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
diligence_n of_o eusebius_n so_o that_o though_o scaliger_n have_v prove_v the_o letter_n now_o extant_a at_o the_o end_n of_o justin_n martyr_n to_o be_v spurious_a as_o be_v too_o evident_a from_o its_o unskilful_a inscription_n yet_o that_o there_o be_v such_o letter_n then_o write_v be_v as_o evident_a from_o this_o appeal_n of_o tertullian_n to_o the_o senate_n itself_o not_o long_o after_o the_o thing_n be_v do_v however_o as_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o story_n that_o be_v so_o well_o know_v as_o to_o be_v paint_v upon_o table_n some_o whereof_o themistius_n say_v he_o see_v in_o his_o time_n the_o emperor_n himself_o be_v draw_v with_o his_o hand_n and_o eye_n lift_v up_o and_o the_o soldier_n receive_v the_o rain_n in_o their_o headpiece_n neither_o be_v it_o less_o vouch_v by_o heathen_a than_o by_o christian_a writer_n as_o dion_n julius_n capitolinus_n claudian_n lampridius_n who_o attribute_v it_o partly_o to_o the_o emperor_n be_v own_o prayer_n to_o jupiter_n but_o chief_o to_o the_o enchantment_n of_o chaldean_a or_o jewish_a magician_n i._n e._n christian_n who_o by_o the_o heathen_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o no_o other_o than_o jew_n and_o be_v at_o that_o time_n general_o esteem_v magician_n for_o those_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v report_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o so_o that_o these_o very_a writer_n have_v unwitting_o cast_v the_o honour_n of_o this_o miracle_n upon_o the_o christian_n alone_o in_o that_o only_o they_o at_o least_o no_o other_o jew_n be_v at_o that_o time_n famous_a for_o magic_n by_o which_o these_o writer_n suppose_v it_o to_o have_v be_v effect_v however_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v put_v past_o question_n by_o so_o unanimous_a a_o attestation_n of_o it_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n whether_o it_o be_v do_v by_o magic_n or_o by_o miracle_n but_o with_o as_o much_o assurance_n as_o tertullian_n insist_o upon_o the_o miracle_n of_o christian_n origen_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a outdo_v he_o send_v numberless_a challenge_n upon_o this_o point_n here_o he_o begin_v both_o his_o 5._o dispute_n and_o his_o triumph_n over_o celsus_n we_o have_v such_o a_o proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o discipline_n as_o your_o greekish_a way_n of_o demonstration_n can_v afford_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o demonstration_n of_o spirit_n and_o power_n i._n e._n prophecy_n and_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o latter_a beside_o many_o other_o proof_n we_o have_v this_o assure_a evidence_n that_o we_o see_v instance_n of_o it_o even_o at_o this_o day_n and_o when_o celsus_n 7._o set_v it_o at_o the_o front_n of_o his_o calumny_n that_o the_o christian_n cast_v out_o devil_n by_o diabolical_a enchantment_n and_o invocation_n origen_n insult_v over_o the_o calumny_n because_o say_v he_o whatever_o they_o do_v all_o the_o world_n know_v it_o be_v do_v by_o invocate_a christ_n not_o the_o devil_n name_n though_o beside_o that_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a confession_n from_o a_o epicurean_a who_o real_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o devil_n that_o the_o christian_n do_v something_o so_o extraordinary_a that_o no_o probable_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o they_o unless_o they_o be_v do_v by_o some_o power_n more_o than_o humane_a and_o so_o again_o origen_n have_v assert_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o apostolical_a 35._o miracle_n both_o from_o the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o undoubted_a record_n of_o they_o he_o far_o prove_v it_o by_o those_o many_o instance_n and_o example_n of_o it_o that_o be_v to_o be_v see_v at_o that_o time_n of_o many_o whereof_o himself_o have_v be_v a_o eye-witness_n and_o though_o celsus_n and_o other_o such_o sceptical_a and_o atheistical_a person_n that_o be_v beforehand_o resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o of_o this_o kind_n may_v make_v themselves_o merry_a with_o it_o yet_o god_n bear_v witness_n with_o my_o own_o conscience_n that_o i_o do_v not_o endeavour_v by_o any_o falsehood_n but_o by_o various_a miraculous_a example_n to_o recommend_v the_o divine_a religion_n of_o jesus_n so_o that_o here_o he_o do_v not_o bare_o vouch_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o assertion_n but_o burden_n his_o conscience_n with_o it_o which_o be_v no_o less_o than_o attest_v it_o upon_o oath_n and_o in_o another_o place_n when_o celsus_n seoff_o ask_v what_o wonderful_a thing_n 80._o our_o saviour_n do_v at_o his_o passion_n origen_n answer_v that_o he_o can_v tell_v he_o of_o a_o great_a many_o both_o out_o of_o the_o christian_a and_o heathen_a record_n but_o yet_o quit_v they_o all_o it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o that_o be_v ingenuous_a that_o at_o this_o day_n disease_n be_v cure_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o name_n and_o again_o that_o himself_o have_v see_v many_o who_o by_o 124._o have_v the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n call_v over_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v from_o the_o great_a evil_n frenzy_n and_o madness_n and_o infinite_a other_o distemper_n which_o neither_o man_n nor_o devil_n have_v be_v able_a to_o cure_v and_o speak_v elsewhere_o of_o the_o christian_n 7._o power_n over_o devil_n this_o say_v he_o be_v familiar_o put_v in_o practice_n by_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o christian_n the_o grace_n of_o christ_n thereby_o discover_v the_o contemptibleness_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o devil_n when_o there_o be_v no_o need_n as_o your_o philosopher_n dream_n of_o learning_n or_o any_o thing_n extaordinary_a in_o order_n to_o their_o ejection_n i_o may_v add_v divers_a other_o passage_n out_o of_o his_o write_n but_o these_o be_v enough_o if_o not_o too_o many_o after_o he_o follow_v minatius_n felix_n a_o famous_a advocate_n at_o rome_n who_o with_o the_o same_o assurance_n appeal_v to_o the_o very_a sense_n of_o his_o adversary_n every_o man_n know_v say_v he_o and_o you_o yourselves_o that_o the_o devil_n whenever_o they_o be_v torture_v and_o vex_v out_o of_o the_o body_n that_o they_o possess_v by_o the_o prayer_n of_o christian_n be_v force_v to_o confess_v themselves_o to_o be_v but_o devil_n even_o saturn_n serapis_n and_o jupiter_n and_o whatsoever_o other_o daemon_n you_o worship_v be_v force_v to_o confess_v what_o they_o be_v and_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o they_o will_v not_o belie_v themselves_o especial_o in_o your_o presence_n and_o therefore_o we_o only_o desire_v you_o to_o take_v their_o own_o testimony_n and_o their_o own_o confession_n for_o when_o they_o be_v adjure_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n it_o put_v they_o into_o tremble_n and_o convulsion_n fit_v and_o force_v they_o to_o quit_v their_o possession_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v saint_n cyprian_n challenge_v demetrian_n a_o stubborn_a and_o a_o prejudice_v enemy_n to_o come_v and_o see_v the_o demon_n who_o he_o worship_v how_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v whip_v by_o christian_n out_o of_o the_o body_n that_o they_o possess_v when_o weep_v and_o howl_v they_o confess_v that_o the_o time_n of_o their_o judgement_n be_v come_v come_v you_o and_o satisfy_v yourself_o that_o what_o i_o affirm_v be_v true_a but_o there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o these_o challenge_n in_o the_o primitive_a writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o i_o be_o tire_v with_o so_o often_o tranfcribe_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o man_n desire_v it_o he_o may_v read_v it_o repeat_v in_o eusebius_n contra_fw-la hieroclem_fw-la c._n 1._o in_o lactantius_n de_fw-la justitiâ_fw-la l._n 2._o c._n 15._o l._n 4._o c._n 27._o l._n 5._o c._n 21_o 22._o in_o firmicus_n de_fw-la errore_fw-la profanae_fw-la religionis_fw-la in_o prudentius_n apotheof_n in_o theodoret_n de_fw-fr curand_n graec._n affect_v serm._n 3_o and_o now_o after_o all_o it_o be_v no_o doubt_n very_o credible_a that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o learned_a and_o sober_a man_n that_o live_v in_o such_o remote_a and_o distant_a place_n shall_v be_v such_o impudent_a sot_n and_o fool_n as_o to_o publish_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o thing_n upon_o their_o own_o certain_a knowledge_n to_o appeal_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o great_a adversary_n to_o challenge_v they_o to_o convince_v they_o by_o trial_n and_o experiment_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o whole_a cause_n upon_o the_o event_n and_o that_o with_o the_o pawn_n of_o their_o life_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n in_o their_o public_a dispute_n with_o philosopher_n and_o apology_n to_o emperor_n and_o proconsul_n it_o be_v likely_a i_o say_v that_o they_o shall_v do_v all_o this_o have_v it_o all_o be_v a_o manifest_a and_o palpable_a fiction_n §_o xxv_o this_o be_v that_o mighty_a demonstration_n of_o power_n to_o which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n constant_o appeal_v with_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o mind_n to_o the_o very_a face_n of_o their_o
as_o little_a as_o he_o gain_v by_o object_v the_o meanness_n of_o our_o saviour_n condition_n he_o gain_v just_a as_o much_o by_o insult_v over_o their_o ignorance_n that_o be_v but_o another_o enhance_a circumstance_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a thing_n for_o so_o obscure_a a_o person_n to_o make_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o world_n so_o be_v it_o much_o more_o so_o to_o effect_v it_o by_o such_o contemptible_a instrument_n for_o no_o man_n that_o ingenuous_o consider_v the_o prodigious_a success_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v ever_o impute_v it_o to_o any_o other_o cause_n than_o either_o some_o divine_a and_o extraordinary_a power_n or_o the_o great_a and_o irresistible_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o in_o that_o by_o the_o objection_n itself_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o all_o the_o art_n of_o eloquence_n and_o learning_n by_o which_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o they_o may_v persuade_v or_o deceive_v the_o people_n into_o any_o belief_n whereas_o if_o jesus_n have_v choose_v the_o learned_a and_o the_o eloquent_a for_o the_o propagation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n he_o may_v have_v be_v just_o suspect_v of_o the_o same_o design_n with_o the_o philosopher_n of_o erect_v a_o new_a sect_n by_o the_o power_n of_o wit_n and_o rhetoric_n but_o when_o a_o few_o fisherman_n that_o want_v all_o the_o improvement_n of_o learning_n and_o education_n as_o the_o evangelist_n record_v and_o celsus_n object_n effect_v it_o with_o such_o prodigious_a success_n it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a how_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o miracle_n either_o in_o their_o word_n or_o action_n and_o thus_o all_o along_o the_o more_o they_o object_v the_o contemptibleness_n of_o the_o mean_n the_o more_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o event_n return_v upon_o themselves_o so_o that_o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v something_o more_o than_o humane_a in_o the_o design_n it_o can_v never_o in_o the_o way_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prosecute_v have_v take_v any_o effect_n in_o the_o second_o book_n the_o counterfeit_a jew_n first_o rate_v his_o countryman_n for_o quit_v the_o law_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n to_o follow_v this_o innovatour_n but_o set_v aside_o the_o answer_n of_o origen_n that_o the_o christian_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o moses_n but_o pursue_v and_o improve_v it_o still_o this_o be_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o come_v not_o up_o to_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o they_o do_v it_o if_o they_o have_v none_o their_o lightness_n be_v just_o unblamable_a but_o whether_o they_o have_v or_o have_v not_o it_o concern_v not_o this_o atheist_n to_o inquire_v and_o then_o this_o become_v celsus_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o epicurean_a very_o well_o that_o when_o the_o epicurean_a have_v begin_v his_o discourse_n with_o a_o disparagement_n of_o the_o impostor_n moses_n the_o jew_n shall_v make_v this_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o christian_n that_o they_o renounce_v the_o man_n that_o his_o friend_n have_v prove_v a_o impostor_n in_o the_o next_o place_n when_o he_o object_n our_o saviour_n cowardice_n that_o he_o flee_v and_o hide_v himself_o and_o such_o other_o trash_n it_o be_v equal_a malice_n and_o folly_n without_o ground_n or_o pretence_n in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n of_o jesus_n extant_a beside_o the_o evangelist_n who_o all_o affirm_v that_o he_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n purposely_o to_o deliver_v up_o himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n now_o say_v origen_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o judge_v which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v these_o unvouched_a and_o vagabond_n surmise_n invent_v out_o of_o mere_a hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n or_o to_o believe_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o evangelist_n who_o pretend_v either_o to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n or_o to_o have_v have_v a_o full_a information_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n this_o strange_a constancy_n and_o resolution_n even_o to_o death_n itself_o be_v not_o like_a man_n who_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o have_v forge_v a_o false_a story_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o clear_a and_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o very_a well_o satisfy_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o record_v be_v not_o this_o then_o a_o ingenuous_a way_n of_o proceed_v to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o history_n with_o fly_a report_n that_o have_v neither_o author_n nor_o authority_n and_o indeed_o such_o that_o whilst_o there_o be_v malice_n in_o the_o world_n no_o true_a story_n can_v escape_v but_o say_v celsus_n though_o he_o be_v please_v not_o open_o to_o show_v his_o divinity_n before_o yet_o at_o least_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o by_o vanish_v miraculous_o from_o the_o cross._n no_o no_o celsus_n he_o have_v a_o far_a design_n to_o demonstrate_v not_o only_o his_o own_o divinity_n but_o man_n immortality_n if_o he_o have_v only_o disappear_v you_o may_v have_v impute_v that_o to_o a_o trick_n of_o magic_n but_o when_o he_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a after_o he_o have_v be_v so_o public_o execute_v this_o be_v both_o a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n and_o a_o full_a assurance_n to_o mankind_n of_o their_o capacity_n to_o subsist_v after_o death_n and_o though_o there_o be_v other_o indispensable_a reason_n why_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v sacrifice_v upon_o the_o cross_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v for_o these_o alone_a he_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o suffer_v what_o he_o do_v especial_o when_o himself_n have_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n refer_v the_o proof_n of_o his_o authority_n to_o his_o resurrection_n so_o that_o if_o he_o have_v according_a to_o celsus_n his_o advice_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o cross_n he_o have_v apparent_o defeat_v his_o own_o design_n that_o he_o have_v lay_v through_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o beside_o this_o by_o his_o death_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n he_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o mankind_n that_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v reserve_v the_o happiness_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o another_o life_n and_o clear_v up_o the_o future_a existence_n of_o soul_n by_o a_o undeniable_a experiment_n and_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o so_o much_o fret_v the_o epicurean_o that_o he_o have_v put_v so_o clear_a a_o basfle_n upon_o their_o impiety_n but_o as_o for_o his_o next_o cavil_v he_o be_v real_o to_o be_v pity_v when_o he_o ask_v why_o we_o do_v not_o worship_v all_o other_o crucify_a malefactor_n it_o be_v a_o objection_n worthy_a the_o wisdom_n and_o gravity_n of_o a_o learned_a philosopher_n but_o yet_o for_o his_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v fit_a to_o let_v he_o know_v that_o we_o worship_v all_o such_o malefactor_n 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 eloquent_a be_v able_a so_o successful_o to_o propagate_v it_o among_o mankind_n in_o that_o they_o can_v give_v it_o no_o more_o advantage_n than_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o so_o when_o man_n so_o timorous_a and_o cowardly_a shall_v afterward_o grow_v so_o very_o fearless_a in_o assert_v it_o even_o to_o the_o death_n that_o be_v a_o unquestionable_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v abundant_o satisfy_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o attest_v but_o as_o for_o celsus_n his_o insinuation_n that_o the_o apostle_n only_o dream_v and_o fancy_v that_o they_o see_v jesus_n after_o his_o resurrection_n as_o it_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o world_n and_o turn_v even_o all_o the_o action_n of_o his_o own_o life_n into_o dream_n and_o fancy_n so_o if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o all_o the_o peculiar_a circumstance_n as_o to_o this_o thing_n they_o prevent_v the_o folly_n
his_o divine_a authority_n from_o the_o undoubted_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o to_o that_o alone_o he_o refer_v we_o as_o the_o last_o and_o most_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o depend_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n not_o only_o of_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o other_o argument_n whereby_o he_o prove_v his_o doctrine_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o we_o find_v he_o so_o often_o injoin_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o publish_v his_o other_o work_n and_o miracle_n till_o after_o his_o resurrection_n thus_o when_o his_o apostle_n have_v declare_v to_o he_o the_o firmness_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n he_o straight_o charge_v they_o matt._n 16._o 20._o that_o they_o shall_v then_o tell_v no_o man_n of_o it_o and_o takes_z occasion_n thence_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o his_o approach_a death_n and_o passion_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o grave_a ascension_n into_o glory_n and_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o great_a miracle_n he_o be_v as_o saint_n paul_n observe_v rom._n 1._o 4._o to_o be_v declare_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n but_o chief_o by_o his_o resurrection_n for_o it_o be_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n elsewhere_o express_v it_o the_o work_n of_o the_o might_n of_o his_o power_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o christ_n when_o the_o father_n of_o glory_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a ephes._n 1._o 19_o and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n immediate_o add_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o forementioned_a discourse_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o there_o be_v those_o here_o present_a that_o shall_v not_o taste_v of_o death_n till_o they_o see_v the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v in_o his_o kingdom_n matt._n 16._o 28._o in_o that_o he_o be_v as_o evident_o declare_v by_o this_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o son_n of_o god_n as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v he_o solemn_o enthrone_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o holy_a angel_n so_o again_o when_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o cast_v out_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o still_o command_v they_o silence_n he_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v too_o much_o notice_n take_v of_o he_o before_o his_o resurrection_n because_o by_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v such_o a_o palpable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n as_o shall_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o all_o his_o former_a miracle_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o have_v take_v his_o three_o chief_a disciple_n to_o behold_v his_o transfiguration_n thereby_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n against_o the_o time_n of_o his_o suffer_v when_o he_o have_v do_v that_o he_o charge_v they_o say_v tell_v the_o vision_n to_o no_o man_n until_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a matt._n 17._o 9_o because_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o will_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o report_n whereas_o till_o then_o man_n will_v be_v very_a difficulty_n persuade_v to_o believe_v such_o prodigious_a and_o unusual_a thing_n though_o after_o that_o and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o apostle_n who_o attest_v it_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o all_o difficult_a to_o yield_v to_o their_o testimony_n that_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o distrust_v it_o and_o therefore_o according_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o their_o faith_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n this_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o all_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n and_o when_o man_n in_o those_o day_n inquire_v after_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o only_a state_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o alone_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o proof_n be_v think_v such_o a_o forcible_a and_o convictive_a confirmation_n that_o it_o supersede_v the_o consideration_n of_o all_o other_o less_o evident_a and_o important_a reason_n and_o where_o this_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o despair_v of_o any_o success_n from_o any_o other_o topic_n and_o principle_n this_o then_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o one_o article_n specify_v according_a to_o the_o method_n before_o propose_v those_o wild_a those_o extravagant_a those_o incredible_a absurdity_n that_o must_v be_v swallow_v upon_o its_o disbelief_n §_o iv._o first_o then_o they_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o both_o will_v and_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n with_o a_o manifest_a lie_n and_o in_o that_o they_o believe_v ten_o thousand_o absurdity_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o credible_a no_o doubt_n that_o man_n endue_v i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n reason_n and_o discretion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o i_o need_v suppose_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n only_o to_o suppose_v they_o possess_v with_o that_o natural_a instinct_n that_o they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o all_o other_o creature_n viz._n love_n of_o life_n and_o desire_n of_o self-preservation_n it_o be_v i_o say_v easy_o credible_a that_o such_o creature_n as_o these_o will_v so_o willing_o so_o wilful_o forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n so_o cheerful_o expose_v themselves_o to_o so_o many_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n so_o many_o reproach_n and_o contumely_n and_o so_o undaunted_o endure_v so_o many_o torture_n and_o misery_n so_o many_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n so_o many_o martyrdom_n and_o persecution_n only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o lewd_a and_o shameless_a imposture_n it_o be_v a_o likely_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n shall_v conspire_v together_o to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o all_o their_o worldly_a interest_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n and_o belief_n to_o a_o palpable_a falsehood_n that_o so_o many_o hundred_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v eye_n witness_n both_o of_o all_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o his_o life-time_n and_o his_o resurrection_n after_o death_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o attest_v a_o false_a report_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n no_o nor_o the_o most_o cruel_a death_n can_v ever_o prevail_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v or_o disow_v their_o testimony_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o though_o not_o very_o usual_a that_o man_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o a_o false_a opinion_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n credible_a that_o they_o shall_v persist_v to_o death_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o a_o false_a testimony_n for_o if_o it_o be_v false_a they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o then_o if_o they_o will_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o its_o truth_n they_o contradict_v the_o first_o instinct_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n for_o nothing_o especial_o when_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o present_a advantage_n in_o the_o lie_n itself_o so_o none_o can_v ensue_v upon_o it_o for_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o expect_v any_o reward_n of_o wealth_n or_o honour_n or_o power_n from_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o extravagant_a and_o a_o proofless_a lie_n nay_o they_o quick_o find_v that_o they_o must_v either_o part_v with_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o life_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o or_o forbear_v to_o spread_v and_o divulge_v the_o fable_n now_o that_o being_n endue_v with_o humane_a nature_n shall_v act_v and_o suffer_v after_o such_o a_o rate_n for_o no_o design_n at_o all_o nay_o against_o the_o design_n of_o all_o design_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o cross_a to_o all_o belief_n that_o i_o may_v challenge_v all_o the_o infidel_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assign_v any_o one_o thing_n that_o be_v more_o incredible_a if_o a_o great_a number_n of_o harmless_a and_o well-meaning_a person_n shall_v offer_v their_o oath_n to_o attest_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o just_o command_v and_o immediate_o overrule_v our_o belief_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o great_a multitude_n will_v seal_v it_o with_o their_o blood_n that_o they_o see_v jesus_n do_v so_o many_o miraculous_a thing_n though_o they_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o never_o see_v he_o do_v any_o one_o of_o they_o they_o be_v certain_o in_o a_o very_a pleasant_a humour_n when_o they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o sacrifice_v both_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n with_o a_o
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
he_o and_o after_o that_o he_o be_v kill_v he_o shall_v rise_v the_o three_o day_n yet_o they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_n mark_n 9_o 3._o one_o will_v think_v the_o say_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v make_v it_o but_o though_o they_o understand_v the_o grammatical_a sense_n of_o they_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o possess_v with_o this_o jewish_a prejudice_n of_o his_o be_v a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n that_o nothing_o that_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o it_o can_v enter_v into_o their_o head_n so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_n be_v that_o they_o understand_v not_o how_o they_o can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o those_o prophecy_n that_o they_o have_v of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o upon_o occasion_n of_o all_o such_o discourse_n they_o still_o mind_v he_o of_o the_o recovery_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o when_o those_o hope_n be_v bury_v in_o his_o grave_n than_o all_o their_o expectation_n utter_o die_v together_o with_o he_o saint_n peter_n think_v of_o return_v 3._o to_o his_o old_a trade_n of_o fish_v and_o we_o trust_v say_v the_o two_o disciple_n that_o it_o have_v be_v he_o which_o shall_v have_v redeem_v israel_n luke_n 24._o 21._o and_o after_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o his_o resurrection_n the_o very_a first_o thing_n they_o be_v sure_a to_o put_v he_o in_o mind_n of_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o his_o crown_n lord_n will_v thou_o not_o at_o this_o time_n restore_v again_o the_o kingdom_n to_o israel_n act_v 1._o 6._o these_o be_v the_o big_a and_o swell_a expectation_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n concern_v their_o messiah_n but_o whilst_o they_o be_v eager_o gaze_v upon_o the_o outward_a pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o world_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n so_o order_v it_o that_o their_o prince_n shall_v slip_v into_o it_o clothe_v in_o all_o the_o dress_n of_o meanness_n and_o humility_n that_o he_o may_v have_v nothing_o to_o recommend_v he_o to_o mankind_n but_o mere_a evidence_n of_o truth_n every_o circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n life_n and_o death_n be_v design_v cross_a to_o all_o the_o grandeur_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o be_v he_o bear_v not_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o imperial_a city_n but_o at_o bethlehem_n the_o least_o among_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n not_o in_o the_o town_n but_o in_o the_o suburb_n in_o a_o poor_a cottage_n not_o in_o the_o dwell_a house_n but_o in_o the_o stable_a among_o beast_n and_o beggar_n rag_n be_v his_o only_a imperial_a robe_n and_o his_o first_o throne_n a_o manger_n and_o instead_o of_o post_v away_o currier_n to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n or_o persia_n the_o message_n of_o his_o birth_n be_v impart_v to_o a_o few_o plain_a and_o honest_a peasant_n they_o be_v shepherd_n a_o simple_a and_o innocent_a sort_n of_o people_n that_o make_v the_o first_o address_n and_o do_v the_o first_o homage_n to_o this_o infant_n prince_n and_o the_o whole_a progress_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o this_o humble_a coronation_n he_o be_v subject_a to_o his_o poor_a parent_n and_o as_o some_o who_o be_v no_o incompetent_a witness_n tell_v we_o wrought_v at_o his_o father_n trade_n and_o get_v his_o live_n by_o make_v of_o plough_n and_o yoke_n and_o after_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o office_n and_o declare_v who_o he_o be_v he_o choose_v for_o the_o principal_a place_n of_o his_o residence_n galilee_n the_o most_o ignoble_a part_n of_o all_o judaea_n not_o only_o because_o it_o lay_v most_o remote_a from_o jerusalem_n the_o place_n of_o their_o court_n and_o temple_n but_o because_o it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o a_o mix_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o thence_o common_o style_v galilee_n of_o the_o gentile_n partly_o in_o that_o lie_a next_o to_o they_o and_o have_v more_o commerce_n with_o they_o they_o be_v not_o so_o coy_a of_o admit_v they_o into_o their_o kindred_n as_o the_o other_o jew_n and_o partly_o in_o that_o it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o some_o of_o those_o jew_n that_o return_v from_o the_o captivity_n who_o settle_v there_o among_o the_o gentile_n that_o have_v during_o the_o captivity_n place_v themselves_o in_o it_o so_o that_o the_o galilean_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o sort_n of_o mongrel_n jew_n and_o a_o galilean_a be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o name_n of_o reproach_n whence_o the_o proverb_n shall_v christ_n come_v out_o of_o galilee_n and_o as_o he_o choose_v the_o worst_a part_n of_o his_o country_n for_o the_o chief_a place_n of_o his_o residence_n though_o at_o time_n he_o show_v himself_o in_o other_o place_n but_o still_o under_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o a_o galilean_a so_o he_o choose_v the_o mean_a of_o his_o countryman_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o kingdom_n fisherman_n a_o poor_a and_o beggarly_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v make_v so_o much_o the_o poor_a by_o be_v his_o disciple_n we_o have_v leave_v all_o say_v peter_n to_o follow_v thou_o and_o this_o mighty_a all_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o few_o totter_a net_n but_o yet_o with_o they_o be_v they_o able_a to_o get_v a_o small_a maintenance_n for_o their_o family_n whereas_o when_o they_o leave_v their_o trade_n to_o follow_v he_o they_o become_v perfect_a beggar_n for_o the_o fox_n have_v hole_n etc._n etc._n nay_o what_o be_v still_o a_o great_a condescension_n he_o converse_v not_o only_o with_o the_o mean_a but_o as_o his_o office_n require_v with_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n publican_n and_o sinner_n the_o most_o hate_a and_o most_o scandalous_a person_n insomuch_o that_o his_o enemy_n take_v advantage_n from_o it_o to_o reproach_v himself_o as_o a_o person_n that_o live_v a_o life_n of_o looseness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o thus_o he_o pass_v on_o through_o perpetual_a affront_v reproach_n and_o calumny_n till_o he_o purposely_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o deliver_v up_o himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o with_o what_o scorn_n insolence_n and_o cruelty_n he_o be_v there_o treat_v and_o with_o what_o meekness_n patience_n and_o humility_n he_o there_o behave_v himself_o i_o need_v not_o here_o represent_v they_o indeed_o put_v upon_o he_o a_o royal_a robe_n but_o it_o be_v in_o derision_n they_o crown_v he_o but_o it_o be_v with_o thorn_n they_o bow_v the_o knee_n before_o he_o bâ—â—_n it_o be_v in_o mockery_n and_o they_o write_v he_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o it_o be_v upon_o his_o cross_n where_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v execute_v with_o two_o thief_n and_o that_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o the_o great_a villain_n of_o the_o three_o all_o which_o as_o he_o suffer_v for_o other_o weighty_a end_n so_o not_o lest_o of_o all_o in_o order_n to_o his_o resurrection_n partly_o because_o that_o be_v design_v as_o the_o groundwork_n of_o his_o religion_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n take_v particular_a care_n to_o make_v it_o stand_v upon_o its_o own_o unassisted_a evidence_n and_o for_o that_o purpose_n not_o only_o lay_v it_o so_o very_o deep_a but_o clear_v away_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o give_v it_o the_o least_o assistance_n partly_o because_o be_v the_o most_o material_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o withal_o most_o difficult_a to_o be_v believe_v god_n be_v please_v to_o confirm_v its_o truth_n by_o sensible_a experience_n as_o arnobius_n have_v very_o well_o observe_v cumque_fw-la novitas_fw-la rerum_fw-la &_o inaudita_fw-la promissio_fw-la audientium_fw-la 1._o turbaret_fw-la mentes_fw-la &_o credulitatem_fw-la faceret_fw-la hoesitare_fw-la virtutum_fw-la omnium_fw-la dominus_fw-la atque_fw-la ipsius_fw-la mortis_fw-la extinctor_fw-la hominem_fw-la suum_fw-la permiserit_fw-la interfici_fw-la ut_fw-la ex_fw-la rebus_fw-la consequentibus_fw-la scirent_fw-la in_o tuto_fw-la esse_fw-la spes_fw-la svas_fw-la quas_fw-la jamdudum_fw-la acceperant_fw-la de_fw-la animarum_fw-la salute_n nec_fw-la periculum_fw-la mortis_fw-la aliâ_fw-la se_fw-la posse_fw-la ratione_fw-la vitare_fw-la when_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o immortal_a happiness_n amaze_v man_n mind_n and_o stumble_v their_o belief_n the_o lord_n of_o all_o power_n and_o conqueror_n of_o death_n permit_v his_o humane_a nature_n to_o be_v slay_v that_o from_o his_o resurrection_n and_o those_o thing_n that_o follow_v after_o his_o death_n they_o may_v be_v assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o future_a salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n now_o this_o humble_a appearance_n of_o jesus_n be_v design_v so_o utter_o cross_v to_o the_o proud_a and_o revengeful_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o thirst_v for_o the_o come_n of_o their_o messiah_n only_o to_o be_v avenge_v of_o all_o their_o enemy_n it_o do_v not_o only_o raise_v their_o prejudice_n â—ut_v their_o indignation_n against_o he_o but_o especial_o when_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o great_a prerogative_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o
calumny_n of_o their_o enemy_n viz._n that_o those_o wicked_a practice_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o they_o be_v too_o gross_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o so_o athenagor_n as_o tell_v the_o emperor_n plain_o that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o impossible_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v a_o bad_a man_n unless_o he_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n and_o a_o mere_a dissembler_n and_o for_o a_o far_a proof_n they_o still_o appeal_v to_o the_o undeniable_a innocence_n of_o their_o own_o life_n and_o conversation_n they_o challenge_v the_o strict_a trial_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o even_o force_v from_o they_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o though_o they_o be_v strict_o religious_a towards_o god_n yet_o they_o account_v that_o no_o worship_n be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o but_o what_o be_v recommend_v by_o a_o just_a a_o honest_a and_o a_o useful_a life_n he_o that_o be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v his_o innocence_n say_v minutius_n felix_n honour_v his_o lord_n he_o that_o observe_v justice_n in_o his_o deal_n offer_n sacrifice_v to_o god_n he_o that_o abstein_v from_o fraud_n present_v a_o peace-offering_a he_o that_o relieve_v his_o neighbour_n bring_v a_o ample_a expiation_n these_o be_v our_o sacrifice_n and_o these_o the_o solemnity_n of_o our_o devotion_n and_o with_o we_o he_o pass_v for_o the_o most_o religious_a man_n that_o be_v the_o most_o honest_a and_o thus_o they_o rate_v their_o piety_n chief_o by_o the_o usefulness_n of_o their_o life_n and_o the_o first_o thing_n they_o sacrifice_v to_o heaven_n be_v their_o own_o lust_n and_o passion_n they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o enough_o in_o those_o day_n to_o say_v their_o prayer_n unless_o they_o live_v they_o too_o that_o be_v unless_o their_o action_n be_v conformable_a to_o their_o devotion_n in_o a_o constant_a and_o uniform_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o religion_n in_o short_a they_o know_v no_o other_o term_n of_o salvation_n but_o the_o habitual_a practice_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n of_o mercy_n and_o charity_n of_o humility_n and_o meekness_n of_o temperance_n and_o sobriety_n of_o continence_n and_o chastity_n of_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o government_n of_o unity_n and_o a_o peaceable_a disposition_n among_o themselves_o but_o above_o all_o of_o heavenly_a mindedness_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n and_o courage_n and_o constancy_n in_o suffer_v for_o their_o religion_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o man_n be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n in_o their_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o may_v be_v add_v to_o all_o that_o accumulation_n of_o argument_n that_o i_o have_v lay_v together_o in_o this_o discourse_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o infinite_a truth_n of_o christianity_n that_o person_n who_o by_o their_o nearness_n of_o age_n to_o its_o beginning_n have_v so_o much_o advantage_n of_o inquire_v into_o it_o be_v satisfy_v with_o a_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n when_o it_o make_v such_o a_o prodigious_a and_o otherwise_o unaccountable_a change_n in_o all_o part_n of_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n and_o as_o by_o it_o they_o show_v themselves_o sincere_a christian_n so_o rational_a man_n too_o in_o pursue_v the_o natural_a consequence_n of_o their_o principle_n for_o upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o certain_a truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n it_o be_v infinite_o reasonable_a that_o they_o shall_v give_v the_o exact_a and_o most_o punctual_a obedience_n to_o the_o christian_a law_n nay_o they_o then_o think_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o do_v otherwise_o and_o though_o they_o make_v allowance_n for_o the_o lapse_n and_o infirmity_n of_o humane_a nature_n yet_o they_o look_v upon_o a_o christian_a that_o be_v habitual_o vicious_a as_o the_o gross_a of_o contradiction_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_o absurd_a and_o enormous_a if_o we_o only_o consider_v the_o greatness_n of_o those_o reward_n and_o punishment_n wherewith_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n be_v enact_v the_o most_o difficult_a duty_n that_o it_o require_v be_v that_o of_o martyrdom_n yet_o even_o that_o whilst_o it_o be_v undergo_v within_o the_o prospect_n of_o heaven_n and_o immortality_n be_v a_o very_a easy_a not_o to_o say_v a_o eligible_a thing_n and_o so_o the_o learned_a clemens_n of_o alexandria_n discourse_n in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o his_o collection_n the_o man_n that_o true_o love_v our_o lord_n can_v but_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o be_v deliver_v out_o of_o this_o life_n so_o as_o to_o account_v himself_o beholden_a to_o his_o accuser_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o escape_n because_o he_o give_v he_o a_o lawful_a occasion_n which_o he_o can_v not_o give_v himself_o to_o show_v his_o love_n to_o his_o lord_n and_o for_o it_o be_v welcome_v by_o he_o into_o the_o place_n of_o happiness_n and_o excellent_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n do_v that_o wise_a that_o pious_a that_o courageous_a prelate_n saint_n cyprian_a discourse_n to_o the_o 15._o confessor_n in_o prison_n to_o prepare_v they_o for_o their_o martyrdom_n so_o far_o be_v you_o say_v he_o from_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o fear_v death_n that_o you_o ought_v to_o desire_v it_o as_o not_o worthy_a to_o be_v weigh_v against_o the_o recompense_n of_o immortality_n where_o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v be_v crown_v with_o eternal_a happiness_n what_o vigour_n what_o greatness_n what_o courage_n ought_v to_o lodge_v in_o such_o breast_n that_o be_v fill_v with_o such_o heroic_a thought_n for_o where_o no_o low_a meditation_n be_v entertain_v than_o of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n there_o can_v be_v no_o sense_n of_o any_o other_o design_n but_o to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o though_o you_o be_v still_o confine_v to_o this_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n yet_o you_o do_v not_o live_v the_o life_n of_o this_o world_n but_o of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o passionate_o do_v that_o brave_a martyr_n ignatius_n rejoice_v in_o the_o near_a approach_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n o_o that_o i_o may_v come_v to_o those_o wild_a beast_n that_o be_v prepare_v for_o i_o how_o do_v i_o wish_v that_o i_o may_v instant_o encounter_v they_o i_o can_v even_o invite_v and_o encourage_v they_o to_o dispatch_v i_o nay_o i_o can_v even_o provoke_v they_o to_o it_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o nothing_o either_o see_v or_o unseen_a more_o than_o to_o enjoy_v jesus_n let_v fire_n and_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o fury_n of_o wild_a beast_n break_v of_o bone_n distortion_n of_o member_n torment_v the_o whole_a body_n yea_o all_o the_o punishment_n which_o the_o devil_n can_v invent_v befall_v i_o so_o as_o thereby_o i_o may_v come_v to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o my_o bless_a lord_n and_o saviour_n this_o be_v the_o courage_n and_o these_o the_o resolution_n of_o those_o time_n but_o alas_o their_o brave_a example_n rather_o upbraid_v than_o instruct_v our_o degenerate_a age_n and_o the_o height_n of_o their_o courage_n instead_o of_o invite_v scare_n our_o endeavour_n it_o be_v almost_o pain_n to_o we_o to_o conceive_v the_o idea_n of_o their_o virtue_n their_o flame_a spirit_n lie_v rake_v up_o in_o their_o own_o ash_n not_o a_o spark_n of_o their_o heavenly_a fire_n glow_v in_o our_o bosom_n there_o be_v nothing_o heroic_a leave_v all_o that_o be_v brave_a and_o gallant_a have_v flee_v the_o world_n and_o our_o age_n produce_v no_o such_o hero_n who_o action_n may_v convince_v we_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o ancient_a faith_n be_v possible_a thing_n but_o what_o do_v i_o talk_v of_o the_o wonder_n of_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n the_o effect_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a assistance_n for_o a_o extraordinary_a work_n when_o it_o will_v be_v wonder_n big_a enough_o for_o our_o degenerate_a age_n if_o we_o can_v but_o see_v the_o common_a fruit_n of_o christianity_n but_o alas_o we_o be_v entertain_v with_o a_o great_a at_o least_o a_o more_o unaccountable_a prodigy_n than_o all_o the_o miracle_n that_o have_v be_v represent_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n when_o we_o daily_o see_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n that_o be_v serious_o and_o passionate_o concern_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o so_o utter_o unconcern_v to_o obey_v its_o precept_n for_o this_o can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o direct_a and_o barefaced_a affront_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o own_o and_o yet_o disobey_v his_o law_n our_o bless_a saviour_n impute_v it_o as_o a_o unpardonable_a sin_n of_o disingenuity_n to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n that_o when_o they_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o his_o miracle_n they_o yet_o disbelieved_a the_o divine_a authority_n of_o his_o
of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n §_o ii_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o plain_a account_n of_o it_o have_v be_v obscure_v by_o nothing_o more_o then_o that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v describe_v and_o discourse_v of_o in_o metaphorical_a and_o allusive_a expression_n such_o as_o engraving_n and_o inscription_n and_o the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n consist_v of_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o proposition_n that_o be_v imprint_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o concreated_a with_o their_o understanding_n by_o attend_v to_o and_o reflect_v upon_o which_o they_o be_v instruct_v or_o bind_v to_o govern_v their_o moral_a action_n perhaps_o this_o may_v be_v true_a and_o god_n may_v possible_o have_v put_v some_o secret_a notice_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o the_o great_a security_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n in_o the_o world_n but_o then_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n or_o demonstrate_v the_o obligation_n of_o any_o such_o inward_a record_n this_o plain_o resolve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n into_o uncertain_a and_o unaccountable_a principle_n or_o such_o as_o may_v be_v pretend_v and_o when_o they_o be_v aught_o to_o be_v admit_v without_o any_o proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o this_o amount_n to_o no_o more_o than_o all_o the_o idle_a and_o precarious_a pretence_n of_o enthusiasm_n and_o whatsoever_o some_o man_n affirm_v or_o fancy_v to_o be_v write_v upon_o their_o heart_n must_v immediate_o pass_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o man_n action_n and_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n may_v be_v as_o wild_o plead_v in_o all_o case_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v for_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o conscience_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v be_v but_o though_o that_o influence_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o secret_a and_o undiscernible_a impression_n yet_o it_o must_v not_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o warrant_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o any_o undertake_n but_o that_o must_v be_v decide_v by_o the_o common_a and_o avow_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n always_o act_v according_a to_o their_o intendment_n and_o direction_n so_o that_o by_o they_o we_o must_v judge_v of_o its_o impulse_n and_o not_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v determine_v in_o any_o affair_n but_o where_o they_o will_v abet_v or_o justify_v our_o proceed_n whether_o we_o real_o be_v or_o be_v not_o act_v by_o any_o other_o principle_n otherwise_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n of_o moral_a action_n and_o thus_o too_o may_v man_n that_o be_v bold_a and_o confident_a call_v every_o thing_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n or_o fancy_n to_o without_o be_v bind_v to_o give_v any_o proof_n of_o its_o reasonableness_n or_o account_n of_o its_o obligation_n it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o call_v it_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o then_o it_o must_v right_v or_o wrong_n pass_v for_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o mankind_n so_o that_o after_o this_o rate_n there_o will_v remain_v no_o certain_a method_n whereby_o we_o may_v discern_v man_n own_a fancy_n prejudices_fw-la and_o inclination_n from_o the_o true_a dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o natural_a ground_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n and_o therefore_o these_o phrase_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v in_o exact_a propriety_n of_o speech_n but_o only_o in_o a_o loose_a and_o popular_a way_n of_o expression_n and_o so_o they_o be_v intend_v by_o those_o that_o first_o use_v they_o that_o only_o allude_v to_o the_o know_a custom_n and_o solemnity_n of_o enact_v law_n that_o be_v always_o wont_a to_o be_v declare_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o subject_a by_o write_v or_o proclamation_n and_o in_o allusion_n to_o this_o they_o come_v to_o describe_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n by_o the_o voice_n within_o the_o book_n of_o conscience_n the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v as_o certain_o declare_v reasonable_a and_o obligatory_a by_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v write_v upon_o our_o mind_n by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n or_o proclaim_v by_o a_o audible_a voice_n to_o our_o conscience_n however_o though_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o in_o their_o literal_a sense_n and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o know_v we_o may_v yet_o we_o can_v never_o derive_v the_o certainty_n of_o their_o obligation_n from_o such_o uncertain_a supposition_n at_o least_o we_o need_v not_o when_o they_o be_v so_o clear_o demonstrable_a from_o reason_n and_o experience_n from_o the_o observation_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o life_n from_o the_o advantage_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o society_n this_o give_v a_o complete_a and_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o their_o authority_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o they_o may_v come_v to_o a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n and_o understanding_n of_o their_o duty_n by_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o reflection_n without_o any_o other_o declaration_n or_o express_v discovery_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o his_o description_n of_o the_o case_n of_o the_o gentile_n rom._n 2._o 14_o 15._o where_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o describe_v the_o law_n which_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v write_v in_o their_o heart_n in_o allusion_n to_o the_o mosaic_a table_n not_o by_o the_o common_a expression_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d general_a notion_n or_o instinct_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d reason_n or_o such_o evident_a result_v or_o conclusion_n as_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o at_o least_o very_a easy_a for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o make_v from_o its_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o thing_n for_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v no_o other_o object_n to_o exercise_n or_o entertain_v their_o thought_n withal_o but_o what_o nature_n present_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o those_o reason_n of_o their_o conscience_n that_o saint_n paul_n here_o speak_v of_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v deduce_v from_o this_o principle_n and_o no_o other_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n draw_v forth_o into_o use_n and_o bind_v upon_o the_o conscience_n not_o by_o any_o express_a voice_n or_o immediate_a impression_n of_o the_o legislator_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o work_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o the_o unavoidable_a result_v of_o our_o own_o conscience_n that_o as_o long_o as_o we_o act_v sincere_o and_o meditate_v impartial_o upon_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v lead_v we_o into_o some_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o our_o obedience_n there_o be_v no_o man_n so_o desperate_o dull_a and_o stupid_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o perceive_v and_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o problem_n in_o morality_n when_o as_o we_o shall_v prove_v they_o be_v so_o evident_a from_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o nature_n and_o when_o they_o be_v find_v so_o useful_a from_o all_o the_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o humane_a life_n that_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a to_o open_v our_o eye_n or_o to_o look_v abroad_o without_o observe_v their_o goodness_n so_o that_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o person_n to_o live_v without_o any_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n without_o suppose_v such_o a_o brutish_a stupidity_n as_o can_v scarce_o be_v suppose_v incident_a to_o a_o rational_a creature_n but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v choose_v inadvertency_n and_o resolve_v to_o make_v no_o serious_a reflection_n upon_o the_o most_o common_a object_n that_o present_v themselves_o to_o his_o outward_a sense_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o plain_a or_o so_o obvious_a that_o he_o may_v never_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o but_o then_o this_o be_v such_o a_o brutish_a affront_n to_o his_o nature_n such_o a_o affect_a and_o wilful_a sottishness_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o crime_n the_o most_o unnatural_a and_o inexcusable_a it_o be_v indeed_o not_o impossible_a but_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o wretched_o regardless_o of_o all_o thing_n as_o never_o to_o have_v make_v one_o observation_n all_o his_o life-time_n and_o to_o be_v ignorant_a even_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a of_o any_o thing_n be_v big_a than_o a_o part_n of_o it_o but_o then_o nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v plead_v to_o excuse_v such_o a_o palpable_a brutishness_n and_o inadvertency_n and_o all_o the_o world_n will_v impute_v so_o gross_a a_o ignorance_n to_o the_o most_o shameful_a and_o unpardonable_a neglect_n of_o
to_o approve_v of_o and_o comply_v with_o every_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o so_o then_o see_v villainy_n do_v as_o often_o prosper_v as_o virtue_n by_o that_o alone_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n will_v recommend_v it_o to_o our_o choice_n and_o that_o no_o doubt_n will_v be_v a_o admirable_a rule_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n as_o we_o have_v find_v by_o late_a experience_n that_o destroy_v all_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o what_o be_v make_v by_o the_o event_n of_o thing_n and_o change_v their_o nature_n with_o the_o change_n of_o time_n and_o fashion_n the_o three_o and_o last_o opinion_n be_v that_o of_o chrysippus_n that_o to_o follow_v nature_n be_v to_o follow_v our_o own_o proper_a nature_n or_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n but_o then_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o estate_n of_o thing_n beside_o this_o every_o man_n be_v own_o natural_a understanding_n will_v easy_o inform_v he_o that_o he_o be_v concern_v in_o nothing_o else_o then_o to_o consult_v his_o own_o present_a pleasure_n and_o advantage_n but_o this_o conclusion_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o i_o shall_v pursue_v it_o no_o far_o so_o that_o though_o after_o i_o have_v consider_v their_o general_a principle_n i_o intend_v to_o have_v enter_v upon_o the_o particular_a treatise_n of_o seneca_n antoninus_n and_o epictetus_n i_o now_o find_v it_o absolute_o needless_a of_o which_o any_o man_n that_o will_v read_v they_o over_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o for_o if_o he_o read_v they_o with_o our_o supposition_n he_o will_v find_v they_o for_o the_o main_a wise_a and_o rational_a discourse_n but_o if_o without_o it_o they_o all_o vanish_v into_o mere_a poetry_n and_o elysian_a dream_n §_o xxvi_o in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o platonist_n and_o from_o they_o the_o peripatetic_n be_v please_v to_o enlarge_v the_o bound_n of_o humane_a felicity_n and_o make_v our_o happiness_n of_o equal_a extent_n with_o our_o capacity_n make_v every_o thing_n a_o ingredient_n thereof_o that_o be_v any_o way_n grateful_a or_o suitable_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o therefore_o to_o a_o virtuous_a life_n they_o superad_v all_o the_o good_n of_o body_n and_o fortune_n and_o to_o render_v a_o man_n true_o and_o complete_o happy_a they_o require_v beside_o the_o endowment_n of_o the_o mind_n all_o the_o other_o comfort_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o this_o they_o assert_v reasonable_o enough_o from_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o nature_n in_o which_o alone_o all_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n agree_v that_o every_o sensible_a be_v bear_v a_o innate_a love_n and_o kindness_n to_o itself_o and_o from_o that_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o natural_a desire_v not_o only_o of_o its_o own_o preservation_n but_o of_o the_o most_o perfect_a state_n and_o condition_n that_o its_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o so_o that_o the_o part_n and_o degree_n of_o our_o happiness_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v only_o from_o the_o capacity_n and_o variety_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o therefore_o humane_a nature_n be_v compound_v of_o two_o principle_n body_n and_o mind_n they_o must_v both_o be_v gratify_v in_o their_o respective_a sensation_n to_o make_v up_o the_o adequate_a notion_n of_o humane_a happiness_n and_o as_o for_o the_o gratification_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o they_o say_v consist_v principaly_a in_o the_o constant_a exercise_n of_o virtue_n and_o subordinate_o in_o knowledge_n wisdom_n contemplation_n or_o any_o other_o exercise_n of_o wit_n and_o ingenuity_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o happiness_n and_o wellbeing_a of_o the_o body_n that_o consist_v chief_o in_o a_o healthful_a sound_a and_o vigorous_a constitution_n and_o subordinate_o in_o all_o the_o other_o accidental_a advantage_n of_o this_o present_a life_n that_o be_v so_o many_o instrument_n of_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n these_o man_n discourse_v more_o consistent_o than_o the_o other_o sect_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o give_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o humane_a happiness_n in_o that_o they_o take_v in_o all_o our_o capacity_n and_o do_v not_o with_o the_o epicurean_o consine_n it_o to_o the_o body_n alone_o nor_o with_o the_o stoic_n to_o the_o mind_n alone_o but_o take_v our_o nature_n as_o they_o find_v it_o and_o suit_v its_o happiness_n not_o to_o the_o work_n of_o their_o own_o imagination_n but_o to_o our_o real_a state_n of_o be_v but_o though_o these_o approach_n near_o than_o either_o of_o the_o former_a to_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o happiness_n yet_o be_v they_o as_o distant_a as_o either_o of_o they_o from_o its_o acquisition_n insomuch_o that_o when_o they_o come_v to_o reduce_v their_o principle_n to_o practice_n they_o be_v at_o last_o force_v to_o delude_v themselves_o with_o the_o very_a same_o maxim_n and_o paradox_n and_o therefore_o though_o tully_n have_v in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr finibus_fw-la full_o confute_v the_o hypothesis_n both_o of_o the_o epicurean_o and_o stoic_n yet_o when_o he_o come_v in_o his_o tusculine_a question_n to_o discourse_v practical_o concern_v the_o same_o thing_n he_o at_o last_o produce_v no_o better_a ground_n of_o comfort_n and_o contentment_n than_o those_o that_o he_o have_v at_o first_o reject_v and_o be_v in_o the_o result_n of_o every_o discourse_n either_o a_o epicurean_a or_o a_o stoic_a or_o both_o and_o this_o i_o shall_v prove_v distinct_o in_o both_o the_o foremention_v head_n of_o dispute_n first_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o give_v no_o better_a account_n of_o happiness_n than_o the_o epicurean_o nor_o second_o to_o lay_v any_o better_a ground_n for_o the_o stability_n or_o assign_v any_o more_o effectual_a motive_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n from_o both_o which_o it_o will_v evident_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v some_o further_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o these_o thing_n than_o what_o he_o have_v give_v upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o soul_n mortality_n if_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n that_o have_v make_v happiness_n our_o end_n and_o virtue_n the_o mean_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o first_o he_o begin_v with_o the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o all_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n where_o all_o the_o philosophic_a consolation_n he_o be_v able_a to_o give_v we_o be_v build_v upon_o little_a trick_n and_o subtlety_n and_o chief_o upon_o that_o pitiful_a sophism_n of_o epicurus_n that_o death_n can_v never_o do_v we_o any_o harm_n because_o when_o that_o be_v we_o be_v not_o but_o first_o let_v he_o say_v what_o he_o will_v it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o his_o own_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n viz._n that_o the_o most_o vehement_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v a_o love_n of_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o preservation_n and_o therefore_o to_o endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v a_o man_n to_o utter_v death_n and_o dissolution_n be_v to_o persuade_v he_o to_o contradict_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o nature_n this_o principle_n then_o of_o self-preservation_n be_v once_o suppose_v as_o natural_a and_o necessary_a it_o prevent_v the_o very_a consideration_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o discourse_n opposite_a to_o it_o and_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o for_o tully_n with_o all_o his_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o persuade_v i_o not_o to_o dread_v death_n when_o he_o have_v beforehand_o tell_v i_o it_o as_o the_o most_o undoubted_a truth_n in_o all_o philosophy_n and_o so_o it_o be_v that_o i_o can_v avoid_v to_o love_n and_o desire_v life_n he_o must_v first_o renounce_v his_o principle_n and_o i_o my_o nature_n before_o we_o can_v begin_v to_o philosophise_v upon_o this_o argument_n and_o therefore_o second_o be_v it_o so_o that_o when_o death_n be_v we_o be_v not_o yet_o what_o relief_n be_v this_o against_o the_o melancholy_a thought_n of_o the_o live_n who_o as_o much_o as_o they_o love_v their_o own_o existence_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o former_a principle_n can_v but_o as_o much_o dread_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o the_o apprehension_n of_o its_o utter_a dissolution_n so_o that_o as_o long_o as_o this_o invincible_a instinct_n of_o nature_n remain_v that_o can_v neither_o be_v destroy_v nor_o command_v the_o anguish_n of_o this_o single_a meditation_n be_v too_o close_a and_o affect_v to_o be_v allay_v or_o overrule_v by_o any_o other_o or_o as_o himself_o have_v frame_v the_o objection_n without_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o answer_v it_o quid_fw-la qui_fw-fr vivimus_fw-la cum_fw-la moriendum_fw-la sit_fw-la nun_n miseri_fw-la sumus_fw-la quae_fw-la enim_fw-la potest_fw-la in_o vitâ_fw-la esse_fw-la jucunditas_fw-la cum_fw-la dies_fw-la &_o noctes_fw-la cogitandum_fw-la sit_fw-la jam_fw-la jamque_fw-la esse_fw-la moriendum_fw-la what_o though_o after_o death_n we_o shall_v never_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o loss_n of_o life_n yet_o whilst_o we_o live_v what_o comfort_n can_v we_o enjoy_v if_o we_o lie_v under_o such_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n of_o die_v what_o freedom_n and_o satisfaction_n can_v we_o reap_v from_o all_o our_o
may_v suffice_v at_o this_o present_a upon_o this_o argument_n as_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v the_o apostle_n and_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n that_o if_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_a fool_n they_o have_v never_o undertake_v it_o if_o false_a and_o if_o they_o be_v they_o can_v never_o have_v proceed_v with_o any_o success_n in_o it_o §_o vi_o but_o last_o we_o must_v either_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n and_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n to_o have_v be_v in_o good_a earnest_n or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n be_v unquestionable_a for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n be_v no_o magic_a story_n or_o any_o thing_n capable_a of_o juggle_a trick_n and_o illusion_n but_o a_o plain_a and_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n of_o which_o they_o have_v the_o same_o assurance_n as_o we_o have_v or_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o we_o see_v or_o hear_v and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v of_o one_o another_o conversation_n and_o what_o be_v more_o they_o be_v jealous_a and_o incredulous_a and_o suspect_v some_o mistake_n or_o illusion_n and_o force_v he_o to_o appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o convince_v they_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o their_o sense_n and_o now_o it_o be_v likely_a when_o it_o be_v so_o impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v deceive_v themselves_o that_o they_o will_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n and_o endure_v so_o many_o misery_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v a_o impudent_a and_o a_o unprofitable_a fable_n which_o if_o they_o do_v than_o we_o must_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o then_o beside_o all_o the_o forementioned_a abfurdity_n this_o supposition_n labour_v under_o one_o very_o enormous_a difficulty_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o viz._n that_o such_o profligate_v cheat_n and_o impostor_n shall_v concern_v themselves_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n as_o they_o do_v for_o the_o credit_n and_o propagation_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n in_o the_o world_n for_o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o christianity_n to_o promote_v and_o advance_v the_o practice_n of_o all_o true_a morality_n no_o man_n that_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v can_v question_v and_o if_o it_o be_v than_o they_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o good_a man_n that_o labour_v as_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o promote_a of_o christianity_n but_o that_o perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v be_v a_o frequent_a artifice_n for_o man_n of_o the_o worst_a design_n to_o make_v the_o best_a pretence_n it_o be_v so_o but_o then_o they_o must_v have_v some_o design_n to_o carry_v on_o under_o their_o pretence_n whereas_o if_o the_o apostle_n very_a pretence_n be_v not_o their_o real_a design_n they_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o that_o be_v the_o difficulty_n proper_a to_o this_o supposition_n that_o wicked_a man_n that_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o wickedness_n shall_v spend_v their_o day_n and_o loose_v their_o life_n for_o the_o interest_n and_o advancement_n of_o goodness_n with_o out_o any_o design_n or_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o as_o from_o the_o former_a premise_n we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o conclude_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o man_n and_o from_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o man_n to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o their_o master_n doctrine_n so_o in_o this_o place_n do_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o doctrine_n prove_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o men._n for_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v see_v the_o work_n so_o to_o have_v hear_v the_o sermon_n of_o jesus_n and_o be_v not_o less_o zealous_a to_o publish_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o to_o the_o world_n nay_o they_o divulge_v his_o miracle_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o doctrine_n now_o what_o be_v it_o that_o he_o teach_v and_o they_o record_v be_v they_o not_o the_o most_o perfect_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n that_o be_v ever_o deliver_v to_o mankind_n and_o as_o wonderful_a as_o his_o action_n be_v his_o precept_n be_v scarce_o less_o admirable_a the_o goodness_n of_o his_o law_n if_o it_o do_v not_o outdo_v yet_o it_o equal_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o their_o own_o innate_a excellency_n be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a argument_n of_o their_o divinity_n but_o of_o this_o i_o hope_v to_o give_v a_o account_n in_o a_o treatise_n by_o itself_o in_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o apparent_a that_o he_o have_v command_v all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o right_a reason_n that_o he_o have_v not_o omit_v any_o instance_n of_o moral_a goodness_n and_o that_o no_o law_n nor_o no_o philosophy_n can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o a_o morality_n so_o wise_a so_o good_a so_o useful_a and_o now_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n and_o his_o miracle_n rely_v upon_o the_o same_o testimony_n and_o the_o same_o person_n who_o report_n that_o he_o do_v such_o mighty_a work_n record_v also_o that_o he_o teach_v such_o excellent_a law_n and_o that_o he_o wrought_v those_o work_n of_o god_n for_o a_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n what_o can_v be_v more_o probable_a than_o that_o the_o same_o person_n shall_v in_o the_o same_o design_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o great_a virtue_n and_o great_a villainy_n in_o the_o world_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n sacrifice_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o the_o credit_n of_o blasphemy_n and_o imposture_n for_o if_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o report_v concern_v the_o miracle_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o true_a then_o be_v he_o as_o lewd_a and_o wretched_a a_o impostor_n as_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n in_o bear_v out_o as_o if_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o they_o as_o bold_a atheistical_a and_o ungodly_a wretch_n know_o to_o abuse_v mankind_n with_o such_o a_o palpable_a and_o blasphemous_a cheat._n be_v it_o not_o then_o likely_a that_o man_n shall_v do_v and_o suffer_v after_o their_o rate_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o accurse_a imposture_n that_o be_v so_o infinite_o zealous_a for_o the_o concernment_n of_o truth_n and_o integrity_n how_o awkerd_o do_v these_o thing_n piece_n together_o what_o strange_a contradiction_n be_v reconcile_v in_o this_o odd_a supposition_n the_o same_o man_n die_v martyr_n to_o the_o worst_a imposture_n and_o best_a institution_n in_o the_o world_n to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o gain_v credit_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o notorious_a lie_n and_o yet_o die_v to_o advance_v the_o credit_n of_o uprightness_n and_o integrity_n it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o most_o conceivable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a people_n shall_v conspire_v together_o in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o so_o lewd_a a_o forgery_n and_o then_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fable_n with_o their_o blood_n but_o how_o do_v the_o prodigy_n heighten_v that_o such_o profligate_v wretch_n shall_v so_o easy_o forego_v their_o life_n rather_o than_o their_o innocence_n and_o integrity_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o their_o zeal_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n be_v a_o most_o undeniable_a demonstration_n of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o the_o more_o man_n tumble_v and_o toss_v their_o thought_n about_o to_o raise_v jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n upon_o the_o report_n the_o more_o do_v they_o entangle_v themselves_o in_o absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n but_o i_o shall_v prosecute_v this_o argument_n no_o far_o because_o in_o truth_n to_o say_v no_o more_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_o odd_o conceit_a man_n that_o can_v but_o persuade_v himself_o so_o much_o as_o to_o suspect_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o now_o if_o we_o review_v these_o circumstance_n of_o our_o saviour_n story_n as_o it_o be_v tell_v by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v favour_v with_o all_o the_o utmost_a advantage_n of_o credibility_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o suppose_v it_o a_o imposture_n yet_o have_v it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v how_o it_o can_v have_v be_v vouch_v with_o strong_a and_o more_o enforce_v motive_n of_o belief_n there_o be_v no_o satisfaction_n that_o mankind_n can_v reasonable_o desire_v which_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n have_v not_o give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n all_o scruple_n and_o exception_n be_v so_o fortunate_o prevent_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o possible_a escape_n or_o pretence_n leave_v for_o insidelity_n for_o first_o we_o have_v all_o the_o assurance_n in_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 life_n but_o that_o when_o by_o his_o divine_a power_n he_o have_v establish_v his_o kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n he_o shall_v have_v return_v back_o to_o heaven_n without_o any_o suffering_n and_o with_o all_o the_o ornament_n of_o glory_n and_o triumph_n this_o certain_o have_v be_v much_o more_o proper_a matter_n for_o a_o romance_n if_o they_o have_v design_v nothing_o but_o their_o master_n greatness_n than_o to_o have_v feign_v those_o mix_a action_n that_o be_v record_v of_o he_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o those_o that_o will_v have_v believe_v their_o other_o report_n will_v not_o have_v disbelieved_a these_o and_o therefore_o see_v they_o will_v not_o corrupt_v or_o suppress_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o unpleasant_a part_n of_o the_o story_n we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v they_o of_o the_o least_o falsehood_n in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o it_o howsoever_o in_o itself_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o their_o design_n be_v real_a truth_n and_o not_o their_o master_n greatness_n §_o viii_o but_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v by_o those_o author_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v than_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o either_o they_o be_v forge_v in_o their_o day_n or_o afterward_o if_o in_o their_o day_n than_o they_o either_o own_a they_o as_o true_a or_o not_o if_o they_o vouch_v they_o they_o give_v they_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v indict_v by_o themselves_o if_o they_o disow_v they_o as_o contain_v report_n that_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a than_o they_o themselves_o be_v oblige_v to_o discover_v the_o imposture_n which_o have_v never_o do_v that_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n that_o if_o they_o be_v write_v in_o their_o time_n either_o they_o themselves_o write_v they_o or_o at_o least_o approve_a of_o they_o but_o if_o they_o be_v write_v afterward_o how_o come_v they_o to_o meet_v with_o such_o a_o early_a and_o universal_a reception_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o find_v they_o always_o own_a as_o the_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n that_o live_v after_o they_o nay_o some_o with_o they_o now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o book_n that_o contain_v in_o they_o matter_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a if_o they_o have_v be_v counterfeit_a and_o spurious_a and_o thrust_v upon_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o pretend_v to_o bear_v shall_v command_v such_o a_o catholic_a and_o unquestionable_a reputation_n if_o indeed_o they_o have_v pretend_v to_o have_v lie_v obscure_a for_o some_o time_n and_o to_o have_v be_v afterward_o retrieve_v there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n of_o suspicion_n but_o when_o they_o be_v own_a as_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o church_n
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 afterward_o so_o much_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o attempt_n of_o ambitious_a men._n for_o though_o that_o spirit_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o time_n of_o marius_n and_o pass_v down_o through_o all_o the_o great_a man_n cinna_z silvius_n and_o pompey_n all_o of_o they_o struggle_v for_o the_o sole_a sovereignty_n of_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n the_o design_n be_v never_o complete_o compass_v but_o by_o the_o boldness_n and_o activity_n of_o julius_n caesar._n now_o the_o success_n of_o the_o caesarean_a faction_n that_o be_v general_o atheist_n and_o epicurean_o against_o the_o patriot_n of_o the_o old_a state_n that_o be_v as_o general_o eminent_a for_o worth_n and_o honour_n virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o public_a good_a make_v the_o thrive_a principle_n and_o practice_n quick_o come_v into_o fashion_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o world_n and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o brutus_n we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o ancient_a roman_a but_o what_o he_o 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
so_o near_o and_o yet_o so_o prodigious_a and_o when_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n assure_v themselves_o of_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n this_o can_v not_o but_o provoke_v they_o to_o a_o eager_a enquiry_n after_o the_o meaning_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n and_o when_o they_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v late_o crucify_v and_o that_o they_o declare_v themselves_o eye_n witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o withal_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n from_o heaven_n only_o for_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o withstand_v the_o force_n of_o such_o a_o mighty_a and_o astonish_a demonstration_n and_o it_o be_v this_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n as_o saint_n paul_n style_v it_o rather_o than_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n as_o cogent_a as_o they_o be_v that_o first_o baffle_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n into_o christianity_n and_o force_v in_o the_o assent_v of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o its_o doctrine_n they_o do_v not_o put_v their_o auditor_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o testimony_n but_o prevent_v all_o inquiry_n by_o this_o infallible_a confirmation_n the_o evidence_n of_o their_o miracle_n be_v such_o a_o irrefragable_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o surmount_v the_o power_n of_o all_o other_o demonstration_n and_o what_o rational_a man_n will_v stay_v to_o expect_v any_o other_o proof_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n that_o have_v see_v it_o unquestionable_o attest_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o who_o can_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v after_o he_o have_v see_v devil_n dispossess_v the_o sick_a heal_v and_o the_o dead_a raise_v this_o be_v such_o a_o almighty_a attestation_n to_o their_o preach_n that_o it_o upbraid_v away_o their_o scruple_n and_o bear_v away_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o the_o gospel_n prevail_v so_o easy_o and_o so_o speedy_o over_o all_o the_o world_n its_o first_o preacher_n convert_v whole_a city_n and_o nation_n in_o a_o moment_n and_o found_v new_a church_n upon_o one_o undeniable_a miracle_n and_o nothing_o less_o consider_v all_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n and_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n under_o which_o it_o labour_v can_v so_o soon_o have_v propagate_v the_o gospel_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o if_o we_o trace_v the_o apostolical_a history_n we_o scarce_o find_v any_o thing_n transact_v without_o a_o miracle_n insomuch_o that_o the_o people_n at_o length_n familiar_o resort_v to_o they_o for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o disease_n act_n 5._o 12._o and_o this_o power_n be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v at_o that_o time_n that_o saint_n paul_n insist_o upon_o it_o as_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o true_a apostleship_n rom._n 15._o 18_o 18_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 12._o which_o have_v be_v too_o absurd_a a_o thing_n to_o allege_v to_o his_o follower_n in_o confutation_n of_o his_o enemy_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n for_o if_o it_o be_v they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o when_o he_o appeal_v to_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n he_o have_v already_o wrought_v among_o they_o and_o if_o he_o have_v wrought_v none_o they_o can_v not_o but_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n but_o though_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o may_v from_o thence_o rational_o enough_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o apostolical_a miracle_n and_o though_o i_o have_v in_o part_n prove_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n to_o attest_v both_o they_o and_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o shall_v anon_o more_o distinct_o show_v the_o undoubted_a and_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o very_a apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a they_o can_v never_o have_v gain_v belief_n yet_o in_o this_o present_a argument_n i_o will_v not_o build_v upon_o these_o or_o any_o other_o supposition_n and_o indeed_o if_o i_o suppose_v they_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v needless_a for_o once_o grant_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n action_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o record_n alone_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o only_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o christian_a faith_n lie_v under_o all_o those_o disadvantage_n above_o represent_v can_v ever_o have_v be_v propagate_v with_o that_o speed_n and_o facility_n that_o it_o be_v all_o the_o world_n over_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o this_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o suppose_v this_o evidence_n that_o they_o give_v the_o world_n by_o their_o miracle_n that_o then_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o almost_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o success_n they_o do_v here_o then_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o my_o present_a argument_n that_o when_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v compass_v their_o design_n any_o other_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v natural_a if_o they_o take_v this_o course_n to_o succeed_v in_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v such_o wonderful_a success_n that_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v report_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o produce_v those_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n but_o now_o allege_v as_o proof_n to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o only_o as_o instance_n to_o exemplify_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o v_o g._n how_o incredible_a it_o be_v that_o 3000_o people_n when_o they_o hear_v the_o apostle_n affirm_v at_o whitsuntide_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v see_v so_o shameful_o execute_v at_o easter_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o grave_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n shall_v so_o immediate_o believe_v they_o upon_o their_o bare_a report_n but_o when_o they_o behold_v that_o miraculous_a effect_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o they_o whereby_o such_o illiterate_a person_n be_v enable_v to_o speak_v all_o manner_n of_o language_n that_o alone_o can_v not_o but_o satisfy_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o i_o argue_v not_o from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n but_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v do_v any_o other_o way_n than_o as_o it_o be_v record_v to_o have_v be_v do_v i_o may_v here_o also_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o miracle_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o their_o great_a enemy_n in_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o of_o they_o deny_v they_o to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n though_o how_o foolish_a that_o evasion_n be_v i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v their_o evasion_n to_o this_o argument_n at_o present_a this_o very_a surmise_n be_v a_o plain_a confession_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o go_v a_o great_a way_n as_o to_o evidence_n when_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o adversary_n but_o this_o have_v suggest_v i_o shall_v not_o far_o insist_v upon_o it_o §_o xxiv_o only_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n remain_v that_o add_v great_a force_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n viz._n that_o this_o power_n be_v not_o mere_o confine_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o true_a it_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a miracle_n in_o particular_a and_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n and_o yet_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o we_o have_v no_o one_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o have_v better_a record_n it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n of_o those_o time_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o public_a and_o extraordinary_a way_n as_o raises_z their_o testimony_n up_o to_o certain_a demonstration_n for_o they_o do_v not_o bare_o report_v it_o but_o they_o upbraid_v it_o to_o all_o their_o adversary_n as_o a_o thing_n undeniable_a they_o challenge_v emperor_n proconsul_n the_o whole_a senate_n in_o their_o apology_n and_o public_a write_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o experiment_n they_o urge_v it_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o learned_a man_n and_o dare_v they_o to_o contradict_v it_o
be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o fetch_v testimony_n out_o of_o the_o fabulous_a age_n itself_o and_o to_o compare_v the_o descent_n of_o orpheus_n and_o hercules_n into_o hell_n and_o of_o rampsinitus_n who_o go_v thither_o to_o play_v at_o table_n with_o ceres_n with_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n but_o such_o trifle_n as_o these_o be_v to_o be_v laugh_v at_o not_o to_o be_v answer_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o next_o book_n he_o piece_n up_o these_o fable_n out_o of_o the_o poet_n with_o some_o example_n out_o of_o historian_n but_o those_o so_o remote_a so_o obscure_a so_o lamentable_o attest_v and_o so_o altogether_o without_o any_o ground_n or_o motive_n of_o belief_n that_o the_o metamorphosis_n of_o the_o poet_n be_v scarce_o more_o incredible_a and_o therefore_o origen_n very_o well_o put_v it_o to_o he_o whether_o he_o believe_v the_o story_n that_o he_o relate_v or_o not_o if_o he_o do_v not_o than_o they_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n but_o if_o he_o do_v than_o he_o show_v his_o strange_a partiality_n that_o whilst_o he_o reject_v the_o story_n of_o our_o saviour_n he_o believe_v thing_n so_o ill-vouched_n in_o comparison_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o narrative_a but_o the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n that_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o assent_n and_o the_o same_o relation_n may_v either_o be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n as_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n itself_o and_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o make_v the_o difference_n be_v the_o testimony_n wherewith_o it_o be_v vouch_v and_o that_o be_v the_o only_a difference_n between_o the_o story_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n that_o be_v so_o strong_o confirm_v by_o all_o that_o testimony_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v whereas_o the_o tale_n that_o they_o oppose_v to_o it_o be_v destitute_a of_o all_o manner_n of_o proof_n and_o when_o pursue_v home_o to_o their_o original_a authority_n appear_v no_o better_o than_o poetic_a fable_n the_o first_o and_o chief_a of_o they_o be_v that_o of_o aristeas_n proconnefius_fw-la who_o be_v report_v by_o herodotus_n to_o have_v often_o die_v and_o live_v again_o but_o upon_o what_o authority_n nothing_o but_o a_o oldwife_n tradition_n among_o the_o people_n but_o to_o who_o do_v he_o appear_v first_o to_o the_o people_n of_o proconnesus_n and_o between_o two_o or_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o to_o those_o of_o metapontum_n how_o then_o be_v any_o man_n at_o that_o distance_n of_o time_n able_a to_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o man_n but_o as_o vain_a a_o fable_n as_o it_o be_v it_o be_v not_o as_o huetius_n 6._o conjecture_n without_o some_o ground_n of_o history_n in_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o aristeas_n of_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o town_n of_o proconnesus_n about_o the_o reign_n of_o cyrus_n but_o beside_o he_o there_o be_v another_o in_o the_o fabulous_a age_n the_o son_n of_o apollo_n who_o the_o poet_n feign_v to_o have_v take_v a_o sudden_a flight_n to_o heaven_n now_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o report_v of_o the_o one_o what_o be_v feign_v of_o the_o other_o especial_o by_o his_o own_o countryman_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o greek_n to_o apply_v the_o deed_n of_o their_o god_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o own_o citizen_n and_o here_o they_o have_v a_o especial_a advantage_n from_o the_o identity_n of_o their_o name_n and_o that_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n that_o he_o be_v namesake_n with_o one_o of_o who_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v fable_v of_o old_a time_n another_o be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o poem_n call_v arimaspea_n false_o ascribe_v to_o this_o aristeas_n where_o the_o poet_n begin_v as_o the_o usual_a manner_n of_o poet_n be_v with_o the_o imagination_n of_o his_o be_v convey_v out_o of_o himself_o by_o apollo_n to_o a_o certain_a place_n where_o he_o may_v have_v the_o most_o convenient_a prospect_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o describe_v now_o what_o he_o thus_o speak_v in_o a_o poetic_a scheme_n they_o afterward_o understand_v in_o rigour_n of_o speech_n and_o when_o once_o the_o mistake_n be_v raise_v it_o easy_o support_v itself_o among_o the_o common_a people_n from_o who_o herodotus_n as_o himself_o confess_v a_o long_a time_n after_o receive_v it_o now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o worthy_a story_n to_o vie_v with_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n when_o this_o have_v all_o the_o proof_n in_o the_o world_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n that_o not_o one_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o the_o sign_n of_o folly_n and_o fiction_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o give_v the_o same_o account_n of_o cleomedes_n hermotimus_n epimenides_n but_o the_o story_n be_v so_o apparent_o fabulous_a and_o so_o utter_o void_a of_o all_o original_a authority_n and_o so_o very_a like_o mere_a mythology_n that_o serious_o to_o confute_v they_o be_v to_o betray_v my_o own_o understanding_n and_o affront_v my_o reader_n but_o beside_o these_o romance_n of_o antiquity_n they_o insist_v upon_o some_o few_o miracle_n of_o a_o late_a date_n but_o those_o too_o so_o slender_o attest_v that_o only_o to_o compare_v they_o be_v enough_o to_o destroy_v they_o those_o of_o most_o seem_a credit_n be_v the_o story_n of_o vespasian_n and_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n as_o for_o vespasian_n he_o be_v strange_o befool_v with_o the_o ambition_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n that_o be_v as_o he_o understand_v it_o the_o monarch_n of_o the_o world_n which_o some_o say_v be_v the_o first_o rise_v and_o occasion_n of_o his_o glory_n for_o be_v natural_o incline_v to_o a_o easy_a belief_n of_o prophecy_n and_o prediction_n and_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o the_o roman_a historian_n attest_v a_o strong_a and_o unanimous_a opinion_n among_o the_o eastern_a people_n of_o a_o universal_a monarch_n that_o be_v foretell_v by_o some_o ancient_a prophet_n about_o that_o time_n to_o come_v out_o of_o judaea_n he_o first_o apply_v this_o prophecy_n to_o himself_o and_o then_o apply_v himself_o to_o fulfil_v it_o percrebuerat_fw-la oriente_fw-la toto_fw-la say_v vespas_fw-la suetonius_n vetus_fw-la &_o constans_fw-la opinio_fw-la esse_fw-la in_o fat_a be_v ut_fw-la eo_fw-la tempore_fw-la judaeâ_fw-la profecti_fw-la rerum_fw-la potirentur_fw-la and_o so_o tacitus_n pluribus_n persuasio_fw-la inerat_fw-la antiquis_fw-la histor._n sacerdotum_fw-la literis_fw-la contineri_fw-la eo_fw-la ipso_fw-la tempore_fw-la ut_fw-la valesceret_fw-la oriens_fw-la profectique_fw-la judaeâ_fw-la rerum_fw-la potirentur_fw-la and_o this_o he_o say_v be_v the_o main_a reason_n of_o the_o rebellion_n and_o ruin_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o application_n of_o this_o prophecy_n to_o themselves_o whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o all_o circumstance_n that_o it_o mark_v out_o vespasian_n and_o titus_n and_o then_o beside_o the_o prophecy_n themselves_o he_o be_v gross_o abuse_v as_o vainglory_n be_v sufficient_o credulous_a by_o the_o flattery_n of_o josephus_n who_o accommodate_v all_o the_o character_n and_o description_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o his_o person_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o affair_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o he_o add_v great_a authority_n to_o his_o prediction_n by_o his_o great_a confidence_n presever_v in_o his_o flattery_n in_o spite_n of_o vespasian_n unkindness_n for_o when_o he_o have_v cast_v he_o into_o prison_n josephus_n make_v light_a of_o it_o and_o assure_v himself_o and_o his_o friend_n that_o he_o shall_v in_o a_o short_a time_n be_v deliver_v by_o vespasian_n himself_o but_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v do_v till_o after_o he_o be_v possess_v of_o the_o empire_n unus_n ex_fw-la nobilibus_fw-la captivis_fw-la josephus_n cum_fw-la conjiceretur_fw-la in_o vincula_fw-la constantissimè_fw-la 5._o asseveravit_fw-la fore_fw-la ut_fw-la ab_fw-la eodem_fw-la brevi_fw-la solveretur_fw-la verùm_fw-la jam_fw-la imperatore_n and_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v so_o take_v with_o this_o 12._o conceit_n of_o his_o messiahship_n that_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v search_v after_o and_o slay_v all_o that_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o posterity_n of_o david_n thereby_o to_o secure_v the_o title_n to_o himself_o against_o all_o rival_n and_o competitor_n flushed_a with_o these_o please_a omen_n in_o judaea_n but_o much_o more_o with_o some_o answerable_a success_n find_v all_o his_o competitor_n remove_v but_o only_o vitellius_n who_o he_o fear_v least_o of_o all_o he_o repair_v to_o rome_n and_o by_o the_o way_n visit_v egypt_n to_o secure_v those_o part_n or_o to_o fulfil_v a_o sibyllan_n prophecy_n and_o here_o he_o be_v more_o abuse_v with_o the_o flattery_n of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n than_o he_o have_v be_v before_o by_o josephus_n for_o he_o be_v no_o soon_o come_v to_o alexandria_n where_o that_o wander_a pedant_n happen_v to_o be_v at_o that_o time_n but_o he_o beg_v of_o he_o his_o confirmation_n of_o those_o omen_n that_o he_o bring_v along_o with_o he_o from_o judaea_n beg_v
of_o he_o upon_o his_o 9_o knee_n to_o make_v he_o emperor_n to_o who_o apollonius_n with_o the_o state_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o god_n answer_v i_o have_v make_v thou_o so_o viz._n by_o my_o interest_n with_o the_o god_n and_o he_o so_o far_o gratify_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o man_n as_o to_o seem_v to_o receive_v the_o empire_n at_o his_o hand_n and_o thus_o be_v he_o assure_v of_o his_o empire_n by_o man_n of_o great_a reputation_n for_o both_o religion_n for_o as_o there_o be_v no_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v compare_v to_o josephus_n for_o knowledge_n and_o learning_n in_o the_o antiquity_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n so_o apollonius_n be_v then_o the_o most_o famous_a and_o renown_a saint_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o heathen_a religion_n now_o whilst_o he_o stay_v at_o alexandria_n a_o blind_a and_o a_o lame_a man_n be_v warn_v so_o to_o do_v by_o the_o god_n serapis_n address_v themselves_o to_o he_o for_o a_o cure_n and_o obtain_v it_o so_o that_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n by_o itself_o it_o look_v so_o like_a fraud_n and_o flattery_n as_o to_o betray_v itself_o for_o the_o report_n of_o his_o have_v be_v abuse_v into_o the_o conceit_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n in_o judaea_n be_v probable_o come_v to_o alexandria_n where_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n reside_v it_o be_v likely_a that_o they_o will_v not_o come_v short_a of_o their_o countryman_n in_o do_v honour_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o so_o put_v these_o two_o counterfeit_n upon_o the_o design_n and_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o such_o dissemble_a cripple_n to_o be_v have_v in_o great_a city_n for_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o come_v shall_v among_o other_o miracle_n cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a they_o think_v it_o a_o acceptable_a piece_n of_o flattery_n thus_o to_o waylay_v his_o ambition_n or_o rather_o this_o design_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o egyptian_n a_o fawn_a crafty_a and_o flatter_a sort_n of_o people_n but_o chief_o by_o apollonius_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o that_o religion_n for_o which_o he_o be_v so_o zealous_a and_o therefore_o by_o this_o artifice_n confirm_v his_o own_o predicton_n of_o the_o empire_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o god_n for_o they_o be_v send_v on_o their_o errand_n by_o serapis_n but_o whoever_o contrive_v it_o and_o however_o it_o please_v the_o emperor_n humour_n it_o at_o first_o surprise_v he_o so_o as_o to_o move_v his_o laughter_n and_o scorn_n and_o to_o refuse_v the_o attempt_n with_o a_o very_a great_a deal_n either_o of_o seem_v or_o real_a reluctancy_n though_o at_o last_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v overcome_v by_o the_o great_a importunity_n of_o the_o bystander_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o the_o physician_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v possible_a and_o then_o perform_v it_o in_o public_a with_o all_o imaginable_a pomp_n and_o solemnity_n either_o as_o if_o himself_o have_v be_v beforehand_o privy_a to_o the_o plot_n or_o have_v now_o smell_v out_o the_o design_n of_o the_o compliment_n now_o what_o wise_a man_n can_v compare_v this_o one_o theatrical_a piece_n of_o court-flattery_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o mere_a suspicion_n of_o these_o pretend_a cripple_n be_v counterfeit_v at_o least_o the_o absolute_a uncertainty_n of_o it_o destroy_v its_o credit_n whereas_o the_o impossibility_n of_o suspect_v any_o fraud_n or_o flattery_n in_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v a_o undoubted_a demonstration_n of_o their_o reality_n beside_o that_o the_o emperor_n be_v assure_v by_o the_o physician_n that_o the_o man_n be_v not_o pass_v a_o natural_a cure_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n most_o whereof_o be_v do_v upon_o person_n natural_o incurable_a but_o to_o wave_v this_o i_o can_v give_v so_o much_o credit_n to_o a_o story_n that_o smell_v so_o rank_o of_o imposture_n as_o to_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o compare_v it_o as_o he_o find_v it_o under_o so_o many_o disadvantage_n of_o suspicion_n with_o the_o credibility_n of_o all_o those_o motive_n of_o belief_n that_o we_o have_v produce_v for_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o his_o own_o ingenuity_n to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o oppose_v one_o story_n so_o miserable_o suspicious_a to_o a_o thousand_o other_o guard_v with_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o proof_n against_o all_o possible_a cavil_n and_o exception_n §_o xxvii_o but_o the_o man_n of_o wonder_n be_v apollonius_n tyanaeus_n of_o who_o they_o boast_v and_o insult_v as_o the_o true_a heathen_a messiah_n in_o that_o he_o wrought_v not_o as_o vespasian_n do_v one_o or_o two_o chance_n miracle_n but_o his_o whole_a life_n be_v all_o prodigy_n and_o equal_a to_o our_o saviour_n both_o for_o the_o number_n and_o the_o wonder_n of_o his_o work_n but_o here_o first_o we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o show_v what_o undoubted_a record_n we_o have_v of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n whereas_o all_o the_o credit_n of_o apollonius_n his_o history_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o single_a man_n who_o beside_o that_o he_o live_v a_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o venture_v nothing_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o confirmation_n of_o its_o truth_n but_o only_o compose_v it_o in_o his_o study_n thereby_o as_o appear_v from_o his_o frequent_a digression_n to_o take_v occasion_n of_o communicate_v all_o the_o learning_n he_o have_v rake_v together_o to_o the_o world_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o incur_v any_o loss_n by_o the_o work_n that_o he_o be_v set_v upon_o it_o by_o a_o great_a empress_n who_o religious_a zeal_n in_o the_o cause_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o see_v he_o well_o reward_v and_o though_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o commentary_n of_o damis_n the_o inseparable_a companion_n of_o apollonius_n yet_o he_o confess_v that_o damis_n himself_o never_o publish_v his_o own_o commentary_n but_o that_o a_o friend_n of_o damis_n communicate_v they_o to_o the_o empress_n which_o himself_o may_v probable_o have_v forge_v as_o be_v common_a in_o court_n to_o pick_v her_o pocket_n however_o as_o for_o damis_n himself_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o philostratus_n his_o whole_a story_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a simple_a man_n and_o that_o apollonius_n only_o pick_v he_o up_o as_o a_o fit_a sancho_n panche_n to_o exercise_v his_o wit_n upon_o so_o that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n we_o find_v he_o not_o only_o baffle_v the_o esquire_n in_o dispute_n but_o break_v jest_n upon_o he_o which_o he_o always_o take_v with_o much_o thankfulness_n and_o more_o humility_n still_o admire_v his_o master_n wisdom_n but_o much_o more_o his_o wit._n but_o after_o all_o what_o the_o story_n of_o damis_n be_v or_o whether_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o story_n we_o have_v no_o account_n unless_o from_o philostratus_n himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v resolve_v it_o all_o into_o his_o authority_n alone_o and_o there_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o god_n nor_o a_o divine_a man_n as_o his_o friend_n boast_v nor_o a_o magician_n or_o conjurer_n as_o his_o enemy_n imagine_v but_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a and_o pedantic_a pythagorean_n that_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o sect_n travel_v as_o many_o other_o have_v do_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o he_o return_v home_o tell_v his_o countryman_n that_o all_o man_n renown_v for_o wisdom_n all_o the_o world_n over_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o then_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o authority_n tell_v strange_a and_o prodigious_a tale_n of_o their_o wonder-working_a power_n though_o here_o either_o he_o or_o his_o historian_n have_v acquit_v himself_o so_o awkardly_a as_o utter_o to_o spoil_v the_o tale_n and_o defeat_v the_o design_n this_o eusebius_n have_v show_v at_o large_a in_o his_o book_n against_o hierocles_n by_o take_v apiece_o all_o part_n of_o the_o story_n and_o discover_v all_o its_o flaw_n and_o incoherence_n but_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o prove_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o whole_a from_o the_o notorious_a falsehood_n of_o one_o particular_a narration_n upon_o which_o depend_v all_o that_o extraordinary_a power_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o and_o that_o be_v his_o conversation_n with_o the_o indian_a brahmin_n from_o who_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v his_o account_n of_o himself_o he_o learn_v all_o that_o he_o can_v do_v more_o than_o the_o common_a philosopher_n of_o greece_n and_o if_o this_o prove_v a_o romance_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n must_v unavoidable_o follow_v its_o fortune_n and_o for_o this_o little_a proof_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n when_o most_o of_o the_o story_n be_v so_o
affirm_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o quite_o vanish_v away_o at_o last_o he_o only_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o go_v away_o and_o this_o though_o he_o will_v seem_v to_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v after_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n and_o no_o body_n know_v how_o be_v a_o pitiful_a abatement_n to_o the_o bigness_n of_o his_o former_a expression_n vanish_v away_o though_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o he_o have_v stand_v to_o it_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v prove_v itself_o a_o lie_n for_o it_o be_v utter_o incredible_a that_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n as_o that_o shall_v have_v be_v do_v in_o so_o great_a a_o presence_n as_o that_o and_o yet_o never_o any_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o historian_n will_v fain_o bid_v at_o something_o of_o his_o hero_n appear_v after_o death_n yet_o he_o do_v it_o so_o faint_o that_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o it_o come_v to_o nothing_o especial_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a and_o that_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o take_v in_o no_o less_o than_o the_o compass_n of_o thirty_o year_n and_o then_o they_o that_o be_v so_o utter_o at_o a_o loss_n as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o decease_n and_o that_o for_o so_o long_a a_o space_n be_v likely_a to_o give_v a_o very_a wise_a account_n of_o the_o certain_a time_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o do_v after_o it_o but_o how_o or_o to_o who_o do_v he_o appear_v 13._o why_o to_o a_o young_a man_n one_o of_o his_o follower_n that_o doubt_v of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n for_o ten_o month_n together_o after_o his_o death_n but_o how_o or_o where_o why_o the_o young_a man_n be_v tire_v with_o watch_v and_o pray_v to_o apollonius_n that_o he_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o only_o to_o satisfy_v he_o in_o this_o point_n one_o day_n fall_v into_o a_o dead_a sleep_n in_o the_o school_n where_o the_o young_a man_n be_v perform_v their_o several_a exercise_n and_o on_o the_o sudden_a start_n up_o in_o a_o great_a fright_n and_o a_o great_a sweat_n cry_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o believe_v thou_o o_o tyanaeus_n and_o be_v ask_v by_o his_o companion_n the_o meaning_n of_o his_o transport_n why_o say_v he_o do_v you_o not_o see_v apollonius_n they_o answer_v he_o no_o but_o that_o they_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o give_v all_o the_o world_n that_o they_o can_v it_o be_v true_a say_v he_o for_o he_o only_o appear_v to_o i_o and_o for_o my_o satisfaction_n and_o be_v invisible_a to_o all_o other_o and_o so_o tell_v they_o what_o he_o have_v say_v to_o he_o in_o his_o sleep_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o soul_n this_o poor_a account_n of_o a_o dream_n and_o a_o vision_n of_o a_o over-watched_n boy_n be_v all_o that_o this_o great_a story_n afford_v to_o vie_v with_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o now_o upon_o review_n of_o this_o whole_a history_n it_o seem_v evident_a to_o i_o that_o this_o man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v endue_v with_o any_o extraordinary_a or_o divine_a power_n that_o he_o do_v not_o deserve_v the_o reputation_n of_o a_o ordinary_a conjurer_n for_o though_o huetius_n have_v take_v some_o pain_n to_o prove_v he_o so_o yet_o he_o give_v no_o evidence_n of_o it_o beside_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o common_a people_n and_o if_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o conjurer_n there_o be_v no_o man_n of_o a_o odd_a and_o a_o singular_a humour_n as_o apollonius_n affect_v to_o be_v who_o be_v not_o so_o think_v of_o by_o the_o common_a people_n and_o therefore_o when_o he_o be_v accuse_v for_o it_o before_o domitian_n the_o emperor_n when_o he_o come_v to_o hear_v the_o cause_n slight_v both_o he_o and_o his_o accuser_n and_o dismiss_v he_o the_o court_n for_o a_o idle_a and_o fantastic_a fellow_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o history_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a vain_a man_n and_o affect_v to_o be_v think_v something_o extraordinary_a and_o so_o wander_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o odd_a garb_n to_o be_v gaze_v at_o and_o admire_v and_o make_v himself_o considerable_a in_o that_o age_n by_o wit_n impudence_n and_o flattery_n of_o all_o which_o he_o have_v a_o very_a competent_a share_n but_o for_o his_o wonder-working_a faculty_n which_o he_o will_v needs_o pretend_v to_o he_o fetch_v that_o as_o far_o off_o as_o the_o east_n indies_n that_o be_v the_o far_a off_o as_o he_o think_v from_o confutation_n and_o yet_o the_o account_n that_o he_o have_v give_v of_o those_o part_n be_v so_o gross_o fabulous_a that_o that_o alone_o convict_v his_o whole_a life_n of_o imposture_n and_o impudence_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o make_v good_a this_o part_n of_o the_o demonstration_n of_o our_o saviour_n divine_a authority_n from_o the_o certain_a evidence_n both_o of_o his_o own_o and_o his_o apostle_n miracle_n and_o to_o set_v it_o above_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o manner_n either_o of_o objection_n or_o competition_n §_o xxviii_o but_o though_o the_o history_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n have_v this_o advantage_n of_o all_o other_o in_o that_o the_o tradition_n whereby_o it_o have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o its_o own_o testimony_n by_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a miracle_n yet_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o this_o peculiar_a divine_a attestation_n and_o consider_v the_o tradition_n by_o itself_o as_o mere_o humane_a and_o deliver_v down_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n it_o have_v be_v so_o constant_a so_o catholic_a and_o so_o uninterrupted_a as_o to_o be_v its_o own_o demonstration_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o story_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n in_o that_o age_n there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o tradition_n or_o if_o there_o be_v it_o be_v so_o early_o that_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a it_o must_v immediate_o have_v perish_v as_o a_o manifest_a lie_n in_o that_o when_o it_o come_v so_o near_o the_o very_a time_n in_o which_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v nothing_o but_o undoubted_a truth_n can_v ever_o have_v maintain_v its_o authority_n for_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a at_o a_o distance_n to_o tell_v strange_a story_n of_o the_o time_n of_o old_a as_o we_o find_v by_o those_o many_o idle_a and_o incredible_a legend_n add_v to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o after-age_n of_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n yet_o to_o raise_v a_o story_n so_o strange_a and_o remarkable_a as_o that_o of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o his_o apostle_n without_o any_o ground_n or_o foundation_n for_o it_o nay_o against_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v first_o broach_v and_o to_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o such_o a_o notorious_a fiction_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n for_o to_o pass_v by_o all_o the_o other_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v already_o represent_v that_o this_o tradition_n must_v labour_v under_o if_o it_o rise_v not_o up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o especial_o that_o of_o its_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v destroy_v it_o if_o false_a that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o propose_v and_o come_v now_o to_o prosecute_v seem_v as_o insuperable_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n viz._n that_o great_a number_n of_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o it_o shall_v after_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n concern_v its_o truth_n not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o so_o late_a and_o palpable_a a_o fiction_n but_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o defence_n of_o it_o this_o be_v not_o credible_a unless_o they_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o their_o assurance_n alone_o be_v to_o we_o a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n of_o it_o but_o though_o that_o be_v enough_o yet_o i_o will_v undertake_v more_o viz._n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o assurance_n by_o trace_v up_o the_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o derive_v it_o down_o to_o after-age_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o wise_a learned_a and_o judicious_a man_n and_o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o will_v make_v a_o new_a and_o distinct_a demonstration_n of_o the_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o this_o tradition_n be_v convey_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n either_o by_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n or_o of_o single_a person_n first_o by_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n and_o
into_o which_o number_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v receive_v this_o day_n be_v find_v in_o thy_o sight_n as_o a_o fair_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o thyself_o have_v prepare_v that_o so_o thou_o may_v accomplish_v what_o thou_o o_o true_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v foreshew_v wherefore_o i_o praise_v thou_o for_o all_o thy_o mercy_n i_o bless_v thou_o i_o glorify_v thou_o through_o the_o eternal_a high_a priest_n thy_o belove_a son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o who_o to_o thyself_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n to_o this_o eminent_a martyrdom_n of_o saint_n policarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n i_o can_v but_o subjoin_v that_o of_o pothinus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o his_o companion_n in_o that_o they_o suffer_v under_o the_o same_o prince_n with_o the_o same_o christian_a courage_n and_o resolution_n especial_o because_o pothinus_n also_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a age_n and_o almost_o as_o near_o the_o apostolical_a time_n as_o policarp_n and_o probable_o send_v by_o he_o into_o these_o western_a part_n and_o last_o because_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o public_a and_o undoubted_a epistle_n send_v from_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n by_o irenaeus_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n of_o both_o which_o epistle_n scaliger_n himself_o have_v 221._o give_v this_o just_a and_o deserve_a encomium_n that_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o most_o ancient_a martyrdom_n in_o the_o church_n so_o the_o read_n of_o they_o can_v but_o so_o affect_v every_o pious_a and_o devout_a mind_n as_o never_o to_o be_v satiate_v with_o it_o and_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n say_v he_o i_o do_v protest_v that_o i_o never_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o read_n whereof_o i_o have_v be_v so_o much_o transport_v as_o scarce_o to_o be_v myself_o and_o particular_o of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n what_o can_v be_v read_v more_o brave_a or_o more_o venerable_a in_o all_o the_o monument_n of_o christian_a antiquity_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o very_a amaze_a story_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a example_n both_o of_o the_o modesty_n and_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o as_o they_o be_v treat_v with_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o cruelty_n so_o their_o behaviour_n under_o all_o their_o torment_n be_v decent_a and_o free_a from_o all_o appearance_n either_o of_o vanity_n or_o passion_n now_o what_o can_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o such_o man_n as_o policarp_n and_o pothinus_n to_o who_o i_o shall_v have_v add_v pionius_n that_o suffer_v gallant_o about_o the_o same_o time_n who_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o have_v such_o opportunity_n to_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o shall_v thus_o frank_o resign_v their_o life_n upon_o any_o less_o account_n than_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o believe_v but_o though_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a the_o evidence_n of_o the_o first_o and_o apostolical_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o two_o eminent_a martyr_n yet_o before_o i_o quit_v it_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o clear_v off_o one_o objection_n in_o which_o as_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o general_n so_o policarp_n in_o particular_a be_v concern_v and_o that_o be_v the_o contradictory_n tradition_n about_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n both_o party_n pretend_v to_o derive_v their_o different_a custom_n from_o the_o apostle_n policarp_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o lesser_a asia_n from_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o saint_n peter_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o destroy_v the_o credit_n of_o their_o tradition_n when_o they_o make_v so_o little_a conscience_n as_o to_o fasten_v contradiction_n upon_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o great_a use_n have_v of_o late_o be_v make_v of_o this_o objection_n by_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n mr._n hales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o his_o peevishness_n and_o before_o he_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v with_o great_a scorn_n upbraid_v its_o grossness_n and_o folly_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o daille_n topic_n against_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n and_o how_o often_o it_o have_v be_v since_o object_v by_o other_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o some_o man_n have_v a_o very_a great_a itch_n to_o be_v find_v fault_n for_o otherwise_o this_o grossness_n and_o folly_n this_o fantastic_a hurry_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n be_v schismatic_n as_o mr._n hales_n be_v please_v to_o speak_v of_o it_o with_o a_o great_a many_o other_o good_a word_n be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n both_o of_o the_o faithfulness_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o this_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o the_o beginning_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o different_a practice_n and_o so_o must_v have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n casual_o and_o without_o design_n prescribe_v different_a usage_n saint_n john_n in_o those_o part_n of_o asia_n where_o he_o reside_v continue_v easter_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o other_o place_n to_o prevent_v too_o much_o judaise_v in_o its_o observation_n make_v the_o same_o little_a alteration_n in_o its_o time_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o sabbath_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n of_o comply_v with_o or_o change_a jewish_a custom_n the_o apostle_n vary_v their_o order_n according_a to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n sometime_o come_v up_o close_o to_o they_o sometime_o keep_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n now_o these_o different_a custom_n about_o easter_n be_v once_o casual_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o contention_n among_o the_o people_n as_o we_o know_v the_o common_a people_n be_v always_o zealous_a for_o their_o own_o custom_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o stifle_v this_o fire_n that_o be_v break_v out_o among_o they_o policarp_n a_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o asia_n undertake_v a_o journey_n to_o rome_n if_o possible_a to_o allay_v and_o compose_v the_o controversy_n where_o upon_o debate_n between_o he_o and_o anicetus_n they_o conclude_v it_o the_o most_o proper_a course_n that_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o both_o party_n shall_v retain_v their_o own_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o communion_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o world_n they_o communicate_v together_o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n policarp_n consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o anicetus_n and_o so_o they_o part_v love_o and_o continue_v ever_o after_o good_a friend_n this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o these_o good_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n though_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v afterward_o revive_v by_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o one_o man_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o command_v the_o asiatic_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o he_o and_o all_o other_o church_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n to_o this_o they_o return_v he_o a_o sober_a answer_n represent_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o change_v so_o ancient_a a_o custom_n disclaim_v his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o advise_v he_o rather_o to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n than_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o particular_a custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o they_o alone_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n though_o they_o be_v of_o his_o own_o way_n unanimous_o condemn_v his_o heat_n and_o rashness_n in_o so_o trivial_a a_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n irenaeus_n have_v convene_v a_o synod_n in_o france_n write_v he_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o observation_n of_o easter_n but_o not_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unadvised_a thing_n to_o think_v of_o excommunicate_v whole_a church_n for_o observe_v the_o ancient_a custom_n derive_v down_o to_o they_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o there_o be_v as_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
it_o so_o that_o in_o the_o true_a account_n of_o thing_n when_o man_n betake_v themselves_o to_o this_o weapon_n against_o any_o cause_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a confession_n that_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o no_o real_a exception_n and_o if_o the_o heathen_n have_v think_v that_o they_o be_v furnish_v with_o matter_n of_o sufficient_a argument_n against_o christianity_n itself_o they_o will_v never_o have_v load_v it_o with_o the_o pretend_a bad_a practice_n of_o its_o professor_n but_o for_o want_v of_o more_o material_a objection_n they_o be_v force_v upon_o these_o indirect_a course_n for_o what_o be_v it_o to_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o the_o religion_n itself_o whether_o those_o that_o pretend_v to_o it_o live_v not_o up_o to_o its_o principle_n if_o indeed_o the_o principle_n themselves_o be_v bad_a than_o the_o practice_n that_o follow_v from_o they_o be_v a_o pertinent_a objection_n against_o their_o entertainment_n but_o otherwise_o if_o man_n that_o own_o good_a principle_n live_v bad_a life_n that_o concern_v not_o their_o principle_n but_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o accusation_n against_o the_o christian_n have_v be_v true_a they_o be_v of_o no_o concernment_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n itself_o and_o so_o deserve_v no_o consideration_n in_o this_o argument_n yet_o because_o they_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o blind_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o people_n by_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o hatred_n of_o all_o those_o that_o may_v convince_v they_o i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o they_o because_o that_o will_v be_v another_o distinct_a reason_n for_o the_o unbelief_n of_o so_o many_o man_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n notwithstanding_o that_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n that_o christianity_n bring_v along_o with_o it_o i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o of_o the_o outcry_n of_o atheism_n though_o that_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n because_o i_o have_v account_v for_o that_o already_o only_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o the_o imputation_n of_o this_o crime_n to_o the_o christian_n be_v not_o more_o absurd_a than_o their_o method_n of_o convict_v they_o be_v unjust_a for_o their_o crime_n be_v so_o much_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o they_o never_o so_o much_o as_o inquire_v after_o any_o proof_n but_o the_o mere_a name_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v take_v for_o a_o full_a conviction_n and_o if_o any_o man_n own_a it_o that_o without_o any_o far_a trial_n pass_v for_o a_o confession_n of_o atheism_n and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o all_o the_o christian_a apologist_n complain_v of_o that_o only_o the_o name_n shall_v be_v persecute_v and_o for_o that_o alone_o they_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o malice_n and_o cruelty_n of_o their_o enemy_n though_o upon_o the_o vulgar_a supposition_n that_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v synonymous_a with_o that_o of_o a_o atheist_n it_o be_v crime_n enough_o so_o that_o in_o the_o result_n of_o all_o that_o absurd_a supposition_n be_v their_o only_a crime_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o charge_v the_o christian_n with_o all_o manner_n of_o brutishness_n and_o immorality_n thyestaean_a feast_n or_o eat_v their_o own_o child_n at_o their_o private_a meeting_n promiscuous_a lust_n incest_n and_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v beastly_a and_o immodest_a thing_n so_o incredible_a in_o themselves_o that_o they_o can_v never_o gain_v any_o serious_a belief_n with_o wise_a man_n but_o any_o thing_n will_v serve_v turn_n to_o abuse_v the_o rabble_n for_o great_a be_v the_o power_n of_o lie_v as_o we_o of_o this_o age_n know_v by_o too_o sad_a experience_n that_o have_v not_o long_o since_o see_v a_o establish_a church_n and_o state_n mere_o belie_v into_o confusion_n but_o though_o the_o adversary_n of_o christianity_n be_v ashamed_a to_o make_v use_n of_o these_o calumny_n in_o their_o public_a write_n yet_o they_o easy_o serve_v to_o transport_v the_o people_n into_o tumult_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o so_o justify_v any_o illegal_a and_o barbarous_a proceed_n against_o they_o thus_o when_o justin_n martyr_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o conference_n challenge_v trypho_n the_o jew_n whether_o he_o real_o believe_v that_o the_o christian_n eat_v man_n flesh_n and_o put_v out_o the_o candle_n at_o their_o meeting_n to_o run_v together_o into_o promiscuous_a lust_n the_o jew_n be_v a_o pretend_a philosopher_n scorn_v the_o mention_n of_o such_o wild_a story_n as_o unworthy_a any_o wise_a man_n regard_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o these_o very_a story_n do_v the_o business_n with_o the_o people_n upon_o all_o occasion_n thus_o in_o that_o famous_a french_a persecution_n in_o which_o the_o people_n exceed_v their_o own_o usual_a bound_n of_o barbarity_n they_o first_o raise_v these_o report_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o then_o rack_v some_o of_o 1._o their_o heathen_a servant_n till_o they_o vouch_v they_o viz._n that_o they_o use_v the_o feast_n of_o thyestes_n and_o the_o incest_n of_o oedipus_n with_o divers_a other_o enormity_n that_o can_v neither_o be_v think_v of_o nor_o express_v with_o modesty_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o be_v believe_v to_o have_v be_v ever_o practise_v among_o mankind_n and_o yet_o when_o these_o very_a thing_n be_v bruit_v abroad_o among_o the_o the_o people_n they_o be_v with_o one_o consent_n so_o enrage_v and_o incense_v against_o the_o christian_n that_o those_o who_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o neighbourhood_n or_o kindred_n have_v before_o behave_v themselves_o with_o some_o civility_n be_v hereby_o transport_v into_o the_o great_a excess_n of_o violence_n and_o outrage_n neither_o do_v they_o design_n by_o these_o calumny_n to_o cheat_v the_o people_n only_o but_o as_o athenagoras_n complain_v in_o his_o embassy_n to_o the_o emperor_n by_o the_o greatness_n and_o horror_n of_o those_o crime_n that_o be_v so_o vulgar_o report_v of_o they_o they_o kindle_v the_o hatred_n and_o displeasure_n of_o great_a man_n prince_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o be_v the_o main_a design_n of_o that_o excellent_a apology_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o christian_n be_v mere_o slander_v into_o accusation_n and_o that_o the_o slander_n wherewith_o they_o be_v so_o confident_o load_v be_v as_o false_a as_o wicked_a and_o this_o be_v the_o unanimous_a petition_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a apologist_n that_o the_o crime_n object_v against_o they_o may_v be_v examine_v and_o if_o any_o man_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o christian_a be_v find_v guilty_a that_o he_o may_v be_v punish_v with_o the_o utmost_a severity_n of_o law_n but_o if_o they_o prove_v mere_a malicious_a tale_n without_o any_o evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v the_o government_n will_v be_v please_v to_o secure_v they_o from_o such_o barbarous_a wrong_n and_o injury_n we_o only_o beseech_v you_o say_v justin_n martyr_n that_o those_o thing_n charge_v 2._o upon_o the_o christian_n shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o and_o if_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v so_o let_v they_o have_v their_o due_a punishment_n nay_o let_v they_o be_v more_o severe_o punish_v than_o other_o man_n but_o if_o not_o guilty_a than_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o innocent_a person_n shall_v suffer_v mere_o upon_o report_n and_o clamour_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n do_v we_o find_v athenagoras_n theophilus_n tatianus_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o tertullian_n frequent_o complain_v of_o such_o proceed_n and_o only_o request_v so_o much_o humanity_n from_o they_o that_o they_o may_v have_v the_o favour_n that_o be_v allow_v all_o other_o malefactor_n to_o have_v their_o crime_n examine_v and_o be_v proceed_v against_o according_a to_o evidence_n of_o fact_n nay_o tertullian_n proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v himself_o merry_a with_o the_o folly_n of_o their_o tale_n and_o tell_v they_o it_o will_v be_v a_o work_n worthy_a the_o zeal_n of_o some_o officious_a precedent_n to_o find_v out_o such_o a_o lundsford_n christian_n that_o have_v already_o devour_v at_o least_o a_o hundred_o fat_a boy_n for_o his_o own_o share_n o_o quanta_fw-la illius_fw-la proesidis_n gloria_fw-la si_fw-la eruisset_fw-la aliquem_fw-la qui_fw-la centum_fw-la jam_fw-la infant_n comedisset_fw-la i_o know_v that_o the_o father_n plead_v many_o other_o thingsin_n vindication_n of_o their_o innocence_n but_o i_o will_v not_o stuff_v my_o discourse_n with_o more_o quotation_n than_o be_v necessary_a to_o my_o argument_n and_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v be_v a_o manifest_a demonstration_n of_o the_o injustice_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o enemy_n in_o their_o proceed_n against_o they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o i_o be_o here_o oblige_v to_o make_v good_a viz._n that_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v to_o christianity_n be_v make_v upon_o unreasonable_a ground_n and_o by_o unreasonable_a men._n §_o xlii_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o public_a persecution_n that_o be_v
trick_n upon_o himself_o as_o to_o think_v of_o bring_v down_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n below_o the_o know_a time_n of_o greece_n as_o for_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n which_o follow_v next_o i_o shall_v not_o answer_v he_o here_o because_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o prove_v it_o false_a it_o run_v too_o far_o from_o the_o present_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n history_n and_o as_o for_o moses_n his_o command_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_n angel_n i_o scorn_v to_o answer_v it_o because_o it_o be_v so_o impudent_o false_a when_o the_o great_a commandment_n of_o his_o law_n be_v to_o worship_n one_o god_n alone_o and_o when_o himself_o have_v but_o a_o very_a little_a before_o object_v this_o as_o a_o singularity_n in_o the_o jew_n against_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o and_o then_o as_o for_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o magician_n i_o hope_v i_o may_v now_o let_v that_o pass_v too_o without_o be_v suspect_v as_o guilty_a of_o any_o omission_n and_o as_o for_o his_o meanness_n and_o poverty_n i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o account_v for_o that_o too_o already_o in_o that_o it_o be_v but_o suitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v send_v into_o the_o world_n strip_v of_o all_o worldly_a advantage_n that_o he_o may_v subdue_v it_o pure_o by_o the_o power_n of_o truth_n and_o therefore_o that_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o enquiry_n whether_o he_o wrought_v such_o miracle_n in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o not_o if_o he_o do_v the_o meanness_n of_o his_o condition_n be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o miracle_n if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v for_o a_o much_o worse_a objection_n nay_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o bring_v any_o real_a disadvantage_n upon_o the_o christian_a cause_n that_o it_o bring_v a_o considerable_a accession_n to_o its_o demonstrative_a proof_n and_o evidence_n in_o so_o much_o that_o without_o it_o it_o must_v have_v ever_o be_v liable_a to_o suspicion_n for_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v with_o kingly_a splendour_n and_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o earthly_a power_n the_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a entertainment_n of_o his_o doctrine_n may_v have_v be_v impute_v to_o worldly_a interest_n and_o not_o to_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n and_o man_n will_v have_v follow_v he_o for_o politic_a end_n and_o not_o for_o any_o conscience_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v secure_a of_o the_o integrity_n of_o his_o disciple_n he_o give_v they_o no_o secular_a encouragement_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a ensure_n to_o they_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o their_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n his_o institution_n be_v pure_a religion_n and_o conscience_n towards_o god_n be_v its_o only_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o its_o own_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v carry_v along_o with_o it_o no_o other_o recommendation_n and_o thus_o i_o remember_v when_o julian_n object_n the_o meanness_n of_o our_o saviour_n condition_n 6._o in_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v a_o subject_a of_o the_o empire_n which_o as_o he_o fancy_n be_v below_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n st._n cyril_n answer_v that_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v with_o imperial_a power_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o command_v the_o obedience_n of_o mankind_n man_n must_v have_v submit_v to_o he_o for_o worldly_a interest_n and_o not_o out_o of_o any_o sense_n of_o duty_n or_o religion_n and_o he_o have_v be_v just_o such_o another_o deity_n as_o caligula_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o emperor_n be_v who_o force_v man_n in_o spite_n of_o themselves_o to_o give_v they_o the_o show_n of_o divine_a honour_n by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o whereas_o you_o object_v say_v he_o that_o he_o be_v subject_a to_o caesar_n what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o purpose_n when_o he_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o neither_o caesar_n nor_o any_o other_o man_n ever_o do_v he_o raise_v man_n from_o the_o dead_a do_v any_o of_o your_o caesar_n ever_o do_v so_o what_o then_o if_o he_o be_v subject_a to_o caesar_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o work_n that_o he_o be_v great_a and_o they_o alone_o demonstrate_v he_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o person_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o that_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o scorn_v all_o your_o outward_a pomp_n and_o show_n of_o majesty_n and_o will_v receive_v no_o honour_n but_o what_o reflect_v upon_o he_o from_o the_o glory_n and_o greatness_n of_o his_o own_o work_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v origen_n reply_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o man_n that_o have_v all_o the_o advantage_n of_o birth_n and_o fortune_n to_o make_v themselves_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n but_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o wonderful_a in_o jesus_n that_o a_o person_n so_o obscure_a upon_o all_o worldly_a account_n shall_v raise_v himself_o to_o so_o great_a a_o fame_n and_o reputation_n that_o a_o man_n so_o poor_a and_o mean_o educate_v and_o never_o instruct_v in_o the_o art_n of_o eloquence_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o convert_v the_o world_n to_o a_o new_a doctrine_n to_o reform_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o to_o abolish_v the_o superstition_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o yet_o that_o without_o any_o force_n or_o artifice_n he_o shall_v so_o speedy_o effect_v what_o he_o undertake_v this_o say_v he_o be_v a_o thing_n singular_a in_o he_o and_o be_v never_o do_v by_o any_o man_n that_o i_o know_v of_o in_o any_o other_o age._n nay_o far_a beside_o the_o obscurity_n of_o his_o life_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n design_o lay_v to_o eclipse_v his_o glory_n his_o ignominious_a death_n one_o will_v think_v shall_v have_v put_v it_o out_o for_o ever_o and_o that_o even_o those_o that_o he_o have_v delude_v in_o his_o life-time_n shall_v then_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o grossness_n of_o the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o wonderful_a of_o all_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v never_o see_v our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n or_o have_v no_o assurance_n of_o his_o divinity_n how_o it_o can_v ever_o come_v into_o their_o mind_n to_o leave_v their_o country_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n to_o publish_v and_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o know_a falsehood_n so_o that_o we_o see_v that_o the_o meanness_n of_o that_o state_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n appear_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o material_a objection_n against_o his_o divine_a authority_n that_o upon_o several_a account_n in_o the_o last_o result_n of_o thing_n it_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o itsdemonstration_n in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o flout_v at_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o voice_n from_o heaven_n at_o our_o saviour_n baptism_n as_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o absurd_a and_o incredible_a but_o here_o the_o epicurean_a forget_v that_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n in_o that_o there_o be_v many_o relation_n of_o such_o appearance_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o yet_o if_o this_o objection_n hold_v good_a every_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v false_a and_o impossible_a but_o to_o treat_v with_o he_o as_o a_o epicurean_a why_o be_v it_o impossible_a because_o all_o story_n of_o god_n concern_v himself_o in_o humane_a affair_n be_v undoubted_a fable_n a_o admirable_a way_n this_o of_o confute_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o by_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a upon_o a_o precarious_a principle_n of_o our_o own_o so_o that_o the_o last_o result_n of_o this_o rude_a objection_n against_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o can_v be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o divine_a providence_n but_o he_o add_v that_o there_o be_v no_o witness_n of_o it_o but_o only_o john_n the_o baptist_n his_o companion_n in_o wickedness_n and_o this_o be_v another_o unhappy_a mistake_n of_o a_o man_n that_o sustain_v the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n when_o all_o the_o jewish_a nation_n even_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o jesus_n have_v a_o very_a great_a reverence_n for_o john_n the_o baptist._n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o his_o testimony_n that_o we_o rely_v upon_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o evangelist_n that_o have_v record_v it_o they_o know_v what_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o its_o reality_n and_o we_o know_v what_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o now_o have_v discharge_v all_o his_o little_a topic_n of_o calumny_n against_o our_o saviour_n own_o person_n in_o the_o last_o place_n he_o fall_v foul_a upon_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o with_o the_o same_o unhappy_a success_n for_o
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 sottish_a as_o to_o declare_v his_o own_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n even_o of_o the_o body_n to_o eternal_a life_n and_o that_o the_o first_o proof_n and_o specimen_fw-la of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o three_o book_n he_o begin_v to_o dispute_v in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o first_o object_n that_o the_o dispute_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n be_v of_o no_o moment_n in_o that_o both_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v a_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o only_o differ_v in_o this_o whether_o he_o be_v already_o come_v or_o be_v yet_o to_o come_v and_o yet_o this_o beside_o the_o gross_a absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n itself_o be_v a_o mere_a contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o former_a discourse_n by_o the_o personate_a jew_n for_o if_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o small_a as_o he_o pretend_v than_o all_o the_o sad_a out-cry_n and_o invective_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o christian_n be_v only_o clamorous_a nothing_o but_o this_o be_v object_v like_o a_o atheist_n that_o look_v upon_o these_o and_o all_o other_o difference_n about_o religion_n as_o trifle_a foolery_n and_o therefore_o origen_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o show_v he_o the_o excellency_n of_o both_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o supreme_a deity_n as_o oppose_v to_o the_o folly_n and_o impiety_n of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n but_o beside_o that_o as_o for_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n concern_v our_o saviour_n nothing_o but_o extreme_a ignorance_n can_v have_v object_v its_o vanity_n for_o be_v it_o nothing_o whether_o he_o be_v the_o promise_a messiah_n the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n the_o judge_n of_o mankind_n as_o the_o christian_n believe_v or_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o bold_a impostor_n that_o pretend_v to_o these_o great_a title_n only_o by_o virtue_n of_o magic_a art_n as_o the_o jew_n believe_v if_o the_o first_o be_v true_a that_o command_v the_o obedience_n of_o all_o mankind_n to_o his_o law_n as_o the_o only_a term_n of_o salvation_n and_o if_o so_o then_o nothing_o can_v more_o concern_v they_o than_o to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o trifle_a controversy_n as_o celsus_n foolish_o object_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o controversy_n start_v in_o the_o world_n of_o great_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n but_o the_o epicurean_n real_a meaning_n be_v that_o all_o controversy_n about_o religion_n be_v trifle_v because_o all_o religion_n be_v a_o cheat_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o then_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o a_o childish_a thing_n to_o contend_v about_o it_o but_o otherwise_o if_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n that_o govern_v the_o world_n then_o certain_o if_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n do_v it_o high_o concern_v all_o man_n to_o inform_v themselves_o of_o those_o certain_a rule_n of_o duty_n 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 have_v be_v bring_v in_o more_o inoffensive_o to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v with_o any_o ingenuity_n be_v charge_v with_o sedition_n till_o its_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n be_v first_o determine_v for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a controversy_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o if_o celsus_n and_o his_o partisan_n have_v but_o the_o courage_n to_o undertake_v they_o will_v have_v have_v no_o need_n of_o these_o petty_a and_o remote_a reflection_n the_o next_o cavil_v be_v that_o the_o christian_n affect_v nothing_o but_o singularity_n very_o likely_a this_o when_o so_o many_o of_o they_o travel_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o the_o extreme_a hazard_n of_o their_o life_n to_o convert_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a all_o mankind_n to_o christianity_n but_o though_o they_o seem_v to_o agree_v at_o first_o they_o afterward_o divide_v into_o faction_n but_o this_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o the_o levity_n of_o humane_a nature_n not_o the_o truth_n or_o excellency_n of_o christianity_n for_o beside_o what_o origen_n answer_v that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o thing_n of_o great_a reputation_n in_o itself_o or_o usefulness_n to_o the_o world_n about_o which_o man_n do_v not_o raise_v dispute_n and_o make_v party_n i_o will_v only_o ask_v he_o whether_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o raise_v controversy_n about_o it_o if_o it_o be_v than_o their_o do_v so_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o that_o be_v to_o say_v no_o religion_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o it_o bring_v a_o fatal_a necessity_n upon_o all_o that_o pretend_v to_o it_o to_o be_v both_o wise_a and_o honest_a which_o be_v such_o a_o awkerd_fw-mi condition_n of_o thing_n as_o destroy_v not_o only_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n but_o of_o humane_a nature_n itself_o but_o say_v he_o they_o scare_v the_o people_n with_o fable_n and_o bugbear_n tell_v what_o say_v origen_n 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
have_v be_v so_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o the_o world_n because_o he_o can_v not_o but_o expect_v that_o wise_a man_n shall_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o expose_v his_o hypocrisy_n but_o whatever_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o believe_v i_o be_o sure_a if_o there_o be_v no_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n that_o then_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n if_o there_o be_v let_v celsus_n tell_v if_o he_o can_v with_o what_o other_o bugbears_a christianity_n scare_n the_o people_n from_o hence_o he_o fall_v into_o his_o old_a story_n of_o heathen_a miracle_n for_o this_o topick_n make_v up_o one_o half_a of_o every_o book_n but_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o they_o prove_v nothing_o against_o christianity_n his_o insist_v upon_o they_o with_o so_o much_o stubbornness_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o confidence_n for_o if_o he_o believe_v they_o not_o they_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n if_o he_o do_v he_o show_v a_o strange_a partiality_n in_o believe_a thing_n so_o ill_o vouch_v in_o comparison_n of_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o whether_o he_o do_v or_o do_v not_o he_o plain_o contradict_v either_o himself_o or_o his_o design_n for_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o several_a miracle_n wrought_v in_o several_a temple_n of_o greece_n if_o he_o believe_v that_o some_o daemon_n or_o herae_fw-la that_o can_v do_v such_o thing_n as_o exceed_v humane_a power_n inhabit_v in_o those_o place_n then_o farewell_n to_o his_o epicurean_a doctrine_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o daemon_n or_o spirit_n if_o he_o believe_v it_o not_o as_o he_o do_v not_o it_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a in_o he_o to_o argue_v from_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o story_n which_o he_o not_o only_a suppose_n but_o as_o himself_o think_v know_v to_o be_v false_a though_o he_o be_v still_o more_o and_o more_o unhappy_a when_o he_o compare_v the_o apotheosis_n of_o antinous_n adrian_n boy_n with_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n all_o the_o christian_a apologist_n indeed_o lucky_o enough_o upbraid_v the_o heathen_n with_o this_o fresh_a instance_n of_o their_o idolatry_n as_o a_o exemplification_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o preferment_n of_o all_o their_o more_o ancient_a deity_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n they_o mind_v they_o of_o many_o horrid_a and_o foul_a story_n of_o bacchus_n venus_n cupid_n ceres_n proserpina_n that_o exceed_v all_o the_o lust_n and_o debauchery_n of_o late_a time_n but_o to_o compare_v this_o impure_a beast_n that_o be_v make_v a_o god_n to_o the_o shame_n of_o mankind_n with_o our_o saviour_n who_o if_o he_o be_v worship_v for_o a_o deity_n can_v obtain_v that_o honour_n by_o nothing_o but_o his_o divine_a and_o miraculous_a action_n very_o well_o become_v both_o the_o modesty_n and_o ingenuity_n of_o a_o atheist_n from_o hence_o he_o fall_v into_o his_o old_a calumny_n for_o now_o we_o have_v little_a but_o repetition_n that_o the_o christian_n be_v enemy_n to_o all_o learning_n but_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o be_v their_o neglect_n of_o the_o dull_a and_o atheistical_a philosophy_n of_o the_o greek_n that_o can_v not_o arise_v to_o the_o contemplation_n of_o any_o thing_n above_o matter_n but_o as_o for_o that_o true_a philosophy_n that_o from_o the_o contrivance_n of_o visible_a and_o material_a thing_n lead_v on_o to_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o wisdom_n goodness_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n it_o be_v most_o of_o all_o study_a and_o emprove_v by_o the_o christian_a philosopher_n the_o remain_a calumny_n that_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n god_n accept_v only_o of_o bad_a man_n and_o refuse_v the_o good_a and_o that_o because_o it_o allow_v repentance_n to_o the_o worst_a of_o sinner_n it_o allow_v they_o too_o in_o the_o worst_a of_o sin_n they_o be_v so_o apparent_o disingenuous_a splenetic_a and_o malicious_a that_o they_o only_o reflect_v back_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n upon_o the_o man_n that_o blush_v not_o to_o vent_v such_o impudent_a forgery_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o thus_o have_v i_o give_v a_o sufficient_a specimen_fw-la of_o this_o pretend_a philosopher_n way_n of_o dispute_v against_o christianity_n whereby_o the_o reader_n may_v perceive_v that_o he_o oppose_v it_o not_o with_o any_o rational_a or_o true_a philosophical_a principle_n but_o mere_a cavil_n and_o calumny_n and_o now_o be_v tire_v out_o with_o so_o much_o dulness_n i_o shall_v travel_v no_o far_o in_o he_o because_o all_o that_o follow_v be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o same_o material_n too_o so_o that_o there_o be_v very_o little_a new_a and_o that_o which_o be_v so_o be_v either_o very_a remote_a or_o very_a trifle_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v here_o put_v a_o end_n not_o only_o to_o my_o engagement_n with_o he_o but_o to_o my_o whole_a undertake_n and_o upon_o this_o true_a and_o impartial_a representation_n that_o i_o have_v make_v on_o one_o hand_n of_o all_o that_o variety_n of_o demonstration_n that_o accompany_v the_o gospel_n into_o the_o world_n and_o on_o the_o other_o of_o the_o weakness_n and_o impotency_n of_o all_o that_o opposition_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o it_o by_o learning_n or_o power_n by_o zeal_n or_o malice_n by_o wit_n or_o prejudice_n by_o philosophy_n or_o superstition_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n to_o think_v with_o himself_o which_o way_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n if_o he_o have_v intend_v to_o set_v such_o a_o design_n on_o foot_n to_o have_v give_v a_o great_a assurance_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o world_n let_v he_o lay_v all_o the_o premise_n fair_o together_o and_o then_o i_o once_o more_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o own_o thought_n to_o make_v his_o own_o conclusion_n §_o xliv_o and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v so_o i_o must_v desire_v he_o to_o make_v one_o more_o and_o that_o be_v to_o govern_v the_o constant_a course_n and_o tenor_n of_o his_o life_n according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o own_o conviction_n though_o one_o will_v think_v that_o this_o consequence_n be_v so_o unavoidable_a that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o put_v man_n in_o mind_n of_o its_o force_n and_o so_o the_o ancient_n think_v as_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n conclude_v his_o exhortation_n to_o the_o gentile_n that_o if_o he_o can_v but_o once_o bring_v they_o over_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o be_v then_o secure_a of_o their_o obedience_n to_o the_o christian_a law_n for_o when_o all_o be_v do_v say_v he_o as_o a_o man_n thought_n or_o design_n be_v so_o be_v his_o word_n as_o his_o word_n so_o be_v his_o action_n and_o as_o his_o action_n so_o be_v the_o habitual_a course_n of_o his_o life_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a life_n of_o every_o man_n that_o be_v serious_o a_o christian_n can_v but_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o his_o religion_n i._n e._n universal_o good_a and_o virtuous_a for_o consider_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n propound_v in_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v how_o any_o man_n who_o serious_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v in_o any_o doubt_n or_o suspense_n which_o way_n to_o determine_v his_o choice_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o strange_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a as_o peremptory_o to_o prefer_v misery_n and_o destruction_n before_o everlasting_a happiness_n and_o thus_o athenagoras_n when_o he_o have_v describe_v the_o great_a and_o eminent_a virtue_n of_o the_o christian_n give_v this_o rational_a account_n of_o their_o action_n this_o we_o do_v say_v he_o because_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o action_n of_o man_n and_o who_o create_v both_o we_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o because_o we_o know_v that_o we_o must_v give_v a_o account_n to_o he_o of_o all_o the_o passage_n of_o our_o life_n therefore_o we_o choose_v the_o most_o moderate_a humble_a kind_a and_o as_o may_v appear_v to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n the_o most_o contemptible_a course_n of_o life_n for_o we_o be_v peremptory_o agree_v that_o no_o evil_a in_o this_o life_n not_o loss_n of_o life_n itself_o can_v be_v great_a enough_o to_o weigh_v against_o that_o unconceivable_a happiness_n that_o we_o expect_v from_o the_o great_a judge_n of_o all_o man_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o humble_a kind_a and_o gentle_a deportment_n and_o so_o it_o be_v suppose_v in_o those_o day_n that_o mankind_n have_v so_o much_o sense_n as_o to_o conform_v their_o practice_n to_o their_o principle_n and_o the_o supposition_n be_v think_v so_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o by_o the_o experience_n of_o its_o truth_n the_o christian_a apologist_n gain_v the_o advantage_n of_o confute_v all_o the_o slander_n and_o
doctrine_n but_o how_o much_o great_a violence_n do_v these_o man_n offer_v to_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o conscience_n that_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n and_o yet_o despisé_fw-fr the_fw-fr obligation_n of_o his_o law_n this_o be_v more_o palpable_a blasphemy_n and_o the_o man_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v so_o much_o worse_a than_o a_o profess_a infidel_n as_o judas_n be_v worse_o than_o a_o common_a pharisee_fw-mi he_o in_o some_o measure_n believe_v his_o master_n to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o yet_o betray_v he_o and_o so_o be_v every_o vicious_a christian_a guilty_a of_o the_o same_o traitorous_a wickedness_n he_o believe_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o behave_v himself_o towards_o he_o as_o if_o he_o real_o believe_v he_o a_o cheat_n and_o a_o impostor_n this_o man_n sin_v know_o against_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o his_o conscience_n and_o every_o act_n of_o disobedience_n be_v not_o only_o a_o affront_n to_o his_o reason_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o pharisee_n but_o to_o his_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v in_o judas_n what_o a_o strange_a contradiction_n be_v a_o vicious_a christian_a both_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o profession_n it_o be_v so_o great_a that_o to_o i_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v a_o unconceivable_a instance_n of_o sottishness_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v in_o good_a earnest_n believe_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n shall_v after_o such_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n engage_v itself_o for_o the_o contrivance_n and_o procurement_n of_o man_n felicity_n and_o that_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o shall_v come_v into_o this_o low_a world_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o shall_v suffer_v all_o the_o agony_n of_o a_o ignominious_a death_n for_o the_o expiation_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o when_o he_o have_v recover_v we_o into_o a_o capacity_n of_o happiness_n and_o put_v we_o into_o a_o condition_n of_o peaceable_a intercourse_n with_o his_o father_n he_o shall_v prescribe_v to_o we_o some_o law_n of_o life_n to_o keep_v and_o continue_v we_o in_o that_o state_n into_o which_o he_o have_v redeem_v we_o and_o that_o to_o secure_a all_o he_o have_v enforce_v they_o by_o the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n of_o obedience_n and_o establish_v their_o obligation_n upon_o no_o less_o sanction_n than_o the_o certain_a assurance_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v i_o say_v to_o i_o it_o be_v a_o unconceivable_a brutishness_n that_o any_o person_n who_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n shall_v act_v so_o gross_o against_o his_o own_o interest_n against_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n and_o against_o the_o strong_a inducement_n both_o of_o his_o hope_n and_o fear_n as_o to_o live_v in_o a_o dare_a and_o habitual_a disobedience_n to_o any_o of_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n what_o a_o intolerable_a aggravation_n must_v it_o be_v of_o their_o wickedness_n whilst_o it_o be_v commit_v against_o all_o the_o endearment_n of_o love_n and_o goodness_n and_o all_o the_o inducement_n of_o interest_n and_o ingenuity_n i._n e._n against_o all_o the_o obligation_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o lay_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o apostle_n discourse_v very_o apposite_o heb._n 2._o 3_o 4._o how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o be_v publish_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o god_n also_o bear_v witness_n to_o they_o with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n here_o lay_v the_o emphasis_n that_o aggravate_v the_o neglect_n of_o their_o salvation_n that_o god_n have_v send_v his_o own_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o preach_v and_o to_o procure_v it_o that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o it_o by_o the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o that_o he_o have_v far_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o wonderful_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o miracle_n after_o all_o these_o motive_n and_o all_o this_o assurance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v so_o wretched_a as_o to_o neglect_v so_o easy_a condition_n of_o so_o great_a salvation_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v escape_v the_o just_a reward_n of_o his_o desperate_a and_o incurable_a stupidity_n for_o what_o shall_v prevail_v upon_o such_o mind_n as_o be_v proof_n against_o such_o motive_n and_o yet_o as_o strange_a as_o this_o appear_v what_o do_v we_o find_v more_o vulgar_a when_o a_o wicked_a believer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v think_v a_o monster_n in_o our_o age_n that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a prodigy_n in_o it_o than_o a_o entire_a true_a christian._n the_o true_a spirit_n of_o our_o religion_n seem_v to_o be_v flee_v to_o heaven_n with_o its_o primitive_a professor_n and_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o real_a christianity_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n i._n e._n a_o serious_a and_o habitual_a conformity_n to_o all_o its_o law_n and_o whatever_o man_n may_v do_v or_o pretend_v without_o this_o it_o may_v be_v humour_n or_o faction_n or_o any_o thing_n but_o religion_n no_o design_n how_o great_a soever_o less_o than_o this_o be_v worthy_a our_o saviour_n embasly_a and_o when_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v send_v on_o a_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n it_o can_v not_o be_v of_o any_o less_o concernment_n than_o its_o reformation_n the_o last_o scope_n of_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n be_v only_o to_o oblige_v all_o mankind_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a and_o the_o man_n that_o will_v not_o be_v so_o defeat_v all_o the_o love_n and_o wisdom_n of_o heaven_n in_o send_v the_o holy_a jesus_n into_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v i_o challenge_v my_o reader_n as_o he_o will_v not_o frustrate_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n as_o he_o will_v not_o baffle_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o innocence_n and_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o life_n of_o man_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o as_o he_o will_v not_o hereafter_o with_o that_o his_o saviour_n have_v never_o be_v bear_v nor_o himself_o neither_o that_o he_o will_v be_v careful_a for_o his_o own_o part_n to_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o his_o incarnation_n and_o let_v he_o see_v by_o the_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v to_o some_o purpose_n and_o that_o he_o die_v not_o in_o vain_a nay_o let_v i_o challenge_v all_o christendom_n not_o to_o give_v he_o occasion_n to_o complain_v have_v i_o desert_v heaven_n and_o all_o its_o glory_n and_o expose_v myself_o to_o all_o the_o shame_n and_o misery_n upon_o earth_n have_v i_o wrestle_v with_o all_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n have_v i_o live_v and_o die_v in_o disgrace_n and_o suffer_v all_o sort_n of_o affront_n and_o ill_a usage_n to_o restore_v the_o practice_n and_o reputation_n of_o virtue_n to_o this_o low_a world_n and_o be_v this_o all_o the_o issue_n of_o the_o travel_n of_o my_o soul_n that_o i_o have_v only_o found_v a_o new_a faction_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n by_o any_o thing_n else_o than_o that_o they_o signalise_v themselves_o by_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n be_v this_o all_o the_o purchase_n of_o my_o blood_n to_o be_v only_o follow_v by_o a_o few_o wicked_a and_o vicious_a proselyte_n i_o have_v as_o good_a have_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v in_o its_o degenerate_a state_n of_o heathenism_n as_o do_v and_o suffer_v all_o that_o i_o have_v do_v only_o to_o give_v a_o new_a name_n to_o those_o part_n of_o it_o call_v christendom_n without_o reform_v their_o old_a manner_n i_o neither_o design_n nor_o accept_v any_o other_o separation_n of_o my_o church_n from_o other_o part_n of_o mankind_n than_o what_o be_v make_v by_o the_o virtue_n the_o innocence_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n without_o this_o all_o their_o pretend_a faith_n in_o and_o zeal_n for_o my_o institution_n be_v to_o i_o no_o better_a than_o scandal_n and_o impudent_a hypocrisy_n and_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o purpose_n than_o to_o aggravate_v their_o impiety_n and_o increase_v their_o punishment_n and_o in_o truth_n what_o can_v more_o provoke_v our_o saviour_n displeasure_n than_o christian_a wickedness_n this_o bring_v disgrace_n and_o dishonour_n upon_o his_o religion_n and_o prostitute_n it_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n it_o break_v through_o all_o the_o best_a rule_n of_o duty_n and_o strong_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n
it_o be_v aggravate_v with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o can_v heighten_v its_o baseness_n it_o be_v without_o all_o plea_n of_o excuse_n or_o palliation_n and_o this_o certain_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o the_o unexemplified_a severity_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n against_o christendom_n for_o never_o be_v any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n harass_v with_o such_o remarkable_a plague_n and_o judgement_n as_o this_o have_v be_v in_o that_o their_o big_a impiety_n be_v but_o ordinary_a thing_n if_o compare_v to_o the_o vileness_n of_o our_o apostasy_n the_o time_n of_o their_o ignorance_n as_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n god_n wink_v at_o but_o now_o that_o his_o wrath_n be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v against_o all_o ungodliness_n and_o unrighteousness_n of_o man_n if_o they_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n persevere_v in_o hardness_n and_o impenitence_n they_o can_v but_o treasure_n up_o to_o themselves_o anguish_n and_o tribulation_n and_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n and_o be_v still_o heap_v up_o store_n of_o vengeance_n till_o some_o time_n or_o other_o the_o floodgate_n shall_v be_v open_v upon_o they_o and_o overwhelm_v they_o in_o irrecoverable_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n at_o least_o to_o conclude_v with_o my_o believe_a reader_n for_o if_o he_o be_v a_o infidel_n i_o turn_v he_o back_o to_o the_o premise_n of_o this_o discourse_n our_o saviour_n have_v a_o second_o come_v when_o he_o shall_v as_o he_o have_v say_v he_o will_v once_o more_o rise_v up_o from_o his_o throne_n of_o majesty_n shall_v put_v on_o the_o robe_n of_o justice_n and_o return_v accompany_v with_o a_o innumerable_a army_n of_o bless_a spirit_n to_o destroy_v the_o wicked_a and_o disobedient_a and_o take_v vengeance_n of_o his_o open_a enemy_n but_o much_o more_o of_o his_o disloyal_a and_o treacherous_a friend_n and_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v what_o horror_n and_o anguish_n must_v then_o seize_v all_o guilty_a soul_n with_o what_o tremble_a and_o infinite_a amazement_n must_v every_o careless_a and_o disobedient_a christian_a appear_v before_o all_o this_o dreadful_a glory_n and_o how_o will_v even_o their_o spirit_n die_v away_o under_o a_o intolerable_a fear_n and_o confusion_n of_o conscience_n who_o can_v conceive_v the_o bitterness_n and_o the_o agony_n of_o guilty_a mind_n whilst_o they_o receive_v their_o last_o sentence_n what_o a_o wild_a and_o stupid_a thing_n be_v man_n that_o can_v believe_v and_o yet_o forget_v these_o thing_n and_o sleep_v careless_a under_o the_o expectation_n of_o a_o day_n of_o doom_n for_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n will_v once_o come_v to_o condemn_v the_o world_n as_o he_o once_o come_v to_o redeem_v it_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n it_o be_v then_o past_a question_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v our_o judge_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o how_o do_v man_n who_o serious_o think_v that_o they_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n live_v as_o if_o they_o be_v secure_a that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v call_v to_o any_o future_a account_n careless_a and_o forgetful_a of_o all_o thing_n but_o a_o few_o vanish_v pleasure_n and_o trifle_n here_o below_o with_o slender_a regard_n or_o total_a neglect_n of_o their_o eternal_a condition_n in_o brief_a the_o terror_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n and_o the_o different_a portion_n of_o woe_n or_o bliss_n hereafter_o be_v so_o evident_o declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o for_o any_o man_n who_o believe_v it_o to_o live_v careless_a of_o they_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o sottishness_n that_o i_o can_v neither_o conceive_v nor_o express_v much_o less_o load_n or_o upbraid_v with_o any_o high_a aggravation_n than_o bare_o its_o own_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o leave_v this_o great_a meditation_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o my_o christian_a reader_n and_o conjure_v they_o all_o to_o a_o serious_a and_o habitual_a practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n as_o they_o hope_v for_o any_o benefit_n from_o our_o saviour_n first_o come_n and_o desire_v to_o escape_v the_o terror_n of_o the_o second_o the_o end_n errata_fw-la page_n 1._o line_n 4._o from_o the_o end_n in_o the_o preface_n for_o vice_n 1._o in_o vice_n p._n 127._o l._n 1._o for_o sextus_n r._n saint_n pag._n 130._o l._n 3._o for_o fearless_a r._n fearful_a book_n late_o print_v for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o pourtraicture_n of_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o of_o ever_o bless_a memory_n in_o his_o solitude_n and_o suffering_n new_o reprint_v by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n in_o octavo_fw-la dr._n hammond_n annotation_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o folio_n the_o five_o edition_n correct_v the_o book_n of_o psalm_n paraphrase_a with_o argument_n to_o each_o psalm_n in_o two_o volume_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o peterburgh_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n octavo_fw-la the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o six_o book_n write_v in_o latin_a by_o hugo_n grotius_n and_o now_o translate_v into_o english_a with_o the_o addition_n of_o a_o seven_o book_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n etc._n etc._n octavo_fw-la a_o book_n for_o beginner_n or_o a_o help_n to_o young_a communicant_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fit_v for_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o receive_v it_o with_o profit_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n in_o 240._o christ_n counsel_n to_o his_o church_n in_o two_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o two_o last_o fast_n by_o s._n patrick_n d._n d._n in_o quarto_n new_a the_o establish_v church_n or_o a_o subversion_n of_o all_o the_o romanist_n plea_n for_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n in_o england_n together_o with_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o present_a government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o allow_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n against_o all_o fanatical_a exception_n particular_o of_o mr._n hickeringill_n in_o his_o scandalous_a pamphlet_n style_v naked_a truth_n the_o second_o part_n by_o fran._n fulwood_n d._n d._n archdeacon_n of_o totnes_n in_o devon_n in_o octavo_n new_a a_o discourse_n of_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v a_o exposition_n of_o exod._n 20._o v_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o humble_o offer_v to_o this_o present_a age_n by_o john_n gregory_n archdeacon_n of_o gloucester_n in_o octavo_n new_a the_o new_a distemper_n or_o the_o dissenter_n usual_a plea_n for_o comprehension_n toleration_n and_o the_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n consider_v and_o discuss_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n alsop_n late_a pamphlet_n publish_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o reverend_a dean_n of_o s._n paul_n sermon_n concern_v separation_n by_o the_o late_a reverend_a dr._n tomkins_n in_o octavo_n the_o lively_a picture_n of_o lewis_n du_fw-fr moulin_n draw_v by_o a_o incomparable_a hand_n together_o with_o his_o last_o word_n be_v his_o retractation_n of_o all_o the_o personal_a reflection_n he_o have_v make_v on_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o several_a book_n of_o his_o sign_v by_o himself_o on_o the_o five_o and_o seventeen_o of_o october_n 1680._o in_o quarto_n new_a the_o daily_a practice_n of_o devotion_n or_o the_o hour_n of_o prayer_n fit_v to_o the_o main_n use_v of_o a_o christian_a life_n with_o prayer_n for_o the_o peaceful_a re-settlement_n of_o this_o church_n and_o state_n by_o the_o late_a pious_a and_o reverend_a h._n hammond_n in_o 120._o book_n print_v for_o and_o sell_v by_o richard_n chiswell_n speed_n map_n and_o geography_n of_o great_a britain_n and_o ireland_n and_o of_o foreign_a part_n fol._n dr._n cave_n life_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n fol._n dr._n cary_n chronological_a account_n of_o ancient_a time_n fol._n wanly_n wonder_n of_o the_o little_a world_n or_o history_n of_o man._n fol._n sir_n tho._n herbert_n travel_n into_o persia_n etc._n etc._n folly_n sir_n rich._n baker_n chronicle_n of_o england_n fol._n causin_n holy_a court_n fol._n wilson_n complete_a christian_a dictionary_n fol._n bishop_n wilkin_n real_a character_n or_o philosophical_a language_n fol._n pharmacopaeia_fw-la regalis_fw-la collegii_fw-la medicorum_fw-la londinensis_fw-la fol._n judge_n jones_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n judge_n vaughan_n report_n of_o case_n in_o common_a law_n fol._n cave_fw-la tabulae_fw-la ecclesiasticorum_fw-la scriptorum_fw-la fol._n sir_n will._n dugdale_n baronage_n of_o england_n in_o two_o vol._n fol._n dr._n littleton_n latin_a dictionary_n quarto_fw-la bishop_n nicholson_n on_o the_o church_n catechism_n quarto_fw-la the_o complete_a clerk_n quarto_n history_n of_o the_o late_a war_n of_o new_a england_n quarto_fw-la dr._n outram_n de_fw-fr sacrificiis_fw-la quarto_fw-la fowler_n be_v defence_n of_o the_o design_n of_o christianity_n against_o john_n bunynan_n 1_o s._n quarto_fw-la dr._n sherlock_n visitation-sermon_n at_o warrington_n 1659._o 6_o d._n quarto_fw-la the_o magistrate_n authority_n assert_v in_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
same_o time_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n out_o of_o that_o undoubted_a assurance_n they_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o may_v now_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n in_o january_n 1648._o than_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n neither_o do_v the_o current_n of_o this_o tradition_n stop_v here_o in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n but_o as_o it_o come_v down_o from_o the_o first_o witness_n so_o it_o descend_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n to_o aftertime_n for_o as_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v own_a by_o this_o epistle_n so_o be_v this_o epistle_n by_o those_o who_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_a of_o its_o authority_n especial_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v for_o as_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n be_v write_v not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n probable_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n so_o be_v that_o of_o dionysius_n write_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o saint_n clemens_n for_o he_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o have_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o be_v authentic_a from_o its_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o that_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o begin_v his_o reign_n about_o the_o year_n 161._o as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o time_n so_o that_o if_o the_o corinthian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v a_o more_o satisfactory_a and_o unquestionable_a information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o preach_v than_o be_v give_v they_o from_o so_o clear_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n for_o that_o be_v so_o entire_o free_a from_o all_o manner_n of_o doubt_n and_o suspicion_n the_o distance_n of_o time_n make_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o xxx_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o apostolical_a man_n we_o may_v join_v that_o of_o ignatius_n policarp_n papias_n and_o quadratus_n as_o have_v all_o converse_v with_o the_o follower_n and_o familiar_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o first_o as_o for_o ignatius_n he_o be_v educate_v under_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o by_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n of_o the_o great_a city_n of_o antioch_n where_o he_o sit_v many_o year_n and_o govern_v his_o charge_n with_o extraordinary_a zeal_n and_o prudence_n and_o at_o last_o with_o infinite_a courage_n and_o alacrity_n suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o faith_n there_o have_v be_v great_a controversy_n of_o late_a in_o the_o christian_a world_n concern_v his_o epistle_n though_o with_o how_o little_a reason_n on_o their_o side_n that_o oppose_v they_o i_o have_v account_v elsewhere_o and_o though_o i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o make_v use_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o make_v it_o good_a too_o yet_o our_o present_a argument_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o that_o dispute_n for_o whether_o these_o epistle_n that_o at_o this_o time_n pass_v under_o his_o name_n be_v genuine_a or_o counterfeit_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o write_v such_o epistle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o he_o be_v another_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a testimony_n and_o his_o great_a sense_n of_o immortality_n and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o martyrdom_n show_v his_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v so_o that_o he_o be_v another_o undoubted_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz._n that_o the_o christian_a faith_n descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o give_v that_o proof_n of_o their_o testimony_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o christianity_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n connect_v with_o the_o certain_a history_n of_o aftertime_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o dark_a and_o unknown_a interval_n wherein_o the_o story_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v former_o act_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v be_v first_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v it_o undeniable_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o story_n have_v it_o not_o first_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a history_n by_o such_o a_o near_a and_o immediate_a witness_n to_o make_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o wave_v that_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v from_o this_o glorious_a martyr_n epistle_n because_o they_o breathe_v so_o much_o the_o genuine_a spirit_n of_o the_o ancient_a christianity_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n which_o show_v what_o mighty_a satisfaction_n they_o have_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o so_o firm_o believe_v and_o so_o vehement_o desire_v and_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o and_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o question_v but_o for_o their_o resolute_a opposition_n to_o some_o mens_fw-la prejudices_fw-la for_o they_o be_v resolve_v in_o their_o own_o innovation_n of_o church-government_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n which_o these_o epistle_n so_o zealous_o assert_v and_o that_o as_o establish_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v but_o stubborn_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v say_v impudent_o to_o reject_v their_o authority_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v so_o admirable_o vouch_v as_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v purposely_o design_v to_o secure_v their_o credit_n for_o ever_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o his_o friend_n policarp_n who_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n with_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o own_o now_o policarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o question_v nay_o it_o be_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o avoid_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a a_o testimony_n as_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o only_o by_o say_v that_o this_o particular_a passage_n be_v foist_v in_o without_o any_o shadow_n of_o ground_n for_o the_o surmise_n nay_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o when_o the_o same_o book_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o same_o public_a manner_n till_o the_o time_n of_o saint_n jerome_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o have_v another_o shift_n altogether_o as_o groundless_a and_o not_o less_o bold_a viz._n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n that_o policarp_n speak_v of_o but_o that_o a_o little_a before_o eusebius_n his_o time_n the_o true_a one_o be_v lose_v and_o a_o counterfeit_a copy_n put_v upon_o the_o world_n which_o as_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o mere_a conjecture_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o desperate_a cause_n and_o void_a of_o all_o pretence_n of_o probability_n so_o it_o be_v incredible_a in_o itself_o and_o not_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n that_o such_o a_o famous_a write_n of_o such_o a_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a bishop_n of_o such_o a_o eminent_a and_o glorious_a martyr_n write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n at_o the_o