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have_v not_o much_o mind_n or_o leisure_n or_o opportunity_n to_o read_v book_n to_o hear_v these_o thing_n in_o conversation_n and_o not_o know_v ready_o what_o answer_v to_o make_v to_o they_o to_o be_v somewhat_o stagger_v in_o their_o belief_n thereby_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v such_o who_o loose_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o live_v make_v they_o easy_a to_o receive_v without_o examination_n any_o notion_n that_o may_v give_v they_o ease_n or_o encouragement_n in_o sin_n for_o these_o reason_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o especial_o because_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o subject_a i_o be_o now_o upon_o and_o because_o i_o have_v some_o time_n leave_v for_o it_o to_o
mention_v as_o brief_o as_o may_v be_v the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v usual_o give_v to_o these_o objection_n and_o 1._o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o of_o some_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o author_n name_n be_v not_o certain_o know_v as_o namely_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o of_o other_o the_o author_n have_v be_v doubt_v particular_o of_o the_o second_o and_o three_o epiâ—tles_n of_o st._n john_n to_o this_o it_o have_v be_v answer_v 1._o that_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n depend_v many_o time_n much_o more_o upon_o the_o good_a assurance_n that_o we_o have_v of_o the_o time_n when_o it_o be_v write_v and_o of_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n that_o write_v it_o than_o upon_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o his_o name_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n whether_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v writâ—en_v by_o st._n paul_n himself_o as_o be_v common_o and_o upon_o â—ery_o probable_a ground_n believe_v or_o as_o some_o have_v conjecture_v by_o st._n luke_n his_o constant_a companion_n or_o as_o other_o by_o st._n clemens_n his_o fellow-labourer_n â—hose_v name_n be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n 4.3_o phil._n 4.3_o or_o as_o other_o â—y_a st._n barnabas_n his_o assistant_n in_o preach_v the_o goâ—pel_n 14.14_o act_n 14.14_o and_o who_o be_v dignify_v by_o st._n luke_n with_o the_o tiâ—e_n of_o a_o apostle_n and_o so_o neither_o be_v it_o very_o maâ—erial_a whether_o the_o epistle_n call_v the_o second_o and_o three_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n and_o common_o believe_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n that_o write_v the_o first_o be_v indeed_o write_v by_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n or_o as_o some_o have_v think_v by_o another_o â—ohn_n who_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o the_o jewish_a christiansâ—t_n â—t_z ephesus_n by_o he_o for_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n which_o soever_o they_o be_v of_o the_o person_n beforementioned_a be_v of_o good_a ability_n and_o integrity_n and_o well_o instruct_v in_o that_o doctrine_n and_o religion_n which_o they_o write_v about_o and_o of_o this_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n there_o be_v good_a evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o write_n themselves_o 2._o in_o answer_n to_o this_o and_o to_o all_o other_o objection_n of_o this_o sort_n against_o these_o or_o any_o other_o book_n or_o chapter_n or_o paragraph_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o have_v be_v far_o true_o say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o singular_a in_o these_o book_n that_o there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n teach_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o the_o author_n or_o authority_n of_o which_o there_o have_v ever_o be_v any_o doubt_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o teach_v in_o some_o other_o undoubted_a and_o uncontroverted_a part_n of_o the_o same_o book_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v 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suspect_v he_o to_o be_v a_o false_a apostle_n who_o have_v so_o plain_o teach_v the_o abrogation_n thereof_o and_o for_o the_o like_a reason_n some_o other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v likewise_o reject_v by_o some_o few_o man_n that_o be_v not_o because_o they_o want_v the_o same_o attestation_n which_o the_o other_o part_n of_o it_o have_v or_o because_o it_o appear_v by_o credible_a history_n that_o they_o be_v spurious_a but_o only_o because_o they_o contradict_v too_o plain_o some_o notion_n which_o their_o former_a prejudices_fw-la or_o education_n have_v make_v they_o fond_a of_o so_o that_o this_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n take_v from_o the_o rejection_n of_o some_o part_n of_o it_o by_o some_o particular_a man_n or_o sect_n be_v manifest_o of_o no_o strength_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o good_a reason_n for_o their_o reject_v they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o be_v 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gratify_v man_n in_o this_o unreasonable_a desire_n work_v every_o day_n new_a miracle_n before_o their_o eye_n or_o send_v their_o decease_a friend_n to_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a to_o assure_v they_o of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o to_o warn_v they_o to_o prepare_v for_o it_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o very_o few_o or_o none_o of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o be_v not_o bring_v to_o repentance_n by_o the_o preach_a and_o stand_v revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v persuade_v by_o this_o mean_n if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n nor_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a i._o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o the_o present_a stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o i_o think_v that_o if_o the_o stand_a revelation_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o his_o will_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n can_v upon_o any_o account_n be_v think_v insufficient_a to_o effect_v this_o design_n it_o must_v be_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o two_o account_n viz._n either_o 1._o because_o no_o stand_a revelation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n or_o 2._o because_o there_o be_v some_o particular_a defect_n in_o that_o stand_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o render_v it_o not_o so_o sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v 1._o it_o may_v be_v pretend_v that_o no_o stand_a revelation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n i_o be_o now_o therefore_o to_o inquire_v with_o what_o reason_n this_o can_v be_v pretend_v and_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o point_n it_o do_v not_o lie_v upon_o i_o to_o prove_v that_o god_n can_v not_o reveal_v his_o mind_n afresh_o to_o every_o man_n in_o every_o age_n of_o the_o world_n if_o he_o so_o please_v for_o there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o the_o same_o god_n who_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v to_o our_o father_n by_o the_o prophet_n can_v if_o he_o please_v speak_v to_o every_o one_o of_o we_o their_o child_n in_o such_o manner_n as_o he_o then_o speak_v to_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o so_o that_o we_o may_v be_v all_o immediate_o teach_v of_o god_n as_o they_o be_v but_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v do_v be_v not_o expedient_a to_o be_v do_v and_o whether_o this_o method_n will_v be_v expedient_a or_o not_o will_v be_v hereafter_o inquire_v neither_o do_v it_o now_o lie_v upon_o i_o to_o prove_v that_o this_o way_n which_o god_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o take_v to_o instruct_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n viz._n by_o a_o stand_a revelation_n be_v the_o best_a way_n and_o the_o most_o like_a to_o be_v effectual_a of_o any_o that_o can_v be_v use_v of_o this_o i_o shall_v likewise_o have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v somewhat_o hereafter_o but_o what_o lie_v upon_o i_o at_o present_a to_o make_v good_a be_v only_o this_o that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n may_v be_v so_o well_o contrive_v and_o so_o well_o attest_v as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v men._n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o ground_n for_o the_o contrary_a pretence_n i_o think_v it_o must_v be_v either_o 1._o because_o all_o matter_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o do_v by_o man_n at_o all_o time_n can_v at_o once_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v or_o 2._o because_o there_o can_v be_v sufficient_a evidence_n give_v to_o satisfy_v a_o rational_a man_n that_o any_o write_v that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n be_v indeed_o so_o 1._o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o all_o matter_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o do_v by_o man_n at_o all_o time_n can_v be_v at_o once_o commit_v to_o write_v because_o every_o age_n of_o the_o world_n produce_v new_a opinion_n which_o whether_o they_o be_v erroneous_a or_o not_o can_v be_v judge_v by_o a_o criterion_n that_o be_v give_v many_o age_n before_o these_o opinion_n be_v broach_v and_o as_o the_o world_n grow_v old_a in_o year_n it_o likewise_o improve_v in_o wickedness_n which_o can_v be_v restrain_v and_o suppress_v by_o a_o old_a law_n which_o be_v make_v before_o several_a instance_n of_o those_o wickedness_n that_o be_v now_o practise_v be_v either_o know_v or_o think_v of_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o what_o need_n will_v there_o be_v of_o such_o a_o number_n of_o book_n as_o be_v write_v in_o every_o age_n to_o direct_v man_n how_o to_o distinguish_v between_o truth_n and_o error_n and_o what_o opinion_n to_o fix_v upon_o in_o that_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n that_o be_v offer_v to_o they_o or_o what_o need_n will_v there_o be_v of_o so_o many_o new_a law_n as_o be_v daily_o make_v in_o every_o commonwealth_n to_o restrain_v the_o grow_a extravagance_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o within_o due_a bound_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o divine_a revelation_n to_o teach_v man_n the_o belief_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o righteousness_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o new_a and_o fresh_a revelation_n make_v at_o least_o as_o often_o as_o any_o new_a error_n be_v broach_v or_o any_o new_a piece_n of_o villainy_n be_v practise_v in_o the_o world_n but_o to_o this_o objection_n against_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o a_o stand_a revelation_n i_o suppose_v a_o full_a answer_n will_v be_v give_v in_o these_o two_o particular_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o argue_n from_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o man_n to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o god_n it_o may_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o write_v such_o a_o book_n as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o confute_v all_o the_o error_n that_o can_v possible_o at_o any_o time_n afterward_o spring_v up_o or_o to_o compile_v such_o a_o body_n of_o law_n as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prevent_v or_o punish_v all_o future_a crime_n but_o what_o be_v impossible_a with_o man_n may_v be_v possible_a with_o god_n who_o have_v a_o perfect_a foresight_n of_o all_o the_o error_n that_o will_v ever_o be_v broach_v and_o of_o all_o the_o wickedness_n that_o will_v ever_o be_v practise_v by_o man_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o a_o be_v of_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n it_o may_v be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o very_o easy_a so_o to_o contrive_v a_o revelation_n design_v by_o he_o for_o the_o direction_n of_o future_a age_n that_o no_o addition_n shall_v ever_o after_o need_n to_o be_v make_v to_o it_o nay_o indeed_o 2._o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o be_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n shall_v be_v thus_o perfect_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o contrive_v at_o once_o and_o at_o first_o as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o end_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v be_v not_o very_o hard_a to_o be_v conceive_v for_o though_o error_n be_v infinite_a truth_n at_o least_o all_o truth_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v be_v finite_a and_o limit_v and_o after_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v once_o give_v no_o more_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o after_o age_n than_o be_v at_o first_o nor_o will_v there_o ever_o be_v more_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n unless_o god_n shall_v please_v to_o add_v some_o new_a revelation_n to_o the_o former_a and_o this_o revelation_n of_o all_o necessary_a truth_n once_o make_v be_v give_v to_o man_n that_o be_v endue_v with_o reason_n nothing_o more_o be_v or_o ever_o will_v be_v needful_a for_o the_o discovery_n and_o confutation_n of_o all_o error_n that_o can_v possible_o spring_v up_o in_o after_o age_n but_o only_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o truth_n already_o deliver_v and_o a_o right_a use_n of_o reason_n in_o make_v inference_n and_o draw_v consequence_n therefrom_o and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v pretend_v to_o by_o the_o book_n of_o controversy_n that_o be_v write_v in_o every_o age_n the_o design_n of_o they_o be_v not_o to_o declare_v new_a truth_n or_o to_o establish_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o to_o show_v that_o those_o opinion_n which_o they_o represent_v as_o false_a and_o erroneous_a be_v either_o in_o themselves_o or_o in_o their_o true_a consequence_n contrary_a to_o some_o maxim_n that_o be_v already_o receive_v as_o true_a and_o it_o be_v no_o
less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v at_o once_o so_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v for_o ever_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v man_n in_o all_o point_n of_o practice_n because_o although_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o every_o age_n may_v afford_v new_a instance_n of_o wickedness_n yet_o the_o law_n that_o they_o be_v all_o transgression_n of_o may_v be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o rule_n once_o give_v be_v a_o perpetual_a direction_n not_o only_o what_o to_o do_v but_o likewise_o what_o to_o avoid_v and_o this_o as_o well_o in_o those_o instance_n of_o wickedness_n which_o may_v be_v invent_v afterward_o as_o in_o those_o which_o be_v in_o practice_n before_o the_o rule_n be_v make_v for_o he_o that_o give_v direction_n to_o a_o traveller_n in_o his_o way_n bid_v he_o keep_v straight_o forward_o shall_v not_o need_v if_o he_o speak_v to_o a_o man_n of_o reason_n to_o tell_v he_o over_z and_o above_o that_o he_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v all_o turn_n to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a and_o much_o less_o shall_v he_o need_v to_o give_v he_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o every_o turn_v that_o he_o be_v to_o avoid_v and_o though_o in_o time_n to_o come_v there_o will_v be_v many_o more_o byway_n and_o turn_n out_o of_o the_o road_n than_o there_o be_v at_o present_a yet_o the_o same_o one_o direction_n to_o keep_v straight_o forward_o will_v be_v as_o full_a and_o as_o sufficient_a a_o direction_n then_o as_o it_o be_v now_o and_o the_o necessity_n that_o humane_a lawgiver_n find_v themselves_o under_o to_o be_v every_o day_n repeal_n former_a law_n and_o add_v new_a one_o be_v not_o cause_v by_o a_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o make_v at_o once_o such_o a_o body_n of_o law_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o after_o time_n but_o arise_v as_o i_o suppose_v partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o humane_a law_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n negative_a and_o prohibitive_a only_a and_o by_o such_o a_o law_n nothing_o be_v render_v unlawful_a but_o what_o be_v name_v and_o to_o name_v at_o once_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v then_o or_o may_v be_v in_o all_o after_o age_n needful_a to_o be_v prohibit_v will_v indeed_o be_v a_o work_n of_o very_o great_a difficulty_n partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o obedience_n that_o be_v due_a to_o a_o mere_a humane_a law_n which_o be_v only_o a_o external_a obedience_n and_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o that_o indeed_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o law_n or_o a_o body_n of_o law_n of_o a_o prodigious_a bulk_n and_o very_o difficult_a to_o be_v contrive_v at_o once_o which_o in_o the_o letter_n thereof_o shall_v comprehend_v and_o give_v direction_n concern_v every_o action_n and_o every_o mode_n of_o action_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o forbear_v in_o order_n to_o the_o preserve_a justice_n and_o peace_n among_o man_n partly_o from_o the_o little_a regard_n that_o man_n general_o have_v to_o the_o good_a of_o posterity_n which_o make_v they_o only_o careful_a to_o contrive_v such_o order_n and_o constitution_n as_o they_o hope_v will_v suffice_v to_o preserve_v peace_n in_o their_o own_o time_n leave_v it_o to_o those_o that_o come_v after_o to_o take_v the_o like_a care_n for_o themselves_o in_o their_o time_n partly_o from_o the_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n who_o not_o understand_v exact_o the_o temper_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n can_v know_v certain_o what_o effect_v their_o law_n will_v have_v till_o after_o they_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n experience_v and_o partly_o from_o the_o unexpected_a difficulty_n that_o be_v sometime_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o a_o law_n which_o may_v make_v it_o necessary_a afterward_o to_o enforce_v it_o with_o a_o great_a penalty_n or_o to_o take_v some_o further_a care_n than_o at_o first_o be_v think_v needful_a to_o see_v it_o execute_v but_o none_o of_o these_o reason_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o new_a law_n among_o man_n be_v of_o any_o force_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v also_o necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v every_o day_n make_v new_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n and_o that_o no_o stand_v revelation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o time_n for_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v positive_a and_o command_a enjoin_v the_o true_a and_o hearty_a love_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o every_o natural_a and_o proper_a expression_n thereof_o and_o by_o consequence_n prohibit_v every_o affection_n of_o mind_n and_o every_o outward_a act_n that_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o whether_o it_o be_v express_o name_v or_o not_o and_o the_o obedience_n that_o we_o owe_v to_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v the_o obedience_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a inner_a man_n such_o as_o look_n beyond_o the_o letter_n to_o the_o design_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o law_n and_o avoid_v as_o careful_o whatsoever_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v forbid_v in_o the_o most_o express_a word_n and_o god_n be_v king_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o have_v the_o same_o relation_n to_o all_o man_n in_o all_o age_n and_o can_v but_o be_v suppose_v to_o design_n the_o good_a government_n of_o his_o subject_n in_o after_o as_o well_o as_o in_o former_a time_n and_o he_o also_o understand_v full_o the_o temper_n of_o all_o his_o subject_n know_v beforehand_o what_o effect_v the_o law_n he_o give_v they_o will_v have_v and_o can_v never_o be_v disappoint_v in_o his_o expectation_n and_o so_o can_v never_o be_v oblige_v to_o repeal_v or_o alter_v any_o of_o his_o law_n by_o a_o unforeseen_a experience_n that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o convenient_a or_o so_o effectual_a as_o he_o think_v they_o will_v be_v and_o last_o he_o have_v all_o power_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o a_o sovereign_a and_o uncontrollable_a dominion_n over_o all_o can_v appoint_v what_o penalty_n he_o please_v to_o the_o transgression_n of_o his_o law_n can_v at_o any_o 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in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o must_v be_v either_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o or_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o must_v be_v either_o that_o it_o do_v not_o give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o therefore_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v 2._o that_o the_o motive_n which_o the_o scripture_n propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o 1._o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a 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all_o true_a we_o be_v tell_v by_o st._n john_n who_o write_v his_o gospel_n the_o last_o of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n joh._n 20.30_o many_o other_o sign_n true_o do_v jesus_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o disciple_n which_o be_v not_o write_v in_o this_o book_n and_o again_o ch._n 21._o verse_n 25._o there_o be_v also_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o jesus_n do_v the_o which_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v write_v every_o one_o i_o suppose_v that_o even_o the_o world_n its_o self_n can_v not_o contain_v the_o book_n that_o shall_v be_v write_v now_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v several_a other_o book_n former_o extant_a but_o which_o be_v now_o lose_v that_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o inspire_a man_n and_o consequent_o by_o divine_a inspiration_n either_o these_o be_v needless_a when_o write_v and_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o any_o book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v needless_a or_o else_o the_o loss_n of_o these_o 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by_o so_o many_o different_a and_o far_o distant_a nation_n without_o some_o good_a ground_n be_v not_o conceivable_a because_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v imagine_v that_o thâ—_n christian_n of_o the_o present_a age_n disperse_v in_o all_o countriâ—_n shall_v combine_v together_o to_o say_v that_o they_o receiv'â—_n these_o book_n from_o their_o father_n as_o the_o genuine_a writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o they_o have_v not_o so_o receive_v they_o nor_o that_o their_o forefather_n in_o any_o of_o the_o age_n paâ—â—_n shall_v have_v all_o agree_v together_o to_o put_v a_o cheat_n upoâ—_n their_o posterity_n by_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o theâ—â—_n book_n as_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o themselves_o have_v no_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o so_o or_o whâ—â—_n they_o know_v the_o contrary_n it_o be_v a_o further_a satisfaction_n to_o we_o to_o observe_v and_o consider_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n be_v as_o well_o prove_v as_o it_o can_v be_v 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they_o it_o be_v because_o there_o have_v be_v then_o late_o such_o evidence_n and_o attestation_n give_v of_o their_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n as_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v of_o before_o such_o as_o they_o can_v not_o then_o with_o any_o reason_n contradict_v or_o gainsay_v for_o ordinary_o a_o less_o reason_n will_v persuade_v a_o man_n to_o take_v up_o a_o opinion_n at_o first_o than_o will_v persuade_v he_o to_o go_v back_o from_o a_o opinion_n how_o weak_o soever_o ground_v which_o he_o have_v before_o embrace_v and_o defend_v so_o that_o this_o objection_n be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v that_o it_o rather_o strengthen_v the_o proof_n we_o have_v of_o the_o authority_n even_o of_o these_o once_o controvert_v book_n and_o it_o be_v beside_o a_o very_a good_a corroborate_n evidence_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o the_o backwardness_n of_o some_o church_n to_o receive_v these_o 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â—nvalidates_n the_o credit_n of_o all_o history_n and_o of_o all_o other_o book_n of_o ancient_a date_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n nay_o indeed_o of_o all_o other_o book_n much_o more_o than_o of_o â—his_n for_o the_o faithful_o transcribe_v whereof_o it_o may_v â—easonably_o be_v presume_v there_o be_v former_o great_a care_n take_v as_o there_o be_v now_o for_o the_o correct_o print_v 〈◊〉_d than_o there_o ordinary_o be_v of_o other_o book_n that_o â—ere_z of_o less_o consequence_n 2._o that_o though_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o some_o hereticksâ—ave_v â—ave_z attempt_v to_o corrupt_v the_o text_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o some_o place_n and_o have_v make_v change_n in_o some_o â—â—w_a copy_n thereof_o it_o be_v almost_o as_o certain_a that_o their_o attempt_n of_o this_o kind_n neither_o have_v nor_o ever_o can_v â—â—ount_v to_o a_o corruption_n of_o all_o
the_o copy_n thereof_o that_o â—ere_z general_o in_o man_n hand_n in_o which_o there_o be_v â—en_o to_o this_o day_n a_o admirable_a agreement_n in_o all_o matâ—â—rs_n of_o moment_n and_o from_o that_o general_a agreement_n â—â—at_v always_o be_v in_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o this_o book_n exâ—â—pt_v those_o few_o that_o be_v sometime_o corrupt_v by_o heretic_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n their_o attempt_n of_o this_o kind_n â—â—ve_v be_v always_o render_v successless_a and_o those_o false_a doctrine_n that_o be_v justify_v only_o by_o their_o own_o false_a copy_n of_o this_o book_n solid_o confute_v 3._o it_o be_v further_a answer_v that_o not_o only_o there_o be_v no_o â—â—idence_n that_o there_o have_v be_v but_o that_o it_o be_v moral_o â—â—possible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o general_a depravation_n 〈◊〉_d the_o copy_n of_o this_o book_n either_o design_o or_o by_o â—ance_n in_o any_o place_n of_o great_a consequence_n either_o point_n of_o history_n or_o doctrine_n for_o when_o 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time_n can_v have_v no_o possible_a doubt_n of_o their_o supernatural_a assistance_n they_o that_o hear_v they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n which_o they_o have_v never_o learn_v can_v not_o but_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o give_v they_o this_o utterance_n 2.4_o act_n 2.4_o because_o nothing_o else_o can_v give_v it_o so_o that_o this_o be_v not_o only_o as_o their_o other_o miracle_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o inspiration_n but_o likewise_o a_o instance_n and_o example_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o a_o inward_a and_o invisible_a inspiration_n by_o a_o inspiration_n that_o be_v as_o i_o may_v say_v outward_a and_o visible_a by_o a_o inspiration_n that_o be_v discernible_a even_o by_o the_o bodily_a sense_n of_o all_o those_o that_o be_v present_a but_o be_v it_o so_o perhaps_o the_o infidel_n will_v say_v that_o they_o that_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o the_o apostle_n be_v report_v to_o have_v do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n have_v reason_n enough_o to_o 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confirmation_n of_o that_o nay_o rather_o we_o think_v they_o be_v less_o credible_a witness_n in_o their_o own_o case_n than_o they_o be_v in_o he_o so_o that_o to_o we_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n grant_v it_o to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o no_o more_o authority_n than_o their_o write_n it_o consider_v only_o with_o respect_n to_o their_o natural_a and_o moral_a capacity_n and_o qualification_n can_v give_v to_o it_o because_o that_o seal_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v affix_v thereto_o by_o god_n be_v now_o by_o length_n of_o time_n quite_o wear_v off_o or_o at_o least_o the_o impression_n thereof_o be_v now_o so_o deface_v that_o we_o can_v distinguish_v who_o seal_v it_o be_v or_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o true_a seal_n or_o a_o counterfeit_a one_o and_o that_o this_o seal_n be_v ever_o affix_v to_o their_o testimony_n be_v testify_v only_o by_o those_o same_o witness_n who_o the_o testimony_n its_o self_n be_v to_o this_o 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for_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o they_o present_v to_o magistrate_n and_o publish_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o which_o for_o proof_n that_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n they_o appeal_v to_o all_o the_o history_n and_o record_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n then_o extant_a in_o which_o they_o challenge_v any_o that_o can_v do_v it_o to_o contradict_v their_o testimony_n in_o which_o they_o testify_v that_o the_o same_o miraculous_a power_n do_v still_o continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v sometime_o exert_v often_o enough_o and_o open_o enough_o to_o prove_v its_o be_v though_o not_o so_o frequent_o as_o it_o have_v be_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o when_o there_o be_v more_o need_n of_o show_v it_o viz._n at_o their_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n now_o these_o thing_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v true_a the_o first_o christian_n in_o the_o circumstance_n they_o be_v then_o in_o will_v not_o have_v dare_v to_o affirm_v and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v false_a they_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v disprove_v and_o they_o will_v most_o certain_o have_v be_v at_o least_o bold_o deny_v and_o contradict_v by_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o they_o do_v not_o deny_v or_o contradict_v they_o do_v not_o offer_v to_o disprove_v the_o report_n that_o be_v then_o general_o believe_v of_o the_o miracle_n that_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o this_o that_o there_o be_v good_a evidence_n from_o antiquity_n still_o remain_v that_o several_a even_o of_o those_o who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o oppose_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n do_v yet_o express_o own_o that_o great_a and_o mighty_a work_n have_v indeed_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o their_o master_n but_o than_o they_o have_v be_v do_v they_o say_v and_o that_o be_v all_o they_o can_v say_v in_o the_o case_n by_o magic_a art_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o devil_n just_a as_o the_o jew_n have_v say_v before_o of_o our_o saviour_n mat._n 12.24_o this_o fellow_n do_v not_o cast_v out_o devil_n but_o by_o beelzebub_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o devil_n i_o shall_v not_o stay_v now_o to_o show_v how_o groundless_a as_o well_o as_o malicious_a this_o suggestion_n be_v with_o reference_n both_o to_o our_o lord_n miracle_n and_o to_o they_o because_o i_o suppose_v i_o shall_v have_v a_o better_a occasion_n to_o do_v it_o hereafter_o in_o my_o next_o discourse_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o my_o present_a purpose_n if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n only_o be_v grant_v viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v do_v many_o miracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o confirm_v their_o testimony_n concern_v he_o and_o that_o they_o do_v so_o can_v i_o say_v be_v reasonable_o doubt_v because_o it_o be_v witness_v not_o only_o by_o themselves_o but_o by_o all_o the_o christian_a writer_n of_o those_o or_o the_o succeed_a time_n and_o be_v not_o deny_v nay_o be_v grant_v even_o by_o their_o adversary_n and_o opposer_n but_o 2._o if_o we_o have_v not_o so_o good_a proof_n of_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o apostle_n if_o there_o be_v no_o witness_n thereof_o but_o themselves_o i_o say_v however_o that_o their_o testimony_n alone_o will_v be_v very_o credible_a nay_o indeed_o the_o thing_n testify_v by_o they_o must_v i_o think_v necessary_o have_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o we_o although_o there_o have_v be_v no_o history_n or_o record_n at_o all_o of_o it_o transmit_v to_o our_o time_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o without_o the_o light_n of_o history_n we_o can_v have_v know_v that_o they_o do_v just_o those_o very_a miracle_n which_o be_v record_v but_o i_o say_v that_o without_o this_o we_o may_v have_v know_v in_o general_a that_o they_o do_v do_v miracle_n or_o that_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o a_o supernatural_a power_n this_o i_o say_v we_o may_v have_v be_v sure_a of_o by_o the_o permanent_a effect_n of_o such_o a_o power_n continue_v after_o their_o time_n and_o testify_v by_o all_o historian_n heathen_a as_o well_o as_o christian_a of_o all_o age_n ever_o since_o and_o which_o be_v even_o still_o extant_a and_o visible_a for_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v now_o christian_n we_o see_v and_o know_v and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v so_o for_o many_o age_n pass_v we_o be_v as_o sure_a as_o we_o be_v that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o age_n pass_v before_o our_o own_o and_o look_v back_o to_o see_v when_o and_o how_o it_o come_v to_o be_v so_o we_o learn_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o history_n jewish_a pagan_a and_o christian_n that_o christianity_n have_v its_o beginning_n in_o judea_n just_a at_o that_o time_n in_o which_o the_o sacred_a history_n