so_o near_o and_o yet_o so_o prodigious_a and_o when_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n assure_v themselves_o of_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n this_o can_v not_o but_o provoke_v they_o to_o a_o eager_a enquiry_n after_o the_o meaning_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n and_o when_o they_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v late_o crucify_v and_o that_o they_o declare_v themselves_o eye_n witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o withal_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n from_o heaven_n only_o for_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o withstand_v the_o force_n of_o such_o a_o mighty_a and_o astonish_a demonstration_n and_o it_o be_v this_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n as_o saint_n paul_n style_v it_o rather_o than_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n as_o cogent_a as_o they_o be_v that_o first_o baffle_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n into_o christianity_n and_o force_v in_o the_o assent_v of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o its_o doctrine_n they_o do_v not_o put_v their_o auditor_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o testimony_n but_o prevent_v all_o inquiry_n by_o this_o infallible_a confirmation_n the_o evidence_n of_o their_o miracle_n be_v such_o a_o irrefragable_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o surmount_v the_o power_n of_o all_o other_o demonstration_n and_o what_o rational_a man_n will_v stay_v to_o expect_v any_o other_o proof_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n that_o have_v see_v it_o unquestionable_o attest_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o who_o can_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v after_o he_o have_v see_v devil_n dispossess_v the_o sick_a heal_v and_o the_o dead_a raise_v this_o be_v such_o a_o almighty_a attestation_n to_o their_o preach_n that_o it_o upbraid_v away_o their_o scruple_n and_o bear_v away_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o the_o gospel_n prevail_v so_o easy_o and_o so_o speedy_o over_o all_o the_o world_n its_o first_o preacher_n convert_v whole_a city_n and_o nation_n in_o a_o moment_n and_o found_v new_a church_n upon_o one_o undeniable_a miracle_n and_o nothing_o less_o consider_v all_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n and_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n under_o which_o it_o labour_v can_v so_o soon_o have_v propagate_v the_o gospel_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o if_o we_o trace_v the_o apostolical_a history_n we_o scarce_o find_v any_o thing_n transact_v without_o a_o miracle_n insomuch_o that_o the_o people_n at_o length_n familiar_o resort_v to_o they_o for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o disease_n act_n 5._o 12._o and_o this_o power_n be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v at_o that_o time_n that_o saint_n paul_n insist_o upon_o it_o as_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o true_a apostleship_n rom._n 15._o 18_o 18_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 12._o which_o have_v be_v too_o absurd_a a_o thing_n to_o allege_v to_o his_o follower_n in_o confutation_n of_o his_o enemy_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n for_o if_o it_o be_v they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o when_o he_o appeal_v to_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n he_o have_v already_o wrought_v among_o they_o and_o if_o he_o have_v wrought_v none_o they_o can_v not_o but_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n but_o though_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o may_v from_o thence_o rational_o enough_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o apostolical_a miracle_n and_o though_o i_o have_v in_o part_n prove_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n to_o attest_v both_o they_o and_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o shall_v anon_o more_o distinct_o show_v the_o undoubted_a and_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o very_a apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a they_o can_v never_o have_v gain_v belief_n yet_o in_o this_o present_a argument_n i_o will_v not_o build_v upon_o these_o or_o any_o other_o supposition_n and_o indeed_o if_o i_o suppose_v they_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v needless_a for_o once_o grant_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n action_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o record_n alone_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o only_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o christian_a faith_n lie_v under_o all_o those_o disadvantage_n above_o represent_v can_v ever_o have_v be_v propagate_v with_o that_o speed_n and_o facility_n that_o it_o be_v all_o the_o world_n over_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o this_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o suppose_v this_o evidence_n that_o they_o give_v the_o world_n by_o their_o miracle_n that_o then_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o almost_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o success_n they_o do_v here_o then_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o my_o present_a argument_n that_o when_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v compass_v their_o design_n any_o other_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v natural_a if_o they_o take_v this_o course_n to_o succeed_v in_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v such_o wonderful_a success_n that_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v report_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o produce_v those_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n but_o now_o allege_v as_o proof_n to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o only_o as_o instance_n to_o exemplify_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o v_o g._n how_o incredible_a it_o be_v that_o 3000_o people_n when_o they_o hear_v the_o apostle_n affirm_v at_o whitsuntide_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v see_v so_o shameful_o execute_v at_o easter_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o grave_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n shall_v so_o immediate_o believe_v they_o upon_o their_o bare_a report_n but_o when_o they_o behold_v that_o miraculous_a effect_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o they_o whereby_o such_o illiterate_a person_n be_v enable_v to_o speak_v all_o manner_n of_o language_n that_o alone_o can_v not_o but_o satisfy_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o i_o argue_v not_o from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n but_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v do_v any_o other_o way_n than_o as_o it_o be_v record_v to_o have_v be_v do_v i_o may_v here_o also_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o miracle_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o their_o great_a enemy_n in_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o of_o they_o deny_v they_o to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n though_o how_o foolish_a that_o evasion_n be_v i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v their_o evasion_n to_o this_o argument_n at_o present_a this_o very_a surmise_n be_v a_o plain_a confession_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o go_v a_o great_a way_n as_o to_o evidence_n when_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o adversary_n but_o this_o have_v suggest_v i_o shall_v not_o far_o insist_v upon_o it_o §_o xxiv_o only_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n remain_v that_o add_v great_a force_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n viz._n that_o this_o power_n be_v not_o mere_o confine_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o true_a it_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a miracle_n in_o particular_a and_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n and_o yet_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o we_o have_v no_o one_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o have_v better_a record_n it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n of_o those_o time_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o public_a and_o extraordinary_a way_n as_o raises_z their_o testimony_n up_o to_o certain_a demonstration_n for_o they_o do_v not_o bare_o report_v it_o but_o they_o upbraid_v it_o to_o all_o their_o adversary_n as_o a_o thing_n undeniable_a they_o challenge_v emperor_n proconsul_n the_o whole_a senate_n in_o their_o apology_n and_o public_a write_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o experiment_n they_o urge_v it_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o learned_a man_n and_o dare_v they_o to_o contradict_v it_o
affirm_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o quite_o vanish_v away_o at_o last_o he_o only_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o go_v away_o and_o this_o though_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v after_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n and_o no_o body_n know_v how_o be_v a_o pitiful_a abatement_n to_o the_o bigness_n of_o his_o former_a expression_n vanish_v away_o though_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o he_o have_v stand_v to_o it_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v prove_v itself_o a_o lie_n for_o it_o be_v utter_o incredible_a that_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n as_o that_o shall_v have_v be_v do_v in_o so_o great_a a_o presence_n as_o that_o and_o yet_o never_o any_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o historian_n will_v fain_o bid_v at_o something_o of_o his_o hero_n appear_v after_o death_n yet_o he_o do_v it_o so_o faint_o that_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o it_o come_v to_o nothing_o especial_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a and_o that_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o take_v in_o no_o less_o than_o the_o compass_n of_o thirty_o year_n and_o then_o they_o that_o be_v so_o utter_o at_o a_o loss_n as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o for_o so_o long_a a_o space_n be_v likely_a to_o give_v a_o very_a wise_a account_n of_o the_o certain_a time_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o do_v after_o it_o but_o how_o or_o to_o who_o do_v he_o appear_v 13._o why_o to_o a_o young_a man_n one_o of_o his_o follower_n that_o doubt_v of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n for_o ten_o month_n together_o after_o his_o death_n but_o how_o or_o where_o why_o the_o young_a man_n be_v tire_v with_o watch_v and_o pray_v to_o apollonius_n that_o he_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o only_o to_o satisfy_v he_o in_o this_o point_n one_o day_n fall_v into_o a_o dead_a sleep_n in_o the_o school_n where_o the_o young_a man_n be_v perform_v their_o several_a exercise_n and_o on_o the_o sudden_a start_n up_o in_o a_o great_a fright_n and_o a_o great_a sweat_n cry_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o believe_v thou_o o_o tyanaeus_n and_o be_v ask_v by_o his_o companion_n the_o meaning_n of_o his_o transport_n why_o say_v he_o do_v you_o not_o see_v apollonius_n they_o answer_v he_o no_o but_o that_o they_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o give_v all_o the_o world_n that_o they_o can_v it_o be_v true_a say_v he_o for_o he_o only_o appear_v to_o i_o and_o for_o my_o satisfaction_n and_o be_v invisible_a to_o all_o other_o and_o so_o tell_v they_o what_o he_o have_v say_v to_o he_o in_o his_o sleep_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o soul_n this_o poor_a account_n of_o a_o dream_n and_o a_o vision_n of_o a_o over-watched_n boy_n be_v all_o that_o this_o great_a story_n afford_v to_o vie_v with_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o now_o upon_o review_n of_o this_o whole_a history_n it_o seem_v evident_a to_o i_o that_o this_o man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v endue_v with_o any_o extraordinary_a or_o divine_a power_n that_o he_o do_v not_o deserve_v the_o reputation_n of_o a_o ordinary_a conjurer_n for_o though_o huetius_n have_v take_v some_o pain_n to_o prove_v he_o so_o yet_o he_o give_v no_o evidence_n of_o it_o beside_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o common_a people_n and_o if_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o conjurer_n there_o be_v no_o man_n of_o a_o odd_a and_o a_o singular_a humour_n as_o apollonius_n affect_v to_o be_v who_o be_v not_o so_o think_v of_o by_o the_o common_a people_n and_o therefore_o when_o he_o be_v accuse_v for_o it_o before_o domitian_n the_o emperor_n when_o he_o come_v to_o hear_v the_o cause_n slight_v both_o he_o and_o his_o accuser_n and_o dismiss_v he_o the_o court_n for_o a_o idle_a and_o fantastic_a fellow_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o history_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a vain_a man_n and_o affect_v to_o be_v think_v something_o extraordinary_a and_o so_o wander_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o odd_a garb_n to_o be_v gaze_v at_o and_o admire_v and_o make_v himself_o considerable_a in_o that_o age_n by_o wit_n impudence_n and_o flattery_n of_o all_o which_o he_o have_v a_o very_a competent_a share_n but_o for_o his_o wonder-working_a faculty_n which_o he_o will_v needs_o pretend_v to_o he_o fetch_v that_o as_o far_o off_o as_o the_o east_n indies_n that_o be_v the_o far_a off_o as_o he_o think_v from_o confutation_n and_o yet_o the_o account_n that_o he_o have_v give_v of_o those_o part_n be_v so_o gross_o fabulous_a that_o that_o alone_o convict_v his_o whole_a life_n of_o imposture_n and_o impudence_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o make_v good_a this_o part_n of_o the_o demonstration_n of_o our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n from_o the_o certain_a evidence_n both_o of_o his_o own_o and_o his_o apostle_n miracle_n and_o to_o set_v it_o above_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o manner_n either_o of_o objection_n or_o competition_n §_o xxviii_o but_o though_o the_o history_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n have_v this_o advantage_n of_o all_o other_o in_o that_o the_o tradition_n whereby_o it_o have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o its_o own_o testimony_n by_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a miracle_n yet_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o this_o peculiar_a divine_a attestation_n and_o consider_v the_o tradition_n by_o itself_o as_o mere_o humane_a and_o deliver_v down_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n it_o have_v be_v so_o constant_a so_o catholic_a and_o so_o uninterrupted_a as_o to_o be_v its_o own_o demonstration_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o story_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n in_o that_o age_n there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o tradition_n or_o if_o there_o be_v it_o be_v so_o early_o that_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a it_o must_v immediate_o have_v perish_v as_o a_o manifest_a lie_n in_o that_o when_o it_o come_v so_o near_o the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v nothing_o but_o undoubted_a truth_n can_v ever_o have_v maintain_v its_o authority_n for_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a at_o a_o distance_n to_o tell_v strange_a story_n of_o the_o time_n of_o old_a as_o we_o find_v by_o those_o many_o idle_a and_o incredible_a legend_n add_v to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o after-age_n of_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n yet_o to_o raise_v a_o story_n so_o strange_a and_o remarkable_a as_o that_o of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o his_o apostle_n without_o any_o ground_n or_o foundation_n for_o it_o nay_o against_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v first_o broach_v and_o to_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o such_o a_o notorious_a fiction_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n for_o to_o pass_v by_o all_o the_o other_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v that_o this_o tradition_n must_v labour_v under_o if_o it_o rise_v not_o up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o especial_o that_o of_o its_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v destroy_v it_o if_o false_a that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o propose_v and_o come_v now_o to_o prosecute_v seem_v as_o insuperable_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n viz._n that_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o it_o shall_v after_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n concern_v its_o truth_n not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o so_o late_a and_o palpable_a a_o fiction_n but_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o defence_n of_o it_o this_o be_v not_o credible_a unless_o they_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o their_o assurance_n alone_o be_v to_o we_o a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n of_o it_o but_o though_o that_o be_v enough_o yet_o i_o will_v undertake_v more_o viz._n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o assurance_n by_o trace_v up_o the_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o derive_v it_o down_o to_o after-age_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o wise_a learned_a and_o judicious_a man_n and_o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o will_v make_v a_o new_a and_o distinct_a demonstration_n of_o the_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o this_o tradition_n be_v convey_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n either_o by_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n or_o of_o single_a person_n first_o by_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n and_o
and_o transaction_n of_o his_o life_n be_v open_a and_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o world_n he_o lay_v not_o the_o scene_n of_o his_o action_n in_o a_o dark_a unknown_a or_o undiscovered_a corner_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o he_o appear_v in_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a place_n of_o all_o asia_n all_o his_o work_n be_v perform_v amid_o his_o enemy_n and_o he_o choose_v the_o jew_n the_o most_o jealous_a and_o the_o most_o prejudice_v people_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o the_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n but_o above_o all_o jerusalem_n itself_o the_o most_o famous_a city_n at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o scene_n of_o his_o most_o public_a action_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o presence_n not_o only_o of_o that_o city_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a nation_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a there_o it_o be_v that_o his_o disciple_n first_o 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unquestionable_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xx._n this_o be_v the_o first_o invincible_a impediment_n of_o christianity_n suppose_v it_o have_v be_v false_a but_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a it_o labour_v under_o many_o other_o great_a disadvantage_n that_o it_o can_v never_o have_v surmount_v but_o by_o the_o irresistible_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o that_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v first_o divulge_v the_o world_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o it_o extreme_o debauch_v both_o in_o its_o manner_n and_o principle_n for_o julius_n caesar_n have_v violate_v all_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n and_o overthrow_v the_o old_a government_n that_o have_v always_o keep_v up_o a_o generous_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v chief_o raise_v itself_o to_o that_o vast_a greatness_n that_o 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say_v in_o passion_n be_v serious_o and_o universal_o embrace_v as_o a_o great_a truth_n that_o virtue_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a name_n so_o that_o if_o we_o survey_v the_o roman_a history_n before_o and_o after_o the_o usurpation_n of_o caesar_n it_o do_v not_o look_v like_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n the_o former_a abound_v with_o the_o brave_a example_n of_o gallantry_n and_o magnanimity_n whereas_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o be_v general_o entertain_v with_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o fraud_n and_o treachery_n even_o the_o admire_a wisdom_n of_o the_o great_a augustus_n himself_o be_v no_o better_a than_o craft_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o though_o his_o successor_n tiberius_n be_v particular_o remarque_v for_o that_o vice_n it_o be_v only_o because_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v his_o part_n so_o artificial_o as_o his_o predecessor_n have_v do_v who_o die_v with_o that_o particular_a comfort_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v so_o skilful_o play_v the_o comedy_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o certain_o of_o all_o prince_n upon_o record_n he_o have_v the_o most_o subtle_a faculty_n of_o appear_v high_o honest_a without_o any_o design_n of_o ever_o be_v so_o in_o short_a under_o his_o reign_n all_o the_o principle_n of_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n be_v prevalent_a in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n that_o then_o prescribe_a manner_n to_o the_o best_a part_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n neither_o be_v their_o practice_n disagree_v to_o their_o principle_n for_o as_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o restraint_n of_o virtue_n and_o modesty_n so_o they_o entire_o devote_v themselves_o to_o luxury_n and_o sensuality_n and_o study_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o emprove_v their_o brutish_a pleasure_n to_o the_o utmost_a extravagance_n of_o enjoyment_n and_o as_o be_v the_o great_a court_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v all_o the_o other_o lesser_a court_n of_o their_o several_a prefect_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o imitation_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a baseness_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o scarce_o any_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n that_o be_v epicurean_o and_o vilain_n by_o principle_n be_v prefer_v by_o j._n caesar_n to_o authority_n in_o the_o empire_n though_o thing_n grow_v much_o worse_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o mark_n anthony_n a_o man_n knead_v up_o of_o lust_n and_o malice_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o he_o be_v not_o more_o of_o each_o be_v because_o he_o be_v all_o both_o for_o he_o will_v never_o unless_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o lust_n quit_v his_o cruelty_n nor_o ever_o unless_o to_o satisfy_v his_o cruelty_n forsake_v his_o lust_n and_o as_o himself_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o baseness_n so_o he_o will_v advance_v none_o to_o preferment_n but_o such_o as_o have_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o his_o good_a like_n by_o their_o more_o than_o ordinary_a wickedness_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o judaea_n and_o the_o part_n about_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n more_o overrun_v with_o vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o in_o any_o former_a age_n in_o that_o herod_n one_o of_o the_o vile_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v have_v by_o the_o patronage_n of_o mark_n anthony_n obtain_v their_o government_n and_o by_o a_o long_a reign_n over_o they_o after_o his_o patron_n be_v death_n under_o augustus_n have_v familiarise_v all_o manner_n of_o the_o most_o licentious_a wickedness_n to_o the_o people_n even_o so_o much_o that_o one_o half_a of_o the_o lead_a man_n even_o among_o the_o jew_n themselves_o that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a through_o all_o age_n for_o their_o reverence_n to_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o better_a than_o open_a and_o avow_v atheist_n now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n that_o consist_v of_o precept_n of_o chastity_n and_o sobriety_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o kindness_n and_o charity_n and_o of_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o reward_n of_o 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therefore_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o sudden_o reform_v infinite_a number_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n it_o must_v have_v bring_v along_o with_o it_o a_o real_a evidence_n equal_a to_o its_o pretend_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a commission_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o it_o require_v strict_a obedience_n to_o all_o its_o command_n so_o it_o must_v have_v prove_v the_o reality_n of_o its_o commission_n by_o such_o certain_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o most_o refractory_a person_n to_o withstand_v its_o force_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v such_o multitude_n so_o wonderful_o prevail_v upon_o to_o quit_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n and_o vice_n we_o have_v reason_n from_o thence_o only_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o convince_v of_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o its_o pretence_n §_o xxi_o the_o next_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o bold_a and_o open_a defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n for_o of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la those_o of_o religion_n be_v the_o strong_a and_o the_o old_a they_o be_v the_o deep_a root_n they_o take_v and_o therefore_o when_o its_o enemy_n can_v plead_v the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o hundred_o year_n against_o it_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o persuade_v they_o out_o of_o such_o a_o ancient_a prescription_n it_o be_v mere_a novelty_n be_v a_o objection_n of_o no_o small_a force_n but_o when_o a_o new_a and_o upstart_a religion_n will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o its_o own_o authority_n but_o must_v disgrace_v all_o the_o settle_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o refuse_v its_o own_o settlement_n unless_o they_o may_v be_v utter_o extirpate_v this_o can_v not_o but_o seem_v too_o saucy_a a_o demand_n especial_o to_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n to_o require_v of_o they_o not_o only_o
vanity_n of_o their_o principle_n before_o we_o can_v hope_v to_o work_v they_o to_o any_o effectual_a reformation_n and_o though_o i_o think_v it_o a_o imprudent_a thing_n to_o be_v dispute_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n to_o the_o common_a people_n if_o it_o can_v be_v avoid_v because_o it_o common_o rather_o weaken_v than_o confirm_v their_o faith_n and_o make_v they_o think_v that_o to_o be_v only_o problematical_a which_o before_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v unquestionable_a yet_o when_o they_o have_v raise_v the_o dispute_n among_o themselves_o and_o have_v by_o chance_n for_o they_o never_o judge_v of_o any_o thing_n upon_o due_a enquiry_n because_o they_o never_o make_v it_o run_v away_o with_o the_o wrong_a side_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reduce_v by_o better_a information_n and_o that_o be_v the_o design_n of_o this_o follow_a treatise_n to_o demonstrate_v to_o they_o these_o two_o great_a fundamental_a truth_n viz._n the_o evident_a obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o alone_o will_v scatter_v away_o all_o their_o little_a principle_n and_o pretence_n of_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n and_o if_o it_o do_v not_o work_v so_o effectual_o upon_o they_o as_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o a_o right_a sense_n yet_o it_o will_v at_o least_o destroy_v the_o rudeness_n and_o confidence_n of_o their_o impiety_n and_o force_v they_o to_o be_v more_o decent_a and_o modest_a in_o their_o wickedness_n by_o let_v they_o see_v that_o what_o they_o suppose_v a_o high_a attainment_n in_o wisdom_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o extreme_a ignorance_n and_o mere_a want_n of_o enquiry_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o lamentable_o dull_a and_o silly_a as_o the_o atheistical_a philosophy_n and_o now_o when_o we_o have_v spoil_v their_o pedantry_n that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o spoil_v they_o we_o have_v half_o reduce_v they_o by_o let_v they_o see_v that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o they_o to_o be_v philosophise_v and_o that_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o will_v turn_v to_o a_o much_o better_a account_n as_o to_o their_o own_o design_n if_o instead_o of_o bewildr_v their_o fancy_n in_o the_o leviathan_n they_o will_v learn_v the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o creed_n and_o the_o ten_o commandment_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n for_o after_o all_o their_o labour_n after_o philosophic_a knack_n and_o curiosity_n they_o be_v certain_a to_o loose_v their_o vanity_n and_o instead_o of_o be_v admire_v for_o their_o learning_n as_o they_o design_v only_o make_v themselves_o despise_v for_o their_o conceit_a folly_n a_o ass_n will_v never_o become_v a_o lion_n skin_n nor_o a_o mechanic_n a_o philosopher_n cloak_n and_o yet_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o have_v scarce_o any_o hope_n of_o reclaim_v such_o of_o the_o multitude_n as_o be_v already_o taint_v with_o this_o plague_n for_o i_o know_v by_o too_o much_o experience_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n more_o inflexible_a than_o ignorance_n steel_v and_o harden_v with_o wickedness_n and_o therefore_o my_o only_a design_n be_v to_o step_v in_o between_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o live_n the_o infect_a and_o the_o sound_n and_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o give_v some_o stop_n to_o the_o contagion_n or_o at_o least_o to_o keep_v the_o disease_n from_o descend_v to_o posterity_n for_o as_o for_o this_o unhappy_a age_n it_o be_v so_o universal_o overspread_v with_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n that_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o find_v any_o just_a entertainment_n in_o it_o but_o certain_o undebauched_a posterity_n will_v judge_v more_o impartial_o and_o such_o i_o know_v be_v the_o power_n of_o truth_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o if_o it_o can_v but_o gain_v audience_n it_o will_v at_o last_o prevail_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v disengage_v from_o prejudice_n and_o disdain_v not_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o result_v of_o sober_a reason_n and_o that_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n that_o whenever_o virtue_n shall_v begin_v to_o lift_v up_o its_o head_n and_o recover_v its_o right_n i_o may_v give_v some_o little_a assistance_n to_o its_o restauration_n and_o both_o as_o a_o clergyman_n do_v something_o towards_o promote_a the_o happiness_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o as_o a_o englishman_n towards_o recover_v the_o ancient_a reputation_n of_o my_o native_a country_n for_o civility_n justice_n and_o integrity_n as_o for_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o first_o part_n i_o must_v confess_v there_o have_v be_v much_o talk_n in_o the_o world_n about_o it_o but_o very_o little_o say_v the_o civilian_n canonist_n and_o schoolman_n have_v attempt_v little_o more_o than_o to_o define_v it_o and_o in_o that_o they_o have_v fail_v too_o even_o grotius_n himself_o have_v so_o far_o mistake_v it_o as_o to_o suppose_v it_o obligatory_a without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o deity_n puffendorf_n have_v indeed_o of_o late_o happen_v upon_o its_o right_a definition_n in_o general_n but_o have_v neither_o describe_v its_o particular_a branch_n nor_o demonstrate_v any_o of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o its_o obligation_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr principiis_fw-la justi_n &_o decori_fw-la once_o or_o twice_o start_v the_o right_a notion_n of_o it_o but_o quite_o lose_v it_o in_o the_o chase_n by_o quit_v his_o own_o scent_n to_o follow_v mr._n hobbs_n cry_n among_o the_o ancient_n both_o greek_n and_o roman_n i_o find_v as_o little_o perform_v seldom_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o mere_a definition_n and_o positive_a assertion_n and_o at_o most_o some_o witty_a and_o fancifull_a reason_n in_o the_o platonic_a writer_n what_o be_v do_v by_o tully_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr republicâ_fw-la where_o as_o he_o inform_v we_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr legibus_fw-la it_o be_v copious_o treat_v of_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v know_v that_o excellent_a treatise_n which_o himself_o value_v much_o above_o all_o his_o other_o write_n be_v unfortunate_o perish_v but_o by_o those_o fragment_n that_o be_v remain_v of_o it_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o this_o loss_n have_v be_v competent_o compensated_a by_o the_o learned_a and_o judicious_a treatise_n of_o our_o countryman_n dr._n cumberland_n upon_o this_o argument_n who_o have_v not_o only_o hit_v upon_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o have_v in_o a_o method_n heretofore_o proper_a only_o to_o mathematics_n demonstrate_v its_o obligation_n but_o his_o discourse_n be_v every_o where_o interweave_v with_o mathematical_a logical_a metaphysical_a and_o physiological_a term_n and_o notion_n i_o meet_v with_o very_a few_o that_o have_v be_v able_a to_o master_v its_o sense_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v take_v his_o main_a notion_n alone_o strip_v of_o all_o accessional_a ornament_n of_o learning_n and_o prosecute_v the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o my_o own_o way_n in_o a_o familiar_a style_n and_o a_o easy_a method_n as_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o depend_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o author_n of_o nature_n for_o unless_o that_o be_v antecedent_o grant_v we_o can_v so_o much_o as_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v after_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n because_o if_o he_o never_o contrive_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v evident_o in_o vain_a to_o search_v for_o his_o design_n in_o the_o contrivance_n and_o herein_o i_o have_v a_o very_a considerable_a advantage_n of_o the_o learned_a author_n that_o i_o follow_v for_o he_o begin_n at_o the_o dispute_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v force_v to_o presume_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o its_o author_n which_o without_o any_o presumption_n i_o demand_v and_o challenge_v for_o have_v first_o prove_v all_o those_o physical_a end_n and_o design_n that_o he_o have_v discover_v of_o his_o providence_n in_o all_o part_n of_o nature_n if_o after_o that_o any_o moral_a end_n and_o design_n discover_v themselves_o in_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o providence_n and_o that_o plain_o connect_v the_o proof_n of_o one_o with_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o other_o now_o as_o to_o the_o former_a i_o have_v run_v through_o all_o part_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n and_o show_v that_o no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n can_v ever_o have_v be_v as_o it_o be_v but_o by_o the_o order_n of_o providence_n and_o that_o all_o their_o several_a attempt_n to_o give_v any_o other_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n be_v intolerable_o childish_a and_o beyond_o all_o thing_n ridiculous_a and_o this_o may_v be_v presume_v without_o any_o breach_n of_o modesty_n because_o nature_n itself_o be_v its_o own_o demonstration_n
the_o world_n both_o of_o the_o sufficiency_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o their_o sufficiency_n in_o that_o they_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n and_o be_v themselves_o sufficient_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a and_o refuse_v to_o be_v convince_v till_o their_o distrustful_a mind_n be_v overbear_v by_o evidence_n of_o fact_n of_o their_o sincerity_n not_o only_o from_o the_o agreement_n of_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o honest_a and_o upright_a man_n in_o the_o same_o report_n but_o from_o their_o readiness_n to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n and_o what_o great_a assurance_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n than_o to_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o report_v and_o what_o great_a evidence_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o desire_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o report_n than_o they_o have_v give_v we_o of_o their_o fidelity_n so_o that_o here_o to_o withhold_v or_o deny_v our_o assent_n be_v first_o a_o direct_a affront_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o suppose_v none_o worthy_a of_o any_o belief_n beside_o ourselves_o for_o unless_o we_o will_v distrust_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o testimony_n and_o believe_v nothing_o but_o by_o the_o immediate_a information_n of_o our_o own_o sense_n there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n quit_v all_o degree_n of_o diffidence_n and_o suspicion_n in_o this_o affair_n second_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n shall_v conspire_v to_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n to_o a_o impudent_a lye_n three_o we_o must_v either_o believe_v that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n will_v lose_v their_o life_n for_o a_o ridiculous_a fable_n or_o that_o a_o company_n of_o fool_n and_o madman_n can_v so_o easy_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v such_o a_o wild_a story_n mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o report_n last_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o only_a employment_n to_o advance_v truth_n and_o virtue_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v yet_o die_v martyr_n to_o falsehood_n and_o villainy_n and_o that_o when_o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o jesus_n they_o be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n now_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o only_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n in_o the_o world_n i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o history_n or_o report_n to_o come_v attest_v with_o more_o various_a more_o pregnant_a more_o unquestionable_a motive_n of_o credibility_n than_o his_o action_n particular_o his_o resurrection_n as_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o apostle_n and_o thus_o have_v consider_v the_o evidence_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o give_v in_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o consider_v their_o testimony_n as_o record_v in_o their_o write_n and_o to_o show_v into_o what_o wild_a absurdity_n we_o must_v again_o run_v ourselves_o if_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture-history_n §_o vii_o first_o then_o we_o must_v believe_v either_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v or_o that_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o relate_v of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o true_a than_o we_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n if_o false_a then_o either_o for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a knowledge_n or_o sincerity_n not_o for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n for_o two_o of_o the_o evangelist_n saint_n matthew_n and_o saint_n john_n be_v immediate_a disciple_n and_o constant_a companion_n of_o the_o person_n who_o history_n they_o write_v and_o so_o be_v present_a at_o his_o work_n and_o miracle_n and_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n saint_n mark_n and_o saint_n luke_n if_o they_o be_v not_o disciple_n during_o our_o saviour_n abode_n upon_o the_o earth_n they_o be_v intimate_a associate_n with_o the_o chief_a apostle_n that_o be_v so_o that_o if_o they_o write_v not_o from_o their_o own_o immediate_a knowledge_n yet_o however_o they_o write_v from_o the_o information_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o as_o for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v by_o saint_n luke_n saint_n luke_n himself_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o if_o not_o all_o the_o history_n and_o so_o for_o the_o epistle_n pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n either_o they_o be_v or_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o their_o case_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o have_v sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o so_o plain_o be_v it_o that_o if_o those_o person_n write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o go_v for_o their_o author_n that_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o their_o report_n for_o want_n of_o sufficient_a knowledge_n and_o information_n and_o then_o as_o for_o their_o sincerity_n the_o case_n of_o their_o writing_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o their_o preach_n and_o so_o labour_v under_o all_o the_o forementioned_a difficulty_n and_o one_o more_o peculiar_a to_o itself_o viz._n that_o when_o they_o have_v be_v so_o wicked_a as_o to_o contrive_v a_o wilful_a lie_n and_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o shall_v meet_v with_o no_o contradiction_n in_o so_o gross_a and_o manifest_a a_o forgery_n these_o thing_n be_v write_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n after_o they_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o if_o they_o be_v false_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o they_o shall_v escape_v discovery_n or_o obtain_v any_o the_o least_o belief_n for_o example_n when_o saint_n luke_n report_v that_o a_o person_n bear_v lame_a and_o know_v to_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o his_o have_v beg_v daily_o for_o many_o year_n at_o the_o chief_a gate_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v cure_v by_o saint_n peter_n only_o with_o invocate_a the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o that_o this_o miracle_n be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v at_o jerusalem_n that_o it_o immediate_o convert_v no_o less_o than_o five_o thousand_o person_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n if_o all_o this_o have_v be_v a_o fable_n the_o mere_a publication_n of_o it_o have_v provoke_v thousand_o of_o people_n nay_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o the_o citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n and_o it_o can_v not_o but_o have_v meet_v with_o so_o much_o opposition_n as_o utter_o and_o for_o ever_o to_o disgrace_v and_o destroy_v itself_o and_o so_o again_o when_o saint_n paul_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n be_v see_v not_o only_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o himself_o but_o by_o above_o five_o hundred_o person_n at_o once_o most_o of_o who_o be_v then_o survive_v if_o this_o have_v be_v a_o lie_n it_o have_v be_v a_o very_a foolish_a and_o impudent_a one_o and_o too_o bold_a for_o any_o man_n to_o vent_v that_o be_v not_o lose_v not_o only_o to_o all_o modesty_n but_o all_o discretion_n and_o if_o any_o man_n can_v have_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o venture_v upon_o so_o lewd_a a_o falsehood_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v escape_v the_o shame_n of_o discovery_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v write_v to_o baffle_v some_o fanatic_a person_n who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o resurrection_n for_o as_o all_o 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matthew_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o eye_n witness_v that_o converse_v with_o our_o saviour_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n if_o it_o be_v not_o then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v thrust_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o own_o age_n and_o gain_v so_o unquestionable_a a_o authority_n with_o those_o man_n that_o converse_v either_o with_o he_o or_o with_o his_o companion_n and_o now_o if_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o one_o gospel_n that_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o that_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o it_o be_v here_o record_v viz._n the_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v believe_v as_o they_o be_v here_o record_v be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divinity_n the_o same_o account_n i_o may_v give_v of_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o that_o they_o 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saint_n matthew_n gospel_n §_o ix_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o few_o book_n be_v for_o a_o good_a time_n doubt_v of_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o second_o of_o saint_n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o then_o first_o suppose_v their_o authority_n be_v still_o questionable_a the_o christian_a faith_n can_v subsist_v very_o well_o without_o they_o by_o the_o remain_a authority_n of_o those_o that_o be_v never_o question_v and_o though_o they_o be_v very_o useful_a and_o excellent_a discourse_n yet_o have_v they_o little_a peculiar_a in_o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o apostolical_a write_n and_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o matter_n aright_o though_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o only_o pious_a discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o be_v write_v occasional_o either_o to_o exhort_v we_o to_o a_o effectual_a belief_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o trial_n and_o persecution_n or_o to_o allay_v schism_n and_o contention_n or_o to_o confute_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o to_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v before_o firm_o lay_v in_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n doctrine_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v into_o that_o of_o the_o historical_a book_n that_o be_v the_o four_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v suppose_v true_a they_o warrant_v both_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n that_o only_o deduce_v those_o proper_a and_o natural_a conclusion_n that_o flow_v from_o their_o premise_n nay_o far_o it_o be_v not_o primary_o necessary_a to_o christianity_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v dictate_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o historical_a book_n be_v good_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o design_n of_o his_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v pious_a discourse_n consonant_n with_o and_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o christianity_n the_o foundation_n whereof_o seem_v to_o lie_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o work_n he_o pretend_v to_o come_v about_o by_o divine_a commission_n for_o god_n have_v set_v several_a hypothesis_n of_o providence_n on_o work_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o end_n and_o perfection_n at_o last_o design_v this_o as_o the_o most_o complete_a model_n of_o all_o virtue_n goodness_n and_o morality_n so_o that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n both_o do_v and_o teach_v be_v true_o record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o his_o historian_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o another_o score_n in_o that_o we_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o all_o those_o write_n be_v inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o than_o that_o we_o know_v only_o from_o the_o write_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o their_o truth_n must_v be_v suppose_v antecedent_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o that_o be_v suppose_v our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n be_v thereby_o prove_v and_o that_o be_v prove_v that_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o second_o if_o those_o few_o book_n be_v so_o long_o debate_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n that_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a care_n and_o caution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o belief_n in_o that_o it_o will_v not_o light_o receive_v any_o book_n till_o it_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o its_o be_v authentic_a and_o therefore_o its_o long_a doubtfulness_n and_o disputation_n about_o these_o book_n clear_v it_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o rashness_n and_o credulity_n as_o to_o those_o that_o she_o always_o own_a with_o a_o full_a and_o unanimous_a approbation_n three_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dispute_v book_n relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o their_o antiquity_n as_o their_o author_n and_o they_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o question_n because_o they_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o because_o it_o seem_v uncertain_a by_o who_o they_o be_v then_o write_v thus_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n some_o attribute_n to_o saint_n paul_n some_o to_o saint_n luke_n some_o to_o barnabas_n some_o to_o clemens_n but_o if_o it_o
be_v write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a so_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n who_o have_v borrow_v divers_a passage_n out_o of_o it_o word_n for_o word_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o revelation_n all_o allow_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n only_o some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n other_o by_o saint_n mark_v surname_v john_n other_o by_o saint_n john_n call_v the_o elder_a but_o whosoever_o it_o be_v that_o write_v it_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o it_o be_v moreover_o sufficient_o attest_v that_o saint_n john_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o both_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o time_n of_o its_o writing_n last_o those_o that_o be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o be_v not_o afterward_o rash_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n but_o be_v admit_v upon_o careful_a enquiry_n mature_a deliberation_n and_o unexceptionable_a testimony_n for_o as_o they_o be_v at_o first_o own_a by_o some_o and_o dispute_v by_o other_o this_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o debate_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o oblige_a they_o to_o make_v far_a enquiry_n after_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v at_o last_o satisfy_v of_o that_o which_o at_o first_o only_o a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v and_o this_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v after_o this_o manner_n the_o apostle_n direct_v many_o of_o their_o epistle_n to_o particular_a church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v know_v to_o some_o church_n and_o not_o to_o other_o who_o therefore_o doubt_v of_o they_o put_v those_o who_o assert_v they_o to_o have_v be_v true_a 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except_o saint_n paul_n and_o saint_n luke_n and_o consequent_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v by_o they_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o be_v they_o make_v canonical_a scripture_n only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n which_o first_o collect_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o recommend_v they_o to_o we_o as_o the_o write_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v hereby_o witty_o intimate_v or_o rather_o broad_o assert_v that_o these_o write_n be_v not_o canonical_a scripture_n till_o that_o council_n that_o be_v till_o the_o year_n 364._o but_o first_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o author_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o make_v a_o book_n canonical_a then_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n make_v so_o long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o enumerate_v in_o the_o 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their_o divine_a authority_n when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v only_o make_v use_n of_o as_o competent_a witness_n to_o attest_v that_o they_o be_v no_o forge_a write_n but_o be_v pen_v by_o those_o very_a person_n under_o who_o name_n they_o go_v and_o if_o they_o be_v than_o they_o themselves_o make_v good_a their_o own_o authority_n for_o authority_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o right_n or_o power_n of_o bind_v our_o assent_n which_o unless_o it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o author_n himself_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o other_o and_o all_o the_o council_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o give_v divine_a authority_n to_o any_o book_n if_o it_o have_v it_o not_o before_o all_o their_o office_n be_v to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o their_o authenticalness_n and_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a evidence_n of_o it_o when_o so_o many_o grave_n and_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n upon_o mature_a deliberation_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n in_o council_n declare_v that_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v but_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v as_o the_o leviathan_n do_v that_o their_o canonical_a authority_n that_o be_v their_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n as_o if_o it_o can_v give_v or_o take_v it_o away_o at_o pleasure_n only_o become_v mr._n hobbs_n logic_n and_o modesty_n and_o they_o it_o become_v equal_o for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o the_o conclusion_n be_v more_o impudent_a or_o more_o impertinent_a §_o xi_o and_o now_o beside_o this_o direct_a demonstrative_a proof_n of_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o alone_o be_v a_o full_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n there_o be_v another_o more_o remote_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o foreign_a writer_n jew_n or_o heathen_n who_o live_v in_o or_o about_o the_o same_o time_n but_o this_o evidence_n be_v so_o weak_a in_o comparison_n of_o that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o produce_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o prosecute_v it_o as_o a_o argument_n in_o my_o cause_n but_o rather_o consider_v it_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o it_o viz._n that_o if_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o know_v and_o notorious_a as_o be_v pretend_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o so_o little_a notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o by_o any_o author_n but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v his_o own_o disciple_n there_o be_v many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n especial_o historian_n about_o that_o time_n so_o that_o if_o his_o action_n have_v be_v so_o great_a and_o remarkable_a as_o his_o disciple_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v pass_v he_o over_o with_o so_o slender_a a_o regard_n and_o scarce_o any_o mention_n of_o he_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n give_v a_o satisfactory_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o infidelity_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o heathen_n notwithstanding_o christianity_n bring_v along_o with_o it_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o we_o pretend_v it_o do_v but_o beside_o this_o i_o shall_v here_o show_v that_o the_o best_a writer_n of_o that_o time_n concur_v with_o and_o so_o confirm_v the_o main_a stroke_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o by_o consequence_n all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v interweave_v with_o they_o especial_o when_o what_o they_o write_v be_v pure_o to_o deliver_v matter_n of_o fact_n without_o any_o design_n to_o serve_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o when_o all_o thing_n
very_o easy_a and_o though_o there_o may_v be_v a_o hundred_o other_o way_n of_o solve_v it_o that_o we_o can_v know_v at_o this_o distance_n yet_o i_o can_v not_o light_o pass_v it_o over_o because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a material_a difference_n between_o josephus_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o though_o he_o pass_v by_o some_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o be_v there_o record_v yet_o in_o all_o other_o case_n where_o he_o happen_v upon_o the_o same_o thing_n he_o make_v the_o same_o narration_n for_o the_o only_a place_n beside_o in_o which_o he_o may_v seem_v to_o differ_v be_v in_o the_o death_n of_o herod_n agrippa_n which_o he_o say_v happen_v at_o the_o appearance_n of_o a_o owl_n but_o saint_n luke_n by_o the_o invisible_a stroke_n of_o a_o angel_n and_o that_o a_o owl_n may_v then_o by_o chance_n appear_v be_v possible_a but_o that_o the_o mere_a sight_n of_o it_o shall_v affect_v he_o after_o such_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n be_v not_o credible_a notwithstanding_o a_o german_a soothsayer_n have_v foretell_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o certain_a omen_n of_o his_o death_n that_o indeed_o may_v not_o a_o little_a disturb_v his_o fancy_n but_o it_o can_v not_o natural_o in_o a_o moment_n putrify_v his_o bowel_n into_o worm_n and_o rottenness_n but_o it_o be_v too_o manifest_a that_o josephus_n through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o history_n too_o much_o endeavour_v to_o imitate_v the_o greek_a and_o roman_a historian_n who_o constant_a custom_n it_o be_v to_o ascribe_v all_o extraordinary_a calamity_n to_o some_o portentous_a omen_n otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a that_o so_o strange_a and_o unheard_a of_o a_o misery_n shall_v all_o on_o a_o sudden_a seize_v upon_o a_o man_n in_o the_o height_n of_o all_o his_o glory_n and_o in_o the_o very_a act_n of_o so_o great_a a_o blasphemy_n without_o some_o miraculous_a and_o invisible_a power_n so_o that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a instance_n upon_o record_n of_o a_o immediate_a divine_a infliction_n than_o in_o the_o miserable_a death_n of_o this_o profane_a man._n and_o thus_o have_v clear_v the_o parallelism_n between_o josephus_n and_o the_o evangelist_n as_o to_o the_o most_o material_a passage_n of_o the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o time_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o that_o particular_a passage_n of_o his_o concern_v our_o bless_a saviour_n which_o be_v so_o full_a a_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n history_n that_o our_o learned_a critic_n think_v it_o too_o great_a for_o a_o jew_n to_o give_v and_o for_o that_o reason_n principal_o suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v soi_v into_o he_o in_o after_o time_n §_o xiii_o but_o upon_o what_o just_a ground_n this_o surmise_n be_v build_v let_v we_o now_o consider_v and_o first_o let_v we_o set_v down_o the_o passage_n itself_o which_o be_v to_o this_o purport_n at_o this_o time_n live_v jesus_n a_o wise_a man_n if_o yet_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o call_v he_o a_o man_n for_o he_o wrought_v many_o wonderful_a work_n and_o instruct_v such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o entertain_v the_o truth_n and_o draw_v after_o he_o great_a number_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n this_o be_v christ_n who_o be_v accuse_v by_o the_o prince_n of_o our_o nation_n before_o pilate_n and_o afterward_o condemn_v to_o the_o cross_n by_o he_o yet_o do_v not_o those_o who_o follow_v he_o from_o the_o beginning_n cease_v to_o love_v he_o for_o the_o ignominy_n of_o his_o death_n for_o he_o appear_v unto_o they_o the_o three_o day_n after_o as_o the_o divine_a prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o same_o and_o divers_a other_o wonderful_a thing_n of_o he_o and_o to_o this_o day_n the_o race_n of_o christian_n as_o they_o be_v call_v after_o his_o name_n continue_v and_o now_o here_o first_o it_o be_v excellent_o observe_v by_o huetius_n that_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o so_o diligent_a a_o writer_n as_o josephus_n shall_v never_o make_v the_o least_o mention_n of_o the_o history_n of_o so_o famous_a a_o person_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n for_o if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o here_o he_o have_v do_v it_o no_o where_o and_o yet_o whatever_o he_o be_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o under_o the_o government_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o messiah_n that_o draw_v great_a number_n of_o disciple_n after_o he_o that_o institute_v a_o new_a sect_n of_o religion_n that_o occasion_v great_a commotion_n in_o judaea_n that_o be_v report_v to_o have_v teach_v such_o peculiar_a doctrine_n and_o to_o have_v do_v so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a miracle_n and_o now_o after_o all_o this_o how_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o josephus_n shall_v never_o hear_v of_o so_o remarkable_a a_o person_n or_o not_o think_v he_o worthy_a so_o much_o as_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o his_o history_n for_o whatever_o opinion_n he_o have_v of_o he_o whether_o good_a or_o bad_a it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o he_o can_v whole_o omit_v to_o mention_v he_o in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n especial_o when_o he_o have_v not_o omit_v any_o of_o the_o false_a pretender_n to_o the_o messiahship_n so_o that_o though_o he_o have_v think_v he_o a_o impostor_n he_o can_v not_o have_v whole_o baulk_v some_o mention_n of_o his_o history_n nay_o when_o he_o give_v so_o exact_a a_o description_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o of_o saint_n james_n who_o to_o make_v the_o better_o know_v he_o describe_v by_o be_v the_o brother_n of_o jesus_n who_o be_v call_v the_o christ_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o he_o shall_v never_o give_v any_o account_n of_o christ_n himself_o so_o that_o how_o much_o soever_o it_o may_v appear_v incredible_a that_o josephus_n shall_v make_v any_o honourable_a mention_n of_o he_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v none_o at_o all_o and_o now_o when_o after_o this_o we_o come_v to_o weigh_v the_o objection_n against_o this_o testimony_n that_o have_v make_v so_o much_o noise_n and_o talk_v of_o late_a in_o the_o world_n they_o be_v so_o very_o trifle_v as_o scarce_o to_o deserve_v i_o be_o sure_a not_o to_o need_v any_o answer_n for_o beside_o some_o grammatical_a observation_n in_o which_o the_o critic_n exercise_v a_o arbitrary_a power_n and_o from_o which_o they_o make_v what_o determination_n they_o please_v some_o for_o the_o affirmative_a and_o some_o for_o the_o negative_a the_o whole_a force_n of_o the_o objection_n be_v resolve_v into_o this_o one_o principle_n that_o josephus_n in_o this_o paragraph_n speak_v his_o own_o sense_n and_o write_v not_o as_o a_o historian_n but_o as_o a_o confessor_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o story_n that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o no_o very_a settle_a principle_n according_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o age_n and_o of_o the_o place_n that_o he_o live_v in_o and_o so_o be_v no_o otherway_v concern_v in_o any_o controversy_n than_o bare_o to_o deliver_v matter_n of_o fact_n so_o that_o whereas_o he_o seem_v to_o assert_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n they_o may_v as_o rational_o conclude_v that_o pontius_n pilate_n believe_v he_o to_o be_v so_o too_o when_o he_o crucify_v he_o because_o he_o put_v this_o title_n upon_o his_o cross_n jesus_n of_o nazareth_n the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o when_o he_o be_v solicit_v by_o the_o chief_a priest_n not_o to_o write_v the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o that_o he_o say_v i_o be_o the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o will_v not_o yield_v to_o their_o importunity_n but_o answer_v they_o peremptory_o what_o i_o have_v write_v i_o have_v write_v from_o hence_o i_o say_v our_o learned_a critic_n may_v after_o their_o rate_n of_o draw_v conclusion_n infer_v that_o pontius_n pilate_n serious_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v the_o messiah_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o itself_o that_o he_o only_o use_v the_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n when_o he_o give_v he_o that_o title_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v that_o expression_n of_o josephus_n when_o he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v the_o christ_n that_o be_v this_o be_v he_o that_o be_v call_v the_o christ_n a_o title_n so_o appropriate_v to_o he_o in_o common_a speech_n that_o it_o be_v familiar_o give_v to_o he_o by_o his_o great_a enemy_n and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n as_o if_o we_o design_v to_o gain_v any_o credit_n or_o authority_n from_o his_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o prove_v from_o it_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o transaction_n then_o on_o foot_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o party_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n who_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o
up_o both_o in_o the_o record_n of_o that_o city_n and_o the_o syrian_a tongue_n to_o which_o language_n the_o ancient_a greek_a and_o latin_a father_n be_v altogether_o stranger_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o yet_o they_o may_v easy_o be_v ignorant_a of_o so_o remote_a a_o register_n but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o record_n we_o have_v all_o the_o faith_n of_o eusebius_n at_o stake_n who_o positive_o vouch_v it_o that_o he_o find_v they_o enroll_v in_o the_o public_a registry_n of_o edessa_n and_o faithful_o translate_v they_o out_o of_o the_o syrian_a into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n not_o to_o mention_v saint_n ephraem_n who_o live_v before_o the_o time_n of_o saint_n austin_n and_o be_v a_o deacon_n in_o the_o city_n of_o edessa_n who_o make_v the_o same_o honourable_a mention_n of_o these_o epistle_n with_o eusebius_n though_o that_o be_v a_o pregnant_a testimony_n by_o itself_o but_o much_o more_o so_o from_o its_o exact_a agreement_n with_o eusebius_n his_o relation_n but_o pass_v by_o that_o and_o much_o aug._n ep._n 263._o more_o the_o epistle_n of_o darius_n to_o saint_n austin_n and_o of_o theodorus_n studita_n to_o pope_n paschal_n 60._o because_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o may_v rely_v whole_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o eusebius_n i_o shall_v lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o the_o testimony_n upon_o he_o alone_o who_o we_o can_v suppose_v guilty_a of_o such_o a_o gross_a and_o mere_a forgery_n as_o to_o have_v frame_v the_o whole_a story_n only_o out_o of_o his_o own_o brain_n i_o will_v grant_v that_o he_o may_v sometime_o seem_v partial_a and_o favourable_a to_o his_o own_o cause_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v more_o of_o a_o testimony_n than_o the_o testimony_n itself_o will_v bear_v but_o that_o he_o shall_v forge_v and_o falsie_n a_o public_a record_n and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o weighty_a nature_n he_o have_v give_v we_o no_o reason_n to_o entertain_v so_o hard_a and_o unkind_a a_o suspicion_n of_o he_o for_o he_o be_v a_o stranger_n to_o eusebius_n that_o know_v he_o not_o to_o be_v as_o nice_a and_o curious_a in_o examine_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o authority_n as_o any_o the_o most_o critical_a author_n whatsoever_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n he_o have_v reject_v many_o excellent_a passage_n that_o may_v have_v be_v very_o serviceable_a to_o his_o cause_n mere_o because_o of_o their_o doubtful_a antiquity_n allow_v nothing_o as_o authentic_a that_o he_o can_v vouch_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o ancient_a and_o contemporary_a writer_n now_o that_o such_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o such_o a_o gross_a and_o groundless_a lie_n as_o this_o be_v past_o the_o ill-nature_n of_o mankind_n to_o suspect_v nay_o far_o though_o some_o of_o our_o late_a master_n of_o censure_n be_v very_o forward_o to_o observe_v the_o slip_n and_o mistake_v of_o this_o great_a man_n and_o charge_v they_o smart_o upon_o he_o as_o if_o do_v out_o of_o mere_a design_n yet_o the_o whole_a matter_n be_v impartial_o weigh_v we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o impute_v they_o to_o haste_n and_o inadvertency_n for_o though_o sometime_o he_o may_v seem_v to_o emprove_v testimony_n yet_o do_v he_o as_o often_o lessen_v they_o which_o plain_o show_v that_o he_o trust_v too_o much_o to_o his_o memory_n but_o still_o he_o be_v ever_o in_o the_o right_a as_o to_o the_o main_a of_o the_o story_n and_o fail_v only_o in_o circumstance_n and_o that_o chief_o of_o chronology_n by_o confound_v sometime_o one_o story_n with_o another_o but_o otherwise_o he_o tell_v no_o false_a story_n and_o only_o make_v some_o mistake_n of_o memory_n upon_o true_a one_o and_o as_o many_o of_o they_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n as_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o his_o cause_n as_o may_v be_v show_v if_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o while_n by_o compare_v all_o particular_n but_o for_o the_o present_a this_o be_v sufficient_o exemplify_v in_o the_o very_a last_o passage_n that_o we_o insist_v upon_o viz._n the_o testimony_n of_o pilate_n concern_v our_o saviour_n in_o which_o the_o chief_a thing_n as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o by_o tertullian_n be_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v leave_v out_o by_o eusebius_n when_o he_o transcribe_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o testimony_n and_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o he_o may_v follow_v the_o greek_a translator_n of_o tertullian_n yet_o however_o we_o see_v he_o be_v as_o easy_o draw_v into_o a_o lessen_v as_o a_o magnify_v mistake_n and_o it_o be_v much_o more_o likely_a that_o eusebius_n shall_v through_o haste_n clip_v the_o translation_n than_o that_o the_o translator_n shall_v clip_v the_o original_a for_o he_o only_o consult_v the_o passage_n occasional_o and_o so_o may_v in_o his_o hasty_a transcribe_v overlook_v a_o part_n of_o it_o but_o for_o the_o other_o who_o make_v that_o translation_n his_o particular_a business_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o overlook_v so_o material_a a_o passage_n in_o short_a whatsoever_o fault_n eusebius_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o no_o man_n can_v suspect_v he_o of_o mere_a forgery_n without_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o his_o ingenuity_n neither_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o date_n of_o the_o record_n a_o inconsiderable_a circumstance_n to_o prove_v the_o record_n itself_o for_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o that_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o be_v subscribe_v these_o thing_n be_v do_v the_o 340_o the_o year_n which_o though_o it_o have_v heretofore_o puzzle_v learned_a 13._o man_n be_v excellent_o clear_v by_o the_o epocha_n of_o the_o edessean_a computation_n who_o begin_v their_o account_n from_o the_o first_o year_n of_o the_o 117_o the_o olympiad_n when_o seleucus_n begin_v his_o reign_n in_o asia_n now_o from_o that_o to_o the_o 202_o d._n olympiad_n in_o which_o year_n be_v the_o 15_o the_o of_o tiberius_n our_o saviour_n suffer_v be_v just_a 340._o year_n so_o that_o thaddaeus_n be_v dispatch_v to_o edessa_n in_o the_o very_a same_o year_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n arise_v from_o the_o dead_a that_o great_a work_n it_o seem_v be_v once_o over_o he_o will_v no_o long_o delay_v the_o good_a king_n request_n these_o be_v all_o the_o foreign_a testimony_n that_o i_o think_v convenient_a to_o represent_v in_o this_o place_n though_o many_o more_o i_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o observe_v when_o i_o come_v to_o give_v a_o account_n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o though_o our_o saviour_n do_v those_o miracle_n that_o be_v record_v of_o he_o and_o though_o there_o be_v all_o that_o evidence_n give_v of_o they_o that_o we_o pretend_v there_o be_v yet_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n shall_v live_v and_o die_v in_o infidelity_n §_o xvii_o have_v hitherto_o demonstrate_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n from_o its_o contradiction_n to_o the_o first_o instinct_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a prudence_n and_o to_o their_o own_o design_n itself_o and_o from_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o their_o record_n and_o from_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o foreign_a writer_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n that_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o first_o disciple_n of_o christ_n will_v have_v endeavour_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n with_o a_o palpable_a and_o unprofitable_a lie_n against_o all_o the_o forementioned_a contradiction_n to_o nature_n to_o sense_n and_o to_o themselves_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o impossibility_n that_o they_o can_v ever_o have_v prevail_v so_o effectual_o and_o so_o speedy_o as_o they_o do_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n and_o as_o many_o thousand_o absurdity_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o former_a supposition_n there_o be_v so_o many_o ten_o thousand_o in_o this_o for_o the_o inequality_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o person_n be_v not_o less_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v very_o sew_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o vast_a multitude_n of_o their_o first_o convert_v and_o yet_o if_o christianity_n be_v false_a all_o these_o must_v be_v guilty_a not_o only_o of_o all_o that_o folly_n that_o we_o have_v represent_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o much_o more_o in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o wilful_o to_o be_v deceive_v into_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o strange_a story_n of_o jesus_n without_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n for_o if_o it_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n than_o it_o be_v no_o imposture_n if_o it_o have_v not_o than_o all_o that_o profess_v their_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v wilful_o deceive_v i._n e._n they_o pretend_v to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n though_o themselves_o know_v that_o they_o have_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n or_o motive_n for_o so_o strange_a a_o belief_n
but_o beside_o this_o grand_a absurdity_n of_o wilful_o deceive_v themselves_o to_o no_o purpose_n nay_o against_o all_o the_o forementioned_a inconvenience_n they_o must_v be_v so_o far_o beside_o themselves_o that_o when_o they_o have_v abuse_v themselves_o with_o a_o proofless_a tale_n they_o shall_v join_v their_o zcal_n to_o the_o first_o impostor_n for_o propagate_a the_o cheat_n to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o their_o fortune_n and_o hazard_n of_o their_o life_n and_o that_o such_o vast_a number_n of_o they_o shall_v with_o such_o unheard_a of_o courage_n and_o constancy_n endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a pain_n and_o suffer_v all_o kind_n of_o death_n either_o without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o which_o they_o suffer_v or_o suffer_v for_o it_o after_o that_o rate_n without_o any_o satisfactory_a evidence_n of_o it_o here_o in_o short_a we_o must_v believe_v that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n publish_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v shall_v find_v such_o a_o universal_a entertainment_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n without_o any_o the_o least_o rational_a proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n a_o doctrine_n the_o truth_n whereof_o depend_v entire_o upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v false_a it_o can_v not_o then_o have_v escape_v confutation_n and_o unless_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a can_v never_o have_v obtain_v any_o belief_n a_o doctrine_n so_o unkind_a to_o the_o vicious_a custom_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o age_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o man_n and_o the_o establish_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n so_o unpleasing_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n so_o hate_v and_o so_o full_a of_o danger_n that_o when_o this_o doctrine_n be_v publish_v by_o such_o person_n man_n of_o mean_a education_n void_a of_o graft_n or_o learning_n or_o eloquence_n they_o shall_v without_o any_o other_o help_n than_o bare_o tell_v a_o false_a story_n persuade_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n to_o forsake_v the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v and_o without_o any_o hope_n of_o profit_n nay_o with_o a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o life_n yes_o and_o death_n itself_o to_o embrace_v this_o new_a this_o despise_a this_o hate_a this_o persecute_a forgery_n last_o that_o great_a number_n both_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n that_o live_v in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o it_o shall_v after_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o so_o late_a and_o palpable_a a_o fiction_n but_o hazard_n nay_o lose_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n in_o its_o defence_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o primitive_a convert_v as_o i_o come_v now_o to_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o review_n of_o particular_n §_o xviii_o now_o as_o for_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o speedy_a entertainment_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n that_o it_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v suppose_v than_o prove_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n like_o the_o sun_n enlighten_v all_o the_o world_n at_o once_o and_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n both_o from_o city_n and_o village_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n preach_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n like_o corn_n crowd_v into_o a_o granary_n and_o they_o who_o have_v be_v long_o enslave_v to_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o their_o ancestor_n be_v set_v at_o liberty_n by_o the_o preach_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o renounce_v that_o rout_n of_o false_a god_n that_o the_o merciless_a daemon_n have_v introduce_v into_o the_o heathen_a world_n return_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a one_o true_a god_n the_o great_a creator_n of_o all_o thing_n so_o when_o celsus_n object_n the_o novelty_n of_o christianity_n origen_n answer_v that_o there_o 68_o lie_v the_o wonder_n that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n a_o new_a doctrine_n shall_v so_o strange_o prevail_v over_o all_o the_o world_n conquer_v both_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a all_o rank_n and_o profession_n of_o man_n and_o possess_v they_o with_o so_o firm_a a_o belief_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n as_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o seal_v their_o faith_n with_o their_o blood_n a_o thing_n that_o be_v never_o do_v for_o any_o opinion_n in_o the_o world_n before_o and_o so_o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o conference_n with_o trypho_n the_o jew_n affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o 345._o part_n of_o mankind_n greek_n or_o barbarian_n nay_o not_o those_o wild_a and_o uncivilized_a people_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o live_v without_o house_n and_o city_n among_o who_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n be_v not_o make_v to_o the_o father_n and_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n it_o be_v a_o excellent_a passage_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 502._o six_o book_n of_o collection_n the_o philosopher_n say_v he_o please_v the_o greek_n alone_o neither_o do_v every_o one_o please_v all_o plato_n follow_v socrates_n xenocrates_n plato_n theophrastus_n aristotle_n cleanthes_n zeno_n every_o master_n have_v his_o own_o particular_a school_n and_o scholar_n but_o our_o great_a master_n philosophy_n be_v not_o confine_v as_o they_o be_v to_o their_o own_o country_n within_o judaea_n alone_o but_o spread_v itself_o over_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o be_v entertain_v by_o whole_a city_n and_o nation_n both_o of_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n it_o bear_v away_o whole_a family_n and_o village_n and_o no_o single_a person_n can_v resist_v its_o force_n that_o will_v but_o give_v himself_o leave_v to_o hear_v its_o wisdom_n insomuch_o that_o it_o gain_v over_o many_o of_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o and_o if_o any_o magistrate_n do_v any_o where_o suppress_v the_o grecian_a philosophy_n it_o soon_o vanish_v whereas_o our_o institution_n from_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o it_o have_v be_v every_o where_o persecute_v by_o king_n and_o emperor_n and_o tyrant_n by_o presect_v of_o province_n by_o commander_n of_o army_n and_o which_o be_v more_o furious_a than_o all_o the_o rest_n by_o the_o multitude_n these_o have_v join_v all_o their_o power_n and_o their_o malice_n utter_o to_o extirpate_v our_o religion_n but_o still_o it_o flourish_v more_o and_o more_o and_o do_v not_o wither_v away_o as_o it_o must_v have_v do_v have_v it_o be_v a_o mere_a humane_a invention_n but_o it_o stand_v invincible_a as_o the_o power_n of_o god_n that_o nothing_o can_v restrain_v or_o alter_v and_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o that_o all_o its_o follower_n must_v suffer_v persecution_n and_o tertullian_n assure_v the_o senate_n of_o rome_n that_o the_o christian_n have_v fill_v all_o place_n and_o 37._o all_o office_n that_o they_o be_v of_o strength_n enough_o to_o master_v the_o roman_a empire_n nay_o that_o so_o great_a be_v their_o number_n that_o if_o they_o will_v but_o agree_v to_o retire_v out_o of_o it_o the_o world_n will_v stand_v amaze_v at_o its_o own_o solitude_n and_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o jew_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o enlarge_v 7._o its_o conquest_n beyond_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o it_o subdue_v those_o place_n that_o be_v inaccessible_a to_o their_o army_n and_o reckon_v up_o multitude_n of_o people_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n to_o the_o other_o that_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v arnobius_n challenge_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n methinks_v 2._o say_v he_o this_o shall_v not_o a_o little_a shock_n your_o unbelief_n to_o see_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o despise_a name_n to_o prevail_v in_o all_o place_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n that_o no_o nation_n be_v so_o utter_o barbarous_a and_o lose_v to_o all_o civility_n who_o manner_n have_v not_o be_v reform_v and_o polish_a by_o this_o gentle_a institution_n nay_o more_o than_o this_o it_o have_v master_v the_o great_a wit_n the_o orator_n critic_n lawyer_n physician_n and_o philosopher_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o all_o its_o disciple_n be_v so_o serious_a and_o sincere_a in_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o will_v forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o life_n even_o life_n itself_o rather_o than_o forsake_v the_o cross_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o your_o law_n and_o interdict_v your_o threaten_n and_o execution_n your_o hangman_n and_o drag_v hook_n and_o all_o your_o innumerable_a way_n of_o torture_n they_o grow_v not_o only_o more_o numerous_a but_o more_o
this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v safe_o convey_v by_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o i_o choose_v to_o exemplify_v this_o thing_n in_o this_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o because_o of_o its_o great_a pre-eminence_n and_o resort_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o which_o account_n its_o tradition_n must_v needs_o be_v more_o public_a and_o better_o know_v the_o bless_a apostle_n therefore_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v the_o oversight_n of_o it_o to_o linus_n of_o who_o saint_n paul_n make_v mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n to_o he_o succeed_v anacletus_fw-la then_o clemens_n who_o familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o sound_v in_o his_o ear_n and_o their_o tradition_n before_o his_o eye_n in_o who_o time_n there_o happen_v a_o great_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o allay_v which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n direct_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n will_v produce_v policarp_n place_v there_o by_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o saint_n peter_n and_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n they_o show_v you_o the_o man_n that_o be_v settle_v in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o convey_v down_o their_o doctrine_n to_o posterity_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n 36._o its_o possession_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o for_o this_o you_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o your_o salvation_n may_v travel_v over_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o the_o very_a seat_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n preside_v be_v still_o remain_v where_o their_o own_o authentic_a letter_n be_v still_o extant_a do_v you_o live_v in_o or_o near_a to_o achaia_n go_v to_o corinth_n in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n or_o thessalonica_n in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_z in_o italy_n to_o rome_n and_o this_o certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v
same_o time_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n out_o of_o that_o undoubted_a assurance_n they_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o may_v now_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n in_o january_n 1648._o than_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n neither_o do_v the_o current_n of_o this_o tradition_n stop_v here_o in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n but_o as_o it_o come_v down_o from_o the_o first_o witness_n so_o it_o descend_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n to_o aftertime_n for_o as_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v own_a by_o this_o epistle_n so_o be_v this_o epistle_n by_o those_o who_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_a of_o its_o authority_n especial_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v for_o as_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n be_v write_v not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n probable_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n so_o be_v that_o of_o dionysius_n write_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o saint_n clemens_n for_o he_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o have_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o be_v authentic_a from_o its_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o that_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o begin_v his_o reign_n about_o the_o year_n 161._o as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o time_n so_o that_o if_o the_o corinthian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v a_o more_o satisfactory_a and_o unquestionable_a information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o preach_v than_o be_v give_v they_o from_o so_o clear_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n for_o that_o be_v so_o entire_o free_a from_o all_o manner_n of_o doubt_n and_o suspicion_n the_o distance_n of_o time_n make_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o xxx_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o apostolical_a man_n we_o may_v join_v that_o of_o ignatius_n policarp_n papias_n and_o quadratus_n as_o have_v all_o converse_v with_o the_o follower_n and_o familiar_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o first_o as_o for_o ignatius_n he_o be_v educate_v under_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o by_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n of_o the_o great_a city_n of_o antioch_n where_o he_o sit_v many_o year_n and_o govern_v his_o charge_n with_o extraordinary_a zeal_n and_o prudence_n and_o at_o last_o with_o infinite_a courage_n and_o alacrity_n suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o faith_n there_o have_v be_v great_a controversy_n of_o late_a in_o the_o christian_a world_n concern_v his_o epistle_n though_o with_o how_o little_a reason_n on_o their_o side_n that_o oppose_v they_o i_o have_v account_v elsewhere_o and_o though_o i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o make_v use_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o make_v it_o good_a too_o yet_o our_o present_a argument_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o that_o dispute_n for_o whether_o these_o epistle_n that_o at_o this_o time_n pass_v under_o his_o name_n be_v genuine_a or_o counterfeit_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o write_v such_o epistle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o he_o be_v another_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a testimony_n and_o his_o great_a sense_n of_o immortality_n and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o martyrdom_n show_v his_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v so_o that_o he_o be_v another_o undoubted_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz._n that_o the_o christian_a faith_n descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o give_v that_o proof_n of_o their_o testimony_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o christianity_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n connect_v with_o the_o certain_a history_n of_o aftertime_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o dark_a and_o unknown_a interval_n wherein_o the_o story_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v former_o act_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v be_v first_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v it_o undeniable_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o story_n have_v it_o not_o first_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a history_n by_o such_o a_o near_a and_o immediate_a witness_n to_o make_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o wave_v that_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v from_o this_o glorious_a martyr_n epistle_n because_o they_o breathe_v so_o much_o the_o genuine_a spirit_n of_o the_o ancient_a christianity_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n which_o show_v what_o mighty_a satisfaction_n they_o have_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o so_o firm_o believe_v and_o so_o vehement_o desire_v and_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o and_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o question_v but_o for_o their_o resolute_a opposition_n to_o some_o mens_fw-la prejudices_fw-la for_o they_o be_v resolve_v in_o their_o own_o innovation_n of_o church-government_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n which_o these_o epistle_n so_o zealous_o assert_v and_o that_o as_o establish_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v but_o stubborn_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v say_v impudent_o to_o reject_v their_o authority_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v so_o admirable_o vouch_v as_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v purposely_o design_v to_o secure_v their_o credit_n for_o ever_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o his_o friend_n policarp_n who_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n with_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o own_o now_o policarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o question_v nay_o it_o be_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o avoid_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a a_o testimony_n as_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o only_o by_o say_v that_o this_o particular_a passage_n be_v foist_v in_o without_o any_o shadow_n of_o ground_n for_o the_o surmise_n nay_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o 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little_a agreement_n among_o themselves_o concern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o preparatory_a fast_o before_o easter_n and_o yet_o this_o variety_n be_v of_o long_o stand_v among_o they_o no_o man_n think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o impose_v his_o own_o particular_a conceit_n upon_o other_o in_o such_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o last_o of_o all_o mind_n he_o of_o the_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n of_o his_o predecessor_n especial_o policarp_n and_o anicetus_n who_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v one_o another_o to_o change_v the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o these_o epistle_n from_o all_o place_n especial_o of_o this_o of_o irenaeus_n probable_o be_v this_o that_o they_o divert_v victor_n from_o pursue_v his_o design_n for_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o ever_o actual_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n but_o only_o that_o he_o threaten_v it_o but_o whether_o he_o do_v or_o do_v not_o it_o be_v a_o worthy_a piece_n of_o ingenuity_n to_o charge_v the_o folly_n of_o one_o furious_a and_o intemperate_a man_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o in_o spite_n of_o their_o own_o protestation_n against_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n wherewith_o our_o innovatour_n have_v make_v so_o much_o noise_n against_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v remove_v this_o poor_a objection_n which_o i_o can_v not_o avoid_v because_o it_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o huff_n and_o confidence_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o remain_a witness_n of_o our_o primitive_a tradition_n and_o here_o i_o can_v pass_v by_o papias_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o no_o great_a learning_n or_o judgement_n yet_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o clear_a honesty_n and_o simplicity_n and_o live_v near_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v not_o search_v after_o their_o story_n in_o book_n but_o make_v it_o his_o particular_a business_n to_o inquire_v of_o their_o familiar_a acquaintance_n after_o their_o say_n and_o custom_n if_o any_o come_v in_o my_o way_n say_v he_o that_o be_v 39_o a_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n forthwith_o i_o inquire_v of_o he_o after_o the_o say_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o andrew_n what_o peter_n what_o philip_n what_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o matthew_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o lord_n disciple_n what_o ariston_n and_o john_n the_o elder_a distinguish_v from_o john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o out_o of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o apostle_n disciple_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v for_o i_o do_v not_o think_v i_o can_v profit_v myself_o more_o by_o read_v their_o book_n than_o by_o the_o more_o lively_a report_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v still_o alive_a and_o hear_v their_o discourse_n this_o be_v a_o peculiar_a sort_n of_o testimony_n give_v in_o to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o man_n plain_a and_o simple_a and_o yet_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a who_o inform_v himself_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o late_o transact_v not_o only_o by_o read_v the_o narratives_n that_o be_v write_v of_o they_o but_o from_o the_o more_o lively_a information_n of_o such_o who_o receive_v it_o from_o eye-witness_n i_o will_v easy_o grant_v that_o he_o be_v as_o eusebius_n describe_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o person_n of_o a_o small_a judgement_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o little_a authority_n as_o to_o his_o opinion_n especial_o of_o the_o millennium_n of_o which_o yet_o himself_o be_v not_o the_o first_o author_n but_o be_v betray_v into_o it_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o general_o believe_v that_o their_o messiah_n shall_v reign_v a_o thousand_o year_n upon_o earth_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o greatness_n and_o glory_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v from_o judaisme_n to_o christianity_n bring_v this_o opinion_n along_o with_o they_o only_o understand_v the_o jew_n more_o gross_a and_o carnal_a notion_n in_o a_o more_o refine_a and_o spiritual_a sense_n and_o this_o be_v the_o dispute_n in_o those_o early_a day_n against_o the_o jewish_a heretic_n particular_o cerinthus_n who_o believe_v of_o our_o saviour_n as_o they_o have_v of_o the_o messiah_n that_o they_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v come_v once_o more_o upon_o earth_n and_o reign_v at_o jerusalem_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o pomp_n and_o grandeur_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v papias_n be_v ever_o think_v of_o as_o a_o man_n of_o a_o downright_a and_o untainted_a integrity_n and_o have_v both_o the_o advantage_n of_o converse_v with_o those_o that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o record_v all_o the_o tradition_n which_o they_o deliver_v to_o he_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o last_o be_v satisfy_v in_o that_o way_n of_o information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v register_v concern_v jesus_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o he_o aught_o to_o be_v rank_v quadratus_n who_o write_v a_o apologetic_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o which_o 3._o he_o positive_o aver_v that_o many_o of_o the_o person_n cure_v by_o our_o lord_n of_o their_o disease_n be_v alive_a in_o his_o time_n and_o aristides_n a_o christian_a philosopher_n at_o athens_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n present_v a_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a apology_n to_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n §_o xxxii_o this_o be_v the_o first_o file_n of_o witness_n next_z and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n though_o i_o may_v have_v reckon_v the_o follow_a rank_n into_o the_o same_o catalogue_n because_o they_o be_v twist_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v with_o one_o another_o for_o as_o these_o that_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v be_v not_o all_o precise_o of_o the_o same_o age_n yet_o be_v of_o antiquity_n enough_o to_o be_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v join_v together_o into_o one_o complicate_v testimony_n of_o it_o so_o their_o next_o successor_n follow_v they_o by_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o they_o follow_v one_o another_o for_o succession_n be_v not_o convey_v down_o like_o a_o chain_n by_o certain_a link_n but_o like_o a_o cord_n by_o the_o same_o continue_a interweave_v every_o part_n be_v some_o part_n of_o the_o part_n above_o it_o and_o though_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v by_o century_n yet_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v not_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o series_n live_v with_o some_o of_o the_o former_a as_o they_o live_v with_o the_o first_o that_o live_v with_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o make_v a_o interruption_n any_o where_o between_o the_o channel_n and_o the_o fountain_n head_n wherever_o we_o find_v the_o stream_n that_o alone_o will_v certain_o lead_v we_o up_o to_o its_o own_o original_a but_o this_o will_v appear_v more_o distinct_o by_o the_o degree_n of_o its_o conveyance_n have_v therefore_o bring_v the_o tradition_n down_o to_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n that_o be_v a_o considerable_a time_n beyond_o that_o of_o trajan_n to_o which_o time_n scaliger_n and_o some_o other_o be_v please_v to_o complain_v of_o a_o defect_n of_o record_n but_o with_o what_o reason_n we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o see_v and_o shall_v now_o further_o discover_v by_o our_o follow_a witness_n who_o be_v not_o only_o able_a to_o testify_v of_o their_o own_o time_n but_o of_o the_o forego_n age_n among_o who_o hegesippus_n deserve_v the_o first_o place_n not_o only_o for_o his_o great_a antiquity_n but_o for_o his_o manner_n of_o write_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o so_o not_o concern_v mere_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o own_o age_n but_o to_o make_v a_o diligent_a enquiry_n into_o the_o record_n and_o transaction_n of_o former_a time_n he_o write_v five_o book_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n which_o 8._o he_o style_v commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o he_o have_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o familiar_a style_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o it_o from_o our_o lord_n death_n till_o his_o own_o time_n which_o be_v about_o or_o rather_o before_o the_o reign_n of_o m._n aurelius_n for_o he_o say_v he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n now_o anicetus_n according_a to_o the_o late_a computation_n succeed_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o aurelius_n but_o according_a to_o the_o early_a account_n under_o antoninus_n pius_fw-la so_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n before_o policarp_n and_o this_o description_n he_o have_v give_v of_o his_o voyage_n that_o come_v to_o rome_n he_o
to_o their_o vow_n but_o one_o of_o the_o priest_n a_o recabite_n say_v hegesippus_n interpose_v to_o save_v james_n from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o people_n but_o this_o say_v scaliger_n can_v not_o be_v for_o the_o recabite_n be_v of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o so_o uncapable_a of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o if_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o either_o have_v be_v exact_o observe_v at_o that_o time_n especial_o of_o the_o priesthood_n when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a those_o office_n even_o of_o the_o high-priesthood_n itself_o be_v entire_o dispose_v of_o by_o their_o governor_n who_o at_o pleasure_n put_v they_o in_o and_o out_o as_o they_o do_v any_o other_o officer_n of_o state_n but_o they_o place_v he_o say_v hegesippus_n on_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n whither_o great_a number_n of_o the_o people_n go_v up_o to_o cast_v he_o down_o which_o say_v scaliger_n they_o can_v not_o do_v because_o it_o be_v as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o so_o very_o thick_o set_v with_o point_a iron_n as_o to_o keep_v the_o bird_n from_o settle_v upon_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v probable_a the_o great_a and_o high_a battlement_n of_o all_o be_v but_o it_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v in_o the_o least_o probable_a that_o james_n shall_v be_v place_v there_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n when_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v hear_v from_o so_o great_a a_o height_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v dash_v apiece_o when_o he_o be_v cast_v thence_o instead_o of_o fall_v alive_a upon_o his_o knee_n as_o the_o historian_n report_v and_o therefore_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v any_o cover_n or_o battlement_n must_v have_v be_v some_o low_a frame_n of_o building_n from_o which_o he_o may_v be_v most_o convenient_o hear_v of_o the_o people_n now_o as_o from_o these_o objection_n say_v scaliger_n we_o may_v learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o hegesippus_n so_o say_v i_o from_o these_o reply_v to_o they_o may_v we_o learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o this_o scaliger_n that_o upon_o such_o poor_a surmise_n as_o these_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o destroy_v and_o vilify_v the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o now_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n be_v full_o vindicated_n it_o do_v not_o only_o make_v good_a his_o own_o testimony_n but_o of_o all_o other_o that_o be_v record_v in_o his_o history_n between_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o his_o own_o and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o his_o account_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n go_v a_o great_a way_n for_o next_o to_o james_n the_o just_a he_o inform_v we_o that_o simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n and_o cousin_n german_n to_o our_o lord_n succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o sit_v there_o till_o the_o reign_n of_o trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v martyrdom_n only_o for_o the_o old_a jealousy_n of_o vespasian_n and_o domitian_n of_o be_v of_o the_o line_n of_o david_n and_o so_o a_o rival_n to_o the_o empire_n so_o that_o here_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o that_o time_n by_o as_o short_a a_o succession_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v it_o to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o clement_n and_o from_o clement_n to_o dionysius_n and_o in_o the_o asian_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n by_o policarp_n to_o pothinus_n and_o irenaeus_n §_o xxxiii_o next_o to_o hegesippus_n follow_v justin_n martyr_n though_o have_v not_o the_o other_o be_v a_o historian_n he_o may_v as_o be_v somewhat_o his_o senior_n have_v go_v before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n about_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o within_o eight_o year_n after_o address_v a_o excellent_a apology_n to_o antoninus_n pius_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o afterward_o a_o second_o to_o m._n aurelius_n his_o son_n and_o successor_n he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o eminent_a part_n and_o learning_n the_o most_o judicious_a philosopher_n of_o his_o time_n that_o have_v survey_v all_o the_o tenet_n of_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o study_v all_o kind_n of_o useful_a learning_n for_o the_o settlement_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o school_n of_o the_o stoic_n the_o peripatetic_n the_o pythagorean_n and_o the_o platonist_n of_o which_o himself_o have_v give_v a_o pleasant_a account_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o dialogue_n with_o trypho_n he_o be_v at_o last_o advise_v by_o a_o unknown_a grave_a old_a man_n that_o meet_v he_o in_o his_o retire_a walk_n to_o consider_v the_o christian_a philosophy_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o apply_v himself_o but_o he_o find_v it_o the_o only_a certain_a and_o satisfactory_a philosophy_n in_o short_a he_o be_v such_o a_o proficient_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n that_o his_o own_o write_n make_v good_a photius_n his_o character_n of_o he_o that_o as_o he_o be_v admirable_o furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o read_v and_o history_n so_o he_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o perfection_n both_o of_o the_o christian_a and_o heathen_a philosophy_n and_o therefore_o immediate_o after_o his_o conversion_n give_v a_o learned_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o gentile_a religion_n as_o afterward_o in_o his_o apology_n and_o his_o other_o write_n he_o do_v of_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n both_o from_o the_o undoubted_a miracle_n that_o in_o his_o time_n be_v wrought_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o certain_a proof_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o frequent_o avow_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n and_o courage_n of_o mind_n and_o at_o last_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o though_o he_o foresee_v and_o foretell_v it_o not_o from_o any_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o in_o it_o but_o from_o the_o probable_a course_n and_o most_o natural_a event_n of_o thing_n yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o he_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o slacken_v his_o zeal_n for_o the_o christian_a cause_n but_o go_v on_o with_o all_o assurance_n of_o mind_n in_o its_o defence_n till_o it_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o encounter_n of_o death_n which_o he_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v with_o his_o eye_n open_a but_o with_o all_o joy_n and_o alacrity_n as_o be_v arrive_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o hope_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o happiness_n next_o to_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n follow_v in_o order_n who_o live_v much_o about_o or_o a_o little_a after_o the_o same_o time_n but_o of_o he_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v the_o less_o because_o i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o tradition_n that_o he_o have_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v from_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n and_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o other_o apostolical_a man_n only_o some_o few_o remark_n remain_v to_o make_v up_o his_o perfect_a character_n and_o make_v out_o his_o perfect_a knowledge_n and_o for_o this_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o he_o to_o florinus_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n this_o doctrine_n of_o thou_o o_o florinus_n that_o i_o may_v frank_o declare_v the_o truth_n savour_v not_o of_o the_o sincere_a faith_n disagree_v from_o the_o church_n and_o betray_v such_o as_o listen_v to_o it_o into_o extreme_a impiety_n this_o doctrine_n no_o not_o the_o heretic_n which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n dare_v ever_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n such_o as_o be_v elder_n before_o we_o and_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n never_o deliver_v unto_o thou_o i_o see_v thou_o when_o i_o be_v yet_o a_o youth_n with_o policarp_n in_o the_o lesser_a asia_n live_v gorgeous_o in_o the_o emperor_n palace_n and_o mighty_o buisy_v thyself_o to_o get_v into_o favour_n and_o credit_n with_o he_o for_o i_o remember_v better_o the_o thing_n of_o old_a than_o latter_a affair_n for_o the_o thing_n we_o learn_v in_o our_o young_a year_n sink_v deep_a into_o our_o mind_n and_o grow_v together_o with_o we_o so_o that_o i_o particular_o remember_v the_o very_a place_n where_o policarp_n sit_v when_o he_o teach_v his_o go_v out_o and_o his_o come_n in_o his_o course_n of_o life_n the_o figure_n and_o proportion_n of_o his_o body_n the_o sermon_n he_o make_v to_o the_o people_n the_o report_n he_o make_v of_o his_o conversation_n with_o john_n and_o other_o which_o know_v the_o lord_n how_o he_o remember_v their_o say_n and_o what_o he_o hear_v from_o their_o mouth_n concern_v the_o lord_n
will_v have_v all_o their_o mighty_a expectation_n fulfil_v in_o himself_o alone_o and_o yet_o disclaim_v all_o temporal_a power_n and_o teach_v that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v not_o a_o kingdom_n of_o this_o but_o another_o world_n so_o strange_a a_o disappointment_n as_o this_o can_v not_o but_o work_v in_o they_o a_o fierce_a and_o angry_a aversation_n both_o to_o his_o person_n and_o to_o his_o doctrine_n for_o by_o this_o very_a thing_n all_o their_o hope_n of_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o roman_a yoke_n be_v utter_o defeat_v and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a benefit_n that_o they_o expect_v from_o their_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o entertain_v he_o with_o so_o little_a kindness_n when_o by_o his_o pretence_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o not_o only_o fail_v their_o expectation_n of_o himself_o but_o destroy_v all_o their_o hope_n for_o ever_o to_o all_o which_o may_v be_v add_v the_o extreme_a wickedness_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n their_o manner_n be_v universal_o debauch_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o herod_n and_o their_o chief_a man_n taint_v with_o principle_n of_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n but_o of_o that_o i_o have_v partly_o discourse_v already_o and_o shall_v do_v so_o again_o under_o the_o next_o head_n when_o i_o come_v to_o treat_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o therefore_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v only_o refer_v to_o josephus_n his_o history_n of_o that_o time_n from_o whence_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o they_o be_v fall_v from_o all_o sense_n of_o common_a humanity_n that_o they_o be_v more_o barbarous_a than_o cannibal_n or_o banditi_n and_o that_o no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n can_v equal_v those_o instance_n of_o cruelty_n that_o be_v commit_v by_o the_o jew_n among_o themselves_o at_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o such_o degenerate_a brute_n as_o these_o who_o delight_n and_o trade_v it_o be_v to_o be_v cut_v throat_n be_v very_o likely_a to_o give_v audience_n to_o the_o merciful_a institution_n of_o jesus_n and_o leave_v off_o their_o former_a highway_n practise_v to_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v he_o §_o xxxvi_o these_o be_v the_o most_o general_a and_o obvious_a prejudices_fw-la that_o might_n bar_v up_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o entertainment_n of_o christianity_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o the_o more_o particular_a prejudices_fw-la be_v those_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o chief_a faction_n and_o lead_a sect_n among_o they_o that_o be_v the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o pharisee_n who_o beside_o the_o prejudices_fw-la common_a to_o they_o with_o all_o other_o jew_n be_v blind_v by_o some_o other_o peculiar_a to_o themselves_o and_o in_o truth_n these_o be_v the_o only_a enemy_n that_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n for_o it_o be_v they_o that_o make_v use_v of_o the_o foremention_v prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o people_n thereby_o to_o raise_v their_o rage_n and_o fury_n against_o he_o so_o that_o whatever_o opposition_n be_v make_v by_o they_o proceed_v not_o direct_o from_o themselves_o but_o be_v set_v a_o work_n and_o manage_v by_o these_o man_n instigation_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o will_v find_v out_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v to_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n by_o the_o jewish_a nation_n we_o must_v discover_v the_o reason_n motive_n and_o design_n upon_o which_o these_o lead_a man_n proceed_v and_o they_o will_v appear_v so_o unjust_a and_o so_o unreasonable_a as_o that_o instead_o of_o reflect_v any_o disparagement_n upon_o the_o cause_n they_o oppose_v its_o be_v oppose_v upon_o such_o account_n will_v itself_o be_v no_o small_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o sadducee_n the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v no_o better_a than_o rank_n and_o avow_a atheist_n for_o though_o they_o pretend_v to_o own_o some_o part_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n yet_o that_o be_v only_o to_o pass_v a_o compliment_n upon_o the_o common_a people_n that_o will_v not_o in_o former_a time_n endure_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o open_v and_o downright_a atheism_n but_o otherwise_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o talk_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o religion_n whilst_o they_o deny_v the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n without_o which_o all_o pretence_n to_o virtue_n and_o piety_n be_v mere_a contradiction_n to_o themselves_o false_a brag_v and_o empty_a talk_n and_o though_o grotius_n 23._o will_v by_o no_o mean_n suffer_v they_o to_o be_v reckon_v with_o the_o herd_n of_o epicurus_n in_o that_o they_o deny_v not_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o government_n of_o humane_a affair_n but_o only_o confine_v its_o reward_n and_o punishment_n to_o this_o present_a life_n which_o be_v the_o same_o doctrine_n with_o the_o epicurean_o in_o other_o word_n for_o they_o too_o allow_v of_o the_o present_a reward_n and_o punishment_n ordinary_o annex_v to_o virtue_n and_o vice_n as_o well_o as_o these_o so_o that_o as_o to_o that_o point_n they_o stand_v upon_o equal_a term_n but_o when_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v part_v as_o they_o often_o be_v what_o then_o be_v to_o be_v do_v but_o that_o whatever_o become_v of_o virtue_n or_o duty_n both_o of_o they_o be_v alike_o concern_v to_o take_v care_n of_o their_o own_o present_a welfare_n so_o that_o immortality_n be_v once_o cashier_v it_o be_v after_o that_o vanity_n and_o nonsense_n to_o talk_v of_o any_o obligation_n to_o justice_n or_o religion_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o only_o a_o opinion_n entertain_v by_o the_o sadducee_n but_o it_o be_v the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o their_o sect._n upon_o this_o alone_a they_o esteem_v themselves_o wise_a than_o all_o other_o man_n and_o this_o be_v their_o great_a point_n of_o controversy_n with_o the_o pharisee_n so_o that_o when_o our_o saviour_n so_o avowed_o side_v against_o they_o in_o it_o he_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n their_o enemy_n and_o they_o oblige_v by_o it_o to_o endeavour_v his_o ruin_n now_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o appearance_n they_o be_v the_o most_o powerful_a faction_n in_o the_o sanhedrin_n as_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o the_o scripture_n but_o josephus_n the_o highpriest_n himself_o and_o his_o kindred_n be_v of_o that_o sect._n and_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o they_o be_v much_o fierce_a than_o the_o pharisee_n in_o prosecute_a the_o apostle_n for_o attest_v our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o be_v therefore_o more_o particular_o mention_v than_o the_o other_o act_v 4._o 1._o 5._o 17._o and_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o fierceness_n be_v because_o all_o their_o hope_n be_v in_o this_o life_n only_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v more_o careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n and_o therein_o their_o own_o and_o that_o make_v they_o the_o more_o zealous_a against_o all_o innovation_n or_o alteration_n in_o religion_n for_o fear_v of_o public_a disturbance_n and_o then_o beside_o if_o jesus_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o their_o sect_n and_o they_o must_v yield_v the_o victory_n to_o the_o pharisee_n in_o the_o great_a point_n of_o controversy_n between_o they_o so_o that_o for_o the_o very_a honour_n of_o their_o sect_n they_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o it_o and_o its_o very_a mention_n put_v they_o into_o choler_n and_o passion_n and_o by_o that_o alone_o do_v saint_n paul_n raise_v so_o great_a a_o dissension_n between_o the_o two_o faction_n as_o to_o endanger_v a_o public_a tumult_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n act_v 23._o 6_o 7._o now_o this_o sect_n of_o man_n be_v thus_o detain_v by_o this_o principle_n they_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o may_v overthrow_v it_o but_o their_o custom_n be_v to_o jeer_v and_o flout_v at_o it_o as_o a_o ridiculous_a story_n and_o when_o they_o come_v to_o argue_v with_o our_o saviour_n about_o it_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v design_v rather_o to_o make_v themselves_o merry_a than_o to_o enter_v into_o any_o serious_a discourse_n with_o he_o atheist_n be_v always_o proud_a and_o conceit_a people_n and_o scorn_v to_o make_v any_o enquiry_n after_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v convince_v they_o they_o confute_v all_o with_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o when_o man_n once_o think_v themselves_o secure_a of_o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o tell_v they_o any_o story_n against_o it_o for_o without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o its_o truth_n or_o credibility_n they_o be_v aforehand_o undoubted_o assure_v of_o its_o forgery_n and_o this_o be_v the_o particular_a case_n of_o the_o sadducee_n their_o main_a argument_n against_o a_o future_a state_n be_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o
the_o table_n of_o the_o consul_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o careful_o preserve_v in_o those_o time_n and_o as_o easy_o consult_v by_o any_o inquisitive_a person_n as_o any_o other_o public_a record_n and_o be_v so_o by_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o they_o or_o to_o convey_v the_o account_n of_o they_o to_o after-age_n and_o particular_o eusebius_n who_o as_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o other_o help_v and_o have_v all_o the_o other_o advantage_n of_o information_n will_v not_o want_v this_o that_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o satisfactory_a as_o himself_o 12._o particular_o inform_v we_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o transcribe_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o archive_v though_o set_v aside_o the_o information_n that_o he_o receive_v thence_o the_o history_n of_o the_o succession_n be_v sufficient_o preserve_v by_o other_o writer_n that_o of_o rome_n be_v already_o clear_v that_o of_o antioch_n be_v as_o clear_v only_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n about_o the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n whether_o it_o be_v euodius_n or_o ignatius_n probable_o it_o may_v be_v both_o as_o it_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o if_o euodius_n be_v the_o first_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o his_o successor_n ignatius_n be_v a_o apostolical_a man_n and_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o he_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a and_o undisputed_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o which_o eustathius_n be_v then_o present_a bishop_n be_v summon_v and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o eminent_a learning_n so_o he_o bear_v a_o considerable_a sway_n in_o it_o as_o for_o alexandria_n the_o succession_n run_v so_o clear_a there_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o most_o sceptical_a adversary_n in_o this_o point_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o question_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o succession_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o church_n be_v so_o early_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_a that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n than_o it_o be_v for_o any_o learned_a man_n now_o not_o to_o know_v the_o succession_n in_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o add_v many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o tedious_a but_o though_o i_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o a_o interrupt_a succession_n in_o any_o eminent_a church_n yet_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o two_o that_o next_o to_o those_o already_o mention_v most_o deserve_v our_o notice_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o athens_n a_o account_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o have_v from_o dionysius_n a_o learned_a 23._o man_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n antoninus_n as_o indeed_o we_o have_v of_o many_o other_o church_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o as_o for_o his_o own_o church_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o its_o succession_n when_o himself_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o have_v withal_o accidental_o let_v we_o understand_v his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v transact_v there_o before_o his_o own_o time_n and_o particular_o by_o his_o account_n of_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o after_o he_o mention_n publius_n and_o quadratus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o unknown_a interruption_n in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o the_o certain_a succession_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o undoubted_a tradition_n §_o xxix_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v its_o more_o particular_a conveyance_n down_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n after_o 201._o he_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o discipline_n of_o several_a master_n and_o several_a sect_n acquiesce_v at_o last_o without_o any_o far_a search_n in_o the_o christian_a institution_n because_o they_o that_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n receive_v it_o immediate_o from_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o paul_n the_o holy_a apostle_n as_o a_o son_n succeed_v a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v bring_v it_o down_o to_o we_o plant_v those_o seed_n of_o doctrine_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n and_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o learned_a man_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o succession_n itself_o in_o that_o the_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o with_o apostolical_a men._n as_o saint_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o write_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n receive_v with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n value_v next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o read_v with_o they_o in_o several_a church_n but_o especial_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o the_o apostolical_a book_n so_o be_v it_o the_o most_o undoubted_a write_n of_o the_o christian_a 38._o church_n it_o be_v say_v eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d receive_v without_o controversy_n and_o it_o be_v cite_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n a_o short_a time_n 23._o after_o who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v then_o read_v in_o that_o church_n every_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v magnify_v by_o irenaeus_n not_o only_o for_o its_o 3._o own_o strength_n and_o piety_n but_o for_o the_o primitive_a antiquity_n of_o its_o author_n who_o he_o say_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n receive_v his_o christianity_n from_o they_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o fresh_a in_o his_o memory_n and_o their_o custom_n and_o tradition_n in_o his_o eye_n as_o divers_z other_o there_o be_v then_o live_v that_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n quote_v this_o epistle_n as_o he_o often_o do_v 4._o give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o his_o primitive_a antiquity_n but_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o ancient_n it_o be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a critic_n who_o though_o they_o have_v take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o destroy_v or_o impair_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v pass_v this_o epistle_n as_o undoubted_o genuine_a with_o a_o unanimous_a approbation_n now_o this_o suppose_v the_o own_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o assert_n particular_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o beside_o several_a other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v the_o first_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v its_o undoubted_a certainty_n by_o the_o testimony_n not_o only_o of_o himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o above_o five_o hundred_o witness_n beside_o most_o whereof_o be_v then_o alive_a beside_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a labour_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o assert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o great_a patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o vast_a number_n more_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o a_o thing_n present_a let_v we_o say_v he_o consider_v the_o generous_a and_o worthy_a example_n of_o our_o own_o age_n through_o emulation_n and_o envy_v the_o faithful_a pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v persecute_v even_o unto_o a_o most_o grievous_a death_n let_v we_o place_n before_o our_o eye_n our_o holy_a apostle_n and_o so_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o act_n and_o suffering_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n now_o how_o can_v this_o have_v be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o christianity_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o what_o more_o unquestionable_a tradition_n can_v we_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n especial_o of_o the_o resurrection_n when_o he_o quote_v the_o gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v record_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o number_n of_o eye-witness_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o innumerable_a other_o that_o live_v at_o the_o