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aught_o to_o be_v rank_v quadratus_n who_o write_v a_o apologetic_n to_o the_o emperor_n adrian_n in_o which_o 3._o he_o positive_o aver_v that_o many_o of_o the_o person_n cure_v by_o our_o lord_n of_o their_o disease_n be_v alive_a in_o his_o time_n and_o aristides_n a_o christian_a philosopher_n at_o athens_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n present_v a_o learned_a and_o eloquent_a apology_n to_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n §_o xxxii_o this_o be_v the_o first_o file_n of_o witness_n next_z and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n though_o i_o may_v have_v reckon_v the_o follow_a rank_n into_o the_o same_o catalogue_n because_o they_o be_v twist_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v with_o one_o another_o for_o as_o these_o that_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v be_v not_o all_o precise_o of_o the_o same_o age_n yet_o be_v of_o antiquity_n enough_o to_o be_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v join_v together_o 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its_o conveyance_n have_v therefore_o bring_v the_o tradition_n down_o to_o the_o time_n of_o m._n aurelius_n that_o be_v a_o considerable_a time_n beyond_o that_o of_o trajan_n to_o which_o time_n scaliger_n and_o some_o other_o be_v please_v to_o complain_v of_o a_o defect_n of_o record_n but_o with_o what_o reason_n we_o have_v in_o part_n already_o see_v and_o shall_v now_o further_o discover_v by_o our_o follow_a witness_n who_o be_v not_o only_o able_a to_o testify_v of_o their_o own_o time_n but_o of_o the_o forego_n age_n among_o who_o hegesippus_n deserve_v the_o first_o place_n not_o only_o for_o his_o great_a antiquity_n but_o for_o his_o manner_n of_o write_v as_o a_o historian_n and_o so_o not_o concern_v mere_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o own_o age_n but_o to_o make_v a_o diligent_a enquiry_n into_o the_o record_n and_o transaction_n of_o former_a time_n he_o write_v five_o book_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n which_o 8._o he_o style_v commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o he_o have_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o familiar_a style_n give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o it_o from_o our_o lord_n death_n till_o his_o own_o time_n which_o be_v about_o or_o rather_o before_o the_o reign_n of_o m._n aurelius_n for_o he_o say_v he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n now_o anicetus_n according_a to_o the_o late_a computation_n succeed_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o aurelius_n but_o according_a to_o the_o early_a account_n under_o antoninus_n pius_fw-la so_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n before_o policarp_n and_o this_o description_n he_o have_v give_v of_o his_o voyage_n that_o come_v to_o rome_n he_o
his_o divine_a authority_n from_o the_o undoubted_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n for_o to_o that_o alone_o he_o refer_v we_o as_o the_o last_o and_o most_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o depend_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n not_o only_o of_o his_o doctrine_n but_o of_o all_o the_o other_o argument_n whereby_o he_o prove_v his_o doctrine_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o we_o find_v he_o so_o often_o injoin_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o publish_v his_o other_o work_n and_o miracle_n till_o after_o his_o resurrection_n thus_o when_o his_o apostle_n have_v declare_v to_o he_o the_o firmness_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n he_o straight_o charge_v they_o matt._n 16._o 20._o that_o they_o shall_v then_o tell_v no_o man_n of_o it_o and_o takes_z occasion_n thence_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o his_o approach_a death_n and_o passion_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o grave_a ascension_n into_o glory_n and_o mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o which_o great_a miracle_n he_o be_v as_o saint_n paul_n observe_v rom._n 1._o 4._o to_o be_v declare_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n but_o chief_o by_o his_o resurrection_n for_o it_o be_v as_o the_o same_o apostle_n elsewhere_o express_v it_o the_o work_n of_o the_o might_n of_o his_o power_n which_o he_o wrought_v in_o christ_n when_o the_o father_n of_o glory_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a ephes._n 1._o 19_o and_o this_o probable_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n immediate_o add_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o forementioned_a discourse_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o there_o be_v those_o here_o present_a that_o shall_v not_o taste_v of_o death_n till_o they_o see_v the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v in_o his_o kingdom_n matt._n 16._o 28._o in_o that_o he_o be_v as_o evident_o declare_v by_o this_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o son_n of_o god_n as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v he_o solemn_o enthrone_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o holy_a angel_n so_o again_o when_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o cast_v out_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o still_o command_v they_o silence_n he_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v too_o much_o notice_n take_v of_o he_o before_o his_o resurrection_n because_o by_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o give_v such_o a_o palpable_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n as_o shall_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o all_o his_o former_a miracle_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o have_v take_v his_o three_o chief_a disciple_n to_o behold_v his_o transfiguration_n thereby_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n against_o the_o time_n of_o his_o suffer_v when_o he_o have_v do_v that_o he_o charge_v they_o say_v tell_v the_o vision_n to_o no_o man_n until_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a matt._n 17._o 9_o because_o the_o great_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o will_v give_v undoubted_a credit_n to_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o report_n whereas_o till_o then_o man_n will_v be_v very_a difficulty_n persuade_v to_o believe_v such_o prodigious_a and_o unusual_a thing_n though_o after_o that_o and_o the_o undeniable_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o apostle_n who_o attest_v it_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o all_o difficult_a to_o yield_v to_o their_o testimony_n that_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o distrust_v it_o and_o therefore_o according_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n lay_v the_o whole_a stress_n of_o their_o faith_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n this_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o all_o their_o dispute_n with_o the_o unbelieve_a world_n and_o when_o man_n in_o those_o day_n inquire_v after_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o only_a state_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o alone_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o proof_n be_v think_v such_o a_o forcible_a and_o convictive_a confirmation_n that_o it_o supersede_v the_o consideration_n of_o all_o other_o less_o evident_a and_o important_a reason_n and_o where_o this_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o despair_v of_o any_o success_n from_o any_o other_o topic_n and_o principle_n this_o then_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v in_o this_o one_o article_n specify_v according_a to_o the_o method_n before_o propose_v those_o wild_a those_o extravagant_a those_o incredible_a absurdity_n that_o must_v be_v swallow_v upon_o its_o disbelief_n §_o iv._o first_o then_o they_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye_n witness_n of_o it_o both_o will_v and_o can_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n with_o a_o manifest_a lie_n and_o in_o that_o they_o believe_v ten_o thousand_o absurdity_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o credible_a no_o doubt_n that_o man_n endue_v i_o will_v not_o say_v with_o principle_n of_o common_a sense_n reason_n and_o discretion_n that_o be_v more_o than_o i_o need_v suppose_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n only_o to_o suppose_v they_o possess_v with_o that_o natural_a instinct_n that_o they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o all_o other_o creature_n viz._n love_n of_o life_n and_o desire_n of_o self-preservation_n it_o be_v i_o say_v easy_o credible_a that_o such_o creature_n as_o these_o will_v so_o willing_o so_o wilful_o forgo_v all_o advantage_n of_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n so_o cheerful_o expose_v themselves_o to_o so_o many_o hazard_n and_o hardship_n so_o many_o reproach_n and_o contumely_n and_o so_o undaunted_o endure_v so_o many_o torture_n and_o misery_n so_o many_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n so_o many_o martyrdom_n and_o persecution_n only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o what_o themselves_o know_v to_o be_v a_o lewd_a and_o shameless_a imposture_n it_o be_v a_o likely_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o plain_a and_o simple_a man_n shall_v conspire_v together_o to_o the_o manifest_a ruin_n of_o all_o their_o worldly_a interest_n only_o to_o gain_v credit_n and_o belief_n to_o a_o palpable_a falsehood_n that_o so_o many_o hundred_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v eye_n witness_n both_o of_o all_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n in_o his_o life-time_n and_o his_o resurrection_n after_o death_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n to_o attest_v a_o false_a report_n and_o that_o no_o torment_n no_o nor_o the_o most_o cruel_a death_n can_v ever_o prevail_v upon_o any_o of_o they_o to_o deny_v or_o disow_v their_o testimony_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o though_o not_o very_o usual_a that_o man_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o a_o false_a opinion_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n credible_a that_o they_o shall_v persist_v to_o death_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o a_o false_a testimony_n for_o if_o it_o be_v false_a they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o then_o if_o they_o will_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o its_o truth_n they_o contradict_v the_o first_o instinct_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n for_o nothing_o especial_o when_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o present_a advantage_n in_o the_o lie_n itself_o so_o none_o can_v ensue_v upon_o it_o for_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o expect_v any_o reward_n of_o wealth_n or_o honour_n or_o power_n from_o the_o propagation_n of_o a_o extravagant_a and_o a_o proofless_a lie_n nay_o they_o quick_o find_v that_o they_o must_v either_o part_v with_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o life_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o or_o forbear_v to_o spread_v and_o divulge_v the_o fable_n now_o that_o being_n endue_v with_o humane_a nature_n shall_v act_v and_o suffer_v after_o such_o a_o rate_n for_o no_o design_n at_o all_o nay_o against_o the_o design_n of_o all_o design_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o cross_a to_o all_o belief_n that_o i_o may_v challenge_v all_o the_o infidel_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assign_v any_o one_o thing_n that_o be_v more_o incredible_a if_o a_o great_a number_n of_o harmless_a and_o well-meaning_a person_n shall_v offer_v their_o oath_n to_o attest_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o just_o command_v and_o immediate_o overrule_v our_o belief_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o suppose_v that_o a_o great_a multitude_n will_v seal_v it_o with_o their_o blood_n that_o they_o see_v jesus_n do_v so_o many_o miraculous_a thing_n though_o they_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o never_o see_v he_o do_v any_o one_o of_o they_o they_o be_v certain_o in_o a_o very_a pleasant_a humour_n when_o they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o sacrifice_v both_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n with_o a_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 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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 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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 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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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strange_a thing_n as_o he_o can_v well_o contrive_v it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a not_o to_o have_v hit_v upon_o some_o thing_n like_o some_o of_o those_o miracle_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o in_o some_o few_o of_o they_o there_o may_v be_v some_o resemblance_n as_o particular_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v in_o that_o of_o the_o gadarean_a demoniac_a and_o the_o corcyrean_a youth_n yet_o it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o apprehend_v that_o this_o may_v happen_v not_o by_o design_n but_o by_o chance_n and_o whereas_o huetius_n will_v needs_o have_v it_o that_o 5._o philostratus_n have_v steal_v not_o only_o the_o story_n but_o the_o very_a word_n of_o saint_n luke_n i_o find_v no_o instance_n of_o it_o but_o only_o in_o this_o one_o relation_n where_o they_o both_v it_o seem_v use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o they_o may_v easy_o do_v without_o theft_n or_o imitation_n it_o be_v the_o common_a greek_a word_n that_o signify_v to_o torment_v so_o that_o they_o can_v no_o more_o avoid_v that_o in_o greek_a than_o we_o can_v this_o in_o render_v it_o into_o english_a nay_o set_v aside_o this_o one_o story_n i_o find_v so_o little_a resemblance_n between_o the_o history_n of_o philostratus_n and_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n that_o i_o scarce_o know_v any_o two_o history_n more_o unlike_a for_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o man_n that_o read_v philostratus_n that_o his_o whole_a design_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o train_n of_o the_o old_a heathen_a mythology_n and_o that_o be_v the_o bottom_n of_o his_o folly_n by_o his_o story_n to_o gain_v historical_a credit_n to_o the_o fable_n of_o the_o poet_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a true_a and_o just_a censure_n that_o ludovicus_n vives_n have_v give_v of_o he_o that_o as_o he_o have_v endeavour_v to_o imitate_v homer_n so_o he_o have_v abundant_o out-lyed_n he_o for_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n extraordinary_a report_v in_o the_o whole_a history_n in_o 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to_o understand_v all_o language_n without_o learning_n any_o and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o indian_a king_n he_o be_v force_v to_o converse_v with_o he_o by_o a_o interpreter_n and_o whereas_o the_o story_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o devil_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o a_o young_a man_n by_o a_o mandate_n from_o the_o brahmin_n yet_o it_o give_v we_o no_o account_n of_o the_o event_n of_o it_o only_o they_o pretend_v to_o do_v it_o but_o whether_o it_o be_v effectual_o do_v we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o either_o apollonius_n or_o damis_n ever_o inquire_v but_o the_o great_a faculty_n he_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o understanding_n of_o the_o language_n of_o bird_n and_o beast_n which_o he_o say_v he_o learn_v from_o the_o arabian_n and_o the_o citizen_n of_o paraca_n in_o india_n who_o acquire_v it_o by_o eat_a dragon_n heart_n now_o all_o story_n of_o dragon_n be_v very_o hard_o of_o belief_n but_o especial_o of_o his_o indian_a dragon_n that_o he_o say_v be_v as_o common_o hunt_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n as_o hare_n in_o other_o country_n but_o grant_v there_o be_v so_o great_a number_n of_o they_o in_o his_o time_n though_o since_o that_o they_o be_v never_o see_v by_o any_o man_n it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o mere_a eat_v a_o piece_n of_o their_o heart_n shall_v inspire_v man_n with_o such_o a_o odd_a and_o singular_a faculty_n though_o the_o great_a miracle_n of_o all_o be_v his_o vanish_v away_o at_o his_o trial_n before_o domitian_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o great_a man_n of_o rome_n but_o than_o though_o our_o historian_n be_v very_o desirous_a we_o shall_v believe_v it_o yet_o he_o falter_v afterward_o like_o a_o guilty_a liar_n in_o his_o confidence_n for_o whereas_o at_o first_o he_o positive_o 4._o
very_a point_n of_o his_o dissolution_n as_o his_o legacy_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n communicate_v to_o several_a church_n public_o and_o vulgar_o know_v attest_v by_o saint_n policarp_n irenaeus_n clemens_n of_o alexandria_n and_o not_o long_o since_o by_o origen_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o such_o a_o write_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v lose_v about_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o a_o false_a one_o shall_v immediate_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n and_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o choice_a library_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v embrace_v so_o late_a and_o so_o gross_a a_o forgery_n and_o put_v the_o mistake_n upon_o all_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v after_o he_o the_o man_n that_o can_v satisfy_v himself_o with_o such_o wild_a surmise_n and_o supposition_n as_o these_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a but_o he_o may_v easy_o swallow_v its_o belief_n nor_o so_o 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