imprimatur_fw-la hic_fw-la libre_fw-la cui_fw-la titulus_fw-la a_o letter_n to_o a_o deist_n feb._n 8._o 1676._o guil._n jane_n r._n p._n d._n henr._n episc._n lond._n a_o sacris_fw-la dome_v a_o letter_n to_o a_o deist_n in_o answer_n to_o several_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n london_n print_v by_o w._n g._n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o m._n pitt_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1677._o the_o preface_n this_o follow_a discourse_n be_v write_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o a_o particular_a person_n who_o own_v the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o god_n but_o express_v a_o mean_a esteem_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v become_v so_o common_a a_o theme_n among_o the_o sceptic_n of_o this_o age_n that_o the_o author_n of_o this_o discourse_n think_v it_o worth_a his_o time_n and_o care_n to_o consider_v the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o they_o 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have_v be_v several_a fraud_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o have_v a_o long_a time_n prevail_v in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v not_o the_o very_a same_o argument_n be_v use_v against_o all_o religion_n by_o atheist_n and_o if_o the_o cheat_n that_o have_v be_v in_o religion_n have_v no_o force_n against_o the_o be_v of_o god_n why_o shall_v they_o have_v any_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o if_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o mankind_n signify_v any_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o deity_n why_o shall_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o circumstantiate_v as_o it_o be_v be_v of_o sufficient_a strength_n to_o receive_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n deliver_v by_o it_o which_o be_v all_o i_o at_o present_a desire_n do_v we_o question_v any_o of_o the_o story_n deliver_v by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o greek_a or_o latin_a historian_n although_o we_o have_v only_o the_o bare_a testimony_n of_o those_o historian_n for_o they_o and_o 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these_o case_n when_o the_o writer_n do_v not_o giu_v a_o thousand_o part_n of_o that_o evidencâ—_n for_o their_o fidelity_n that_o the_o firsâ—_o christian_n do_v and_o yet_o whaâ—_n shall_v we_o think_v of_o such_o a_o person_n who_o shall_v call_v in_o question_n thâ—_n best_a history_n of_o all_o nation_n because_o they_o be_v write_v by_o thosâ—_n of_o the_o same_o country_n by_o whicâ—_n it_o seem_v you_o will_v never_o allow_v any_o competent_a testimony_n at_o all_o for_o if_o such_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o enemy_n and_o stranger_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v both_o their_o knowledge_n and_o integrity_n if_o write_v by_o friend_n then_o though_o they_o may_v know_v the_o truth_n yet_o they_o will_v write_v partial_o of_o their_o own_o side_n so_o that_o upon_o this_o principle_n no_o history_n at_o all_o ancient_a or_o modern_a be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o they_o be_v all_o report_v either_o by_o friend_n or_o enemy_n and_o so_o not_o only_o divine_a but_o all_o humane_a faith_n will_v be_v destroy_v i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n a_o friend_n to_o unreasonable_a credulity_n but_o i_o be_o as_o little_a to_o unreasonable_a distrust_n and_o suspicion_n if_o the_o one_o be_v folly_n the_o other_o be_v madness_n no_o prudent_a man_n believe_v any_o thing_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a nor_o reject_v any_o thing_n mere_o because_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o it_o be_v the_o prudence_n of_o every_o man_n to_o weigh_v and_o consider_v all_o circumstance_n and_o according_a to_o they_o to_o assent_v or_o dissent_v we_o all_o know_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o deceive_v or_o to_o be_v deceive_v but_o we_o know_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o either_o and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o though_o man_n may_v deceive_v yet_o they_o do_v not_o always_o so_o and_o that_o man_n may_v know_v they_o be_v not_o deceive_v for_o else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o society_n among_o mankind_n no_o friendship_n or_o trust_v or_o confidence_n in_o the_o word_n of_o another_o person_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o best_a friend_n i_o have_v may_v deceive_v i_o and_o the_o world_n be_v full_a of_o dissimulation_n must_v i_o therefore_o believe_v no_o body_n this_o be_v the_o just_a consequence_n of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v that_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n because_o there_o have_v be_v many_o fraud_n in_o the_o world_n and_o may_v have_v be_v many_o more_o than_o we_o can_v now_o discover_v for_o if_o this_o principle_n be_v pursue_v it_o will_v destroy_v all_o society_n among_o man_n which_o be_v build_v on_o the_o supposition_n of_o mutual_a trust_n and_o confidence_n that_o man_n have_v in_o each_o other_o and_o although_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o all_o man_n to_o deceive_v because_o we_o can_v know_v one_o another_o heart_n yet_o there_o be_v such_o character_n of_o honesty_n and_o fidelity_n in_o some_o person_n that_o other_o dare_v venture_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n upon_o their_o word_n and_o be_v any_o man_n think_v a_o fool_n for_o do_v so_o nay_o have_v not_o the_o most_o prudent_a and_o sagacious_a man_n repose_v a_o mighty_a confidence_n in_o the_o integrity_n of_o other_o and_o without_o this_o no_o great_a affair_n can_v be_v carry_v on_o in_o the_o world_n for_o since_o the_o great_a person_n need_v the_o help_n of_o other_o to_o manage_v their_o business_n they_o must_v trust_v other_o man_n continual_o and_o every_o man_n put_v his_o life_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o other_o to_o who_o he_o give_v any_o freedom_n of_o access_n and_o especial_o his_o servant_n must_v a_o man_n therefore_o live_v in_o continual_a suspicion_n and_o jealousy_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a he_o may_v be_v deceive_v but_o if_o this_o be_v think_v unreasonable_a than_o we_o gain_v thus_o much_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o possibility_n of_o deception_n man_n may_v be_v trust_v in_o some_o case_n and_o their_o fidelity_n safe_o rely_v upon_o this_o be_v grant_v we_o be_v to_o inquire_v what_o that_o assurance_n be_v which_o make_v we_o trust_v any_o one_o and_o wherever_o we_o find_v a_o concurrence_n of_o the_o same_o circumstance_n or_o equal_a evidence_n of_o fidelity_n we_o may_v repose_v the_o same_o trust_n or_o confidence_n in_o they_o and_o we_o may_v soon_o find_v that_o it_o be_v not_o any_o one_o bare_a word_n that_o make_v we_o trust_v he_o but_o either_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o integrity_n among_o discern_a man_n or_o our_o long_a experience_n and_o observation_n of_o he_o this_o latter_a be_v only_o confine_v to_o our_o own_o trial_n but_o the_o former_a be_v more_o general_a and_o reach_n beyond_o our_o own_o age_n since_o we_o may_v have_v the_o testimony_n of_o discern_a person_n convey_v down_o to_o we_o in_o as_o certain_a a_o manner_n as_o we_o can_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o a_o friend_n at_o a_o 100_o miles_n distance_n viz._n by_o write_v and_o in_o this_o case_n we_o desire_v no_o more_o than_o to_o be_v satisfy_v that_o those_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o they_o and_o that_o they_o deserve_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o what_o they_o write_v thus_o if_o any_o one_o will_v be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o peloponnesian_a war_n and_o have_v hear_v that_o thucydides_n have_v accurate_o write_v it_o he_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v than_o to_o inquire_v whether_o this_o thucydides_n be_v capable_a of_o give_v a_o good_a account_n of_o it_o and_o for_o that_o he_o hear_v that_o he_o be_v a_o great_a and_o inquisitive_a person_n that_o live_v in_o that_o age_n and_o know_v all_o the_o occurrence_n of_o it_o and_o when_o he_o be_v satisfy_v of_o that_o his_o next_o enquiry_n be_v whether_o
he_o may_v be_v trust_v or_o no_o and_o for_o this_o he_o can_v expect_v no_o better_a satisfaction_n than_o that_o his_o history_n have_v be_v in_o great_a reputation_n for_o its_o integrity_n among_o the_o most_o know_a person_n but_o how_o shall_v he_o be_v sure_a this_o be_v the_o history_n write_v by_o thucydides_n since_o there_o have_v be_v many_o counterfeit_a write_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o consent_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o all_o age_n since_o we_o may_v compare_v the_o testimony_n cite_v out_o of_o it_o with_o the_o history_n we_o have_v and_o the_o style_n with_o the_o character_n give_v of_o thucydides_n and_o the_o narration_n with_o other_o credible_a history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o if_o all_o these_o agree_v what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o thucydides_n all_o learned_a man_n do_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o have_v be_v multitude_n of_o fictitious_a write_n but_o do_v they_o therefore_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o genuine_a or_o whether_o we_o have_v not_o the_o true_a herodotus_n strabo_n or_o pausanias_n because_o there_o be_v a_o counterfeit_a berosus_n manetho_n and_o philo_n set_v forth_o by_o annius_n of_o viterbo_n do_v any_o suspect_n whether_o we_o have_v any_o of_o the_o genuine_a work_n of_o cicero_n because_o a_o italian_a counterfeit_v a_o book_n de_fw-fr consolation_n in_o his_o name_n or_o whether_o caesar_n commentary_n be_v his_o own_o because_o it_o be_v uncertain_a who_o write_v the_o alexandrian_a war_n that_o be_v join_v with_o they_o by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o we_o may_v not_o only_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o fidelity_n of_o person_n we_o converse_v with_o but_o of_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o ouâ—_n belief_n of_o what_o be_v do_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o thâ—_n testimony_n of_o writer_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o supposititious_a write_n that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o all_o this_o only_o relate_v to_o mere_a matter_n of_o history_n wherein_o a_o man_n be_v not_o muâ—h_o concern_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a but_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v about_o be_v matter_n that_o man_n salvation_n or_o damnation_n be_v â—id_v to_o depend_v upon_o and_o therefore_o â—reater_a evidence_n shall_v be_v give_v of_o these_o to_o oblige_v man_n to_o believe_v they_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o â—â—y_a design_n herein_o be_v to_o prove_v â—hat_n notwithstanding_o the_o possibility_n of_o deception_n there_o may_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o a_o prudent_a and_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n do_v at_o as_o great_a a_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o convey_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v and_o hereby_o those_o general_a prejudices_fw-la be_v show_v to_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o you_o will_v give_v a_o assent_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o you_o do_v to_o caesar_n or_o livy_n or_o tacitus_n or_o any_o other_o ancient_a historian_n 2._o as_o to_o the_o great_a obligation_n to_o assent_v â—_o say_v it_o depend_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n which_o iâ—_n give_v by_o the_o matter_n of_o facâ—_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o anâ—_n here_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o ask_v you_o 1._o whether_o it_o be_v any_o way_n repugnant_a to_o any_o conception_n you_o have_v of_o god_n for_o he_o to_o make_v use_n of_o fallible_a man_n to_o make_v know_v his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n 2._o whether_o those_o man_n though_o suppose_v to_o be_v in_o themselves_o fallible_a can_v either_o deceive_v or_o be_v deceive_v when_o god_n makeâ—_n know_v his_o mind_n to_o they_o 3._o whether_o on_o supposition_n that_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o such_o person_n for_o this_o end_n those_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o who_o do_v not_o live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n with_o they_o if_o not_o than_o god_n must_v either_o make_v no_o revelation_n at_o all_o or_o he_o must_v make_v a_o new_a one_o every_o age_n if_o they_o be_v than_o the_o obligation_n lie_v as_o much_o on_o we_o now_o to_o believe_v as_o if_o we_o have_v live_v and_o converse_v with_o those_o inspire_a person_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v report_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o since_o it_o be_v universal_o agree_v among_o man_n that_o humane_a testimony_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o assent_n where_o there_o be_v no_o positive_a ground_n for_o suspicion_n because_o deceive_v and_o be_v deceive_v be_v not_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v and_o whether_o any_o of_o they_o do_v reach_v the_o apostle_n testimony_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n report_v by_o they_o and_o the_o just_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v these_o 1._o if_o the_o person_n be_v otherwise_o know_v to_o be_v man_n of_o artifice_n anâ—_n cunning_a full_a of_o trick_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o that_o make_v nâ—_n conscience_n of_o speak_a truth_n so_o a_o lie_n tend_v to_o their_o great_a advantage_n which_o be_v too_o mucâ—_n the_o papist_n case_n in_o their_o legend_n and_o story_n of_o miracle_n 2._o â—_o they_o temper_n and_o suit_v their_o storâ—_n and_o doctrine_n to_o the_o humour_n anâ—_n genius_n of_o the_o people_n they_o hopâ—_n to_o prevail_v upon_o as_o mahomet_n do_v in_o encourage_v war_n and_o lasciviousness_n 3._o if_o they_o lay_v the_o scene_n oâ—_n their_o story_n at_o a_o mighty_a distance_n from_o themselves_o at_o such_o a_o age_n wherein_o it_o be_v impossible_a either_o to_o prove_v or_o disprove_v which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o brahmin_n as_o to_o their_o brahmà _fw-la and_o their_o veda_n and_o be_v of_o the_o heathen_n as_o to_o their_o fabulous_a deity_n 4._o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o story_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o most_o authentic_a history_n of_o those_o time_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o imposture_n of_o annius_n have_v be_v discover_v 5._o if_o there_o be_v evident_a contradiction_n in_o the_o story_n itself_o or_o any_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o or_o unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n holiness_n sincerity_n and_o consistency_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n on_o which_o account_n we_o reject_v fanatic_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o may_v then_o allow_v there_o be_v some_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v therein_o but_o i_o shall_v undertake_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o defend_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o foundation_n for_o suspicion_n as_o to_o any_o one_o of_o these_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o person_n such_o whâ—_n go_v about_o to_o deceive_v other_o musâ—_n be_v man_n that_o be_v verse_v in_o business_n and_o know_v how_o to_o deal_v with_o man_n and_o that_o have_v some_o interest_n already_o that_o they_o have_v gain_v by_o other_o mean_n before_o they_o can_v carry_v on_o such_o a_o design_n as_o to_o abuse_v mankind_n by_o lie_n and_o imposture_n in_o religion_n therefore_o the_o atheist_n lay_v the_o deceive_a the_o world_n by_o religion_n to_o the_o charge_n of_o politician_n and_o lawgiver_n to_o man_n verse_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o fraud_n such_o as_o numa_n or_o lycurgus_n or_o xaca_n or_o mahomet_n such_o as_o understand_v the_o way_n of_o cajol_v the_o people_n or_o to_o subtle_a priest_n that_o know_v how_o to_o suit_v the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o superstitious_a multitude_n whence_o come_v the_o multitude_n of_o fraud_n in_o the_o heathen_a temple_n and_o oracle_n but_o will_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v pitch_v upon_o a_o few_o fisherman_n and_o illiterate_a person_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o intrigue_n as_o this_o man_n that_o be_v rude_a and_o unexperienced_a in_o the_o world_n and_o uncapable_a of_o deal_n in_o the_o way_n of_o artifice_n with_o one_o of_o the_o common_a citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n when_o be_v it_o ever_o hear_v that_o such_o man_n make_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v against_o the_o most_o violent_a persecution_n and_o when_o they_o prevail_v so_o much_o the_o common_a charge_n still_o against_o they_o be_v that_o they_o be_v a_o company_n of_o rude_a mean_a obscure_a illiterate_a simple_a man_n and_o yet_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o cunning_a and_o malice_n and_o learning_n and_o strength_n of_o their_o adversary_n they_o gain_v ground_n upon_o they_o and_o prevail_v over_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o jew_n anâ—_n
for_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v only_o a_o contrivance_n of_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o it_o must_v by_o the_o event_n be_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v very_o subtle_a man_n who_o in_o so_o little_a time_n and_o against_o so_o great_a opposition_n can_v prevail_v over_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o if_o we_o reflect_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o doctrine_n we_o can_v never_o imagine_v that_o these_o man_n do_v proceed_v by_o the_o same_o method_n that_o man_n of_o subtlety_n do_v make_v use_n of_o if_o it_o be_v there_o own_o contrivance_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o have_v frame_v it_o as_o they_o think_v fit_v themselves_o and_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o will_v have_v do_v it_o in_o a_o way_n most_o likely_a to_o be_v successful_a but_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o as_o though_o they_o have_v industrious_o design_v to_o advance_v a_o religion_n against_o the_o genius_n and_o inclination_n of_o all_o mankind_n for_o it_o neither_o gratify_v the_o voluptuous_a in_o their_o pleasure_n nor_o the_o ambitious_a in_o their_o desire_n of_o external_n pomp_n and_o greatness_n nor_o the_o covetous_a in_o their_o thirst_n after_o riches_n but_o lay_v a_o severe_a restraint_n on_o all_o those_o common_a and_o prevail_a passion_n of_o mankind_n which_o mahomet_n well_o understand_v when_o he_o suit_v his_o religion_n to_o they_o christianity_n be_v neither_o accommodate_v to_o the_o temper_n and_o genius_n either_o of_o jew_n or_o gentile_n the_o jew_n be_v in_o great_a expectation_n of_o a_o temporal_a prince_n at_o that_o time_n to_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o roman_a slavery_n and_o every_o one_o that_o will_v have_v set_v up_o for_o such_o a_o messiah_n may_v have_v have_v follower_n enough_o among_o they_o as_o we_o find_v afterward_o by_o the_o attempt_n of_o barchocebas_n and_o other_o but_o the_o messiah_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o their_o hope_n and_o 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most_o plausible_a manner_n and_o leave_v out_o all_o thing_n thar_z be_v most_o liable_a to_o reproach_n and_o infamy_n but_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o the_o most_o contemptible_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n a_o crucify_a saviour_n they_o insist_v the_o most_o upon_o and_o preach_v it_o on_o all_o occasion_n and_o in_o comparison_n of_o it_o strange_o despise_v all_o the_o wisdom_n and_o philosophy_n of_o the_o greek_n what_o do_v these_o man_n mean_v if_o christianity_n have_v be_v only_o a_o contrivance_n of_o they_o if_o they_o have_v but_o leave_v out_o this_o one_o circumstance_n in_o all_o human_a probability_n the_o excellent_a moral_a precept_n in_o christianity_n will_v have_v be_v high_o magnify_v among_o all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o under_o the_o instruction_n of_o philosopher_n nay_o they_o will_v not_o make_v use_n of_o the_o most_o commendable_a method_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n nor_o do_v as_o the_o jesuit_n have_v do_v in_o china_n make_v man_n have_v a_o better_a opinion_n of_o the_o religion_n they_o bring_v for_o their_o skill_n in_o mathematics_n and_o astronomy_n but_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v it_o be_v no_o contrivance_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n they_o shun_v all_o the_o way_n of_o show_v it_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o propagation_n nay_o when_o the_o people_n will_v have_v give_v the_o apostle_n divine_a worship_n never_o be_v vain_a man_n more_o concern_v to_o have_v it_o than_o they_o to_o oppose_v it_o and_o do_v these_o thing_n look_v like_o the_o action_n of_o man_n that_o design_v only_o to_o make_v themselves_o great_a by_o be_v the_o head_n of_o a_o new_a sect_n of_o religion_n 3._o man_n that_o make_v it_o their_o design_n to_o deceive_v the_o world_n if_o they_o have_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o bring_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o story_n concern_v the_o author_n of_o their_o religion_n will_v have_v place_v it_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n that_o it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v disprove_v as_o it_o be_v apparent_a in_o the_o heathen_a mythology_n for_o the_o story_n be_v such_o as_o no_o person_n can_v ever_o pretend_v to_o confute_v they_o otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o they_o with_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o religion_n but_o if_o we_o suppose_v christianity_n to_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a device_n will_v the_o apostle_n have_v be_v so_o senseless_a to_o have_v lay_v the_o main_a proof_n of_o their_o religion_n on_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v but_o new_o act_v and_o which_o they_o be_v very_o capable_a of_o inquire_v into_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o relate_v to_o it_o viz._n the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o great_a stress_n of_o christianity_n be_v lay_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o to_o this_o christ_n himself_o appeal_v before_o hand_n to_o this_o all_o the_o apostle_n refer_v as_o the_o mighty_a confirmation_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o this_o they_o deliver_v as_o a_o thing_n which_o themselves_o have_v see_v and_o have_v converse_v with_o he_o for_o 40_o day_n together_o with_o all_o the_o demonstration_n imaginable_a of_o a_o true_a and_o real_a body_n and_o that_o not_o to_o one_o or_o two_o credulous_a person_n but_o so_o many_o of_o they_o who_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v satisfy_v and_o one_o not_o without_o the_o most_o sensible_a evidence_n but_o beside_o these_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o 500_o at_o once_o who_o see_v he_o whereof_o many_o be_v then_o live_v when_o those_o thing_n be_v write_v now_o i_o pray_v tell_v i_o what_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n ever_o put_v itself_o upon_o so_o fair_a a_o trial_n as_o this_o of_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o capable_a of_o be_v attest_v as_o any_o can_v be_v why_o do_v not_o amida_n or_o brahma_n or_o xaca_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o present_a religion_n of_o the_o east_n indies_n why_o do_v not_o orpheus_n or_o numa_n or_o any_o other_o introducer_n of_o religious_a customa_n among_o the_o greek_n or_o roman_n or_o mahomet_n among_o the_o arabian_n put_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n on_o such_o a_o plain_a and_o easy_a trial_n as_o this_o if_o you_o say_v that_o christ_n appear_v only_o to_o his_o friend_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o believe_v such_o thing_n and_o not_o among_o his_o enemy_n i_o answer_v that_o though_o they_o be_v his_o friend_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o hard_o to_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o at_o first_o and_o afterward_o give_v large_a testimony_n of_o their_o fidelity_n than_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o great_a enemy_n will_v have_v be_v for_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v only_o their_o bare_a word_n for_o it_o if_o they_o will_v have_v give_v that_o which_o be_v very_o questionable_a consider_v their_o deal_n with_o the_o other_o miracle_n of_o christ_n but_o the_o apostle_n manifest_v their_o sincerity_n by_o all_o real_a proof_n that_o can_v be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v mankind_n appeal_n to_o the_o very_a person_n who_o be_v concern_v the_o most_o in_o it_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n declare_v their_o great_a readiness_n to_o suffer_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n at_o last_o for_o it_o if_o all_o this_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n how_o unlikely_a be_v it_o that_o among_o so_o many_o as_o be_v conscious_a of_o it_o no_o one_o person_n by_o hope_n or_o fear_n by_o flattery_n or_o threaten_n can_v ever_o be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n what_o triumph_v have_v there_o be_v among_o the_o
but_o to_o my_o apprehension_n very_o plain_a and_o easy_a if_o we_o attend_v to_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o they_o which_o be_v to_o acquaint_v abraham_n how_o long_o it_o will_v be_v before_o the_o prophecy_n be_v accomplish_v and_o what_o the_o condition_n of_o his_o seed_n shall_v be_v the_o mean_a time_n viz._n that_o they_o shall_v have_v no_o land_n which_o they_o shall_v call_v their_o own_o by_o inheritance_n all_o that_o time_n but_o they_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o great_a hardship_n yea_o even_o to_o servitude_n but_o that_o nation_n who_o they_o shall_v serve_v shall_v at_o last_o suffer_v for_o their_o ill_a usage_n of_o they_o and_o they_o shall_v come_v out_o of_o that_o captivity_n with_o great_a substance_n and_o all_o this_o to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o four_o generation_n of_o the_o amorites_n when_o their_o iniquity_n shall_v be_v arrive_v at_o the_o full_a height_n all_o which_o particular_n be_v so_o remarkable_o accomplish_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o under_o such_o improbable_a circumstance_n that_o that_o this_o very_a prophecy_n be_v enough_o to_o convince_v a_o unprejudiced_a mind_n that_o it_o come_v from_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o where_o do_v we_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n like_o this_o in_o the_o history_n of_o other_o nation_n viz._n a_o prophecy_n to_o be_v accomplish_v 400_o year_n after_o and_o the_o very_a manner_n foretell_v which_o no_o humane_a conjecture_n can_v reach_v to_o since_o the_o manner_n of_o deliverance_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o their_o captivity_n in_o egypt_n be_v to_o all_o humane_a appearance_n so_o impossible_a a_o thing_n especial_o at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o people_n be_v sink_v and_o break_v by_o so_o long_a a_o slavery_n and_o not_o only_o the_o manner_n foretell_v but_o the_o accomplishment_n happen_v to_o a_o day_n according_a to_o exodus_fw-la 12._o 41._o and_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o 430_o year_n even_o the_o selfsame_o day_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o all_o the_o host_n of_o the_o lord_n go_v out_o from_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n but_o against_o this_o you_o object_n that_o the_o sojourn_v be_v speak_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n for_o 430_o year_n which_o can_v hold_v good_a any_o way_n since_o to_o make_v it_o up_o the_o time_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n must_v be_v take_v in_o who_o can_v not_o be_v call_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n answ._n for_o the_o 430_o year_n i_o grant_v that_o according_a to_o st._n paul_n they_o do_v commence_v from_o the_o covenant_n make_v to_o abraham_n gal._n 3._o 17._o and_o that_o the_o 400_o year_n begin_v from_o isaac_n be_v own_v for_o the_o promise_a seed_n between_o which_o time_n the_o 30_o year_n be_v pass_v and_o all_o appearance_n of_o difficulty_n be_v avoid_v if_o we_o admit_v the_o read_n of_o the_o best_a copy_n of_o the_o lxx_o which_o be_v in_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o the_o sojourn_v of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n who_o dwell_v in_o egypt_n and_o canaan_n they_o and_o their_o father_n be_v 430_o year_n this_o be_v the_o read_n of_o our_o alexandrian_a copy_n and_o the_o complutensian_a and_o that_o of_o aldus_fw-la and_o of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o chronicon_fw-la and_o of_o st._n hierome_n in_o his_o translation_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o church_n in_o st._n augustins_n time_n and_o afterward_o and_o lest_o any_o shall_v reject_v this_o as_o a_o late_a interpolation_n or_o gloss_n receive_v into_o the_o text_n beside_o these_o testimony_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o we_o find_v the_o very_a same_o in_o the_o samaritan_n copy_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o it_o do_v allow_v to_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o that_o which_o very_o much_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o read_n be_v that_o the_o jew_n themselves_o follow_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o who_o be_v the_o most_o eager_a contender_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o hebrew_n copy_n who_o all_o agree_v that_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o computation_n of_o the_o 430_o year_n be_v to_o be_v take_v before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v into_o egypt_n and_o menasseh_n ben_n israel_n contend_v with_o many_o other_o that_o the_o 430_o year_n do_v begin_v from_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o abraham_n and_o the_o 400_o from_o the_o time_n of_o isaac_n to_o which_o their_o most_o ancient_a book_n of_o chronology_n do_v agree_v and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n speak_v both_o philo_n judaeus_n and_o josephus_n who_o although_o in_o one_o place_n he_o seem_v to_o make_v the_o israelite_n affliction_n in_o egypt_n to_o have_v be_v 400_o year_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v more_o particular_o of_o it_o he_o make_v the_o time_n of_o their_o abode_n in_o egypt_n to_o have_v be_v only_o 215_o and_o the_o 430_o to_o begin_v from_o abraham_n entrance_n into_o canaan_n the_o targum_fw-la of_o jonathan_n begin_v the_o 430_o from_o the_o vision_n of_o abraham_n and_o the_o 400_o from_o the_o birth_n of_o isaac_n all_o which_o i_o mention_v to_o let_v you_o see_v that_o the_o jew_n themselves_o do_v in_o sense_n concur_v with_o the_o samaritan_n and_o greek_a copy_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o suspect_v something_o leave_v out_o in_o the_o present_a hebrew_n than_o any_o thing_n add_v in_o those_o copy_n but_o do_v not_o this_o take_v off_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o at_o all_o for_o the_o only_a question_n be_v about_o the_o true_a read_n and_o have_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o samaritan_n alexandrian_n and_o other_o copy_n of_o the_o lxx_o and_o of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o as_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o look_v on_o this_o as_o the_o true_a read_v which_o be_v make_v no_o addition_n to_o the_o scripture_n either_o as_o to_o person_n or_o place_n but_o only_o produce_v the_o more_o authentic_a copy_n much_o less_o be_v this_o add_v or_o change_a as_o we_o please_v for_o if_o we_o do_v this_o without_o so_o much_o authority_n as_o we_o have_v for_o it_o you_o may_v as_o easy_o reject_v it_o as_o we_o produce_v it_o 3._o after_o all_o this_o i_o do_v not_o see_v the_o mighty_a force_n of_o your_o reason_n to_o charge_v the_o scripture_n with_o contradiction_n suppose_v the_o 400_o year_n be_v to_o be_v spend_v in_o the_o servitude_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n i_o confess_v when_o i_o find_v the_o scripture_n so_o bold_o so_o frequent_o charge_v with_o no_o less_o than_o contradiction_n i_o expect_v something_o like_o demonstration_n in_o the_o case_n especial_o in_o this_o place_n which_o you_o choose_v to_o put_v in_o the_o front_n of_o all_o but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o thing_n like_o such_o a_o proof_n of_o a_o contradiction_n suppose_v we_o shall_v allow_v the_o 400_o year_n to_o be_v spend_v in_o egypt_n yes_o say_v you_o coath_n be_v 5_o year_n old_a when_o he_o 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satisfaction_n but_o only_o seek_v for_o a_o pretence_n to_o cavil_v especial_o if_o you_o only_o search_v the_o weak_a or_o most_o injudicious_a writer_n on_o the_o scripture_n and_o endeavour_v to_o expose_v their_o opinion_n without_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o other_o have_v say_v with_o more_o clear_a and_o evident_a reason_n this_o show_v either_o want_n of_o judgement_n in_o choose_v such_o expositor_n or_o want_v of_o candour_n and_o fair_a deal_n and_o a_o desire_n of_o take_v any_o advantage_n against_o the_o scripture_n 4._o how_o hard_o a_o matter_n it_o be_v for_o we_o at_o this_o distance_n to_o understand_v exact_o the_o ground_n of_o chronology_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o computation_n of_o time_n use_v so_o long_o ago_o and_o therefore_o in_o all_o difficulty_n of_o this_o nature_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o fair_a allowance_n that_o may_v be_v consider_v withal_o that_o escape_v and_o error_n be_v no_o where_o more_o easy_o commit_v by_o transcriber_n than_o in_o 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