miracle_n do_v sufficient_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v by_o those_o who_o wrought_v miracle_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n 2._o if_o there_o have_v be_v the_o least_o ground_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v in_o those_o age_n when_o so_o many_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n for_o we_o see_v several_a of_o the_o book_n be_v a_o long_a time_n examine_v and_o at_o last_o when_o no_o sufficient_a reason_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o they_o they_o be_v receive_v by_o those_o church_n which_o at_o first_o scruple_v the_o receive_v they_o and_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o think_v the_o doubt_n of_o the_o first_o age_n any_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n that_o by_o the_o objection_n of_o some_o against_o some_o of_o they_o i_o be_o thereby_o assure_v that_o they_o do_v not_o present_o receive_v any_o book_n because_o it_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o apostolical_a write_n as_o i_o be_o the_o more_o confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n because_o some_o of_o the_o disciple_n be_v at_o first_o very_o doubtful_a about_o it_o 6._o you_o may_v yet_o ask_v what_o do_v all_o this_o signify_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v write_v at_o a_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o and_o in_o a_o more_o ignorant_a age_n of_o of_o the_o world_n answ._n there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n than_o by_o the_o new_a for_o if_o the_o new_a be_v true_a the_o old_a must_v be_v so_o which_o be_v confirm_v so_o plain_o and_o evident_o by_o it_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n appeal_n to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n on_o all_o occasion_n so_o that_o the_o same_o miracle_n which_o prove_v their_o testimony_n true_a do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n since_o it_o be_v so_o express_o say_v in_o the_o new_a that_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n do_v speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o after_o all_o this_o you_o urge_v that_o you_o have_v discover_v such_o thing_n in_o these_o write_n as_o can_v not_o come_v from_o god_n as_o 1._o contradiction_n in_o they_o 2._o something_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n 3._o promise_v make_v that_o be_v never_o fulfil_v 4._o thing_n so_o obscure_a as_o no_o one_o can_v tell_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o under_o these_o four_o head_n i_o shall_v examine_v the_o particular_a allegation_n you_o bring_v against_o the_o scripture_n 1._o under_o the_o head_n of_o contradiction_n you_o insist_v on_o the_o prophecy_n gen._n 15._o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o make_v to_o abraham_n concern_v his_o posterity_n compare_v with_o the_o accomplishment_n mention_v exod._n 12._o 40._o 41._o and_o the_o force_n of_o your_o argument_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o the_o prophecy_n in_o genesis_n do_v imply_v that_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n be_v to_o be_v 40_o year_n or_o 430_o say_v exod._n but_o both_o these_o be_v repugnant_a to_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o make_v their_o abode_n in_o egypt_n not_o to_o exceed_v 215_o year_n or_o at_o the_o high_a by_o the_o number_n of_o generation_n can_v not_o exceed_v 350_o year_n stretch_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a advantage_n to_o this_o which_o you_o lay_v so_o much_o weight_n upon_o i_o answer_v distinct_o 1._o by_o your_o own_o confession_n suppose_v the_o 430_o year_n to_o begin_v from_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n the_o accomplishment_n mention_v exod._n 12._o 40._o do_v fall_v out_o exact_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v out_o of_o egypt_n for_o you_o have_v prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o from_o the_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n to_o jacob_n be_v in_o egypt_n be_v 215_o year_n to_o which_o you_o add_v that_o coath_a be_v suppose_v 5_o year_n old_a at_o the_o go_n into_o egypt_n and_o that_o at_o 70_o year_n he_o beget_v amram_n and_o that_o amram_n at_o at_o 70_o beget_v moses_n to_o which_o moses_n his_o 80_o year_n be_v add_v make_v up_o the_o other_o 215_o year_n whereby_o we_o have_v the_o full_a 430_o year_n by_o your_o own_o computation_n now_o sir_n i_o pray_v consider_v what_o reason_n you_o have_v to_o charge_v the_o scripture_n with_o contradiction_n in_o a_o matter_n yourself_o acknowledge_v so_o exact_o accomplish_v in_o this_o way_n of_o computation_n 2._o but_o you_o say_v the_o word_n will_v not_o bear_v this_o because_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o 400_o year_n to_o expire_v in_o their_o servitude_n in_o egypt_n answ._n for_o this_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n both_o in_o genesis_n and_o exodus_fw-la there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o egypt_n mention_v in_o genesis_n but_o only_o in_o general_n it_o be_v say_v thy_o seed_n shall_v be_v a_o stranger_n in_o the_o land_n that_o be_v not_o they_o and_o shall_v serve_v they_o and_o they_o shall_v afflict_v they_o 400_o year_n and_o it_o will_v conduce_v very_o much_o to_o the_o right_a understanding_n this_o prophecy_n to_o consider_v the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o tell_v abraham_n how_o long_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o servitude_n to_o the_o egyptian_n but_o how_o long_o it_o will_v be_v before_o his_o seed_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n and_o it_o seem_v abraham_n by_o the_o question_n gen._n 15._o 7._o 8._o do_v expect_v to_o have_v the_o inheritance_n of_o this_o land_n in_o his_o own_o time_n to_o this_o therefore_o god_n answer_v by_o tell_v he_o he_o mean_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o it_o be_v intend_v for_o his_o seed_n and_o that_o not_o sudden_o neither_o for_o they_o be_v to_o tarry_v till_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o amorites_n shall_v be_v full_a which_o will_v not_o be_v till_o the_o four_o generation_n and_o then_o his_o seed_n shall_v after_o 400_o year_n come_v to_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o be_v to_o sojourn_v in_o a_o land_n that_o be_v not_o they_o and_o to_o meet_v with_o many_o hardship_n and_o difficulty_n this_o be_v plain_o the_o scope_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o by_o attend_v to_o it_o the_o great_a objection_n present_o appear_v without_o force_n for_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n notwithstanding_o the_o promise_n be_v by_o the_o patriarch_n themselves_o look_v on_o as_o a_o land_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n so_o abraham_n say_v gen._n 23._o 4._o i_o be_o a_o stranger_n and_o a_o sojourner_n with_o you_o and_o which_o be_v more_o remarkable_a in_o the_o blessing_n of_o jacob_n by_o isaac_n to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v it_o be_v say_v and_o give_v thou_o the_o blessing_n of_o abraham_n to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o seed_n that_o thou_o may_v inherit_v the_o land_n wherein_o thou_o be_v a_o stranger_n which_o god_n give_v unto_o abraham_n gen._n 28._o 4._o where_o the_o very_a same_o word_n be_v use_v concern_v jacob_n that_o be_v express_v in_o the_o prophecy_n gen._n 15._o 13._o so_o that_o the_o patriarch_n look_v on_o themselves_o as_o stranger_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n so_o long_o after_o the_o promise_n make_v and_o after_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o therefore_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v call_v terra_fw-la peregrinationum_fw-la the_o land_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n gen._n 36._o 7._o 37._o 1._o and_o when_o god_n be_v call_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n together_o out_o of_o egypt_n yet_o then_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v call_v by_o the_o very_a same_o title_n the_o land_n of_o their_o pilgrimage_n wherein_o they_o be_v stranger_n exod._n 6._o 4._o and_o ps._n 105._o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 13._o where_o we_o have_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n concern_v the_o inheritance_n of_o that_o land_n it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v few_o and_o stranger_n in_o it_o when_o they_o go_v from_o one_o nation_n to_o another_o from_o one_o kingdom_n to_o another_o people_n which_o do_v full_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n in_o genesis_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n but_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o their_o state_n of_o pilgrimage_n for_o 400_o year_n wherein_o they_o be_v to_o suffer_v great_a hardship_n before_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o the_o inheritance_n of_o canaan_n this_o be_v no_o force_a or_o unnatural_a exposition_n of_o the_o word_n as_o you_o seem_v to_o suggest_v
he_o may_v be_v trust_v or_o no_o and_o for_o this_o he_o can_v expect_v no_o better_a satisfaction_n than_o that_o his_o history_n have_v be_v in_o great_a reputation_n for_o its_o integrity_n among_o the_o most_o know_a person_n but_o how_o shall_v he_o be_v sure_a this_o be_v the_o history_n write_v by_o thucydides_n since_o there_o have_v be_v many_o counterfeit_a write_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o consent_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o all_o age_n since_o we_o may_v compare_v the_o testimony_n cite_v out_o of_o it_o with_o the_o history_n we_o have_v and_o the_o style_n with_o the_o character_n give_v of_o thucydides_n and_o the_o narration_n with_o other_o credible_a history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o if_o all_o these_o agree_v what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o thucydides_n all_o learned_a man_n do_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o have_v be_v multitude_n of_o fictitious_a write_n but_o do_v they_o therefore_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o genuine_a or_o whether_o we_o have_v not_o the_o true_a herodotus_n strabo_n or_o pausanias_n because_o there_o be_v a_o counterfeit_a berosus_n manetho_n and_o philo_n set_v forth_o by_o annius_n of_o viterbo_n do_v any_o suspect_n whether_o we_o have_v any_o of_o the_o genuine_a work_n of_o cicero_n because_o a_o italian_a counterfeit_v a_o book_n de_fw-fr consolation_n in_o his_o name_n or_o whether_o caesar_n commentary_n be_v his_o own_o because_o it_o be_v uncertain_a who_o write_v the_o alexandrian_a war_n that_o be_v join_v with_o they_o by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o we_o may_v not_o only_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o fidelity_n of_o person_n we_o converse_v with_o but_o of_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o ouâ—_n belief_n of_o what_o be_v do_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o thâ—_n testimony_n of_o writer_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o supposititious_a write_n that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o all_o this_o only_o relate_v to_o mere_a matter_n of_o history_n wherein_o a_o man_n be_v not_o muâ—h_o concern_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a but_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v about_o be_v matter_n that_o man_n salvation_n or_o damnation_n be_v â—id_v to_o depend_v upon_o and_o therefore_o â—reater_a evidence_n shall_v be_v give_v of_o these_o to_o oblige_v man_n to_o believe_v they_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o â—â—y_a design_n herein_o be_v to_o prove_v â—hat_n notwithstanding_o the_o possibility_n of_o deception_n there_o may_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o a_o prudent_a and_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n do_v at_o as_o great_a a_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o convey_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v and_o hereby_o those_o general_a prejudices_fw-la be_v show_v to_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o you_o will_v give_v a_o assent_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o you_o do_v to_o caesar_n or_o livy_n or_o tacitus_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_a historian_n 2._o as_o to_o the_o great_a obligation_n to_o assent_v â—_o say_v it_o depend_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o iâ—_n give_v by_o the_o matter_n of_o facâ—_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o anâ—_n here_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o ask_v you_o 1._o whether_o it_o be_v any_o way_n repugnant_a to_o any_o conception_n you_o have_v of_o god_n for_o he_o to_o make_v use_n of_o fallible_a man_n to_o make_v know_v his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n 2._o whether_o those_o man_n though_o suppose_v to_o be_v in_o themselves_o fallible_a can_v either_o deceive_v or_o be_v deceive_v when_o god_n makeâ—_n know_v his_o mind_n to_o they_o 3._o whether_o on_o supposition_n that_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o such_o person_n for_o this_o end_n those_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o who_o do_v not_o live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n with_o they_o if_o not_o than_o god_n must_v either_o make_v no_o revelation_n at_o all_o or_o he_o must_v make_v a_o new_a one_o every_o age_n if_o they_o be_v than_o the_o obligation_n lie_v as_o much_o on_o we_o now_o to_o believe_v as_o if_o we_o have_v live_v and_o converse_v with_o those_o inspire_a person_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o since_o it_o be_v universal_o agree_v among_o man_n that_o humane_a testimony_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o assent_n where_o there_o be_v no_o positive_a ground_n for_o suspicion_n because_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v be_v not_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v and_o whether_o any_o of_o they_o do_v reach_v the_o apostle_n testimony_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n report_v by_o they_o and_o the_o just_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v these_o 1._o if_o the_o person_n be_v otherwise_o know_v to_o be_v man_n of_o artifice_n anâ—_n cunning_a full_a of_o trick_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o that_o make_v nâ—_n conscience_n of_o speak_a truth_n so_o a_o lie_n tend_v to_o their_o great_a advantage_n which_o be_v too_o mucâ—_n the_o papist_n case_n in_o their_o legend_n and_o story_n of_o miracle_n 2._o â—_o they_o temper_n and_o suit_v their_o storâ—_n and_o doctrine_n to_o the_o humour_n anâ—_n genius_n of_o the_o people_n they_o hopâ—_n to_o prevail_v upon_o as_o mahomet_n do_v in_o encourage_v war_n and_o lasciviousness_n 3._o if_o they_o lay_v the_o scene_n oâ—_n their_o story_n at_o a_o mighty_a distance_n from_o themselves_o at_o such_o a_o age_n wherein_o it_o be_v impossible_a either_o to_o prove_v or_o disprove_v which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o brahmin_n as_o to_o their_o brahmà _fw-la and_o their_o veda_n and_o be_v of_o the_o heathen_n as_o to_o their_o fabulous_a deity_n 4._o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o story_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o most_o authentic_a history_n of_o those_o time_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o imposture_n of_o annius_n have_v be_v discover_v 5._o if_o there_o be_v evident_a contradiction_n in_o the_o story_n itself_o or_o any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o or_o unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n holiness_n sincerity_n and_o consistency_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n on_o which_o account_n we_o reject_v fanatic_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v then_o allow_v there_o be_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v therein_o but_o i_o shall_v undertake_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o defend_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o foundation_n for_o suspicion_n as_o to_o any_o one_o of_o these_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o person_n such_o whâ—_n go_v about_o to_o deceive_v other_o musâ—_n be_v man_n that_o be_v verse_v in_o business_n and_o know_v how_o to_o deal_v with_o man_n and_o that_o have_v some_o interest_n already_o that_o they_o have_v gain_v by_o other_o mean_n before_o they_o can_v carry_v on_o such_o a_o design_n as_o to_o abuse_v mankind_n by_o lie_n and_o imposture_n in_o religion_n therefore_o the_o atheist_n lay_v the_o deceive_a the_o world_n by_o religion_n to_o the_o charge_n of_o politician_n and_o lawgiver_n to_o man_n verse_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o fraud_n such_o as_o numa_n or_o lycurgus_n or_o xaca_n or_o mahomet_n such_o as_o understand_v the_o way_n of_o cajol_v the_o people_n or_o to_o subtle_a priest_n that_o know_v how_o to_o suit_v the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o superstitious_a multitude_n whence_o come_v the_o multitude_n of_o fraud_n in_o the_o heathen_a temple_n and_o oracle_n but_o will_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v pitch_v upon_o a_o few_o fisherman_n and_o illiterate_a person_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o intrigue_n as_o this_o man_n that_o be_v rude_a and_o unexperienced_a in_o the_o world_n and_o uncapable_a of_o deal_n in_o the_o way_n of_o artifice_n with_o one_o of_o the_o common_a citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n when_o be_v it_o ever_o hear_v that_o such_o man_n make_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v against_o the_o most_o violent_a persecution_n and_o when_o they_o prevail_v so_o much_o the_o common_a charge_n still_o against_o they_o be_v that_o they_o be_v a_o company_n of_o rude_a mean_a obscure_a illiterate_a simple_a man_n and_o yet_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o cunning_a and_o malice_n and_o learning_n and_o strength_n of_o their_o adversary_n they_o gain_v ground_n upon_o they_o and_o prevail_v over_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o jew_n anâ—_n
jew_n and_o no_o doubt_n his_o name_n have_v be_v record_v to_o posterity_n among_o the_o writer_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n that_o be_v profess_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n but_o they_o be_v all_o wonderful_o silent_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o instead_o oâ—_n say_v enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n as_o you_o seem_v to_o suggest_v i_o do_v assure_v you_o i_o be_o mighty_o confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o careful_o observe_v the_o slightness_n of_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o it_o by_o its_o most_o profess_a enemy_n but_o you_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o all_o this_o story_n concern_v christ_n be_v invent_v long_o after_o the_o pretend_a time_n of_o his_o be_v in_o the_o world_n why_o may_v not_o you_o as_o well_o suspect_v that_o julius_n caesar_n live_v before_o romulus_n or_o that_o augustus_n live_v at_o the_o siege_n of_o troy_n for_o you_o may_v as_o well_o reject_v all_o history_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o those_o you_o assign_v and_o think_v mahomet_n as_o right_v in_o his_o chronology_n as_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v time_n for_o we_o to_o burn_v all_o our_o book_n if_o we_o have_v live_v in_o such_o a_o cheat_n all_o this_o while_n methinks_v you_o may_v as_o well_o ask_v whether_o lucretia_n be_v not_o pope_n joan_n or_o alexander_n the_o six_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n or_o whether_o luther_n be_v not_o the_o emperor_n of_o turkey_n for_o there_o be_v no_o great_a evidence_n of_o any_o history_n in_o the_o world_n than_o there_o be_v that_o all_o the_o thing_n report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v 4._o therefore_o we_o offer_v this_o story_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v compare_v with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o that_o age_n deliver_v by_o any_o other_o historian_n to_o try_v if_o any_o inconsistency_n can_v be_v find_v therein_o which_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a way_n can_v be_v take_v to_o disprove_v any_o history_n if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o taxation_n of_o the_o empire_n as_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o time_n of_o augustus_n that_o herod_n do_v not_o live_v in_o that_o age_n or_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o under_o the_o roman_a government_n or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o high_a priest_n at_o that_o time_n nor_o the_o sect_n of_o pharisee_n and_o saducee_n or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o other_o remarkable_a character_n of_o time_n set_v down_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o can_v be_v manifest_o disprove_v there_o be_v some_o pretence_n to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n but_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o foundation_n for_o any_o scruple_n on_o this_o account_n all_o thing_n agree_v so_o well_o with_o the_o true_a account_n we_o have_v of_o that_o age_n both_o from_o josephus_n and_o the_o roman_a history_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v on_o the_o particular_a testimony_n of_o josephus_n concern_v christ_n because_o we_o need_v it_o not_o and_o if_o those_o who_o question_v it_o will_v proceed_v with_o the_o same_o severity_n against_o many_o other_o particular_a passage_n in_o good_a author_n they_o may_v as_o well_o call_v they_o in_o question_n as_o they_o do_v that_o since_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o all_o the_o ancient_a manuscript_n have_v it_o in_o they_o and_o suppose_v that_o it_o do_v not_o come_v in_o well_o must_v we_o suppose_v it_o impossible_a for_o josephus_n to_o write_v incoherent_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o main_a argument_n that_o ever_o i_o have_v see_v urge_v against_o this_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n but_o i_o say_v we_o need_v it_o not_o all_o other_o thing_n concur_v in_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christ._n yet_o since_o you_o seem_v to_o express_v so_o much_o doubtfulness_n concern_v it_o as_o though_o it_o be_v frame_v when_o there_o be_v no_o one_o live_v capable_a of_o disprove_v it_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o show_v you_o the_o great_a absurdity_n of_o such_o a_o supposition_n 1._o because_o we_o have_v the_o plain_a testimony_n of_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n be_v who_o suffer_v according_a to_o the_o scripture_n story_n for_o tacitus_n not_o only_o mention_n the_o christian_n as_o suffer_v at_o rome_n for_o their_o religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nero_n annal._n 15._o but_o say_v that_o the_o author_n of_o this_o religion_n be_v one_o christ_n who_o suffer_v under_o pontius_n pilate_n procurator_n of_o judea_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n which_o be_v a_o irrefragable_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n concern_v christ_n in_o a_o age_n when_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_o detect_v than_o such_o a_o fiction_n by_o the_o number_n of_o jew_n which_o be_v continual_o at_o rome_n and_o neither_o julian_n nor_o celsus_n nor_o porphyry_n nor_o lucian_n do_v ever_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n itself_o but_o only_o upbraid_v the_o christian_n for_o attribute_v too_o much_o to_o christ._n 2._o if_o there_o be_v real_o such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n be_v who_o suffer_v as_o tacitus_n say_v than_o the_o whole_a story_n can_v not_o be_v a_o fiction_n but_o only_o some_o part_n of_o it_o and_o these_o additional_a part_n must_v either_o be_v contrive_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o after_o their_o time_n not_o after_o their_o time_n for_o than_o they_o must_v be_v add_v after_o christianity_n be_v receive_v in_o the_o world_n for_o that_o as_o appear_v by_o tacitus_n be_v spread_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o far_o as_o rome_n and_o if_o these_o part_n be_v not_o receive_v with_o it_o the_o cheat_n will_v present_o have_v be_v discover_v as_o soon_o as_o broach_v by_o those_o who_o have_v embrace_v christianity_n before_o and_o beside_o tertullian_n in_o his_o time_n appeal_v to_o the_o authentic_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o which_o be_v then_o extant_a wherein_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v contain_v that_o we_o now_o believe_v if_o these_o thing_n than_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v be_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o i_o dare_v now_o appeal_v to_o you_o whether_o ever_o any_o story_n be_v better_o capable_a of_o be_v disprove_v than_o this_o be_v if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v true_a since_o it_o be_v publish_v in_o that_o very_a time_n and_o place_n where_o the_o person_n be_v live_v who_o be_v most_o concern_v to_o disprove_v it_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o the_o christian_n both_o then_o and_o ever_o since_o which_o be_v a_o very_a observable_a circumstance_n for_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o old_a the_o christian_n believe_v moreover_o that_o christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n promise_v this_o christ_n live_v and_o die_v among_o the_o jew_n his_o enemy_n his_o apostle_n preach_v and_o wrought_v miracle_n among_o their_o most_o inveterate_a enemy_n which_o man_n that_o go_v about_o to_o deceive_v never_o care_v to_o do_v and_o to_o this_o day_n the_o jew_n do_v not_o deny_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o look_v on_o they_o as_o insufficient_a to_o prove_v jesus_n of_o nazareth_n to_o have_v be_v the_o messiah_n nay_o mahomet_n himself_o who_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v have_v overthrow_v the_o whole_a story_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o he_o can_v have_v do_v it_o with_o any_o colour_n yet_o speak_v very_o honourable_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o great_a thing_n which_o be_v say_v and_o do_v by_o he_o 5._o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n or_o holiness_n or_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n as_o to_o the_o precept_n you_o acknowledge_v their_o excellency_n and_o the_o promise_v chief_o refer_v either_o to_o divine_a grace_n or_o future_a glory_n and_o what_o be_v there_o herein_o unbecoming_a god_n and_o as_o to_o what_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o we_o have_v as_o great_a character_n of_o that_o throughout_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o expect_v there_o appear_v so_o much_o simplicity_n sincerity_n candour_n and_o agreement_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o some_o man_n will_v have_v be_v better_o please_v it_o may_v be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v all_o write_v by_o one_o person_n and_o digest_v into_o a_o more_o exact_a method_n and_o set_v forth_o with_o all_o the_o light_n and_o ornament_n of_o speech_n this_o will_v have_v better_o become_v a_o invention_n of_o man_n but_o not_o a_o revelation_n of_o god_n plainness_n and_o simplicity_n have_v a_o natural_a greatness_n above_o