esteem_v so_o disperse_v so_o constant_o read_v can_v be_v suffer_v to_o be_v lose_v among_o christian_n if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o so_o esteem_v at_o first_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o therefore_o may_v more_o easy_o be_v lose_v i_o answer_v that_o however_o they_o be_v not_o universal_o receive_v at_o first_o yet_o they_o be_v by_o those_o church_n to_o who_o they_o be_v write_v and_o among_o they_o they_o be_v not_o keep_v up_o but_o mighty_o disperse_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o lose_v they_o from_o the_o first_o spread_v of_o they_o abroad_o unless_o we_o can_v suppose_v such_o multitude_n of_o christian_n to_o conspire_v together_o to_o suppress_v a_o book_n of_o so_o great_a concernment_n to_o themselves_o as_o if_o person_n who_o claim_v a_o estate_n by_o virtue_n of_o some_o deed_n shall_v all_o agree_v to_o imbezel_n they_o or_o any_o material_a part_n of_o they_o here_o be_v no_o pretence_n for_o register_n and_o abridgement_n which_o some_o make_v use_v of_o to_o lessen_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o here_o we_o have_v the_o very_a authentic_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o own_o epistle_n in_o their_o own_o style_n and_o expression_n and_o suppose_v the_o church_n to_o who_o they_o be_v send_v to_o have_v receive_v they_o as_o their_o write_n and_o to_o have_v communicate_v they_o to_o other_o as_o they_o do_v i_o do_v not_o see_v under_o these_o circumstance_n how_o a_o book_n contain_v divine_a revelation_n can_v be_v lose_v ii_o he_o object_n 58._o that_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o entire_a but_o deficient_a for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o the_o whole_a canon_n be_v collect_v and_o acknowledge_v and_o therefore_o so_o long_o the_o church_n have_v no_o perfect_a rule_n of_o faith._n i_o answer_v i._o i_o distinguish_v between_o a_o complete_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o a_o complete_a canon_n of_o scripture_n for_o if_o the_o book_n own_v and_o universal_o receive_v contain_v in_o they_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n than_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v complete_a although_o some_o particular_a book_n may_v be_v still_o in_o dispute_n as_o for_o instance_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o st._n jerom_n time_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v not_o receive_v as_o canonical_a the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n have_v not_o that_o church_n therefore_o a_o complete_a rule_n of_o faith_n if_o god_n have_v so_o abundant_o provide_v for_o his_o church_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o full_a revelation_n of_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o rest_n than_o the_o dispute_v the_o authority_n of_o such_o a_o epistle_n do_v not_o derogate_v from_o the_o compleatness_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith._n for_o if_o they_o have_v all_o point_n of_o faith_n they_o must_v have_v a_o complete_a rule_n of_o faith._n ii_o it_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o true_a canon_n of_o scripture_n that_o some_o particular_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v for_o some_o time_n dispute_v by_o some_o particular_a church_n for_o if_o it_o be_v do_v without_o ground_n it_o do_v reflect_v more_o on_o those_o church_n than_o on_o those_o book_n especial_o when_o those_o very_a church_n afterward_o receive_v they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o to_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n st._n jerom_n affirm_v that_o not_o only_o the_o greek_a church_n all_o receive_v it_o dardanum_n but_o that_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n do_v so_o and_o not_o mere_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a but_o as_o a_o canonical_a epistle_n therefore_o this_o must_v be_v a_o late_a thing_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o in_o probability_n begin_v upon_o the_o novatian_a controversy_n which_o epistle_n be_v think_v too_o much_o to_o favour_v the_o novatian_a doctrine_n and_o when_o that_o controversy_n do_v abate_v that_o epistle_n recover_v its_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o mr._n s._n be_v angry_a with_o i_o 57_o for_o reflect_v on_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o not_o receive_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o st._n jerom_n be_v time_n which_o he_o think_v be_v a_o act_n of_o prudence_n antecedent_n to_o the_o judgement_n or_o determination_n of_o any_o church_n whether_o greek_n or_o latin._n one_o may_v see_v by_o this_o how_o well_o verse_v he_o be_v in_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n when_o st._n jerom_n declare_v that_o not_o only_o all_o the_o greek_a writer_n receive_v it_o but_o all_o the_o ancient_n and_o that_o as_o canonical_a be_v here_o no_o antecedent_n judgement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o matter_n do_v not_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o ancient_a writer_n even_o in_o st._n jerom_n time_n make_v a_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n but_o he_o add_v that_o what_o i_o make_v a_o heinous_a crime_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v a_o commendable_a caution_n in_o it_o that_o which_o i_o say_v be_v that_o it_o hence_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v far_o from_o be_v believe_v then_o to_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o make_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n or_o be_v infallible_a in_o faith._n and_o what_o say_v j._n s._n in_o answer_n to_o this_o not_o one_o syllable_n but_o run_v it_o off_o to_o another_o thing_n but_o why_o do_v i_o not_o as_o well_o blame_v the_o greek_a church_n for_o not_o receive_v the_o apocalypse_n they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o such_o authority_n and_o infallibility_n in_o this_o matter_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v some_o greek_n then_o to_o blame_v in_o reject_v the_o apocalypse_n but_o bellarmin_n say_v they_o be_v but_o few_o and_o obscure_a person_n and_o he_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n theophilus_n antiochenus_fw-la melito_n sardensis_n dionysius_n alexandrinus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n and_o athanasius_n all_o approve_v it_o and_o the_o occasion_n of_o dispute_v it_o arise_v from_o the_o millenary_a opinion_n which_o some_o thought_n they_o can_v not_o confute_v as_o long_o as_o the_o apocalypse_n have_v such_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n and_o such_o dispute_n as_o these_o which_o wear_v off_o by_o degree_n be_v no_o real_a prejudice_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v at_o first_o general_o receive_v and_o although_o some_o few_o book_n be_v contest_v for_o a_o time_n yet_o they_o recover_v their_o authority_n and_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n iii_o he_o object_n against_o this_o universal_a consent_n the_o testimony_n of_o martion_n ebion_n valentinus_n cerinthus_n 59_o and_o epiphanius_n his_o other_o heretic_n who_o reject_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v any_o man_n but_o j._n s._n make_v such_o a_o objection_n as_o this_o but_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o bring_v i_o in_o as_o a_o favourer_n of_o all_o heretic_n and_o as_o such_o another_o man_n of_o integrity_n have_v do_v of_o all_o anti-catholick_n and_o antichristian_a doctrine_n but_o where_o have_v i_o give_v any_o occasion_n for_o such_o spiteful_a reflection_n all_o that_o i_o say_v be_v we_o have_v the_o universal_a consent_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n for_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n i._n e._n of_o all_o since_o the_o time_n that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v receive_v in_o the_o latin_a and_o the_o apocalypse_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o division_n they_o have_v since_o fall_v into_o yet_o they_o have_v no_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o this_o i_o insist_v on_o as_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o certainty_n viz._n the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o great_a body_n of_o christian_n that_o have_v continue_v under_o different_a denomination_n to_o this_o day_n 74._o to_o this_o he_o give_v no_o other_o answer_n but_o that_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o five_o question_n be_v co-incident_a with_o that_o to_o the_o four_o i_o think_v j._n s._n in_o the_o self-evident_a way_n will_v have_v like_v my_o answer_n the_o better_a for_o it_o but_o he_o do_v not_o comprehend_v the_o design_n of_o it_o i_o have_v say_v before_o that_o we_o rely_v on_o the_o universal_a testimony_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n upon_o that_o the_o question_n be_v ask_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n my_o answer_n be_v that_o it_o be_v that_o which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o christian_a church_n i._n e._n say_v j._n s._n that_o all_o the_o part_n make_v the_o whole_a and_o what_o incongruity_n be_v there_o when_o mr._n g._n say_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n may_v be_v take_v in_o several_a latitude_n he_o desire_v to_o know_v in_o
but_o mr._n s._n say_v their_o case_n be_v different_a from_o we_o do_v not_o they_o make_v the_o vulgar_a translation_n authentic_a 51._o and_o will_v not_o the_o same_o objection_n than_o lie_v against_o all_o those_o who_o rely_v upon_o it_o let_v we_o see_v how_o j._n s._n clear_v this_o matter_n 1._o the_o canon_n of_o the_o book_n come_v down_o say_v he_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n that_o be_v true_o christian_n and_o we_o say_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o book_n come_v down_o by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n however_o differ_v in_o other_o thing_n and_o herein_o i_o think_v we_o have_v much_o the_o advantage_n for_o we_o do_v not_o except_v against_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o christian_a church_n nor_o condemn_v they_o as_o not_o true_o christian_n till_o their_o cause_n be_v better_a hear_v and_o examine_v 2._o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n say_v he_o transfuse_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a both_o teach_v they_o how_o 51._o and_o oblige_v they_o to_o correct_v the_o copy_n in_o those_o particular_a text_n that_o concern_v faith._n what_o be_v this_o but_o in_o plain_a term_n to_o expose_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n who_o will_v desire_v no_o better_o a_o concession_n than_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v correct_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n if_o this_o be_v grant_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o prove_v that_o we_o have_v any_o true_a original_a text_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o the_o church_n do_v correct_v the_o copy_n in_o those_o particular_a text_n which_o concern_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o faithful_a then_o the_o church_n in_o every_o age_n may_v so_o correct_v it_o and_o consequent_o we_o can_v never_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o text_n continue_v the_o same_o for_o any_o two_o age_n together_o unless_o it_o be_v first_o prove_v impossible_a for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n to_o vary_v in_o any_o two_o age_n or_o of_o those_o who_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o correct_v the_o text_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o sorry_a to_o have_v my_o faith_n rest_n upon_o such_o a_o slippery_a foundation_n i_o will_v put_v the_o case_n as_o to_o the_o arian_n controversy_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o nicene_n father_n to_o have_v convince_v the_o arian_n on_o such_o a_o supposition_n as_o this_o you_o allege_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n may_v they_o say_v to_o prove_v the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o equality_n with_o the_o father_n but_o how_o can_v we_o know_v that_o these_o be_v original_a text_n and_o not_o correct_v by_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n then_o according_a to_o their_o own_o sense_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v some_o lead_a man_n of_o this_o opinion_n and_o have_v gain_v a_o party_n to_o themselves_o they_o correct_v the_o text_n according_a to_o it_o and_o therefore_o we_o can_v never_o be_v satisfy_v that_o these_o be_v the_o original_a text_n because_o we_o can_v bring_v down_o a_o tradition_n of_o a_o contrary_a sense_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o satisfaction_n they_o can_v ever_o receive_v if_o this_o pernicious_a principle_n be_v allow_v that_o the_o text_n be_v to_o be_v correct_v in_o matter_n that_o concern_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n but_o he_o say_v it_o be_v if_o any_o error_n through_o the_o carelessness_n unattentiveness_n or_o malice_n of_o the_o translator_n or_o transcriber_n at_o any_o time_n have_v creep_v in_o this_o do_v not_o one_o jot_n mend_v the_o matter_n for_o if_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o present_a church_n be_v the_o rule_n than_o the_o text_n be_v to_o be_v correct_v according_a to_o it_o and_o the_o blame_n to_o be_v lay_v on_o the_o carelessness_n or_o malice_n of_o translator_n and_o transcriber_n this_o be_v a_o miserable_a account_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o text_n of_o scripture_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o other_o text_n of_o inferior_a concern_v as_o he_o speak_v they_o can_v be_v best_a correct_v by_o multitude_n of_o other_o ancient_a copy_n the_o church_n care_v still_o go_v along_o as_o be_v show_v in_o the_o high_a manner_n by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v as_o exact_a as_o human_a diligence_n can_v well_o render_v it_o as_o to_o multitude_n of_o copy_n they_o serve_v we_o as_o well_o as_o they_o but_o as_o to_o the_o care_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v for_o 1._o they_o go_v no_o far_a than_o a_o translation_n and_o declare_v that_o authentic_a without_o due_a regard_n to_o the_o original_a text._n 2._o the_o care_n take_v be_v not_o so_o exact_a for_o then_o clemens_n the_o eight_o do_v great_a injury_n to_o sixtus_n the_o five_o when_o he_o recall_v and_o correct_v his_o bibles_n in_o so_o many_o place_n after_o sixtus_n the_o five_o have_v publish_v his_o for_o a_o exact_a edition_n 3._o there_o be_v still_o complaint_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o want_n of_o exactness_n in_o the_o vulgar_a latin._n 4._o after_o all_o this_o be_v but_o human_a diligence_n and_o no_o such_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o j._n s._n require_v from_o we_o but_o it_o may_v be_v he_o will_v say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o make_v it_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n let_v he_o declare_v so_o much_o and_o then_o we_o know_v what_o to_o answer_v this_o be_v still_o put_v off_o therefore_o i_o will_v give_v a_o distinct_a answer_n i._o we_o do_v utter_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v in_o any_o church_n power_n to_o correct_v original_a text_n because_o they_o contradict_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o present_a church_n or_o any_o translation_n any_o far_o than_o they_o differ_v from_o the_o original_n and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o assertion_n that_o shake_v more_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n than_o this_o of_o j._n s._n do_v ii_o the_o early_a appeal_n make_v to_o scripture_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n make_v we_o certain_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o alteration_n or_o correction_n of_o the_o text_n according_a to_o these_o use_n of_o the_o corrector_n as_o for_o instance_n we_o find_v the_o place_n produce_v against_o the_o arian_n use_v before_o against_o the_o samosatenian_o and_o artemonite_n if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o may_v correct_v the_o father_n to_o i_o answer_v that_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a ground_n for_o any_o such_o suspicion_n because_o the_o father_n live_v in_o distant_a place_n and_o country_n and_o therefore_o when_o their_o testimony_n agree_v about_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n allege_v by_o they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v any_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n of_o the_o text._n as_o for_o instance_n no_o one_o text_n of_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n have_v be_v more_o suspect_v than_o that_o of_o 1_o s._n john_n 5.7_o there_o be_v three_o that_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o there_o have_v be_v great_a variety_n both_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a manuscript_n about_o it_o yea_o there_o be_v so_o in_o s._n jeroms_n time_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o canonical_a epistle_n who_o charge_v the_o leave_v it_o out_o to_o the_o unfaithfulness_n of_o the_o translator_n s._n jerom_n be_v cry_v out_o upon_o as_o a_o party_n in_o this_o controversy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o he_o put_v it_o in_o as_o favour_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o his_o integrity_n be_v vindicate_v herein_o jubai_fw-la because_o s._n cyprian_n so_o long_o before_o the_o arian_n controversy_n produce_v this_o place_n so_o that_o our_o certainty_n as_o to_o scripture_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o mere_a letter_n but_o upon_o compare_v the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a copy_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n who_o still_o make_v use_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o all_o discourse_n and_o debate_n about_o matter_n of_o faith._n iii_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n in_o matter_n that_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n can_v hinder_v our_o certainty_n in_o matter_n of_o faith._n we_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o kind_n of_o variety_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o this_o rather_o establish_v than_o weaken_v our_o faith._n for_o consider_v the_o great_a multitude_n of_o they_o and_o how_o insignificant_a they_o be_v it_o show_v that_o this_o book_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o common_a accident_n of_o book_n but_o yet_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o variety_n as_o to_o make_v one_o
suspect_v any_o fraud_n or_o design_n in_o the_o alteration_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o manuscript_n copies_n and_o as_o to_o translation_n that_o have_v be_v make_v among_o we_o the_o people_n who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o examine_v they_o by_o the_o original_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v they_o as_o to_o any_o matter_n of_o faith._n not_o mere_o from_o the_o skill_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o person_n and_o the_o care_n that_o have_v be_v take_v but_o because_o it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o concernment_n of_o some_o man_n to_o have_v lessen_v the_o credit_n of_o our_o translation_n as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a and_o they_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v shake_v the_o faith_n of_o a_o consider_v man._n if_o it_o be_v say_v after_o all_o this_o be_v but_o human_a faith_n and_o not_o divine_a i_o answer_v iu._n we_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o distinguish_v the_o certainty_n of_o human_a and_o divine_a faith_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o we_o have_v a_o absolute_a divine_a certainty_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v only_o capable_a of_o human_a certainty_n and_o we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o we_o have_v only_o human_a certainty_n of_o thing_n capable_a of_o divine_a certainty_n if_o the_o question_n be_v put_v concern_v the_o object_n of_o divine_a faith_n than_o we_o do_v answer_v that_o we_o have_v a_o divine_a certainty_n of_o they_o from_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n with_o a_o divine_a faith_n because_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n we_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n because_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v fulfil_v upon_o they_o and_o especial_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o so_o great_a concernment_n to_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n but_o if_o the_o question_n be_v ask_v only_o concern_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o whether_o the_o book_n that_o bear_v such_o name_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v then_o i_o can_v have_v no_o great_a certainty_n than_o belong_v to_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o than_o it_o be_v so_o circumstantiate_v that_o i_o have_v a_o great_a and_o more_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o to_o this_o than_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o want_v the_o proof_n that_o this_o have_v and_o if_o as_o to_o book_n and_o copy_n and_o translation_n we_o have_v as_o high_a a_o certainty_n as_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o be_v madness_n to_o expect_v and_o require_v more_o for_o where_o there_o be_v but_o a_o human_a testimony_n there_o can_v be_v the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a faith_n which_o must_v not_o only_o have_v a_o divine_a object_n but_o must_v rest_v on_o a_o divine_a testimony_n but_o where_o the_o testimony_n be_v human_a the_o certainty_n must_v be_v such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o high_a of_o that_o kind_n but_o still_o such_o a_o faith_n may_v have_v absolute_a certainty_n of_o its_o kind_n and_o although_o in_o regard_n of_o its_o testimony_n it_o be_v human_a faith_n yet_o in_o regard_n both_o of_o its_o object_n its_o inward_a cause_n and_o its_o effect_n it_o may_v be_v true_o call_v divine_a ix_o the_o last_o objection_n be_v concern_v the_o number_n of_o canonical_a book_n 58._o pray_v satisfy_v we_o say_v mr._n s._n about_o this_o exact_a number_n of_o book_n and_o how_o many_o will_v just_o serve_v turn_n one_o will_v think_v by_o his_o objection_n j._n s._n be_v prepare_v matter_n for_o the_o critical_a history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n he_o seem_v so_o concern_v to_o lessen_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o objection_n he_o offer_v 56._o 1._o there_o may_v have_v be_v book_n lose_v that_o be_v write_v by_o person_n divine_o inspire_v and_o we_o have_v no_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o there_o be_v none_o lose_v and_o those_o book_n may_v contain_v matter_n different_a from_o or_o to_o be_v superad_v to_o the_o canon_n we_o have_v now_o and_o without_o this_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n that_o the_o book_n we_o have_v now_o contain_v all_o the_o divine_a revelation_n i_o answer_v i._o if_o we_o have_v the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o we_o have_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n entire_a than_o we_o have_v their_o consent_n that_o there_o be_v no_o book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n lose_v and_o this_o appear_v by_o the_o contest_v in_o the_o iv._o century_n about_o the_o just_a number_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n the_o church_n then_o differ_v about_o some_o book_n not_o then_o universal_o receive_v as_o the_o apocalypse_n in_o some_o and_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o other_o which_o show_v that_o the_o church_n be_v then_o so_o solicitous_a to_o preserve_v any_o book_n that_o appear_v to_o be_v write_v by_o person_n inspire_a that_o although_o these_o do_v then_o want_v universal_a consent_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o keep_v and_o read_v and_o disperse_v till_o upon_o further_a examination_n they_o come_v to_o be_v universal_o read_v it_o be_v not_o therefore_o in_o the_o least_o probable_a they_o shall_v suffer_v any_o apostolical_a write_n to_o be_v lose_v ii_o this_o be_v to_o charge_v the_o christian_a church_n with_o so_o gross_a a_o neglect_n as_o overthrow_v the_o force_n of_o all_o his_o argument_n for_o tradition_n for_o we_o must_v suppose_v a_o apostolical_a write_n send_v to_o some_o church_n by_o direction_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o yet_o that_o church_n be_v so_o notorious_o careless_a as_o to_o lose_v a_o book_n contain_v in_o it_o many_o point_n of_o faith_n now_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o one_o of_o common_a sense_n whether_o he_o can_v trust_v their_o word_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n who_o can_v be_v so_o negligent_a as_o to_o lose_v a_o great_a many_o point_n of_o faith_n at_o once_o and_o the_o more_o such_o a_o book_n be_v disperse_v the_o argument_n be_v still_o strong_a against_o tradition_n beside_o this_o show_v the_o great_a insufficiency_n of_o oral_a tradition_n if_o these_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v lose_v because_o such_o a_o book_n be_v lose_v wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v if_o tradition_n have_v be_v so_o effectual_a a_o mean_n of_o convey_v matter_n of_o faith_n it_o shall_v have_v appear_v in_o such_o a_o case_n viz._n in_o preserve_v such_o matter_n of_o faith_n though_o the_o book_n be_v lose_v but_o we_o find_v nothing_o like_o this_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v although_o it_o be_v much_o easy_o pretend_v than_o prove_v iii_o this_o be_v to_o suppose_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n not_o to_o be_v immediate_o concern_v in_o preserve_a book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n mr._n s._n do_v real_o suppose_v that_o book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n may_v have_v be_v lose_v or_o at_o least_o that_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v not_o but_o we_o think_v it_o a_o considerable_a proof_n that_o they_o can_v not_o because_o the_o divine_a providence_n do_v so_o immediate_o concern_v itself_o in_o preserve_v that_o which_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n if_o a_o hair_n do_v not_o fall_v from_o our_o head_n nor_o a_o sparrow_n fall_v on_o the_o ground_n without_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o our_o saviour_n affirm_v be_v it_o not_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o a_o divine_a book_n 30._o write_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v be_v whole_o lose_v especial_o consider_v the_o extraordinary_a care_n the_o first_o christian_n take_v in_o time_n of_o the_o great_a persecution_n to_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o no_o force_n or_o violence_n can_v extort_v they_o out_o of_o their_o hand_n on_o mr._n s_n supposition_n it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n for_o a_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v lose_v viz._n if_o the_o several_a book_n have_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o custody_n of_o some_o man_n in_o trust_n for_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o thing_n as_o they_o real_o be_v it_o will_v appear_v hardly_o possible_a for_o the_o book_n be_v not_o keep_v up_o at_o first_o in_o a_o few_o hand_n but_o disperse_v abroad_o in_o multitude_n of_o copy_n and_o receive_v with_o mighty_a veneration_n both_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o author_n of_o they_o and_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o they_o be_v read_v both_o in_o public_a and_o in_o private_a they_o hear_v they_o in_o their_o assembly_n and_o they_o make_v they_o their_o constant_a employment_n at_o home_n they_o be_v their_o rule_n of_o life_n as_o well_o as_o of_o faith._n and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o suppose_v any_o book_n so_o receive_v so_o
what_o sense_n i_o take_v it_o and_o can_v i_o answer_v he_o more_o direct_o than_o to_o tell_v he_o i_o take_v it_o in_o the_o large_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o the_o part_n and_o not_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o they_o do_v who_o give_v the_o denomination_n of_o the_o whole_a to_o a_o part_n 75._o but_o by_o this_o i_o do_v not_o seclude_v all_o heretic_n i_o do_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o judge_v of_o all_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n whether_o they_o be_v just_o charge_v with_o heresy_n or_o not_o but_o i_o take_v they_o only_o as_o christian_n and_o from_o their_o universal_a consent_n i_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n hereby_o i_o profess_v a_o brotherhood_n with_o excrementitious_a outcast_n i_o know_v not_o what_o brotherhood_n lie_v in_o make_v use_n of_o their_o testimony_n but_o i_o have_v rather_o do_v it_o than_o with_o unsufferable_a pride_n and_o folly_n call_v so_o many_o body_n of_o christian_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v excrementitious_a outcast_n but_o although_o he_o seem_v to_o own_o that_o their_o testimony_n do_v strengthen_v the_o evidence_n for_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n yet_o he_o call_v it_o back_o again_o 76._o and_o for_o extraordinary_a reason_n 1._o they_o may_v have_v corrupt_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n although_o they_o may_v allow_v of_o the_o book_n let_v we_o then_o take_v their_o testimony_n for_o the_o book_n and_o examine_v the_o letter_n afterward_o 2._o this_o universal_a testimony_n must_v reach_v to_o each_o chapter_n and_o verse_n 57_o but_o we_o must_v have_v assurance_n not_o only_o of_o each_o verse_n but_o of_o each_o significant_a word_n in_o the_o verse_n how_o hardly_o be_v some_o man_n satisfy_v about_o the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n be_v there_o not_o different_a copy_n in_o all_o part_n to_o examine_v and_o compare_v if_o there_o be_v cause_n of_o mistrust_n and_o if_o there_o be_v none_o what_o prejudice_n be_v this_o to_o our_o certainty_n at_o this_o rate_n man_n may_v argue_v against_o every_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n of_o any_o write_n unless_o the_o person_n stand_v by_o and_o see_v the_o author_n write_v and_o even_o then_o he_o may_v question_v his_o sense_n too_o these_o objection_n do_v indeed_o lead_v to_o a_o incurable_a scepticism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n 76._o 3._o the_o judge_n suspect_v the_o justness_n of_o the_o cause_n if_o know_a knight_n of_o the_o post_n be_v call_v in_o to_o corroborate_v the_o evidence_n what_o a_o desperate_a cause_n be_v that_o which_o force_v man_n to_o fling_v such_o dirt_n in_o the_o face_n of_o so_o many_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o without_o the_o least_o evidence_n or_o proof_n against_o they_o how_o come_v all_o the_o greek_a abyssine_n coptick_n oriental_a christian_n to_o be_v compare_v to_o knight_n of_o the_o post_n because_o they_o afford_v a_o concurrent_a testimony_n with_o we_o about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o may_v be_v the_o honest_a and_o best_a part_n of_o christendom_n for_o any_o thing_n j._n s._n know_v and_o what_o justice_n can_v there_o be_v in_o such_o uncharitable_a censure_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o you_o to_o say_v they_o be_v all_o account_v heretic_n or_o schismatic_n by_o you_o for_o we_o that_o know_v how_o unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a your_o censure_n be_v so_o near_a home_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o regard_v they_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n thus_o i_o have_v answer_v all_o the_o objection_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o j._n s._n against_o our_o rule_n of_o faith._n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o my_o task_n which_o be_v to_o examine_v the_o argument_n produce_v to_o prove_v the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n 8._o the_o main_a argument_n be_v thus_o set_v down_o by_o mr._n s._n all_o traditionary_a christian_n believe_v the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o and_o so_o up_o to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o if_o they_o follow_v this_o rule_n they_o can_v never_o err_v in_o faith_n and_o therefore_o be_v infallible_a and_o they_o can_v not_o innovate_v in_o faith_n unless_o they_o do_v forget_v what_o they_o hold_v the_o day_n before_o or_o out_o of_o malice_n after_o it_o all_o the_o part_n of_o this_o argument_n mr._n s._n endeavour_n to_o show_v to_o be_v self-evident_a but_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o self-evident_a fallacy_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v at_o large_a but_o before_o i_o particular_o lay_v it_o open_v i_o must_v consider_v what_o he_o say_v against_o the_o method_n i_o use_v in_o the_o conference_n for_o answer_v it_o i_o then_o think_v and_o do_v still_o that_o the_o clear_a answer_n to_o a_o argument_n which_o prove_v a_o thing_n impossible_a be_v to_o bring_v a_o undeniable_a instance_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n real_o be_v which_o be_v prove_v impossible_a to_o be_v and_o to_o this_o purpose_n i_o produce_v the_o instance_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n which_o profess_v to_o follow_v tradition_n and_o yet_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v err_v this_o mr._n s._n say_v be_v give_v no_o answer_n at_o all_o for_o this_o be_v no_o answer_n to_o his_o argument_n 10._o but_o produce_v a_o new_a argument_n against_o he_o and_o he_o magisterial_o tell_v i_o that_o it_o be_v my_o turn_n to_o answer_v and_o therefore_o i_o be_o confine_v to_o concedo_fw-la nego_fw-la or_o distinguo_fw-la as_o the_o proposition_n be_v either_o true_a false_a or_o ambiguous_a or_o i_o may_v deny_v the_o inference_n if_o i_o find_v more_o term_n in_o the_o conclusion_n than_o in_o the_o premise_n but_o these_o be_v my_o bound_n which_o i_o must_v not_o exceed_v but_o with_o submission_n to_o these_o logician_n i_o answer_v that_o where_o a_o argument_n be_v design_v to_o prove_v a_o thing_n impossible_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o sense_n and_o experience_n the_o produce_v a_o evident_a instance_n be_v the_o plain_a and_o short_a way_n of_o answer_v as_o well_o as_o in_o a_o induction_n which_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v disprove_v by_o a_o plain_a instance_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o zeno_n argument_n against_o motion_n diogenes_n his_o move_a be_v asleep_o far_o more_o effectual_a answer_n than_o if_o he_o have_v stand_v a_o great_a while_n with_o his_o concedo_fw-la nego_fw-la and_o distinguo_fw-la j._n s._n confess_v that_o the_o vanity_n of_o zeno_n be_v argument_n be_v not_o ill_o ridicule_v by_o diogenes_n his_o move_v before_o he_o 11._o and_o why_o may_v not_o i_o then_o expose_v the_o vanity_n of_o this_o demonstration_n by_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n unless_o some_o fault_n be_v find_v in_o the_o instance_n he_o bring_v the_o argument_n and_o i_o a_o instance_n against_o it_o what_o be_v people_n the_o wise_a and_o which_o shall_v they_o be_v for_o the_o argument_n or_o the_o instance_n zeno_n bring_v his_o argument_n and_o diogenes_n his_o instance_n be_v not_o bystander_n the_o wise_a when_o it_o so_o apparent_o prove_v the_o foppery_n of_o the_o argument_n do_v j._n s._n think_v the_o vanity_n of_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o expose_v by_o that_o mean_n but_o he_o say_v this_o be_v except_v against_o the_o conclusion_n when_o there_o lie_v none_o against_o the_o premise_n no_o such_o matter_n for_o it_o show_v there_o be_v a_o fallacy_n in_o the_o premise_n it_o be_v however_o but_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la call_v it_o what_o you_o will_v so_o it_o do_v my_o business_n 12._o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o demonstration_n this_o way_n do_v but_o shame_n a_o adversary_n and_o true_o that_o be_v a_o great_a matter_n if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o p.g._n they_o be_v of_o no_o use_n for_o discovery_n of_o truth_n as_o much_o as_o lay_v open_a sophistry_n help_v to_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v not_o a_o little_a when_o we_o deal_v with_o sophistical_a disputer_n but_o we_o come_v to_o the_o instance_n how_o do_v he_o after_o all_o clear_a this_o instance_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n do_v he_o deny_v that_o they_o hold_v to_o tradition_n no._n do_v he_o deny_v that_o they_o have_v err_v notwithstanding_o all_o that_o he_o say_v be_v 13._o that_o p._n g._n be_v no_o way_n oblige_v not_o to_o deny_v that_o the_o greek_a church_n have_v err_v in_o point_n of_o faith._n no_o then_o he_o must_v grant_v that_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v err_v for_o they_o contradict_v each_o other_o let_v he_o take_v his_o choice_n one_o do_v my_o business_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o more_o effectual_o destroy_v the_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n but_o i_o say_v they_o do_v not_o err_v what_o be_v my_o say_n to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n beside_o there_o be_v