as_o a_o certain_a truth_n and_o therefore_o they_o hope_v the_o danger_n be_v not_o so_o great_a in_o neglect_v the_o salvation_n promise_v by_o the_o gospel_n i_o can_v conceive_v that_o man_n otherwise_o learned_a and_o sober_a 11._o shall_v with_o so_o much_o confidence_n assert_v that_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v insufficient_a to_o prove_v a_o doctrine_n true_a unless_o it_o be_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o find_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o strong_a evidence_n many_o person_n continue_v in_o unbelief_n for_o say_v they_o if_o these_o argument_n be_v scientifical_a and_o demonstrative_a as_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n attest_v by_o they_o than_o all_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v propound_v must_v certain_o believe_v but_o this_o be_v very_o easy_o answer_v for_o we_o speak_v not_o of_o internal_a but_o outward_a evidence_n not_o of_o that_o in_o the_o subject_n but_o of_o the_o object_n or_o more_o full_o 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that_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v already_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a that_o new_a miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o church_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o so_o chrysostome_n full_o express_v himself_o concern_v miracle_n speak_v of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a eton._n church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d miracle_n be_v very_o useful_a then_o and_o not_o at_o all_o useful_a now_o for_o now_o we_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o speak_v from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o which_o that_o excellent_a author_n there_o full_o manifest_v in_o a_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n why_o miracle_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v not_o now_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n st._n austin_n speak_v where_o he_o discourse_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n accepimus_fw-la majores_fw-la nostros_fw-la visibilia_fw-la miracula_fw-la secutos_fw-la esse_fw-la 25._o per_fw-la quos_fw-la id_fw-la actum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la necessaria_fw-la non_fw-la essent_fw-la posteris_fw-la because_o the_o world_n believe_v by_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o miracle_n be_v no_o long_o necessary_a for_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v at_o first_o induce_v to_o believe_v without_o manifest_a and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n for_o as_o chrysostome_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o if_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v without_o miracle_n which_o the_o poet_n dante_n be_v have_v well_o express_v in_o the_o twenty_o four_o canto_n of_o paradise_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v there_o bring_v in_o ask_v the_o poet_n upon_o what_o account_n he_o take_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o answer_n 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this_o will_v be_v so_o great_a a_o miracle_n that_o other_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o i_o conclude_v this_o then_o with_o that_o know_a saying_n of_o st._n austin_n quisquis_fw-la adhuc_fw-la prodigia_fw-la ut_fw-la credat_fw-la inquirit_fw-la magnum_fw-la est_fw-la ipse_fw-la prodigium_fw-la qui_fw-la mundo_fw-la credente_fw-la 8._o non_fw-la credit_n he_o that_o seek_v for_o miracle_n still_o to_o induce_v he_o to_o faith_n when_o the_o world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o need_v not_o seek_v for_o prodigy_n abroad_o he_o want_v only_o a_o look_a glass_n to_o discover_v one_o for_o as_o he_o go_v on_o unde_fw-la temporibus_fw-la erudit_fw-la be_v &_o omne_fw-la quod_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la respuentibus_fw-la sine_fw-la ullis_fw-la miraculis_fw-la nimium_fw-la mirabiliter_fw-la incredibiliter_fw-la credidit_fw-la mundus_fw-la whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o so_o learned_a and_o wary_a a_o age_n as_o that_o be_v 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moses_n the_o rule_n of_o judge_v all_o pretender_n to_o miracle_n be_v by_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n if_o there_o arise_v 3._o among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereof_o he_o speak_v to_o thou_o say_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n which_o thou_o have_v not_o know_v and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul._n whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o after_o the_o true_a doctrine_n be_v confirm_v by_o divine_a miracle_n god_n may_v give_v the_o devil_n or_o false_a prophet_n power_n to_o work_v if_o not_o real_a miracle_n yet_o such_o as_o man_n can_v judge_v by_o the_o thing_n themselves_o whether_o they_o be_v real_a or_o no_o and_o
the_o greek_n receive_v from_o the_o barbarian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o put_v it_o into_o epinom_n a_o better_a fashion_n i._n e._n they_o disguise_v it_o alter_z and_o change_v it_o as_o they_o please_v and_o put_v it_o into_o a_o greek_a habit_n that_o it_o may_v never_o be_v suspect_v to_o have_v be_v a_o foreigner_n thence_o tertullian_n speak_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o truth_n and_o freedom_n of_o such_o philosopher_n who_o do_v ingenii_fw-la sitim_fw-la de_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la fonte_fw-la irrigare_fw-la as_o he_o express_v it_o that_o quench_v their_o thirst_n after_o knowledge_n with_o the_o water_n of_o jordan_n though_o they_o do_v not_o like_o 47._o naaman_n cure_v the_o leproâ—ic_n of_o the_o head_n by_o wash_v in_o they_o for_o as_o tertullian_n say_v theâ—_n come_v only_o ex_fw-la negotio_fw-la curiositatis_fw-la more_o to_o please_v the_o i_o tch_n oâ—_n their_o curiosity_n then_o to_o cure_v it_o and_o wherein_o they_o seem_v most_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n their_o difference_n be_v beyond_o their_o agreement_n siquidem_fw-la 2._o vera_fw-la quaeque_fw-la &_o consonantia_fw-la prophetis_fw-la aut_fw-la aliunde_fw-la commendant_fw-la aut_fw-la aliorsum_fw-la subornant_fw-la cum_fw-la maxima_fw-la injuria_fw-la veritatis_fw-la quam_fw-la efficiunt_fw-la aut_fw-la adjuvari_fw-la falsis_fw-la aut_fw-la patrocinari_fw-la whatever_o the_o philosopher_n speak_v agreeable_a to_o the_o scripture_n either_o they_o do_v not_o own_v whence_o they_o have_v it_o or_o turn_v it_o quite_o another_o way_n whereby_o they_o have_v do_v the_o truth_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o injury_n by_o mix_v it_o with_o their_o corruption_n of_o it_o and_o make_v that_o little_a truth_n a_o plea_n for_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o error_n neither_o be_v this_o only_a among_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n but_o the_o primitive_a christian_n begin_v to_o discern_v the_o underhand_a work_n of_o such_o who_o seek_v to_o blend_v philosophy_n and_o christianity_n together_o for_o tertullian_n himself_o take_v great_a notice_n of_o such_o who_o do_v veritatis_fw-la dogmata_fw-la ad_fw-la philosophicas_fw-la sententias_fw-la adulterare_fw-la suborn_v christianity_n to_o maintain_v philosophy_n which_o make_v he_o cry_v out_o viderint_fw-la qui_fw-la stoicum_fw-la &_o platonicum_n &_o dialecticum_fw-la christianismum_fw-la protulerunt_fw-la by_o which_o we_o see_v what_o tamper_n there_o be_v betimes_o rather_o to_o bring_v christianity_n 7._o down_o to_o philosophy_n rather_o than_o to_o make_v philosophy_n truckle_n under_o the_o truth_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o scripture_n whether_o ammonius_n himself_o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o school_n of_o alexandria_n may_v be_v guilty_a in_o this_o kind_n be_v not_o here_o a_o place_n to_o inquire_v though_o it_o be_v too_o evident_a in_o the_o write_n of_o some_o that_o they_o rather_o seek_v to_o accommodate_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n then_o to_o reform_v that_o by_o the_o scripture_n but_o i_o say_v however_o it_o be_v with_o those_o who_o be_v christian_n yet_o those_o who_o be_v not_o but_o only_a philosopher_n make_v their_o great_a advantage_n by_o it_o for_o when_o they_o find_v what_o be_v reconcileable_a with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n in_o the_o scripture_n do_v already_o to_o their_o hand_n by_o the_o endeavour_n chief_o of_o ammonius_n and_o origen_n they_o greedy_o embrace_v those_o improvement_n of_o their_o philosophy_n which_o will_v tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o credit_n of_o it_o and_o as_o contemptuous_o reject_v what_o they_o find_v irreconcilable_a with_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o philosophy_n now_o what_o a_o unreasonable_a thing_n be_v it_o when_o what_o ever_o be_v noble_a and_o excellent_a in_o the_o heathen_a philosophy_n be_v derivative_a from_o 〈◊〉_d scripture_n as_o the_o sacred_a fountain_n of_o it_o that_o the_o meeting_n with_o such_o thing_n shall_v in_o the_o least_o redound_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v original_o derive_v when_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o shall_v be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n to_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o who_o be_v profess_v philosopher_n and_o admirer_n only_o of_o reason_n do_v so_o ready_o embrace_v some_o of_o those_o grand_a truth_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o which_o we_o need_v no_o other_o instance_n then_o that_o before_o 14._o we_o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a the_o make_v out_o of_o which_o will_v tend_v to_o the_o clear_v the_o last_o thing_n mention_v concern_v it_o which_o be_v that_o the_o most_o material_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o and_o this_o honey_n which_o be_v gain_v out_o of_o the_o lion_n mouth_n must_v needs_o taste_v sweet_a than_o any_o other_o do_v for_o it_o be_v a_o weak_a and_o groundless_a mistake_n on_o the_o other_o side_n which_o be_v the_o second_o which_o arise_v from_o meet_v thing_n consonant_a to_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o write_n of_o philosopher_n present_o to_o conclude_v from_o such_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v christian_n as_o it_o be_v say_v some_o have_v late_o do_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o hierocles_n for_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a account_n give_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o grand_a difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v trouble_v with_o when_o these_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o who_o be_v of_o philosophic_a and_o inquisitive_a head_n we_o can_v but_o think_v they_o will_v meet_v with_o acceptation_n among_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o may_v be_v make_v consistent_a with_o their_o former_a speculation_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a we_o have_v already_o behold_v the_o lamentable_a perplexity_n the_o ancient_a philosopher_n be_v in_o about_o it_o what_o maeander_n they_o be_v lose_v in_o for_o want_v of_o a_o clue_n to_o guide_v they_o through_o they_o now_o it_o please_v god_n after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flâ—shâ—o_o â—o_z declare_v to_o the_o world_n the_o only_a way_n for_o the_o recovery_n 〈◊〉_d soul_n and_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n the_o news_n of_o which_o be_v spread_v so_o far_o that_o it_o soon_o get_v among_o the_o philosopher_n can_v not_o but_o make_v they_o more_o inquisitive_a concern_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o when_o they_o have_v search_v what_o the_o philosopher_n have_v former_o discover_v of_o it_o their_o curiosity_n will_v present_o prompt_v they_o to_o see_v what_o account_n of_o thing_n concern_v the_o soul_n of_o 〈◊〉_d deliver_v by_o the_o preacher_n of_o this_o new_a doctrine_n bâ—_n 〈◊〉_d they_o can_v not_o but_o present_o understand_v that_o they_o declare_v all_o man_n soul_n to_o be_v in_o a_o most_o degenerate_a and_o low_a condition_n by_o be_v so_o continual_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a and_o unruly_a passion_n that_o they_o be_v estrange_v from_o god_n and_o prone_a to_o fix_v on_o thing_n very_o unsuitable_a to_o their_o nature_n as_o to_o all_o which_o their_o own_o inward_a sense_n and_o experience_n can_v but_o tell_v they_o that_o these_o thing_n be_v notorious_o true_a and_o therefore_o they_o inquire_v further_o how_o these_o thing_n come_v to_o be_v so_o which_o they_o receive_v a_o full_a account_n of_o in_o scripture_n that_o man_n soul_n be_v at_o first_o create_v pure_a and_o holy_a and_o in_o perfect_a friendship_n with_o god_n that_o god_n deal_v bountiful_o and_o favourable_o with_o man_n only_o expect_v obedience_n to_o his_o law_n that_o man_n be_v a_o free_a agent_n do_v abuse_v his_o liberty_n and_o disobey_v his_o maker_n and_o thence_o come_v the_o true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o feather_n of_o the_o soul_n whereby_o it_o soar_v up_o to_o heaven_n moult_v away_o and_o the_o soul_n sink_v below_o its_o self_n into_o a_o degenerate_a and_o apostate_n condition_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v recover_v without_o some_o extraordinary_a expression_n of_o divine_a favour_n now_o what_o be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o account_n but_o what_o be_v huge_o suitable_a to_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o to_o the_o general_a experience_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v try_v by_o it_o and_o those_o philosopher_n who_o be_v any_o thing_n ingenuous_a and_o lover_n of_o truth_n can_v not_o but_o confess_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o viz._n that_o man_n soul_n be_v in_o a_o very_a degenerate_a condition_n that_o the_o most_o rational_a account_n of_o it_o be_v that_o man_n by_o the_o act_n of_o his_o own_o will_n bring_v himself_o into_o it_o and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o man_n soul_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o recovery_n out_o of_o this_o condition_n as_o to_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n this_o
origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la or_o a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o matter_n therein_o contain_v by_o edward_n stillingfleet_n rector_n of_o sutton_n in_o bedfordshire_n 2_o pet._n 1._o 16._o for_o we_o have_v not_o follow_v cunning_o devise_v fable_n when_o we_o make_v know_v to_o you_o the_o power_n and_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o majesty_n neque_fw-la religio_fw-la ulla_fw-la sine_fw-la sapientia_fw-la suscipienda_fw-la est_fw-la nec_fw-la ulla_fw-la sine_fw-la religione_fw-la probanda_fw-la sapientia_fw-la lactant._n the_o fall_v relig_n cap._n 1._o london_n print_v by_o r._n w._n for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north-door_n 1662._o to_o his_o most_o honour_a friend_n and_o patron_n sr._n roger_n burgoine_n knight_n and_o baronet_n sir_n it_o be_v the_o early_a felicity_n of_o moses_n when_o expose_v in_o a_o ark_n of_o nilotick_a papyre_n to_o be_v adopt_v into_o the_o favour_n of_o so_o great_a a_o personage_n as_o the_o daughter_n of_o pharaoh_n such_o another_o ark_n be_v this_o vindication_n of_o the_o write_n of_o that_o divine_a and_o excellent_a person_n expose_v to_o the_o world_n in_o and_o the_o great_a ambition_n of_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v to_o have_v it_o receive_v into_o your_o patronage_n and_o protection_n but_o although_o the_o contexture_n and_o frame_n of_o this_o treatise_n be_v far_o below_o the_o excellency_n and_o worth_n of_o the_o subject_n as_o you_o know_v the_o ark_n in_o which_o moses_n be_v put_v be_v of_o bulrush_n daub_v with_o slime_n and_o pitch_n yet_o when_o you_o please_v to_o cast_v your_o eye_n on_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o it_o you_o will_v not_o think_v it_o beneath_o your_o favour_n and_o unworthy_a your_o protection_n for_o if_o truth_n be_v the_o great_a present_n which_o god_n can_v bestow_v or_o man_n receive_v according_a to_o that_o of_o plurarch_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o certain_o those_o oâ—â—â—_n truth_n deserve_v our_o most_o ready_a acceptance_n which_o be_v in_o themselves_o of_o great_a importance_n and_o have_v the_o great_a evidence_n that_o they_o come_v from_o god_n and_o although_o i_o have_v have_v the_o happiness_n of_o so_o near_a relation_n to_o you_o &_o acquaintance_n with_o you_o as_o to_o know_v how_o little_a you_o need_v such_o discourse_n which_o tend_v to_o settle_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n which_o you_o have_v raise_v so_o happy_a a_o superstructure_n upon_o yet_o withal_o i_o consider_v what_o particular_a kindness_n the_o soul_n of_o all_o good_a man_n bear_v to_o such_o design_n who_o end_n be_v to_o assert_v and_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o religion_n for_o those_o who_o be_v enrich_v themselves_o with_o the_o inestimable_a treasure_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o piety_n be_v far_o from_o that_o envious_a temper_n to_o think_v nothing_o valuable_a but_o what_o they_o be_v the_o sole_a possessor_n of_o but_o such_o be_v the_o most_o satisfy_v themselves_o when_o they_o see_v other_o not_o only_o admire_v but_o enjoy_v what_o they_o have_v the_o high_a estimation_n of_o be_v all_o who_o make_v a_o show_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n real_o such_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n will_v be_v no_o more_o seasonable_a than_o the_o commendation_n of_o a_o great_a beauty_n to_o one_o who_o be_v already_o a_o passionate_a admirer_n of_o it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o see_v how_o common_a it_o be_v for_o man_n first_o to_o throw_v dirt_n in_o the_o face_n of_o religion_n and_o then_o persuade_v themselves_o it_o be_v its_o natural_a complexion_n they_o represent_v it_o to_o themselves_o in_o a_o shape_n least_o please_n to_o they_o and_o then_o bring_v that_o as_o a_o plea_n why_o they_o give_v it_o no_o better_a entertainment_n it_o may_v just_o seem_v strange_a that_o true_a religion_n which_o contain_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o what_o be_v true_o noble_a and_o generous_a most_o rational_a and_o please_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o all_o good_a man_n shall_v yet_o suffer_v so_o much_o in_o its_o esteem_n in_o the_o world_n through_o those_o strange_a and_o uncouth_a vizard_n it_o be_v represent_v under_o some_o accout_v the_o life_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o as_o it_o speak_v subdue_a our_o will_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o all_o religion_n a_o thing_n too_o low_a and_o mean_a for_o their_o rank_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n while_o other_o pretend_v a_o quarrel_n against_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o as_o unsatisfactory_a to_o humane_a reason_n thus_o religion_n suffer_v with_o the_o author_n of_o it_o between_o two_o thief_n and_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o define_v which_o be_v more_o injurious_a to_o it_o that_o which_o question_n the_o principle_n or_o that_o which_o despise_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o nothing_o certain_o will_n more_o incline_v man_n to_o believe_v that_o we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n of_o prodigy_n then_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o such_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n who_o shall_v account_v it_o a_o piece_n of_o gentility_n to_o despise_v religion_n and_o a_o piece_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v atheist_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o a_o true_a height_n and_o magnanimity_n of_o spirit_n if_o there_o be_v any_o solid_a reason_n and_o depth_n of_o judgement_n they_o be_v not_o only_o consistent_a with_o but_o only_o attainable_a by_o a_o true_a generous_a spirit_n of_o religion_n but_o if_o we_o look_v at_o that_o which_o the_o loose_a and_o profane_a world_n be_v apt_a to_o account_v the_o great_a gallantry_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o make_v up_o of_o such_o pitiful_a ingredient_n which_o any_o skilful_a &_o rational_a mind_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o plead_v for_o much_o less_o to_o mention_v they_o in_o competition_n with_o true_a goodness_n and_o unfeigned_a piety_n for_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o observe_v such_o who_o will_v be_v account_v the_o most_o high_a and_o gallant_a spirit_n to_o quarry_n on_o such_o mean_a prey_n which_o only_o tend_v to_o satisfy_v their_o brutish_a appetite_n or_o flesh_n revenge_n with_o the_o blood_n of_o such_o who_o have_v stand_v in_o the_o way_n of_o that_o airy_a title_n honour_n or_o else_o they_o be_v so_o little_a apprehensive_a of_o the_o in_o ward_n worth_a and_o excellency_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o they_o seem_v to_o envy_v the_o gallantry_n of_o peacock_n and_o strive_v to_o outvie_v they_o in_o the_o gaiety_n of_o their_o plume_n such_o who_o be_v as_o seneca_v say_v ad_fw-la similitudinem_fw-la parietum_fw-la extrinsecùs_fw-la culti_fw-la who_o imitate_v the_o wall_n of_o their_o house_n in_o the_o fairness_n of_o the_o outside_n but_o matter_n not_o what_o rubbish_n there_o lie_v within_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o ambition_n be_v to_o attain_v enervatam_fw-la felicitatem_fw-la quâ_fw-la permadescunt_fw-la animi_fw-la such_o a_o felicity_n as_o evigorate_v the_o soul_n by_o too_o long_o steep_v it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o terrestrial_a pleasure_n that_o they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o degree_n consume_v reason_n by_o effeminate_v and_o soften_a the_o intellectual_n must_v we_o appeal_v then_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o sardanapalus_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o felicity_n or_o inquire_v of_o apicius_n what_o temperance_n be_v or_o desire_v that_o sybarite_n to_o define_v magnanimity_n who_o faint_v to_o see_v a_o man_n at_o hard_a labour_n or_o do_v now_o the_o conquest_n of_o passion_n forgive_a injury_n do_v good_a self-denial_n humility_n patience_n under_o cross_n which_o be_v the_o real_a expression_n of_o piety_n speak_v nothing_o more_o noble_a &_o generous_a than_o a_o luxurious_a malicious_a 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commend_v religion_n
be_v expressive_a of_o the_o several_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v use_v to_o represent_v for_o otherwise_o all_o the_o use_n of_o word_n be_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a vocabulary_a to_o the_o understanding_n and_o a_o index_n to_o memory_n and_o of_o no_o further_a use_n in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o knowledge_n then_o to_o let_v we_o know_v what_o word_n man_n be_v agree_v to_o call_v thing_n by_o but_o something_o further_a seem_v to_o be_v intend_v in_o their_o first_o imposition_n whence_o the_o jew_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o mercer_n tell_v we_o a_o separation_n and_o distinction_n 19_o of_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o thing_n and_o kircher_n thus_o paraphrase_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n and_o whatsoever_o adam_n call_v every_o live_a creature_n that_o be_v the_o name_n thereof_o i_o e._n say_v 1._o he_o fuerunt_fw-la illis_fw-la vera_fw-la &_o germane_a nomina_fw-la &_o rerum_fw-la naturis_fw-la propriè_fw-la accommodata_fw-la but_o however_o this_o be_v 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truth_n but_o contrary_a to_o their_o pre-conception_n or_o interest_n have_v be_v forbid_a entrance_n prejudice_n be_v the_o wrong_a bias_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o effectual_o keep_v it_o from_o come_v near_o the_o mark_n of_o truth_n nay_o set_v it_o at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o it_o there_o be_v few_o in_o the_o world_n that_o look_v after_o truth_n with_o their_o own_o eye_n most_o make_v use_n of_o spectacle_n of_o other_o make_v which_o make_v they_o so_o seldom_o behold_v the_o proper_a lineament_n in_o the_o face_n of_o truth_n which_o the_o several_a tincture_n from_o education_n authority_n custom_n and_o predisposition_n do_v exceed_o hinder_v man_n from_o discern_v of_o another_o reason_n why_o there_o be_v so_o few_o who_o find_v truth_n when_o so_o many_o pretend_v to_o seek_v it_o be_v that_o near_a resemblance_n which_o 7._o error_n often_o bear_v to_o truth_n it_o have_v be_v well_o observe_v that_o error_n seldom_o walk_v abroad_o the_o world_n in_o her_o 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superstition_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n the_o devil_n can_v never_o have_v build_v his_o chapel_n but_o on_o the_o same_o ground_n whereon_o god_n temple_n stand_v which_o make_v i_o far_o less_o wonder_n than_o many_o do_v at_o the_o meeting_n with_o many_o expression_n concern_v these_o two_o grand_a truth_n in_o the_o write_n of_o ancient_a heathen_n know_v how_o willing_a the_o devil_n may_v be_v to_o have_v such_o principle_n still_o own_v in_o the_o world_n which_o by_o his_o deprave_v of_o they_o may_v be_v the_o nourisher_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n for_o the_o general_a knowledge_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n suppose_v man_n ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a god_n do_v only_o lay_v a_o foundation_n to_o erect_v his_o idolatrous_a temple_n upon_o and_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o soul_n survive_v the_o body_n after_o death_n without_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a way_n of_o attain_v happiness_n do_v make_v man_n more_o eager_a of_o embrace_v those_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o canie_n with_o a_o pretence_n of_o show_v the_o way_n to_o a_o bless_a immortality_n which_o may_v be_v a_o most_o probable_a reason_n why_o philosophy_n and_o idolatry_n do_v increase_v so_o much_o together_o as_o they_o do_v for_o 8._o though_o right_a reason_n full_o improve_v will_v have_v overthrow_v all_o those_o curse_a and_o idolatrous_a practice_n among_o the_o heathen_n yet_o reason_n only_o discern_v some_o general_a notion_n without_o their_o particular_a application_n and_o improvement_n do_v only_o dispose_v the_o most_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o people_n to_o a_o more_o ready_a entertainment_n of_o the_o most_o gross_a idolatry_n for_o hereby_o they_o discern_v the_o necessity_n of_o some_o kind_n of_o worship_n but_o can_v not_o find_v out_o the_o right_a way_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o they_o greedy_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v commend_v to_o they_o by_o such_o who_o do_v withal_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o the_o common_a sentiment_n 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advantage_n the_o apostle_n make_v of_o the_o inscription_n on_o the_o altar_n at_o athens_n to_o the_o unknown_a god_n who_o say_v he_o you_o ignorant_o serve_v he_o i_o declare_v 23._o unto_o you_o and_o which_o be_v the_o happy_a use_n the_o primitive_a learned_a christian_n make_v of_o all_o those_o passage_n concern_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o they_o find_v in_o the_o heathen_a writer_n thereby_o to_o evidence_n to_o the_o world_n that_o the_o main_a postulata_fw-la or_o supposition_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v grant_v by_o their_o own_o most_o admire_a man_n and_o that_o christianity_n do_v not_o race_n out_o but_o only_o build_v upon_o those_o common_a foundation_n which_o be_v entertain_v by_o all_o who_o have_v any_o name_n for_o reason_n though_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o happy_a effect_n of_o this_o build_a 9_o error_n on_o common_a truth_n to_o all_o that_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o divine_a 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consequence_n they_o see_v may_v be_v draw_v from_o a_o principle_n suppose_v to_o reject_v the_o principle_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o consequence_n which_o it_o may_v be_v do_v not_o necessary_o follow_v from_o it_o but_o through_o the_o shortness_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n do_v appear_v to_o they_o to_o do_v so_o thus_o when_o the_o intelligent_a heathen_a do_v apparent_o see_v that_o from_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o soul_n do_v flow_v all_o those_o unnatural_a and_o inhuman_a sacrifice_n all_o those_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a rite_n all_o those_o execrable_a and_o profane_a mystery_n out_o of_o a_o loathe_n the_o immorality_n and_o impiety_n which_o attend_v these_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o question_v the_o very_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o those_o principle_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v thus_o abuse_v and_o therefore_o i_o be_o very_o prone_a to_o suspect_v the_o apology_n usual_o make_v for_o protagoras_n diagoras_n and_o such_o other_o of_o they_o 10._o who_o be_v account_v atheist_n to_o be_v more_o favourable_a than_o true_a viz._n that_o they_o only_o reject_v those_o heathen_a deity_n and_o not_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i_o shall_v think_v this_o account_n of_o their_o repute_a atheism_n rational_a be_v it_o any_o way_n evident_a that_o they_o do_v build_v their_o belief_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n upon_o any_o other_o ground_n than_o such_o as_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o those_o who_o worship_n they_o so_o much_o deride_v and_o therefore_o when_o the_o heathen_n accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o atheism_n i_o have_v full_a and_o clear_a evidence_n that_o no_o more_o can_v be_v mean_v thereby_o then_o the_o rejection_n of_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n because_o i_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n from_o they_o that_o they_o do_v believe_v in_o a_o divine_a nature_n and_o a_o institute_v religion_n most_o suitable_a to_o the_o most_o common_a receive_v notion_n
demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o one_o beyond_o the_o other_o whereby_o we_o must_v do_v as_o archimedes_n do_v by_o the_o crown_n of_o hiero_n find_v out_o the_o exact_a proportion_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n which_o lie_v in_o all_o those_o heathen_a fable_n and_o this_o now_o lead_v to_o the_o three_o account_n why_o truth_n be_v so_o 14._o hardly_o discern_v from_o error_n even_o by_o those_o who_o search_v after_o it_o which_o be_v the_o great_a obscurity_n of_o the_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n which_o shall_v decide_v the_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a agreement_n in_o some_o common_a principle_n and_o a_o frequent_a resemblance_n in_o particular_a tradition_n we_o must_v of_o necessity_n for_o the_o clear_n the_o truth_n from_o its_o corruption_n have_v recourse_n to_o ancient_a history_n to_o see_v if_o thereby_o we_o can_v find_v out_o where_o the_o original_a tradition_n be_v best_o preserve_v by_o what_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o whereby_o we_o may_v distinguish_v those_o corruption_n from_o the_o truth_n to_o which_o they_o be_v annex_v which_o be_v the_o design_n and_o subject_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n viz._n to_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a original_n and_o general_a tradition_n preserve_v in_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o old_a age_n of_o the_o world_n that_o this_o tradition_n be_v gradual_o corrupt_v among_o the_o heathen_n that_o not_o withstand_v this_o corruption_n there_o be_v sufficient_a remainder_n of_o it_o to_o evidence_n its_o true_a original_n that_o the_o full_a account_n of_o this_o tradition_n be_v alone_o preserve_v in_o those_o book_n we_o call_v the_o scripture_n that_o where_o any_o other_o histery_n seem_v to_o cross_v the_o report_n contain_v in_o they_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o question_v their_o credibility_n and_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o clear_v the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o that_o 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that_o herald_n so_o little_a skilled_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o tell_v we_o which_o be_v of_o the_o elder_a house_n the_o reason_n be_v though_o truth_n be_v always_o of_o great_a antiquity_n yet_o error_n may_v have_v the_o more_o wrinkle_a face_n by_o which_o it_o often_o impose_v on_o such_o who_o guess_v antiquity_n by_o deformity_n and_o think_v nothing_o so_o old_a as_o that_o which_o can_v give_v the_o least_o account_n of_o its_o own_o age_n this_o be_v evident_o the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o make_v the_o pretence_n of_o ancient_a history_n a_o plea_n for_o insidelity_n and_o think_v no_o argument_n more_o plausible_a to_o impugn_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n with_o than_o the_o seem_a repugnancy_n of_o some_o pretend_a history_n with_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n report_v in_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v a_o pretext_n so_o unworthy_a &_o design_v for_o solill_o a_o end_n and_o so_o frequent_o make_v use_n of_o by_o such_o who_o account_n 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and_o alter_v that_o tradition_n if_o we_o find_v such_o infinite_a variety_n and_o difference_n of_o man_n as_o to_o the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o time_n when_o they_o have_v all_o possible_a mean_n to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o what_o account_n can_v we_o imagine_v can_v be_v give_v by_o those_o who_o have_v no_o certain_a way_n of_o preserve_v to_o posterity_n the_o most_o authentic_a relation_n of_o former_a age_n especial_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o where_o any_o certain_a way_n of_o preserve_a tradition_n be_v want_v a_o people_n must_v soon_o degenerate_a into_o the_o great_a stupidity_n and_o barbarism_n because_o all_o will_v be_v take_v up_o in_o mind_v their_o own_o petty_a concern_v and_o no_o encouragement_n at_o all_o give_v to_o such_o public_a spirit_n who_o will_v mind_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o what_o be_v there_o for_o such_o to_o employ_v themselves_o upon_o or_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o when_o they_o 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imbody_n themselves_o together_o
the_o sense_n say_v he_o be_v clear_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o thâ—_n chaldee_n account_n comprehend_v 222._o month_n which_o come_v to_o â—ighteen_o year_n and_o six_o month_n therefore_o 120._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v 2220._o year_n and_o therefore_o he_o add_v for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o read_v leave_v out_o the_o last_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o according_a to_o this_o sense_n of_o 120._o sari_n to_o comprehend_v the_o sum_n of_o 2220._o year_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o reduce_v the_o fragment_n of_o berosus_n concern_v the_o ten_o king_n before_o the_o flood_n reign_v 120._o sari_n to_o some_o degree_n of_o probability_n as_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v only_o suppose_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o ancient_a chaldean_n have_v preserve_v among_o they_o some_o tradition_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o chief_a person_n before_o the_o flood_n for_o we_o find_v they_o exact_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n as_o to_o the_o number_n though_o differ_v as_o to_o the_o name_n of_o they_o which_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o africanus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n his_o greek_a chronica_fw-la second_o that_o berosus_n from_o 5._o who_o apollodorus_n and_o alexander_n polyhistor_n deliver_v these_o computation_n may_v as_o to_o the_o account_n of_o the_o time_n of_o those_o person_n follow_v the_o translation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n for_o i_o have_v already_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o berosus_n do_v not_o publish_v his_o history_n till_o after_o the_o septuagint_n be_v abroad_o now_o according_a to_o the_o computation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n of_o the_o age_n before_o the_o flood_n these_o 120._o sari_n of_o the_o ten_o king_n will_v not_o much_o disagtee_n from_o it_o for_o these_o make_v 2220._o year_n of_o these_o ten_o person_n and_o the_o septuagint_n in_o all_o make_v 2242._o so_o that_o if_o in_o stead_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o suidas_n we_o only_o read_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o have_v the_o exact_a computation_n of_o the_o septuagint_n in_o these_o 120._o sari_n but_o of_o this_o let_v the_o learned_a judge_n we_o now_o to_o come_v to_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n 5._o as_o to_o which_o i_o doubt_v we_o must_v be_v fain_o to_o take_v the_o same_o course_n that_o eusebius_n do_v with_o the_o chaldean_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o trouble_v ourselves_o overmuch_o in_o seek_v to_o reconcile_v fable_n to_o truth_n great_a pain_n be_v take_v by_o some_o very_a learned_a man_n to_o reduce_v the_o disorderly_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n to_o some_o probable_a account_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v upon_o a_o impartial_a examination_n of_o they_o that_o i_o think_v they_o have_v strive_v if_o not_o to_o make_v a_o ethiopian_a white_a yet_o a_o egyptian_a to_o speak_v truth_n concern_v his_o own_o country_n which_o be_v almost_o of_o a_o equal_a impossibility_n joseph_n scaliger_n who_o first_o in_o this_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n produce_v they_o into_o the_o light_n out_o of_o georgius_n syncellus_n have_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o they_o then_o of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n of_o herodotus_n diodorus_n and_o other_o but_o upon_o what_o account_n i_o can_v imagine_v be_v it_o because_o four_o dynastye_n according_a to_o his_o own_o computation_n exceed_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o true_a account_n for_o which_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v use_n of_o his_o tempus_fw-la prolepticum_fw-la and_o julian_n period_n which_o reach_v 764._o year_n beyond_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v invent_v by_o he_o from_o the_o multiplication_n of_o the_o great_a cycle_n into_o the_o indiction_n i._n e._n of_o 532._o into_o 15._o or_o be_v it_o because_o for_o sooth_n manâ—tho_n have_v digest_v all_o into_o better_a order_n and_o reckon_v up_o the_o several_a dynastye_n which_o lay_v consuse_v in_o other_o author_n but_o this_o only_o show_v he_o a_o more_o cunning_a impostor_n who_o see_v the_o former_a account_n give_v by_o other_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n and_o therefore_o pretend_v to_o more_o exactness_n and_o diligence_n that_o he_o may_v more_o easy_o deceive_v his_o reader_n but_o set_v aside_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v say_v already_o concern_v manetho_n i_o have_v these_o thing_n which_o make_v i_o reject_v his_o dynastye_n as_o fabulous_a first_o the_o vast_a difference_n between_o manetho_n his_o account_n and_o all_o other_o who_o have_v write_v the_o egyptian_a history_n in_o the_o order_n and_o name_n of_o his_o dynastye_n where_o do_v we_o ever_o read_v of_o the_o several_a dynastye_n of_o the_o thinites_n memphites_n suit_n diospolitans_n and_o many_o other_o but_o in_o himself_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o neither_o herodotus_n nor_o eratosthenes_n nor_o diodorus_n who_o have_v all_o write_v a_o succession_n of_o the_o egyptian_a king_n shall_v neither_o by_o their_o own_o industry_n nor_o by_o all_o the_o interest_n they_o have_v in_o egypt_n get_v any_o knowledge_n of_o these_o methodical_o digest_v dynastye_n beside_o have_v there_o be_v any_o historical_a certainty_n in_o these_o dynastye_n of_o manetho_n whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o silent_o pass_v over_o by_o those_o who_o be_v egyptian_a priest_n themselves_o and_o undertake_v to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o egypt_n such_o be_v chaeremon_n who_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o sacred_a scribe_n and_o ptolomaeus_n mendesius_n who_o be_v a_o egyptian_a priest_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o and_o comprehend_v the_o history_n of_o egypt_n in_o three_o book_n now_o have_v this_o history_n be_v so_o authentical_a as_o be_v pretend_v whence_o come_v so_o many_o and_o great_a contradiction_n between_o they_o in_o so_o much_o that_o josephus_n say_v if_o that_o which_o they_o report_v be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v so_o much_o differ_v but_o they_o 1._o labour_v in_o the_o invention_n of_o lie_n and_o write_v neither_o agreeable_o to_o the_o truth_n nor_o to_o one_o another_o so_o that_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o miracle_n almost_o to_o see_v how_o prodigious_o fond_a of_o these_o dynastye_n kircher_n be_v and_o what_o pain_n he_o have_v take_v to_o no_o purpose_n about_o they_o scio_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la â—aith_o he_o qui_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la dynastias_fw-la meras_fw-la nugas_fw-la &_o commenta_fw-la putant_fw-la very_o true_a but_o why_o 9_o be_v not_o he_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n too_o he_o confess_v himself_o to_o have_v be_v so_o once_o but_o since_o he_o have_v converse_v more_o with_o the_o oriental_a tradition_n he_o have_v find_v they_o not_o to_o be_v so_o fabulous_a as_o many_o make_v they_o it_o seem_v then_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n as_o well_o before_o the_o flood_n as_o after_o must_v lie_v in_o this_o oriental_a tradition_n a_o thing_n which_o some_o to_o show_v their_o great_a skill_n in_o those_o eastern_a language_n be_v grow_v very_o fond_a of_o but_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v yet_o see_v they_o sail_v to_o ophir_n not_o for_o gold_n but_o peacock_n and_o the_o next_o legend_n the_o world_n have_v shall_v be_v call_v legenda_fw-la orientalis_n for_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o irrational_a absurd_a and_o fabulous_a than_o those_o arabic_a tradition_n which_o that_o author_n scrape_v as_o much_o for_o as_o aesop_n cock_n do_v on_o the_o dunghill_n but_o there_o be_v no_o jewel_n to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o unless_o we_o shall_v take_v those_o 15._o hard_a name_n of_o man_n for_o such_o which_o by_o the_o arabic_a writer_n be_v say_v to_o have_v succeed_v each_o other_o in_o egypt_n before_o the_o flood_n viz._n nacraus_fw-la nathras_n mesram_n henoah_n arjak_v hasilim_n husal_n tatrasan_n sarkak_v schaluk_fw-mi surith_n who_o they_o say_v build_v the_o pyramid_n hugith_o manaus_fw-la aphrus_fw-la malinus_fw-la abn_n ama_n pharaun_n in_o who_o time_n they_o say_v the_o flood_n come_v but_o shall_v we_o be_v so_o little_o befriend_v by_o reason_n as_o to_o grant_v all_o this_o what_o advantage_n will_v this_o be_v to_o manetho_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o king_n but_o whole_a dynastye_n so_o that_o it_o still_o appear_v these_o dynastye_n be_v fabulous_a not_o be_v attest_v by_o any_o credible_a witness_n second_o all_o those_o who_o profess_v to_o follow_v manetho_n differ_v strange_o from_o one_o another_o as_o josephus_n africanus_n eusebius_n george_n the_o syncellus_n of_o the_o patriarch_n of_o tarasius_n and_o scaliger_n who_o have_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n in_o digest_v of_o they_o yet_o he_o be_v condemn_v by_o other_o since_o and_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la give_v a_o particular_a caution_n to_o his_o reader_n in_o his_o 10._o dynastiis_fw-la compingendis_fw-la nequaquam_fw-la esse_fw-la sequendum_fw-la ordinem_fw-la &_o calculum_fw-la scaligeri_fw-la what_o shall_v be_v the_o
subsequent_a or_o for_o want_n of_o understand_v the_o design_n of_o the_o chief_a instrument_n of_o action_n but_o when_o the_o person_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o chief_a in_o all_o shall_v undertake_v to_o write_v a_o exact_a history_n of_o it_o what_o evidence_n can_v be_v desire_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o be_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o defect_n as_o to_o information_n concern_v what_o be_v do_v the_o only_a scruple_n then_o that_o can_v be_v make_v must_v be_v concern_v the_o passage_n of_o former_a time_n which_o moses_n relate_v and_o here_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o insist_v only_o on_o all_o that_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o a_o bare_a historian_n set_v aside_o divine_a revelation_n he_o have_v as_o true_a and_o certain_a information_n of_o the_o history_n of_o those_o former_a age_n as_o any_o one_o can_v have_v of_o thing_n at_o that_o distance_n from_o themselves_o and_o that_o be_v by_o a_o certain_a â—â—interrupted_a tradition_n of_o they_o which_o will_v appear_v more_o clear_a and_o evident_a in_o that_o nation_n of_o which_o moses_n be_v then_o in_o any_o other_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o on_o these_o two_o account_n first_o the_o undoubted_a lineal_a deseent_n from_o father_n to_o son_n in_o the_o jewish_a nation_n second_o their_o interest_n lie_v so_o much_o in_o the_o preserve_n this_o tradition_n entire_a first_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a unmix_a lineal_a descent_n from_o father_n to_o son_n in_o the_o jewish_a nation_n the_o great_a â—ause_n of_o most_o 9_o of_o the_o confusion_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o other_o nation_n be_v the_o frequent_a mix_n of_o several_a family_n one_o with_o another_o now_o that_o god_n may_v as_o it_o be_v on_o purpose_n satisfy_v the_o world_n of_o the_o israelite_n capacity_n to_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n entire_a he_o prohibit_v their_o mixture_n by_o marriage_n with_o the_o people_n of_o other_o nation_n and_o family_n so_o that_o in_o moses_n his_o time_n it_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a matter_n to_o run_v up_o their_o lineal_a descent_n as_o far_o as_o the_o flood_n nay_o up_o to_o adam_n for_o adam_n converse_v sometime_o with_o noah_n sem_fw-mi his_o son_n be_v probable_o live_v in_o some_o part_n of_o jacob_n time_n or_o isaac_n at_o least_o and_o how_o easy_o and_o uninterrupted_o may_v the_o general_a tradition_n of_o the_o ancient_a history_n be_v continue_v thence_o to_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n when_o the_o number_n of_o family_n agree_v in_o this_o tradition_n be_v increase_v and_o withal_o incorporate_v by_o a_o common_a ligament_n of_o religion_n i_o demand_v then_o where_o can_v we_o suppose_v any_o ignorance_n or_o cut_v off_o this_o general_a tradition_n in_o so_o continue_v a_o succession_n as_o here_o be_v can_v we_o imagine_v that_o the_o grandchild_n of_o jacob_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o their_o own_o pedigree_n and_o whence_o they_o come_v into_o egypt_n can_v we_o think_v a_o thing_n so_o late_a and_o so_o remarkable_a as_o the_o account_n of_o their_o come_n thither_o shall_v be_v forget_v which_o be_v attend_v with_o so_o many_o memorable_a circumstance_n especial_o the_o sell_v and_o advancement_n of_o joseph_n who_o memory_n it_o be_v impossible_a shall_v be_v obliterated_a in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n can_v jacob_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o country_n whence_o his_o grandfather_n abraham_n come_v especial_o when_o he_o live_v so_o long_o in_o it_o himself_o and_o marry_v into_o that_o branch_n of_o the_o family_n that_o be_v remain_v there_o when_o he_o have_v serve_v his_o uncle_n laban_n can_v abraham_n when_o he_o be_v cotemporary_a with_o sem_fw-mi be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o flood_n when_o sem_fw-mi from_o who_o he_o derive_v himself_o be_v one_o of_o the_o person_n who_o escape_v it_o in_o the_o ark_n can_v sem_fw-mi be_fw-mi ignorant_a of_o the_o action_n before_o the_o flood_n when_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n live_v some_o part_n of_o his_o time_n with_o noah_n and_o can_v noah_n then_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n thus_o we_o see_v it_o almost_o impossible_a that_o any_o age_n among_o they_o then_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o precedent_n which_o they_o be_v so_o few_o generation_n remove_v from_o that_o they_o can_v with_o ease_n derive_v themselves_o from_o the_o first_o man_n what_o then_o can_v we_o say_v that_o any_o of_o these_o have_v a_o design_n of_o deceive_v their_o posterity_n and_o so_o corrupt_v the_o tradition_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o can_v be_v hardly_o possible_a at_o that_o time_n when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o remain_a testimony_n of_o former_a time_n what_o end_n can_v we_o imagine_v that_o any_o parent_n shall_v have_v in_o thus_o deceive_v their_o child_n or_o what_o advantage_n shall_v come_v to_o they_o by_o such_o a_o deceit_n nay_o i_o shall_v now_o manifest_v in_o the_o sicond_a place_n that_o the_o whole_a interest_n of_o their_o child_n lay_v in_o preserve_v this_o tradition_n certain_a and_o entire_a for_o their_o hope_n of_o possess_v canaan_n and_o title_n to_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o promise_n make_v to_o abraham_n 400_o year_n before_o which_o will_v not_o only_o keep_v awake_v their_o sense_n of_o divine_a providence_n but_o will_v make_v they_o careful_a during_o their_o bondage_n to_o preserve_v their_o genealogy_n because_o all_o the_o right_n they_o can_v plead_v to_o their_o pâ—ssessions_n in_o canaan_n be_v from_o their_o be_v of_o abraham_n seed_n and_o beside_o this_o on_o purpose_n to_o be_v a_o memorial_n to_o they_o of_o passage_n between_o god_n and_o abraham_n they_o have_v in_o their_o flesh_n a_o badge_n of_o circumcision_n which_o will_v serve_v to_o call_v to_o mind_v those_o transaction_n which_o have_v be_v between_o god_n and_o their_o forefathers_n these_o thing_n than_o do_v full_o demonstrate_v that_o insist_v only_o on_o rational_a evidence_n the_o israelite_n be_v the_o most_o certain_a conservator_n of_o the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o world_n and_o can_v we_o then_o think_v that_o moses_n who_o be_v the_o ruler_n among_o they_o shall_v not_o full_o understand_v those_o thing_n which_o every_o israelite_n can_v scarce_o be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o may_v correct_v the_o mistake_n of_o moses_n in_o his_o history_n if_o he_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o any_o such_o these_o thing_n i_o suppose_v have_v make_v the_o first_o proposition_n evident_a that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a moses_n shall_v be_v deceive_v himself_o or_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o report_v to_o other_o both_o because_o he_o have_v ability_n sufficient_a to_o discover_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o sufficient_a information_n of_o the_o passage_n of_o former_a time_n chap._n iii_o moses_n his_o fidelity_n and_o integrity_n prove_v moses_n consider_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o as_o a_o lawgiver_n his_o fidelity_n in_o both_o prove_v clear_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v no_o intent_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n freedom_n from_o private_a interest_n impartiality_n in_o his_o relation_n plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n of_o stile_n as_o a_o lawgiver_n he_o come_v arm_v with_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n be_v fix_v on_o to_o be_v full_o prove_v from_o his_o action_n and_o write_n the_o power_n of_o miracle_n the_o great_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n two_o grand_a question_n propound_v in_o what_o case_n miracle_n may_v be_v expect_v and_o how_o know_v to_o be_v true_a no_o necessity_n of_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n in_o a_o church_n two_o case_n alone_o wherein_o they_o may_v be_v expect_v when_o any_o thing_n come_v as_o a_o law_n from_o god_n and_o when_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v the_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n in_o those_o case_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n assert_v objection_n answer_v no_o use_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o doctrine_n be_v settle_v and_o own_a by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o revelation_n no_o need_n of_o miracle_n in_o reformation_n of_o a_o church_n the_o second_o proposition_n contain_v the_o proof_n of_o moses_n his_o fidelity_n that_o he_o be_v as_o far_o from_o have_v any_o intent_n to_o 1_o deceive_v other_o as_o he_o be_v be_v deceive_v himself_o two_o way_n moses_n must_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o as_o a_o lawgiver_n the_o only_a inducement_n for_o he_o to_o deceive_v as_o a_o historian_n must_v be_v some_o particular_a interest_n which_o must_v draw_v he_o aside_o from_o a_o impartial_a delivery_n of_o the_o truth_n as_o a_o lawgiver_n he_o may_v deceive_v if_o he_o pretend_v divine_a revelation_n for_o those_o law_n which_o be_v only_o the_o issue_n of_o his_o own_o brain_n that_o they_o may_v be_v receive_v with_o a_o great_a veneration_n among_o the_o people_n as_o numa_n pompilius_n and_o other_o do_v
mystery_n our_o faith_n stand_v upon_o this_o twofold_a bottom_n first_o that_o the_o be_v understanding_n and_o power_n of_o god_n do_v infinite_o transcend_v we_o and_o therefore_o he_o may_v reveal_v to_o we_o matter_n above_o our_o reach_n and_o capacity_n second_o that_o whatever_o god_n do_v reveal_v be_v undoubted_o true_a though_o we_o may_v not_o full_o understand_v it_o for_o this_o be_v a_o most_o undoubted_a principle_n that_o god_n can_v and_o will_v not_o deceive_v any_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o reveal_v to_o man_n thus_o our_o first_o supposition_n be_v clear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n that_o a_o doctrine_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o the_o second_o be_v that_o in_o matter_n who_o truth_n depend_v not_o on_o 2._o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o infallible_a testimony_n be_v the_o full_a demonstration_n of_o they_o for_o these_o thing_n not_o be_v of_o 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a_o testimony_n to_o be_v believe_v or_o no._n 2._o because_o god_n will_v condemn_v the_o world_n for_o unbelief_n in_o which_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n proceed_n do_v necessary_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o induce_v they_o to_o believe_v which_o can_v not_o be_v unless_o there_o be_v some_o certain_a way_n suppose_v whereby_o a_o testimony_n may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v infallible_a these_o three_o thing_n now_o be_v suppose_v viz._n that_o a_o doctrine_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o evidonce_n of_o reason_n that_o the_o great_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o doctrine_n be_v its_o be_v deliver_v by_o infallible_a testimony_n and_o that_o there_o be_v certain_a way_n whereby_o a_o testimony_n may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v infallible_a our_o first_o principle_n be_v full_o confirm_v which_o be_v that_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n of_o reason_n but_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o reveal_v it_o the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v true_a be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o he_o that_o reveal_v it_o to_o be_v infallible_a the_o next_o principle_n or_o hypothesis_n which_o i_o lay_v down_o be_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a evidence_n that_o a_o testimony_n be_v infallible_a 2._o then_o that_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o depend_v upon_o a_o common_a notion_n of_o humane_a nature_n which_o be_v the_o veracity_n of_o god_n in_o whatever_o way_n he_o discover_v himself_o to_o man_n and_o therefore_o the_o ultimate_a resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o its_o formal_a object_n must_v be_v alone_o into_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n reveal_v thing_n unto_o we_o for_o the_o principium_fw-la certitudinis_fw-la or_o foundation_n of_o all_o certain_a assent_n can_v be_v fetch_v no_o high_o neither_o will_v it_o stand_v any_o low_a than_o the_o infallible_a verity_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o principium_fw-la patefactionis_fw-la or_o the_o ground_n of_o discovery_n of_o spiritual_a truth_n to_o our_o mind_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o divine_a testimony_n or_o revelation_n these_o two_o than_o not_o take_v asunder_o but_o joint_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v have_v reveal_v these_o thing_n be_v the_o only_a certain_a foundation_n for_o a_o divine_a faith_n to_o rest_v its_o self_n upon_o but_o now_o the_o particular_a exercise_n of_o a_o divine_a faith_n lie_v in_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o a_o particular_a thing_n as_o divine_o reveal_v and_o herein_o lie_v not_o so_o much_o the_o testimony_n as_o the_o peculiar_a energy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o incline_v the_o soul_n to_o believe_v peculiar_a object_n of_o faith_n as_o of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o call_v the_o formal_a object_n or_o the_o ratio_fw-la propter_fw-la quam_fw-la credimus_fw-la be_v the_o general_a infallibility_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n for_o in_o a_o matter_n concern_v divine_a revelation_n there_o be_v two_o great_a question_n to_o be_v resolve_v the_o first_o be_v why_o i_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n with_o a_o firm_a assent_n the_o answer_n to_o that_o be_v because_o i_o be_o assure_v that_o what_o ever_o god_n speak_v be_v true_a the_o other_o be_v upon_o what_o ground_n do_v i_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a testimony_n the_o resolution_n of_o which_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v understand_v must_v be_v fetch_v from_o those_o rational_a evidence_n whereby_o a_o divine_a testimony_n must_v be_v distinguish_v from_o one_o mere_o humane_a and_o fallible_a for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o its_o work_n upon_o the_o mind_n do_v not_o carry_v it_o on_o by_o a_o brutish_a impulse_n but_o draw_v it_o by_o a_o spiritual_a discovery_n of_o such_o strong_a and_o persuasive_a ground_n to_o assent_v to_o what_o be_v reveal_v that_o the_o mind_n do_v ready_o give_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o that_o which_o it_o see_v such_o convince_a reason_n to_o believe_v now_o the_o strong_a reason_n to_o believe_v be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n so_o clear_o discover_v to_o a_o true_a believer_n that_o he_o not_o only_o firm_o assent_v to_o the_o general_a foundation_n of_o faith_n the_o veracity_n of_o god_n but_o to_o the_o particular_a object_n propound_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o this_o latter_a question_n be_v not_o here_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o discourse_n our_o proposition_n only_o concern_v the_o general_a foundation_n of_o faith_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o rational_a and_o evident_a as_o no_o principle_n in_o nature_n can_v be_v more_o for_o if_o the_o testimony_n on_o which_o i_o be_o to_o rely_v be_v only_a god_n and_o i_o be_v assure_v from_o natural_a reason_n that_o his_o testimony_n can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o infallible_a wherein_o do_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n fall_v short_a of_o that_o in_o any_o mathematical_a demonstration_n upon_o which_o account_n a_o divine_a testimony_n have_v be_v regard_v with_o so_o much_o veneration_n among_o all_o who_o have_v own_v a_o deity_n although_o they_o have_v be_v unacquainted_a with_o any_o certain_a way_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o any_o reject_v such_o a_o testimony_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v either_o because_o they_o believe_v not_o a_o deity_n or_o else_o that_o the_o particular_a testimony_n produce_v be_v mere_a fraud_n and_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o no_o divine_a testimony_n as_o it_o be_v give_v out_o to_o be_v but_o the_o principle_n still_o remain_v indisputable_a that_o on_o supposition_n the_o testimony_n be_v what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v there_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o although_o it_o come_v not_o in_o such_o a_o way_n of_o probation_n as_o their_o science_n proceed_v in_o from_o which_o principle_n arise_v that_o speech_n of_o tully_n which_o he_o have_v translate_v cicer._n out_o of_o plato_n timaeus_n ac_fw-la difficillimum_fw-la factu_fw-la à _fw-la diis_fw-la ortis_fw-la sidem_fw-la non_fw-la haberâ—_n quanquam_fw-la nec_fw-la argumentis_fw-la nec_fw-la rationibus_fw-la certis_fw-la eorum_fw-la oratio_fw-la confirmetur_fw-la by_o which_o we_o see_v what_o a_o presumption_n there_o be_v of_o truth_n where_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o no_o doubt_n upon_o the_o advantage_n of_o this_o principle_n it_o be_v the_o devil_n gain_v so_o great_a credit_n to_o his_o oracle_n for_o therein_o he_o do_v the_o most_o imitate_v divine_a revelation_n from_o hence_o then_o we_o see_v what_o a_o firm_a bottom_n faith_n in_o the_o general_n stand_v upon_o which_o be_v nothing_o short_a of_o a_o infallible_a divine_a testimony_n other_o thing_n may_v conduce_v by_o way_n of_o subserviency_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o this_o but_o nothing_o
of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o the_o soul_n it_o cheerful_o embrace_v that_o truth_n which_o be_v reveal_v and_o cordial_o yield_v up_o its_o self_n in_o obedience_n to_o it_o this_o be_v the_o divine_a faith_n which_o the_o scripture_n acquaint_v we_o with_o and_o not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o mere_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o as_o to_o the_o production_n of_o this_o faith_n i_o acknowledge_v mere_a rational_a evidence_n to_o be_v insufficient_a because_o they_o proceed_v in_o 2d_o very_o different_a way_n the_o one_o be_v to_o satisfy_v man_n mind_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n the_o other_o be_v to_o bring_v they_o effectual_o to_o adhere_v unto_o it_o the_o assert_v of_o the_o one_o therefore_o do_v no_o more_o tend_v to_o destroy_v the_o other_o than_o the_o say_n that_o a_o telescope_n will_v help_v we_o to_o discover_v very_o much_o of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n do_v imply_v that_o a_o blind_a man_n may_v see_v they_o if_o he_o make_v but_o use_v of_o they_o although_o therefore_o the_o natural_a man_n can_v saving_o apprehend_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v so_o much_o rational_a evidence_n go_v along_o with_o divine_a revelation_n that_o suppose_v reason_n to_o be_v pure_a and_o not_o corrupt_v and_o steep_v in_o sense_n as_o now_o it_o be_v it_o will_v discover_v spiritual_a evidence_n to_o be_v the_o most_o real_a and_o convince_a evidence_n thus_o far_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o where_o there_o be_v any_o infallible_a testimony_n there_o be_v sufficient_a rational_a evidence_n go_v along_o with_o it_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n chap._n ix_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n from_o miracle_n the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n appear_v from_o god_n and_o providence_n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n by_o they_o god_n alone_o can_v real_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n the_o devil_n power_n of_o work_a miracle_n consider_v of_o simon_n magus_n apollonius_n the_o cure_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o aesculapius_n at_o rome_n etc._n etc._n god_n never_o work_v miracle_n but_o for_o some_o particular_a end_n the_o particular_a reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ._n the_o repeal_n the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o miracle_n why_o christ_n check_v the_o pharisee_n for_o demand_v a_o sign_n when_o himself_o appeal_v to_o his_o miracle_n the_o power_n of_o christ_n miracle_n on_o many_o who_o do_v not_o thorough_o believe_v christ_n miracle_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o the_o prediction_n be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o why_o john_n baptist_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n christ_n miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n kingdom_n of_o the_o daemoniack_n and_o lunatic_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o power_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n over_o they_o large_o prove_v by_o several_a testimony_n the_o evidence_n thence_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o christ._n of_o counterfeit_a dispossession_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v among_o infidel_n of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o the_o propagation_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o prove_v from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o publisher_n and_o the_o success_n of_o the_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n know_v the_o hazard_n of_o their_o employment_n before_o they_o enter_v on_o it_o the_o boldness_n and_o resolution_n of_o the_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o this_o compare_v with_o heathen_a philosopher_n no_o motive_n can_v carry_v the_o apostle_n through_o their_o employment_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n not_o seek_v the_o honour_n profit_n or_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n the_o apostle_n evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n lie_v in_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n and_o resurrection_n that_o attest_v by_o themselves_o their_o sufficiency_n thence_o for_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n contrariety_n of_o it_o to_o natural_a inclination_n strange_a success_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o it_o come_v not_o with_o humane_a power_n no_o christian_a emperor_n till_o the_o gospel_n universal_o preach_v the_o weakness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o instrument_n which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o all_o which_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v prove_v of_o all_o rational_a evidence_n which_o tend_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n there_o can_v be_v none_o great_a than_o 5._o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n for_o confirmation_n that_o the_o testimony_n which_o be_v reveal_v be_v infallible_a the_o possibility_n of_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n can_v be_v question_v by_o any_o who_o assert_v a_o deity_n and_o a_o providence_n for_o by_o the_o same_o power_n that_o thing_n be_v either_o at_o first_o produce_v or_o be_v still_o conserve_v which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o the_o other_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v alter_v and_o thing_n cause_v which_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o inferior_a cause_n for_o though_o that_o be_v a_o immutable_a law_n of_o nature_n as_o to_o physical_a being_n that_o every_o thing_n remain_v in_o the_o course_n and_o order_n wherein_o it_o be_v set_v at_o the_o creation_n yet_o that_o only_o hold_v till_o the_o same_o power_n which_o set_v it_o in_o that_o order_n shall_v otherwise_o dispose_v of_o it_o grant_v then_o the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n the_o subject_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v that_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n which_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o follow_a consideration_n god_n alone_o can_v real_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n i_o speak_v 1._o not_o of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v apt_a only_o to_o raise_v admiration_n in_o we_o because_o of_o our_o unacquaintedness_n with_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o or_o manner_n of_o their_o production_n which_o be_v thence_o call_v wonder_n much_o less_o of_o mere_a juggle_v and_o imposture_n whereby_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n be_v deceive_v but_o i_o speak_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v in_o themselves_o either_o contrary_n to_o or_o above_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n i._n e._n that_o order_n which_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o universe_n the_o devil_n no_o question_n may_v and_o do_v often_o deceive_v the_o world_n and_o may_v by_o the_o subtlety_n and_o agility_n of_o his_o nature_n perform_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v amuse_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o sometime_o put_v they_o to_o it_o to_o find_v a_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o real_a miracle_n if_o they_o only_o make_v their_o sense_n judge_n of_o they_o and_o such_o kind_n of_o wonder_n though_o they_o be_v but_o spare_o do_v and_o with_o a_o kind_n of_o secrecy_n as_o though_o they_o be_v consult_v with_o catiline_n about_o the_o burn_a rome_n yet_o the_o devil_n will_v have_v some_o especial_o when_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n be_v ascendant_n to_o keep_v up_o his_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n or_o else_o when_o he_o be_v like_a to_o be_v dispossess_v and_o throw_v out_o of_o all_o he_o than_o try_v his_o utmost_a to_o keep_v as_o many_o to_o he_o as_o may_v be_v thus_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n appear_v in_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n he_o then_o conjure_v up_o all_o the_o infernal_a power_n to_o do_v something_o parallel_v to_o keep_v possession_n of_o his_o idolatrous_a temple_n as_o long_o as_o he_o can_v thus_o we_o find_v simon_n magus_n dog_v the_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o heel_n that_o by_o his_o magic_n he_o may_v stagger_v the_o faith_n of_o people_n concern_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n after_o he_o apollonius_n appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n but_o his_o wonder_n be_v such_o pitiful_a thing_n compare_v with_o those_o wrought_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n that_o it_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o malice_n in_o hierocles_n to_o mention_v he_o in_o competition_n with_o christ._n but_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o considerable_a then_o either_o of_o these_o be_v the_o cure_n of_o a_o blind_a man_n by_o vespasian_n in_o egypt_n 7._o mention_v by_o tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o palpable_a imitation_n of_o our_o saviour_n cure_v the_o blind_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o man_n tell_v vespasian_n restituturum_fw-la oculos_fw-la si_fw-la inspuisset_fw-la that_o he_o shall_v receive_v his_o sight_n by_o his_o spittle_n so_o spartianus_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o woman_n that_o be_v cure_v of_o her_o blindness_n by_o kiss_v the_o knee_n of_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n and_o boxhornius_n have_v produce_v a_o old_a fable_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o
17._o they_o that_o believe_v in_o my_o name_n shall_v they_o cast_v out_o devil_n etc._n etc._n this_o power_n then_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v a_o twofold_a argument_n in_o it_o both_o as_o it_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o christ_n when_o his_o name_n so_o long_o after_o his_o ascension_n have_v so_o great_a a_o command_n over_o all_o the_o infernal_a spirit_n and_o that_o so_o evident_o that_o at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o christian_n do_v as_o it_o be_v tyrannize_v over_o satan_n so_o in_o his_o own_o territory_n yet_o then_o the_o great_a of_o his_o magician_n have_v no_o power_n to_o hurt_v the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n origen_n take_v much_o notice_n of_o for_o when_o celsus_n say_v from_o diogenes_n aegyptius_n that_o magic_n can_v only_o hurt_v ignorant_a and_o wicked_a man_n and_o have_v no_o power_n over_o philosopher_n origen_n reply_v first_o that_o philosophy_n be_v no_o such_o charm_n against_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n as_o appear_v by_o maeragenes_n who_o write_v the_o story_n of_o apollonius_n tyaneus_n the_o famous_a magician_n and_o philosopher_n who_o therein_o mention_n how_o euphrates_n and_o a_o epicurean_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o vulgar_a philosopher_n be_v catch_v by_o the_o magic_n of_o apollonius_n and_o although_o philostratus_n disow_v this_o history_n of_o maeragenes_n as_o fabulous_a yet_o he_o that_o think_v philostratus_n for_o that_o to_o be_v of_o any_o great_a credit_n be_v much_o deceive_v of_o who_o lud._n vives_n give_v this_o true_a character_n that_o he_o do_v magna_fw-la homeri_fw-la mendacia_fw-la majoribus_fw-la mendaciis_fw-la 5._o corrigere_fw-la mend_v one_o hole_n and_o make_v three_o but_o say_v origen_n as_o to_o the_o christian_n this_o be_v undoubted_o true_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 302._o this_o say_v he_o we_o be_v most_o certain_a of_o and_o have_v find_v it_o by_o experience_n true_a that_o those_o who_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n do_v worship_n god_n over_o all_o through_o jesus_n and_o do_v live_v according_a to_o the_o gospel_n be_v constant_a in_o their_o solemn_a prayer_n night_n and_o day_n be_v not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o power_n of_o any_o magic_a or_o devil_n whatsoever_o now_o than_o if_o the_o devil_n who_o have_v then_o so_o much_o power_n over_o other_o have_v none_o upon_o the_o true_a follower_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o in_o stead_n of_o that_o they_o have_v so_o great_a a_o command_a power_n over_o the_o devil_n even_o in_o thing_n which_o tend_v most_o to_o his_o disadvantage_n not_o only_a dislodging_n he_o out_o of_o body_n â—â—t_v out_o of_o his_o idolatrous_a temple_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a then_o that_o this_o power_n which_o be_v so_o efficacious_a for_o the_o overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n must_v needs_o be_v far_o great_a than_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n be_v for_o it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a maxim_n in_o natural_a reason_n that_o whatever_o be_v put_v out_o of_o its_o former_a place_n by_o force_n and_o violence_n be_v extrude_v by_o something_o strong_a than_o its_o self_n for_o if_o the_o force_n on_o either_o side_n be_v equal_a there_o can_v be_v no_o dispossess_v sing_v of_o either_o if_o any_o thing_n then_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o its_o former_a possession_n unwilling_o it_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n there_o be_v some_o power_n great_a than_o his_o who_o be_v dispossess_v now_o we_o can_v conceive_v if_o there_o be_v such_o malignant_a spirit_n as_o by_o many_o undeniable_a proof_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v willing_o quit_v their_o possession_n to_o such_o a_o doctrine_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o unavoidable_a ruin_n of_o their_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n if_o then_o the_o power_n of_o this_o doctrine_n have_v overthrow_v the_o devil_n kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n wherever_o it_o have_v be_v true_o entertain_v it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o this_o power_n be_v far_o above_o the_o power_n of_o any_o damn_a spirit_n now_o what_o folly_n and_o madness_n be_v it_o in_o the_o heathen_n to_o worship_v those_o for_o god_n which_o they_o can_v not_o but_o see_v if_o they_o will_v open_v their_o eye_n be_v under_o so_o great_a slavery_n to_o a_o power_n above_o they_o which_o can_v make_v they_o confess_v what_o be_v most_o to_o their_o disadvantage_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o their_o great_a adorer_n neither_o ought_v the_o many_o counterfeit_n and_o imposture_n which_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n in_o this_o kind_n since_o the_o establishment_n of_o 7._o christian_a religion_n among_o the_o advancer_n of_o particular_a interest_n and_o design_n make_v we_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n for_o first_o it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a 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our_o former_a argument_n that_o where_o christianity_n be_v own_v by_o the_o power_n of_o that_o the_o devil_n be_v more_o curb_v and_o restrain_v then_o where_o it_o be_v not_o or_o else_o be_v much_o overrun_v with_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o latter_a the_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o 10._o century_n to_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o 16._o current_n be_v a_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o first_o all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o place_n where_o paganism_n or_o gross_a idolatry_n do_v yet_o reign_v will_v bring_v in_o their_o creditable_a testimony_n how_o tyrannical_a the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v yet_o among_o they_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o then_o where_o careful_a endeavour_n have_v be_v use_v for_o retrive_v the_o ancient_a pâ—rity_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n we_o ought_v to_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o power_n of_o he_o who_o be_v strong_a than_o satan_n who_o wherever_o he_o come_v to_o dwell_v 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the_o advancement_n of_o the_o flourish_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o mere_o by_o outward_a pomp_n and_o grandeur_n and_o that_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o state_n of_o outward_a difficulty_n which_o the_o experience_n oâ—_n the_o primitive_a church_n give_v a_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n of_o thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n conjoin_v with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o that_o great_a antichrist_n the_o devil_n who_o have_v usurp_v so_o much_o tyranny_n over_o the_o world_n the_o last_o reason_n why_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v so_o necessary_a 9_o for_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v because_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v propagate_v over_o the_o world_n without_o any_o other_o rational_a evidence_n than_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o now_o the_o admirable_a success_n which_o this_o doctrine_n find_v in_o the_o world_n consider_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o do_v make_v it_o clear_v what_o certainty_n there_o be_v that_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v be_v true_a and_o they_o be_v certain_a evidence_n that_o the_o doctrine_n attest_v by_o they_o be_v from_o god_n now_o this_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o two_o thing_n that_o no_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v why_o the_o apostle_n shall_v undertake_v to_o publish_v such_o a_o doctrine_n unless_o they_o have_v 1._o be_v undoubted_o certain_a that_o the_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o they_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o persuade_v other_o to_o believe_v it_o that_o no_o satisfactory_a account_n can_v be_v give_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o propagation_n why_o it_o shall_v meet_v with_o so_o great_a acceptance_n in_o the_o world_n have_v there_o 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as_o other_o man_n in_o the_o world_n do_v which_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o beside_o his_o wit_n as_o to_o question_v if_o he_o have_v but_o patience_n and_o understanding_n enough_o to_o read_v and_o consider_v those_o admirable_a write_n of_o they_o which_o be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o as_o certain_a uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v and_o by_o that_o time_n he_o will_v see_v cause_n to_o alter_v his_o judgement_n and_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o mad_a but_o speak_v the_o word_n of_o the_o great_a truth_n and_o soberness_n these_o thing_n suppose_v i_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o prove_v of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n which_o will_v be_v do_v by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o but_o know_v how_o hazardous_a a_o employment_n the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v to_o they_o second_o that_o no_o motive_n can_v be_v conceive_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o undertake_v such_o a_o employment_n but_o the_o infallible_a truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v three_o that_o the_o great_a assurance_n they_o have_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n be_v by_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ._n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o but_o understand_v the_o hazard_n of_o their_o employment_n notwithstanding_o which_o they_o cheerful_o undertake_v it_o that_o man_n arm_v with_o no_o external_a power_n nor_o cry_v up_o for_o their_o wit_n and_o learning_n and_o carry_v a_o doctrine_n with_o they_o so_o contraâ—y_o to_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n have_v nothing_o in_o it_o to_o recommend_v it_o to_o mankind_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o part_v with_o the_o religion_n they_o own_v and_o be_v settle_v by_o their_o law_n and_o to_o embrace_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o call_v they_o off_o from_o all_o the_o thing_n they_o love_v in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o prepare_v themselves_o by_o mortification_n &_o self-denial_n for_o another_o world_n be_v a_o thing_n to_o humane_a reason_n incredible_a unless_o we_o suppose_v they_o act_v by_o a_o high_a spirit_n than_o mankind_n be_v ordinary_o act_v by_o for_o what_o be_v there_o so_o desirable_a in_o continual_a reproach_n &_o contumely_n what_o delight_n be_v there_o in_o rack_n and_o prison_n what_o agreeableness_n in_o flame_n and_o martyrdom_n to_o make_v man_n undergo_v some_o nay_o all_o of_o these_o rather_o than_o disow_v that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o come_v to_o publish_v yet_o these_o do_v the_o apostle_n cheerful_o undergo_v in_o order_n to_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o deliver_v to_o it_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o though_o they_o do_v foresee_v they_o they_o be_v not_o discourage_v from_o this_o undertake_n by_o it_o i_o confess_v when_o man_n be_v upon_o hope_n of_o profit_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n engage_v upon_o a_o design_n which_o they_o promise_v themselves_o impunity_n in_o have_v power_n on_o their_o side_n though_o afterward_o thing_n shall_v fall_v out_o contrary_a to_o their_o expectation_n such_o person_n may_v die_v in_o such_o a_o cause_n because_o they_o must_v and_o some_o may_v carry_v it_o out_o with_o more_o resolution_n partly_o through_o a_o innate_a fortitude_n of_o spirit_n heighten_v with_o the_o advantage_n of_o religion_n or_o a_o enthusiastic_a temper_n but_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v that_o such_o person_n will_v have_v undertake_v so_o hazardous_a a_o employment_n if_o beforehand_o they_o have_v foresee_v what_o they_o must_v have_v undergo_v for_o it_o but_o now_o the_o apostle_n do_v foreknow_v that_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n nay_o death_n its_o self_n must_v be_v undergo_v in_o a_o violent_a manner_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v yet_o not_o withstand_v all_o this_o they_o go_v bold_o and_o with_o resolution_n on_o with_o their_o work_n and_o give_v not_o over_o because_o of_o any_o hardship_n and_o persecution_n they_o meet_v withal_o one_o of_o the_o chies_a of_o they_o s._n peter_n and_o as_o forward_o as_o any_o in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n have_v the_o very_a manner_n of_o his_o death_n foretell_v he_o by_o christ_n himself_o 19_o before_o his_o ascension_n yet_o soon_o after_o we_o find_v he_o preach_v christ_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o those_o who_o have_v crucify_v he_o and_o tell_v they_o to_o their_o face_n the_o greatness_n of_o their_o sin_n in_o it_o and_o appeal_n to_o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n have_v do_v among_o they_o and_o bid_v they_o repent_v and_o believe_v in_o he_o who_o they_o have_v crucify_v if_o ever_o they_o will_v be_v save_v and_o this_o he_o do_v 5._o not_o only_o among_o the_o people_n who_o give_v their_o consent_n to_o the_o crucify_a of_o christ_n but_o soon_o after_o be_v conventedâ—ogether_o â—ogether_z with_o john_n before_o the_o court_n of_o sanbedrin_n probable_o the_o very_a same_o which_o not_o long_o before_o have_v sentence_v christ_n to_o death_n for_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o they_o with_o what_o incredible_a boldness_n do_v he_o to_o their_o face_n tell_v they_o of_o their_o murder_a 12._o christ_n and_o withal_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o salvation_n but_o by_o he_o who_o they_o have_v crucify_v be_v it_o know_v unto_o you_o all_o say_v peter_n to_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o by_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o you_o have_v crucify_v who_o god_n raise_v from_o the_o dead_a even_o by_o he_o do_v this_o man_n stand_v here_o before_o you_o whole_a neither_o be_v there_o salvation_n in_o any_o other_o for_o there_o be_v none_o other_o name_n under_o heaven_n give_v among_o man_n whereby_o we_o must_v be_v save_v what_o
then_o these_o be_v have_v there_o be_v any_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n concern_v the_o design_n of_o christ_n why_o can_v not_o the_o jew_n prevail_v with_o judas_n to_o discover_v it_o as_o well_o as_o to_o betray_v his_o person_n judas_n have_v do_v but_o a_o good_a work_n if_o christ_n have_v be_v such_o a_o impostor_n as_o the_o jew_n blasphemous_o say_v he_o be_v what_o make_v judas_n then_o so_o little_o satisfy_v with_o his_o work_n that_o he_o grow_v weary_a of_o his_o life_n upon_o it_o and_o throw_v himself_o away_o in_o the_o most_o horrid_a despair_n no_o person_n certain_o have_v be_v so_o fit_a to_o have_v be_v produce_v as_o a_o witness_n against_o christ_n as_o judas_n who_o have_v be_v so_o long_o with_o he_o and_o have_v hear_v his_o speech_n and_o observe_v his_o miracle_n but_o he_o have_v not_o patience_n enough_o to_o stay_v after_o that_o horrid_a fact_n to_o be_v a_o witness_n against_o he_o nay_o he_o be_v the_o great_a witness_n at_o that_o time_n for_o he_o when_o he_o who_o have_v betray_v he_o come_v to_o the_o sanhedrim_n when_o consult_v about_o his_o death_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o have_v sin_v in_o betray_v innocent_a blood_n what_o possible_a evidence_n 5._o can_v have_v be_v give_v more_o in_o behalf_n of_o our_o saviour_n then_o that_o be_v when_o a_o person_n so_o covetous_a as_o to_o betray_v his_o master_n for_o thirty_o piece_n of_o silver_n be_v so_o weary_a of_o his_o bargain_n that_o he_o come_v and_o throw_v back_o the_o money_n and_o declare_v the_o person_n innocent_a who_o he_o have_v betray_v and_o this_o person_n too_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o know_v our_o saviour_n far_o better_o than_o any_o of_o the_o witness_n who_o afterward_o they_o suborn_v against_o he_o who_o yet_o contradict_v each_o other_o and_o at_o last_o can_v produce_v nothing_o which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o heathen_a governor_n can_v make_v he_o judge_n christ_n worthy_a of_o death_n 3._o the_o apostle_n be_v free_a from_o design_n then_o any_o counterwitness_n at_o that_o time_n can_v be_v we_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o apostle_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v any_o other_o motive_n to_o affirm_v what_o they_o do_v but_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v but_o now_o if_o any_o among_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n have_v assert_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o apostle_n we_o have_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o it_o and_o what_o motive_n may_v induce_v they_o to_o it_o viz._n the_o preserve_n of_o their_o honour_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o people_n the_o uphold_v their_o tradition_n beside_o their_o open_a and_o declare_v enmity_n against_o christ_n without_o any_o sufficient_a reason_n at_o all_o for_o it_o now_o who_o will_v believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o have_v so_o great_a authority_n among_o the_o people_n which_o they_o be_v like_a to_o lose_v if_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v true_a before_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o part_v with_o all_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n and_o venture_v themselves_o whole_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n 4._o none_o ever_o do_v so_o much_o to_o attest_v the_o negative_a as_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o prove_v their_o fidelity_n as_o to_o the_o affirmative_a have_v sufficient_a counterwitness_n be_v timely_o produce_v we_o can_v think_v the_o apostle_n will_v have_v run_v so_o many_o continual_a hazard_n in_o preach_v the_o thing_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o christ._n do_v ever_o any_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o undeceive_v the_o world_n if_o the_o apostle_n be_v guilty_a of_o abuse_v it_o 5._o the_o number_n of_o such_o person_n have_v be_v inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o who_o be_v so_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v our_o saviour_n who_o be_v all_o ready_a as_o most_o of_o they_o do_v to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o with_o their_o life_n whence_o shall_v so_o many_o man_n grow_v so_o sudden_o confident_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o their_o former_a persuasion_n interest_n education_n have_v they_o not_o be_v deliver_v in_o such_o a_o way_n that_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o they_o which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o last_o proposition_n which_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n be_v first_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o receive_v with_o a_o universal_a and_o uncontrolled_a 5._o assent_n by_o all_o such_o person_n who_o have_v think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o do_v yield_v a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o be_v build_v upon_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o firm_a assent_n where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n give_v to_o question_v the_o evidence_n which_o that_o there_o be_v not_o in_o this_o present_a case_n will_v appear_v from_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o those_o person_n who_o do_v believe_v these_o thing_n have_v liberty_n and_o opportunity_n to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o before_o they_o believe_v they_o therefore_o no_o reason_n or_o motive_n can_v be_v assign_v on_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v induce_v to_o believe_v these_o thing_n but_o the_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o truth_n which_o go_v along_o with_o they_o i_o confess_v in_o mahumetism_n a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o person_n have_v for_o some_o century_n of_o year_n continue_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o mahomet_n but_o then_o withal_o there_o be_v a_o sufficient_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o that_o viz._n the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n which_o keep_v they_o in_o awe_n and_o strict_o forbid_v all_o the_o follower_n of_o mahomet_n to_o dispute_v their_o religion_n at_o all_o or_o compare_v it_o with_o any_o other_o therefore_o i_o can_v no_o more_o wonder_n at_o this_o than_o i_o do_v to_o see_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o the_o greâ—t_n turk_n neither_o on_o the_o other_o side_n do_v i_o wonder_v that_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o those_o profess_v christianity_n shall_v together_o with_o it_o believe_v a_o great_a number_n of_o erroneous_a doctrine_n and_o live_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o many_o gross_a superstition_n because_o i_o consider_v what_o a_o strange_a prevalency_n education_n have_v upon_o soft_a spirit_n and_o more_o easy_a intellectual_n and_o what_o a_o awe_n a_o inquisition_n bear_v upon_o timorous_a and_o irresolved_a person_n but_o now_o when_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o person_n sober_a and_o inquisitive_a shall_v contrary_v to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o education_n and_o without_o fear_n of_o any_o humane_a force_n which_o they_o beforehand_o see_v will_v persecute_v they_o and_o after_o diligent_a enquiry_n make_v into_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o believe_v for_o sake_n all_o their_o former_a persuasion_n and_o resolve_o adhere_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n propound_v to_o they_o though_o it_o cost_v they_o their_o life_n if_o this_o give_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o think_v this_o doctrine_n true_a we_o must_v believe_v mankind_n to_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a unhappy_a creature_n in_o the_o world_n that_o will_v with_o so_o much_o resolution_n part_n with_o all_o advantage_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o one_o to_o come_v if_o that_o be_v not_o undoubted_o certain_a and_o the_o doctrine_n propose_v it_o infallible_o true_a it_o be_v a_o observable_a circumstance_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o though_o god_n make_v choice_n at_o first_o of_o person_n general_o of_o mean_a rank_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n god_n thereby_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o faith_n do_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o choose_v the_o weak_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v 27._o the_o strong_a yet_o soon_o afâ—er_v the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v abroad_o in_o the_o world_n we_o find_v person_n of_o great_a place_n and_o reputation_n of_o great_a part_n and_o ability_n engage_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n we_o read_v of_o sergius_n a_o proconsul_n of_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o follow_a age_n of_o the_o church_n many_o person_n of_o great_a esteem_n for_o their_o excellent_a learning_n and_o ability_n such_o be_v justin_n martyr_n one_o who_o before_o he_o become_v a_o christian_a be_v conversant_a with_o all_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n stoic_n peripatetic_n pythagorean_n and_o at_o last_o be_v a_o profess_a platonist_n till_o he_o
possibility_n of_o existence_n what_o be_v it_o then_o which_o give_v actual_a existence_n to_o it_o that_o can_v be_v its_o self_n for_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_o existent_a if_o another_o than_o give_v existence_n this_o existence_n must_v whole_o depend_v upon_o he_o who_o give_v it_o for_o nothing_o can_v continue_v existence_n to_o its_o self_n but_o what_o may_v give_v it_o to_o its_o self_n for_o it_o give_v it_o for_o the_o moment_n it_o continue_v it_o and_o what_o give_v existence_n to_o its_o self_n must_v necessary_o exist_v which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o create_v be_v so_o that_o either_o we_o must_v deny_v a_o possibility_n of_o nonexistence_n or_o annihilation_n in_o a_o creature_n which_o follow_v upon_o necessity_n of_o existence_n or_o else_o we_o must_v assert_v that_o the_o duration_n or_o continuance_n of_o a_o creature_n in_o its_o be_v do_v immediate_o depend_v on_o divine_a providence_n and_o conservation_n which_o be_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n as_o frequency_n say_v to_o be_v a_o continue_a creation_n but_o yet_o further_o be_v a_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n necessary_a to_o put_v thing_n into_o that_o order_n they_o be_v in_o and_o be_v not_o the_o same_o necessary_a for_o the_o govern_n of_o they_o i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o the_o power_n of_o matter_n when_o set_v in_o motion_n shall_v either_o bring_v thing_n into_o that_o exquisite_a order_n and_o dependence_n which_o the_o part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v upon_o each_o other_o much_o less_o that_o by_o the_o mere_a force_n of_o that_o first_o motion_n all_o thing_n shall_v continue_v in_o the_o state_n they_o be_v in_o perpetual_a motion_n be_v yet_o one_o of_o the_o desiderata_fw-la of_o the_o world_n the_o most_o exquisite_a mechanism_n can_v put_v a_o engine_n beyond_o the_o necessity_n of_o be_v look_v after_o can_v we_o then_o think_v this_o dull_a unactive_a matter_n mere_o by_o the_o force_n of_o its_o first_o motion_n shall_v be_v able_a still_o to_o produce_v the_o effect_n which_o be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o keep_v it_o from_o tumble_v at_o least_o by_o degree_n into_o its_o pristine_a chaos_n it_o be_v a_o infinite_a power_n i_o grant_v which_o give_v that_o first_o moâ—ion_n but_o that_o it_o give_v power_n to_o continue_v that_o motion_n till_o the_o constagration_n of_o the_o world_n remain_v yet_o to_o be_v prove_v some_o therefore_o find_v that_o in_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n matter_n will_v not_o serve_v for_o all_o the_o note_a and_o common_a phoenomena_fw-la of_o the_o world_n have_v call_v in_o the_o help_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o nature_n which_o may_v serve_v instead_o of_o a_o man-midwife_n to_o matter_n to_o help_v she_o in_o her_o production_n of_o thing_n or_o as_o though_o god_n have_v a_o plurality_n of_o world_n to_o look_v after_o they_o have_v take_v care_n to_o substitute_v he_o a_o vicar_n in_o this_o which_o be_v this_o spirit_n of_o nature_n but_o we_o have_v rather_o believe_v god_n himself_o to_o be_v perpetual_o resident_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o power_n which_o give_v life_n and_o be_v and_o motion_n to_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o his_o own_o providence_n especial_o since_o we_o have_v learn_v from_o himself_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v 28_o thus_o than_o we_o see_v a_o necessity_n of_o assert_v divine_a providence_n 4._o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o divine_a nature_n or_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o world_n but_o yet_o the_o case_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a but_o there_o be_v two_o grand_a objection_n behind_o which_o have_v be_v the_o continual_a exercise_n of_o the_o wit_n of_o inquisitive_a man_n almost_o in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o one_o concern_v the_o first_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a the_o other_o concern_v the_o dispensation_n of_o providence_n whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o good_a man_n fare_v so_o hard_o in_o the_o world_n when_o the_o bad_a triumph_n and_o flourish_v if_o these_o two_o can_v be_v clear_v with_o any_o satisfaction_n to_o reason_n it_o will_v be_v the_o high_a vindication_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o a_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o give_v we_o such_o clear_a light_n and_o direction_n in_o these_o profound_a speculation_n which_o the_o dim_a reason_n of_o man_n be_v so_o much_o to_o seek_v in_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a for_o if_o there_o be_v a_o hand_n of_o providence_n which_o order_v all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n how_o come_v evil_a then_o into_o it_o without_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o speculation_n of_o as_o great_a depth_n as_o necessity_n it_o high_o concern_v we_o to_o entertain_v the_o high_a apprehension_n of_o god_n holiness_n and_o how_o far_o he_o be_v from_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n and_o it_o be_v likewise_o a_o matter_n of_o some_o difficulty_n so_o to_o explain_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a as_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o i_o easy_o then_o assent_v to_o what_o origen_n say_v on_o this_o 207._o subject_n when_o celsus_n upon_o some_o mistake_a place_n of_o scripture_n have_v charge_v the_o scripture_n with_o lay_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a upon_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o any_o thing_n which_o call_v for_o our_o enquiry_n be_v of_o difficult_a investigation_n that_o which_o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_n be_v such_o a_o thing_n and_o as_o simplicius_n well_o begin_v his_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 34._o the_o dispute_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a not_o be_v well_o state_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o great_a impiety_n towards_o god_n and_o pervert_v the_o principle_n of_o good_a life_n anâ—_n involve_v they_o in_o innumerable_a perplexity_n who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o it_o so_o much_o then_o be_v it_o our_o great_a concernment_n to_o fix_v on_o sure_a ground_n in_o the_o resolution_n of_o this_o important_a question_n in_o which_o i_o intend_v not_o to_o launch_v out_o into_o the_o depth_n and_o intricacye_n of_o it_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o any_o internal_a purpose_n of_o god_n will_v which_o be_v beyond_o our_o present_a scope_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o take_v that_o account_n of_o it_o which_o the_o scripture_n plain_o give_v in_o relate_v the_o fall_n of_o the_o first_o man_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v proceed_v in_o this_o method_n 1._o that_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n 2._o that_o the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a do_v not_o charge_v it_o upon_o god_n 3._o that_o no_o account_n give_v by_o philosopher_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a be_v so_o clear_a and_o rational_a as_o this_o be_v 4._o that_o the_o most_o material_a circumstance_n of_o this_o account_n be_v attest_v by_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o 1._o that_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n for_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a we_o be_v bind_v without_o hesitation_n to_o yield_v our_o assent_n to_o they_o in_o their_o plain_a and_o direct_a affirmation_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o ground_n of_o suspending_a assent_n as_o to_o any_o thing_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o divine_a truth_n but_o the_o want_n of_o certain_a evidence_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n or_o no._n no_o doubt_v it_o will_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o numerous_a controversy_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n especial_o to_o those_o bold_a dispute_n concern_v the_o method_n and_o order_n of_o god_n decree_n if_o the_o plain_a and_o undoubted_a assertion_n of_o scripture_n be_v make_v the_o rule_n and_o standard_n whereby_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v more_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a and_o can_v man_n but_o rest_n content_v with_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v their_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o the_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o it_o which_o on_o that_o account_n be_v write_v with_o all_o imaginable_a perspicuity_n in_o scripture_n and_o the_o moment_n of_o all_o other_o controversy_n be_v judge_v by_o their_o reference_n to_o these_o there_o will_v be_v few_o controversy_n and_o more_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n now_o there_o be_v two_o grand_a principle_n which_o concern_v man_n eternal_a condition_n of_o which_o we_o have_v the_o great_a certainty_n from_o scripture_n and_o on_o which_o we_o may_v with_o safety_n rely_v without_o perplex_v our_o mind_n about_o those_o more_o nice_a and_o subtle_a speculation_n
plato_n and_o pythagoras_n attribute_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o the_o malignity_n of_o matter_n and_o so_o they_o make_v evil_n to_o be_v necessary_o consequent_a upon_o the_o be_v of_o thing_n for_o thus_o he_o deliver_v express_o the_o opinion_n of_o pythagoras_n qui_fw-fr ait_fw-fr existente_fw-la providentia_fw-la mala_fw-la quoque_fw-la necessario_fw-la substitisse_fw-la propterea_fw-la quod_fw-la sylva_fw-la sit_fw-la &_o eadem_fw-la sit_fw-la malitia_fw-la praedita_fw-la platonemque_fw-la idem_fw-la numenius_n laudat_fw-la quod_fw-la dvas_fw-la mundi_fw-la â—â—mas_fw-la autumet_fw-la unam_fw-la beneficentissimam_fw-la malignam_fw-la alteram_fw-la sc_n sylvam_fw-la igitur_fw-la juxta_fw-la platonem_fw-la mundo_fw-la bona_fw-la sua_fw-la dei_fw-la tanquam_fw-la patris_fw-la liberalitate_fw-la collata_fw-la sunt_fw-la mala_fw-la vero_fw-la matris_fw-la sylvae_fw-la vitio_fw-la cohaeserunt_fw-la but_o plutarch_n timaeâ—_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n admit_v that_o plato_n attribute_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a mere_o to_o matter_n but_o he_o make_v the_o principle_n of_o evil_a to_o be_v something_o distinct_a from_o matter_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o confuse_a infinite_a selfmoving_a stir_v principle_n which_o say_v he_o he_o else_o where_o call_v necessity_n and_o in_o his_o de_fw-la legibus_fw-la plain_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o disorderly_a and_o malignant_a soul_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o mere_a matter_n when_o he_o make_v his_o hyle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o form_n or_o figure_n and_o destitute_a of_o all_o quality_n and_o power_n of_o operation_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a say_v he_o that_o that_o which_o be_v of_o its_o self_n such_o a_o inert_a principle_n as_o matter_n be_v shall_v by_o plato_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o cause_n and_o principle_n of_o evil_n which_o he_o elsewhere_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d necessity_n which_o often_o resist_v god_n and_o cast_v off_o his_o reins_o so_o that_o according_a to_o plutarch_n plato_n acquit_v both_o god_n and_o hyle_n from_o be_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o therefore_o attribute_n it_o to_o that_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o move_v the_o matter_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o the_o disorderly_a motion_n in_o the_o world_n but_o what_o this_o spirit_n shall_v be_v neither_o he_o nor_o any_o one_o else_o can_v ever_o understand_v what_o darkness_n and_o ignorance_n than_o be_v there_o among_o the_o wise_a of_o philosopher_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a when_o they_o be_v so_o consuse_v and_o obscure_a in_o the_o account_n which_o they_o give_v of_o it_o that_o their_o great_a admirer_n can_v not_o understand_v they_o but_o though_o plato_n seem_v so_o ambiguous_a in_o his_o judgement_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a whether_o he_o shall_v attribute_v it_o to_o the_o 12._o hyle_n or_o some_o malignant_a spirit_n in_o it_o the_o stoic_n be_v more_o dogmatical_a and_o plain_o impute_v the_o cause_n of_o evil_a to_o the_o perversity_n of_o matter_n so_o chalcidius_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o stoic_n make_v matter_n not_o to_o be_v evil_a in_o its_o self_n as_o pythagoras_n but_o that_o it_o be_v indifferent_a to_o either_o perrogati_fw-la igitur_fw-la unde_fw-la mala_fw-la 39â—_n perversitatem_fw-la seminarium_fw-la malorum_fw-la causati_fw-la sunt_fw-la they_o make_v the_o perversity_n of_o matter_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a but_o as_o he_o well_o observe_v nec_fw-la expediunt_fw-la adhuâ—_n undeâ—â—psa_fw-la perversitas_fw-la cum_fw-la juxta_fw-la ipsos_fw-la duo_fw-la sint_fw-la initia_fw-la rerum_fw-la dâ—â—â—â—_n &_o sylva_fw-la deus_fw-la summum_fw-la &_o praecellens_fw-la bonum_fw-la sylva_fw-la ut_fw-la censent_fw-la nec_fw-la bonum_fw-la nec_fw-la malum_fw-la they_o give_v no_o rational_a account_n whence_o this_o perversity_n of_o matter_n shall_v arise_v when_o according_a to_o the_o stoic_n there_o be_v but_o two_o principle_n of_o thing_n god_n and_o matter_n whereof_o the_o one_o be_v perfect_o good_a the_o other_o neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a but_o this_o perversity_n they_o tell_v we_o be_v something_o necessary_o consequent_a upon_o the_o generation_n of_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d these_o be_v affection_n viz._n the_o disorder_n in_o the_o world_n which_o follow_v the_o generation_n of_o thing_n as_o rust_n come_v upon_o brass_n and_o filth_n upon_o the_o body_n as_o the_o counterfeit_a trismegistus_n speak_v so_o maximus_n tyrius_n say_v that_o evil_n in_o the_o world_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o any_o work_n of_o art_n but_o the_o affection_n of_o 5._o matter_n non_fw-la potest_fw-la artifex_fw-la mutare_fw-la materiam_fw-la say_v seneca_n when_o he_o be_v give_v a_o account_n why_o god_n suffer_v evil_n in_o the_o world_n and_o elsewhere_o give_v thâ—s_a account_n why_o evil_n come_v into_o he_o world_n non_fw-la quia_fw-la cessat_fw-la ars_fw-la sed_fw-la quia_fw-la id_fw-la in_o quo_fw-la exercetur_fw-la quaest_n inobsequens_fw-la arti_fw-la est_fw-la so_o that_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a by_o this_o account_n of_o it_o lie_v whole_o upon_o the_o perversity_n of_o matter_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v put_v into_o better_a order_n by_o that_o god_n who_o produce_v the_o world_n out_o of_o that_o matter_n which_o the_o stoic_n suppose_v to_o be_v eternal_a and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o avoid_v the_o attribute_v the_o cause_n of_o evil_a to_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a reason_n why_o they_o rather_o choose_v to_o make_v it_o matter_n necessary_a and_o coexistent_a with_o god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a plausible_a pretence_n which_o hermogenes_n have_v for_o follow_v the_o platonist_n and_o stoic_n in_o this_o opinion_n that_o he_o may_v set_v god_n far_o enough_o off_o from_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n but_o i_o can_v sâ—e_v what_o advantage_n come_v at_o all_o by_o this_o hypothesis_n but_o it_o be_v chargeable_a with_o as_o many_o difficulty_n as_o any_o other_o for_o 1._o it_o either_o destroy_v god_n omnipotency_n or_o else_o make_v he_o the_o 1._o approver_n of_o evil_n so_o that_o if_o he_o be_v not_o auctor_fw-la he_o must_v be_v assentator_n mali_fw-la as_o tertullian_n speak_v against_o hermogenes_n because_o he_o suffer_v evil_a to_o be_v in_o matter_n for_o as_o he_o argue_v aut_fw-la 10._o enim_fw-la potuit_fw-la emendare_fw-la sed_fw-la noluit_fw-la aut_fw-la voluit_fw-la quidem_fw-la verum_fw-la non_fw-la potuit_fw-la infirmus_fw-la deus_fw-la si_fw-la potuit_fw-la &_o noluit_fw-la malus_fw-la &_o ipse_fw-la quia_fw-la malâ—_n savit_fw-la &_o fic_z jam_fw-la habetur_fw-la ejus_fw-la licet_fw-la non_fw-la instituerit_fw-la quia_fw-la tamen_fw-la si_fw-la noluisset_fw-la illud_fw-la essâ—_n non_fw-la esset_fw-la ipse_fw-la jam_fw-la fecit_fw-la esse_fw-la quod_fw-la noluit_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la quo_fw-la quid_fw-la â—st_fw-la â—urpius_fw-la si_fw-mi voluit_fw-la esse_fw-la quod_fw-la ipse_fw-la noluit_fw-la fecisse_fw-la adversum_fw-la semetipsum_fw-la egit_fw-la cum_fw-la &_o voluit_fw-la esse_fw-la quod_fw-la noluit_fw-la fecisse_fw-la &_o noluit_fw-la fecisse_fw-la quod_fw-la voluit_fw-la esse_fw-la so_o that_o little_a advantage_n be_v gain_v for_o the_o clear_n the_o true_a origine_fw-la of_o evil_a by_o this_o opinion_n for_o either_o god_n can_v have_v take_v away_o evil_a out_o of_o matter_n but_o will_v not_o or_o else_o will_v but_o can_v not_o this_o latter_a destroy_v god_n omnipotency_n the_o former_a his_o good-ness_a for_o by_o that_o mean_v evil_a be_v in_o the_o world_n by_o his_o consent_n and_o approbation_n for_o if_o god_n will_v not_o remove_v it_o when_o he_o may_v the_o be_v of_o it_o will_v come_v from_o he_o when_o if_o he_o will_v have_v hinder_v it_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v and_o so_o god_n by_o not_o root_a out_o of_o evil_a will_v be_v find_v a_o assertor_n of_o it_o male_a si_fw-la per_fw-la voluntatem_fw-la turpiter_fw-la si_fw-la per_fw-la necessitatem_fw-la aut_fw-la famulus_fw-la erit_fw-la mali_fw-la deus_fw-la aut_fw-la amicus_fw-la if_o god_n will_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o sin_n be_v it_o reflect_v on_o his_o goodness_n if_o god_n power_n can_v not_o hinder_v it_o it_o destroy_v his_o omnipotency_n so_o that_o by_o this_o opinion_n god_n must_v either_o be_v a_o slave_n or_o a_o friend_n to_o evil_n 2._o this_o principle_n 2._o overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o all_o transaction_n between_o god_n and_o man_n soul_n in_o order_n to_o their_o welfare_n because_o it_o make_v evil_a to_o be_v necessary_o existent_a in_o the_o world_n which_o appear_v from_o hence_o in_o that_o evil_n do_v result_v from_o the_o be_v of_o matter_n and_o so_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v as_o matter_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v for_o whatever_o result_v from_o the_o be_v of_o a_o thing_n must_v be_v coexistent_a with_o it_o and_o so_o what_o flow_v from_o what_o do_v necessary_o exist_v must_v have_v the_o same_o mode_n of_o existence_n which_o the_o be_v its_o self_n have_v as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o have_v the_o same_o immutability_n with_o his_o nature_n now_o than_o if_o evil_a do_v exist_v
the_o testimony_n and_o reason_n 2._o of_o simplicius_n and_o hierocles_n be_v as_o large_a and_o clear_a in_o it_o as_o the_o other_o with_o expression_n much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 258._o man_n nature_n lie_v between_o those_o being_n which_o perpetual_o contemplate_v gâ—a_n and_o those_o which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o it_o it_o sometime_o ascend_v to_o those_o and_o sometime_o descend_v to_o these_o according_a as_o it_o observe_v or_o reject_v the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o so_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o will_n be_v liable_a to_o take_v upon_o it_o the_o siâ—_n ilituâ—e_v of_o god_n or_o a_o beâ—â—st_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o whoever_o thorough_o consider_v this_o will_v easy_o understand_v how_o man_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o own_o evil_n and_o become_v unhappy_a and_o miserable_a through_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o self_n will_v which_o he_o bring_v in_o by_o way_n of_o explication_n of_o that_o true_o golden_a pythagorean_n verse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d man_n be_v grow_v miserable_a through_o their_o ownfault_n and_o afterward_o hierocles_n excellent_o describe_v the_o nature_n of_o evil_n in_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d both_o our_o natural_a and_o contract_a pravity_n be_v nothing_o elsâ—_n but_o the_o unnatural_a motion_n of_o our_o free_a will_n according_a to_o which_o say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o dare_v to_o contradict_v the_o law_n of_o god_n â—et_o be_v sensible_a how_o much_o we_o injure_v ourselves_o when_o we_o â—o_o it_o and_o only_o look_v at_o this_o that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o cast_v off_o the_o reins_o of_o 〈◊〉_d law_n from_o our_o neck_n and_o he_o true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a abuse_n of_o liberty_n to_o offend_v god_n â—â—en_o we_o either_o do_v what_o he_o forbid_v or_o neglect_v what_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o on_o both_o side_n man_n bring_v misery_n upon_o themselves_o by_o transgress_v the_o divine_a law_n both_o by_o not_o do_v what_o they_o be_v command_v and_o by_o do_v what_o they_o be_v forbid_v so_o that_o he_o tul_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o call_v it_o the_o irregular_a motion_n of_o the_o will_n of_o man_n which_o we_o have_v already_o show_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o soul_n recovery_n from_o this_o condition_n in_o order_n to_o her_o felicity_n we_o have_v these_o philosopher_n 3._o express_v their_o consent_n with_o the_o scripture_n porphyrius_n as_o st._n austin_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr regressu_fw-la 33._o animae_fw-la do_v acknowledge_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o way_n of_o recover_a soul_n which_o shall_v be_v universal_a cum_fw-la autem_fw-la dicit_fw-la porphyrius_n nondum_fw-la receptam_fw-la unam_fw-la quandam_fw-la sectam_fw-la quae_fw-la universalem_fw-la viam_fw-la animae_fw-la contineat_fw-la liberandae_fw-la nondumque_fw-la in_o svam_fw-la notitiam_fw-la eandem_fw-la viam_fw-la historiali_fw-la cognition_n perlatam_fw-la proculdubio_fw-la confitetur_fw-la esse_fw-la aliquam_fw-la sed_fw-la nondum_fw-la in_o svam_fw-la venisse_fw-la notitiam_fw-la but_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o purgation_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o order_n to_o its_o felicity_n be_v so_o large_o and_o full_o discourse_v of_o by_o all_o the_o platonist_n and_o pythagorean_n that_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a to_o insist_v upon_o it_o thus_o far_o then_o we_o find_v the_o account_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a in_o scripture_n to_o be_v embrace_v by_o the_o sublimest_n of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n as_o most_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v neither_o do_v we_o sin_v only_o the_o main_a of_o this_o account_n acknowledge_v as_o rational_a but_o we_o may_v trace_v some_o not_o obscure_a 17._o footstep_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n which_o concern_v the_o fall_n of_o man_n among_o the_o heathen_n such_o as_o the_o devil_n envy_v of_o man_n happiness_n his_o disguise_a himself_o under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n and_o man_n be_v throw_v out_o of_o paradise_n upon_o his_o fall_n 1._o the_o devil_n envy_v the_o happiness_n of_o man_n it_o have_v be_v true_o observe_v by_o a_o learned_a man_n that_o the_o original_n of_o that_o evil_n very_a ancient_a opinion_n among_o the_o heathen_a de_fw-fr inuidia_fw-la daemonis_fw-la have_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n which_o he_o have_v make_v out_o so_o full_o that_o i_o shall_v the_o less_o need_n to_o prove_v it_o and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o undoubted_a tradition_n of_o some_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o envy_v the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o mankind_n appear_v by_o that_o ample_a testimony_n of_o 〈◊〉_d in_o his_o dio_fw-mi mention_v by_o the_o same_o author_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d plutarch_n be_v much_o trouble_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o apparition_n which_o brutus_n and_o dio_n who_o be_v learned_a and_o philosophical_a man_n be_v haunt_v withal_o and_o doubt_v he_o can_v give_v no_o just_a account_n of_o it_o unless_o he_o embrace_v that_o very_o ancient_a tradition_n which_o yet_o seem_v absurd_a and_o incredible_a viz._n that_o there_o be_v certain_a wicked_a and_o malignant_a daemon_n which_o envy_v good_a man_n and_o withstand_v their_o enterprise_n by_o raise_v fear_n and_o trouble_n to_o they_o that_o so_o they_o may_v hinder_v they_o in_o their_o pursuit_n of_o virtue_n lest_o if_o they_o continue_v steadfast_a and_o unmovable_a in_o good_a they_o shall_v be_v at_o last_o partaker_n of_o great_a felicity_n than_o they_o enjoy_v there_o be_v then_o so_o ancient_a a_o tradition_n of_o such_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o learned_a man_n mention_v have_v more_o full_o show_v in_o his_o note_n on_o this_o place_n of_o plutarch_n give_v a_o great_a confirmation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o the_o scripture_n report_v concern_v the_o devil_n be_v so_o great_a a_o instrument_n in_o procure_v the_o fall_n of_o man_n to_o he_o therefore_o i_o refer_v the_o inquisitive_a reader_n and_o shall_v only_o add_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o he_o cite_v that_o of_o xenocrates_n in_o plutarch_n de_fw-fr i_o side_n &_o osiride_n where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o calamity_n of_o life_n and_o misfortune_n man_n meet_v with_o do_v not_o 361._o agree_v with_o that_o veneration_n which_o we_o have_v for_o the_o deity_n and_o good_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o air_n some_o great_a and_o potent_a being_n which_o be_v of_o a_o surly_a and_o malignant_a nature_n and_o rejoice_v to_o do_v man_n all_o the_o mischief_n they_o can_v jamblichus_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o porphyrius_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n 105._o of_o these_o evil_a spirit_n or_o daemon_n and_o that_o from_o they_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a in_o the_o world_n be_v for_o thus_o he_o speak_v as_o he_o be_v translate_v by_o ficinus_fw-la si_fw-la verum_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la de_fw-fr idolis_fw-la dicebamus_fw-la improbisque_fw-la daemonibus_fw-la hinc_fw-la sane_fw-la exoritur_fw-la multiplex_fw-la origo_fw-la malorum_fw-la simulant_fw-la enim_fw-la deorum_fw-la praesentiam_fw-la daemonumque_fw-la bonorum_fw-la ideoque_fw-la 〈◊〉_d suum_fw-la jubent_fw-la esse_fw-la justum_fw-la ut_fw-la ipsi_fw-la videantur_fw-la boni_fw-la sicil_n 〈◊〉_d dii_n quoniam_fw-la vero_fw-la natura_fw-la sunt_fw-la mali_fw-la rogati_fw-la mala_fw-la infer_v libenter_fw-la inferunt_fw-la atque_fw-la nobis_fw-la ad_fw-la injusta_fw-la conducunt_fw-la he_o sunt_fw-la omnino_fw-la qui_fw-la &_o in_fw-la oraculis_fw-la mentiuntur_fw-la &_o fallunt_fw-la &_o turpia_fw-la consulunt_fw-la atque_fw-la peragunt_fw-la by_o which_o we_o see_v he_o acknowledge_v some_o spirit_n whoâ—e_v nature_n be_v wicked_a and_o help_v man_n to_o do_v evil_a and_o that_o these_o very_a spirit_n may_v sometime_o command_v that_o which_o be_v good_a lest_o they_o shall_v be_v suspect_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v of_o a_o wicked_a and_o malignant_a nature_n which_o only_o design_v the_o ruin_n of_o man_n by_o which_o we_o have_v a_o good_a account_n of_o whatever_o be_v commendable_a deliver_v by_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n which_o yet_o may_v come_v from_o the_o devil_n still_o by_o this_o confession_n of_o jamblichus_n himself_o for_o the_o devil_n appear_v under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o serpent_n it_o be_v very_o probable_o conjecture_v that_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o 2._o prince_n of_o those_o who_o contend_v with_o saturn_n be_v by_o that_o enigmatical_a writer_n pherâ—cydes_n syrius_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d celsus_n who_o have_v so_o little_a skill_n in_o antiquity_n as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v as_o to_o many_o passage_n of_o it_o take_v out_o
that_o perish_v if_o now_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o the_o too_o great_a seasonableness_n of_o it_o if_o the_o common_a fame_n of_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o atheism_n among_o we_o be_v true_a be_v not_o sufficient_a apology_n for_o the_o publish_n this_o book_n i_o be_o resolve_v rather_o to_o undergo_v thy_o censure_n tben_fw-mi be_v behold_v to_o any_o other_o the_o intendment_n therefore_o of_o this_o preface_n be_v only_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o scope_n design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n although_o the_o view_n of_o the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n may_v sufficient_o acquain_v thou_o with_o it_o how_o far_o i_o have_v be_v either_o from_o transeribe_v or_o a_o design_n to_o excusse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o admirer_n the_o several_a write_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o christianity_n in_o particular_a especial_o mornay_n groâ—ius_n amyraldus_n etc._n etc._n may_v easy_o appear_v by_o compare_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o book_n and_o this_o together_o have_v i_o not_o thought_n something_o may_v be_v say_v if_o not_o more_o full_o and_o rational_o yet_o more_o suitable_o to_o the_o present_a temper_n of_o this_o age_n then_o what_o be_v already_o write_v by_o they_o thou_o have_v not_o be_v trouble_v with_o this_o preface_n much_o less_o with_o the_o whole_a book_n but_o as_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n be_v of_o age_n and_o time_n alier_n so_o do_v the_o arm_n and_o wâ—npons_n which_o â—â—theists_n employ_v against_o religion_n the_o most_o papular_a pretence_n of_o the_o atheist_n of_o our_o age_n have_v be_v the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o the_o account_n of_o time_n in_o scripture_n with_o that_o of_o the_o learned_a and_o ancient_a heathen_a nation_n the_o inconsistency_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n with_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o account_n which_o may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n from_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n without_o the_o scripture_n these_o three_o therefore_o i_o have_v particular_o set_v myself_o against_o and_o direct_v against_o each_o of_o they_o a_o several_a book_n in_o the_o first_o i_o have_v manifest_v that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n give_v by_o any_o heathen_a nation_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v with_o so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n inquire_v into_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o hear_v no_o more_o of_o man_n before_o adam_n to_o salve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o yet_o be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o design_n to_o undermine_v they_o but_o i_o have_v not_o think_v the_o frivolous_a pretence_n of_o the_o author_n of_o that_o hypothesis_n worth_a particular_a mention_v suppose_v it_o sufficient_a to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o thing_n without_o particular_a citation_n of_o author_n where_o it_o be_v not_o of_o great_a concernment_n for_o understand_v the_o thing_n its_o self_n in_o the_o second_o book_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n why_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v those_o several_a person_n who_o in_o several_a age_n be_v employ_v to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n and_o with_o great_a particularity_n than_o have_v yet_o be_v use_v i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o person_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o in_o every_o of_o they_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v not_o only_o by_o the_o man_n of_o their_o own_o age_n but_o by_o those_o of_o succeed_a generation_n in_o the_o three_o book_n i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o matter_n themselves_o which_o be_v either_o suppose_v by_o or_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v therein_o not_o only_o manifest_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o those_o particular_a account_n concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n of_o evil_a and_o of_o nation_n which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o the_o atheist_n exception_n and_o have_v therein_o consider_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o philosophy_n ancient_a or_o modern_a which_o have_v seem_v to_o contradict_v any_o of_o they_o to_o which_o mant_fw-fr ssae_fw-la loco_fw-la i_o have_v add_v the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n history_n in_o the_o remainder_n of_o it_o in_o heathen_a mythology_n and_o conclude_v all_o with_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n thus_o have_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o design_n and_o method_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o submit_v it_o to_o every_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a judgement_n all_o the_o favour_n than_o i_o shall_v request_v of_o thou_o be_v to_o read_v serious_o and_o judge_v impartial_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o thou_o will_v see_v as_o much_o reason_n for_o religion_n as_o i_o do_v the_o content_n book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n assert_v and_o prove_v by_o the_o general_a defect_n for_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n among_o heathen_a nation_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o manner_n of_o they_o discover_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n of_o hicroglyphick_n the_o use_n of_o letter_n among_o the_o greek_n no_o elder_a than_o cadmus_n his_o time_n inquire_v into_o no_o elder_a than_o joshua_n the_o learning_n bring_v into_o greece_n by_o he_o page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a history_n the_o particular_a defect_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n first_o the_o phoenician_n of_o sanchoniathon_n his_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o jerombaal_a baal-berith_a the_o antiquity_n of_o tyre_n scaliger_n vindicate_v against_o bâ—chartus_fw-la abibalus_n the_o vanity_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o imitation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gnostic_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v pag._n 25_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o chaldean_a history_n the_o contest_v of_o antiquity_n among_o heathen_a nation_n and_o the_o way_n of_o decide_v it_o of_o the_o chaldean_a astrology_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n of_o the_o zabiâ—_n their_o founder_n who_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o old_a chaldee_n of_o berosus_n and_o his_o history_n a_o account_n of_o the_o fabulous_a dynastye_n of_o berosus_n and_o manetho_n from_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n history_n into_o greek_a in_o the_o time_n of_o prolomy_n of_o that_o translation_n and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o of_o demetrius_n phalereus_n scaliger_n argument_n answer_v manetho_n write_v after_o the_o septuagint_n prove_v against_o kircher_n his_o argument_n answer_v of_o rabbinical_a and_o arabic_a author_n and_o their_o little_a credit_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n the_o time_n of_o berosus_n inquire_v into_o his_o writing_n co-temporary_a with_o philadelphus_n pag._n 40_o chap._n iu_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o manifest_v by_o three_o evident_a argument_n of_o it_o 1._o the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n the_o antiquity_n of_o poetry_n of_o orpheus_n and_o the_o ancient_a poet_n whence_o the_o poetical_a fable_n borrow_v the_o advancement_n of_o poetry_n and_o idolatry_n together_o in_o greece_n the_o different_a censure_n of_o strabo_n and_o eratosthenes_n concern_v the_o poetical_a age_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o 2._o the_o elder_a historian_n of_o greece_n be_v of_o suspect_a credit_n of_o damastes_n aristeus_n and_o other_o of_o most_o of_o their_o elder_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o name_n of_o other_o only_o the_o
subject_n they_o treat_v of_o and_o some_o fragment_n 3._o those_o that_o be_v extant_a either_o confess_v their_o ignorance_n of_o elder_a time_n or_o plain_o discover_v it_o of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v thucydides_n and_o plutarch_n several_a evidence_n of_o the_o grecian_n ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a original_n of_o nation_n of_o herodotus_n and_o his_o mistake_n the_o greek_n ignorance_n in_o geography_n discover_v and_o thence_o their_o insufficiency_n as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a history_n page_n 56_o chap._n v._o the_o general_a uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n further_o prove_v from_o the_o uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n in_o their_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n that_o discover_v by_o the_o uncertain_a form_n of_o their_o year_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o different_a form_n of_o the_o egyptian_a year_n the_o first_o of_o thirty_o day_n the_o second_o of_o four_o month_n of_o both_o instance_n give_v in_o the_o egyptian_a history_n of_o the_o chaldaean_a account_n and_o the_o first_o dynastye_n mention_v by_o berosus_n how_o they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o probability_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n of_o manetho_n reason_n of_o account_v they_o fabulous_a because_o not_o attest_v by_o any_o credible_a authority_n and_o reject_v by_o the_o best_a historian_n the_o opinion_n of_o scaliger_n and_o vossius_fw-la concern_v their_o be_v cotemporary_a propound_v and_o reject_v with_o reason_n against_o it_o of_o the_o ancient_a division_n of_o egypt_n into_o nomi_n or_o province_n and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o against_o vossius_fw-la and_o kircher_n page_n 73_o chap._n vi_o the_o uncertain_a epocha_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n a_o account_n give_v of_o the_o defect_n of_o chronology_n in_o the_o â—ldest_a time_n of_o the_o solar_a year_n among_o the_o egyptian_n the_o original_n of_o the_o epact_n the_o antiquity_n of_o intercalation_n among_o they_o of_o the_o several_a canicular_a year_n the_o difference_n between_o scaliger_n and_o petavius_n consider_v the_o certain_a epocha_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n no_o elder_a than_o nabonasser_n of_o the_o grecian_a account_n the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o heroical_a age_n of_o greece_n of_o the_o ancient_a grecian_a kingdom_n the_o beginning_n of_o the_o olympiad_n the_o uncertain_a origines_fw-la of_o the_o western_a nation_n of_o the_o latin_a dynastye_n the_o different_a palilia_n of_o rome_n the_o uncertain_a reckon_a ab._n v._o c._n of_o imposture_n as_o to_o ancient_a history_n of_o annius_n inghiramius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o character_n use_v by_o heathen_a priest_n no_o sacred_a character_n among_o the_o fews_n the_o partiality_n and_o inconsistency_n of_o heathen_a bistory_n with_o each_o other_o from_o all_o which_o the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o they_o as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n be_v clear_o demonstrate_v page_n 89_o book_n ii_o chap._n i._n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n several_a hypothesis_n lay_v down_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o preserve_v the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o certain_a record_n from_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o mere_a tradition_n or_o constant_a revelation_n the_o second_o concern_v the_o certainty_n that_o the_o record_n under_o moses_n his_o name_n be_v undoubted_o he_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n inquire_v into_o in_o general_a and_o prove_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a by_o universal_a consent_n and_o settle_v a_o commonwealth_n upon_o his_o law_n the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o imposture_n as_o to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n demonstrate_v the_o plea_n to_o the_o contrary_a large_o answer_v page_n 107_o chap._n ii_o moses_n his_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o write_v the_o three_o hypothesis_n concern_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o moses_n his_o history_n that_o gradual_o prove_v first_o moses_n his_o knowledge_n clear_v by_o his_o education_n and_o experience_n and_o certain_a information_n his_o education_n in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o egypt_n what_o that_o be_v the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n inquire_v into_o the_o convenience_n for_o it_o of_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n moses_n reckon_v among_o they_o for_o his_o knowledge_n the_o mathematical_a natural_a divine_a and_o moral_a learning_n of_o egypt_n their_o political_a wisdom_n most_o considerable_a the_o advantage_n of_o moses_n above_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n as_o to_o wisdom_n and_o reason_n moses_n himself_o a_o eye_n witness_n of_o most_o of_o his_o history_n the_o certain_a uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o other_o part_n among_o the_o fews_n manifest_v by_o rational_a evidence_n p._n 119_o chap._n iii_o moses_n his_o fidelity_n and_o integrity_n prove_v moses_n consider_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o as_o a_o lawgiver_n his_o fidelity_n in_o both_o prove_v clear_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v no_o intent_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n freedom_n from_o private_a interest_n impartiality_n in_o his_o relation_n plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n of_o stile_n as_o a_o lawgiver_n be_v come_v arm_v with_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n be_v fix_v on_o to_o be_v full_o prove_v from_o his_o action_n and_o write_n the_o power_n of_o miracle_n the_o great_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n two_o grand_a question_n propound_v in_o what_o case_n miracle_n may_v be_v expect_v and_o how_o know_v to_o be_v true_a no_o necessity_n of_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n in_o a_o church_n two_o case_n alone_o wherein_o they_o may_v be_v expect_v when_o any_o thing_n come_v as_o a_o law_n from_o god_n and_o when_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v the_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n in_o those_o case_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n assert_v objection_n answer_v no_o use_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o doctrine_n be_v settle_v and_o own_a by_o miracle_n in_o the_o first_o revelation_n no_o need_n of_o miracle_n in_o reformation_n of_o a_o church_n pag._n 134_o chap._n iu_o the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o prophet_n succeed_v moses_n in_o order_n of_o prophet_n to_o succeed_v moses_n by_o god_n own_o appointment_n in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o original_n and_o institution_n of_o they_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n the_o occasion_n of_o their_o first_o institution_n the_o place_n of_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o tendency_n of_o the_o institution_n there_o to_o a_o prophetical_a office_n of_o the_o music_n use_v in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o roman_a assamâ—nta_n and_o the_o greek_a hymn_n in_o their_o solemn_a worship_n the_o two_o sort_n of_o prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n lieger_n and_o extraordinary_a ordinary_a prophet_n take_v out_o of_o the_o school_n prove_v by_o amos_n and_o saul_n pag._n 149_o chap._n v._o the_o trial_n of_o prophetical_a doctrine_n rule_n of_o try_v prophet_n establish_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o punishment_n of_o pretender_n the_o several_a sort_n of_o false_a prophet_n the_o case_n of_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n discuss_v the_o trial_n of_o false_a prophet_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n the_o particular_a rule_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o prophet_n be_v judge_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n not_o foretell_v future_a contingency_n but_o have_v immediate_a divine_a revelation_n several_a principle_n lay_v down_o for_o clear_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n 1._o that_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o divine_a revelation_n several_a ground_n for_o divine_a revelation_n from_o natural_a light_n 2._o what_o ever_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n can_v be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n 3._o no_o divine_a revelation_n do_v contradict_v a_o divine_a positive_a law_n without_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n to_o repeal_v that_o law_n 4._o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n but_o by_o the_o intention_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o the_o prophetical_a office_n a_o kind_n of_o chancery_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n pag._n 165_o chap._n vi_o the_o trial_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n and_o miracle_n the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o the_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n from_o jerem._n 18._o 7_o 8_o etc._n etc._n some_o general_n hypothese_v premise_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o it_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o ground_n why_o prediction_n be_v account_v a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n three_o consectary_n draw_v thence_o the_o second_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n the_o three_o be_v that_o god_n do_v not_o always_o reveal_v the_o internal_a purpose_n of_o his_o
will_n unto_o the_o true_a prophet_n the_o grand_a question_n propound_v how_o it_o may_v be_v know_v when_o prediction_n express_v god_n decree_n and_o when_o only_o the_o series_n of_o cause_n for_o the_o first_o several_a rule_n lay_v down_o 1._o when_o the_o prediction_n be_v confirm_v by_o a_o present_a miracle_n 2._o when_o the_o thing_n foretell_v exceed_v the_o probability_n of_o second_o cause_n 3._o when_o confirm_v by_o god_n oath_n 4._o when_o the_o blessing_n foretold_v be_v pure_o spiritual_a three_o rule_n for_o interpret_n the_o prophecy_n which_o respect_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n under_o the_o gospel_n 5._o when_o all_o circumstance_n be_v foretell_v 6._o when_o many_o prophet_n in_o several_a age_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o prediction_n prediction_n do_v not_o express_v god_n unalterable_a purpose_n when_o they_o only_o contain_v commination_n of_o judgement_n or_o be_v prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n the_o case_n of_o the_o ninivites_n hezekiah_n and_o other_o open_v of_o repentance_n in_o god_n what_o it_o imply_v the_o jewish_a objection_n â—bout_o prediction_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n answer_v in_o what_o case_n miracle_n be_v expect_v from_o the_o prophet_n when_o they_o be_v to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n instance_a in_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n elijah_n elishah_n and_o of_o moses_n himself_o who_o divine_a authority_n that_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o miracle_n be_v demonstrate_v against_o the_o modern_a jew_n and_o their_o pretence_n answer_v p._n 177_o chap._n vii_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n discuss_v the_o second_o case_n wherein_o miracle_n may_v be_v expect_v when_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n be_v to_o be_v repeal_v and_o another_o way_n of_o worship_n establish_v in_o stead_n of_o it_o the_o possibility_n in_o general_n of_o a_o repeal_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n assert_v the_o particular_a case_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n dispute_v against_o the_o jew_n the_o matter_n of_o that_o law_n prove_v not_o to_o be_v immutable_o obligatory_a because_o the_o ceremonial_a precept_n be_v require_v not_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o some_o further_a end_n that_o prove_v from_o maimonides_n his_o confession_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n frequent_o dispense_v with_o while_n the_o law_n be_v in_o force_n of_o the_o passover_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o several_a other_o instance_n it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o repeal_v such_o a_o establish_a law_n abravanels_n argument_n answer_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n compare_v with_o the_o gospel_n whether_o god_n have_v ever_o declare_v he_o will_v never_o repeal_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n of_o add_v to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o expression_n seem_v to_o imply_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n reason_n assign_v why_o those_o expression_n be_v use_v though_o perpetuity_n be_v not_o employ_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n not_o build_v upon_o immutable_a reason_n because_o many_o particular_a precept_n be_v found_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o zabii_n many_o ceremonial_a precept_n thence_o deduce_v out_o of_o maimonides_n and_o because_o such_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n be_v foretell_v with_o which_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a that_o large_o discover_v from_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n chap._n viii_o general_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n the_o great_a prejudice_n against_o our_o saviour_n among_o jew_n and_o heathen_n be_v the_o meaness_n of_o his_o appearance_n the_o difference_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n some_o general_a hypothesis_n to_o clear_v the_o subserviency_n of_o miracle_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n 1._o that_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n but_o authority_n the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o revealer_n to_o be_v infallible_a thing_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n what_o that_o be_v and_o on_o what_o it_o depend_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n the_o existence_n of_o god_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certainty_n the_o certainty_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n prove_v from_o the_o same_o principle_n our_o knowledge_n of_o any_o thing_n suppose_v something_o incomprehensible_a the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n as_o great_a as_o that_o of_o knowledge_n the_o ground_n of_o it_o strong_a the_o consistency_n of_o rational_a evidence_n with_o faith_n yet_o object_n of_o faith_n exceed_v reason_n the_o absurdity_n follow_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v call_v reason_n philosophical_a dictate_v no_o standard_n of_o reason_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o ubiquity_n etc._n etc._n why_o reject_v as_o contrary_a to_o reason_n the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o matter_n above_o reason_n which_o be_v infallible_a testimony_n that_o there_o be_v way_n to_o know_v which_o be_v infallible_a prove_v 2._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n the_o most_o infallible_a the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n into_o god_n veracity_n as_o its_o formal_a object_n 3._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n may_v be_v know_v though_o god_n speak_v not_o immediate_o of_o inspiration_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o divination_n among_o the_o heathen_n 4._o hyp._n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n must_v be_v clear_a and_o certain_a of_o the_o common_a motive_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o faith_n arise_v from_o they_o the_o original_n of_o infidelity_n chap._n ix_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n from_o miracle_n the_o possibility_n of_o miracle_n appear_v from_o god_n and_o providence_n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n by_o they_o god_n alone_o can_v real_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n the_o devil_n power_n of_o work_a miracle_n consider_v of_o simon_n magus_n apollonius_n the_o cure_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o aeseulapius_n at_o rome_n etc._n etc._n god_n never_o work_v miracle_n but_o for_o some_o particular_a end_n the_o particular_a reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ._n the_o repeal_n the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o miracle_n why_o christ_n check_v the_o pharisee_n for_o demand_v a_o sign_n when_o himself_o appeal_v to_o his_o miracle_n the_o power_n of_o christ_n miracle_n on_o many_o who_o do_v not_o thorough_o belieuâ—_v christ_n miracle_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o the_o prediction_n be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o why_o john_n baptist_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n christ_n miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o everthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n kingdom_n of_o the_o daemoniaek_n and_o lunatic_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o power_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n over_o they_o large_o prove_v by_o several_a testimony_n the_o evidence_n thence_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o christ._n of_o counterfeit_a dispossession_n of_o miracle_n wrought_v among_o infidel_n of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o the_o propagation_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o prove_v from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o publisher_n and_o the_o success_n of_o the_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n know_v the_o hazard_n of_o their_o employment_n before_o they_o enter_v on_o it_o the_o boldness_n and_o resolution_n of_o the_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o this_o compare_v with_o heathen_a philosopher_n no_o motive_n can_v carry_v the_o apostle_n through_o their_o employment_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n not_o seek_v the_o honour_n profit_n or_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n the_o apostle_n evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n lie_v in_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n and_o resurrection_n that_o attest_v by_o themselves_o their_o sufficiency_n thence_o for_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n contrariety_n of_o it_o to_o natural_a inclination_n strange_a success_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o it_o come_v not_o with_o humane_a power_n no_o christian_a emperor_n till_o the_o gospel_n universal_o preach_v the_o weakness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o instrument_n which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o all_o which_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v prove_v pag._n 252_o chap._n x._o the_o difference_n of_o true_a miracle_n from_o false_a the_o unreasonableness_n of_o reject_v the_o evidence_n from_o miracle_n because_o of_o imposture_n that_o there_o be_v certain_a rule_n of_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a and_o divine_a from_o diabolical_a prove_v from_o god_n intention_n in_o give_v a_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n the_o inconvenience_n of_o take_v
away_o the_o rational_a ground_n of_o faith_n and_o place_v it_o on_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o that_o for_o resolve_v the_o question_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o pretend_a miracle_n of_o impostor_n and_o false_a christ_n as_o barchochebas_n david_n el_fw-es david_n and_o other_o the_o rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a 1._o true_o divine_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n no_o miracle_n necessary_a for_o the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n prove_v from_o the_o evidence_n that_o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v 2._o no_o miracle_n divine_a which_o contradict_v divine_a revelation_n of_o popish_a miracle_n 3._o divine_a miracle_n leave_v divine_a effect_n on_o those_o who_o believe_v they_o of_o the_o miracle_n of_o simon_n magus_n 4._o divine_a miracle_n tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n power_n in_o the_o world_n the_o antipathy_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o devil_n design_n in_o the_o world_n 5._o the_o distinction_n of_o true_a miracle_n from_o other_o from_o the_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o operation_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n compare_v with_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_a go_n 6._o god_n make_v it_o evident_a to_o all_o impartial_a judgement_n that_o divine_a miracle_n exceed_v create_v power_n this_o manifest_v from_o the_o unparallelled_a miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n from_o all_o which_o the_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v manifest_v as_o to_o the_o person_n who_o god_n employ_v to_o teach_v the_o world_n pag._n 334_o book_n iii_o chap._n i._o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o principle_n of_o all_o religion_n lie_v in_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n rational_o deduce_v the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n why_o moses_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o suppose_v it_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n very_o consonant_a to_o reason_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o idea_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n how_o we_o can_v form_v a_o idea_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v how_o far_o such_o a_o idea_n argue_v existence_n the_o great_a unreasonableness_n of_o atheism_n demonstrate_v of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o aristotelian_a and_o epicurean_a atheist_n the_o atheist_n pretence_n examine_v and_o refute_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o argument_n whereby_o we_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n of_o universal_a consent_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o that_o to_o prove_v a_o deity_n and_o immortality_n of_o soul_n of_o necessity_n of_o existence_n employ_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o how_o far_o that_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o part_n of_o it_o and_o especial_o of_o man_n body_n a_o argument_n of_o a_o deity_n some_o high_a principle_n prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n than_o matter_n and_o motion_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o possibility_n of_o its_o subsist_v after_o death_n strange_a appearance_n in_o nature_n not_o solvable_a by_o the_o power_n of_o imagination_n pag._n 360_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n of_o the_o several_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o contradict_v moses_n with_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o they_o the_o ancïent_a tradition_n of_o the_o world_n consonant_n to_o moses_n prove_v from_o the_o fonick_a philosophy_n of_o thales_n and_o the_o italic_a of_o pythagoras_n the_o pythagorick_a cabbala_n rather_o egyptian_a then_o mosaic_a of_o the_o fluid_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o material_a principle_n of_o the_o universe_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n assert_v by_o ocellus_n lucanus_n and_o aristotle_n the_o weakness_n of_o the_o foundation_n on_o which_o that_o opinion_n be_v build_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o form_v principle_n of_o philosophy_n the_o possibility_n of_o creation_n prove_v no_o argue_v from_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n against_o its_o beginning_n show_v from_o maimonides_n the_o platonist_n argument_n from_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n answer_v of_o the_o stoical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n whether_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o text_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o plato_n and_o pythagoras_n concern_v the_o praeexistence_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o contradiction_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n of_o the_o atomical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o world_n can_v not_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n prove_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o motion_n of_o epicurus_n his_o atom_n and_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o universe_n especial_o the_o production_n and_o nature_n of_o animal_n of_o the_o cartesian_a hypothesis_n that_o it_o can_v salve_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n without_o a_o deity_n give_v motion_n to_o matter_n pag._n 421_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil._n of_o the_o be_v of_o providence_n epicurus_n his_o argument_n against_o it_o refute_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o providence_n in_o order_n to_o religion_n providence_n prove_v from_o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o nature_n the_o great_a objection_n against_o providence_n propound_v the_o first_o concern_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n do_v not_o charge_n god_n with_o man_n fault_n god_n power_n to_o govern_v man_n by_o law_n though_o he_o give_v no_o particular_a reason_n of_o every_o positive_a precept_n the_o reason_n of_o god_n create_v man_n with_o freedom_n of_o will_n large_o show_v from_o simplicius_n and_o the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a god_n permit_v the_o fall_n make_v he_o not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a compare_v with_o that_o of_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o a_o evil_a principle_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o persian_n egyptian_n and_o other_o about_o it_o of_o manichaism_n the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a greek_a philosopher_n of_o pythagoras_n plato_n the_o stoic_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a not_o from_o the_o necessity_n of_o matter_n the_o remainder_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n among_o the_o heathen_n of_o the_o malignity_n of_o daemon_n providence_n vindicate_v as_o to_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o good_a and_o impunity_n of_o bad_a man_n a_o account_n of_o both_o from_o natural_a light_n manifest_v by_o seneca_n plutarch_n and_o other_o pag._n 470_o chap._n iv._o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o nation_n all_o mankind_n derive_v from_o adam_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o contrary_a supposition_n a_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n the_o possibility_n of_o a_o universal_a deluge_n prove_v the_o flood_n universal_a as_o to_o mankind_n whether_o universal_a as_o to_o the_o earth_n and_o animal_n no_o necessity_n of_o assert_v either_o yet_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v without_o creation_n of_o new_a water_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deep_a the_o proportion_n which_o the_o height_n of_o mountain_n bear_v to_o the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n no_o mountain_n much_o above_o three_o mile_n perpendicular_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o fountain_n the_o opinion_n of_o aristotle_n and_o other_o concern_v it_o discuss_v the_o true_a account_n of_o they_o from_o the_o vapour_n arise_v from_o the_o mass_n of_o subterraneous_a water_n of_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n for_o receive_v the_o animal_n from_o buteo_n and_o other_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o deluge_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a nation_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o nation_n from_o noah_n posterity_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n the_o multiplication_n of_o mankind_n after_o the_o flood_n of_o the_o chronology_n of_o the_o lxx_o of_o the_o time_n between_o the_o flood_n and_o abraham_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o it_o of_o the_o pretence_n of_o such_o nation_n who_o call_v themselves_o aborigines_n a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o first_o plantation_n of_o greece_n the_o common_a opinion_n propound_v and_o
reject_v the_o helen_n not_o the_o first_o inhabitant_n of_o greece_n but_o the_o pelasgi_n the_o large_a spread_v of_o they_o over_o the_o part_n of_o greece_n of_o their_o language_n different_a from_o the_o greek_n whence_o these_o pelasgi_n come_v that_o phaleg_n be_v the_o pelasgus_n of_o greece_n and_o the_o leader_n of_o that_o colony_n prove_v from_o epiphanius_n the_o language_n of_o the_o pelasgi_n in_o greece_n oriental_n thence_o a_o account_n give_v of_o the_o many_o hebrew_n word_n in_o the_o greek_a language_n and_o the_o remainder_n of_o the_o eastern_a language_n in_o the_o island_n of_o greece_n both_o which_o not_o from_o the_o phaenician_o as_o bochartus_n think_v but_o from_o the_o old_a pelasgi_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o affinity_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o lacedaemonian_n of_o the_o people_n of_o america_n pag._n 533_o chap._n v._o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o heathen_a mythology_n that_o there_o be_v some_o remainder_n of_o the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o world_n preserve_v in_o the_o several_a nation_n after_o the_o dispersion_n how_o it_o come_v to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o decay_n of_o knowledge_n increase_n of_o idolatry_n confusion_n of_o language_n a_o enquiry_n into_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o difficulty_n against_o the_o common_a opinion_n that_o language_n be_v confound_v at_o babel_n those_o difficulty_n clear_v of_o the_o fabulousness_n of_o poet_n the_o particular_a way_n whereby_o the_o heathen_a mythology_n arise_v attribute_v the_o general_a history_n of_o the_o world_n to_o their_o own_o nation_n the_o corruption_n of_o hebraism_n alteration_n of_o name_n ambiguity_n of_o sense_n in_o the_o oriental_a language_n attribute_v the_o action_n of_o many_o to_o one_o person_n as_o in_o jupiter_n bacchus_n etc._n etc._n the_o remainder_n of_o scripture_n history_n among_o the_o heathen_n the_o name_n of_o god_n chaos_n formation_n of_o man_n among_o the_o phaenician_o of_o adam_n among_o the_o german_n egyptian_n cilician_o adam_n under_o saturn_n cain_n among_o the_o phaenician_o tubalcain_n and_o jubal_n under_o vulcan_n and_o apollo_n naamah_n under_o minerva_n noah_n under_o saturn_n janus_n prometheus_n and_o bacchus_n noah_n three_o son_n under_o jupiter_n neptune_n and_o pluto_n canaan_n under_o mercury_n nimrod_n under_o bacchus_n magog_n under_o prometheus_n of_o abraham_n and_o isaac_n among_o the_o phaenician_o jacob_n service_n under_o apollo_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o bethel_n joseph_n under_o apis._n moses_n under_o bacchus_n joshua_n under_o hercules_n balaam_n under_o the_o old_a silenus_n pag._n 577_o chap._n vi_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n concern_v matter_n of_o pure_a divine_a revelation_n in_o scripture_n the_o term_n of_o salvation_n only_o contain_v therein_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o disesteem_a of_o the_o scripture_n be_v tacit_a unbelief_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n manifest_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o discovery_n of_o god_n nature_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ._n the_o suitableness_n of_o those_o discovery_n of_o god_n to_o our_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n the_o necessity_n of_o god_n make_v know_v himself_o to_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o regulate_v our_o conception_n of_o he_o the_o scripture_n give_v the_o full_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v in_o they_o the_o only_a way_n of_o please_a god_n discover_v in_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n contain_v matter_n of_o great_a mysteriousness_n and_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o man_n mind_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o manner_n wherein_o thing_n be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n in_o regard_n of_o clearness_n authority_n purity_n uniformity_n and_o perswasiveness_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o they_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o encouragement_n to_o religion_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o great_a excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n in_o order_n to_o man_n salvation_n pag._n 599_o errata_fw-la page_n 11._o l._n 15._o r._n existence_n p._n 17._o l._n 28._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 21._o l._n 19_o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 22._o l._n 21._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 27._o l._n 14._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 31._o l._n 2._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 35._o l._n 16._o r._n anebo_fw-la p._n 36._o l._n 1._o r._n sebennyta_n p._n 37._o l._n 9_o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 52._o l._n 28._o r._n accederent_fw-la and_o causaubon_n p._n 57_o l._n 26._o r._n other_o p._n 61._o l._n 14._o r._n pisistratidae_n p._n 63._o l._n 35._o r._n hierocles_n apollonius_n p._n 64._o l._n 11._o r._n acusilaus_n p_o 83._o l._n 29_o 30._o r._n the_o patriarch_n tarasius_n p._n 91._o l._n 3._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 94_o l._n 23._o for_o but_o r._n by_o p._n 96._o l._n 26._o for_o to_o r._n and._n p._n 104._o l._n 22._o r._n hecataeus_n p._n 105._o l._n 33._o r._n panchotis_n p._n 112._o l._n 15._o r._n as_o to_o p._n 120._o l._n 14_o r._n he_o for_o we_o p._n 125._o l._n 4._o r._n provide_v l._n 20._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 126._o l._n 15._o r._n peteseph_n p._n 132._o r._n deceive_v p._n 140._o l._n 19_o r._n continue_v p._n 150._o l._n 16._o r._n deut._n 18._o p._n 149._o l._n 12._o r._n a_o order_n p._n 156._o l_o 5._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p_o 167._o l._n 21._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 171._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 180_o l._n 11._o r._n be_v p_o 182._o l._n 3â—_n r._n ordinat_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 184._o l._n 39_o before_o those_o insert_v though_o p._n 201._o l_o 18._o r._n employ_v l._n 35._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 202._o l_o 14._o r._n vorstius_n p._n 209._o l._n 9_o r_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 226._o l_o 5._o r._n meanness_n p._n 254._o l._n 26._o r._n table_n p._n 267._o l._n 17._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 293._o l._n 17._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 302._o l._n 28._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 323._o l._n 19_o for_o it_o r._n they_o p._n 328._o l._n 9_o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 334_o l._n 11._o r._n barchochebas_n p._n 346._o between_o we_o and_o in_o insert_v a._n p_o 348._o l._n 21._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 349._o l._n 29._o r._n incredibilia_fw-la p._n 364._o l._n 17._o blot_n out_o the_o comma_n between_o euhemerus_n and_o messenius_n l_o 29_o and_o elsewhere_o r._n salve_n for_o solve_v p._n 365._o l._n 20._o r._n elastical_a p._n 395._o l._n 3._o r._n toupinamboult_n p._n 409._o l._n 21._o r._n peristaltic_n p._n 424._o l._n 15._o for_o it_o r._n they_o p._n 425._o l._n 7._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 427._o l._n r._n insert_v â—â—_o between_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d l._n 32._o r_o fluidane_a p._n 443._o l._n 10._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d l._n 32._o for_o col_n r._n l._n nomine_fw-la appellasse_n p._n 464._o l._n 26._o r._n who_o surface_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v p._n 488._o l._n 36._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 493._o l._n 5._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d l._n 28._o r._n coaeterna_fw-la p._n 502._o l._n 29._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p_o 518._o l._n 35._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 520._o l._n 10._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d l._n 13._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n assert_v book_n i._n chap._n i._n the_o obscurity_n and_o defect_n of_o ancient_a history_n the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n yet_o error_n often_o mistake_v for_o truth_n the_o account_n of_o it_o want_v of_o diligence_n in_o its_o search_n the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n thence_o come_v either_o reject_v truth_n for_o the_o error_n sake_n or_o embrace_v the_o error_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n the_o first_o instance_a in_o heathen_a philosopher_n the_o second_o in_o vulgar_a heathen_a of_o philosophical_a atheism_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o the_o history_n of_o antiquity_n very_o obscure_a the_o question_n state_v where_o the_o true_a history_n of_o ancient_a time_n to_o be_v find_v in_o heathen_a history_n or_o only_o in_o scripture_n the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o heathen_a history_n assert_v and_o prove_v by_o
the_o general_a defect_n for_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n among_o heathen_a nation_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o manner_n of_o they_o discover_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n of_o hieroglyphic_n the_o use_n of_o letter_n among_o the_o greek_n no_o elder_a than_o cadmus_n his_o time_n inquire_v into_o no_o elder_a than_o joshua_n the_o learning_n bring_v into_o greece_n by_o he_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n have_v that_o peculiar_a commendation_n 1_o above_o all_o other_o design_n that_o they_o come_v on_o purpose_n to_o gratify_v the_o most_o noble_a faculty_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o do_v most_o immediate_o tend_v to_o re-advance_a the_o high_a perfection_n of_o our_o rational_a being_n for_o all_o our_o most_o laudable_a endeavour_n after_o knowledge_n now_o be_v only_o the_o gather_n up_o some_o scatter_a fragment_n of_o what_o be_v once_o a_o entire_a fabric_n and_o the_o recovery_n of_o some_o precious_a jewel_n which_o be_v lose_v out_o of_o sight_n and_o sink_v in_o the_o shipwreck_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o say_v of_o plato_n that_o all_o knowledge_n be_v remembrance_n and_o all_o ignorance_n forgetfulness_n be_v a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n if_o by_o forgetfulness_n be_v mean_v the_o loss_n and_o by_o remembrance_n the_o recovery_n of_o those_o notion_n and_o conception_n of_o thing_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n once_o have_v in_o its_o pure_a and_o primitive_a state_n wherein_o the_o understanding_n be_v the_o true_a microcosm_n in_o which_o all_o the_o being_n of_o the_o inferior_a world_n be_v faithful_o represent_v according_a to_o their_o true_a native_a and_o genuine_a perfection_n god_n create_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n not_o only_o capable_a of_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n but_o furnish_v he_o with_o a_o sufficient_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o touchstone_n to_o discover_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n by_o a_o light_n set_v up_o in_o his_o understanding_n which_o if_o he_o have_v attend_v to_o he_o may_v have_v secure_v himself_o from_o all_o imposture_n and_o deceit_n as_o all_o other_o being_n be_v create_v in_o the_o full_a possession_n of_o the_o agreeable_a perfection_n of_o their_o several_a nature_n so_o be_v man_n too_o else_o god_n will_v have_v never_o close_v the_o work_n of_o creation_n with_o those_o word_n and_o god_n see_v all_o that_o he_o have_v make_v and_o behold_v it_o be_v very_o good_a that_o be_v endue_v with_o all_o those_o perfection_n which_o be_v suitable_a 31_o to_o their_o several_a being_n which_o man_n have_v be_v most_o defective_a in_o if_o his_o understanding_n have_v not_o be_v endow_v with_o a_o large_a stock_n of_o intellectual_a knowledge_n which_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a and_o genuine_a perfection_n belong_v to_o his_o rational_a be_v for_o reason_n be_v the_o most_o raise_a faculty_n of_o humane_a nature_n if_o that_o have_v be_v defective_a in_o its_o discovery_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v its_o proper_a object_n it_o will_v have_v argue_v the_o great_a maim_n and_o imperfection_n in_o the_o be_v itself_o for_o if_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o sensitive_a faculty_n to_o discern_v what_o be_v pleasant_a from_o what_o be_v hurtful_a it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o rational_a to_o find_v out_o the_o difference_n of_o truth_n from_o falsehood_n not_o as_o though_o the_o soul_n can_v then_o have_v have_v any_o more_o than_o now_o a_o actual_a notion_n of_o all_o the_o being_n in_o the_o world_n ocexi_v at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v free_a from_o all_o deceit_n in_o its_o conception_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o cause_v through_o inadvertency_n which_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o several_a aspect_n man_n knowledge_n 2._o ledge_n have_v which_o be_v either_o upward_o towards_o his_o maker_n or_o abroad_o on_o his_o fellow-creature_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o contemplation_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o fix_v its_o self_n on_o that_o infinite_a be_v which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o and_o be_v proper_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o will_v be_v find_v necessary_a for_o the_o soul_n to_o be_v create_v in_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o he_o because_o of_o man_n immediate_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n unto_o he_o which_o must_v necessary_o suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o who_o will_n must_v be_v his_o rule_n for_o if_o man_n be_v not_o full_o convince_v in_o the_o first_o moment_n after_o his_o creation_n of_o the_o be_v of_o he_o who_o he_o be_v to_o obey_v his_o first_o work_n and_o duty_n will_v not_o have_v be_v actual_a obedience_n but_o a_o search_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o supreme_a infinite_a and_o eternal_a be_v or_o no_o and_o whereon_o his_o duty_n to_o he_o be_v found_v and_o what_o may_v be_v sufficient_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n and_o law_n according_a to_o which_o he_o must_v regulate_v his_o obedience_n the_o take_v off_o all_o which_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n from_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n must_v suppose_v he_o full_o satisfy_v upon_o the_o first_o free_a use_n of_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a power_n and_o be_v which_o produce_v he_o and_o on_o that_o account_n have_v a_o right_a to_o command_v he_o in_o whatsoever_o he_o please_v and_o that_o those_o command_n of_o he_o be_v declare_v to_o he_o in_o so_o certain_a a_o way_n that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o the_o judge_n of_o they_o the_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o god_n will_v further_o appear_v most_o necessary_a to_o man_n in_o his_o first_o creation_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n create_v he_o for_o this_o end_n and_o purpose_n to_o enjoy_v converse_n and_o a_o humble_a familiarity_n with_o himself_o he_o have_v then_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o language_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n converse_v with_o god_n be_v as_o natural_a 63._o to_o he_o as_o his_o be_v be_v for_o man_n as_o he_o come_v first_o out_o of_o god_n hand_n be_v the_o reflection_n of_o god_n himself_o on_o a_o dark_a cloud_n the_o iris_n of_o the_o deity_n the_o similitude_n be_v the_o same_o but_o the_o substance_n different_a thence_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v create_v after_o the_o image_n of_o god_n his_o knowledge_n then_o have_v be_v more_o 26._o intellectual_a than_o discursive_a not_o so_o much_o employ_v his_o faculty_n in_o the_o operose_fw-la deduction_n of_o reason_n the_o pleasant_a toil_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n since_o the_o fall_n but_o have_v immediate_o employ_v they_o about_o the_o sublimest_n object_n not_o about_o quiddity_n and_o formality_n but_o about_o he_o who_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o his_o be_v and_o the_o centre_n of_o his_o happiness_n there_o be_v not_o then_o so_o vast_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o angelical_a and_o humane_a life_n the_o angel_n and_o man_n both_o feed_v on_o the_o same_o dainty_n all_o the_o difference_n be_v they_o be_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o upper_a room_n in_o heaven_n and_o man_n in_o the_o summer_n parlour_n in_o paradise_n if_o we_o take_v a_o view_n of_o man_n knowledge_n as_o it_o respect_v his_o fellow-creature_n we_o shall_v find_v these_o be_v so_o full_o know_v to_o he_o on_o 3_o his_o first_o creation_n that_o he_o need_v not_o to_o go_v to_o school_n to_o the_o wide_a world_n to_o gather_v up_o his_o conception_n of_o they_o for_o the_o right_a exercise_n of_o that_o dominion_n which_o he_o be_v instate_v in_o over_o the_o inferior_a world_n do_v imply_v a_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n be_v and_o property_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o without_o which_o he_o can_v not_o have_v improve_v they_o for_o their_o peculiar_a end_n and_o from_o this_o knowledge_n do_v proceed_v the_o give_v the_o creature_n those_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a name_n which_o be_v expressive_a of_o their_o several_a nature_n for_o as_o plato_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o imposition_n cratylo_n of_o name_n on_o thing_n belong_v not_o to_o every_o one_o but_o only_o to_o he_o that_o have_v a_o full_a prospect_n into_o their_o several_a nature_n for_o it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o name_n shall_v carry_v in_o they_o a_o suitableness_n to_o the_o thing_n they_o express_v for_o word_n be_v for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o express_v our_o conception_n of_o thing_n and_o our_o conception_n be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o same_o philosopher_n speak_v the_o resemblance_n and_o representation_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o where_o there_o be_v a_o true_a knowledge_n the_o conception_n must_v agree_v with_o the_o thing_n and_o word_n be_v to_o express_v our_o conception_n none_o be_v so_o fit_a to_o do_v it_o as_o those_o which_o
of_o god_n which_o they_o own_v in_o opposition_n to_o all_o heathen_a worship_n which_o i_o find_v not_o in_o the_o least_o pretend_a to_o by_o any_o of_o the_o forementioned_a person_n nor_o any_o thing_n of_o any_o different_a way_n of_o religion_n assert_v but_o only_o a_o destruction_n of_o that_o in_o use_n among_o they_o and_o although_o the_o case_n of_o anaxagoras_n clazomenius_fw-la and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jonicke_a philosopher_n may_v seem_v very_o different_a 11._o from_o diagoras_n theodorus_n and_o those_o beforementioned_a because_o although_o they_o deny_v the_o god_n in_o vulgar_a repute_n to_o be_v such_o as_o they_o be_v think_v to_o be_v as_o anaxagor_n as_o call_v the_o sun_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o mere_a globe_n of_o fire_n for_o which_o he_o be_v condemn_v at_o athens_n to_o banishment_n and_o sin_v five_o talent_n 1._o yet_o the_o learned_a vossius_fw-la put_v in_o this_o plea_n in_o his_o behalf_n that_o he_o be_v one_o that_o assert_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n to_o flow_v from_o a_o eternal_a mind_n although_o therefore_o i_o say_v the_o case_n of_o the_o jonick_a philosopher_n may_v seem_v far_o different_a from_o the_o other_o because_o of_o their_o assert_v the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n which_o from_o thales_n milesius_n be_v convey_v by_o anaeximander_n and_o anaximenes_n to_o anoxagoras_n yet_o to_o one_o that_o thorough_o consider_v what_o they_o understand_v by_o their_o eternal_a mind_n they_o may_v be_v soon_o clear_v from_o the_o imputation_n of_o atheism_n than_o irreligion_n which_o two_o certain_o aught_o in_o this_o case_n to_o be_v distinguish_v for_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o man_n meet_v with_o such_o insuperable_a difficulty_n about_o the_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n for_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o eternal_a existence_n of_o matter_n to_o assert_v some_o eternal_a mind_n as_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o yet_o they_o may_v embrace_v only_o as_o a_o hypothesis_n in_o philosophy_n to_o solve_v the_o phoenomena_fw-la of_o nature_n with_o but_o yet_o not_o to_o make_v this_o eternal_a mind_n the_o object_n of_o adoration_n and_o so_o their_o assert_v a_o deity_n be_v only_o on_o the_o same_o account_n as_o the_o tragedian_n use_v to_o bring_v in_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o their_o fable_n be_v bring_v to_o such_o a_o issue_n and_o perplex_v with_o so_o many_o difficulty_n that_o they_o see_v no_o way_n to_o clear_v they_o again_o but_o to_o make_v some_o god_n come_v down_o upon_o the_o stage_n to_o self_n the_o difficulty_n they_o be_v engage_v in_o or_o as_o seneca_n say_v of_o many_o great_a family_n when_o they_o have_v run_v up_o their_o genealogy_n so_o high_a that_o they_o can_v go_v no_o further_o they_o then_o fetch_v their_o pedigree_n from_o the_o god_n so_o when_o these_o philosopher_n see_v such_o incongruity_n in_o assert_v a_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a series_n of_o matter_n they_o may_v by_o this_o be_v bring_v to_o acknowledge_v some_o active_a principle_n which_o produce_v the_o world_n though_o they_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o give_v any_o religious_a worship_n to_o that_o eternal_a mind_n thus_o even_o epicurus_n and_o his_o follower_n will_v not_o stick_v to_o 12._o assert_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n so_o they_o may_v but_o circumscribe_v he_o within_o the_o heaven_n and_o let_v he_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v on_o earth_n and_o how_o uncertain_a the_o most_o dogmatical_a of_o they_o all_o be_v as_o to_o their_o opinion_n concern_v the_o be_v and_o nature_n of_o their_o ged_n do_v full_o appear_v from_o the_o large_a discourse_n of_o tully_n upon_o that_o subject_n where_o be_v full_o manifest_v their_o variety_n of_o opinion_n and_o mutual_a repugnancy_n their_o self_n contradiction_n and_o inconstancy_n in_o their_o own_o assertion_n which_o have_v make_v i_o somewhat_o inclinable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o many_o of_o they_o do_v to_o the_o world_n own_o a_o deity_n be_v that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v martyrsâ—or_a â—or_z atheism_n which_o tully_n likewise_o seem_v to_o acknowledge_v when_o speak_v of_o the_o punishment_n of_o protagoras_n for_o that_o speech_n of_o he_o de_fw-fr diis_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la habeo_fw-la dicere_fw-la exit_fw-la quo_fw-la equidem_fw-la existimo_fw-la tardiores_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la profitendam_fw-la 63._o multos_fw-la esse_fw-la factos_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la poenam_fw-la ne_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la quidem_fw-la effugere_fw-la potuisset_fw-la so_o that_o for_o all_o the_o verbal_a assert_v of_o a_o deity_n among_o they_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a evidence_n of_o their_o firm_a belief_n of_o it_o and_o much_o less_o of_o any_o worship_n and_o service_n they_o owe_v unto_o it_o and_o though_o it_o may_v be_v they_o can_v not_o total_o excuss_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n partly_o through_o that_o natural_a sense_n which_o be_v engrave_v on_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n partly_o as_o be_v unable_a to_o solve_v the_o difficulty_n of_o nature_n without_o a_o deity_n yet_o the_o observe_v the_o notorious_a vanity_n of_o heathen_a worship_n may_v make_v they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o mere_a philosophical_a speculation_n and_o not_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o the_o government_n of_o man_n life_n for_o as_o in_o nature_n the_o observe_v the_o great_a mixture_n of_o falsehood_n and_o truth_n make_v the_o academic_n deny_v any_o certain_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o rule_v of_o judge_a truth_n and_o the_o sceptic_n take_v away_o all_o certain_a assent_n so_o the_o same_o consequence_n be_v nnavoidable_a here_o upon_o the_o same_o principle_n and_o that_o make_v even_o plato_n himself_o so_o ambiguous_a and_o uncertain_a in_o his_o discourse_n of_o a_o deity_n sometime_o make_v he_o a_o eternal_a mind_n sometime_o assert_v the_o whole_a world_n sun_n moon_n star_n earth_n soul_n and_o all_o to_o be_v god_n and_o even_o those_o that_o be_v worship_v among_o the_o heathen_n as_o tully_n tell_v we_o out_o of_o his_o timaeus_n and_o de_fw-la legibus_fw-la which_o as_o velleius_n the_o epicurean_a there_o speak_v et_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la sunt_fw-la falsa_fw-la &_o sibi_fw-la inuicem_fw-la repugnantia_fw-la this_o be_v the_o first_o inconvenience_n follow_v the_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o falsehood_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n its_o self_n it_o be_v join_v with_o the_o other_o be_v as_o great_a which_o follow_v when_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n be_v mix_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o truth_n to_o embrace_v the_o falsehood_n 13._o which_o be_v a_o mistake_n as_o common_a as_o the_o other_o because_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o thing_n so_o vast_o different_a as_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n can_v never_o blend_v or_o be_v incorporate_a together_o therefore_o when_o they_o be_v certain_a they_o have_v some_o truth_n they_o conclude_v no_o falsehood_n to_o be_v join_v with_o it_o and_o this_o i_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o more_o credulous_a and_o vulgar_a heathen_a as_o the_o other_o be_v of_o the_o philospher_n for_o they_o find_v mankind_n to_o agree_v in_o this_o not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o that_o he_o must_v be_v worship_v do_v without_o scruple_n make_v use_n of_o the_o way_n of_o worship_n among_o they_o as_o know_v there_o must_v be_v some_o and_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o else_o and_o from_o hence_o they_o grow_v to_o be_v as_o confident_a believer_n of_o all_o those_o fable_n and_o tradition_n on_o which_o their_o idolatry_n be_v found_v as_o of_o those_o first_o principle_n and_o notion_n from_o which_o the_o necessity_n of_o divine_a worship_n do_v arise_v and_o be_v thus_o habituate_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o these_o thing_n when_o truth_n itself_o be_v divulge_v among_o they_o they_o suspect_v it_o to_o be_v only_o a_o corruption_n of_o some_o of_o their_o fable_n this_o celsus_n the_o epicurean_a on_o all_o occasion_n in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o christian_n do_v fly_v to_o thus_o he_o say_v the_o build_n of_o the_o tower_n of_o babel_n and_o the_o confusion_n 179_o of_o tongue_n be_v take_v from_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o aloadae_n in_o homer_n odyssey_n the_o story_n of_o the_o flood_n from_o deucalion_n paradise_n from_o alcinous_n his_o garden_n the_o burn_a of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n from_o the_o story_n of_o phaeton_n which_o origen_n well_o resute_v from_o the_o far_o great_a antiquity_n of_o those_o relation_n among_o the_o jew_n than_o any_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o therefore_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o tradition_n be_v in_o they_o and_o not_o the_o jew_n which_o must_v be_v our_o only_a way_n for_o find_v out_o which_o be_v the_o original_a and_o which_o the_o corruption_n by_o
which_o yet_o have_v be_v do_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n by_o joseph_n scaliger_n and_o 20._o bochartus_n and_o many_o other_o from_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n the_o order_n and_o the_o name_n of_o they_o it_o seem_v probable_a that_o at_o first_o they_o may_v use_v the_o form_n of_o the_o phoenician_n letter_n in_o which_o herodotus_n tell_v we_o the_o three_o old_a inscription_n be_v extant_a and_o diodorus_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o brass_n pot_n which_o cadmus_n offer_v to_o minerva_n lyndia_n have_v a_o inscription_n on_o it_o in_o the_o phoenician_n letter_n but_o afterward_o the_o form_n of_o the_o letter_n come_v by_o degree_n to_o be_v change_v when_o for_o their_o great_a expedition_n in_o writing_n they_o leave_v the_o old_a way_n of_o write_v towards_o the_o left_a hand_n for_o the_o more_o natural_a and_o expedite_a way_n of_o write_v towards_o the_o right_n by_o which_o they_o exchange_v the_o site_n of_o the_o streke_n in_o several_a letter_n as_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o forecited_a learned_a author_n not_o that_o the_o old_a jonick_a letter_n be_v near_a the_o phoenician_n and_o distinct_a from_o the_o modern_a as_o jos._n scaliger_n in_o his_o learned_a discourse_n on_o the_o original_n of_o the_o greek_a letter_n conceive_v 1617._o for_o the_o jonick_a letter_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o full_a alphabet_n of_o 24._o with_o the_o addition_n of_o palamedes_n and_o simonides_n cous_fw-la as_o pliny_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o the_o greek_n consent_v in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o jonick_a letter_n but_o the_o old_a attic_a 57_o letter_n come_v near_a the_o phoenician_n because_o the_o athenian_n long_o after_o the_o alphabet_n be_v increase_v to_o 24._o continue_v still_o in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o old_a 16._o which_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o cadmus_n which_o must_v needs_o much_o alter_v the_o way_n of_o writing_n for_o in_o the_o old_a letter_n they_o write_v theoâ—_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o make_v pliny_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o learning_n and_o truth_n say_v that_o the_o old_a greek_a letter_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o roman_a thence_o the_o greek_n call_v their_o ancient_a letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o 30._o appear_v by_o harpocration_n and_o hesychius_n not_o that_o they_o be_v so_o much_o distinct_a from_o other_o but_o because_o they_o do_v not_o admit_v of_o the_o addition_n of_o the_o other_o eight_o letter_n which_o difference_n of_o writing_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n the_o cause_n of_o the_o different_a dialect_n between_o the_o athenian_n and_o jonians_n proper_o so_o call_v we_o see_v then_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o greek_n be_v no_o elder_a 21._o than_o cadmus_n and_o for_o any_o considerable_a learning_n among_o they_o it_o be_v not_o near_o so_o old_a some_o assert_v indeed_o that_o history_n begin_v from_o the_o time_n of_o cadmus_n but_o it_o be_v by_o a_o mistake_n of_o he_o for_o a_o young_a cadmus_n which_o be_v cadmus_n milesius_n who_o pliny_n make_v to_o be_v the_o first_o writer_n in_o prose_n but_o that_o he_o after_o attribute_n to_o pherecydes_n syrius_n and_o history_n to_o cadmus_n 56._o milesius_n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o far_o more_o probable_a that_o it_o be_v some_o writing_n of_o this_o latter_a cadmus_n which_o be_v transcribe_v and_o epitomise_v by_o bion_n proconesius_fw-la although_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n seem_v to_o attribute_v it_o to_o the_o elder_n 6._o we_o see_v how_o unable_a then_o the_o grecian_n be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o elder_a time_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o infancy_n and_o nonage_n as_o to_o begin_v to_o learn_v their_o letter_n almost_o in_o the_o noontide_a of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o long_o after_o this_o to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o olympiad_n all_o their_o relation_n be_v account_v fabulous_a a_o fair_a account_n than_o we_o be_v like_a to_o have_v from_o they_o of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n of_o the_o world_n who_o can_v not_o speak_v plain_a truth_n till_o the_o world_n be_v above_o 3000._o year_n old_a for_o so_o it_o be_v when_o the_o olympiad_n begin_v so_o true_a be_v the_o observation_n of_o justin_n martyr_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greek_n have_v no_o exact_a history_n of_o themselves_o before_o the_o olympiad_n but_o of_o that_o more_o afterward_o this_o be_v now_o the_o first_o defect_n which_o do_v infringe_v the_o credibility_n of_o these_o history_n which_o be_v the_o want_n of_o timely_a and_o early_o record_v to_o digest_v their_o own_o history_n in_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a history_n the_o particular_a defect_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a heathen_a nation_n first_o the_o phoenician_n of_o sanchoniathon_n his_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o jerombaal_a baal-berith_a the_o antiquity_n of_o tyre_n scaliger_n vindicate_v against_o bochartus_fw-la abibalus_n the_o vanity_n of_o phoenician_n theology_n the_o imitation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gnostic_n of_o the_o egyptian_a history_n the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n of_o his_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n transcribe_v by_o manetho_n his_o fabulousness_n thence_o discover_v terra_fw-la seriadica_n of_o seth_n pillar_n in_o josephus_n and_o a_o account_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v have_v already_o show_v a_o general_a defect_n in_o the_o ancient_a 1_o heathen_a history_n as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n we_o now_o come_v to_o a_o close_o and_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o history_n of_o those_o several_a nation_n which_o have_v bear_v the_o great_a name_n in_o the_o world_n for_o learning_n and_o antiquity_n there_o be_v four_o nation_n chief_o which_o have_v pretend_v the_o most_o to_o antiquity_n in_o the_o learned_a world_n and_o who_o historian_n have_v be_v think_v to_o deliver_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o holy_a writ_n in_o their_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n who_o on_o that_o account_n we_o be_v oblige_v more_o particular_o to_o consider_v and_o those_o be_v the_o phoenician_n chaldean_n egyptian_n and_o grecian_n we_o shall_v therefore_o see_v what_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n there_o can_v be_v in_o any_o of_o these_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n of_o their_o record_n or_o the_o history_n take_v from_o they_o and_o the_o credibility_n of_o a_o historian_n depend_v much_o upon_o the_o certainty_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o record_n he_o make_v use_v of_o we_o shall_v both_o consider_v of_o what_o value_n and_o antiquity_n the_o pretend_a record_n be_v and_o particular_o look_v into_o the_o age_n of_o the_o several_a historian_n as_o to_o the_o grecian_n we_o have_v see_v already_o a_o utter_a impossibility_n of_o have_v any_o ancient_a record_n among_o they_o because_o they_o want_v the_o mean_n of_o preserve_v they_o have_v so_o late_o borrow_v their_o letter_n from_o other_o nation_n unless_o as_o to_o their_o account_n of_o time_n they_o have_v be_v as_o careful_a as_o the_o old_a roman_n be_v to_o number_v their_o year_n by_o the_o several_a clavi_fw-la or_o nail_n which_o they_o fix_v on_o the_o temple_n door_n which_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o in_o any_o capacity_n to_o do_v not_o grow_v up_o in_o a_o entire_a body_n as_o the_o roman_a empire_n do_v but_o lie_v so_o much_o seatter_v and_o divide_v into_o so_o many_o petâ—y_a republic_n that_o they_o mind_v very_o little_a of_o concernment_n to_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o other_o three_o nation_n have_v deserve_o a_o name_n of_o far_o great_a antiquity_n than_o any_o the_o grecian_n can_v ever_o pretend_v to_o who_o yet_o be_v unmeasurable_o guilty_a of_o a_o impotent_a affectation_n of_o antiquity_n and_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o as_o grow_v on_o their_o own_o ground_n what_o be_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n and_o industry_n gather_v but_o as_o the_o glean_n from_o the_o full_a harvest_n of_o those_o nation_n they_o resort_v to_o which_o be_v not_o only_o true_a as_o to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o learning_n but_o as_o to_o the_o account_n likewise_o they_o give_v of_o ancient_a time_n the_o chief_a and_o most_o ancient_a history_n among_o they_o be_v only_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o elder_a nation_n especial_o phoenicia_n and_o egypt_n for_o of_o these_o two_o philo_n biblius_n the_o translator_n of_o the_o ancient_a phoenician_n historian_n sanchoniathon_n say_v they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d st._n the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o the_o barbarian_n from_o who_o the_o other_o derive_v their_o theology_n which_o he_o there_o particular_o instance_v in_o we_o begin_v therefore_o with_o the_o phoenician_n history_n who_o most_o ancient_a and_o famous_a historian_n be_v sanchoniathon_n so_o much_o 2._o admire_v and_o make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o shrewd_a antagonist_n ever_o christianity_n meet_v with_o the_o philosopher_n porphyrius_n but_o therein_o be_v see_v
the_o wonderful_a providence_n of_o god_n that_o out_o of_o this_o eater_n come_v forth_o meat_n and_o out_o of_o that_o lion_n honey_n that_o the_o most_o considerable_a testimony_n by_o he_o produce_v against_o our_o religion_n be_v of_o the_o great_a strength_n to_o refute_v his_o own_o for_o he_o be_v of_o too_o great_a learning_n to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o vain_a pretence_n of_o the_o grecian_n he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o search_v after_o the_o most_o ancient_a record_n to_o find_v out_o somewhat_o in_o they_o to_o confront_v with_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o upon_o his_o search_n can_v find_v none_o of_o great_a veneration_n than_o the_o phoenician_n history_n nor_o any_o author_n contend_v for_o age_n with_o this_o sanchoniathon_n yet_o when_o he_o have_v make_v the_o most_o of_o his_o testimony_n he_o be_v fain_o to_o yield_v he_o young_a than_o mosesâ—_n though_o he_o suppose_v he_o elder_a than_o the_o trojan_a war_n and_o yet_o herein_o be_v he_o guilty_a of_o a_o most_o gross_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o much_o exceed_v the_o grecian_n in_o his_o skill_n in_o chronology_n when_o he_o make_v semiramis_n coexistent_a with_o the_o siege_n of_o troy_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o his_o testimony_n produce_v at_o large_a by_o eusebius_n out_o of_o his_o four_o book_n against_o the_o christian_n nay_o 285._o he_o go_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o sanchoniathons_n history_n by_o the_o agreement_n of_o it_o with_o that_o of_o moses_n concern_v the_o jew_n both_o as_o to_o their_o name_n and_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whereby_o he_o do_v evident_o assert_v the_o great_a truth_n and_o antiquity_n of_o moses_n his_o history_n when_o he_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o sanchoniathons_n from_o his_o consonancy_n with_o that_o two_o thing_n more_o porphyry_n insist_o on_o to_o manifest_v his_o credibility_n 3_o the_o one_o i_o suppose_v relate_v to_o what_o he_o report_v concern_v the_o jew_n the_o other_o concern_v the_o phoenician_n themselves_o for_o the_o first_o that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o record_n of_o jerombaal_n the_o priest_n of_o the_o god_n jevo_n or_o rather_o jao_n for_o the_o other_o that_o he_o use_v all_o the_o record_n of_o the_o several_a city_n and_o the_o sacred_a inscription_n in_o the_o temple_n who_o that_o jerombaal_n be_v be_v much_o discuss_v among_o learned_a man_n the_o find_v out_o of_o which_o have_v be_v think_v to_o be_v the_o most_o certain_a way_n to_o determine_v the_o age_n of_o sanchoniathon_n the_o learned_a bochartus_n conceive_v he_o to_o be_v gideon_n who_o in_o scripture_n 17._o be_v call_v jerub-baal_a which_o be_v of_o the_o same_o sense_n in_o the_o phoenician_n language_n only_o after_o their_o custom_n change_v one_o b_o into_o m_o as_o in_o ambubajae_fw-la sambuca_fw-la etc._n etc._n but_o admit_v the_o conjecture_n of_o this_o learned_a person_n concern_v jerub-baal_a yet_o i_o see_v no_o necessity_n of_o make_v sanchoniathon_n and_o he_o co-temporary_a for_o i_o no_o where_o find_v any_o thing_n mention_v in_o porphyry_n imply_v that_o but_o only_o that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o record_n of_o jerub-baal_a which_o he_o may_v very_o probable_o do_v at_o a_o considerable_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o he_o whether_o by_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o mean_v the_o annal_n write_v by_o he_o or_o the_o record_n concern_v his_o action_n either_o of_o which_o may_v give_v sanchoniathon_n considerable_a light_n into_o the_o history_n either_o of_o the_o isralite_n or_o phoenician_n and_o it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o probable_a because_o present_o after_o the_o death_n of_o gideon_n the_o israelite_n worship_v baal-berith_a by_o which_o most_o probable_o be_v mean_v 33._o the_o idol_n of_o berith_n or_o berytus_n the_o place_n where_o sanchoniathen_a live_v by_o which_o mean_v the_o berytian_o may_v come_v easy_o acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o remarkable_a passage_n of_o jerubbaal_n but_o i_o can_v conceive_v how_o sanchoniathon_n can_v be_v cotemporary_a 4._o with_o gideon_n which_o yet_o if_o he_o be_v he_o fall_v 182_o year_n short_a of_o moses_n especial_o because_o the_o build_n of_o tyre_n which_o that_o author_n mention_n as_o a_o ancient_a thing_n as_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o scaliger_n be_v by_o our_o best_a chronologer_n place_v about_o the_o time_n of_o gideon_n and_o about_o 65_o year_n before_o 40._o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n i_o know_v bochartus_n to_o avoid_v this_o argument_n have_v bring_v some_o evidence_n of_o several_a place_n call_v tyrus_n in_o phoenicia_n from_o scylax_n his_o periplus_n but_o none_o that_o there_o be_v any_o more_o than_o one_o tyrus_n of_o any_o great_a repute_n for_o antiquity_n now_o this_o tyrus_n josephus_n make_v but_o 240_o year_n elder_a than_o solomon_n temple_n and_o justin_n but_o one_o year_n elder_a than_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n neither_o can_v any_o 8._o account_n be_v give_v why_o sidon_n shall_v be_v so_o much_o celebrate_v by_o ancient_a poet_n as_o strabo_n tell_v we_o when_o tyre_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v by_o homer_n if_o the_o famous_a tyre_n be_v of_o so_o 16._o great_a antiquity_n and_o repute_n as_o be_v pretend_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o there_o be_v mention_n in_o scripture_n of_o a_o tire_n elder_a than_o this_o we_o speak_v of_o which_o we_o read_v of_o joshua_n 19_o 29._o which_o some_o think_v to_o be_v that_o which_o be_v call_v palaetyrus_n which_o strabo_n make_v to_o be_v 30_o furlong_n distant_a from_o the_o great_a tyre_n but_o pliny_n include_v palaetyrus_n within_o the_o circumference_n of_o tyre_n and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a circuit_n of_o the_o city_n to_o be_v 19_o 19_o mile_n it_o be_v not_o to_o i_o so_o certain_a to_o what_o place_n the_o name_n of_o palaetyrus_n refer_v whether_o to_o any_o tyrus_n before_o the_o first_o building_n of_o the_o great_a tyre_n or_o to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o great_a tire_n after_o its_o destruction_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n compare_v with_o the_o new_a tyre_n which_o be_v build_v more_o inward_a to_o the_o sea_n and_o be_v after_o besiege_v by_o alexander_n the_o great_a it_o may_v seem_v probable_a that_o palaetyrus_n may_v relate_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o great_a tyre_n in_o that_o it_o be_v after_o include_v in_o its_o circuit_n and_o chief_o because_o of_o the_o prediction_n in_o ezekiel_n 26._o 4._o thou_o shall_v be_v build_v no_o more_o for_o the_o tyre_n erect_v after_o be_v build_v not_o on_o the_o continent_n but_o almost_o in_o the_o sea_n if_o so_o then_o palaetyrus_n or_o the_o old_a famous_a tyrus_n may_v stand_v upon_o a_o rock_n upon_o the_o brink-of_a the_o continent_n and_o so_o the_o great_a argument_n of_o bochartus_a be_v easy_o answer_v which_o be_v that_o after_o it_o be_v mention_v in_o sanchoniathons_n history_n that_o hypsouranius_fw-la dwell_v in_o tyre_n upon_o the_o fall_n out_o between_o he_o and_o his_o brother_n usous_n usous_n first_o adventure_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o go_v to_o sea_n which_o say_v he_o evident_o manifest_v that_o the_o tire_n mention_v by_o sanchoniathon_n be_v not_o the_o famous_a insular_n tyrus_n but_o some_o other_o tire_n this_o argument_n i_o say_v be_v now_o easy_o answer_v if_o the_o famous_a tire_n before_o its_o destruction_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n do_v stand_v upon_o the_o continent_n for_o than_o it_o may_v be_v the_o old_a famous_a tyre_n still_o notwithstanding_o what_o sanchoniathon_n speak_v of_o the_o first_o venture_v to_o sea_n after_o tyre_n be_v build_v so_o then_o i_o conceive_v these_o several_a age_n agreeable_a to_o the_o same_o tire_n the_o first_o be_v when_o it_o be_v a_o high_a strong_a rock_n on_o the_o seaside_n without_o many_o inhabitant_n so_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v when_o mention_v by_o joshua_n as_o the_o bind_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o asher_n the_o second_o age_n be_v when_o it_o be_v build_v a_o great_a city_n by_o the_o sidonian_n upon_o the_o former_a place_n and_o grow_v very_o populous_a and_o famous_a which_o last_v till_o nebuchadnezar_n time_n after_o this_o though_o it_o be_v never_o build_v up_o in_o the_o continent_n again_o yet_o a_o little_a further_o into_o the_o sea_n a_o new_a and_o goodly_a city_n be_v erect_v which_o be_v call_v new_a tyre_n and_o the_o remain_v on_o the_o continent_n side_n palaetyrus_n thus_o far_o then_o we_o have_v make_v good_a scaliger_n opinion_n against_o bochartus_n that_o the_o famous_a sanchoniathon_n be_v not_o so_o old_a as_o he_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v which_o will_v be_v further_o manifest_v if_o that_o abibalus_n to_o who_o sanchoniathon_n be_v suppose_v to_o dedicate_v his_o history_n be_v the_o 5._o father_n to_o hiram_n co-temporary_a with_o solomon_n as_o jos._n scaliger_n suppose_v who_o be_v 154_o year_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n 1â—_n in_o the_o tyrian_a dynasty_n produce_v
to_o then_o be_v the_o egyptian_n a_o people_n so_o unreasonable_o give_v to_o fable_n that_o the_o wise_a action_n they_o do_v 8._o be_v to_o conceal_v their_o religion_n &_o the_o best_a office_n their_o god_n have_v be_v to_o hold_v their_o finger_n in_o their_o mouth_n to_o command_v silence_n to_o all_o that_o come_v to_o worship_v they_o but_o we_o design_v not_o here_o any_o set_a discourse_n concern_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o egyptian_a theology_n which_o yet_o be_v so_o monstrous_o ridiculous_a that_o even_o those_o who_o be_v overrun_v with_o the_o height_n of_o idolatry_n themselves_o do_v make_v it_o the_o object_n of_o their_o scorn_n and_o laughter_n and_o certain_o have_v we_o no_o other_o demonstration_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o man_n apostasy_n and_o degeneracy_n the_o egyptian_a theology_n will_v be_v a_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o it_o for_o who_o can_v but_o imagine_v a_o strange_a lowness_n of_o spirit_n in_o those_o who_o can_v fall_v down_o and_o worship_v the_o base_a and_o most_o contemptible_a of_o creature_n their_o temple_n be_v the_o best_a hieroglyphic_n of_o themselves_o fair_a and_o goodly_a structure_n without_o but_o within_o some_o deform_a creature_n enshrine_v for_o veneration_n but_o though_o the_o egyptian_n have_v lose_v their_o credit_n so_o much_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o they_o who_o be_v so_o fame_v for_o wisdom_n and_o antiquity_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o full_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o themselves_o through_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v defective_a in_o that_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v they_o they_o will_v give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o themselves_o many_o thousand_o of_o year_n before_o ever_o the_o world_n be_v make_v but_o the_o peculiar_a vanity_n of_o their_o chronology_n will_v be_v handle_v afterward_o that_o we_o now_o inquire_v into_o be_v what_o certain_a record_v they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o antiquity_n which_o may_v call_v for_o assent_v from_o any_o unprejudiced_a mind_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n real_o answer_v that_o loud_a and_o unparallelled_a cry_n of_o antiquity_n among_o the_o egyptian_n whereby_o they_o will_v make_v all_o other_o nation_n in_o comparison_n of_o they_o to_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o and_o to_o know_v nothing_o we_o question_v not_o now_o their_o pretence_n to_o wisdom_n and_o learning_n but_o be_v the_o more_o in_o hope_n to_o meet_v with_o some_o certain_a way_n of_o satisfaction_n concern_v ancient_a time_n where_o learning_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v flourish_v so_o much_o when_o even_o greece_n itself_o be_v account_v barbarous_a the_o great_a basis_n of_o all_o the_o egyptian_a history_n depend_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o ancient_a hermes_n who_o out_o of_o their_o veneration_n 9_o they_o call_v trismegistus_n for_o to_o he_o they_o ascribe_v the_o first_o invention_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o all_o excellent_a art_n from_o he_o they_o derive_v their_o history_n their_o famous_a historian_n manâ—tho_n profess_v to_o transcribe_v his_o dynastye_n from_o the_o pillar_n of_o hermes_n we_o shall_v therefore_o first_o see_v of_o what_o credit_n and_o antiquity_n hermes_n himself_o be_v and_o of_o what_o account_v particular_o those_o pillar_n be_v which_o hold_v up_o all_o the_o fabric_n of_o manetho_n his_o dynastye_n for_o hermes_n himself_o the_o story_n concern_v he_o be_v so_o various_a and_o uncertain_a that_o some_o have_v from_o thence_o question_v whether_o ever_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n or_o no_o because_o of_o the_o strange_o different_a account_n that_o be_v give_v of_o he_o cotta_n in_o tully_n in_o order_n to_o the_o establish_v his_o academical_a doctrine_n of_o withhold_v assent_n mention_n no_o 3._o few_o than_o five_o mercury_n of_o which_o two_o he_o make_v egyptian_a one_o of_o they_o the_o hermes_n we_o now_o speak_v of_o who_o the_o egyptian_n call_v thoyth_fw-mi and_o be_v the_o author_n both_o of_o their_o law_n and_o letter_n the_o egyptian_n as_o appear_v by_o diodorus_n make_v he_o to_o be_v a_o sacred_a scribe_n to_o osiris_n and_o to_o have_v instruct_v isis_n and_o when_o osiris_n go_v upon_o any_o warlike_a expedition_n he_o commit_v the_o management_n of_o affair_n to_o he_o for_o his_o great_a wisdom_n the_o phoenician_n preserve_v his_o memory_n among_o they_o too_o for_o philo_n byblius_n say_v that_o sanchoniathon_n describe_v his_o theology_n from_o the_o book_n of_o taautus_n who_o the_o egyptian_n call_v thoyth_fw-mi who_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o letter_n and_o be_v a_o counsellor_n to_o saturn_n who_o advice_n he_o much_o rely_v on_o what_o now_o must_v we_o pitch_v upon_o in_o so_o great_a uncertainty_n how_o come_v the_o phoenician_n and_o egyptian_a theology_n to_o come_v both_o from_o the_o same_o person_n which_o be_v conceive_v so_o much_o to_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o if_o we_o make_v the_o story_n of_o osiris_n and_o isis_n to_o be_v fabulous_a and_o mere_o allegorical_a as_o plutarch_n do_v than_o mercury_n himself_o must_v become_v a_o allegory_n and_o the_o father_n of_o letter_n must_v be_v a_o hieroglyphic_n if_o we_o admit_v the_o egyptian_n narration_n to_o be_v real_a and_o seek_v to_o reduce_v they_o to_o truth_n and_o thereby_o make_v osiris_n to_o be_v mitsraim_n the_o son_n of_o cham_n who_o first_o rule_v in_o egypt_n all_o that_o we_o can_v then_o affirm_v of_o hermes_n be_v that_o he_o may_v be_v some_o useful_a person_n who_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n both_o upon_o the_o king_n and_o state_n and_o do_v first_o settle_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o politic_a way_n of_o government_n who_o memory_n on_o that_o accout_n the_o egyptian_n may_v preserve_v with_o the_o great_a veneration_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o fall_v into_o that_o idolatry_n of_o consecrate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o first_o contributer_n to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n they_o think_v they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o adore_v his_o memory_n and_o so_o by_o degree_n attribute_v the_o invention_n of_o all_o useful_a thing_n to_o he_o for_o so_o it_o be_v apparent_a they_o do_v when_o jamblichus_n tell_v we_o the_o egyptian_n attribute_v all_o their_o book_n to_o 1._o mercury_n as_o the_o father_n of_o they_o because_o he_o be_v repute_v the_o father_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n they_o make_v all_o the_o offspring_n of_o their_o brain_n to_o bear_v their_o father_n name_n and_o this_o have_v be_v the_o great_a reason_n the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o long_a time_n impose_v upon_o with_o variety_n of_o book_n go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o hermes_n tresmegistus_n for_o he_o be_v not_o the_o first_o of_o his_o kind_n who_o in_o the_o early_a day_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n that_o cento_n or_o confuse_a mixture_n of_o the_o christian_a platonic_a and_o aegyptïan_a doctrine_n which_o be_v extant_a still_o under_o the_o name_n of_o hermes_n trismegistus_n who_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n have_v be_v sufficient_o detect_v by_o learned_a man_n there_o be_v long_o before_o his_o time_n extant_a several_a mercurial_a book_n as_o they_o be_v call_v which_o none_o of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a do_v ever_o look_v on_o as_o any_o other_o than_o fable_n and_o imposture_n as_o appear_v by_o porphyry_n letter_n to_o arebo_n the_o egyptian_a priest_n and_o jamblichus_n his_o answer_n to_o it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o egyptian_a mystery_n we_o have_v then_o no_o certainty_n at_o all_o notwithstanding_o the_o 10._o great_a fame_n of_o hermes_n of_o any_o certain_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n unless_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o sacred_a inscription_n from_o whence_o manetho_n take_v his_o history_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a way_n of_o preserve_v any_o monument_n of_o learning_n in_o those_o elder_a time_n be_v by_o these_o inscription_n on_o pillar_n especial_o among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o several_a testimony_n of_o galen_n proclus_n jamblichus_n 1._o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n call_v sapientia_fw-la secundum_fw-la egytios_n adjoin_v to_o aristotle_n who_o all_o concur_v in_o this_o that_o what_o ever_o laudable_a invention_n they_o have_v among_o they_o it_o be_v inscribe_v on_o some_o pillar_n and_o those_o preserve_v in_o their_o temple_n which_o be_v instead_o of_o library_n to_o they_o manetho_n therefore_o to_o make_v his_o story_n the_o more_o probable_a pretend_v to_o take_v all_o his_o relation_n from_o these_o sacred_a inscription_n and_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o translate_v the_o whole_a egyptian_a history_n into_o greek_a beginning_n from_o their_o god_n and_o continue_v his_o history_n down_o near_o the_o time_n of_o darius_n codomannus_n who_o alexander_n conquer_v for_o in_o eusebius_n his_o chronica_fw-la mention_n be_v make_v of_o manetho_n his_o history_n end_v 16._o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n
of_o nabonasser_n which_o if_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o greedy_a of_o all_o empty_a conjecture_n which_o tend_v to_o our_o purpose_n as_o to_o take_v they_o for_o truth_n will_v be_v a_o very_a strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o falsehood_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o chaldean_n in_o their_o great_a pretence_n to_o antiquity_n but_o as_o the_o case_n stand_v in_o reference_n to_o their_o history_n we_o find_v more_o evidence_n from_o scripture_n to_o assert_v their_o just_a antiquity_n than_o ever_o they_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v out_o of_o any_o undoubted_a record_n of_o their_o own_o which_o yet_o have_v be_v endeavour_v by_o a_o author_n both_o of_o some_o credit_n and_o antiquity_n the_o true_a berosus_n not_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o annius_n who_o vizard_n we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o pull_v off_o afterward_o this_o berosus_n be_v as_o josephus_n and_o tatianus_n assure_v we_o a_o priest_n of_o belus_n and_o a_o babylonian_a graecor_fw-la bear_v but_o afterward_o flourish_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o co_n and_o be_v the_o first_o who_o bring_v the_o chaldean_a astrology_n in_o request_n among_o the_o greek_n in_o honour_n to_o who_o name_n and_o memory_n the_o athenian_n who_o be_v never_o backward_o in_o applaud_v those_o who_o bring_v they_o the_o great_a news_n especial_o i_o suitable_a to_o their_o former_a superstition_n erect_v a_o statue_n for_o he_o with_o a_o guild_a tongue_n a_o good_a emblem_n of_o his_o history_n which_o make_v a_o fair_a and_o specious_a show_n but_o be_v not_o that_o within_o which_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v especial_o where_o he_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a time_n and_o reckon_v up_o his_o two_o dynastye_n before_o the_o time_n of_o belus_n but_o of_o they_o afterward_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o some_o fragment_n of_o his_o history_n which_o have_v be_v preserve_v from_o ruin_n by_o the_o care_n and_o industry_n of_o josephus_n tatianus_n eusebius_n and_o other_o have_v be_v very_o useful_a not_o only_o for_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o heathen_n but_o also_o for_o illustrate_v some_o passage_n concern_v the_o babylonian_a empire_n as_o make_v nabopolasser_n the_o father_n of_o nebucadonosor_n of_o which_o scaliger_n have_v full_o temp._n speak_v in_o his_o note_n upon_o his_o fragment_n far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o to_o derogate_v any_o thing_n even_o from_o profane_a history_n where_o they_o do_v not_o enterfere_v with_o the_o sacred_a 5._o history_n of_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o best_a improvement_n of_o these_o to_o make_v they_o draw_v water_n to_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o to_o serve_v as_o small_a star_n to_o conduct_v we_o in_o our_o way_n when_o we_o can_v enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o that_o great_a light_n of_o sacred_a history_n but_o that_o which_o i_o impeach_v these_o profane_a history_n of_o be_v only_o a_o insufficiency_n as_o to_o that_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n wherein_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v light_n to_o sacred_a record_n that_o the_o design_n of_o set_v of_o they_o up_o seem_v to_o be_v for_o cast_v a_o cloud_n upon_o they_o which_o may_v seem_v somewhat_o the_o more_o probable_a in_o that_o those_o monstrous_a account_n of_o the_o egyptian_a and_o chaldean_a dynastye_n do_v never_o public_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n till_o the_o time_n that_o our_o sacred_a record_n be_v translate_v into_o greek_a at_o alexandria_n for_o till_o that_o time_n when_o this_o authentic_a history_n of_o the_o world_n be_v draw_v forth_o from_o its_o privacy_n and_o retirement_n be_v as_o it_o be_v look_v up_o before_o among_o the_o israelite_n at_o judea_n into_o the_o public_a notice_n of_o the_o world_n about_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n these_o vain_a pretender_n to_o antiquity_n think_v not_o themselves_o so_o much_o concern_v to_o stand_v up_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n for_o till_o that_o time_n the_o onedulous_a world_n not_o be_v acquaint_v with_o any_o certain_a report_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v apt_a to_o swallow_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v give_v forth_o by_o those_o who_o be_v have_v in_o so_o great_a esteem_n as_o the_o chaldean_a and_o egyptian_a priest_n be_v because_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o those_o person_n who_o be_v free_v from_o other_o avocation_n have_v more_o leisure_n to_o inquire_v into_o these_o thing_n and_o because_o of_o their_o mysterious_a hide_v what_o they_o have_v from_o the_o vulgar_a be_v presume_v to_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o than_o they_o have_v but_o now_o when_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n be_v approach_v this_o horizon_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o the_o sacred_a history_n like_o the_o daystar_n be_v to_o give_v the_o world_n notice_n of_o it_o by_o which_o the_o former_a shadow_n and_o mist_n begin_v to_o fly_v away_o it_o concern_v all_o those_o who_o interest_n lie_v in_o the_o former_a ignorance_n of_o mankind_n as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v to_o raise_v all_o their_o ignes_fw-la fatui_fw-la and_o whatever_n may_v tend_v to_o obscure_v that_o approach_a light_n by_o invalidate_v the_o credit_n of_o that_o which_o come_v to_o bespeak_v its_o acceptance_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a to_o consider_v what_o gradation_n and_o step_n there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o appearance_n of_o that_o grand_a light_n 6._o which_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v we_o in_o our_o way_n thither_o how_o the_o world_n not_o long_o before_o be_v awaken_v into_o a_o great_a inquisitiveness_n than_o ever_o before_o how_o knowledge_n grow_v into_o repute_n and_o what_o method_n divine_a providence_n use_v to_o give_v the_o inquisitive_a world_n a_o taste_n of_o truth_n at_o present_a to_o stay_v their_o stomach_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o that_o further_a discovery_n of_o it_o afterward_o in_o order_n to_o this_o that_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v a_o enclose_a garden_n before_o be_v now_o throw_v open_a and_o many_o of_o the_o plant_n remove_v and_o set_v in_o foreign_a country_n not_o only_o in_o babylon_n where_o even_o after_o their_o return_n be_v leave_v three_o famous_a school_n of_o learning_n sora_n pombeditha_n and_o neharda_n but_o in_o egypt_n too_o where_o multitude_n of_o they_o by_o alexander_n favour_n be_v settle_v at_o alexandria_n where_o they_o have_v opportunity_n to_o season_v those_o two_o great_a fountain_n whence_o the_o current_n of_o knowledge_n run_v into_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o now_o it_o be_v not_o in_o jewry_n only_o that_o god_n be_v know_v but_o he_o who_o name_n be_v great_a in_o israel_n do_v make_v way_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o among_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o allwise_o god_n who_o direct_v the_o magi_n by_o a_o star_n to_o christ_n make_v use_n of_o their_o former_a skill_n in_o astronomy_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o star_n which_o come_v now_o on_o a_o peculiar_a errand_n to_o they_o to_o lead_v they_o to_o their_o saviour_n the_o great_a god_n condescend_v so_o far_o to_o mankind_n as_o to_o take_v advantage_n of_o particular_a inclination_n and_o to_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o they_o for_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o he_o appear_v in_o another_o way_n to_o the_o wiseman_n then_o to_o the_o poor_a shepherd_n the_o same_o god_n make_v use_n of_o the_o curiosity_n and_o inquisitiveness_n after_o knowledge_n which_o be_v in_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n â—_o which_o he_o be_v so_o much_o applaud_v for_o by_o athenaeus_n and_o other_o to_o bring_v to_o light_v the_o most_o advantageous_a knowleage_v which_o the_o world_n ever_o have_v before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n and_o that_o great_a library_n of_o his_o erect_n at_o alexandria_n do_v never_o deserve_v that_o title_n till_o it_o have_v lodge_v those_o sacred_a record_n and_o then_o it_o do_v far_o better_a than_o the_o old_a one_o of_o osymanduas_n of_o which_o historian_n tell_v we_o this_o be_v the_o inscription_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o shop_n of_o the_o soul_n physic_n but_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o much_o concernment_n in_o order_n to_o our_o better_a understanding_n the_o original_n of_o these_o vast_a account_n 7._o of_o time_n among_o the_o chaldaean_n and_o egyptian_n and_o a_o subject_n not_o yet_o touch_v by_o any_o we_o shall_v a_o little_a further_o improve_v the_o probability_n of_o it_o by_o take_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o time_n when_o the_o scripture_n be_v first_o translate_v and_o the_o occasion_n may_v thereby_o be_v give_v to_o these_o egyptian_n &_o chaldaean_n to_o produce_v their_o fabulous_a account_n into_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n whether_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v ever_o before_o translate_v into_o the_o greek_a
he_o tell_v we_o himself_o court_v the_o egyptian_a mystery_n for_o compass_v his_o oedipus_n shall_v have_v find_v some_o better_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o assertion_n of_o this_o nature_n then_o mere_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n the_o hebrew_n book_n juchasin_n and_o some_o arabic_a writer_n not_o one_o of_o all_o which_o do_v mention_v the_o thing_n they_o be_v bring_v for_o viz._n that_o manetho_n be_v elder_a than_o alexander_n all_o the_o business_n be_v they_o quote_v he_o as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n but_o what_o then_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n juchasim_n be_v abraham_n zacuth_n a_o jew_n of_o salamancha_n who_o write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1502._o and_o this_o book_n be_v first_o print_v at_o constantinople_n 1556._o may_v not_o this_o man_n then_o well_o mention_n manetho_n as_o a_o ancient_a writer_n if_o he_o flourish_v above_o 1600_o year_n before_o he_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n and_o what_o if_o some_o arabic_a writer_n mention_v he_o be_v they_o of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n and_o credit_n themselves_o that_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n manetho_n live_v in_o alexander_n time_n to_o be_v praise_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v well_o if_o kircber_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n who_o think_v the_o world_n be_v grow_v to_o so_o great_a stupidity_n as_o to_o believe_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o jewel_n which_o be_v far_o fetch_v will_v first_o assert_v and_o vindicate_v the_o antiquity_n and_o fidelity_n of_o their_o arabic_a author_n such_o as_o gelaldinus_n abenephi_fw-la and_o many_o other_o before_o they_o expect_v we_o shall_v part_v with_o our_o more_o authentic_a record_n of_o history_n for_o those_o fabulous_a relation_n which_o they_o be_v so_o full_o fraught_v withal_o be_v it_o here_o any_o part_n of_o my_o present_a business_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n so_o to_o lay_v open_a the_o ignorance_n falsity_n and_o fabulousness_n of_o those_o arabian_n who_o that_o author_n rely_v so_o much_o upon_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v free_v from_o a_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n who_o make_v use_v of_o their_o testimony_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a time_n without_o a_o caveat_n i_o know_v none_o fit_a to_o believe_v these_o arabic_a writer_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n but_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o concoct_v the_o rabbin_n in_o matter_n of_o history_n of_o who_o origen_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v as_o grotius_n true_o 24_o say_v pessimi_fw-la historiae_fw-la magistri_fw-la nam_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la patria_fw-la expulsi_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnis_fw-la apud_fw-la illos_fw-la historia_fw-la crassis_fw-la erroribus_fw-la &_o fabulis_fw-la est_fw-la inquinata_fw-la quibus_fw-la &_o proinde_fw-la nihil_fw-la credendum_fw-la est_fw-la nisi_fw-la aliunde_fw-la testes_fw-la accederunt_fw-la and_o as_o is._n caubason_n pass_v this_o sharp_a but_o due_a censure_n upon_o they_o rabbinis_fw-la ubi_fw-la de_fw-la lingna_fw-la 8._o hebraica_n agitur_fw-la &_o vocis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la proprietate_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquo_fw-la talmudico_fw-la instituto_fw-la meritò_fw-la à _fw-la christianis_fw-la tribui_fw-la non_fw-la parum_fw-la nbi_fw-la verò_fw-la à _fw-la verbis_fw-la venitur_fw-la ad_fw-la res_fw-la aut_fw-la ad_fw-la historiam_fw-la vel_fw-la rerum_fw-la antiquarum_fw-la veteris_fw-la populi_fw-la explicationem_fw-la nisi_fw-la falli_fw-la &_o decipi_fw-la volumus_fw-la nihil_fw-la admodum_fw-la esse_fw-la illis_fw-la fidei_fw-la habendum_fw-la sexcentis_fw-la argumentis_fw-la hoc_fw-la facilè_fw-la probarem_fw-la si_fw-la id_fw-la nunc_fw-la agerem_fw-la and_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o ancient_a rite_n as_o well_o as_o history_n joseph_n scaliger_n have_v give_v this_o verdict_n of_o they_o manifesta_fw-la est_fw-la judaeorum_n inscitia_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la usu_fw-la veterum_fw-la rituum_fw-la etiam_fw-la corum_fw-la 6._o cognitionem_fw-la amiserunt_fw-la &_o multa_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la sacra_fw-la &_o historiam_fw-la pertinent_a longè_fw-la meliùs_fw-la nos_fw-la teneamus_fw-la quam_fw-la ipsi_fw-la the_o same_o which_o these_o very_a learned_a person_n say_v of_o rabbinical_a may_v with_o as_o much_o truth_n be_v say_v of_o these_o arabic_a writer_n in_o matter_n of_o ancient_a history_n which_o i_o have_v here_o insert_v to_o show_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v think_v the_o testimony_n of_o either_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n so_o inconsiderable_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n which_o be_v historical_a and_o that_o of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n little_a relief_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o either_o of_o they_o in_o order_n thereto_o but_o to_o return_v to_o kircher_n it_o be_v free_o grant_v that_o josephus_n a_o author_n of_o credit_n and_o age_n sufficient_a to_o give_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o case_n do_v very_o frequent_o cite_v manetho_n in_o his_o egyptian_a history_n particular_o in_o his_o learned_a book_n against_o appion_n but_o where_o he_o do_v give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o manetho_n be_v elder_n than_o alexander_n i_o be_o yet_o to_o seek_v but_o kircher_n will_v not_o yet_o leave_v the_o matter_n so_o but_o undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o mistake_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o manetho_n beside_o and_o both_o egyptian_n mention_v by_o suidas_n one_o a_o mendesian_n who_o write_v of_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o egyptian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o perfume_n use_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n the_o other_o a_o diospolitan_a who_o write_v some_o physiological_a and_o astronomical_a treatise_n who_o work_n he_o hear_v be_v preserve_v in_o the_o duke_n of_o florenee_n his_o library_n and_o this_o be_v he_o say_v he_o who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n who_o many_o by_o the_o aequivocation_n of_o the_o name_n have_v confound_v with_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o egyptian_a dynastye_n be_v it_o possible_a so_o learned_a a_o jesuite_n shall_v discover_v so_o little_a judgement_n in_o so_o few_o word_n for_o first_o who_o ever_o assert_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o dynastye_n to_o have_v live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n yet_o second_o if_o that_o manetho_n who_o suidas_n there_o speak_v of_o live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n according_a to_o kircher_n than_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o dynastye_n do_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o look_v into_o suidas_n that_o he_o there_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v of_o manetho_n sebennyta_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dynastye_n though_o he_o may_v write_v other_o thing_n beside_o of_o which_o suidas_n there_o speak_v but_o kircher_n very_o wise_o in_o translate_n suidas_n his_o word_n leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o decide_v the_o controversy_n and_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o manetho_n of_o who_o we_o have_v be_v discourse_v thus_o it_o still_o appear_v that_o this_o manetho_n be_v no_o elder_a than_o the_o time_n of_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v now_o for_o berosus_n although_o the_o chaldean_n have_v occasion_n 10._o enough_o give_v they_o before_o this_o time_n to_o produce_v their_o antiquity_n by_o the_o jew_n converse_v with_o they_o in_o babylon_n yet_o we_o find_v this_o author_n the_o first_o who_o dare_v adventure_v they_o abroad_o such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o greek_z now_o that_o this_o berosus_n publish_v his_o history_n after_o the_o time_n mention_v i_o thus_o prove_v tatianus_n assyrius_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v the_o chaldaic_a history_n in_o three_o book_n and_o dedicate_v they_o to_o antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o fragment_n of_o tatianus_n preserve_v in_o eusebius_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o paris_n steph._n edition_n of_o tatianus_n as_o well_o as_o the_o basil_n it_o be_v thus_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o three_o from_o alexander_n in_o the_o other_o to_o the_o three_o from_o seleucus_n now_o if_o we_o reckon_v the_o three_o so_o as_o to_o take_v the_o person_n from_o who_o we_o reckon_v in_o for_o the_o first_o according_a to_o the_o read_n in_o eusebius_n it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o other_o read_v it_o fall_v to_o be_v antiochus_n soter_n for_o seleucus_n succeed_v alexander_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o syria_n antiochus_n soter_n seleucus_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d antiochus_n soter_n but_o according_a to_o either_o of_o these_o reading_n 392._o our_o purpose_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o antiochus_n soter_n begin_v to_o reign_v in_o syria_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o ptol._n philadelphus_n in_o egypt_n antiochus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d succeed_v he_o in_o the_o 22._o year_n of_o philadelphus_n
real_a learning_n or_o truth_n at_o all_o in_o they_o for_o this_o though_o he_o be_v sharp_o censure_v by_o strabo_n in_o his_o first_o book_n who_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v the_o geography_n of_o homer_n from_o the_o exception_n of_o eratosthenes_n yet_o himself_n can_v but_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o â—very_n great_a mixture_n of_o fable_n in_o all_o their_o poet_n which_o be_v say_v he_o partly_o to_o delight_v the_o people_n and_o partly_o to_o awe_v they_o for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v always_o desirous_a of_o novelty_n such_o thing_n do_v huge_o please_v the_o natural_a humour_n of_o weak_a people_n especial_o if_o there_o be_v something_o in_o they_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a it_o increase_v the_o delight_n in_o hear_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o draw_v they_o on_o to_o a_o desire_n of_o hear_v more_o of_o it_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n say_v he_o be_v child_n first_o bring_v on_o to_o learning_n and_o all_o ignorant_a person_n be_v keep_v in_o awe_n nay_o and_o the_o more_o learned_a themselves_o partly_o for_o want_n of_o reason_n and_o judgement_n and_o partly_o from_o the_o remainder_n of_o those_o impression_n which_o these_o thing_n make_v upon_o they_o when_o they_o be_v child_n can_v shake_v off_o that_o former_a credulity_n which_o they_o have_v as_o to_o these_o thing_n by_o which_o discourse_n of_o strabo_n though_o intend_v whole_o by_o he_o in_o vindication_n of_o poetic_a fable_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a what_o great_a disservice_n have_v be_v do_v to_o truth_n by_o they_o by_o reason_n they_o have_v no_o other_o record_n to_o preserve_v their_o ancient_a history_n but_o these_o fabulous_a writer_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v a_o mixture_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n together_o which_o strabo_n contend_v for_o yet_o what_o way_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o false_a when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o certain_a record_n and_o beside_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v how_o hard_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v even_o for_o wise_a man_n to_o excuss_v those_o fabulous_a narration_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n which_o be_v insinuate_v into_o they_o by_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o prejudice_n custom_n and_o education_n can_v work_v upon_o they_o grant_v then_o there_o may_v be_v some_o truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o fabulous_a narration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o with_o some_o please_a tale_n as_o himself_o 3._o compare_v it_o yet_o how_o shall_v those_o come_v to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v only_o gild_a that_o never_o see_v any_o pure_a metal_n and_o do_v always_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v what_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v have_v there_o be_v any_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o touchstone_n to_o have_v difference_v between_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o way_n for_o a_o separation_n of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v none_o such_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o fabulous_a narration_n of_o poet_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v truth_n more_o pleasant_a by_o their_o fiction_n have_v so_o adulterate_v it_o that_o we_o can_v find_v any_o credibility_n at_o all_o in_o their_o narration_n of_o elder_a time_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n have_v have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o conveyance_n but_o through_o their_o fiction_n but_o though_o poet_n may_v be_v allow_v their_o liberty_n for_o represent_v thing_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o palate_n 5_o of_o their_o reader_n yet_o we_o may_v just_o expect_v when_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v historical_a they_o shall_v deliver_v we_o nothing_o but_o what_o upon_o strict_a examination_n may_v prove_v undoubted_a truth_n yet_o even_o this_o be_v the_o greek_n far_o from_o for_o strabo_n himself_o confess_v of_o their_o elder_a historian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o first_o historian_n both_o of_o persen_n 1._o and_o thing_n be_v fabulous_a diodorus_n particular_o instance_v in_o their_o elder_a historian_n as_o cadmus_n milesius_n hecataeus_n and_o hellanicus_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o fabulousness_n strabo_n condemn_v damastes_n sigeensis_fw-la for_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n and_o wonder_n at_o eratosthenes_n for_o make_v use_n of_o he_o yet_o this_o man_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n among_o they_o and_o his_o testimony_n use_v by_o author_n of_o good_a credit_n as_o diony_n 5._o halycarnassius_fw-la plutarch_n and_o other_o nay_o pliny_n profess_v to_o follow_v he_o and_o so_o he_o do_v aristeus_n procennesius_fw-la in_o his_o arimaspia_n which_o may_v render_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o history_n very_o suspicious_a with_o who_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o credibility_n to_o any_o story_n that_o he_o find_v it_o in_o some_o greek_a author_n strabo_n reckon_v damastes_n with_o euëmerus_fw-la messenius_n and_o antiphanes_n bergeus_fw-la which_o latter_a be_v so_o note_v a_o liar_n that_o from_o he_o as_o stephanus_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v as_o a_o proverb_n for_o to_o speak_v never_o a_o word_n of_o truth_n aristeus_n proconnesius_n live_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o write_v a_o history_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n in_o three_o book_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sir_n john_n maridevil_n of_o greece_n from_o his_o story_n of_o the_o arimaspi_n with_o one_o eye_n in_o their_o forehead_n and_o their_o continual_a fight_v with_o the_o gryphens_n for_o gold_n yet_o the_o story_n be_v take_v upon_o trust_n by_o herodotus_n pliny_n and_o many_o other_o though_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o who_o have_v visit_v those_o northern_a climate_n do_v sufficient_o refute_v these_o folly_n strabo_n say_v of_o this_o aristeus_n that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o inferior_a to_o none_o for_o juggle_a which_o cenfure_n be_v probable_o occasion_v by_o â—3_n the_o common_a story_n of_o he_o that_o he_o can_v let_v his_o soul_n out_o of_o his_o body_n when_o he_o please_v and_o bring_v it_o again_o yet_o this_o juggler_n do_v celsus_n pitch_v on_o to_o confront_v with_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o herocles_n do_v on_o apollinus_n so_o much_o have_v those_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o reason_n who_o have_v fight_v to_o oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o further_a what_o credit_n can_v we_o give_v to_o those_o historian_n who_o have_v strive_v to_o confute_v each_o other_o and_o lay_v open_a 6._o one_o another_o falsehood_n to_o the_o world_n where_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o such_o dissonancy_n in_o the_o sacred_a history_n of_o scripture_n do_v the_o writer_n of_o one_o book_n discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o another_o do_v not_o all_o the_o part_n so_o exact_o agree_v that_o the_o most_o probable_a suspicion_n can_v ever_o fall_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o infidel_n be_v that_o they_o be_v all_o write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n which_o yet_o the_o series_n of_o time_n manifest_v to_o have_v be_v impossible_a but_o now_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o ancient_a greek_a historian_n we_o need_v no_o other_o testimony_n than_o themselves_o to_o take_v away_o their_o credibility_n the_o genealogy_n of_o hesiod_n be_v correct_v by_o acusiddus_fw-la acusiddus_fw-la be_v condemn_v by_o hellanicus_n hellanicus_n accuse_v of_o falsehood_n by_o ephorus_n ephorus_n by_o timaeus_n timaeus_n by_o such_o who_o follow_v he_o as_o josephus_n full_o show_v where_o must_v we_o then_o fix_v our_o belief_n upon_o all_o in_o 1._o common_a that_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o believe_v contradiction_n for_o they_o condemn_v one_o another_o of_o falsehood_n must_v we_o believe_v one_o and_o reject_v the_o rest_n but_o what_o evidence_n do_v that_o one_o give_v why_o he_o shall_v be_v credit_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n and_o which_o be_v a_o most_o irrefragable_a argument_n against_o the_o grecian_a history_n their_o elder_a historian_n be_v ackowledge_v to_o be_v the_o most_o fabulous_a for_o our_o only_a recourse_n for_o decide_v the_o controversy_n among_o the_o young_a historian_n must_v be_v to_o the_o elder_a and_o here_o we_o be_v further_a to_o seek_v then_o ever_o for_o the_o first_o age_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v poetical_a and_o to_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o truth_n in_o they_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o any_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o ancient_a time_n among_o the_o greek_a historian_n which_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o evident_a when_o we_o add_v this_o that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o extant_a of_o those_o historian_n who_o do_v carry_v the_o great_a name_n for_o antiquity_n the_o high_a antiquity_n of_o the_o greek_a historian_n do_v not_o much_o exceed_v the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n and_o cambyses_n as_o vossius_fw-la have_v 7._o full_o demonstrate_v in_o his_o learned_a book_n de_fw-fr historiâ—is_fw-la graecis_fw-la and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v spare_v particular_a inquiry_n into_o their_o
several_a age_n only_o these_o two_o thing_n will_v further_o clear_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o greek_a history_n as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n first_o that_o of_o many_o of_o these_o old_a historian_n we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o their_o mere_a name_n without_o any_o certainty_n of_o what_o they_o treat_v such_o be_v sisyphus_n cous_fw-la corinnus_n eugeon_n samius_n deiochus_n proconnesius_n eudemus_n parius_n democles_n phygaleus_fw-la amelesagoras_n chalcedonius_n xenomedes_n chius_n and_o several_a other_o who_o name_n be_v record_v by_o several_a writer_n and_o list_v by_o vossius_fw-la among_o the_o historian_n but_o no_o evidence_n what_o subject_n of_o history_n be_v handle_v by_o they_o second_o that_o of_o those_o who_o not_o only_o memory_n be_v preserve_v but_o some_o evidence_n of_o what_o they_o write_v we_o have_v nothing_o extant_a till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o persian_a war_n for_o all_o that_o be_v write_v before_o be_v now_o consume_v by_o time_n and_o swallow_v up_o in_o that_o vast_a and_o all-devouring_a gulf_n in_o which_o yet_o their_o head_n still_o appear_v above_o the_o water_n to_o tell_v we_o what_o once_o they_o inform_v the_o world_n of_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o if_o many_o of_o those_o ancient_a history_n be_v yet_o remain_v we_o may_v probable_o have_v some_o great_a light_n into_o some_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o elder_a time_n of_o greece_n which_o now_o we_o be_v whole_o to_o seek_v for_o unless_o we_o think_v to_o quench_v our_o thirst_n in_o the_o muddy_a water_n of_o some_o fabulous_a poet_n for_o what_o be_v now_o become_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o jonia_n and_o the_o city_n miletus_n write_v by_o cadmus_n miletius_n suppose_v to_o be_v the_o first_o writer_n of_o history_n where_o lie_v the_o genealogy_n of_o acusilaus_n argivus_n where_o be_v now_o extant_a the_o history_n of_o the_o god_n writter_n by_o pherecydes_n scyrus_n pythagoras_n his_o master_n or_o the_o chronica_fw-la of_o archilochus_n who_o flourish_v about_o the_o 20._o olympiad_n or_o those_o of_o theagenes_n rheginus_n where_o may_v we_o hope_v to_o meet_v with_o pherecydes_n lerius_fw-la his_fw-la attic_a antiquity_n or_o his_o catalogue_n of_o city_n and_o nation_n or_o hecataeus_n his_o description_n of_o asia_n and_o some_o suppose_v of_o libya_n and_o europe_n too_o or_o the_o original_n of_o nation_n and_o founder_n of_o city_n write_v by_o hellanicus_n how_o may_v we_o come_v by_o the_o persic_a greek_a and_o egyptian_a history_n of_o charon_n lampsacenus_n the_o lydian_a history_n of_o xanthus_n lydius_n the_o samian_a antiquity_n of_o simmias_n rhodius_n the_o corinthian_a history_n of_o eumelus_n corinthius_n panyasis_n his_o antiquity_n of_o greece_n the_o scythian_a history_n of_o anacharsis_n the_o phrygian_a of_o diagoras_n the_o chaldaic_a and_o persian_a of_o democritus_n the_o sicilian_a and_o italian_a of_o hippys_n rhâ—ginus_n the_o telchiniack_a history_n of_o teleclides_n all_o these_o be_v now_o bury_v with_o many_o more_o in_o the_o rubbish_n of_o time_n and_o we_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o mere_a sceleton_n of_o they_o leave_v to_o tell_v we_o that_o once_o such_o person_n be_v and_o think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o give_v the_o world_n some_o account_n of_o their_o be_v in_o it_o whereby_o may_v be_v likewise_o see_v the_o remarkable_a providence_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o sacred_a history_n which_o though_o of_o far_o great_a antiquity_n than_o any_o of_o these_o have_v survive_v they_o all_o and_o be_v still_o preserve_v with_o as_o much_o purity_n and_o incorruption_n as_o a_o book_n pass_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n be_v capable_a of_o but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n but_o yet_o if_o the_o greek_a historian_n that_o be_v yet_o extant_a be_v of_o 8._o more_o undoubted_a credit_n then_o those_o that_o be_v lose_v we_o may_v easy_o bear_v with_o our_o lose_v some_o old_a story_n if_o we_o gain_v some_o authentic_a history_n by_o it_o accomplish_v in_o all_o its_o part_n but_o even_o this_o we_o be_v far_o from_o in_o the_o greek_a history_n for_o the_o historian_n themselves_o do_v either_o confess_v their_o own_o ignorance_n of_o ancient_a time_n or_o do_v most_o palpable_o discover_v it_o which_o be_v the_o three_o and_o last_o consideration_n touch_v the_o credibility_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n that_o most_o grave_n and_o accurate_a historian_n thucydides_n than_o who_o scarce_o ever_o any_o grecian_a discover_v more_o a_o inpartial_a love_n to_o the_o truth_n in_o what_o he_o write_v do_v not_o only_o confess_v but_o large_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o exact_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o time_n precede_v the_o pelopponesian_a war_n in_o the_o very_a entrance_n into_o his_o history_n for_o say_v he_o the_o matter_n precede_v that_o time_n can_v now_o through_o the_o length_n of_o time_n be_v accurate_o discover_v or_o sound_a out_o by_o we_o all_o that_o he_o can_v find_v in_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o greece_n be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o confusion_n unquiet_a station_n frequent_a removal_n continual_a pyracye_n and_o no_o settle_a form_n of_o commonwealth_n what_o certain_a account_n can_v be_v then_o expect_v of_o those_o time_n when_o a_o most_o judicious_a writer_n even_o of_o athens_n its_o self_n acknowledge_v such_o a_o chaos_n in_o their_o ancient_a history_n and_o plutarch_n a_o late_a author_n indeed_o but_o scarce_o behind_o any_o of_o they_o if_o we_o believe_v taurus_n in_o a._n gellius_n for_o learning_n and_o prudence_n dare_v not_o we_o see_v venture_v any_o further_a back_n than_o the_o time_n of_o theseus_n for_o before_o that_o time_n as_o he_o compare_v it_o as_o geographer_n in_o their_o map_n when_o they_o have_v go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v fill_v up_o the_o empty_a space_n with_o some_o unpassable_a mountain_n or_o freeze_a sea_n or_o devour_a sand_n so_o those_o who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o elder_a time_n be_v fain_o to_o insert_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o wonderful_a and_o tragical_a story_n which_o as_o he_o say_v have_v neither_o any_o truth_n nor_o certainty_n in_o they_o thus_o we_o see_v those_o who_o be_v best_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o greek_a antiquity_n can_v find_v no_o sure_a foot_n to_o stand_v on_o in_o they_o and_o what_o basis_n can_v we_o find_v for_o our_o faith_n where_o they_o can_v find_v so_o little_a for_o their_o knowledge_n and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v more_o dare_a and_o venturous_a than_o these_o person_n mention_v what_o a_o labyrinth_n have_v they_o run_v themselves_o into_o how_o many_o confusion_n and_o contradiction_n have_v they_o involve_v themselves_o in_o sometime_o write_v the_o passage_n of_o other_o country_n for_o those_o of_o greece_n and_o at_o other_o time_n so_o confound_v time_n person_n and_o place_n that_o one_o may_v think_v they_o have_v only_o a_o design_n upon_o the_o understanding_n of_o their_o reader_n to_o make_v they_o play_v at_o blind-mans-buff_n in_o search_v for_o the_o king_n of_o greece_n but_o as_o they_o be_v so_o confuse_v in_o their_o own_o history_n so_o they_o 9_o be_v as_o ignorant_a and_o fabulous_a when_o they_o dare_v venture_v over_o their_o own_o threshold_n and_o look_v abroad_o into_o other_o country_n we_o certain_o owe_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o lamentable_a ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a original_n of_o most_o nation_n to_o the_o pitiful_a account_n the_o greek_a author_n have_v give_v of_o they_o which_o have_v have_v the_o fortune_n to_o be_v entertain_v in_o the_o world_n with_o so_o much_o esteem_v and_o veneration_n that_o it_o have_v be_v think_v learning_n enough_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o account_n which_o they_o give_v of_o nation_n which_o i_o doubt_v not_o have_v be_v the_o great_a reason_n so_o many_o fabulous_a relation_n not_o only_o of_o nation_n but_o person_n and_o several_a animal_n never_o exist_v in_o the_o world_n have_v meet_v with_o so_o much_o entertainment_n from_o the_o less_o inquisitive_a world_n the_o greek_a writer_n it_o be_v evident_a take_v up_o thing_n upon_o trust_n as_o much_o as_o any_o people_n in_o the_o world_n do_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a and_o inconsiderable_a nation_n at_o first_o and_o afterward_o the_o knowledge_n they_o have_v be_v general_o borrow_v from_o other_o nation_n which_o the_o wise_a man_n only_o suit_v to_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o so_o make_v it_o more_o fabulous_a than_o it_o be_v before_o as_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o great_a defect_n of_o the_o natural_a philosophy_n of_o the_o greek_n as_o it_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o form_v theorye_n upon_o some_o principle_n or_o hypothesis_n which_o they_o only_o receive_v by_o tradition_n from_o other_o without_o fetch_v their_o knowledge_n from_o the_o experiment_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o these_o they_o suit_v all_o the_o phenomena_fw-la of_o nature_n
and_o what_o be_v not_o suitable_a be_v reject_v as_o monstrous_a and_o anomalous_a so_o it_o be_v in_o their_o history_n wherein_o they_o have_v some_o fabulous_a hypothesis_n they_o take_v for_o grant_v without_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o they_o and_o to_o these_o they_o suit_n whatever_o light_n they_o gain_v in_o after_o time_n of_o the_o state_n of_o foreign_a nation_n which_o have_v make_v truth_n and_o antiquity_n wrestle_v so_o much_o with_o the_o corruption_n which_o eat_v into_o they_o through_o the_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o greek_n hence_o they_o have_v always_o suit_v the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n with_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o own_o and_o where_o nothing_o can_v serve_v out_o of_o their_o own_o history_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o other_o nation_n they_o who_o be_v never_o backward_o at_o fiction_n have_v make_v a_o founder_n of_o they_o suitable_a to_o their_o own_o language_n the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n useful_a or_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n but_o they_o have_v make_v shift_n to_o find_v the_o author_n of_o it_o among_o themselves_o if_o we_o inquire_v after_o the_o original_n of_o agriculture_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o ceres_n and_o triptolemus_n if_o of_o pasturage_n we_o be_v tell_v of_o a_o arcadian_a pan_n if_o of_o wine_n we_o present_o hear_v of_o a_o libre_fw-la pater_fw-la if_o of_o iron_n instrument_n than_o who_o but_o vulcan_n if_o of_o music_n none_o like_o to_o apollo_n if_o we_o press_v they_o then_o with_o the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n they_o be_v as_o well_o provide_v here_o if_o we_o inquire_v a_o account_n of_o europe_n asia_n or_o lybia_n for_o the_o first_o we_o be_v tell_v a_o fine_a story_n of_o cadmus_n his_o sister_n for_o the_o second_o of_o promethâ—us_n his_o mother_n of_o that_o name_n and_o for_o the_o three_o of_o a_o daughter_n of_o epaphus_n if_o we_o be_v yet_o so_o curious_a as_o to_o know_v the_o original_n of_o particular_a country_n then_o italia_n must_v find_v its_o name_n from_o a_o calf_n of_o hercules_n because_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o greek_a will_v signify_v some_o such_o thing_n sardinia_n and_o africa_n must_v be_v from_o sardo_n and_o afer_n two_o son_n of_o hercules_n but_o yet_o if_o these_o will_v not_o serve_v hercules_n shall_v not_o want_v for_o child_n to_o people_n the_o world_n for_o we_o hear_v of_o scythes_n galatas_n lydus_n some_o other_o son_n of_o he_o that_o give_v name_n to_o scythia_n lydia_n galatia_n with_o the_o same_o probability_n that_o media_n have_v its_o name_n from_o medea_n and_o spain_n and_o lusitania_n from_o pan_n and_o lusus_fw-la two_o companione_fw-la of_o bacchus_n if_o persia_n want_v a_o founder_n they_o have_v one_o perseus_n a_o argive_a ready_a for_o it_o if_o syria_n babylonia_n and_o arabia_n want_v reason_n of_o their_o name_n the_o prodigal_a greek_n will_v give_v apollo_n three_o son_n syrus_n babylon_n and_o arab_n rather_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v heretical_a acephalist_n this_o vanity_n of_o they_o be_v universal_a not_o confine_v to_o any_o place_n or_o age_n but_o as_o any_o nation_n or_o people_n come_v into_o their_o knowledge_n their_o god_n be_v not_o so_o decrepit_a but_o they_o may_v father_n one_o son_n more_o upon_o they_o rather_o than_o any_o nation_n shall_v be_v filia_fw-la populi_fw-la and_o want_v a_o father_n only_o the_o grave_a athenian_n think_v scorn_v to_o have_v any_o father_n assign_v they_o their_o only_a ambition_n be_v to_o be_v account_v aborigines_n &_o genuini_fw-la terrae_fw-la to_o be_v the_o elder_a son_n of_o their_o teem_v mother_n the_o earth_n and_o to_o have_v be_v bear_v by_o the_o same_o aequivocal_a generation_n that_o mouse_n and_o frog_n be_v from_o the_o impregnated_a slime_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v we_o not_o like_a to_o have_v a_o wonderful_a account_n of_o ancient_a time_n from_o those_o who_o can_v arrogate_v to_o themselves_o so_o much_o knowledge_n from_o such_o slender_a and_o thin_a account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o people_n which_o they_o give_v and_o will_v have_v the_o world_n to_o entertain_v with_o the_o great_a veneration_n upon_o their_o naked_a word_n have_v we_o not_o indeed_o great_a reason_n to_o hearken_v to_o those_o who_o do_v so_o frequent_o discover_v their_o affection_n to_o fable_n and_o manifest_v their_o ignorance_n when_o ever_o they_o venture_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n the_o truth_n be_v herodotus_n himself_o who_o tully_n call_v the_o father_n of_o history_n which_o title_n he_o deserve_v at_o least_o in_o regard_n of_o 10._o antiquity_n be_v the_o elder_a of_o the_o extant_a greek_a historian_n have_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o his_o compurgator_n who_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o acquit_v he_o of_o fabulousness_n but_o have_v seek_v to_o make_v good_a his_o credit_n by_o recrimination_n or_o by_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o herodotus_n do_v not_o full_o believe_v the_o story_n he_o tell_v but_o take_v they_o upon_o trust_v himself_o and_o so_o deliver_v they_o to_o the_o world_n some_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o herodotus_n that_o he_o call_v his_o book_n of_o history_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o muse_n on_o purpose_n to_o tell_v his_o reader_n they_o must_v not_o look_v for_o mere_a history_n in_o he_o but_o a_o mixture_n of_o such_o relation_n which_o though_o not_o true_a may_v yet_o please_v and_o entertain_v his_o reader_n though_o other_o think_v they_o be_v not_o so_o inscribe_v by_o himself_o but_o the_o name_n be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o the_o greek_n from_o the_o admiration_n his_o history_n have_v among_o they_o however_o this_o be_v this_o we_o be_v certain_a that_o herodotus_n be_v not_o first_o suspect_v of_o falsehood_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n but_o even_o among_o the_o greek_n themselves_o there_o have_v be_v find_v some_o that_o will_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a that_o charge_n against_o he_o for_o so_o suidas_n tell_v we_o of_o one_o harpocration_n aelius_n who_o write_v a_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o herodotus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d plutarch_n his_o book_n be_v well_o know_v of_o the_o spite_n or_o malignity_n of_o herodotus_n but_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o be_v sufficient_o know_v likewise_o because_o herodotus_n have_v give_v no_o very_o favourable_a character_n of_o plutarch_n country_n strabo_n likewise_o seem_v to_o accuse_v herodotus_n much_o of_o nugacity_n and_o mix_v prodigious_a fable_n with_o his_o 17._o history_n but_o i_o confess_v observe_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o plutarch_n insist_o against_o herodotus_n i_o be_o very_o prone_a to_o think_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o great_a pique_n in_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a writer_n against_o herodotus_n be_v that_o he_o tell_v too_o many_o tale_n out_o of_o school_n and_o have_v discover_v too_o much_o of_o the_o infancy_n of_o greece_n and_o how_o much_o the_o grecian_n borrow_v of_o the_o egyptian_a superstition_n which_o plutarch_n express_o speak_v of_o that_o herodotus_n be_v too_o much_o lead_v aside_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o therefore_o herodotus_n may_v not_o be_v much_o 857._o too_o blame_v in_o the_o thing_n which_o the_o grecian_n most_o charge_v he_o with_o yet_o those_o who_o favour_v he_o most_o can_v excuse_v his_o palpable_a mistake_n in_o some_o thing_n and_o ignorance_n in_o other_o josephus_n think_v he_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n in_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o their_o affair_n of_o which_o jos._n 3_o scaliger_n give_v many_o account_n either_o say_v he_o the_o person_n who_o give_v he_o his_o intelligence_n be_v ignorant_a themselves_o or_o else_o like_o true_a egyptian_n they_o be_v cunning_a enough_o but_o impose_v upon_o herodotus_n be_v a_o stranger_n and_o unacquainted_a with_o their_o artifices_fw-la or_o else_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v his_o interpreter_n or_o be_v deceive_v by_o he_o or_o last_o herodotus_n may_v have_v so_o much_o of_o a_o grecian_a in_o he_o as_o to_o adulterate_a the_o true_a history_n with_o some_o fable_n of_o his_o own_o wherefore_o he_o rather_o adhere_v to_o manetho_n then_o herodotus_n as_o to_o the_o egyptian_a history_n who_o yet_o elsewhere_o i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o what_o constancy_n to_o himself_o vouchsafe_v he_o this_o high_a elogium_fw-la that_o he_o be_v scrinium_fw-la originum_fw-la graecarum_fw-la &_o barbararum_fw-la auctor_fw-la à _fw-la doctis_fw-la nunquam_fw-la deponendus_fw-la 157â—_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o very_o useful_a history_n may_v be_v fetch_v out_o of_o he_o yet_o who_o can_v excuse_v his_o 11._o ignorance_n when_o he_o not_o only_o deny_v there_o be_v a_o ocean_n compass_v the_o land_n but_o condemn_v the_o geographer_n for_o assert_v 4_o it_o unless_o this_o may_v be_v
elder_a than_o christianity_n among_o they_o among_o the_o roman_n be_v use_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o nundinae_fw-la return_v every_o nine_o day_n the_o mexican_n as_o scaliger_n tell_v we_o reckon_v all_o by_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o system_fw-la of_o thirteen_o day_n next_o to_o these_o be_v their_o month_n which_o be_v either_o lunar_a or_o solar_a the_o lunar_a be_v either_o from_o the_o moon_n return_v to_o the_o same_o point_n of_o the_o zodiac_n again_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v less_o than_o twenty_o eight_o day_n but_o this_o be_v of_o no_o use_n in_o civil_a computation_n or_o else_o from_o one_o conjunction_n of_o the_o moon_n with_o the_o sun_n to_o another_o which_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o else_o from_o the_o first_o phasis_n of_o the_o moon_n the_o second_o day_n after_o its_o coitus_fw-la call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o as_o the_o grecian_n reckon_v their_o lunar_a month_n from_o the_o coitus_fw-la as_o scaliger_n prove_v out_o of_o vitruvius_n other_o from_o the_o phasis_n as_o some_o eastern_a nation_n do_v as_o the_o jew_n begin_v their_o observation_n of_o the_o new_a moon_n from_o the_o first_o phasis_n or_o appearance_n of_o she_o after_o the_o coitus_fw-la the_o solar_a month_n be_v either_o natural_a such_o as_o be_v define_v by_o the_o sun_n passage_n from_o one_o sign_n of_o the_o zodiac_n to_o another_o or_o civil_a whereby_o the_o month_n be_v equal_o divide_v into_o 30_o day_n apiece_o as_o in_o the_o grecian_a and_o egyptian_a year_n have_v thus_o far_o see_v of_o what_o the_o year_n consist_v we_o now_o 2._o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o the_o ancient_a nation_n do_v not_o observe_v one_o constant_a certain_a form_n of_o year_n among_o they_o but_o have_v several_a in_o use_n to_o which_o their_o account_n may_v be_v refer_v and_o because_o the_o egyptian_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v best_o skill_v as_o to_o the_o form_n of_o the_o year_n according_a to_o that_o of_o macrobius_n anni_fw-la certus_fw-la modus_fw-la apud_fw-la solos_fw-la semper_fw-la aegyptios_n fuit_fw-la we_o shall_v particular_o demonstrate_v the_o variety_n of_o 12._o year_n in_o use_n among_o they_o by_o which_o we_o shall_v see_v what_o great_a uncertainty_n there_o be_v in_o their_o account_n of_o their_o dynastye_n for_o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o time_n of_o 30_o day_n be_v among_o the_o ancient_a egyptian_n account_v a_o year_n for_o which_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o plutarch_n in_o numa_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o egyptian_n at_o first_o have_v a_o year_n consist_v of_o one_o month_n and_o after_o of_o four_o and_o this_o if_o we_o believe_v alexander_n ab_fw-la alexandro_n be_v the_o year_n most_o 〈◊〉_d frequent_o in_o use_n among_o they_o so_o varro_n in_o lactantius_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o great_a age_n of_o some_o man_n in_o ancient_a time_n who_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v live_v 1000_o year_n ait_fw-fr enim_fw-la apud_fw-la aegyptios_n pro_fw-la annis_fw-la menses_fw-la haberi_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la solis_fw-la per_fw-la 12_o signa_fw-la 〈◊〉_d circaitus_fw-la faciat_fw-la annum_fw-la sed_fw-la luna_fw-la quae_fw-la orbem_fw-la illum_fw-la signiferum_fw-la 30_o dierum_fw-la spatio_fw-la illustrate_v it_o be_v then_o evident_a that_o this_o year_n of_o thirty_o day_n be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o egyptian_n the_o only_a scruple_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v use_v in_o their_o sacred_a account_n or_o no_o and_o that_o it_o be_v we_o have_v a_o pregnant_a testimony_n in_o plutarch_n in_o the_o forecited_n place_n speak_v of_o the_o egyptian_n great_a pretence_n to_o antiquity_n he_o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o reckon_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o year_n in_o their_o account_n because_o they_o reckon_v their_o month_n in_o stead_n of_o year_n according_a to_o this_o 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the_o mortal_a man_n than_o have_v reign_v in_o egypt_n 9500_o 1682._o year_n which_o take_v it_o for_o these_o lunar_a year_n of_o 30_o day_n make_v of_o julian_n year_n 780._o the_o hero_n and_o god_n 18000_o month_n that_o be_v of_o julian_n year_n 1478_o from_o these_o two_o sum_n together_o be_v gather_v 2258_o year_n which_o be_v deduct_v from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3940_o fall_n in_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1682._o about_o which_o time_n misraim_n who_o be_v the_o great_a historical_a o_o siris_n of_o egypt_n so_o call_v by_o a_o light_a variation_n of_o his_o former_a name_n may_v be_v well_o suppose_v to_o be_v bear_v for_o that_o be_v in_o the_o year_n of_o noah_n 630._o and_o so_o orus_n may_v be_v bear_v who_o be_v the_o son_n of_o osiris_n about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 1778._o between_o who_o time_n and_o alexander_n the_o great_a his_o conquest_n of_o egypt_n the_o egyptian_n as_o the_o same_o diodorus_n tell_v we_o reckon_v little_o less_o than_o 23000_o year_n now_o according_a to_o this_o computation_n of_o 30_o day_n for_o a_o year_n we_o may_v reconcile_v this_o to_o truth_n too_o for_o from_o 1778_o to_o 3667_o of_o the_o world_n which_o fall_v upon_o the_o 417_o year_n of_o nabonassar_n there_o be_v a_o interval_n of_o 1889_o year_n which_o make_v of_o these_o lunar_a year_n of_o 30_o day_n say_v cappellus_n 22996._o and_o 15_o day_n which_o come_v very_o near_o if_o not_o altogether_o up_o to_o the_o egyptian_a computation_n so_o when_o the_o egyptian_n according_a to_o diodorus_n make_v no_o less_o than_o 10000_o year_n distance_n between_o their_o hercules_n and_o hercules_n baeotius_n the_o son_n of_o alcmene_n it_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o these_o lunar_a year_n for_o grant_v what_o the_o egyptian_n say_v that_o hercules_n baeotius_n live_v but_o one_o generation_n before_o the_o trojan_a war_n and_o so_o his_o time_n to_o fall_v out_o about_o 2783._o reckon_v now_o backward_o from_o thence_o and_o 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credulous_a greek_n but_o yet_o not_o impeach_v they_o of_o direct_a falsehood_n it_o be_v thus_o reconcilable_a to_o truth_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n 100_o year_n make_v 3000_o day_n and_o a_o generation_n 1000_o so_o many_o day_n the_o king_n or_o priest_n of_o vulcan_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o reign_v so_o 340_o generation_n of_o a_o 8000_o day_n apiece_o make_v up_o 340000_o day_n to_o which_o if_o we_o add_v the_o 200_o day_n which_o sethos_n have_v now_o reign_v upon_o sennacherib_n invasion_n we_o have_v 340200_o day_n which_o make_v up_o of_o these_o year_n of_o 30_o day_n apiece_o 11340_o which_o be_v the_o number_n assign_v by_o herodotus_n jacobus_n cappellus_n think_v the_o epocha_n from_o whence_o these_o year_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v be_v from_o a._n m._n 2350._o when_o mephres_n begin_v 198._o to_o reign_v in_o egypt_n from_o whence_o
if_o we_o number_v these_o 340200_o day_n or_o 11340_o monthly_a year_n which_o make_v up_o of_o julian_n year_n 931._o and_o 152_o day_n the_o number_n fall_v a._n m._n 3282._o about_o which_o time_n in_o probability_n sennacherib_n invade_v egypt_n thus_o we_o see_v by_o make_v use_n of_o those_o lunà r_a year_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o reconcile_v some_o of_o the_o egyptian_a extravagant_a account_n to_o some_o probability_n and_o consistency_n with_o truth_n but_o however_o we_o owe_v very_o little_a thanks_o to_o the_o egyptian_n for_o it_o who_o deliver_v these_o thing_n in_o gross_a without_o tell_v we_o which_o year_n they_o mean_v and_o thereby_o evidence_n their_o intent_n to_o deceive_v all_o who_o have_v so_o little_a wit_n as_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o they_o the_o next_o kind_n and_o form_n of_o the_o egyptian_a year_n be_v that_o which_o consist_v of_o four_o equal_a month_n amount_v to_o 3._o 120_o day_n the_o use_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o year_n among_o they_o be_v attest_v by_o plutarch_n in_o the_o forecited_n place_n and_o by_o diodorus_n 1._o who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o year_n among_o the_o egyptian_n solinus_n seem_v to_o mention_v this_o as_o the_o only_a year_n 10._o in_o request_n among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o so_o s._n austin_n perhibentur_fw-la aegyptii_fw-la quondam_a tam_fw-la breves_fw-la annos_fw-la habuisse_fw-la ut_fw-la quaternis_fw-la mensibus_fw-la finirentur_fw-la this_o render_v then_o the_o egyptian_n account_n yet_o more_o uncertain_a and_o only_o leave_v we_o to_o guess_v with_o the_o great_a probability_n of_o reason_n what_o form_n of_o year_n be_v mean_v by_o they_o in_o their_o computation_n so_o when_o diodorus_n speak_v so_o much_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a king_n and_o law_n and_o produce_v this_o from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n as_o the_o best_a evidence_n of_o the_o excellent_a temper_n of_o biblioth_n their_o government_n that_o they_o have_v king_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 4700_o year_n till_o the_o time_n of_o cambyses_n his_o inroad_n into_o egypt_n which_o be_v in_o the_o three_o year_n of_o the_o 63_o olympiad_n now_o beside_o the_o apparent_a contradiction_n of_o these_o account_n to_o the_o other_o already_o explain_v if_o we_o take_v they_o in_o gross_a as_o the_o egyptian_n give_v they_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o true_a then_o by_o take_v these_o account_n in_o that_o form_n of_o year_n now_o mention_v by_o we_o for_o these_o 4700_o year_n take_v they_o for_o 120_o day_n apiece_o make_v up_o of_o julian_n year_n 1544._o which_o be_v deduct_v from_o the_o year_n of_o the_o world_n 3475._o which_o be_v the_o time_n when_o cambyses_n invade_v egypt_n the_o remainder_n be_v a._n m._n 1931._o about_o which_o time_n we_o may_v fix_v the_o death_n of_o orus_n from_o who_o their_o proper_a king_n commence_v and_o of_o these_o year_n vossius_fw-la tell_v we_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v what_o they_o report_v of_o the_o long_a life_n of_o 28._o their_o ancient_a king_n when_o they_o attribute_v to_o each_o of_o they_o the_o space_n of_o 300_o year_n as_o when_o they_o attribute_v a_o 1000_o and_o more_o to_o their_o elder_a king_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v they_o of_o simple_a lunar_a year_n of_o 30_o day_n by_o which_o these_o gigantic_a measure_n of_o the_o term_n of_o their_o life_n may_v without_o the_o help_n of_o procrustes_n be_v cut_v short_a according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o man_n ordinary_a age_n in_o those_o elder_a time_n so_o when_o diodorus_n reckon_v from_o the_o death_n of_o proteus_n to_o his_o own_o time_n a._n m._n 3940._o 3400_o year_n it_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o these_o year_n of_o four_o equal_a month_n for_o so_o those_o 3400_o year_n make_v up_o of_o julian_n year_n 1117._o which_o be_v deduce_v from_o 3940._o the_o remainder_n be_v 2823._o about_o which_o year_n of_o the_o world_n proteus_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o live_v which_o be_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o judge_n in_o israel_n neither_o be_v this_o only_a the_o egyptian_n way_n but_o in_o probability_n 4._o the_o ancient_a chaldean_n observe_v the_o same_o which_o may_v be_v a_o ground_n likewise_o of_o those_o unmeasurable_a account_n among_o they_o in_o their_o first_o dynastye_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o fragment_n of_o abydenus_n and_o apollodorus_n out_o of_o berosus_n where_o the_o time_n of_o their_o first_o king_n be_v reckon_v not_o by_o year_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o according_a to_o they_o every_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d contain_v 3600._o year_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 600._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 60._o now_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o alorus_n and_o the_o ten_o king_n from_o he_o to_o xisuthrus_n shall_v reign_v 120._o sari_n as_o their_o computation_n be_v which_o reckon_v for_o every_o saros_n 3600._o year_n make_v up_o 432000._o year_n a_o very_a fair_a sum_n for_o the_o chaldean_a dynastye_n before_o the_o time_n of_o xisuthrus_n by_o who_o in_o probability_n noah_n be_v by_o they_o understand_v there_o have_v be_v only_o two_o way_n think_v on_o of_o deal_n with_o these_o computation_n either_o reject_v they_o as_o whole_o fabulous_a and_o found_v on_o no_o evidence_n or_o record_n of_o history_n as_o we_o have_v see_v already_o only_o they_o may_v retain_v be_v so_o near_o the_o place_n of_o the_o settlement_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o posterity_n after_o the_o flood_n the_o memory_n not_o only_o of_o the_o flood_n of_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o have_v several_a remainder_n preserve_v in_o their_o tradition_n but_o likewise_o of_o the_o age_n of_o man_n precede_v the_o flood_n wherein_o they_o be_v right_a reckon_n from_o alorus_n the_o first_o to_o xisuthrus_n i._n e._n from_o adam_n to_o noah_n ten_o generation_n but_o as_o to_o the_o name_n of_o those_o ten_o person_n and_o the_o time_n they_o live_v in_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a through_o the_o unfaithfulness_n of_o tradition_n they_o take_v their_o liberty_n not_o only_o of_o coin_v name_n but_o of_o set_v what_o age_n to_o they_o they_o please_v themselves_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n scaliger_n observe_v that_o some_o of_o their_o first_o king_n be_v reckon_v 406._o before_o the_o flood_n which_o say_v he_o be_v deny_v by_o georgius_n syncellus_n without_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n thus_o far_o then_o we_o may_v admit_v of_o the_o chaldean_n dynastye_n as_o to_o some_o part_n of_o the_o tradition_n but_o reject_v their_o name_n and_o computation_n as_o fabulous_a the_o other_o way_n of_o explain_v these_o dynastye_n be_v by_o the_o several_a way_n of_o computation_n among_o they_o for_o the_o learned_a monk_n panodorus_n and_o anianus_n understand_v those_o vast_a sum_n not_o of_o year_n but_o day_n and_o so_o make_v a_o saros_n to_o contain_v 120._o month_n of_o 30._o day_n a_o piece_n which_o say_v scaliger_n make_v ten_o chaldee_n year_n and_o a_o nirus_n 20._o equal_a month_n and_o a_o soso_n two_o according_a to_o which_o computation_n the_o 100_o sari_n make_v but_o 1200._o year_n but_o this_o computation_n of_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o georgius_n syncellus_n because_o he_o suppose_v eusebius_n so_o well_o verse_v in_o these_o thing_n that_o he_o will_v never_o have_v set_v they_o down_o for_o year_n if_o the_o chaldaean_n have_v not_o understand_v they_o so_o and_o therefore_o he_o will_v not_o trouble_v himself_o in_o reduce_v fable_n to_o true_a history_n as_o he_o express_v it_o who_o word_n be_v at_o large_a produce_v by_o scaliger_n in_o the_o forecited_n place_n and_o it_o will_v appear_v more_o necessary_a to_o reject_v those_o chaldaean_a computation_n if_o we_o take_v the_o sum_n of_o their_o year_n in_o the_o sense_n which_o salmasius_n give_v of_o they_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr annis_fw-la climactericis_fw-la from_o who_o pyrerius_fw-la the_o author_n of_o the_o praeadamite_n have_v borrow_v most_o of_o his_o argument_n as_o to_o these_o thing_n according_a to_o he_o then_o every_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d contain_v no_o less_o than_o 6000._o year_n as_o the_o toman_n among_o the_o persian_n contain_v 10000_o but_o because_o that_o learned_a man_n have_v only_o give_v we_o his_o reperi_fw-la scriptum_n without_o any_o certain_a foundation_n for_o so_o large_a a_o account_n of_o those_o sum_n we_o shall_v take_v they_o in_o as_o favourable_a a_o sense_n as_o we_o can_v in_o order_n to_o which_o a_o very_a learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o have_v find_v a_o three_o interpretation_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o chaldee_n account_n from_o a_o correction_n of_o suidas_n by_o the_o m._n s._n in_o the_o vatican_n library_n according_a to_o which_o he_o thus_o â—dit_fw-la read_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o
the_o great_a period_n of_o year_n among_o they_o rise_v gradual_o as_o they_o grow_v more_o skilful_a in_o the_o understanding_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o year_n and_o that_o they_o have_v ancient_o no_o certain_a period_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o in_o their_o computation_n of_o ancient_a time_n nay_o the_o egyptian_n have_v not_o as_o appear_v any_o certain_a epocha_n to_o go_v by_o elder_a than_o the_o egyptian_a year_n of_o nabonassar_n and_o afterward_o from_o the_o death_n of_o alexander_n and_o ptolemy_n philadelphus_n and_o augustus_n his_o victory_n at_o actium_n if_o from_o the_o egyptian_n we_o remove_v our_o discourse_n unto_o 2._o the_o grecian_n we_o be_v still_o plunge_v into_o great_a uncertainty_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a succession_n of_o time_n before_o the_o olympiad_n to_o which_o purpose_n the_o testimony_n of_o varro_n in_o censorinus_n be_v general_o take_v notice_n of_o distribute_v time_n into_o three_o part_n reckon_v two_o of_o they_o to_o be_v unknown_a and_o fabulous_a and_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o time_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o olympiad_n indeed_o scaliger_n and_o some_o other_o be_v loath_a to_o reject_v all_o that_o 3._o second_o part_n of_o time_n as_o fabulous_a which_o be_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o deucalion_n flood_n and_o the_o olympiad_n therefore_o they_o have_v rather_o call_v it_o heroical_a though_o much_o corrupt_v with_o fable_n and_o think_v that_o it_o be_v historical_a as_o to_o person_n but_o fabulous_a as_o to_o the_o action_n of_o those_o person_n but_o grant_v this_o yet_o we_o be_v whole_o to_o seek_v for_o any_o certain_a account_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o time_n and_o person_n for_o want_v of_o some_o certain_a epocha_n which_o like_o the_o polestar_n shall_v guide_v ut_fw-la in_o our_o passage_n through_o that_o boundless_a ocean_n of_o the_o grecian_a history_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o some_o of_o the_o learned_a heathen_n have_v take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n this_o way_n to_o find_v out_o some_o certain_a period_n to_o fix_v on_o in_o the_o time_n before_o the_o olympiad_n as_o philocorus_n apollodorus_n and_o dionysius_n halycarnassensis_fw-la and_o other_o who_o out_o of_o their_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n seek_v to_o bring_v down_o some_o certain_a interval_n between_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n and_o the_o first_o olympic_a game_n of_o pelops_n restore_v by_o hercules_n &_o atreus_n but_o grant_v that_o their_o epocha_n be_v fix_v and_o certain_a that_o the_o destruction_n of_o troy_n be_v upon_o the_o 23_o of_o thargelion_n the_o 11_o month_n of_o the_o attic_a account_n and_o that_o the_o olympic_a game_n fall_v out_o answerable_o to_o the_o nine_o of_o our_o july_n and_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_o prove_v from_o astronomical_a observation_n yet_o how_o vast_a a_o account_n of_o time_n be_v lose_v quite_o beyond_o the_o siege_n of_o troy_n and_o beside_o that_o as_o to_o all_o other_o accident_n in_o the_o intervals_a between_o these_o two_o epocha_n which_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v by_o celestial_a observation_n concurrent_a with_o they_o they_o be_v leave_v at_o a_o very_a great_a uncertainty_n still_o only_o they_o may_v guess_v whether_o they_o approach_v near_o to_o one_o epocha_n than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o series_n of_o family_n and_o their_o generation_n three_o of_o which_o make_v a_o century_n of_o year_n whereby_o they_o may_v come_v to_o some_o conjecture_n but_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o any_o certainty_n at_o all_o but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v that_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o original_a of_o greece_n the_o foundation_n of_o their_o 3_o several_a kingdom_n the_o succestion_n of_o their_o first_o king_n and_o all_o that_o come_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o history_n of_o their_o ancient_a time_n be_v clear_o give_v over_o by_o their_o own_o most_o skilful_a chronologer_n as_o matter_n out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o clear_a evidence_n thence_o come_v such_o great_a difference_n concern_v the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o ancient_a kingdom_n the_o argolick_a kingdom_n by_o dionysius_n halycarnass_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o elder_a and_o the_o attic_a young_a than_o it_o by_o 40_o generation_n which_o according_a to_o their_o computation_n come_v to_o a_o 1000_o year_n which_o be_v impossible_a and_o yet_o the_o arcadian_n who_o give_v themselves_o out_o to_o be_v elder_a than_o the_o moon_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v young_a by_o he_o then_o the_o grasshopper_n of_o athens_n by_o nine_o generation_n and_o the_o pthiotica_fw-la under_o deucalion_n young_a thenthe_n arcadica_n by_o 42_o generation_n which_o scaliger_n may_v well_o say_v be_v impossible_a and_o inconsistent_a the_o sycyonian_a kingdom_n be_v by_o most_o suppose_a to_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n among_o the_o grecian_n from_o which_o varro_n begin_v his_o history_n 2._o as_o s._n austin_n tell_v we_o and_o yet_o as_o to_o this_o pausanias_n only_o reckon_v the_o name_n of_o some_o king_n there_o without_o any_o succession_n of_o time_n among_o they_o and_o yet_o as_o to_o those_o name_n africanus_n and_o eusebius_n from_o he_o dissent_v from_o pausanias_n and_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a homer_n reckon_v adrastus_n who_o be_v the_o 23_o in_o the_o account_n of_o africanus_n to_o be_v the_o first_o that_o reign_v in_o secyon_n who_o time_n be_v after_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o olympic_a game_n by_o pelops_n of_o he_o thus_o homer_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o whereby_o he_o express_v adrastus_n to_o be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o sicyon_n and_o not_o as_o scaliger_n will_v interpret_v it_o that_o adrastus_n be_v first_o king_n of_o the_o sicyonian_o before_o he_o be_v of_o the_o argive_n for_o in_o the_o time_n of_o adrastus_n at_o sicyon_n either_o atreus_n or_o thyestes_n be_v king_n of_o the_o argive_n for_o in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o phaestus_n and_o adrastus_n his_o suppose_a predecessor_n in_o sicyon_n atreus_n restore_v the_o olympic_a game_n of_o pelops_n in_o the_o 41_o year_n of_o their_o reign_n and_o they_o reign_v at_o argi_n 65_o year_n now_o that_o phaestus_n at_o sicyon_n be_v suppose_v to_o reign_v but_o eight_o year_n and_o therefore_o the_o reign_n of_o adrastus_n at_o sicyon_n fall_v in_o with_o that_o of_o atreus_n &_o thyestes_n at_o argi_n or_o mycenae_n thus_o we_o see_v now_o how_o uncertain_a the_o account_n of_o time_n be_v before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n among_o the_o grecian_n which_o be_v full_o acknowledge_v by_o diodorus_n and_o the_o very_a reason_n give_v which_o we_o here_o insist_v on_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n in_o the_o ancient_a grecian_a history_n because_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a term_n which_o he_o call_v parapegma_n as_o other_o epocha_n and_o censorinus_n titulus_fw-la from_o whence_o to_o deduce_v their_o account_n but_o now_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o olympiad_n i._n e._n from_o the_o first_o of_o they_o after_o their_o restauration_n by_o iphitus_n wherein_o the_o name_n of_o the_o conqueror_n be_v engrave_v in_o brass_n tablet_n for_o the_o purpose_n the_o succession_n of_o time_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o historical_a among_o the_o grecian_n by_o which_o account_n we_o have_v from_o thence_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o commensurate_v the_o sacred_a and_o profane_a history_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v in_o what_o year_n of_o sacred_a history_n the_o olympiad_n begin_v which_o scaliger_n thus_o find_v out_o censorinus_n write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 238._o which_o be_v of_o the_o julian_n period_n 5._o 4951._o that_o that_o year_n be_v from_o the_o first_o olympiad_n of_o iphitus_n 1014._o the_o first_o olympiad_n be_v of_o the_o julian_n period_n 3938._o which_o be_v according_a to_o our_o learned_a primate_n a._n m._n 3228._o and_o the_o 35_o of_o uzziah_n king_n of_o judah_n or_o the_o 34._o as_o capellus_n think_v so_o that_o from_o henceforward_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o time_n which_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o have_v be_v so_o uncertain_a before_o if_o we_o come_v from_o the_o greek_n further_a into_o these_o european_a part_n we_o shall_v find_v as_o much_o darkness_n and_o obscurity_n as_o 4._o to_o ancient_a time_n if_o not_o more_o then_o in_o those_o already_o discourse_v of_o for_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o account_n of_o time_n before_o the_o roman_n in_o italy_n germany_n old_a gallia_n or_o britain_n be_v scarce_o fit_a to_o be_v discourse_v of_o under_o any_o head_n than_o that_o of_o imposture_n not_o that_o i_o think_v those_o nation_n have_v lie_v in_o a_o perpetual_a sleep_n till_o the_o roman_n wake_v they_o into_o some_o kind_n of_o civility_n but_o that_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a way_n of_o convey_v down_o the_o transaction_n of_o their_o own_o and_o former_a time_n to_o the_o view_n of_o posterity_n on_o
which_o account_n we_o may_v just_o reject_v all_o those_o pretend_a succession_n of_o king_n hâ—re_v in_o britain_n from_o gomer_n to_o brute_n as_o fabulous_a and_o it_o will_v be_v the_o less_o wonder_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o in_o those_o then_o account_v barbarous_a nation_n when_o even_o among_o those_o who_o be_v the_o planter_n of_o knowledge_n and_o civility_n among_o other_o the_o account_n of_o their_o ancient_a time_n be_v so_o dark_a confuse_a and_o uncertain_a as_o it_o will_v sufficient_o appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o examine_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o two_o first_o dynastye_n among_o the_o latin_n the_o first_o before_o aeneas_n his_o come_n into_o italy_n and_o the_o second_o of_o the_o aeneadae_n after_o and_o certain_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o question_v the_o account_n of_o time_n before_o if_o in_o the_o three_o dynasty_a when_o the_o succession_n seem_v so_o clear_a and_o so_o certain_a a_o epocha_n as_o the_o build_n of_o rome_n to_o deduce_v their_o account_n from_o their_o chronology_n be_v uncertain_a which_o i_o shall_v brief_o speak_v to_o for_o although_o porcius_n cato_n have_v in_o dionysius_n the_o honour_n of_o find_v out_o the_o first_o palilia_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v the_o feast_n observe_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o god_n pales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o which_o the_o foundation_n of_o rome_n be_v lay_v yet_o there_o appear_v no_o great_a certainty_n in_o his_o undertake_n for_o therein_o he_o be_v after_o contradict_v by_o the_o learned_a roman_a varro_n dionysius_n tell_v we_o that_o cato_n find_v by_o the_o censor_n table_n the_o exact_a time_n from_o the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o king_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o city_n be_v take_v by_o the_o gaul_n from_o which_o time_n to_o his_o own_o he_o can_v not_o miss_v of_o it_o from_o the_o fasti_fw-la consulares_fw-la so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o cato_n may_v have_v a_o certain_a account_n of_o time_n from_o the_o regifugium_fw-la to_o the_o time_n he_o write_v his_o origines_fw-la but_o what_o certainty_n cato_n can_v have_v from_o the_o first_o palilia_n of_o the_o city_n to_o the_o expulsion_n of_o tarquin_n we_o can_v understand_v for_o the_o succession_n of_o king_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o uncertain_a unless_o it_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o some_o public_a monument_n or_o certain_a record_n or_o some_o public_a action_n certain_o know_v to_o have_v fall_v out_o precise_o in_o such_o a_o year_n of_o their_o several_a reign_n now_o none_o of_o these_o do_v occur_v in_o the_o roman_a history_n in_o all_o that_o interval_n from_o the_o palilia_n to_o the_o regifugium_fw-la so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o whole_a interval_n but_o the_o time_n of_o every_o particular_a king_n reign_n be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o therefore_o varro_n be_v destitute_a of_o any_o demonstration_n of_o that_o time_n have_v recourse_n to_o l._n tarrutius_fw-la firmanus_n to_o see_v if_o by_o his_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n he_o can_v certain_o find_v out_o the_o first_o palilia_n of_o rome_n his_o answer_n be_v that_o he_o find_v that_o the_o city_n be_v build_v in_o the_o time_n of_o a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v in_o the_o three_o year_n of_o the_o six_o olympiad_n according_a to_o which_o account_n varro_n proceed_v and_o thence_o arise_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o palilia_n catoniana_n and_o varroniana_n the_o latter_a fall_v out_o in_o the_o 23_o of_o iphitus_n the_o other_o in_o the_o 24._o but_o if_o we_o believe_v joseph_n scaliger_n there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n at_o the_o time_n affirm_v by_o tarrutius_fw-la but_o yet_o 388._o grant_v a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n then_o what_o certainty_n can_v we_o have_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o several_a king_n afterward_o without_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a computation_n ab_fw-la urbe_fw-la condita_fw-la if_o then_o the_o roman_n who_o have_v so_o great_a advantage_n of_o know_v time_n and_o be_v withal_o so_o inquisitive_a concern_v the_o build_n of_o their_o city_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o no_o very_o remote_a distacne_n can_v attain_v to_o no_o absolute_a certainty_n without_o it_o what_o certainty_n can_v we_o expect_v as_o to_o a_o account_n of_o far_o ancient_a time_n either_o from_o they_o or_o other_o when_o they_o have_v no_o censor_n table_n nor_o fasti_fw-la consulares_fw-la to_o be_v guide_v by_o and_o thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o show_v the_o great_a uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a chronology_n as_o to_o the_o give_v a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n and_o yet_o be_v it_o only_o a_o uncertainty_n as_o to_o chronology_n we_o may_v better_o bear_v with_o it_o for_o the_o mistake_n mere_o in_o 5._o computation_n of_o time_n be_v not_o so_o dangerous_a any_o further_a than_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o history_n depend_v on_o the_o computation_n as_o in_o point_n of_o antiquity_n if_o we_o be_v but_o certain_a that_o the_o person_n and_o action_n relate_v of_o they_o be_v such_o as_o they_o be_v report_v to_o be_v but_o that_o which_o add_v much_o to_o the_o confusion_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o heathen_a history_n be_v the_o frequency_n of_o imposture_n which_o be_v more_o hard_a to_o be_v discover_v in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o authentic_a history_n of_o those_o time_n extant_a which_o have_v both_o give_v occasion_n to_o variety_n of_o imposture_n and_o much_o hinder_v their_o discovery_n for_o the_o curiosity_n of_o man_n lead_v they_o back_o into_o a_o search_n after_o ancient_a time_n it_o make_v they_o exceed_o credulous_a in_o embrace_v whatever_o pretend_v to_o give_v they_o any_o conduct_n through_o those_o dark_a and_o obscure_a path_n of_o ancient_a history_n and_o the_o world_n have_v never_o be_v want_v of_o such_o as_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o abuse_v the_o simple_a credulity_n of_o well-meaning_a but_o less_o wary_a man_n but_o those_o age_n have_v be_v most_o feracious_a in_o the_o production_n of_o such_o person_n which_o have_v pretend_v to_o more_o learning_n than_o they_o have_v the_o pretence_n of_o learning_n make_v such_o person_n appear_v and_o the_o want_n of_o it_o make_v they_o not_o be_v discover_v thus_o it_o be_v not_o only_o of_o old_a among_o the_o chaldean_a and_o egyptian_a priest_n and_o the_o grecian_a poet_n and_o historian_n of_o who_o we_o have_v speak_v already_o but_o even_o among_o those_o who_o may_v have_v learn_v more_o truth_n from_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v then_o to_o think_v it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o their_o lie_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a disparagement_n offer_v to_o truth_n then_o to_o defend_v it_o with_o any_o thing_n but_o itself_o nothing_o lay_v truth_n so_o open_a to_o suspicion_n as_o when_o falsehood_n come_v to_o be_v its_o advocate_n and_o a_o false_a testimony_n discover_v do_v more_o prejudice_n to_o a_o good_a cause_n than_o it_o can_v any_o way_n advantage_v it_o be_v it_o not_o discover_v and_o therefore_o their_o labour_n have_v be_v as_o serviceable_a to_o the_o world_n who_o have_v discover_v impostor_n as_o those_o who_o have_v direct_o maintain_v truth_n against_o its_o open_a opposer_n those_o be_v so_o much_o more_o dangerous_a in_o that_o they_o appear_v in_o the_o disguise_n of_o truth_n and_o therefore_o be_v with_o more_o difficulty_n discover_v such_o a_o one_o be_v that_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la that_o appear_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o twilight_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n between_o the_o former_a darkness_n of_o barbarism_n and_o the_o approach_a light_n of_o knowledge_n i_o mean_v annius_n viterbiensis_n who_o like_o hannibal_n in_o pass_v the_o alps_o not_o find_v a_o way_n ready_a to_o his_o mind_n set_v himself_o to_o burn_v the_o wood_n and_o fire_v the_o rock_n and_o dissolve_v they_o with_o vinegar_n to_o make_v a_o passage_n through_o they_o so_o annius_n be_v beset_v in_o those_o snowy_a and_o gray-headed_a alps_n of_o ancient_a history_n and_o find_v no_o way_n clear_a for_o he_o according_a to_o his_o fancy_n he_o labour_v to_o burn_v down_o all_o certain_a record_n to_o eat_v through_o the_o credit_n of_o undoubted_a author_n to_o make_v a_o more_o free_a passage_n for_o his_o own_o history_n which_o he_o deduce_v suitable_o to_o scripture_n from_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o elder_a historian_n to_o which_o purpose_n a_o new_a berosus_n manetho_n philo_n metasthenes_n as_o he_o mistake_v for_o megasthenes_n and_o xenophon_n must_v put_v on_o a_o grave_a disguise_n and_o walk_v abroad_o the_o world_n with_o a_o mantle_n of_o antiquity_n about_o their_o shoulder_n although_o they_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o airy_a phantasm_n cover_v over_o with_o the_o cowl_n of_o the_o monk_n of_o viterbo_n for_o be_v himself_o somewhat_o more_o verse_v in_o the_o history_n of_o those_o elder_a time_n then_o general_o person_n be_v
to_o be_v as_o frontlet_n between_o their_o eye_n 8._o and_o sign_n upon_o their_o hand_n not_o that_o phylactery_n shall_v be_v make_v of_o the_o law_n to_o wear_v as_o the_o pharisee_n interpret_v it_o and_o other_o from_o they_o have_v mistake_v but_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o law_n in_o continual_a remembrance_n as_o if_o it_o be_v always_o between_o their_o eye_n and_o engrave_v upon_o their_o hand_n again_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o law_n to_o be_v among_o the_o people_n but_o in_o the_o vulgar_a character_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o sanctity_n majesty_n and_o authority_n there_o be_v in_o that_o character_n more_o than_o in_o the_o word_n and_o matter_n and_o if_o there_o be_v how_o come_v the_o vulgar_a use_n of_o it_o to_o be_v nowhere_o forbid_v and_o how_o dare_v ezra_n as_o be_v suppose_v after_o the_o captivity_n profane_v so_o sacred_a a_o thing_n by_o expose_v it_o to_o common_a use_n but_o grant_v they_o yet_o further_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a but_o not_o useful_a to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o sacred_a character_n i_o demand_v then_o how_o come_v that_o disuse_n to_o continue_v so_o punctual_o till_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v never_o be_v divulge_v before_o when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a reason_n to_o make_v it_o common_a since_o the_o square_a letter_n be_v less_o operose_fw-la more_o expedite_a and_o facile_a than_o the_o samaritan_n which_o be_v when_o time_n serve_v use_v as_o a_o plea_n for_o their_o great_a antiquity_n but_o yield_v yet_o more_o that_o the_o sacred_a character_n be_v only_o use_v for_o the_o authentic_a copy_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v to_o decide_v all_o difference_n of_o other_o copy_n which_o some_o run_v to_o as_o their_o last_o shift_n i_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n reason_n whether_o this_o be_v not_o the_o most_o improbable_a of_o all_o for_o how_o can_v such_o a_o copy_n be_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o other_o which_o can_v not_o be_v read_v or_o understand_v by_o those_o who_o appeal_v to_o it_o or_o be_v the_o knowledge_n and_o read_n of_o this_o character_n peculiar_a to_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o convey_v down_o as_o a_o cabala_n from_o one_o to_o another_o but_o how_o many_o incongruity_n will_v follow_v hence_o in_o case_n one_o high_a priest_n shall_v die_v before_o his_o son_n be_v capable_a of_o understand_v the_o letter_n and_o so_o that_o sacred_a treasure_n must_v needs_o be_v lose_v or_o have_v they_o it_o all_o by_o inspiration_n and_o understand_v the_o sacred_a character_n by_o urim_n and_o thummim_n thus_o every_o way_n this_o opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v press_v with_o inconvenience_n but_o it_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o heathen_n priest_n to_o maintain_v a_o meum_fw-la and_o tuum_fw-la between_o their_o own_o character_n and_o the_o vulgar_a for_o hereby_o they_o prohibit_v all_o pry_n into_o their_o mystery_n by_o any_o but_o those_o who_o have_v the_o same_o interest_n with_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o be_v unlikely_a to_o discover_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v lessen_v their_o reputation_n whereas_o have_v there_o be_v nothing_o but_o truth_n in_o their_o record_n or_o that_o truth_n have_v be_v for_o their_o interest_n what_o need_n have_v there_o be_v of_o so_o great_a reservedness_n and_o privacy_n but_o when_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n will_v undeceive_v the_o world_n it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o lock_v it_o up_o and_o to_o give_v out_o such_o thing_n to_o the_o vulgar_a which_o may_v advance_v themselves_o and_o please_v they_o which_o artifices_fw-la of_o they_o give_v no_o small_a ground_n to_o question_v the_o credibility_n of_o their_o history_n especial_o if_o we_o add_v what_o we_o promise_v in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o show_v the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o report_n of_o ancient_a time_n 9_o among_o they_o which_o be_v not_o only_a defectiveness_n and_o uncertainty_n but_o apparent_a partiality_n to_o themselves_o and_o inconsistency_n with_o each_o other_o how_o evident_a be_v it_o in_o all_o these_o nation_n we_o have_v speak_v to_o how_o much_o they_o strive_v to_o enhance_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n and_o to_o that_o end_n blend_v the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n with_o their_o own_o to_o make_v they_o seem_v the_o great_a how_o much_o do_v the_o egyptian_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o ancient_a law_n and_o government_n and_o yet_o how_o evident_a be_v it_o from_o their_o own_o history_n that_o no_o such_o law_n be_v observe_v by_o their_o king_n as_o they_o speak_v of_o can_v we_o think_v that_o such_o king_n as_o chemmis_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o they_o who_o build_v those_o vast_a structure_n of_o the_o pyramid_n and_o employ_v miriads_o of_o man_n for_o so_o many_o year_n for_o the_o do_v of_o they_o will_v be_v content_a to_o be_v so_o diet_v by_o their_o law_n as_o hercataeus_fw-la and_o diodorus_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v to_o be_v nay_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o suspicious_a that_o the_o great_a enterprise_n of_o their_o famous_a sesoosis_n be_v mere_o fabulous_a and_o some_o think_v a_o attribute_v to_o themselves_o what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o assyrian_a emperor_n in_o his_o time_n by_o which_o we_o may_v guess_v what_o to_o think_v of_o the_o great_a conquest_n of_o osiris_n and_o isis_n and_o their_o subdue_a almost_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o they_o and_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a how_o partial_a the_o egyptian_n be_v in_o dissemble_v their_o great_a loss_n as_o be_v clear_a in_o the_o story_n of_o the_o conquest_n of_o pharaoh_n neco_n by_o nâ—buchadnezzar_n jer._n 46._o 12._o of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n in_o herodotus_n or_o diodorus_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a herodotus_n tell_v we_o this_o necos_n as_o he_o 2._o call_v he_o conquer_v the_o syrian_n at_o magdalos_n and_o the_o story_n of_o vaphres_n and_o amasis_n in_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v only_o a_o disguise_n of_o nebuchadnezar_n conquest_n only_o lest_o man_n shall_v think_v they_o conquer_v by_o a_o foreigner_n they_o make_v amasis_n to_o be_v a_o egyptian_a plebeian_n again_o what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o city_n do_v diodorus_n tell_v we_o of_o that_o be_v in_o egypt_n in_o 1_o their_o elder_a time_n no_o less_o than_o 18000._o when_o yet_o himself_o confess_v in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n lagi_n there_o be_v reckon_v but_o somewhat_o above_o 3000_o city_n and_o then_o egypt_n be_v the_o most_o populous_a that_o ever_o it_o have_v be_v how_o probable_a do_v this_o sound_n that_o in_o those_o elder_a time_n such_o vast_a multitude_n of_o city_n shall_v be_v erect_v but_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v not_o unsuitable_a to_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o production_n of_o the_o first_o man_n which_o be_v cause_v say_v they_o by_o the_o heat_n of_o sun_n and_o the_o mud_n of_o nilus_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a than_o they_o may_v be_v the_o most_o populous_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o defect_n as_o to_o either_o efficient_a or_o material_a cause_n there_o be_v mud_n enough_o to_o produce_v myriad_o and_o the_o sun_n hot_a enough_o to_o impregnate_n it_o the_o partiality_n of_o other_o nation_n have_v be_v already_o discourse_v of_o in_o our_o passage_n and_o so_o likewise_o have_v their_o mutual_a repugnancy_n to_o and_o inconsistency_n with_o each_o other_o which_o yet_o may_v be_v more_o full_o manifest_v from_o the_o contradiction_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o egyptian_a history_n between_o manetho_n herodotus_n diodorus_n dicaearchus_n eratosthenes_n and_o all_o who_o have_v speak_v of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n between_o herodotus_n diodorus_n and_o julius_n africanus_n as_o to_o the_o persian_a empire_n between_o herodotus_n and_o ctesias_n and_o those_o in_o no_o inconsiderable_a thing_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o photius_n his_o excerpta_fw-la out_o of_o he_o among_o the_o grecian_n we_o have_v already_o discover_v it_o as_o to_o their_o history_n and_o geography_n and_o if_o we_o shall_v enter_v into_o their_o theology_n and_o the_o history_n of_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v their_o other_o difference_n inconsiderable_a if_o compare_v with_o these_o of_o which_o we_o may_v partly_o make_v a_o conjecture_n by_o the_o incredible_a spite_n that_o be_v bear_v by_o the_o grave_a greek_a author_n as_o strabo_n plutarch_n and_o other_o towards_o euemerus_n siculus_n for_o offer_v to_o deliver_v the_o history_n of_o jupiter_n which_o he_o say_v he_o transcribe_v from_o the_o golden_a pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o jupiter_n triphyllius_n in_o panchetis_n but_o i_o suppose_v enough_o have_v be_v discover_v already_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o credibility_n in_o any_o of_o those_o heathen_a history_n which_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n there_o be_v in_o all_o of_o they_o so_o much_o defect_n and_o insufficiency_n
so_o great_a uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n so_o much_o partiality_n and_o inconsistency_n with_o each_o other_o it_o remain_v now_o that_o i_o proceed_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o credibility_n of_o that_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n which_o be_v report_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n which_o will_v be_v the_o second_o part_n of_o our_o task_n book_n ii_o chap._n i._n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n in_o order_n to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n several_a hypothesis_n lay_v down_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o preserve_v the_o ancient_a history_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o certain_a record_n from_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o mere_a tradition_n or_o constant_a revelation_n the_o second_o concern_v the_o certainty_n that_o the_o record_n under_o moses_n his_o name_n be_v undoubted_o he_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n inquire_v into_o in_o general_a and_o prove_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a by_o universal_a consent_n and_o settle_v a_o commonwealth_n upon_o his_o law_n the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o imposture_n as_o to_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n demonstrate_v the_o plea_n to_o the_o contrary_a large_o answer_v have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v the_o want_n of_o credibility_n in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a 1_o time_n give_v by_o those_o nation_n who_o have_v make_v the_o great_a pretence_n to_o learning_n and_o antiquity_n in_o the_o world_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o evince_v the_o credibility_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o account_n which_o be_v give_v we_o in_o sacred_a screpture_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v premise_v these_o follow_a hypothesis_n it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o a_o account_n of_o thing_n so_o concern_v and_o remarkable_a shall_v not_o be_v always_o leave_v to_o the_o 1._o uncertainty_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n but_o shall_v be_v timely_o enter_v into_o certain_a record_n to_o be_v preserve_v to_o the_o memory_n of_o posterity_n for_o it_o be_v of_o concernment_n to_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o belief_n as_o to_o future_a thing_n to_o be_v full_o settle_v in_o the_o belief_n that_o all_o thing_n past_a be_v manage_v by_o divine_a providence_n there_o must_v be_v some_o certain_a record_n of_o former_a age_n or_o else_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n will_v be_v perpetual_o hover_v in_o the_o great_a uncertainty_n especial_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o mutual_a dependence_n and_o concatenation_n of_o one_o thing_n with_o another_o as_o there_o be_v in_o all_o the_o scripture-history_n for_o take_v away_o but_o any_o one_o of_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n all_o the_o superstructure_n will_v be_v exceed_o weaken_v if_o it_o do_v not_o fall_v quite_o to_o the_o ground_n for_o man_n obligation_n to_o obedience_n unto_o god_n do_v necessary_o suppose_v his_o original_n to_o be_v from_o he_o his_o harken_v to_o any_o proposal_n of_o favour_n from_o god_n do_v suppose_v his_o apostasy_n and_o fall_n god_n design_v to_o show_v mercy_n and_o favour_n to_o fall_v man_n do_v suppose_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o way_n whereby_o the_o great_a creator_n must_v reveal_v himself_o as_o to_o the_o condition_n on_o which_o fall_v man_n may_v expect_v a_o recovery_n the_o reveal_n of_o these_o condition_n in_o such_o a_o way_n whereon_o a_o suspicious_a because_o guilty_a creature_n may_v firm_o rely_v do_v suppose_v so_o certain_a a_o record_v of_o they_o as_o may_v be_v least_o liable_a to_o any_o suspicion_n of_o imposture_n or_o deceit_n for_o although_o nothing_o else_o be_v in_o its_o self_n necessary_a from_o god_n to_o man_n in_o order_n to_o his_o salvation_n but_o the_o bare_a reveal_n in_o a_o certain_a way_n the_o term_n on_o which_o he_o must_v expect_v it_o yet_o consider_v the_o unbounded_a nature_n of_o divine_a goodness_n respect_v not_o only_o the_o good_a of_o some_o particular_a person_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a society_n of_o mankind_n it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o such_o a_o revelation_n shall_v be_v so_o propound_v as_o may_v be_v with_o equal_a certainty_n convey_v to_o the_o community_n of_o mankind_n which_o can_v not_o with_o any_o such_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n be_v do_v by_o private_a and_o particular_a revelation_n which_o give_v satisfaction_n only_o to_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o partaker_n of_o they_o as_o by_o a_o public_a record_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n by_o such_o a_o person_n who_o be_v enable_v to_o give_v the_o world_n all_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n that_o what_o he_o do_v be_v not_o of_o any_o private_a design_n of_o his_o own_o head_n but_o that_o he_o be_v depute_v to_o it_o by_o no_o less_o than_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o it_o stand_v to_o the_o high_a reason_n that_o where_o divine_a revelation_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o certain_a require_v of_o assent_n the_o matter_n to_o be_v believe_v shall_v have_v a_o certain_a uniform_a conveyance_n to_o man_n mind_n rather_o than_o that_o perpetual_o new_a revelation_n shall_v be_v require_v for_o the_o make_v know_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v once_o record_v be_v not_o liable_a to_o so_o many_o imposture_n as_o the_o other_o way_n may_v have_v be_v under_o pretend_a revelation_n for_o than_o man_n be_v not_o put_v to_o a_o continual_a trial_n of_o every_o person_n pretend_v divine_a revelation_n as_o to_o the_o evidence_n which_o he_o bring_v of_o divine_a authority_n but_o the_o great_a matter_n of_o concernment_n be_v already_o record_v and_o attest_v by_o all_o rational_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n their_o mind_n therein_o rest_v satisfy_v without_o be_v under_o a_o continual_a hesitancy_n lest_o the_o revelation_n of_o one_o shall_v contradict_v another_o for_o suppose_v that_o god_n have_v leave_v the_o matter_n of_o divine_a 2._o 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all_o we_o desire_v from_o he_o 3._o do_v we_o not_o see_v that_o the_o most_o concern_v and_o weighty_a 3._o action_n of_o man_n life_n be_v build_v on_o no_o other_o foundation_n than_o this_o moral_a certainty_n yet_o man_n do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o rely_v upon_o as_o be_v most_o evident_a in_o all_o title_n to_o estate_n derive_v from_o ancestor_n either_o by_o donation_n or_o purchase_n in_o all_o trade_n which_o go_v upon_o the_o moral_a certainty_n that_o there_o be_v such_o place_n as_o the_o indies_n or_o france_n or_o spain_n etc._n etc._n in_o all_o journeying_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o that_o i_o be_o go_v to_o and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n thither_o for_o these_o we_o have_v but_o this_o moral_a certainty_n for_o the_o contrary_a to_o both_o these_o be_v possible_a and_o the_o affirmative_n be_v indemonstrable_a in_o eat_v and_o drink_v there_o be_v a_o possibility_n of_o be_v poison_v by_o every_o bit_n of_o meat_n or_o drop_n of_o drink_n do_v we_o therefore_o continual_o doubt_v whether_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o or_o no_o chief_o this_o be_v see_v in_o all_o natural_a affection_n and_o piety_n in_o child_n towards_o parent_n which_o undoubted_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o can_v be_v witness_n of_o themselves_o viz._n their_o come_n out_o of_o their_o mother_n womb_n and_o do_v any_o one_o think_v this_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o question_v his_o mother_n because_o the_o contrary_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v to_o he_o in_o short_a then_o either_o we_o must_v destroy_v all_o historical_a faith_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o believe_v nothing_o though_o never_o so_o much_o attest_v but_o what_o we_o see_v ourselves_o or_o else_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o a_o moral_a certainty_n be_v a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o undoubted_a assent_n not_o such_o a_o one_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la subesse_fw-la falsum_fw-la but_o such_o a_o one_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la subest_fw-la dubium_fw-la i._n e._n a_o assent_n undoubted_a though_o not_o infallible_a by_o which_o we_o see_v what_o little_a reason_n the_o atheist_n on_o one_o side_n can_v have_v to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o history_n of_o it_o and_o what_o little_a ground_n the_o papist_n on_o the_o other_o side_n have_v to_o make_v a_o pretence_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o infallibility_n as_o to_o the_o proposal_n of_o such_o thing_n where_o moral_a certainty_n be_v sufficient_a that_o be_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o fâ—ct_n which_o i_o now_o come_v to_o prove_v as_o to_o the_o subject_n in_o hand_n 4._o viz._n that_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n be_v undoubted_o he_o which_o i_o prove_v by_o a_o twofold_a argument_n 1._o a_o universal_a consent_n of_o person_n who_o be_v best_a able_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n 2._o the_o settle_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n upon_o the_o law_n deliver_v by_o moses_n 1._o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o person_n most_o capable_a of_o judge_v in_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n i_o know_v nothing_o the_o most_o scrupulous_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n can_v possible_o desire_v in_o order_n to_o satisfaction_n concern_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n beyond_o a_o universal_a consent_n of_o such_o person_n who_o have_v a_o great_a capacity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o then_o we_o can_v have_v and_o those_o be_v all_o such_o person_n who_o have_v live_v near_a those_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n be_v do_v and_o have_v best_a understand_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o time_n when_o the_o thing_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v do_v can_v we_o possible_o conceive_v that_o among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o exceed_o prone_a to_o transgress_v the_o law_n
undertake_v to_o write_v of_o and_o so_o be_v deceive_v himself_o second_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a he_o shall_v have_v any_o design_n in_o deceive_v other_o in_o report_v it_o three_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o all_o rational_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v not_o deceive_v the_o world_n but_o that_o his_o history_n be_v undoubted_o true_a first_o that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a moses_n shall_v be_v deceive_v himself_o or_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o write_v of_o two_o thing_n be_v requisite_a to_o prevent_v a_o man_n be_v deceive_v himself_o first_o that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a judgement_n wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n second_o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a information_n concern_v the_o thing_n he_o undertake_v to_o write_v of_o if_o either_o of_o these_o two_o be_v want_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n of_o integrity_n to_o be_v deceive_v for_o a_o honest_a heart_n have_v not_o always_o a_o urim_fw-la and_o thummim_n upon_o it_o nor_o be_v fidelity_n always_o furnish_v with_o the_o acute_a intellectual_n the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o dove_n be_v as_o liable_a to_o be_v deceive_v its_o self_n as_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o serpent_n be_v to_o deceive_v other_o but_o where_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o serpent_n be_v to_o prevent_v be_v deceive_v and_o the_o dove_n innocency_n in_o not_o deceive_a other_o there_o be_v all_o the_o qualification_n can_v be_v desire_v in_o any_o one_o who_o undertake_v only_o to_o tell_v the_o truth_n first_o then_o that_o moses_n be_v a_o person_n of_o a_o great_a understanding_n and_o sufficient_o qualify_v to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n will_v appear_v first_o from_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o his_o education_n second_o from_o the_o ripeness_n of_o his_o judgement_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o experience_n when_o he_o pen_v these_o thing_n first_o we_o begin_v with_o his_o education_n and_o here_o we_o require_v at_o present_a no_o further_o assent_v to_o be_v give_v to_o what_o be_v report_v concern_v moses_n in_o scripture_n than_o what_o we_o give_v to_o plutarch_n life_n or_o any_o other_o relation_n concern_v the_o action_n of_o person_n who_o live_v in_o former_a age_n two_o thing_n then_o we_o find_v record_v in_o scripture_n concern_v moses_n his_o education_n 22._o that_o he_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o court_n of_o egypt_n and_o that_o he_o be_v skill_v in_o all_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o these_o two_o will_v abundant_o prove_v the_o ingenuity_n of_o hiâ—_n education_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n both_o conversant_a in_o civil_a affair_n and_o acquaint_v with_o the_o abstruser_n part_n of_o all_o the_o egyptian_a wisdom_n and_o i_o confess_v there_o be_v nothing_o to_o i_o which_o do_v advance_v 2._o so_o much_o the_o repute_n of_o the_o ancient_a egyptian_a learning_n as_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n shall_v take_v so_o much_o notice_n of_o it_o as_o to_o set_v forth_o a_o person_n otherwise_o renown_v for_o great_a accomplishment_n by_o his_o skill_n in_o this_o for_o if_o it_o be_v below_o the_o wisdom_n of_o any_o ordinary_a person_n to_o set_v forth_o a_o person_n by_o that_o which_o in_o its_o self_n be_v no_o matter_n of_o commendation_n how_o much_o less_o can_v we_o imagine_v it_o of_o that_o infinite_a wisdom_n which_o inspire_v stephen_n in_o that_o apology_n which_o he_o make_v for_o himself_o against_o the_o libertine_n who_o charge_v he_o with_o contempt_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o certain_o this_o be_v some_o very_a observable_a thing_n which_o be_v bring_v in_o as_o a_o singular_a commendation_n of_o moses_n by_o that_o person_n who_o design_n be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v how_o high_a a_o esteem_n he_o have_v of_o he_o and_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o learning_n be_v not_o only_o in_o its_o self_n a_o great_a accomplishment_n of_o humane_a nature_n but_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o with_o veneration_n even_o in_o those_o who_o have_v excellency_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n to_o commend_v they_o if_o a_o pearl_n retain_v its_o excellency_n when_o it_o lie_v upon_o a_o dunghill_n it_o can_v certain_o lose_v nothing_o of_o its_o lustre_n by_o be_v set_v in_o a_o crown_n of_o gold_n if_o learning_n be_v commendable_a in_o a_o egyptian_a it_o be_v no_o less_o in_o moses_n where_o it_o be_v enamel_v with_o more_o noble_a perfection_n then_o of_o itself_o it_o can_v reach_v unto_o all_o the_o question_n be_v whither_o the_o ancient_a learning_n of_o the_o egyptian_n be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o improve_v the_o reason_n and_o understanding_n of_o man_n to_o such_o a_o height_n as_o thereby_o to_o make_v they_o more_o capable_a of_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n whether_o it_o be_v such_o a_o overflow_a nilus_n as_o will_v enrich_v the_o understanding_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o 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borrow_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o that_o learning_n chief_o flourish_v there_o when_o there_o be_v i_o have_v almost_o say_v a_o egyptian_a darkness_n of_o ignorance_n overspread_v the_o face_n of_o greece_n as_o well_o as_o other_o nation_n which_o will_v appear_v by_o these_o consideration_n the_o great_a antiquity_n 3_o of_o their_o repute_n for_o learning_n the_o great_a advantage_n they_o have_v for_o promote_a it_o and_o the_o part_n of_o learning_n most_o in_o use_n among_o they_o this_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v a_o digression_n here_o will_v yet_o tend_v to_o promote_v our_o design_n by_o show_v thereby_o how_o qualify_v and_o accomplish_a moses_n be_v to_o deliver_v to_o the_o world_n a_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n if_o we_o believe_v macrobius_n there_o be_v no_o people_n in_o the_o world_n can_v â—ye_z for_o learn_v with_o the_o egyptian_n who_o make_v egypt_n in_o one_o place_n the_o mother_n 19_o of_o all_o art_n and_o in_o another_o the_o egyptian_n omnium_fw-la philosophiae_fw-la disciplinarum_fw-la parent_n the_o father_n of_o the_o philosophic_a science_n he_o derive_v elsewhere_o the_o original_n of_o all_o astronomy_n from_o they_o quos_fw-la constat_fw-la primos_fw-la omnium_fw-la coelum_fw-la metiri_fw-la &_o scrutari_fw-la ausos_fw-la though_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o the_o nativity_n even_o of_o astronomy_n itself_o be_v first_o calculate_v by_o the_o chaldeans_n from_o who_o it_o be_v convey_v to_o the_o egyptian_n he_o 21._o likewise_o appropriate_v all_o divine_a knowledge_n to_o they_o where_o he_o say_v they_o be_v soli_fw-la rerum_fw-la divinarum_fw-la conscii_fw-la and_o after_o call_v egypt_n divinarum_fw-la omnium_fw-la disciplinarum_fw-la compotem_fw-la it_o be_v 13._o sufficient_o notorious_a what_o great_a repute_n the_o egyptian_a learning_n have_v be_v in_o with_o some_o in_o our_o latter_a time_n in_o that_o our_o chemist_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o great_a honour_n to_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o think_v they_o can_v claim_v kindred_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n and_o derive_v the_o pedigree_n of_o their_o chemistry_n from_o the_o old_a egyptian_a hermes_n but_o that_o vain_a pretence_n be_v sufficient_o refute_v by_o the_o forementioned_a learned_a man_n conringius_n in_o his_o tract_n on_o this_o subject_n de_fw-fr hermeticâ_fw-la medicinâ_fw-la franciscus_n patricius_n profess_v himself_o so_o great_a a_o admirer_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a learning_n that_o he_o think_v it_o will_v be_v no_o bad_a exchange_n if_o the_o peripatetic_a philosophy_n be_v extrude_v and_o the_o old_a egyptian_a receive_v instead_o of_o it_o but_o the_o world_n be_v now_o grow_v wise_a then_o to_o receive_v his_o hermes_n trismegistus_n for_o the_o author_n of_o the_o old_a egyptian_a philosophy_n the_o credit_n of_o his_o author_n be_v for_o ever_o blast_v and_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n under_o his_o name_n manifest_v to_o be_v a_o
a_o crocodile_n for_o impudence_n and_o all_o to_o express_v this_o venerable_a apothegm_n o_o you_o that_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o go_v out_o of_o it_o god_n hate_v impudence_n and_o therefore_o certain_o this_o kind_n of_o learning_n deserve_v the_o high_a form_n among_o the_o difficiles_fw-la nugae_fw-la and_o all_o these_o hieroglyphic_n put_v together_o will_v make_v but_o one_o good_a one_o and_o that_o shall_v be_v for_o labour_v lose_v there_o be_v yet_o one_o part_n of_o learning_n more_o among_o they_o 7._o which_o the_o egyptian_n be_v esteem_v for_o which_o be_v the_o political_a and_o civil_a part_n of_o it_o which_o may_v better_a be_v call_v wisdom_n then_o most_o of_o the_o foregoing_a two_o thing_n speak_v much_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o nation_n good_a law_n and_o a_o prudent_a management_n of_o they_o their_o law_n be_v high_o commend_v by_o strabo_n and_o diodorus_n and_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o commendation_n of_o they_o that_o solon_n and_o lycurgus_n borrow_v so_o many_o of_o their_o constitution_n from_o they_o and_o for_o the_o prudent_a management_n of_o their_o government_n as_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o state_n so_o long_o in_o peace_n and_o quietness_n be_v a_o invincible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o so_o the_o report_n give_v of_o they_o in_o scripture_n add_v a_o further_a testimony_n to_o it_o for_o therein_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a as_o well_o as_o the_o son_n of_o ancient_a king_n and_o his_o counsellor_n be_v call_v wise_a counsellor_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o 12._o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a prudence_n and_o policy_n must_v be_v understand_v can_v we_o now_o imagine_v such_o a_o person_n as_o moses_n be_v breed_v up_o in_o all_o the_o ingenucus_fw-la literature_n of_o egypt_n conversant_a among_o their_o wise_a person_n in_o pharaoh_n court_n have_v thereby_o all_o advantage_n to_o improve_v himself_o and_o to_o understand_v the_o utmost_a of_o all_o that_o they_o know_v shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n between_o a_o mere_a pretence_n and_o imposture_n and_o real_a and_o important_a â—_z can_v we_o think_v that_o one_o who_o have_v interest_n in_o so_o great_a a_o court_n all_o advantage_n of_o raise_v himself_o therein_o shall_v willing_o forsake_v all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n at_o present_a all_o his_o hope_n and_o advantage_n for_o the_o future_a be_v he_o not_o full_o persuade_v of_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v record_v in_o his_o book_n be_v it_o possible_a a_o man_n of_o ordinary_a wisdom_n shall_v venture_v himself_o upon_o so_o hazardous_a unlikely_a and_o dangerous_a employment_n â—s_n that_o be_v moses_n undertake_v which_o can_v have_v no_o probability_n of_o success_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o belief_n that_o that_o god_n who_o appear_v unto_o he_o be_v great_a than_o all_o the_o god_n of_o egypt_n and_o can_v carry_v on_o his_o own_o design_n by_o his_o own_o power_n maugre_o all_o the_o opposition_n which_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o what_o possible_a ground_n can_v we_o have_v to_o think_v that_o such_o a_o person_n who_o do_v very_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o god_n reveal_v unto_o he_o shall_v dare_v to_o write_v any_o otherwise_o then_o as_o it_o be_v reveal_v unto_o he_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o common_a reason_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n the_o fall_n of_o man_n the_o universal_a deluge_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n the_o history_n of_o the_o patriarch_n have_v not_o moses_n rational_a faculty_n as_o well_o as_o we_o nay_o have_v he_o they_o not_o far_o better_o improve_v then_o any_o of_o we_o be_v and_o be_v not_o he_o then_o able_a to_o judge_v what_o be_v suitable_a to_o reason_n and_o what_o not_o and_o can_v we_o think_v he_o will_v then_o deliver_v any_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o reason_n or_o undoubted_a tradition_n then_o when_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n may_v so_o ready_o and_o plain_o have_v triumph_v over_o he_o by_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o what_o he_o write_v thus_o we_o see_v that_o moses_n be_v as_o high_o qualify_v as_o any_o of_o the_o acute_a heathen_a philosopher_n can_v be_v for_o discern_a truth_n from_o falsehood_n nay_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o far_o excel_v the_o most_o renown_a of_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n in_o that_o very_a kind_n of_o learning_n wherewith_o they_o make_v so_o great_a noise_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v original_o egyptian_a as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o the_o grecian_a philospher_n who_o go_v age_n after_o age_n to_o egypt_n to_o get_v some_o scrap_n of_o that_o learning_n there_o which_o moses_n can_v not_o have_v but_o full_a meal_n of_o because_o of_o his_o high_a place_n great_a interest_n and_o power_n in_o egypt_n and_o must_v those_o hungry_a philosopher_n than_o become_v the_o only_a master_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o their_o dictate_v be_v receive_v as_o the_o sâ—nse_n and_o voice_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o either_o receive_v from_o uncertain_a tradition_n or_o else_o deliver_v in_o opposition_n to_o it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n must_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v confront_v with_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o a_o few_o pitiful_a symbol_n vie_v authority_n with_o divine_a command_n and_o exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a be_v soon_o believe_v then_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n what_o irrefragable_a evidence_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o so_o confident_a a_o presumption_n build_v upon_o when_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o without_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n and_o let_v this_o first_o be_v prove_v and_o we_o will_v never_o stick_v to_o grant_v the_o other_o i_o may_v confident_o say_v the_o great_a gullery_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v take_v philosophical_a dictate_v for_o the_o standard_n of_o reason_n and_o unproved_a hypothesis_n for_o certain_a foundation_n for_o our_o discourse_n to_o rely_v upon_o and_o the_o seek_v to_o reconcile_v the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o these_o have_v be_v that_o which_o have_v almost_o destroy_v it_o and_o turn_v our_o religion_n into_o a_o mere_a philosophical_a speculation_n but_o of_o this_o elsewhere_o we_o see_v then_o that_o insist_v mere_o on_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o rational_a perfection_n of_o the_o person_n who_o speak_v we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o yield_v credit_n to_o moses_n in_o his_o history_n then_o to_o any_o philosopher_n in_o their_o speculation_n and_o that_o which_o in_o the_o next_o place_n speak_v moses_n to_o be_v a_o person_n of_o wisdom_n and_o judgement_n and_o ability_n to_o find_v out_o 8._o truth_n be_v his_o age_n and_o experience_n when_o he_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n he_o vent_v no_o crude_a and_o indigested_a conception_n no_o sudden_a and_o temerarious_a fancy_n the_o usual_a issue_n of_o teem_a and_o juvenile_a wit_n he_o live_v long_o enough_o to_o have_v experience_n to_o try_v and_o judgement_n to_o distinguish_v a_o mere_a outside_n and_o varnish_n from_o what_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a we_o can_v then_o have_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n that_o moses_n be_v any_o way_n unfit_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o therefore_o be_v capable_a of_o judge_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o though_o person_n be_v never_o so_o high_o accomplish_v for_o part_n learning_n and_o experience_n yet_o if_o they_o want_v due_a information_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o deliver_v they_o may_v be_v still_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o if_o they_o preserve_v it_o for_o posterity_n be_v guilty_a of_o deceive_v other_o let_v we_o now_o therefore_o see_v whether_o moses_n have_v not_o as_o great_a advantage_n for_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o history_n as_o he_o have_v judgement_n to_o discern_v it_o and_o concern_v all_o those_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o four_o last_o book_n of_o he_o to_o his_o own_o death_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o shall_v have_v great_a than_o himself_o write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o be_v pars_fw-la magna_fw-la himself_n of_o what_o he_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o do_v and_o can_v any_o testimony_n be_v desire_v great_a than_o his_o who_o action_n they_o be_v or_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o do_v of_o they_o and_o that_o not_o in_o any_o private_a way_n but_o in_o the_o most_o public_a capacity_n for_o although_o private_a person_n may_v be_v present_a at_o great_a action_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v guilty_a of_o misrepresent_v they_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v all_o circumstance_n precedent_n and_o
now_o if_o we_o prove_v that_o moses_n have_v no_o interest_n to_o deceive_v in_o his_o history_n and_o have_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o his_o law_n we_o shall_v abundant_o evince_v the_o undoubted_a fidelity_n of_o moses_n in_o every_o thing_n record_v by_o he_o we_o begin_v then_o with_o his_o fidelity_n as_o a_o historian_n and_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n to_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o any_o person_n where_o we_o can_v discern_v some_o peculiar_a interest_n that_o may_v have_v a_o strong_a bias_n upon_o he_o then_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o moral_n then_o in_o natural_n for_o in_o natural_n we_o see_v that_o every_o thing_n will_v leave_v its_o proper_a interest_n to_o preserve_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o nature_n but_o in_o moral_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o common_a than_o desert_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n to_o set_v up_o a_o peculiar_a interest_n against_o it_o it_o be_v the_o true_a description_n of_o a_o politician_n that_o he_o be_v one_o who_o make_v himself_o the_o centre_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n his_o circumference_n that_o he_o regard_v not_o how_o much_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v abuse_v if_o any_o advantage_n do_v accrue_v to_o himself_o by_o it_o where_o we_o see_v it_o then_o the_o design_n of_o any_o person_n to_o advance_v himself_o or_o his_o posterity_n or_o to_o set_v up_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o history_n he_o write_v we_o may_v have_v just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v his_o partiality_n because_o we_o then_o find_v a_o sufficient_a inducement_n for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o leave_v the_o common_a road_n of_o truth_n and_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o path_n of_o deceit_n but_o we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o suspect_v any_o such_o partiality_n in_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o he_o be_v free_a from_o the_o ambitious_a design_n of_o advance_v himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n who_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a honour_n he_o enjoy_v himself_o be_v content_a to_o leave_v his_o posterity_n in_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o attendance_n upon_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o as_o little_o have_v we_o ground_n to_o think_v he_o intend_v to_o flatter_v that_o nation_n which_o he_o so_o lively_a describe_v that_o one_o will_v think_v he_o have_v rather_o a_o interest_n to_o set_v forth_o the_o frowardness_n unbelief_n unthankfulness_n and_o disobedience_n of_o a_o nation_n towards_o a_o gracious_a god_n than_o any_o way_n to_o enhance_v their_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n or_o to_o ingratiate_v himself_o with_o they_o by_o write_v this_o history_n of_o they_o nay_o and_o he_o set_v forth_o so_o exact_o the_o lesser_a fail_n and_o grosser_n enormity_n of_o all_o the_o ancestor_n of_o this_o nation_n who_o act_n he_o record_v that_o any_o impartial_a reader_n will_v soon_o acquit_v he_o of_o a_o design_n of_o flattery_n when_o after_o he_o have_v record_v those_o fault_n he_o seek_v not_o to_o extenuate_v they_o or_o bring_v any_o excuse_n or_o pretence_n to_o palliate_v they_o so_o that_o any_o observe_a reader_n may_v easy_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o be_v carry_v on_o by_o a_o high_a design_n than_o the_o common_a people_n of_o historian_n be_v and_o that_o his_o drift_n and_o scope_n be_v to_o exalt_v the_o goodness_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n towards_o a_o rebellious_a and_o obstinate_a people_n of_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a nor_o more_o lively_a demonstration_n than_o the_o history_n of_o all_o the_o transaction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n from_o their_o come_n forth_o of_o egypt_n to_o their_o utter_a ruin_n and_o desolation_n and_o moses_n tell_v they_o as_o from_o god_n himself_o it_o be_v neither_o for_o their_o number_n nor_o their_o goodness_n that_o god_n set_v his_o love_n upon_o they_o but_o he_o love_v they_o because_o he_o love_v they_o i._n e._n no_o other_o account_n be_v to_o be_v give_v 8._o of_o his_o gracious_a deal_n with_o they_o but_o the_o freeness_n of_o his_o own_o bonnty_n and_o the_o exuberancy_n of_o his_o goodness_n towards_o they_o nay_o have_v we_o not_o cause_n to_o admire_v the_o ingenuity_n as_o well_o as_o veracity_n of_o this_o excellent_a personage_n who_o not_o only_o lay_v so_o notorious_a a_o blot_n upon_o the_o stock_n of_o his_o own_o family_n levi_n record_v so_o punctual_o the_o inhumanity_n and_o cruelty_n of_o he_o and_o simeon_n in_o their_o deal_n with_o the_o shechemite_n 7._o but_o likewise_o insert_v that_o curse_n which_o be_v leave_v upon_o their_o memory_n for_o it_o by_o their_o own_o father_n at_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o he_o may_v not_o leave_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o partiality_n behind_o he_o he_o have_v not_o do_v as_o the_o statuary_n do_v who_o engrave_v his_o own_o name_n so_o artificial_o in_o the_o statue_n of_o jupiter_n that_o one_o shall_v continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o other_o but_o what_o the_o other_o intend_v for_o the_o praise_n of_o his_o skill_n moses_n have_v do_v for_o his_o ingenuity_n that_o he_o have_v so_o interweave_v the_o history_n of_o his_o own_o fail_n and_o disobedience_n with_o those_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o his_o spot_n be_v like_a to_o continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o whole_a web_n of_o his_o history_n be_v like_a to_o do_v have_v it_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o his_o design_n to_o have_v his_o memory_n preserve_v with_o a_o superstitious_a veneration_n among_o the_o jew_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v in_o the_o least_o entrench_v upon_o his_o reputation_n but_o we_o find_v he_o very_o secure_a and_o careless_a in_o that_o particular_a nay_o on_o the_o other_o side_n very_o studious_a and_o industrious_a in_o depress_v the_o honour_n and_o desert_n of_o man_n and_o advance_v the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o all_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o a_o affect_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n who_o proper_a work_n be_v impetrare_fw-la fidem_fw-la mendacio_fw-la and_o as_o tully_n somewhere_o confess_v to_o make_v thing_n seem_v otherwise_o then_o they_o be_v but_o with_o that_o innate_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n and_o yet_o withal_o with_o that_o imperatoria_fw-la brevit_fw-la as_o that_o majesty_n and_o authority_n that_o it_o be_v thereby_o evident_a he_o seek_v not_o to_o court_v acceptance_n but_o to_o demand_v belief_n nor_o have_v any_o such_o pitiful_a design_n of_o please_v his_o reader_n with_o some_o affect_a phrase_n but_o think_v that_o truth_n itself_o have_v presence_n enough_o with_o it_o to_o command_v the_o submission_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o it_o especial_o when_o all_o these_o be_v deliver_v by_o such_o a_o one_o 2._o who_o come_v sufficient_o arm_v with_o all_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o inducement_n to_o assent_v by_o that_o evidence_n which_o he_o give_v that_o he_o be_v no_o pretender_n to_o divine_a revelation_n but_o be_v real_o employ_v as_o a_o peculiar_a instrument_n of_o state_n under_o the_o god_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o if_o it_o be_v make_v clear_a than_o all_o our_o further_a doubt_n must_v present_o cease_v and_o all_o impertinent_a dispute_n be_v silence_v when_o the_o supreme_a majesty_n appear_v impowr_v any_o person_n to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n the_o law_n they_o must_v be_v govern_v by_o for_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v repugnant_a to_o our_o rational_a faculty_n that_o be_v that_o god_n shall_v dictate_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a or_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v prescribe_v any_o law_n but_o such_o as_o be_v most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a if_o we_o suppose_v a_o god_n we_o can_v question_v veracity_n to_o be_v one_o of_o his_o chief_a attribute_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o god_n of_o truth_n shall_v employ_v any_o to_o reveal_v any_o thing_n as_o from_o he_o but_o what_o be_v undoubted_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o unreasonable_a incredulity_n to_o distrust_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o come_v to_o we_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n because_o thereby_o we_o show_v our_o distrust_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n himself_o all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v then_o be_v only_o reasonable_a satisfactisn_a concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o person_n who_o word_n we_o be_v to_o credit_v and_o this_o our_o gracious_a god_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v man_n that_o he_o have_v give_v all_o rational_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o it_o imply_v no_o incongruity_n at_o all_o to_o any_o notion_n of_o
be_v in_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n there_o must_v be_v immediate_a inspiration_n as_o to_o that_o act_n of_o faith_n whereby_o we_o believe_v any_o one_o to_o have_v be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o consequent_o to_o that_o whereby_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n second_o do_v 2._o not_o this_o make_v the_o fair_a plea_n for_o man_n unbelief_n for_o i_o demand_v be_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o those_o who_o want_v that_o immediate_a illumination_n to_o believe_v or_o no_o if_o it_o be_v not_o their_o duty_n unbelief_n can_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o they_o if_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n it_o must_v be_v make_v know_v to_o be_v a_o duty_n and_o how_o can_v that_o be_v make_v know_v to_o they_o to_o be_v a_o duty_n when_o they_o want_v the_o only_a and_o necessary_a mean_n of_o instruction_n in_o order_n to_o it_o will_v god_n condemn_v they_o for_o that_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v have_v unless_o god_n give_v it_o they_o and_o how_o can_v they_o be_v leave_v inexcusable_a who_o want_v so_o much_o as_o rational_a inducement_n to_o faith_n for_o of_o these_o i_o now_o speak_v and_o not_o of_o efficacious_a persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n when_o there_o be_v rational_a argument_n for_o faith_n propound_v but_o last_o 3._o i_o suppose_v the_o case_n will_v be_v clear_v when_o we_o take_v notice_n what_o course_n god_n have_v always_o take_v to_o give_v all_o rational_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n concern_v the_o person_n who_o he_o have_v employ_v in_o either_o of_o the_o forementioned_a case_n first_o for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v employ_v upon_o some_o special_a message_n and_o service_n for_o god_n he_o have_v send_v they_o forth_o sufficient_o provide_v with_o manifestation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n whereby_o they_o act_v as_o be_v most_o clear_a and_o evident_a in_o the_o present_a case_n of_o moses_n exodus_fw-la 4._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5._o where_o moses_n put_v the_o case_n to_o god_n which_o we_o be_v now_o debate_v of_o suppose_v say_v he_o that_o i_o shall_v go_v to_o the_o israelite_n and_o tell_v they_o god_n have_v appear_v to_o i_o and_o send_v i_o to_o deliver_v they_o and_o they_o shall_v say_v god_n have_v not_o appear_v unto_o i_o how_o shall_v i_o satisfy_v they_o god_n do_v not_o reject_v this_o objection_n of_o moses_n as_o favour_v of_o unbelief_n but_o present_o show_v he_o how_o he_o shall_v satisfy_v they_o by_o cause_v a_o miracle_n before_o his_o face_n turn_v his_o rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n and_o god_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o vers_n 5._o that_o they_o may_v believe_v that_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n the_o god_n of_o jacob_n have_v appear_v unto_o thou_o it_o seem_v god_n himself_o think_v this_o will_v be_v the_o most_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o if_o he_o wrought_v miracle_n before_o their_o face_n nay_o lest_o they_o shall_v think_v one_o single_a miracle_n be_v not_o sufficient_a god_n in_o the_o immediate_a follow_a verse_n adjoin_v two_o more_o which_o he_o shall_v do_v in_o order_n to_o their_o satisfaction_n and_o further_o verse_n 21._o god_n give_v he_o a_o charge_n to_o do_v all_o those_o wonder_n before_o pharaoh_n which_o he_o have_v put_v into_o his_o hand_n and_o according_o we_o find_v pharaoh_n present_o demand_v a_o miracle_n of_o moses_n exodus_fw-la 7._o 9_o which_o according_o moses_n do_v in_o his_o presence_n though_o he_o may_v suppose_v pharoahs_n demand_n not_o to_o proceed_v from_o desire_n of_o satisfaction_n but_o from_o some_o hope_n that_o for_o want_n of_o it_o he_o may_v have_v render_v his_o credit_n suspect_v among_o the_o israelite_n indeed_o after_o god_n have_v deliver_v his_o people_n and_o have_v settle_v they_o in_o a_o way_n of_o serve_v he_o according_a to_o the_o law_n deliver_v 6._o by_o moses_n which_o he_o have_v confirm_v by_o unquestionable_a miracle_n among_o they_o we_o find_v a_o caution_n lay_v in_o by_o moses_n himself_o against_o those_o which_o shall_v pretend_v sign_n and_o wonder_n to_o draw_v they_o off_o from_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o so_o likewise_o under_o the_o gospel_n after_o 3._o that_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o unparalleled_a miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o find_v frequent_a caution_n against_o be_v deceive_v by_o those_o who_o come_v with_o pretence_n of_o do_v great_a miracle_n but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o infringe_v the_o credibility_n of_o such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n that_o it_o yield_v a_o strong_a confirmation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o now_o assert_v for_o the_o doctrine_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v already_o establish_v by_o miracle_n according_a to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o such_o pretender_n now_o it_o stand_v to_o the_o great_a reason_n that_o when_o a_o religion_n be_v once_o establish_v by_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n we_o shall_v not_o hearken_v to_o every_o whiffle_a conjurer_n that_o will_v pretend_v to_o do_v great_a feat_n to_o draw_v we_o off_o from_o the_o truth_n establish_v in_o which_o case_n the_o sure_a way_n to_o discover_v the_o imposture_n be_v to_o compare_v his_o pretend_a miracle_n with_o those_o true_a and_o real_a one_o which_o be_v do_v by_o moses_n and_o christ_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v because_o every_o person_n be_v no_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o miracle_n for_o the_o devil_n by_o his_o power_n and_o subtlety_n may_v easy_o deceive_v all_o such_o as_o will_v be_v lead_v by_o the_o nose_n by_o he_o in_o expectation_n of_o some_o wonder_n to_o be_v do_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o as_o long_o as_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o question_v the_o oertainty_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o christ_n or_o moses_n i_o be_o bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o the_o doctrine_n establish_v by_o those_o miracle_n and_o to_o make_v they_o my_o rule_n of_o judge_v all_o person_n who_o shall_v pretend_v to_o work_v miracle_n because_o 1._o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o far_o god_n may_v give_v man_n over_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o lie_a wonder_n 1._o who_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o i._n e._n those_o that_o think_v not_o the_o christian_a religion_n sufficient_o confirm_v by_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v at_o the_o first_o promulgation_n of_o it_o god_n in_o justice_n may_v permit_v the_o devil_n to_o go_v further_o than_o otherwise_o he_o can_v and_o leave_v such_o person_n to_o their_o own_o credulity_n to_o believe_v every_o imposture_n and_o illusion_n of_o their_o sense_n for_o true_a miracle_n 2._o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o undoubted_a miracle_n have_v assure_v we_o of_o the_o come_n of_o lie_v 2._o wonder_n whereby_o many_o shall_v be_v deceive_v now_o this_o part_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n for_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o same_o miracle_n that_o the_o other_o be_v and_o beside_o that_o the_o very_a come_n of_o such_o miracle_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o it_o fall_v out_o so_o exact_o according_a to_o what_o be_v foretell_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n since_o now_o if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v true_a then_o be_o i_o certain_a the_o intent_n of_o these_o miracle_n be_v to_o deceive_v and_o that_o those_o be_v deceive_v who_o hearken_v to_o they_o and_o what_o reason_n then_o have_v i_o to_o believe_v they_o 3._o to_o what_o end_n do_v these_o miracle_n serve_v be_v they_o to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n contain_v in_o scripture_n 3._o but_o what_o need_v they_o any_o confirmation_n now_o when_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o the_o doctrine_n by_o they_o preach_v come_v from_o god_n and_o so_o have_v be_v receive_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o those_o miracle_n ever_o since_o be_v these_o truth_n sufficient_o prove_v to_o be_v from_o god_n before_o or_o no_o if_o not_o than_o all_o former_a age_n have_v believe_v without_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o faith_n if_o they_o be_v than_o what_o ground_n can_v there_o be_v to_o confirm_v we_o in_o they_o now_o certain_o god_n who_o never_o do_v anything_o but_o for_o very_o great_a purpose_n will_v never_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n mere_o for_o satisfaction_n of_o man_n vain_a curiosity_n but_o it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v be_v say_v it_o be_v something_o not_o full_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v thus_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n but_o 7._o where_o have_v the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o anything_o not_o full_o reveal_v
convince_v they_o of_o that_o which_o they_o believe_v already_o for_o we_o never_o read_v among_o all_o the_o revolt_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v lapse_v so_o far_o as_o total_o to_o reject_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v to_o alter_v the_o constitution_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n although_o they_o do_v enormous_o offend_v against_o the_o precept_n of_o it_o and_o that_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v main_o concern_v as_o be_v most_o plain_a in_o their_o frequent_a and_o gross_a idolatry_n which_o we_o be_v not_o so_o to_o understand_v as_o though_o they_o whole_o cast_v off_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o they_o superinduce_v as_o the_o samaritan_n do_v the_o worship_n of_o heathen_a idol_n with_o that_o of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n but_o when_o the_o revolt_n grow_v so_o great_a and_o dangerous_a that_o it_o be_v ready_a to_o swallow_v up_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n unless_o some_o apparent_a evidence_n be_v give_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o those_o heathen_a mixture_n and_o further_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o establish_a religion_n it_o please_v god_n sometime_o to_o send_v his_o prophet_n on_o this_o peculiar_a message_n to_o the_o main_a instrument_n of_o this_o revolt_n as_o be_v most_o conspicuous_a in_o that_o dangerous_a design_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la when_o he_o out_o of_o a_o politic_a end_n set_v up_o his_o two_o calf_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o therein_o it_o be_v the_o more_o dangerous_a in_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o design_v not_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o worship_n itself_o but_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o in_o dan_n and_o bethel_n for_o his_o interest_n lie_v not_o in_o draw_v of_o the_o people_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o from_o his_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o 27._o design_n of_o cantonize_a the_o kingdom_n and_o take_v the_o great_a share_n to_o himself_o now_o that_o god_n may_v confirm_v his_o people_n faith_n in_o this_o dangerous_a juncture_n of_o time_n he_o send_v a_o prophet_n to_o bethel_n who_o by_o the_o work_n of_o present_a miracle_n there_o viz._n the_o rent_v the_o altar_n and_o wither_v of_o jeroboam_n hand_n do_v manifest_a to_o they_o that_o these_o altar_n be_v displease_v to_o god_n 2._o and_o that_o the_o true_a place_n of_o worship_n be_v at_o jerusalem_n so_o in_o that_o famous_a fire-ordeal_a for_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n between_o 38._o god_n and_o baal_n upon_o mount_n carmel_n by_o elijah_n god_n be_v please_v in_o a_o miraculous_a way_n to_o give_v the_o most_o pregnant_a testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n by_o cause_v a_o fire_n to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o consume_v the_o sacrifice_n by_o which_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n be_v confound_v and_o the_o people_n confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n for_o present_o upon_o the_o sight_n of_o this_o miracle_n the_o people_n fall_v on_o their_o face_n and_o say_v the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n whereby_o we_o plain_o 39_o see_v what_o clear_a evidence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v attest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n thus_o the_o widow_n of_o sarepta_n which_o be_v in_o the_o country_n of_o zidon_n be_v bring_v to_o believe_v elijah_n to_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n by_o his_o raise_n up_o her_o son_n to_o life_n and_o the_o woman_n say_v to_o elijah_n now_o by_o this_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o 24._o thy_o mouth_n be_v truth_n so_o we_o see_v how_o naaman_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o true_a god_n by_o his_o miraculous_a cure_n in_o jordan_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o elisha_n behold_v now_o i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o 15._o all_o the_o earth_n but_o in_o israel_n by_o which_o instance_n it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o either_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o these_o person_n be_v build_v upon_o weak_a and_o insufficient_a ground_n or_o that_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v a_o evident_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v establish_v by_o they_o for_o this_o we_o see_v be_v the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o god_n do_v improve_v any_o of_o his_o prophet_n to_o work_v miracle_n viz._n to_o be_v as_o a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v reveal_v by_o he_o so_o that_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n be_v not_o mere_o a_o motive_n of_o credibility_n or_o a_o probable_a inducement_n to_o remove_v prejudice_n from_o the_o person_n as_o many_o of_o our_o divine_n speak_v but_o it_o do_v contain_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n to_o common_a sense_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o and_o thus_o we_o assert_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o moses_n the_o truth_n of_o who_o message_n be_v attest_v both_o among_o the_o 16._o egyptian_n and_o the_o israelite_n by_o that_o power_n of_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v but_o herein_o we_o have_v the_o great_a patron_n of_o moses_n our_o great_a enemy_n viz_o the_o present_a jew_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o enmity_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o unparallelled_a miracle_n be_v grow_v very_o shy_a of_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o thence_o in_o so_o much_o that_o their_o great_a dr._n maimonides_n lay_v down_o this_o for_o a_o confident_a maxim_n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o israelite_n do_v not_o believe_v in_o moses_n our_o master_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v do_v they_o not_o the_o more_o shame_n for_o they_o and_o if_o they_o do_v the_o more_o shame_n for_o this_o great_a rabbi_n thus_o to_o bely_v they_o but_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v for_o it_o be_v because_o there_o may_v remain_v some_o suspicion_n in_o one_o mind_n that_o all_o miracle_n may_v be_v wrought_v by_o a_o power_n of_o magic_n or_o incantation_n say_v you_o so_o what_o when_o moses_n confound_v all_o the_o magician_n in_o egypt_n and_o make_v themselves_o who_o be_v the_o most_o cunning_a in_o these_o thing_n confess_v it_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o at_o last_o give_v out_o as_o not_o able_a to_o stand_v before_o moses_n may_v one_o still_o suspect_v all_o this_o to_o be_v do_v by_o a_o magical_a power_n credat_fw-la judaeus_fw-la apella_n non_fw-la ego_fw-la this_o be_v much_o like_o what_o another_o of_o their_o doctor_n say_v who_o they_o call_v the_o divine_a philosopher_n that_o elisha_n his_o raise_v the_o child_n 18._o to_o life_n and_o cure_v naaman_n leprosy_n and_o daniel_n escape_v the_o lion_n and_o jonas_n out_o of_o the_o whale_n belly_n may_v all_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o star_n or_o by_o pythonisme_n very_o probable_a but_o it_o be_v most_o true_a which_o vortius_n there_o observe_v of_o the_o jew_n nibil_n non_fw-la nugacissimi_fw-la mortalium_fw-la fingunt_fw-la ne_fw-la cogantur_fw-la agnoscere_fw-la virtute_fw-la ac_fw-la digito_fw-la quasi_fw-la ipsius_fw-la dei_fw-la jesum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la effecisse_fw-la miracula_fw-la sua_fw-la all_o their_o design_n in_o this_o be_v only_o to_o elevate_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o to_o derogate_v all_o they_o can_v from_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o hence_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o nothing_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o be_v do_v as_o miracle_n the_o mere_a recital_n of_o the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr will_n work_v wonder_n &_o that_o by_o this_o jeremiah_n and_o our_o saviour_n do_v all_o their_o miracle_n it_o be_v well_o yet_o that_o he_o do_v more_o than_o one_o of_o their_o own_o prophet_n have_v do_v before_o he_o but_o where_o i_o wonder_v do_v we_o read_v that_o ever_o the_o pronounce_v of_o four_o letter_n raise_v one_o from_o the_o dead_a who_o have_v lie_v four_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n or_o by_o what_o power_n do_v christ_n raise_v himself_o from_o the_o dead_a which_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o can_v his_o dead_a body_n pronounce_v the_o tetragrammaton_fw-gr to_o awaken_v its_o self_n with_o but_o maimonides_n further_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o miracle_n which_o moses_n wrought_v among_o the_o israelite_n be_v mere_o for_o necessity_n and_o not_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o divine_a commission_n for_o which_o he_o instance_v in_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n the_o rain_v of_o manna_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o corah_n and_o his_o complice_n but_o set_v aside_o that_o these_o two_o latter_a be_v the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o not_o miracle_n do_v by_o moses_n yet_o it_o be_v evidence_n that_o the_o intent_n of_o they_o be_v to_o manifest_v a_o divine_a
by_o reason_n of_o the_o large_a diffusion_n of_o a_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o bell_n of_o horse_n and_o that_o the_o pot_n in_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v 20._o be_v as_o bowl_n before_o the_o altar_n i._n e._n that_o when_o the_o levitical_a service_n shall_v be_v lay_v aside_o and_o that_o holiness_n which_o be_v that_o appropriate_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o instrument_n of_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v discern_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v most_o remote_a from_o it_o that_o a_o priesthood_n after_o another_o order_n than_o that_o of_o aaron_n shall_v be_v establish_v viz._n after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedek_n 6._o and_o that_o he_o that_o be_v the_o priest_n after_o this_o order_n shall_v judge_v among_o the_o heathen_a and_o wound_v the_o head_n over_o many_o country_n that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o power_n the_o people_n shall_v not_o be_v fright_v to_o obedience_n with_o thunderclap_n and_o earthquake_n 3._o as_o at_o mount_n sinai_n but_o shall_v come_v and_o yield_v themselves_o as_o a_o freewill_n offer_v unto_o he_o and_o yet_o their_o number_n be_v as_o great_a as_o the_o drop_n of_o the_o dew_n which_o distil_v in_o the_o morning_n that_o god_n out_o of_o other_o nation_n will_v take_v unto_o himself_o for_o priest_n and_o for_o levite_n that_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n 1._o shall_v speedy_o come_v that_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n shall_v come_v into_o his_o temple_n nay_o that_o seventy_o week_n be_v determine_v upon_o thy_o people_n and_o upon_o thy_o holy_a city_n that_o then_o the_o vision_n and_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v seal_v up_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n 27._o and_o oblation_n shall_v be_v cause_v to_o cease_v that_o the_o city_n and_o the_o sanctuary_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o the_o end_n thereof_o shall_v be_v with_o a_o flood_n and_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o war_n desolation_n be_v determine_v that_o after_o three_o score_n and_o two_o week_n messiah_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o but_o not_o for_o himself_o that_o by_o he_o transgression_n shall_v be_v finish_v and_o reconciliation_n for_o iniquity_n shall_v be_v make_v and_o everlasting_a righteousness_n shall_v be_v bring_v in_o and_o lest_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v only_o a_o high_a advance_n of_o the_o levitical_a worship_n and_o the_o way_n of_o external_a ceremony_n god_n express_o say_v that_o he_o will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o with_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n that_o i_o make_v 32._o with_o their_o father_n in_o the_o day_n i_o take_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n which_o my_o covenant_n they_o break_v although_o i_o be_v a_o husband_n to_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n but_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o covenant_n that_o i_o will_v make_v with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n after_o those_o day_n say_v the_o lord_n i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o inward_a part_n and_o write_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n can_v any_o one_o that_o now_o consider_v serious_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n thus_o describe_v as_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v ever_o imagine_v that_o the_o levitical_a service_n be_v ever_o calculate_v for_o this_o state_n be_v god_n worship_n to_o be_v confine_v to_o his_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n when_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v come_v to_o serve_v he_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n to_o make_v a_o atonement_n there_o when_o a_o order_n of_o priesthood_n different_a from_o the_o aaronical_a shall_v be_v set_v up_o must_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n only_o attend_v at_o the_o temple_n when_o god_n will_v take_v priest_n and_o levite_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n that_o serve_v he_o what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o magnificence_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o temple_n when_o both_o city_n and_o sanctuary_n shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o that_o must_v be_v within_o few_o prophetical_a week_n after_o the_o messiah_n be_v cut_v off_o and_o must_v the_o covenant_n god_n make_v with_o the_o israelite_n continue_v for_o ever_o when_o god_n express_o say_v he_o will_v make_v a_o new_a one_o and_o that_o not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n which_o he_o make_v with_o they_o then_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a then_o as_o nothing_o can_v well_o be_v more_o that_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n such_o a_o state_n of_o religion_n be_v describe_v and_o promise_v with_o which_o the_o levitical_a worship_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a and_o so_o that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v not_o at_o first_o establish_v upon_o a_o immutable_a reason_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v chap._n viii_o general_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n the_o great_a prejudice_n against_o our_o saviour_n among_o jew_n and_o heathen_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o his_o appearance_n the_o difference_n of_o the_o miracle_n at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n some_o general_a hypothesis_n to_o clear_v the_o subserviency_n of_o miracle_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n 1._o that_o where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n but_o authority_n the_o only_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o revealer_n to_o be_v infallible_a thing_n may_v be_v true_a which_o depend_v not_o on_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n what_o that_o be_v and_o on_o what_o it_o depend_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n the_o existence_n of_o god_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o certainty_n the_o certainty_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n prove_v from_o the_o same_o principle_n our_o knowladge_n of_o any_o thing_n suppose_v something_o incomprehensible_a the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n as_o great_a as_o that_o of_o knowledge_n the_o ground_n of_o it_o strong_a the_o consistency_n of_o rational_a evidence_n with_o faith_n yet_o object_n of_o faith_n exceed_v reason_n the_o absurdity_n follow_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v call_v reason_n philosophical_a dictate_v no_o standard_n of_o reason_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o ubiquity_n etc._n etc._n why_o reject_v as_o contrary_a to_o reason_n the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o matter_n above_o reason_n which_o be_v infallible_a testimony_n that_o there_o be_v way_n to_o know_v which_o be_v infallible_a prove_v 2._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n the_o most_o infallible_a the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n into_o god_n veracity_n as_o its_o formal_a object_n 3._o hypoth_o a_o divine_a testimony_n may_v be_v know_v though_o god_n speak_v not_o immediate_o of_o inspiration_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o divination_n among_o the_o heathen_n 4._o hyp._n the_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n must_v be_v clear_a and_o certain_a of_o the_o common_a motive_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o faith_n arise_v from_o they_o the_o original_n of_o infidelity_n have_v now_o clear_v that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o repeal_n i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o 1_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v give_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o repeal_v it_o i_o shall_v not_o to_o prevent_v too_o large_a a_o excursion_n insist_v on_o any_o other_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o promise_a mâ—ssias_n but_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o present_a debate_n concern_v the_o evidence_n which_o arise_v from_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o our_o saviour_n have_v in_o order_n to_o his_o establish_v that_o doctrine_n which_o he_o come_v to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n the_o great_a stumbling-block_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n among_o both_o the_o jew_n and_o learned_a heathen_n be_v the_o meanness_n of_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n not_o come_v attend_v with_o that_o state_n and_o magnificence_n which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v inseparable_a from_o so_o great_a a_o person_n the_o jew_n have_v their_o sense_n so_o possess_v with_o the_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n on_o mount_n sinai_n that_o they_o can_v not_o imagine_v the_o structure_n of_o their_o ceremonial_a worship_n can_v be_v take_v down_o with_o less_o noise_n and_o terror_n than_o it_o be_v erect_v with_o and_o withal_o collect_v all_o those_o passage_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o seem_v to_o foretell_v such_o glorious_a thing_n of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o â—ither_o refer_v to_o his_o second_o come_v or_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n they_o have_v their_o mind_n oppress_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o present_a calamity_n apply_v they_o whole_o to_o a_o external_a greatness_n whereby_o
there_o may_v be_v clear_a perception_n where_o the_o object_n its_o self_n be_v above_o our_o capacity_n now_o whatever_o foundation_n there_o be_v in_o nature_n for_o such_o a_o perception_n without_o comprehension_n that_o and_o much_o more_o be_v there_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n though_o above_o our_o apprehension_n for_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n can_v be_v so_o strong_a a_o evidence_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o be_v above_o our_o apprehension_n as_o the_o revelation_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v believe_v the_o thing_n so_o reveal_v though_o our_o understanding_n lose_v themselves_o in_o strive_v to_o reach_v the_o nature_n of_o they_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o existence_n second_o that_o which_o be_v the_o only_a foundation_n of_o a_o scruple_n in_o this_o case_n be_v a_o principle_n most_o unreasonable_a in_o its_o self_n that_o we_o be_v 2._o to_o embrace_v nothing_o for_o truth_n though_o divine_o reveal_v but_o what_o our_o reason_n be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o existence_n on_o which_o account_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n satisfaction_n and_o consequent_o the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v reject_v as_o incredible_a and_o that_o on_o this_o bare_a pretence_n because_o although_o many_o expression_n in_o scripture_n seem_v to_o import_v all_o these_o thing_n yet_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o interpret_v they_o to_o another_o sense_n because_o this_o be_v incongruous_a to_o our_o reason_n but_o although_o christianity_n be_v a_o religion_n which_o come_v in_o the_o high_a way_n of_o credibility_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n although_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n yet_o that_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v question_v whether_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n mere_o because_o our_o reason_n be_v to_o seek_v as_o to_o the_o full_a and_o adequate_a conception_n of_o it_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a pretence_n and_o the_o assertor_n of_o it_o must_v run_v themselves_o on_o these_o unavoidable_a absurdity_n first_o of_o believe_v nothing_o either_o in_o nature_n or_o religion_n to_o 1._o be_v true_a but_o what_o they_o can_v give_v a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o as_o to_o every_o mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o therefore_o let_v such_o person_n first_o try_v themselves_o in_o all_o the_o appearance_n of_o nature_n and_o then_o we_o may_v suppose_v they_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o sun_n shine_v till_o they_o have_v by_o demonstrative_a argument_n prove_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o the_o ptolomaick_a or_o copernican_n hypothesis_n that_o they_o will_v never_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o flux_n and_o reflux_n of_o the_o sea_n till_o they_o clear_o resolve_v the_o doubt_n which_o attend_v the_o several_a opinion_n of_o it_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n till_o they_o can_v satisfactory_o tell_v we_o how_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v unite_v nor_o that_o there_o be_v any_o material_a being_n till_o they_o have_v resolve_v all_o the_o perplex_v difficulty_n about_o the_o several_a affection_n of_o they_o and_o that_o themselves_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o rational_a soul_n till_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o satisfy_v we_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n together_o and_o if_o they_o can_v expedite_v all_o these_o and_o many_o more_o difficulty_n about_o the_o most_o obvious_a thing_n about_o which_o it_o be_v another_o thing_n to_o frame_v handsome_a and_o consistent_a hypothesis_n then_o to_o give_v a_o certain_a account_n of_o they_o then_o let_v they_o be_v let_v loose_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o to_o which_o yet_o if_o they_o can_v perform_v the_o other_o be_v there_o no_o reason_n for_o such_o a_o undertake_n for_o that_o be_v second_o to_o commensurate_a the_o perfection_n of_o god_n with_o the_o narrow_a capacity_n of_o the_o humane_a intellect_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o 2._o the_o natural_a idea_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o manner_n whereby_o we_o take_v up_o our_o conception_n of_o god_n for_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n do_v suppose_v incomprehensibility_n to_o belong_v to_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o manner_n whereby_o we_o form_n our_o conception_n of_o god_n be_v by_o take_v away_o all_o the_o imperfection_n we_o find_v in_o our_o self_n from_o the_o conception_n we_o form_n of_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o by_o add_v infinity_n to_o all_o the_o perfection_n we_o find_v in_o our_o own_o nature_n now_o this_o method_n of_o proceed_v do_v necessary_o imply_v a_o vast_a distance_n and_o disproportion_n between_o a_o finite_a and_o infinite_a understanding_n and_o if_o the_o understanding_n of_o god_n be_v infinite_a why_o may_v not_o he_o discover_v such_o thing_n to_o we_o which_o our_o shallow_a apprehension_n can_v reach_v unto_o what_o ground_n or_o evidence_n of_o reason_n can_v we_o have_v that_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o understanding_n when_o it_o undertake_v to_o discover_v matter_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n and_o concernment_n to_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o imperfect_a and_o narrow_a intellect_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o matter_n reveal_v do_v none_o of_o they_o contradict_v the_o prime_n result_v or_o common_a notion_n of_o mankind_n which_o none_o of_o they_o do_v but_o that_o every_o particular_a mode_n and_o circumstance_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o existence_n in_o god_n or_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o omnipotent_a power_n must_v pass_v the_o scrutiny_n of_o our_o faculty_n before_o it_o obtain_v a_o placet_fw-la for_o a_o divine_a revelation_n three_o it_o must_v follow_v from_o this_o principle_n that_o the_o pretender_n to_o it_o must_v affirm_v the_o rule_n or_o maxim_n which_o they_o go_v by_o 3._o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o thing_n be_v the_o infallible_a standard_n of_o reason_n else_o they_o be_v as_o far_o to_o seek_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n as_o any_o other_o be_v they_o must_v then_o to_o be_v consistent_a with_o their_o principle_n affirm_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o absolute_a master_n of_o reason_n now_o reason_n consist_v of_o observation_n make_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o being_n for_o so_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v as_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o judge_v viz._n as_o a_o systeme_n of_o infallible_a rule_n collect_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n they_o who_o pretend_v to_o it_o must_v demonstrate_v these_o general_a maxim_n according_a to_o which_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v collect_v from_o a_o universal_a undoubted_a history_n of_o nature_n which_o lie_v yet_o too_o dark_a and_o obscure_a for_o any_o to_o pretend_v to_o the_o full_a knowledge_n of_o and_o will_v be_v only_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o high_a arrogance_n after_o so_o many_o successless_a endeavour_n of_o the_o most_o search_a wit_n in_o any_o society_n of_o person_n to_o usurp_v it_o to_o themselves_o especial_o if_o such_o person_n be_v so_o far_o from_o search_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o very_o fair_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o nose_n by_o the_o most_o dogmatical_a of_o all_o philosopher_n and_o that_o in_o such_o principle_n which_o the_o more_o inquisitive_a world_n have_v now_o find_v to_o be_v very_o short_a uncertain_a and_o fallacious_a and_o upon_o severe_a enquiry_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o grand_a principle_n which_o have_v be_v take_v by_o these_o adorer_n of_o reason_n for_o almost_o the_o standard_n of_o it_o have_v be_v some_o theory_n which_o have_v be_v take_v up_o mere_o from_o observation_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n by_o such_o person_n who_o scarce_o own_v any_o hand_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n now_o it_o can_v otherwise_o be_v conceive_v but_o that_o these_o theory_n or_o principle_n form_v from_o such_o a_o narrow_a inspection_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n must_v make_v strange_a work_n when_o we_o come_v to_o apply_v those_o thing_n to_o they_o which_o be_v never_o look_v at_o in_o the_o form_n of_o they_o whence_o come_v those_o two_o receive_v principle_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o nothing_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possible_a return_n from_o a_o privation_n to_o a_o habit_n but_o from_o those_o philosopher_n who_o believe_v there_o be_v nothing_o but_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n or_o if_o they_o do_v assert_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n yet_o suppose_v he_o unconcerned_a in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n whence_o come_v our_o master_n
people_n in_o a_o condition_n to_o be_v feed_v by_o manna_n as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n god_n gracious_o suit_v the_o discovery_n of_o his_o power_n to_o the_o peculiar_a advantage_n of_o the_o people_n which_o they_o be_v make_v to_o and_o the_o dispensation_n they_o usher_v in_o those_o terrible_a sign_n at_o mount_n sinai_n be_v very_o suitable_a to_o the_o severity_n and_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gracious_a miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o sweetness_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o on_o this_o account_n our_o saviour_n charge_v the_o jew_n with_o hypocrisy_n in_o require_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o something_o above_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o prodigy_n rather_o than_o a_o miracle_n a_o evil_a and_o adulterous_a generation_n seek_v after_o a_o sign_n and_o there_o shall_v no_o sign_n 9_o be_v give_v it_o but_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n jonas_n i._n e._n this_o people_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o the_o faith_n of_o abraham_n and_o therefore_o be_v supposititious_a child_n that_o no_o miracle_n which_o i_o do_v will_v convince_v they_o but_o they_o seek_v only_o to_o have_v their_o humour_n gratify_v more_o than_o their_o faith_n confirm_v by_o some_o prodigy_n from_o heaven_n shall_v not_o by_o i_o be_v thus_o gratify_v but_o have_v do_v enough_o already_o to_o persuade_v they_o if_o they_o have_v any_o heart_n to_o believe_v instead_o of_o a_o sign_n from_o heaven_n they_o shall_v have_v only_o one_o from_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o not_o so_o much_o intend_v for_o the_o conversion_n of_o such_o wilful_a unbeliever_n as_o for_o the_o testify_a my_o innocency_n to_o the_o world_n viz._n his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o so_o elsewhere_o when_o the_o jew_n demand_v a_o sign_n it_o be_v upon_o the_o do_n of_o that_o which_o if_o they_o have_v attend_v to_o have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a sign_n to_o they_o viz._n his_o drive_v the_o buyer_n and_o seller_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n permit_v 18._o by_o the_o sanbedrim_n and_o the_o priest_n how_o can_v they_o think_v so_o mean_a a_o person_n in_o appearance_n as_o our_o saviour_n be_v can_v ever_o have_v effect_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o a_o divine_a majesty_n and_o power_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o it_o be_v not_o then_o the_o expectation_n of_o miracle_n which_o our_o saviour_n rebuke_v in_o the_o jew_n but_o be_v unsatisfied_a with_o the_o kind_n and_o nature_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n it_o be_v their_o hypocrisy_n and_o unbelief_n which_o christ_n condemn_v notwithstanding_o the_o frequent_a miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v among_o they_o for_o we_o plain_o find_v our_o saviour_n very_o often_o appeal_n to_o his_o miracle_n as_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o divine_a commission_n if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v the_o 24._o work_n among_o they_o which_o no_o man_n else_o do_v they_o have_v not_o sin_n i._n e._n in_o not_o believe_v i_o whereby_o christ_n both_o set_v forth_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o work_a miracle_n in_o order_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o the_o woâ—ld_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v he_o do_v those_o no_o man_n else_o have_v do_v no_o not_o moses_n and_o elias_n in_o cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n by_o the_o word_n of_o his_o mouth_n and_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o have_v do_v he_o exceed_v they_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v they_o moses_n feed_v they_o with_o bread_n from_o heaven_n but_o christ_n multiply_v on_o earth_n some_o few_o loaf_n and_o fish_n to_o the_o feed_n of_o many_o thousand_o elias_n indeed_o raise_v one_o from_o the_o dead_a but_o christ_n raise_v more_o and_o one_o after_o he_o have_v be_v four_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n and_o upon_o this_o very_a evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n we_o find_v many_o believe_v on_o he_o and_o even_o of_o those_o who_o be_v not_o so_o far_o wrought_v upon_o as_o to_o become_v follower_n of_o christ_n as_o 11._o the_o only_a messiah_n yet_o we_o find_v they_o so_o far_o persuade_v by_o the_o power_n of_o his_o miracle_n that_o they_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o great_a prophet_n or_o one_o that_o be_v send_v from_o god_n so_o nicodemus_n who_o come_v first_o to_o christ_n more_o as_o a_o rational_a enquirer_n than_o a_o believer_n yet_o we_o see_v he_o be_v persuade_v that_o he_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n because_o no_o man_n can_v do_v 2._o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n do_v unless_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o before_o he_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n at_o jerusalem_n believe_v in_o his_o 23._o name_n when_o they_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o he_o do_v yet_o these_o person_n christ_n will_v not_o trust_v himself_o with_o because_o he_o know_v their_o heart_n be_v not_o subdue_v to_o his_o doctrine_n though_o their_o understanding_n be_v convince_v by_o his_o miracle_n and_o after_o this_o other_o of_o the_o jew_n that_o look_v not_o on_o he_o as_o the_o messiah_n yet_o it_o be_v say_v they_o believe_v on_o he_o on_o the_o account_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o many_o of_o the_o people_n believe_v on_o he_o and_o say_v when_o christ_n come_v will_v he_o do_v more_o miracle_n than_o these_o which_o this_o man_n have_v do_v although_o herein_o they_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a in_o believe_v the_o evidence_n and_o not_o the_o truth_n attest_v by_o it_o in_o believe_v christ_n to_o be_v one_o send_v from_o god_n by_o his_o miracle_n 31._o and_o yet_o not_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n attest_v by_o they_o not_o that_o mere_a miracle_n will_v prove_v the_o person_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n who_o do_v they_o but_o the_o miracle_n prove_v the_o testimony_n to_o be_v divine_a now_o that_o which_o christ_n deliver_v to_o they_o as_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v his_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v one_o send_v from_o god_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n for_o one_o send_v from_o god_n can_v never_o falsify_v in_o the_o main_a of_o his_o message_n as_o this_o be_v of_o our_o saviour_n preach_v and_o thence_o it_o be_v observable_a our_o saviour_n do_v not_o show_v forth_o his_o divine_a power_n till_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o office_n of_o preach_v thereby_o make_v it_o appear_v he_o intend_v this_o as_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o preach_v to_o they_o and_o herein_o the_o blind_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n see_v more_o truth_n and_o reason_n then_o the_o whole_a court_n of_o sanhedrin_n before_o which_o in_o probability_n he_o be_v convent_v about_o his_o cure_n by_o christ_n for_o when_o they_o seek_v to_o get_v something_o out_o of_o he_o in_o disparagement_n of_o our_o saviour_n person_n and_o miracle_n he_o sharp_o and_o round_o tell_v they_o when_o they_o say_v they_o know_v god_n speak_v to_o moses_n but_o for_o this_o fellow_n we_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v why_o herein_o say_v he_o be_v a_o marvellous_a thing_n that_o you_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v and_o yet_o he_o have_v open_v my_o eye_n if_o this_o man_n be_v not_o of_o god_n he_o 33._o can_v do_v nothing_o as_o though_o he_o have_v say_v be_v it_o not_o plain_a that_o this_o man_n be_v employ_v by_o god_n in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o do_v for_o otherwise_o god_n will_v not_o so_o ready_o assist_v he_o in_o do_v such_o great_a work_n for_o we_o know_v that_o god_n hear_v not_o sinner_n but_o if_o any_o man_n be_v a_o worshipper_n of_o god_n 31._o and_o do_v his_o will_n he_o he_o hear_v i._n e._n if_o this_o man_n pretend_v a_o commission_n from_o heaven_n false_o whereby_o he_o will_v be_v the_o great_a of_o sinner_n can_v we_o think_v god_n will_v so_o miraculous_o assist_v he_o but_o we_o know_v by_o our_o law_n if_o one_o come_v with_o a_o commission_n from_o god_n and_o draw_v man_n not_o to_o idolatry_n which_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o worshipper_n of_o god_n such_o a_o one_o god_n be_v present_a with_o and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v he_o and_o for_o this_o very_a miracle_n of_o cure_v one_o bear_v blind_a be_v the_o like_a ever_o hear_v of_o before_o do_v ever_o moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n do_v it_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o strong_a rational_a evidence_n there_o be_v in_o this_o miracle_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o this_o blind_a man_n which_o he_o utter_v with_o so_o much_o reason_n before_o the_o court_n of_o sanhedrin_n when_o he_o know_v how_o like_a he_o be_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v for_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o very_a person_n be_v as_o yet_o ignorant_a that_o christ_n be_v the_o
true_a messiah_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o sequel_n of_o the_o chapter_n but_o upon_o christ_n revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o 36._o he_o he_o present_o believe_v on_o he_o how_o strange_o irrational_a be_v the_o jew_n then_o in_o reject_v our_o saviour_n when_o his_o 38._o miracle_n not_o only_o exceed_v those_o of_o moses_n both_o in_o number_n and_o quality_n but_o which_o be_v more_o they_o see_v themselves_o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n do_v but_o they_o receive_v those_o of_o moses_n only_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o father_n and_o from_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o evidence_n arise_v from_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n it_o be_v that_o st._n peter_n tell_v the_o promiscuous_a assembly_n act_v 2._o 22._o that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v a_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n among_o they_o by_o miracle_n wonder_n and_o sign_n which_o god_n do_v by_o he_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o they_o themselves_o also_o know_v he_o appeal_v to_o their_o own_o knowledge_n which_o he_o will_v not_o certain_o have_v do_v have_v it_o not_o be_v in_o a_o case_n beyond_o all_o dispute_n among_o they_o which_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o notorious_a among_o they_o that_o we_o find_v the_o pharisee_n themselves_o confess_v it_o what_o do_v we_o for_o this_o man_n do_v many_o miracle_n now_o then_o in_o a_o nation_n 47._o who_o religion_n have_v be_v establish_v by_o miracle_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o among_o those_o who_o then_o profess_v it_o do_v depend_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o constant_a credit_n which_o the_o report_n of_o the_o miracle_n do_v at_o the_o settle_n of_o their_o law_n have_v among_o they_o what_o can_v be_v a_o more_o rational_a convince_a way_n of_o proceed_v then_o for_o our_o saviour_n to_o manifest_v by_o a_o great_a power_n of_o miracle_n in_o himself_o the_o undoubted_a credential_n of_o his_o commission_n from_o heaven_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n which_o be_v foretell_v by_o their_o own_o most_o sacred_a and_o authentical_a record_n which_o will_v appear_v more_o because_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n do_v evident_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v the_o very_a person_n promise_v for_o if_o the_o exact_a correspondency_n 2._o of_o the_o event_n to_o the_o prediction_n in_o a_o nation_n own_v they_o as_o divine_a be_v a_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v exact_o fulfil_v our_o saviour_n be_v most_o certain_o the_o person_n so_o often_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o many_o of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n concern_v the_o messiah_n if_o they_o be_v not_o fulfil_v in_o christ_n in_o the_o condition_n the_o jew_n have_v be_v in_o since_o their_o dispersion_n which_o fall_v out_o exact_o according_a to_o the_o prediction_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v fulfil_v at_o all_o so_o that_o either_o the_o prediction_n must_v lose_v their_o divine_a authority_n or_o they_o must_v be_v accomplish_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n for_o as_o tertullian_n sharp_o say_v to_o the_o jew_n red_a statum_fw-la judaeae_fw-la quem_fw-la christus_fw-la inveniat_fw-la 13._o &_o alium_fw-la contend_v venire_fw-la let_v the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o their_o former_a condition_n and_o then_o plead_v for_o a_o messiah_n to_o come_v for_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n of_o judea_n but_o where_o be_v that_o now_o and_o how_o long_o since_o the_o jew_n enjoy_v any_o civil_a polity_n there_o what_o be_v become_v of_o the_o second_o temple_n in_o the_o time_n of_o which_o the_o desire_n of_o all_o nation_n shall_v come_v be_v not_o jerusalem_n already_o destroy_v and_o the_o oblation_n there_o long_o since_o cease_v which_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v so_o soon_o after_o the_o messiah_n and_o do_v according_o be_v not_o the_o sceptre_n yet_o depart_v from_o judah_n and_o the_o lawgiver_n from_o between_o his_o foot_n and_o be_v not_o shiloh_n yet_o come_v what_o strange_a unintelligible_a week_n be_v those_o of_o daniel_n if_o they_o be_v extend_v to_o so_o indefinite_a a_o space_n of_o time_n as_o the_o jew_n pretend_v and_o if_o indefinite_a what_o certain_a ground_n can_v from_o thence_o be_v gather_v of_o any_o time_n wherein_o their_o accomplishment_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v but_o not_o to_o expatiate_v on_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v already_o so_o large_o prove_v beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o contradiction_n by_o the_o ancient_a and_o modern_a learned_a writer_n against_o the_o jew_n to_o insist_v therefore_o on_o our_o present_a business_n be_v not_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o miracle_n which_o the_o messiah_n shall_v work_v exact_o fulfil_v in_o christ_n then_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a shall_v be_v open_v and_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o 6_o deaf_a shall_v be_v unstop_v then_o shall_v the_o lame_a man_n leap_v as_o a_o hart_n and_o the_o tongue_n of_o the_o dumb_a shall_v sing_v he_o must_v be_v a_o great_a stranger_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o a_o exact_a fulfil_n of_o this_o prophecy_n nay_o and_o the_o jewish_a midrasch_n upon_o psal._n 146._o 8._o say_v that_o when_o messiah_n come_v 32._o he_o shall_v open_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o the_o jew_n themselves_o often_o speak_v of_o the_o great_a miracle_n which_o the_o messiah_n shall_v do_v when_o he_o appear_v and_o therefore_o out_o of_o their_o own_o mouth_n will_v they_o be_v condemn_v when_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n make_v it_o so_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n hence_o when_o john_n baptist_n send_v his_o disciple_n to_o christ_n for_o they_o to_o be_v full_o satisfy_v concern_v he_o christ_n give_v this_o answer_n to_o they_o he_o bid_v they_o tell_v he_o the_o blind_a receive_v their_o sight_n and_o the_o lame_a walk_n and_o the_o leper_n be_v cleanse_v and_o the_o deaf_a hear_v and_o the_o 5._o dead_a raise_v up_o etc._n etc._n as_o though_o the_o mention_v of_o these_o miracle_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o they_o who_o he_o be_v who_o they_o come_v to_o inquire_v after_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o john_n baptist_n himself_o though_o great_a than_o the_o prophet_n nay_o then_o who_o there_o be_v not_o a_o great_a bear_v of_o woman_n 11._o by_o our_o saviour_n own_o testimony_n yet_o of_o he_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o wrought_v no_o miracle_n of_o which_o no_o account_n can_v be_v 41._o give_v so_o probable_a and_o rational_a as_o that_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n be_v please_v so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o messiah_n may_v be_v make_v more_o clear_a by_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v that_o the_o mind_n of_o people_n may_v not_o be_v distract_v between_o john_n and_o christ_n he_o therefore_o reserve_v the_o glory_n of_o miracle_n whole_o to_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o pretence_n of_o a_o competition_n between_o iohn_n and_o he_o another_o reason_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n in_o our_o saviour_n by_o way_n of_o rational_a evidence_n be_v the_o overthrow_v the_o 3._o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o the_o world_n for_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o devil_n have_v scarce_o ever_o great_a power_n over_o the_o body_n of_o man_n as_o well_o as_o their_o soul_n then_o at_o that_o time_n thence_o we_o read_v of_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o daemoniack_n in_o the_o gospel_n for_o it_o seem_v very_o harsh_a to_o interpret_v those_o mere_o of_o epilepticall_a and_o lunatic_n person_n both_o because_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 24._o be_v mention_v distinct_o and_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n afterward_o how_o frequent_a it_o be_v to_o eject_v the_o devil_n out_o of_o possess_v person_n nay_o so_o far_o be_o i_o from_o think_v that_o the_o daemoniack_n be_v mere_a lunatic_n that_o i_o rather_o think_v with_o vossius_fw-la that_o the_o lunatic_n be_v true_o daemoniack_n only_o they_o be_v not_o constant_o under_o the_o power_n of_o 19_o the_o devil_n but_o as_o their_o paroxysme_n return_v upon_o they_o the_o devil_n love_v to_o fifh_n in_o such_o trouble_a water_n and_o thence_o 39_o the_o same_o person_n be_v call_v a_o lunatic_n in_o one_o place_n who_o be_v call_v a_o daemoniack_a in_o another_o because_o he_o do_v ruere_fw-la in_o principiis_fw-la lunationum_fw-la as_o the_o arabic_a version_n express_v it_o or_o as_o rusticus_n elpidius_n more_o full_o explain_v it_o repserat_fw-la in_o medium_n rabbis_n horrenda_fw-la furoris_fw-la 5._o daemonis_fw-la afflatu_fw-la propria_fw-la qui_fw-la peste_fw-la nocivus_fw-la allidit_fw-la captas_fw-la foedo_fw-la discrimine_fw-la mentes_fw-la menstrua_fw-la deciduos_fw-la cum_fw-la luna_fw-la recolligit_fw-la
it_o to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o thing_n by_o any_o real_a miracle_n for_o so_o it_o will_v invalidate_v the_o great_a force_n of_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o same_o argument_n shall_v be_v use_v for_o the_o prove_v of_o that_o which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o impartial_a person_n be_v not_o deliver_v when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctriâ—e_n of_o christ_n be_v confirm_v by_o so_o many_o and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n but_o hereby_o we_o see_v what_o unconceivable_a prejudice_n have_v be_v do_v to_o the_o true_a primitive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o what_o stumbling-block_n have_v be_v lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o considerative_a person_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o embrace_v the_o true_o christian_a faith_n by_o those_o who_o will_v be_v think_v the_o infallible_a director_n of_o man_n in_o it_o by_o make_v use_n of_o the_o broad-seal_a of_o heaven_n set_v only_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o confirm_v their_o unwritten_a and_o superstitious_a way_n of_o worship_n for_o if_o i_o once_o see_v that_o which_o i_o look_v on_o as_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o divine_a power_n bring_v to_o attest_v any_o thing_n direct_o contrary_a to_o divine_a revelation_n i_o must_v either_o conclude_v that_o god_n may_v contradict_v himself_o by_o seal_v both_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n which_o be_v both_o blasphemous_a and_o impossible_a or_o that_o that_o society_n of_o man_n which_o own_o such_o thing_n be_v not_o at_o all_o tender_a of_o the_o honour_n of_o christain_n doctrine_n but_o seek_v to_o set_v up_o a_o interest_n contrary_a to_o it_o and_o matter_n not_o what_o disadvantage_n be_v do_v to_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n by_o such_o unworthy_a pretence_n and_o which_o of_o these_o two_o be_v more_o rational_a and_o true_a let_v every_o one_o conscience_n judge_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v much_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o have_v all_o such_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n discover_v which_o do_v so_o much_o disservice_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o be_v such_o secret_a fomenter_n of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n but_o how_o far_o that_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o they_o which_o believe_v in_o his_o name_n shall_v cast_v out_o devil_n and_o do_v many_o miracle_n may_v extend_v 17._o even_o in_o these_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n to_o such_o generous_a and_o primitive-spirited_n christian_n who_o out_o of_o a_o great_a and_o deep_a sense_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o tenderness_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v go_v among_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n to_o convert_v they_o only_o to_o christ_n and_o not_o to_o a_o secular_a interest_n under_o pretence_n of_o a_o infallible_a head_n be_v not_o here_o a_o place_n full_o to_o inquire_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n why_o god_n may_v not_o yet_o for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n employ_v such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n although_o there_o be_v not_o such_o necessity_n of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v some_o evidence_n of_o the_o power_n of_o christianity_n now_o which_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a then_o as_o the_o overthrow_v the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n in_o the_o world_n the_o prevail_a of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o force_v use_v against_o it_o the_o recovery_n of_o it_o from_o amid_o all_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v mix_v with_o it_o the_o consent_n of_o those_o party_n in_o the_o common_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n which_o yet_o disagree_v froâ—_n each_o other_o with_o great_a bitterness_n of_o spirit_n though_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o of_o that_o necessity_n now_o when_o the_o scripture_n be_v conuâ—yed_v to_o we_o in_o a_o certain_a uninterrupted_a manner_n yet_o god_n may_v please_v out_o of_o his_o abundant_a provision_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o employ_v good_a man_n to_o do_v something_o which_o may_v manifest_v the_o power_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v above_o the_o â—_z who_o they_o worship_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v far_o soon_o believe_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o xaverius_n and_o his_o brethren_n employ_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o infidel_n than_o lipsius_n his_o virgo_fw-la hallensis_n and_o asprecollis_n can_v it_o but_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o i_o that_o the_o design_n of_o those_o person_n have_v more_o of_o christianity_n than_o popery_n in_o it_o that_o be_v that_o they_o go_v more_o upon_o a_o design_n to_o bring_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o infidel_n to_o heaven_n then_o to_o enlarge_v the_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n but_o whatever_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n or_o the_o design_n of_o those_o person_n be_v we_o have_v certain_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n 8._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n whereby_o christianity_n be_v first_o propagate_v and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n overthrow_v in_o the_o world_n christ_n thereby_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o his_o power_n be_v great_a than_o the_o devil_n who_o have_v possession_n because_o he_o overcome_v he_o take_v from_o he_o all_o his_o armour_n wherein_o he_o trust_v 22._o and_o divide_v his_o spoil_n i_o e._n dispossess_v he_o of_o man_n body_n and_o his_o idolatrous_a temple_n silence_v his_o oracle_n nonplus_v his_o magician_n and_o at_o last_o when_o christianity_n have_v overcome_v by_o suffering_n wrest_v the_o worldly_a power_n and_o empire_n out_o of_o the_o devil_n hand_n and_o employ_v it_o against_o himself_o neither_o may_v we_o think_v because_o since_o that_o time_n the_o devil_n have_v get_v some_o ground_n in_o the_o world_n again_o by_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o mahometism_n &_o the_o general_a corruption_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o therefore_o the_o other_o be_v no_o argument_n of_o divine_a power_n because_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o tie_v to_o any_o particular_a place_n because_o such_o a_o fall_v away_o have_v be_v foretell_v in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o be_v prove_v by_o it_o and_o because_o god_n himself_o have_v threaten_v that_o those_o who_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v up_o to_o strong_a de'usion_n do_v not_o this_o then_o in_o stead_n of_o abate_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n confirm_v it_o more_o and_o that_o nothing_o be_v fall_v out_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o what_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o who_o god_n employ_v in_o the_o convert_n of_o it_o but_o we_o be_v neither_o without_o some_o fair_a hope_n even_o from_o that_o divine_a revelation_n which_o be_v seal_v by_o uncontrolled_a evidence_n that_o there_o may_v be_v yet_o a_o time_n to_o come_v when_o christ_n will_v recover_v his_o church_n to_o their_o pristine_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n but_o withal_o i_o think_v we_o be_v not_o to_o measure_v the_o future_a felicity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o outward_a splendour_n and_o greatness_n which_o too_o many_o so_o strong_o fancy_v but_o by_o a_o recovery_n of_o that_o true_a spirit_n of_o christianity_n which_o breathe_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n whatever_o the_o outward_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v for_o if_o worldly_a greatness_n and_o ease_n and_o riches_n be_v the_o first_o impairer_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o the_o restore_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o its_o true_a glory_n can_v be_v by_o the_o advance_n of_o that_o which_o give_v so_o great_a a_o occasion_n to_o pride_n and_o sensuality_n which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o design_n of_o christian_a religion_n unless_o we_o suppose_v man_n free_a from_o those_o corruption_n which_o continual_a experience_n still_o tell_v the_o world_n the_o ruler_n as_o well_o as_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a society_n be_v subject_a to_o neither_o may_v that_o be_v wonder_v at_o when_o such_o uneveness_n of_o part_n be_v now_o discover_v in_o the_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o sun_n himself_o be_v find_v to_o have_v his_o maculae_fw-la as_o though_o the_o sun_n have_v a_o purple_a fever_n or_o as_o kiroher_n express_v it_o ipse_fw-la phoebus_n qui_fw-la rerum_fw-la omnium_fw-la in_o universo_fw-it naturae_fw-la theatro_fw-la aspectabilium_fw-la longè_fw-la pulcherrimus_fw-la omnium_fw-la opinion_n 2._o est_fw-la habitus_fw-la hoc_fw-la seculo_fw-la tandem_fw-la fumosa_fw-la fancy_n ac_fw-la infecto_fw-la vultu_fw-la maculis_fw-la prodiit_fw-la diceres_fw-la eum_fw-la variolis_fw-la laborare_fw-la senescentem_fw-la i_o speak_v not_o this_o as_o though_o a_o outward_a flourish_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o its_o purity_n for_o then_o the_o way_n to_o refine_v it_o be_v to_o throw_v it_o into_o the_o flame_n of_o persecution_n but_o that_o
be_v the_o great_a seal_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n so_o frequent_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o themselves_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o jesus_n say_v peter_n have_v god_n raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o all_o be_v witness_n and_o again_o and_o kill_v the_o prince_n of_o life_n who_o 32._o god_n have_v raise_v up_o from_o the_o dead_a whereof_o we_o be_v witness_n and_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n to_o the_o sanhedrin_n for_o we_o can_v 15._o but_o speak_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o the_o 20._o whole_a college_n of_o apostle_n afterward_o and_o we_o be_v his_o witness_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o so_o be_v also_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o god_n 32._o have_v give_v to_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o in_o which_o word_n they_o give_v they_o that_o twofold_a rational_a evidence_n which_o do_v manifest_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v for_o they_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o themselves_o be_v witness_n of_o and_o withal_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v true_a by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o and_o upon_o believer_n afterward_o we_o read_v the_o sum_n oâ—_n the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o the_o manner_n use_v by_o they_o to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o word_n of_o peter_n to_o cernâ—lius_n and_o his_o company_n how_o god_n anoint_v jesus_n of_o nazareth_n with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o power_n who_o go_v about_o do_v good_a and_o heal_v all_o that_o be_v 42._o oppress_v of_o the_o devil_n for_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o we_o be_v witness_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v both_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n who_o they_o stew_n and_o hang_v on_o a_o tree_n him_n god_n raise_v up_o the_o three_o day_n and_o show_v he_o open_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n but_o unto_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n even_o to_o we_o who_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o he_o command_v we_o to_o â—reach_v unto_o the_o people_n that_o it_o be_v be_v which_o be_v ordain_v of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o quick_a and_o dead_a by_o all_o which_o we_o see_v what_o care_n god_n be_v please_v to_o take_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o world_n in_o point_n of_o rational_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v discover_v concern_v our_o saviour_n christ_n because_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o person_n to_o be_v the_o preacher_n and_o writer_n of_o these_o thing_n who_o be_v the_o best_a able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o world_n about_o they_o viz._n such_o as_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o they_o now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v it_o more_o full_o evident_a what_o 14._o strength_n there_o be_v in_o this_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n we_o shall_v more_o full_o manifest_v the_o rational_a evidence_n which_o attend_v it_o in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n where_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o doctrine_n depend_v upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v sufficient_o manifest_v if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evident_o prove_v in_o the_o high_a way_n it_o be_v capable_a 1._o of_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o be_v so_o interweave_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o christ_n that_o if_o the_o relation_n concern_v christ_n be_v true_a his_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a for_o if_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n bear_v at_o bethlehem_n who_o do_v so_o many_o miracle_n and_o at_o last_o suffer_v the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o after_o he_o have_v lie_v three_o day_n in_o the_o grave_n rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a what_o reason_n imaginable_a can_v i_o have_v to_o question_v but_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o person_n be_v certain_o divine_a and_o consequent_o what_o ever_o he_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n we_o must_v likewise_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n which_o come_v attest_v with_o such_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n which_o he_o have_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n no_o prince_n can_v think_v he_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o refuse_v audience_n to_o a_o ambassador_n when_o he_o find_v his_o credential_n such_o as_o he_o may_v rely_v upon_o although_o himself_o do_v not_o see_v the_o seal_n of_o they_o much_o less_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o we_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v christ_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o those_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v the_o great_a evidence_n which_o can_v be_v give_v to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n 2._o be_v the_o attest_v of_o it_o by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n whereon_o the_o firm_a assent_n be_v build_v as_o to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o although_o we_o conceive_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o story_n as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v convey_v only_o in_o a_o general_a way_n by_o a_o uncertain_a fame_n and_o tradition_n yet_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v attest_v by_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o credible_a person_n who_o profess_v themselves_o the_o cye-witness_n of_o it_o it_o be_v account_v a_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o distrust_v any_o long_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o especial_o in_o these_o two_o case_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o they_o may_v easy_o and_o clear_o perceive_v 2._o when_o many_o witness_n exact_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n 1._o when_o the_o matter_n itself_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o may_v be_v full_o perceive_v by_o those_o who_o see_v it_o i._n e._n if_o it_o be_v a_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n and_o thus_o it_o certain_o be_v as_o to_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ._n for_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o mankind_n and_o they_o have_v as_o great_a evidence_n that_o they_o converse_v with_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n as_o we_o can_v have_v that_o we_o converse_v one_o with_o another_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v real_a and_o visible_a miracle_n they_o can_v be_v no_o illusion_n of_o sense_n nor_o deceit_n of_o their_o eye_n the_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v blind_a and_o cure_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v blind_a through_o all_o the_o country_n and_o his_o cure_n be_v after_o as_o public_a as_o his_o blindness_n before_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o 26._o christ_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o be_v do_v when_o christ_n raise_v up_o the_o dead_a man_n at_o naim_n it_o be_v before_o much_o people_n and_o such_o 12._o person_n in_o probability_n who_o be_v many_o of_o they_o present_a at_o his_o death_n but_o least_o there_o may_v be_v any_o suspicion_n as_o to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o dead_a the_o case_n be_v plain_a and_o beyond_o all_o dispute_n in_o lazarus_n who_o have_v be_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o person_n thereabouts_o dead_a four_o day_n here_o can_v be_v no_o deceit_n at_o all_o 39_o when_o the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o and_o lazarus_n come_v forth_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o they_o all_o and_o yet_o further_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o plain_a object_n of_o sense_n do_v in_o presence_n of_o his_o great_a adversary_n the_o soldier_n themselves_o be_v sufficient_a witness_n of_o his_o be_v real_o dead_a when_o they_o come_v to_o break_v his_o bone_n and_o spare_v he_o because_o they_o see_v he_o be_v dead_a already_o at_o his_o resurrection_n the_o stone_n be_v roll_v away_o from_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o no_o body_n find_v therein_o although_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v guard_v by_o soldier_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n all_o so_o fearful_a that_o they_o be_v disperse_v up_o and_o down_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o real_a body_n which_o he_o rise_v withal_o and_o no_o aerial_a vehicle_n appear_v by_o thomas_n his_o serupulosity_n and_o unbelief_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v unless_o â—e_n may_v put_v his_o hand_n into_o the_o hole_n of_o his_o side_n and_o see_v 27._o
in_o his_o hand_n the_o â—rint_n of_o the_o nail_n now_o our_o saviour_n condeseend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o satisfy_v the_o incredulity_n of_o thomas_n have_v make_v it_o thereby_o evident_a that_o the_o body_n which_o our_o saviour_n rise_v from_o the_o grave_n with_o be_v the_o same_o individual_a body_n which_o before_o be_v crucify_v and_o bury_v in_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o we_o sin_v all_o the_o apostle_n together_o upon_o our_o saviour_n appearance_n to_o they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n so_o far_o from_o be_v credulous_a in_o embrace_v a_o phantasm_n instead_o of_o christ_n that_o they_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v either_o a_o mere_a phantasm_n or_o a_o evil_a spirit_n which_o appear_v among_o they_o upon_o which_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v terrify_v 37._o and_o affright_v and_o suppose_v they_o have_v see_v a_o spirit_n which_o our_o saviour_n can_v not_o beat_v they_o off_o from_o but_o by_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o sense_n handle_v i_o and_o see_v for_o a_o spirit_n 39_o have_v not_o flesh_n and_o bone_n as_o you_o see_v i_o have_v and_o afterward_o more_o full_o to_o convince_v they_o he_o do_v eat_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o now_o the_o more_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a the_o apostle_n themselves_o 43._o at_o first_o be_v the_o great_a evidence_n be_v it_o how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o any_o design_n of_o abuse_v the_o world_n in_o what_o they_o after_o preach_v unto_o it_o and_o what_o strong_a conviction_n there_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n its_o self_n which_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v such_o scrupulous_a and_o suspicious_a person_n 2._o when_o many_o witness_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o testimony_n nothing_o can_v disparage_v more_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o testimony_n than_o the_o counter_a witness_n of_o such_o who_o be_v present_a at_o the_o same_o action_n but_o when_o all_o the_o witness_n full_o agree_v not_o only_o in_o the_o substance_n but_o in_o all_o material_a circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n what_o ground_n or_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o suspect_v a_o forgery_n or_o design_n in_o it_o especial_o when_o the_o person_n can_v by_o any_o fear_n or_o threaten_n be_v bring_v to_o vary_v from_o each_o other_o in_o it_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n we_o find_v no_o real_a dissent_n at_o all_o mention_v either_o as_o to_o the_o birth_n miracle_n life_n death_n or_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n all_o the_o witness_n attest_v the_o same_o thing_n though_o write_v in_o different_a place_n and_o upon_o different_a occasion_n no_o alteration_n in_o any_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n out_o of_o any_o design_n of_o please_a or_o gratify_v any_o person_n by_o it_o most_o of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n not_o only_o his_o apostle_n but_o the_o people_n and_o his_o very_a enemy_n be_v witness_n of_o who_o posterity_n to_o this_o day_n dare_v not_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o strange_a work_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o he_o and_o for_o his_o resurrection_n it_o will_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o five_o hundred_o person_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n or_o death_n can_v bring_v any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v the_o great_a certainty_n in_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v such_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v give_v by_o eye-witness_n but_o either_o from_o question_v their_o knowledge_n 3._o of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v of_o or_o their_o fidelity_n in_o report_v they_o now_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_n either_o of_o these_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o person_n who_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n for_o first_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v intimate_o conversant_a both_o with_o the_o person_n and_o action_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v 1._o choose_v and_o train_v up_o for_o that_o very_a end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v sufficient_o qualify_v to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n concern_v himself_o after_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o according_o they_o follow_v he_o up_o and_o down_o wheresoever_o he_o go_v they_o be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o solitude_n and_o retirement_n and_o have_v thereby_o occasion_n to_o observe_v all_o his_o action_n and_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o unspotted_a innocency_n of_o his_o life_n some_o of_o his_o disciple_n be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o transfiguration_n other_o in_o his_o agony_n and_o bloody_a sweat_n they_o hear_v the_o expression_n which_o come_v from_o his_o mouth_n in_o all_o which_o he_o discover_v a_o wonderful_a submission_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o a_o great_a readiness_n of_o mind_n to_o suffer_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o world_n now_o therefore_o the_o first_o thing_n can_v at_o all_o be_v question_v their_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v neither_o second_o be_v there_o any_o reasâ—n_n to_o suspect_v their_o fidelity_n 1_o in_o report_v what_o they_o know_v for_o 1._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n wrought_v so_o far_o upon_o they_o that_o they_o part_v with_o all_o their_o worldly_a subsistence_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o although_o their_o riches_n be_v not_o great_a yet_o their_o way_n of_o subsistence_n in_o the_o world_n be_v necessary_a they_o leave_v their_o house_n their_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o all_o for_o christ_n and_o that_o not_o to_o gain_v any_o high_a preferment_n in_o this_o world_n which_o have_v they_o do_v it_o will_v have_v render_v their_o design_n suspicious_a to_o the_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a world_n but_o they_o let_v go_v at_o least_o a_o quiet_a and_o easy_a life_n for_o one_o most_o troublesome_a and_o dangerous_a so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o how_o much_o they_o part_v withal_o but_o how_o free_o they_o do_v it_o and_o with_o what_o cheerfulness_n they_o undergo_v disgrace_n persecution_n nay_o death_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gospel_n now_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o ever_o man_n be_v so_o prodigal_a of_o their_o ease_n and_o life_n as_o to_o throw_v both_o of_o they_o away_o upon_o a_o thing_n which_o themselves_o be_v not_o full_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o have_v be_v the_o high_a folly_n imaginable_a to_o have_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o they_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v be_v because_o all_o their_o hope_n and_o happiness_n depend_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v non_fw-la fas_fw-la est_fw-la ulli_fw-la de_fw-fr suâ_fw-la religione_fw-la mentiri_fw-la for_o say_v he_o he_o that_o say_v he_o worship_v any_o thing_n be_v side_n what_o he_o do_v he_o deny_v what_o he_o do_v worship_n and_o transfer_v his_o worship_n upon_o another_o and_o thereby_o do_v not_o worship_n that_o which_o he_o thus_o deny_v beside_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o man_n shall_v lie_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o tell_v they_o that_o those_o which_o do_v so_o shall_v not_o receive_v the_o reward_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o cordial_o adhere_v unto_o it_o nay_o they_o declare_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a of_o all_o person_n if_o their_o hope_n be_v only_o in_o this_o present_a life_n can_v we_o now_o 19_o think_v that_o any_o who_o have_v the_o common_a reason_n of_o man_n will_v part_v with_o all_o the_o contentment_n of_o this_o world_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o continual_a hazard_n and_o at_o last_o undergo_v death_n its_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o something_o which_o be_v mere_o the_o fiction_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n what_o shall_v make_v they_o so_o sedulous_a and_o industrious_a in_o preach_v such_o thing_n that_o they_o can_v say_v necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o yea_o woe_n be_v unto_o they_o if_o they_o preach_v not_o the_o 16._o gospel_n when_o yet_o they_o see_v so_o many_o woe_n attend_v they_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o it_o have_v there_o not_o be_v some_o more_o powerful_a attractive_a in_o the_o beauty_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v than_o any_o can_v be_v in_o the_o ease_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o present_a world_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o apostle_n manifest_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o no_o other_o witness_n be_v ever_o yet_o willing_a to_o hazard_v they_o and_o therefore_o origen_n deserve_o 127_o condemn_v celsus_n of_o a_o ridiculous_a impertinency_n when_o he_o will_v parallel_v the_o relation_n of_o herodotus_n and_o pindarus_n concern_v aristeus_n proconnesius_n with_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v christ_n for_o faith_n he_o do_v either_o of_o those_o two_o
venture_v their_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o write_v concern_v he_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o preach_v concern_v our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 2._o the_o fidelity_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v evident_a in_o their_o manner_n of_o 16._o report_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o deliver_v for_o if_o ever_o there_o may_v be_v any_o thing_n gather_v from_o the_o manner_n of_o expression_n or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d concern_v the_o particular_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o person_n from_o who_o it_o come_v we_o may_v certain_o read_v the_o great_a fidelity_n in_o the_o apostle_n from_o the_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o their_o express_a themselves_o to_o the_o world_n which_o they_o do_v 1._o with_o the_o great_a impartiality_n not_o declare_v only_o what_o be_v glorious_a and_o admirable_a to_o the_o world_n but_o what_o they_o know_v will_v be_v account_v foolishness_n by_o it_o they_o who_o have_v seek_v only_o to_o have_v be_v admire_v for_o the_o rare_a discovery_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o the_o world_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o conceal_v any_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v account_v ridiculous_a but_o the_o apostle_n fix_v themselves_o most_o on_o what_o be_v most_o contemptible_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n and_o what_o they_o be_v most_o mock_v and_o deride_v for_o that_o they_o delight_v most_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o which_o be_v the_o cross_n of_o christ._n paul_n be_v so_o much_o in_o love_n with_o this_o which_o be_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o foolishness_n to_o the_o greek_n that_o he_o value_v the_o knowledge_n of_o nothing_o else_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v nay_o 14._o he_o elsewhere_o say_v god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v glory_n save_v in_o the_o cross_n of_o christ._n what_o now_o shall_v be_v the_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o that_o most_o which_o be_v most_o despicable_a to_o the_o world_n have_v not_o they_o see_v far_o â—reater_a truth_n and_o excellency_n in_o it_o then_o in_o the_o most_o sublime_a speculation_n concern_v god_n or_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n or_o any_o other_o heathen_a philosopher_n that_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n to_o believe_v in_o one_o who_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o strange_a doctrine_n to_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n but_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o endeavour_v to_o have_v suit_v their_o doctrine_n to_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n what_o rare_a person_n may_v they_o have_v be_v account_v among_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n have_v they_o only_o in_o general_a term_n discourse_v of_o the_o benignity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o divine_a goodness_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o bring_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o a_o near_a participation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o perfect_a idea_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o the_o express_a image_n of_o the_o person_n of_o god_n and_o the_o resplendency_n of_o his_o glory_n have_v veil_v himself_o in_o humane_a nature_n and_o have_v everywhere_o scatter_v such_o beam_n of_o light_n and_o goodness_n as_o warm_v and_o invigorate_v the_o freeze_a spirit_n of_o man_n with_o high_a sentiment_n of_o god_n and_o themselves_o and_o raise_v they_o up_o above_o the_o feculency_n of_o this_o terrestrial_a matter_n to_o breath_n in_o a_o free_a air_n and_o converse_v with_o more_o noble_a object_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o fit_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n for_o those_o more_o pure_a illapse_n of_o real_a goodness_n which_o may_v always_o satisfy_v the_o soul_n desire_n and_o yet_o always_o keep_v they_o up_o till_o the_o soul_n shall_v be_v sun_v its_o self_n to_o all_o eternity_n under_o the_o immediate_a beam_n of_o light_n and_o love_n and_o that_o after_o this_o incarnate_a deity_n have_v spread_v abroad_o the_o wing_n of_o his_o love_n for_o a_o while_n upon_o this_o low_a world_n till_o by_o his_o gentle_a heat_n and_o incubation_n he_o have_v quicken_v the_o more_o pliable_a world_n to_o some_o degree_n of_o a_o divine_a life_n he_o then_o retreat_v himself_o back_o again_o into_o the_o superior_a world_n and_o put_v off_o that_o vail_n by_o which_o he_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o those_o who_o be_v here_o confine_v to_o the_o prison_n of_o their_o body_n thus_o i_o say_v have_v the_o apostle_n mind_v applause_n among_o the_o admire_a philosopher_n of_o the_o heathen_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o they_o to_o have_v make_v some_o considerable_a addition_n to_o their_o high_a speculation_n and_o have_v leave_v out_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v seem_v so_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a as_o the_o death_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o the_o main_a thing_n which_o they_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n be_v the_o vanity_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n without_o christ_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o all_o man_n believe_v in_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v crucify_v at_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n indeed_o discover_v very_o much_o infinite_o more_o than_o ever_o the_o most_o lofty_a pl_z tonist_n can_v do_v concern_v the_o goodness_n and_o love_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n but_o that_o wherein_o they_o manifest_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n be_v that_o he_o give_v his_o 16._o only_a beget_v son_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o that_o herein_o be_v the_o love_n 8._o of_o god_n manifest_v that_o while_o we_o be_v yet_o sinner_n christ_n die_v for_o we_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o great_a truth_n and_o worthy_a of_o all_o 15._o acceptation_n that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n they_o never_o dream_v of_o any_o divine_a goodness_n which_o shall_v make_v man_n happy_a without_o christ_n no_o it_o be_v their_o design_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n to_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o in_o and_o through_o jesus_n christ_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o shall_v think_v otherwise_o unless_o plato_n know_v more_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n than_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o plotinus_n then_o saint_n paul_n can_v we_o think_v now_o that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v hazard_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n so_o much_o as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o world_n and_o be_v account_v babbler_n and_o fool_n and_o madman_n for_o preach_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n to_o be_v only_o by_o a_o person_n crucify_v between_o two_o thief_n at_o jerusalem_n have_v they_o not_o be_v convince_v not_o only_o of_o the_o truth_n but_o importance_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o concern_v man_n as_o much_o to_o believe_v it_o as_o it_o do_v to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n do_v saint_n paul_n preach_v ever_o the_o less_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n because_o he_o be_v tell_v to_o his_o face_n that_o his_o learning_n have_v make_v he_o mad_a but_o if_o he_o be_v beside_o himself_o it_o be_v for_o christ_n and_o what_o wonder_n be_v it_o if_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o apostle_n shall_v make_v he_o willing_a to_o lose_v his_o reputation_n for_o he_o see_v christ_n make_v himself_o of_o no_o reputation_n that_o he_o may_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o do_v we_o good_a we_o see_v the_o apostle_n be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n because_o they_o know_v it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o neither_o in_o their_o preach_n or_o their_o write_n will_v they_o omit_v any_o of_o those_o passage_n concern_v our_o saviour_n death_n which_o may_v be_v account_v the_o most_o dishonourable_a to_o his_o person_n which_o be_v certain_o as_o great_a a_o evidence_n of_o their_o sidelity_n as_o can_v be_v expect_v which_o make_v origen_n say_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n write_v all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o candour_n and_o cels._n love_n of_o truth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n those_o passage_n of_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n which_o will_v be_v account_v most_o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a 2._o with_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o speech_n such_o who_o design_n be_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o some_o cunning_o devise_v fable_n love_v as_o much_o ambiguity_n as_o ever_o apollo_n do_v in_o his_o most_o wind_a oracle_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v ambage_n nexâ_fw-la delphico_n mos_fw-la est_fw-la dco_o arcana_fw-la tegere_fw-la servius_n tell_v we_o that_o jupiter_n ammon_n be_v therefore_o picture_v id_fw-la with_o rams-horn_n because_o his_o answer_n
have_v as_o many_o turn_n and_o wind_n as_o they_o have_v but_o the_o horn_n which_o moses_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v picture_v with_o do_v only_o note_v light_n and_o perspicuity_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o note_v the_o send_v forth_o of_o ray_n of_o light_n like_o a_o horn_n and_o yet_o moses_n himself_o be_v veil_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o openness_n and_o plainness_n of_o speech_n which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n impostor_n cast_v a_o mist_n of_o many_o dark_a and_o cloudy_a word_n before_o they_o but_o when_o they_o be_v once_o bring_v into_o the_o open_a light_n their_o vizard_n fall_v off_o and_o their_o deformity_n appear_v such_o person_n delight_v in_o soar_v quite_o out_o of_o the_o apprehension_n of_o those_o who_o follow_v they_o and_o never_o think_v themselves_o better_a recompense_v for_o their_o pain_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o admire_v and_o least_o understand_v but_o never_o be_v christianity_n more_o dishonour_v then_o when_o man_n bring_v it_o from_o its_o native_a simplicity_n and_o plainness_n into_o a_o company_n of_o cloudy_a and_o insignificant_a expression_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v man_n better_o understand_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o devil_n design_n by_o such_o obscure_a term_n to_o make_v way_n for_o a_o mystery_n to_o be_v advance_v but_o it_o be_v of_o iniquity_n and_o soon_o after_o we_o see_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o in_o another_o oracle_n set_v up_o at_o rome_n instead_o of_o delphos_n and_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o it_o be_v the_o obscurity_n suppose_v in_o scripture_n what!_o darkness_n come_v by_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n or_o be_v the_o sun_n at_o last_o grow_v so_o beggarly_a that_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o borrow_v light_n of_o the_o earth_n must_v the_o scripture_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o church_n for_o its_o clearness_n and_o christ_n himself_o not_o speak_v intelligible_o unless_o the_o popâ—_n be_v his_o interpreter_n do_v christ_n reveal_v to_o the_o world_n the_o way_n to_o salvation_n and_o yet_o leave_v man_n to_o seâ—k_v which_o be_v it_o till_o a_o guide_n never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o scripture_n come_v to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o what_o strange_a witness_n be_v the_o apostle_n if_o they_o do_v noâ—_n speak_v the_o truth_n with_o plainness_n how_o have_v man_n be_v to_o sâ—â—k_a as_o â—o_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o all_o evidence_n and_o perspicuity_n who_o must_v we_o believe_v in_o this_o case_n the_o apostle_n or_o the_o roman_a oracle_n the_o apostle_n they_o tell_v we_o they_o speak_v 4._o with_o all_o plainness_n of_o speech_n and_o for_o that_o end_n purposely_o lay_v aside_o all_o excellency_n of_o word_n and_o humane_a wisdom_n that_o man_n may_v not_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o their_o mâ—aning_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v to_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v lose_v and_o who_o eye_n be_v blind_v by_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n that_o the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o they_o be_v a_o light_n to_o direct_v we_o in_o our_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o a_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o and_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a property_n of_o light_a to_o be_v obscure_a and_o of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v crooked_a but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a from_o the_o apostle_n own_o affirmation_n that_o they_o lay_v aside_o all_o affect_a obscurity_n ambiguous_a expression_n and_o philosophical_a term_n whereby_o the_o world_n may_v have_v be_v to_o seek_v for_o what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v but_o it_o be_v likewise_o clear_a from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v and_o the_o design_n of_o their_o preach_n of_o it_o what_o need_v rhetoric_n in_o plain_a truth_n or_o affect_a phrase_n in_o give_v evidence_n how_o incongruous_a will_v obscure_v expression_n have_v be_v to_o the_o design_n of_o save_a soul_n by_o the_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v for_o if_o they_o have_v industrious_o speak_v in_o their_o preach_n above_o the_o capacity_n of_o those_o they_o speak_v to_o they_o can_v never_o have_v convert_v a_o soul_n without_o a_o miracle_n for_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o conversion_n must_v be_v by_o the_o understanding_n and_o how_o can_v that_o work_n upon_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v so_o much_o above_o it_o but_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o preach_v not_o ourselves_o but_o christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n and_o ourselves_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n if_o they_o have_v seek_v themselves_o or_o their_o own_o credit_n and_o reputation_n there_o may_v 5._o have_v be_v some_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v use_v the_o way_n of_o the_o sophist_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o by_o declamatory_n speech_n to_o have_v inhancee_v their_o esteem_n among_o the_o uâ—lgar_a but_o the_o apostle_n disow_v and_o reject_v all_o these_o vulgar_a artifices_fw-la of_o mean_a and_o low-spirited_a man_n they_o lay_v aside_o all_o those_o entice_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o heathen_a sophist_n and_o declare_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n with_o spiritual_a evidence_n 4._o they_o handle_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n deceitful_o but_o by_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n commend_v themselves_o to_o every_o man_n 2._o conscience_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n now_o what_o can_v be_v so_o suitable_a to_o such_o a_o design_n as_o the_o great_a plainness_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o what_o they_o speak_v we_o find_v in_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o origen_n 135._o speak_v nothing_o that_o be_v spurious_a or_o counterfeit_a nothing_o savour_v of_o the_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o such_o as_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o say_v he_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v that_o man_n never_o breed_v up_o in_o the_o sophistry_n of_o the_o greeks_n nor_o experience_v in_o the_o rhetorical_a insinuation_n use_v among_o they_o can_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o sudden_o to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o embrace_v that_o which_o have_v be_v a_o figment_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o apostle_n speak_v like_a man_n very_o confident_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o speak_v and_o not_o like_o such_o who_o be_v fain_o to_o fetch_v in_o the_o help_n of_o all_o their_o topic_n to_o find_v out_o some_o probable_a argument_n to_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o which_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o which_o be_v most_o common_o the_o case_n of_o the_o great_a orator_n among_o the_o heathen_n we_o find_v no_o pedantic_a flourish_n no_o slatter_a insinuation_n no_o affect_a cadencye_n no_o such_o great_a care_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o fall_v of_o word_n in_o the_o several_a sentence_n which_o make_v up_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o that_o which_o be_v account_v eloquence_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n these_o thing_n be_v too_o mean_v a_o prey_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o quarry_n upon_o every_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v grave_a and_o serious_a every_o word_n have_v its_o due_a weight_n every_o sentence_n brimful_a of_o spiritual_a matter_n their_o whole_a discourse_n most_o become_v the_o majesty_n and_o authority_n of_o that_o spirit_n which_o they_o speak_v by_o and_o therein_o be_v see_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o choice_n he_o make_v of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v not_o such_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o great_a repute_n and_o fame_n in_o the_o world_n may_v easy_o draw_v whole_a multitude_n to_o embrace_v their_o dictate_v but_o that_o there_o may_v not_o be_v the_o least_o foundation_n for_o a_o implicit_a faith_n they_o be_v of_o so_o mean_a rank_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n that_o in_o all_o probability_n their_o name_n have_v never_o be_v hard_o of_o have_v not_o their_o doctrine_n make_v they_o famous_a to_o this_o purpose_n origen_n excellent_o speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o be_o of_o opinion_n say_v he_o that_o jesus_n do_v purposely_o make_v use_n of_o such_o preacher_n of_o his_o doctrine_n that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o place_n for_o suspicion_n that_o they_o come_v instruct_v with_o the_o art_n of_o sophistry_n but_o that_o it_o be_v clear_o manifest_a to_o all_o that_o will_v consider_v it_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o design_n in_o those_o who_o discover_v so_o much_o simplicity_n in_o their_o write_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o more_o divine_a power_n which_o be_v more_o efficacious_a than_o the_o great_a volubility_n of_o expression_n or_o ornament_n of_o speech_n or_o the_o artifices_fw-la which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o
have_v believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o salvation_n have_v be_v deceive_v either_o we_o must_v deny_v altogether_o a_o divine_a providence_n or_o say_v the_o devil_n have_v more_o power_n to_o deceive_v man_n then_o god_n to_o direct_v they_o which_o be_v worse_o than_o the_o former_a or_o else_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o as_o either_o god_n or_o devil_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n and_o fortune_n and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v still_o more_o inexplicable_a why_o such_o multitude_n of_o rational_a and_o serious_a man_n and_o the_o most_o inquisitive_a part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o such_o thing_n shall_v all_o be_v so_o possess_v with_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o the_o more_o profane_a wicked_a and_o ignorant_a any_o person_n be_v the_o more_o prone_a they_o be_v to_o mock_v and_o deride_v they_o if_o such_o man_n than_o see_v more_o into_o truth_n and_o reason_n then_o the_o sober_a and_o judicious_a part_n of_o mankind_n let_v we_o bid_v adieu_o to_o humanity_n and_o adore_v the_o brute_n since_o we_o admire_v their_o judgement_n most_o who_o come_v the_o near_a to_o they_o 3._o the_o multitude_n of_o these_o person_n thus_o consent_v in_o this_o testimony_n can_v have_v no_o other_o engagement_n to_o this_o consent_n but_o only_o their_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n convey_v by_o it_o because_o those_o who_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o this_o thing_n be_v such_o person_n who_o other_o design_n and_o interest_n in_o this_o world_n differ_v as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n do_v if_o it_o have_v be_v only_o a_o consent_n of_o jew_n there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o probable_a pretence_n to_o have_v suspect_v a_o matter_n of_o interest_n in_o it_o but_o as_o to_o this_o thing_n we_o find_v the_o jew_n divide_v among_o themselves_o about_o it_o and_o the_o stiff_a denier_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o do_v yet_o inviolable_o preserve_v those_o sacred_a record_n among_o they_o from_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v undoubted_o prove_v have_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v enforce_v upon_o the_o world_n by_o the_o roman_a emperor_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o first_o promulgation_n there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o suspicion_n of_o particular_a design_n in_o it_o but_o it_o come_v with_o no_o other_o strength_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o own_o truth_n yet_o it_o find_v sudden_a and_o strange_a entertainment_n among_o person_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n in_o a_o short_a time_n it_o have_v eat_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o make_v so_o large_a a_o spread_v therein_o that_o it_o make_v tertullian_n say_v hesterni_fw-la sumus_fw-la &_o vestra_fw-la omne_fw-la implevimus_fw-la urbes_fw-la insulas_fw-la castella_fw-la municipia_fw-la conciliabula_fw-la castraipsa_fw-la tribus_fw-la decurias_fw-la 36._o palatium_fw-la senatum_fw-la forum_n sola_fw-la vobis_fw-la relinquimus_fw-la templa_fw-la we_o have_v but_o new_o appear_v say_v he_o &_o yet_o we_o have_v fill_v all_o place_n with_o our_o company_n but_o only_o your_o temple_n and_o before_o speak_v of_o the_o heathen_n obsessam_fw-la vociferantur_fw-la civitatem_fw-la in_fw-la agris_fw-la in_fw-la castellis_fw-la in_fw-la insulis_fw-la christianos_n omnem_fw-la sexum_fw-la aetatem_fw-la conditionem_fw-la etiam_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la transgredi_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la nomen_fw-la 3._o quasi_fw-la detrimento_fw-la moerent_fw-la all_o sort_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n in_o all_o place_n be_v sudden_o become_v christian_n what_o common_a tie_n can_v there_o be_v now_o to_o unite_v all_o these_o person_n together_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v first_o preach_v to_o they_o by_o such_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o christ_n action_n and_o have_v leave_v sacred_a record_n behind_o they_o contain_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o those_o admirable_a instruction_n which_o be_v their_o only_a certain_a guide_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n 4._o because_o many_o person_n do_v join_v in_o this_o consent_n with_o true_a christian_n who_o yet_o can_v hearty_o with_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o true_a such_o be_v all_o those_o person_n who_o be_v sensual_a in_o their_o life_n and_o walk_v not_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o dare_v not_o question_n or_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o such_o who_o can_v hearty_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o future_a state_n nor_o judgement_n to_o come_v that_o they_o may_v indulge_v themselves_o in_o this_o world_n without_o fear_n of_o another_o yet_o their_o conscience_n be_v so_o far_o convince_v of_o and_o awe_v by_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o they_o raise_v many_o perplexity_n and_o anxiety_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o they_o will_v most_o willing_o be_v rid_v of_o which_o they_o can_v never_o thorough_o be_v till_o instead_o of_o have_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n they_o come_v to_o live_v the_o life_n of_o christian_n and_o become_v experimental_o acquaint_v with_o the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n and_o withal_o we_o find_v that_o the_o more_o man_n have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o practice_n of_o christianity_n the_o great_a evidence_n they_o have_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o be_v more_o full_o and_o rational_o persuade_v of_o it_o to_o such_o i_o grant_v there_o be_v such_o powerful_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o effectual_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n upon_o their_o soul_n that_o all_o other_o argument_n as_o to_o their_o own_o satisfaction_n may_v fall_v short_a of_o these_o as_o to_o which_o those_o verse_n of_o the_o poet_n dante_n be_v render_v into_o latin_a by_o f._n s._n be_v very_o pertinent_a and_o significant_a for_o when_o he_o have_v introduce_v the_o apostle_n peter_n ask_v he_o what_o it_o be_v which_o his_o faith_n be_v found_v on_o he_o answer_v deinde_fw-la exivit_fw-la ex_fw-la luce_fw-fr profundâ_fw-la quae_fw-la illic_fw-la splendebat_fw-la pretiosa_fw-la gemma_fw-la super_fw-la quam_fw-la omnis_fw-la virtus_fw-la fundatur_fw-la i_o e._n that_o god_n be_v please_v by_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o discover_v that_o divine_a truth_n to_o the_o world_n whereon_o our_o faith_n do_v stand_v as_o on_o its_o sure_a foundation_n but_o when_o the_o apostle_n go_v on_o to_o inquire_v how_o he_o know_v this_o come_v at_o first_o from_o god_n his_o answer_n to_o that_o be_v larga_fw-la pluvia_fw-la spiritûs_fw-la sancti_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la diffusa_fw-la super_fw-la veteres_fw-la &_o super_fw-la novas_fw-la membranas_fw-la est_fw-la syllogismus_fw-la ille_fw-la qui_fw-la eam_fw-la mihi_fw-la conclusit_fw-la adâ—ò_fw-la acutè_fw-la ut_fw-la prae_fw-la illâ_fw-la demonstratione_fw-la omnis_fw-la demonstratio_fw-la alia_fw-la mihi_fw-la videatur_fw-la obtusa_fw-la i_o e._n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v so_o full_o discover_v its_o self_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n that_o all_o other_o argument_n be_v but_o dull_a and_o heavy_a if_o compare_v with_o this_o it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v so_o to_o a_o true_o enlighten_v conscience_n which_o discover_v so_o much_o beauty_n and_o glory_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o ravish_v the_o soul_n although_o it_o be_v unable_a to_o give_v so_o full_a a_o account_n of_o this_o unto_o other_o who_o want_v the_o eye_n to_o see_v that_o beauty_n with_o which_o a_o heart_n true_o gracious_a have_v we_o see_v ordinary_o in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o attraction_n of_o beauty_n be_v a_o unaccountable_a thing_n and_o one_o may_v discern_v that_o which_o ravish_v he_o which_o another_o look_v on_o as_o mean_v and_o ordinary_a and_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v much_o more_o thus_o in_o divine_a object_n which_o want_v spiritual_a eye_n to_o discover_v they_o therefore_o i_o grant_v that_o good_a man_n enjoy_v that_o satisfaction_n to_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o other_o can_v attain_v to_o but_o yet_o i_o say_v that_o such_o do_v likewise_o see_v the_o most_o strong_a rational_a and_o convince_a evidence_n which_o do_v induce_v they_o to_o believe_v which_o evidence_n be_v then_o most_o convince_a when_o it_o be_v second_v by_o the_o peculiar_a energy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o true_a believer_n but_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o the_o power_n and_o force_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v so_o great_a even_o upon_o such_o mind_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o mould_v into_o the_o fashion_n of_o true_a goodness_n that_o it_o may_v awe_v with_o its_o light_n and_o clearness_n where_o it_o do_v not_o soften_v and_o alter_v by_o its_o heat_n and_o influence_n now_o whence_o can_v it_o be_v that_o such_o
conviction_n shall_v stick_v so_o fast_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o will_v fain_o pull_v out_o those_o pierce_a arrow_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a power_n in_o they_o then_o they_o be_v mnster_n of_o and_o they_o can_v stand_v against_o the_o force_n whereby_o they_o come_v upon_o they_o nor_o find_v any_o salve_n to_o cure_v the_o wound_n which_o be_v make_v within_o they_o but_o by_o those_o weapon_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o wicked_a person_n under_o conflict_n of_o conscience_n can_v ease_v themselves_o by_o direct_a atheism_n or_o find_v reason_n to_o cast_v off_o such_o conviction_n by_o discern_v any_o invalidity_n in_o the_o testimony_n whereon_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n depend_v it_o be_v a_o certain_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v abundant_a truth_n in_o that_o testimony_n when_o man_n will_v fain_o persuade_v themselves_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_a and_o yet_o can_v 5._o the_o truth_n of_o this_o consent_n appear_v from_o the_o unanimity_n of_o it_o among_o those_o person_n who_o have_v yet_o strange_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o in_o many_o controversy_n in_o religion_n we_o see_v thereby_o this_o unanimity_n be_v no_o force_a or_o design_v thing_n because_o we_o see_v the_o person_n agree_v in_o this_o do_v very_o much_o disagree_v from_o each_o other_o in_o other_o thing_n and_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o reason_n whereon_o they_o disagree_v as_o to_o other_o thing_n will_v have_v hold_v as_o to_o these_o too_o be_v there_o not_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n then_o of_o those_o they_o fall_v out_o about_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o become_v a_o question_n among_o those_o who_o differ_v so_o much_o about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n whether_o the_o scripture_n its_o self_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n although_o the_o very_a account_n on_o which_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v so_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o no_o mean_a controversy_n all_o the_o divide_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n do_v yet_o full_o agree_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o he_o do_v many_o great_a miracle_n that_o he_o die_v on_o the_o cross_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a now_o these_o contain_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o therefore_o the_o multitude_n of_o other_o controversy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o weaken_v our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o man_n of_o weak_a judgement_n and_o atheistical_a spirit_n preâ—end_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o strong_a confirmation_n of_o it_o when_o we_o see_v person_n which_o so_o peevish_o quarrel_v with_o each_o other_o about_o some_o inferior_a and_o less_o weighty_a part_n of_o religion_n do_v yet_o unanimous_o consent_v in_o the_o principal_a foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o such_o whereon_o the_o necessity_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n as_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n do_v more_o immediate_o depend_v and_o this_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o the_o infinite_o wise_a god_n may_v suffer_v such_o lamentable_a contention_n and_o division_n to_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o thereby_o inquisitive_a person_n may_v see_v that_o if_o religion_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a design_n of_o some_o few_o politic_a person_n the_o quarrelsome_a world_n where_o it_o be_v not_o hold_v in_o by_o force_n will_v never_o have_v consent_v so_o long_o in_o the_o own_n such_o common_a principle_n which_o all_o the_o other_o controversy_n be_v build_v upon_o and_o although_o it_o be_v continual_o see_v that_o in_o divide_a party_n one_o be_v apt_a to_o run_v from_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o other_o and_o man_n general_o think_v they_o can_v never_o run_v far_o enough_o from_o they_o who_o error_n they_o have_v discover_v that_o yet_o this_o principle_n have_v not_o carry_v any_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n out_o of_o their_o indignation_n against_o those_o great_a corruption_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o the_o world_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o disow_v the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n must_v be_v â—artly_o impute_v to_o the_o signal_n hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o partly_o to_o those_o strong_a evidence_n which_o there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o testimony_n which_o convey_v to_o uâ—_n the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n thus_o we_o see_v now_o how_o great_a and_o uncontrolled_a this_o consent_n be_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n deliver_v down_o from_o the_o eye-witness_n of_o they_o concern_v the_o action_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o authentical_a record_n of_o they_o and_o what_o a_o sure_a foundation_n there_o be_v for_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o so_o universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n thus_o far_o we_o have_v now_o manifest_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o miracle_n 20._o of_o christ_n in_o order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o propagate_v it_o in_o the_o world_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v be_v the_o admirable_a success_n which_o the_o gospel_n meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n upon_o its_o be_v preach_v to_o it_o of_o whâ—ch_n no_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v unless_o the_o action_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v most_o undoubted_o true_a that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n have_v very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a success_n upon_o its_o first_o preach_v have_v be_v partly_o discover_v already_o and_o be_v withal_o so_o plain_a from_o the_o long_a continuance_n of_o it_o in_o these_o european_a part_n that_o none_o any_o way_n conversant_a in_o the_o history_n of_o former_a age_n can_v have_v any_o ground_n to_o question_v it_o but_o that_o this_o strange_a and_o admirable_a success_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v a_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o will_v appear_v from_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n its_o self_n be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o that_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o be_v so_o much_o oppose_v by_o all_o worldly_a power_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n its_o self_n be_v so_o opposite_a to_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n the_o doctrine_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o as_o to_o its_o credenda_fw-la or_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o as_o to_o its_o agenda_fw-la or_o matter_n of_o life_n and_o practice_n both_o these_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o world_n the_o former_a seem_v 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the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o do_v so_o easy_o demolish_v these_o strong_a hold_n and_o captivate_v the_o understanding_n of_o man_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ._n to_o which_o purpose_n arnobius_n excellent_o speak_v in_o these_o word_n to_o the_o heathen_n sed_fw-la non_fw-la creditis_fw-la gesta_fw-la haec_fw-la sed_fw-la qui_fw-la ea_fw-la conspicati_fw-la sunt_fw-la fieri_fw-la &_o sub_fw-la oculis_fw-la suis_fw-la viderunt_fw-la agi_fw-la testes_fw-la optimi_fw-la certissimique_fw-la auctores_fw-la â—_o &_o crediderunt_fw-la haec_fw-la ipsi_fw-la &_o credenda_fw-la posteris_fw-la nobis_fw-la haud_fw-la exilibus_fw-la cum_fw-la approbationibus_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la quinam_fw-la isti_fw-la fortasse_fw-la quaeritis_fw-la gentes_fw-la populi_fw-la nationes_fw-la &_o incredulum_fw-la illud_fw-la genus_fw-la humanum_fw-la quod_fw-la nisi_fw-la aperta_fw-la res_fw-la esset_fw-la &_o luce_fw-fr ipsa_fw-la quemadmodum_fw-la dicitur_fw-la clarior_fw-la nunquam_fw-la rebus_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la credulitatis_fw-la suae_fw-la commodarent_fw-la assensum_fw-la an_fw-mi nunquid_fw-la dicemus_fw-la illius_fw-la temporis_fw-la homines_fw-la usque_fw-la adeò_fw-la fuisse_fw-la vanos_fw-la mendaces_fw-la stolidos_fw-la brutos_fw-la ut_fw-la quae_fw-la nunquam_fw-la viderant_fw-la vidisse_fw-la se_fw-la fingerent_fw-la &_o quae_fw-la facta_fw-la omninò_fw-la non_fw-la erant_fw-la falsis_fw-la proderent_fw-la testimoniis_fw-la aut_fw-la puerili_fw-la assertione_fw-la sirmarent_fw-la cumque_fw-la possent_fw-la vobiscum_fw-la &_o unanimiter_fw-la vivere_fw-la &_o inoffensas_fw-la ducere_fw-la conjunctiones_fw-la gratuita_fw-la susciperent_fw-la odia_fw-la &_o execrabili_fw-la haberentur_fw-la in_o nomine_fw-la quod_fw-la si_fw-la falsa_fw-la ut_fw-la dicit_fw-la be_v historia_fw-la illa_fw-la rerum_fw-la est_fw-la unde_fw-la tam_fw-la brevi_fw-la tempore_fw-la totus_fw-la mundus_fw-la ista_fw-la religione_fw-la complete_a we_o est_z aut_fw-la in_o unam_fw-la coire_fw-la qui_fw-la potuërunt_fw-la mentem_fw-la gentes_fw-la regionibus_fw-la dissiâ—â—ae_fw-la ventis_fw-la coelique_fw-la convexionibus_fw-la dimotae_fw-la asseverationibus_fw-la illectae_fw-la sunt_fw-la nudis_fw-la inductae_fw-la in_o spes_fw-la cassas_fw-la &_o in_o pericula_fw-la capitis_fw-la immittere_fw-la se_fw-la sponte_fw-la temeraria_fw-la desperatione_n voluërunt_fw-la cum_fw-la nihil_fw-la tale_n vidissent_fw-la quod_fw-la eas_fw-la in_o hos_fw-la cult_a we_o novitatis_fw-la suae_fw-la possit_fw-la excitare_fw-la miraculo_fw-la imo_fw-la quia_fw-la haec_fw-la omne_fw-la ab_fw-la ipso_fw-la cernebant_fw-la geri_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la ejus_fw-la praeconibus_fw-la qui_fw-la per_fw-la orbem_fw-la totum_fw-la missi_fw-la beneficia_fw-la patris_fw-la &_o munera_fw-la sanandis_fw-la animus_fw-la hominibusque_fw-la portabant_fw-la veritatis_fw-la ipsius_fw-la vi_fw-la victae_fw-la &_o dedërunt_fw-la se_fw-la deo_fw-la nec_fw-la in_o magnis_fw-la posuëre_fw-la despendiis_fw-la membra_fw-la vobis_fw-la projicere_fw-la &_o viscera_fw-la sua_fw-la lanianda_fw-la praebere_fw-la the_o substance_n of_o who_o discourse_n be_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v so_o many_o person_n of_o so_o many_o nation_n to_o be_v so_o far_o besot_v and_o infatuate_v as_o not_o only_o to_o believe_v a_o religion_n to_o be_v true_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o they_o be_v educate_v in_o but_o to_o venture_v their_o life_n as_o well_o as_o estate_n upon_o it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v discover_v to_o they_o in_o a_o most_o certain_a and_o infallible_a way_n by_o such_o who_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o action_n and_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o as_o he_o elsewhere_o speak_v well_fw-mi haec_fw-la saltem_fw-la 44._o fidem_fw-la vobis_fw-la faciant_fw-la argumenta_fw-la credendi_fw-la quod_fw-la jam_fw-la peromnes_n terras_fw-la in_o tam_fw-la brevi_fw-la tempore_fw-la &_o parvo_fw-la immensi_fw-la nominis_fw-la huius_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la diffusa_fw-la sunt_fw-la quod_fw-la nulla_fw-la jam_fw-la natio_fw-la est_fw-la tam_fw-la barbari_fw-la moris_fw-la &_o mansuetudinem_fw-la nesciens_fw-la quae_fw-la non_fw-la ejus_fw-la amore_fw-la versa_fw-la molliverit_fw-la asperitatem_fw-la svam_fw-la &_o in_o placidos_fw-la sensus_fw-la assumpt_n â_fw-la tranquillitate_fw-la migraverit_fw-la quod_fw-la tam_fw-la magnis_fw-la ingeniis_fw-la praediti_fw-la oratores_fw-la grammatici_fw-la rhetores_fw-la consulti_fw-la juris_fw-la ac_fw-la medici_n philosophiae_fw-la etiam_fw-la secreta_fw-la rimantes_fw-la magisteria_fw-la haec_fw-la expetunt_fw-la spretis_fw-la quibus_fw-la paulò_fw-la ante_fw-la sidebant_fw-la etc._n etc._n will_v not_o this_o persuade_v the_o world_n what_o firm_a foundation_n the_o faith_n of_o christians_n stand_v on_o when_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n it_o be_v spread_v over_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o by_o it_o the_o most_o inhuman_a and_o barbarous_a nation_n be_v soften_v into_o more_o than_o civility_n that_o man_n of_o the_o great_a wit_n and_o part_n orator_n grammarian_n rhetorician_n lawyer_n physician_n philosopher_n who_o not_o have_v for_o saken_a then_o former_a sentiment_n and_o adhere_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n now_o i_o say_v if_o the_o power_n of_o education_n be_v so_o strong_a upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o persuade_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o religion_n they_o be_v breed_v up_o under_o which_o atheistical_o dispose_v person_n make_v so_o much_o advantage_n of_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o weaken_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n that_o it_o prove_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o it_o because_o it_o obtain_v so_o much_o upon_o its_o first_o preach_v in_o the_o world_n notwithstanding_o the_o high_a prejudices_fw-la from_o education_n be_v against_o it_o if_o then_o man_n be_v so_o prone_a to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v most_o true_a which_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v under_o it_o must_v argue_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a evidence_n and_o power_n in_o that_o religion_n which_o unsettle_v so_o much_o the_o principle_n of_o education_n as_o to_o make_v man_n not_o only_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o but_o to_o renounce_v they_o and_o embrace_v a_o religion_n contrary_n to_o they_o especial_o when_o we_o withal_o consider_v what_o stronghold_n these_o principle_n of_o education_n be_v back_v with_o among_o the_o 21._o heathen_n when_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v first_o divulge_v among_o they_o i._n e._n what_o plausible_a pretence_n they_o have_v of_o continue_v in_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o and_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o exchange_v it_o for_o christianity_n and_o those_o be_v 1._o the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o their_o religion_n above_o the_o christian_a the_o main_a thing_n plead_v against_o the_o christian_n be_v templis_fw-la divortium_fw-la ab_fw-la institutis_fw-la majorum_fw-la that_o they_o think_v themselves_o wise_a than_o their_o forefather_n and_o symmachus_n libanius_n and_o other_o plead_v this_o most_o in_o behalf_n of_o paganism_n servanda_fw-la est_fw-la tot_fw-la seculis_fw-la fides_fw-la &_o sequendi_fw-la sunt_fw-la nobis_fw-la parent_n qui_fw-la secuti_fw-la sunt_fw-la feliciter_fw-la suos_fw-la their_o religion_n plead_v prescription_n against_o any_o other_o and_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o sollow_v the_o step_n of_o their_o ancestor_n wherein_o they_o think_v themselves_o happy_a and_o secure_a caecilius_n in_o minutius_n felix_n first_o argue_v much_o against_o dogmatize_v in_o religion_n but_o withal_o say_v it_o 6._o most_o become_v a_o lover_n of_o truth_n majorum_fw-la excipere_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la religiones_fw-la tradit_fw-la as_o colere_fw-la deos_fw-la quos_fw-la à _fw-la parentibus_fw-la ante_fw-la imbutus_fw-la es_fw-la timere_fw-la nec_fw-la de_fw-la numinibus_fw-la far_o sententiam_fw-la sed_fw-la prioribus_fw-la credere_fw-la so_o arnobius_n tell_v we_o the_o main_a thing_n object_v against_o 90._o the_o christian_n be_v novellam_fw-la esse_fw-la religionem_fw-la nostram_fw-la &_o ante_fw-la dies_fw-la natam_fw-la propemodum_fw-la paucos_fw-la nâ—que_fw-la vos_fw-la potuisse_fw-la antiquam_fw-la &_o patriam_fw-la linquere_fw-la &_o in_o barbaros_fw-la ritus_fw-la peregrinosque_fw-la traduci_fw-la and_o cotta_n in_o tully_n long_v before_o lay_v this_o down_o as_o the_o main_a principle_n of_o pagan_a religion_n majoribus_fw-la nostris_fw-la etiam_fw-la nulla_fw-la 3._o ratione_fw-la reddita_fw-la credere_fw-la to_o believe_v the_o tradition_n of_o our_o father_n although_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n in_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o after_o he_o have_v discover_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o stoical_a argument_n about_o religion_n conclude_v with_o this_o as_o the_o only_a thing_n he_o resolve_v his_o religion_n into_o mihi_fw-la unum_fw-la satis_fw-la erit_fw-la majores_fw-la nostros_fw-la it_o a_o tradidisse_fw-la it_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o that_o it_o come_v by_o tradition_n from_o our_o forefather_n lactantius_n full_o set_v forth_o the_o manner_n of_o 6._o plead_v use_v by_o the_o heathen_n against_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o point_n of_o antiquity_n hae_fw-la sunt_fw-la religiones_fw-la quas_fw-la sibi_fw-la à _fw-la majoribus_fw-la suis_fw-la traditas_fw-la pertinacissime_fw-la tueri_fw-la ac_fw-la defendere_fw-la persiverant_a nec_fw-la considerant_fw-la quales_fw-la sint_fw-la sed_fw-la ex_fw-la hoc_fw-la probat_fw-la as_o atque_fw-la veras_fw-la esse_fw-la confidunt_fw-la quod_fw-la eas_fw-la veteres_fw-la tradiderâ—nt_fw-la tantaque_fw-la est_fw-la auctoritas_fw-la vetustatis_fw-la ut_fw-la inquircre_fw-la in_o eam_fw-la scelus_fw-la esse_fw-la dicatur_fw-la the_o english_a be_v they_o account_v tradition_n infallible_a and_o know_v no_o other_o way_n whereby_o to_o find_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n but_o by_o its_o conveyance_n from_o their_o forefather_n how_o like_v herein_o do_v they_o speak_v to_o those_o
because_o the_o heathen_n judge_v these_o assembly_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v illegal_a society_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n when_o they_o grow_v suspicious_a of_o their_o own_o safety_n they_o severe_o prohibit_v ail_fw-we those_o sodalitia_fw-la or_o society_n and_o college_n which_o be_v very_o much_o in_o use_n in_o the_o roman_a commonwealth_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o city_n of_o greece_n these_o be_v such_o society_n of_o person_n which_o voluntary_o confederate_v together_o either_o for_o some_o particular_a design_n or_o for_o preserve_v love_n and_o friendship_n among_o each_o other_o and_o thence_o have_v their_o frequent_a meeting_n in_o common_a together_o now_o the_o more_o numerous_a these_o be_v and_o the_o more_o close_o they_o confederate_v the_o more_o jealous_a eye_n the_o roman_a emperor_n have_v upon_o they_o because_o of_o some_o clandestine_v design_n which_o they_o suspect_v may_v be_v carry_v on_o for_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n in_o such_o suspicious_a meeting_n thence_o come_v out_o many_o particular_a edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n against_o all_o such_o kind_n of_o society_n now_o when_o the_o christian_n begin_v to_o be_v somewhat_o numerous_a and_o have_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n frequent_a assembly_n for_o divine_a worship_n and_o do_v confederate_a together_o by_o such_o symbol_n of_o be_v wash_v with_o water_n and_o eat_v and_o drink_v together_o which_o be_v all_o the_o heathen_n apprehend_v by_o their_o use_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o proconsul_n and_o other_o magistrate_n in_o their_o several_a province_n bring_v the_o christian_n under_o these_o edict_n and_o so_o punish_v they_o for_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o law_n which_o as_o appear_v by_o pliny_n his_o epistle_n to_o trajan_n be_v the_o only_a account_n on_o which_o 97._o the_o wise_a heathen_n do_v proceed_v against_o the_o christian_n for_o we_o see_v he_o trouble_v not_o himself_o much_o about_o the_o truth_n and_o evidence_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o such_o person_n be_v bring_v before_o he_o and_o after_o he_o have_v interrogated_a they_o whether_o they_o be_v christian_n or_o no_o several_a time_n if_o they_o persist_v he_o then_o punish_v they_o not_o so_o much_o for_o their_o religion_n as_o for_o their_o obstinacy_n and_o contempt_n of_o authority_n for_o so_o much_o be_v employ_v in_o those_o word_n of_o he_o neque_fw-la enim_fw-la dubitabam_fw-la qualâ—cunque_fw-la esset_fw-la quod_fw-la faterentur_fw-la pervicaciam_fw-la certè_fw-la &_o inflexibilem_fw-la obstinâ—tionem_fw-la debere_fw-la puniri_fw-la that_o whatever_o their_o religion_n be_v their_o obstinacy_n and_o disobedience_n deserve_v punishment_n that_o which_o the_o christian_n now_o plead_v for_o themselves_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o faction_n of_o the_o people_n be_v that_o which_o they_o give_v in_o answer_n to_o pliny_n that_o all_o their_o fault_n be_v quod_fw-la essent_fw-la soliti_fw-la stato_fw-la die_fw-la ante_fw-la lucem_fw-la convenire_fw-la carmenque_fw-la christo_fw-la quasi_fw-la deo_fw-la dicere_fw-la secum_fw-la inuicem_fw-la seque_fw-la sacramento_fw-la non_fw-la in_o scelus_fw-la aliquod_fw-la obstringere_fw-la sed_fw-la ne_fw-la furta_fw-la nelatrocinia_fw-la ne_fw-la adulteria_fw-la committerent_fw-la ne_fw-la fidem_fw-la fallerent_fw-la ne_fw-la depositum_fw-la appellati_fw-la abnegarent_fw-la that_o they_o be_v wont_n upon_o their_o solemn_a day_n to_o meet_v together_o for_o divine_a worship_n and_o to_o covenant_n with_o each_o other_o only_o for_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v as_o much_o for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n as_o their_o own_o viz._n that_o they_o will_v not_o wrong_v and_o defraud_v other_o as_o to_o their_o body_n or_o estate_n and_o tertullian_n approve_v of_o the_o law_n against_o faction_n as_o de_fw-fr providentia_fw-la &_o modestia_fw-la publica_fw-la nè_fw-la civitas_fw-la in_o part_n seinderetur_fw-la as_o wise_o intend_v to_o prevent_v 38._o sedition_n but_o withal_o plead_v that_o the_o society_n of_o christian_n can_v not_o be_v reckon_v inter_fw-la illicitas_fw-la factiones_fw-la for_o say_v he_o haec_fw-la coitio_fw-la christianorum_fw-la merito_fw-la sane_fw-la illicita_fw-la si_fw-la illicitis_fw-la par_fw-fr merito_fw-la damnanda_fw-la si_fw-la quis_fw-la de_fw-fr ea_fw-la queritur_fw-la eo_fw-la titulo_fw-la quo_fw-la de_fw-la factionibus_fw-la querela_fw-la est_fw-la in_o cujus_fw-la perniciem_fw-la aliquando_fw-la convenimus_fw-la hoc_fw-la sumus_fw-la congregati_fw-la quod_fw-la &_o dispersi_fw-la hoc_fw-la universi_fw-la quod_fw-la &_o singuli_fw-la neminem_fw-la laedentes_fw-la neminem_fw-la contristantes_fw-la quum_fw-la probi_fw-la quum_fw-la boni_fw-la coëunt_fw-la quum_fw-la pii_fw-la quum_fw-la casti_fw-la congregantur_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la factio_fw-la dicenda_fw-la sed_fw-la curia_fw-la if_o say_v he_o the_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v like_o other_o there_o may_v be_v some_o reason_n to_o condemn_v they_o under_o the_o head_n of_o faction_n but_o as_o long_o as_o we_o meet_v together_o for_o no_o man_n injury_n that_o whether_o divide_v or_o assemble_v we_o be_v still_o the_o same_o that_o we_o grieve_v and_o injure_v no_o body_n when_o such_o a_o company_n of_o good_a man_n meet_v together_o it_o be_v rather_o a_o council_n then_o a_o faction_n 2._o another_o law_n the_o christian_n be_v bring_v under_o be_v that_o against_o innovation_n in_o religion_n thence_o it_o be_v lay_v so_o much_o to_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o christian_n that_o they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d go_v contrary_a to_o the_o establish_a law_n as_o porphyry_n say_v of_o origen_n because_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a he_o do_v 19_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o ammonius_n revolt_a from_o christianity_n to_o paganism_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o turn_v to_o the_o way_n of_o life_n which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o establish_a law_n now_o christianity_n be_v every_o where_o look_v on_o as_o a_o great_a innovation_n insomuch_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v accuse_v to_o be_v legum_fw-la morum_fw-la 4._o naturae_fw-la inimici_fw-la as_o enemy_n to_o mankind_n as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n because_o they_o draw_v man_n off_o from_o that_o way_n of_o religion_n which_o mankind_n have_v general_o agree_v in_o thence_o aemilianus_n the_o 11._o praefect_n of_o egypt_n when_o he_o bid_v the_o christian_n return_v to_o paganism_n he_o use_v these_o expression_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o return_v to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o forget_v what_o be_v so_o much_o against_o it_o as_o he_o suppose_v christianity_n to_o be_v when_o paul_n preach_v at_o athens_n his_o first_o accusation_n be_v that_o he_o be_v a_o preacher_n of_o strange_a deity_n because_o he_o preach_v to_o they_o jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n and_o demctrius_fw-la at_o ephesus_n know_v no_o such_o potent_a 18._o argument_n against_o paul_n as_o that_o his_o religion_n destroy_v the_o worship_n of_o diana_n who_o all_o asia_n and_o the_o world_n worship_n 27._o so_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v then_o account_v the_o antipode_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n on_o which_o account_n they_o be_v so_o severe_o deal_v with_o most_o commonwealth_n observe_v the_o counsel_n of_o maecenas_n to_o augustus_n in_o dio_n to_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v a_o watchful_a eye_n upon_o all_o innovation_n in_o religion_n because_o they_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n 3._o the_o law_n of_o sacrilege_n thence_o lactantius_n call_v their_o law_n constitutiones_fw-la sacrilegae_fw-la quin_fw-la etiam_fw-la sceleratissimi_fw-la homicidae_fw-la contra_fw-la pios_fw-la jura_fw-la impia_fw-la condiderunt_fw-la nam_fw-la &_o constitutiones_fw-la 11._o sacrilegae_fw-la &_o disputationes_fw-la jurisperitorum_fw-la leguntur_fw-la injustae_fw-la and_o as_o he_o tell_v we_o domitius_n ulpianus_n have_v collect_v all_o those_o rescripta_fw-la nefaria_fw-la together_o which_o concern_v the_o christian_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v christianity_n by_o pliny_n be_v call_v amentia_fw-la by_o tacitus_n exitiabilis_fw-la superstitio_fw-la by_o suetâ—nius_fw-la one_o superstitio_fw-la nova_fw-la &_o exitiabilis_fw-la so_o much_o do_v these_o three_o great_a man_n agree_v in_o condemn_v the_o best_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o madness_n and_o new_a and_o detestable_a superstition_n the_o ground_n of_o the_o great_a pique_n be_v the_o enmity_n declare_v by_o christian_n against_o the_o idolatrous_a temple_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o heathen_n 4._o the_o law_n against_o treason_n for_o sometime_o they_o proceed_v so_o high_a as_o to_o accuse_v the_o christian_n laesae_fw-la majestatis_fw-la and_o thence_o they_o be_v common_o call_v publici_fw-la host_n enemy_n to_o all_o civil_a government_n which_o they_o infer_v from_o hence_o 35._o 1._o because_o they_o will_v not_o sacrifice_v for_o the_o emperor_n safety_n ideo_fw-la committimus_fw-la say_v tertullian_n in_o majestatem_fw-la imperatorum_fw-la 29._o quia_fw-la illos_fw-la non_fw-la subjicimus_fw-la rebus_fw-la suis_fw-la quia_fw-la non_fw-la ludimus_fw-la de_fw-fr officio_fw-la salutis_fw-la
seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o ever_o for_o grant_v that_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v see_v in_o one_o and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v still_o dissatisfy_v unless_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o he_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v from_o divine_a power_n and_o other_o can_v be_v now_o the_o main_a distinction_n be_v place_v here_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n abstract_o consider_v and_o not_o as_o they_o bear_v any_o evidence_n to_o our_o understanding_n in_o stead_n of_o resolve_v doubt_n it_o increase_v more_o for_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o magician_n rod_n turn_v into_o scrpent_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n his_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v this_o yield_v to_o any_o spectator_n to_o tell_v he_o that_o in_o the_o one_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o some_o evidence_n from_o the_o thing_n that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o mere_a imposture_n and_o the_o other_o a_o real_a alteration_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o i_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v that_o no_o general_a discourse_n concern_v the_o formal_a difference_n of_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n consider_v in_o themselves_o can_v afford_v any_o rational_a satisfaction_n to_o a_o inquisitive_a mind_n that_o which_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o give_v it_o must_v be_v something_o which_o may_v be_v discern_v by_o any_o judicious_a and_o considerative_a person_n and_o that_o god_n never_o give_v to_o any_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n but_o he_o give_v some_o such_o ground_n of_o satisfaction_n concern_v they_o will_v appear_v upon_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o from_o god_n intention_n in_o give_v to_o any_o this_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n we_o have_v large_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o the_o end_n of_o true_a miracle_n be_v to_o be_v a_o confirmation_n to_o the_o world_n of_o the_o divine_a commission_n of_o the_o person_n who_o have_v it_o and_o that_o the_o testimony_n be_v divine_a which_o be_v confirm_v by_o it_o now_o if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o know_v when_o miracle_n be_v true_a or_o false_a this_o power_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n at_o all_o for_o man_n be_v as_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o therefore_o if_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n and_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o person_n bring_v it_o as_o a_o evidence_n of_o it_o they_o must_v have_v some_o assurance_n that_o these_o miracle_n can_v not_o come_v from_o any_o but_o a_o divine_a power_n 2._o from_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n which_o if_o we_o own_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v permit_v the_o devil_n who_o only_a design_n be_v to_o ruin_v mankind_n to_o abuse_v the_o credulity_n of_o the_o world_n so_o far_o as_o to_o have_v his_o lie_a wonder_n pass_v uncontrolled_a which_o they_o must_v do_v if_o nothing_o can_v be_v find_v out_o as_o a_o certain_a difference_n between_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o of_o diabolical_a and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o divine_a power_n if_o then_o it_o may_v be_v discover_v that_o there_o be_v a_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o act_n in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v produce_v strange_a thing_n either_o we_o must_v impute_v all_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o which_o must_v be_v to_o attribute_v to_o he_o a_o infinite_a power_n or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a which_o cross_v this_o malignant_a spirit_n in_o his_o design_n and_o if_o so_o we_o can_v imagine_v he_o shall_v suffer_v he_o to_o usurp_v so_o much_o tyranny_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o to_o make_v those_o thing_n pass_v in_o the_o more_o sober_a and_o inquisitive_a part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o divine_a miracle_n which_o be_v only_a counterfeit_n and_o imposture_n if_o then_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o deep_o engage_v in_o the_o discover_v the_o design_n of_o satan_n there_o must_v be_v some_o mean_n of_o this_o discovery_n and_o that_o mean_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v no_o other_o in_o this_o case_n but_o some_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a evidence_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v when_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a thing_n be_v do_v by_o satan_n to_o deceive_v man_n and_o when_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o divine_a testimony_n but_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a say_v some_o that_o miracle_n shall_v be_v 2._o any_o ground_n on_o which_o to_o believe_v a_o testimony_n divine_a when_o christ_n himself_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n in_o 24._o so_o much_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o come_n of_o antichrist_n will_v be_v with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n how_o then_o can_v 9_o we_o fix_v on_o miracle_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a testimony_n when_o we_o see_v they_o be_v common_a to_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n and_o may_v seal_v indifferent_o either_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o do_v no_o small_a disservice_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o upon_o such_o weak_a and_o frivolous_a pretence_n they_o give_v so_o great_a a_o advantage_n to_o infidelity_n as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o validity_n of_o that_o which_o yield_v so_o ample_a a_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o if_o once_o the_o rational_a ground_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o whole_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v lay_v on_o thing_n not_o only_o deride_v by_o man_n of_o atheistical_a spirit_n but_o in_o themselves_o such_o as_o can_v be_v discern_v or_o judge_v of_o by_o any_o but_o themselves_o upon_o what_o ground_n can_v we_o proceed_v to_o convince_v a_o unbeliever_n that_o the_o doctrine_n which_o we_o believe_v be_v true_a if_o they_o tell_v he_o that_o as_o light_v and_o fire_n manifest_v themselves_o so_o do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o it_o will_v be_v soon_o reply_v that_o self-evidence_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n can_v imply_v nothing_o but_o either_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n concern_v the_o thing_n propound_v or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n it_o self_n that_o none_o who_o free_o use_v their_o reason_n can_v deny_v it_o the_o first_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n to_o any_o other_o person_n any_o further_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o person_n who_o declare_v it_o to_o have_v such_o self-evidence_n to_o he_o do_v extend_v its_o self_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o other_o and_o to_o one_o self_n it_o seem_v a_o strange_a way_n of_o argue_v i_o believe_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o be_v true_a and_o they_o be_v true_a because_o i_o believe_v they_o for_o self-evidence_n imply_v so_o much_o if_o by_o it_o be_v mean_v the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a but_o if_o by_o self-evidence_n be_v further_a mean_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o matter_n propound_v that_o all_o who_o do_v consider_v it_o must_v believe_v it_o i_o then_o further_o inquire_v whether_o this_o evidence_n do_v lie_v in_o the_o nâ—ked_a proposal_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o the_o understanding_n and_o if_o so_o than_o every_o one_o who_o assent_v to_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n must_v likewise_o assent_v to_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o whether_o do_v the_o evidence_n lie_v not_o in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n but_o in_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v then_o 1._o the_o self-evidence_n be_v take_v off_o from_o the_o write_a word_n which_o be_v the_o object_n and_o remove_v to_o a_o quite_o different_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n 2._o whether_o then_o any_o person_n who_o want_v this_o efficacious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v or_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v god_n word_n if_o they_o be_v bind_v the_o duty_n must_v be_v propound_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n but_o if_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n lie_v on_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n than_o such_o as_o want_v this_o can_v have_v none_o at_o all_o but_o if_o â—astly_a by_o this_o self-evidence_n be_v mean_v
of_o rambam_n or_o r._n moses_n maimon_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n desire_v of_o he_o a_o sign_n and_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v cut_v off_o his_o head_n and_o he_o will_v rise_v again_o which_o he_o cunning_o desire_v to_o avoid_v be_v torment_v which_o the_o king_n be_v resolve_v to_o try_v and_o according_o execute_v he_o but_o i_o suppose_v his_o resurrection_n and_o mahomet_n will_v be_v both_o in_o a_o day_n although_o maimonides_n tell_v we_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v yet_o such_o fool_n as_o to_o expect_v his_o resurrection_n several_a other_o impostor_n maimonides_n dau._n mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n de_fw-fr australi_fw-la region_fw-la one_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o messiah_n because_o he_o cure_v himself_o of_o the_o leprosy_n in_o a_o night_n several_a other_o he_o mention_n in_o spain_n france_n and_o other_o part_n and_o the_o issue_n of_o they_o all_o be_v only_o a_o further_a aggravation_n of_o the_o misery_n and_o captivity_n of_o the_o poor_a jew_n who_o be_v so_o credulous_a in_o follow_v impostor_n and_o yet_o such_o strange_a infidel_n where_o there_o be_v plain_a and_o undoubted_a miracle_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o believe_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o the_o true_a messiah_n we_o free_o grant_v then_o that_o many_o pretend_a miracle_n may_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n to_o deceive_v man_n with_o but_o do_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o either_o there_o be_v no_o true_a miracle_n do_v in_o the_o world_n or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a rule_n to_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o as_o origen_n yet_o further_o reply_v to_o celsus_n as_o a_o wolf_n do_v very_o much_o resemble_v a_o dog_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n nor_o a_o turtle_n dove_n and_o a_o pigeon_n so_o that_o which_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o which_o be_v produce_v by_o magic_n but_o as_o he_o argue_v be_v it_o possible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v only_a deceit_n in_o the_o world_n and_o magical_a operation_n and_o can_v there_o be_v no_o true_a miracle_n at_o all_o wrought_v be_v humane_a nature_n only_o capable_a of_o imposture_n or_o can_v none_o work_v miracle_n but_o devil_n where_o there_o be_v a_o worse_o there_o may_v be_v a_o better_a and_o so_o from_o the_o imposture_n &_o counterfeit_n we_o may_v infer_v that_o there_o be_v true_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n otherwise_o it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v counterfeit_n but_o no_o jewel_n or_o there_o be_v sophism_n and_o paralogism_n but_o no_o legitimate_a demonstration_n if_o then_o there_o be_v such_o deceit_n there_o be_v true_a miracle_n too_o all_o the_o business_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d strict_o and_o severe_o to_o examine_v the_o pretâ—nders_n to_o do_v they_o and_o that_o from_o the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o those_o that_o do_v they_o and_o from_o the_o effect_n and_o consequent_n of_o they_o whether_o they_o do_v good_a or_o hurt_n in_o the_o world_n whâ—ther_o thâ—y_v correct_v man_n manner_n or_o bring_v man_n to_o goodness_n holiness_n and_o truth_n and_o on_o this_o account_n we_o be_v neither_o to_o reject_v all_o miracle_n nor_o embrace_v all_o pretence_n but_o careful_o and_o prudent_o examine_v the_o rational_a evidence_n whereby_o those_o which_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a may_v be_v know_v from_o such_o which_o be_v counterfeit_a and_o diabolical_a and_o this_o now_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o main_a subject_n of_o this_o chapter_n 4._o viz._n what_o rule_v we_o have_v to_o procee_v by_o in_o judge_a miracle_n to_o be_v true_a or_o false_a which_o may_v be_v these_o follow_v true_o divine_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o some_o 1._o divine_a testimony_n because_o we_o have_v manifest_v by_o all_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n that_o the_o intention_n of_o miracle_n be_v to_o seal_v some_o divine_a revelation_n therefore_o if_o god_n shall_v work_v miracle_n when_o no_o divine_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v confirm_v god_n will_v set_v the_o broad_a seal_n of_o heaven_n to_o a_o blank_a if_o it_o be_v say_v no_o because_o it_o will_v witness_v to_o we_o now_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o testimony_n which_o be_v deliver_v so_o many_o age_n since_o i_o answer_v 1._o the_o truth_n of_o that_o testimony_n be_v sufficient_o seal_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o and_o be_v convey_v down_o in_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o we_o be_v it_o not_o sufficient_a that_o the_o charter_n of_o a_o corporation_n have_v the_o prince_n broad_a seal_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v of_o it_o but_o that_o every_o succâ—ssion_n of_o man_n in_o that_o corporation_n must_v have_v a_o new_a broad_a seal_n or_o else_o they_o ought_v to_o question_v their_o patent_n what_o ground_n can_v there_o be_v for_o that_o when_o the_o original_a seal_n and_o patent_n be_v preserve_v and_o be_v certain_o convey_v down_o from_o age_n to_o age_n so_o i_o say_v it_o be_v as_o to_o we_o god_n grand_a charter_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n to_o the_o world_n through_o jesus_n christ_n be_v seal_v by_o divine_a miracle_n at_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o to_o the_o world_n the_o original_a patent_n viz._n the_o scripture_n wherein_o this_o charter_n be_v contain_v be_v convey_v in_o a_o most_o certain_a manner_n to_o we_o to_o this_o patent_n the_o seal_n be_v annex_v and_o in_o it_o be_v contain_v those_o undoubted_a miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o so_o that_o a_o new_a seal_n of_o this_o patent_n be_v whole_o needless_a unless_o we_o have_v some_o cause_n of_o suspicion_n that_o the_o original_a patent_n itself_o be_v lose_v or_o the_o first_o seal_v be_v not_o true_a if_o the_o lat_a than_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a if_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v for_o confirmation_n of_o it_o be_v false_a because_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o depend_v so_o much_o on_o the_o verity_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v then_o wrought_v if_o the_o first_o be_v suspect_v viz._n the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o the_o patent_n viz._n the_o scripture_n some_o certain_a ground_n of_o such_o a_o suspicion_n must_v be_v discover_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n especial_o when_o the_o great_a and_o many_o society_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n do_v all_o consent_n unanimous_o in_o the_o contrary_n nay_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o rational_a man_n can_v conceive_v that_o the_o patent_n which_o we_o now_o rely_v upon_o be_v supposititious_a or_o corrupt_v in_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v of_o concernment_n to_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n 1._o from_o the_o watchfulness_n of_o divine_a providence_n for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n can_v we_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o rule_v and_o take_v care_n of_o the_o world_n and_o who_o to_o manifest_v his_o signal_n love_n to_o mankind_n shall_v not_o only_o grant_v a_o patent_n of_o mercy_n to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o son_n christ_n and_o then_o seal_v it_o by_o divine_a miracle_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o it_o to_o the_o world_n cause_v it_o by_o person_n employ_v by_o himself_o to_o be_v record_v in_o a_o language_n fit_a for_o its_o disperse_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n all_o which_o i_o here_o suppose_v can_v we_o i_o say_v conceive_v that_o this_o god_n shall_v so_o far_o have_v cast_v off_o his_o care_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n which_o be_v the_o original_a ground_n of_o the_o grant_v itself_o as_o to_o suffer_v any_o wicked_a man_n or_o malignant_a spirit_n to_o corrupt_v or_o alter_v any_o of_o those_o term_n in_o it_o on_o which_o man_n eternal_a salvation_n depend_v much_o less_o whole_o to_o suppress_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o to_o send_v forth_o one_o that_o be_v counterfeit_a and_o supposititious_a instead_o of_o it_o and_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v discover_v by_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o age_n wherein_o that_o corrupt_a copy_n be_v set_v forth_o nor_o by_o any_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a christian_n ever_o since_o they_o who_o can_v give_v any_o the_o least_o entertainment_n to_o so_o wild_a absurd_a and_o irrational_a a_o imagination_n be_v so_o far_o from_o reason_n that_o they_o be_v in_o good_a disposition_n to_o atheism_n and_o next_o to_o the_o suspect_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v corrupt_v they_o may_v rational_o suspect_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o god_n and_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n or_o that_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o spirit_n most_o malignant_a and_o envious_a of_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n which_o be_v a_o suspicion_n only_o become_v those_o heathen_n among_o
who_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_a who_o worship_v the_o devil_n instead_o of_o go_n 2._o because_o of_o the_o general_a dispersion_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o they_o we_o can_v otherwise_o conceive_v but_o that_o record_n contain_v so_o weighty_a and_o important_a thing_n will_v be_v transcribe_v by_o all_o those_o church_n which_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o we_o see_v how_o far_o curiosity_n will_v carry_v man_n as_o to_o the_o care_n of_o transcribe_v ancient_a mss._n of_o old_a author_n which_o contain_v only_o some_o history_n of_o thing_n past_o that_o be_v of_o no_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o can_v we_o then_o imagine_v those_o who_o venture_v estate_n and_o life_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n will_v not_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o authentic_a instrument_n whereby_o they_o be_v reveal_v in_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o beside_o this_o for_o a_o long_a time_n the_o original_n themselves_o of_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o church_n which_o make_v tertullian_n in_o his_o time_n appeal_v to_o they_o age_fw-la jam_fw-la qui_fw-la voles_fw-fr curiositatem_fw-la melius_fw-la exercere_fw-la in_o negotio_fw-la salutis_fw-la tuus_fw-la 36._o percurre_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la apud_fw-la quasipsae_fw-la adhuc_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la suis_fw-la locis_fw-la praesidentur_fw-la apud_fw-la quas_fw-la ipsae_fw-la authenticae_fw-la corum_fw-la literae_fw-la recitantur_fw-la sonantes_fw-la vocem_fw-la &_o representantes_fw-la faciem_fw-la uniuscujusque_fw-la now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o in_o that_o time_n the_o scripture_n can_v be_v corrupt_v when_o in_o some_o of_o the_o church_n the_o original_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v preserve_v in_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o person_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o from_o these_o original_n so_o many_o copy_n be_v transcribe_v as_o be_v convey_v almost_o all_o the_o world_n over_o through_o the_o large_a spread_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o copy_n shall_v be_v corrupt_v in_o one_o church_n when_o it_o will_v so_o speedy_o be_v discover_v by_o another_o especial_o consider_v these_o three_o circumstance_n 1._o the_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o copy_n wh_z ch_z will_v speedy_o be_v take_v both_o consider_v the_o moment_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o easiness_n of_o do_v it_o god_n probable_o for_o that_o very_a end_n not_o load_v the_o world_n with_o pandâ—cts_n and_o code_o of_o his_o law_n but_o contrive_v the_o whole_a instrument_n of_o man_n salvation_n in_o so_o narrow_a a_o compass_n that_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o preserve_v and_o transcribe_v by_o such_o who_o be_v passionate_a admirer_n of_o the_o scripture_n 2._o the_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a man_n who_o soon_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o great_a care_n be_v to_o explain_v and_o vindicate_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v that_o all_o these_o watchman_n shall_v be_v asleep_a together_o when_o the_o â—vil_a one_o come_v to_o sow_v his_o tare_n which_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o in_o the_o write_n of_o all_o these_o learned_a man_n which_o be_v very_o many_o and_o voluminous_a so_o much_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v insert_v that_o have_v there_o be_v corruption_n in_o the_o copy_n themselves_o yet_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o write_n the_o corruption_n will_v be_v soon_o discover_v 3._o the_o great_a veneration_n which_o all_o christian_n have_v of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o place_v the_o hope_n of_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n can_v we_o then_o think_v these_o will_v suffer_v any_o material_a alteration_n to_o creep_v into_o these_o record_n without_o their_o observe_n and_o discover_v it_o can_v we_o now_o think_v when_o all_o person_n be_v so_o exceed_o careful_a of_o their_o deed_n and_o the_o record_n whereon_o their_o estate_n depend_v that_o the_o christian_n who_o value_v not_o this_o world_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o to_o come_v shall_v suffer_v the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o that_o to_o be_v lose_v corrupt_a or_o imbezzele_v away_o especial_o consider_v what_o care_n and_o industry_n be_v use_v by_o many_o primitive_a christian_n to_o compare_v copy_n together_o as_o be_v evident_a in_o pantaenus_n who_o bring_v the_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o matthew_n out_o of_o the_o indies_n to_o alexandria_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o in_o pamphilus_n and_o the_o library_n he_o errect_v at_o caesarâ—a_n but_o especial_o in_o origen_n admirable_a hexapla_n which_o be_v main_o intend_v for_o this_o end_n 3._o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n because_o of_o the_o great_a difference_n which_o be_v all_o along_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n between_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v divine_a so_o that_o if_o one_o party_n of_o they_o have_v foist_v in_o or_o take_v out_o any_o thing_n another_o party_n be_v ready_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o tell_v the_o world_n of_o it_o and_o this_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o god_n in_o his_o wise_a providence_n may_v permit_v such_o a_o increase_n of_o heresy_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n viz._n that_o thereby_o christian_n may_v be_v force_v to_o stand_v upon_o their_o guard_n and_o to_o have_v a_o special_a eye_n to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v always_o the_o great_a eyesore_n of_o heretic_n and_o from_o this_o great_a wariness_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o long_o abroad_o before_o they_o find_v general_a entertainment_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n because_o in_o those_o epistle_n which_o be_v doubt_v for_o some_o tâ—me_n there_o be_v some_o passage_n which_o seem_v to_o favour_v some_o of_o the_o heresy_n then_o abroad_o but_o when_o upon_o severe_a enquiry_n they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v what_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n 4._o because_o of_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n appear_v with_o their_o full_a accomplishment_n in_o the_o new_a which_o we_o have_v so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o think_v the_o new_a shall_v be_v corrupt_v unless_o the_o old_a be_v too_o which_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o imagine_v when_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v the_o great_a conservator_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v all_o along_o the_o most_o inveterate_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_n so_o that_o we_o can_v at_o all_o conceive_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o scripture_n much_o less_o that_o the_o true_a copy_n shall_v be_v lose_v and_o a_o new_a one_o forge_v suppose_v then_o that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o authentic_a record_n preserve_v and_o hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o care_n of_o all_o christian_a 5â—_n church_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n what_o necessity_n can_v we_o imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v work_v new_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v convey_v down_o in_o a_o certain_a uninterrupted_a way_n to_o we_o as_o be_v seâ—led_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a in_o the_o first_o promulgation_n and_o pen_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n why_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n need_v not_o now_o be_v seal_v by_o new_a miracle_n 2._o another_o may_v be_v because_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n have_v appoint_v other_o thing_n to_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o his_o people_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o scripture_n such_o be_v outward_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v set_v apart_o to_o be_v as_o seal_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n towards_o we_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o great_a promise_n contain_v in_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o inward_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o be_v as_o a_o witness_n within_o they_o that_o by_o its_o work_n and_o strengthen_v grace_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n it_o may_v confirm_v to_o they_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n of_o scripture_n when_o they_o find_v the_o counter_a part_n of_o they_o write_v in_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o singer_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n it_o can_v then_o be_v with_o any_o reason_n at_o all_o suppose_a
be_v to_o say_v he_o be_v no_o god_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o tully_n say_v epicurus_n do_v only_o nomine_fw-la poncre_n re_fw-la tollere_fw-la deos_fw-la because_o such_o a_o notion_n of_o god_n be_v repugnant_a to_o natural_a light_n so_o that_o if_o this_o idea_n do_v whole_o abstract_a from_o corporeal_a phantasm_n it_o thereby_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v a_o high_a faculty_n in_o man_n soul_n then_o mere_a imagination_n and_o it_o be_v hardly_o conceivable_a whence_o a_o faculty_n which_o thus_o extend_v its_o self_n to_o a_o infinite_a object_n shall_v come_v but_o from_o a_o infinite_a be_v especial_o if_o we_o consider_v 2._o that_o the_o understanding_n in_o form_v this_o idea_n of_o god_n do_v not_o by_o distinct_a act_n first_o collect_v one_o perfection_n and_o then_o another_o and_o at_o last_o unite_v these_o together_o but_o the_o simplicity_n and_o unity_n of_o all_o these_o perfection_n be_v as_o necessary_o conceive_v as_o any_o of_o they_o grant_v then_o that_o the_o understanding_n by_o the_o observe_n of_o several_a perfection_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v able_a to_o abstract_n these_o several_o from_o each_o be_v wherein_o they_o be_v yet_o whence_o shall_v the_o idea_n of_o the_o unity_n and_o inseparability_n of_o all_o these_o perfection_n come_v the_o mind_n may_v it_o be_v true_a knit_v some_o thing_n together_o in_o fictitious_a idea_n but_o then_o those_o be_v so_o far_o from_o unity_n with_o each_o other_o that_o in_o themselves_o they_o speak_v mutual_a repugnancy_n to_o one_o another_o which_o make_v they_o proper_a entia_fw-la rationis_fw-la but_o these_o several_a perfection_n be_v so_o far_o from_o speak_v repugnancy_n to_o each_o other_o that_o the_o unity_n and_o inseparability_n of_o they_o be_v as_o necessary_a to_o the_o form_n of_o this_o idea_n as_o any_o other_o perfection_n whatsoever_o so_o that_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o perfection_n which_o be_v in_o the_o creature_n be_v only_o a_o occasion_n give_v to_o the_o mind_n to_o help_v it_o in_o its_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o not_o that_o the_o idea_n its_o self_n depend_v upon_o those_o perfection_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o as_o in_o the_o clear_a mathematical_a truth_n the_o manner_n of_o demonstration_n may_v be_v necessary_a to_o help_v the_o understanding_n to_o its_o clear_a assent_n though_o the_o thing_n in_o themselves_o be_v undoubted_o true_a for_o all_o mind_n be_v not_o equal_o capable_a of_o the_o same_o truth_n some_o be_v of_o quick_a apprehension_n than_o other_o be_v now_o although_o to_o slow_a apprehension_n a_o more_o particular_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v thing_n be_v necessary_a yet_o the_o truth_n in_o themselves_o be_v equal_a though_o they_o have_v not_o equal_a evidence_n to_o several_a person_n 3._o it_o appear_v that_o this_o be_v no_o mere_a fictitious_a idea_n from_o the_o uniformity_n of_o it_o in_o all_o person_n who_o have_v free_v themselves_o from_o the_o entanglement_n of_o corporeal_a phantasm_n those_o we_o call_v entia_fw-la rationis_fw-la we_o find_v by_o experienee_n in_o our_o mind_n that_o they_o be_v form_v ad_fw-la placitum_fw-la we_o may_v imagine_v they_o as_o many_o way_n as_o we_o please_v but_o we_o see_v it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o in_o this_o idea_n of_o god_n for_o in_o those_o attribute_n or_o perfection_n which_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n we_o attribute_v to_o god_n there_o be_v a_o uniform_a consent_n in_o all_o those_o who_o have_v devest_v their_o mind_n of_o corporeal_a phantasm_n in_o their_o conception_n of_o god_n for_o while_o man_n have_v agree_v that_o the_o object_n of_o their_o idea_n be_v a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a there_o have_v be_v no_o dissent_n in_o the_o perfection_n which_o have_v be_v attribute_v to_o it_o none_o have_v question_v but_o infinite_a wisdom_n goodness_n and_o power_n join_v with_o necessity_n of_o existence_n have_v be_v all_o employ_v in_o this_o idea_n so_o that_o it_o be_v scarce_o pâ—ssible_a to_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o idea_n no_o not_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v most_o obvious_a to_o our_o sense_n wherein_o there_o have_v be_v so_o great_a a_o uniformity_n of_o man_n conception_n as_o in_o this_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o the_o most_o gross_a corporeal_a idea_n of_o the_o most_o sensible_a matter_n have_v be_v more_o liable_a to_o heat_n and_o dispute_v among_o philosopher_n than_o this_o idea_n of_o a_o be_v infinite_a and_o pure_o spiritual_a which_o strong_o prove_v my_o present_a proposition_n that_o this_o idea_n of_o god_n be_v very_a consonant_n to_o natural_a light_n for_o it_o be_v hardly_o conceivable_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v so_o universal_a a_o consent_n of_o mind_n in_o this_o idea_n be_v it_o not_o a_o natural_a result_n from_o the_o free_a use_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o faculty_n and_o that_o which_o add_v further_a weight_n tâ—_n this_o argument_n be_v that_o although_o infinity_o be_v so_o necessary_o employ_v in_o this_o idea_n of_o god_n yet_o man_n do_v not_o attribute_v all_o kind_n of_o infinite_a thing_n to_o god_n for_o there_o be_v conceivable_a infinite_a number_n infinite_a longitude_n as_o well_o as_o infinite_a power_n and_o knowledge_n our_o mind_n ready_o attribute_v the_o latter_a to_o god_n and_o as_o ready_o abstract_a the_o other_o from_o his_o nature_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n this_o idea_n be_v not_o fictitious_a but_o argue_v reality_n in_o the_o thing_n correspondent_a to_o our_o conception_n of_o it_o so_o much_o may_v suffice_v to_o clear_v the_o first_o proposition_n viz._n that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n be_v very_o suitable_a to_o the_o faculty_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o to_o that_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o they_o proceed_v by_o in_o form_v the_o conception_n of_o thing_n those_o who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n do_v assert_v other_o thing_n 2._o on_o far_o less_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o must_v by_o their_o own_o principle_n deny_v some_o thing_n which_o be_v apparent_o true_a one_o will_v expect_v that_o such_o person_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o condemn_v the_o whole_a world_n of_o folly_n in_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o will_v fain_o be_v admire_v as_o man_n of_o a_o deep_a reach_n and_o great_a wit_n and_o sagacity_n than_o other_o will_v when_o they_o have_v explode_v a_o deity_n at_o least_o give_v we_o some_o more_o rational_a and_o consistent_a account_n of_o thing_n than_o we_o can_v give_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o find_v the_o reason_n on_o which_o they_o reject_v a_o deity_n so_o lamentable_o weak_a and_o so_o easy_o retort_v upon_o themselves_o and_o the_o hypothesis_n they_o substitute_v instead_o of_o a_o deity_n so_o precarious_a obscure_a and_o uncertain_a that_o we_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o evince_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o religion_n then_o from_o the_o manifest_a folly_n as_o well_o as_o impiety_n of_o those_o who_o oppose_v it_o which_o we_o shall_v make_v evident_a by_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o while_o they_o deny_v a_o deity_n they_o assert_v other_o thing_n on_o far_o less_o reason_n 2._o that_o by_o those_o principle_n on_o which_o they_o deny_v a_o deity_n they_o must_v deny_v some_o thing_n which_o be_v apparent_o true_a 1._o that_o they_o assert_v some_o thing_n on_o far_o less_o reason_n than_o we_o do_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n for_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o infinite_o powerful_a god_n who_o produce_v the_o world_n out_o of_o nothing_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v according_a to_o the_o different_a principle_n of_o the_o aristotelian_a and_o epicurean_a atheist_n that_o either_o the_o world_n be_v as_o it_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n or_o else_o that_o it_o be_v at_o first_o make_v by_o the_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n now_o i_o appeal_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o any_o person_n who_o have_v the_o free_a use_n of_o it_o whether_o either_o of_o these_o two_o hypothesis_n urge_v with_o the_o same_o or_o great_a difficulty_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o far_o more_o weak_o prove_v than_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v or_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n by_o he_o 1._o they_o run_v themselves_o into_o the_o same_o difficulty_n which_o they_o will_v avoid_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o great_a evidence_n of_o a_o entangle_a mind_n then_o this_o be_v to_o deny_v a_o thing_n because_o of_o some_o difficulty_n in_o it_o and_o instead_o of_o it_o to_o assert_v another_o thing_n which_o be_v chargeable_a with_o the_o very_a same_o difficulty_n in_o a_o high_a degree_n thus_o when_o they_o reject_v a_o deity_n because_o they_o can_v understand_v what_o infinity_n mean_v both_o these_o hypothesis_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o intricacy_n in_o apprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o something_o infinite_a for_o according_a to_o the_o epicurean_o
to_o be_v deceive_v i_o grant_v the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o mind_n in_o this_o present_a state_n be_v very_o great_a which_o make_v we_o so_o obnoxious_a to_o error_n and_o mistake_n but_o then_o that_o imperfection_n lie_v in_o the_o proneness_n in_o man_n mind_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o interest_n and_o prejudice_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o thing_n but_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v pure_o speculative_a and_o rational_a if_o the_o mind_n can_v be_v certain_a it_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o they_o it_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n at_o all_o of_o any_o mathematical_a demonstration_n now_o we_o find_v in_o our_o own_o mind_n a_o clear_a and_o convince_a evidence_n in_o some_o thing_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v propound_v to_o our_o understanding_n as_o that_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o a_o nonentity_n can_v have_v no_o proper_a attribute_n that_o while_o i_o reason_n and_o discourse_n i_o be_o these_o be_v so_o clear_a that_o no_o man_n do_v suspect_v himself_o deceive_v at_o all_o in_o they_o beside_o if_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n of_o certainty_n at_o all_o in_o our_o judge_a thing_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v there_o a_o idea_n of_o true_a and_o false_a in_o our_o mind_n if_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o i_o say_v not_o that_o in_o all_o perception_n of_o the_o mind_n we_o have_v certain_a evidence_n of_o truth_n but_o only_o in_o such_o as_o be_v clear_a and_o distinct_a that_o be_v when_o upon_o the_o great_a consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o thing_n there_o appear_v no_o ground_n or_o reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v concern_v it_o and_o this_o must_v suppose_v the_o mind_n abstraction_n whole_o from_o the_o sense_n for_o we_o plain_o find_v that_o while_o we_o attend_v to_o they_o we_o may_v judge_v ourselves_o very_o certain_a and_o yet_o be_v deceive_v as_o those_o who_o have_v a_o icterism_n in_o their_o eye_n may_v judge_v with_o much_o confidence_n that_o they_o see_v thing_n as_o clear_o and_o distinct_o as_o any_o other_o do_v beside_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n take_v for_o grant_v by_o man_n which_o have_v no_o evidence_n of_o reason_n at_o all_o in_o they_o now_o if_o man_n will_v judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n by_o such_o principle_n no_o wonder_n if_o they_o be_v deceive_v but_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n we_o suppose_v the_o mind_n to_o proceed_v upon_o evident_a principle_n of_o reason_n or_o to_o have_v such_o notion_n of_o thing_n which_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v perceive_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n do_v agree_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o apprehend_v if_o in_o such_o thing_n then_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o certainty_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v our_o faculty_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n which_o high_o reflect_v either_o upon_o god_n or_o nature_n it_o be_v a_o noble_a question_n as_o any_o be_v in_o philosophy_n what_o be_v the_o certain_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n or_o what_o ground_n of_o certainty_n the_o mind_n have_v to_o proceed_v upon_o in_o its_o judgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o object_n as_o be_v represent_v to_o it_o nothing_o can_v render_v the_o philosophy_n of_o epicurus_n more_o just_o suspect_v to_o any_o â—ational_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n than_o his_o make_v the_o sense_n the_o only_a certain_a conveyor_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n to_o the_o mind_n the_o sense_n i_o grant_v do_v not_o in_o themselves_o deceive_v any_o but_o if_o i_o make_v the_o impression_n of_o sense_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n for_o the_o mind_n to_o judge_v by_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n i_o make_v way_n for_o the_o great_a imposture_n and_o the_o most_o err_a judgement_n for_o if_o my_o mind_n affirm_v every_o thing_n to_o be_v in_o its_o proper_a nature_n according_a to_o that_o idea_n which_o the_o imagination_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o impression_n upon_o the_o organ_n of_o sense_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o i_o ever_o to_o understand_v the_o right_a nature_n of_o thing_n because_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n may_v remain_v the_o same_o when_o all_o those_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o affect_v the_o organ_n of_o sense_n may_v be_v alter_v and_o because_o the_o various_a motion_n and_o configuration_n of_o the_o particle_n of_o matter_n may_v make_v such_o a_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n which_o may_v cause_v a_o idea_n in_o we_o of_o that_o in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o yet_o may_v be_v only_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o sensation_n as_o some_o philosopher_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v in_o heat_n and_o cold_a now_o if_o the_o mind_n judge_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o those_o idea_n which_o come_v from_o the_o impression_n make_v upon_o the_o organ_n of_o sense_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a it_o shall_v ever_o come_v to_o a_o right_a judgement_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n so_o that_o in_o reference_n even_o to_o the_o gross_a material_a being_n it_o must_v be_v the_o perception_n only_o of_o the_o mind_n which_o can_v true_o inform_v we_o of_o their_o proper_a nature_n and_o essence_n beside_o there_o be_v many_o idea_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v capable_a to_o have_v property_n demonstrate_v of_o they_o which_o never_o owe_v their_o original_n to_o our_o sense_n and_o be_v never_o import_v to_o the_o mind_n at_o the_o key_n of_o the_o sense_n such_o be_v most_o mathematical_a figure_n which_o have_v their_o peculiar_a property_n and_o demonstration_n such_o be_v all_o the_o mutual_a respect_n of_o thing_n to_o each_o other_o which_o may_v be_v as_o certain_a and_o evident_a to_o the_o mind_n as_o its_o self_n be_v now_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o this_o that_o all_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o convey_v by_o the_o sense_n but_o our_o true_a way_n of_o certain_a understanding_n the_o nature_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v by_o the_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o be_v found_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o that_o however_o we_o may_v be_v deceive_v when_o we_o do_v not_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o our_o reason_n because_o of_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o present_a state_n yet_o if_o we_o say_v our_o mind_n may_v be_v deceive_v when_o thing_n be_v evident_a and_o clear_a to_o they_o upon_o plain_a principle_n of_o reason_n it_o be_v high_o to_o reslect_v upon_o that_o god_n who_o give_v man_n rational_a faculty_n and_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o discern_a truth_n from_o falsehood_n 2._o that_o we_o have_v clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n that_o necessity_n of_o existence_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o vast_a difference_n which_o there_o be_v in_o our_o notion_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o other_o be_v in_o all_o other_o being_n i_o grant_v we_o may_v abstract_n essence_n and_o existence_n from_o each_o other_o now_o if_o i_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v evident_a reason_n ex_fw-la parte_fw-la rei_fw-la why_o i_o can_v do_v it_o in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n than_o it_o will_v be_v more_o plain_a that_o necessity_n of_o existence_n do_v immutable_o belong_v to_o his_o nature_n it_o be_v manifest_a to_o our_o reason_n that_o in_o all_o other_o being_n which_o we_o apprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o beyond_o bare_a possibility_n of_o existence_n no_o although_o the_o thing_n which_o do_v apprehend_v do_v real_o exist_v because_o in_o form_v a_o idea_n of_o a_o thing_n we_o abstract_a from_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o employ_v in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n now_o existence_n be_v only_o contingent_a and_o possible_a as_o to_o any_o other_o be_v it_o can_v be_v any_o ingredient_n of_o its_o idea_n because_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o its_o essence_n for_o we_o may_v full_o apprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n without_o attribute_v existence_n to_o it_o but_o now_o in_o our_o conception_n of_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a bare_a possibility_n or_o contingency_n of_o existence_n speak_v a_o direct_a repugnancy_n to_o the_o idea_n of_o kim_n for_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a which_o may_v want_v that_o which_o give_v life_n to_o all_o other_o perfection_n which_o be_v existence_n the_o only_a scruple_n which_o man_n mind_n be_v subject_a to_o in_o apprehend_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n lie_v in_o this_o whether_o this_o necessary_a existence_n do_v real_o belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o being_n who_o idea_n it_o be_v or_o else_o
a_o opinion_n do_v and_o be_v sufficient_o deride_v and_o refute_v by_o pomponatius_n himself_o now_o than_o it_o be_v a_o acknowledge_a principle_n in_o nature_n that_o every_o thing_n continue_v in_o the_o course_n it_o be_v in_o till_o something_o more_o powerful_a put_v it_o out_o if_o then_o such_o thing_n have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o have_v be_v real_a alteration_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o sun_n stand_v still_o in_o the_o time_n of_o joshua_n then_o there_o must_v be_v something_o above_o matter_n and_o motion_n and_o consequent_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n of_o the_o several_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o contradict_v moses_n with_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o they_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o world_n consonant_n to_o moses_n prove_v from_o the_o jonick_a philosophy_n of_o thales_n and_o the_o italic_a of_o pythagoras_n the_o pythagorick_a cabbala_n rather_o egyptian_a then_o mosaic_a of_o the_o fluid_a matter_n which_o be_v the_o material_a principle_n of_o the_o universe_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n assert_v by_o ocellus_n lucanus_n and_o aristotle_n the_o weakness_n of_o the_o foundation_n on_o which_o that_o opinion_n be_v build_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o form_v principle_n of_o philosophy_n the_o possibility_n of_o creation_n prove_v no_o argue_v from_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world_n against_o its_o beginning_n show_v from_o maimonides_n the_o platonist_n argument_n from_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n answer_v of_o the_o stoical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n whether_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o text_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o plato_n and_o pythagoras_n concern_v the_o praeexistence_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o contradiction_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n of_o the_o atomical_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o world_n can_v not_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n prove_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o motion_n of_o epicurus_n his_o atom_n and_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o universe_n especial_o the_o production_n and_o nature_n of_o animal_n of_o the_o cartesian_a hypothesis_n that_o it_o can_v salve_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n without_o a_o deity_n give_v motion_n to_o matter_n the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n be_v thus_o establish_v in_o 1_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n we_o now_o come_v to_o erect_v our_o supper_n structure_n upon_o they_o by_o assert_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o account_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v give_v we_o in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n which_o begin_v with_o the_o world_n its_o self_n lead_v we_o to_o a_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n the_o right_a understanding_n of_o which_o have_v very_o great_a influence_n upon_o our_o belief_n of_o all_o that_o follow_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o although_o we_o shall_v assert_v with_o epicurus_n the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n if_o yet_o with_o he_o we_o add_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n all_o that_o part_n of_o religion_n which_o lie_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v unavoidable_o destroy_v all_o that_o be_v leave_v be_v only_o a_o kind_n of_o veneration_n of_o a_o bâ—ing_n more_o excellent_a than_o our_o own_o which_o reach_v not_o to_o the_o government_n of_o man_n life_n and_o so_o will_v have_v no_o force_n at_o all_o upon_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v only_o allure_v by_o hope_n or_o awe_v by_o fear_n to_o that_o which_o of_o their_o choice_n they_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o be_v free_v from_o beside_o what_o expression_n of_o gratitude_n can_v be_v leave_v to_o god_n for_o his_o goodness_n if_o he_o interpose_v not_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n what_o dependence_n can_v there_o be_v on_o divine_a goodness_n if_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o manifest_v in_o the_o world_n what_o apprehension_n can_v we_o have_v of_o god_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n if_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v discernible_a in_o the_o be_v of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o epicurus_n destroy_v religion_n so_o do_v that_o of_o aristotle_n which_o attribute_n eternity_n to_o the_o universe_n and_o a_o necessary_a emanation_n of_o it_o from_o the_o first_o cause_n as_o light_n come_v from_o the_o sun_n for_o if_o so_o as_o maimonides_n well_o observe_v the_o whole_a religion_n of_o moses_n be_v overthrow_v all_o his_o miracle_n be_v but_o 25._o imposture_n all_o the_o hope_n which_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o promise_v of_o god_n be_v vain_a and_o fruitless_a for_o if_o the_o world_n do_v of_o necessity_n exist_v than_o god_n be_v no_o free_a agent_n and_o if_o so_o then_o all_o institute_v religion_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o expectation_n of_o reward_n or_o fear_v of_o punishment_n from_o he_o who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v in_o the_o world_n but_o to_o set_v the_o great_a wheel_n of_o the_o heaven_n go_v so_o much_o be_v it_o our_o concernment_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o true_a original_a of_o the_o world_n and_o on_o what_o evidence_n of_o reason_n those_o opinion_n be_v build_v which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o that_o account_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o very_a entrance_n of_o the_o bâ—oks_n of_o moses_n wherein_o we_o read_v the_o true_a origine_fw-la of_o the_o world_n to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o production_n of_o it_o by_o the_o omnipotent_a will_n and_o word_n of_o god_n this_o be_v then_o the_o plain_a assertion_n of_o moses_n we_o come_v to_o compare_v it_o in_o point_n of_o reason_n with_o all_o those_o several_a hypothesis_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o which_o have_v be_v embrace_v in_o several_a age_n by_o the_o philosopher_n of_o great_a esteem_n in_o the_o world_n which_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o four_o 1._o such_o as_o suppose_v the_o world_n to_o have_v exi_v as_o it_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n 2._o such_o as_o attribute_v the_o formation_n of_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v to_o god_n but_o withal_o assert_v the_o praeexistence_n and_o eternity_n of_o matter_n 3._o such_o as_o deny_v any_o eternity_n to_o the_o world_n but_o assert_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n 4._o such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o explain_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n and_o all_o appearance_n of_o nature_n mere_o by_o the_o mechanical_a law_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o matter_n i_o begin_v with_o those_o who_o assert_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n as_o 2._o it_o be_v among_o who_o aristotle_n have_v bear_v the_o great_a name_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v arrogate_a this_o opinion_n to_o himself_o for_o when_o he_o inquire_v into_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o have_v writ-before_a he_o he_o say_v of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 10._o all_o the_o philosopher_n assert_v that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v though_o some_o one_o way_n some_o another_o and_o be_v this_o true_a which_o aristotle-saith_a it_o will_v be_v the_o strong_a prejudice_n against_o his_o opinion_n for_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v eternal_a how_o shall_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o elder_a philosopher_n shall_v so_o ready_o and_o unanimous_o embrace_v that_o opinion_n which_o assert_v the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n be_v it_o not_o a_o strong_a presumption_n of_o the_o novity_n of_o the_o universe_n that_o all_o nation_n to_o who_o the_o philosopher_n resort_v have_v memorial_n leave_v among_o they_o of_o the_o first_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o when_o the_o humour_n of_o philosophize_v begin_v to_o take_v the_o greek_n about_o the_o xl._o olympiad_n when_o we_o may_v suppose_v thales_n to_o flourish_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n be_v no_o matter_n of_o dispute_n but_o take_v that_o for_o grant_v the_o enquiry_n be_v out_o of_o what_o material_a principle_n the_o universe_n be_v form_v of_o which_o thales_n thus_o deliver_v his_o opinion_n in_o tully_n aquam_fw-la 25._o dixit_fw-la esse_fw-la initium_fw-la rerum_fw-la deum_fw-la autem_fw-la eam_fw-la mentem_fw-la quae_fw-la ex_fw-la aqua_fw-la cuncta_fw-la fingeret_fw-la wherein_o he_o plain_o distinguish_v the_o efficient_a from_o the_o material_a cause_n of_o the_o world_n the_o prime_a efficient_a be_v god_n the_o material_a principle_n water_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o some_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o first_o
sense_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n and_o let_v he_o extend_v his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o long_o as_o he_o please_v which_o be_v his_o great_a help_n for_o correct_v the_o error_n of_o sense_n viz._n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o roman_a court_n when_o the_o case_n be_v not_o clear_a ampliandum_fw-la est_fw-la so_o epicurus_n will_v have_v the_o object_n represent_v every_o way_n it_o can_v be_v before_o he_o pass_v his_o judgement_n yet_o this_o prudent_a caution_n will_v do_v he_o no_o good_a for_o this_o hypothesis_n unless_o he_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o stay_v till_o this_o world_n be_v crumble_v into_o atom_n again_o that_o by_o that_o he_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o it_o there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n leave_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n inevident_a to_o sense_n as_o by_o epicurus_n his_o own_o confession_n all_o these_o atom_n be_v which_o be_v now_o the_o component_a particle_n of_o body_n much_o more_o those_o which_o by_o their_o fortuitous_a concourse_n give_v be_v to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o be_v if_o something_o evident_a to_o sense_n do_v apparent_o prove_v it_o which_o be_v his_o way_n of_o prove_v a_o vacuity_n in_o nature_n from_o motion_n but_o though_o that_o be_v easy_o answer_v by_o principle_n different_a from_o those_o of_o epicurus_n and_o more_o rational_a yet_o that_o very_a way_n of_o probation_n fail_v he_o in_o his_o present_a hypothesis_n for_o what_o be_v there_o evident_a to_o sense_n which_o prove_v a_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n for_o the_o production_n of_o thing_n nay_o if_o we_o grant_v he_o that_o the_o composition_n of_o body_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o contexture_n of_o these_o insensible_a particle_n yet_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v a_o evidence_n to_o sense_n that_o these_o particle_n without_o any_o wise_a and_o direct_a providence_n shall_v make_v up_o such_o body_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o world_n and_o here_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n we_o may_v well_o ask_v as_o the_o stoic_a in_o tully_n do_v whether_o ever_o epicurus_n find_v a_o poem_n make_v by_o the_o casual_a throw_v of_o letter_n together_o and_o if_o a_o concourse_n of_o atom_n do_v produce_v the_o world_n cur_n porticum_fw-la cur_n templum_fw-la cur_n domum_fw-la cur_n urbem_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la why_o do_v it_o never_o produce_v 2._o a_o cloister_n a_o temple_n a_o house_n a_o city_n which_o be_v far_o easy_a thing_n than_o the_o world_n i_o know_v epicurus_n will_v soon_o reply_v that_o thing_n be_v otherwise_o in_o the_o world_n now_o then_o when_o it_o be_v first_o produce_v i_o grant_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o prove_v that_o because_o no_o such_o thing_n ever_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n now_o as_o a_o mere_o casual_a concourse_n of_o atom_n to_o produce_v any_o thing_n epicurus_n can_v have_v no_o evidence_n from_o sense_n at_o all_o to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o hypothesis_n by_o and_o as_o little_a relief_n can_v he_o find_v from_o his_o second_o criterium_fw-la viz._n anticipation_n for_o by_o his_o own_o acknowledgement_n all_o anticipation_n depend_v on_o the_o sense_n and_o man_n have_v it_o only_o one_o of_o these_o four_o way_n 1._o by_o 7._o incursion_n as_o the_o species_n of_o a_o man_n be_v preserve_v by_o the_o sight_n of_o he_o 2._o by_o proportion_n as_o we_o can_v enlarge_v or_o contract_v that_o species_n of_o a_o man_n either_o into_o a_o giant_n or_o pygmy_n 3._o by_o similitude_n as_o we_o may_v fancy_v the_o image_n of_o a_o city_n by_o resemblance_n to_o one_o which_o we_o have_v see_v 4._o by_o composition_n whereby_o we_o may_v join_v different_a image_n together_o as_o of_o a_o horse_n and_o man_n to_o make_v a_o centaur_n now_o though_o it_o be_v very_o questionable_a how_o some_o of_o these_o way_n belong_v to_o a_o criterium_fw-la of_o truth_n yet_o none_o of_o they_o reach_v our_o case_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o incursion_n of_o insensible_a particle_n as_o such_o upon_o our_o sense_n we_o may_v indeed_o by_o proportion_n imagine_v the_o parvitude_n of_o they_o but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n similitude_n can_v do_v no_o good_a unless_o epicurus_n have_v ever_o see_v a_o world_n make_v so_o the_o only_a relief_n must_v be_v from_o composition_n and_o that_o will_v prove_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o world_n by_o atom_n to_o be_v as_o true_a as_o that_o there_o be_v centaur_n in_o the_o world_n which_o we_o very_o believe_v these_o be_v the_o only_a criteria_n by_o which_o epicurus_n will_v judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o natural_a thing_n by_o for_o the_o three_o passion_n relate_v whole_o to_o thing_n moral_a and_o not_o physical_a and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o universe_n by_o atom_n can_v ever_o be_v prove_v true_a either_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o sense_n or_o by_o anticipation_n the_o way_n they_o have_v to_o prove_v this_o hypothesis_n be_v insufficient_a 2._o and_o that_o be_v by_o prove_v that_o the_o body_n of_o the_o world_n be_v compound_v of_o such_o insensible_a particle_n now_o grant_v the_o thing_n i_o deny_v the_o consequence_n for_o what_o though_o the_o composition_n of_o body_n be_v from_o the_o contexture_n of_o atom_n do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o these_o particle_n do_v casual_o produce_v these_o body_n nay_o do_v it_o at_o all_o follow_v that_o because_o body_n upon_o their_o resolution_n do_v fall_v into_o insensible_a particle_n of_o different_a size_n figure_n and_o motion_n therefore_o these_o particle_n must_v be_v preaexistent_a to_o all_o body_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v now_o a_o universal_a lump_n of_o matter_n out_o of_o which_o these_o insensible_a particle_n arise_v and_o whether_o they_o return_v on_o the_o dissolution_n of_o body_n and_o all_o these_o various_a corpuscle_n may_v be_v of_o the_o same_o uniform_a substance_n only_o with_o the_o alteration_n of_o size_n shape_n and_o motion_n but_o what_o then_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o because_o particular_a body_n do_v now_o emerge_n out_o of_o the_o various_a configuration_n and_o motion_n of_o insensible_a paerticle_n of_o that_o matter_n which_o exist_v in_o the_o world_n that_o therefore_o this_o whole_a matter_n be_v produce_v by_o the_o casual_a occursion_n of_o these_o atom_n it_o will_v ask_v more_o time_n and_o pain_n than_o be_v usual_o take_v by_o the_o philosopher_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a to_o prove_v that_o those_o thing_n whatsoever_o they_o be_v whether_o element_n or_o particle_n out_o of_o which_o body_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v compound_v do_v exist_v separately_z from_o such_o compound_a body_n and_o antecedent_o to_o they_o we_o find_v no_o aristotelian_a element_n pure_a in_o the_o world_n nor_o any_o particle_n of_o matter_n destitute_a of_o such_o a_o size_n figure_n and_o motion_n as_o do_v make_v some_o body_n or_o other_o from_o whence_o then_o can_v we_o infer_v either_o the_o existence_n of_o aristotle_n materia_fw-la prima_fw-la without_o quiddity_n quantity_n or_o quality_n or_o the_o epicurean_a atom_n without_o such_o a_o contexture_n as_o make_v up_o some_o body_n in_o the_o world_n our_o profound_a naturalist_n dr._n harvey_n after_o his_o most_o accurate_a search_n into_o the_o nature_n and_o generation_n of_o thing_n deliver_v this_o as_o his_o experience_n and_o judgement_n concern_v the_o common_o repute_a element_n or_o principle_n of_o body_n for_o speak_v of_o the_o different_a opinion_n 72._o of_o empedocles_n and_o hypocrates_n and_o democritus_n and_o epicurus_n concern_v the_o composition_n of_o body_n he_o add_v ego_fw-la vero_fw-la neque_fw-la in_o animalium_fw-la productione_fw-la nec_fw-la omnino_fw-la in_o ulla_fw-la corporum_fw-la similarium_fw-la generatione_n sive_fw-la ea_fw-la partium_fw-la animalium_fw-la sive_fw-la plantarum_fw-la lapidum_fw-la mineralium_fw-la etc._n etc._n fuerit_fw-la vel_fw-la congregationem_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la vel_fw-la miscibilia_fw-la diversa_fw-la in_o generation_n be_v opere_fw-la unienda_fw-la praeexistere_fw-la observare_fw-la unquam_fw-la potui_fw-la and_o after_o explain_v the_o way_n which_o he_o conceive_v most_o rational_a and_o consonant_a to_o experience_n in_o the_o generation_n of_o thing_n he_o conclude_v his_o discourse_n with_o these_o word_n idemque_fw-la in_o omni_fw-la generatione_n furi_fw-la crediderim_fw-la adeo_fw-la ut_fw-la corpora_fw-la similaria_fw-la mista_fw-la elementa_fw-la sua_fw-la tempore_fw-la priora_fw-la non_fw-la habeant_fw-la sed_fw-la illa_fw-la potius_fw-la element_n be_v suis_fw-la prius_fw-la existant_fw-la nempe_fw-la empedoclis_fw-la atque_fw-la aristotel_n be_v igne_fw-la aqua_fw-la aëre_fw-la terra_fw-la vel_fw-la chymicorum_fw-la sale_n sulphur_n &_o mercurio_n aut_fw-la democriti_n atomis_fw-la utpote_fw-la natura_fw-la quoque_fw-la ipsis_fw-la perfectiora_fw-la sunt_fw-la inquam_fw-la mista_fw-la &_o composita_fw-la etiam_fw-la tempore_fw-la priora_fw-la element_n be_v
which_o it_o may_v be_v be_v uncapable_a of_o full_a and_o particular_a resolution_n and_o those_o be_v that_o the_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n of_o man_n be_v whole_o from_o himself_o and_o that_o his_o salvation_n be_v from_o god_n alone_o if_o then_o man_n ruin_n and_o misery_n be_v from_o himself_o which_o the_o scripture_n do_v so_o much_o inculcate_v on_o all_o occasion_n then_o without_o controversy_n that_o which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v whole_o from_o himself_o too_o which_o be_v sin_n so_o that_o if_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o by_o which_o without_o the_o intervention_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n man_v misery_n unavoidable_o fall_v upon_o he_o for_o with_o what_o authority_n and_o majesty_n do_v god_n in_o the_o scripture_n forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o sin_n with_o what_o earnestness_n and_o importunity_n do_v he_o woo_v the_o sinner_n to_o forsake_v his_o sin_n with_o what_o loathe_n and_o detestation_n do_v he_o mention_v sin_n with_o what_o justice_n and_o severity_n do_v he_o punish_v sin_n with_o what_o wrath_n and_o indignation_n do_v he_o threaten_v contumacious_a sinner_n and_o be_v it_o possible_a after_o all_o this_o and_o much_o more_o record_v in_o the_o scripture_n to_o express_v the_o holiness_n of_o god_n nature_n his_o hatred_n of_o sin_n and_o his_o appoint_v a_o day_n of_o judgement_n for_o the_o solemn_a punishment_n of_o sinner_n to_o imagine_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v in_o the_o least_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o god_n or_o make_v he_o the_o author_n of_o sin_n shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o world_n do_v right_a will_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a justice_n purity_n and_o holiness_n punish_v the_o sinner_n for_o that_o which_o himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o far_o be_v such_o unworthy_a thought_n from_o our_o apprehension_n of_o a_o deity_n much_o more_o of_o that_o god_n who_o we_o believe_v to_o have_v declare_v his_o mind_n so_o much_o to_o the_o contrary_a that_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o and_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a together_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v in_o the_o general_n that_o god_n can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n we_o come_v to_o inquire_v whether_o the_o account_n 2._o which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a do_v any_o way_n charge_v it_o upon_o god_n there_o be_v only_o two_o way_n which_o according_a to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n record_v in_o scripture_n whereby_o man_n may_v have_v any_o ground_n to_o question_v whether_o god_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o man_n fall_n either_o first_o by_o the_o give_v he_o that_o positive_a law_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o his_o fall_n or_o second_o by_o leave_v he_o to_o the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o will_n first_o the_o giving_z of_o that_o positive_a law_n can_v be_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o lay_v man_n fault_n on_o god_n because_o 1._o it_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rational_a creature_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o law_n or_o declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o his_o maker_n for_o consider_v man_n as_o a_o free_a agent_n there_o can_v be_v no_o way_n imagine_v so_o consonant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o this_o be_v because_o thereby_o he_o may_v declare_v his_o obedience_n to_o god_n to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o free_a choice_n for_o where_o there_o be_v a_o capacity_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o act_v in_o the_o consideration_n of_o they_o there_o must_v be_v a_o declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n according_a to_o which_o man_n may_v expect_v either_o his_o reward_n or_o punishment_n if_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o god_n nature_n to_o promise_v life_n to_o man_n upon_o obedience_n it_o be_v not_o unsuitable_a to_o it_o to_o expect_v obedience_n to_o every_o declaration_n of_o his_o will_n consider_v the_o absolute_a sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n which_o god_n have_v over_o man_n as_o be_v his_o creature_n and_o the_o indispensable_a obligation_n which_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o obey_v whatever_o his_o mâ—ker_n do_v command_v he_o so_o that_o god_n have_v full_a and_o absolute_a right_n to_o require_v from_o man_n what_o he_o do_v as_o to_o the_o law_n which_o he_o give_v he_o to_o obey_v and_o in_o the_o general_n we_o can_v conceive_v how_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o testimony_n of_o man_n obedience_n towards_o hâ—s_n creator_n without_o some_o declaration_n of_o his_o creator_n will._n second_o god_n have_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n not_o only_o to_o govern_v man_n by_o law_n but_o to_o determine_v man_n general_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n to_o that_o particular_a positive_a precept_n by_o the_o breach_n of_o which_o man_n fall_v if_o god_n power_n over_o man_n be_v universal_a and_o unlimited_a what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o imagine_v it_o shall_v not_o extend_v to_o such_o a_o positive_a law_n be_v it_o because_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o law_n seem_v too_o low_a for_o god_n to_o command_v his_o creature_n but_o whatever_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v obedience_n to_o god_n be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o it_o which_o man_n have_v testify_v as_o much_o in_o that_o instance_n of_o it_o as_o in_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o and_o in_o the_o violation_n of_o it_o be_v employ_v the_o high_a aggravation_n of_o disobedience_n for_o god_n power_n and_o authority_n be_v as_o much_o contemn_v his_o goodness_n slight_v his_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n question_v his_o name_n dishonour_v his_o majesty_n affront_v in_o the_o breach_n of_o that_o as_o of_o any_o other_o law_n whatsoever_o it_o have_v be_v if_o the_o law_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v observe_v the_o great_a be_v the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n if_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o so_o great_a in_o its_o self_n yet_o god_n authority_n add_v the_o great_a weight_n to_o it_o and_o the_o ground_n of_o obedience_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fetch_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v but_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o legislator_n or_o be_v it_o then_o because_o god_n conceal_v from_o man_n his_o counsel_n in_o give_v of_o that_o positive_a precept_n have_v not_o then_o a_o legislator_n power_n to_o require_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o he_o satisfy_v every_o one_o of_o his_o reason_n in_o command_v it_o if_o so_o what_o become_v of_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o make_v any_o probative_a precept_n on_o this_o account_n and_o the_o legislator_n must_v be_v charge_v with_o the_o disobedience_n of_o his_o subject_n where_o he_o do_v not_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o every_o thing_n which_o he_o require_v which_o as_o it_o concern_v humane_a legislator_n who_o have_v not_o that_o absolute_a power_n and_o authority_n which_o god_n have_v be_v contrary_a to_o all_o law_n of_o policy_n and_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o world_n this_o plutarch_n give_v a_o good_a account_n of_o numine_fw-la when_o he_o discourse_v â—o_o rational_o of_o the_o sobriety_n which_o man_n ought_v to_o use_v in_o their_o inquiry_n into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o god_n action_n for_o say_v he_o physician_n will_v give_v prescription_n without_o give_v the_o patient_a a_o particular_a reason_n of_o every_o circumstance_n in_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d neither_o have_v humane_a law_n always_o apparent_a reason_n for_o they_o nay_o some_o of_o they_o be_v to_o appearance_n ridiculous_a for_o which_o he_o instance_v in_o that_o law_n of_o the_o lacedaemonian_a ephori_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o which_o no_o other_o reason_n be_v annex_v but_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o command_v every_o magistrate_n at_o the_o entrance_n of_o his_o office_n to_o â—have_v himself_o and_o give_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o that_o they_o may_v learn_v to_o obey_v law_n themselves_o he_o further_o instance_v in_o the_o roman_a custom_n of_o manumission_n their_o law_n about_o testament_n solon_n law_n against_o neutrality_n in_o sedition_n and_o conclude_v thence_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d any_o one_o will_v easy_o find_v many_o absurdity_n in_o law_n who_o do_v not_o consider_v the_o intention_n of_o the_o legislator_n or_o the_o ground_n of_o what_o he_o require_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o wonder_n be_v it_o if_o we_o be_v so_o puzzle_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o action_n of_o man_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o seek_v as_o to_o those_o of_o the_o deity_n this_o can_v be_v then_o any_o ground_n on_o the_o account_n of_o mere_a reason_n to_o lay_v the_o charge_n of_o man_n disobedience_n upon_o god_n because_o he_o require_v from_o
from_o eternity_n together_o with_o matter_n it_o must_v necessary_o exist_v as_o matter_n do_v and_o so_o evil_a will_v be_v invincible_a and_o unavoidable_a in_o the_o world_n which_o if_o once_o grant_v render_v religion_n useless_a make_v god_n command_n unrighteous_a and_o destroy_v the_o foundation_n of_o god_n proceed_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n 3._o this_o opinion_n make_v god_n not_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o good_a while_o it_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o evil_n 3._o for_o either_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o evil_a in_o this_o eternal_a matter_n or_o there_o be_v a_o mixture_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a if_o nothing_o else_o but_o evil_a which_o do_v necessary_o exist_v it_o be_v as_o impossible_a for_o god_n to_o produce_v good_a out_o of_o it_o as_o to_o annihilate_v the_o necessary_o existent_a matter_n if_o thâ—re_o be_v a_o mixture_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n they_o be_v both_o there_o either_o necessary_o or_o contingent_o how_o can_v either_o of_o they_o be_v contingent_o in_o that_o which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v necessary_o existent_a and_o no_o free_a agent_n if_o they_o be_v both_o there_o necessary_o 1._o it_o be_v hard_o conceive_v how_o two_o such_o contrary_a thing_n as_o good_a and_o evil_n shall_v both_o necessary_o be_v in_o the_o same_o uniform_a matter_n 2._o then_o god_n be_v no_o more_o the_o author_n of_o good_a then_o of_o evil_n in_o the_o world_n for_o he_o be_v say_v not_o to_o be_v the_o authâ—r_n of_o evil_a because_o it_o come_v from_o matter_n and_o so_o it_o appear_v good_a do_v too_o and_o so_o god_n according_a to_o this_o opinion_n be_v no_o more_o the_o author_n of_o good_a than_o he_o be_v of_o evil_a but_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o good_a be_v not_o in_o matter_n but_o god_n produce_v that_o out_o of_o nothing_o then_o i_o reply_v 1._o if_o god_n do_v produce_v good_a out_o of_o nothing_o why_o do_v he_o not_o produce_v matter_n out_o of_o nothing_o too_o iâ—_n he_o be_v so_o powerful_a as_o to_o do_v the_o one_o there_o can_v be_v no_o de_fw-la ect_fw-la of_o power_n as_o to_o the_o other_o what_o insufficiency_n be_v there_o in_o god_n nature_n for_o produce_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o nothing_o if_o he_o can_v produce_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o nothing_o 2._o if_o god_n do_v produce_v good_a out_o of_o evil_a why_o can_v he_o not_o have_v remove_v all_o evil_a out_o of_o matter_n for_o good_a can_v not_o be_v produce_v but_o by_o the_o remove_n of_o some_o evil_n which_o be_v before_o that_o good_a and_o so_o god_n may_v have_v remove_v all_o evil_a out_o of_o matter_n and_o so_o by_o not_o do_v it_o when_o he_o may_v this_o opinion_n give_v not_o the_o least_o satisfaction_n in_o point_n of_o reason_n for_o acquit_v god_n from_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n nor_o for_o clear_v the_o true_a origine_fw-la of_o evil_a thus_o we_o have_v now_o compare_v the_o account_n give_v of_o it_o in_o scripture_n with_o that_o give_v by_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o 13_o find_v it_o in_o every_o thing_n more_o clear_a rational_a and_o satisfactory_a than_o they_o be_v which_o doubtless_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o more_o modern_a philosopher_n such_o as_o hierocles_n porphyry_n simplicius_n and_o other_o though_o otherwise_o great_a opposer_n of_o christianity_n do_v yet_o in_o this_o side_n with_o the_o scripture_n and_o attribute_v the_o original_n of_o evil_n not_o to_o matter_n but_o to_o the_o will_n of_o man_n and_o whoever_o be_v serious_o conversant_a with_o the_o write_n of_o those_o philosopher_n who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o sacred_a succâ—ssion_n out_o of_o the_o school_n of_o ammonius_n at_o alexandria_n such_o as_o plotinus_n porphyrius_n jamblichus_n and_o hierocles_n will_v find_v they_o wriâ—â—_n in_o a_o high_a strain_n concern_v many_o weighty_a and_o important_a 〈◊〉_d as_o of_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o man_n soul_n from_o god_n and_o tâ—e_v way_n of_o the_o soul_n return_v to_o he_o than_o the_o most_o sublime_a of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n have_v do_v which_o speculation_n of_o they_o no_o doubt_n arise_v not_o so_o much_o from_o the_o school_n of_o plato_n and_o pythagoras_n as_o of_o that_o great_a restorer_n oâ—_n philosophy_n ammonius_n of_o alexandria_n who_o sâ—bolars_n herâ—nnius_n origen_n and_o plotinus_n be_v who_o live_v and_o die_v a_o â—hristian_n as_o eusebius_n and_o hierom_n assure_v we_o whatever_o porphyrius_n suggest_v to_o the_o contrary_a do_v 6._o communicate_v to_o his_o scholar_n the_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o divine_a reuâ—lâ—tion_n together_o wâ—â—h_v the_o speculation_n of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n which_o holstenius_fw-la conceive_v he_o do_v with_o a_o adjuration_n oâ—_n secrecy_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o porphyrius_n himself_o acknowledge_v that_o those_o three_o scholar_n of_o ammonius_n herennius_n origen_n and_o plâ—tinus_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o each_o other_o not_o to_o reveal_v and_o discover_v though_o it_o be_v after_o violate_v by_o they_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o conceive_v what_o a_o excellent_a improvement_n may_v be_v make_v of_o the_o ancient_a platonic_a philosophy_n by_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o one_o who_o be_v so_o well_o verse_v in_o both_o of_o they_o as_o ammonius_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v and_o how_o agreeable_a and_o become_a will_v that_o philosophy_n seem_v which_o have_v only_o its_o rise_n from_o plato_n but_o its_o height_n and_o improvement_n from_o those_o rich_a and_o true_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v inlay_v with_o they_o the_o want_n of_o observe_v this_o viz._n whence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o excellent_a discourse_n in_o the_o late_a platonist_n have_v their_o true_a original_n have_v give_v occasion_n to_o several_a mistake_n among_o learned_a man_n as_o first_o the_o over_o value_v of_o the_o platonic_a philosophy_n as_o though_o in_o many_o of_o the_o discourse_n and_o notion_n of_o it_o it_o seem_v to_o some_o who_o be_v more_o in_o love_n with_o philosophy_n then_o the_o scripture_n to_o outgo_v what_o be_v discover_v therein_o concern_v the_o same_o thing_n a_o most_o groundless_a and_o unworthy_a censure_n when_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o may_v be_v large_o manifest_v be_v it_o here_o a_o fit_a opportunity_n that_o whatever_o be_v true_o generous_a and_o noble_a in_o the_o sublimest_n discourse_n of_o the_o platonist_n have_v not_o only_o its_o primitive_a rise_n but_o its_o accession_n and_o improvement_n from_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o it_o be_v still_o contain_v in_o its_o native_a lustre_n and_o beauty_n without_o those_o painting_n and_o impure_a mixture_n which_o the_o suâ—â—â—mest_a truth_n be_v corrupt_v with_o in_o the_o platonic_a writing_n the_o reason_n of_o which_o be_v though_o these_o philosopher_n grow_v â—â—ddenly_o rich_a through_o the_o spoil_n they_o have_v take_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o be_v know_v from_o whence_o they_o have_v they_o and_o will_v seem_v to_o have_v have_v that_o out_o of_o their_o own_o garden_n which_o be_v only_o transplant_v from_o the_o sacred_a write_n therefore_o we_o find_v they_o not_o mention_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n without_o some_o contempt_n of_o its_o meanness_n and_o simplicity_n &_o what_o ever_o improvement_n they_o have_v gain_v by_o they_o they_o will_v have_v it_o less_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o profess_v their_o opposition_n to_o the_o christian_n as_o be_v notorious_a in_o those_o great_a philosopher_n porphyrius_n jamblichus_n hierocles_n simplicius_n and_o oâ—hers_n it_o be_v their_o design_n to_o take_v so_o much_o and_o no_o more_o out_o of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o they_o can_v well_o suit_n with_o their_o platonic_a notion_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o so_o disguise_v the_o face_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o steal_v that_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o the_o right_a owner_n of_o they_o to_o know_v they_o again_o which_o be_v the_o grand_a artifice_n of_o their_o great_a master_n plato_n who_o doubtless_o by_o mean_n of_o his_o abode_n and_o acquaintance_n in_o egypt_n about_o the_o time_n when_o the_o jew_n begin_v to_o flock_n thither_o have_v more_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o many_o truth_n of_o grand_a importance_n concern_v the_o deity_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o world_n than_o many_o other_o greek_a philosopher_n have_v but_o yet_o therein_o lay_v his_o great_a fault_n that_o he_o wrap_v up_o and_o disguise_v his_o notion_n in_o such_o a_o fabulous_a and_o ambiguous_a manner_n that_o partly_o it_o may_v be_v less_o know_v from_o whence_o he_o have_v they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v find_v better_a entertainment_n among_o the_o greek_n than_o they_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o do_v in_o their_o plain_a and_o native_a dress_n which_o plato_n himself_o seem_v somewhere_o to_o intimate_v when_o he_o say_v that_o what_o
not_o to_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o evil_n in_o they_o and_o as_o they_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o evil_n so_o they_o have_v but_o a_o mixture_n of_o punishment_n none_o lie_v under_o so_o great_a misery_n here_o but_o withal_o they_o have_v some_o share_n in_o the_o comfort_n of_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v less_o wonder_n that_o this_o part_n of_o divine_a providence_n which_o concern_v the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n have_v not_o want_v some_o among_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n who_o have_v make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o vindicate_v it_o which_o set_v aside_o what_o simplicius_n on_o epictetus_n and_o many_o other_o have_v do_v be_v full_o perform_v by_o seneca_n in_o his_o tract_n on_o this_o very_a sâ—â—â—â—ct_n â—â—ur_fw-la bonis_fw-la male_a sit_fw-la cum_fw-la sit_fw-la providentia_fw-la as_o muretuâ—â—_n restore_v the_o title_n of_o that_o book_n wherein_o these_o follow_a account_n be_v give_v of_o it_o 1._o god_n bring_v they_o up_o as_o his_o child_n under_o sharp_a discipline_n for_o their_o future_a benefit_n a_o good_a man_n in_o seneca_n language_n be_v discipulus_fw-la dei_fw-la aemulatorque_fw-la &_o vera_fw-la progeny_n which_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v one_o teach_v of_o god_n a_o follower_n of_o 1_o god_n and_o one_o bear_v of_o he_o now_o say_v he_o parens_fw-la ille_fw-la magnificus_fw-la virtutum_fw-la non_fw-la lenis_fw-la exactor_n sicut_fw-la severi_fw-la patres_fw-la durius_fw-la educat_fw-la god_n who_o be_v the_o great_a father_n of_o good_a man_n keep_v they_o under_o discipline_n while_o under_o age_n and_o by_o hardship_n fit_v they_o for_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n thence_o he_o bid_v we_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o different_a indulgence_n of_o father_n and_o mother_n to_o their_o child_n the_o father_n he_o hasten_v they_o to_o school_v suffer_v they_o not_o to_o be_v idle_a on_o their_o playdaye_n make_v they_o toil_n and_o sometime_o cry_v the_o mother_n she_o be_v all_o for_o hold_v they_o in_o her_o lap_n keep_v they_o out_o of_o the_o sun_n and_o from_o catch_v cold_a will_v not_o willing_o have_v they_o either_o cry_n or_o take_v pain_n patrium_fw-la habet_fw-la deus_fw-la adversus_fw-la bonos_fw-es animum_fw-la &_o illos_fw-la fortius_fw-la amat_fw-la god_n bear_v the_o indulgence_n of_o a_o father_n towards_o his_o child_n and_o love_n they_o with_o great_a severity_n 2._o good_a man_n receive_v benefit_n by_o their_o suffering_n quicquid_fw-la evenit_fw-la in_o suum_fw-la colorem_fw-la trahit_fw-la say_v seneca_n of_o a_o good_a man_n which_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v every_o thing_n work_v together_o for_o his_o good_a the_o sea_n lose_v nothing_o say_v he_o of_o its_o saltness_n by_o the_o river_n run_v into_o it_o neither_o do_v a_o good_a man_n by_o the_o current_n of_o his_o suffering_n and_o of_o all_o benefit_n which_o he_o receive_v that_o of_o the_o exercise_n and_o trial_n of_o his_o virtue_n and_o patience_n be_v most_o discernible_a marcet_n sine_fw-la adversario_fw-la virtus_fw-la as_o soon_o as_o carthage_n be_v destroy_v rome_n fall_v to_o luxury_n true_a wrestler_n desire_v to_o have_v some_o to_o try_v their_o strength_n upon_o they_o cui_fw-la non_fw-la industrio_fw-la otium_fw-la poena_fw-la est_fw-la a_o active_a spirit_n hate_v idleness_n and_o cowardice_n for_o etiamsi_fw-la ceciderit_fw-la de_fw-la genus_fw-la pugnat_fw-la though_o his_o leg_n be_v cut_v off_o he_o will_v fight_v on_o his_o knee_n 3._o it_o redound_v to_o god_n honour_n when_o good_a man_n bear_v up_o under_o suffering_n ecce_fw-la par_fw-fr deo_fw-la dignum_fw-la vir_fw-la fortis_fw-la cum_fw-la mala_fw-la fortuna_fw-la compositus_fw-la it_o be_v a_o spectacle_n god_n delight_v to_o see_v a_o good_a man_n combat_n with_o calamity_n god_n do_v in_o seneca_n phrase_n quosdam_fw-la fastidio_fw-la transire_fw-la pass_v they_o by_o in_o a_o slight_a a_o old_a wrestler_n scorn_v to_o contend_v with_o a_o coward_n one_o who_o be_v vinci_fw-la paratus_fw-la ready_a to_o yield_v up_o present_o calamitates_fw-la sub_fw-la jugum_fw-la mittere_fw-la proprium_fw-la magni_fw-la viri_fw-la est_fw-la it_o argue_v a_o noble_a spirit_n to_o be_v able_a to_o subdue_v misery_n 4._o it_o tend_v to_o the_o trial_n and_o increase_n of_o their_o strength_n seneca_n high_o extol_v that_o speech_n of_o the_o philosopher_n demetrius_n nihil_fw-la infelicius_fw-la eo_fw-la cui_fw-la nihil_fw-la unquam_fw-la evenit_fw-la adversi_fw-la non_fw-la licuit_fw-la enim_fw-la illi_fw-la se_fw-la experiri_fw-la he_o be_v the_o most_o unhappy_a man_n who_o never_o know_v what_o misery_n mean_v for_o he_o can_v never_o know_v what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v and_o as_o he_o say_v to_o pass_v one_o life_n away_o sine_fw-la morsu_fw-la animi_fw-la without_o any_o trouble_n it_o be_v ignorare_fw-la rerum_fw-la naturae_fw-la alteram_fw-la partem_fw-la not_o to_o know_v what_o be_v upon_o the_o reverse_n of_o nature_n idem_fw-la licet_fw-la fecerint_fw-la qui_fw-la integri_fw-la revertuntur_fw-la ex_fw-la acie_n magis_fw-la spectatur_fw-la qui_fw-la sancius_fw-la redit_fw-la though_o he_o that_o come_v home_o sound_a may_v fight_v as_o well_o as_o he_o that_o be_v wound_v yet_o the_o wound_a person_n have_v the_o more_o pity_n and_o be_v most_o cry_v up_o for_o his_o valour_n the_o pilot_n be_v see_v in_o a_o tempest_n a_o soldier_n in_o battle_n and_o a_o good_a man_n in_o suffering_n god_n do_v by_o such_o as_o master_n do_v by_o scholar_n qui_fw-la plus_fw-la laboris_fw-la ab_fw-la his_fw-la exigunt_fw-la quibus_fw-la certior_fw-la spes_fw-la est_fw-la who_o set_v the_o best_a wit_n the_o hard_a task_n 5._o god_n exercise_v good_a man_n with_o suffering_n to_o discover_v the_o indifferency_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o man_n value_v so_o much_o in_o the_o world_n when_o he_o deny_v they_o to_o good_a man_n blindness_n will_v be_v hateful_a if_o none_o be_v blind_a but_o such_o who_o eye_n be_v put_v out_o and_o therefore_o appius_n and_o metellus_n be_v blind_a riches_n be_v no_o good_a thing_n therefore_o the_o worst_a as_o well_o as_o the_o best_a have_v they_o nullo_n modo_fw-la magis_fw-la potest_fw-la deus_fw-la concupita_fw-la traducere_fw-la quam_fw-la si_fw-la illa_fw-la ad_fw-la turpissimos_fw-la defert_fw-la ab_fw-la optimis_fw-la abigit_fw-la god_n can_v not_o traduce_v or_o defame_v those_o thing_n more_o which_o man_n desire_v so_o much_o then_o by_o take_v they_o away_o from_o the_o best_a of_o man_n and_o give_v they_o to_o the_o worst_a 6._o that_o they_o may_v be_v example_n to_o other_o of_o patience_n and_o constancy_n for_o as_o seneca_n conclude_v nati_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o exemplar_n they_o be_v bear_v to_o be_v pattern_n to_o other_o if_o to_o these_o thing_n we_o add_v what_o the_o word_n of_o god_n discover_v concern_v the_o nature_n ground_n and_o end_n of_o affliction_n and_o that_o glory_n which_o shall_v be_v reveal_v in_o comparison_n with_o which_o exceed_v weight_n of_o glory_n these_o light_n and_o momentany_a affliction_n be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v value_v than_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o full_a vindication_n of_o divine_a providence_n as_o to_o the_o suffering_n of_o good_a man_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o impunity_n of_o such_o as_o be_v wicked_a but_o how_o ever_o from_o hence_o we_o see_v how_o far_o the_o mere_a light_n of_o reason_n have_v carry_v man_n in_o resolve_v these_o difficulty_n concern_v god_n providence_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o a_o rational_a account_n may_v be_v give_v of_o they_o suppose_v evil_a of_o punishment_n to_o arise_v from_o sin_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o punish_v the_o wicked_a and_o to_o reward_v the_o good_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v show_v chap._n iu._n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o nation_n all_o mankind_n derive_v from_o adam_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a the_o contrary_a supposition_n a_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n the_o possibility_n of_o a_o universal_a deluge_n prove_v the_o flood_n universal_a as_o to_o mankind_n whether_o universal_a as_o to_o the_o earth_n and_o animal_n no_o necessity_n of_o assert_v either_o yet_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v without_o creation_n of_o new_a water_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deep_a the_o proportion_n which_o the_o height_n of_o mountain_n bear_v to_o the_o diameter_n of_o the_o earth_n no_o mountain_n much_o above_o three_o mile_n perpendicular_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o fountain_n the_o opinion_n of_o aristotle_n and_o other_o concern_v it_o discuss_v the_o true_a account_n of_o they_o from_o the_o vapour_n arise_v from_o the_o mass_n of_o subterraneous_a water_n of_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n for_o receive_v the_o animal_n from_o buteo_n and_o other_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o deluge_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a nation_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o nation_n from_o noah_n posterity_n of_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o assyrian_a empire_n the_o multiplication_n of_o mankind_n
of_o their_o ancestor_n those_o who_o recede_v from_o the_o common_a opinion_n lest_o they_o shall_v give_v advantage_n to_o infidel_n by_o attribute_v that_o to_o a_o miracle_n which_o may_v be_v do_v without_o seem_v to_o be_v more_o wary_a than_o wise_a in_o it_o for_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o miracle_n may_v be_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v effect_v otherwise_o by_o natural_a cause_n when_o they_o be_v produce_v without_o the_o help_n of_o those_o cause_n and_o in_o a_o space_n of_o time_n impossible_a to_o nature_n and_o that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v as_o yet_o prove_v how_o such_o diversity_n of_o tongue_n as_o be_v in_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v effect_v without_o such_o a_o miracle_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v by_o they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o miracle_n in_o it_o and_o what_o great_a difficulty_n there_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o variety_n of_o language_n then_o in_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o same_o word_n i_o understand_v not_o but_o i_o see_v no_o necessity_n of_o assert_v that_o every_o one_o of_o the_o family_n have_v a_o distinct_a language_n and_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o 70._o or_o 72._o as_o the_o gr._n family_n and_o as_o many_o language_n be_v now_o take_v for_o a_o groundless_a fancy_n by_o learned_a man_n as_o be_v easy_o prove_v from_o the_o divide_v father_n and_o child_n who_o family_n can_v not_o certain_o be_v without_o 68_o they_o and_o some_o suppose_a to_o be_v unborn_a then_o as_o joctans_n 13._o child_n especial_o if_o we_o say_v as_o many_o do_v that_o the_o confusion_n be_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o phaleg_n and_o joctan_n be_v his_o young_a brother_n as_o the_o jew_n general_o do_v to_o the_o last_o objection_n it_o may_v be_v reply_v that_o the_o agreement_n of_o language_n in_o some_o radical_a word_n do_v not_o infer_v the_o derivation_n of_o the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o as_o be_v plain_a in_o the_o persian_a and_o german_a in_o which_o learned_a man_n have_v observe_v so_o many_o word_n alike_o and_o so_o by_o busbequius_fw-la of_o the_o inhabitant_n about_o 24._o taunche_v cheelsonese_n and_o so_o in_o most_o of_o our_o modern_a tongue_n there_o may_v be_v some_o word_n alike_o without_o any_o such_o dependence_n or_o derivation_n again_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o language_n of_o they_o who_o be_v at_o babel_n be_v confound_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a we_o shall_v say_v that_o all_o noah_n posterity_n be_v there_o it_o be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o they_o be_v chief_o cham_fw-mi 6._o and_o his_o company_n if_o so_o then_o sem_fw-mi and_o his_o posterity_n may_v retain_v the_o language_n they_o have_v before_o only_o with_o some_o variation_n but_o this_o be_v very_o uncertain_a unless_o we_o take_v it_o for_o heber_n and_o peleg_n from_o who_o vicinity_n other_o border_a nation_n may_v make_v use_n of_o many_o of_o their_o primitive_a word_n and_o for_o the_o greek_n it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o many_o of_o their_o word_n especial_o the_o old_a baeotick_a have_v affinity_n with_o the_o hebrew_n but_o it_o be_v from_o the_o pelasgi_n at_o first_o and_o cadmus_n the_o phaenician_a afterward_o the_o old_a canaanitish_a language_n be_v if_o not_o the_o pure_a hebrew_n yet_o a_o dialect_n of_o that_o tongue_n as_o be_v prove_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n but_o however_o these_o thing_n be_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o say_v that_o all_o mother_n tongue_n so_o call_v be_v then_o existent_a at_o that_o confusion_n but_o the_o present_a curse_n do_v divide_v their_o language_n who_o be_v there_o and_o that_o all_o division_n of_o language_n since_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o curse_n it_o be_v thus_o manifest_v what_o a_o strange_a confusion_n of_o language_n be_v cause_v in_o the_o world_n we_o may_v thereby_o easy_o understand_v how_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n come_v to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o alter_v in_o the_o world_n another_o reason_n of_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n 4._o be_v the_o fabulousness_n of_o the_o poet_n for_o these_o make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o disguise_v all_o their_o ancient_a story_n under_o fable_n in_o which_o they_o be_v so_o lose_v that_o they_o can_v never_o recover_v they_o afterward_o for_o the_o elder_a poet_n of_o greece_n be_v man_n of_o great_a learning_n then_o general_o the_o people_n be_v of_o and_o be_v conversant_a in_o egypt_n and_o other_o part_n do_v bring_v in_o new_a report_n of_o the_o ancient_a time_n which_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o nation_n they_o go_v to_o and_o by_o mix_v their_o own_o tradition_n and_o other_o together_o and_o by_o suit_v what_o be_v remain_v of_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n to_o these_o they_o must_v needs_o make_v a_o strange_a confusion_n of_o thing_n together_o and_o leave_v they_o much_o more_o obscure_a and_o fabulous_a than_o they_o find_v they_o and_o herein_o all_o their_o cunning_a and_o subtlety_n lie_v in_o put_v a_o new_a face_n on_o whatever_o they_o borrow_v from_o other_o nation_n and_o make_v they_o appear_v among_o themselves_o in_o a_o greek_a habit_n that_o the_o former_a owner_n of_o those_o tradition_n can_v scarce_o challenge_v they_o as_o they_o under_o so_o strange_a a_o metamorphosis_n for_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v most_o plain_a and_o historical_a in_o the_o fountain_n whence_o they_o derive_v they_o they_o do_v so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n speak_v or_o as_o origen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4._o wrap_v they_o up_o under_o so_o great_a mythology_n that_o the_o original_a truth_n can_v hardly_o be_v discern_v because_o of_o that_o multitude_n of_o prodigious_a fable_n with_o which_o they_o have_v inlay_v they_o but_o as_o great_a as_o their_o artifice_n be_v in_o the_o do_v this_o we_o may_v yet_o discern_v apparent_o many_o of_o those_o particular_a course_n which_o be_v take_v by_o they_o to_o disguise_n and_o alter_v the_o primitive_a tradition_n 1._o attribute_v what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o great_a ancestor_n of_o mankind_n to_o some_o person_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n thus_o the_o thessalian_n make_v deucalion_n to_o be_v the_o person_n who_o escape_v the_o flood_n and_o from_o who_o the_o world_n be_v people_v after_o it_o and_o whoever_o compare_v the_o relation_n of_o the_o flood_n of_o deucalion_n in_o apollodorus_n with_o that_o in_o the_o scripture_n may_v easy_o render_v apollodorus_n his_o greek_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n only_o change_v greece_n into_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o deucalion_n 19â—_n into_o noah_n parnassus_n into_o ararat_n and_o jupiter_n into_o jehova_n on_o the_o same_o account_n the_o athenian_n attribute_v the_o flood_n to_o ogyges_n not_o that_o the_o flood_n of_o ogyges_n and_o deucalion_n be_v particular_a and_o distinct_a deluge_n which_o many_o have_v take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o needless_a pain_n to_o place_n in_o their_o several_a age_n but_o as_o deucalion_n be_v of_o the_o elder_a memory_n in_o thessaly_n so_o be_v ogyges_n at_o athens_n and_o so_o the_o flood_n as_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o remote_a antiquity_n be_v on_o the_o same_o account_n in_o both_o place_n attribute_v to_o both_o these_o because_o as_o mankind_n be_v suppose_v to_o begin_v again_o after_o the_o flood_n so_o they_o have_v among_o they_o no_o memory_n extant_a of_o any_o elder_a than_o these_o two_o from_o who_o on_o that_o account_n they_o suppose_v mankind_n derive_v and_o on_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o assyrian_n attribute_v the_o â—lood_o to_o xisuthrus_n who_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v a_o king_n of_o assyria_n but_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n as_o deliver_v by_o alexander_n polyhistor_n and_o abydenus_n be_v such_o as_o 1._o make_v it_o clear_a to_o be_v only_o a_o remainder_n of_o the_o universal_a flood_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o time_n of_o noah_n so_o the_o thessalian_n make_v prometheus_n to_o be_v the_o protoplast_n the_o pelopponesians_n phoroneus_n as_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n tell_v we_o who_o phoronides_n the_o poet_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o father_n of_o mankind_n 1._o this_o may_v be_v now_o the_o first_o way_n of_o corrupt_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n by_o suppose_v all_o that_o be_v convey_v by_o it_o to_o have_v be_v act_v among_o themselves_o which_o may_v be_v impute_v partly_o to_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o state_n of_o their_o ancient_a time_n and_o partly_o to_o their_o pride_n lest_o they_o shall_v seem_v to_o come_v behind_o other_o in_o matter_n of_o antiquity_n 2._o another_o fountain_n of_o heathen_a mythology_n be_v the_o take_v the_o idiom_n of_o the_o oriental_a language_n in_o a_o proper_a sense_n for_o whether_o we_o suppose_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o in_o the_o ancient_a hebrew_n by_o the_o pelasgi_n or_o be_v
the_o indian_n be_v in_o darkness_n while_o the_o bacchae_n enjoy_v light_n which_o circumstance_n consider_v will_v make_v every_o one_o that_o have_v judgement_n say_v as_o bochartus_n do_v ex_fw-la mirabili_fw-la illâ—_n concentu_fw-la vel_fw-la coecis_fw-la apparebit_fw-la priscos_fw-la fabularum_fw-la architectos_fw-la e_fw-la scriptoribus_fw-la sacris_fw-la multa_fw-la â—sse_fw-la mutuatos_fw-la from_o this_o wonderful_a agreement_n of_o heathen_a mythology_n with_o the_o scripture_n it_o can_v but_o appear_v that_o one_o be_v a_o corruption_n of_o the_o other_o that_o the_o memory_n of_o iâ—shua_n and_o samson_n be_v preserve_v under_o hercules_n tyrius_n be_v make_v 169._o likewise_o very_o probable_a from_o several_a circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n other_o have_v deduce_v the_o many_o rite_n of_o heathen_a worship_n from_o those_o use_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n among_o the_o jew_n several_a other_o may_v be_v insist_v on_o as_o the_o parallel_n between_o og_n and_o typho_n and_o between_o the_o old_a silenus_n and_o balaam_n both_o note_v for_o their_o skill_n in_o divination_n both_o take_v by_o the_o water_n num._n 22._o 5._o both_o note_a for_o ride_v on_o a_o ass_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v lucian_n of_o the_o old_a silenus_n and_o that_o 203._o which_o make_v it_o yet_o more_o probable_a be_v that_o of_o pausanias_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v much_o puzzle_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o and_o this_o conjecture_n which_o i_o here_o propound_v may_v pass_v at_o least_o for_o a_o probable_a account_n of_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v no_o long_o insist_v on_o these_o thing_n have_v i_o suppose_v do_v what_o be_v sufficient_a to_o our_o purpose_n which_o be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v what_o footstep_n there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n amid_o all_o the_o corruption_n of_o heathen_a mythology_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n concern_v matter_n of_o pure_a divine_a revelation_n in_o scripture_n the_o term_n of_o salvation_n only_o contain_v therein_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o disesteem_a of_o the_o scripture_n be_v tacit_a unbelief_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n manifest_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n which_o god_n have_v reveal_v therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o discovery_n of_o god_n nature_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ._n the_o suitableness_n of_o those_o discovery_n of_o god_n to_o our_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n the_o necessity_n of_o god_n make_v know_v himself_o to_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o regulate_v our_o conception_n of_o he_o the_o scripture_n give_v the_o full_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v in_o they_o the_o only_a way_n of_o please_a god_n discover_v in_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n contain_v matter_n of_o great_a mysteriousness_n and_o mest_z universal_a satisfaction_n to_o man_n mind_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o manner_n wherein_o thing_n be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n in_o regard_n of_o clearness_n authority_n purity_n uniformity_n and_o perswasiveness_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o they_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o encouragement_n to_o religion_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o great_a excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n in_o order_n to_o man_n salvation_n have_v thus_o large_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o passage_n of_o sacred_a scripture_n which_o concern_v the_o history_n 1_o of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n by_o all_o those_o argument_n which_o a_o subject_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o the_o only_a thing_n leâ—t_v in_o order_n to_o our_o full_a prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o consideration_n of_o â—hose_v matter_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o be_v in_o a_o especial_a maâ—neâ—_n say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o those_o historical_a passage_n though_o we_o believe_v they_o as_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n to_o have_v be_v divine_o inspire_v as_o well_o as_o other_o yet_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o suppose_v no_o divine_a revelation_n may_v have_v be_v know_v sufficient_o to_o the_o world_n have_v not_o man_n bâ—en_o want_v to_o themselves_o as_o to_o the_o care_n and_o mean_n of_o preserve_v they_o but_o those_o matter_n which_o i_o now_o come_v to_o discourse_v of_o be_v of_o a_o more_o sublime_a and_o transcendent_a nature_n such_o as_o it_o have_v be_v impâ—ssible_a for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o reach_v have_v they_o not_o be_v immediate_o discover_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o those_o be_v the_o term_n and_o condition_n on_o which_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n may_v upon_o good_a ground_n expect_v a_o eternal_a happiness_n which_o we_o assert_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o only_a authentic_a and_o infallible_a record_n of_o man_n may_v by_o the_o improvement_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o sagacity_n of_o their_o mind_n discover_v much_o not_o only_o of_o the_o lapse_v condition_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o purgation_n of_o they_o in_o order_n to_o their_o felicity_n but_o may_v in_o the_o general_n know_v what_o thing_n be_v please_v and_o acceptable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n from_o those_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n which_o be_v unalterable_o fix_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o which_o way_n to_o obtain_v any_o certainty_n of_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n to_o recover_v the_o grace_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n to_o enjoy_v perfect_a tranquillity_n and_o peace_n of_o conscience_n to_o be_v able_a to_o please_v god_n in_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o by_o these_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o eternal_a bliss_n have_v be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o have_v ever_o find_v have_v not_o god_n himself_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o reveal_v they_o to_o we_o man_n may_v still_o have_v bewilder_v themselves_o in_o follow_v the_o ignes_fw-la fatui_fw-la of_o their_o own_o imagination_n and_o hunt_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n for_o a_o path_n which_o lead_v to_o heaven_n but_o can_v have_v find_v none_o unless_o god_n himself_o take_v pity_n of_o the_o wander_n of_o man_n have_v be_v please_v to_o hang_v out_o a_o light_n from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v they_o in_o their_o way_n thither_o and_o by_o this_o pharos_n of_o divine_a revelation_n to_o direct_v they_o so_o to_o steer_v their_o course_n as_o to_o escape_v split_v themselves_o on_o the_o rock_n of_o open_a impiety_n or_o be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o quicksand_n of_o terrene_a delight_n neither_o do_v he_o show_v they_o only_o what_o shelf_n and_o rock_n they_o must_v escape_v but_o what_o particular_a course_n they_o must_v steâ—re_v what_o star_n they_o must_v have_v in_o their_o eye_n what_o compass_n they_o must_v observe_v what_o wind_n and_o gale_n they_o must_v expect_v and_o pray_v for_o if_o they_o will_v at_o last_o arrive_v at_o eternal_a bliss_n eternal_a bliss_n what_o more_o can_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n promise_n or_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n ever_o wish_v â—or_a a_o reward_n to_o such_o who_o be_v so_o â—ar_o from_o deserve_v that_o they_o be_v still_o provoke_v glory_n to_o such_o who_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o their_o duty_n then_o of_o their_o offence_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v a_o glorious_a reward_n but_o eternal_a too_o be_v that_o which_o though_o it_o infinite_o transcend_v the_o desert_n of_o the_o receiver_n yet_o it_o high_o discover_v the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o the_o giver_n but_o when_o we_o not_o only_o know_v that_o there_o be_v so_o rich_a a_o mine_n of_o inestimable_a treasure_n but_o if_o the_o owner_n of_o it_o undertake_v to_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o it_o and_o give_v we_o certain_a and_o infallible_a direction_n how_o to_o come_v to_o the_o full_a possession_n of_o it_o how_o much_o be_v we_o in_o love_n with_o misery_n and_o do_v we_o court_v our_o own_o ruin_n if_o we_o neglect_v to_o hearken_v to_o his_o direction_n and_o observe_v his_o command_n this_o be_v that_o we_o be_v now_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a concern_v 2._o the_o scripture_n that_o these_o alone_o contain_v those_o sacred_a discovery_n by_o which_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n may_v come_v at_o last_o to_o enjoy_v a_o complete_a and_o eternal_a happiness_n one_o will_v think_v there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o needless_a in_o the_o world_n then_o to_o bid_v man_n regard_v their_o own_o welfare_n and_o to_o seek_v to_o be_v happy_a yet_o whoever_o cast_v his_o eye_n into_o the_o world_n will_v find_v no_o counsel_n so_o little_o hearken_v to_o as_o this_o nor_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v more_o general_o look_v on_o