at_o large_a in_o the_o 12_o book_n of_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n some_o will_v needs_o imagine_v that_o antiochus_n so_o far_o prevail_v in_o this_o undertake_n that_o the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a be_v whole_o destroy_v but_o the_o contrary_n be_v most_o evident_a and_o a_o special_a providence_n in_o their_o preservation_n sufficient_o visible_a for_o no_o soon_o be_v that_o storm_n over_o but_o the_o bible_n be_v every_o where_o public_o extant_a have_v be_v particular_o preserve_v by_o mathias_n the_o son_n of_o asmonaeus_fw-la and_o his_o son_n who_o as_o josephus_n say_v resolute_o venture_v their_o life_n in_o the_o do_v it_o and_o also_o by_o other_o good_a man_n and_o be_v universal_o know_v in_o that_o age_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v so_o calvin_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o institutes_n observe_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v undergo_v the_o malice_n of_o manifold_a enemy_n on_o all_o hand_n yet_o neither_o the_o loss_n nor_o the_o change_n nor_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o law_n be_v ever_o by_o their_o worst_a enemy_n object_v against_o they_o and_o indeed_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o enmity_n be_v against_o their_o religion_n yet_o they_o never_o deny_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o law_n they_o have_v be_v the_o same_o he_o deliâ—cred_a at_o first_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n since_o the_o closure_n and_o completion_n of_o the_o whole_a what_o a_o fâ—â—ious_a persecution_n do_v the_o bible_n escape_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n who_o after_o the_o grievous_a suffering_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o i_o before_o persecution_n assault_v they_o about_o the_o year_n 302_o with_o the_o sore_a and_o most_o cruel_a of_o all_o and_o with_o a_o full_a purpose_n to_o root_n christianity_n utter_o out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o destroy_v its_o very_a name_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n euselius_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o publish_v a_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o christianity_n itself_o in_o which_o he_o so_o much_o glory_v that_o he_o cause_v a_o pillar_n to_o be_v erect_v as_o his_o memorial_n to_o all_o posterity_n with_o this_o inscription_n dioclesiano_n casari_fw-la augusto_fw-la superstitione_n christi_fw-la ubique_fw-la deleta_fw-la to_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n have_v abolish_v the_o superstition_n of_o christ_n all_o the_o world_n over_o by_o that_o edict_n he_o command_v that_o the_o christian-churche_n shall_v every_v where_o be_v demolish_v the_o christian_n all_o seize_v and_o imprison_v et_fw-la quibuâ—cunque_fw-la adhiâ—itis_fw-la machinis_fw-la victimas_fw-la idolis_fw-la immolare_fw-la cogerentur_fw-la that_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o mean_n fair_a and_o foul_a they_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o sacrifice_v unto_o his_o idol_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v every_o where_o seek_v for_o burn_v and_o destroy_v and_o whoever_o retain_v they_o shall_v be_v most_o sharp_o torment_v dioclesian_n at_o this_o time_n have_v the_o command_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n for_o as_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a writer_n say_v romanâ—_n spatium_fw-la est_fw-la vrbis_fw-la &_o orbis_n idem_fw-la the_o scripture_n be_v then_o but_o in_o write_a hand_n man_n general_o quake_v with_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o rage_a tyrant_n very_o many_o apostatise_v and_o deliver_v up_o the_o bible_n to_o his_o wrath_n and_o be_v thereupon_o brand_v with_o the_o name_n of_o traditores_fw-la of_o which_o and_o of_o the_o whole_a business_n we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v a_o large_a account_n have_v not_o the_o life_n of_o deoclesian_n write_v by_o eusthenius_n his_o secretary_n be_v since_o lose_v for_o as_o baronius_n have_v right_o observe_v in_o his_o annal_n we_o have_v now_o no_o writer_n who_o do_v at_o that_o time_n historical_o set_v down_o the_o action_n of_o that_o emperor_n yet_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n deliver_v this_o book_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n disappoint_v his_o fury_n and_o suffer_v he_o not_o to_o quench_v the_o light_n of_o these_o divine_a law_n the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n tire_v out_o the_o invention_n of_o their_o enemy_n in_o find_v out_o way_n to_o torment_v they_o and_o by_o their_o constant_a and_o patient_a suffer_v the_o utmost_a of_o humane_a misery_n even_o weary_v out_o their_o executioner_n one_o remarkable_a passage_n we_o have_v in_o euseblus_fw-la that_o happen_v upon_o this_o occasion_n a_o noble_a man_n in_o nicomedia_n of_o eminent_a quality_n hear_v this_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o bible_n publish_v at_o nicemedâ—a_n after_o it_o be_v read_v and_o open_o fix_v to_o a_o public_a pillar_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o dioclesian_n himself_o maximinius_n galerius_n constantius_n and_o other_o the_o chief_a person_n in_o the_o empire_n for_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o emperor_n to_o come_v themselves_o in_o person_n with_o their_o chief_a attendants_n to_o hear_v their_o own_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n proclaim_v to_o see_v the_o christian_n torment_v and_o to_o make_v themselves_o sport_n with_o their_o misery_n this_o noble_a man_n have_v such_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o before_o the_o emperor_n face_n he_o take_v down_o that_o profane_a and_o impious_a edict_n and_o with_o a_o holy_a indignation_n open_o tear_v it_o to_o piece_n and_z and_o thereby_o willing_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o utmost_a suffering_n the_o fury_n and_o rage_n of_o the_o emperor_n can_v any_o way_n make_v he_o the_o subject_n of_o two_o thing_n be_v usual_o urge_v in_o diminution_n of_o the_o â—â—ble_a and_o its_o authority_n upon_o a_o quite_o contrary_a account_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v preserve_v entire_a in_o the_o whole_a or_o in_o its_o part_n that_o first_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n periâ—â—ed_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n and_o that_o esdras_n write_v it_o himself_o all_o over_o again_o upon_o their_o return_n and_o that_o we_o have_v now_o so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n only_o from_o he_o and_o as_o he_o re-pâ—â—ned_n it_o in_o this_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o the_o 33_o chapter_n of_o his_o leviathan_n where_o he_o have_v not_o fail_v to_o insinuate_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v gratify_v man_n of_o sceptical_a notion_n about_o the_o bible_n be_v very_o positive_a and_o tell_v we_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v derive_v to_o we_o from_o no_o other_o time_n then_o that_o of_o esdras_n and_o be_v retrive_v by_o he_o when_o they_o be_v lose_v and_o second_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o many_o particular_a book_n and_o write_n pen_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o once_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v since_o consume_v by_o time_n and_o be_v now_o whole_o lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n the_o first_o that_o so_o much_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o be_v then_o extant_a which_o be_v the_o whole_a as_o we_o have_v it_o save_o some_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezeâ—iel_n daniel_n haggai_n zachary_n and_o masachai_n and_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v total_o lose_v and_o all_o the_o copy_n destroy_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v a_o assertion_n very_o weak_o ground_v and_o there_o be_v very_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o persuade_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o weak_o ground_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o that_o in_o a_o apocryphal_a book_n that_o go_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o four_o book_n of_o esdras_n a_o book_n every_o where_o stuff_v with_o childish_a and_o fabulous_a stoties_fw-la there_o we_o find_v this_o absurd_a fiction_n that_o esdras_n shall_v speak_v unto_o god_n and_o tell_v he_o thy_o law_n be_v burn_v and_o no_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n that_o thou_o have_v do_v and_o therefore_o desire_v to_o be_v inspire_v to_o write_v it_o all_o over_o again_o and_o to_o wrire_fw-fr all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o after_o he_o have_v be_v forty_o day_n and_o night_n with_o god_n in_o a_o apish_a foolish_a imitation_n of_o moses_n and_o have_v take_v a_o potion_n god_n have_v prepare_v for_o he_o he_o dictate_v all_o the_o bible_n over_o again_o to_o five_o man_n now_o of_o how_o little_a credit_n this_o relation_n be_v no_o where_n find_v but_o in_o this_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v with_o any_o consider_a man_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o book_n be_v not_o only_o constant_o reject_v as_o apocryphal_a by_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o a_o counterfeit_n under_o esdras_n his_o name_n and_o none_o of_o he_o but_o have_v be_v so_o by_o all_o
we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o babble_n all_o that_o be_v write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o intend_v as_o a_o rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o now_o be_v safe_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v able_a upon_o good_a ground_n to_o say_v what_o be_v canonical_a and_o what_o be_v not_o it_o be_v too_o apparent_a a_o truth_n that_o nothing_o by_o the_o power_n of_o its_o own_o worth_a and_o excellency_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o escape_v contempt_n and_o reproach_n from_o the_o unruly_a will_n and_o debauch_a mind_n of_o corrupt_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n the_o bible_n have_v meet_v with_o its_o share_n in_o this_o kind_n some_o upon_o fanatical_a pretence_n have_v despise_v and_o reject_v the_o whole_a other_o have_v mangle_v and_o sever_v it_o as_o themselves_o think_v good_a receive_v some_o part_n only_o as_o divine_a and_o reject_v the_o rest_n as_o they_o please_v of_o this_o iraeneus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n st._n austin_n and_o many_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o manichee_n reject_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o come_v from_o a_o evil_a god_n the_o ptolemaite_v as_o epiphamus_n tell_v we_o reject_v all_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o gnostic_n with_o some_o other_o heretic_n reject_v the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n cerdon_n and_o after_o he_o martion_n reject_v all_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o divers_a other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o find_v by_o tertullian_n the_o valentimans_fw-la reject_v all_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n john_n as_o we_o see_v in_o irenaeus_n other_o reject_v all_o that_o st._n john_n write_v the_o ebionite_n receive_v no_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n matthen_n and_o reject_v in_o gross_a all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v not_o one_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o that_o have_v escape_v the_o reprobation_n of_o some_o bad_a men._n but_o all_o such_o attempt_n be_v soon_o blow_v away_o expire_v in_o the_o birth_n bear_v about_o they_o their_o own_o shame_n and_o reproach_n make_v no_o considerable_a battery_n upon_o the_o truth_n in_o any_o age_n nor_o do_v they_o reach_v further_o than_o the_o vitiate_a mind_n and_o corrupt_a breast_n of_o such_o profligate_v heretic_n as_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o in_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n how_o we_o come_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o those_o book_n now_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o protestant_a church_n as_o such_o be_v all_o canonical_a and_o no_o other_o two_o thing_n only_o will_v occur_v that_o be_v of_o any_o seem_a moment_n in_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o which_o all_o will_v be_v say_v that_o be_v needful_a about_o this_o matter_n first_o how_o we_o come_v to_o reject_v out_o of_o our_o canon_n those_o book_n common_o call_v apocryphal_a which_o be_v write_v at_o least_o all_o but_o one_o of_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o second_o upon_o what_o ground_n we_o now_o receive_v some_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v sometime_o lie_v under_o question_n if_o we_o mistake_v in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o ought_v if_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o have_v much_o more_o than_o we_o shall_v about_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n there_o be_v among_o christian_n themselves_o a_o present_a disagreement_n but_o concern_v the_o other_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n be_v at_o this_o day_n of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o reject_v those_o book_n common_o call_v the_o apocrypha_fw-la that_o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n nor_o send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o any_o part_n of_o those_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o so_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v within_o the_o canon_n will_v be_v make_v very_o evident_a to_o any_o reasonable_a judge_n upon_o these_o consideration_n follow_v first_o after_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n it_o be_v universal_o agree_v by_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a jew_n and_o christian_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n among_o they_o nor_o do_v god_n raise_v up_o any_o man_n with_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n from_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n who_o be_v agree_v to_o be_v the_o last_o prophet_n till_o john_n the_o baptist_n which_o be_v for_o the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a year_n now_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v all_o write_v after_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n and_o so_o can_v be_v of_o no_o extraordinary_a mission_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v write_v before_o and_o have_v be_v extant_a in_o ezra_n time_n which_o they_o be_v not_o it_o have_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a reason_n for_o their_o rejection_n now_o because_o they_o be_v not_o receive_v then_o for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o none_o of_o these_o book_n now_o in_o question_n be_v by_o he_o incorporate_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o be_v within_o the_o canon_n at_o that_o time_n settle_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n by_o who_o all_o part_n of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v write_v for_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v call_v prophecy_n nor_o any_o man_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n among_o they_o after_o the_o captivity_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n general_o agree_v josephus_n be_v express_v in_o it_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n though_o certain_a book_n have_v be_v write_v yet_o they_o deserve_v not_o the_o same_o credit_n and_o belief_n that_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n do_v because_o there_o be_v no_o succession_n of_o propher_n among_o they_o saint_n austin_n in_o the_o 45th_o chapter_n of_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophecy_n after_o ezra_n time_n and_o the_o same_o eusebius_n affirm_v in_o his_o demonstrationes_fw-la evangelicae_fw-la post_fw-la zachartam_fw-la &_o malachiam_fw-la non_fw-la fuâ—sse_fw-la amplius_fw-la apud_fw-la judaeos_fw-la prophetam_fw-la et_fw-la a_fw-la reditu_fw-la ex_fw-la captivitate_fw-la ad_fw-la tempora_fw-la servatoris_fw-la nullum_fw-la babucrint_fw-la judaei_n sacrum_fw-la volumen_fw-la the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n after_o zachary_n and_o malachi_n nor_o any_o sacred_a write_n after_o the_o captivity_n till_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o some_o of_o these_o very_a book_n tell_v we_o as_o much_o themselves_o for_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n chap._n 9_o it_o be_v there_o say_v that_o there_o be_v then_o great_a tribulation_n in_o israel_n such_o as_o have_v not_o be_v since_o the_o day_n that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o prophet_n in_o israel_n relate_v to_o ezra_n time_n and_o indeed_o it_o appear_v very_o plain_a from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o divine_a write_n publish_v between_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o evangelist_n take_v thing_n up_o just_a where_o he_o leave_v they_o and_o begin_v the_o gospel_n from_o the_o end_n of_o malachi_n prophecy_n for_o he_o end_v his_o prophecy_n at_o john_n the_o baptist_n under_o the_o type_n and_o title_n of_o elias_n and_o the_o evangelist_n begin_v the_o gospel_n with_o he_o for_o st._n mark_v express_o declare_v the_o end_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a combination_n from_o thence_o from_o that_o period_n of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n together_o second_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v prophet_n to_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o write_n and_o prophecy_n be_v direct_v chief_o to_o they_o and_o so_o they_o be_v all_o writ_n except_o some_o passage_n in_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n dialect_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v in_o their_o captivity_n be_v much_o accustom_v in_o their_o own_o native_a language_n the_o language_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v the_o hebrew_n but_o these_o book_n be_v confess_o most_o of_o they_o first_o write_v in_o greek_a and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o the_o jew_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o
in_o palestine_n nor_o understand_v by_o any_o but_o the_o disperse_a hellenist_n and_o so_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a to_o be_v send_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o that_o church_n who_o never_o own_v any_o scripture_n for_o canonical_a but_o what_o be_v in_o hebrew_n a_o language_n peculiar_a to_o they_o and_o the_o bibles_n they_o constant_o use_v till_o our_o saviour_n time_n in_o their_o synagogue_n be_v all_o in_o hebrew_n three_o there_o be_v in_o most_o of_o these_o book_n some_o eminent_a discovery_n of_o their_o own_o humane_a extraction_n as_o in_o the_o second_o of_o macc._n 2.24_o the_o author_n of_o that_o book_n whoever_o he_o be_v tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v borrow_v what_o he_o write_v out_o of_o jason_n of_o cyrene_n and_o contract_v five_o book_n of_o his_o into_o one_o volumn_n and_o so_o what_o he_o there_o write_v he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o father_v it_o on_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o any_o dictate_v of_o his_o that_o he_o plain_o confess_v it_o be_v none_o of_o his_o own_o but_o the_o bare_a epitome_n of_o another_o man_n write_n and_o desire_n to_o be_v excuse_v if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o well_o and_o it_o be_v most_o notorious_o evident_a to_o every_o common_a reader_n that_o many_o of_o these_o book_n contain_v such_o ridiculous_a story_n and_o gross_a absurdity_n that_o without_o high_a impiety_n and_o great_a contradiction_n to_o all_o those_o natural_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o god_n they_o can_v be_v impute_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o their_o author_n four_o these_o book_n be_v never_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n nor_o be_v to_o this_o day_n and_o so_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v never_o receive_v by_o any_o church_n for_o there_o be_v then_o no_o other_o which_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o conceive_v of_o any_o part_n of_o god_n write_a and_o supreme_a law_n as_o also_o that_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o in_o a_o most_o peculiar_a way_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n be_v commit_v and_o who_o have_v the_o custody_n of_o all_o god_n sacred_a record_n and_o be_v as_o st._n austin_n call_v they_o god_n &_o the_o church_n great_a library-keeper_n shall_v so_o notorious_o err_v as_o to_o reject_v for_o not_o to_o receive_v into_o their_o canon_n be_v to_o reject_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v somewhat_o strange_a that_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n with_o who_o chief_o we_o contest_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o who_o annex_v to_o the_o church_n a_o infallible_a judgement_n shall_v imagine_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o fall_v into_o so_o great_a and_o gross_a a_o mistake_n in_o so_o fundamental_a a_o matter_n that_o the_o jewish_a church_n never_o heretofore_o receive_v these_o apocryphal_a book_n into_o their_o canon_n nor_o do_v to_o this_o day_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o with_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o reason_n can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o do_v not_o to_o this_o day_n be_v know_v all_o the_o world_n over_o wheresoever_o the_o jew_n be_v and_o their_o bible_n be_v to_o be_v see_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v no_o other_o book_n within_o their_o canon_n than_o those_o we_o now_o have_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o josephus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n who_o there_o tâ—lls_v we_o what_o book_n the_o jew_n reckon_v canonical_a and_o say_v they_o be_v only_o twenty_o two_o in_o number_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o letter_n in_o their_o alphabet_n and_o reckon_v those_o very_a book_n we_o now_o receive_v as_o only_o canonical_a other_o book_n he_o say_v there_o be_v write_v after_o the_o captivity_n but_o they_o be_v never_o number_v with_o the_o sacred_a record_n origen_n st._n jerome_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v large_o prove_v the_o same_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n who_o have_v turn_v every_o stone_n to_o ease_v themselves_o from_o the_o dint_n of_o this_o argument_n have_v find_v no_o other_o countenance_n that_o ever_o these_o book_n receive_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o make_v we_o suppose_v they_o receive_v they_o into_o their_o canon_n but_o that_o in_o some_o place_n some_o few_o of_o the_o hellenist_n jew_n that_o live_v remote_a from_o palestine_n have_v annex_v some_o of_o these_o book_n to_o their_o septuagint_n bibles_n but_o such_o hellenist_n themselves_o have_v any_o esteem_n of_o they_o as_o canonical_a write_n nor_o can_v it_o any_o more_o be_v prove_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o have_v than_o it_o can_v that_o we_o in_o england_n receive_v they_o into_o our_o canon_n because_o they_o be_v bind_v up_o with_o some_o of_o our_o bibles_n and_o never_o be_v any_o of_o these_o book_n annex_v to_o the_o hobrew-bibles_n use_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o palestine_n nor_o be_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o read_v or_o admit_v into_o their_o synagogue_n there_o in_o truth_n this_o matter_n in_o point_n of_o fact_n be_v so_o notorious_a and_o evident_a that_o bellarmine_n himself_o make_v a_o ingenuous_a confession_n of_o it_o and_o say_v plain_o hos_fw-la omnes_fw-la libros_fw-la speak_v of_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n ad_fw-la unum_fw-la rejici_fw-la ab_fw-la hebraeis_n that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o book_n be_v rect_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n contr._n 1._o lib._n 1._o ch_n 10._o and_o confirm_v the_o same_o out_o of_o st._n jerome_n and_o if_o so_o we_o have_v then_o not_o only_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n in_o this_o case_n which_o be_v single_o sufficient_a for_o it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a contradiction_n to_o make_v any_o book_n part_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o which_o be_v not_o so_o receive_v then_o but_o we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o infallible_a determination_n for_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n full_o and_o constant_o approve_v the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o possess_v of_o it_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v with_o so_o much_o exactness_n reduce_v all_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o tacit_o approve_v and_o silent_o pass_v over_o so_o great_a a_o mistake_n about_o the_o rule_n itself_o our_o saviour_n direct_v the_o jew_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n as_o they_o then_o have_v they_o as_o be_v perfect_a and_o complete_a appeal_n to_o their_o own_o bibles_n upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o his_o own_o defence_n expound_v moses_n the_o psalm_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o those_o to_o who_o he_o speak_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v then_o extant_a nay_o he_o himself_o read_v and_o preach_v in_o their_o synagogue_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o he_o there_o find_v they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v there_o public_o use_v and_o no_o man_n can_v sober_o imagine_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v go_v about_o to_o instruct_v the_o people_n out_o of_o any_o false_a and_o imperfect_a rule_n the_o apostle_n likewise_o upon_o all_o occasion_n make_v use_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o they_o find_v the_o jew_n possess_v of_o it_o nor_o have_v we_o the_o least_o intimation_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v either_o mistake_v in_o the_o number_n of_o those_o book_n they_o receive_v or_o that_o the_o least_o alteration_n have_v be_v make_v in_o those_o book_n since_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o write_v and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o the_o old_a tement_n as_o the_o jew_n than_o have_v it_o and_o as_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n approve_v it_o descend_v down_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v constant_o so_o receive_v the_o primitive_a writer_n agree_v universal_o in_o it_o cyprian_a epiphanius_n athanasius_n nazianzen_n all_o bear_v witness_n to_o it_o cyril_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o he_o have_v reckon_v up_o to_o his_o catechumini_fw-la the_o 22_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o now_o receive_v add_v hos_fw-la lege_fw-la viginti_fw-la dvos_fw-la cum_fw-la apocryphis_fw-la nil_fw-la habe_fw-la negotii_fw-la catechis_n 4._o read_v these_o two_o and_o twenty_o book_n but_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o apocrypha_fw-la origen_n quote_v for_o it_o at_o large_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o history_n reckon_v up_o the_o very_a same_o twenty_o two_o book_n for_o the_o canonical_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o so_o do_v st._n jerome_n and_o express_o reckon_v the_o other_o apocryphal_a the_o same_o we_o find_v in_o russinus_n who_o say_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n they_o never_o ancient_o call_v libros_fw-la canonicos_fw-la but_o ecclesiasticos_fw-la and_o the_o first_o council_n we_o read_v of_o that_o enter_v into_o a_o consideration_n of_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o of_o laodicea_n about_o the_o year_n 364._o in_o their_o 59_o canon_n declare_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o
old_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o and_o no_o other_o than_o those_o we_o now_o receive_v nor_o be_v these_o apocryphal_a book_n ever_o otherwise_o reckon_v either_o in_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a church_n than_o as_o humane_a and_o fallible_a write_n till_o the_o late_a assembly_n at_o trent_n be_v please_v to_o declare_v they_o otherwise_o these_o thing_n must_v needs_o seem_v sufficient_a to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n to_o clear_v up_o that_o doubt_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n whether_o we_o have_v not_o less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o indeed_o ought_v to_o have_v because_o that_o beside_o what_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v of_o late_o do_v to_o canonize_v these_o apocryphal_a write_n no_o other_o addition_n to_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n attempt_v that_o merit_v the_o least_o consideration_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o doubt_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o that_o be_v how_o we_o may_v be_v reasonable_o secure_v that_o our_o bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o no_o more_o than_o they_o shall_v that_o be_v upon_o what_o ground_n we_o receive_v some_o book_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n the_o epistle_n of_o judas_n the_o 2_o and_o 3_o epistle_n of_o john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_v of_o all_o which_o there_o have_v former_o be_v some_o doubt_n make_v in_o the_o solution_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o show_v what_o be_v most_o probable_o the_o first_o and_o original_a ground_n of_o such_o doubt_n and_o second_o to_o show_v that_o those_o doubt_n than_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o no_o prevalency_n with_o we_o now_o and_o that_o there_o be_v at_o this_o time_n no_o good_a reason_n to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o be_v now_o in_o possession_n of_o it_o all_o the_o doubt_n that_o have_v arisen_a about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v most_o probable_o these_o two_o way_n occasion_v first_o it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o several_a part_n at_o several_a time_n and_o not_o all_o compose_v together_o the_o whole_a become_v not_o public_a but_o by_o many_o step_n and_o degree_n have_v several_a former_a and_o latter_a edition_n that_o be_v some_o part_n that_o be_v first_o write_v be_v copy_v out_o by_o those_o that_o have_v the_o original_n and_o conjoined_a and_o so_o disperse_v and_o other_o part_n still_o add_v as_o they_o be_v write_v and_o become_v public_a now_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o some_o part_n that_o be_v after_o add_v to_o such_o bibles_n as_o first_o come_v out_o may_v be_v at_o first_o question_v and_o doubt_v of_o by_o such_o who_o have_v the_o former_a edition_n and_o be_v not_o full_o inform_v about_o the_o after_o addition_n of_o other_o part_n and_o so_o it_o have_v fall_v out_o in_o the_o publication_n of_o most_o systeme_n of_o humane_a law_n that_o have_v come_v out_o gradual_o and_o by_o part_n and_o not_o in_o a_o full_a and_o entire_a body_n at_o once_o second_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o many_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o those_o first_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o distance_n from_o those_o place_n where_o some_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n first_o become_v public_a may_v be_v for_o a_o considerable_a time_n it_o may_v be_v till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o author_n without_o any_o notice_n of_o they_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n some_o doubt_n about_o such_o part_n may_v arise_v because_o they_o â—ad_v come_v to_o their_o knowledge_n no_o soon_o especial_o if_o any_o such_o part_n seem_v to_o â—avour_n or_o countenance_v any_o particular_a sect_n or_o opinion_n as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n do_v that_o of_o the_o novation_n and_o the_o apocalypse_v that_o of_o the_o chiliast_n and_o this_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n and_o we_o know_v it_o be_v about_o the_o epistle_n that_o the_o doubt_n chief_o be_v be_v at_o any_o time_n question_v especial_o such_o as_o be_v more_o remote_o and_o uncertain_o direct_v to_o the_o scatter_a jew_n as_o that_o of_o st._n james_n that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n peter_n which_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a to_o be_v so_o soon_o or_o so_o common_o know_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o come_v by_o as_o those_o epistle_n send_v to_o rome_n corinth_n and_o ephesus_n and_o those_o great_a and_o public_a city_n from_o whence_o the_o fame_n of_o they_o will_v soon_o spread_v and_o copy_n be_v upon_o much_o easy_a term_n to_o be_v have_v because_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v where_o the_o original_n be_v second_o there_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n from_o any_o question_n that_o be_v make_v heretofore_o to_o raise_v any_o doubt_n now_o about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new-testament_n and_o that_o for_o these_o three_o reason_n first_o because_o these_o book_n in_o question_n be_v most_o general_o receive_v at_o first_o and_o doubt_v of_o only_a by_o some_o and_o those_o such_o who_o have_v least_o information_n about_o they_o and_o this_o be_v very_o evident_a because_o we_o find_v they_o frequent_o quote_v as_o canonical_a scripture_n by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a christian-writer_n in_o those_o age_n next_o the_o apostle_n tertullian_n except_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n have_v in_o his_o work_n quote_v as_o canonical_a scripture_n every_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n we_o now_o receive_v and_o st._n jerome_n speak_v in_o his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la dardanâ—m_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrews_n and_o some_o other_o of_o those_o book_n about_o which_o we_o now_o discourse_v say_v we_o receive_v they_o not_o from_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o time_n but_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a writer_n second_o they_o contain_v nothing_o in_o they_o but_o what_o do_v plain_o harmonise_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o be_v general_o witness_v unto_o by_o other_o book_n about_o which_o no_o question_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v and_o of_o this_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n unless_o it_o be_v concern_v the_o revelation_n which_o yet_o contain_v a_o most_o admirable_a though_o mysterious_a agreement_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n and_o divers_a other_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o to_o this_o book_n beside_o that_o the_o suitableness_n of_o event_n thereunto_o and_o the_o notorious_a fulfil_n of_o many_o prophetical_a passage_n in_o it_o have_v put_v its_o divine_a authority_n out_o of_o all_o question_n we_o have_v as_o great_a a_o testimony_n from_o antiquity_n as_o can_v in_o such_o a_o case_n well_o be_v expect_v justin_n martyr_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o apostle_n john_n himself_o in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o tryphon_n cite_v it_o as_o the_o write_n of_o st._n john_n and_o without_o the_o least_o question_n ascribe_v it_o to_o he_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v some_o small_a time_n after_o justin_n and_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o polycarp_n who_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o st._n john_n say_v positive_o it_o be_v write_v by_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o that_o he_o be_v well_o assure_v thereof_o from_o some_o most_o probable_o polycarp_n that_o have_v see_v the_o apostle_n john_n himself_o and_o personal_o converse_v with_o he_o lib._n 4._o cap._n 37._o and_o lib._n 5._o and_o â—ertullian_n in_o his_o four_o book_n against_o martion_n say_v though_o martion_n do_v reject_v the_o apocalypse_v as_o none_o of_o st._n john_n be_v yet_o say_v he_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n tracod_n to_o the_o beginning_n will_v establish_v he_o as_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a author_n of_o it_o three_o god_n have_v in_o a_o providential_a way_n determine_v this_o matter_n for_o those_o that_o at_o first_o question_v those_o book_n when_o the_o heat_n of_o primitive_a persecution_n be_v somewhat_o abate_v the_o church_n have_v free_a intercourse_n and_o communication_n together_o and_o come_v to_o be_v better_o inform_v receive_v they_o all_o doubt_n about_o they_o be_v now_o vanish_v luthur_n and_o some_o with_o he_o in_o germany_n who_o be_v the_o last_o that_o revive_v any_o doubt_n of_o that_o kind_a upon_o second_o and_o more_o deliberate_a thought_n recant_v their_o error_n all_o christian_n be_v now_o at_o a_o agreement_n about_o they_o the_o supreme_a establishment_n that_o can_v be_v of_o canonical-authority_n even_o the_o roman_a church_n themselves_o receive_v the_o apocalypse_v into_o their_o canon_n although_o many_o passage_n in_o it_o seem_v very_o particular_o direct_v against_o they_o indeed_o the_o heavenly_a lustre_n of_o these_o book_n be_v
break_v forth_o like_o the_o sun_n in_o his_o strength_n have_v overspread_n the_o whole_a horizon_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o where_o ever_o the_o gospel_n be_v own_v these_o book_n be_v receive_v with_o that_o veneration_n that_o become_v due_a to_o such_o sacred_a write_n the_o church_n of_o england_n judge_n the_o doubt_n that_o have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n not_o worthy_a of_o our_o notice_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o six_o article_n it_o be_v thus_o express_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o do_v understand_v those_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n of_o who_o authority_n be_v never_o any_o doubt_n in_o the_o church_n that_o be_v no_o considerable_a doubt_n no_o general_a doubt_n in_o the_o whole_a church_n nor_o indeed_o any_o such_o doubt_n as_o aught_o to_o disturb_v either_o the_o church_n determination_n or_o any_o particular_a man_n judgement_n about_o this_o matter_n for_o it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o any_o one_o entire_a church_n or_o that_o any_o national_a or_o provincial_a council_n or_o indeed_o that_o any_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n in_o any_o public_a confession_n catechism_n or_o otherwise_o have_v reject_v any_o of_o those_o book_n we_o now_o reckon_v within_o the_o canon_n the_o most_o considerable_a doubt_n that_o we_o find_v make_v about_o any_o one_o of_o they_o be_v about_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o for_o some_o time_n be_v doubt_v of_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o yet_o eusebius_n say_v only_o it_o be_v doubt_v of_o a_o quibusdam_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la romana_fw-la by_o some_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a much_o of_o that_o doubt_n be_v whether_o st._n paul_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o or_o no_o but_o to_o conclude_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n let_v these_o two_o thing_n be_v consider_v first_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o soon_o as_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v finish_v the_o canon_n of_o that_o be_v exact_o settle_v by_o man_n of_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o those_o last_o prophet_n contemporary_a with_o he_o and_o so_o no_o further_a doubt_n be_v or_o can_v reasonable_o be_v make_v about_o that_o second_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o please_v god_n so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o he_o that_o close_v up_o the_o whole_a bible_n and_o write_v the_o conclusion_n of_o it_o so_o far_o outlive_v all_o the_o other_o penman_n that_o he_o himself_o may_v very_o well_o see_v the_o whole_a conjoin_v and_o deliver_v it_o over_o to_o the_o church_n entire_a as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o the_o apostle_n st._n john_n not_o only_o survive_v titus_n and_o that_o famous_a destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o jew_n in_o his_o time_n but_o he_o live_v through_o domitian_n time_n and_o cocceius_n nerva_n time_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n which_o be_v somewhat_o above_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o sixty_o and_o odd_a after_o his_o crucifixion_n so_o irenaeus_n tell_v we_o lib._n 2._o p._n 192._o and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n it_o shall_v seem_v live_v long_o for_o the_o same_o author_n say_v that_o there_o be_v in_o his_o time_n saniores_fw-la qui_fw-la non_fw-la solum_fw-la johannem_fw-la viderint_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o alios_fw-la apostolos_fw-la elder_n that_o have_v not_o only_o see_v s._n john_n but_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v establish_v and_o settle_v by_o apostolical_a authority_n seem_v very_o probable_a s._n austin_n contra_fw-la faust_n man._n lib._n 11._o cap._n 5._o and_o in_o his_o 19_o epist_n positive_o affirm_v it_o distincta_fw-la est_fw-la say_v he_o à _fw-la posteriorum_fw-la libris_fw-la excellentia_fw-la canonica_n authoritatis_fw-la veteris_fw-la &_o novi_fw-la testamenti_fw-la quae_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la confirmata_fw-la temporibus_fw-la saint_n jerome_n say_v johannem_fw-la omnium_fw-la longissimè_fw-la vixisse_fw-la &_o videre_fw-la libros_fw-la omnes_fw-la &_o confirmare_fw-la posset_n &_o si_fw-la qui_fw-la fictitij_fw-la liberi_fw-la ederentur_fw-la eos_fw-la à _fw-la sâ—cris_fw-la &_o verè_fw-la canonicis_fw-la distinguere_fw-la that_o the_o apostle_n john_n outlive_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o may_v peruse_v and_o confirm_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o counterfeit_a write_n if_o any_o such_o come_v abroad_o and_o he_o further_o add_v that_o some_o spurious_a write_n concern_v the_o action_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v bring_v to_o he_o and_o that_o he_o by_o his_o apostolical_a authirity_n condemn_v they_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr prescript_n say_v express_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v found_v upon_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o eusebius_n give_v this_o plain_a testimony_n to_o it_o narrant_fw-la veteres_fw-la johannem_fw-la asiaticarum_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la rogatu_fw-la germanum_fw-la scripturae_fw-la canonem_fw-la constituisse_fw-la the_o ancients_n tell_v we_o say_v he_o that_o st._n john_n upon_o the_o request_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n settle_v the_o true_a canon_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o s._n john_n before_o his_o death_n make_v his_o abode_n much_o at_o sardis_n and_o ephesus_n and_o among_o those_o asiatic_a church_n for_o after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n he_o be_v restore_v from_o his_o banishment_n by_o the_o emperor_n nerva_n and_o return_v from_o patmos_n into_o asia_n and_o there_o govern_v the_o church_n until_o his_o death_n and_o it_o be_v extreme_o probable_a that_o upon_o their_o desire_n he_o then_o full_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o that_o there_o be_v then_o occasion_n for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o we_o sin_v by_o enseâ—ius_n his_o history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o s._n john_n himself_o that_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n have_v be_v attempt_v by_o false_a apostle_n in_o those_o day_n and_o whatever_o doubt_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v then_o extant_a we_o can_v otherwise_o suppose_v but_o that_o they_o will_v be_v propose_v to_o he_o and_o end_v in_o his_o apostolical_a determination_n so_o that_o if_o we_o lie_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o st._n john_n live_v so_o long_o after_o all_o â—he_n part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o the_o revelation_n be_v write_v and_o his_o survive_v some_o very_a considerable_a time_n after_o the_o write_n of_o that_o for_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o he_o receive_v those_o vision_n and_o write_v they_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n his_o close_n the_o whole_a with_o that_o book_n after_o which_o he_o declare_v as_o many_o think_v by_o pronounce_v a_o curse_n to_o he_o that_o shall_v add_v to_o it_o or_o diminish_v from_o it_o that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v no_o further_o revelation_n expect_v have_v therein_o give_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n consider_v the_o doubt_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a about_o some_o part_n among_o such_o as_o have_v not_o a_o thorough_a information_n about_o they_o and_o that_o false_a apostle_n do_v then_o appear_v consider_v of_o how_o great_a a_o concern_v it_o be_v then_o and_o will_v be_v to_o all_o future_a age_n to_o have_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o whole_a bible_n settle_v by_o a_o infallible_a judgement_n and_o consider_v the_o material_a evidence_n we_o have_v from_o many_o primative_a writer_n that_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o all_o these_o thing_n consider_v there_o seem_v very_o probable_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n john_n before_o he_o leave_v the_o world_n do_v full_o determine_v this_o matter_n and_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a that_o as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v come_v to_o be_v publish_v abroad_o the_o doubt_n that_o be_v then_o make_v disappeared_n and_o we_o that_o live_v in_o these_o latter_a age_n see_v that_o all_o the_o question_n and_o doubt_n that_o have_v at_o any_o time_n be_v be_v perfect_o vanish_v and_o the_o whole_a bopy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v now_o gain_v a_o universal_a reception_n three_o how_o can_v we_o that_o have_v not_o the_o original_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o the_o outographa_n be_v of_o those_o that_o write_v they_o but_o only_o the_o copy_n of_o they_o and_o most_o but_o the_o translation_n of_o those_o copy_n rest_v assure_v we_o have_v god_n mind_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v in_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o original_a record_n of_o every_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v at_o first_o consist_v of_o perishable_a matter_n and_o have_v undergo_v the_o common_a fate_n of_o all_o other_o write_n it_o be_v evident_a it_o be_v not_o the_o pleasure_n of_o god_n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n
the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n nor_o before_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o book_n then_o extant_a in_o truth_n write_v by_o he_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o great_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n though_o they_o have_v not_o be_v within_o their_o canon_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o they_o be_v not_o and_o philo_n or_o josephus_n most_o diligent_a searcher_n of_o their_o antiquity_n will_v have_v make_v some_o eminent_a mention_n of_o they_o in_o who_o work_n we_o find_v altum_fw-la silentium_fw-la about_o any_o such_o book_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v they_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o such_o real_a book_n then_o extant_a but_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o after_o the_o apostle_n judas_n have_v in_o his_o epistle_n quote_v a_o prophecy_n of_o enoch_n which_o prophecy_n without_o doubt_n he_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o either_o pure_o by_o revelation_n which_o i_o rather_o believe_v or_o else_o by_o a_o tradition_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v ascertain_v to_o he_o by_o revelation_n by_o which_o mean_n come_v other_o also_o of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v ascertain_v of_o what_o they_o write_v about_o divers_a thing_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o his_o book_n for_o in_o the_o psalm_n we_o find_v mention_n of_o some_o thing_n do_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n that_o be_v not_o record_v in_o his_o book_n st._n paul_n in_o the_o 9_o to_o the_o hebrew_n say_v that_o when_o moses_n have_v speak_v every_o precept_n according_a to_o the_o law_n he_o take_v the_o blood_n of_o calf_n and_o goat_n with_o water_n and_o scarlet_a wool_n and_o hyssop_n and_o sprinkle_v bâ—th_v the_o book_n and_o all_o the_o people_n say_v this_o be_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o testament_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n have_v add_v several_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o insert_v by_o moses_n in_o the_o selation_n of_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o 24_o of_o exodus_fw-la so_o stephen_n speech_n set_v down_o in_o the_o 7_o of_o the_o act_n tell_v we_o that_o moses_n in_o kill_v the_o egyptian_a suppose_a that_o his_o brethren_n will_v have_v understand_v how_o that_o god_n by_o his_o hand_n will_v deliver_v they_o but_o they_o understand_v not_o by_o which_o we_o have_v a_o reason_n give_v for_o moses_n kill_v the_o egyptian_a that_o he_o himself_o have_v no_o where_o set_v down_o and_o by_o which_o we_o come_v to_o understand_v that_o before_o moses_n go_v into_o the_o land_n of_o midian_a god_n reveal_v to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o that_o people_n which_o moses_n himself_o have_v not_o any_o where_n tell_v we_o i_o say_v it_o be_v probable_a that_o some_o heretic_n in_o the_o church_n most_o likely_a the_o gnostic_n who_o much_o cry_v up_o those_o spurious_a write_n to_o promote_v their_o own_o corrupt_a opinion_n and_o interest_n take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o frame_v certain_a counterfeit_a book_n just_a as_o some_o other_o do_v under_o the_o name_n of_o jaâ—nes_n and_o jambres_n after_o st._n paul_n mention_n of_o they_o as_o write_v by_o enoch_n before_o the_o flood_n which_o book_n have_v sufficient_o betray_v themselves_o for_o those_o that_o be_v publish_v under_o his_o name_n be_v stuff_v as_o st._n austin_n say_v with_o such_o absurd_a and_o fabulous_a story_n of_o angel_n and_o such_o ridiculous_a relation_n of_o giant_n who_o father_n be_v angel_n and_o no_o man_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v just_o reject_v as_o palpable_o counterfeit_v and_o fictitious_a of_o the_o same_o mind_n be_v jerom_n chrysostom_n and_o epiphanius_n and_o when_o celsus_n allege_v some_o absurd_a story_n out_o of_o those_o writing_n in_o reproach_n to_o the_o christian_n origen_n in_o his_o five_o book_n answer_v he_o by_o show_v what_o a_o mean_a esteem_n the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o the_o christian_n than_o have_v of_o they_o for_o the_o second_o those_o pillar_n of_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o credit_n that_o any_o such_o pillar_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o with_o a_o intention_n to_o outlast_v the_o deluge_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v so_o do_v or_o that_o any_o engraving_n upon_o they_o shall_v be_v visible_a some_o thousand_o of_o year_n after_o especial_o upon_o one_o of_o brick_n for_o josephus_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v two_o at_o first_o erect_v one_o of_o brick_n and_o another_o of_o stone_n and_o that_o of_o stone_n they_o make_v on_o purpose_n to_o last_v if_o the_o other_o shall_v decay_v how_o he_o come_v to_o such_o a_o exact_a account_n of_o their_o mind_n the_o reader_n may_v guess_v and_o yet_o he_o say_v it_o be_v that_o of_o brick_n that_o then_o remain_v upon_o which_o he_o do_v not_o absolute_o say_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n write_v in_o letter_n but_o that_o the_o son_n of_o seth_n engrave_v upon_o they_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v invent_v which_o may_v be_v by_o many_o other_o representation_n and_o other_o way_n then_o by_o letter_n for_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o a_o symbolical_a representation_n of_o man_n thought_n one_o to_o another_o be_v extreme_a early_o in_o the_o world_n though_o they_o want_v alphabetical_a letter_n nor_o do_v josephus_n say_v that_o he_o see_v it_o it_o himself_o or_o give_v any_o punctual_a account_n what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v engrave_v upon_o it_o or_o any_o certain_a place_n where_o the_o pillar_n be_v to_o be_v see_v but_o only_o in_o general_a that_o it_o be_v then_o in_o the_o country_n of_o syria_n where_o he_o leave_v man_n of_o leisure_n to_o inquire_v after_o it_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v so_o very_a many_o improbable_a and_o unlikely_a if_o not_o impossible_a circumstance_n do_v attend_v this_o vain_a story_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a josephus_n though_o in_o the_o general_a a_o historian_n of_o deserve_a credit_n take_v it_o upon_o bare_a report_n from_o other_o some_z late_a author_n think_v and_o perhaps_o not_o amiss_o from_o the_o fabulous_a relation_n of_o manetho_n who_o say_v he_o take_v his_o history_n from_o some_o pillar_n set_v up_o before_o the_o flood_n and_o be_v marvailous_o abuse_v in_o that_o countenance_n he_o seem_v to_o give_v to_o it_o nor_o ought_v it_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o we_o sin_v many_o of_o the_o best_a historian_n have_v take_v up_o thing_n upon_o trust_n and_o fall_v thereby_o into_o very_o great_a mistake_n suetonius_n and_o tacitus_n be_v both_o eminent_a historian_n among_o the_o roman_n yet_o both_o guilty_a of_o strange_a mistake_v tacitus_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o history_n that_o the_o jew_n worship_v a_o ass_n head_n with_o the_o high_a veneration_n then_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o untrue_o and_o upon_o less_o ground_n affirm_v and_o suetonius_n so_o mistake_v that_o he_o think_v christ_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n judaeos_fw-la impulsore_fw-la chresto_fw-la assidue_fw-la tumultuantes_fw-la civitate_fw-la expulit_fw-la that_o claudius_n expel_v the_o jew_n out_o of_o rome_n who_o be_v continual_o make_v uproar_n be_v stir_v up_o thereunto_o by_o christ_n then_o which_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o absurd_a mistake_n nor_o a_o great_a falsehood_n well_o utter_v for_o the_o three_o the_o mention_n that_o moses_n make_v in_o the_o 21_o of_o number_n and_o the_o 14_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o a_o book_n then_o extant_a his_o word_n be_v wherefore_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n what_o he_o didin_fw-mi the_o red_a sea_n and_o in_o the_o brook_n of_o arnon_n first_o divers_a probable_a sense_n be_v give_v of_o the_o place_n that_o render_v it_o no_o objection_n in_o this_o case_n the_o geneva_n translation_n not_o much_o differ_v from_o some_o other_o render_v it_o thus_o wherefore_o it_o shall_v be_v speak_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o battle_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n if_o so_o then_o it_o be_v prophetical_a and_o may_v relate_v to_o joshuah_n who_o be_v say_v to_o sight_n the_o battle_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o relation_n in_o the_o book_n of_o joshuah_n or_o judge_n that_o be_v to_o be_v after_o junius_n read_v the_o word_n thus_o idcirco_fw-la dici_fw-la solet_fw-la in_o recensione_n bellorum_fw-la jehovae_fw-la etc._n etc._n wherefore_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v say_v in_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o understand_v it_o not_o of_o any_o particular_a book_n but_o that_o among_o the_o war_n that_o god_n dispose_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o israelite_n there_o be_v in_o those_o time_n a_o famous_a mention_n in_o the_o
according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o we_o can_v conceive_v after_o seventy_o year_n they_o can_v so_o exact_o have_v do_v or_o will_v ever_o have_v attempt_v to_o have_v do_v it_o have_v not_o they_o have_v the_o law_n with_o they_o while_o esdras_n himself_o be_v yoten_n babylon_n and_o when_o esdras_n do_v come_v to_o jerusalem_n we_o find_v in_o the_o 8_o of_o nehemiah_n the_o people_n be_v so_o far_o from_o want_v the_o law_n or_o stay_v for_o any_o such_o restoration_n or_o re-penning_a of_o it_o by_o he_o as_o be_v pretend_v that_o they_o desire_v he_o only_o to_o read_v the_o law_n open_o to_o they_o which_o he_o immediate_o do_v as_o a_o thing_n they_o be_v then_o possess_v of_o and_o which_o be_v notorious_a among_o they_o five_o it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o esdras_n shall_v so_o repen_n the_o bible_n because_o we_o find_v his_o own_o writing_n full_a of_o caldee_n word_n as_o also_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n but_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v before_o the_o captivity_n be_v in_o pure_a hebrew_n and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n conceivable_a but_o that_o if_o he_o have_v re-penned_a the_o whole_a he_o will_v have_v write_v it_o in_o the_o same_o way_n he_o write_v his_o own_o book_n and_o according_a to_o the_o idiom_n that_o be_v then_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n either_o whole_o in_o caldee_n or_o else_o with_o some_o mixture_n of_o caldee_n and_o hebrew_n together_o the_o whole_a of_o this_o story_n do_v evident_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o romantic_a fable_n take_v out_o of_o a_o book_n souse_v with_o many_o vain_a and_o ridiculous_a folly_n and_o be_v contradict_v by_o another_o apecryphal_a book_n of_o much_o better_a credit_n 〈◊〉_d we_o will_v depend_v upon_o such_o evidence_n for_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n we_o be_v there_o tell_v that_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o ark_n in_o the_o side_n of_o which_o the_o law_n we_o know_v be_v place_v be_v secure_v by_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n and_o hide_v in_o a_o cave_n at_o mount_n nebo_n when_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v though_o the_o law_n be_v not_o particular_o mention_v yet_o be_v always_o keep_v in_o the_o ark_n â—â—s_o not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o jeremy_n preserve_v it_o with_o the_o ark_n and_o have_v a_o especial_a reference_n to_o the_o secure_n of_o it_o in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v this_o we_o affirm_v as_o a_o truth_n to_o which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v assent_v that_o at_o the_o return_n of_o the_o people_n out_o of_o babylon_n the_o care_n of_o esdras_n about_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n that_o be_v then_o according_a to_o moses_n his_o first_o institution_n assemble_v in_o which_o be_v present_a haggai_n zacharie_n malachy_n nehemias_n and_o zerubbabel_n be_v very_o eminent_a and_o great_a and_o to_o this_o day_n we_o derive_v singular_a advantage_n from_o it_o for_o first_o with_o great_a diligence_n they_o make_v a_o exact_a separation_n between_o such_o write_n as_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o be_v to_o be_v a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o whether_o write_v by_o true_a prophet_n or_o false_a for_o even_o true_a prophet_n and_o such_o as_o be_v most_o eminent_a might_n and_o without_o doubt_n many_o of_o they_o do_v write_v diverse_a thing_n without_o any_o immediate_a assistance_n or_o direction_n from_o god_n and_o consequent_o which_o be_v nor_o of_o divine_a authority_n they_o collect_v all_o the_o sacred_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n together_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n lie_v disperse_v in_o private_a hand_n no_o public_a use_n be_v make_v of_o they_o incorporate_v the_o whole_a into_o one_o entire_a volumn_n a_o admirable_a work_n in_o the_o order_n we_o now_o have_v it_o which_o before_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v for_o several_a psalm_n several_a of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o some_o other_o book_n be_v write_v after_o the_o come_n of_o the_o people_n into_o babylon_n and_o it_o do_v no_o where_n appear_v that_o those_o part_n write_v before_o be_v conjoin_v in_o one_o entire_a volumn_n more_o of_o they_o then_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o original_a copy_n whereof_o moses_n himself_o deliver_v in_o a_o public_a assembly_n to_o the_o levite_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n the_o peculiar_a archive_n god_n have_v by_o his_o special_a command_n appoint_v for_o it_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o unite_v they_o rank_v under_o three_o class_n and_o divide_v into_o three_o part_n which_o division_n be_v continue_v among_o the_o jew_n till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o in_o the_o 24_o of_o st._n luke_n refer_v to_o it_o when_o he_o say_v all_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n second_o their_o care_n in_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v eminent_o great_a and_o most_o high_o be_v it_o to_o be_v applaud_v in_o add_v point_n to_o the_o hebrew_n letter_n to_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o facilitate_v the_o read_n and_o learn_v of_o it_o divide_v the_o sacred_a write_n into_o verse_n with_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n most_o probable_o first_o begin_v by_o they_o of_o which_o the_o jewish_a writer_n give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o whole_a of_o their_o endeavour_n this_o way_n and_o of_o those_o among_o the_o jew_n that_o succeed_v they_o therein_o be_v call_v the_o massora_n which_o god_n wonderful_o bless_v to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o to_o deliver_v the_o old_a testament_n safe_o and_o entire_o over_o to_o we_o what_o a_o useful_a and_o most_o laborious_a enterprise_n this_o massora_n be_v we_o may_v know_v by_o the_o description_n buxtorffe_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o his_o most_o excellent_a commentarius_fw-la massorethicus_n massora_n say_v he_o est_fw-la doctrina_fw-la critica_fw-la a_o priscis_fw-la hebraeorum_n sapientibus_fw-la circa_fw-la textum_fw-la hebraeum_n sacrae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la ingeniosâ—_n inuenta_fw-la quâ—_n versas_fw-la voces_fw-la &_o literae_fw-la ejus_fw-la nâ—meratae_fw-la omnisque_fw-la ipsarum_fw-la variet_fw-la as_o notata_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la locis_fw-la cum_fw-la singulorum_fw-la versuum_fw-la recitatione_n indicata_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la sic_fw-la constans_fw-la &_o genuina_fw-la ejus_fw-la lectio_fw-la conservetur_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la mutatione_n aut_fw-la corruptio_fw-la e_fw-la aeternum_fw-la preservetur_fw-la &_o valide_fw-la premuniatur_fw-la the_o massora_n be_v a_o critical_a learning_n about_o the_o hebrew_n text_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n ingenios_o invent_v by_o the_o ancient_a wise_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o which_o the_o verse_n word_n and_o letter_n be_v all_o number_v and_o all_o their_o variation_n particular_o note_v and_o set_v down_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n with_o a_o recital_n of_o the_o particular_a verse_n that_o so_o the_o constant_a and_o genuine_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v preserve_v and_o for_o ever_o secure_v against_o all_o change_n or_o corruption_n and_o that_o ezra_n and_o this_o great_a synagogue_n be_v most_o probable_o the_o first_o author_n and_o contriver_n of_o the_o massora_n however_o augment_v by_o other_o in_o after_o age_n and_o not_o some_o learned_a jew_n at_o tiberias_n that_o long_o live_v after_o ouâ—_n saviour_n as_o some_o have_v suppose_v buxtorffe_n in_o the_o eleven_o chap._n of_o the_o samebook_n have_v large_o and_o learned_o prove_v from_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o thus_o conclude_v upon_o the_o whole_a haec_fw-la communis_fw-la est_fw-la hebraeorum_n sententia_fw-la massoram_fw-la a_o viris_fw-la synagogae_fw-la magnae_fw-la prosectam_fw-la esse_fw-la this_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o massora_n come_v from_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a synagogue_n three_o that_o ezra_n and_o that_o great_a synagogue_n to_o render_v the_o sacred_a text_n more_o intelligible_a and_o make_v the_o truth_n of_o some_o historical_a relation_n more_o evident_a do_v make_v some_o small_a addition_n and_o some_o verbal_a alteration_n in_o some_o place_n be_v great_o probable_a and_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v do_v but_o no_o re-penning_a the_o bible_n nor_o the_o least_o violation_n offer_v to_o the_o sacred_a record_n nor_o to_o the_o credit_n of_o its_o authority_n nor_o can_v the_o least_o objection_n though_o many_o have_v endeavour_v it_o be_v raise_v from_o hence_o to_o that_o purpose_n when_o so_o many_o person_n of_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n be_v present_a in_o that_o assembly_n and_o who_o be_v without_o doubt_n divine_o direct_v about_o what_o they_o do_v in_o that_o matter_n in_o
a_o word_n that_o famous_a and_o venerable_a senate_n in_o which_o the_o last_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v present_a all_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v complete_v and_o the_o whole_a prophecy_n that_o god_n vouchsafe_v till_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n deliver_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o punctual_a collection_n of_o the_o several_a part_n together_o and_o secure_v the_o original_a text_n against_o any_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n exact_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o the_o jew_n keep_v punctual_o to_o till_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o full_o approve_v the_o scripture_n as_o he_o then_o find_v the_o jew_n in_o possession_n of_o they_o second_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o any_o book_n dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v whole_o lose_v we_o utter_o deny_v the_o affirmation_n of_o it_o be_v neither_o consist_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o general_n nor_o can_v any_o particular_a proof_n be_v bring_v to_o make_v it_o good_a those_o who_o insist_v upon_o this_o as_o bellarmine_n and_o some_o of_o the_o papist_n do_v thereby_o to_o gain_v a_o advantage_n to_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v put_v in_o balance_n with_o the_o bible_n and_o other_o with_o design_n by_o prove_v the_o loss_n of_o any_o part_n to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a instance_n in_o the_o three_o thousand_o parable_n or_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n and_o a_o thousand_o and_o five_o song_n speak_v of_o 1_o king_n 4.32_o the_o book_n of_o nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o gad_n the_o seer_n mention_v in_o the_o second_o of_o chronicle_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ahijah_n the_o shilonite_n and_o the_o vision_n of_o iddo_n or_o addo_n the_o seer_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 2_o chron._n 9_o and_o some_o other_o and_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n a_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n write_v as_o they_o suppose_v to_o the_o laodicaean_n mention_v colos_n 4.16_o although_o very_o many_o of_o these_o write_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n in_o particular_a it_o be_v probable_a that_o nathan_n and_o gad_n write_v some_o part_n of_o the_o book_n of_o samâ—â—_n and_o the_o king_n so_o much_o at_o least_o as_o concern_v the_o action_n of_o david_n of_o which_o they_o be_v exact_o know_v if_o they_o write_v not_o the_o whole_a second_o book_n of_o samuel_n and_o the_o first_o of_o the_o king_n which_o some_o upon_o probable_a ground_n suppose_v yet_o admit_v all_o these_o be_v other_o writing_n than_o be_v now_o contain_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o will_v no_o way_n follow_v they_o be_v ever_o any_o part_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n when_o the_o scripture_n mention_n book_n write_v by_o these_o or_o any_o other_o man_n and_o relate_v historical_o to_o the_o matter_n oâ—_n they_o as_o st_n paul_n sometime_o quote_v heathy_a author_n will_v that_o infer_v they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o bible_n by_o no_o mean_n nay_o the_o very_a writer_n of_o the_o bible_n themselves_o such_o as_o david_n solâ—mon_n and_o other_o of_o the_o prophet_n may_v and_o without_o all_o doubt_n some_o of_o they_o do_v write_v many_o thing_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n that_o be_v true_a without_o any_o divine_a or_o infallible_a direction_n and_o which_o be_v never_o incorporate_v with_o the_o bible_n and_o so_o say_v st._n austin_n in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civ_o dei_fw-la say_v be_v those_o prophet_n who_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o inspire_v write_v some_o thing_n as_o man_n and_o those_o work_n we_o have_v 〈◊〉_d in_o our_o canon_n nor_o have_v the_o jew_n in_o they_o and_o other_o thing_n as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n and_o these_o work_n be_v real_o distinct_a some_o be_v hold_v their_o own_o as_o man_n and_o some_o the_o lord_n as_o speak_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o that_o will_v prove_v from_o hence_o that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v lose_v must_v first_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o these_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o be_v now_o possess_v of_o and_o second_o that_o admit_v they_o be_v not_o that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o ence_n within_o the_o canon_n of_o which_o latter_a we_o be_v well_o assure_v the_o least_o proof_n can_v be_v make_v for_o the_o jew_n be_v most_o faithful_a preserver_n of_o those_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v unto_o their_o change_n nor_o be_v they_o ever_o so_o much_o as_o once_o blame_v by_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n for_o any_o miscarriage_n that_o way_n as_o for_o a_o epistle_n suppose_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o the_o laodicaeons_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v the_o supposition_n be_v frivolous_a and_o groundless_a for_o the_o word_n in_o the_o greck_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o from_o laodicaea_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o laodicae_fw-la but_o of_o one_o write_v from_o laodicaea_n either_o to_o the_o colossian_n themselves_o which_o they_o then_o have_v by_o they_o or_o else_o to_o st._n paul_n which_o he_o send_v they_o and_o require_v they_o to_o read_v it_o as_o contain_v something_o expedient_a for_o they_o to_o know_v the_o mistake_a opinion_n from_o this_o place_n of_o a_o epistle_n from_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodiceans_n have_v most_o probable_o arisen_a from_o the_o ill_a rendition_n in_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a where_o the_o word_n be_v render_v &_o illa_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la laodicentium_n but_o without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o original_a catherinus_n confess_v that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o chrisostome_n and_o oecumenius_n non_fw-la hic_fw-la nominari_fw-la epistolam_fw-la a_o paulo_n scriptam_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la sed_fw-la ex_fw-la co_fw-la loco_fw-la scriptam_fw-la that_o here_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n but_o of_o some_o epistle_n write_v from_o laodicaea_n that_o there_o be_v ancient_o a_o counterfeit_n epistle_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o laodicaean_n which_o be_v since_o lose_v be_v most_o true_a but_o in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v extant_a it_o be_v universal_o reject_v as_o spurious_a and_o know_v so_o to_o be_v st._n i_o speak_v of_o it_o but_o say_v abomnibus_fw-la exploditur_fw-la the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o their_o six_o canon_n say_v thus_o of_o it_o inter_fw-la epistolas_fw-la pauli_n apostoli_fw-la quaedam_fw-la fertur_fw-la ad_fw-la laodicenses_fw-la quam_fw-la patres_fw-la nostri_fw-la tanquam_fw-la alienam_fw-la reprobaverunt_fw-la tertullian_n against_o martion_n and_o theophilact_fw-mi both_o reject_v it_o with_o great_a contempt_n and_o say_v it_o be_v apostolico_fw-la nomine_fw-la planâ—_n indigna_fw-es and_o bellarmine_n himself_o though_o he_o have_v former_o affirm_v there_o be_v such_o a_o epistle_n which_o be_v certain_o lose_v yet_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n which_o he_o call_v his_o recognition_n or_o after-view_n of_o his_o work_n retract_v it_o say_v he_o be_v mistake_v and_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o such_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o st._n paul_n so_o that_o all_o the_o insinuation_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n any_o book_n write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n appear_v to_o be_v very_o weak_o and_o ill_o ground_v and_o in_o truth_n the_o foot_n step_v of_o divine_a providence_n have_v be_v eminent_o visible_a in_o secure_v those_o holy_a writing_n upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n from_o destruction_n addition_n and_o alteration_n first_o no_o accident_n of_o time_n nor_o design_n of_o its_o worst_a enemy_n have_v total_o obliterated_a the_o whole_a or_o any_o part._n second_o though_o many_o have_v attempt_v to_o piece_n in_o and_o add_v to_o it_o false_a and_o counterfeit_a fragment_n and_o some_o whole_a gospel_n yet_o in_o defiance_n to_o all_o those_o essay_n the_o scripture_n have_v remain_v entire_a and_o stand_v like_o a_o rock_n impenetrable_a no_o spurious_a write_n have_v be_v able_a to_o incorporate_v with_o this_o holy_a book_n such_o who_o have_v go_v about_o to_o forge_v scripture_n have_v but_o make_v the_o lustre_n of_o the_o bible_n more_o eminent_a and_o more_o evident_o show_v we_o the_o difference_n of_o god_n reâ—ealing_v from_o heaven_n and_o man_n counterfeit_v upon_o earth_n man_n write_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a ability_n and_o man_n writing_n as_o they_o be_v move_v thereunto_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n three_o from_o alteration_n no_o man_n have_v be_v suffer_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o attempt_n of_o heretic_n to_o that_o purpose_n to_o pollute_v or_o corrupt_v it_o all_o
of_o those_o who_o have_v themselves_o universal_o proclaim_v the_o bible_n in_o all_o age_n to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o if_o christian-tradition_n be_v credit_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v thereby_o establish_v and_o if_o it_o be_v dis-believed_n in_o thaâ—_n there_o can_v be_v then_o no_o good_a reason_n to_o receiuâ—_v any_o other_o matter_n touch_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o conveyance_n to_o retain_v therefore_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o yet_o disow_v the_o bible_n be_v to_o become_v a_o perfect_a problem_n no_o such_o man_n can_v produce_v anâ—_n law_n or_o rule_n of_o his_o religion_n nor_o give_v anâ—_n account_v wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v or_o bâ—_n who_o or_o by_o what_o church_n with_o a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o bible_n they_o have_v be_v at_o any_o timâ—_n receive_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n rational_o make_v a_o partial_a rejection_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o retain_v a_o christian_a profession_n from_o thence_o in_o a_o limit_a sensâ—_n of_o his_o own_o for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v he_o receive_v the_o bible_n as_o he_o receive_v other_o credible_a writing_n as_o a_o book_n general_o true_a and_o write_v by_o man_n that_o mean_v honest_o and_o well_o but_o believe_v it_o not_o write_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n nor_o to_o carry_v a_o divine_a authority_n along_o with_o it_o nor_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o be_v to_o say_v a_o thing_n extreme_o incongruous_a to_o all_o good_a sense_n and_o to_o indulge_v himself_o in_o a_o perfect_a absurdity_n for_o the_o bible_n come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o claim_n oâ—_n god_n authority_n attend_v it_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o name_n be_v a_o book_n that_o disow_v all_o humane_a contrivement_n propose_v itself_o as_o write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o immediate_a direction_n from_o god_n admit_v of_o no_o composition_n for_o its_o reception_n in_o such_o a_o case_n there_o can_v be_v no_o middle-way_n but_o either_o we_o must_v receive_v this_o book_n and_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o or_o else_o reject_v it_o with_o the_o just_a contempt_n imaginable_a it_o be_v in_o nothing_o to_o be_v credit_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o truth_n what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v for_o there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o vile_a and_o pernicious_a falsehood_n impose_v upon_o the_o world_n then_o to_o counterfeit_v a_o divine_a law_n and_o to_o pretend_v that_o to_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o product_n of_o men._n whoever_o will_v admit_v these_o premise_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o write_v in_o every_o part_n of_o they_o by_o the_o infallible_a direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n when_o they_o themselves_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v so_o must_v needs_o descend_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o they_o then_o contain_v the_o most_o impudent_a falsehood_n and_o be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a designer_n against_o mankind_n the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o relate_v and_o stand_v in_o so_o near_o a_o conjunction_n as_o they_o do_v the_o be_v of_o the_o one_o have_v so_o necessary_a a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v to_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o assert_v their_o divine_a authority_n and_o to_o justify_v that_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o man_n that_o be_v indeed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d divine_o inspire_v and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o that_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o will_v inform_v rule_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n he_o that_o undertake_v this_o province_n and_o design_n to_o himself_o such_o a_o service_n be_v oblige_v first_o to_o consider_v with_o who_o he_o be_v like_a to_o encounter_v and_o to_o proportion_v his_o defence_n to_o those_o various_a assault_n the_o scripture_n be_v usual_o expose_v to_o this_o be_v admit_v which_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v that_o no_o man_n can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n close_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n renounce_v the_o bible_n that_o maxim_n of_o st._n austin_n be_v undeniable_a that_o contra_fw-la scripturas_fw-la nemo_fw-la christianus_n there_o be_v but_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n by_o who_o the_o scripture_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v general_o attact_v and_o from_o who_o principle_n their_o sacred_a authority_n can_v receive_v a_o universal_a invasion_n first_o such_o who_o whole_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o religion_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v relative_n such_o who_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n of_o a_o atheistical_a profession_n second_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o a_o supreme_a and_o first_o cause_n but_o deny_v his_o providence_n and_o believe_v he_o be_v no_o way_n concer_v about_o the_o world_n nor_o trouble_v himself_o to_o exercise_v any_o rule_n or_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o it_o three_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o religion_n and_o providence_n but_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o not_o true_a and_o embrace_v some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o of_o those_o first-born_a monster_n of_o mankind_n that_o anomalous_a offspring_n who_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n who_o principle_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o utmost_a dregs_n of_o all_o humane_a apostasy_n and_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o absurd_a for_o as_o cicero_n say_v deos_fw-la esse_fw-la ita_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la negate_fw-la vix_fw-la eum_fw-la sanae_fw-la mentis_fw-la existimem_fw-la the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v think_v well_o in_o his_o wit_n that_o deny_v it_o a_o previous_a consideration_n be_v necessary_a to_o whatever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o divine_a subject_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v already_o contest_v with_o such_o and_o dispatch_v all_o my_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o order_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o last_o converse_n i_o mean_v to_o have_v with_o that_o evil_a generation_n of_o who_o it_o may_v most_o true_o be_v say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o the_o avow_a opposer_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o indeed_o they_o be_v host_n humani_fw-la generis_fw-la the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o mankind_n who_o by_o deny_v a_o supreme_a be_v above_o demolish_v the_o great_a support_n of_o all_o well-being_n here_o below_o of_o this_o belief_n they_o be_v heretofore_o at_o athens_n in_o those_o primitive_a time_n of_o atheism_n and_o first_o dawning_n of_o â—speculative_a irreligion_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o cotta_n tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n that_o when_o protagoras_n begin_v his_o book_n with_o this_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n de_fw-fr diis_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la habeo_fw-la dicere_fw-la atheniensum_fw-la jussu_fw-la urbe_fw-la atque_fw-la agro_n est_fw-la exterminatus_fw-la librique_fw-la ejus_fw-la in_o concione_fw-la combusti_fw-la and_o he_o add_v exit_fw-la quo_fw-la equidem_fw-la existimo_fw-la tardiores_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la profitendam_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la factos_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la poenam_fw-la ne_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la quidem_fw-la effugere_fw-la potuisset_fw-la for_o those_o secundary_a enemy_n to_o the_o bible_n and_o together_o with_o that_o of_o all_o religion_n such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o divine_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n such_o who_o out_o of_o shame_n disow_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o atheism_n but_o yet_o by_o this_o method_n secure_v all_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o to_o themselves_o of_o those_o a_o preliminary_a consideration_n on_o aught_o to_o be_v have_v a_o previous_a confutation_n of_o such_o principle_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o discourse_n in_o hand_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o impracticable_a project_n to_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v any_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o a_o law_n give_v forth_o from_o god_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n any_o where_o in_o be_v which_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o never_o can_v be_v if_o god_n no_o way_n concern_v himself_o with_o what_o man_n do_v nor_o exercise_n any_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a such_o principle_n do_v uno_fw-la ictu_fw-la dispatch_v all_o religion_n out_o of_o the_o world_n put_v a_o perfect_a period_n to_o all_o divinity_n and_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n very_o absurd_a to_o submit_v either_o in_o our_o belief_n or_o practice_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o divine_a to_o this_o purpose_n cicero_n conclude_v in_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat_n deor._n sin_n autem_fw-la dii_fw-la say_v he_o neque_fw-la possunt_fw-la nos_fw-la juvare_fw-la nec_fw-la volunt_fw-la
have_v and_o in_o its_o own_o antiquity_n answer_v that_o antiquity_n we_o may_v just_o expect_v to_o accompany_v god_n first_o revelation_n the_o bible_n i_o say_v upon_o this_o account_n have_v a_o singular_a evidence_n give_v in_o to_o its_o credibility_n and_o its_o antiquity_n do_v strong_o affirm_v its_o divine_a authority_n second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v point_v we_o to_o its_o divinity_n because_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o first_o written_a account_n the_o world_n have_v of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o cheat_n that_o the_o first_o eminent_a record_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o not_o only_o a_o lie_n but_o the_o worst_a of_o lie_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a falsehood_n for_o so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o law_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o god_n name_n without_o his_o authority_n that_o ever_o be_v publish_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n consist_v with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o be_v original_o cheat_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n to_o suffer_v a_o public_a open_a counterfeit_n of_o his_o name_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o high_a degree_n first_o to_o possess_v the_o world_n and_o take_v the_o precedence_n of_o all_o truth_n to_o permit_v the_o devil_n to_o publish_v a_o systeme_n of_o lie_n and_o erect_v a_o monument_n of_o falsehood_n before_o there_o be_v any_o write_a record_n of_o truth_n we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v god_n care_n of_o man_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o his_o own_o honour_n to_o engage_v he_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o god_n shall_v first_o establish_v his_o own_o truth_n to_o which_o mankind_n may_v still_o have_v a_o recourse_n and_o by_o which_o as_o a_o standard_n all_o delusion_n and_o false_a pretension_n may_v be_v try_v it_o be_v as_o one_o say_v well_o very_o absurd_a to_o think_v god_n shall_v permit_v the_o 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and_o his_o own_o revelation_n from_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n for_o about_o 4043_o year_n for_o about_o so_o long_a a_o time_n it_o be_v from_o that_o first_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o historical_o a_o account_n of_o till_o the_o last_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n and_o that_o this_o account_n shall_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o book_n that_o the_o world_n have_v and_o be_v gradual_o carry_v on_o into_o such_o a_o complete_a systeme_n as_o now_o we_o see_v it_o be_v in_o a_o write_a way_n by_o several_a hand_n in_o several_a age_n for_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n together_o for_o about_o so_o long_a a_o time_n it_o be_v from_o moses_n his_o first_o write_v to_o st._n john_n close_v the_o bible_n nor_o be_v it_o supposable_a that_o the_o vile_a falsehood_n for_o such_o be_v the_o bible_n if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n a_o religion_n whereby_o if_o it_o be_v false_a god_n will_v be_v more_o dishonour_v and_o man_n more_o delude_v then_o by_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v yet_o extant_a shall_v have_v this_o to_o say_v in_o its_o justisication_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o have_v be_v long_a last_v among_o mankind_n the_o consideration_n therefore_o of_o this_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n it_o contain_v and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o itself_o as_o a_o book_n write_v long_o before_o all_o other_o and_o of_o so_o early_a a_o date_n in_o the_o world_n do_v with_o great_a evidence_n point_v we_o to_o its_o divine_a original_a and_o very_o strong_o tend_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o second_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n to_o we_o the_o method_n of_o god_n thus_o record_v his_o pleasure_n have_v be_v such_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v we_o have_v all_o those_o reasonable_a inducement_n and_o in_o some_o respect_v more_o to_o credit_v it_o upon_o which_o we_o receive_v any_o humane_a author_n and_o acquiesce_v in_o they_o as_o true_a and_o all_o such_o far_a evidence_n as_o we_o can_v well_o expect_v to_o insure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o be_v divint_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v so_o if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o instrument_n god_n employ_v in_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o such_o humane_a circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o do_v it_o and_o second_o the_o divine_a witness_n god_n himself_o have_v in_o the_o most_o eminent_a way_n give_v to_o this_o book_n in_o its_o conveyance_n to_o ascertain_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o write_v it_o first_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n those_o amanuensis_n god_n make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o such_o circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o do_v it_o how_o unlikely_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o that_o they_o either_o do_v or_o can_v abuse_v the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o these_o several_a thing_n first_o the_o unblemished_a credit_n and_o reputation_n of_o these_o writer_n second_o the_o several_a qualification_n and_o quality_n of_o they_o three_o their_o interest_n as_o moral_a and_o reasonable_a man_n four_o their_o number_n and_o that_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n in_o which_o many_o of_o they_o write_v one_o from_o another_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o we_o know_v do_v more_o credit_n ancient_a author_n than_o the_o good_a report_n of_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v transfer_v to_o posterity_n not_o one_o of_o those_o holy_a penman_n god_n employ_v in_o write_v the_o bible_n be_v that_o ever_o we_o find_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n taint_v in_o reputation_n or_o convict_v of_o any_o sort_n of_o impostor_n in_o their_o own_o or_o future_a age_n but_o be_v man_n of_o acknowledge_a integrity_n and_o sanctity_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o many_o of_o they_o give_v the_o high_a testimony_n to_o their_o integrity_n in_o become_a martyr_n in_o justification_n of_o what_o themselves_o write_v for_o the_o second_o the_o various_a quality_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o writer_n seem_v much_o to_o secure_v we_o against_o so_o vile_a a_o design_n as_o this_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v compose_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n some_o of_o they_o be_v king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a quality_n before_o they_o write_v and_o not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o baseness_n and_o meanness_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o work_n and_o also_o man_n of_o deep_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o they_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o most_o of_o the_o
the_o sun_n upon_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o consider_v the_o position_n of_o the_o moon_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v the_o time_n of_o the_o jew_n passeover_n must_v needs_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v prodigious_o supernatural_a be_v mention_v in_o many_o heathen_a writer_n which_o eusebius_n say_v he_o himself_o have_v read_v both_o eusebius_n in_o his_o chronology_n and_o origen_n in_o his_o second_o book_n against_o celsus_n tell_v we_o that_o phlegon_n trallianus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n in_o the_o thirteen_o book_n of_o his_o chronicle_n write_v of_o this_o eclipse_n and_o say_v that_o in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o the_o two_o hundred_o and_o ten_o olympiad_n there_o be_v the_o great_a eclipse_n of_o thâ—â—an_n that_o ever_o be_v behold_v and_o withal_o a_o strange_a earthquake_n and_o that_o year_n be_v exact_o the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n in_o which_o our_o saviour_n suffer_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o tertullia_n â—â—â—loâ—y_n and_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n in_o those_o first_o age_n that_o this_o and_o divers_a other_o passage_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o stoâ—â—_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o those_o time_n reâ—â—red_v among_o the_o roman_n for_o they_o ofâ—en_o appeal_v to_o their_o own_o record_n to_o â—â—ove_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o and_o many_o other_o particular_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o the_o emperor_n antoninus_n which_o â—e_n write_v but_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n persuade_v the_o emperor_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n refer_v he_o to_o the_o act_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n then_o register_v at_o rome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o our_o saviour_n say_v he_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o register_n of_o the_o act_n do_v under_o pontius_n pilate_n josephus_n who_o be_v bear_v about_o five_o or_o six_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n suffering_n and_o survive_v the_o reign_n of_o both_o the_o vâ—spatians_n relate_v much_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n story_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n of_o his_o holy_a life_n and_o also_o of_o his_o death_n tell_v we_o of_o herod_n and_o give_v a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o strange_a and_o remarkable_a death_n of_o pilate_n of_o festus_n foelix_n gamaliel_n and_o other_o indeed_o neither_o jew_n nor_o heathen_n do_v ever_o in_o those_o time_n contradict_v or_o deny_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n story_n judge_v it_o certain_a beyond_o all_o denial_n julian_n himself_o admit_v the_o fact_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o miracle_n and_o plain_o acknowledge_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o those_o time_n and_o by_o those_o very_a man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v that_o we_o have_v no_o full_a and_o exacter_n a_o account_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o judea_n in_o his_o time_n in_o the_o roman_a story_n be_v not_o to_o be_v much_o wonder_v at_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o peaceable_a posture_n that_o country_n be_v then_o in_o news_n which_o best_o please_v the_o roman_n from_o any_o of_o their_o province_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v most_o concern_v tacitus_n observe_v that_o judea_n be_v most_o quiet_a in_o the_o reign_n of_o tâ—berius_n as_o well_o it_o may_v all_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o follower_n do_v tend_v high_o to_o peace_n and_o subjection_n now_o we_o find_v that_o the_o roman-writer_n chief_o apply_v themselves_o to_o write_v of_o some_o famous_a war_n the_o suppression_n of_o some_o eminent_a mutiny_n or_o some_o such_o accident_n as_o in_o their_o issue_n redound_v much_o to_o the_o roman-glory_n the_o peaceable_a condition_n of_o any_o province_n usual_o shorten_v their_o relation_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o neither_o of_o the_o jew_n not_o of_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o age_n have_v they_o vouchsafe_v to_o say_v much_o nor_o do_v the_o christian_n at_o any_o time_n such_o be_v their_o peaceable_a and_o submissive_a behaviour_n give_v historian_n occasion_n to_o mention_n much_o more_o of_o they_o than_o their_o patient_a suffering_n but_o in_o the_o aftertime_n of_o vâ—spatian_n trajan_n &_o adrian_n when_o the_o roman-sword_n be_v draw_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o there_o be_v great_a mutiny_n rebellion_n and_o war_n among_o they_o the_o roman-historian_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o ample_a relation_n of_o all_o those_o affair_n two_o thing_n there_o be_v of_o great_a eminency_n in_o themselves_o and_o of_o most_o public_a nature_n contain_v in_o the_o bible_n the_o fact_n of_o which_o have_v have_v such_o signal_n justification_n as_o do_v great_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o to_o which_o a_o very_a peculiar_a remark_n be_v due_a the_o one_o be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o flood_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o and_o the_o repeopling_a of_o the_o world_n after_o it_o by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o other_o be_v those_o prophetical_a prediction_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o affliction_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o jew_n utter_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o flood_n nothing_o i_o have_v show_v have_v have_v a_o more_o universal_a belief_n that_o the_o earth_n according_a to_o the_o history_n of_o moses_n be_v again_o repeopled_n by_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n and_o that_o the_o nation_n be_v divide_v in_o the_o earth_n from_o his_o three_o son_n and_o their_o issue_n as_o moses_n tell_v we_o we_o have_v from_o the_o record_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o history_n abundant_a cause_n to_o believe_v and_o that_o upon_o this_o threefold_a account_n first_o we_o find_v that_o in_o those_o eastern_a part_n where_o noah_n and_o his_o family_n be_v say_v first_o to_o land_n and_o settle_v themselves_o after_o the_o deluge_n the_o grandeur_n of_o the_o world_n first_o begin_v of_o which_o the_o greatness_n and_o splendour_n of_o the_o assyrian-empire_n be_v a_o sufficient_a instance_n those_o eastern_a country_n arrive_v to_o much_o state_n and_o pomp_n and_o to_o much_o greatness_n in_o dominion_n and_o government_n long_o before_o either_o in_o greece_n italy_n or_o any_o of_o the_o western_a part_n any_o such_o thing_n be_v attain_v to_o or_o know_v which_o evident_o show_v that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o country_n be_v the_o first-born_a and_o heir_n of_o the_o world_n who_o have_v the_o great_a court_n and_o metropolis_n among_o they_o and_o that_o other_o nation_n be_v of_o the_o young_a house_n and_o colony_n of_o a_o latter_a edition_n second_o the_o earliness_n of_o learning_n of_o art_n science_n and_o invention_n among_o â—he_n assyrian_n chaldaeâ—ns_n and_o egyptian_n before_o they_o so_o much_o as_o bud_v forth_o or_o appeat_v in_o other_o conntry_n do_v argue_v that_o those_o part_n be_v first_o inhabit_v that_o they_o be_v the_o elder_a possessor_n oâ—_n the_o world_n have_v be_v long_a in_o it_o werâ—_n of_o great_a experience_n and_o that_o other_o nation_n &_o people_n be_v gradual_o deriveâ—_n and_o plant_v from_o those_o country_n anâ—_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n three_o we_o find_v that_o those_o in_o honour_n of_o who_o the_o nation_n receive_v their_o first_o name_n be_v the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n that_o moses_n tell_v we_o of_o from_o japhet_n most_o probable_o the_o elder_a son_n of_o noaâ—_n call_v by_o hesiod_n and_o other_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n japito_n and_o his_o posterito_fw-la japeâ—â—onides_n come_v the_o gomerian_o or_o â—ymbrians_n from_o his_o son_n gomer_n the_o magogim_n from_o magog_n the_o mede_n or_o madian_o from_o madus_n the_o jones_n after_o call_v graeâ—â—ns_n from_o javan_n in_o greek_a jovan_n and_o so_o from_o the_o posterity_n of_o the_o other_o two_o the_o canaanite_n from_o canaan_n the_o sabaeâ—ns_n from_o seba_n which_o the_o grecian_n write_v saba_n the_o philistines_n from_o palesthim_n the_o thracian_n from_o thyras_n the_o sidonâ—ans_n from_o sidon_n the_o egyptian_n from_o the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n egypt_n be_v call_v mizraim_n from_o mizraim_n one_o of_o his_o son_n mizraim_n in_o hebrew_a be_v the_o name_n of_o egypt_n and_o ancient_o even_o to_o the_o time_n of_o josephus_n the_o egyptian_n he_o say_v be_v call_v chuseans_n from_o cush_n or_o chus_n the_o elder_a son_n of_o cham_n and_o so_o throughout_o all_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n we_o find_v the_o several_a nation_n by_o their_o ancient_a denomination_n to_o be_v original_o descend_v from_o that_o posterity_n of_o noab_n set_v down_o in_o the_o ten_o of_o genesis_n seem_v posterity_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o planter_n of_o asia_n cham_n of_o africa_n and_o japhet_n of_o most_o part_n of_o europe_n with_o asia_n the_o less_o
till_o our_o saviour_n come_v and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o there_o be_v again_o a_o floodgate_n of_o divine_a power_n let_v open_a in_o mighty_a and_o miraculous_a operation_n all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o be_v at_o any_o time_n write_v and_o they_o be_v not_o all_o write_a till_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n after_o who_o and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n god_n make_v no_o further_a addition_n all_o the_o other_o part_n i_o say_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v principal_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o establish_v work_v of_o miracle_n after_o his_o time_n be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o only_a rule_n of_o prophecy_n and_o revelation_n god_n have_v declare_v and_o command_v the_o contrary_a nor_o indeed_o have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n think_v fit_a to_o record_v to_o we_o whatever_o may_v be_v do_v in_o that_o kind_n that_o any_o one_o penman_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n wrought_v any_o miracle_n after_o moses_n his_o time_n it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o succession_n of_o the_o office_n of_o prophet_n after_o moses_n and_o certain_a school_n of_o they_o which_o first_o begin_v and_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o dwell_v disperse_v among_o all_o the_o other_o tribe_n and_o of_o many_o that_o be_v probable_o train_v up_o in_o those_o school_n we_o read_v in_o scripture_n as_o of_o god_n and_o nathan_n and_o other_o seer_n and_o prophet_n that_o some_o of_o they_o write_v no_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o that_o we_o read_v of_o be_v any_o way_n extraordinary_o employ_v but_o most_o likely_a be_v so_o style_v because_o they_o have_v their_o education_n there_o &_o be_v breed_v up_o and_o devote_v to_o that_o office_n and_o employment_n that_o god_n do_v often_o make_v use_n of_o those_o that_o be_v of_o that_o prophetical_a society_n in_o extraordinary_a matter_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o dictate_v the_o bible_n god_n be_v please_v arbitrary_o to_o choose_v out_o what_o instrument_n of_o conveyance_n he_o please_v and_o confine_v not_o himself_o to_o any_o one_o sort_n of_o man_n nor_o to_o any_o prophetical_a office_n to_o give_v we_o any_o assurance_n from_o thence_o in_o this_o case_n for_o he_o sometime_o choose_v man_n out_o of_o the_o court_n as_o he_o do_v isaiah_n the_o king_n nephew_n and_o sometime_o from_o the_o herd_n as_o he_o do_v amoz_fw-mi the_o shepherd_n who_o say_v himself_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o prophet_n nor_o the_o son_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o god_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n by_o the_o word_n and_o the_o prophecy_n that_o he_o give_v such_o to_o utter_v create_v they_o prophet_n and_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o such_o man_n prophetical_a authority_n arise_v if_o no_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o they_o from_o the_o word_n they_o utter_v and_o if_o any_o be_v of_o which_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v silent_a about_o it_o from_o a_o conjunction_n of_o both_o a_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o confirmation_n of_o any_o doctrine_n correspend_v to_o what_o god_n by_o moses_n have_v at_o first_o establish_v be_v the_o great_a assurance_n that_o the_o judaical_a church_n after_o moses_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o false_a prophet_n in_o those_o day_n ever_o arrive_v so_o far_o that_o be_v they_o never_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o a_o personal_a and_o a_o doctrinal_a justification_n together_o if_o any_o such_o wrought_v a_o miracle_n to_o gain_v they_o a_o personal_a credit_n yet_o their_o doctrine_n be_v still_o faulty_a and_o be_v to_o lead_v man_n from_o god_n and_o to_o subvert_v those_o law_n of_o he_o by_o moses_n so_o solemn_o settle_v that_o be_v a_o intimation_n sufficient_a from_o god_n own_o direction_n to_o discover_v and_o shame_v they_o but_o suppose_v the_o several_a penman_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n after_o moses_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n at_o all_o and_o that_o god_n make_v most_o of_o they_o prophet_n by_o that_o very_a employment_n which_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o do_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o previous_o in_o any_o such_o office_n so_o that_o nothing_o of_o that_o kind_n can_v give_v man_n any_o assurance_n yet_o by_o these_o three_o way_n man_n may_v be_v then_o much_o secure_v in_o that_o case_n in_o the_o first_o edition_n of_o every_o distinct_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n first_o from_o the_o know_a personal_a sanctity_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o writer_n themselves_o god_n never_o make_v use_n of_o any_o ill_a man_n or_o such_o as_o can_v come_v under_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o imposture_n to_o write_v any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o of_o any_o but_o such_o who_o man_n in_o that_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v have_v very_o good_a reason_n to_o credit_n this_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o reveal_v truth_n that_o in_o write_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v holy_a man_n still_o that_o speak_v and_o write_v now_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o more_o superlative_a imposture_n and_o wickedness_n than_o to_o ascend_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n to_o speak_v in_o his_o name_n and_o pretend_v his_o authority_n without_o his_o order_n no_o man_n not_o whole_o forsake_v of_o all_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o respect_n to_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o make_v such_o a_o attempt_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n of_o know_a piety_n and_o honesty_n be_v reasonable_o suspect_v of_o it_o second_o and_o chief_o from_o the_o conformity_n of_o what_o be_v then_o write_v to_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o moses_n settle_v upon_o such_o unquestionable_a evidence_n for_o whatever_o be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o foundation_n come_v under_o the_o same_o justification_n so_o that_o if_o any_o write_n be_v publish_v in_o god_n name_n that_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v but_o a_o further_a discovery_n and_o promise_n of_o the_o messiah_n a_o renewal_a of_o those_o threaten_n and_o promise_n in_o moses_n to_o that_o people_n and_o a_o further_a promotion_n of_o those_o holy_a law_n and_o that_o religion_n and_o worship_n by_o he_o establish_v there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o miracle_n in_o such_o case_n if_o any_o man_n will_v suppose_v there_o may_v be_v in_o those_o time_n book_n pious_o write_v and_o ground_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o moses_n that_o come_v not_o from_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n in_o judge_v of_o which_o man_n may_v be_v possible_o deceive_v and_o mistake_v i_o answer_v either_o such_o book_n pretend_v to_o a_o divine_a mission_n from_o god_n or_o they_o do_v not_o if_o they_o do_v not_o no_o man_n can_v be_v endanger_v by_o they_o if_o they_o do_v they_o must_v either_o be_v write_v by_o true_a prophet_n or_o false_a no_o true_a prophet_n will_v do_v it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o think_v any_o false_a prophet_n shall_v because_o they_o can_v serve_v no_o design_n by_o it_o nor_o can_v the_o devil_n or_o any_o ill_a instrument_n any_o way_n promote_v their_o own_o interest_n by_o persuade_a man_n to_o serve_v the_o true_a god_n in_o the_o right_a way_n nor_o do_v we_o find_v that_o in_o fact_n any_o such_o thing_n ever_o be_v three_o there_o appear_v in_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o part_n of_o a_o bible_n a_o peculiar_a majesty_n a_o savour_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a way_n a_o great_a and_o eminent_a difference_n as_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n say_v between_o the_o chaff_n and_o the_o wheat_n nor_o be_v it_o fit_a to_o suppose_v but_o that_o whâ—â—_n come_v by_o a_o immediate_a inspiration_n from_o god_n shall_v carry_v some_o impression_n of_o his_o wisdom_n &_o power_n and_o be_v some_o way_n difference_v from_o the_o common_a write_n of_o weak_a and_o fallible_a man_n beside_o from_o many_o other_o circumstance_n attend_v the_o first_o edition_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n relate_v to_o the_o matter_n write_v and_o the_o author_n that_o write_v may_v god_n give_v a_o further_a evidence_n to_o their_o divine_a authority_n of_o which_o we_o be_v now_o whole_o ignorant_a and_o it_o will_v be_v perhaps_o somewhat_o of_o curiosity_n and_o of_o little_a use_n to_o inquire_v after_o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v record_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o particular_o the_o foretell_v of_o future_a event_n that_o according_o come_v to_o pass_v two_o way_n god_n himself_o have_v previous_o appoint_v by_o moses_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o all_o false_a pretension_n to_o revelation_n first_o if_o any_o pretender_n that_o way_n come_v to_o seduce_v man_n from_o the_o true_a god_n and_o that_o divine_a worship_n of_o his_o then_o establish_v god_n command_v they_o shall_v be_v reject_v and_o second_o if_o
and_o by_o which_o be_v we_o possess_v of_o they_o they_o will_v much_o more_o easy_o have_v be_v reconcile_v and_o understand_v the_o jew_n be_v very_o curious_a and_o exact_a in_o the_o preservation_n of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o good_a reason_n they_o have_v so_o to_o be_v for_o among_o the_o heathen_n want_v of_o posterity_n may_v be_v supply_v by_o adoption_n but_o the_o jew_n be_v oblige_v to_o a_o strict_a succession_n in_o alliance_n and_o kindred_n the_o whole_a of_o this_o matter_n be_v most_o judicious_o discourse_v of_o by_o the_o learned_a grotius_n in_o his_o annotatious_a upon_o these_o two_o evangelist_n to_o which_o the_o exact_a disquisition_n of_o all_o the_o particular_n be_v too_o large_a a_o task_n for_o this_o undertake_n i_o fear_v not_o to_o refer_v any_o impartial_a reader_n for_o a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o all_o that_o can_v be_v reasonable_o object_v against_o the_o bible_n from_o hence_o there_o be_v nothing_o contain_v in_o either_o of_o these_o two_o genealogy_n that_o of_o st._n matthew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n that_o in_o the_o least_o imply_v any_o direct_a contradiction_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o such_o difference_n between_o they_o or_o between_o they_o and_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n one_o of_o which_o must_v be_v punctual_o make_v good_a or_o else_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o no_o force_n as_o appear_v whole_o uncapable_a of_o any_o reconciliation_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v evident_a the_o evangelist_n do_v after_o a_o admirable_a manner_n consist_v and_o agree_v with_o themselves_o although_o in_o order_n to_o many_o excellent_a end_n and_o to_o clear_v we_o all_o doubt_n about_o our_o saviour_n descent_n they_o different_o account_v which_o upon_o the_o forementioned_a ground_n can_v seem_v hard_a to_o none_o to_o conceive_v four_o they_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v much_o contain_v in_o the_o bible_n that_o seem_v of_o too_o mean_a and_o low_a a_o nature_n to_o come_v from_o such_o a_o wise_a and_o excellent_a be_v as_o god_n and_o by_o no_o mean_n fit_a to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o he_o such_o be_v many_o story_n and_o many_o similitude_n and_o divers_a expression_n we_o find_v there_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n they_o reproach_n this_o book_n for_o contain_v thing_n too_o high_a to_o be_v credit_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o object_n against_o it_o as_o contain_v many_o thing_n too_o mean_a to_o be_v regard_v in_o the_o one_o they_o impeach_v god_n power_n and_o imply_v some_o thing_n be_v too_o great_a for_o he_o to_o effect_v and_o by_o the_o other_o cast_v a_o contempt_n upon_o the_o high_a effect_n of_o his_o condescension_n and_o goodness_n for_o nothing_o can_v more_o savour_n of_o it_o then_o such_o a_o familiar_a way_n of_o converse_v with_o man_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o scripture_n have_v by_o divers_a similitude_n resemblance_n and_o allegory_n make_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o all_o we_o converse_v with_o some_o way_n or_o other_o hieroglyphical_a to_o we_o of_o divinity_n have_v express_v somewhat_o of_o religion_n to_o we_o by_o all_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o by_o the_o most_o common_a employment_n of_o humane_a life_n then_o which_o nothing_o can_v make_v religion_n look_v with_o a_o more_o familiar_a aspect_n upon_o we_o nor_o render_v the_o mystery_n of_o it_o more_o easy_a to_o be_v embrace_v by_o all_o capacity_n nor_o be_v any_o thing_n more_o likely_a to_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o thing_n supernatural_a and_o divine_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n then_o when_o they_o be_v express_v to_o they_o by_o such_o thing_n with_o which_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v a_o constant_a converse_n while_o they_o stay_v in_o this_o world_n whatsoever_o we_o find_v in_o the_o bible_n of_o this_o kind_a stand_v sufficient_o discharge_v from_o all_o reasonable_a exception_n because_o it_o be_v visible_o but_o adjust_v the_o notion_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o impotency_n of_o many_o capacity_n and_o of_o the_o mean_a expression_n either_o in_o similitude_n allegory_n metaphor_n or_o otherwise_o that_o we_o find_v in_o the_o scripture_n these_o two_o thing_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o which_o they_o be_v enough_o secure_v against_o all_o just_a and_o rational_a contempt_n first_o that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v proper_a and_o apt_a to_o inform_v in_o all_o those_o case_n in_o which_o they_o be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o second_o they_o all_o appear_v to_o have_v a_o direct_a tendency_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o noble_a and_o sublimest_n truth_n and_o be_v evident_o conduce_v to_o the_o high_a and_o most_o excellent_a attainment_n that_o mankind_n be_v capable_a of_o these_o and_o such_o like_a objection_n have_v often_o face_v the_o bible_n but_o have_v give_v very_o little_a stop_n to_o its_o progress_n indeed_o all_o occasion_n give_v though_o by_o its_o worst_a enemy_n for_o the_o discussion_n of_o it_o have_v turn_v great_o to_o its_o advantage_n and_o still_o make_v it_o appear_v less_o capable_a of_o any_o just_a and_o solid_a exception_n the_o bible_n be_v a_o book_n that_o will_v endure_v discourse_n the_o deep_o we_o search_v into_o all_o part_n of_o it_o still_o the_o sure_a we_o be_v to_o find_v a_o divine_a bottom_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o composure_n be_v suitable_a to_o its_o nature_n and_o end_n savour_v altogether_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o another_o world_n it_o be_v evident_o design_v to_o subvert_v all_o corrupt_a interest_n and_o debase_v man_n proud_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n it_o be_v write_v after_o a_o sort_n that_o seem_v peculiar_a to_o god_n and_o in_o no_o such_o way_n as_o mankind_n use_v to_o treat_v one_o with_o another_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o some_o man_n both_o object_n against_o it_o and_o reproach_n it_o divers_a thing_n there_o be_v which_o in_o the_o read_n of_o this_o book_n we_o be_v rational_o oblige_v to_o consider_v and_o by_o the_o due_a consideration_n whereof_o the_o ground_n of_o most_o man_n exception_n will_v be_v remove_v first_o the_o scripture_n appear_v to_o be_v design_v as_o a_o general_n storehouse_n of_o instruction_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o capacity_n and_o condition_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v no_o very_o easy_a task_n upon_o good_a ground_n to_o condemn_v any_o part_n either_o as_o useless_a or_o improper_a second_o many_o passage_n in_o the_o scripture_n relate_v to_o thing_n past_a and_o long_o since_o transact_v of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o full_o inform_v and_o many_o passage_n be_v accommodate_v to_o thing_n then_o well_o know_v which_o we_o in_o these_o after-age_n be_v ignorant_a of_o other_o relate_v much_o to_o thing_n future_a and_o to_o come_v the_o wisdom_n and_o excellency_n of_o which_o will_v not_o so_o full_o appear_v till_o hereafter_o and_o so_o we_o see_v it_o be_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o use_n and_o reason_n of_o many_o thing_n then_o can_v not_o be_v so_o full_o discern_v till_o explain_v and_o interpret_v by_o the_o gospel_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n may_v then_o happy_o have_v be_v judge_v by_o some_o as_o a_o impertinent_a addition_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n but_o since_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a we_o see_v what_o a_o excellent_a use_n there_o be_v of_o it_o to_o make_v good_a our_o saviour_n natural_a descent_n in_o the_o flesh_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n he_o that_o see_v no_o more_o than_o the_o old_a testament_n may_v have_v think_v that_o historical_a discourse_n of_o melchisedâ—c_n that_o we_o find_v in_o moses_n to_o be_v very_o defective_a mention_v so_o considerable_a a_o transaction_n of_o so_o great_a a_o man_n in_o those_o early_a time_n of_o the_o world_n without_o give_v any_o further_a account_n of_o he_o but_o now_o under_o the_o new_a we_o be_v inform_v how_o eminent_a a_o projection_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n be_v wrap_v up_o in_o the_o seem_a imperfection_n of_o that_o story_n and_o that_o the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o his_o divinity_n in_o a_o strange_a and_o unthought_a off_o way_n be_v represent_v and_o figure_v thereby_o three_o many_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n relate_v to_o the_o custom_n and_o law_n of_o particular_a place_n and_o country_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o they_o in_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n many_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o custom_n and_o law_n of_o the_o persian_n in_o the_o prophet_n divers_a thing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v without_o a_o reference_n to_o the_o history_n of_o several_a country_n to_o which_o they_o relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n many_o passage_n refer_v to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n
sort_n of_o christian_n under_o the_o gospel_n st._n jerom_n call_v it_o a_o book_n full_a of_o idle_a dream_n the_o papist_n themselves_o though_o they_o have_v admit_v many_o other_o book_n that_o we_o reckon_v apocryphal_a into_o their_o canon_n yet_o have_v still_o reject_v this_o and_o bellarmine_n himself_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n speak_v with_o great_a contempt_n of_o this_o whole_a book_n and_o call_v the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v a_o writer_n of_o romance_n second_o there_o be_v many_o very_a good_a and_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o there_o be_v no_o where_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o least_o mention_n not_o by_o esdras_n himself_o though_o he_o give_v we_o a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n of_o what_o he_o himself_o do_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a but_o so_o eminent_a a_o thing_n as_o god_n inspire_v one_o man_n to_o write_v over_o again_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n which_o so_o many_o have_v be_v inspire_v to_o write_v before_o will_v have_v be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o record_v nor_o be_v it_o credible_a but_o that_o so_o great_a a_o judgement_n upon_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o total_a loss_n of_o their_o law_n will_v have_v be_v distinct_o mention_v when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v so_o very_o particular_a in_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o lossâ—s_v the_o jew_n underweâ—â—_n at_o that_o time_n of_o all_o the_o ruin_n make_v by_o the_o babylonian_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o spoil_n they_o carry_v into_o babylon_n from_o thence_o second_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v multitude_n of_o copy_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o religious_a jew_n especial_o the_o priest_n of_o who_o there_o be_v many_o hundred_o who_o have_v a_o constant_a use_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o people_n also_o dâ—d_v general_o possess_v themselves_o of_o it_o after_o that_o eminent_a danger_n it_o have_v undergo_v and_o the_o recovery_n of_o â—â—â—n_n the_o eighteen_o year_n of_o jâ—siah_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o all_o the_o copy_n can_v be_v destroy_v those_o that_o probable_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o jeremiah_n gedalich_n and_o many_o other_o who_o stay_v behind_o and_o accept_v their_o liberty_n to_o continue_v still_o in_o judea_n and_o those_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o daniel_n ezekiel_n and_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o they_o in_o the_o first_o captivity_n to_o babylon_n long_o before_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v burn_v and_o all_o those_o which_o be_v probable_o keep_v by_o many_o of_o those_o that_o be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n after_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o we_o no_o where_n find_v that_o the_o babylonian_n make_v it_o any_o part_n of_o their_o business_n in_o particular_a to_o destroy_v and_o extirpate_v their_o law_n and_o when_o antiochus_n do_v afterward_o with_o all_o his_o might_n endeavour_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o copy_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o good_a man_n hand_n he_o be_v no_o way_n able_a to_o effect_v it_o three_o it_o appear_v the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n with_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n both_o from_o daniel_n prophecy_n who_o prophesy_v there_o and_o also_o from_o other_o historical_a evidence_n first_o from_o his_o prophecy_n for_o we_o find_v he_o in_o the_o 9_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n quote_v several_a time_n particular_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o chapter_n he_o say_v he_o understand_v by_o book_n the_o number_n of_o year_n whereof_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n that_o he_o will_v accomplish_v seventy_o year_n in_o the_o desolation_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o those_o book_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n itself_o with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n wherein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o time_n that_o the_o jew_n be_v bring_v thither_o which_o daniel_n compare_v together_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o end_n of_o jâ—remies_n seventy_o year_n and_o of_o the_o captivity_n the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o have_v be_v four_o distinct_a captivity_n and_o four_o several_a king_n of_o judah_n carry_v into_o babylon_n at_o four_o several_a time_n first_o manasses_n than_o jehojakim_n and_o with_o he_o among_o other_o daniel_n himself_o three_o jeconias_n and_o with_o he_o ezekiel_n and_o mordecai_n and_o last_o zedekias_n when_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v destroy_v and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n very_o easy_a to_o know_v from_o which_o of_o these_o captivity_n to_o reckon_v the_o seventy_o â—aâ—s_n ezekiel_n seem_v to_o begin_v it_o eleven_o year_n before_o the_o city_n be_v destroy_v when_o jeâ—â—onias_n be_v carry_v away_o thither_o for_o he_o say_v in_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o our_o be_v in_o captivity_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n in_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o the_o month_n in_o the_o fourteen_o year_n after_o that_o the_o city_n be_v smite_v and_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n in_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o jecenias_n use_v these_o word_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n after_o seventy_o year_n be_v accomplish_v in_o babel_n i_o will_v visit_v you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o return_v to_o this_o place_n by_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o begin_v the_o seventy_o year_n from_o thence_o but_o in_o other_o place_n be_v very_o express_v that_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v from_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n and_o so_o it_o appear_v the_o captivity_n mention_v by_o ezekiel_n be_v not_o that_o by_o which_o the_o seventy_o â—ears_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v nor_o be_v the_o prophecy_n utter_v by_o jeremy_n to_o comfort_v those_o that_o be_v captivate_v with_o jeconias_n to_o commence_v when_o utter_v nor_o till_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o last_o captivity_n of_o zedekiah_n all_o which_o daniel_n consider_v and_o by_o compare_v these_o prophecy_n together_o find_v the_o exact_a time_n from_o whence_o the_o seventy_o year_n be_v to_o be_v account_v second_o from_o historical_a evidence_n for_o josephus_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o cyrus_n set_v on_o foot_n the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o restore_v of_o the_o jew_n to_o their_o country_n be_v his_o read_v the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n which_o be_v write_v â—10_n year_n before_o his_o time_n wherein_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v in_o god_n name_n that_o cyrus_n shall_v be_v raise_v up_o for_o that_o very_a purpose_n upon_o read_v of_o which_o during_o the_o captivity_n he_o save_v cyrus_n be_v ravish_v with_o admiration_n of_o god_n and_o surprise_v with_o a_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o bring_v about_o what_o be_v so_o long_o before_o write_v and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o sight_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o engage_v cyrus_n to_o what_o he_o do_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o most_o absurd_o impolitic_a and_o against_o all_o ordinary_a rule_n of_o discretion_n to_o restore_v such_o a_o people_n and_o rebuild_v such_o a_o place_n that_o have_v be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o terrible_a to_o all_o the_o nation_n round_o about_o especial_o when_o as_o josephus_n say_v there_o go_v out_o of_o babylon_n at_o their_o return_n of_o those_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n there_o captivate_v four_o million_o six_o hundred_o twenty_o and_o eight_o thousand_o person_n that_o be_v above_o twelve_o year_n old_a beside_o four_o thousand_o and_o seventy_o levite_n and_o of_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n together_o forty_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o forty_o and_o two_o beside_o also_o some_o hundred_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n that_o be_v porter_n singer_n and_o other_o sacred_a servitor_n four_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o zerubbabel_n joshuah_n haggai_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o they_o will_v have_v so_o labour_v as_o they_o do_v to_o return_v out_o of_o babylon_n toâ—e-build_a their_o temple_n and_o restore_v their_o ancient_a worship_n if_o the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o great_a rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o have_v be_v whole_o lâ—st_o and_o extinguish_v nay_o it_o appear_v evident_o in_o the_o book_n of_o ezra_n that_o those_o jew_n that_o firstâ—etâ—â—â—ed_v into_o judaea_n before_o esdras_n come_v out_o of_o babylon_n bring_v the_o law_n out_o of_o babylon_n with_o they_o for_o in_o the_o six_o of_o esdras_n it_o be_v there_o say_v they_o set_v the_o priest_n in_o their_o division_n and_o the_o levite_n in_o their_o corpse_n and_o settle_v the_o worship_n oâ—the_v temple_n
the_o great_a ruin_n to_o mankind_n delude_v they_o with_o false_a information_n about_o their_o chief_a concern_v shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o their_o justification_n the_o most_o eminent_a miracle_n and_o all_o the_o great_a evidence_n that_o rational_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o ascertain_v the_o world_n in_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o high_a supernatural_a truth_n in_o a_o word_n who_o can_v believe_v a_o book_n so_o circumstance_v as_o we_o find_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a instrument_n and_o with_o the_o worst_a of_o design_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v ever_o be_v credit_v while_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o god_n rule_v above_o and_o man_n live_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o reason_n below_o it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o any_o book_n false_o pretend_v to_o god_n name_n and_o authority_n design_v his_o dishonour_n and_o man_n destruction_n shall_v be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o have_v be_v bring_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o yet_o so_o must_v the_o table_n be_v turn_v the_o whole_a proof_n must_v so_o be_v invert_v of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v a_o contrary_a application_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v make_v if_o this_o book_n come_v not_o from_o god_n and_o be_v not_o in_o truth_n what_o itself_o open_o claim_v to_o be_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o this_o book_n we_o call_v the_o bible_n be_v thus_o upon_o the_o forementioned_a ground_n establish_v i_o come_v in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o a_o consideration_n of_o such_o doubt_n and_o objection_n as_o be_v usual_o make_v about_o it_o all_o the_o material_a difficulty_n that_o can_v be_v propose_v will_v be_v reduceable_a to_o these_o four_o question_n i._n first_o how_o can_v man_n come_v to_o be_v assure_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v first_o write_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n and_o upon_o sure_a ground_n distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o write_n ii_o second_o how_o come_v we_o certain_o to_o know_v the_o true_a compass_n and_o extent_n of_o holy_a writ_n how_o can_v we_o know_v that_o we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o bible_n all_o that_o be_v write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o intend_v as_o a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o be_v now_o safe_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v able_a upon_o good_a ground_n to_o say_v what_o be_v canonical_a and_o what_o be_v not_o iii_o three_o how_o can_v we_o that_o have_v not_o the_o original_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o the_o autographa_n of_o those_o that_o write_v it_o but_o only_o the_o copy_n of_o they_o and_o most_o but_o the_o translation_n of_o those_o copy_n rest_v assure_v we_o have_v god_n mind_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v iu._n four_o how_o can_v we_o believe_v this_o book_n say_v some_o to_o be_v from_o god_n when_o we_o find_v contain_v in_o it_o divers_a contradiction_n several_a strange_a and_o incredible_a story_n and_o other_o thing_n great_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o answer_v the_o first_o question_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v previous_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v advantage_n peculiar_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o who_o first_o receive_v the_o bible_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o live_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v that_o we_o have_v not_o and_o we_o have_v likewise_o some_o advantage_n and_o those_o very_a considerable_a to_o our_o belief_n which_o they_o have_v not_o they_o converse_v with_o the_o penman_n themselves_o the_o name_n of_o many_o of_o who_o be_v to_o we_o whole_o unknown_a the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o record_v they_o foresee_v the_o scripture_n will_v descend_v to_o we_o upon_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n they_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o personal_a integrity_n and_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n see_v the_o original_a write_n and_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n many_o know_v some_o of_o their_o hand_n these_o we_o have_v not_o but_o we_o see_v the_o progress_n and_o success_n of_o this_o book_n which_o they_o see_v not_o we_o see_v this_o book_n translate_v into_o all_o language_n whole_a nation_n convert_v by_o it_o the_o gospel_n spread_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o many_o prediction_n since_o which_o they_o can_v not_o then_o be_v witness_n of_o with_o many_o other_o great_a effect_n of_o it_o we_o see_v the_o whole_a conjoin_v and_o the_o excellent_a harmony_n of_o it_o and_o the_o relation_n each_o part_n have_v to_o complete_a the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v in_o divers_a respect_n upon_o different_a term_n of_o judge_v now_o upon_o the_o whole_a from_o what_o man_n be_v in_o judge_v at_o first_o upon_o any_o particular_a part_n but_o to_o come_v to_o a_o direct_a answer_n to_o this_o question_n there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o ascertain_v man_n in_o their_o reception_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n when_o it_o first_o become_v public_a first_o by_o some_o outward_a visible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o that_o service_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o commissionated_a from_o god_n or_o second_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o write_n themselves_o and_o herein_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o those_o time_n and_o season_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o the_o then_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o order_n of_o write_v it_o will_v much_o inform_v we_o moses_n who_o lay_v the_o first_o and_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a fabric_n in_o the_o five_o book_n that_o he_o write_v he_o have_v a_o justification_n personal_n beyond_o all_o question_n his_o commission_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o he_o there_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o assure_v those_o that_o then_o live_v that_o god_n have_v employ_v he_o for_o god_n admit_v he_o open_o to_o a_o personal_a converse_n with_o himself_o we_o read_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o of_o exodus_fw-la that_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n loe_o i_o come_v to_o thou_o in_o a_o thick_a cloud_n that_o the_o people_n may_v bear_v when_o i_o speak_v with_o thou_o and_o believe_v thou_o for_o ever_o etc._n etc._n he_o impower_v he_o upon_o many_o occasion_n to_o work_v the_o great_a miracle_n that_o since_o the_o world_n have_v a_o be_v have_v ever_o be_v wrought_v and_o open_o to_o shame_n and_o outdo_v all_o his_o opposer_n and_o all_o pretender_n that_o way_n and_o whensoever_o there_o be_v a_o doubt_n make_v about_o this_o divine_a authority_n or_o any_o contest_v with_o he_o upon_o that_o account_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o korah_n and_o at_o other_o time_n god_n plain_o and_o 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in_o such_o a_o succession_n establish_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o book_n ought_v ever_o to_o be_v admit_v without_o very_o positive_a proof_n especial_o when_o we_o have_v such_o apparent_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n by_o who_o be_v it_o i_o ask_v that_o the_o bible_n can_v be_v corrupt_v it_o must_v have_v be_v either_o by_o jew_n pagan_n or_o heretic_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o jew_n have_v not_o do_v it_o for_o we_o find_v multitude_n of_o text_n that_o give_v in_o a_o daily_a witness_n against_o they_o which_o doubtless_o have_v they_o attempt_v the_o bible_n in_o such_o a_o way_n they_o will_v never_o have_v suffer_v so_o to_o remain_v upon_o record_n against_o they_o no_o part_n of_o the_o pagan_a world_n can_v be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o have_v do_v it_o for_o the_o scripture_n contain_v such_o a_o eminent_a revelation_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n and_o his_o worship_n as_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o heathenish_a vanity_n and_o at_o once_o 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