appointment_n but_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n who_o certain_o can_v foresee_v all_o these_o thing_n think_v it_o best_a to_o have_v his_o word_n write_v and_o yet_o make_v no_o extraordinary_a provision_n for_o transcribe_v they_o upon_o occasion_n or_o prevent_v such_o question_n as_o be_v now_o make_v by_o some_o sure_o we_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o jew_n to_o scripture_n and_o they_o do_v not_o excuse_v themselves_o by_o say_v they_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o have_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v nay_o they_o confess_v that_o god_n speak_v by_o moses_n and_o they_o know_v it_o and_o our_o saviour_n pu_o s_o the_o question_n whether_o he_o be_v the_o ch_z in_o to_o be_v prove_v by_o scripture_n 39_o strange_a that_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n shall_v not_o foresee_v this_o quarrel_n miâ—…h_v be_v make_v in_o after_o age_n which_o pâ—…pists_n make_v now_o for_o may_v not_o the_o 〈◊〉_d the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o 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but_o foresee_v that_o such_o manner_n of_o question_n may_v be_v put_v in_o after-age_n as_o be_v make_v now_o adays_o none_o dare_v say_v that_o god_n never_o order_v his_o will_n to_o be_v write_v and_o see_v it_o be_v so_o order_v by_o he_o why_o shall_v we_o question_v the_o wise_a and_o gracious_a hand_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o contrive_v the_o preservation_n of_o these_o ancient_a record_n unto_o all_o posterity_n for_o who_o he_o intend_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o more_o direct_a course_n for_o our_o adversary_n to_o take_v if_o they_o will_v say_v downright_a that_o god_n never_o commit_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o writing_n then_o now_o to_o say_v as_o they_o do_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a that_o these_o write_n be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v at_o first_o for_o this_o seem_v to_o cast_v a_o aspersion_n upon_o god_n for_o take_v such_o a_o way_n of_o represent_v his_o mind_n unto_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o must_v leave_v those_o of_o these_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n under_o invincible_a doubt_n about_o his_o will_n that_o respect_v their_o great_a and_o only_a concernment_n as_o for_o their_o expedient_a of_o tradition_n what_o do_v it_o other_o then_o resolve_v all_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o scripture_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n for_o they_o say_v scripture_n can_v ascertain_v we_o concern_v itself_o nor_o can_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o tradition_n which_o yet_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o testimony_n of_o man_n and_o so_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n as_o to_o we_o must_v be_v less_o than_o that_o of_o man_n to_o the_o second_o querie_n we_o need_v not_o say_v much_o in_o way_n of_o answer_v it_o see_v the_o book_n account_v by_o we_o apocryphal_a do_v sufficient_o show_v what_o account_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o make_v of_o they_o while_o they_o confute_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o content_n that_o the_o maccabee_n be_v a_o story_n of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a use_n we_o deny_v not_o and_o that_o ecclesiâ—…sticus_n and_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n etc._n etc._n contain_v many_o and_o sundry_a moral_a instruction_n we_o do_v not_o question_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o like_a be_v find_v in_o other_o book_n which_o yet_o pretend_v not_o to_o divine_a authority_n but_o this_o prove_v they_o not_o to_o be_v canonical_a as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v determine_v once_o the_o jewish_a church_n never_o own_v they_o for_o part_n of_o the_o canon_n nor_o be_v they_o ever_o write_v in_o their_o language_n as_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a 〈◊〉_d true_o they_o have_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v read_v in_o some_o church_n for_o instruction_n in_o manner_n but_o the_o christian_a church_n never_o receive_v they_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n nor_o will_v it_o ever_o be_v prove_v the_o romish_a church_n indeed_o for_o what_o cause_n she_o best_a know_v have_v canonize_v these_o book_n but_o what_o be_v that_o to_o we_o who_o can_v as_o easy_o distinguish_v in_o this_o case_n as_o we_o can_v between_o light_n and_o darkness_n but_o we_o appeal_v to_o the_o church_n testimony_n and_o say_v that_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n have_v no_o other_o canonical_a book_n than_o what_o we_o own_o for_o such_o there_o be_v indeed_o some_o who_o question_v some_o particular_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testâ—…ment_n but_o that_o question_n continue_v not_o long_o and_o if_o some_o also_o give_v too_o much_o to_o these_o apocryphal_o that_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o countervail_v the_o general_a vote_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n which_o always_o reject_v they_o from_o have_v any_o place_n in_o the_o canon_n hence_o our_o answer_n be_v that_o we_o know_v what_o book_n be_v canonical_a by_o that_o light_n and_o lustre_n of_o divine_a truth_n which_o shine_v out_o and_o show_v itself_o in_o
to_o multiply_v argument_n in_o this_o kind_n as_o so_o many_o evidence_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o â—…he_a scripture_n but_o i_o shall_v forbear_v â—…nd_v proceed_v to_o somewhat_o that_o come_v near_a to_o the_o question_n concern_v â—…he_a rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o this_o question_n have_v be_v much_o dispute_v between_o we_o and_o our_o adversary_n for_o many_o year_n and_o that_o two_o thing_n especial_o have_v be_v insist_v on_o by_o they_o to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n no_o competent_a rule_n of_o faith_n viz._n the_o obscurity_n and_o the_o imperfection_n 〈◊〉_d it_o in_o this_o dispute_n they_o have_v labour_v to_o puzzle_v and_o plunge_v we_o by_o put_v we_o to_o show_v how_o scripture_n proveâ—…_n itself_o to_o be_v what_o we_o account_v it_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o this_o we_o may_v just_o think_v it_o 〈◊〉_d sufficient_a answer_n to_o say_v as_o one_o yea_o many_o have_v say_v long_o since_o thaâ—…_n in_o every_o profession_n the_o principle_n aâ—…_n indemonstrable_a assent_v to_o without_o discourse_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v thâ—…_n principle_n of_o christian_a religion_n anâ—…_n therefore_o first_o we_o must_v grant_v they_o to_o be_v the_o very_a word_n of_o god_n and_o therâ—…_n say_v they_o contain_v all_o point_v needful_a to_o be_v know_v and_o since_o scripture_n avouch_v itself_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 16._o 2_o pâ—…t_fw-la 1._o 20_o 21_o luke_n 1._o 70._o it_o be_v rational_a in_o we_o to_o believe_v it_o notwithstanding_o our_o adversary_n be_v not_o satisfy_v but_o insisâ—…_n much_o on_o this_o question_n viz._n how_o we_o know_v that_o the_o scripture_n that_o say_v it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v so_o in_o very_a deed_n to_o this_o the_o protestant_n have_v long_a since_o answer_v that_o they_o know_v this_o first_o and_o principal_o by_o the_o illumination_n of_o god_n spirit_n as_o the_o inward_a mean_n and_o then_o by_o the_o restimony_n of_o the_o 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the_o rather_o because_o it_o be_v a_o book_n which_o the_o vulgar_a may_v better_v understand_v than_o many_o other_o that_o handle_v this_o question_n though_o the_o ground_n i_o have_v hint_v and_o other_o which_o i_o have_v omit_v induce_v we_o strong_o to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n divine_a authority_n and_o we_o may_v count_v they_o sufficient_a to_o fence_v we_o against_o the_o cavil_n of_o our_o adversary_n yet_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o answer_v the_o argument_n of_o man_n and_o another_o to_o satisfy_v the_o doubt_n and_o fear_n of_o our_o own_o conscience_n therefore_o we_o stand_v to_o this_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v effectual_o persuade_v of_o the_o scripture_n authority_n as_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o order_n to_o a_o sound_n and_o save_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n therein_o contain_v unless_o he_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n by_o the_o teach_n of_o his_o spirit_n which_o alone_o teach_v to_o know_v spiritual_a thing_n in_o a_o spiritual_a manner_n god_n we_o say_v be_v the_o best_a witness_n to_o his_o own_o word_n and_o his_o spirit_n the_o best_a seal_n that_o can_v be_v put_v to_o it_o in_o the_o particular_n forementioned_a and_o many_o other_o we_o see_v evident_a token_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o faith_n that_o save_v we_o must_v have_v this_o foundation_n viz._n god_n seal_v the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n by_o the_o special_a grace_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v then_o be_v a_o man_n full_o persuade_v and_o confident_a indeed_o so_o as_o he_o can_v say_v and_o swear_v too_o if_o there_o be_v need_n the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o scripture_n be_v that_o which_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o lead_v and_o guide_v i_o to_o my_o happiness_n in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n for_o ever_o then_o and_o not_o before_o a_o man_n have_v comfort_n and_o peace_n in_o believe_v have_v not_o only_o a_o grant_n of_o eternal_a life_n but_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n put_v to_o it_o such_o a_o man_n so_o assure_v and_o seal_v by_o the_o spirit_n unless_o in_o a_o fit_a of_o temptation_n never_o trouble_v himself_o about_o this_o question_n whether_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o trouble_n be_v most_o about_o his_o own_o deceitful_a and_o unbelieving_a heart_n that_o he_o can_v trust_v god_n no_o better_o when_o he_o have_v so_o good_a security_n for_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a in_o order_n to_o his_o happiness_n he_o never_o think_v what_o some_o have_v say_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v corrupt_v and_o be_v not_o what_o once_o they_o be_v he_o know_v that_o god_n word_n be_v pure_a and_o perfect_a and_o be_v only_o trouble_v at_o the_o corruption_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n papist_n to_o show_v what_o good_a will_n and_o respect_n they_o have_v to_o scripture_n have_v a_o long_a time_n be_v quarrel_v it_o as_o if_o some_o part_n of_o the_o canon_n be_v lose_v and_o some_o of_o we_o seem_v to_o yield_v somewhat_o to_o this_o think_v no_o prejudice_n to_o come_v thereby_o to_o it_o but_o other_o conceive_v that_o no_o part_n or_o member_n of_o scripture_n that_o ever_o be_v canonical_a be_v lose_v buâ—…_n that_o we_o have_v it_o as_o whole_a and_o compieat_a as_o ever_o it_o be_v indeed_o aâ—…_n one_o faith_n if_o any_o book_n be_v lose_v oâ—…_n those_o which_o be_v commend_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n it_o must_v argue_v a_o strange_a conspiâ—…acy_n of_o this_o whole_a church_n iâ—…_n carelessness_n and_o negligence_n such_o aâ—…_n be_v not_o light_o incident_a to_o this_o generation_n of_o man_n we_o grant_v that_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o single_a person_n have_v doubt_v some_o part_n oâ—…_n scripture_n now_o general_o acknowledge_v for_o canonical_a but_o we_o deny_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v ever_o do_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o for_o the_o old_a testament_n who_o can_v just_o suspect_v â—…he_a jew_n for_o corrupt_v they_o when_o â—…heir_a zeal_n for_o they_o even_o almost_o to_o â—…uperstition_n have_v be_v so_o notorious_a â—…n_n all_o age_n and_o be_v so_o still_o even_o to_o this_o â—…ay_n our_o saviour_n blame_v they_o â—…uch_o and_o often_o for_o their_o vain_a traâ—…itions_n but_o never_o speak_v one_o word_n â—…out_v their_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n â—…hich_v questionless_a he_o will_v have_v â—…ne_v have_v there_o be_v cause_n since_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o high_a concernent_fw-la and_o if_o any_o have_v attempt_v it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o accomplish_v it_o when_o there_o be_v so_o any_o copy_n disperse_v in_o all_o place_n â—…d_v country_n which_o be_v many_o â—…erein_o the_o jew_n dwell_v if_o any_o â—…ereticks_n have_v assay_v it_o since_o the_o â—…w_a testament_n be_v write_v how_o â—…uld_v one_o party_n have_v observe_v anoâ—…er_o and_o so_o prevenâ—…ed_v the_o design_n â—…d_a to_o say_v no_o more_o it_o be_v impossible_a â—…ess_v we_o imagine_v that_o all_o and_o every_o 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it_o be_v so_o agree_v very_o early_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v because_o coâ—…stantine_n in_o the_o first_o nicene_n council_n will_v not_o else_o have_v persuade_v the_o father_n assemble_v to_o examine_v and_o try_v all_o question_n and_o controversy_n by_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n for_o have_v it_o be_v otherwise_o it_o have_v be_v rational_a to_o move_v they_o first_o to_o resolve_v what_o the_o canon_n be_v once_o we_o know_v the_o christian_a church_n have_v need_v to_o be_v resolve_v of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n even_o from_o the_o beginning_n at_o least_o so_o soon_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v depart_v this_o life_n for_o if_o any_o thing_n sure_o this_o be_v of_o concernment_n to_o the_o church_n viz._n to_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n state_v as_o the_o standard_n whereby_o all_o doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v weigh_v and_o measure_v and_o this_o we_o think_v be_v do_v even_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o that_o upon_o the_o determination_n which_o 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λογος_n αυτοπιστος_n or_o scripture_n self-evidence_n to_o prove_v its_o existence_n authority_n certainty_n in_o itself_o and_o sufficiency_n in_o its_o kind_n to_o ascertain_v other_o that_o it_o be_v inspire_a of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n publish_a as_o a_o plea_n for_o protestant_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o profession_n and_o intend_v only_o for_o the_o use_n and_o instruction_n of_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n isa._n 8._o 20._o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n john_n 5._o 39_o search_v the_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n canonica_n autoritas_fw-la veteris_fw-la &_o novi_fw-la testamenti_fw-la quae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la consirmata_fw-la temporibus_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la &_o propagationes_fw-la ecclesiâ—rum_fw-la tanquam_fw-la in_o sede_fw-la quâdam_fw-la sublimitèr_fw-la constituta_fw-la est_fw-la aug._n contr_n faust._n ma._n 1._o 11._o c._n 5._o london_n print_v for_o edward_n brewster_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o mr._n marriotts_n a_o scrivener_n over_o against_o hicks-hall_n in_o st._n john_n street_n 1667._o to_o all_o well-meaning_n protestant_n who_o desire_n and_o resolve_v to_o hold_v fast_o their_o profession_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v least_o able_a to_o dispute_v controversy_n sir_n i_o marvel_v not_o if_o you_o think_v yourselves_o well_o ground_a in_o your_o religion_n while_o you_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o by_o prove_v the_o article_n of_o your_o faith_n out_o of_o scripture_n for_o in_o this_o persuasion_n you_o be_v of_o 〈◊〉_d same_o mind_n with_o i_o whoever_o you_o be_v however_o i_o must_v admonish_v you_o that_o what_o please_v you_o and_o i_o do_v not_o satisfy_v all_o for_o there_o be_v still_o as_o of_o late_o have_v be_v such_o as_o will_v ask_v you_o how_o you_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n therefore_o it_o concern_v you_o 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