ghost_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n unless_o they_o can_v have_v heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n the_o blind_a the_o lame_a the_o deaf_a the_o dumb_a etc._n etc._n by_o word_n touch_n shadow_n or_o can_v have_v speak_v all_o sort_n of_o language_n or_o rather_o at_o one_o speak_v can_v have_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o man_n of_o every_o language_n shall_v perfect_o have_v understand_v their_o speech_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v their_o own_o parthian_n and_o mede_n and_o elamite_n and_o the_o dweller_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o judea_n and_o cappadocia_n pontus_n and_o asia_n phrygia_n and_o pamphilia_n egypt_n and_o the_o part_n of_o lybia_n about_o cyrene_n stranger_n of_o rome_n jew_n and_o proselyte_n crete_z and_o arabian_n they_o all_o hear_v they_o speak_v in_o their_o own_o tongue_n nor_o do_v it_o please_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o all_o flesh_n here_o to_o stint_v the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o he_o give_v they_o not_o only_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n he_o unfold_v to_o they_o the_o everlasting_a roll_n and_o admit_v they_o into_o his_o decree_n and_o will_v not_o hide_v from_o they_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o mean_v to_o bring_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o generation_n to_o come_v he_o urge_v they_o by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o they_o foretell_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o world_n they_o foretell_v it_o and_o god_n bring_v it_o to_o pass_v i_o can_v stand_v to_o reckon_v up_o all_o their_o prophecy_n which_o they_o deliver_v and_o short_o after_o they_o be_v fulfil_v of_o the_o spread_n of_o that_o leaven_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o that_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n of_o the_o mighty_a and_o wonderful_a propagation_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o the_o perpetual_a endure_n of_o it_o of_o the_o rejection_n of_o it_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o receive_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gentile_n of_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o torment_n which_o be_v to_o be_v undergo_v by_o the_o glorious_a martyr_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o calamity_n of_o that_o faithless_a nation_n all_o these_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v infinite_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o any_o other_o writer_n that_o none_o can_v disbelieve_v they_o without_o forfeit_v his_o reason_n by_o assert_v that_o god_n will_v give_v testimony_n to_o imposture_n sect._n vi_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n a_o proposal_n of_o three_o several_a assertion_n whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v have_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v all_o of_o they_o to_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o authority_n and_o credit_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o the_o dogmatic_a part_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o history_n and_o the_o history_n upon_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o reason_n and_o consequent_o that_o no_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o reason_n and_o judgement_n can_v refuse_v they_o it_o remain_v that_o we_o demonstrate_v the_o same_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o we_o take_v off_o those_o colour_n and_o answer_v those_o sophism_n which_o by_o some_o man_n be_v urge_v against_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o conclude_v this_o argument_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o former_a of_o these_o i_o must_v call_v to_o your_o remembrance_n that_o which_o in_o the_o beginning_n i_o do_v premise_v that_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o do_v comprehend_v those_o and_o those_o only_o which_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v be_v admit_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o that_o i_o have_v no_o purpose_n at_o all_o to_o meddle_v with_o the_o controversy_n which_o be_v betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o roman_a church_n about_o the_o book_n which_o be_v apocryphal_a the_o reason_n why_o the_o church_n have_v entertain_v they_o only_o into_o the_o canon_n be_v because_o they_o only_o be_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o jew_n belief_n before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n they_o only_o be_v write_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n and_o consign_v by_o esdras_n at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o babylonish_a captivity_n as_o be_v general_o believe_v among_o the_o jewish_a rabbin_n while_o the_o prophet_n haggai_n zachary_n and_o malachy_n be_v yet_o alive_a now_o although_o the_o way_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o consider_v the_o question_n apart_o and_o by_o ic_fw-mi self_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o way_n whereby_o we_o do_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o assert_v the_o author_n of_o they_o to_o have_v be_v those_o man_n to_o who_o they_o be_v evermore_o ascribe_v and_o from_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n deliver_v in_o matter_n of_o history_n and_o the_o character_n of_o those_o person_n who_o have_v deliver_v the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o such_o man_n as_o those_o be_v and_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v shall_v deliver_v such_o imposture_n as_o those_o must_v be_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v imposture_n that_o no_o end_n or_o motive_n can_v be_v discover_v which_o they_o shall_v propound_v to_o themselves_o for_o their_o reward_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o many_o reason_n be_v visible_a why_o they_o shall_v have_v hold_v their_o peace_n if_o they_o dare_v have_v conceal_v those_o thing_n from_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n from_o safety_n gain_n glory_n and_o the_o like_a as_o may_v either_o joint_o or_o several_o be_v demonstrate_v of_o even_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n which_o make_v up_o the_o great_a part_n moses_n together_o with_o the_o law_n have_v deliver_v likewise_o the_o shame_n of_o himself_o and_o miriam_n and_o aaron_n the_o prophet_n have_v be_v all_o or_o most_o of_o they_o hardly_o use_v which_o of_o the_o prophet_n have_v not_o your_o father_n persecute_v although_o i_o say_v this_o have_v be_v the_o natural_a way_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n take_v single_o and_o apart_o by_o itself_o yet_o partly_o to_o avoid_v the_o similitude_n of_o matter_n which_o render_v unpleasant_a even_o the_o most_o profitable_a discourse_n and_o partly_o to_o make_v a_o present_a dispatch_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v content_v myself_o to_o have_v put_v you_o thus_o in_o mind_n that_o all_o those_o general_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o credit_n of_o those_o writer_n be_v common_a to_o these_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o other_o and_o that_o there_o need_v no_o variation_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n any_o other_o than_o the_o interchange_n of_o their_o several_a name_n their_o personal_a relation_n and_o quality_n and_o other_o accident_n in_o a_o word_n that_o the_o kind_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v the_o same_o and_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n alike_o in_o both_o allow_v only_o the_o difference_n of_o gradual_a and_o individual_a circumstance_n this_o be_v premise_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o shall_v further_o say_v be_v brief_o this_o that_o 1._o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n these_o book_n be_v true_a 2._o that_o since_o that_o time_n they_o have_v not_o be_v change_v from_o which_o two_o proposition_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o still_o they_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o new_a be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o touch_v these_o proposition_n the_o truth_n of_o they_o will_v be_v infer_v by_o this_o ratiocination_n 1._o the_o book_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v 2._o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o do_v former_o receive_v even_o up_o to_o the_o consignation_n of_o their_o canon_n 3._o the_o book_n which_o then_o they_o do_v receive_v be_v true_a sect._n vii_o the_o first_o assertion_n prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v that_o those_o canonical_a book_n which_o we_o receive_v be_v the_o self_n same_o with_o those_o which_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o present_a do_v receive_v be_v a_o case_n so_o plain_a that_o it_o need_v no_o manner_n of_o proof_n but_o only_o this_o that_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n to_o compare_v our_o english_a or_o latin_a bible_n with_o the_o hebrew_n bible_n which_o be_v use_v among_o the_o jew_n at_o present_a and_o daily_o put_v forth_o by_o the_o present_a
too_o little_a and_o not_o those_o who_o believe_v too_o much_o second_o i_o must_v premise_v that_o we_o be_v not_o here_o to_o expect_v the_o necessity_n of_o demonstration_n but_o must_v content_v ourselves_o with_o such_o argument_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o subject_n will_v admit_v there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a and_o perfect_a demonstration_n unless_o the_o property_n to_o be_v demonstrate_v do_v natural_o flow_v from_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o demonstration_n in_o matter_n then_o depend_v upon_o the_o free_a election_n of_o cause_n there_o can_v possible_o be_v any_o perfect_a demonstration_n and_o such_o be_v the_o give_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n in_o respect_n of_o god_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v a_o perfect_a demonstration_n of_o it_o so_o than_o we_o must_v content_v ourselves_o with_o argument_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o necessity_n of_o demonstration_n but_o such_o as_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o deny_v without_o deny_v some_o such_o principle_n as_o all_o man_n do_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_a sect._n ii_o the_o assertion_n resolve_v into_o two_o proposition_n the_o former_a undertake_v that_o whosoever_o believe_v the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v believe_v the_o doctrinal_a 1._o to_o believe_v that_o these_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n there_o be_v very_o great_a and_o important_a reason_n 2._o to_o disbelieve_v it_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n or_o not_o any_o sufficient_a reason_n and_o first_o of_o all_o to_o prove_v that_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o because_o themselves_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n all_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n the_o tenor_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n run_v general_o so_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o moses_n or_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n such_o as_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n indeed_o the_o general_a pretence_n of_o those_o that_o write_v both_o testament_n be_v that_o holy_a man_n do_v speak_v and_o write_v as_o they_o be_v inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o then_o if_o this_o pretence_n of_o it_o be_v true_a it_o must_v be_v true_a that_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o consequent_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o will_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n now_o as_o concerning_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o writing_n we_o have_v 1._o the_o same_o argument_n or_o as_o great_a as_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o writing_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o 2._o we_o have_v argument_n moral_a argument_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o such_o as_o no_o other_o writing_n can_v pretend_v to_o that_o we_o may_v shorten_v that_o we_o have_v to_o perform_v you_o may_v consider_v that_o the_o thing_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v either_o matter_n of_o history_n or_o doctrine_n and_o that_o these_o be_v frequent_o interweave_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o as_o when_o saint_n matthew_n do_v in_o a_o historical_a narration_n bring_v in_o our_o saviour_n preach_v in_o the_o mount_n and_o deliver_v there_o a_o summary_n of_o his_o doctrine_n so_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o if_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v undoubted_o true_a there_o can_v rational_o be_v any_o doubt_n make_v of_o those_o doctrinal_a rule_n and_o precept_n which_o there_o be_v deliver_v as_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o any_o party_n whatsoever_o concerning_o god_n there_o be_v not_o imaginable_a any_o argument_n so_o ready_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o as_o god_n himself_o free_o attest_v to_o the_o deliverer_n of_o it_o by_o mighty_a sign_n and_o wonder_n by_o great_a and_o undeniable_a miracle_n such_o as_o be_v instance_n of_o the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n such_o as_o by_o skilful_a and_o know_a man_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v no_o way_n performable_a by_o the_o praestigatory_a act_n of_o magician_n or_o by_o the_o power_n of_o evil_a spirit_n such_o be_v the_o miracle_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o by_o moses_n all_o along_o the_o course_n of_o god_n bring_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o his_o own_o land_n and_o afterwards_o wrought_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o such_o be_v the_o work_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n all_o along_o the_o course_n of_o his_o ministry_n before_o his_o passion_n and_o such_o and_o more_o admirable_a be_v his_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n whosoever_o do_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n that_o this_o man_n moses_n do_v profess_v himself_o to_o have_v receive_v from_o god_n a_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v deliver_v to_o a_o people_n he_o may_v hitherto_o very_a well_o doubt_v whether_o or_o no_o he_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o imagine_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v such_o a_o law_n but_o if_o withal_o he_o shall_v be_v assure_v or_o steadfast_o believe_v that_o this_o man_n moses_n to_o make_v good_a his_o pretence_n to_o god_n revelation_n can_v obtain_v so_o much_o of_o god_n as_o to_o the_o eye_n and_o sense_n of_o million_o of_o gainsayer_n and_o opposer_n of_o what_o he_o do_v deliver_v to_o show_v great_a and_o palpable_a miracle_n whosoever_o do_v believe_v that_o he_o do_v turn_v a_o rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n and_o that_o back_o again_o into_o a_o rod_n that_o by_o stretch_v forth_o that_o rod_n upon_o the_o river_n nilus_n he_o turn_v their_o water_n into_o blood_n and_o slay_v their_o fish_n how_o afterwards_o he_o bring_v frog_n upon_o all_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n even_o into_o their_o king_n chamber_n how_o he_o bring_v fly_n and_o caterpillar_n and_o louse_n and_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n and_o mighty_a hailstone_n how_o he_o bring_v botch_n and_o murrain_n among_o man_n and_o cattle_n how_o he_o bring_v upon_o all_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n a_o darkness_n that_o may_v be_v feel_v and_o slay_v their_o first-born_a afterwards_o how_o he_o divide_v the_o red_a sea_n for_o the_o people_n to_o pass_v through_o it_o and_o when_o he_o have_v serve_v the_o turn_n of_o his_o party_n how_o the_o flood_n return_v and_o overwhelm_v his_o enemy_n he_o that_o shall_v believe_v that_o after_o this_o he_o bring_v water_n out_o of_o the_o rock_n sweeten_v the_o water_n of_o marah_n bring_v quail_n into_o the_o wilderness_n procure_v manna_n to_o fall_v about_o their_o tent_n all_o the_o week_n and_o none_o upon_o the_o sabbath_n how_o the_o fire_n from_o heaven_n consume_v nadab_n and_o abihu_n only_o for_o adventure_v to_o offer_v strange_a fire_n otherwise_o than_o he_o have_v prescribe_v they_o that_o the_o earth_n open_v and_o swallow_v up_o korah_n and_o cover_v the_o congregation_n of_o abiram_n that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o promulgation_n of_o his_o law_n god_n himself_o appear_v visible_o that_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o presence_n overshadow_a the_o mount_n how_o there_o be_v thunder_n and_o lightning_n and_o a_o thick_a cloud_n upon_o the_o mount_n exo._n 19_o how_o mount_n sinai_n be_v altogether_o on_o a_o smoke_n because_o the_o lord_n descend_v upon_o it_o in_o fire_n and_o the_o smoke_n thereof_o ascend_v as_o the_o smoke_n of_o a_o furnace_n and_o the_o whole_a mountain_n shake_v exceed_o whosoever_o believe_v these_o work_n to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o same_o party_n that_o profess_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n can_v avoid_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o profession_n unless_o he_o can_v believe_v that_o god_n by_o so_o great_a miracle_n will_v attest_v to_o blasphemy_n and_o sacrilegious_a imposture_n a_o thing_n which_o be_v palpable_o mad_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o be_v against_o the_o light_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n so_o likewise_o whosoever_o do_v believe_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o augustus_n caesar_n there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n common_o call_v christ_n and_o that_o this_o man_n do_v profess_v himself_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o pretend_v to_o deliver_v to_o all_o the_o world_n a_o way_n of_o religion_n a_o covenant_n of_o life_n eternal_a a_o abrogation_n of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o former_a law_n and_o those_o other_o thing_n which_o he_o profess_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n that_o he_o shall_v believe_v that_o either_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v infallible_a but_o if_o together_o with_o these_o profession_n he_o shall_v take_v into_o belief_n those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n do_v though_o for_o his_o own_o sake_n he_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v he_o yet_o at_o least_o he_o will_v believe_v for_o the_o work_n sake_n if_o he_o shall_v believe_v that_o god_n himself_o do_v attest_v to_o these_o profession_n he_o will_v likewise_o believe_v those_o profession_n of_o his_o to_o have_v be_v true_a and_o god_n attestation_n
it_o be_v believe_v because_o of_o his_o ability_n to_o know_v and_o because_o it_o make_v not_o thing_n appear_v to_o be_v strain_v in_o his_o behalf_n because_o it_o may_v have_v be_v contradict_v if_o it_o have_v be_v otherwise_o and_o because_o he_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o complexion_n of_o history_n as_o a_o man_n of_o honour_n that_o will_v not_o write_v a_o lie_n that_o the_o history_n of_o sallust_n be_v true_a it_o be_v believe_v because_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n do_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o his_o time_n whereof_o he_o may_v well_o inform_v himself_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o knowledge_n and_o can_v not_o gain_v by_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v deliver_v if_o it_o be_v untrue_a that_o all_o of_o these_o history_n be_v write_v by_o those_o that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o they_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o man_n that_o doubt_n because_o there_o be_v no_o improbability_n in_o reason_n they_o have_v be_v constant_o so_o receive_v in_o the_o world_n and_o mention_v successive_o in_o author_n follow_v one_o another_o from_o their_o several_a generation_n down_o to_o we_o we_o see_v the_o various_a degree_n of_o qualification_n some_o of_o they_o upon_o which_o we_o build_v a_o historical_a belief_n that_o this_o belief_n come_v short_a of_o the_o clearness_n of_o our_o assent_n to_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n be_v evident_a because_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n that_o thing_n shall_v be_v otherwise_o there_o be_v a_o contradiction_n involve_v in_o the_o very_a term_n and_o in_fw-la adjecto_fw-la but_o here_o be_v no_o impossibility_n but_o only_o a_o exceed_a difficulty_n which_o make_v up_o not_o indeed_o a_o mathematical_a but_o a_o moral_a impossibility_n it_o be_v possible_a that_o all_o man_n may_v combine_v together_o to_o say_v that_o they_o have_v see_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v not_o see_v because_o every_o man_n be_v a_o liar_n but_o how_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o do_v it_o or_o to_o what_o end_n be_v so_o invisible_a and_o inconceivable_a that_o the_o matter_n take_v in_o the_o gross_a be_v altogether_o incredible_a it_o be_v absolute_o possible_a that_o all_o those_o writing_n which_o we_o receive_v as_o deliver_v down_o from_o ancient_a time_n may_v have_v be_v of_o late_o devise_v by_o some_o man_n to_o abuse_v the_o world_n and_o put_v upon_o other_o name_n but_o to_o what_o end_n any_o man_n shall_v ttke_v the_o pain_n and_o how_o they_o shall_v fit_v they_o with_o circumstance_n and_o make_v they_o all_o depend_v upon_o each_o other_o in_o a_o constant_a succession_n agree_v in_o the_o mention_n of_o person_n place_n and_o action_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o difficult_a as_o that_o it_o will_v argue_v madness_n to_o believe_v and_o conclude_v he_o to_o want_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n that_o shall_v reject_v the_o light_n of_o all_o antiquity_n sect._n iv._o a_o application_n of_o those_o general_a ground_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o a_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n assertion_n that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n as_o to_o believe_v any_o other_o history_n in_o the_o world_n such_o madness_n then_o and_o no_o less_o it_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o history_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o less_o madness_n nay_o it_o be_v much_o great_a and_o that_o not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v of_o more_o concernment_n to_o we_o then_o the_o act_n of_o man_n of_o former_a time_n but_o even_o because_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o delivery_n of_o those_o history_n we_o will_v begin_v with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o here_o first_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v that_o the_o four_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v write_v by_o saint_n luke_n etc._n etc._n now_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o these_o man_n it_o be_v impossible_a affirmative_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v be_v that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a evidence_n of_o it_o as_o of_o any_o other_o write_v in_o the_o world_n that_o by_o whatsoever_o argument_n it_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v that_o any_o book_n have_v be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o be_v repute_v for_o their_o author_n in_o antiquity_n that_o the_o work_n of_o homer_n or_o plato_n or_o aristotle_n or_o tully_n be_v they_o by_o the_o same_o it_o may_v be_v make_v evident_a that_o these_o have_v proceed_v from_o our_o author_n have_v they_o be_v successive_o deliver_v so_o have_v these_o have_v they_o be_v continual_o mention_v under_o those_o name_n so_o have_v these_o have_v they_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o party_n so_o have_v these_o those_o that_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n do_v oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n yet_o do_v it_o not_o under_o the_o pretence_n that_o their_o book_n be_v spurious_a neither_o jew_n nor_o pagan_n have_v the_o impudence_n to_o make_v that_o objection_n julian_n the_o apostate_n do_v free_o acknowledge_v cyrill_n 10._o grot._n 3._o ver._n that_o the_o book_n which_o by_o the_o christian_n be_v receive_v under_o the_o name_n of_o peter_n paul_n matthew_n mark_n luke_n they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o those_o author_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v some_o book_n receive_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o author_n be_v unknown_a as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o some_o other_o but_o concerning_o they_o i_o hope_v to_o speak_v in_o answer_v those_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v just_o assume_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o those_o whereof_o no_o question_n have_v be_v make_v in_o ancient_a time_n they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v and_o now_o this_o be_v suppose_v which_o can_v with_o any_o pretence_n of_o reason_n be_v deny_v it_o follow_v clear_o that_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v relate_v be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o first_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v they_o be_v matter_n easy_o to_o be_v know_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o speech_n perform_v by_o our_o saviour_n or_o by_o themselves_o second_o the_o act_n be_v act_v public_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o speech_n which_o they_o deliver_v as_o speak_v by_o other_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n speak_v public_o either_o in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o in_o the_o temple_n or_o to_o the_o multitude_n somewhere_o gather_v together_o on_o a_o mountain_n by_o the_o seaside_n in_o public_a place_n so_o as_o they_o may_v have_v easy_o be_v contradict_v if_o they_o shall_v have_v deliver_v a_o falsehood_n three_o the_o party_n which_o have_v deliver_v they_o have_v all_o the_o opportunity_n in_o the_o world_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n they_o be_v thing_n do_v either_o by_o themselves_o or_o within_o their_o own_o sight_n or_o hear_v for_o the_o great_a part_n or_o at_o least_o wise_a in_o the_o time_n and_o place_n where_o the_o reporter_n live_v matthew_n and_o john_n the_o two_o evangelist_n which_o write_v the_o history_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v two_o of_o his_o disciple_n two_o that_o be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o his_o action_n and_o his_o word_n more_o familiar_a with_o he_o then_o the_o rest_n the_o one_o be_v the_o disciple_n that_o jesus_n love_v and_o use_v to_o lean_v in_o his_o bosom_n as_o they_o lie_v at_o meat_n the_o other_o be_v usual_o take_v with_o he_o when_o most_o of_o the_o rest_n be_v leave_v behind_o and_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v present_a at_o almost_o all_o the_o act_n and_o speech_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v mark_n and_o luke_n the_o other_o two_o evangelist_n they_o live_v in_o the_o same_o territory_n at_o the_o same_o time_n where_o and_o when_o our_o bless_a saviour_n bestow_v his_o conversation_n and_o moreover_o saint_n mark_n be_v as_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a first_o a_o disciple_n of_o saint_n paul_n who_o be_v miraculous_o choose_v to_o deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n afterwards_o he_o be_v undoubted_o a_o disciple_n and_o companion_n of_o saint_n peter_n who_o be_v a_o apostle_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v live_v familiar_o together_o with_o he_o be_v present_a at_o almost_o all_o thing_n which_o mark_n have_v write_v and_o beside_o whatever_o be_v deliver_v by_o saint_n mark_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n luke_n be_v a_o individual_a companion_n of_o paul_n and_o so_o he_o may_v learn_v of_o he_o such_o thing_n as_o he_o deliver_v beside_o that_o he_o say_v that_o he_o speak_v with_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o
rabbin_n reside_v in_o the_o several_a part_n and_o dominion_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o such_o a_o comparison_n it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o we_o do_v own_o the_o self_n same_o book_n which_o they_o do_v without_o any_o difference_n in_o the_o number_n or_o inscription_n chapter_n or_o verse_n of_o those_o book_n such_o as_o do_v doubt_n of_o this_o they_o must_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o try_v and_o to_o resolve_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o experience_n or_o else_o if_o they_o be_v not_o able_a or_o not_o willing_a to_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o make_v themselves_o their_o own_o resolver_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o multitude_n of_o those_o that_o have_v already_o try_v it_o and_o find_v it_o to_o be_v general_o grant_v and_o allow_v of_o all_o man_n and_o all_o party_n however_o differ_v otherwise_o among_o themselves_o they_o must_v upon_o that_o account_n either_o believe_v the_o proposition_n or_o else_o devise_v some_o way_n how_o and_o for_o what_o end_n it_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o religion_n jew_n christian_n papist_n protestant_n turk_n pagan_n etc._n etc._n shall_v agree_v together_o to_o impose_v upon_o that_o part_n of_o people_n that_o can_v or_o will_v not_o fit_v themselves_o to_o resolve_v a_o question_n so_o easy_a and_o of_o such_o concernment_n now_o that_o all_o these_o sort_n of_o man_n do_v thus_o agree_v must_v likewise_o be_v believe_v until_o some_o one_o instance_n can_v be_v produce_v to_o the_o contrary_a the_o truth_n be_v the_o thing_n be_v a_o matter_n liable_a to_o the_o trial_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o obvious_a to_o all_o the_o world_n there_o be_v no_o more_o controversy_n make_v of_o it_o among_o the_o learned_a then_o of_o a_o principle_n in_o mathematics_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o as_o concerning_o the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o book_n there_o be_v and_o almost_o ever_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o controversy_n among_o the_o learned_a but_o none_o as_o to_o the_o number_n and_o to_o the_o part_n of_o those_o that_o be_v deliver_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o it_o be_v likewise_o true_a that_o the_o belief_n of_o far_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n do_v in_o its_o kind_n depend_v upon_o the_o questionable_a fidelity_n of_o translator_n and_o that_o fidelity_n of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v to_o be_v try_v that_o must_v be_v do_v by_o mean_n which_o be_v not_o exempt_v from_o question_n all_o therefore_o which_o can_v be_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o unless_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o skill_n sufficient_a for_o our_o own_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o question_n we_o take_v into_o thought_n the_o qualification_n of_o translator_n in_o respect_n of_o skill_n and_o of_o fidelity_n and_o impartial_o that_o we_o consider_v all_o those_o rational_a head_n and_o ground_n whereon_o man_n use_v to_o settle_v their_o belief_n among_o which_o no_o great_a evidence_n can_v be_v expect_v then_o there_o be_v in_o case_n where_o all_o agree_v and_o such_o be_v the_o main_a body_n of_o we_o and_o other_o translation_n likewise_o this_o that_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o translation_n be_v indeed_o a_o digression_n from_o the_o proposition_n i_o shall_v demonstrate_v see_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o sacred_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o mean_v it_o not_o of_o translation_n as_o they_o be_v such_o but_o primary_o of_o the_o original_n and_o of_o translation_n only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v consonant_a to_o those_o original_n and_o thus_o much_o be_v indeed_o sufficient_a both_o for_o the_o assertion_n and_o explication_n of_o that_o proposition_n that_o the_o book_n which_o we_o receive_v they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n receive_v sect._n viii_o that_o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v ever_o since_o the_o consignation_n of_o their_o canon_n but_o second_o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o do_v former_o receive_v upward_o to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n nay_o beyond_o they_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o consignation_n or_o seal_v up_o the_o canon_n of_o their_o belief_n that_o be_v their_o book_n be_v never_o change_v nor_o corrupt_v it_o be_v not_o here_o my_o purpose_n to_o assert_v that_o never_o any_o letter_n or_o word_n have_v be_v change_v or_o former_o read_v otherwise_o then_o now_o it_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a bible_n i_o be_o not_o so_o far_o unacquainted_a with_o their_o keri_fw-he and_o chetib_n or_o with_o the_o note_n of_o the_o massore_v but_o that_o there_o have_v not_o be_v make_v any_o variation_n so_o considerable_a as_o to_o shake_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o present_a copy_n of_o these_o various_a read_n i_o hope_v to_o speak_v in_o the_o answer_a objection_n in_o the_o interim_n i_o be_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v any_o considerable_a depravation_n and_o now_o this_o be_v a_o negative_a proposition_n common_a reason_n do_v present_o offer_v it_o to_o every_o one_o judgement_n that_o it_o can_v be_v positive_o prove_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o such_o proposition_n contradict_v that_o manner_n of_o proof_n the_o argument_n then_o which_o be_v producible_a be_v some_o of_o they_o take_v from_o the_o cause_n why_o they_o can_v not_o moral_o be_v corrupt_v the_o other_o from_o sign_n that_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o the_o first_o argument_n than_o be_v take_v from_o the_o multitude_n of_o copy_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o combine_v together_o to_o corrupt_v upon_o design_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v accidental_o agree_v together_o in_o the_o same_o casual_a corruption_n it_o be_v certain_o apparent_a out_o of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o after_o their_o first_o and_o second_o captivity_n they_o do_v store_v themselves_o with_o multitude_n of_o copy_n of_o the_o sacred_a book_n and_o that_o both_o public_o and_o private_o that_o which_o before_o they_o be_v disperse_v either_o be_v not_o so_o necessary_a to_o they_o or_o else_o be_v not_o so_o apprehend_v by_o they_o so_o long_o as_o the_o first_o temple_n be_v yet_o unraze_v we_o read_v but_o of_o very_o few_o if_o any_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o other_o nation_n out_o of_o the_o bound_n and_o terrirore_n of_o judea_n but_o after_o by_o their_o long_a and_o woeful_a captivity_n when_o their_o confidence_n in_o the_o protection_n of_o their_o law_n and_o their_o temple_n have_v by_o their_o sad_a experience_n and_o woeful_a suffering_n wear_v itself_o out_o of_o their_o mind_n their_o temple_n be_v utter_o demolish_v the_o best_a of_o they_o begin_v to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o even_o the_o law_n may_v fail_v habbakuk_n and_o they_o now_o bethink_v themselves_o of_o make_v use_n of_o the_o rational_a mean_n of_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o see_v there_o can_v not_o be_v any_o ready_a way_n think_v upon_o then_o the_o erect_n of_o synagogue_n and_o write_v many_o copy_n these_o be_v the_o course_n which_o they_o take_v they_o have_v have_v experience_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o have_v one_o only_a copy_n in_o the_o loss_n of_o that_o copy_n which_o be_v find_v again_o by_o hilkiah_n the_o priest_n make_v king_n josiah_n to_o rend_v his_o clothes_n at_o the_o hear_n of_o those_o thing_n write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o according_o we_o find_v before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n many_o synagogue_n erect_v in_o foreign_a place_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o every_o synagogue_n read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n now_o every_o dispersion_n increase_v the_o number_n of_o synagogue_n and_o book_n and_o beside_o the_o first_o captivity_n of_o the_o tribe_n carry_v into_o media_n by_o the_o assyrian_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o even_o after_o they_o have_v licence_n from_o cyrus_n to_o return_v continue_v still_o abroad_o and_o upon_o many_o new_a occasion_n again_o disperse_v those_o that_o read_v over_o sacred_a history_n and_o profane_a shall_v find_v they_o seat_v in_o most_o of_o the_o eastern_a country_n adjacent_a judea_n or_o not_o far_o distant_a from_o thence_o the_o macedonian_n invite_v they_o to_o alexandria_n the_o cruelty_n of_o antiochus_n the_o civil_a war_n of_o the_o asmonaei_n the_o army_n of_o pompey_n and_o lossius_n drive_v many_o of_o they_o from_o their_o habitation_n the_o city_n of_o cyrene_n of_o asia_n macedonia_n and_o lycaonia_n the_o island_n of_o cyprus_n and_o crete_n and_o divers_a other_o even_o rome_n itself_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o furnish_v with_o temple_n and_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n now_o so_o it_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o all_o these_o do_v agree_v together_o among_o themselves_o
which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v if_o any_o and_o not_o all_o of_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v corrupt_v and_o that_o all_o of_o they_o shall_v either_o casual_o or_o by_o design_n be_v corrupt_v beside_o that_o no_o end_n can_v appear_v to_o encourage_v such_o a_o design_n the_o thing_n itself_o make_v it_o impossible_a beside_o have_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v they_o must_v to_o make_v a_o correspondence_n have_v corrupt_v likewise_o the_o septuagint_n translation_n which_o for_o almost_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n be_v extant_a in_o egypt_n that_o i_o speak_v nothing_o of_o the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n extant_a before_o the_o time_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n so_o then_o as_o far_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o moral_a subject_n will_v admit_v we_o have_v show_v as_o from_o the_o cause_n that_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n can_v not_o be_v corrupt_v now_o as_o from_o the_o sign_n we_o have_v likewise_o powerful_a argument_n that_o to_o our_o saviour_n time_n they_o be_v uncorrupted_a because_o our_o saviour_n never_o discover_v any_o corruption_n of_o the_o text_n which_o certain_o he_o will_v not_o have_v spare_v at_o such_o time_n as_o he_o tax_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n of_o make_v the_o law_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_n by_o their_o tradition_n now_o that_o the_o hebrew_n canon_n have_v not_o be_v corrupt_v since_o our_o saviour_n time_n we_o have_v this_o sign_n likewise_o that_o never_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v in_o their_o great_a heat_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o jew_n accuse_v they_o of_o such_o corruption_n though_o justin_n martyr_n complain_v of_o wrong_v the_o septuagint_n translation_n and_o certain_o if_o they_o shall_v have_v corrupt_v they_o upon_o design_n either_o before_o or_o since_o it_o will_v have_v be_v in_o all_o those_o place_n which_o conclude_v against_o they_o for_o christ_n the_o true_a messiah_n that_o stumble_a stone_n upon_o which_o they_o stumble_v and_o fall_v but_o those_o do_v remain_v unaltered_a the_o truth_n be_v to_o they_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n and_o they_o have_v by_o the_o visible_a ordination_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n discover_v so_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n that_o way_n as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v to_o have_v be_v bestow_v upon_o any_o other_o writing_n under_o heaven_n witness_v the_o critical_a note_n of_o their_o massore_v which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o of_o letter_n in_o every_o book_n almost_o and_o almost_o if_o not_o altogether_o of_o every_o various_a lection_n i_o conclude_v then_o that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v corrupt_v sect._n ix._o that_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n these_o book_n be_v true_a and_o consequent_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o we_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n they_o be_v true_a and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o appear_v by_o our_o saviour_n testimony_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o still_o refer_v to_o they_o as_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n as_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o word_n of_o god_n their_o use_v the_o testimony_n almost_o of_o every_o particular_a book_n as_o anthenticall_a their_o disputation_n found_v upon_o their_o authority_n particular_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o plain_a that_o without_o any_o more_o speak_v i_o will_v conclude_v that_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o old_a testament_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o new_a and_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o i_o have_v former_o demonstrate_v upon_o great_a reason_n far_o than_o any_o other_o writing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o that_o we_o must_v receive_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n upon_o the_o same_o authority_n we_o have_v already_o discover_v some_o of_o those_o many_o reason_n whereupon_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a under_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n beside_o those_o whereupon_o i_o have_v insist_v there_o be_v many_o more_o some_o of_o they_o take_v from_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o writer_n some_o from_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o writing_n the_o former_a show_v that_o those_o man_n from_o who_o they_o proceed_v be_v not_o fit_a person_n to_o devise_v such_o thing_n they_o be_v many_o if_o not_o most_o of_o they_o simple_a and_o unlearned_a man_n the_o latter_a manifest_n that_o such_o thing_n be_v not_o of_o their_o nature_n obvious_a to_o be_v devise_v because_o they_o transcend_v the_o wit_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n the_o majesty_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o stile_n the_o concord_n and_o harmony_n the_o end_n and_o scope_n the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n the_o antiquity_n beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n no_o way_n depend_v upon_o the_o multitude_n of_o argument_n or_o reason_n and_o all_o of_o these_o be_v insist_v on_o in_o some_o or_o other_o of_o those_o author_n which_o be_v obvious_a i_o shall_v at_o this_o time_n finish_v what_o remain_v of_o that_o which_o at_o the_o first_o i_o propound_v which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o as_o there_o be_v many_o and_o important_a reason_n move_v wise_a man_n to_o receive_v they_o so_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o sufficient_a argument_n on_o the_o contrary_a to_o make_v man_n to_o refuse_v they_o sect._n x._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v the_o scripture_n objection_n brief_o propose_v and_o answer_v first_o general_a objection_n against_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o many_o both_o of_o old_a and_o late_a time_n have_v refuse_v either_o all_o or_o several_a part_n of_o the_o holy_a canon_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v or_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v ever_o be_v general_o receive_v by_o all_o the_o world_n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n there_o always_o have_v be_v and_o sure_o there_o ever_o will_v be_v antiscripturian_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v ever_o live_v according_a to_o sense_n and_o appetite_n and_o to_o prove_v that_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la it_o be_v deny_v be_v not_o to_o manifest_v that_o there_o be_v reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o yet_o see_v there_o be_v of_o those_o dispute_v and_o theoretical_a heretic_n as_o well_o as_o practical_a to_o conceal_v or_o dissemble_v the_o argument_n which_o be_v allege_v against_o the_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v to_o betray_v the_o cause_n that_o we_o have_v undertake_v and_o give_v occasion_n for_o some_o jealousy_n that_o their_o objection_n be_v unanswerable_a to_o come_v then_o to_o a_o issue_n some_o have_v reject_v all_o by_o reason_n of_o  _fw-fr impossibility_n  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr repugnance_n  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr mutation_n  _fw-fr part_n accuse_v they_o as_o sine_fw-la nomine_fw-la authoris_fw-la  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr dubitati_fw-la  _fw-fr  _fw-fr  _fw-fr ab_fw-la intrinseco_fw-la matter_n those_o who_o refuse_v the_o whole_a scripture_n they_o be_v some_o of_o they_o atheist_n other_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n and_o yet_o do_v deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o write_a word_n pretend_v to_o private_a and_o secret_a illumination_n as_o the_o last_o rule_n of_o their_o action_n the_o design_n of_o my_o discourse_n be_v against_o the_o former_a i_o shall_v only_o intimate_v the_o frenzy_n of_o the_o late_a they_o pretend_v that_o that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o write_a word_n be_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o 1._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v god_n himself_o 2._o christ_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 3._o the_o letter_n kill_v 4._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v spirit_n and_o life_n these_o be_v the_o argument_n which_o by_o some_o enthusiast_n be_v use_v against_o the_o write_a letter_n and_o for_o answer_v to_o they_o we_o may_v only_o observe_v how_o by_o argue_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n these_o man_n do_v tacit_o assert_v it_o for_o take_v their_o argument_n out_o of_o it_o and_o proceed_v no_o further_a either_o by_o reason_n or_o revelation_n to_o the_o discovery_n of_o their_o antecedent_n but_o bare_o rest_v in_o the_o recital_n of_o those_o word_n which_o be_v there_o write_v they_o do_v resolve_v all_o the_o power_n and_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o very_a writing_n which_o they_o will_v impugn_v and_o consequent_o they_o do_v at_o once_o deny_v and_o grant_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v to_o deserve_v the_o epithet_n which_o be_v give_v they_o of_o fanatical_a enthusiast_n that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v god_n himself_o take_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o immanent_a act_n of_o the_o divine_a understanding_n be_v indeed_o a_o truth_n attainable_a by_o other_o principle_n by_o those_o i_o mean_v from_o whence_o the_o absolute_a simplicity_n