nor_o by_o miracle_n nor_o by_o immediate_a revelation_n or_o private_a subjective_n testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n nor_o be_v their_o faith_n a_o persuasion_n of_o mind_n that_o they_o can_v give_v no_o reason_n of_o but_o only_o that_o they_o be_v so_o persuade_v but_o it_o will_v be_v yet_o further_o object_v that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o be_v in_o the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o none_o who_o free_o use_v their_o reason_n can_v deny_v it_o than_o it_o lie_v either_o in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n of_o the_o thing_n unto_o the_o understanding_n and_o if_o so_o than_o every_o one_o that_o assent_v unto_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n must_v likewise_o assent_v unto_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o the_o evidence_n must_v not_o lie_v in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n but_o in_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o they_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v propose_v answ._n 1._o i_o know_v no_o divine_a ancient_a or_o modern_a popish_a or_o protestant_n who_o do_v not_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v a_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n necessary_a unto_o a_o due_a belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o consideration_n hereof_o ought_v not_o by_o any_o christian_n to_o be_v exclude_v but_o they_o say_v not_o that_o this_o be_v the_o objective_a testimony_n or_o evidence_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n concern_v which_o alone_a be_v our_o enquiry_n 2._o we_o do_v not_o dispute_v how_o far_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v this_o proposition_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v be_v evidence_v mere_o unto_o our_o reason_n but_o unto_o our_o understanding_n as_o capable_a of_o give_v a_o assent_n upon_o testimony_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o this_o be_v a_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n though_o it_o be_v of_o faith_n nor_o that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n be_v self-evident_a unto_o our_o reason_n upon_o its_o first_o proposal_n but_o such_o none_o pretend_v to_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v a_o subject_n not_o capable_a of_o it_o nor_o do_v those_o who_o deny_v the_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n pretend_v by_o their_o argument_n for_o its_o divine_a authority_n to_o give_v such_o a_o evidence_n of_o it_o unto_o reason_n as_o be_v in_o first_o principles_n or_o mathematical_a demonstration_n but_o content_v themselves_o with_o that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o moral_a certainty_n but_o it_o be_v by_o faith_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n which_o respect_v the_o power_n of_o our_o mind_n of_o assent_n unto_o truth_n upon_o testimony_n infallible_o on_o that_o which_o be_v infallible_a and_o hereunto_o it_o evidence_v its_o own_o truth_n not_o with_o the_o same_o but_o with_o a_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n and_o noble_a kind_n than_o that_o of_o the_o strict_a demonstration_n in_o thing_n natural_a or_o the_o most_o forcible_a arguman_n in_o thing_n moral_a 3._o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o none_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n who_o have_v not_o faith_n and_o none_o have_v faith_n but_o those_o in_o who_o it_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o thereinto_o all_o will_v be_v resolve_v at_o last_o answ._n 1._o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o this_o objection_n for_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v plead_v only_o as_o he_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o believe_v and_o not_o the_o objective_n or_o reason_n why_o we_o do_v believe_v but_o 2._o we_o must_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o resolve_v all_o we_o do_v well_o spiritual_o and_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_n of_o god_n unto_o the_o efficacious_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o we_o unless_o we_o intend_v to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n but_o this_o still_o make_v his_o internal_a operation_n to_o be_v the_o efficient_a and_o not_o his_o internal_a testimony_n to_o be_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o our_o faith_n 3._o it_o be_v another_o question_n whether_o all_o obligation_n unto_o duty_n be_v and_o must_v be_v proportionate_a unto_o our_o own_o strength_n without_o divine_a assistance_n which_o we_o deny_v and_o affirm_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v unto_o many_o thing_n by_o virtue_n of_o god_n command_n which_o we_o have_v no_o power_n to_o answer_v but_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o grace_n 4._o where_o the_o proposal_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v make_v in_o the_o way_n before_o describe_v those_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v propose_v be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v it_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o evidence_n which_o it_o give_v of_o itself_o so_o to_o be_v yea_o every_o real_a true_a divine_a revelation_n make_v unto_o man_n or_o every_o proposal_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o divine_a providence_n have_v that_o evidence_n of_o its_o be_v from_o god_n accompany_v of_o it_o as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v they_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v make_v to_o believe_v it_o on_o pain_n of_o his_o displeasure_n if_o this_o be_v otherwise_o then_o either_o be_v god_n oblige_v to_o confirm_v every_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n with_o a_o miracle_n which_o as_o to_o its_o obligation_n unto_o believe_v want_v not_o its_o difficulty_n which_o he_o do_v not_o as_o in_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n nor_o do_v at_o this_o day_n at_o the_o first_o proposal_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o heathen_a or_o else_o when_o he_o require_v faith_n and_o obedience_n in_o such_o way_n as_o in_o his_o wisdom_n he_o judge_v meet_v that_o be_v in_o the_o ordinary_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n they_o be_v not_o oblige_v thereby_o nor_o be_v it_o their_o sin_n to_o refuse_v a_o compliance_n with_o his_o will._n 5._o if_o this_o difficulty_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o avoid_v but_o by_o affirm_v that_o the_o faith_n which_o god_n require_v of_o we_o with_o respect_n unto_o his_o word_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o natural_a assent_n unto_o it_o upon_o rational_a argument_n and_o consideration_n which_o we_o have_v a_o ability_n for_o without_o any_o spiritual_a aid_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o respect_n unto_o his_o testimony_n as_o before_o describe_v which_o overthrow_v all_o faith_n especial_o that_o which_o be_v divine_a i_o shall_v rather_o ten_o thousand_o time_n allow_v of_o all_o the_o just_a consequence_n that_o can_v follow_v on_o the_o supposition_n mention_v than_o admit_v of_o this_o relief_n but_o of_o those_o consequence_n this_o be_v none_o that_o any_o unto_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v propose_v be_v except_v from_o a_o obligation_n unto_o believe_v in_o like_a manner_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o usual_a objection_n which_o respect_v particular_a book_n of_o the_o scripture_n why_o we_o receive_v they_o as_o canonical_a and_o reject_v other_o as_o namely_o the_o book_n of_o proverb_n and_o not_o of_o wisdom_n of_o ecclesiaste_n and_o not_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la for_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v the_o canon_n of_o they_o give_v we_o in_o the_o new_a where_o it_o be_v affirm_v that_o unto_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n which_o both_o confirm_v all_o that_o we_o receive_v and_o exclude_v all_o that_o we_o exclude_v and_o unto_o the_o new_a there_o be_v no_o pretender_n nor_o ever_o be_v to_o the_o least_o exercise_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o any_o 2._o all_o book_n whatever_o that_o have_v either_o themselves_o pretend_a unto_o a_o divine_a original_a or_o have_v be_v plead_v by_o other_o to_o be_v of_o that_o extract_v have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v from_o themselves_o without_o further_a help_n evict_v of_o falsehood_n in_o that_o pretence_n they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o hitherto_o in_o matter_n or_o manner_n in_o plain_a confession_n or_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n manifest_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o a_o human_a original_a and_o much_o danger_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fear_v from_o any_o that_o for_o the_o future_a shall_v set_v forth_o with_o the_o same_o pretence_n 3._o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o refuse_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o advantage_n of_o providence_n whereby_o the_o scripture_n be_v bring_v unto_o we_o with_o the_o testimony_n which_o either_o direct_o or_o collateral_o any_o one_o part_n of_o it_o give_v unto_o another_o although_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o believe_v for_o itself_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o ordinary_o to_o be_v believe_v by_o itself_o without_o
the_o help_n of_o other_o mean_n 4._o on_o these_o supposition_n i_o fear_v not_o to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v on_o every_o individual_a book_n of_o the_o scripture_n particular_o those_o name_v those_o divine_a character_n and_o criteria_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o difference_n they_o from_o all_o other_o write_n whatever_n and_o to_o testify_v their_o divine_a authority_n unto_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o believer_n i_o say_v of_o believer_n for_o we_o inquire_v not_o on_o what_o ground_n unbeliever_n or_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v do_v believe_v the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o yet_o direct_o on_o what_o outward_a motive_n such_o person_n may_v be_v induce_v so_o to_o do_v but_o our_o sole_a enquiry_n at_o present_a be_v what_o the_o faith_n of_o they_o who_o do_v believe_v be_v resolve_v into_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o say_v that_o when_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n for_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n of_o the_o first_o give_v out_o of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o be_v of_o the_o scripture_n come_v and_o preach_v unto_o the_o jew_n that_o those_o mere_a word_n i_o be_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o like_a have_v all_o this_o evidence_n in_o they_o or_o with_o they_o for_o nothing_o he_o say_v of_o that_o kind_n may_v be_v separate_v from_o its_o circumstance_n but_o suppose_v the_o testimony_n give_v in_o the_o scripture_n before_o hand_n to_o his_o person_n work_n time_n and_o manner_n of_o come_v with_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n with_o he_o in_o the_o declaration_n that_o he_o make_v of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n the_o jew_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v what_o he_o teach_v and_o himself_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o do_v many_o of_o they_o upon_o his_o preach_a only_o john_n 4._o 42._o and_o in_o like_a manner_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o john_n baptist_n and_o to_o submit_v unto_o his_o institution_n although_o he_o wrought_v no_o miracle_n and_o those_o who_o do_v not_o reject_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n for_o their_o good_a and_o perish_v in_o their_o unbelief_n but_o although_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n see_v he_o wrought_v they_o among_o such_o only_a as_o by_o who_o that_o be_v firm_o believe_v yet_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n see_v it_o necessary_a to_o confirm_v his_o personal_a ministry_n by_o they_o and_o without_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o divine_a truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n propose_v miracle_n themselves_o will_v be_v despise_v so_o they_o be_v by_o some_o who_o be_v afterward_o convert_v by_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n act_v 2._o 13._o chap._n 3._o 7_o 8._o or_o they_o will_v produce_v only_o a_o false_a faith_n or_o a_o ravish_a assent_n upon_o a_o amazement_n that_o will_v not_o abide_v act_v 8._o 13_o 21._o appendix_n a_o summary_n representation_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o that_o faith_n wherewith_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o some_o attestation_n give_v unto_o the_o substance_n of_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v concern_v it_o shall_v give_v a_o close_a to_o this_o discourse_n as_o to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o design_n the_o thing_n that_o follow_v be_v propose_v i._o unto_o the_o enquiry_n on_o what_o ground_n or_o for_o what_o reason_n we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n many_o thing_n be_v suppose_v as_o on_o all_o hand_n agree_v upon_o who_o demonstration_n or_o proof_n belong_v not_o unto_o our_o present_a work_n such_o be_v 1._o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o his_o self-subsistence_n with_o all_o the_o essential_a property_n of_o his_o nature_n 2._o our_o relation_n unto_o he_o and_o dependence_n on_o he_o as_o our_o creator_n benefactor_n preserver_n judge_n and_o rewarder_n both_o as_o unto_o thing_n temporal_a and_o eternal_a wherefore_o 3._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whatever_o may_v be_v know_v of_o god_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n whatever_o be_v manifest_a in_o or_o from_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n or_o providence_n and_o necessary_a act_n of_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o be_v rule_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n be_v suppose_v as_o acknowledge_v in_o this_o enquiry_n 4._o that_o beyond_o the_o conduct_n and_o guidance_n of_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n that_o man_n may_v live_v unto_o god_n believe_v and_o put_v their_o trust_n in_o he_o according_a to_o their_o duty_n in_o that_o obedience_n which_o he_o require_v of_o they_o so_o as_o to_o come_v unto_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o a_o supernatural_a revelation_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n unto_o they_o especial_o in_o that_o condition_n wherein_o all_o mankind_n be_v since_o the_o entrance_n of_o sin_n be_v necessary_a 5._o that_o all_o those_o unto_o who_o god_n have_v grant_v divine_a revelation_n immediate_o from_o himself_o for_o their_o own_o use_n and_o that_o of_o all_o other_o man_n unto_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v communicate_v be_v infallible_o assure_v that_o they_o come_v from_o god_n and_o that_o their_o mind_n be_v no_o way_n impose_v on_o in_o they_o 6._o that_o all_o these_o divine_a revelation_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v any_o way_n necessary_a to_o guide_v and_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o that_o obedience_n which_o be_v acceptable_a unto_o he_o be_v now_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n or_o those_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v common_o receive_v and_o own_a among_o all_o sort_n of_o christian_n these_o thing_n i_o say_v be_v suppose_v unto_o our_o present_a enquiry_n and_o take_v for_o grant_v so_o as_o that_o the_o reader_n be_v not_o to_o look_v for_o any_o direct_a proof_n of_o they_o in_o the_o precede_a discourse_n but_o on_o these_o supposition_n it_o be_v allege_v and_o prove_v 1._o that_o all_o man_n unto_o who_o it_o be_v due_o propose_v as_o such_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v this_o scripture_n these_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o contain_v and_o exhibit_v a_o immediate_a divine_a supernatural_a revelation_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n so_o far_o as_o be_v any_o way_n needful_a that_o they_o may_v live_v unto_o he_o and_o that_o nothing_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o but_o what_o be_v of_o the_o same_o divine_a original_a 2._o the_o obligation_n of_o this_o duty_n of_o thus_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n arise_v partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o partly_o from_o the_o especial_a command_n of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v that_o revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n without_o the_o knowledge_n whereof_o and_o assent_v whereunto_o we_o can_v live_v unto_o god_n as_o we_o ought_v nor_o come_v unto_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v believe_v it_o unto_o those_o end_n and_o god_n require_v it_o of_o we_o that_o so_o we_o shall_v do_v 3._o we_o can_v thus_o believe_v it_o in_o a_o way_n of_o duty_n but_o upon_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n and_o prevalent_a testimony_n that_o so_o it_o be_v 4._o there_o be_v many_o cogent_a argument_n testimony_n and_o motive_n to_o persuade_v convince_v and_o satisfy_v unprejudiced_a person_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o gainsayers_a proceed_v on_o such_o principle_n of_o reason_n as_o be_v own_a and_o approve_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n and_o argument_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v take_v from_o almost_o all_o consideration_n of_o the_o property_n of_o god_n and_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n of_o our_o relation_n unto_o he_o of_o what_o belong_v unto_o our_o present_a peace_n and_o future_a happiness_n 5._o from_o the_o argument_n and_o testimony_n of_o this_o nature_n a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o mind_n defensible_a against_o all_o objection_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v be_v attain_v and_o that_o such_o as_o that_o those_o who_o live_v not_o in_o contradiction_n unto_o their_o own_o light_n and_o reason_n through_o the_o power_n of_o their_o lust_n can_v but_o judge_v it_o their_o wisdom_n duty_n and_o interest_n to_o yield_v obedience_n unto_o his_o will_n as_o reveal_v therein_o 6._o but_o yet_o that_o persuasion_n of_o mind_n which_o may_v be_v thus_o attain_v and_o which_o rest_v whole_o upon_o these_o argument_n and_o testimony_n be_v not_o entire_o that_o faith_n wherewith_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o
do_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o any_o sense_n whatever_o for_o the_o reason_n that_o shall_v be_v mention_v immediate_o but_o it_o may_v be_v grant_v that_o together_o with_o the_o ministry_n of_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o many_o other_o providential_a mean_v of_o their_o preservation_n and_o successive_a communication_n we_o do_v the_o facto_fw-la receive_v the_o scripture_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n also_o see_v they_o also_o be_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o they_o but_o this_o ministry_n we_o allow_v only_o in_o the_o latter_a sense_n as_o a_o actual_a mean_n in_o subserviency_n unto_o god_n providence_n without_o respect_n unto_o any_o especial_a institution_n and_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o case_n in_o that_o sense_n wherein_o it_o be_v allow_v namely_o as_o denote_v the_o weight_n and_o importance_n of_o a_o testimony_n which_o be_v strengthen_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o circumstance_n may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v great_a authority_n in_o it_o we_o must_v be_v careful_a unto_o who_o or_o what_o church_n we_o grant_v or_o allow_v it_o for_o let_v man_n assume_v what_o name_n or_o title_n to_o themselves_o they_o please_v yet_o if_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o be_v corrupt_a or_o flagitious_a in_o their_o life_n and_o have_v great_a secular_a advantage_n which_o they_o high_o prize_v and_o studious_o improve_v from_o what_o they_o suppose_v and_o profess_v the_o scripture_n to_o supply_v they_o withal_o be_v they_o call_v church_n or_o what_o you_o please_v their_o testimony_n therein_o be_v of_o very_o little_a value_n for_o all_o man_n may_v see_v that_o they_o have_v a_o earthly_a worldly_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o therein_o and_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o if_o such_o person_n do_v know_v the_o whole_a bible_n to_o be_v a_o fable_n as_o one_o pope_n express_v himself_o to_o that_o purpose_n they_o will_v not_o forego_v the_o profession_n of_o it_o unless_o they_o can_v more_o advantage_v themselves_o in_o the_o world_n another_o way_n wherefore_o whereas_o it_o be_v manifest_a unto_o all_o that_o those_o who_o have_v the_o conduct_v of_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v make_v and_o do_v make_v to_o themselves_o great_a earthly_a temporal_a advantage_n in_o honour_n power_n wealth_n and_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n by_o their_o profession_n of_o the_o scripture_n their_o testimony_n may_v rational_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o far_o influence_v by_o self_n interest_n as_o to_o be_v of_o little_a validity_n the_o testimony_n therefore_o which_o i_o intend_v be_v that_o of_o multitude_n of_o person_n of_o unspotted_a reputation_n on_o all_o other_o account_n in_o the_o world_n free_a from_o all_o possibility_n of_o impeachment_n as_o unto_o any_o design_v evil_a or_o conspiracy_n among_o themselves_o with_o respect_n unto_o any_o corrupt_a end_n and_o who_o have_v not_o the_o least_o secular_a advantage_n by_o what_o they_o testify_v unto_o be_v absolute_o secure_v against_o all_o exception_n which_o either_o common_a reason_n or_o common_a usage_n among_o mankind_n can_v put_v in_o unto_o any_o witness_n whatever_o and_o to_o evidence_n the_o force_n that_o be_v in_o this_o consideration_n i_o shall_v brief_o represent_v 1._o who_o they_o be_v that_o give_v and_o do_v give_v this_o testimony_n in_o some_o especial_a instance_n 2._o what_o they_o give_v this_o testimony_n unto_o 3._o how_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v they_o do_v so_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o testimony_n of_o those_o by_o who_o the_o several_a book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v be_v to_o be_v consider_v they_o all_o of_o they_o several_o and_o joint_o witness_v that_o what_o they_o write_v be_v receive_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n this_o be_v plead_v by_o the_o apostle_n peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o they_o all_o 2_o pet._n 1._o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20_o 21._o for_o we_o have_v not_o follow_v cunning_o devise_v fable_n when_o we_o make_v know_v unto_o you_o the_o power_n and_o come_v of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o be_v eye_n witness_n of_o his_o majesty_n for_o he_o receive_v from_o god_n the_o father_n honour_n and_o glory_n when_o there_o come_v such_o a_o voice_n to_o he_o from_o the_o excellent_a glory_n this_o be_v my_o belove_a son_n in_o who_o i_o be_o well_o please_v and_o this_o voice_n which_o come_v from_o heaven_n we_o hear_v when_o we_o be_v with_o he_o in_o the_o holy_a mount_n we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n whereunto_o you_o do_v well_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n as_o unto_o a_o light_n that_o shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n until_o the_o day_n dawn_n and_o the_o day_n star_n arise_v in_o your_o heart_n know_v this_o first_o that_o no_o prophecy_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o any_o private_a interpretation_n for_o the_o prophecy_n come_v not_o in_o old_a time_n by_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o be_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o writer_n both_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a namely_o that_o as_o they_o have_v certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v so_o their_o writing_n be_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n so_o in_o particular_a john_n bear_v witness_n unto_o his_o revelation_n chap._n 19_o 9_o chap._n 22._o 6._o these_o be_v the_o true_a and_o faithful_a say_n of_o god_n and_o what_o weight_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v hereon_o be_v declare_v joh._n 21._o 24._o this_o be_v that_o disciple_n which_o testify_v of_o these_o thing_n and_o write_v these_o thing_n and_o we_o know_v that_o his_o testimony_n be_v true_a he_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o write_v but_o how_o be_v it_o know_v to_o the_o church_n there_o intend_v we_o know_v that_o his_o testimony_n be_v true_a that_o so_o it_o be_v indeed_o he_o be_v not_o absolute_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o one_o that_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o mere_o on_o his_o own_o account_n yet_o here_o it_o be_v speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o high_a assurance_n and_o we_o know_v that_o his_o testimony_n be_v true_a i_o answer_v this_o assurance_n of_o they_o do_v not_o arise_v mere_o from_o his_o moral_n or_o natural_a endowment_n or_o holy_a counsel_n but_o from_o the_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o his_o divine_a inspiration_n whereof_o we_o shall_v treat_v afterward_o the_o thing_n plead_v to_o give_v force_n unto_o this_o testimony_n in_o particular_a be_v all_o that_o such_o a_o testimony_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o so_o many_o as_o will_v require_v a_o large_a discourse_n by_o itself_o to_o propose_v discuss_v and_o confirm_v they_o but_o suppose_v the_o testimony_n they_o give_v i_o shall_v in_o compliance_n which_o my_o own_o design_n reduce_v the_o evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n unto_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o of_o their_o person_n and_o 2._o of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o write_n 1._o as_o to_o their_o person_n they_o be_v absolute_o remove_v from_o all_o possible_a suspicion_n of_o deceive_v or_o be_v deceive_v the_o wit_n of_o all_o the_o atheistical_a spirit_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o able_a to_o fix_v on_o any_o one_o thing_n that_o will_v be_v a_o tolerable_a ground_n of_o any_o such_o suspicion_n concern_v the_o integrity_n of_o witness_n can_v such_o a_o testimony_n be_v give_v in_o any_o other_o case_n and_o surmise_n in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o have_v no_o pleadable_a ground_n for_o they_o be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o diabolical_a suggestion_n or_o atheistical_a dream_n or_o at_o best_a the_o false_a imagination_n of_o weak_a and_o distemper_a mind_n the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o their_o work_n their_o unconcernment_n with_o all_o secular_a interest_n their_o unacquaintance_n with_o one_o another_o the_o time_n and_o place_n wherein_o the_o thing_n report_v by_o they_o be_v do_v and_o act_v the_o facility_n of_o convince_a they_o of_o falsehood_n if_o what_o they_o write_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o what_o else_o they_o teach_v in_o case_n it_o be_v not_o true_a the_o evident_a certainty_n that_o this_o will_v have_v be_v do_v arise_v from_o the_o know_a desire_n ability_n will_n and_o interest_n of_o their_o adversary_n so_o to_o do_v have_v it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v effect_v see_v this_o will_v have_v secure_v they_o the_o victory_n in_o the_o conflict_n wherein_o they_o be_v violent_o engage_v and_o have_v put_v a_o immediate_a issue_n unto_o all_o that_o difference_n and_o uproar_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n about_o their_o doctrine_n their_o harmony_n among_o themselves_o without_o conspiracy_n or_o antecedent_n agreement_n the_o misery_n which_o they_o undergo_v most_o of_o they_o without_o hope_n of_o relief_n or_o