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 expectation_n be_v a_o poor_a and_o suffer_a prince_n that_o this_o set_v they_o the_o more_o against_o his_o follower_n because_o they_o be_v hereby_o frustrate_v of_o their_o great_a hope_n and_o defeat_v in_o their_o most_o please_a expectation_n but_o beside_o if_o they_o will_v have_v take_v in_o the_o mosaic_a law_n it_o may_v in_o probability_n have_v succeed_v better_o but_o this_o st._n paul_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n hear_v of_o but_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o jew_n methinks_v they_o shall_v have_v be_v willing_a to_o have_v have_v some_o assistance_n from_o the_o gentile_n no_o they_o charge_v they_o with_o idolatry_n where_o ever_o they_o come_v and_o will_v not_o join_v in_o any_o part_n of_o their_o worship_n with_o they_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o eat_v of_o the_o remainder_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n but_o suppose_v they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o set_v up_o whole_o a_o new_a sect_n of_o their_o own_o yet_o we_o shall_v think_v they_o shall_v have_v frame_v it_o after_o the_o 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
give_v the_o great_a testimony_n of_o their_o sincerity_n that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o they_o and_o that_o no_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v ever_o better_o attest_v than_o those_o which_o be_v report_v by_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n but_o unreasonable_a suspicion_n and_o scepticism_n if_o not_o wilfulness_n and_o obstinacy_n which_o make_v man_n to_o continue_v to_o doubt_v after_o so_o great_a evidence_n 1._o that_o we_o may_v have_v such_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n as_o may_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o this_o we_o be_v first_o to_o make_v out_o because_o several_a of_o your_o objection_n seem_v to_o imply_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n of_o such_o thing_n because_o we_o can_v know_v what_o trick_n may_v have_v be_v play_v in_o former_a time_n when_o it_o be_v far_o more_o easy_a to_o deceive_v and_o that_o it_o be_v confess_v there_o 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 yet_o your_o objection_n will_v lie_v against_o every_o one_o of_o they_o how_o do_v we_o know_v the_o great_a prevalency_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v it_o not_o deliver_v by_o those_o who_o belong_v to_o it_o and_o be_v concern_v to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o what_o know_v we_o but_o thousand_o of_o history_n have_v be_v lose_v that_o confute_v all_o that_o we_o now_o have_v concern_v the_o greatness_n of_o rome_n what_o know_v we_o but_o that_o rome_n be_v destroy_v by_o carthage_n or_o that_o hannibaâ—_n quite_o overthrow_v the_o roman_a empire_n or_o that_o catiline_n be_v one_o oâ—_n the_o best_a man_n in_o the_o world_n because_o all_o our_o present_a historieâ—_n be_v write_v by_o man_n of_o the_o other_o side_n how_o can_v we_o tell_v buâ—_n that_o the_o persian_n destroy_v thâ—_n macedonian_n because_o all_o our_o account_n of_o alexander_n expedition_n be_v original_o from_o the_o greek_n and_o why_o may_v not_o we_o suspect_v great_a partiality_n in_o all_o 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
wisdom_n of_o the_o greek_n if_o thâ—_n christian_n religion_n have_v be_v a_o meeâ—_n design_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o makâ—_n themselves_o head_n of_o a_o new_a sect_n what_o have_v this_o be_v but_o to_o hauâ—_n set_v the_o cunning_a of_o twelve_o oâ—_n thirteen_o man_n of_o no_o interest_n or_o reputation_n against_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o the_o wholâ—_n world_n if_o they_o have_v any_o wisdom_n they_o will_v never_o have_v undeâ—_n take_v such_o a_o impossible_a desigâ—_n as_o this_o must_v appear_v to_o they_o â—_o first_o view_n and_o if_o they_o haâ—_n none_o how_o can_v they_o ever_o hopâ—_n to_o manage_v it_o if_o their_o aim_n werâ—_n only_o at_o reputation_n they_o may_v have_v think_v of_o thousand_o â—_o way_n more_o probable_a and_o morâ—_n advantageous_a than_o this_o if_o wâ—_n suppose_v man_n shall_v be_v willing_a to_o hazard_v their_o life_n for_o theâ—_n reputation_n we_o may_v suppose_v withal_o such_o man_n to_o have_v so_o much_o cunning_a as_o 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or_o cheat_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n their_o credit_n will_v be_v go_v with_o i_o for_o how_o can_v i_o be_v any_o long_a sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o one_o word_n they_o say_v i_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v they_o infallible_a that_o i_o can_v not_o but_o suspect_v they_o to_o have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v i_o the_o first_o thing_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o look_v at_o in_o person_n who_o require_v our_o belief_n be_v the_o strict_a veracity_n if_o they_o falter_v in_o this_o they_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o suspicion_n of_o all_o but_o credulous_a fool_n but_o we_o no_o where_o find_v great_a plainness_n and_o sincerity_n require_v no_o where_o more_o strict_a and_o severe_a prohibition_n of_o dissimulation_n in_o religion_n nor_o more_o general_a precept_n about_o speak_a truth_n than_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o may_v not_o all_o this_o be_v do_v with_o the_o great_a artifice_n to_o prevent_v suspicion_n suspicion_n 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art_n and_o subtlety_n and_o therefore_o god_n make_v choice_n of_o many_o to_o write_v and_o at_o several_a time_n that_o by_o compare_v they_o we_o may_v see_v how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o contrive_v together_o and_o yet_o how_o exact_o they_o agree_v in_o all_o thing_n which_o man_n be_v concern_v to_o believe_v but_o you_o say_v we_o have_v many_o infirmity_n of_o the_o apostle_n discover_v therein_o their_o heat_n and_o animosity_n one_o against_o another_o but_o i_o pray_v consider_v 1._o how_o come_v you_o to_o know_v these_o thing_n be_v it_o not_o by_o their_o own_o write_n and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v such_o who_o mind_v only_o their_o applause_n have_v it_o not_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o have_v conceal_v these_o thing_n and_o will_v they_o not_o certain_o have_v do_v it_o if_o that_o have_v be_v their_o aim_n if_o st._n paul_n seem_v to_o boast_v do_v he_o not_o do_v it_o with_o that_o constraint_n to_o himself_o as_o a_o man_n that_o be_v force_v to_o do_v it_o for_o his_o own_o vindication_n against_o malicious_a enemy_n and_o who_o ever_o deny_v a_o man_n of_o a_o generous_a mind_n the_o liberty_n of_o speak_v for_o himself_o 2._o but_o suppose_v they_o have_v infirmity_n and_o heat_n among_o they_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o god_n can_v not_o make_v use_n of_o they_o as_o his_o instrument_n to_o declare_v his_o truth_n to_o the_o world_n then_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n must_v never_o reveal_v his_o will_n by_o man_n but_o by_o voice_n from_o heaven_n or_o angel_n or_o the_o assumption_n of_o the_o humane_a nature_n by_o the_o divine_a but_o if_o god_n be_v not_o deny_v the_o liberty_n of_o employ_v mere_a man_n we_o can_v find_v so_o great_a evidence_n of_o piety_n and_o zeal_n of_o humility_n and_o self-denial_n of_o patience_n and_o magnanimity_n of_o innocency_n and_o universal_a charity_n in_o any_o man_n as_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o do_v appear_v with_o the_o most_o proper_a character_n of_o ambassador_n from_o heaven_n and_o i_o dare_v venture_v the_o comparison_n of_o they_o with_o the_o best_a philosopher_n as_o to_o the_o great_a and_o most_o excellent_a virtue_n for_o which_o they_o be_v the_o most_o admire_a notwithstanding_o the_o mighty_a difference_n as_o to_o their_o education_n allow_v but_o the_o same_o truth_n as_o to_o the_o story_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o yield_v to_o xenophon_n or_o diogenes_n laertius_n or_o any_o other_o writer_n concern_v they_o but_o what_o be_v it_o then_o which_o you_o object_n against_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o make_v they_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n i_o find_v but_o two_o thing_n in_o the_o paper_n you_o send_v i_o 1._o want_v of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n which_o you_o say_v be_v promise_v mark_v 16._o 17._o 2._o the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n in_o the_o revelation_n but_o good_a sir_n consider_v what_o it_o be_v to_o call_v in_o question_n a_o divine_a revelation_n for_o such_o objection_n as_o these_o be_v must_v there_o be_v no_o revelation_n unless_o you_o understand_v every_o prophecy_n or_o the_o extent_n of_o every_o promise_n be_v not_o so_o injurious_a to_o your_o own_o soul_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o such_o objection_n to_o cast_v away_o the_o great_a assurance_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n give_v we_o as_o to_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n upon_o repentance_n here_o and_o eternal_a happiness_n in_o another_o world_n will_v you_o reject_v all_o the_o write_n of_o plato_n because_o you_o do_v no_o more_o understand_v some_o part_n of_o his_o timaeus_n than_o the_o number_n of_o 666_o you_o must_v have_v a_o very_a nice_a faith_n that_o can_v bear_v with_o no_o difficulty_n at_o all_o so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o or_o two_o hard_a thing_n that_o you_o can_v digest_v you_o must_v throw_v up_o all_o the_o best_a food_n you_o have_v take_v at_o this_o rate_n you_o must_v starve_v your_o body_n as_o well_o as_o 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give_v the_o utmost_a testimony_n that_o man_n â—an_v give_v or_o by_o give_v some_o testimony_n above_o that_o of_o man_n which_o can_v deceive_v which_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n 1._o they_o give_v the_o utmost_a testimony_n that_o mere_a man_n can_v give_v of_o their_o fidelity_n i_o know_v no_o betâ—er_a way_n we_o have_v for_o a_o full_a assurance_n as_o to_o any_o humane_a testimony_n than_o to_o consider_v what_o those_o circumstance_n be_v which_o be_v general_o allow_v to_o accompany_v truth_n and_o if_o we_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o all_o these_o we_o have_v as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v expect_v for_o nothings_o that_n depend_v on_o testimony_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o mathematical_a demonstration_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o want_n of_o this_o either_o we_o may_v have_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o assent_v to_o truth_n upon_o testimony_n oâ—_n there_o can_v be_v no_o difference_n know_v between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n by_o humane_a testimony_n which_o 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and_o ingenuity_n that_o he_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o divine_a revelation_n when_o he_o have_v it_o not_o 2._o you_o will_v have_v it_o signify_v what_o doctrine_n it_o be_v which_o be_v attest_v by_o miracle_n since_o the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n lie_v in_o heap_n and_o confusion_n answ._n to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v any_o doctrine_n be_v single_v out_o to_o have_v the_o seal_n of_o miracle_n set_v to_o they_o since_o it_o be_v their_o divine_a commission_n to_o teach_v and_o declare_v the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v seal_v by_o it_o and_o what_o they_o do_v so_o teach_v and_o declare_v be_v easy_o know_v by_o their_o write_n 3._o but_o why_o do_v not_o miracle_n still_o continue_v answ._n because_o there_o be_v no_o person_n employ_v to_o teach_v any_o new_a doctrine_n and_o no_o promise_n of_o scripture_n do_v imply_v any_o more_o for_o the_o sign_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v they_o that_o believe_v be_v such_o as_o tend_v to_o the_o first_o confirmation_n of_o the_o 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delusion_n you_o may_v as_o well_o object_v the_o lie_a wonder_n of_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n against_o all_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o god_n have_v once_o do_v enough_o to_o convince_v man_n he_o may_v afterward_o just_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o trial_n of_o their_o ingenuity_n as_o a_o father_n that_o have_v use_v great_a care_n to_o make_v his_o son_n understand_v true_a coin_n may_v afterward_o suffer_v false_a to_o be_v lay_v before_o he_o to_o try_v whether_o he_o will_v mind_v his_o be_v cheat_v or_o no_o 5._o but_o you_o may_v yet_o far_o demand_n what_o the_o testimony_n of_o miracle_n do_v signisie_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n answ._n 1._o the_o