give_v the_o great_a testimony_n of_o their_o sincerity_n that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o they_o and_o that_o no_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v ever_o better_o attest_v than_o those_o which_o be_v report_v by_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n but_o unreasonable_a suspicion_n and_o scepticism_n if_o not_o wilfulness_n and_o obstinacy_n which_o make_v man_n to_o continue_v to_o doubt_v after_o so_o great_a evidence_n 1._o that_o we_o may_v have_v such_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n as_o may_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o this_o we_o be_v first_o to_o make_v out_o because_o several_a of_o your_o objection_n seem_v to_o imply_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n of_o such_o thing_n because_o we_o can_v know_v what_o trick_n may_v have_v be_v play_v in_o former_a time_n when_o it_o be_v far_o more_o easy_a to_o deceive_v and_o that_o it_o be_v confess_v there_o have_v be_v several_a fraud_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o have_v a_o long_a time_n prevail_v in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v not_o the_o very_a same_o argument_n be_v use_v against_o all_o religion_n by_o atheist_n and_o if_o the_o cheat_n that_o have_v be_v in_o religion_n have_v no_o force_n against_o the_o be_v of_o god_n why_o shall_v they_o have_v any_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o if_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o mankind_n signify_v any_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o deity_n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o circumstantiate_v as_o it_o be_v be_v of_o sufficient_a strength_n to_o receive_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n deliver_v by_o it_o which_o be_v all_o i_o at_o present_a desire_n do_v we_o question_v any_o of_o the_o story_n deliver_v by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o greek_a or_o latin_a historian_n although_o we_o have_v only_o the_o bare_a testimony_n of_o those_o historian_n for_o they_o and_o yet_o your_o objection_n will_v lie_v against_o every_o one_o of_o they_o how_o do_v we_o know_v the_o great_a prevalency_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v it_o not_o deliver_v by_o those_o who_o belong_v to_o it_o and_o be_v concern_v to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o what_o know_v we_o but_o thousand_o of_o history_n have_v be_v lose_v that_o confute_v all_o that_o we_o now_o have_v concern_v the_o greatness_n of_o rome_n what_o know_v we_o but_o that_o rome_n be_v destroy_v by_o carthage_n or_o that_o hannibaâ—_n quite_o overthrow_v the_o roman_a empire_n or_o that_o catiline_n be_v one_o oâ—_n the_o best_a man_n in_o the_o world_n because_o all_o our_o present_a historieâ—_n be_v write_v by_o man_n of_o the_o other_o side_n how_o can_v we_o tell_v buâ—_n that_o the_o persian_n destroy_v thâ—_n macedonian_n because_o all_o our_o account_n of_o alexander_n expedition_n be_v original_o from_o the_o greek_n and_o why_o may_v not_o we_o suspect_v great_a partiality_n in_o all_o these_o case_n when_o the_o writer_n do_v not_o giu_v a_o thousand_o part_n of_o that_o evidencâ—_n for_o their_o fidelity_n that_o the_o firsâ—_o christian_n do_v and_o yet_o whaâ—_n shall_v we_o think_v of_o such_o a_o person_n who_o shall_v call_v in_o question_n thâ—_n best_a history_n of_o all_o nation_n because_o they_o be_v write_v by_o thosâ—_n of_o the_o same_o country_n by_o whicâ—_n it_o seem_v you_o will_v never_o allow_v any_o competent_a testimony_n at_o all_o for_o if_o such_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v both_o their_o knowledge_n and_o integrity_n if_o write_v by_o friend_n then_o though_o they_o may_v know_v the_o truth_n yet_o they_o will_v write_v partial_o of_o their_o own_o side_n so_o that_o upon_o this_o principle_n no_o history_n at_o all_o ancient_a or_o modern_a be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o they_o be_v all_o report_v either_o by_o friend_n or_o enemy_n and_o so_o not_o only_o divine_a but_o all_o humane_a faith_n will_v be_v destroy_v i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n a_o friend_n to_o unreasonable_a credulity_n but_o i_o be_o as_o little_a to_o unreasonable_a distrust_n and_o suspicion_n if_o the_o one_o be_v folly_n the_o other_o be_v madness_n no_o prudent_a man_n believe_v any_o thing_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a nor_o reject_v any_o thing_n mere_o because_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o it_o be_v the_o prudence_n of_o every_o man_n to_o weigh_v and_o consider_v all_o circumstance_n and_o according_a to_o they_o to_o assent_v or_o dissent_v we_o all_o know_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o deceive_v or_o to_o be_v deceive_v but_o we_o know_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o either_o and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o though_o man_n may_v deceive_v yet_o they_o do_v not_o always_o so_o and_o that_o man_n may_v know_v they_o be_v not_o deceive_v for_o else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o society_n among_o mankind_n no_o friendship_n or_o trust_v or_o confidence_n in_o the_o word_n of_o another_o person_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o best_a friend_n i_o have_v may_v deceive_v i_o and_o the_o world_n be_v full_a of_o dissimulation_n must_v i_o therefore_o believe_v no_o body_n this_o be_v the_o just_a consequence_n of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v that_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n because_o there_o have_v be_v many_o fraud_n in_o the_o world_n and_o may_v have_v be_v many_o more_o than_o we_o can_v now_o discover_v for_o if_o this_o principle_n be_v pursue_v it_o will_v destroy_v all_o society_n among_o man_n which_o be_v build_v on_o the_o supposition_n of_o mutual_a trust_n and_o confidence_n that_o man_n have_v in_o each_o other_o and_o although_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o all_o man_n to_o deceive_v because_o we_o can_v know_v one_o another_o heart_n yet_o there_o be_v such_o character_n of_o honesty_n and_o fidelity_n in_o some_o person_n that_o other_o dare_v venture_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n upon_o their_o word_n and_o be_v any_o man_n think_v a_o fool_n for_o do_v so_o nay_o have_v not_o the_o most_o prudent_a and_o sagacious_a man_n repose_v a_o mighty_a confidence_n in_o the_o integrity_n of_o other_o and_o without_o this_o no_o great_a affair_n can_v be_v carry_v on_o in_o the_o world_n for_o since_o the_o great_a person_n need_v the_o help_n of_o other_o to_o manage_v their_o business_n they_o must_v trust_v other_o man_n continual_o and_o every_o man_n put_v his_o life_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o other_o to_o who_o he_o give_v any_o freedom_n of_o access_n and_o especial_o his_o servant_n must_v a_o man_n therefore_o live_v in_o continual_a suspicion_n and_o jealousy_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a he_o may_v be_v deceive_v but_o if_o this_o be_v think_v unreasonable_a than_o we_o gain_v thus_o much_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o possibility_n of_o deception_n man_n may_v be_v trust_v in_o some_o case_n and_o their_o fidelity_n safe_o rely_v upon_o this_o be_v grant_v we_o be_v to_o inquire_v what_o that_o assurance_n be_v which_o make_v we_o trust_v any_o one_o and_o wherever_o we_o find_v a_o concurrence_n of_o the_o same_o circumstance_n or_o equal_a evidence_n of_o fidelity_n we_o may_v repose_v the_o same_o trust_n or_o confidence_n in_o they_o and_o we_o may_v soon_o find_v that_o it_o be_v not_o any_o one_o bare_a word_n that_o make_v we_o trust_v he_o but_o either_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o integrity_n among_o discern_a man_n or_o our_o long_a experience_n and_o observation_n of_o he_o this_o latter_a be_v only_o confine_v to_o our_o own_o trial_n but_o the_o former_a be_v more_o general_a and_o reach_n beyond_o our_o own_o age_n since_o we_o may_v have_v the_o testimony_n of_o discern_a person_n convey_v down_o to_o we_o in_o as_o certain_a a_o manner_n as_o we_o can_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o a_o friend_n at_o a_o 100_o miles_n distance_n viz._n by_o write_v and_o in_o this_o case_n we_o desire_v no_o more_o than_o to_o be_v satisfy_v that_o those_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o they_o and_o that_o they_o deserve_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o what_o they_o write_v thus_o if_o any_o one_o will_v be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o peloponnesian_a war_n and_o have_v hear_v that_o thucydides_n have_v accurate_o write_v it_o he_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v than_o to_o inquire_v whether_o this_o thucydides_n be_v capable_a of_o give_v a_o good_a account_n of_o it_o and_o for_o that_o he_o hear_v that_o he_o be_v a_o great_a and_o inquisitive_a person_n that_o live_v in_o that_o age_n and_o know_v all_o the_o occurrence_n of_o it_o and_o when_o he_o be_v satisfy_v of_o that_o his_o next_o enquiry_n be_v whether_o
wisdom_n of_o the_o greek_n if_o thâ—_n christian_n religion_n have_v be_v a_o meeâ—_n design_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o makâ—_n themselves_o head_n of_o a_o new_a sect_n what_o have_v this_o be_v but_o to_o hauâ—_n set_v the_o cunning_a of_o twelve_o oâ—_n thirteen_o man_n of_o no_o interest_n or_o reputation_n against_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o the_o wholâ—_n world_n if_o they_o have_v any_o wisdom_n they_o will_v never_o have_v undeâ—_n take_v such_o a_o impossible_a desigâ—_n as_o this_o must_v appear_v to_o they_o â—_o first_o view_n and_o if_o they_o haâ—_n none_o how_o can_v they_o ever_o hopâ—_n to_o manage_v it_o if_o their_o aim_n werâ—_n only_o at_o reputation_n they_o may_v have_v think_v of_o thousand_o â—_o way_n more_o probable_a and_o morâ—_n advantageous_a than_o this_o if_o wâ—_n suppose_v man_n shall_v be_v willing_a to_o hazard_v their_o life_n for_o theâ—_n reputation_n we_o may_v suppose_v withal_o such_o man_n to_o have_v so_o much_o cunning_a as_o not_o to_o do_v it_o till_o they_o can_v help_v it_o but_o if_o they_o can_v have_v reputation_n and_o ease_n together_o they_o have_v rather_o have_v it_o i_o will_v therefore_o put_v the_o case_n concern_v the_o only_a person_n that_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o a_o learned_a education_n among_o the_o apostle_n viz._n st._n paul_n and_o who_o you_o seem_v to_o strike_v at_o more_o than_o the_o rest_n be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o when_o he_o be_v in_o favour_n with_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o be_v likely_a to_o advance_v himself_o by_o his_o opposition_n to_o christianity_n and_o have_v a_o fair_a prospect_n of_o ease_n and_o honour_n together_o he_o shall_v quit_v all_o this_o to_o join_v with_o such_o a_o inconsiderable_a and_o hate_a company_n as_o the_o christian_n be_v only_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o head_n of_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o man_n and_o to_o purchase_v it_o at_o so_o dear_a a_o rate_n as_o thâ—_n loss_n of_o his_o friend_n and_o interest_n and_o run_v on_o continual_a trouble_n and_o persecution_n to_o the_o hazard_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v possiblâ—_n for_o man_n that_o be_v deceive_v anâ—_n mean_v honest_o to_o do_v this_o buâ—_n it_o be_v scarce_o supposable_a of_o a_o maâ—_n in_o his_o sense_n that_o shall_v knoâ—_n and_o believe_v all_o this_o to_o be_v a_o cheat_n and_o yet_o own_o and_o embrace_v it_o to_o sâ—_n great_a disadvantage_n to_o himself_o when_o he_o can_v not_o make_v himself_o so_o considerable_a by_o it_o as_o he_o may_v have_v be_v without_o it_o meâ—_n must_v love_v cheat_v the_o world_n at_o strange_a rate_n that_o will_v let_v go_v faiâ—_n hope_n of_o preferment_n and_o ease_n and_o lead_v a_o life_n of_o perpetual_a trouble_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o utmost_a hazard_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o delude_v other_o if_o the_o apostle_n know_v all_o they_o say_v to_o be_v false_a and_o make_v it_o so_o necessary_a for_o all_o man_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o say_v to_o be_v true_a they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o great_a deceiver_n which_o the_o world_n have_v ever_o know_v but_o man_n that_o take_v pleasure_n in_o deceive_v make_v use_n of_o many_o artifices_fw-la on_o purpose_n to_o catch_v the_o silly_a multitude_n they_o have_v all_o the_o art_n of_o insinuation_n and_o fawn_v speech_n fit_a to_o draw_v in_o the_o weak_a and_o such_o as_o love_v to_o be_v flatter_v but_o what_o be_v there_o tend_v this_o way_n in_o all_o the_o apostle_n write_n how_o sharp_o do_v they_o speak_v to_o the_o jewish_a sanhedrin_n upon_o the_o murder_n of_o christ_n with_o what_o plainness_n and_o simplicity_n do_v they_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o be_v christian_n they_o bare_o tell_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o say_v they_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o and_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o they_o they_o preach_v faith_n and_o repentance_n to_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v ever_o any_o thing_n far_o from_o the_o appearance_n of_o artifice_n than_o this_o be_v so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v deceiver_n they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o subtle_a that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n because_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o little_a ground_n for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o fraud_n and_o we_o can_v easy_o imagine_v person_n of_o their_o education_n capable_a of_o so_o profound_a dissimulation_n and_o so_o artificial_a a_o cheat._n beside_o all_o this_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v how_o far_o such_o person_n do_v allow_v the_o liberty_n of_o dissimulation_n and_o artificial_a juggle_n especial_o in_o religion_n we_o see_v the_o papist_n can_v not_o practise_v these_o thing_n without_o be_v force_v to_o defend_v they_o by_o show_v how_o convenient_a it_o be_v for_o the_o people_n to_o be_v tell_v strange_a story_n of_o saint_n on_o purpose_n to_o nourish_v devotion_n in_o they_o to_o which_o end_n they_o say_v it_o signify_v not_o much_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o no_o and_o withal_o they_o assert_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o equivocation_n and_o mental_a reservation_n and_o do_v thing_n not_o otherwise_o justifiable_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o church_n and_o religion_n and_o i_o shall_v free_o confess_v to_o you_o if_o i_o find_v any_o countenance_n to_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o from_o the_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o will_v give_v i_o too_o just_a a_o ground_n for_o suspicion_n as_o to_o what_o they_o deliver_v for_o if_o they_o allow_v equivocation_n or_o mental_a reservation_n how_o can_v i_o possible_o know_v what_o they_o mean_v by_o any_o thing_n they_o say_v for_o that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v the_o proposition_n true_a lay_v without_o my_o reach_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o another_o and_o while_o they_o so_o firm_o attest_v that_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a they_o may_v understand_v it_o of_o a_o spiritual_a or_o mystical_a resurrection_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o allow_v lie_v or_o cheat_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n their_o credit_n will_v be_v go_v with_o i_o for_o how_o can_v i_o be_v any_o long_a sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o one_o word_n they_o say_v i_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v they_o infallible_a that_o i_o can_v not_o but_o suspect_v they_o to_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v i_o the_o first_o thing_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o look_v at_o in_o person_n who_o require_v our_o belief_n be_v the_o strict_a veracity_n if_o they_o falter_v in_o this_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o suspicion_n of_o all_o but_o credulous_a fool_n but_o we_o no_o where_o find_v great_a plainness_n and_o sincerity_n require_v no_o where_o more_o strict_a and_o severe_a prohibition_n of_o dissimulation_n in_o religion_n nor_o more_o general_a precept_n about_o speak_a truth_n than_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o may_v not_o all_o this_o be_v do_v with_o the_o great_a artifice_n to_o prevent_v suspicion_n suspicion_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o he_o that_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o sea_n can_v set_v no_o bound_n to_o if_o man_n will_v give_v way_n to_o it_o without_o reason_n there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n of_o it_o for_o the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o prevent_v it_o will_v still_o afford_v new_a matter_n and_o occasion_n for_o it_o if_o man_n do_v use_v the_o utmost_a mean_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o assure_v other_o of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v they_o but_o still_o suspect_v the_o design_n to_o be_v so_o much_o deep_o lay_v there_o be_v no_o way_n leave_v possible_a to_o satisfy_v such_o man_n their_o suspicion_n be_v a_o disease_n incurable_a by_o rational_a mean_n and_o such_o person_n deserve_v to_o be_v give_v over_o as_o past_a all_o remedy_n if_o man_n act_n like_o prudent_a man_n they_o will_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n but_o if_o they_o entertain_v a_o jealousy_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o the_o most_o of_o those_o who_o give_v they_o the_o great_a assurance_n they_o have_v no_o intention_n to_o deceive_v they_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o go_v about_o to_o satisfy_v such_o person_n for_o that_o very_a undertake_n make_v they_o more_o suspicious_a if_o the_o apostle_n therefore_o give_v as_o much_o ground_n as_o ever_o any_o person_n do_v or_o can_v do_v that_o they_o have_v no_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o proceed_v with_o all_o the_o fairness_n and_o openness_n with_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o their_o sincerity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o fasten_v upon_o they_o the_o imputation_n of_o cunning_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o deceive_v other_o 2._o this_o will_v more_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o matter_n deliver_v by_o they_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o doctrine_n
for_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v only_o a_o contrivance_n of_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o it_o must_v by_o the_o event_n be_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v very_o subtle_a man_n who_o in_o so_o little_a time_n and_o against_o so_o great_a opposition_n can_v prevail_v over_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o if_o we_o reflect_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o doctrine_n we_o can_v never_o imagine_v that_o these_o man_n do_v proceed_v by_o the_o same_o method_n that_o man_n of_o subtlety_n do_v make_v use_n of_o if_o it_o be_v there_o own_o contrivance_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o have_v frame_v it_o as_o they_o think_v fit_v themselves_o and_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o will_v have_v do_v it_o in_o a_o way_n most_o likely_a to_o be_v successful_a but_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o as_o though_o they_o have_v industrious_o design_v to_o advance_v a_o religion_n against_o the_o genius_n and_o inclination_n of_o all_o mankind_n for_o it_o neither_o gratify_v the_o voluptuous_a in_o their_o pleasure_n nor_o the_o ambitious_a in_o their_o desire_n of_o external_n pomp_n and_o greatness_n nor_o the_o covetous_a in_o their_o thirst_n after_o riches_n but_o lay_v a_o severe_a restraint_n on_o all_o those_o common_a and_o prevail_a passion_n of_o mankind_n which_o mahomet_n well_o understand_v when_o he_o suit_v his_o religion_n to_o they_o christianity_n be_v neither_o accommodate_v to_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n either_o of_o jew_n or_o gentile_n the_o jew_n be_v in_o great_a expectation_n of_o a_o temporal_a prince_n at_o that_o time_n to_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o roman_a slavery_n and_o every_o one_o that_o will_v have_v set_v up_o for_o such_o a_o messiah_n may_v have_v have_v follower_n enough_o among_o they_o as_o we_o find_v afterward_o by_o the_o attempt_n of_o barchocebas_n and_o other_o but_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o their_o hope_n and_o 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most_o plausible_a manner_n and_o leave_v out_o all_o thing_n thar_z be_v most_o liable_a to_o reproach_n and_o infamy_n but_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o the_o most_o contemptible_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n a_o crucify_a saviour_n they_o insist_v the_o most_o upon_o and_o preach_v it_o on_o all_o occasion_n and_o in_o comparison_n of_o it_o strange_o despise_v all_o the_o wisdom_n and_o philosophy_n of_o the_o greek_n what_o do_v these_o man_n mean_v if_o christianity_n have_v be_v only_o a_o contrivance_n of_o they_o if_o they_o have_v but_o leave_v out_o this_o one_o circumstance_n in_o all_o human_a probability_n the_o excellent_a moral_a precept_n in_o christianity_n will_v have_v be_v high_o magnify_v among_o all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o under_o the_o instruction_n of_o philosopher_n nay_o they_o will_v not_o make_v use_n of_o the_o most_o commendable_a method_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n nor_o do_v as_o the_o jesuit_n have_v do_v in_o china_n make_v man_n have_v a_o better_a opinion_n of_o the_o religion_n they_o bring_v for_o their_o skill_n in_o mathematics_n and_o astronomy_n but_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v it_o be_v no_o contrivance_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n they_o shun_v all_o the_o way_n of_o show_v it_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o propagation_n nay_o when_o the_o people_n will_v have_v give_v the_o apostle_n divine_a worship_n never_o be_v vain_a man_n more_o concern_v to_o have_v it_o than_o they_o to_o oppose_v it_o and_o do_v these_o thing_n look_v like_o the_o action_n of_o man_n that_o design_v only_o to_o make_v themselves_o great_a by_o be_v the_o head_n of_o a_o new_a sect_n of_o religion_n 3._o man_n that_o make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o deceive_v the_o world_n if_o they_o have_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o bring_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o story_n concern_v the_o author_n of_o their_o religion_n will_v have_v place_v it_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n that_o it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v disprove_v as_o it_o be_v apparent_a in_o the_o heathen_a mythology_n for_o the_o story_n be_v such_o as_o no_o person_n can_v ever_o pretend_v to_o confute_v they_o otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o they_o with_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o religion_n but_o if_o we_o suppose_v christianity_n to_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a device_n will_v the_o apostle_n have_v be_v so_o senseless_a to_o have_v lay_v the_o main_a proof_n of_o their_o religion_n on_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v but_o new_o act_v and_o which_o they_o be_v very_o capable_a of_o inquire_v into_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o relate_v to_o it_o viz._n the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o great_a stress_n of_o christianity_n be_v lay_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o to_o this_o christ_n himself_o appeal_v before_o hand_n to_o this_o all_o 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religion_n of_o the_o east_n indies_n why_o do_v not_o orpheus_n or_o numa_n or_o any_o other_o introducer_n of_o religious_a customa_n among_o the_o greek_n or_o roman_n or_o mahomet_n among_o the_o arabian_n put_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n on_o such_o a_o plain_a and_o easy_a trial_n as_o this_o if_o you_o say_v that_o christ_n appear_v only_o to_o his_o friend_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o believe_v such_o thing_n and_o not_o among_o his_o enemy_n i_o answer_v that_o though_o they_o be_v his_o friend_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o hard_o to_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o at_o first_o and_o afterward_o give_v large_a testimony_n of_o their_o fidelity_n than_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o great_a enemy_n will_v have_v be_v for_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v only_o their_o bare_a word_n for_o it_o if_o they_o will_v have_v give_v that_o which_o be_v very_o questionable_a consider_v their_o deal_n with_o the_o other_o miracle_n of_o christ_n but_o 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