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 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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 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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
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 another_o to_o make_v its_o way_n into_o such_o a_o wicked_a world_n as_o this_o man_n of_o atheistical_a principle_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o stubborn_a and_o inflexible_a they_o scorn_v all_o manner_n of_o better_a information_n and_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v possible_o undeceive_v they_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o overcome_v person_n so_o prejudice_v and_o so_o conceit_v unless_o we_o can_v by_o the_o mere_a evidence_n of_o thing_n force_v they_o into_o conviction_n and_o as_o for_o man_n of_o luxurious_a life_n they_o have_v neither_o mind_n nor_o leisure_n to_o attend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v reclaim_v they_o it_o be_v pain_n to_o they_o to_o think_v of_o part_v with_o their_o pleasure_n they_o will_v labour_v to_o preserve_v they_o upon_o any_o term_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v no_o information_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o fasten_v on_o they_o and_o 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
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
very_a point_n of_o his_o dissolution_n as_o his_o legacy_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n communicate_v to_o several_a church_n public_o and_o vulgar_o know_v attest_v by_o saint_n policarp_n irenaeus_n clemens_n of_o alexandria_n and_o not_o long_o since_o by_o origen_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o such_o a_o write_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v lose_v about_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o a_o false_a one_o shall_v immediate_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n and_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o choice_a library_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v embrace_v so_o late_a and_o so_o gross_a a_o forgery_n and_o put_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v after_o he_o the_o man_n that_o can_v satisfy_v himself_o with_o such_o wild_a surmise_n and_o supposition_n as_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a but_o he_o may_v easy_o swallow_v its_o belief_n nor_o so_o demonstrative_o prove_v but_o he_o may_v withstand_v its_o evidence_n now_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n be_v vindicate_v and_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o they_o will_v never_o more_o be_v call_v in_o question_n they_o be_v a_o brave_a and_o generous_a assertion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v write_v with_o that_o mighty_a assurance_n of_o mind_n that_o show_v the_o author_n of_o they_o to_o have_v have_v a_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o a_o kind_n of_o a_o infallible_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o believe_v in_o every_o epistle_n his_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o that_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o he_o have_v of_o our_o saviour_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o particular_o in_o that_o to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n he_o protest_v that_o he_o can_v no_o more_o doubt_n of_o its_o reality_n than_o of_o his_o own_o chain_n and_o again_o positive_o affirm_v that_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o not_o withstand_v that_o all_o the_o ancient_a copy_n and_o all_o the_o quotation_n of_o the_o ancient_n out_o of_o he_o agree_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o he_o know_v jesus_n to_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n after_o his_o death_n because_o in_o saint_n jerom_n translation_n who_o excuse_v himself_o for_o the_o haste_n and_o carelessness_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v render_v that_o he_o see_v jesus_n in_o the_o flesh_n this_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o new_a church_n of_o geneva_n as_o a_o sufficient_a objection_n to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o he_o may_v have_v see_v jesus_n in_o the_o flesh_n but_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a neither_o be_v it_o his_o design_n to_o affirm_v it_o in_o this_o place_n see_v he_o prove_v its_o truth_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o eye-witness_n and_o not_o from_o his_o own_o immediate_a knowledge_n but_o when_o he_o only_o say_v that_o from_o they_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a to_o put_v this_o assertion_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o see_v it_o with_o his_o own_o eye_n against_o the_o read_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a book_n from_o a_o careless_a translation_n prove_v nothing_o but_o the_o invincible_a stubbornness_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v these_o man_n have_v be_v so_o zealous_a for_o their_o faction_n as_o not_o to_o care_v how_o in_o pursuit_n of_o it_o they_o endanger_v nay_o destroy_v their_o religion_n for_o whereas_o one_o of_o the_o great_a pillar_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o the_o age_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o it_o be_v hereby_o particular_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v no_o figment_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n and_o that_o the_o record_n of_o it_o be_v of_o that_o antiquity_n that_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v yet_o because_o they_o do_v as_o positive_o assert_v the_o original_a constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o this_o faction_n of_o man_n have_v happen_v to_o renounce_v they_o have_v labour_v with_o indefatigable_a industry_n utter_o to_o overthrow_v all_o their_o authority_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n with_o that_o ill_a success_n that_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o shake_v our_o faith_n they_o have_v only_o make_v it_o to_o take_v the_o better_a root_n for_o by_o this_o occasion_n the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v be_v much_o more_o inquire_v into_o and_o better_v clear_v than_o if_o it_o have_v pass_v without_o any_o dispute_n or_o contradictition_n but_o to_o keep_v close_o to_o our_o ignatius_n what_o have_v be_v the_o bottom_n of_o all_o the_o zeal_n and_o fury_n against_o his_o epistle_n but_o his_o earnest_n press_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n or_o rather_o because_o he_o describe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a platform_n so_o accurate_o as_o to_o condemn_v their_o discipline_n of_o folly_n and_o rashness_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o prescription_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o yet_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n lay_v as_o great_a a_o stress_n as_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n as_o set_v over_o they_o by_o divine_a institution_n for_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o which_o they_o be_v then_o more_o tender_a than_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o think_v it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n preserve_v than_o by_o submission_n to_o those_o guide_n and_o governor_n that_o christ_n have_v set_v over_o it_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v evident_a out_o of_o their_o write_n especial_o saint_a cyprian_n who_o as_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o very_a great_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n so_o be_v he_o full_a as_o peremptory_a in_o this_o point_n as_o ignatius_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n clement_n because_o of_o its_o great_a antiquity_n for_o if_o that_o assert_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o church_n government_n establish_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o prevent_v and_o confute_v the_o groundless_a conjecture_n of_o a_o unknown_a time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n in_o which_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o church_n devolve_v upon_o the_o presbyter_n because_o they_o have_v appoint_v no_o one_o particular_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o government_n and_o this_o saint_n clement_n assert_n in_o these_o positive_a word_n the_o apostle_n be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o we_o from_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o jesus_n christ_n from_o god_n himself_o christ_n be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n by_o he_o the_o send_v of_o both_o be_v in_o a_o orderly_a manner_n after_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o command_n and_o have_v a_o full_a confidence_n through_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o a_o assurance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n go_v forth_o publish_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v erect_v they_o therefore_o preach_v the_o word_n through_o divers_a country_n and_o city_n ordain_v every_o where_o the_o first_o fruit_n of_o such_o as_o believe_v have_v make_v proof_n and_o trial_n of_o they_o by_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v overfeer_n and_o deacon_n to_o minister_v unto_o they_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v so_o that_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o neglect_v to_o provide_v governor_n for_o the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v careful_a beforehand_o to_o provide_v governor_n for_o future_a church_n and_o this_o he_o affirm_v the_o apostle_n do_v because_o they_o understand_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o strife_n and_o contention_n will_v arise_v about_o the_o title_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o this_o cause_n therefore_o have_v absolute_a knowledge_n beforehand_o thereof_o they_o ordain_v the_o forename_a officer_n and_o for_o the_o future_a give_v they_o moreover_o in_o command_n that_o whensoever_o they_o shall_v die_v other_o well_o approve_v of_o shall_v succeed_v into_o their_o office_n and_o ministry_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n order_n observe_v and_o prescribe_v a_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n to_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o future_a age_n and_o though_o our_o author_n do_v not_o express_v the_o several_a distinct_a order_n by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n yet_o he_o describe_v they_o as_o express_o by_o allusion_n to_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n under_o the_o name_n of_o highpriest_n priest_n and_o levite_n
meet_v with_o many_o bishop_n and_o find_v they_o all_o 22._o of_o one_o mind_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o have_v give_v some_o account_n of_o clement_n epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o add_v that_o the_o church_n remain_v after_o that_o in_o the_o pure_a and_o right_a doctrine_n until_o the_o time_n of_o primus_fw-la bishop_n there_o with_o who_o sail_v to_o rome_n i_o confer_v and_o abide_v many_o day_n be_v come_v to_o rome_n i_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n who_o deacon_n be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o soter_n succeed_v and_o after_o he_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o all_o their_o succession_n and_o in_o every_o one_o of_o their_o city_n it_o be_v no_o otherways_o teach_v than_o as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o lord_n himself_o preach_v this_o be_v a_o singular_a testimony_n of_o the_o sincere_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o one_o or_o two_o or_o a_o few_o church_n but_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o as_o he_o describe_v the_o ecclesiastical_a succession_n every_o where_o so_o have_v he_o the_o rise_v and_o birth_n of_o heresy_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o that_o james_n surname_v the_o just_a have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n his_o uncle_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n be_v choose_v bishop_n be_v prefer_v by_o the_o unanimous_a vote_n of_o all_o because_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n kinsman_n and_o hitherto_o that_o church_n be_v call_v a_o pure_a virgin_n because_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o be_v deflower_v with_o any_o false_a doctrine_n but_o thebalis_fw-la be_v displease_v that_o he_o be_v not_o choose_v bishop_n secret_o endeavour_v to_o debauch_v it_o from_o who_o spring_v those_o many_o heresy_n that_o he_o afterward_o reckon_v up_o and_o so_o have_v elsewhere_o describe_v the_o martyrdom_n 29._o of_o saint_n simeon_n he_o add_v until_o those_o time_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v a_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a virgin_n for_o such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o 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model_n and_o body_n of_o divinity_n out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n and_o among_o other_o socinus_n dislike_a the_o calvinian_a theology_n as_o contrary_a not_o only_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n set_v up_o a_o new_a divinity_n of_o his_o own_o contrivance_n without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o be_v advise_v of_o his_o fly_v so_o wide_o of_o it_o he_o together_o with_o his_o follower_n rather_o than_o part_v with_o their_o own_o fine_a new_a notion_n of_o which_o they_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v the_o first_o author_n and_o abettor_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a and_o uncorrupted_a church_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o with_o what_o vanity_n and_o arrogance_n it_o be_v none_o of_o my_o present_a task_n to_o inquire_v only_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n i_o must_v reply_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a wide_a and_o i_o be_o sure_a very_o far_o from_o a_o civil_a inference_n to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o else_o and_o they_o may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n have_v apply_v the_o objection_n against_o the_o apostolical_a church_n itself_o because_o then_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o complain_v the_o tare_n be_v sow_v though_o it_o seem_v not_o so_o open_o and_o so_o impudent_o as_o afterward_o nay_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v impossible_a their_o shall_v ever_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o pride_n and_o vanity_n among_o mankind_n there_o will_v be_v such_o man_n in_o all_o society_n as_o will_v be_v taint_v with_o their_o own_o idle_a dream_n and_o conceit_n and_o then_o rub_v their_o itch_n upon_o the_o common_a people_n but_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o i_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o long_o as_o it_o consist_v of_o man_n yet_o they_o be_v never_o able_a to_o prevail_v but_o after_o some_o struggle_n for_o admittance_n be_v soon_o or_o late_a utter_o stifle_v and_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o tradition_n of_o the_o birth_n growth_n and_o death_n of_o heresy_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n overwhelm_v the_o heretic_n with_o this_o one_o argument_n by_o convict_v they_o of_o apparent_a innovation_n and_o derive_v down_o their_o own_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o its_o apostolical_a tradition_n be_v never_o mix_v or_o taint_v with_o they_o but_o run_v down_o in_o a_o pure_a and_o clear_a channel_n by_o itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a as_o well_o as_o disingenuous_a objection_n against_o its_o authority_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o it_o that_o will_v have_v be_v corrupt_v the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n but_o be_v never_o able_a to_o compass_v their_o design_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o pass_v undiscovered_a or_o uncontrolled_a that_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o man_n and_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o inconsistency_n with_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o new_a fangle_a conceit_n of_o our_o own_o present_a innovatour_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o danger_n of_o our_o swallow_v down_o old_a heresy_n together_o with_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n than_o there_o be_v of_o suck_v in_o their_o new_a one_o whilst_o we_o adhere_v faithful_o to_o that_o and_o thus_o have_v upon_o occasion_n of_o this_o particular_a passage_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n clear_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o
and_o it_o require_v only_a eyesight_n to_o observe_v that_o it_o can_v be_v contrive_v no_o other_o way_n but_o by_o divine_a providence_n but_o when_o i_o pretend_v to_o have_v rout_v all_o the_o mechanic_n philosopher_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o presumption_n that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o glory_n in_o it_o than_o in_o the_o conquest_n of_o a_o infant_n and_o indeed_o nothing_o do_v more_o exact_o resemble_v their_o wise_a contrivance_n than_o the_o little_a sport_n and_o work_n of_o child_n for_o just_a as_o they_o make_v their_o play-thing_n so_o do_v these_o grave_a philosopher_n make_v their_o world_n in_o short_a the_o folly_n and_o nonsense_n of_o mere_a mechanism_n or_o account_v for_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n only_o by_o matter_n or_o motion_n or_o any_o other_o second_o cause_n be_v so_o notorious_a that_o all_o the_o philosopher_n in_o the_o world_n never_o be_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v able_a to_o give_v any_o the_o least_o account_n how_o so_o much_o as_o a_o stone_n shall_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n without_o a_o divine_a providence_n this_o may_v seem_v a_o very_a odd_a challenge_n to_o be_v make_v to_o the_o great_a wit_n and_o virtuoso_n of_o mankind_n but_o i_o make_v it_o not_o rash_o and_o have_v thorough_o consider_v all_o their_o attempt_n and_o more_o than_o enough_o demonstrate_v their_o vanity_n and_o be_o sure_a upon_o the_o most_o diligent_a enquiry_n that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v do_v any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o resolve_v it_o into_o the_o force_n of_o magnetism_n than_o which_o in_o all_o the_o universe_n there_o be_v not_o a_o more_o amase_a piece_n of_o divine_a art_n and_o wisdom_n but_o here_o before_o i_o can_v proceed_v to_o what_o ought_v to_o have_v immediate_o follow_v i_o be_o force_v to_o thrust_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o preposterous_a digression_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o very_a mean_a piece_n of_o disingenuity_n that_o i_o have_v late_o meet_v with_o from_o the_o mechanic_n philosopher_n viz._n that_o i_o have_v make_v too_o bold_a with_o the_o reputation_n of_o great_a and_o famous_a man_n and_o treat_v those_o that_o have_v be_v admire_v and_o renown_v for_o wisdom_n and_o learning_n in_o all_o age_n as_o if_o they_o be_v void_a of_o common_a sense_n and_o thus_o the_o late_a author_n of_o the_o augmentation_n to_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o life_n 205._o when_o he_o have_v represent_v i_o as_o one_o of_o the_o keen_a and_o unkind_a of_o his_o adversary_n bring_v off_o his_o master_n with_o this_o clean_a compliment_n that_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o take_v it_o unkind_o from_o one_o that_o stick_v not_o to_o treat_v the_o great_a even_n of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n after_o the_o same_o rate_n and_o give_v the_o same_o correction_n even_o to_o the_o great_a aristotle_n himself_o as_o to_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o as_o for_o the_o famous_a de-cartes_n he_o stick_v not_o to_o chastise_v he_o like_o any_o schoolboy_n but_o in_o the_o first_o place_n methinks_v this_o be_v a_o very_a poor_a and_o humble_a objection_n and_o become_v not_o the_o due_a confidence_n of_o a_o philosopher_n for_o it_o be_v this_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o first_o upbraid_v we_o with_o the_o great_a and_o unanswerable_a performance_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o till_o we_o can_v answer_v he_o we_o may_v preach_v what_o we_o please_v to_o the_o people_n but_o wise_a man_n will_v be_v of_o his_o mind_n and_o yet_o when_o we_o not_o only_o answer_v but_o plain_o demonstrate_v the_o pitiful_a and_o even_o childish_a folly_n of_o his_o pretend_a philosophy_n that_o be_v object_v as_o a_o unpardonable_a rudeness_n to_o so_o learned_a a_o man._n but_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n you_o will_v not_o be_v content_a till_o we_o undertake_v he_o and_o yet_o if_o we_o do_v you_o grow_v angry_a and_o our_o very_a attempt_v it_o be_v make_v our_o crime_n but_o yet_o if_o he_o be_v expose_v it_o be_v none_o of_o our_o fault_n but_o his_o own_o for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o any_o man_n power_n to_o make_v his_o notion_n better_a or_o worse_o than_o they_o be_v and_o if_o we_o represent_v they_o true_o and_o they_o prove_v ridiculous_a we_o can_v help_v it_o but_o if_o we_o do_v not_o it_o will_v be_v somewhat_o to_o the_o purpose_n if_o they_o can_v convince_v we_o of_o so_o unmanly_a a_o piece_n of_o disingenuity_n but_o till_o then_o it_o be_v at_o best_a but_o a_o very_a childish_a thing_n to_o complain_v either_o of_o unkind_a or_o uncivil_a usage_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v do_v much_o less_o like_o a_o philosopher_n only_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o my_o assertion_n against_o mr._n hobbs_n without_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o argument_n for_o if_o i_o have_v charge_v any_o thing_n upon_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o have_v not_o demonstrative_o prove_v it_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o give_v public_a satisfaction_n to_o his_o memory_n but_o if_o i_o have_v than_o the_o severity_n of_o my_o charge_n be_v no_o fault_n of_o i_o and_o for_o that_o i_o dare_v and_o do_v appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o impartial_a man_n whether_o i_o have_v not_o prove_v upon_o and_o against_o he_o all_o that_o i_o pretend_v to_o and_o if_o i_o have_v than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o mr._n hobbs_n have_v assert_v a_o very_a wicked_a cause_n very_o foolish_o but_o last_o it_o be_v do_v still_o much_o less_o like_o a_o philosopher_n to_o load_v i_o with_o that_o invidious_a charge_n of_o traduce_v the_o great_a worthy_n among_o the_o ancient_n for_o i_o know_v no_o one_o quality_n more_o unbecoming_a a_o man_n that_o pretend_v to_o letter_n and_o civility_n than_o a_o envious_a affectation_n of_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o performance_n of_o great_a men._n this_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o creep_a artifice_n of_o small_a people_n to_o make_v themselves_o considerable_a only_o by_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o adversary_n and_o it_o be_v a_o practice_n that_o i_o detest_v as_o i_o do_v slander_n or_o perjury_n and_o if_o they_o can_v but_o assign_v one_o instance_n in_o which_o i_o have_v in_o the_o least_o wrong_a any_o learned_a man_n they_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o forward_o to_o show_v it_o as_o i_o will_v be_v to_o confess_v it_o but_o otheways_o to_o insinuate_v that_o i_o spare_v not_o the_o great_a even_n of_o the_o ancient_a hero_n be_v to_o say_v no_o worse_o but_o a_o sneak_a way_n of_o encounter_v a_o enemy_n and_o indeed_o a_o inward_a confession_n of_o the_o want_n of_o some_o better_a reply_n for_o if_o they_o think_v they_o be_v able_a to_o overthrow_v argument_n in_o fair_a combat_n they_o will_v scorn_v to_o betake_v themselves_o to_o such_o skulk_a artifices_fw-la for_o when_o all_o be_v do_v the_o whole_a merit_n of_o the_o cause_n will_v rest_v upon_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n so_o that_o if_o i_o have_v oppose_v or_o confute_v any_o of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n upon_o good_a and_o substantial_a ground_n i_o have_v do_v they_o no_o wrong_n in_o do_v truth_n right_n if_o otherwise_o i_o have_v not_o real_o injure_v they_o but_o myself_o and_o it_o be_v in_o these_o gentleman_n power_n that_o make_v the_o complaint_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o falsehood_n or_o the_o folly_n of_o my_o opposition_n but_o till_o then_o i_o think_v it_o become_v not_o the_o state_n and_o grandeur_n of_o a_o philosopher_n to_o condescend_v to_o such_o poor_a topic_n of_o insinuation_n but_o if_o they_o will_v do_v so_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o i_o for_o my_o only_a design_n be_v the_o pursuit_n of_o real_a truth_n i_o mean_v not_o useless_a and_o barren_a speculation_n but_o such_o as_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o happiness_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o learning_n or_o wisdom_n that_o i_o care_v for_o and_o if_o any_o man_n stand_v in_o my_o way_n though_o it_o be_v aristotle_n or_o de-cartes_n epicurus_n or_o mr._n hobbs_n friend_n or_o foe_n yea_o though_o it_o be_v m._n tullius_n himself_o yes_o though_o it_o be_v a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n i_o must_v on_o and_o if_o i_o be_o force_v to_o justle_v they_o out_o of_o my_o way_n i_o can_v help_v it_o for_o i_o be_o resolve_v never_o to_o leave_v it_o myself_o however_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n for_o mechanic_n philosopher_n to_o complain_v of_o be_v a_o little_a deride_v when_o they_o so_o wanton_o and_o affect_o expose_v themselves_o to_o it_o for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o witty_a man_n to_o come_v off_o with_o better_a success_n that_o when_o we_o see_v the_o whole_a world_n frame_v with_o such_o admirable_a art_n and_o wisdom_n shall_v undertake_v to_o teach_v the_o senseless_a material_n of_o which_o it_o be_v make_v to_o be_v their_o own_o architect_n i_o will_v
if_o one_o be_v true_a all_o be_v true_a if_o one_o false_a all_o be_v false_a so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o deity_n there_o must_v be_v a_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o a_o law_n of_o nature_n a_o future_a state_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o no_o future_a state_n than_o no_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o no_o law_n of_o nature_n no_o deity_n so_o that_o the_o proof_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n ultimate_o resolve_v into_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o be_v the_o most_o evident_a thing_n in_o nature_n it_o give_v the_o same_o evidence_n to_o all_o other_o principle_n that_o be_v so_o inseparable_o connect_v with_o it_o and_o have_v bring_v our_o argument_n to_o that_o head_n there_o we_o may_v safe_o leave_v it_o and_o challenge_v the_o assent_n of_o mankind_n to_o both_o the_o other_o till_o they_o can_v rational_o quit_v themselves_o of_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o and_o it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n chief_o that_o i_o have_v wave_v all_o physical_a argument_n 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apart_o because_o it_o do_v not_o so_o much_o follow_v upon_o it_o as_o go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o perceive_v that_o providence_n can_v be_v justify_v without_o it_o we_o can_v but_o see_v how_o admirable_o it_o be_v justify_v with_o it_o thus_o far_o may_v we_o advance_v by_o follow_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o conduct_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n suppose_v that_o he_o have_v endue_v they_o with_o a_o faculty_n of_o understanding_n and_o that_o they_o be_v please_v to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o for_o if_o he_o have_v the_o connexion_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o will_v observe_v it_o but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o kind_n of_o information_n no_o blindness_n more_o incurable_a than_o when_o man_n will_v not_o see_v but_o as_o bright_a as_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n shine_v it_o be_v but_o a_o dim_a thing_n if_o compare_v to_o that_o great_a glory_n that_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n there_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v bring_v to_o light_n so_o as_o to_o be_v make_v evident_a not_o only_o to_o our_o reason_n but_o our_o very_a sense_n our_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o visible_a experiment_n and_o ocular_a demonstration_n and_o that_o be_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o second_o part_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o original_a proof_n of_o it_o be_v on_o all_o side_n so_o evident_o confirm_v and_o so_o advantageous_o guard_v against_o all_o objection_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o wit_n of_o mankind_n to_o have_v lay_v the_o same_o design_n so_o as_o to_o have_v make_v it_o more_o unquestionable_a for_o that_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o its_o be_v a_o contrivance_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n in_o that_o if_o we_o will_v only_o suppose_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n shall_v set_v such_o a_o design_n on_o 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every_o thing_n that_o be_v incredible_a all_o the_o contradiction_n to_o humane_a nature_n and_o humane_a affair_n i_o have_v lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o my_o argument_n upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o for_o its_o great_a advantage_n i_o have_v leap_v over_o fourteen_o century_n and_o take_v a_o prospect_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o same_o posture_n in_o which_o they_o stand_v the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n for_o then_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n reformation_n be_v as_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a to_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n as_o the_o change_n of_o religion_n under_o henry_n the_o eight_o be_v or_o can_v be_v to_o the_o man_n of_o this_o and_o here_o i_o have_v so_o close_o trace_v the_o tradition_n of_o it_o
wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o lay_v any_o thing_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n but_o upon_o the_o firm_a and_o most_o evident_a principle_n when_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o vast_a and_o infinite_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n so_o that_o when_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n it_o be_v but_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n shall_v be_v proportionable_a to_o the_o weight_n and_o value_n of_o its_o importance_n in_o short_a if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o particular_a history_n have_v as_o great_a evidence_n as_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o than_o all_o that_o they_o say_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o it_o have_v as_o much_o proof_n as_o it_o have_v if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o historical_a truth_n have_v as_o much_o certainty_n as_o any_o historical_a truth_n whatsoever_o be_v capable_a of_o then_o why_o shall_v they_o call_v this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n moral_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o historical_a certainty_n it_o be_v but_o historical_a certainty_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o its_o kind_n as_o physical_a or_o mathematical_a be_v in_o their_o kind_n and_o i_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n that_o the_o fanatique_a rebel_n murder_v king_n charles_n the_o first_o as_o i_o have_v of_o any_o proposition_n in_o euclid_n and_o a_o much_o great_a than_o i_o have_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n except_o the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o a_o deity_n which_o indeed_o equal_v it_o and_o the_o same_o evidence_n do_v the_o ground_n and_o motive_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n carry_v along_o with_o they_o in_o that_o the_o history_n of_o it_o assert_n itself_o with_o so_o great_a and_o so_o many_o demonstrative_a circumstance_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o ii_o for_o though_o their_o direct_a evidence_n be_v make_v up_o of_o many_o less_o evident_a particular_n yet_o the_o accumulation_n of_o all_o together_o 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than_o irresistible_a they_o come_v so_o strong_a and_o so_o thick_a upon_o our_o mind_n that_o they_o force_v their_o own_o way_n so_o that_o it_o be_v scarce_o leave_v in_o the_o power_n of_o a_o honest_a mind_n to_o resist_v such_o army_n and_o legion_n of_o reason_n though_o i_o know_v a_o stubborn_a man_n may_v struggle_v with_o the_o strong_a conviction_n and_o if_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v humoursome_a in_o his_o infidelity_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o all_o the_o demonstration_n in_o the_o world_n to_o force_v a_o wilful_a understanding_n and_o yet_o at_o prefent_n i_o shall_v wave_v all_o that_o variety_n of_o argument_n that_o by_o direct_a force_n assert_n and_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o rather_o choose_v to_o proceed_v in_o a_o inverse_n method_n by_o turn_v the_o infidel_n weapon_n and_o sceptical_a objection_n upon_o themselves_o so_o that_o whereas_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o attempt_v the_o 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though_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o i_o pitch_v upon_o this_o method_n be_v because_o it_o be_v most_o proper_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o this_o present_a age_n in_o that_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n too_o common_a among_o we_o who_o because_o they_o can_v say_v four_o or_o five_o witty_a thing_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v by_o all_o mean_n be_v set_v up_o for_o infidel_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o that_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o soher_n and_o reasonable_a argument_n that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o utter_o prevent_v yet_o infinite_o out_o balance_v all_o their_o little_a talk_n and_o if_o they_o can_v but_o pick_v up_o two_o or_o three_o unhappy_a remark_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n out_o of_o that_o foolish_a book_n the_o leviathan_n they_o think_v themselves_o make_v for_o ever_o and_o how_o happy_a be_v they_o in_o the_o luckiness_n of_o the_o discovery_n it_o mend_v their_o humour_n and_o raise_v their_o part_n and_o they_o that_o other_o day_n be_v but_o ordinary_a mortal_n as_o to_o the_o endowment_n of_o nature_n and_o sufficient_a dunce_n as_o to_o the_o emprovement_n of_o learning_n immediate_o become_v great_a philosopher_n and_o deep_a clerk_n the_o forward_a youth_n set_v up_o in_o his_o country_n for_o the_o man_n of_o logic_n and_o disputation_n make_v the_o simple_a and_o ignorant_a people_n stand_v amaze_v at_o the_o wit_n and_o profoundness_n of_o our_o young_a master_n discourse_n and_o the_o poor_a village_n curate_n be_v sure_a to_o be_v the_o trophy_n of_o his_o confidence_n and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n he_o chance_v to_o encounter_v a_o man_n of_o learning_n with_o what_o briskness_n do_v he_o attaque_fw-la his_o gravity_n a_o gnat_n be_v not_o more_o troublesome_a with_o its_o little_a sting_n and_o buzz_v than_o he_o with_o his_o small_a sophistry_n and_o though_o the_o truant_n be_v no_o better_o furnish_v than_o the_o jew_n suppose_v the_o carpenter_n son_n to_o have_v be_v you_o shall_v find_v he_o upon_o all_o occasion_n dispute_v with_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o he_o shall_v disperse_v all_o that_o heap_n and_o accumulation_n of_o argument_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n with_o any_o pitiful_a repartee_n that_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v void_a of_o all_o reason_n have_v scarce_o wit_n enough_o to_o tempt_v any_o man_n to_o laugh_v beside_o himself_o now_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o convince_v such_o man_n by_o downright_a dint_n of_o argument_n and_o therefore_o see_v they_o have_v not_o wit_n or_o learning_n enough_o to_o be_v reason_v into_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n i_o shall_v take_v another_o course_n with_o they_o by_o shame_v they_o into_o it_o let_v we_o then_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o consider_v a_o little_a how_o many_o strange_a and_o incredible_a thing_n those_o man_n be_v force_v to_o believe_v that_o be_v resolve_v to_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o here_o immediate_o appear_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o horrid_a and_o ghastly_a incongruity_n as_o be_v enough_o to_o scare_v any_o ingenuous_a man_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n rather_o than_o be_v trouble_v with_o such_o a_o monstrous_a and_o unreasonable_a infidelity_n they_o must_v force_v their_o understanding_n to_o believe_v numberless_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a reason_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o they_o swallow_v not_o single_a absurdity_n but_o every_o article_n of_o their_o unbelief_n be_v pregnant_a with_o swarm_n of_o extravagant_a and_o incredible_a conceit_n §_o iii_o and_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o i_o fhall_v represent_v no_o more_o than_o the_o incredibility_n of_o one_o viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o herein_o i_o follow_v his_o own_o wise_a and_o admirable_a advice_n to_o begin_v the_o demonstration_n of_o
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 other_o will_v be_v eager_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o curiosity_n so_o will_v those_o man_n especial_o be_v concern_v to_o examine_v it_o more_o strict_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o confute_v their_o adversary_n so_o that_o it_o be_v equal_o incredible_a that_o saint_n paul_n shall_v be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o vent_v so_o great_a a_o lie_n that_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o contradict_v and_o that_o when_o he_o have_v vent_v it_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o lucky_a as_o to_o escape_v all_o manner_n of_o contradiction_n from_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o oppose_v he_o for_o if_o he_o have_v be_v convict_v of_o falsehood_n in_o it_o all_o the_o corinthian_n must_v immediate_o have_v turn_v back_o to_o their_o infidelity_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v the_o christian_a faith_n prevail_v every_o where_o
upon_o such_o appeal_n and_o challenge_v as_o these_o that_o be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o their_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o reality_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n suppose_v the_o book_n of_o it_o be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v though_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a proof_n of_o their_o integrity_n that_o eusebius_n 5._o have_v observe_v in_o their_o impartial_a way_n of_o writing_n thus_o only_a saint_n matthew_n himself_o of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n take_v notice_n of_o his_o own_o dishonourable_a employment_n before_o his_o conversion_n and_o saint_n mark_v who_o write_v his_o gospel_n from_o the_o information_n of_o saint_n peter_n be_v observable_o spare_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o that_o apostle_n and_o so_o can_v not_o with_o decent_a modesty_n be_v report_v by_o himself_o but_o more_o exact_a than_o any_o other_o of_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o description_n of_o his_o shameful_a fall_n thus_o when_o saint_n peter_n have_v so_o frank_o own_a our_o saviour_n for_o the_o messiah_n saint_n matthew_n relate_v our_o saviour_n answer_n with_o a_o high_a commendation_n of_o he_o bless_a art_n thou_o simon_n bar_n 19_o jona_n for_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o i_o say_v also_o unto_o thou_o that_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o i_o will_v give_v unto_o thou_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n then_o charge_v he_o his_o disciple_n that_o they_o shall_v tell_v no_o man_n that_o he_o be_v jesus_n the_o christ._n whereas_o in_o saint_n mark_v all_o these_o magnificent_a expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o saint_n peter_n be_v modest_o omit_v and_o all_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v there_o make_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o and_o he_o charge_v 30._o they_o that_o they_o shall_v tell_v no_o man._n and_o so_o again_o though_o saint_n mark_v in_o all_o his_o other_o relation_n be_v more_o compendious_a than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n yet_o in_o the_o story_n of_o saint_n peter_n denial_n of_o his_o saviour_n he_o be_v most_o of_o all_o circumstantial_a and_o whereas_o saint_n matthew_n and_o saint_n luke_n set_v off_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o repentance_n afterward_o by_o say_v that_o he_o weep_v bitter_o saint_n mark_n express_v it_o more_o modest_o only_o that_o he_o weep_v now_o when_o writer_n pass_v by_o such_o thing_n as_o make_v for_o their_o own_o praise_n and_o record_v their_o own_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n that_o without_o their_o own_o discovery_n may_v never_o have_v be_v know_v to_o posterity_n they_o be_v of_o all_o man_n lest_o to_o be_v suspect_v of_o falsehood_n and_o give_v the_o strong_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n of_o their_o love_n to_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n so_o again_o grant_v that_o they_o will_v not_o stick_v at_o any_o falsehood_n to_o advance_v their_o master_n honour_n and_o reputation_n yet_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o forge_v lie_n of_o his_o disgrace_n and_o suffering_n especial_o all_o those_o shameful_a circumstance_n that_o they_o have_v record_v of_o his_o condemnation_n and_o execution_n now_o if_o we_o believe_v they_o in_o the_o black_a and_o tragical_a part_n of_o the_o story_n why_o not_o in_o all_o for_o if_o they_o only_o design_v to_o set_v off_o their_o master_n greatness_n why_o do_v they_o so_o careful_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o history_n of_o his_o misfortune_n why_o do_v they_o tell_v we_o of_o his_o great_a agony_n before_o his_o passion_n of_o his_o scourge_n and_o mock_n of_o his_o purple_a robe_n and_o reeden_fw-mi sceptre_n of_o the_o contumely_n and_o reproach_n that_o be_v throw_v at_o he_o whilst_o he_o be_v hang_v on_o the_o gibbet_n of_o his_o be_v forsake_v by_o all_o his_o follower_n of_o his_o be_v abjure_v by_o the_o most_o zealous_a of_o they_o all_o and_o that_o without_o the_o application_n of_o rack_n or_o torment_n these_o thing_n if_o not_o true_a to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o invent_v they_o nay_o if_o true_a why_o shall_v they_o not_o do_v what_o they_o be_v able_a to_o stifle_v they_o if_o the_o only_a design_n of_o their_o romance_n have_v be_v to_o gain_v honour_n to_o their_o master_n so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v honest_a and_o faithful_a in_o those_o sad_a relation_n concern_v he_o why_o not_o in_o those_o that_o carry_v triumph_n and_o reputation_n in_o they_o for_o if_o they_o have_v design_v to_o lie_v for_o his_o glory_n they_o must_v have_v baulk_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v any_o way_n offend_v the_o reader_n and_o if_o they_o have_v design_v a_o romance_n instead_o of_o that_o plain_a story_n that_o they_o have_v record_v to_o posterity_n they_o will_v have_v tell_v we_o that_o judas_n have_v no_o soon_o give_v the_o treacherous_a kiss_n but_o he_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o stone_n that_o the_o hand_n that_o strike_v he_o be_v immediate_o wither_v that_o caiphas_n and_o his_o accuser_n be_v strike_v blind_a that_o the_o soldier_n who_o suppose_v they_o have_v apprehend_v he_o have_v only_o seize_v a_o phantasm_n whilst_o he_o vanish_v away_o that_o his_o judge_n be_v befoold_v in_o all_o their_o fantastic_a process_n against_o he_o whilst_o he_o stand_v invisible_a among_o they_o despise_v their_o mock-solemnity_n in_o short_a be_v it_o in_o all_o humane_a account_n much_o more_o become_v the_o grandeur_n and_o dignity_n of_o that_o person_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o common_a misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o humane_a 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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 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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
so_o often_o recite_v and_o be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v that_o it_o be_v labour_n in_o vain_a to_o give_v myself_o or_o the_o reader_n the_o trouble_n of_o their_o repetition_n especial_o when_o they_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o what_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n he_o draw_v great_a number_n of_o disciple_n after_o he_o the_o first_o be_v certain_o past_o question_n and_o the_o second_o be_v as_o evident_a mere_o from_o the_o history_n of_o nero_n reign_n under_o who_o what_o vast_a multitude_n of_o christian_n suffer_v both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n unanimous_o agree_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v pass_v over_o these_o more_o general_a record_n and_o only_o suggest_v two_o or_o three_o particular_a narration_n that_o relate_v not_o only_o to_o the_o existence_n of_o our_o saviour_n person_n but_o to_o the_o veracity_n of_o his_o pretence_n §_o fourteen_o the_o first_o be_v that_o know_a history_n of_o phlegon_n gentleman_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o his_o general_a history_n of_o the_o olympiad_n concern_v both_o the_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o earthquake_n at_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n so_o exact_o agree_v with_o the_o evangelical_n history_n both_o as_o to_o the_o year_n and_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o the_o day_n 45._o and_o the_o most_o material_a circumstance_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o vanity_n of_o critic_n it_o can_v never_o have_v meet_v with_o dispute_n or_o opposition_n but_o those_o man_n will_v not_o stick_v to_o move_v the_o earth_n from_o its_o centre_n rather_o than_o loose_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v the_o father_n of_o one_o criticism_n otherwise_o certain_o this_o passage_n so_o confident_o appeal_v to_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n of_o the_o empire_n together_o with_o that_o of_o thallus_n another_o heathen_a cite_v by_o that_o accurate_a chronologer_n africanus_n can_v not_o but_o have_v escape_v their_o censure_a severity_n and_o yet_o it_o must_v come_v under_o their_o lash_n because_o say_v they_o phlegon_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o natural_a eclipse_n but_o this_o they_o say_v out_o of_o their_o own_o head_n for_o he_o only_o record_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o preternatural_a concern_v not_o he_o either_o as_o a_o courtier_n or_o a_o historian_n and_o though_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o if_o it_o happen_v at_o that_o time_n that_o he_o say_v it_o do_v it_o be_v preternatural_a and_o though_o himself_o express_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o eclipse_n that_o never_o the_o like_a happen_v yet_o wave_v all_o this_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o he_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o eclipse_n happen_v at_o the_o same_o time_n even_o to_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o the_o day_n and_o so_o it_o be_v rational_o urge_v by_o tertullian_n eodem_fw-la momento_n dies_fw-la medium_n orbem_fw-la 21._o signante_fw-la sole_fw-la subducta_fw-la est_fw-la deliquium_fw-la putaverunt_fw-la qui_fw-la id_fw-la quoque_fw-la super_fw-la christum_fw-la prozedicatum_fw-la non_fw-la scierunt_fw-la &_o tamen_fw-la eum_fw-la mundi_fw-la casum_fw-la relatum_fw-la in_o archivis_fw-la vestris_fw-la habetis_fw-la at_o the_o very_a moment_n of_o our_o saviour_n crucifixion_n the_o sun_n be_v darken_v at_o midday_n and_o though_o they_o suppose_v it_o only_o a_o eclipse_n that_o know_v nothing_o of_o its_o relation_n to_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n yet_o this_o strange_a accident_n be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v you_o may_v find_v register_v in_o your_o public_a record_n and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a it_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o this_o case_n from_o a_o heathen_a historian_n to_o vouch_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v more_o for_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a that_o this_o eclipse_n be_v miraculous_a and_o preternatural_a in_o that_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o full_a of_o the_o moon_n §_o xv._n the_o next_o heathen_a testimony_n be_v of_o a_o high_a nature_n and_o relate_v more_o immediate_o to_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o that_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o tiberius_n concern_v he_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o narrative_a that_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n out_o of_o palestine_n and_o that_o from_o pilate_n himself_o thus_o tertullian_n tell_v the_o 21._o governor_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o apology_n that_o tiberius_n in_o who_o time_n the_o christian_a religion_n come_v into_o the_o world_n have_v receive_v a_o account_n out_o of_o palestine_n in_o syria_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o divinity_n that_o be_v there_o reveal_v bring_v it_o to_o the_o senate_n with_o the_o prerogative_n of_o his_o own_o vote_n but_o that_o it_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o senate_n either_o because_o themselves_o have_v not_o in_o the_o first_o place_n according_a to_o form_n of_o law_n approve_v of_o it_o or_o rather_o out_o of_o flattery_n to_o the_o emperor_n because_o himself_o have_v refuse_v that_o honour_n when_o offer_v to_o he_o by_o the_o senate_n for_o the_o word_n quia_fw-la non_fw-la ipse_fw-la probaverat_fw-la be_v capable_a of_o either_o sense_n but_o though_o they_o deny_v this_o title_n to_o our_o saviour_n upon_o what_o account_n soever_o whether_o of_o state_n or_o of_o courtship_n our_o author_n tell_v we_o express_o that_o the_o emperor_n himself_o continue_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n now_o though_o tertullian_n be_v a_o christian_a writer_n yet_o he_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o senate_n themselves_o with_o such_o a_o remarkable_a story_n as_o this_o if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prove_v it_o and_o that_o he_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o justin_n martyr_n who_o often_o 2._o appeal_v to_o the_o act_n of_o pilate_n concern_v the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o request_v the_o emperor_n to_o satisfy_v themselves_o from_o their_o own_o record_n concern_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o for_o it_o be_v a_o know_a custom_n among_o the_o roman_n for_o the_o governor_n of_o province_n to_o transmit_v a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o happen_v under_o their_o government_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o old_a time_n and_o of_o late_a time_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o that_o pilate_n have_v do_v so_o be_v evident_a from_o this_o appeal_n of_o justin_n martyr_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o act_n scarce_o any_o man_n much_o less_o such_o a_o man_n as_o justin_n martyr_n can_v have_v be_v so_o foolish_a or_o so_o confident_a as_o to_o affirm_v a_o thing_n in_o which_o it_o be_v so_o very_o easy_a to_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n and_o if_o such_o act_n there_o be_v they_o be_v a_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n when_o the_o experour_n that_o be_v none_o of_o the_o best_a man_n nor_o very_o apt_a to_o listen_v to_o such_o story_n be_v so_o surprise_v with_o the_o strangeness_n of_o they_o and_o that_o upon_o no_o less_o information_n than_o of_o pilate_n himself_o and_o when_o pilate_n upon_o a_o more_o full_a enquiry_n than_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v able_a or_o willing_a to_o make_v concern_v the_o work_n of_o jesus_n at_o his_o condemnation_n be_v so_o abundant_o satisfy_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o as_o to_o think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o acquaint_v his_o master_n with_o a_o story_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a but_o here_o isaac_n casaubon_n endeavour_n to_o shriule_n and_o criticise_v these_o act_n of_o pilate_n into_o 154._o as_o little_a authority_n as_o possible_o he_o can_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o justin_n martyr_n do_v not_o call_v they_o the_o act_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n but_o the_o act_n under_o pontius_n pilate_n though_o it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a thing_n that_o the_o act_n under_o pilate_n reserve_v in_o the_o imperial_a archive_v be_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n that_o be_v they_o be_v compile_v either_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o command_n but_o transmit_v by_o himself_o for_o the_o emperor_n receive_v no_o other_o act_n but_o from_o the_o governor_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a man_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o grammatical_a criticism_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o the_o public_a act_n under_o the_o government_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n must_v be_v transmit_v by_o pilate_n himself_o and_o so_o must_v be_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n now_o that_o pilate_n shall_v give_v such_o a_o account_n after_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n can_v seem_v strange_a if_o we_o consider_v his_o circumstance_n for_o set_v aside_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_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
under_o all_o those_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v if_o it_o have_v be_v nothing_o but_o mear_v falsehood_n and_o forgery_n and_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o those_o very_o many_o and_o great_a disadvantage_n let_v its_o evidence_n have_v be_v never_o so_o bright_a it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n either_o not_o at_o all_o to_o see_v or_o to_o wink_v at_o it_o so_o that_o at_o best_a this_o be_v but_o a_o negative_a testimony_n oppose_v to_o a_o affirmative_a and_o in_o this_o particular_a case_n and_o under_o these_o circumstance_n though_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o not_o altogether_o useless_a of_o no_o force_n at_o all_o for_o unless_o christianity_n be_v true_a it_o can_v never_o have_v be_v vouch_v as_o it_o be_v and_o though_o it_o be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o we_o pretend_v it_o be_v yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n impose_v upon_o all_o mankind_n to_o yield_v to_o its_o belief_n especial_o when_o it_o have_v all_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o present_a interest_n to_o weigh_v against_o naked_a truth_n and_o interest_n alone_o as_o be_v too_o well_o know_v by_o experience_n have_v a_o more_o forcible_a influence_n upon_o most_o man_n mind_n than_o integrity_n so_o that_o here_o i_o may_v again_o run_v through_o all_o the_o forementioned_a particular_n and_o show_v what_o force_n each_o of_o they_o single_o much_o more_o all_o joint_o may_v have_v to_o hinder_v man_n from_o believe_v or_o own_v the_o christian_a faith_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o divine_a authority_n and_o particular_o i_o may_v declaim_v upon_o the_o wonderful_a power_n of_o prejudice_n in_o this_o case_n and_o make_v a_o long_a common_a place_n of_o it_o to_o show_v the_o equality_n of_o its_o strength_n to_o truth_n itself_o but_o i_o shall_v make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o and_o consider_v only_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o show_v that_o whatever_o opposition_n christianity_n meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n be_v from_o unreasonable_a man_n and_o upon_o unreasonable_a ground_n and_o if_o that_o be_v prove_v no_o man_n can_v think_v the_o opinion_n of_o such_o man_n ought_v to_o weigh_v any_o thing_n by_o itself_o but_o much_o less_o against_o all_o that_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o record_n that_o we_o have_v lay_v together_o in_o the_o premise_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v now_o make_v good_a but_o for_o our_o clear_a method_n of_o proceed_v i_o shall_v divide_v my_o discourse_n into_o these_o particular_n first_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o unreasonable_a infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o this_o first_o as_o to_o the_o whole_a nation_n second_o as_o to_o their_o several_a faction_n first_o saducees_o second_o pharisees_n and_o then_o i_o shall_v proceed_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o the_o heathen_n and_o show_v how_o all_o unbelief_n in_o they_o proceed_v mere_o from_o the_o blindness_n either_o of_o atheism_n or_o superstition_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v demonstrate_v both_o as_o to_o the_o public_a persecution_n and_o private_a opposition_n that_o christianity_n meet_v with_o and_o thus_o when_o i_o have_v take_v the_o objection_n into_o piece_n from_o the_o emptiness_n of_o each_o part_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o whole_a and_o first_o the_o grand_a reason_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o the_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v their_o invincible_a prejudice_n in_o honour_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o they_o will_v not_o care_v to_o hear_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v derogate_v from_o he_o much_o less_o our_o saviour_n that_o pretend_v to_o excel_v he_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v this_o prejudice_n have_v some_o reasonable_a force_n in_o itself_o that_o when_o almighty_a god_n have_v in_o such_o a_o miraculous_a way_n deliver_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o law_n keep_v up_o his_o own_o true_a worship_n in_o opposition_n to_o idolatry_n that_o prevail_v every_o where_o but_o only_o in_o judaea_n and_o when_o it_o be_v enact_v with_o some_o expression_n that_o seem_v to_o imply_v its_o perpetual_a and_o unalterable_a obligation_n and_o last_o when_o it_o have_v flourish_v so_o many_o year_n and_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v to_o it_o by_o the_o heathen_a world_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o abate_v its_o force_n that_o it_o prevail_v upon_o its_o enemy_n and_o bring_v over_o great_a number_n of_o proselyte_n from_o heathenism_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n after_o all_o which_o at_o first_o sight_n it_o can_v not_o but_o appear_v very_o strange_a that_o a_o obscure_a person_n a_o galilaean_a a_o carpenpenters_n son_n shall_v without_o any_o appearance_n of_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n take_v upon_o he_o so_o confident_o to_o repeal_v this_o ancient_n this_o divine_a this_o venerable_a law_n the_o very_a pretence_n can_v not_o but_o seem_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o itself_o for_o what_o can_v his_o design_n be_v in_o throw_v down_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v the_o only_a bulwark_n against_o idolatry_n than_o to_o let_v in_o all_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a nation_n upon_o they_o beside_o if_o moses_n act_v by_o divine_a commission_n whatever_o be_v speak_v to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o moses_n reflect_v upon_o god_n himself_o so_o that_o this_o person_n by_o pretend_v to_o enact_v a_o more_o perfect_a law_n than_o that_o seem_v to_o make_v himself_o wise_a than_o his_o maker_n such_o objection_n as_o these_o be_v so_o natural_a and_o so_o obvious_a to_o the_o prejudice_v people_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o to_o keep_v they_o back_o from_o so_o much_o as_o make_v enquiry_n after_o such_o wild_a and_o frantic_a pretence_n and_o this_o as_o i_o have_v already_o intimate_v from_o origen_n be_v the_o peculiar_a difficulty_n of_o our_o saviour_n work_n and_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o his_o life_n be_v object_v against_o all_o his_o miracle_n as_o i_o have_v particular_o show_v concern_v the_o cure_n of_o the_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v blind_a so_o that_o though_o they_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n yet_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v it_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v come_v from_o god_n who_o can_v be_v so_o dare_o blasphemous_a as_o to_o prefer_v himself_o to_o moses_n and_o this_o objection_n our_o saviour_n confess_v so_o forcible_a as_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o nothing_o can_v answer_v it_o but_o his_o unparalleled_a miracle_n john_n 15._o 24._o if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v among_o they_o the_o work_n which_o never_o any_o man_n do_v they_o have_v not_o have_v sin_n but_o now_o have_v they_o both_o see_v and_o hate_v both_o i_o and_o my_o father_n that_o be_v they_o have_v be_v excusable_a in_o reject_v he_o and_o his_o pretence_n of_o establish_v a_o new_a religion_n if_o his_o miracle_n have_v not_o exceed_v those_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n who_o yet_o they_o believe_v to_o have_v be_v send_v from_o god_n but_o now_o when_o they_o have_v see_v i_o do_v such_o work_n as_o none_o but_o god_n can_v do_v cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n feed_v thousand_o with_o a_o few_o loaf_n raise_v the_o dead_a and_o all_o only_a by_o the_o power_n of_o a_o word_n as_o god_n at_o first_o create_v the_o world_n after_o all_o this_o if_o they_o reject_v i_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o affront_v he_o too_o and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o cure_v the_o man_n that_o be_v blind_a and_o dumb_a because_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o miracle_n they_o blaspheme_n it_o and_o say_v it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o most_o powerful_a of_o all_o the_o devil_n for_o who_o else_o can_v assist_v the_o man_n that_o oppose_v moses_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n have_v demonstrate_v by_o rational_a proof_n that_o he_o act_v not_o by_o the_o power_n of_o belzebub_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o miraculous_a work_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v come_v to_o they_o that_o be_v the_o reign_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o it_o be_v call_v daniel_n 11._o 14._o and_o add_v that_o all_o calumny_n be_v pardonable_a but_o only_o that_o against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o which_o he_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n by_o which_o they_o bar_v their_o mind_n against_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o information_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o when_o they_o see_v it_o in_o his_o work_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o make_v any_o impression_n upon_o they_o as_o man_n and_o so_o they_o thereby_o put_v themselves_o into_o a_o state_n of_o impenitence_n and_o a_o utter_a incapacity_n of_o pardon_n now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o obstinacy_n of_o
altogether_o false_a and_o frivolous_a what_o be_v that_o to_o what_o happen_v at_o rome_n so_o that_o have_v there_o be_v never_o so_o many_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n at_o babylon_n there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o two_o find_v at_o rome_n and_o therefore_o if_o hegesippus_n have_v affirm_v that_o there_o be_v onlytwo_o all_o scaliger_n story_n of_o babylon_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o when_o he_o have_v affirm_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n give_v we_o a_o distinct_a account_n of_o simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleopas_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o live_v there_o after_o the_o time_n of_o domitian_n scaliger_n can_v have_v no_o motive_n to_o make_v the_o objection_n but_o only_o to_o empty_v his_o common-place-book_n of_o two_o or_o three_o rabinical_a quotation_n but_o yet_o his_o next_o exception_n be_v much_o worse_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o person_n as_o judas_n of_o the_o kindred_n of_o our_o lord_n mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o suppose_v there_o be_v no_o such_o upon_o record_n it_o seem_v very_o hard_a deal_n with_o a_o ancient_a writer_n that_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n that_o he_o write_v of_o and_o have_v opportunity_n of_o inquire_v into_o the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o family_n when_o he_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o branch_n of_o it_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o because_o it_o happen_v not_o to_o be_v mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n whereas_o nothing_o be_v better_a know_v than_o that_o divers_a more_o material_a passage_n relate_v to_o our_o saviour_n family_n be_v there_o omit_v their_o design_n be_v to_o describe_v his_o own_o descent_n from_o david_n and_o not_o to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o the_o several_a present_a branch_n of_o the_o family_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o scaliger_n confidence_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o man_n upon_o record_n do_v we_o find_v he_o express_o reckon_v among_o our_o saviour_n near_a kindred_n mat._n 13._o 15._o be_v not_o this_o the_o carpenter_n son_n be_v not_o his_o mother_n call_v mary_n and_o his_o brethren_n james_n and_o jose_n and_o simon_n and_o judas_n so_o blind_a be_v the_o humour_n of_o criticise_v as_o to_o overlook_v the_o most_o obvious_a passage_n rather_o than_o loose_v the_o glory_n of_o one_o new_a discovery_n this_o passage_n i_o have_v vindicate_v not_o because_o that_o itself_o be_v at_o all_o needful_a to_o my_o purpose_n but_o only_o to_o maintain_v the_o credit_n of_o hegesippus_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o story_n that_o save_v our_o labour_n of_o give_v any_o account_n of_o it_o if_o there_o be_v than_o we_o must_v take_v it_o as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o hegesippus_n according_a to_o who_o account_n it_o be_v no_o persecution_n for_o religion_n but_o only_o a_o jealousy_n of_o state_n neither_o be_v it_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o domitian_n though_o of_o all_o man_n most_o suspicious_a shall_v be_v so_o strong_o taint_v with_o it_o when_o the_o same_o conceit_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n be_v of_o so_o great_a force_n among_o his_o predecessor_n for_o it_o be_v very_o obvious_a from_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n that_o the_o jewish_a notion_n of_o their_o messiah_n have_v get_v deep_a foot_n in_o the_o gentile_a world_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o sybilline_a oracle_n in_o that_o the_o old_a book_n of_o the_o sibyl_n that_o have_v be_v for_o many_o age_n religious_o preserve_v in_o the_o capitol_n be_v together_o with_o the_o capitol_n itself_o burn_v about_o eighty_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o to_o retreive_v their_o loss_n three_o ambassador_n be_v about_o seven_o year_n after_o when_o the_o capitol_n be_v rebuilt_a dispatch_v into_o asia_n to_o gather_v together_o what_o record_v they_o can_v there_o find_v of_o those_o prophecy_n and_o bring_v back_o with_o they_o about_o a_o thousand_o verse_n by_o who_o they_o be_v first_o compose_v i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o inquire_v though_o it_o be_v probable_a as_o the_o learned_a isaac_n vossius_fw-la conjecture_n that_o they_o be_v collect_v by_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n as_o appear_v from_o their_o agreement_n with_o the_o holy_a write_n and_o especial_o in_o the_o great_a prediction_n of_o a_o messiah_n or_o universal_a monarch_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v so_o plain_o foretell_v by_o they_o that_o in_o a_o little_a time_n it_o alarm_v the_o senate_n itself_o to_o forbid_v the_o read_n of_o they_o and_o that_o for_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o when_o they_o find_v every_o aspire_a spirit_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n to_o apply_v they_o to_o himself_o for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o catiline_n conspiracy_n as_o tully_n inform_v we_o concern_v leutulus_n in_o his_o three_o oration_n against_o catiline_n and_o when_o caesar_n have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o all_o it_o be_v vulgar_o believe_v to_o have_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o prophecy_n as_o the_o same_o author_n triumphant_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o divination_n which_o be_v write_v immediate_o after_o caesar_n fall_n cum_fw-la antistitibus_fw-la agamus_fw-la &_o quidvis_fw-la potius_fw-la ex_fw-la illis_fw-la libris_fw-la quam_fw-la regem_fw-la proferant_fw-la quem_fw-la romae_fw-la posthaec_fw-la nec_fw-la dii_fw-la nec_fw-la homines_fw-la esse_fw-la patientur_fw-la the_o great_a thing_n that_o offend_v the_o zealous_a commonwealth_n man_n in_o they_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o great_a king_n and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v suetonius_n or_o his_o author_n julius_n marathus_n the_o same_o year_n 94._o that_o augustus_n caesar_n be_v bear_v the_o senate_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o this_o prediction_n regem_fw-la populo_fw-la romano_n naturam_fw-la parturire_fw-la that_o nature_n be_v then_o in_o labour_n with_o a_o king_n of_o the_o roman_n decree_v nequis_fw-la illo_fw-la anno_fw-la genitus_fw-la educaretur_fw-la not_o unlike_o the_o practice_n of_o herod_n when_o he_o murder_v the_o child_n of_o bethlehem_n to_o secure_v the_o title_n of_o shiloh_n to_o himself_o which_o some_o of_o the_o atheistical_a jew_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o sadducee_n have_v flatter_o apply_v to_o he_o and_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n style_v herodian_o and_o this_o conceit_n himself_o cherish_v with_o very_o great_a care_n among_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o fulfil_n of_o jacob_n prophecy_n upon_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o sceptre_n from_o judah_n to_o himself_o thereby_o to_o conciliate_v the_o great_a reverence_n and_o authority_n to_o his_o government_n and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o reason_n as_o very_o a_o atheist_n as_o he_o be_v of_o his_o build_n so_o magnificent_a a_o temple_n because_o the_o jew_n expect_v such_o a_o glorious_a work_n from_o their_o messiah_n now_o this_o conceit_n be_v so_o familiar_o entertain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o that_o age_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o all_o that_o be_v in_o actual_a possession_n of_o authority_n whether_o themselves_o believe_v it_o or_o not_o be_v so_o watchful_a against_o all_o pretender_n to_o it_o but_o much_o less_o in_o such_o a_o suspicious_a prince_n as_o domitian_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o family_n of_o david_n who_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v the_o great_a master_n of_o these_o prophecy_n have_v the_o first_o title_n to_o this_o great_a prerogative_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o but_o only_o as_o far_o as_o appear_v by_o story_n they_o be_v present_v by_o some_o flatter_a and_o officious_a informer_n to_o the_o emperor_n which_o occasion_v some_o trouble_n both_o to_o themselves_o and_o the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n but_o when_o the_o jealous_a emperor_n come_v to_o inquire_v into_o their_o claim_n he_o be_v so_o satisfy_v of_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o man_n that_o he_o immediate_o dismiss_v the_o indictment_n as_o frivolous_a and_o revoke_v all_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n as_o partisan_n in_o the_o same_o cause_n this_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o all_o his_o proceed_n against_o they_o though_o if_o he_o have_v proceed_v upon_o other_o reason_n all_o his_o reason_n can_v be_v nothing_o but_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o all_o his_o execution_n nothing_o but_o act_n of_o savageness_n and_o cruelty_n but_o whatever_o they_o be_v there_o be_v no_o evidence_n of_o his_o enter_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o his_o brutal_a tyranny_n can_v be_v no_o objection_n nay_o if_o he_o do_v all_o that_o can_v be_v infer_v be_v that_o christianity_n be_v not_o please_v to_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a of_o prince_n and_o that_o be_v the_o best_a that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o his_o persecution_n and_o there_o we_o leave_v it_o that_o as_o nero_n be_v the_o first_o so_o domitian_n be_v the_o second_o enemy_n to_o christianity_n and_o conclude_v with_o tertullian_n consulite_fw-la commentarios_fw-la vestros_fw-la
raise_v against_o christianity_n but_o as_o for_o that_o private_a opposition_n that_o it_o meet_v with_o from_o philosopher_n and_o pretend_o learn_v man_n it_o be_v so_o very_o contemptible_a that_o it_o scarce_o deserve_v consideration_n for_o though_o one_o will_v expect_v to_o have_v find_v all_o the_o learned_a world_n engage_v in_o a_o controversy_n that_o concern_v the_o whole_a world_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o few_o that_o concern_v themselves_o against_o the_o christian_a cause_n and_o those_o that_o do_v so_o only_o pelt_v at_o it_o with_o remote_a and_o far-fetched_a cavil_n but_o never_o come_v up_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o only_a pertinent_a subject_n in_o this_o enquiry_n and_o if_o that_o stand_v firm_a all_o other_o opposition_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o break_v its_o own_o force_n upon_o itself_o by_o endeavour_v to_o disparage_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o it_o can_v deny_v or_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a that_o it_o can_v but_o confess_v to_o be_v true_a nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o put_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o the_o question_n that_o they_o be_v all_o force_a to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v porphyry_n and_o celsus_n impute_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n to_o magic_n hierole_n and_o trypho_n say_v only_o that_o the_o christian_n make_v too_o much_o of_o they_o by_o make_v a_o god_n of_o a_o divine_a man_n julian_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o do_v no_o such_o great_a matter_n but_o only_o cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a so_o that_o it_o seem_v none_o of_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n hardy_a enough_o so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v of_o control_a the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n action_n for_o fear_n of_o too_o much_o disadvantage_n in_o the_o controversy_n now_o after_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o foretell_v with_o what_o trifle_a pretence_n they_o must_v satisfy_v themselves_o and_o they_o be_v so_o very_a trifle_a that_o itwill_a require_v but_o very_o little_a pain_n to_o show_v their_o vanity_n all_o the_o opposition_n then_o that_o be_v make_v to_o it_o this_o way_n proceed_v mere_o either_o from_o gross_a superstition_n or_o avow_a atheism_n the_o first_o be_v coincident_a with_o the_o former_a account_n of_o the_o public_a persecution_n and_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a zeal_n for_o the_o old_a pagan_a idolatry_n and_o this_o be_v chief_o manage_v by_o the_o pythagorean_n the_o only_a superstitious_a sect_n among_o all_o the_o philosopher_n who_o be_v all_o along_o so_o zealous_a of_o the_o grecian_a rite_n that_o they_o may_v proper_o be_v style_v the_o monk_n and_o friar_n of_o that_o religion_n this_o humour_n they_o derive_v from_o their_o first_o founder_n pythagoras_n himself_o who_o have_v learn_v that_o part_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n from_o thales_n and_o anaximander_n that_o explain_v the_o mechanical_a contrivance_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n to_o which_o alone_o those_o philosopher_n 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as_o our_o saviour_n be_v who_o own_a himself_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o then_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v murder_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o his_o resurrection_n but_o he_o say_v his_o disciple_n forsake_v he_o and_o will_v die_v neither_o with_o nor_o for_o he_o they_o do_v so_o by_o sudden_a surprise_n but_o what_o do_v the_o same_o disciple_n immediate_o after_o upon_o his_o resurrection_n they_o that_o be_v but_o a_o little_a before_o seize_v with_o so_o much_o cowardice_n fear_v then_o no_o danger_n to_o attest_v it_o to_o the_o world_n and_o most_o of_o they_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o this_o objection_n of_o cowardice_n in_o the_o apostle_n be_v just_a such_o another_o advantageous_a circumstance_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n as_o that_o of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o want_n of_o learning_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o their_o cause_n when_o man_n neither_o learned_a nor_o 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of_o so_o ridiculous_a a_o surmise_n and_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o bear_v he_o out_o in_o it_o but_o only_o his_o epicurean_a conceit_n that_o the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a be_v a_o thing_n impossible_a but_o as_o for_o that_o we_o will_v not_o dispute_v it_o with_o he_o at_o present_a though_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n both_o of_o their_o own_o and_o all_o philosophy_n it_o be_v altogether_o as_o easy_a and_o conceivable_a as_o the_o generation_n of_o a_o man._n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n what_o have_v be_v be_v the_o only_a argument_n of_o our_o debate_n and_o we_o will_v not_o go_v so_o far_o about_o as_o to_o dispute_v its_o possibility_n when_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v its_o actual_a certainty_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o celsus_n after_o he_o have_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n and_o that_o in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n to_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o resurrection_n be_v so_o wretched_o 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that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o their_o practice_n but_o against_o both_o religion_n the_o epicurean_a object_n that_o they_o begin_v in_o sedition_n the_o jewish_a against_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o christian_a against_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o the_o first_o he_o suppose_v the_o jew_n to_o have_v be_v original_o egyptian_n which_o because_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o proofless_a presumption_n can_v prove_v nothing_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o vain_a to_o charge_n christianity_n with_o sedition_n because_o all_o sedition_n either_o design_n or_o act_v some_o violence_n against_o the_o government_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o saviour_n allow_v no_o weapon_n to_o his_o follower_n but_o suffering_n and_o have_v threaten_v no_o one_o offence_n with_o great_a severity_n than_o endeavour_n of_o disturbance_n to_o the_o civil_a state_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o his_o religion_n be_v true_a it_o can_v not_o 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beside_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n we_o indeed_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o sovereign_a governor_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o hereafter_o he_o will_v sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o all_o our_o action_n and_o in_o this_o belief_n we_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o live_v as_o they_o ought_v that_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o themselves_o to_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n these_o indeed_o be_v fable_n to_o a_o atheist_n and_o a_o epicurean_a but_o not_o to_o any_o man_n that_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n or_o the_o obligation_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o celsus_n write_v against_o not_o mere_o christianity_n only_o he_o be_v fierce_a in_o his_o opposition_n to_o that_o because_o it_o be_v so_o full_a a_o check_n to_o his_o impiety_n though_o otherwise_o the_o main_a of_o his_o objection_n that_o he_o level_v against_o that_o aim_v as_o direct_o against_o all_o religion_n and_o thus_o the_o bugbears_a of_o a_o future_a state_n with_o which_o he_o here_o upbraid_v christianity_n be_v common_a to_o all_o mankind_n but_o only_a his_o own_o sect._n and_o though_o he_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v not_o for_o all_o the_o world_n take_v away_o the_o opinion_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o the_o next_o life_n this_o vizor_n be_v too_o ridiculous_o put_v upon_o a_o epicurean_a it_o be_v too_o gross_a a_o contradiction_n to_o himself_o and_o he_o renounce_v his_o first_o principle_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o people_n but_o though_o they_o indeed_o may_v easy_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o any_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v by_o his_o master_n epicurus_n who_o frequent_v their_o public_a sacrifice_n to_o make_v himself_o sport_n at_o home_n with_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o superstition_n yet_o he_o shall_v never_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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and_o wonder_n no_o affair_n in_o that_o age_n be_v more_o talk_v of_o than_o the_o story_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n every_o body_n make_v enquiry_n into_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o action_n and_o they_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o the_o philosopher_n there_o be_v never_o man_n bear_v as_o eusebius_n 3._o observe_v upon_o who_o account_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v as_o upon_o that_o of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n mankind_n be_v as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o divide_v concern_v he_o so_o that_o the_o controversy_n be_v not_o improper_o style_v by_o nicephorus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o struggle_a and_o concussion_n of_o the_o world_n now_o it_o be_v a_o likely_a matter_n and_o worthy_a our_o belief_n that_o a_o few_o simple_a and_o illiterate_a person_n shall_v have_v the_o confidence_n but_o much_o more_o the_o ability_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o legend_n so_o palpable_a and_o so_o obnoxious_a to_o contradiction_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o begin_v to_o publish_v the_o strange_a story_n of_o his_o life_n and_o stranger_n one_o of_o his_o resurrection_n even_o in_o jerusalem_n itself_o and_o amid_o his_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n where_o though_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o discover_v the_o bold_a and_o manifest_a cheat_n if_o a_o cheat_n at_o all_o that_o yet_o it_o shall_v pass_v without_o any_o contradiction_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o meet_v with_o such_o prodigious_a and_o unparalleled_a entertainment_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o its_o inhabitant_n certain_o they_o must_v have_v be_v puissant_a and_o irresistible_a argument_n wherewith_o they_o can_v so_o brisk_o bear_v down_o and_o vanquish_v jewish_a stubbornness_n their_o prejudices_fw-la be_v too_o strong_a to_o be_v overcome_v by_o any_o weak_a proof_n than_o evident_a and_o undeniable_a demonstration_n and_o have_v they_o not_o bring_v some_o such_o thing_n along_o with_o they_o they_o may_v to_o as_o much_o purpose_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o stone_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o to_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o that_o i_o say_v be_v the_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v first_o publish_v this_o strange_a story_n in_o the_o very_a place_n where_o it_o be_v act_v and_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v false_a not_o only_o escape_v be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v upon_o supposition_n of_o its_o be_v false_a but_o force_v great_a number_n of_o person_n against_o their_o most_o stubborn_a prejudices_fw-la to_o own_o and_o submit_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o from_o that_o very_a place_n in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o all_o the_o world_n over_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o i_o affirm_v not_o to_o be_v at_o all_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n that_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o 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its_o ground_n and_o pretence_n and_o yet_o this_o story_n the_o more_o it_o be_v inquire_v into_o the_o more_o firm_o it_o be_v believe_v and_o learned_a man_n every_o where_o and_o of_o all_o persuasion_n when_o they_o come_v to_o examine_v into_o it_o can_v not_o bring_v their_o mind_n to_o any_o issue_n concern_v it_o till_o at_o length_n they_o be_v force_v to_o resign_v up_o themselves_o to_o its_o full_a belief_n i_o have_v indeed_o hear_v some_o witty_a gentleman_n as_o our_o fantastic_a age_n very_o much_o abound_v with_o such_o shrewd_a person_n compare_v the_o first_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o that_o of_o the_o late_a growth_n and_o spread_v of_o the_o folly_n of_o quakerism_n in_o england_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o enormous_o surmise_v for_o set_v aside_o a_o thousand_o other_o defect_n in_o the_o comparison_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o that_o wild_a and_o enthusiastic_a sect_n do_v not_o set_v up_o 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that_o age_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o cautious_a and_o incredulous_a as_o the_o wit_n of_o we_o and_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v anon_o their_o mind_n be_v prepossess_v with_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n how_o then_o can_v this_o story_n of_o jesus_n prevail_v so_o effectual_o upon_o they_o but_o by_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o when_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n whereby_o it_o may_v bribe_v their_o belief_n nay_o when_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o other_o objection_n but_o only_a evidence_n of_o truth_n i_o will_v challenge_v any_o sober_a man_n to_o frame_v any_o the_o least_o tolerable_a hypothesis_n how_o it_o be_v so_o much_o as_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v prevail_v have_v not_o its_o truth_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o most_o undoubted_a and_o