o reason_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n have_v lay_v a_o great_a stress_n upon_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a and_o consistent_a by_o learned_a man_n and_o some_o of_o they_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o mathematical_o demonstrate_v as_o particular_o the_o capacity_n of_o noah_n ark._n the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v answer_v to_o the_o next_o objection_n make_v to_o scripture_n viz._n that_o several_a 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that_o some_o of_o the_o roll_n or_o sheet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v misplace_v that_o some_o thing_n have_v be_v insert_v afterward_o word_n and_o sentence_n have_v be_v leave_v out_o letter_n have_v be_v change_v and_o other_o mistake_v have_v be_v make_v by_o transcriber_n that_o some_o of_o the_o book_n or_o some_o part_n of_o they_o be_v ascribe_v to_o wrong_a author_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v much_o controvert_v whether_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n shall_v we_o i_o say_v allow_v all_o this_o i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o use_n can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o to_o the_o prejudice_n either_o of_o the_o truth_n or_o divinity_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a revelation_n for_o variety_n of_o copy_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o text_n proceed_v be_v a_o very_a great_a argument_n of_o the_o sincerity_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o original_a as_o be_v the_o best_a preservative_n against_o all_o corruption_n in_o the_o substance_n and_o principal_a part_n of_o it_o and_o the_o controvert_v book_n only_o show_v what_o care_n and_o faithful_a examination_n there_o be_v of_o every_o book_n before_o it_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o to_o give_v all_o the_o force_n and_o weight_n to_o these_o objection_n which_o they_o can_v possible_o have_v shall_v we_o reject_v all_o controvert_v book_n and_o passage_n whatsoever_o and_o shall_v we_o establish_v any_o read_n we_o please_v where_o there_o be_v variety_n only_o let_v the_o authentic_a undoubted_a place_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o exposition_n to_o the_o doubtful_a than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o reasonable_a in_o this_o case_n i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o not_o one_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o rule_n of_o practice_n or_o any_o of_o the_o principal_a fact_n our_o religion_n be_v build_v upon_o will_v be_v cut_v off_o but_o may_v be_v as_o evident_o prove_v from_o what_o remain_v uncontested_a as_o from_o the_o whole_a it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v from_o those_o change_n and_o alteration_n that_o have_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n since_o they_o be_v deposit_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n to_o keep_v or_o the_o contest_v they_o have_v have_v about_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o part_n of_o they_o that_o what_o remain_v unaltered_a and_o uncontested_a be_v not_o true_a and_o of_o divine_a original_a because_o god_n have_v no_o where_o promise_v to_o exempt_v the_o book_n in_o which_o his_o revelation_n to_o man_n be_v preserve_v from_o the_o accident_n common_a to_o other_o book_n nay_o further_o shall_v we_o allow_v what_o some_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o assert_v that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n themselves_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o mistake_v as_o other_o man_n be_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n from_o 〈◊〉_d own_o memory_n or_o the_o information_n of_o credible_a witness_n it_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o any_o of_o the_o principal_a fact_n which_o make_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v false_a because_o these_o be_v all_o so_o very_o extraordinary_a and_o notorious_a and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o pass_v by_o without_o censure_n and_o contradiction_n if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v deny_v that_o have_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v no_o peculiar_a assistance_n from_o god_n in_o the_o composure_n of_o they_o we_o can_v have_v no_o manner_n of_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v or_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o substance_n and_o principal_a part_n either_o of_o the_o history_n or_o doctrine_n there_o deliver_v for_o suppose_v those_o we_o call_v the_o sacred_a writer_n be_v not_o divine_o inspire_v as_o we_o believe_v they_o be_v yet_o be_v they_o capable_a and_o faithful_a witness_n of_o what_o they_o write_v and_o do_v not_o this_o appear_v to_o we_o from_o their_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o write_v
christ_n the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o sect_n of_o man_n call_v christian_n begin_v to_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n be_v very_o particular_o and_o circumstantial_o set_v down_o by_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n and_o herod_n be_v tetrarch_n of_o galilee_n and_o his_o brother_n philip_n tetrarch_n of_o iturea_n and_o of_o the_o region_n of_o trachonitis_n and_o lysanias_n the_o tetrarch_n of_o abilene_n annas_n and_o caiaphas_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o the_o book_n call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o st._n luke_n it_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o disciple_n by_o which_o word_n be_v there_o mean_v all_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o he_o be_v call_v christian_n first_o at_o antioch_n which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o christian_a historian_n record_v to_o have_v happen_v at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n who_o be_v the_o next_o that_o succeed_v tiberius_n in_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o low_a point_n of_o time_n it_o can_v be_v fix_v at_o appear_v from_o the_o same_o place_n of_o st._n luke_n where_o immediate_o after_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v it_o follow_v and_o in_o these_o day_n come_v prophet_n from_o jerusalem_n unto_o antioch_n and_o there_o stand_v up_o one_o of_o they_o name_v agabus_n and_o signify_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a dearth_n throughout_o all_o the_o world_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o this_o relation_n of_o agabus_n concur_v in_o time_n with_o that_o other_o account_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o be_v say_v concern_v the_o completion_n of_o agabus_n prophecy_n in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n that_o he_o first_o utter_v his_o prophecy_n some_o time_n before_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n the_o time_n when_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n must_v likewise_o be_v soon_o or_o late_a before_o the_o reign_n of_o claudius_n which_o claudius_n be_v the_o immediate_a successor_n of_o caligula_n in_o the_o empire_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o question_n must_v happen_v in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n or_o at_o some_o time_n before_o now_o from_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n when_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o last_o of_o caligula_n when_o his_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n at_o antioch_n be_v about_o twelve_o year_n from_o whence_o to_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o nero_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v first_o persecute_v at_o rome_n be_v a_o little_a above_o twenty_o year_n within_o five_o year_n after_o which_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o a_o end_n be_v put_v to_o the_o jewish_a government_n and_o policy_n so_o that_o from_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n when_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o gospel_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o first_o of_o vespasian_n when_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v be_v about_o forty_o year_n and_o no_o more_o if_o therefore_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o neronian_a persecution_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v true_a as_o be_v constant_o attest_v by_o heathen_a and_o jewish_a as_o well_o as_o christian_a writer_n it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o those_o mention_v by_o st._n luke_n be_v so_o too_o for_o before_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n no_o sign_n or_o footstep_n of_o christianity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v it_o pretend_v by_o any_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o this_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v early_o and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n fall_v in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o vespasian_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o thence_o to_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v as_o early_o a_o date_n of_o that_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o find_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n in_o nero_n time_n both_o the_o propagation_n as_o well_o as_o original_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v have_v happen_v not_o only_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o some_o time_n between_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o the_o ten_o of_o nero_n and_o consequent_o the_o account_n before_o give_v by_o st._n luke_n of_o these_o great_a event_n can_v well_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v false_a but_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o mistake_n in_o time_n if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o suppose_a can_v be_v considerable_a from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v profess_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n and_o be_v derive_v from_o one_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o it_o and_o suffer_v death_n at_o jerusalem_n upon_o that_o account_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o tiberius_n reign_n as_o i_o find_v it_o record_v by_o st._n luke_n and_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o next_o view_n i_o shall_v take_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v under_o constantine_n another_o emperor_n of_o rome_n who_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o be_v dispose_v to_o embrace_v this_o religion_n about_o 300_o year_n after_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v very_o notorious_a that_o christianity_n be_v the_o prevail_a religion_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n the_o extent_n of_o which_o be_v then_o very_o great_a this_o manifest_o appear_v from_o all_o the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o the_o history_n of_o this_o famous_a emperor_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n under_o his_o reign_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o which_o be_v hold_v a_o general_n council_n which_o be_v a_o meeting_n or_o assembly_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n who_o come_v from_o all_o the_o different_a province_n and_o city_n both_o of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a empire_n and_o be_v person_n that_o in_o their_o several_a district_n govern_v and_o direct_v in_o religion_n affair_n the_o chief_a design_n of_o that_o meeting_n be_v by_o constantine_n who_o call_v they_o together_o declare_v to_o be_v for_o the_o decision_n of_o a_o controversy_n that_o have_v happen_v between_o certain_a christian_a professor_n concern_v a_o particular_a article_n or_o doctrine_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o some_o affirm_v aught_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o one_o sense_n and_o some_o in_o another_o these_o bishop_n do_v meet_v according_o to_o the_o number_n of_o about_o 300_o decide_v the_o 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where_o every_o body_n be_v as_o capable_a and_o certain_a a_o judge_n of_o the_o cheat_n as_o they_o be_v not_o there_o such_o a_o man_n as_o christ_n do_v he_o not_o in_o all_o appearance_n maintain_v such_o a_o character_n do_v he_o not_o pretend_v to_o such_o discovery_n and_o wonderful_a work_n and_o do_v he_o not_o real_o suffer_v such_o thing_n upon_o account_n of_o his_o pretence_n as_o we_o find_v record_v in_o those_o book_n call_v the_o gospel_n all_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v in_o the_o present_a supposition_n which_o fix_v the_o real_a publication_n of_o that_o religion_n we_o now_o profess_v at_o the_o same_o date_n we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o if_o it_o be_v allow_v that_o these_o fact_n be_v true_a then_o do_v it_o certain_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a for_o otherwise_o they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v believe_v as_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v already_o and_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v under_o 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in_o the_o new_a testament_n believe_v how_o then_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o any_o body_n shall_v contrive_v and_o publish_v such_o a_o scheme_n as_o this_o and_o how_o come_v any_o body_n to_o believe_v it_o when_o publish_v if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v true_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o first_o contriver_n publisher_n and_o believer_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n whoever_o they_o be_v must_v have_v be_v either_o person_n of_o no_o religion_n at_o all_o before_o or_o of_o a_o different_a one_o from_o the_o christian_a they_o must_v have_v be_v either_o good_a man_n or_o ill_a man_n such_o as_o live_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o contrary_a to_o they_o but_o whichsoever_o of_o these_o character_n we_o suppose_v belong_v to_o the_o first_o christian_n i_o can_v possible_o account_v for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o principal_a fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o true_a i_o 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promise_v himself_o any_o kind_n of_o advantage_n from_o his_o undertake_n and_o upon_o further_a enquiry_n and_o examination_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o if_o any_o man_n have_v be_v wise_a enough_o to_o invent_v such_o a_o religion_n and_o foolish_a enough_o to_o have_v have_v some_o certain_a aim_n and_o prospect_n in_o effect_v it_o his_o success_n can_v never_o have_v be_v answerable_a to_o his_o expectation_n for_o how_o can_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o the_o christian_a have_v ever_o obtain_v so_o general_a a_o credit_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o find_v it_o now_o have_v if_o it_o have_v be_v pure_o humane_a invention_n the_o morality_n of_o it_o be_v so_o pure_a and_o holy_a so_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o prevail_a inclination_n and_o interest_n of_o mankind_n in_o this_o life_n that_o we_o find_v it_o the_o hard_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n by_o continual_a care_n and_o instruction_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o submit_v to_o it_o who_o have_v be_v accustom_v by_o education_n to_o believe_v it_o reveal_v by_o god_n and_o establish_v upon_o the_o condition_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o misery_n in_o another_o world_n who_o be_v confirm_v in_o that_o belief_n by_o the_o concurrent_a faith_n of_o all_o they_o know_v and_o converse_v with_o and_o who_o be_v leave_v without_o a_o possibility_n of_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o pretend_a revetion_n if_o it_o have_v be_v at_o first_o a_o imposture_n how_o then_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o the_o christian_a law_n and_o rule_n of_o life_n shall_v have_v be_v so_o easy_o receive_v at_o their_o first_o publication_n so_o wide_o propagate_v afterward_o and_o so_o absolute_o and_o entire_o submit_v to_o that_o they_o shall_v become_v the_o stand_a unalterable_a law_n of_o so_o many_o different_a country_n and_o nation_n as_o do_v now_o profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n how_o i_o say_v can_v this_o have_v ever_o happen_v if_o the_o first_o set_v of_o person_n that_o embrace_v this_o morality_n have_v not_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o it_o have_v be_v express_o reveal_v by_o god_n and_o enjoin_v mankind_n under_o the_o sanction_n of_o eternal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o how_o can_v any_o man_n be_v persuade_v of_o this_o without_o believe_v those_o wonderful_a fact_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a revelation_n be_v found_v but_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o first_o christian_n that_o ever_o be_v believe_v all_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n how_o can_v this_o be_v suppose_v of_o they_o except_o they_o be_v true_a how_o can_v we_o possible_o imagine_v that_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v now_o a_o necessary_a part_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o christian_n shall_v be_v believe_v by_o those_o in_o who_o time_n the_o scheme_n be_v lay_v in_o contradiction_n to_o all_o their_o
the_o object_n that_o affect_v they_o and_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o imagination_n of_o those_o that_o be_v affect_v the_o influence_n may_v be_v strong_a upon_o some_o than_o other_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o power_n and_o force_n of_o truth_n in_o general_n the_o natural_a ease_n and_o pleasure_n that_o accompany_v sincerity_n and_o the_o difficulty_n and_o reluctance_n with_o which_o man_n practise_v know_v deceit_n and_o falsehood_n we_o can_v but_o infer_v from_o hence_o that_o it_o very_o rare_o happen_v that_o any_o man_n come_v to_o find_v a_o pleasure_n in_o lie_v pure_o for_o deceive_a sake_n without_o any_o further_a end_n or_o prospect_n and_o all_o observation_n upon_o the_o history_n of_o mankind_n confirm_v this_o conclusion_n and_o therefore_o we_o judge_v it_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o whole_a age_n of_o such_o deceiver_n as_o these_o who_o pretend_v to_o believe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o unprofitable_a lie_n which_o be_v to_o bring_v they_o in_o no_o other_o pleasure_n or_o satisfaction_n than_o what_o every_o one_o find_v in_o deceive_v other_o but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o christianty_n be_v a_o imposture_n this_o must_v be_v suppose_v for_o none_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n ever_o pretend_v to_o any_o other_o pleasure_n or_o advantage_n of_o life_n they_o make_v it_o part_n of_o their_o religion_n to_o renounce_v they_o all_o and_o the_o world_n be_v not_o so_o kind_a as_o to_o force_v they_o to_o accept_v what_o they_o have_v voluntary_o abandon_v and_o if_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o humane_a nature_n in_o general_n to_o imagine_v that_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o people_n of_o different_a temper_n and_o inclination_n shall_v all_o conspire_v together_o to_o pretend_v a_o belief_n of_o what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a without_o any_o further_a prospect_n of_o pleasure_n and_o advantage_n than_o what_o immediate_o result_v from_o such_o pretence_n much_o more_o repugnant_a be_v it_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o character_n of_o these_o pretender_n the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o be_v person_n of_o such_o steady_a integrity_n before_o that_o lie_v must_v have_v offer_v the_o great_a violence_n imaginable_a to_o their_o conscience_n but_o further_a suppose_v the_o first_o christian_n have_v some_o motive_n sufficient_a to_o determine_v they_o all_o to_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o false_a pretence_n notwithstanding_o that_o great_a contrariety_n of_o interest_n such_o a_o multitude_n be_v common_o govern_v by_o whatever_o advantage_n they_o propose_v to_o themselves_o they_o find_v such_o mighty_a disappointment_n every_o where_o in_o their_o hope_n and_o endure_v such_o unspeakable_a trouble_n and_o affliction_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o have_v strong_a motive_n for_o their_o discover_v and_o relinquish_a the_o cheat_n they_o have_v maintain_v than_o they_o can_v have_v at_o first_o to_o begin_v it_o and_o therefore_o if_o none_o of_o they_o be_v induce_v to_o confess_v their_o pretence_n false_a in_o such_o occasion_n where_o other_o man_n have_v be_v often_o tempt_v or_o force_v to_o disow_v the_o truth_n we_o must_v infer_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v real_o believe_v all_o they_o pretend_v to_o or_o they_o be_v not_o like_o other_o man_n but_o of_o a_o strange_a nature_n different_a from_o whatever_o we_o have_v know_v or_o hear_v of_o this_o must_v be_v likewise_o say_v too_o of_o all_o the_o other_o people_n of_o that_o age_n when_o christianity_n be_v first_o publish_v who_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o christian_a pretence_n for_o how_o otherwise_o can_v we_o account_v for_o their_o not_o contradict_v and_o disprove_v they_o when_o they_o have_v all_o those_o motive_n and_o reason_n for_o discover_v the_o imposture_n which_o be_v manifest_o want_v for_o the_o invention_n and_o propagation_n of_o it_o from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v we_o may_v with_o confidence_n conclude_v that_o the_o first_o author_n publisher_n and_o professor_n of_o christianity_n do_v real_o believe_v all_o they_o declare_v and_o assert_v from_o whence_o it_o immediate_o and_o necessary_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a be_v actual_o true_a they_o have_v the_o same_o evidence_n of_o sense_n for_o they_o as_o we_o have_v now_o or_o any_o other_o generation_n of_o man_n ever_o have_v for_o whatever_o fall_v under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o their_o sense_n so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v deceive_v we_o must_v call_v in_o question_n all_o our_o own_o sensation_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n and_o the_o same_o evidence_n that_o they_o have_v for_o these_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n they_o have_v also_o for_o all_o the_o extraordinary_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o christian_a history_n so_o far_o as_o concern_v the_o thing_n do_v and_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o author_n and_o as_o to_o the_o power_n by_o which_o they_o be_v do_v i_o be_o as_o sure_o they_o exceed_v all_o humane_a strength_n and_o skill_n as_o i_o be_o sure_a any_o thing_n else_o do_v and_o then_o according_a to_o the_o best_a and_o true_a notion_n we_o be_v able_a to_o frame_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n we_o can_v but_o judge_v they_o be_v very_o proper_a mark_n and_o indication_n of_o his_o power_n manifest_a token_n of_o his_o goodness_n to_o man_n and_o so_o suit_v and_o adapt_v to_o their_o capacity_n that_o we_o can_v frame_v or_o imagine_v a_o way_n whereby_o god_n can_v have_v more_o effectual_o reveal_v himself_o to_o we_o if_o he_o ever_o design_v to_o reveal_v himself_o to_o we_o at_o all_o and_o it_o appear_v very_o agreeable_a both_o to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n that_o he_o shall_v make_v such_o a_o revelation_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o we_o as_o have_v be_v show_v more_o at_o large_a before_o if_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o age_n when_o the_o several_a person_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v pretend_v to_o do_v what_o be_v there_o record_v of_o they_o and_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o make_v up_o the_o christian_a history_n be_v believe_v far_o and_o wide_a according_a to_o the_o relation_n there_o give_v it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v false_a as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v able_a by_o all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o man_n to_o judge_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o age_n as_o this_o we_o have_v the_o constant_a universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o succeed_a age_n and_o when_o a_o great_a many_o different_a country_n and_o nation_n do_v all_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o assert_v that_o their_o immediate_a forefather_n do_v receive_v such_o a_o religion_n consist_v of_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o fact_n and_o doctrine_n and_o all_o these_o be_v contain_v in_o certain_a book_n and_o copy_n of_o those_o book_n be_v disperse_v throughout_o these_o several_a country_n the_o faith_n be_v every_o where_o the_o same_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o so_o far_o as_o the_o succeed_a generation_n of_o man_n agree_v in_o their_o testimony_n concern_v the_o faith_n of_o their_o immediate_a predecessor_n so_o far_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o faith_n with_o they_o if_o this_o be_v not_o allow_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v any_o thing_n beyond_o our_o own_o time_n and_o no_o humane_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v upon_o any_o occasion_n a_o great_a and_o more_o unsuspected_a testimony_n than_o this_o be_v utter_o inconceivable_a but_o if_o such_o evidence_n as_o this_o be_v certain_a and_o unquestionable_a as_o indeed_o it_o be_v then_o be_v the_o present_a universal_a belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o undeniable_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n there_o record_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v do_v and_o be_v believe_v by_o vast_a multitude_n of_o those_o who_o live_v at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v real_o do_v in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v now_o relate_v to_o have_v happen_v and_o if_o they_o be_v then_o believe_v they_o must_v be_v true_a for_o the_o reason_n before_o give_v thus_o far_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o positive_a and_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v manifest_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o what_o have_v be_v before_o offer_v to_o show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o suppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n a_o imposture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o determine_v any_o man_n to_o believe_v it_o for_o if_o we_o thorough_o and_o impartial_o consider_v the_o
sense_n or_o first_o obtain_v credit_n among_o those_o who_o live_v afterward_o without_o any_o proof_n of_o their_o be_v do_v or_o believe_v before_o and_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o christian_a morality_n entertain_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n without_o the_o present_a history_n we_o have_v of_o it_o the_o forgery_n of_o that_o afterward_o will_v have_v be_v whole_o unnecessary_a and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o get_v such_o a_o forgery_n believe_v much_o great_a from_o hence_o then_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v such_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o now_o perceive_v if_o all_o the_o principal_a part_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n as_o it_o be_v at_o present_a general_o believe_v be_v not_o true_a and_o have_v some_o time_n or_o other_o real_o happen_v out_o according_a to_o the_o relation_n we_o find_v give_v of_o they_o this_o do_v likewise_o further_o appear_v from_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o those_o book_n that_o contain_v this_o history_n be_v write_v where_o we_o find_v so_o many_o extraordinary_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o the_o simplicity_n integrity_n and_o undesigning_a humility_n of_o the_o writer_n their_o hearty_a belief_n of_o what_o they_o write_v themselves_o and_o their_o great_a zeal_n and_o concern_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n as_o plain_o show_v they_o to_o have_v be_v influence_v not_o only_o by_o the_o force_n of_o well-attested_n truth_n but_o by_o some_o extraordinary_a and_o more_o than_o humane_a impression_n 3._o these_o be_v in_o short_a the_o reason_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o validity_n and_o force_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o more_o full_o under_o the_o three_o head_n where_o i_o be_o to_o show_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o proof_n that_o have_v be_v give_v of_o the_o christian_a matter_n of_o fact_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n upon_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o well_o as_o other_o truth_n be_v ultimate_o found_v now_o the_o chief_a and_o immediate_a reason_n of_o believe_v most_o fact_n be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o we_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o as_o the_o common_a original_a capacity_n and_o power_n inclination_n and_o aversion_n of_o mankind_n and_o consequent_o their_o end_n and_o motive_n of_o act_v it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o show_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n before_o give_v be_v not_o only_o sufficient_a to_o determine_v our_o assent_n to_o it_o but_o do_v in_o evidence_n and_o multiplicity_n of_o conviction_n far_o exceed_v the_o proof_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o let_v we_o consider_v why_o we_o believe_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o never_o fall_v within_o our_o own_o particular_a and_o immediate_a cognizance_n why_o do_v we_o so_o firm_o believe_v the_o story_n of_o julius_n cesar_n and_o william_n the_o conqueror_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o italy_n or_o china_n &_o c_o now_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o upon_o examine_v ourselves_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v because_o a_o great_a many_o man_n have_v acquaint_v we_o that_o there_o be_v former_o such_o person_n who_o do_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v now_o such_o place_n in_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n which_o man_n be_v competent_a judge_n of_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o have_v sufficient_a opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n themselves_o no_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v dispose_v they_o to_o lie_v to_o other_o and_o be_v contradict_v by_o no_o body_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o they_o these_o be_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o credibility_n upon_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v general_o believe_v and_o no_o further_a character_n of_o truth_n be_v require_v by_o one_o that_o be_v satisfy_v of_o these_o but_o we_o have_v all_o these_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o full_a force_n and_o extent_n of_o they_o and_o several_a other_o beside_o as_o the_o incapacity_n of_o the_o witness_n to_o deceive_v if_o they_o have_v be_v dispose_v to_o do_v it_o the_o great_a motive_n they_o have_v not_o to_o say_v what_o they_o do_v than_o to_o say_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a and_o the_o great_a motive_n other_o person_n have_v to_o contradict_v they_o if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v disprove_v let_v we_o examine_v all_o these_o character_n of_o truth_n and_o see_v how_o far_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n exceed_v that_o of_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o how_o far_o the_o suppose_a falsehood_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o these_o character_n be_v consistent_a with_o that_o certain_a knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o humane_a nature_n as_o to_o the_o first_o character_n require_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o number_n of_o the_o witness_n there_o never_o be_v certain_o so_o vast_a a_o multitude_n of_o person_n all_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o case_n before_o we_o because_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n be_v so_o swift_a that_o we_o can_v suppose_v more_o person_n can_v have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o it_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n and_o there_o never_o be_v such_o industrious_a care_n take_v to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o any_o other_o fact_n and_o opinion_n that_o we_o ever_o read_v of_o it_o be_v likewise_o as_o certain_a that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o professor_n of_o christianity_n be_v as_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_n of_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o whatsoever_o we_o will_v only_o suppose_v now_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n pretend_v to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o to_o believe_v their_o own_o pretence_n and_o that_o all_o other_o who_o profess_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n do_v declare_v their_o belief_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v as_o say_v or_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o sure_o a_o man_n may_v infallible_o know_v his_o own_o thought_n and_o imagination_n he_o can_v tell_v whether_o he_o believe_v such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n or_o no_o or_o at_o least_o he_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o he_o think_v or_o fancy_n he_o believe_v it_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o intercourse_n or_o communication_n betwixt_o man_n one_o man_n may_v know_v that_o another_o pretend_v to_o believe_v or_o do_v a_o thing_n whether_o he_o real_o believe_v or_o do_v it_o or_o no._n if_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o such_o judgement_n as_o these_o concern_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o knowledge_n at_o all_o if_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v that_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o person_n do_v pretend_v to_o believe_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v say_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o necessary_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v real_o and_o true_o believe_v they_o or_o else_o they_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v false_a but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a will_v evident_o appear_v from_o these_o further_a reflection_n upon_o humane_a nature_n first_o then_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o man_n must_v act_v for_o some_o end_n or_o motive_n and_o here_o be_v no_o end_n or_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v determine_v any_o of_o the_o first_o publisher_n or_o professor_n of_o christianity_n to_o pretend_v to_o believe_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a all_o the_o end_n and_o motive_n we_o can_v imagine_v any_o man_n to_o act_v upon_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v reckon_v up_o before_o and_o we_o find_v that_o if_o we_o put_v ourselves_o into_o the_o same_o circumstance_n with_o those_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n it_o will_v have_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v be_v influence_v by_o any_o of_o they_o to_o make_v the_o same_o pretence_n be_v infallible_o assure_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o be_v utter_o false_a and_o groundless_a from_o whence_o we_o conclude_v that_o neither_o do_v they_o since_o all_o man_n be_v so_o make_v and_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o same_o general_a motive_n though_o according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o