by_o so_o much_o experience_n of_o the_o person_n who_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n four_o how_o come_v josephus_n himself_o to_o neglect_v this_o remarkable_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture-history_n in_o his_o book_n against_o appion_n if_o he_o have_v think_v it_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v rely_v on_o five_o how_o come_v josephus_n so_o careless_o to_o set_v down_o the_o place_n in_o syria_n where_o these_o pillar_n stand_v that_o inquisitive_a person_n may_v have_v satisfy_v themselves_o with_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o pillar_n at_o least_o and_o what_o kind_n of_o character_n those_o observation_n be_v preserve_v in_o but_o now_o if_o we_o compare_v this_o of_o josephus_n with_o manetho_n his_o story_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o so_o exact_o resemble_v each_o other_o that_o we_o may_v well_o judge_v all_o those_o pillar_n to_o have_v be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o same_o quarry_n two_o thing_n make_v it_o yet_o more_o probable_a first_o the_o name_n of_o the_o place_n wherein_o they_o stand_v which_o eustathius_n in_o hexaemeron_n take_v out_o of_o josephus_n and_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o very_a same_o place_n with_o that_o in_o manetho_n the_o other_o be_v the_o common_a use_n of_o the_o name_n of_o seth_n among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o not_o only_o appear_v by_o plutarch_n de_fw-fr â—_o side_n &_o osiride_n but_o by_o this_o very_a place_n of_o manctho_n where_o it_o follow_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o book_n of_o his_o bear_v the_o title_n which_o vettius_n valens_n antiochenus_fw-la tell_v we_o be_v not_o call_v 438._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o therefore_o josephus_n who_o frequent_o use_v the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_a writer_n and_o frequent_o of_o this_o manetho_n endeavour_v to_o bring_v this_o fabulous_a relation_n of_o manetho_n as_o near_o the_o truth_n as_o he_o can_v therefore_o in_o stead_n of_o thoyth_fw-mi he_o put_v seth_n and_o the_o fabulous_a 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measure_n of_o time_n with_o which_o make_v it_o most_o probable_a what_o diodorus_n observe_v of_o they_o that_o in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o their_o art_n they_o 3._o make_v use_v of_o lunar_a year_n of_o 30_o day_n so_o they_o have_v need_n when_o tully_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o boast_v of_o observation_n of_o the_o star_n for_o 470000_o year_n which_o after_o diodorus_n his_o computation_n and_o 〈◊〉_d the_o vulgar_a account_n of_o year_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n will_v fall_v near_o upon_o if_o not_o before_o the_o creation_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v be_v so_o extravagant_a in_o their_o account_n of_o themselves_o have_v they_o but_o preserve_v the_o history_n of_o their_o nation_n in_o any_o certain_a record_n for_o want_v of_o which_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_a time_n vary_v in_o the_o several_a family_n after_o their_o dispersion_n and_o be_v gradual_o corrupt_v by_o the_o policy_n of_o their_o leader_n and_o those_o 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as_o
seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o ever_o for_o grant_v that_o a_o divine_a power_n be_v see_v in_o one_o and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v still_o dissatisfy_v unless_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o he_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v from_o divine_a power_n and_o other_o can_v be_v now_o the_o main_a distinction_n be_v place_v here_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n abstract_o consider_v and_o not_o as_o they_o bear_v any_o evidence_n to_o our_o understanding_n in_o stead_n of_o resolve_v doubt_n it_o increase_v more_o for_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o magician_n rod_n turn_v into_o scrpent_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n his_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v this_o yield_v to_o any_o spectator_n to_o tell_v he_o that_o in_o the_o one_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o some_o evidence_n from_o the_o thing_n that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o mere_a imposture_n and_o the_o 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out_o as_o a_o certain_a difference_n between_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o of_o diabolical_a and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o divine_a power_n if_o then_o it_o may_v be_v discover_v that_o there_o be_v a_o malignant_a spirit_n which_o act_n in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v produce_v strange_a thing_n either_o we_o must_v impute_v all_o strange_a thing_n to_o he_o which_o must_v be_v to_o attribute_v to_o he_o a_o infinite_a power_n or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a which_o cross_v this_o malignant_a spirit_n in_o his_o design_n and_o if_o so_o we_o can_v imagine_v he_o shall_v suffer_v he_o to_o usurp_v so_o much_o tyranny_n over_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o to_o make_v those_o thing_n pass_v in_o the_o more_o sober_a and_o inquisitive_a part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o divine_a miracle_n which_o be_v only_a counterfeit_n and_o imposture_n if_o then_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o deep_o engage_v in_o the_o discover_v the_o design_n of_o satan_n 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as_o a_o evidence_n of_o divine_a testimony_n when_o we_o see_v they_o be_v common_a to_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n and_o may_v seal_v indifferent_o either_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o do_v no_o small_a disservice_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o upon_o such_o weak_a and_o frivolous_a pretence_n they_o give_v so_o great_a a_o advantage_n to_o infidelity_n as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o validity_n of_o that_o which_o yield_v so_o ample_a a_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o if_o once_o the_o rational_a ground_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o whole_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v lay_v on_o thing_n not_o only_o deride_v by_o man_n of_o atheistical_a spirit_n but_o in_o themselves_o such_o as_o can_v be_v discern_v or_o judge_v of_o by_o any_o but_o themselves_o upon_o what_o 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self-evidence_n be_v take_v off_o from_o the_o write_a word_n which_o be_v the_o object_n and_o remove_v to_o a_o quite_o different_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n 2._o whether_o then_o any_o person_n who_o want_v this_o efficacious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v or_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v god_n word_n if_o they_o be_v bind_v the_o duty_n must_v be_v propound_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n but_o if_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n lie_v on_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n than_o such_o as_o want_v this_o can_v have_v none_o at_o all_o but_o if_o â—astly_a by_o this_o self-evidence_n be_v mean_v
demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o one_o beyond_o the_o other_o whereby_o we_o must_v do_v as_o archimedes_n do_v by_o the_o crown_n of_o hiero_n find_v out_o the_o exact_a proportion_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n which_o lie_v in_o all_o those_o heathen_a fable_n and_o this_o now_o lead_v to_o the_o three_o account_n why_o truth_n be_v so_o 14._o hardly_o discern_v from_o error_n even_o by_o those_o who_o search_v after_o it_o which_o be_v the_o great_a obscurity_n of_o the_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n which_o shall_v decide_v the_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a agreement_n in_o some_o common_a principle_n and_o a_o frequent_a resemblance_n in_o particular_a tradition_n we_o must_v of_o necessity_n for_o the_o clear_n the_o truth_n from_o its_o corruption_n have_v recourse_n to_o ancient_a history_n to_o see_v if_o thereby_o we_o can_v find_v out_o where_o the_o original_a tradition_n be_v best_o preserve_v by_o what_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o whereby_o we_o may_v distinguish_v those_o corruption_n from_o the_o truth_n to_o which_o they_o be_v annex_v which_o be_v the_o design_n and_o subject_n of_o our_o future_a discourse_n viz._n to_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a original_n and_o general_a tradition_n preserve_v in_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o old_a age_n of_o the_o world_n that_o this_o tradition_n be_v gradual_o corrupt_v among_o the_o heathen_n that_o not_o withstand_v this_o corruption_n there_o be_v sufficient_a remainder_n of_o it_o to_o evidence_n its_o true_a original_n that_o the_o full_a account_n of_o this_o tradition_n be_v alone_o preserve_v in_o those_o book_n we_o call_v the_o scripture_n that_o where_o any_o other_o histery_n seem_v to_o cross_v the_o report_n contain_v in_o they_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o question_v their_o credibility_n and_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o clear_v the_o undoubted_a certainty_n of_o that_o histery_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o sacred_a record_n of_o scripture_n wherein_o we_o shall_v observe_v the_o same_o method_n which_o thales_n take_v in_o take_v the_o height_n of_o the_o pyramid_n by_o measure_v the_o length_n of_o their_o shadow_n so_o shall_v we_o the_o height_n and_o antiquity_n of_o truth_n from_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o fabulous_a corruption_n of_o it_o which_o will_v be_v a_o work_n of_o so_o much_o the_o great_a difficulty_n because_o the_o truth_n we_o pursue_v after_o take_v covert_n in_o so_o great_a antiquity_n and_o we_o must_v be_v force_v to_o follow_v its_o most_o fly_a footstep_n through_o the_o dark_a and_o shady_a path_n of_o ancient_a history_n for_o though_o history_n be_v frequent_o call_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o herald_n of_o time_n yet_o that_o light_n be_v so_o faint_a and_o dim_a especial_o in_o heathen_a nation_n as_o not_o to_o serve_v to_o discover_v the_o face_n of_o truth_n from_o her_o counterseit_n error_n and_o that_o herald_n so_o little_a skilled_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o tell_v we_o which_o be_v of_o the_o elder_a house_n the_o reason_n be_v though_o truth_n be_v always_o of_o great_a antiquity_n yet_o error_n may_v have_v the_o more_o wrinkle_a face_n by_o which_o it_o often_o impose_v on_o such_o who_o guess_v antiquity_n by_o deformity_n and_o think_v nothing_o so_o old_a as_o that_o which_o can_v give_v the_o least_o account_n of_o its_o own_o age_n this_o be_v evident_o the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o make_v the_o pretence_n of_o ancient_a history_n a_o plea_n for_o insidelity_n and_o think_v no_o argument_n more_o plausible_a to_o impugn_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a revelation_n with_o than_o the_o seem_a repugnancy_n of_o some_o pretend_a history_n with_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n report_v in_o the_o bible_n which_o be_v a_o pretext_n so_o unworthy_a &_o design_v for_o solill_o a_o end_n and_o so_o frequent_o make_v use_n of_o by_o such_o who_o account_n infidelity_n a_o piece_n of_o antiquity_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n it_o may_v be_v worth_a our_o while_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o more_o liable_a to_o be_v baffle_v with_o reason_n then_o to_o be_v confute_v by_o antiquity_n in_o order_n therefore_o to_o the_o remove_n of_o this_o stumbling-block_n in_o our_o way_n i_o shall_v first_o evince_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a credibility_n 15._o in_o any_o of_o those_o ancient_a history_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n nor_o any_o ground_n of_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v assent_v to_o they_o when_o they_o differ_v from_o the_o bible_n and_o then_o prove_v that_o all_o those_o undoubted_a character_n of_o a_o most_o certain_a and_o authentic_a history_n be_v legible_a in_o those_o record_v contain_v in_o scripture_n whereby_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o infidelity_n but_o the_o rational_a evidence_n which_o our_o faith_n do_v stand_v on_o as_o to_o these_o thing_n i_o shall_v demonstrate_v the_o first_o of_o these_o viz_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o assent_n to_o any_o ancient_a history_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o thing_n different_a from_o the_o scripture_n from_o these_o argument_n the_o apparent_a desect_v weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o they_o as_o to_o the_o give_v a_o account_n of_o elder_a time_n the_o monstrous_a confusion_n ambiguity_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o they_o in_o the_o account_n which_o they_o give_v the_o evident_a partiality_n of_o they_o to_o themselves_o and_o inconsistency_n with_o each_o other_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o the_o defect_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o they_o to_o give_v in_o such_o a_o account_n of_o elder_a time_n as_o may_v amount_v to_o certain_a credibility_n which_o if_o clear_v will_v of_o its_o self_n be_v sufficient_a to_o manifest_v the_o incompetency_n of_o those_o record_n as_o to_o the_o lay_v any_o foundation_n for_o any_o firm_a assent_n to_o be_v give_v to_o they_o now_o this_o defect_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o those_o history_n be_v either_o more_o general_a which_o lie_v in_o common_a to_o they_o all_o or_o such_o as_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o a_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o history_n of_o those_o several_a nation_n which_o have_v pretend_v high_a to_o antiquity_n the_o general_a defect_n be_v the_o want_n of_o timely_a record_n to_o preserve_v their_o history_n in_o for_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o true_a 16._o history_n in_o the_o world_n be_v liable_a to_o various_a corruption_n through_o length_n of_o time_n if_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a way_n of_o preserve_v it_o entire_a and_o that_o through_o the_o frailty_n of_o memory_n in_o those_o who_o have_v integrity_n to_o preserve_v it_o through_o the_o gradual_a increase_n of_o barbarism_n and_o ignorance_n where_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o instruction_n and_o through_o the_o subtlety_n of_o such_o who_o interest_n it_o may_v be_v to_o corrupt_v and_o alter_v that_o tradition_n if_o we_o find_v such_o infinite_a variety_n and_o difference_n of_o man_n as_o to_o the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o time_n when_o they_o have_v all_o possible_a mean_n to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o what_o account_n can_v we_o imagine_v can_v be_v give_v by_o those_o who_o have_v no_o certain_a way_n of_o preserve_v to_o posterity_n the_o most_o authentic_a relation_n of_o former_a age_n especial_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o where_o any_o certain_a way_n of_o preserve_a tradition_n be_v want_v a_o people_n must_v soon_o degenerate_a into_o the_o great_a stupidity_n and_o barbarism_n because_o all_o will_v be_v take_v up_o in_o mind_v their_o own_o petty_a concern_v and_o no_o encouragement_n at_o all_o give_v to_o such_o public_a spirit_n who_o will_v mind_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n for_o what_o be_v there_o for_o such_o to_o employ_v themselves_o upon_o or_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o kind_n of_o learning_n among_o they_o but_o some_o general_a tradition_n convey_v from_o father_n to_o son_n which_o may_v be_v learn_v by_o such_o who_o follow_v nothing_o but_o domestic_a employment_n so_o that_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n after_o their_o several_a dispersion_n and_o plantation_n of_o several_a country_n do_v gradual_o degenerate_a into_o ignorance_n and_o barbarism_n for_o upon_o their_o first_o settle_v in_o any_o country_n they_o find_v it_o employment_n sufficient_a to_o cultivate_v the_o land_n and_o fit_v themselves_o habitation_n to_o live_v in_o and_o to_o provide_v themselves_o of_o necessity_n for_o their_o mutual_a comfort_n and_o subsistence_n beside_o this_o they_o be_v often_o put_v to_o remove_n from_o one_o place_n to_o another_o where_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o reside_v which_o thucydides_n speak_v much_o of_o as_o to_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o greece_n and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a while_n before_o they_o come_v to_o imbody_n themselves_o together_o
ochus_n which_o say_v vossius_fw-la be_v in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o 107._o olympiad_n this_o manetho_n gebenyta_n be_v high_a priest_n of_o heliopolis_n in_o the_o time_n of_o ptolomaeus_n philadelphus_n at_o who_o 14._o request_n he_o write_v his_o history_n which_o he_o digest_v into_o three_o tome_n the_o first_o contain_v the_o 11._o dynastye_n of_o the_o god_n and_o hero_n the_o second_o 8._o dynasty_n the_o 3_o d._n 12._o all_o contain_v according_a to_o his_o fabulous_a computation_n the_o sum_n of_o 53535._o year_n these_o dynasty_n be_v yet_o preserve_v be_v first_o epitomise_v by_o julius_n africanus_n from_o he_o transcribe_v by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o chronica_fw-la from_o eusebius_n by_o georgius_n syncellus_n out_o of_o who_o they_o be_v produce_v by_o jos._n scaliger_n and_o may_v be_v see_v both_o in_o eusebius_n and_o his_o canon_n isagogici_fw-la now_o manetho_n as_o appear_v by_o eusebius_n vouch_v this_o as_o the_o main_a testimony_n of_o his_o credibility_n that_o he_o take_v his_o history_n 11._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o some_o pillar_n in_o the_o land_n of_o seriad_n in_o which_o they_o be_v inscribe_v in_o the_o sacred_a dialect_n by_o the_o first_o mercury_n tithe_n and_o after_o the_o stand_v be_v translate_v out_o of_o the_o sacred_a dialect_n into_o the_o greek_a tongue_n in_o hieroglyphic_n character_n and_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o book_n among_o the_o revestrye_n of_o the_o egyptian_a temple_n by_o agathodaemon_n the_o second_o mercury_n the_o father_n of_o tat._n certain_o this_o fabulous_a author_n can_v not_o in_o few_o word_n have_v more_o full_o manifest_v his_o own_o imposture_n nor_o blast_v his_o own_o credit_n more_o than_o he_o have_v do_v in_o these_o which_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n so_o many_o learned_a man_n have_v take_v so_o little_a notice_n of_o which_o have_v find_v frequent_a occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o manetho_n and_o his_o dynastye_n this_o i_o shall_v make_v appear_v by_o some_o great_a improbability_n and_o other_o plain_a impossibility_n which_o be_v couch_v in_o they_o the_o improbability_n be_v first_o such_o pillar_n be_v in_o such_o a_o place_n as_o seriad_n and_o that_o place_n no_o more_o speak_v of_o either_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o any_o other_o egyptian_n nor_o any_o use_n make_v of_o these_o insâ—riptions_n by_o any_o other_o but_o himself_o as_o to_o this_o terra_fw-la seriadica_n where_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o very_a learned_a and_o inquisitive_a joseph_n scaliger_n plain_o give_v out_o and_o ingenuous_o profess_v his_o ignorance_n for_o in_o his_o note_n on_o the_o fragment_n of_o manetho_n in_o eusebius_n when_o he_o come_v to_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o only_o say_v quae_fw-la nobis_fw-la ignota_fw-la quaerant_fw-la studiosi_fw-la but_o isaac_n vossius_fw-la in_o his_o late_a discourse_n de_fw-la aetate_fw-la mundi_fw-la 10._o cry_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o confident_o persuade_v himself_o that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o seirath_n mention_v judg._n 3._o 16._o indeed_o be_v there_o nothing_o else_o to_o be_v consider_v but_o affinity_n of_o name_n it_o may_v well_o be_v the_o same_o but_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o we_o render_v the_o stone-quarry_n shall_v signify_v these_o pillar_n of_o mercury_n be_v somewhat_o hard_a to_o conceive_v the_o seventy_o render_v it_o as_o himself_o observe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o which_o they_o understand_v grave_v image_n so_o the_o word_n be_v use_v 2_o chron._n 33._o 19_o deut._n 7._o 5._o isai._n 10._o 19_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a render_v it_o ad_fw-la locum_fw-la idolorum_fw-la which_o be_v the_o certain_a interpretation_n if_o chytraeus_n his_o conjecture_n be_v true_a that_o eglon_n have_v late_o set_v up_o idol_n there_o but_o if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o pillar_n i_o can_v but_o approve_v of_o junius_n his_o interpretation_n which_o i_o conceive_v bid_v fair_a to_o be_v the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n viz._n that_o these_o stone_n here_o be_v the_o 12_o stone_n pitch_v by_o joshua_n in_o gilgal_n after_o the_o israelite_n pass_v over_o jordan_n and_o these_o stone_n be_v say_v 21._o to_o be_v by_o gilgal_n judg._n 3._o 19_o so_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o handsome_a conjecture_n we_o be_v as_o far_o to_o seek_v for_o the_o pillar_n of_o mercury_n as_o ever_o we_o be_v and_o may_v be_v so_o to_o the_o world_n end_n second_o the_o stand_n of_o these_o pillar_n during_o the_o stand_v which_o must_v be_v suppose_v certain_o to_o have_v some_o singular_a virtue_n in_o they_o to_o resist_v such_o a_o torrent_n of_o water_n which_o overthrow_v the_o strong_a build_v house_n and_o most_o compact_a city_n the_o plain_a impossibility_n be_v first_o that_o manetho_n shall_v transcribe_v his_o dynastye_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o history_n of_o egypt_n to_o almost_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n out_o of_o sacred_a inscription_n of_o thoyth_fw-mi who_o live_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o very_a first_o dynasty_a according_a to_o his_o own_o computation_n sure_o this_o thoyth_fw-mi be_v a_o excellent_a prophet_n to_o write_v a_o history_n for_o above_o 0000_o year_n to_o come_v as_o manetho_n reckon_v it_o second_o it_o be_v as_o well_o still_o that_o this_o history_n after_o the_o flood_n shall_v be_v translate_v into_o hieroglyphic_n character_n what_o kind_n of_o translation_n be_v that_o we_o have_v think_v hieroglyphic_n have_v be_v representation_n of_o thing_n and_o not_o of_o sound_n and_o letter_n or_o word_n how_o can_v this_o history_n have_v at_o first_o be_v write_v in_o any_o tongue_n when_o it_o be_v in_o hieroglyphic_n do_v hieroglyphic_n speak_v in_o several_a language_n and_o be_v they_o capable_a of_o change_v their_o tongue_n but_o three_o it_o be_v as_o good_a still_o that_o the_o second_o mercury_n or_o agathodaemon_n do_v translate_v this_o history_n so_o soon_o after_o the_o flood_n into_o greek_a be_v the_o greek_a tongue_n so_o much_o in_o request_n so_o soon_o after_o the_o flood_n that_o the_o egyptian_a history_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o greek_n must_v be_v translate_v into_o their_o language_n nay_o be_v it_o not_o evident_a from_o herodotus_n and_o diodorus_n that_o the_o grecian_n be_v not_o permit_v so_o much_o 67._o as_o any_o commerce_n with_o the_o egyptian_n till_o the_o time_n of_o psammet_n hicus_fw-la which_o sell_v out_o in_o the_o 26._o dynesty_n of_o manetho_n and_o about_o a_o century_n after_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n we_o see_v then_o how_o credible_a a_o author_n manetho_n be_v and_o what_o truth_n there_o be_v like_a to_o be_v in_o the_o account_n of_o ancient_a time_n give_v by_o the_o egyptian_a historian_n when_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o so_o lamentable_o and_o ominous_o stumble_v in_o his_o very_a entrance_n into_o it_o and_o yet_o as_o fabulous_a as_o this_o account_n be_v which_o manetho_n give_v of_o his_o take_v his_o history_n from_o these_o pillar_n before_o the_o 12._o flood_n i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o josephus_n a_o author_n otherwise_o of_o good_a credit_n take_v his_o famous_a story_n of_o seth_n pillar_n concern_v astronomical_a observation_n before_o the_o flood_n from_o this_o story_n of_o manetho_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o they_o with_o as_o jealous_a a_o eye_n as_o on_o the_o other_o although_o i_o know_v how_o fond_a the_o world_n have_v be_v upon_o that_o most_o ancient_a monument_n as_o be_v pretend_v of_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n du_n bartas_n have_v write_v a_o whole_a poem_n on_o these_o pillar_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v they_o be_v fit_a subject_n for_o poet_n then_o any_o else_o as_o will_v appear_v on_o these_o consideration_n first_o how_o strange_o improbable_a be_v it_o that_o the_o posterity_n of_o seth_n who_o as_o be_v pretend_v do_v foreknow_v a_o destruction_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v by_o a_o flood_n shall_v busy_v themselves_o to_o write_v astronomical_a observation_n on_o pillar_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v live_v after_o it_o can_v they_o think_v their_o pillar_n shall_v have_v some_o peculiar_a exemption_n above_o strong_a structure_n from_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o rough_a and_o furious_a water_n if_o they_o believe_v the_o flood_n absolute_o universal_a for_o who_o do_v they_o intend_v their_o observation_n if_o not_o to_o what_o end_n do_v they_o make_v they_o when_o the_o person_n survive_v may_v communicate_v their_o invention_n to_o they_o but_o second_o if_o either_o one_o or_o both_o these_o pillar_n remain_v whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o neither_o the_o chaldean_n nor_o any_o of_o the_o elder_a pretender_n to_o astronomy_n shall_v neither_o mention_v they_o nor_o make_v any_o use_n of_o they_o nay_o three_o whence_o come_v the_o study_n of_o astronomy_n to_o be_v so_o lamentable_o defective_a in_o those_o ancient_a time_n if_o they_o have_v such_o certain_a observation_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n gather_v
sarcastical_o answer_v the_o argument_n from_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o man_n quasi_fw-la verò_fw-la quidquam_fw-la sit_fw-la tam_fw-la valdè_fw-la quam_fw-la nihil_fw-la sapere_fw-la vulgar_a as_o though_o nothing_o man_n do_v more_o general_o agree_v in_o then_o in_o be_v fool_n yet_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o ground_n of_o that_o scoff_n be_v from_o the_o several_a manner_n of_o divination_n then_o in_o use_n so_o it_o can_v be_v think_v to_o be_v a_o general_a impeachment_n of_o humane_a nature_n in_o a_o thing_n so_o consequent_a upon_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n which_o as_o himself_o elsewhere_o prove_v be_v as_o clear_v from_o reason_n as_o from_o that_o testimonium_fw-la gentium_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la una_fw-la re_fw-la non_fw-la dissidentium_fw-la as_o the_o christian_a cicero_n lactantius_n speak_v the_o consent_n of_o nation_n 2._o which_o scarce_o agree_v in_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o which_o we_o now_o infer_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o god_n may_v make_v know_v his_o mind_n in_o a_o way_n infallible_a though_o not_o immediate_a for_o in_o case_n of_o inspiration_n of_o mere_a man_n it_o be_v not_o they_o so_o much_o which_o speak_v as_o god_n by_o they_o and_o in_o case_n that_o god_n himself_o shall_v speak_v through_o the_o vail_n of_o humane_a nature_n the_o testimony_n must_v needs_o be_v infallible_a though_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o divinity_n be_v not_o visible_a those_o evidence_n whereby_o a_o divine_a testimony_n may_v be_v know_v must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v not_o leave_v man_n mind_n in_o suspense_n but_o be_v 4._o of_o their_o own_o nature_n convince_a proof_n of_o it_o for_o although_o as_o to_o the_o event_n some_o may_v doubt_v and_o other_o disbelieve_v the_o testimony_n so_o prove_v yet_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o our_o purpose_n that_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o we_o speak_v of_o they_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o eviction_n that_o the_o testimony_n attest_v by_o they_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a i_o know_v it_o be_v a_o great_a dispute_n among_o many_o whether_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v usual_o call_v the_o common_a motive_n of_o faith_n do_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n only_o induce_v a_o probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n as_o probable_a which_o they_o be_v join_v with_o or_o else_o be_v they_o sufficient_a for_o the_o produce_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o doctrine_n as_o true_a i_o grant_v they_o be_v not_o demonstrative_a so_o as_o to_o enforce_v assent_n for_o we_o see_v the_o contrary_a by_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o a_o unprejudiced_a mind_n to_o establish_v a_o firm_a assent_n upon_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o easy_a to_o be_v grant_v chief_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v do_v lie_v upon_o every_o one_o to_o who_o these_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v sufficient_o discover_v and_o otherwise_o of_o all_o sin_n the_o sin_n of_o unbelief_n as_o to_o god_n reveal_v his_o mind_n be_v the_o most_o excusable_a and_o pardonable_a sin_n nay_o it_o will_v be_v little_o less_o than_o a_o part_n of_o prudence_n because_o what_o can_v it_o be_v account_v but_o temerity_n and_o imprudence_n in_o any_o to_o believe_v a_o doctrine_n as_o true_a only_a upon_o probable_a inducement_n and_o what_o can_v it_o be_v but_o wisdom_n to_o withhold_v assent_n upon_o a_o mere_a verisimilitude_n consider_v what_o the_o lyric_a poet_n have_v long_o since_o true_o tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o a_o falsehood_n may_v frequent_o seem_v true_o to_o common_a understanding_n then_o truth_n its_o self_n and_o as_o menander_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o a_o mere_a verisimilitude_n may_v have_v more_o force_n on_o vulgar_a mind_n than_o truth_n have_v if_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n give_v sufficient_a to_o carry_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n beyond_o mere_a probability_n what_o sin_n can_v it_o be_v in_o those_o to_o disbelieve_v who_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v as_o true_a what_o be_v only_o discover_v as_o probable_a i_o can_v therefore_o see_v how_o a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v consistent_a with_o their_o opinion_n who_o make_v the_o utmost_a which_o any_o outward_a evidence_n can_v extend_v to_o to_o be_v only_o the_o bare_a credibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n attest_v by_o they_o i_o can_v very_o well_o satisfy_v myself_o with_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n why_o the_o more_o subtle_a wit_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v essert_v this_o for_o if_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v produce_v by_o all_o motive_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o a_o probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n than_o here_o come_v in_o the_o fair_a pretence_n for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n for_o otherwise_o they_o tell_v we_o we_o can_v have_v no_o foundation_n for_o a_o divine_a faith_n for_o how_o can_v that_o be_v a_o foundation_n for_o divine_a faith_n which_o can_v reach_v no_o high_o than_o a_o moral_a inducement_n and_o beget_v only_o a_o probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o on_o what_o account_n those_o who_o disow_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o proposal_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n shall_v yet_o consent_v with_o those_o of_o it_o in_o a_o hypothesis_n take_v up_o in_o probability_n mere_o out_o of_o subserviency_n to_o that_o most_o advantageous_a piece_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o resolve_v unless_o the_o overfondness_n of_o some_o upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o school_n more_o than_o of_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o it_o for_o how_o agreeable_a can_v that_o opinion_n be_v to_o the_o gospel_n which_o so_o evident_o put_v the_o most_o defensive_a weapon_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o unbelief_n for_o doubtless_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o rational_a person_n a_o mere_a probable_a persuasion_n of_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n where_o a_o assent_n to_o it_o as_o true_a be_v require_v can_v never_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o my_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v according_a to_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n induce_v i_o to_o believe_v and_o these_o argument_n do_v only_o prove_v a_o probability_n of_o divine_a testimony_n my_o assent_n can_v be_v no_o strong_a than_o to_o a_o thing_n mere_o probable_a which_o be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v or_o not_o be_v true_a which_o be_v not_o proper_o assent_v but_o a_o suspending_a our_o judgement_n till_o some_o convince_a argument_n be_v produce_v on_o either_o side_n and_o therefore_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n those_o who_o see_v all_o the_o miracle_n which_o christ_n do_v can_v not_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n but_o only_o to_o have_v a_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o his_o person_n and_o doctrine_n as_o a_o thing_n which_o though_o not_o evidence_v to_o be_v true_a by_o what_o he_o do_v yet_o it_o be_v very_o pious_o credible_a but_o they_o must_v have_v a_o care_n withal_o of_o venture_v their_o belief_n too_o far_o only_o on_o such_o moral_a inducement_n as_o miracel_n be_v for_o fear_v they_o shall_v go_v far_o than_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n will_v carry_v they_o have_v not_o this_o opinion_n now_o think_v we_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a way_n to_o have_v convert_v the_o world_n upon_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n when_o christ_n say_v though_o you_o believe_v not_o i_o believe_v the_o work_n 38._o that_o you_o may_v know_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o father_n be_v in_o i_o and_o i_o in_o he_o nay_o say_v this_o opinion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v though_o we_o see_v thy_o work_n we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v thy_o testimony_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o certain_o true_a but_o we_o will_v do_v all_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v we_o will_v entertain_v a_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o thy_o person_n and_o doctrine_n and_o wait_v for_o somewhat_o else_o but_o we_o do_v not_o well_o know_v what_o to_o persuade_v we_o to_o believe_v when_o the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o danger_n of_o unbelief_n because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v by_o sign_n and_o wonder_n 4._o and_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n what_o a_o fair_a answer_n do_v this_o opinion_n put_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o infidel_n that_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o sign_n and_o wonder_n they_o be_v never_o bind_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n
eorum_fw-la qui_fw-la eam_fw-la non_fw-la putamus_fw-la in_o manibus_fw-la esse_fw-la plumbatis_fw-la the_o accusation_n for_o treason_n lie_v in_o their_o refuse_v to_o supplicate_v the_o idol_n for_o the_o emperor_n welfare_n 2._o because_o they_o will_v not_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n genius_n thence_o 29._o saturnius_n say_v to_o the_o martyr_n tantum_n jura_fw-la per_fw-la genium_fw-la caesaris_fw-la nostri_fw-la if_o he_o will_v but_o swear_v by_o the_o genius_n of_o caesar_n he_o shall_v be_v save_v yet_o though_o they_o refuse_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n genius_n they_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o testify_v their_o allegiance_n and_o to_o swear_v by_o the_o emperor_n safety_n sed_fw-la &_o juramus_fw-la say_v tertullian_n sicut_fw-la non_fw-la per_fw-la genio_n caesarum_fw-la it_o ae_z 32._o per_fw-la salutem_fw-la corum_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la augustior_fw-la omnibus_fw-la geniis_fw-la 3._o because_o they_o will_v not_o worship_v the_o emperor_n as_o god_n which_o be_v then_o grow_v a_o common_a custom_n non_fw-la enim_fw-la deum_fw-la imperatorem_fw-la dicam_fw-la vel_fw-la quia_fw-la mentirinescio_fw-la vel_fw-la quia_fw-la illum_fw-la deridere_fw-la non_fw-la audeo_fw-la vel_fw-la quia_fw-la necipse_n se_fw-la deum_fw-la volet_fw-la dici_fw-la si_fw-la homo_fw-la sit_fw-la as_o the_o same_o author_n speak_v nay_o the_o primitive_a christian_n 33._o be_v very_o scrupulous_a of_o call_v the_o emperor_n dominus_fw-la hoc_fw-la enim_fw-la dei_fw-la est_fw-la cognomen_fw-la because_o the_o name_n lord_n be_v a_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o apply_v as_o his_o name_n to_o he_o in_o scripture_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o scrupulosity_n be_v not_o from_o any_o question_n they_o make_v of_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o prince_n or_o their_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n to_o they_o which_o they_o be_v very_o free_a in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o but_o from_o a_o jealousy_n and_o just_a suspicion_n that_o something_o of_o divine_a honour_n may_v be_v employ_v in_o it_o when_o the_o adoration_n of_o prince_n be_v grow_v a_o custom_n therefore_o tertullian_n to_o prevent_v misunderstanding_n say_v dicam_fw-la plane_n imperatorem_fw-la dominum_fw-la sed_fw-la more_fw-it communi_fw-la sed_fw-la 34._o quando_fw-la non_fw-la cogor_fw-la ut_fw-la dominum_fw-la dei_fw-la vice_fw-la dicam_fw-la they_o refuse_v not_o the_o name_n in_o a_o common_a sense_n but_o as_o it_o employ_v divine_a honour_n 4._o because_o they_o will_v not_o observe_v the_o public_a festival_n of_o the_o emperor_n in_o the_o way_n that_o other_o do_v which_o it_o seem_v be_v observe_v with_o abundance_n of_o looseness_n and_o debauchery_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o as_o tertullian_n smart_o say_v malorum_fw-la 35._o morum_fw-la licentia_fw-la piet_fw-la as_o erit_fw-la &_o occasio_fw-la luxuriae_fw-la religio_fw-la deputabitur_fw-la debauchery_n be_v account_v a_o piece_n of_o loyalty_n and_o intemperance_n a_o part_n of_o religion_n which_o make_v the_o christian_n rather_o hazard_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o loyalty_n then_o bear_v a_o part_n in_o so_o much_o rudeness_n as_o be_v then_o use_v and_o thence_o they_o abhor_v all_o the_o solemn_a spectacle_n of_o the_o roman_n nihil_fw-la est_fw-la nobis_fw-la say_v the_o same_o author_n dictu_fw-la visu_fw-la auditu_fw-la cum_fw-la insania_fw-la circi_fw-la cum_fw-la impudicitia_fw-la theatri_fw-la cum_fw-la atrocitate_fw-la arenae_fw-la cum_fw-la 38._o xysti_fw-la vanitate_fw-la they_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v either_o with_o the_o madness_n of_o the_o cirque_fw-la or_o the_o immodesty_n of_o the_o theatre_n or_o the_o cruelty_n of_o the_o amphitheatre_n or_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o public_a wrestle_n we_o see_v then_o what_o a_o hard_a province_n the_o christian_n have_v when_o so_o many_o law_n be_v lay_v as_o birdlime_n in_o their_o way_n to_o catch_v they_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n and_o not_o run_v into_o a_o praemunire_n by_o their_o law_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o many_o out_o of_o affectation_n of_o novelty_n shall_v then_o declare_v themselves_o christian_n when_o so_o great_a hazard_n be_v run_v upon_o the_o profess_v of_o it_o few_o soft-spirited_n man_n and_o lover_n of_o their_o own_o ease_n but_o will_v have_v find_v some_o fine_a distinction_n and_o nice_a evasion_n to_o have_v reconcile_v themselves_o to_o the_o public_a law_n by_o such_o thing_n which_o the_o primitive_a christian_n so_o unaenimous_o refuse_v when_o tend_v to_o profaneness_n or_o idolatry_n and_o from_o this_o discourse_n we_o can_v but_o conclude_v with_o the_o apostle_n paul_n that_o the_o weapon_n whereby_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n encounter_v the_o heathen_a world_n be_v not_o 5._o fleshly_a or_o weak_a but_o exceed_v strong_a and_o powerful_a in_o that_o they_o obtain_v so_o great_a a_o conquest_n over_o the_o imagination_n and_o carnal_a reason_n of_o man_n which_o be_v their_o strong_a hold_n they_o secure_v themselves_o in_o as_o to_o make_v they_o ready_o to_o forsake_v their_o heathen_a worship_n and_o become_v cheerful_a servant_n to_o christ._n thus_o we_o see_v the_o power_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o prevail_v over_o the_o principle_n of_o education_n though_o back_v with_o pretend_a antiquity_n universality_n and_o establishment_n by_o civil_a law_n but_o this_o will_v further_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o not_o only_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o education_n 2._o but_o because_o many_o of_o they_o seem_v incredible_a to_o man_n natural_a reason_n that_o we_o can_v think_v person_n will_v be_v over_o forward_o to_o believe_v such_o thing_n every_o one_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o take_v any_o advantage_n against_o a_o religion_n which_o do_v so_o little_o flatter_v corrupt_a nature_n either_o as_o to_o its_o power_n or_o capacity_n in_o so_o much_o that_o those_o who_o preach_v this_o doctrine_n declare_v open_o to_o the_o world_n that_o such_o person_n who_o will_v judge_v of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n by_o such_o principle_n which_o mere_a natural_a reason_n do_v proceed_v upon_o such_o one_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v who_o the_o apostle_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o own_v nothing_o but_o 14._o natural_a reason_n whereby_o to_o judge_v of_o divine_a truth_n can_v not_o entertain_v matter_n of_o faith_n or_o of_o divine_a revelation_n because_o such_o thing_n will_v seem_v but_o folly_n to_o he_o that_o own_v no_o high_a principle_n than_o philosophy_n or_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v any_o divine_a inspiration_n neither_o can_v such_o a_o one_o know_v they_o because_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o come_v to_o a_o through_o understanding_n of_o they_o and_o a_o person_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v such_o a_o divine_a revelation_n it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n 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that_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n be_v already_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n undoubted_o divine_a that_o new_a miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o church_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o so_o chrysostome_n full_o express_v himself_o concern_v miracle_n speak_v of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a eton._n church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d miracle_n be_v very_o useful_a then_o and_o not_o at_o all_o useful_a now_o for_o now_o we_o manifest_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o speak_v from_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o they_o which_o that_o excellent_a author_n there_o full_o manifest_v in_o a_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n why_o miracle_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v not_o now_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n st._n austin_n speak_v where_o he_o discourse_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n accepimus_fw-la majores_fw-la nostros_fw-la visibilia_fw-la miracula_fw-la secutos_fw-la esse_fw-la 25._o per_fw-la quos_fw-la id_fw-la actum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la necessaria_fw-la non_fw-la essent_fw-la posteris_fw-la because_o the_o world_n believe_v by_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o miracle_n be_v no_o long_o necessary_a for_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v at_o first_o induce_v to_o believe_v without_o manifest_a and_o uncontrolled_a miracle_n for_o as_o chrysostome_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o if_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v without_o miracle_n which_o the_o poet_n dante_n be_v have_v well_o express_v in_o the_o twenty_o four_o canto_n of_o paradise_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v there_o bring_v in_o ask_v the_o poet_n upon_o what_o account_n he_o take_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o answer_n be_v probatio_fw-la quae_fw-la verum_fw-la hoc_fw-la mihi_fw-la recludit_fw-la sunt_fw-la opera_fw-la quae_fw-la secuta_fw-la sunt_fw-la ad_fw-la quae_fw-la natura_fw-la non_fw-la candefecit_fw-la ferrum_fw-la unquam_fw-la aut_fw-la percussit_fw-la incudem_fw-la i_o e._n the_o evidence_n of_o that_o be_v the_o divine_a power_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v in_o those_o who_o deliver_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n and_o when_o the_o apostle_n catechise_v he_o further_o how_o he_o know_v those_o miracle_n be_v such_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v viz._n that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a his_o answer_n be_v si_fw-mi orbis_fw-la terrae_fw-la seize_v convertit_fw-la ad_fw-la christianismum_fw-la inquiebam_fw-la ego_fw-la sine_fw-la miraculis_fw-la hoc_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la tale_n ut_fw-la reliqua_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la ejus_fw-la cente_fw-la sima_fw-la pars_fw-la i_o e._n if_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n without_o miracle_n this_o will_v be_v so_o great_a a_o miracle_n that_o other_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o i_o conclude_v this_o then_o with_o that_o know_a saying_n of_o st._n austin_n quisquis_fw-la adhuc_fw-la prodigia_fw-la ut_fw-la credat_fw-la inquirit_fw-la magnum_fw-la est_fw-la ipse_fw-la prodigium_fw-la qui_fw-la mundo_fw-la credente_fw-la 8._o non_fw-la credit_n he_o that_o seek_v for_o miracle_n still_o to_o induce_v he_o to_o faith_n when_o the_o world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o need_v not_o seek_v for_o prodigy_n abroad_o he_o want_v only_o a_o look_a glass_n to_o discover_v one_o for_o as_o he_o go_v on_o unde_fw-la temporibus_fw-la erudit_fw-la be_v &_o omne_fw-la quod_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la respuentibus_fw-la sine_fw-la ullis_fw-la miraculis_fw-la nimium_fw-la mirabiliter_fw-la incredibiliter_fw-la credidit_fw-la mundus_fw-la whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o so_o learned_a and_o wary_a a_o age_n as_o that_o be_v 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how_o ambition_n that_o church_n be_v of_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o he_o who_o come_n be_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n and_o with_o all_o deceivableness_n 10._o of_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v for_o have_v they_o receive_v the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o will_v have_v believe_v it_o on_o the_o account_n of_o those_o miracle_n and_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o be_v wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o not_o have_v go_v about_o by_o their_o juggle_n and_o imposture_n in_o stead_n of_o bring_v man_n to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o make_v they_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o miracle_n when_o they_o see_v so_o many_o counterfeit_n have_v we_o not_o great_a assurance_n the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o other_o design_n and_o interest_n then_o popish_a priest_n be_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o now_o any_o such_o necessity_n of_o miracle_n as_o there_o be_v then_o when_o a_o divine_a testimony_n reveal_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v confirm_v by_o they_o those_o miracle_n can_v be_v divine_a which_o be_v do_v now_o for_o 2._o the_o confirmation_n of_o any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o that_o divine_a testimony_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o uncontrolled_a divine_a miracle_n the_o case_n be_v not_o the_o same_o now_o which_o be_v before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n for_o than_o though_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n yet_o though_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n do_v null_a the_o obligation_n of_o that_o law_n the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o divine_a because_o god_n do_v not_o intend_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o be_v perpetual_a and_o there_o be_v many_o prophecy_n which_o can_v not_o have_v their_o accomplishment_n but_o 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themselves_o whether_o they_o be_v real_a or_o no_o and_o
of_o that_o god_n who_o reveal_v it_o who_o authority_n extend_v over_o the_o soul_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o its_o most_o secret_a and_o hide_a recess_n 3._o in_o a_o pure_a and_o unmixed_a manner_n in_o all_o other_o write_n how_o good_a soever_o we_o have_v a_o great_a mixture_n of_o dross_n and_o gold_n together_o here_o be_v nothing_o but_o pure_a gold_n diamond_n without_o flaw_n sun_n without_o spot_n the_o most_o current_a coin_n of_o the_o world_n have_v their_o alloyes_n of_o base_a metal_n there_o be_v no_o such_o mixture_n in_o divine_a truth_n as_o they_o all_o come_v from_o the_o same_o author_n so_o they_o all_o have_v the_o same_o purity_n there_o be_v a_o urim_n and_o thumim_n upon_o the_o whole_a scripture_n light_n and_o perfection_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o in_o the_o philosopher_n we_o may_v meet_v it_o may_v be_v with_o some_o scatter_a fragment_n of_o pure_a metal_n amid_o abundance_n of_o dross_n and_o impure_a oar_n here_o we_o have_v whole_a 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choice_n of_o man_n of_o all_o rank_n to_o be_v enditer_n of_o his_o oracle_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v it_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o state_n policy_n or_o particular_a interest_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o his_o word_n which_o person_n of_o such_o different_a interest_n can_v not_o have_v agree_v in_o as_o they_o do_v we_o have_v moses_n david_n solomon_n person_n of_o royal_a rank_n and_o quality_n and_o can_v it_o be_v any_o mean_a thing_n which_o these_o think_v it_o their_o glory_n to_o be_v penner_n of_o we_o have_v isaiah_n daniel_n and_o other_o person_n of_o the_o high_a education_n and_o accomplishment_n and_o can_v it_o be_v any_o trivial_a thing_n which_o these_o employ_v themselves_o in_o we_o have_v amos_n other_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a of_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o all_o these_o join_v in_o consort_n together_o when_o god_n tune_v their_o spirit_n all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o strain_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o give_v light_a and_o harmony_n to_o each_o other_o 3._o by_o person_n in_o different_a place_n and_o condition_n some_o in_o prosperity_n in_o their_o own_o country_n some_o under_o banishment_n and_o adversity_n yet_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o substance_n of_o doctrine_n of_o which_o no_o alteration_n we_o see_v be_v make_v either_o for_o the_o flattery_n of_o those_o in_o power_n or_o for_o avoid_v misery_n and_o calamity_n and_o under_o all_o the_o different_a dispensation_n before_o under_o and_o after_o the_o law_n though_o the_o management_n of_o thing_n be_v different_a yet_o the_o doctrine_n and_o design_n be_v for_o substance_n the_o same_o in_o all_o all_o the_o different_a dispensation_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o common_a principle_n of_o religion_n the_o same_o ground_n of_o acceptance_n with_o god_n and_o obligation_n to_o duty_n be_v common_a to_o all_o though_o the_o peculiar_a instance_n wherein_o god_n be_v serve_v may_v be_v different_a according_a to_o the_o age_n of_o growth_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o this_o great_a uniformity_n consider_v in_o these_o circumstance_n be_v a_o argument_n that_o these_o thing_n come_v original_o from_o the_o same_o spirit_n though_o convey_v through_o different_a instrument_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o world_n 5._o in_o a_o persuasive_a and_o convince_a manner_n and_o that_o these_o way_n 1._o bring_v divine_a truth_n down_o to_o our_o capacity_n clothing_n spiritual_a matter_n in_o familiar_a expression_n and_o similitude_n that_o so_o they_o may_v have_v the_o easy_a admission_n into_o our_o mind_n 2._o propound_v thing_n as_o our_o interest_n which_o be_v our_o duty_n thence_o god_n so_o frequent_o in_o scripture_n recommend_v our_o duty_n to_o we_o under_o all_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o have_v the_o great_a force_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o annex_v gracious_a promise_n to_o our_o performance_n of_o they_o and_o those_o of_o the_o most_o weighty_a and_o concern_v thing_n of_o grace_n favour_n protection_n deliverance_n audience_n of_o prayer_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o be_v these_o will_v not_o prevail_v with_o man_n what_o motive_n will_v 3._o court_v we_o to_o obedience_n when_o he_o may_v not_o only_o command_v we_o to_o obey_v but_o punish_v present_o for_o disobedience_n hence_o be_v all_o those_o most_o pathetical_a and_o affectionate_a strain_n we_o read_v in_o scripture_n o_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o heart_n within_o they_o that_o they_o will_v fear_v i_o and_o keep_v all_o my_o commandment_n always_o that_o it_o may_v go_v well_o with_o they_o and_o with_o their_o child_n after_o 29._o they_o wo_n unto_o thou_o o_o jerusalem_n will_v thou_o not_o be_v make_v clean_o when_o shall_v it_o once_o be_v turn_v you_o turn_v you_o from_o your_o evil_a way_n s._n for_o why_o will_v you_o die_v o_o hâ—use_n of_o israel_n how_o shall_v i_o give_v thou_o up_o ephraim_n how_o shall_v i_o deliver_v thou_o israel_n how_o shall_v i_o make_v thou_o as_o admah_n how_o shall_v i_o set_v thou_o as_o zâ—boim_n i_o heart_n be_v turn_v within_o i_o my_o repenting_n be_v kindle_v together_o o_o jerusalem_n jerusalem_n how_o often_o will_v i_o have_v gather_v thy_o 37_o child_n together_o as_o a_o hen_n gather_v her_o chicken_n under_o her_o wing_n and_o you_o will_v not_o what_o majesty_n and_o yet_o what_o sweetness_n and_o condescension_n be_v there_o in_o these_o expression_n what_o obstinacy_n and_o rebellion_n be_v it_o in_o man_n for_o they_o to_o stand_v out_o against_o god_n when_o he_o thus_o come_v down_o from_o his_o throne_n of_o majesty_n and_o woo_v rebellious_a sinner_n to_o return_v unto_o he_o that_o they_o may_v be_v pardon_v such_o a_o matchless_a and_o unparallelled_a strain_n of_o rhetoric_n be_v there_o in_o the_o scripture_n far_o above_o the_o art_n and_o insinuation_n of_o the_o most_o admire_a orator_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o peculiar_a excellency_n of_o the_o manner_n wherein_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o thus_o we_o have_v consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v a_o discovery_n of_o god_n mind_n to_o the_o world_n the_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v give_v for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o life_n 2._o of_o man_n and_o therein_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o encouragement_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o 1._o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n require_v which_o be_v most_o become_a god_n to_o require_v most_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o perform_v 1._o most_o become_v god_n to_o require_v as_o they_o be_v most_o suitable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o imitation_n of_o which_o in_o our_o action_n be_v the_o