it_o be_v so_o agree_v very_o early_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v because_o coâ—…stantine_n in_o the_o first_o nicene_n council_n will_v not_o else_o have_v persuade_v the_o father_n assemble_v to_o examine_v and_o try_v all_o question_n and_o controversy_n by_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n for_o have_v it_o be_v otherwise_o it_o have_v be_v rational_a to_o move_v they_o first_o to_o resolve_v what_o the_o canon_n be_v once_o we_o know_v the_o christian_a church_n have_v need_v to_o be_v resolve_v of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n even_o from_o the_o beginning_n at_o least_o so_o soon_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v depart_v this_o life_n for_o if_o any_o thing_n sure_o this_o be_v of_o concernment_n to_o the_o church_n viz._n to_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n state_v as_o the_o standard_n whereby_o all_o doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v weigh_v and_o measure_v and_o this_o we_o think_v be_v do_v even_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o that_o upon_o the_o determination_n which_o 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appointment_n but_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n who_o certain_o can_v foresee_v all_o these_o thing_n think_v it_o best_a to_o have_v his_o word_n write_v and_o yet_o make_v no_o extraordinary_a provision_n for_o transcribe_v they_o upon_o occasion_n or_o prevent_v such_o question_n as_o be_v now_o make_v by_o some_o sure_o we_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o jew_n to_o scripture_n and_o they_o do_v not_o excuse_v themselves_o by_o say_v they_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o have_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v nay_o they_o confess_v that_o god_n speak_v by_o moses_n and_o they_o know_v it_o and_o our_o saviour_n pu_o s_o the_o question_n whether_o he_o be_v the_o ch_z in_o to_o be_v prove_v by_o scripture_n 39_o strange_a that_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n shall_v not_o foresee_v this_o quarrel_n miâ—…h_v be_v make_v in_o after_o age_n which_o pâ—…pists_n make_v now_o for_o may_v not_o the_o 〈◊〉_d the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v no_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o they_o because_o they_o can_v not_o evidence_n their_o own_o certainty_n so_o as_o to_o ascertain_v they_o and_o how_o can_v they_o â—…icertain_v they_o then_o more_o than_o we_o new_a but_o tradition_n be_v it_o which_o must_v secure_v all_o by_o its_o affidavit_n make_v to_o oâ—…j_fw-la scripture_n and_o what_o do_v we_o then_o believe_v in_o sol._n believe_v scripture_n the_o authority_n of_o god_n or_o man_n if_o scripture_n authority_n as_o to_o we_o depend_v upon_o the_o church_n testimony_n in_o our_o belief_n of_o scripture_n we_o believe_v man_n and_o not_o god_n at_o least_o we_o believe_v god_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o man_n and_o what_o kind_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v let_v they_o who_o question_v we_o so_o much_o about_o scripture_n resolve_v we_o for_o the_o various_a reading_n that_o be_v in_o the_o original_n we_o acknowledge_v they_o and_o think_v they_o happen_v much_o through_o the_o mistake_v of_o those_o who_o transcribe_v the_o copy_n from_o time_n to_o time_n however_o they_o happen_v for_o we_o stand_v not_o much_o upon_o it_o papist_n know_v that_o the_o jew_n masore_v have_v well_o provide_v for_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o though_o the_o new_a have_v very_o many_o we_o stand_v to_o maintain_v that_o all_o those_o various_a reading_n put_v together_o let_v the_o worst_a be_v make_v of_o they_o can_v never_o be_v improve_v to_o prejudice_v the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n in_o one_o article_n of_o faith_n for_o all_o the_o write_v and_o print_v copy_n of_o the_o original_a bibles_n do_v concur_v in_o the_o whole_a main_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n throughout_o and_o thereupon_o we_o challenge_v papist_n to_o show_n any_o alteration_n that_o clash_n with_o the_o doctrine_n first_o deliver_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o various_a reading_n in_o so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o copy_n hence_o we_o conclude_v as_o a_o learned_a man_n have_v it_o that_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a foundation_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o ink_n and_o paper_n nor_o any_o writing_n or_o write_n whether_o original_n or_o translation_n but_o that_o substance_n of_o matter_n those_o gracious_a counsel_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v indeed_o represent_v and_o 〈◊〉_d both_o in_o translation_n and_o orginal_n but_o be_v real_o and_o 〈◊〉_d distinct_a from_o both_o and_o no_o way_n for_o their_o nature_n and_o being_n depend_v on_o either_o of_o they_o the_o writing_n as_o he_o say_v declare_v the_o nature_n or_o tenor_n of_o the_o bargain_n which_o be_v in_o reality_n and_o compleatness_n of_o be_v before_o the_o writing_n and_o consequent_o the_o wâ—…iting_n can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n concern_v man_n salvation_n bad_a its_o be_v in_o god_n himself_o long_o before_o any_o part_n of_o it_o be_v impart_v unto_o the_o world_n by_o any_o writing_n for_o it_o be_v saving_o impart_v first_o by_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o god_n unto_o some_o man_n and_o secendly_a by_o word_n of_o mouth_n from_o these_o to_o many_o other_o long_o before_o any_o part_n of_o it_o be_v order_v by_o god_n to_o be_v set_v down_o in_o writing_n so_o that_o no_o book_n or_o writing_n whatsoever_o be_v either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n the_o word_n or_o will_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o no_o foundation_n of_o christian_a religion_n unless_o we_o make_v some_o other_o foundation_n beside_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o for_o the_o original_n we_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o be_v entire_a and_o not_o defective_a as_o any_o can_v be_v sure_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o so_o long_o stand_v and_o therefore_o we_o be_v bold_a to_o think_v that_o they_o who_o question_v we_o as_o they_o do_v in_o this_o kind_n may_v rather_o have_v question_v god_n himself_o for_o represent_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n in_o writing_n when_o he_o can_v not_o but_o foresee_v that_o such_o manner_n of_o question_n may_v be_v put_v in_o after-age_n as_o be_v make_v now_o adays_o none_o dare_v say_v that_o god_n never_o order_v his_o will_n to_o be_v write_v and_o see_v it_o be_v so_o order_v by_o he_o why_o shall_v we_o question_v the_o wise_a and_o gracious_a hand_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o contrive_v the_o preservation_n of_o these_o ancient_a record_n unto_o all_o posterity_n for_o who_o he_o intend_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o more_o direct_a course_n for_o our_o adversary_n to_o take_v if_o they_o will_v say_v downright_a that_o god_n never_o commit_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o writing_n then_o now_o to_o say_v as_o they_o do_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a that_o these_o write_n be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v at_o first_o for_o this_o seem_v to_o cast_v a_o aspersion_n upon_o god_n for_o take_v such_o a_o way_n of_o represent_v his_o mind_n unto_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o must_v leave_v those_o of_o these_o 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and_o that_o ecclesiâ—…sticus_n and_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n etc._n etc._n contain_v many_o and_o sundry_a moral_a instruction_n we_o do_v not_o question_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o like_a be_v find_v in_o other_o book_n which_o yet_o pretend_v not_o to_o divine_a authority_n but_o this_o prove_v they_o not_o to_o be_v canonical_a as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v determine_v once_o the_o jewish_a church_n never_o own_v they_o for_o part_n of_o the_o canon_n nor_o be_v they_o ever_o write_v in_o their_o language_n as_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a 〈◊〉_d true_o they_o have_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v read_v in_o some_o church_n for_o instruction_n in_o manner_n but_o the_o christian_a church_n never_o receive_v they_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n nor_o will_v it_o ever_o be_v prove_v the_o romish_a church_n indeed_o for_o what_o cause_n she_o best_a know_v have_v canonize_v these_o book_n but_o what_o be_v that_o to_o we_o who_o can_v as_o easy_o 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to_o revelation_n now_o adays_o and_o for_o any_o other_o way_n of_o know_v these_o mystery_n then_o by_o scripture_n we_o know_v none_o and_o therefore_o resolve_v it_o be_v of_o god_n and_o can_v be_v of_o any_o other_o how_o much_o will_v this_o argument_n be_v enforce_v when_o we_o further_o consider_v of_o many_o other_o particular_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n which_o none_o but_o god_n can_v 14._o possible_o know_v as_o that_o there_o be_v three_o that_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n that_o god_n be_v manifest_v in_o our_o flâ—…sh_n so_o as_o the_o alone_a mediator_n be_v god-man_n in_o one_o person_n can_v any_o creature_n declare_v these_o if_o it_o be_v not_o inspire_v and_o â—…ht_n of_o god_n again_o how_o can_v any_o creature_n come_v to_o know_v how_o â—…he_a world_n be_v make_v or_o how_o can_v man_n come_v to_o know_v how_o himself_o be_v first_o make_v out_o of_o the_o dust_n can_v the_o creature_n remember_v the_o time_n or_o know_v the_o manner_n of_o its_o own_o 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turk_n and_o other_o as_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o we_o for_o those_o delude_a soul_n count_v the_o alcoran_n their_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o mahomet_n call_v himself_o a_o great_a prophet_n and_o so_o his_o follower_n account_v of_o he_o to_o this_o day_n but_o what_o reasonable_a man_n see_v not_o a_o bundle_n of_o fallacy_n and_o folly_n in_o that_o book_n which_o by_o its_o contradiction_n and_o ridiculous_a relation_n confute_v itself_o without_o more_o ado_n there_o be_v many_o passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v one_o obj._n another_o there_o be_v so_o but_o they_o seem_v only_a contradiction_n and_o be_v not_o such_o sol._n indeed_o and_o who_o be_v they_o which_o apprehend_v such_o contraciction_n be_v they_o not_o common_o such_o as_o be_v most_o ignorant_a or_o least_o affect_a to_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o mutual_a consâ—…ency_n of_o all_o those_o passage_n may_v be_v soon_o find_v out_o by_o all_o that_o be_v intelligent_a and_o will_v use_v their_o diligence_n for_o that_o end_n and_o what_o be_v there_o be_v some_o passage_n to_o we_o irreconcilable_a will_v it_o follow_v they_o be_v such_o in_o themselves_o sure_o the_o general_a consistency_n of_o scripture_n with_o itself_o may_v be_v enough_o to_o persuade_v we_o rather_o to_o charge_v ourselves_o with_o ignorance_n then_o to_o suspect_v it_o of_o any_o mistake_n and_o here_o i_o can_v omit_v what_o a_o learned_a man_n have_v observe_v viz._n a_o majestic_a kind_n of_o security_n as_o he_o be_v goodwin_n please_v to_o câ—…ll_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n under_o many_o 〈◊〉_d yea_o maâ—…_n sâ—…mingly_o bold_a and_o â—…urous_a contradiction_n that_o yâ—…_n either_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o truth_n nor_o that_o unity_n which_o they_o have_v in_o and_o with_o themselves_o shall_v as_o he_o say_v at_o all_o suffer_v by_o for_o reconcile_a those_o seem_a contradiction_n it_o be_v not_o my_o work_n at_o present_a only_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o one_o 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this_o rule_n do_v i_o consult_v god_n and_o his_o word_n when_o i_o undertake_v such_o a_o business_n be_v the_o way_n i_o be_o now_o in_o answerable_a to_o what_o god_n have_v command_v do_v not_o i_o in_o such_o a_o design_n or_o undertake_n clash_n with_o some_o commandment_n or_o other_o o_o that_o so_o many_o loose_a and_o vicious_a person_n as_o be_v now_o adays_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o sit_v down_o and_o serious_o question_v themselves_o whether_o their_o uncleanness_n excess_n revel_n and_o rioting_n curse_a oâ—…ths_n and_o blasphemy_n and_o many_o other_o horrid_a impiety_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n but_o i_o must_v let_v they_o alone_o and_o leave_v they_o till_o the_o time_n come_v when_o they_o will_v be_v make_v to_o know_v that_o god_n word_n be_v such_o a_o rule_n as_o will_v over-rule_v yea_o and_o run_v they_o down_o so_o as_o they_o shall_v never_o rise_v more_o to_o contradict_v it_o as_o now_o they_o do_v for_o such_o as_o be_v 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i_o intend_v it_o not_o to_o allow_v or_o countenance_v any_o wilful_a neglect_n or_o affect_a ignorance_n of_o any_o scripture-truths_n but_o only_o to_o salve_v the_o conscience_n of_o such_o as_o can_v after_o all_o their_o most_o careful_a enquiry_n come_v to_o know_v all_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o every_o particular_a as_o scripture_n have_v it_o can_v any_o man_n reasonable_o think_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o mind_n and_o remember_v every_o descent_n in_o all_o the_o genealogy_n as_o we_o be_v to_o have_v in_o mind_n the_o birth_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o know_v not_o the_o dâ—…fference_n that_o have_v be_v among_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o still_o be_v in_o reconcile_a the_o genealogy_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o it_o be_v with_o some_o difference_n record_v in_o two_o evangelist_n and_o be_v there_o not_o think_v we_o many_o in_o heaven_n who_o never_o much_o study_a christ_n pedigree_n after_o the_o flesh_n to_o 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saviour_n with_o some_o variety_n though_o no_o contradiction_n in_o the_o least_o as_o also_o paul_n epistle_n so_o often_o repeat_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n alone_o through_o faith_n in_o his_o blood_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o christian_n in_o all_o their_o relation_n now_o i_o say_v again_o observe_v and_o attend_v those_o thing_n as_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n and_o other_o also_o in_o their_o order_n for_o in_o so_o do_v we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o know_v so_o much_o as_o we_o need_v to_o do_v in_o a_o word_n read_v attentive_o and_o that_o as_o often_o as_o may_v be_v with_o all_o humility_n and_o a_o earnest_a sincere_a desire_n to_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o order_n to_o your_o do_v it_o always_o beg_v the_o assistance_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o spirit_n who_o alone_o teach_v we_o to_o 〈◊〉_d then_o will_v your_o own_o experience_n convince_v you_o against_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n that_o there_o be_v a_o clear_a 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