the contrary â—…ly the dominion given to â—nto man over his own actions â—he naturall desire that is in him â—o be immortall the comfort oâ—…â—ood conscience for well done â—eeds though such were accomâ—anied with much difficulty â—nd on the contrary the sting of â—…gnawing conscience at the reâ—embrance of ungodly and â—…icked actions especially when â—he houre of death approacheth â—nto the wicked who doe then â—…eeme more sensible of an immiâ—…ent iudgement and this gnawing â—…orme of conscience the most â—…rophane wretches and wicked â—…yrants in the world could never â—tterly mortifiâ— and destroy in them no not then when they most of all desired as divers examples doe testifie SECT XXIIII Whence it followes that the eâ—â— of all shall bee mans happineâ—… after this life SEeing then the soule is of 〈…〉 nature that in it selfe hath 〈…〉 ground or cause of its owne corruption and seeing also thiâ— God by many signes and tokenâ—… hath declared that it is his wiâ—… the same soule should surviâ—… the body what more noble 〈…〉 can be propounded to man thaâ— the state of eternall happinesse which in effect is the same that Plato and the Pythagoreaâ—â— spake of saying that it were gooâ— for man if hee could become moâ—â— like unto God SECT XXV â—…hich to obtaine men must get the true Religion NOw what this happinesse is and how 't is to be attaineâ—â—…en may finde out by probable â—…iectures but if any thing coâ—cerning that matter bee revealed â—…y God in Scripture the same â—ust be held for a most certaine â—nd undoubted truth which â—nce that Religionâ—…emes â—…emes to pretend above others 〈◊〉 shall be examined in the next â—ooke whether or no men ought â—…o give credit thereunto and asâ—uredly build their faith theron The second Booke OF THE TRVNESSE OF Christian Religion SECT I. To prove the truth of Christian Religion IT is not our purpose in this second booke to handle all the points of Christianitie out after our hearty prayers made to Christ the King of Heaven that hee would grant us the assistance of his holy Spirit whereby we may be enabled for such a worke we shall endevour to make it appeare that Christian Religion is the most true and certaine Religion of all the rest namely as followeth SECT II. Here is showen that Iesus lived IT is a truth most sted fastly professed by all the Christianâ— that breath upon the face of the whole earth that Iesus of Nazreth then lived in Iudea wheâ— Tiberius was Emperour of the Romans which is acknowledged not onely by Christians but also by all the Iewes that ever lived heretofore or yet survive Nay the very Pagan writers thâ—… is such as are neither of the Iewish nor Christian Religion namely Suetonises Tacitus pliny the younger and many more after them doe testifie the same SECT III. And was put to an igâ—…ious death MOreover all bee it such a kinde of death might bee thought inglorious and dishonorable to their Lord and Master yet all Christians doe confesse that this same Iesis was crucified by Pontius Pilate governour of Iudea The Iewes also doe the â—ike though they cannot bee ignorant how that they become most odious to those Christiansâ—n â—n whose dominions they live because of this murder committed by Pilate whereof their ancestors were the chiefe authors as the heathenish writers have also recorded the same Yea these acts of Pilate were extant a long time after whereunto the Christians did sometimes make their appeale And further neither did Iulian himselfe nor any other adversaries of Christianity ever make doubt hereof So that hence it appeares that there was never any more true and certaine story than this which wee see may be confirmed not onely by the testimonies of some few men but also by the approbation of severall nations otherwise disagreeing and jarring among themselves SECT IV. Yet afterward was worshipped by by prudent and godly men ALL which though it was most true of Christs ignominious death yet wee see hoâ— that thorowout the remoâ—… parts of the world hee is worshipped as Lord and that not in our dayes onely but ever since the time that this was done to wit ever since the reigne of Nero the Emperour when many people that professed this worship of Christ and Christian Religion were for that cause tortured and put to death as Tacitus and others doe witnesse SECT V The cause whereof was for that in his life time there were miracles done by him NOw among such as professed Christianity there were many judicious learned men For to say nothing now of the Iewes there was Sergius governour of Cyprus Dionysius Areopagita Polycarpus Iustinus Irenaeus Athenagoras Origen Tertullian Clemens Alexandrinus with divers others who almost all being broughtup in other religions neither could have any hopes of wealth or preferment in Christianity yet became worshippers of this man that died so ignominious a death and exhibited due honour to him as God no other reason whereof can bee given than this that moved them so to doe namely because they like prudent men in a matter of greatest moment by diligent inquiry found the truth and ground of that same which was bruted abroad concerning the miracles wrought by Christ as the healing of many that were sore diseased with his word onely the restoring of sight to him that was borne blinde the feeding of many thousands with some few Loaves of bread the restoring of some to life againe that were dead and many other such like wonderfull workes The truth whereof neither Celsus nor Iulian when they writ against Christians durst dare to deny but it was confessed both by them and also most plainly by the Hebrew doctors that were Authors of the Talmnd SECT VI. Which miracles were not wrought either by the helpe of nature or assistance of the devill but meerely by the divine power of God THat theft wondrous works were not wrought by any naturall power it is manifest because they were called wonders and miracles For it is not possible in nature that any grievous diseases and infirmities should bee cured meerely by a mans voice or by the vertue of a touch and that even upon a suddaine And it is likely if such works had beene done by the power of nature onely then the same would have beene made knowne and revealed either by those that were professed enemies of Christ while he lived upon earth or by those that have beene adversaries of his Gospell since his death By the same argument wee may prove that such workes came not to passe through the power and deceit of Sataâ— or by any diabolicall enchantments because they were done openly in the sight of all the people amongst whom divers of the learned sort did maligne and â—earâ— ill will unto Christ not without envy observing all that hee did Adde further that the same workes were often iterated and the effects thereof were not transitory but permaneant and durable All which being duly pondered it must
there continued a wonderful vertue of working strange effects at their Sepulchers for certaine ages after their death which if it had beene false they knew that to their shame and punishment the Magistrates could have confuted the same and this that wee have spoken may suffice concerning the authors SECT VIII The truth of the writings connirmed by the events that have come to passe accordingly as they were revealed THere are other reasons to prove the truth and sidelity of these authors writings For many things are therein fâ—re old should after ward happen which notwithstanding were impossible for men by their owne power and ingeny to know or bring to passe yet we see the truth thereof confirmed by the event which have come to passe accordingly For so it was foretold that this Religion should upon a sudden have a large and ample increase that it should continue for ever thought it were rejected by most of the Iewes yet should it be imbraced by the Gentiles that were strangers to it Thus likewise was foretold what hatred spight the Iewes would beare against them that professed this religion what grievous persecutions the professors thereof should undergoe Also what a great siege and destruction there should be both of Hierusalem that great City and of the Temple together with a miserable calamity among the Iewes SECT IX As also from Gods care in preserving his people from false writings BEsides this if it bee granted that God out of his providence carefully respects and governes humane affaires specially such as belong to his honour and worship then it cannot bee that he should suffer so great a multitude to bee cheated and deceived with lying bookes those men I meane whose full intent and purpose was to worship God after a holy manner And forasmuch as among so many sects that have sprung up in Christianity there hath not beene one that received not either all or the most of those bookes excepting some few that containe no singular matter above the rest this mee thinkes may be a great argument that no materiall thing could bee objected against these writings specially since the said sects were so partiall and spitefully bent against another that what one approved of another commonly would bee displeased therewith even because the same was liked of by others SECT X. Answer to the objection that divers bookes were not received by all INdeed there were some that desired to be Christians who notwithstanding refused to admit of such bookes as they did perceive contained any thing that made against their doctrine And these were either such as out of hatred against the Iewes spake ill of their law and revâ—led the God of the Iewes who was the makes and framer of the whole world or else they were such as feared the great afflictions and persecutions that Christians suffered And thereupon thought it the safest way to â—urke under the name of Iewes who had free liberty for the exercise of their Religion Howbeit these lurkers were rejected and forsaken by all the open professed Christians that lived in those times when as all that any way disagreed in opinion if they kept unity of affection and piety might have beene suffered with great patience according to the Apostles commandement As for the former kinde of these bastard or counterfeit Christians I thinke they have beene sufficiently confuted both by that which wee have said before when wee proved that there was but one only true God the sole framer of the whole world As also by those very bookes which that they might have some semblance of Christians they did admit of specially the Gospell of Luke wherein is evidently showne that the same God whom Moses and the Hebrewes worshipped was preached by Christ And the other sort we shall more fitly confute when we speak against those that both are and would bee called Iewes For the present onely this I say that it is great impudency in them to fleight and extenuate the authority of Paul seeing verily there was not one of all the Apostles that expounded and taught more Charches than hee did who was reported at that time to have wrought many miracles when as ere while wee said there might easily have been triall and inquiry made of the truth of the matter If then it bee true that hee wrought wenders why may wee not beleeve him concerning his heavenly visions and instruction received from Christ himselfe to whom since he was so deately beloved it cannot be that hee should teach any thing inglorious or ingratefull unto Christ as falsities or untruths would have beene And as touching that particular whereof they accuse him namely his doctrine of the liberty and freedome which was purchased for the Hebrewes from those rites and ceremonies that were formerly commanded them by Moses there was not any cause in regard of himselfe why he should speak any thing but truth therein For both hee was circumcised and of his owne accord hee did observe the most part of the law But for Christian Religions sake he was both to doe and suffer more difficult matters than either was commanded by the law or could happen by occasion of the Law He taught also that his Disciples should doe and suffer the like whence it appeares that hee uttered no flattering or enricing speeches unto his auditors who were taught in stead of the Sabbeth to keepe every day holy for divine worship and in stead of the little expences which the law required to suffer the losse of all their goods and in stead of the bloud beasts to consecrate their owne blood unto God And further Paul himselfe plainly affirmes that Peter Iohn and Iames in token of their consent with him gave him the right hands of fellowship which hee never durst have spoken if it had not beene true because the same men being then alive might have convicted him for a lyar But to leave these men that searce deserve the name of Christians besides this which we have now said concerning the miracles wrought by the sacred pen men aforesaid and concerning the singular providence of God about affaires of this kinde the manifest consent and agreement of all other Christian congregations in the receiving of these bookes may induce any inidifferent men to give credit thereunto specially considering that they are wont commonly to credit other books of history without any such testimonies unlesse they see some plaine reason to the contrary which cannot bee said of any of those bookes whereof wee have spoken SECT XI Answer to an objection that these bookes seeme to containe things impossible FOr if any doe object saying that divers things are there in related which seeme to be impossible ever to have come to passe wee answer as before hath beene intimated that there are some things impossible for man to doe which not withstanding are possible unto God such as include in them no contradiction or contrariety And of this sort are those wonderfull effects which wee
TRVE RELIGION EXPLAINED And defended against the Archenemies thereof in these times In six Bookes Published by Authority for the coÌ„mon good Buy the truth P 〈…〉 LONDON Printed for Ri. Royston in Ivie lane 1632 T Câ—â—â—ll sculp The minde of the frontispâ—â—â— or title page 1. Ieheuah at the top â—eaching out 〈…〉 the old to the lew and the new to the 〈…〉 former with a promise 〈…〉 the lattâ—… of the Gentleâ—… in the Gospel without exâ—…â—…on of any Hom. 1â—… 2 Religion the effects whereof the Aposâ—… Iam. 1. 2â— 1 For her habit she hath a 〈◊〉 garment tâ—… she regards not the transiently wealth and â—…ty of this world 2 Shee holds the booke in her hand where â—n the lawâ—… God is written 3 Her breast is baâ—â— to shew her Canâ—on and 〈◊〉 4 She leaues upon the Crosse because thereupon 〈…〉 finds rest and quiet repose 5 Winged sheis to reach men to mount up alâ—… 6 As it were shining by a radiant 〈…〉 that she dispels the mysty dark◠〈◊〉 of the minde 7 The bridle is hung upon the crosse to teach men how that they ought to curbe bridle and subâ—… the triâ—â—leâ—â— passions of the minde 8 She treads and examples upon death because sheâ—… very haue and downfall of death 3 The Christian kneeles upon the Crosse which hee mâ—… take up Mat. 16. 24. havingâ— glory shining upon him to represent the brightnesse of the Gospell and tâ—… Religion 4 The Turke stands with his sword in his hand by which he defends his Religion that sprang from Mahâ—met a false Prophet foretold in generall by Christ Mat. 24. 5. 24. also a halfe Moone 5 The lew kneeles having the two tables of the law by which he hopes to bee saved not as yet beleeving in Christ because his eyes are blinded Isaiah 29. 10. 6 The Pagan hath the sun before him which together with other creatures he is wont toworship howbeit hope there is that all the heatheo shall become the subiects of Christs Kingdome Psal 72. 11. A Recapitulation of the chiefe points according to the severall sections of each Booke The Preface shewes the occasion of this worke The Contents of the first Booke SECT I. IN the first section it is proved there is a God 2 That there is but one God 3 All perfection is in God 4 And that after an infinite manner 5 God is eternall omnipotent omniscient and absolutely good 6 God is the cause of all things 7 Answer to an objection concerning the cause of evill 8 Against them which imagine there are two principles the one good and the other evill 9 The whole universe is governed by God 10 So are all sublunary things yea every particular and singular thing 11 Which is declared by the preservation of Empires 12 And by miracles 13 Especially such as were wrought amongst the Iewes which are verified by the long continuance of their Religion 14 Also by the truth and antiquity of Moses 15 And by the testimonies of strangers and aliens from the covenans 16 The same likewise is confirmed by predictions and other arguments 17 An objection answered for that no miracles are now to bee 〈◊〉 as formerly hath beene 18 And that iniquity so greatâ—…nds in these dayes 19 In so much that good and goâ—dly men are oppressed abused 20 But this is retorted to prove the immortality of soules after the death and â—…lution of bodies 21 Which truth is further confirmed by tradition 22 Namely such as no reason can be alleaged against it 23 But â—…ther many arguments make for it 24 Whence it followes that the end of man is his happinesse and welfare after this life 25 Which to obtaine true Religion must be sought for the same being the onely way to eternity The Contents of the second Booke SECT I. TO the end it may appeare that the title of true Religion agrees to Christian Religion the Author here proves first that Jesus once lived upon earth 2 And that hee suffered an ignominious and reproachfull death 3 Howbeit after his death hee was worshipped and adored by wise men 4 The cause of which their worshipping him could be no other then for the wonders and miracles that were wrought by him 5 And these miracles were not to bee attributed to any efficacy of rature or to the power of the Devill but proceeded onely from the power of God 6 The Author further shewes the truth of Iesus his resurrection by sufficient testimonies 7 He answers a doubt for that the resurrection seemes impossible 8 This resurrection of Jesus being granted it serves to confirme the truth of his doctrine 9 Christian Religion excells all other Religions in the world 10 As is proved first from the excellency of the reward which is promised and propounded thereunto 11 Whereupon by the way an objection is answered for that it seemes impossible for bodies once dissolved to bee restored againe to their former integrity 12 Secondly the former truth is confirmed by the exact holinesse of Christian precepts touching the worship and service of God 13 Also from those courteous duties of humanity which wee owe and ought to performe to our neighbours though hurt or injured by them 14 Also from the union and love of man and wife 15 From the use of Temporall goods and commodities 16 From an Oath 17 And from other Christian Acts. 18 Answer to an objection taken from the controversies that are among Christians 19 The excellency of Christian Religion is further declared from the dignity of its author 20 From the wonderfull propagation thereof 21 Specially considering the weaknesse and simplicity of them which at the beginning taught the same 22 Together with the great impediments which might have with-held men from imbracing it or deterred them from professing the same 23 Answer made to them that doe desire stronger arguments The Contents of the third Booke SECT I. HEre is showne the authority of the bookes of the new covenant 2 Such bookes as have names of authors are the same mens writings whose names they beare 3 Concerning such books as anciently were questioned the doubt taken away 4 Those bookes that have no name prefixed have suâ—…enâ— authority as is proved from the quality of the writings themselves 5 The holy pen men of these bookes writ nothing but truth because they had certaine notice thereof 6 And because they would not lye 7 This is also evident by the miracles they wrought 8 And likewise because the events of many things therein recorded have made it appeare the same were divinely inspired 9 And lastly from the care God was to have that counterfeit writings might not be obâ—ruded or forged in the Church 10 An objection answered that sundry of these bookes were not reserved by all 11 A scruple taken away for that some impossibilities sâ—eme to be 〈…〉 12 Or such things as are râ—… pâ—… to reason 13 Another doubt answered touching some diversity â—…rieâ—â— that seeme to be in those writings 14 The consideration
needs follow as the Iewes have confessed that these workes proceeded from a more than naturall or humane power that is from some good or evill Spirit That they proceeded not from any evill Spirit may be proved because that the doctrine of Christ for the confirmation whereof these workes were wrought was quite opposite and contrary to bad Spirits For it prohibits the worshipping of evill Angels and disswades men from all unclearnesse of affections and manners wherein such Spirits are much delighted And this is also plain for that wheresoever the doctrine of the Gospell is received and established there followes the ruine and downfall of Idols the contempt and detestation of magicall arts together with a serious hatred of all diabolicall worship as being a thing contrary and repugnant to the worship of the onely true GOD. Neither is it to bee thought that any wicked Spirit is so ignorant and foolish as to effect and often bring to passe things that are causes of its owne hurt and disgrace and no way conducing to its honour or benefit Besides it stands no way with the wisdome or goodnesse of God himselfe to suffer so harmelesse and innocent men such as feared him to bee deceived by the delusion of devils and such were the first followers of Christ as is plaine by their innocent life and by the many calamities which they endured for conserence sake But on the other side if thou affirme that those workes of Christ proceeded from some good Spirits which are inferiour to God in so saying thou dost confesse that the same workes were well pleasing unto God and did tend to the honour of his name forasmuch as good Spirits doe nothing but what is acceptable and glorious unto God To say no more then some of Christs works there were so miraculous that they might seeme to have God himselfe for the author of them and could not have beene done but by the immediate finger of an omnipotent power as specially the restoring divers persons from death unto life againe Now God doth not produce any miracle nor suffer any such wonders to bee wrought without just cause For it becomes not a wise Law giver to forsake and depart from his owne lawes unlesse upon some good and weighty reason Now no other cause of these things can bee given than that which was alleaged by Christ himselfe namely that hereby his doctrine might be verified and confirmed And doubtlesse they that were spectators of his workes could conceive no other reason thereof For since amongst those spectators and beholders of his miracles there were as was said many godly men piouâ—ly and devoutly affected it is horrible impiety to imagine that God did worke these things onely to delude and deceive them And this was one or the onely cause why very many of the Iewes who lived about the time of Iesus even such as could not be perswaded to relinquish or omit one jot of Moses his Law did acknowledge that this Iesus was a Doctour or Master sent from heaven SECT VII Christs resurrection proved by credible reasons BEsides the miracles that Christ wrought to confirme his doctrine another argument may be taken from his wonderfull resurrection to life againe after that he was crucified dead and buried For the Christians of all ages and Countries alleage the same not onely for a truth but also as the most strong sortresse and chiefest foundation of their faith which could not be unlesse those that first taught Christianity did perswade their auditors that the thing was so for certain And yet they could not induce any wise man to the beleefe hereof unlesse they could verily affirme that themselves were eye-witnesses of this matter For without such an ocular testimony no man of wisdome and judgment would willingly give credit thereunto specially in such perillous and dangerous times as then were But that this was their constant assertion both their owne bookes and other writings doe testifie For out of their bookes it appeares that they appealed unto five hundred witnesses that had beheld Iesus after he was risen from the dead Now it is not the fashion of lyars and dissemblers to appeale to so great a number of witnesses Neither could it possibly so fall out that so many men should agree and conspire together to beare false witnesse Or suppose there had beene no other witnesses save those twelve knowne Apostles the first publishers of Christian doctrine yet this had beene sufficient No man is a leasing-munger for God-a-mercy Any honour for their lying they could not expect in regard that all kind of dignities and promotions did then belong unto the Pagans or Jewes from whom they received nothing but reproach and ignominy Neither could they hope for any wealth and commodity because this profession was oftentimes punished with the losse of goods and possessions or if it was not yet the Gospell could not bee taught by them sincerely unlesse they omitted or neglected all sollicitous and anxious care for temporall commodity Neither could the hope of any other worldly profit move them to fit or utter untruths seeing that the very preaching of the Gospell did expose them to labours hunger thirst stripes and imprisonments To get credit and reputation onely among their owne Country men was not so much worth that they poore innocent men being such as in their life and doctrine abhorred losty mindednesse should therefore run upon so great inconveniences Neither againe could they have any hope for the propagation of their doctrine wâ—â— was opposed both by corupt covetous nature by the greatnesse of them that were in authority vnlesse they had beene some way animated and incouraged by the divine promise of God And further this fame or reputation whatsoever it was was not likely to continue for ever they could not promise to themselves that it would be perpetual seeing that God purposely concealing his counsell concerning the end and destruction of the world hath left the time thereof doubtfull as being alwayes imminent at hand which the writings of the Christians that lived in those times and of those that succeeded theÌ„ do most plainâ—â—y witnesse It remaines therfore â—…f they lied that they had for the defence of their Religion how beâ—…t this cannot justly bee laid against them if the thing be rightly considered For either they â—did sincerely beleeve that this Religion which they professed was the true Religion or else they were of a contrary minde If they did not beleeve it to bee true nay if they thought not that it was absolutely the best they would never have made choice hereof and refused other Religions farre more safe and coÌ„modious Nay further though they conceived it to bee most true yet they would not have professed it unlesse they had beene fully perswaded that the profession there of was necessary specially for that they might have easily foreseene and partly they could tell by experience what troopes of men were exposed to death for this profession which without
unknowne nor doubt of the two Epistles of Iohn and the Revelation because some men doe question whether the author of them was Iohn the Apostle or some other of that name For the name is not so much to bee regarded as the quality or condition of the writers Hence it is that we receive many bookes of history whose authors are to us unknowne As that concerning the Alexandrian war by Cesar because wee may perceive that he whosoever writ the same lived in those times ad was present when the things were done In like manner it ought to suffice us that whosoever wrote the bookes wee speake of both lived in the primitive age and were endued with Apostolicall gifts For he speakes very improbably that saith these qualities were but counterfeit and that other writings might beare the names of these authors who every where pressing truth and prety cannot bee thought to play the â—…ning Sophisters and be guilty of falshood a thing not onely odious among all good men but by the Roman lawes was to bee punished with death SECT V. These pen-men writ the truth because they had certaine knowledge of what they writ THus it being plaine that the bookes of the new covenant were written by those authors whose names they beare or by such as beare witnesse of themselves if wee adde further that they know well the matters where of they wrote to be true and had no purpose to lye or dissemble it wil follow that the things which they committed to writing were both certaine and true because every untruth proceeds either from ignorance or from a wicked desire to deceive As touching Matthew Iohn Peter and Iohu they were all of the society and fellowship of those twelve whom Iesus did chuse to bee witnesses of his life and doctrine so that they could not be ignorant of those things which they did relate The same may be said of Iames who was either an Apostle or as some thinke the next a kin to Iesus and by the Apostles consecrated Bishop of Hierusalem Paul also could not erre through lacke of knowledge either about those points which hee professeth were revealed to him by Iesus himselfe triumphing in heaven orabout the things that were done by him having Luke a follow companion with him in his journeyes This Luke might easily know the certainty of those things which hee writ concerning the life and death of Iesus For hee was borne and bred in the places next adjoining to Palestina through which countrey when he travelled hee saith hee speake with such persons as were eyewitnesses of the things that were done For doubtlesse besides the Apostles with whom hee had familiarity there lived many others at that time who had beene cured by Iesus whom they saw both before his death and after his resurrection If wee will give credit to Tacitus and Suetoniâ—… in those things which happened a long time before they were borne because we are confident that they diligently enquired into the truth thereof how much more ought wee to beleeve this writer who saith that hee reeived all the things which hee relates from them that had seene the same It is credibly reported of Mark that hee was a daily companion with Peter so that whatsoever he writ may bee thought as suggested or witnessed by Peter who could not bee ignorant thereof Besides the same things that hee writes are almost all extant in the Acts of the Apostles Neither could the author of the apocalyps bee deceived or deluded in those visions which hee saith were revealed to him from heaven No more could he that writ the Epistle to the Hebrewes erre in those things which hee professeth either to bee inspired into him by the Spirit of God or else taught him by the Apostles SECT VI. As also because they would not lye THe other reason we spake of to prove the truth of the said holy writers was because they had no will or desire to tell an untruth And this hath beene toucht before in generall when wee proved the truth of Christian Religion and of the history of the resurrection of Christ Those that will accuse any witnesses for the pravity of their will must produce such proofes and evidences as may probably make it appeare why the will should be diverted from uttering the truth but this cannot bee averred of the said authors For if any doe object and say that they spake for their owne advantage upon enquiry it will appeare that they sought after no such by-end having neither hope of getting commodity or of eschewing any danger but rather by their profession they were more likely to lose all their commodities and be liable unto all sorts of perils If they aimed at any advantage it was onely to gaine honour unto God which doubtlesse cannot bee compatible with lying and dissembling specially in such a businesse as whereon depends the everlasting salvation of mankinde Farre be it then from any man to thinke that they were guilty of so great impiety their doctrine being ful of all sanctity and their lift exemplary for innocency and integrity free from the accusation of their greatest adversaries who onely condemned them for lacke of knowledge a fault unlikely to be the mother of falshood No if they had beene guilty of never so little fraud or deceit in that kind surely they would not have recorded to posterity their owne trespasses as namely their forsaking of Christ when hee was in danger and Poters deniall of him three times SECT VII A confirmation of the sidelity of these authors from the miracles which they wrought ON the other side God himselfe gave testimony of their fidelity by working wonders which both they and their Disciples with great boldnesse publikely avouched adding also the names of the persons places and other circumstanâ—es So that the truth or falshood of their assertion might easily have beene discovered by the inquisition of the Magistrate More particularly among the wonders that they wrought wee may note as most sensible and certain the use of tongues among so many thousands which never learned them and their curing the diseases of the body upon a suddaine in the sight of the people Neither were they any whit dismaied with feare either of the Iewish Magistrates of those times whom they knew to bee most maliciously set against them or of the Romans who dealt very unjustly with them omitting no fit occasion that might bee matter for traducing or accusing them as inventors of a new Religion Nay the very Iewes or Pagans in the times immediately following durst never deny that wonders were wrought by those men For so much is confessed of Peters miracles by Phlegon in his Annals who lived under Adrian the Emperour Moreover the Christians themselves in those bookes that contained a reason of their faith which they exhibited to the Emperours to the Senate and to the governours doe relate these things as most manifest and unquestionable truths yea they openly report that