vigorous_a in_o their_o resolution_n can_v you_o think_v all_o this_o come_v to_o pass_v slight_o and_o by_o chance_n that_o man_n do_v not_o consider_v what_o they_o be_v about_o when_o they_o die_v for_o their_o religion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o conspiracy_n of_o sot_n and_o madman_n all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o undo_v themselves_o and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n without_o so_o much_o as_o think_v what_o they_o be_v do_v it_o be_v endless_a to_o heap_v up_o all_o the_o testimony_n that_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o primitive_a writer_n upon_o this_o argument_n when_o it_o be_v so_o know_v and_o confess_v a_o thing_n even_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o religion_n so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o pliny_n letter_n to_o the_o emperor_n concern_v the_o christian_n the_o multitude_n of_o person_n of_o all_o condition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o temple_n and_o sacrifice_n be_v almost_o utter_o forsake_v and_o tacitus_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o ingens_fw-la multitudo_fw-la that_o be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o nero_n in_o rome_n alone_o for_o fire_v the_o city_n which_o be_v not_o much_o above_o thirty_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n some_o of_o who_o suffer_v in_o the_o persecution_n in_o short_a the_o prevalency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o observable_a among_o the_o heathen_n that_o it_o be_v vulgar_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o christian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o prevail_a doctrine_n and_o they_o the_o prevail_a sect_n several_a instance_n whereof_o be_v collect_v by_o valesius_fw-la out_o of_o damascius_n 62._o porphyry_n and_o julian_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v add_v no_o more_o testimony_n to_o prove_v a_o thing_n so_o unquestionable_a but_o shall_v only_o rescue_v one_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n from_o that_o violence_n that_o have_v be_v offer_v to_o it_o by_o some_o learned_a man_n and_o that_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o philo_n the_o jew_n for_o whereas_o in_o his_o little_a treatise_n concern_v a_o contemplative_a lise_n he_o give_v a_o large_a description_n of_o a_o certain_a sect_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n that_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v at_o that_o time_n very_o famous_a and_o numerous_a in_o the_o world_n especial_o in_o egypt_n and_o about_o alexandria_n where_o he_o chief_o reside_v but_o most_o of_o all_o in_o the_o mareotick_a prefecture_n this_o eusebius_n will_v have_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o that_o for_o this_o one_o very_o good_a reason_n because_o it_o be_v such_o a_o exact_a description_n of_o their_o way_n of_o life_n worship_n and_o discipline_n that_o if_o philo_n have_v design_v to_o have_v do_v that_o he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o more_o accurate_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v scarce_o in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n as_o to_o their_o renounce_v the_o world_n for_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n their_o part_n with_o their_o estate_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o poor_a their_o great_a temperance_n and_o chastity_n their_o meeting_n every_o seventh-day_n for_o religious_a worship_n their_o love-feast_n their_o great_a festival_n of_o easter_n and_o pentecost_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o as_o they_o agree_v in_o every_o circumstance_n to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n so_o to_o no_o other_o sect_n of_o which_o we_o find_v any_o other_o memory_n or_o mention_n in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n and_o that_o one_o will_v think_v be_v argument_n sufficient_a to_o conclude_v that_o philo_n description_n appertain_v to_o they_o and_o none_o else_o but_o scaliger_n according_a to_o his_o usual_a custom_n of_o quarrel_v with_o eusebius_n will_v not_o 6._o have_v it_o apply_v to_o the_o christian_n but_o to_o the_o jewish_a essenes_n of_o which_o he_o affirm_v there_o be_v two_o sort_n the_o practical_a and_o the_o speculative_a and_o that_o in_o the_o former_a book_n philo_n treat_v of_o those_o of_o these_o in_o this_o and_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o mistake_n be_v philo_n transition_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o second_o book_n viz._n that_o have_v in_o the_o former_a give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o essenes_n who_o live_v a_o practical_a life_n and_o converse_v in_o city_n he_o now_o come_v to_o treat_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o those_o that_o live_v a_o contemplative_a life_n i._n e._n say_v scaliger_n of_o those_o essenes_n but_o that_o without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o word_n themselves_o which_o be_v only_o general_a of_o those_o man_n that_o live_v a_o contemplative_a life_n may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n be_v understand_v of_o any_o other_o sect_n as_o appropriate_v to_o the_o essenes_n but_o what_o if_o philo_n have_v call_v they_o essenes_n and_o think_v they_o so_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n they_o shall_v hà ve_v be_v so_o for_o see_v the_o essenes_n be_v account_v man_n of_o the_o strict_a life_n among_o the_o jew_n when_o philo_n see_v this_o society_n of_o christian_n then_o new_o found_v by_o saint_n mark_v in_o those_o part_n that_o so_o much_o resemble_v the_o essenes_n in_o their_o manner_n and_o discipline_n it_o be_v easy_a for_o he_o to_o suppose_v they_o a_o branch_n of_o the_o same_o sect_n and_o pass_v they_o under_o the_o same_o name_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o be_v a_o distinction_n mere_o of_o scaliger_n own_o frame_v to_o salve_v his_o own_o groundless_a conjecture_n for_o philo_n no_o where_o call_v they_o essenes_n which_o he_o will_v have_v do_v if_o essenes_n they_o have_v be_v of_o what_o sort_n soever_o and_o therefore_o constant_o give_v those_o in_o the_o former_a book_n the_o title_n of_o essenes_n and_o never_o give_v it_o to_o these_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v of_o a_o different_a sect_n from_o all_o essenes_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o the_o least_o footstep_n of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o essenes_n in_o all_o antiquity_n and_o josephus_n though_o he_o do_v more_o than_o once_o give_v a_o account_n of_o this_o sect_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o these_o speculative_a essenes_n which_o so_o diligent_a a_o writer_n can_v never_o have_v omit_v if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o numerous_a in_o the_o world_n as_o philo_n say_v these_o therapeutae_n be_v beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o essenes_n out_n of_o judaea_n as_o philo_z himself_z more_o than_o once_o inform_v we_o and_o express_o in_o the_o former_a book_n whereas_o this_o sect_n be_v spread_v as_o he_o affirm_v in_o this_o through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o woman_n admit_v among_o the_o essenes_n whereas_o both_o sex_n be_v indifferent_o enter_v into_o this_o sect_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o it_o must_v have_v be_v of_o a_o different_a constitution_n and_o for_o these_o reason_n valesius_fw-la disagree_v with_o scaliger_n for_o understand_v the_o essenes_n 34._o here_o yet_o agree_v with_o he_o for_o not_o understand_v the_o christian_n but_o upon_o argument_n so_o weak_a and_o unconcluding_a that_o he_o have_v as_o good_a go_v through_o with_o he_o in_o the_o whole_a matter_n as_o leave_v he_o half_a way_n to_o so_o little_a purpose_n as_o first_o that_o these_o therapeutae_n read_v the_o ancient_a write_n of_o the_o author_n of_o their_o sect_n which_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o old_a prophet_n because_o they_o be_v express_o distinguish_v by_o philo_n from_o they_o nor_o of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n because_o himself_o live_v in_o their_o time_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o term_v their_o write_n ancient_a but_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o philo_n be_v not_o thorough_o acquaint_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o sect_n but_o have_v only_o be_v present_a sometime_o at_o their_o assembly_n and_o from_o what_o he_o have_v there_o observe_v have_v draw_v up_o this_o description_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o find_v that_o they_o have_v peculiar_a book_n to_o themselves_o and_o distinct_a from_o those_o of_o the_o old_a prophet_n he_o may_v easy_o think_v they_o more_o ancient_a than_o real_o they_o be_v especial_o when_o they_o be_v value_v by_o the_o christian_n or_o the_o man_n that_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o the_o most_o authentic_a commentary_n and_o exposition_n of_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o but_o however_o antiquity_n be_v a_o relative_a term_n and_o therefore_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n be_v the_o first_o record_n of_o the_o church_n might_n nay_o must_v be_v term_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o so_o philo_n seem_v to_o expound_v himself_o when_o he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o
unquestionable_a proof_n in_o the_o world_n §_o xx._n this_o be_v the_o first_o invincible_a impediment_n of_o christianity_n suppose_v it_o have_v be_v false_a but_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a it_o labour_v under_o many_o other_o great_a disadvantage_n that_o it_o can_v never_o have_v surmount_v but_o by_o the_o irresistible_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o be_v its_o contrariety_n to_o the_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n of_o that_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v first_o divulge_v the_o world_n be_v at_o that_o time_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o it_o extreme_o debauch_v both_o in_o its_o manner_n and_o principle_n for_o julius_n caesar_n have_v violate_v all_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n and_o overthrow_v the_o old_a government_n that_o have_v always_o keep_v up_o a_o generous_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v chief_o raise_v itself_o to_o that_o vast_a greatness_n that_o afterward_o so_o much_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o attempt_n of_o ambitious_a men._n for_o though_o that_o spirit_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o time_n of_o marius_n and_o pass_v down_o through_o all_o the_o great_a man_n cinna_z silvius_n and_o pompey_n all_o of_o they_o struggle_v for_o the_o sole_a sovereignty_n of_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n the_o design_n be_v never_o complete_o compass_v but_o by_o the_o boldness_n and_o activity_n of_o julius_n caesar._n now_o the_o success_n of_o the_o caesarean_a faction_n that_o be_v general_o atheist_n and_o epicurean_o against_o the_o patriot_n of_o the_o old_a state_n that_o be_v as_o general_o eminent_a for_o worth_n and_o honour_n virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o public_a good_a make_v the_o thrive_a principle_n and_o practice_n quick_o come_v into_o fashion_n and_o reputation_n with_o the_o world_n and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o brutus_n we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o ancient_a roman_a but_o what_o he_o say_v in_o passion_n be_v serious_o and_o universal_o embrace_v as_o a_o great_a truth_n that_o virtue_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a name_n so_o that_o if_o we_o survey_v the_o roman_a history_n before_o and_o after_o the_o usurpation_n of_o caesar_n it_o do_v not_o look_v like_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o nation_n the_o former_a abound_v with_o the_o brave_a example_n of_o gallantry_n and_o magnanimity_n whereas_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o be_v general_o entertain_v with_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o fraud_n and_o treachery_n even_o the_o admire_a wisdom_n of_o the_o great_a augustus_n himself_o be_v no_o better_a than_o craft_n and_o dissimulation_n and_o though_o his_o successor_n tiberius_n be_v particular_o remarque_v for_o that_o vice_n it_o be_v only_o because_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v his_o part_n so_o artificial_o as_o his_o predecessor_n have_v do_v who_o die_v with_o that_o particular_a comfort_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v so_o skilful_o play_v the_o comedy_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o certain_o of_o all_o prince_n upon_o record_n he_o have_v the_o most_o subtle_a faculty_n of_o appear_v high_o honest_a without_o any_o design_n of_o ever_o be_v so_o in_o short_a under_o his_o reign_n all_o the_o principle_n of_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n be_v prevalent_a in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n that_o then_o prescribe_a manner_n to_o the_o best_a part_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n neither_o be_v their_o practice_n disagree_v to_o their_o principle_n for_o as_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o restraint_n of_o virtue_n and_o modesty_n so_o they_o entire_o devote_v themselves_o to_o luxury_n and_o sensuality_n and_o study_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o emprove_v their_o brutish_a pleasure_n to_o the_o utmost_a extravagance_n of_o enjoyment_n and_o as_o be_v the_o great_a court_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v all_o the_o other_o lesser_a court_n of_o their_o several_a prefect_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o imitation_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a baseness_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o scarce_o any_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n that_o be_v epicurean_o and_o vilain_n by_o principle_n be_v prefer_v by_o j._n caesar_n to_o authority_n in_o the_o empire_n though_o thing_n grow_v much_o worse_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o mark_n anthony_n a_o man_n knead_v up_o of_o lust_n and_o malice_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o he_o be_v not_o more_o of_o each_o be_v because_o he_o be_v all_o both_o for_o he_o will_v never_o unless_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o lust_n quit_v his_o cruelty_n nor_o ever_o unless_o to_o satisfy_v his_o cruelty_n forsake_v his_o lust_n and_o as_o himself_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o baseness_n so_o he_o will_v advance_v none_o to_o preferment_n but_o such_o as_o have_v recommend_v themselves_o to_o his_o good_a like_n by_o their_o more_o than_o ordinary_a wickedness_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o judaea_n and_o the_o part_n about_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n more_o overrun_v with_o vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o in_o any_o former_a age_n in_o that_o herod_n one_o of_o the_o vile_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v have_v by_o the_o patronage_n of_o mark_n anthony_n obtain_v their_o government_n and_o by_o a_o long_a reign_n over_o they_o after_o his_o patron_n be_v death_n under_o augustus_n have_v familiarise_v all_o manner_n of_o the_o most_o licentious_a wickedness_n to_o the_o people_n even_o so_o much_o that_o one_o half_a of_o the_o lead_a man_n even_o among_o the_o jew_n themselves_o that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a through_o all_o age_n for_o their_o reverence_n to_o their_o religion_n be_v no_o better_a than_o open_a and_o avow_v atheist_n now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n that_o consist_v of_o precept_n of_o chastity_n and_o sobriety_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o kindness_n and_o charity_n and_o of_o renounce_v the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n for_o the_o reward_n of_o another_o to_o make_v its_o way_n into_o such_o a_o wicked_a world_n as_o this_o man_n of_o atheistical_a principle_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o stubborn_a and_o inflexible_a they_o scorn_v all_o manner_n of_o better_a information_n and_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v possible_o undeceive_v they_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o overcome_v person_n so_o prejudice_v and_o so_o conceit_v unless_o we_o can_v by_o the_o mere_a evidence_n of_o thing_n force_v they_o into_o conviction_n and_o as_o for_o man_n of_o luxurious_a life_n they_o have_v neither_o mind_n nor_o leisure_n to_o attend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v reclaim_v they_o it_o be_v pain_n to_o they_o to_o think_v of_o part_v with_o their_o pleasure_n they_o will_v labour_v to_o preserve_v they_o upon_o any_o term_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v no_o information_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o fasten_v on_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o sudden_o reform_v infinite_a number_n from_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n it_o must_v have_v bring_v along_o with_o it_o a_o real_a evidence_n equal_a to_o its_o pretend_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a commission_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o it_o require_v strict_a obedience_n to_o all_o its_o command_n so_o it_o must_v have_v prove_v the_o reality_n of_o its_o commission_n by_o such_o certain_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o most_o refractory_a person_n to_o withstand_v its_o force_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v such_o multitude_n so_o wonderful_o prevail_v upon_o to_o quit_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n and_o vice_n we_o have_v reason_n from_o thence_o only_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o convince_v of_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o its_o pretence_n §_o xxi_o the_o next_o disadvantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v its_o bold_a and_o open_a defiance_n to_o the_o establish_a and_o inveterate_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n for_o of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la those_o of_o religion_n be_v the_o strong_a and_o the_o old_a they_o be_v the_o deep_a root_n they_o take_v and_o therefore_o when_o its_o enemy_n can_v plead_v the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o hundred_o year_n against_o it_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o persuade_v they_o out_o of_o such_o a_o ancient_a prescription_n it_o be_v mere_a novelty_n be_v a_o objection_n of_o no_o small_a force_n but_o when_o a_o new_a and_o upstart_a religion_n will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o its_o own_o authority_n but_o must_v disgrace_v all_o the_o settle_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o refuse_v its_o own_o settlement_n unless_o they_o may_v be_v utter_o extirpate_v this_o can_v not_o but_o seem_v too_o saucy_a a_o demand_n especial_o to_o prince_n and_o great_a man_n to_o require_v of_o they_o not_o only_o
may_v suffice_v at_o this_o present_a upon_o this_o argument_n as_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v the_o apostle_n and_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n that_o if_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_a fool_n they_o have_v never_o undertake_v it_o if_o false_a and_o if_o they_o be_v they_o can_v never_o have_v proceed_v with_o any_o success_n in_o it_o §_o vi_o but_o last_o we_o must_v either_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n and_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n to_o have_v be_v in_o good_a earnest_n or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n be_v unquestionable_a for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n be_v no_o magic_a story_n or_o any_o thing_n capable_a of_o juggle_a trick_n and_o illusion_n but_o a_o plain_a and_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n of_o which_o they_o have_v the_o same_o assurance_n as_o we_o have_v or_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o we_o see_v or_o hear_v and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o evidence_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v of_o one_o another_o conversation_n and_o what_o be_v more_o they_o be_v jealous_a and_o incredulous_a and_o suspect_v some_o mistake_n or_o illusion_n and_o force_v he_o to_o appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o convince_v they_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o their_o sense_n and_o now_o it_o be_v likely_a when_o it_o be_v so_o impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v deceive_v themselves_o that_o they_o will_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n and_o endure_v so_o many_o misery_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v a_o impudent_a and_o a_o unprofitable_a fable_n which_o if_o they_o do_v than_o we_o must_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o then_o beside_o all_o the_o forementioned_a abfurdity_n this_o supposition_n labour_v under_o one_o very_o enormous_a difficulty_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o viz._n that_o such_o profligate_v cheat_n and_o impostor_n shall_v concern_v themselves_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n as_o they_o do_v for_o the_o credit_n and_o propagation_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n in_o the_o world_n for_o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o christianity_n to_o promote_v and_o advance_v the_o practice_n of_o all_o true_a morality_n no_o man_n that_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v can_v question_v and_o if_o it_o be_v than_o they_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o good_a man_n that_o labour_v as_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o promote_a of_o christianity_n but_o that_o perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v be_v a_o frequent_a artifice_n for_o man_n of_o the_o worst_a design_n to_o make_v the_o best_a pretence_n it_o be_v so_o but_o then_o they_o must_v have_v some_o design_n to_o carry_v on_o under_o their_o pretence_n whereas_o if_o the_o apostle_n very_a pretence_n be_v not_o their_o real_a design_n they_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o that_o be_v the_o difficulty_n proper_a to_o this_o supposition_n that_o wicked_a man_n that_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o wickedness_n shall_v spend_v their_o day_n and_o loose_v their_o life_n for_o the_o interest_n and_o advancement_n of_o goodness_n with_o out_o any_o design_n or_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o as_o from_o the_o former_a premise_n we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o conclude_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o man_n and_o from_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o man_n to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o their_o master_n doctrine_n so_o in_o this_o place_n do_v the_o divinity_n of_o his_o doctrine_n prove_v the_o integrity_n of_o the_o men._n for_o as_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v see_v the_o work_n so_o to_o have_v hear_v the_o sermon_n of_o jesus_n and_o be_v not_o less_o zealous_a to_o publish_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o to_o the_o world_n nay_o they_o divulge_v his_o miracle_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o doctrine_n now_o what_o be_v it_o that_o he_o teach_v and_o they_o record_v be_v they_o not_o the_o most_o perfect_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n that_o be_v ever_o deliver_v to_o mankind_n and_o as_o wonderful_a as_o his_o action_n be_v his_o precept_n be_v scarce_o less_o admirable_a the_o goodness_n of_o his_o law_n if_o it_o do_v not_o outdo_v yet_o it_o equal_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o their_o own_o innate_a excellency_n be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a argument_n of_o their_o divinity_n but_o of_o this_o i_o hope_v to_o give_v a_o account_n in_o a_o treatise_n by_o itself_o in_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o apparent_a that_o he_o have_v command_v all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o right_a reason_n that_o he_o have_v not_o omit_v any_o instance_n of_o moral_a goodness_n and_o that_o no_o law_n nor_o no_o philosophy_n can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o a_o morality_n so_o wise_a so_o good_a so_o useful_a and_o now_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n and_o his_o miracle_n rely_v upon_o the_o same_o testimony_n and_o the_o same_o person_n who_o report_n that_o he_o do_v such_o mighty_a work_n record_v also_o that_o he_o teach_v such_o excellent_a law_n and_o that_o he_o wrought_v those_o work_n of_o god_n for_o a_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n what_o can_v be_v more_o probable_a than_o that_o the_o same_o person_n shall_v in_o the_o same_o design_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o great_a virtue_n and_o great_a villainy_n in_o the_o world_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n sacrifice_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o the_o credit_n of_o blasphemy_n and_o imposture_n for_o if_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o report_v concern_v the_o miracle_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o true_a then_o be_v he_o as_o lewd_a and_o wretched_a a_o impostor_n as_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n in_o bear_v out_o as_o if_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o they_o as_o bold_a atheistical_a and_o ungodly_a wretch_n know_o to_o abuse_v mankind_n with_o such_o a_o palpable_a and_o blasphemous_a cheat._n be_v it_o not_o then_o likely_a that_o man_n shall_v do_v and_o suffer_v after_o their_o rate_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o accurse_a imposture_n that_o be_v so_o infinite_o zealous_a for_o the_o concernment_n of_o truth_n and_o integrity_n how_o awkerd_o do_v these_o thing_n piece_n together_o what_o strange_a contradiction_n be_v reconcile_v in_o this_o odd_a supposition_n the_o same_o man_n die_v martyr_n to_o the_o worst_a imposture_n and_o best_a institution_n in_o the_o world_n to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o gain_v credit_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o notorious_a lie_n and_o yet_o die_v to_o advance_v the_o credit_n of_o uprightness_n and_o integrity_n it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o most_o conceivable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a people_n shall_v conspire_v together_o in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o so_o lewd_a a_o forgery_n and_o then_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fable_n with_o their_o blood_n but_o how_o do_v the_o prodigy_n heighten_v that_o such_o profligate_v wretch_n shall_v so_o easy_o forego_v their_o life_n rather_o than_o their_o innocence_n and_o integrity_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o their_o zeal_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n be_v a_o most_o undeniable_a demonstration_n of_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o the_o more_o man_n tumble_v and_o toss_v their_o thought_n about_o to_o raise_v jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n upon_o the_o report_n the_o more_o do_v they_o entangle_v themselves_o in_o absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n but_o i_o shall_v prosecute_v this_o argument_n no_o far_o because_o in_o truth_n to_o say_v no_o more_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_o odd_o conceit_a man_n that_o can_v but_o persuade_v himself_o so_o much_o as_o to_o suspect_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o now_o if_o we_o review_v these_o circumstance_n of_o our_o saviour_n story_n as_o it_o be_v tell_v by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v favour_v with_o all_o the_o utmost_a advantage_n of_o credibility_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o suppose_v it_o a_o imposture_n yet_o have_v it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v how_o it_o can_v have_v be_v vouch_v with_o strong_a and_o more_o enforce_v motive_n of_o belief_n there_o be_v no_o satisfaction_n that_o mankind_n can_v reasonable_o desire_v which_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n have_v not_o give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n all_o scruple_n and_o exception_n be_v so_o fortunate_o prevent_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o possible_a escape_n or_o pretence_n leave_v for_o insidelity_n for_o first_o we_o have_v all_o the_o assurance_n in_o
the_o world_n both_o of_o the_o sufficiency_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o their_o sufficiency_n in_o that_o they_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n and_o be_v themselves_o sufficient_o suspicious_a and_o incredulous_a and_o refuse_v to_o be_v convince_v till_o their_o distrustful_a mind_n be_v overbear_v by_o evidence_n of_o fact_n of_o their_o sincerity_n not_o only_o from_o the_o agreement_n of_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o honest_a and_o upright_a man_n in_o the_o same_o report_n but_o from_o their_o readiness_n to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n and_o what_o great_a assurance_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n than_o to_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o report_v and_o what_o great_a evidence_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o desire_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o report_n than_o they_o have_v give_v we_o of_o their_o fidelity_n so_o that_o here_o to_o withhold_v or_o deny_v our_o assent_n be_v first_o a_o direct_a affront_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o suppose_v none_o worthy_a of_o any_o belief_n beside_o ourselves_o for_o unless_o we_o will_v distrust_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o testimony_n and_o believe_v nothing_o but_o by_o the_o immediate_a information_n of_o our_o own_o sense_n there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n quit_v all_o degree_n of_o diffidence_n and_o suspicion_n in_o this_o affair_n second_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o humane_a nature_n love_v of_o life_n shall_v conspire_v to_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n to_o a_o impudent_a lye_n three_o we_o must_v either_o believe_v that_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n will_v lose_v their_o life_n for_o a_o ridiculous_a fable_n or_o that_o a_o company_n of_o fool_n and_o madman_n can_v so_o easy_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v such_o a_o wild_a story_n mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o report_n last_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o only_a employment_n to_o advance_v truth_n and_o virtue_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v yet_o die_v martyr_n to_o falsehood_n and_o villainy_n and_o that_o when_o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o jesus_n they_o be_v not_o in_o good_a earnest_n now_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o only_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n in_o the_o world_n i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o history_n or_o report_n to_o come_v attest_v with_o more_o various_a more_o pregnant_a more_o unquestionable_a motive_n of_o credibility_n than_o his_o action_n particular_o his_o resurrection_n as_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o apostle_n and_o thus_o have_v consider_v the_o evidence_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o give_v in_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o consider_v their_o testimony_n as_o record_v in_o their_o write_n and_o to_o show_v into_o what_o wild_a absurdity_n we_o must_v again_o run_v ourselves_o if_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture-history_n §_o vii_o first_o then_o we_o must_v believe_v either_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v or_o that_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o relate_v of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o true_a than_o we_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n if_o false_a then_o either_o for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a knowledge_n or_o sincerity_n not_o for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n for_o two_o of_o the_o evangelist_n saint_n matthew_n and_o saint_n john_n be_v immediate_a disciple_n and_o constant_a companion_n of_o the_o person_n who_o history_n they_o write_v and_o so_o be_v present_a at_o his_o work_n and_o miracle_n and_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n saint_n mark_n and_o saint_n luke_n if_o they_o be_v not_o disciple_n during_o our_o saviour_n abode_n upon_o the_o earth_n they_o be_v intimate_a associate_n with_o the_o chief_a apostle_n that_o be_v so_o that_o if_o they_o write_v not_o from_o their_o own_o immediate_a knowledge_n yet_o however_o they_o write_v from_o the_o information_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o as_o for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v by_o saint_n luke_n saint_n luke_n himself_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o if_o not_o all_o the_o history_n and_o so_o for_o the_o epistle_n pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n either_o they_o be_v or_o they_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o their_o case_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o have_v sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o so_o plain_o be_v it_o that_o if_o those_o person_n write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o go_v for_o their_o author_n that_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o their_o report_n for_o want_n of_o sufficient_a knowledge_n and_o information_n and_o then_o as_o for_o their_o sincerity_n the_o case_n of_o their_o writing_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o their_o preach_n and_o so_o labour_v under_o all_o the_o forementioned_a difficulty_n and_o one_o more_o peculiar_a to_o itself_o viz._n that_o when_o they_o have_v be_v so_o wicked_a as_o to_o contrive_v a_o wilful_a lie_n and_o so_o foolish_a as_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o shall_v meet_v with_o no_o contradiction_n in_o so_o gross_a and_o manifest_a a_o forgery_n these_o thing_n be_v write_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n after_o they_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o if_o they_o be_v false_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o they_o shall_v escape_v discovery_n or_o obtain_v any_o the_o least_o belief_n for_o example_n when_o saint_n luke_n report_v that_o a_o person_n bear_v lame_a and_o know_v to_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o his_o have_v beg_v daily_o for_o many_o year_n at_o the_o chief_a gate_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v cure_v by_o saint_n peter_n only_o with_o invocate_a the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o that_o this_o miracle_n be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v at_o jerusalem_n that_o it_o immediate_o convert_v no_o less_o than_o five_o thousand_o person_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n if_o all_o this_o have_v be_v a_o fable_n the_o mere_a publication_n of_o it_o have_v provoke_v thousand_o of_o people_n nay_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o especial_o the_o citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n and_o it_o can_v not_o but_o have_v meet_v with_o so_o much_o opposition_n as_o utter_o and_o for_o ever_o to_o disgrace_v and_o destroy_v itself_o and_o so_o again_o when_o saint_n paul_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n be_v see_v not_o only_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o himself_o but_o by_o above_o five_o hundred_o person_n at_o once_o most_o of_o who_o be_v then_o survive_v if_o this_o have_v be_v a_o lie_n it_o have_v be_v a_o very_a foolish_a and_o impudent_a one_o and_o too_o bold_a for_o any_o man_n to_o vent_v that_o be_v not_o lose_v not_o only_o to_o all_o modesty_n but_o all_o discretion_n and_o if_o any_o man_n can_v have_v be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o venture_v upon_o so_o lewd_a a_o falsehood_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o he_o can_v ever_o have_v escape_v the_o shame_n of_o discovery_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v write_v to_o baffle_v some_o fanatic_a person_n who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o resurrection_n for_o as_o all_o other_o will_v be_v eager_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o curiosity_n so_o will_v those_o man_n especial_o be_v concern_v to_o examine_v it_o more_o strict_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o confute_v their_o adversary_n so_o that_o it_o be_v equal_o incredible_a that_o saint_n paul_n shall_v be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o vent_v so_o great_a a_o lie_n that_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o contradict_v and_o that_o when_o he_o have_v vent_v it_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o lucky_a as_o to_o escape_v all_o manner_n of_o contradiction_n from_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o oppose_v he_o for_o if_o he_o have_v be_v convict_v of_o falsehood_n in_o it_o all_o the_o corinthian_n must_v immediate_o have_v turn_v back_o to_o their_o infidelity_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o find_v the_o christian_a faith_n prevail_v every_o where_o
of_o he_o upon_o his_o 9_o knee_n to_o make_v he_o emperor_n to_o who_o apollonius_n with_o the_o state_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o god_n answer_v i_o have_v make_v thou_o so_o viz._n by_o my_o interest_n with_o the_o god_n and_o he_o so_o far_o gratify_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o man_n as_o to_o seem_v to_o receive_v the_o empire_n at_o his_o hand_n and_o thus_o be_v he_o assure_v of_o his_o empire_n by_o man_n of_o great_a reputation_n for_o both_o religion_n for_o as_o there_o be_v no_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v compare_v to_o josephus_n for_o knowledge_n and_o learning_n in_o the_o antiquity_n of_o his_o own_o nation_n so_o apollonius_n be_v then_o the_o most_o famous_a and_o renown_a saint_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o heathen_a religion_n now_o whilst_o he_o stay_v at_o alexandria_n a_o blind_a and_o a_o lame_a man_n be_v warn_v so_o to_o do_v by_o the_o god_n serapis_n address_v themselves_o to_o he_o for_o a_o cure_n and_o obtain_v it_o so_o that_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n by_o itself_o it_o look_v so_o like_a fraud_n and_o flattery_n as_o to_o betray_v itself_o for_o the_o report_n of_o his_o have_v be_v abuse_v into_o the_o conceit_n of_o be_v the_o messiah_n in_o judaea_n be_v probable_o come_v to_o alexandria_n where_o great_a number_n of_o jew_n reside_v it_o be_v likely_a that_o they_o will_v not_o come_v short_a of_o their_o countryman_n in_o do_v honour_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o so_o put_v these_o two_o counterfeit_n upon_o the_o design_n and_o there_o be_v enough_o of_o such_o dissemble_a cripple_n to_o be_v have_v in_o great_a city_n for_o it_o be_v foretell_v that_o the_o messiah_n when_o he_o come_v shall_v among_o other_o miracle_n cure_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a they_o think_v it_o a_o acceptable_a piece_n of_o flattery_n thus_o to_o waylay_v his_o ambition_n or_o rather_o this_o design_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o egyptian_n a_o fawn_a crafty_a and_o flatter_a sort_n of_o people_n but_o 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out_o the_o design_n of_o the_o compliment_n now_o what_o wise_a man_n can_v compare_v this_o one_o theatrical_a piece_n of_o court-flattery_n with_o all_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o mere_a suspicion_n of_o these_o pretend_a cripple_n be_v counterfeit_v at_o least_o the_o absolute_a uncertainty_n of_o it_o destroy_v its_o credit_n whereas_o the_o impossibility_n of_o suspect_v any_o fraud_n or_o flattery_n in_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v a_o undoubted_a demonstration_n of_o their_o reality_n beside_o that_o the_o emperor_n be_v assure_v by_o the_o physician_n that_o the_o man_n be_v not_o pass_v a_o natural_a cure_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n most_o whereof_o be_v do_v upon_o person_n natural_o incurable_a but_o to_o wave_v this_o i_o can_v give_v so_o much_o credit_n to_o a_o story_n that_o smell_v so_o rank_o of_o imposture_n as_o to_o suppose_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o compare_v it_o as_o he_o find_v it_o under_o so_o many_o disadvantage_n of_o suspicion_n with_o the_o credibility_n of_o all_o those_o motive_n of_o belief_n that_o we_o have_v produce_v for_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o his_o own_o ingenuity_n to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o oppose_v one_o story_n so_o miserable_o suspicious_a to_o a_o thousand_o other_o guard_v with_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o proof_n against_o all_o possible_a cavil_n and_o exception_n §_o xxvii_o but_o the_o man_n of_o wonder_n be_v apollonius_n tyanaeus_n of_o who_o they_o boast_v and_o insult_v as_o the_o true_a heathen_a messiah_n in_o that_o he_o wrought_v not_o as_o vespasian_n do_v one_o or_o two_o chance_n miracle_n but_o his_o whole_a life_n be_v all_o prodigy_n and_o equal_a to_o our_o saviour_n both_o for_o the_o number_n and_o the_o wonder_n of_o his_o work_n but_o here_o first_o we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o show_v what_o undoubted_a record_n we_o have_v of_o the_o life_n of_o jesus_n whereas_o all_o the_o credit_n of_o apollonius_n his_o history_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o single_a man_n who_o beside_o that_o he_o live_v a_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o venture_v nothing_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o confirmation_n of_o its_o truth_n but_o only_o compose_v it_o in_o his_o study_n thereby_o as_o appear_v from_o his_o frequent_a digression_n to_o take_v occasion_n of_o communicate_v all_o the_o learning_n he_o have_v rake_v together_o to_o the_o world_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o incur_v any_o loss_n by_o the_o work_n that_o he_o be_v set_v upon_o it_o by_o a_o great_a empress_n who_o religious_a zeal_n in_o the_o cause_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o see_v he_o well_o reward_v and_o though_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o commentary_n of_o damis_n the_o inseparable_a companion_n of_o apollonius_n yet_o he_o confess_v that_o damis_n himself_o never_o publish_v his_o own_o commentary_n but_o that_o a_o friend_n of_o damis_n communicate_v they_o to_o the_o empress_n which_o himself_o may_v probable_o have_v forge_v as_o be_v common_a in_o court_n to_o pick_v her_o pocket_n however_o as_o for_o damis_n himself_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o philostratus_n his_o whole_a story_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a simple_a man_n and_o that_o apollonius_n only_o pick_v he_o up_o as_o a_o fit_a sancho_n panche_n to_o exercise_v his_o wit_n upon_o so_o that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n we_o find_v he_o not_o only_o baffle_v the_o esquire_n in_o dispute_n but_o break_v jest_n upon_o he_o which_o he_o always_o take_v with_o much_o thankfulness_n and_o more_o humility_n still_o admire_v his_o master_n wisdom_n but_o much_o more_o his_o wit._n but_o after_o all_o what_o the_o story_n of_o damis_n be_v or_o whether_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o such_o story_n we_o have_v no_o account_n unless_o from_o philostratus_n himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v resolve_v it_o all_o into_o his_o authority_n alone_o and_o there_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o god_n nor_o a_o divine_a man_n as_o his_o friend_n boast_v nor_o a_o magician_n or_o conjurer_n as_o his_o enemy_n imagine_v but_o a_o mere_a fanatic_a and_o pedantic_a pythagorean_n that_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o sect_n travel_v as_o many_o other_o have_v do_v into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o he_o return_v home_o tell_v his_o countryman_n that_o all_o man_n renown_v for_o wisdom_n all_o the_o world_n over_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o then_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o authority_n tell_v strange_a and_o prodigious_a tale_n of_o their_o wonder-working_a power_n though_o here_o either_o he_o or_o his_o historian_n have_v acquit_v himself_o so_o awkardly_a as_o utter_o to_o spoil_v the_o tale_n and_o defeat_v the_o design_n this_o eusebius_n have_v show_v at_o large_a in_o his_o book_n against_o hierocles_n by_o take_v apiece_o all_o part_n of_o the_o story_n and_o discover_v all_o its_o flaw_n and_o incoherence_n but_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o prove_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o whole_a from_o the_o notorious_a falsehood_n of_o one_o particular_a narration_n upon_o which_o depend_v all_o that_o extraordinary_a power_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o and_o that_o be_v his_o conversation_n with_o the_o indian_a brahmin_n from_o who_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v his_o account_n of_o himself_o he_o learn_v all_o that_o he_o can_v do_v more_o than_o the_o common_a philosopher_n of_o greece_n and_o if_o this_o prove_v a_o romance_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o history_n must_v unavoidable_o follow_v its_o fortune_n and_o for_o this_o little_a proof_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n when_o most_o of_o the_o story_n be_v so_o
same_o time_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n out_o of_o that_o undoubted_a assurance_n they_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n we_o may_v now_o with_o much_o more_o reason_n doubt_n of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n in_o january_n 1648._o than_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n neither_o do_v the_o current_n of_o this_o tradition_n stop_v here_o in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n but_o as_o it_o come_v down_o from_o the_o first_o witness_n so_o it_o descend_v in_o the_o same_o channel_n to_o aftertime_n for_o as_o the_o apostolical_a write_n be_v own_a by_o this_o epistle_n so_o be_v this_o epistle_n by_o those_o who_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_a of_o its_o authority_n especial_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v for_o as_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n be_v write_v not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n probable_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n so_o be_v that_o of_o dionysius_n write_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o saint_n clemens_n for_o he_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n and_o have_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o be_v authentic_a from_o its_o have_v be_v constant_o read_v in_o the_o corinthian_a church_n so_o that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n be_v as_o certain_a in_o that_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o begin_v his_o reign_n about_o the_o year_n 161._o as_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o time_n so_o that_o if_o the_o corinthian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n have_v be_v contemporary_a to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v a_o more_o satisfactory_a and_o unquestionable_a information_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o preach_v than_o be_v give_v they_o from_o so_o clear_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n for_o that_o be_v so_o entire_o free_a from_o all_o manner_n of_o doubt_n and_o suspicion_n the_o distance_n of_o time_n make_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o xxx_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o apostolical_a man_n we_o may_v join_v that_o of_o ignatius_n policarp_n papias_n and_o quadratus_n as_o have_v all_o converse_v with_o the_o follower_n and_o familiar_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o first_o as_o for_o ignatius_n he_o be_v educate_v under_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o by_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n of_o the_o great_a city_n of_o antioch_n where_o he_o sit_v many_o year_n and_o govern_v his_o charge_n with_o extraordinary_a zeal_n and_o prudence_n and_o at_o last_o with_o infinite_a courage_n and_o alacrity_n suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o his_o faith_n there_o have_v be_v great_a controversy_n of_o late_a in_o the_o christian_a world_n concern_v his_o epistle_n though_o with_o how_o little_a reason_n on_o their_o side_n that_o oppose_v they_o i_o have_v account_v elsewhere_o and_o though_o i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o make_v use_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o make_v it_o good_a too_o yet_o our_o present_a argument_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o that_o dispute_n for_o whether_o these_o epistle_n that_o at_o this_o time_n pass_v under_o his_o name_n be_v genuine_a or_o counterfeit_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o write_v such_o epistle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o he_o be_v another_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a testimony_n and_o his_o great_a sense_n of_o immortality_n and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o martyrdom_n show_v his_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v so_o that_o he_o be_v another_o undoubted_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz._n that_o the_o christian_a faith_n descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o give_v that_o proof_n of_o their_o testimony_n that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o christianity_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n connect_v with_o the_o certain_a history_n of_o aftertime_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o dark_a and_o unknown_a interval_n wherein_o the_o story_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v former_o act_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v have_v be_v first_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v it_o undeniable_o evident_a that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v any_o such_o story_n have_v it_o not_o first_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a history_n by_o such_o a_o near_a and_o immediate_a witness_n to_o make_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o wave_v that_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v from_o this_o glorious_a martyr_n epistle_n because_o they_o breathe_v so_o much_o the_o genuine_a spirit_n of_o the_o ancient_a christianity_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n which_o show_v what_o mighty_a satisfaction_n they_o have_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o so_o firm_o believe_v and_o so_o vehement_o desire_v and_o as_o for_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o and_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o question_v but_o for_o their_o resolute_a opposition_n to_o some_o mens_fw-la prejudices_fw-la for_o they_o be_v resolve_v in_o their_o own_o innovation_n of_o church-government_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n which_o these_o epistle_n so_o zealous_o assert_v and_o that_o as_o establish_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o make_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v but_o stubborn_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v say_v impudent_o to_o reject_v their_o authority_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v so_o admirable_o vouch_v as_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v purposely_o design_v to_o secure_v their_o credit_n for_o ever_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o first_o place_n by_o his_o friend_n policarp_n who_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n with_o a_o letter_n of_o his_o own_o now_o policarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o question_v nay_o it_o be_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n after_o public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o avoid_v so_o clear_a and_o certain_a a_o testimony_n as_o this_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o only_o by_o say_v that_o this_o particular_a passage_n be_v foist_v in_o without_o any_o shadow_n of_o ground_n for_o the_o surmise_n nay_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o a_o epistle_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v so_o easy_o corrupt_v and_o the_o corruption_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o when_o this_o counterfeit_a passage_n be_v thrust_v into_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n it_o shall_v pass_v down_o uncontrolled_a and_o unquestioned_a to_o all_o after-age_n nay_o far_o if_o it_o be_v forge_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o genuine_a and_o yet_o himself_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v at_o his_o time_n public_o read_v in_o church_n as_o saint_n jerome_n afterward_o that_o it_o be_v in_o he_o now_o it_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a thing_n that_o eusebius_n will_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o private_a copy_n contrary_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v impose_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o that_o follow_v he_o when_o the_o same_o book_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o same_o public_a manner_n till_o the_o time_n of_o saint_n jerome_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o have_v another_o shift_n altogether_o as_o groundless_a and_o not_o less_o bold_a viz._n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n that_o policarp_n speak_v of_o but_o that_o a_o little_a before_o eusebius_n his_o time_n the_o true_a one_o be_v lose_v and_o a_o counterfeit_a copy_n put_v upon_o the_o world_n which_o as_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o mere_a conjecture_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o desperate_a cause_n and_o void_a of_o all_o pretence_n of_o probability_n so_o it_o be_v incredible_a in_o itself_o and_o not_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n that_o such_o a_o famous_a write_n of_o such_o a_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a bishop_n of_o such_o a_o eminent_a and_o glorious_a martyr_n write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n at_o the_o
under_o all_o those_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v if_o it_o have_v be_v nothing_o but_o mear_v falsehood_n and_o forgery_n and_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o those_o very_o many_o and_o great_a disadvantage_n let_v its_o evidence_n have_v be_v never_o so_o bright_a it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n either_o not_o at_o all_o to_o see_v or_o to_o wink_v at_o it_o so_o that_o at_o best_a this_o be_v but_o a_o negative_a testimony_n oppose_v to_o a_o affirmative_a and_o in_o this_o particular_a case_n and_o under_o these_o circumstance_n though_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o not_o altogether_o useless_a of_o no_o force_n at_o all_o for_o unless_o christianity_n be_v true_a it_o can_v never_o have_v be_v vouch_v as_o it_o be_v and_o though_o it_o be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o we_o pretend_v it_o be_v yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n impose_v upon_o all_o mankind_n to_o yield_v to_o its_o belief_n especial_o when_o it_o have_v all_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o present_a interest_n to_o weigh_v against_o naked_a truth_n and_o interest_n alone_o as_o be_v too_o well_o know_v by_o experience_n have_v a_o more_o forcible_a influence_n upon_o most_o man_n mind_n than_o integrity_n so_o that_o here_o i_o may_v again_o run_v through_o all_o the_o forementioned_a particular_n and_o show_v what_o force_n each_o of_o they_o single_o much_o more_o all_o joint_o may_v have_v to_o hinder_v man_n from_o believe_v or_o own_v the_o christian_a faith_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o divine_a authority_n and_o particular_o i_o may_v declaim_v upon_o the_o wonderful_a power_n of_o prejudice_n in_o this_o case_n and_o make_v a_o long_a common_a place_n of_o it_o to_o show_v the_o equality_n of_o its_o strength_n to_o truth_n itself_o but_o i_o shall_v make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o and_o consider_v only_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o show_v that_o whatever_o opposition_n christianity_n meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n be_v from_o unreasonable_a man_n and_o upon_o unreasonable_a ground_n and_o if_o that_o be_v prove_v no_o man_n can_v think_v the_o opinion_n of_o such_o man_n ought_v to_o weigh_v any_o thing_n by_o itself_o but_o much_o less_o against_o all_o that_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o record_n that_o we_o have_v lay_v together_o in_o the_o premise_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v now_o make_v good_a but_o for_o our_o clear_a method_n of_o proceed_v i_o shall_v divide_v my_o discourse_n into_o these_o particular_n first_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o unreasonable_a infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o this_o first_o as_o to_o the_o whole_a nation_n second_o as_o to_o their_o several_a faction_n first_o saducees_o second_o pharisees_n and_o then_o i_o shall_v proceed_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o the_o heathen_n and_o show_v how_o all_o unbelief_n in_o they_o proceed_v mere_o from_o the_o blindness_n either_o of_o atheism_n or_o superstition_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v demonstrate_v both_o as_o to_o the_o public_a persecution_n and_o private_a opposition_n that_o christianity_n meet_v with_o and_o thus_o when_o i_o have_v take_v the_o objection_n into_o piece_n from_o the_o emptiness_n of_o each_o part_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o whole_a and_o first_o the_o grand_a reason_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o the_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v their_o invincible_a prejudice_n in_o honour_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o they_o will_v not_o care_v to_o hear_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v derogate_v from_o he_o much_o less_o our_o saviour_n that_o pretend_v to_o excel_v he_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v this_o prejudice_n have_v some_o reasonable_a force_n in_o itself_o that_o when_o almighty_a god_n have_v in_o such_o a_o miraculous_a way_n deliver_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o law_n keep_v up_o his_o own_o true_a worship_n in_o opposition_n to_o idolatry_n that_o prevail_v every_o where_o but_o only_o in_o judaea_n and_o when_o it_o be_v enact_v with_o some_o expression_n that_o seem_v to_o imply_v its_o perpetual_a and_o unalterable_a obligation_n and_o last_o when_o it_o have_v flourish_v so_o many_o year_n and_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v to_o it_o by_o the_o heathen_a world_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o abate_v its_o force_n that_o it_o prevail_v upon_o its_o enemy_n and_o bring_v over_o great_a number_n of_o proselyte_n from_o heathenism_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n after_o all_o which_o at_o first_o sight_n it_o can_v not_o but_o appear_v very_o strange_a that_o a_o obscure_a person_n a_o galilaean_a a_o carpenpenters_n son_n shall_v without_o any_o appearance_n of_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n take_v upon_o he_o so_o confident_o to_o repeal_v this_o ancient_n this_o divine_a this_o venerable_a law_n the_o very_a pretence_n can_v not_o but_o seem_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o itself_o for_o what_o can_v his_o design_n be_v in_o throw_v down_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v the_o only_a bulwark_n against_o idolatry_n than_o to_o let_v in_o all_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a nation_n upon_o they_o beside_o if_o moses_n act_v by_o divine_a commission_n whatever_o be_v speak_v to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o moses_n reflect_v upon_o god_n himself_o so_o that_o this_o person_n by_o pretend_v to_o enact_v a_o more_o perfect_a law_n than_o that_o seem_v to_o make_v himself_o wise_a than_o his_o maker_n such_o objection_n as_o these_o be_v so_o natural_a and_o so_o obvious_a to_o the_o prejudice_v people_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o to_o keep_v they_o back_o from_o so_o much_o as_o make_v enquiry_n after_o such_o wild_a and_o frantic_a pretence_n and_o this_o as_o i_o have_v already_o intimate_v from_o origen_n be_v the_o peculiar_a difficulty_n of_o our_o saviour_n work_n and_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o his_o life_n be_v object_v against_o all_o his_o miracle_n as_o i_o have_v particular_o show_v concern_v the_o cure_n of_o the_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v blind_a so_o that_o though_o they_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n yet_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v it_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v come_v from_o god_n who_o can_v be_v so_o dare_o blasphemous_a as_o to_o prefer_v himself_o to_o moses_n and_o this_o objection_n our_o saviour_n confess_v so_o forcible_a as_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o nothing_o can_v answer_v it_o but_o his_o unparalleled_a miracle_n john_n 15._o 24._o if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v among_o they_o the_o work_n which_o never_o any_o man_n do_v they_o have_v not_o have_v sin_n but_o now_o have_v they_o both_o see_v and_o hate_v both_o i_o and_o my_o father_n that_o be_v they_o have_v be_v excusable_a in_o reject_v he_o and_o his_o pretence_n of_o establish_v a_o new_a religion_n if_o his_o miracle_n have_v not_o exceed_v those_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n who_o yet_o they_o believe_v to_o have_v be_v send_v from_o god_n but_o now_o when_o they_o have_v see_v i_o do_v such_o work_n as_o none_o but_o god_n can_v do_v cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n feed_v thousand_o with_o a_o few_o loaf_n raise_v the_o dead_a and_o all_o only_a by_o the_o power_n of_o a_o word_n as_o god_n at_o first_o create_v the_o world_n after_o all_o this_o if_o they_o reject_v i_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o affront_v he_o too_o and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o cure_v the_o man_n that_o be_v blind_a and_o dumb_a because_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o miracle_n they_o blaspheme_n it_o and_o say_v it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o most_o powerful_a of_o all_o the_o devil_n for_o who_o else_o can_v assist_v the_o man_n that_o oppose_v moses_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n have_v demonstrate_v by_o rational_a proof_n that_o he_o act_v not_o by_o the_o power_n of_o belzebub_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o miraculous_a work_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v come_v to_o they_o that_o be_v the_o reign_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o it_o be_v call_v daniel_n 11._o 14._o and_o add_v that_o all_o calumny_n be_v pardonable_a but_o only_o that_o against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o which_o he_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n by_o which_o they_o bar_v their_o mind_n against_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o information_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o when_o they_o see_v it_o in_o his_o work_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o make_v any_o impression_n upon_o they_o as_o man_n and_o so_o they_o thereby_o put_v themselves_o into_o a_o state_n of_o impenitence_n and_o a_o utter_a incapacity_n of_o pardon_n now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o obstinacy_n of_o
as_o little_a as_o he_o gain_v by_o object_v the_o meanness_n of_o our_o saviour_n condition_n he_o gain_v just_a as_o much_o by_o insult_v over_o their_o ignorance_n that_o be_v but_o another_o enhance_a circumstance_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a thing_n for_o so_o obscure_a a_o person_n to_o make_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o world_n so_o be_v it_o much_o more_o so_o to_o effect_v it_o by_o such_o contemptible_a instrument_n for_o no_o man_n that_o ingenuous_o consider_v the_o prodigious_a success_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v ever_o impute_v it_o to_o any_o other_o cause_n than_o either_o some_o divine_a and_o extraordinary_a power_n or_o the_o great_a and_o irresistible_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o in_o that_o by_o the_o objection_n itself_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o all_o the_o art_n of_o eloquence_n and_o learning_n by_o which_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o they_o may_v persuade_v or_o deceive_v the_o people_n into_o any_o belief_n whereas_o if_o jesus_n have_v choose_v the_o learned_a and_o the_o eloquent_a for_o the_o propagation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n he_o may_v have_v be_v just_o suspect_v of_o the_o same_o design_n with_o the_o philosopher_n of_o erect_v a_o new_a sect_n by_o the_o power_n of_o wit_n and_o rhetoric_n but_o when_o a_o few_o fisherman_n that_o want_v all_o the_o improvement_n of_o learning_n and_o education_n as_o the_o evangelist_n record_v and_o celsus_n object_n effect_v it_o with_o such_o prodigious_a success_n it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a how_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o miracle_n either_o in_o their_o word_n or_o action_n and_o thus_o all_o along_o the_o more_o they_o object_v the_o contemptibleness_n of_o the_o mean_n the_o more_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o event_n return_v upon_o themselves_o so_o that_o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v something_o more_o than_o humane_a in_o the_o design_n it_o can_v never_o in_o the_o way_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prosecute_v have_v take_v any_o effect_n in_o the_o second_o book_n the_o counterfeit_a jew_n first_o rate_v his_o countryman_n for_o quit_v the_o law_n of_o their_o own_o nation_n to_o follow_v this_o innovatour_n but_o set_v aside_o the_o answer_n of_o origen_n that_o the_o christian_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o moses_n but_o pursue_v and_o improve_v it_o still_o this_o be_v short_a of_o the_o argument_n and_o come_v not_o up_o to_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o they_o do_v it_o if_o they_o have_v none_o their_o lightness_n be_v just_o unblamable_a but_o whether_o they_o have_v or_o have_v not_o it_o concern_v not_o this_o atheist_n to_o inquire_v and_o then_o this_o become_v celsus_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o epicurean_a very_o well_o that_o when_o the_o epicurean_a have_v begin_v his_o discourse_n with_o a_o disparagement_n of_o the_o impostor_n moses_n the_o jew_n shall_v make_v this_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o christian_n that_o they_o renounce_v the_o man_n that_o his_o friend_n have_v prove_v a_o impostor_n in_o the_o next_o place_n when_o he_o object_n our_o saviour_n cowardice_n that_o he_o flee_v and_o hide_v himself_o and_o such_o other_o trash_n it_o be_v equal_a malice_n and_o folly_n without_o ground_n or_o pretence_n in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o history_n of_o jesus_n extant_a beside_o the_o evangelist_n who_o all_o affirm_v that_o he_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n purposely_o to_o deliver_v up_o himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n now_o say_v origen_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o judge_v which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v these_o unvouched_a and_o vagabond_n surmise_n invent_v out_o of_o mere_a hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n or_o to_o believe_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o evangelist_n who_o pretend_v either_o to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n or_o to_o have_v have_v a_o full_a information_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o seal_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n with_o their_o blood_n this_o strange_a constancy_n and_o resolution_n even_o to_o death_n itself_o be_v not_o like_a man_n who_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o have_v forge_v a_o false_a story_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o clear_a and_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o very_a well_o satisfy_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o record_v be_v not_o this_o then_o a_o ingenuous_a way_n of_o proceed_v to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o history_n with_o fly_a report_n that_o have_v neither_o author_n nor_o authority_n and_o indeed_o such_o that_o whilst_o there_o be_v malice_n in_o the_o world_n no_o true_a story_n can_v escape_v but_o say_v celsus_n though_o he_o be_v please_v not_o open_o to_o show_v his_o divinity_n before_o yet_o at_o least_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o by_o vanish_v miraculous_o from_o the_o cross._n no_o no_o celsus_n he_o have_v a_o far_a design_n to_o demonstrate_v not_o only_o his_o own_o divinity_n but_o man_n immortality_n if_o he_o have_v only_o disappear_v you_o may_v have_v impute_v that_o to_o a_o trick_n of_o magic_n but_o when_o he_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a after_o he_o have_v be_v so_o public_o execute_v this_o be_v both_o a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n and_o a_o full_a assurance_n to_o mankind_n of_o their_o capacity_n to_o subsist_v after_o death_n and_o though_o there_o be_v other_o indispensable_a reason_n why_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v sacrifice_v upon_o the_o cross_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v for_o these_o alone_a he_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o suffer_v what_o he_o do_v especial_o when_o himself_n have_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n refer_v the_o proof_n of_o his_o authority_n to_o his_o resurrection_n so_o that_o if_o he_o have_v according_a to_o celsus_n his_o advice_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o cross_n he_o have_v apparent_o defeat_v his_o own_o design_n that_o he_o have_v lay_v through_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o beside_o this_o by_o his_o death_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n he_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o mankind_n that_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v reserve_v the_o happiness_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o another_o life_n and_o clear_v up_o the_o future_a existence_n of_o soul_n by_o a_o undeniable_a experiment_n and_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o so_o much_o fret_v the_o epicurean_o that_o he_o have_v put_v so_o clear_a a_o basfle_n upon_o their_o impiety_n but_o as_o for_o his_o next_o cavil_v he_o be_v real_o to_o be_v pity_v when_o he_o ask_v why_o we_o do_v not_o worship_v all_o other_o crucify_a malefactor_n it_o be_v a_o objection_n worthy_a the_o wisdom_n and_o gravity_n of_o a_o learned_a philosopher_n but_o yet_o for_o his_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v fit_a to_o let_v he_o know_v that_o we_o worship_v all_o such_o malefactor_n as_o our_o saviour_n be_v who_o own_a himself_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o then_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v murder_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o his_o resurrection_n but_o he_o say_v his_o disciple_n forsake_v he_o and_o will_v die_v neither_o with_o nor_o for_o he_o they_o do_v so_o by_o sudden_a surprise_n but_o what_o do_v the_o same_o disciple_n immediate_o after_o upon_o his_o resurrection_n they_o that_o be_v but_o a_o little_a before_o seize_v with_o so_o much_o cowardice_n fear_v then_o no_o danger_n to_o attest_v it_o to_o the_o world_n and_o most_o of_o they_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o this_o objection_n of_o cowardice_n in_o the_o apostle_n be_v just_a such_o another_o advantageous_a circumstance_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n as_o that_o of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o want_n of_o learning_n for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o their_o cause_n when_o man_n neither_o learned_a nor_o 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of_o so_o ridiculous_a a_o surmise_n and_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o bear_v he_o out_o in_o it_o but_o only_o his_o epicurean_a conceit_n that_o the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a be_v a_o thing_n impossible_a but_o as_o for_o that_o we_o will_v not_o dispute_v it_o with_o he_o at_o present_a though_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n both_o of_o their_o own_o and_o all_o philosophy_n it_o be_v altogether_o as_o easy_a and_o conceivable_a as_o the_o generation_n of_o a_o man._n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n what_o have_v be_v be_v the_o only_a argument_n of_o our_o debate_n and_o we_o will_v not_o go_v so_o far_o about_o as_o to_o dispute_v its_o possibility_n when_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v its_o actual_a certainty_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o celsus_n after_o he_o have_v take_v so_o much_o pain_n and_o that_o in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o jew_n to_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o resurrection_n be_v so_o wretched_o sottish_a as_o to_o declare_v his_o own_o belief_n of_o the_o resurrection_n even_o of_o the_o body_n to_o eternal_a life_n and_o that_o the_o first_o proof_n and_o specimen_fw-la of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o messiah_n in_o the_o three_o book_n he_o begin_v to_o dispute_v in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o first_o object_n that_o the_o dispute_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n be_v of_o no_o moment_n in_o that_o both_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v a_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o only_o differ_v in_o this_o whether_o he_o be_v already_o come_v or_o be_v yet_o to_o come_v and_o yet_o this_o beside_o the_o gross_a absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n itself_o be_v a_o mere_a contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o former_a discourse_n by_o the_o personate_a jew_n for_o if_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o small_a as_o he_o pretend_v than_o all_o the_o sad_a out-cry_n and_o invective_n of_o the_o 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that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o their_o practice_n but_o against_o both_o religion_n the_o epicurean_a object_n that_o they_o begin_v in_o sedition_n the_o jewish_a against_o the_o egyptian_n and_o the_o christian_a against_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o the_o first_o he_o suppose_v the_o jew_n to_o have_v be_v original_o egyptian_n which_o because_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o proofless_a presumption_n can_v prove_v nothing_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o vain_a to_o charge_n christianity_n with_o sedition_n because_o all_o sedition_n either_o design_n or_o act_v some_o violence_n against_o the_o government_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o saviour_n allow_v no_o weapon_n to_o his_o follower_n but_o suffering_n and_o have_v threaten_v no_o one_o offence_n with_o great_a severity_n than_o endeavour_n of_o disturbance_n to_o the_o civil_a state_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o his_o religion_n be_v true_a it_o can_v not_o 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beside_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n we_o indeed_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o sovereign_a governor_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o hereafter_o he_o will_v sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o all_o our_o action_n and_o in_o this_o belief_n we_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o live_v as_o they_o ought_v that_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o themselves_o to_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n these_o indeed_o be_v fable_n to_o a_o atheist_n and_o a_o epicurean_a but_o not_o to_o any_o man_n that_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n or_o the_o obligation_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o celsus_n write_v against_o not_o mere_o christianity_n only_o he_o be_v fierce_a in_o his_o opposition_n to_o that_o because_o it_o be_v so_o full_a a_o check_n to_o his_o impiety_n though_o otherwise_o the_o main_a of_o his_o objection_n that_o he_o level_v against_o that_o aim_v 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if_o one_o be_v true_a all_o be_v true_a if_o one_o false_a all_o be_v false_a so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o deity_n there_o must_v be_v a_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o a_o law_n of_o nature_n a_o future_a state_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o no_o future_a state_n than_o no_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o no_o law_n of_o nature_n no_o deity_n so_o that_o the_o proof_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n ultimate_o resolve_v into_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o be_v the_o most_o evident_a thing_n in_o nature_n it_o give_v the_o same_o evidence_n to_o all_o other_o principle_n that_o be_v so_o inseparable_o connect_v with_o it_o and_o have_v bring_v our_o argument_n to_o that_o head_n there_o we_o may_v safe_o leave_v it_o and_o challenge_v the_o assent_n of_o mankind_n to_o both_o the_o other_o till_o they_o can_v rational_o quit_v themselves_o of_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o and_o it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n chief_o that_o i_o have_v wave_v all_o physical_a argument_n 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there_o be_v no_o account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o government_n of_o mankind_n without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n i_o may_v have_v run_v through_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o show_v not_o only_o how_o just_a but_o how_o wise_a the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v in_o the_o management_n of_o all_o thing_n upon_o this_o supposition_n but_o alas_o when_o it_o be_v once_o prove_v that_o divine_a providence_n can_v be_v justify_v without_o it_o it_o will_v immediate_o and_o of_o itself_o clear_o prove_v how_o excellent_o it_o be_v quit_v by_o it_o all_o objection_n from_o the_o real_a vanity_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o seem_a inequality_n of_o justice_n towards_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n be_v clear_v up_o by_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a reserve_n but_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o obvious_a after_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o other_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o treat_v of_o it_o apart_o because_o it_o do_v not_o so_o much_o follow_v upon_o it_o as_o go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o perceive_v that_o providence_n can_v be_v justify_v without_o it_o we_o can_v but_o see_v how_o admirable_o it_o be_v justify_v with_o it_o thus_o far_o may_v we_o advance_v by_o follow_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o conduct_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n suppose_v that_o he_o have_v endue_v they_o with_o a_o faculty_n of_o understanding_n and_o that_o they_o be_v please_v to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o for_o if_o he_o have_v the_o connexion_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v evident_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o will_v observe_v it_o but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o kind_n of_o information_n no_o blindness_n more_o incurable_a than_o when_o man_n will_v not_o see_v but_o as_o bright_a as_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n shine_v it_o be_v but_o a_o dim_a thing_n if_o compare_v to_o that_o great_a glory_n that_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n there_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v bring_v to_o light_n so_o as_o to_o be_v make_v evident_a not_o only_o to_o our_o reason_n but_o our_o very_a sense_n our_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o visible_a experiment_n and_o ocular_a demonstration_n and_o that_o be_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o second_o part_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o original_a proof_n of_o it_o be_v on_o all_o side_n so_o evident_o confirm_v and_o so_o advantageous_o guard_v against_o all_o objection_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o wit_n of_o mankind_n to_o have_v lay_v the_o same_o design_n so_o as_o to_o have_v make_v it_o more_o unquestionable_a for_o that_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o its_o be_v a_o contrivance_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n in_o that_o if_o we_o will_v only_o suppose_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n shall_v set_v such_o a_o design_n on_o foot_n we_o can_v comprehend_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o recommend_v its_o truth_n to_o the_o world_n with_o great_a advantage_n and_o as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o attend_v with_o all_o imaginable_a evidence_n so_o be_v the_o testimony_n whereby_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o so_o undoubted_a and_o uninterrupted_a that_o if_o we_o ourselves_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o it_o we_o can_v scarce_o have_v have_v a_o great_a assurance_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n in_o brief_a there_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o forcible_a argument_n to_o prove_v it_o apparent_o true_a that_o i_o can_v think_v it_o too_o much_o confidence_n to_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o therefore_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a demonstration_n of_o it_o i_o have_v go_v that_o way_n to_o work_v to_o make_v out_o its_o proof_n from_o the_o monstrous_a and_o infinite_a absurdity_n of_o unbelief_n and_o show_v that_o it_o must_v believe_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v incredible_a all_o the_o contradiction_n to_o humane_a nature_n and_o humane_a affair_n i_o have_v lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o my_o argument_n upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o for_o its_o great_a advantage_n i_o have_v leap_v over_o fourteen_o century_n and_o take_v a_o prospect_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o same_o posture_n in_o which_o they_o stand_v the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n for_o then_o the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n reformation_n be_v as_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a to_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n as_o the_o change_n of_o religion_n under_o henry_n the_o eight_o be_v or_o can_v be_v to_o the_o man_n of_o this_o and_o here_o i_o have_v so_o close_o trace_v the_o tradition_n of_o it_o
of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n §_o ii_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o plain_a account_n of_o it_o have_v be_v obscure_v by_o nothing_o more_o then_o that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v describe_v and_o discourse_v of_o in_o metaphorical_a and_o allusive_a expression_n such_o as_o engraving_n and_o inscription_n and_o the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n consist_v of_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o proposition_n that_o be_v imprint_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o concreated_a with_o their_o understanding_n by_o attend_v to_o and_o reflect_v upon_o which_o they_o be_v instruct_v or_o bind_v to_o govern_v their_o moral_a action_n perhaps_o this_o may_v be_v true_a and_o god_n may_v possible_o have_v put_v some_o secret_a notice_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o the_o great_a security_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n in_o the_o world_n but_o then_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n or_o demonstrate_v the_o obligation_n of_o any_o such_o inward_a record_n this_o plain_o resolve_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n into_o uncertain_a and_o unaccountable_a principle_n or_o such_o as_o may_v be_v pretend_v and_o when_o they_o be_v aught_o to_o be_v admit_v without_o any_o proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o this_o amount_n to_o no_o more_o than_o all_o the_o idle_a and_o precarious_a pretence_n of_o enthusiasm_n and_o whatsoever_o some_o man_n affirm_v or_o fancy_v to_o be_v write_v upon_o their_o heart_n must_v immediate_o pass_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o man_n action_n and_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n may_v be_v as_o wild_o plead_v in_o all_o case_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v for_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o conscience_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v be_v but_o though_o that_o influence_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o secret_a and_o undiscernible_a impression_n yet_o it_o must_v not_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o warrant_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o any_o undertake_n but_o that_o must_v be_v decide_v by_o the_o common_a and_o avow_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n always_o act_v according_a to_o their_o intendment_n and_o direction_n so_o that_o by_o they_o we_o must_v judge_v of_o its_o impulse_n and_o not_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v determine_v in_o any_o affair_n but_o where_o they_o will_v abet_v or_o justify_v our_o proceed_n whether_o we_o real_o be_v or_o be_v not_o act_v by_o any_o other_o principle_n otherwise_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n of_o moral_a action_n and_o thus_o too_o may_v man_n that_o be_v bold_a and_o confident_a call_v every_o thing_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n or_o fancy_n to_o without_o be_v bind_v to_o give_v any_o proof_n of_o its_o reasonableness_n or_o account_n of_o its_o obligation_n it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o call_v it_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o then_o it_o must_v right_v or_o wrong_n pass_v for_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o mankind_n so_o that_o after_o this_o rate_n there_o will_v remain_v no_o certain_a method_n whereby_o we_o may_v discern_v man_n own_a fancy_n prejudices_fw-la and_o inclination_n from_o the_o true_a dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o natural_a ground_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n and_o therefore_o these_o phrase_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v in_o exact_a propriety_n of_o speech_n but_o only_o in_o a_o loose_a and_o popular_a way_n of_o expression_n and_o so_o they_o be_v intend_v by_o those_o that_o first_o use_v they_o that_o only_o allude_v to_o the_o know_a custom_n and_o solemnity_n of_o enact_v law_n that_o be_v always_o wont_a to_o be_v declare_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o subject_a by_o write_v or_o proclamation_n and_o in_o allusion_n to_o this_o they_o come_v to_o describe_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n by_o the_o voice_n within_o the_o book_n of_o conscience_n the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n etc._n etc._n because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v as_o certain_o declare_v reasonable_a and_o obligatory_a by_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v write_v upon_o our_o mind_n by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n or_o proclaim_v by_o a_o audible_a voice_n to_o our_o conscience_n however_o though_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o in_o their_o literal_a sense_n and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o know_v we_o may_v yet_o we_o can_v never_o derive_v the_o certainty_n of_o their_o obligation_n from_o such_o uncertain_a supposition_n at_o least_o we_o need_v not_o when_o they_o be_v so_o clear_o demonstrable_a from_o reason_n and_o experience_n from_o the_o observation_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o life_n from_o the_o advantage_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o society_n this_o give_v a_o complete_a and_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o their_o authority_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o they_o may_v come_v to_o a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n and_o understanding_n of_o their_o duty_n by_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o reflection_n without_o any_o other_o declaration_n or_o express_v discovery_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o his_o description_n of_o the_o case_n of_o the_o gentile_n rom._n 2._o 14_o 15._o where_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o describe_v the_o law_n which_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v write_v in_o their_o heart_n in_o allusion_n to_o the_o mosaic_a table_n not_o by_o the_o common_a expression_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d general_a notion_n or_o instinct_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d reason_n or_o such_o evident_a result_v or_o conclusion_n as_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o at_o least_o very_a easy_a for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o make_v from_o its_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o thing_n for_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v no_o other_o object_n to_o exercise_n or_o entertain_v their_o thought_n withal_o but_o what_o nature_n present_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o those_o reason_n of_o their_o conscience_n that_o saint_n paul_n here_o speak_v of_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v deduce_v from_o this_o principle_n and_o no_o other_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n draw_v forth_o into_o use_n and_o bind_v upon_o the_o conscience_n not_o by_o any_o express_a voice_n or_o immediate_a impression_n of_o the_o legislator_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o work_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o the_o unavoidable_a result_v of_o our_o own_o conscience_n that_o as_o long_o as_o we_o act_v sincere_o and_o meditate_v impartial_o upon_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v lead_v we_o into_o some_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o our_o obedience_n there_o be_v no_o man_n so_o desperate_o dull_a and_o stupid_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o perceive_v and_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o problem_n in_o morality_n when_o as_o we_o shall_v prove_v they_o be_v so_o evident_a from_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o nature_n and_o when_o they_o be_v find_v so_o useful_a from_o all_o the_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o humane_a life_n that_o it_o be_v even_o impossible_a to_o open_v our_o eye_n or_o to_o look_v abroad_o without_o observe_v their_o goodness_n so_o that_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o person_n to_o live_v without_o any_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n without_o suppose_v such_o a_o brutish_a stupidity_n as_o can_v scarce_o be_v suppose_v incident_a to_o a_o rational_a creature_n but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v choose_v inadvertency_n and_o resolve_v to_o make_v no_o serious_a reflection_n upon_o the_o most_o common_a object_n that_o present_v themselves_o to_o his_o outward_a sense_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n so_o plain_a or_o so_o obvious_a that_o he_o may_v never_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o but_o then_o this_o be_v such_o a_o brutish_a affront_n to_o his_o nature_n such_o a_o affect_a and_o wilful_a sottishness_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o crime_n the_o most_o unnatural_a and_o inexcusable_a it_o be_v indeed_o not_o impossible_a but_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o wretched_o regardless_o of_o all_o thing_n as_o never_o to_o have_v make_v one_o observation_n all_o his_o life-time_n and_o to_o be_v ignorant_a even_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a of_o any_o thing_n be_v big_a than_o a_o part_n of_o it_o but_o then_o nothing_o can_v ever_o be_v plead_v to_o excuse_v such_o a_o palpable_a brutishness_n and_o inadvertency_n and_o all_o the_o world_n will_v impute_v so_o gross_a a_o ignorance_n to_o the_o most_o shameful_a and_o unpardonable_a neglect_n of_o
mankind_n for_o that_o as_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v can_v be_v preserve_v but_o by_o seek_v the_o good_a of_o other_o as_o well_o as_o our_o own_o whereas_o this_o utter_o neglect_v the_o public_a and_o mere_o regard_v every_o man_n private_a satisfaction_n and_o if_o all_o man_n shall_v betake_v themselves_o to_o this_o course_n of_o life_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n what_o will_v become_v of_o humane_a society_n but_o see_v epicurus_n cast_v these_o self-indulgers_a out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o his_o wise_a man_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v how_o he_o can_v do_v it_o and_o be_v consistent_a with_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o if_o our_o sovereign_a delight_n consist_v in_o those_o pleasure_n and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o happy_a man_n that_o enjoy_v they_o most_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n that_o most_o consult_v his_o own_o happiness_n there_o be_v no_o avoid_v it_o but_o that_o apicius_n will_v carry_v the_o cause_n from_o all_o their_o philosopher_n §_o xxiv_o and_o so_o again_o if_o we_o once_o take_v off_o those_o obligation_n to_o justice_n and_o honesty_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o we_o by_o our_o relation_n to_o the_o life_n to_o come_v it_o will_v be_v ever_o after_o absolute_o impossible_a by_o all_o the_o art_n and_o device_n in_o the_o world_n to_o preserve_v any_o sense_n of_o they_o any_o other_o way_n for_o whatever_o advantage_n man_n may_v think_v to_o reap_v as_o to_o their_o present_a interest_n from_o their_o observance_n of_o the_o law_n of_o justice_n and_o integrity_n that_o may_v make_v they_o crafty_a but_o never_o honest_a and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o get_v loose_a from_o the_o tie_n of_o conscience_n they_o be_v then_o not_o concern_v to_o be_v innocent_a but_o only_a to_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o and_o this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o restrain_v they_o from_o design_v and_o do_v vile_a thing_n but_o only_o engage_v they_o to_o be_v cunning_a in_o their_o wickedness_n and_o agreeable_o to_o this_o principle_n and_o these_o consequence_n do_v epicurus_n discourse_n when_o he_o challenge_v the_o world_n after_o they_o have_v set_v aside_o the_o consideration_n of_o present_a pleasure_n and_o self-advantage_n to_o assign_v he_o any_o other_o possible_a reason_n or_o end_n of_o virtue_n beside_o popular_a fame_n for_o that_o say_v he_o when_o all_o be_v do_v be_v the_o only_a measure_n of_o common_a honesty_n and_o if_o you_o once_o remove_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o multitude_n there_o remain_v nothing_o in_o itself_o either_o praiseworthy_a or_o dishonourable_a but_o this_o again_o say_v he_o be_v the_o fate_n of_o mankind_n that_o the_o vulgar_a rout_n take_v up_o with_o prejudices_fw-la and_o invincible_a conceit_n of_o thing_n and_o than_o whatever_o they_o authorise_v into_o custom_n must_v out_o of_o mere_a compliance_n with_o their_o importunity_n be_v vote_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o honesty_n so_o that_o a_o wise_a man_n setting_z aside_o all_o regard_n to_o his_o own_o present_a convenience_n can_v see_v no_o other_o reason_n to_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a beside_o compliance_n with_o casual_a custom_n and_o popular_a opinion_n that_o it_o seem_v must_v be_v submit_v to_o as_o he_o ever_o intend_v to_o enjoy_v any_o peace_n or_o quiet_a of_o life_n in_o that_o the_o rabble_n be_v always_o so_o impatient_a of_o all_o contradiction_n to_o their_o customary_a belief_n and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o account_n that_o he_o or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o persuasion_n be_v able_a to_o give_v of_o the_o turpitude_n and_o deformity_n of_o vice_n so_o that_o a_o philosopher_n may_v just_o and_o wise_o betray_v his_o friend_n and_o his_o trust_n to_o defeat_v he_o of_o his_o pledge_n or_o murder_v his_o father_n to_o secure_v the_o inheritance_n if_o he_o can_v but_o avoid_v the_o shame_n of_o discovery_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o popular_a hatred_n so_o that_o if_o we_o remove_v the_o folly_n and_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o rabble_n there_o be_v no_o other_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n integrity_n and_o treachery_n but_o what_o be_v make_v pure_o by_o the_o consideration_n of_o every_o man_n be_v own_o private_a interest_n so_o utter_o destructive_a be_v these_o opinion_n not_o only_o of_o the_o happiness_n of_o humane_a nature_n in_o general_a but_o of_o the_o peace_n of_o every_o particular_a society_n of_o mankind_n and_o such_o as_o spread_v and_o propagate_v their_o repute_n in_o the_o world_n do_v but_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o falsehood_n treason_n and_o perjury_n and_o therefore_o deserve_v great_a severity_n from_o government_n than_o outlaw_n and_o open_a rebel_n as_o be_v beside_o their_o impiety_n more_o dangerous_a and_o mischievous_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n for_o their_o pedantry_n in_o that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o content_a to_o do_v wicked_a thing_n but_o think_v themselves_o concern_v in_o honour_n to_o bring_v their_o own_o wicked_a practice_n into_o 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the_o right_a heir_n who_o expect_v no_o such_o thing_n with_o the_o news_n of_o a_o great_a inheritance_n it_o be_v do_v like_o a_o gentleman_n of_o a_o roman_a education_n but_o he_o can_v not_o be_v force_v to_o it_o by_o any_o obligation_n upon_o the_o epicurean_a principle_n in_o that_o they_o can_v not_o requite_v his_o integrity_n with_o a_o reward_n equal_a to_o so_o fair_a a_o fortune_n a_o great_a estate_n and_o a_o fine_a house_n be_v of_o more_o value_n than_o the_o empty_a name_n of_o justice_n and_o friendship_n and_o so_o they_o be_v to_o the_o man_n that_o count_v upon_o no_o other_o interest_n and_o expect_v no_o other_o happiness_n than_o in_o this_o life_n and_o sestilius_fw-la who_o by_o a_o forge_a write_v cheat_v his_o friend_n child_n that_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o trust_n of_o their_o inheritance_n and_o secure_v the_o estate_n to_o himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n by_o a_o decree_n of_o law_n be_v upon_o the_o epicurean_a principle_n much_o the_o wise_a an_o 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wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o lay_v any_o thing_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n but_o upon_o the_o firm_a and_o most_o evident_a principle_n when_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o vast_a and_o infinite_a concernment_n to_o mankind_n so_o that_o when_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n it_o be_v but_o just_a and_o reasonable_a that_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n shall_v be_v proportionable_a to_o the_o weight_n and_o value_n of_o its_o importance_n in_o short_a if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o particular_a history_n have_v as_o great_a evidence_n as_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o than_o all_o that_o they_o say_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o it_o have_v as_o much_o proof_n as_o it_o have_v if_o they_o mean_v that_o this_o historical_a truth_n have_v as_o much_o certainty_n as_o any_o historical_a truth_n whatsoever_o be_v capable_a of_o then_o why_o shall_v they_o call_v this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n moral_n 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find_v he_o upon_o all_o occasion_n dispute_v with_o the_o doctor_n and_o rabbi_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o he_o shall_v disperse_v all_o that_o heap_n and_o accumulation_n of_o argument_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n with_o any_o pitiful_a repartee_n that_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v void_a of_o all_o reason_n have_v scarce_o wit_n enough_o to_o tempt_v any_o man_n to_o laugh_v beside_o himself_o now_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o convince_v such_o man_n by_o downright_a dint_n of_o argument_n and_o therefore_o see_v they_o have_v not_o wit_n or_o learning_n enough_o to_o be_v reason_v into_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n i_o shall_v take_v another_o course_n with_o they_o by_o shame_v they_o into_o it_o let_v we_o then_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o consider_v a_o little_a how_o many_o strange_a and_o incredible_a thing_n those_o man_n be_v force_v to_o believe_v that_o be_v resolve_v to_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o here_o immediate_o appear_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o horrid_a and_o ghastly_a incongruity_n as_o be_v enough_o to_o scare_v any_o ingenuous_a man_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n rather_o than_o be_v trouble_v with_o such_o a_o monstrous_a and_o unreasonable_a infidelity_n they_o must_v force_v their_o understanding_n to_o believe_v numberless_a contradiction_n to_o the_o common_a reason_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o they_o swallow_v not_o single_a absurdity_n but_o every_o article_n of_o their_o unbelief_n be_v pregnant_a with_o swarm_n of_o extravagant_a and_o incredible_a conceit_n §_o iii_o and_o for_o the_o proof_n hereof_o i_o fhall_v represent_v no_o more_o than_o the_o incredibility_n of_o one_o viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o herein_o i_o follow_v his_o own_o wise_a and_o admirable_a advice_n to_o begin_v the_o demonstration_n of_o
unprofitable_a cheat_n but_o yet_o however_o one_o will_v think_v rack_n and_o gibbet_n will_v have_v spoil_v the_o frolic_a and_o it_o be_v high_o credible_a that_o any_o man_n but_o much_o more_o these_o man_n who_o have_v give_v we_o no_o ground_n to_o suspect_v their_o integrity_n because_o they_o can_v have_v no_o motive_n to_o forgo_v it_o shall_v prevaricate_v after_o such_o a_o odd_a and_o extravagant_a manner_n with_o mankind_n yes_o and_o themselves_o too_o and_o when_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n so_o apparent_o without_o craft_n and_o without_o design_n without_o advantage_n without_o interest_n have_v give_v the_o world_n the_o most_o unquestionable_a proof_n that_o they_o be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n as_o to_o the_o certain_a truth_n and_o reality_n of_o what_o they_o relate_v after_o all_o this_o what_o wise_a and_o wary_a man_n will_v not_o suspect_v the_o forgery_n and_o disbelieve_v the_o relation_n but_o this_o argument_n i_o find_v 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craft_n and_o hypocrisy_n to_o get_v a_o name_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o one_o and_o all_o join_v hand_n and_o enter_v into_o solemn_a covenant_n among_o ourselves_o to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o this_o impudent_a cheat_n among_o mankind_n and_o to_o fain_o all_o manner_n of_o lie_n for_o its_o confirmation_n to_o swear_v that_o we_o see_v he_o restore_v eye_n to_o the_o blind_a ear_n to_o the_o deaf_a and_o life_n to_o the_o dead_a and_o though_o it_o be_v all_o impudent_o false_a yet_o let_v we_o confident_o report_v it_o nay_o and_o stand_v too_o it_o to_o the_o last_o drop_n of_o our_o blood_n and_o because_o after_o all_o his_o great_a and_o glorious_a pretence_n of_o be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o be_v at_o last_o execute_v as_o a_o vile_a malefactor_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n we_o must_v agree_v among_o ourselves_o upon_o some_o lie_n to_o wipe_v off_o this_o disgrace_n let_v we_o therefore_o resolve_v to_o affirm_v with_o a_o undaunted_a impudence_n that_o after_o he_o be_v thus_o dishonourable_o crucify_a the_o three_o day_n he_o arise_v again_o and_o often_o converse_v with_o we_o in_o the_o same_o familiar_a way_n as_o he_o have_v always_o do_v before_o his_o execution_n but_o then_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o stand_v unalterable_o to_o the_o impudence_n of_o the_o lie_n and_o to_o persevere_v to_o death_n itself_o in_o its_o assertion_n for_o what_o absurdity_n be_v there_o in_o throw_v away_o our_o life_n for_o nothing_o and_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n think_v it_o hard_o to_o suffer_v stripe_n rack_n bond_n imprisonment_n reproach_n dishonur_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o let_v we_o therefore_o unanimous_o and_o vigorous_o set_v ourselves_o to_o the_o design_n and_o with_o one_o consent_n agree_v to_o report_v such_o impudent_a falsehood_n as_o be_v of_o no_o advantage_n either_o to_o ourselves_o or_o to_o those_o we_o deceive_v or_o to_o he_o for_o who_o sake_n we_o deceive_v neither_o let_v we_o be_v content_a to_o propagate_v this_o lie_n only_o among_o our_o own_o countryman_n but_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o spread_v it_o through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n impose_v new_a law_n upon_o all_o nation_n overthrow_v all_o their_o old_a religion_n command_v the_o roman_n to_o quit_v the_o god_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o greek_n to_o renounce_v the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o philosopher_n and_o the_o egyptian_n the_o pretend_a antiquity_n of_o their_o superstition_n neither_o will_v we_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o overthrow_v these_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o most_o polite_a and_o most_o powerful_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o force_n of_o learning_n or_o wit_n or_o eloquence_n but_o by_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o our_o crucify_a master_n neither_o will_v we_o stop_v here_o but_o we_o will_v travel_v to_o all_o barbarous_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n reverse_v all_o their_o ancient_a law_n and_o command_v their_o obedience_n to_o a_o new_a religion_n and_o this_o let_v we_o resolve_v to_o go_v through_o with_o a_o undaunted_a courage_n and_o resolution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a reward_n that_o we_o expect_v for_o our_o impudence_n nor_o be_v it_o for_o vulgar_a crown_n and_o trophy_n that_o we_o engage_v ourselves_o in_o such_o hard_a and_o hazardous_a enterprise_n no_o no_o we_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o the_o utmost_a severity_n of_o the_o law_n in_o all_o place_n wherever_o we_o come_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v we_o deserve_v it_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a settlement_n only_o to_o establish_v a_o ridiculous_a cheat_n and_o imposture_n but_o for_o this_o who_o will_v not_o endure_v all_o the_o torment_n in_o the_o world_n burn_v hang_a behead_v crucify_a and_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n all_o which_o we_o must_v as_o we_o will_v secure_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o impostor_n encounter_n with_o a_o cheerful_a and_o resolve_a mind_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o praiseworthy_a than_o to_o abuse_v god_n and_o affront_n mankind_n to_o no_o purpose_n and_o to_o reap_v no_o other_o benefit_n from_o all_o our_o labour_n beside_o the_o pleasure_n of_o vain_a foolish_a and_o unprofitable_a lie_v and_o for_o that_o alone_o will_v we_o blaspheme_v all_o the_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o gain_v worship_n to_o a_o crucify_a malefactor_n nay_o we_o will_v lay_v down_o our_o life_n for_o his_o reputation_n notwithstanding_o that_o we_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o impudent_a impostor_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o we_o honour_v he_o so_o high_o because_o he_o have_v put_v such_o a_o dishonourable_a abuse_n upon_o ourselves_o who_o will_v not_o do_v or_o suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o so_o vile_a a_o man_n who_o will_v not_o undergo_v all_o manner_n of_o suffering_n for_o a_o cause_n that_o himself_o know_v to_o be_v mere_a falsehood_n and_o forgery_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o constant_o to_o the_o last_o breath_n aver_v that_o he_o raise_v the_o dead_a cleanse_a leper_n cast_v out_o devil_n and_o wrought_v all_o manner_n of_o miracle_n though_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o the_o gross_a falsehood_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n that_o we_o have_v mere_o forge_v out_o of_o our_o own_o brain_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o deceive_v as_o many_o as_o we_o can_v and_o if_o people_n will_v not_o be_v deceive_v yet_o however_o we_o shall_v sometime_o or_o other_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o suffering_n and_o perhaps_o of_o die_v for_o a_o unprofitable_a lie_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n credible_a that_o man_n shall_v discourse_v and_o act_n after_o such_o a_o extravagant_a rate_n as_o this_o or_o that_o humane_a nature_n that_o have_v above_o all_o other_o creature_n a_o high_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o life_n and_o self_n preservation_n shall_v thrust_v itself_o upon_o a_o voluntary_a death_n without_o any_o motive_n or_o any_o reward_n or_o if_o they_o shall_v that_o when_o so_o great_a a_o multitude_n have_v agree_v among_o themselves_o to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o frantic_a design_n they_o shall_v all_o persevere_v in_o the_o lie_n to_o the_o very_a death_n and_o not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o all_o the_o threaten_n and_o all_o the_o slattery_n in_o the_o world_n to_o betray_v the_o plot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o their_o testimony_n be_v not_o true_a so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o require_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a cause_n against_o infidelity_n than_o only_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v men._n and_o that_o certain_o be_v as_o modest_a and_o moderate_a a_o postulatum_fw-la as_o can_v be_v premise_v to_o any_o question_n and_o yet_o that_o only_o be_v
so_o often_o recite_v and_o be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v that_o it_o be_v labour_n in_o vain_a to_o give_v myself_o or_o the_o reader_n the_o trouble_n of_o their_o repetition_n especial_o when_o they_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o what_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n he_o draw_v great_a number_n of_o disciple_n after_o he_o the_o first_o be_v certain_o past_o question_n and_o the_o second_o be_v as_o evident_a mere_o from_o the_o history_n of_o nero_n reign_n under_o who_o what_o vast_a multitude_n of_o christian_n suffer_v both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n unanimous_o agree_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v pass_v over_o these_o more_o general_a record_n and_o only_o suggest_v two_o or_o three_o particular_a narration_n that_o relate_v not_o only_o to_o the_o existence_n of_o our_o saviour_n person_n but_o to_o the_o veracity_n of_o his_o pretence_n §_o fourteen_o the_o first_o be_v that_o know_a history_n of_o phlegon_n gentleman_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o his_o general_a history_n of_o the_o olympiad_n concern_v both_o the_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o earthquake_n at_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n so_o exact_o agree_v with_o the_o evangelical_n history_n both_o as_o to_o the_o year_n and_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o the_o day_n 45._o and_o the_o most_o material_a circumstance_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o vanity_n of_o critic_n it_o can_v never_o have_v meet_v with_o dispute_n or_o opposition_n but_o those_o man_n will_v not_o stick_v to_o move_v the_o earth_n from_o its_o centre_n rather_o than_o loose_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v the_o father_n of_o one_o criticism_n otherwise_o certain_o this_o passage_n so_o confident_o appeal_v to_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o agree_v with_o the_o public_a record_n of_o the_o empire_n together_o with_o that_o of_o thallus_n another_o heathen_a cite_v by_o that_o accurate_a chronologer_n africanus_n can_v not_o but_o have_v escape_v their_o censure_a severity_n and_o yet_o it_o must_v come_v under_o their_o lash_n because_o say_v they_o phlegon_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o natural_a eclipse_n but_o this_o they_o say_v out_o of_o their_o own_o head_n for_o he_o only_o record_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o preternatural_a concern_v not_o he_o either_o as_o a_o courtier_n or_o a_o historian_n and_o though_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o if_o it_o happen_v at_o that_o time_n that_o he_o say_v it_o do_v it_o be_v preternatural_a and_o though_o himself_o express_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o eclipse_n that_o never_o the_o like_a happen_v yet_o wave_v all_o this_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o he_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o eclipse_n happen_v at_o the_o same_o time_n even_o to_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o the_o day_n and_o so_o it_o be_v rational_o urge_v by_o tertullian_n eodem_fw-la momento_n dies_fw-la medium_n orbem_fw-la 21._o signante_fw-la sole_fw-la subducta_fw-la est_fw-la deliquium_fw-la putaverunt_fw-la qui_fw-la id_fw-la quoque_fw-la super_fw-la christum_fw-la prozedicatum_fw-la non_fw-la scierunt_fw-la &_o tamen_fw-la eum_fw-la mundi_fw-la casum_fw-la relatum_fw-la in_o archivis_fw-la vestris_fw-la habetis_fw-la at_o the_o very_a moment_n of_o our_o saviour_n crucifixion_n the_o sun_n be_v darken_v at_o midday_n and_o though_o they_o suppose_v it_o only_o a_o eclipse_n that_o know_v nothing_o of_o its_o relation_n to_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n yet_o this_o strange_a accident_n be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v you_o may_v find_v register_v in_o your_o public_a record_n and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a it_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o this_o case_n from_o a_o heathen_a historian_n to_o vouch_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v more_o for_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a that_o this_o eclipse_n be_v miraculous_a and_o preternatural_a in_o that_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o full_a of_o the_o moon_n §_o xv._n the_o next_o heathen_a testimony_n be_v of_o a_o high_a nature_n and_o relate_v more_o immediate_o to_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o that_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o tiberius_n concern_v he_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o narrative_a that_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o his_o life_n death_n and_o resurrection_n out_o of_o palestine_n and_o that_o from_o pilate_n himself_o thus_o tertullian_n tell_v the_o 21._o governor_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o apology_n that_o tiberius_n in_o who_o time_n the_o christian_a religion_n come_v into_o the_o world_n have_v receive_v a_o account_n out_o of_o palestine_n in_o syria_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o divinity_n that_o be_v there_o reveal_v bring_v it_o to_o the_o senate_n with_o the_o prerogative_n of_o his_o own_o vote_n but_o that_o it_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o senate_n either_o because_o themselves_o have_v not_o in_o the_o first_o place_n according_a to_o form_n of_o law_n approve_v of_o it_o or_o rather_o out_o of_o flattery_n to_o the_o emperor_n because_o himself_o have_v refuse_v that_o honour_n when_o offer_v to_o he_o by_o the_o senate_n for_o the_o word_n quia_fw-la non_fw-la ipse_fw-la probaverat_fw-la be_v capable_a of_o either_o sense_n but_o though_o they_o deny_v this_o title_n to_o our_o saviour_n upon_o what_o account_n soever_o whether_o of_o state_n or_o of_o courtship_n our_o author_n tell_v we_o express_o that_o the_o emperor_n himself_o continue_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n now_o though_o tertullian_n be_v a_o christian_a writer_n yet_o he_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o senate_n themselves_o with_o such_o a_o remarkable_a story_n as_o this_o if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prove_v it_o and_o that_o he_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o justin_n martyr_n who_o often_o 2._o appeal_v to_o the_o act_n of_o pilate_n concern_v the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o request_v the_o emperor_n to_o satisfy_v themselves_o from_o their_o own_o record_n concern_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o for_o it_o be_v a_o know_a custom_n among_o the_o roman_n for_o the_o governor_n of_o province_n to_o transmit_v a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n that_o happen_v under_o their_o government_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o old_a time_n and_o of_o late_a time_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o that_o pilate_n have_v do_v so_o be_v evident_a from_o this_o appeal_n of_o justin_n martyr_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o act_n scarce_o any_o man_n much_o less_o such_o a_o man_n as_o justin_n martyr_n can_v have_v be_v so_o foolish_a or_o so_o confident_a as_o to_o affirm_v a_o thing_n in_o which_o it_o be_v so_o very_o easy_a to_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n and_o if_o such_o act_n there_o be_v they_o be_v a_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n when_o the_o experour_n that_o be_v none_o of_o the_o best_a man_n nor_o very_o apt_a to_o listen_v to_o such_o story_n be_v so_o surprise_v with_o the_o strangeness_n of_o they_o and_o that_o upon_o no_o less_o information_n than_o of_o pilate_n himself_o and_o when_o pilate_n upon_o a_o more_o full_a enquiry_n than_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v able_a or_o willing_a to_o make_v concern_v the_o work_n of_o jesus_n at_o his_o condemnation_n be_v so_o abundant_o satisfy_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v relate_v of_o he_o as_o to_o think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o acquaint_v his_o master_n with_o a_o story_n so_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a but_o here_o isaac_n casaubon_n endeavour_n to_o shriule_n and_o criticise_v these_o act_n of_o pilate_n into_o 154._o as_o little_a authority_n as_o possible_o he_o can_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o justin_n martyr_n do_v not_o call_v they_o the_o act_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n but_o the_o act_n under_o pontius_n pilate_n though_o it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a thing_n that_o the_o act_n under_o pilate_n reserve_v in_o the_o imperial_a archive_v be_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n that_o be_v they_o be_v compile_v either_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o command_n but_o transmit_v by_o himself_o for_o the_o emperor_n receive_v no_o other_o act_n but_o from_o the_o governor_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a man_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o grammatical_a criticism_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o the_o public_a act_n under_o the_o government_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n must_v be_v transmit_v by_o pilate_n himself_o and_o so_o must_v be_v the_o act_n of_o pilate_n now_o that_o pilate_n shall_v give_v such_o a_o account_n after_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n can_v seem_v strange_a if_o we_o consider_v his_o circumstance_n for_o set_v aside_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n
but_o beside_o this_o grand_a absurdity_n of_o wilful_o deceive_v themselves_o to_o no_o purpose_n nay_o against_o all_o the_o forementioned_a inconvenience_n they_o must_v be_v so_o far_o beside_o themselves_o that_o when_o they_o have_v abuse_v themselves_o with_o a_o proofless_a tale_n they_o shall_v join_v their_o zcal_n to_o the_o first_o impostor_n for_o propagate_a the_o cheat_n to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o their_o fortune_n and_o hazard_n of_o their_o life_n and_o that_o such_o vast_a number_n of_o they_o shall_v with_o such_o unheard_a of_o courage_n and_o constancy_n endure_v the_o most_o exquisite_a pain_n and_o suffer_v all_o kind_n of_o death_n either_o without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o which_o they_o suffer_v or_o suffer_v for_o it_o after_o that_o rate_n without_o any_o satisfactory_a evidence_n of_o it_o here_o in_o short_a we_o must_v believe_v that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o christianity_n publish_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v shall_v find_v such_o a_o universal_a entertainment_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n without_o any_o the_o least_o rational_a proof_n or_o evidence_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n a_o doctrine_n the_o truth_n whereof_o depend_v entire_o upon_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v false_a it_o can_v not_o then_o have_v escape_v confutation_n and_o unless_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a can_v never_o have_v obtain_v any_o belief_n a_o doctrine_n so_o unkind_a to_o the_o vicious_a custom_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o age_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o man_n and_o the_o establish_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n so_o unpleasing_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n so_o hate_v and_o so_o full_a of_o danger_n that_o when_o this_o doctrine_n be_v publish_v by_o such_o person_n man_n of_o mean_a education_n void_a of_o graft_n or_o learning_n or_o eloquence_n they_o shall_v without_o any_o other_o help_n than_o bare_o tell_v a_o false_a story_n persuade_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n to_o forsake_v the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v and_o without_o any_o hope_n of_o profit_n nay_o with_o a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o life_n yes_o and_o death_n itself_o to_o embrace_v this_o new_a this_o despise_a this_o hate_a this_o persecute_a forgery_n last_o that_o great_a number_n both_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n that_o live_v in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o it_o shall_v after_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n not_o only_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o so_o late_a and_o palpable_a a_o fiction_n but_o hazard_n nay_o lose_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n in_o its_o defence_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o primitive_a convert_v as_o i_o come_v now_o to_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o review_n of_o particular_n §_o xviii_o now_o as_o for_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o speedy_a entertainment_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n that_o it_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v suppose_v than_o prove_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n like_o the_o sun_n enlighten_v all_o the_o world_n at_o once_o and_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n both_o from_o city_n and_o village_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n preach_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n like_o corn_n crowd_v into_o a_o granary_n and_o they_o who_o have_v be_v long_o enslave_v to_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o their_o ancestor_n be_v set_v at_o liberty_n by_o the_o preach_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o renounce_v that_o rout_n of_o false_a god_n that_o the_o merciless_a daemon_n have_v introduce_v into_o the_o heathen_a world_n return_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a one_o true_a god_n the_o great_a creator_n of_o all_o thing_n so_o when_o celsus_n object_n the_o novelty_n of_o christianity_n origen_n answer_v that_o there_o 68_o lie_v the_o wonder_n that_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n a_o new_a doctrine_n shall_v so_o strange_o prevail_v over_o all_o the_o world_n conquer_v both_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a all_o rank_n and_o profession_n of_o man_n and_o possess_v they_o with_o so_o firm_a a_o belief_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n as_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o seal_v their_o faith_n with_o their_o blood_n a_o thing_n that_o be_v never_o do_v for_o any_o opinion_n in_o the_o world_n before_o and_o so_o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o conference_n with_o trypho_n the_o jew_n affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o 345._o part_n of_o mankind_n greek_n or_o barbarian_n nay_o not_o those_o wild_a and_o uncivilized_a people_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o live_v without_o house_n and_o city_n among_o who_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n be_v not_o make_v to_o the_o father_n and_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n it_o be_v a_o excellent_a passage_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 502._o six_o book_n of_o collection_n the_o philosopher_n say_v he_o please_v the_o greek_n alone_o neither_o do_v every_o one_o please_v all_o plato_n follow_v socrates_n xenocrates_n plato_n theophrastus_n aristotle_n cleanthes_n zeno_n every_o master_n have_v his_o own_o particular_a school_n and_o scholar_n but_o our_o great_a master_n philosophy_n be_v not_o confine_v as_o they_o be_v to_o their_o own_o country_n within_o judaea_n alone_o but_o spread_v itself_o over_o all_o part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n and_o be_v entertain_v by_o whole_a city_n and_o nation_n both_o of_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n it_o bear_v away_o whole_a family_n and_o village_n and_o no_o single_a person_n can_v resist_v its_o force_n that_o will_v but_o give_v himself_o leave_v to_o hear_v its_o wisdom_n insomuch_o that_o it_o gain_v over_o many_o of_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o and_o if_o any_o magistrate_n do_v any_o where_o suppress_v the_o grecian_a philosophy_n it_o soon_o vanish_v whereas_o our_o institution_n from_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o it_o have_v be_v every_o where_o persecute_v by_o king_n and_o emperor_n and_o tyrant_n by_o presect_v of_o province_n by_o commander_n of_o army_n and_o which_o be_v more_o furious_a than_o all_o the_o rest_n by_o the_o multitude_n these_o have_v join_v all_o their_o power_n and_o their_o malice_n utter_o to_o extirpate_v our_o religion_n but_o still_o it_o flourish_v more_o and_o more_o and_o do_v not_o wither_v away_o as_o it_o must_v have_v do_v have_v it_o be_v a_o mere_a humane_a invention_n but_o it_o stand_v invincible_a as_o the_o power_n of_o god_n that_o nothing_o can_v restrain_v or_o alter_v and_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o that_o all_o its_o follower_n must_v suffer_v persecution_n and_o tertullian_n assure_v the_o senate_n of_o rome_n that_o the_o christian_n have_v fill_v all_o place_n and_o 37._o all_o office_n that_o they_o be_v of_o strength_n enough_o to_o master_v the_o roman_a empire_n nay_o that_o so_o great_a be_v their_o number_n that_o if_o they_o will_v but_o agree_v to_o retire_v out_o of_o it_o the_o world_n will_v stand_v amaze_v at_o its_o own_o solitude_n and_o in_o his_o book_n against_o the_o jew_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o enlarge_v 7._o its_o conquest_n beyond_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o it_o subdue_v those_o place_n that_o be_v inaccessible_a to_o their_o army_n and_o reckon_v up_o multitude_n of_o people_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n to_o the_o other_o that_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v arnobius_n challenge_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n methinks_v 2._o say_v he_o this_o shall_v not_o a_o little_a shock_n your_o unbelief_n to_o see_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o despise_a name_n to_o prevail_v in_o all_o place_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n that_o no_o nation_n be_v so_o utter_o barbarous_a and_o lose_v to_o all_o civility_n who_o manner_n have_v not_o be_v reform_v and_o polish_a by_o this_o gentle_a institution_n nay_o more_o than_o this_o it_o have_v master_v the_o great_a wit_n the_o orator_n critic_n lawyer_n physician_n and_o philosopher_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o all_o its_o disciple_n be_v so_o serious_a and_o sincere_a in_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o will_v forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o life_n even_o life_n itself_o rather_o than_o forsake_v the_o cross_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o your_o law_n and_o interdict_v your_o threaten_n and_o execution_n your_o hangman_n and_o drag_v hook_n and_o all_o your_o innumerable_a way_n of_o torture_n they_o grow_v not_o only_o more_o numerous_a but_o more_o
and_o transaction_n of_o his_o life_n be_v open_a and_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o world_n he_o lay_v not_o the_o scene_n of_o his_o action_n in_o a_o dark_a unknown_a or_o undiscovered_a corner_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o he_o appear_v in_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a place_n of_o all_o asia_n all_o his_o work_n be_v perform_v amid_o his_o enemy_n and_o he_o choose_v the_o jew_n the_o most_o jealous_a and_o the_o most_o prejudice_v people_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o the_o companion_n of_o his_o conversation_n but_o above_o all_o jerusalem_n itself_o the_o most_o famous_a city_n at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o scene_n of_o his_o most_o public_a action_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o presence_n not_o only_o of_o that_o city_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a nation_n there_o it_o be_v that_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a there_o it_o be_v that_o his_o disciple_n first_o publish_v his_o resurrection_n and_o there_o it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o they_o wrought_v undeniable_a miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o his_o power_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o own_o testimony_n and_o origen_n have_v observe_v very_o well_o that_o the_o public_a death_n of_o jesus_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o 2._o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v design_v by_o the_o divine_a providence_n as_o a_o advantageous_a circumstance_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o if_o it_o have_v be_v private_a and_o not_o notorious_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n though_o he_o have_v afterward_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a as_o he_o do_v the_o obscurity_n of_o his_o death_n may_v have_v be_v plead_v against_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o resurrection_n but_o beside_o the_o notoriety_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o strange_a story_n that_o be_v report_v of_o he_o in_o a_o little_a time_n fill_v the_o world_n with_o noise_n and_o wonder_n no_o affair_n in_o that_o age_n be_v more_o talk_v of_o than_o the_o story_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n every_o body_n make_v enquiry_n into_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o action_n and_o they_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o curiosity_n of_o the_o philosopher_n there_o be_v never_o man_n bear_v as_o eusebius_n 3._o observe_v upon_o who_o account_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v as_o upon_o that_o of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n mankind_n be_v as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o divide_v concern_v he_o so_o that_o the_o controversy_n be_v not_o improper_o style_v by_o nicephorus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o struggle_a and_o concussion_n of_o the_o world_n now_o it_o be_v a_o likely_a matter_n and_o worthy_a our_o belief_n that_o a_o few_o simple_a and_o illiterate_a person_n shall_v have_v the_o confidence_n but_o much_o more_o the_o ability_n to_o persuade_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o legend_n so_o palpable_a and_o so_o obnoxious_a to_o contradiction_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o begin_v to_o publish_v the_o strange_a story_n of_o his_o life_n and_o stranger_n one_o of_o his_o resurrection_n even_o in_o jerusalem_n itself_o and_o amid_o his_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n where_o though_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o discover_v the_o bold_a and_o manifest_a cheat_n if_o a_o cheat_n at_o all_o that_o yet_o it_o shall_v pass_v without_o any_o contradiction_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o meet_v with_o such_o prodigious_a and_o unparalleled_a entertainment_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o its_o inhabitant_n certain_o they_o must_v have_v be_v puissant_a and_o irresistible_a argument_n wherewith_o they_o can_v so_o brisk_o bear_v down_o and_o vanquish_v jewish_a stubbornness_n their_o prejudices_fw-la be_v too_o strong_a to_o be_v overcome_v by_o any_o weak_a proof_n than_o evident_a and_o undeniable_a demonstration_n and_o have_v they_o not_o bring_v some_o such_o thing_n along_o with_o they_o they_o may_v to_o as_o much_o purpose_n have_v preach_v to_o the_o stone_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o to_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o that_o i_o say_v be_v the_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v first_o publish_v this_o strange_a story_n in_o the_o very_a place_n where_o it_o be_v act_v and_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v false_a not_o only_o escape_v be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v upon_o supposition_n of_o its_o be_v false_a but_o force_v great_a number_n of_o person_n against_o their_o most_o stubborn_a prejudices_fw-la to_o own_o and_o submit_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o from_o that_o very_a place_n in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o all_o the_o world_n over_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o i_o affirm_v not_o to_o be_v at_o all_o possible_a in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a affair_n that_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o under_o these_o circumstance_n if_o real_o and_o indeed_o false_a shall_v ever_o gain_v so_o great_a a_o belief_n of_o its_o be_v true_a i_o will_v grant_v that_o mankind_n may_v be_v impose_v upon_o in_o matter_n of_o mere_a opinion_n as_o much_o as_o any_o man_n can_v require_v but_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n that_o depend_v not_o so_o much_o upon_o man_n understanding_n as_o their_o sense_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v alike_o here_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o unlearned_a and_o though_o a_o false_a story_n may_v for_o a_o while_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o common_a people_n yet_o unless_o it_o appear_v to_o prove_v itself_o true_a with_o a_o evidence_n proportionable_a to_o its_o weight_n it_o either_o die_v and_o vanish_v of_o its_o own_o accord_n or_o be_v convict_v of_o forgery_n by_o the_o more_o wise_a and_o judicious_a when_o they_o come_v to_o inquire_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o pretence_n and_o yet_o this_o story_n the_o more_o it_o be_v inquire_v into_o the_o more_o firm_o it_o be_v believe_v and_o learned_a man_n every_o where_o and_o of_o all_o persuasion_n when_o they_o come_v to_o examine_v into_o it_o can_v not_o bring_v their_o mind_n to_o any_o issue_n concern_v it_o till_o at_o length_n they_o be_v force_v to_o resign_v up_o themselves_o to_o its_o full_a belief_n i_o have_v indeed_o hear_v some_o witty_a gentleman_n as_o our_o fantastic_a age_n very_o much_o abound_v with_o such_o shrewd_a person_n compare_v the_o first_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o that_o of_o the_o late_a growth_n and_o spread_v of_o the_o folly_n of_o quakerism_n in_o england_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o enormous_o surmise_v for_o set_v aside_o a_o thousand_o other_o defect_n in_o the_o comparison_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o that_o wild_a and_o enthusiastic_a sect_n do_v not_o set_v up_o upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o new_a revelation_n but_o only_o pretend_v to_o raise_v some_o foolish_a and_o fanatique_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o old_a one_o but_o if_o the_o leader_n of_o that_o rabble_n when_o they_o first_o appear_v about_o thirty_o year_n since_o at_o york_n and_o bristol_n have_v pretend_v to_o have_v wrought_v in_o those_o great_a city_n such_o kind_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v record_v of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o have_v be_v long_o since_o bury_v in_o contempt_n and_o oblivion_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o christianity_n that_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o that_o be_v gain_v such_o a_o firm_a belief_n in_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v first_o publish_v and_o act_v too_o and_o from_o thence_o all_o the_o world_n over_o only_o by_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o own_o proof_n and_o miracle_n for_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o cautious_a and_o incredulous_a as_o the_o wit_n of_o we_o and_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v anon_o their_o mind_n be_v prepossess_v with_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n how_o then_o can_v this_o story_n of_o jesus_n prevail_v so_o effectual_o upon_o they_o but_o by_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o when_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n whereby_o it_o may_v bribe_v their_o belief_n nay_o when_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o other_o objection_n but_o only_a evidence_n of_o truth_n i_o will_v challenge_v any_o sober_a man_n to_o frame_v any_o the_o least_o tolerable_a hypothesis_n how_o it_o be_v so_o much_o as_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v prevail_v have_v not_o its_o truth_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o most_o undoubted_a and_o
with_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o mankind_n can_v make_v it_o it_o be_v force_v to_o encounter_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o multitude_n the_o zeal_n of_o superstition_n the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o contempt_n of_o the_o greek_n the_o power_n of_o the_o roman_n the_o pride_n of_o philosopher_n and_o the_o policy_n of_o statesman_n and_o by_o all_o these_o together_o that_o be_v by_o all_o mean_v possible_a be_v it_o everywhere_o harrass_v with_o all_o the_o outrage_n and_o cruelty_n of_o persecution_n no_o other_o party_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v ever_o hunt_v with_o that_o keenness_n of_o malice_n or_o sacrifice_v with_o that_o cheapness_n and_o contempt_n of_o humane_a blood_n and_o as_o the_o enemy_n to_o christianity_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o new_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n they_o resolve_v its_o punishment_n shall_v be_v so_o too_o invent_v new_a method_n of_o torment_n study_v all_o the_o art_n of_o pain_n and_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o the_o death_n of_o christian_n unless_o they_o may_v tire_v they_o out_o of_o their_o life_n with_o length_n and_o variety_n of_o torture_n in_o short_a it_o want_v not_o the_o utmost_a opposition_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o it_o by_o man_n or_o devil_n if_o we_o suppose_v as_o we_o may_v for_o argument_n sake_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o malignant_a being_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o disadvantage_n it_o grow_v and_o flourish_v after_o such_o a_o rate_n all_o the_o world_n over_o as_o if_o it_o have_v meet_v with_o all_o the_o contrary_a way_n and_o method_n of_o encouragement_n now_o what_o can_v be_v the_o reason_n of_o all_o this_o there_o be_v no_o other_o imaginable_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o it_o but_o that_o irresistible_a force_n of_o evidence_n that_o it_o give_v of_o its_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n for_o when_o every_o thing_n else_o be_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o it_o prevail_v so_o wonderful_o by_o the_o power_n of_o its_o own_o 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they_o have_v so_o great_a a_o assurance_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v deceive_v and_o if_o they_o have_v so_o much_o they_o have_v as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v because_o no_o man_n can_v have_v more_o §_o xxiii_o i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n the_o great_a and_o unparalleled_a credibility_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n take_v by_o itself_o as_o it_o stand_v upon_o their_o own_o naked_a reputation_n in_o that_o we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v sincere_a and_o serious_a in_o their_o design_n so_o that_o mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n they_o may_v just_o challenge_v the_o faith_n of_o mankind_n but_o to_o the_o undoubted_a integrity_n of_o the_o witness_n god_n be_v please_v to_o add_v a_o more_o forcible_a testimony_n of_o his_o own_o by_o indue_a they_o with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o thereby_o 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have_v reply_v upon_o he_o how_o be_v this_o possible_a that_o we_o who_o be_v unlearned_a person_n and_o understand_v only_o our_o mother_n tongue_n shall_v discourse_v in_o their_o several_a language_n to_o the_o roman_n grecian_n egyptian_n persian_n armenian_n chaldean_n scythian_n indian_n and_o all_o the_o other_o numberless_a nation_n of_o the_o barbarous_a world_n and_o if_o we_o can_v as_o without_o a_o miracle_n we_o can_v to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o travel_v from_o pole_n to_o pole_n and_o tell_v a_o unintelligible_a story_n to_o the_o people_n nay_o how_o can_v we_o so_o much_o as_o dream_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o renounce_v their_o country_n god_n and_o to_o worship_v a_o new_a and_o unknown_a deity_n what_o eloquence_n what_o unheard_a of_o power_n of_o word_n must_v we_o be_v inspire_v with_o to_o encourage_v we_o
so_o near_o and_o yet_o so_o prodigious_a and_o when_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n assure_v themselves_o of_o its_o truth_n and_o reality_n this_o can_v not_o but_o provoke_v they_o to_o a_o eager_a enquiry_n after_o the_o meaning_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n and_o when_o they_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o jesus_n who_o be_v late_o crucify_v and_o that_o they_o declare_v themselves_o eye_n witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o withal_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o this_o power_n of_o miracle_n from_o heaven_n only_o for_o a_o undoubted_a evidence_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o withstand_v the_o force_n of_o such_o a_o mighty_a and_o astonish_a demonstration_n and_o it_o be_v this_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n as_o saint_n paul_n style_v it_o rather_o than_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n as_o cogent_a as_o they_o be_v that_o first_o baffle_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n into_o christianity_n and_o force_v in_o the_o assent_v of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o its_o doctrine_n they_o do_v not_o put_v their_o auditor_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o testimony_n but_o prevent_v all_o inquiry_n by_o this_o infallible_a confirmation_n the_o evidence_n of_o their_o miracle_n be_v such_o a_o irrefragable_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n as_o surmount_v the_o power_n of_o all_o other_o demonstration_n and_o what_o rational_a man_n will_v stay_v to_o expect_v any_o other_o proof_n of_o a_o divine_a testimony_n that_o have_v see_v it_o unquestionable_o attest_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n or_o who_o can_v doubt_v and_o dispute_v after_o he_o have_v see_v devil_n dispossess_v the_o sick_a heal_v and_o the_o dead_a raise_v this_o be_v such_o a_o almighty_a attestation_n to_o their_o preach_n that_o it_o upbraid_v away_o their_o scruple_n and_o bear_v away_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o the_o gospel_n prevail_v so_o easy_o and_o so_o speedy_o over_o all_o the_o world_n its_o first_o preacher_n convert_v whole_a city_n and_o nation_n in_o a_o moment_n and_o found_v new_a church_n upon_o one_o undeniable_a miracle_n and_o nothing_o less_o consider_v all_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n and_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n under_o which_o it_o labour_v can_v so_o soon_o have_v propagate_v the_o gospel_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o if_o we_o trace_v the_o apostolical_a history_n we_o scarce_o find_v any_o thing_n transact_v without_o a_o miracle_n insomuch_o that_o the_o people_n at_o length_n familiar_o resort_v to_o they_o for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o disease_n act_n 5._o 12._o and_o this_o power_n be_v so_o vulgar_o know_v at_o that_o time_n that_o saint_n paul_n insist_o upon_o it_o as_o the_o proof_n of_o his_o true_a apostleship_n rom._n 15._o 18_o 18_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 12._o which_o have_v be_v too_o absurd_a a_o thing_n to_o allege_v to_o his_o follower_n in_o confutation_n of_o his_o enemy_n if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n for_o if_o it_o be_v they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o when_o he_o appeal_v to_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n he_o have_v already_o wrought_v among_o they_o and_o if_o he_o have_v wrought_v none_o they_o can_v not_o but_o convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n but_o though_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o so_o may_v from_o thence_o rational_o enough_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o apostolical_a miracle_n and_o though_o i_o have_v in_o part_n prove_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n to_o attest_v both_o they_o and_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o shall_v anon_o more_o distinct_o show_v the_o undoubted_a and_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o it_o from_o the_o very_a apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a they_o can_v never_o have_v gain_v belief_n yet_o in_o this_o present_a argument_n i_o will_v not_o build_v upon_o these_o or_o any_o other_o supposition_n and_o indeed_o if_o i_o suppose_v they_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v needless_a for_o once_o grant_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a and_o authentic_a record_n of_o the_o apostle_n action_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n when_o the_o record_n alone_o be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o only_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o christian_a faith_n lie_v under_o all_o those_o disadvantage_n above_o represent_v can_v ever_o have_v be_v propagate_v with_o that_o speed_n and_o facility_n that_o it_o be_v all_o the_o world_n over_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o this_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o suppose_v this_o evidence_n that_o they_o give_v the_o world_n by_o their_o miracle_n that_o then_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o almost_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o the_o success_n they_o do_v here_o then_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o my_o present_a argument_n that_o when_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v compass_v their_o design_n any_o other_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v natural_a if_o they_o take_v this_o course_n to_o succeed_v in_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v such_o wonderful_a success_n that_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n as_o be_v report_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o produce_v those_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n but_o now_o allege_v as_o proof_n to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o only_o as_o instance_n to_o exemplify_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o v_o g._n how_o incredible_a it_o be_v that_o 3000_o people_n when_o they_o hear_v the_o apostle_n affirm_v at_o whitsuntide_n that_o the_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v see_v so_o shameful_o execute_v at_o easter_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o grave_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n shall_v so_o immediate_o believe_v they_o upon_o their_o bare_a report_n but_o when_o they_o behold_v that_o miraculous_a effect_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o they_o whereby_o such_o illiterate_a person_n be_v enable_v to_o speak_v all_o manner_n of_o language_n that_o alone_o can_v not_o but_o satisfy_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o i_o argue_v not_o from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o record_n but_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v do_v any_o other_o way_n than_o as_o it_o be_v record_v to_o have_v be_v do_v i_o may_v here_o also_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o miracle_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o their_o great_a enemy_n in_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o ever_o any_o of_o they_o deny_v they_o to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o magic_n though_o how_o foolish_a that_o evasion_n be_v i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v their_o evasion_n to_o this_o argument_n at_o present_a this_o very_a surmise_n be_v a_o plain_a confession_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o go_v a_o great_a way_n as_o to_o evidence_n when_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o adversary_n but_o this_o have_v suggest_v i_o shall_v not_o far_o insist_v upon_o it_o §_o xxiv_o only_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n remain_v that_o add_v great_a force_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o argument_n viz._n that_o this_o power_n be_v not_o mere_o confine_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n but_o be_v continue_v down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o true_a it_o be_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a miracle_n in_o particular_a and_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n and_o yet_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o we_o have_v no_o one_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o have_v better_a record_n it_o be_v unanimous_o attest_v by_o all_o writer_n of_o those_o time_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o public_a and_o extraordinary_a way_n as_o raises_z their_o testimony_n up_o to_o certain_a demonstration_n for_o they_o do_v not_o bare_o report_v it_o but_o they_o upbraid_v it_o to_o all_o their_o adversary_n as_o a_o thing_n undeniable_a they_o challenge_v emperor_n proconsul_n the_o whole_a senate_n in_o their_o apology_n and_o public_a write_n to_o convince_v they_o by_o experiment_n they_o urge_v it_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o learned_a man_n and_o dare_v they_o to_o contradict_v it_o
very_o mean_a and_o childish_a as_o to_o be_v more_o contemptible_a than_o those_o little_a tale_n wherewith_o nurse_n be_v wont_n to_o quiet_a little_a child_n for_o what_o can_v be_v contrive_v more_o unphilosophical_o than_o the_o bramans_n keep_v tub_n of_o rain_n 3._o wind_n and_o thunder_n by_o they_o which_o they_o bestow_v upon_o their_o friend_n as_o their_o necessity_n require_v and_o the_o swell_a of_o the_o earth_n like_o the_o wave_n of_o 5._o the_o sea_n only_o with_o the_o stroke_n of_o a_o braman_n wand_n though_o the_o most_o pleasant_a scene_n of_o the_o whole_a comedy_n be_v their_o feast_n in_o which_o there_o be_v 8._o no_o need_n of_o any_o attendant_n but_o the_o chair_n and_o the_o stool_n the_o pot_n and_o the_o cup_n the_o dish_n and_o the_o plate_n understand_v every_o one_o their_o own_o office_n and_o so_o serve_v in_o the_o entertainment_n themselves_o and_o run_v hither_o and_o thither_o as_o the_o guest_n command_v or_o their_o attendance_n require_v 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saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a 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certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v
into_o which_o number_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v receive_v this_o day_n be_v find_v in_o thy_o sight_n as_o a_o fair_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n such_o a_o one_o as_o thou_o thyself_o have_v prepare_v that_o so_o thou_o may_v accomplish_v what_o thou_o o_o true_a and_o faithful_a god_n have_v foreshew_v wherefore_o i_o praise_v thou_o for_o all_o thy_o mercy_n i_o bless_v thou_o i_o glorify_v thou_o through_o the_o eternal_a high_a priest_n thy_o belove_a son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o who_o to_o thyself_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n to_o this_o eminent_a martyrdom_n of_o saint_n policarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n i_o can_v but_o subjoin_v that_o of_o pothinus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o his_o companion_n in_o that_o they_o suffer_v under_o the_o same_o prince_n with_o the_o same_o christian_a courage_n and_o resolution_n especial_o because_o pothinus_n also_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a age_n and_o almost_o as_o near_o the_o 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assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o believe_v but_o though_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a the_o evidence_n of_o the_o first_o and_o apostolical_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o two_o eminent_a martyr_n yet_o before_o i_o quit_v it_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o clear_v off_o one_o objection_n in_o which_o as_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o general_n so_o policarp_n in_o particular_a be_v concern_v and_o that_o be_v the_o contradictory_n tradition_n about_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n both_o party_n pretend_v to_o derive_v their_o different_a custom_n from_o the_o apostle_n policarp_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o lesser_a asia_n from_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o saint_n peter_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o destroy_v the_o credit_n of_o their_o tradition_n when_o they_o make_v so_o little_a conscience_n as_o to_o fasten_v contradiction_n upon_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o great_a use_n have_v of_o late_o be_v make_v of_o this_o objection_n by_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n mr._n hales_n in_o the_o time_n of_o his_o peevishness_n and_o before_o he_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v with_o great_a scorn_n upbraid_v its_o grossness_n and_o folly_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o daille_n topic_n against_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n and_o how_o often_o it_o have_v be_v since_o object_v by_o other_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o some_o man_n have_v a_o very_a great_a itch_n to_o be_v find_v fault_n for_o otherwise_o this_o grossness_n and_o folly_n this_o fantastic_a hurry_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n be_v schismatic_n as_o mr._n hales_n be_v please_v to_o speak_v of_o it_o with_o a_o great_a many_o other_o good_a word_n be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n both_o of_o the_o faithfulness_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o this_o thing_n be_v different_a from_o the_o beginning_n be_v evident_a from_o their_o different_a practice_n and_o so_o must_v have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o thing_n casual_o and_o without_o design_n prescribe_v different_a usage_n saint_n john_n in_o those_o part_n of_o asia_n where_o he_o reside_v continue_v easter_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o other_o place_n to_o prevent_v too_o much_o judaise_v in_o its_o observation_n make_v the_o same_o little_a alteration_n in_o its_o time_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o sabbath_n and_o in_o this_o matter_n of_o comply_v with_o or_o change_a jewish_a custom_n the_o apostle_n vary_v their_o order_n according_a to_o circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n sometime_o come_v up_o close_o to_o they_o sometime_o keep_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n now_o these_o different_a custom_n about_o easter_n be_v once_o casual_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o contention_n among_o the_o people_n as_o we_o know_v the_o common_a people_n be_v always_o zealous_a for_o their_o own_o custom_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o stifle_v this_o fire_n that_o be_v break_v out_o among_o they_o policarp_n a_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o asia_n undertake_v a_o journey_n to_o rome_n if_o possible_a to_o allay_v and_o compose_v the_o controversy_n where_o upon_o debate_n between_o he_o and_o anicetus_n they_o conclude_v it_o the_o most_o proper_a course_n that_o can_v be_v take_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o both_o party_n shall_v retain_v their_o own_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o communion_n and_o to_o declare_v this_o to_o the_o world_n they_o communicate_v together_o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n policarp_n consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o anicetus_n and_o so_o they_o part_v love_o and_o continue_v ever_o after_o good_a friend_n this_o be_v all_o the_o grossness_n and_o folly_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o these_o good_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n though_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v afterward_o revive_v by_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o one_o man_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v needs_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o command_v the_o asiatic_n to_o conform_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o he_o and_o all_o other_o church_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n to_o this_o they_o return_v he_o a_o sober_a answer_n represent_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o change_v so_o ancient_a a_o custom_n disclaim_v his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o advise_v he_o rather_o to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n than_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o particular_a custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n neither_o be_v this_o do_v by_o they_o alone_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n though_o they_o be_v of_o his_o own_o way_n unanimous_o condemn_v his_o heat_n and_o rashness_n in_o so_o trivial_a a_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n irenaeus_n have_v convene_v a_o synod_n in_o france_n write_v he_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o observation_n of_o easter_n but_o not_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unadvised_a thing_n to_o think_v of_o excommunicate_v whole_a church_n for_o observe_v the_o ancient_a custom_n derive_v down_o to_o they_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o there_o be_v as_o
he_o and_o after_o that_o he_o be_v kill_v he_o shall_v rise_v the_o three_o day_n yet_o they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_n mark_n 9_o 3._o one_o will_v think_v the_o say_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v make_v it_o but_o though_o they_o understand_v the_o grammatical_a sense_n of_o they_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o possess_v with_o this_o jewish_a prejudice_n of_o his_o be_v a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n that_o nothing_o that_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o it_o can_v enter_v into_o their_o head_n so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_n be_v that_o they_o understand_v not_o how_o they_o can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o those_o prophecy_n that_o they_o have_v of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o upon_o occasion_n of_o all_o such_o discourse_n they_o still_o mind_v he_o of_o the_o recovery_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o when_o those_o hope_n be_v bury_v in_o his_o grave_n than_o all_o their_o expectation_n utter_o die_v together_o with_o he_o saint_n peter_n think_v of_o return_v 3._o to_o his_o old_a trade_n of_o fish_v and_o we_o trust_v say_v the_o two_o disciple_n that_o it_o have_v be_v he_o which_o shall_v have_v redeem_v israel_n luke_n 24._o 21._o and_o after_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o his_o resurrection_n the_o very_a first_o thing_n they_o be_v sure_a to_o put_v he_o in_o mind_n of_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o his_o crown_n lord_n will_v thou_o not_o at_o this_o time_n restore_v again_o the_o kingdom_n to_o israel_n act_v 1._o 6._o these_o be_v the_o big_a and_o swell_a expectation_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n concern_v their_o messiah_n but_o whilst_o they_o be_v eager_o gaze_v upon_o the_o outward_a pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o world_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n so_o order_v it_o that_o their_o prince_n shall_v slip_v into_o it_o clothe_v in_o all_o the_o dress_n of_o meanness_n and_o humility_n that_o he_o may_v have_v nothing_o to_o recommend_v he_o to_o mankind_n but_o mere_a evidence_n of_o truth_n every_o circumstance_n of_o his_o birth_n life_n and_o death_n be_v design_v cross_a to_o all_o the_o grandeur_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o be_v he_o bear_v not_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o imperial_a city_n but_o at_o bethlehem_n the_o least_o among_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n not_o in_o the_o town_n but_o in_o the_o suburb_n in_o a_o poor_a cottage_n not_o in_o the_o dwell_a house_n but_o in_o the_o stable_a among_o beast_n and_o beggar_n rag_n be_v his_o only_a imperial_a robe_n and_o his_o first_o throne_n a_o manger_n and_o instead_o of_o post_v away_o currier_n to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n or_o persia_n the_o message_n of_o his_o birth_n be_v impart_v to_o a_o few_o plain_a and_o honest_a peasant_n they_o be_v shepherd_n a_o simple_a and_o innocent_a sort_n of_o people_n that_o make_v the_o first_o address_n and_o do_v the_o first_o homage_n to_o this_o infant_n prince_n and_o the_o whole_a progress_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o this_o humble_a coronation_n he_o be_v subject_a to_o his_o poor_a parent_n and_o as_o some_o who_o be_v no_o incompetent_a witness_n tell_v we_o wrought_v at_o his_o father_n trade_n and_o get_v his_o live_n by_o make_v of_o plough_n and_o yoke_n and_o after_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o office_n and_o declare_v who_o he_o be_v he_o choose_v for_o the_o principal_a place_n of_o his_o residence_n galilee_n the_o most_o ignoble_a part_n of_o all_o judaea_n not_o only_o because_o it_o lay_v most_o remote_a from_o jerusalem_n the_o place_n of_o their_o court_n and_o temple_n but_o because_o it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o a_o mix_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o thence_o common_o style_v galilee_n of_o the_o gentile_n partly_o in_o that_o lie_a next_o to_o they_o and_o have_v more_o commerce_n with_o they_o they_o be_v not_o so_o coy_a of_o admit_v they_o into_o their_o kindred_n as_o the_o other_o jew_n and_o partly_o in_o that_o it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o some_o of_o those_o jew_n that_o return_v from_o the_o captivity_n who_o settle_v there_o among_o the_o gentile_n that_o have_v during_o the_o captivity_n place_v themselves_o in_o it_o so_o that_o the_o galilean_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o sort_n of_o mongrel_n jew_n and_o a_o galilean_a be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o name_n of_o reproach_n whence_o the_o proverb_n shall_v christ_n come_v out_o of_o galilee_n and_o as_o he_o choose_v the_o worst_a part_n of_o his_o country_n for_o the_o chief_a place_n of_o his_o residence_n though_o at_o time_n he_o show_v himself_o in_o other_o place_n but_o still_o under_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o a_o galilean_a so_o he_o choose_v the_o mean_a of_o his_o countryman_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o kingdom_n fisherman_n a_o poor_a and_o beggarly_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v make_v so_o much_o the_o poor_a by_o be_v his_o disciple_n we_o have_v leave_v all_o say_v peter_n to_o follow_v thou_o and_o this_o mighty_a all_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o few_o totter_a net_n but_o yet_o with_o they_o be_v they_o able_a to_o get_v a_o small_a maintenance_n for_o their_o family_n whereas_o when_o they_o leave_v their_o trade_n to_o follow_v he_o they_o become_v perfect_a beggar_n for_o the_o fox_n have_v hole_n etc._n etc._n nay_o what_o be_v still_o a_o great_a condescension_n he_o converse_v not_o only_o with_o the_o mean_a but_o as_o his_o office_n require_v with_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n publican_n and_o sinner_n the_o most_o hate_a and_o most_o scandalous_a person_n insomuch_o that_o his_o enemy_n take_v advantage_n from_o it_o to_o reproach_v himself_o as_o a_o person_n that_o live_v a_o life_n of_o looseness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o thus_o he_o pass_v on_o through_o perpetual_a affront_v reproach_n and_o calumny_n till_o he_o purposely_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o deliver_v up_o himself_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o with_o what_o scorn_n insolence_n and_o cruelty_n he_o be_v there_o treat_v and_o with_o what_o meekness_n patience_n and_o humility_n he_o there_o behave_v himself_o i_o need_v not_o here_o represent_v they_o indeed_o put_v upon_o he_o a_o royal_a robe_n but_o it_o be_v in_o derision_n they_o crown_v he_o but_o it_o be_v with_o thorn_n they_o bow_v the_o knee_n before_o he_o bâ—â—_n it_o be_v in_o mockery_n and_o they_o write_v he_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o it_o be_v upon_o his_o cross_n where_o he_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v execute_v with_o two_o thief_n and_o that_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o the_o great_a villain_n of_o the_o three_o all_o which_o as_o he_o suffer_v for_o other_o weighty_a end_n so_o not_o lest_o of_o all_o in_o order_n to_o his_o resurrection_n partly_o because_o that_o be_v design_v as_o the_o groundwork_n of_o his_o religion_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n take_v particular_a care_n to_o make_v it_o stand_v upon_o its_o own_o unassisted_a evidence_n and_o for_o that_o purpose_n not_o only_o lay_v it_o so_o very_o deep_a but_o clear_v away_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o give_v it_o the_o least_o assistance_n partly_o because_o be_v the_o most_o material_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o withal_o most_o difficult_a to_o be_v believe_v god_n be_v please_v to_o confirm_v its_o truth_n by_o sensible_a experience_n as_o arnobius_n have_v very_o well_o observe_v cumque_fw-la novitas_fw-la rerum_fw-la &_o inaudita_fw-la promissio_fw-la audientium_fw-la 1._o turbaret_fw-la mentes_fw-la &_o credulitatem_fw-la faceret_fw-la hoesitare_fw-la virtutum_fw-la omnium_fw-la dominus_fw-la atque_fw-la ipsius_fw-la mortis_fw-la extinctor_fw-la hominem_fw-la suum_fw-la permiserit_fw-la interfici_fw-la ut_fw-la ex_fw-la rebus_fw-la consequentibus_fw-la scirent_fw-la in_o tuto_fw-la esse_fw-la spes_fw-la svas_fw-la quas_fw-la jamdudum_fw-la acceperant_fw-la de_fw-la animarum_fw-la salute_n nec_fw-la periculum_fw-la mortis_fw-la aliâ_fw-la se_fw-la posse_fw-la ratione_fw-la vitare_fw-la when_o the_o 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have_v be_v so_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o the_o world_n because_o he_o can_v not_o but_o expect_v that_o wise_a man_n shall_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o expose_v his_o hypocrisy_n but_o whatever_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o believe_v i_o be_o sure_a if_o there_o be_v no_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n that_o then_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n if_o there_o be_v let_v celsus_n tell_v if_o he_o can_v with_o what_o other_o bugbears_a christianity_n scare_n the_o people_n from_o hence_o he_o fall_v into_o his_o old_a story_n of_o heathen_a miracle_n for_o this_o topick_n make_v up_o one_o half_a of_o every_o book_n but_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o they_o prove_v nothing_o against_o christianity_n his_o insist_v upon_o they_o with_o so_o much_o stubbornness_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o confidence_n for_o if_o he_o believe_v they_o not_o they_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n if_o he_o do_v he_o show_v a_o 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enemy_n to_o all_o learning_n but_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o be_v their_o neglect_n of_o the_o dull_a and_o atheistical_a philosophy_n of_o the_o greek_n that_o can_v not_o arise_v to_o the_o contemplation_n of_o any_o thing_n above_o matter_n but_o as_o for_o that_o true_a philosophy_n that_o from_o the_o contrivance_n of_o visible_a and_o material_a thing_n lead_v on_o to_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o wisdom_n goodness_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n it_o be_v most_o of_o all_o study_a and_o emprove_v by_o the_o christian_a philosopher_n the_o remain_a calumny_n that_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n god_n accept_v only_o of_o bad_a man_n and_o refuse_v the_o good_a and_o that_o because_o it_o allow_v repentance_n to_o the_o worst_a of_o sinner_n it_o allow_v they_o too_o in_o the_o worst_a of_o sin_n they_o be_v so_o apparent_o disingenuous_a splenetic_a and_o malicious_a that_o they_o only_o reflect_v back_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n upon_o the_o man_n that_o 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greatness_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n propound_v in_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v how_o any_o man_n who_o serious_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v in_o any_o doubt_n or_o suspense_n which_o way_n to_o determine_v his_o choice_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o strange_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a as_o peremptory_o to_o prefer_v misery_n and_o destruction_n before_o everlasting_a happiness_n and_o thus_o athenagoras_n when_o he_o have_v describe_v the_o great_a and_o eminent_a virtue_n of_o the_o christian_n give_v this_o rational_a account_n of_o their_o action_n this_o we_o do_v say_v he_o because_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o action_n of_o man_n and_o who_o create_v both_o we_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o because_o we_o know_v that_o we_o must_v give_v a_o account_n to_o he_o of_o all_o the_o passage_n of_o our_o life_n therefore_o we_o choose_v the_o most_o moderate_a humble_a 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calumny_n of_o their_o enemy_n viz._n that_o those_o wicked_a practice_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o they_o be_v too_o gross_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o so_o athenagor_n as_o tell_v the_o emperor_n plain_o that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o impossible_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v a_o bad_a man_n unless_o he_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n and_o a_o mere_a dissembler_n and_o for_o a_o far_a proof_n they_o still_o appeal_v to_o the_o undeniable_a innocence_n of_o their_o own_o life_n and_o conversation_n they_o challenge_v the_o strict_a trial_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o even_o force_v from_o they_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o virtue_n and_o integrity_n and_o though_o they_o be_v strict_o religious_a towards_o god_n yet_o they_o account_v that_o no_o worship_n be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o but_o what_o be_v recommend_v by_o a_o just_a a_o honest_a and_o a_o useful_a life_n he_o that_o be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v his_o innocence_n say_v 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absurd_a and_o enormous_a if_o we_o only_o consider_v the_o greatness_n of_o those_o reward_n and_o punishment_n wherewith_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n be_v enact_v the_o most_o difficult_a duty_n that_o it_o require_v be_v that_o of_o martyrdom_n yet_o even_o that_o whilst_o it_o be_v undergo_v within_o the_o prospect_n of_o heaven_n and_o immortality_n be_v a_o very_a easy_a not_o to_o say_v a_o eligible_a thing_n and_o so_o the_o learned_a clemens_n of_o alexandria_n discourse_n in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o his_o collection_n the_o man_n that_o true_o love_v our_o lord_n can_v but_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o be_v deliver_v out_o of_o this_o life_n so_o as_o to_o account_v himself_o beholden_a to_o his_o accuser_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o escape_n because_o he_o give_v he_o a_o lawful_a occasion_n which_o he_o can_v not_o give_v himself_o to_o show_v his_o love_n to_o his_o lord_n and_o for_o it_o be_v welcome_v by_o he_o into_o the_o place_n of_o happiness_n and_o excellent_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n do_v that_o wise_a that_o pious_a that_o courageous_a prelate_n saint_n cyprian_a discourse_n to_o the_o 15._o confessor_n in_o prison_n to_o prepare_v they_o for_o their_o martyrdom_n so_o far_o be_v you_o say_v he_o from_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o fear_v death_n that_o you_o ought_v to_o desire_v it_o as_o not_o worthy_a to_o be_v weigh_v against_o the_o recompense_n of_o immortality_n where_o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v be_v crown_v with_o eternal_a happiness_n what_o vigour_n what_o greatness_n what_o courage_n ought_v to_o lodge_v in_o such_o breast_n that_o be_v fill_v with_o such_o heroic_a thought_n for_o where_o no_o low_a meditation_n be_v entertain_v than_o of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n there_o can_v be_v no_o sense_n of_o any_o other_o design_n but_o to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o though_o you_o be_v still_o confine_v to_o this_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n yet_o you_o do_v not_o live_v the_o life_n of_o this_o world_n but_o of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o passionate_o do_v that_o brave_a martyr_n ignatius_n rejoice_v in_o the_o near_a approach_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n o_o that_o i_o may_v come_v to_o those_o wild_a beast_n that_o be_v prepare_v for_o i_o how_o do_v i_o wish_v that_o i_o may_v instant_o encounter_v they_o i_o can_v even_o invite_v and_o encourage_v they_o to_o dispatch_v i_o nay_o i_o can_v even_o provoke_v they_o to_o it_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o nothing_o either_o see_v or_o unseen_a more_o than_o to_o enjoy_v jesus_n let_v fire_n and_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o fury_n of_o wild_a beast_n break_v of_o bone_n distortion_n of_o member_n torment_v the_o whole_a body_n yea_o all_o the_o punishment_n which_o the_o devil_n can_v invent_v befall_v i_o so_o as_o thereby_o i_o may_v come_v to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o my_o bless_a lord_n and_o saviour_n this_o be_v the_o courage_n and_o these_o the_o resolution_n of_o those_o time_n but_o alas_o their_o brave_a example_n rather_o upbraid_v than_o instruct_v our_o degenerate_a age_n and_o the_o height_n of_o their_o courage_n instead_o of_o invite_v scare_n our_o endeavour_n it_o be_v almost_o pain_n to_o we_o to_o conceive_v the_o idea_n of_o their_o virtue_n their_o flame_a spirit_n lie_v rake_v up_o in_o their_o own_o ash_n not_o a_o spark_n of_o their_o heavenly_a fire_n glow_v in_o our_o bosom_n there_o be_v nothing_o heroic_a leave_v all_o that_o be_v brave_a and_o gallant_a have_v flee_v the_o world_n and_o our_o age_n produce_v no_o such_o hero_n who_o action_n may_v convince_v we_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o ancient_a faith_n be_v possible_a thing_n but_o what_o do_v i_o talk_v of_o the_o wonder_n of_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n the_o effect_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a assistance_n for_o a_o extraordinary_a work_n when_o it_o will_v be_v wonder_n big_a enough_o for_o our_o degenerate_a age_n if_o we_o can_v but_o see_v the_o common_a fruit_n of_o christianity_n but_o alas_o we_o be_v entertain_v with_o a_o great_a at_o least_o a_o more_o unaccountable_a prodigy_n than_o all_o the_o miracle_n that_o have_v be_v represent_v for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n when_o we_o daily_o see_v such_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n that_o be_v serious_o and_o passionate_o concern_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o so_o utter_o unconcern_v to_o obey_v its_o precept_n for_o this_o can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o direct_a and_o barefaced_a affront_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o own_o and_o yet_o disobey_v his_o law_n our_o bless_a saviour_n impute_v it_o as_o a_o unpardonable_a sin_n of_o disingenuity_n to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n that_o when_o they_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o his_o miracle_n they_o yet_o disbelieved_a the_o divine_a authority_n of_o his_o
doctrine_n but_o how_o much_o great_a violence_n do_v these_o man_n offer_v to_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o conscience_n that_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n and_o yet_o despisé_fw-fr the_fw-fr obligation_n of_o his_o law_n this_o be_v more_o palpable_a blasphemy_n and_o the_o man_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v so_o much_o worse_a than_o a_o profess_a infidel_n as_o judas_n be_v worse_o than_o a_o common_a pharisee_fw-mi he_o in_o some_o measure_n believe_v his_o master_n to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o yet_o betray_v he_o and_o so_o be_v every_o vicious_a christian_a guilty_a of_o the_o same_o traitorous_a wickedness_n he_o believe_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o behave_v himself_o towards_o he_o as_o if_o he_o real_o believe_v he_o a_o cheat_n and_o a_o impostor_n this_o man_n sin_v know_o against_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o his_o conscience_n and_o every_o act_n of_o disobedience_n be_v not_o only_o a_o affront_n to_o his_o reason_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o pharisee_n but_o to_o his_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v in_o judas_n what_o a_o strange_a contradiction_n be_v a_o vicious_a christian_a both_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o profession_n it_o be_v so_o great_a that_o to_o i_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v a_o unconceivable_a instance_n of_o sottishness_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v in_o good_a earnest_n believe_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n shall_v after_o such_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n engage_v itself_o for_o the_o contrivance_n and_o procurement_n of_o man_n felicity_n and_o that_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o shall_v come_v into_o this_o low_a world_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o shall_v suffer_v all_o the_o agony_n of_o a_o ignominious_a death_n for_o the_o expiation_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o when_o he_o have_v recover_v we_o into_o a_o capacity_n of_o happiness_n and_o put_v we_o into_o a_o condition_n of_o peaceable_a intercourse_n with_o his_o father_n he_o shall_v prescribe_v to_o we_o some_o law_n of_o life_n to_o keep_v and_o continue_v we_o in_o that_o state_n into_o which_o he_o have_v redeem_v we_o and_o that_o to_o secure_a all_o he_o have_v enforce_v they_o by_o the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n of_o obedience_n and_o establish_v their_o obligation_n upon_o no_o less_o sanction_n than_o the_o certain_a assurance_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v i_o say_v to_o i_o it_o be_v a_o unconceivable_a brutishness_n that_o any_o person_n who_o serious_o believe_v these_o thing_n shall_v act_v so_o gross_o against_o his_o own_o interest_n against_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n and_o against_o the_o strong_a inducement_n both_o of_o his_o hope_n and_o fear_n as_o to_o live_v in_o a_o dare_a and_o habitual_a disobedience_n to_o any_o of_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n what_o a_o intolerable_a aggravation_n must_v it_o be_v of_o their_o wickedness_n whilst_o it_o be_v commit_v against_o all_o the_o endearment_n of_o love_n and_o goodness_n and_o all_o the_o inducement_n of_o interest_n and_o ingenuity_n i._n e._n against_o all_o the_o obligation_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o lay_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o apostle_n discourse_v very_o apposite_o heb._n 2._o 3_o 4._o how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o be_v publish_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o god_n also_o bear_v witness_n to_o they_o with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n here_o lay_v the_o emphasis_n that_o aggravate_v the_o neglect_n of_o their_o salvation_n that_o god_n have_v send_v his_o own_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o preach_v and_o to_o procure_v it_o that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o it_o by_o the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o eye-witness_n and_o that_o he_o have_v far_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n by_o the_o wonderful_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o miracle_n after_o all_o these_o motive_n and_o all_o this_o assurance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v be_v so_o wretched_a as_o to_o neglect_v so_o easy_a condition_n of_o so_o great_a salvation_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v escape_v the_o just_a reward_n of_o his_o desperate_a and_o incurable_a stupidity_n for_o what_o shall_v prevail_v upon_o such_o mind_n as_o be_v proof_n against_o such_o motive_n and_o yet_o as_o strange_a as_o this_o appear_v what_o do_v we_o find_v more_o vulgar_a when_o a_o wicked_a believer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v think_v a_o monster_n in_o our_o age_n that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a prodigy_n in_o it_o than_o a_o entire_a true_a christian._n the_o true_a spirit_n of_o our_o religion_n seem_v to_o be_v flee_v to_o heaven_n with_o its_o primitive_a professor_n and_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o real_a christianity_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n i._n e._n a_o serious_a and_o habitual_a conformity_n to_o all_o its_o law_n and_o whatever_o man_n may_v do_v or_o pretend_v without_o this_o it_o may_v be_v humour_n or_o faction_n or_o any_o thing_n but_o religion_n no_o design_n how_o great_a soever_o less_o than_o this_o be_v worthy_a our_o saviour_n embasly_a and_o when_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v send_v on_o a_o errand_n into_o the_o world_n it_o can_v not_o be_v of_o any_o less_o concernment_n than_o its_o reformation_n the_o last_o scope_n of_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n be_v only_o to_o oblige_v all_o mankind_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a and_o the_o man_n that_o will_v not_o be_v so_o defeat_v all_o the_o love_n and_o wisdom_n of_o heaven_n in_o send_v the_o holy_a jesus_n into_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o let_v i_o challenge_v my_o reader_n as_o he_o will_v not_o frustrate_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n as_o he_o will_v not_o baffle_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o innocence_n and_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o life_n of_o man_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o as_o he_o will_v not_o hereafter_o with_o that_o his_o saviour_n have_v never_o be_v bear_v nor_o himself_o neither_o that_o he_o will_v be_v careful_a for_o his_o own_o part_n to_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o his_o incarnation_n and_o let_v he_o see_v by_o the_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v to_o some_o purpose_n and_o that_o he_o die_v not_o in_o vain_a nay_o let_v i_o challenge_v all_o christendom_n not_o to_o give_v he_o occasion_n to_o complain_v have_v i_o desert_v heaven_n and_o all_o its_o glory_n and_o expose_v myself_o to_o all_o the_o shame_n and_o misery_n upon_o earth_n have_v i_o wrestle_v with_o all_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n have_v i_o live_v and_o die_v in_o disgrace_n and_o suffer_v all_o sort_n of_o affront_n and_o ill_a usage_n to_o restore_v the_o practice_n and_o reputation_n of_o virtue_n to_o this_o low_a world_n and_o be_v this_o all_o the_o issue_n of_o the_o travel_n of_o my_o soul_n that_o i_o have_v only_o found_v a_o new_a faction_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n by_o any_o thing_n else_o than_o that_o they_o signalise_v themselves_o by_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n be_v this_o all_o the_o purchase_n of_o my_o blood_n to_o be_v only_o follow_v by_o a_o few_o wicked_a and_o vicious_a proselyte_n i_o have_v as_o good_a have_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v in_o its_o degenerate_a state_n of_o heathenism_n as_o do_v and_o suffer_v all_o that_o i_o have_v do_v only_o to_o give_v a_o new_a name_n to_o those_o part_n of_o it_o call_v christendom_n without_o reform_v their_o old_a manner_n i_o neither_o design_n nor_o accept_v any_o other_o separation_n of_o my_o church_n from_o other_o part_n of_o mankind_n than_o what_o be_v make_v by_o the_o virtue_n the_o innocence_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n without_o this_o all_o their_o pretend_a faith_n in_o and_o zeal_n for_o my_o institution_n be_v to_o i_o no_o better_a than_o scandal_n and_o impudent_a hypocrisy_n and_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o purpose_n than_o to_o aggravate_v their_o impiety_n and_o increase_v their_o punishment_n and_o in_o truth_n what_o can_v more_o provoke_v our_o saviour_n displeasure_n than_o christian_a wickedness_n this_o bring_v disgrace_n and_o dishonour_n upon_o his_o religion_n and_o prostitute_n it_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n it_o break_v through_o all_o the_o best_a rule_n of_o duty_n and_o strong_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n