in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o must_v be_v either_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o or_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o must_v be_v either_o that_o it_o do_v not_o give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o therefore_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v 2._o that_o the_o motive_n which_o the_o scripture_n propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o 1._o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a 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necessary_a to_o be_v give_v by_o a_o pastor_n to_o the_o people_n commit_v to_o his_o care_n and_o if_o as_o the_o same_o apostle_n have_v say_v at_o the_o 15_o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o desire_v to_o be_v wise_a than_o this_o excellent_a book_n can_v make_v we_o and_o if_o all_o this_o can_v true_o be_v say_v by_o the_o apostle_n before_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v complete_v if_o it_o can_v be_v say_v by_o he_o of_o those_o holy_a scripture_n which_o timothy_n have_v know_v from_o a_o child_n that_o be_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n only_o much_o more_o may_v it_o be_v now_o say_v of_o the_o book_n of_o both_o testament_n together_o but_o to_o speak_v at_o large_a of_o this_o point_n at_o present_a will_v be_v too_o great_a a_o digression_n from_o the_o design_n of_o these_o lecture_n which_o be_v intend_v only_o against_o infidel_n not_o against_o 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all_o true_a we_o be_v tell_v by_o st._n john_n who_o write_v his_o gospel_n the_o last_o of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n joh._n 20.30_o many_o other_o sign_n true_o do_v jesus_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o disciple_n which_o be_v not_o write_v in_o this_o book_n and_o again_o ch._n 21._o verse_n 25._o there_o be_v also_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o jesus_n do_v the_o which_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v write_v every_o one_o i_o suppose_v that_o even_o the_o world_n its_o self_n can_v not_o contain_v the_o book_n that_o shall_v be_v write_v now_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v several_a other_o book_n former_o extant_a but_o which_o be_v now_o lose_v that_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o inspire_a man_n and_o consequent_o by_o divine_a inspiration_n either_o these_o be_v needless_a when_o write_v and_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o any_o book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v needless_a or_o else_o the_o loss_n of_o these_o 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he_o think_v he_o himself_o have_v write_v enough_o in_o his_o gospel_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o eternal_a life_n there_o be_v therefore_o in_o those_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o have_v several_a abridgement_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a doctrine_n it_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v pretend_v that_o all_o these_o book_n together_o be_v not_o sufficient_a full_o to_o instruct_v we_o therein_o beside_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v preach_v suppose_v by_o st._n thomas_n in_o india_n or_o by_o st._n simon_n in_o africa_n or_o by_o any_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o country_n remote_a from_o judea_n or_o without_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v undoubted_o the_o very_a same_o gospel_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n or_o those_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o book_n be_v now_o extant_a and_o receive_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o they_o be_v all_o teach_v by_o the_o same_o master_n christ_n and_o be_v all_o enlighten_v by_o the_o same_o holy_a ghost_n so_o that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o do_v as_o it_o be_v report_v they_o do_v write_v any_o gospel_n for_o the_o present_a use_n of_o those_o particular_a church_n which_o they_o have_v plant_v though_o they_o may_v be_v somewhat_o different_a from_o any_o of_o the_o four_o gospel_n which_o we_o now_o have_v in_o the_o expression_n or_o perhaps_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o some_o particular_a passage_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n which_o our_o evangelist_n have_v omit_v just_a as_o the_o four_o gospel_n which_o we_o now_o have_v do_v differ_v from_o one_o another_o yet_o for_o substance_n they_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o same_o with_o these_o and_o with_o one_o another_o if_o indeed_o they_o be_v all_o true_a relation_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o author_n thereof_o have_v be_v witness_n so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v they_o 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that_o it_o may_v cost_v we_o some_o pain_n and_o study_n to_o understand_v our_o religion_n that_o so_o our_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o our_o practice_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o fruit_n of_o our_o own_o industry_n may_v be_v a_o proper_a subject_n of_o reward_n in_o short_a that_o there_o be_v more_o book_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n write_v by_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n than_o be_v now_o extant_a or_o than_o if_o extant_a can_v be_v well_o prove_v to_o be_v of_o their_o write_n be_v a_o point_n which_o i_o believe_v can_v be_v now_o upon_o any_o certain_a evidence_n either_o affirm_v or_o deny_v but_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v i_o say_v however_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o those_o which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o the_o scripture_n declaration_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n and_o that_o he_o will_v have_v all_o man_n to_o be_v save_v and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n most_o certain_o the_o necessary_a mean_n of_o man_n salvation_n be_v a_o proper_a subject_n of_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o if_o so_o it_o can_v be_v think_v but_o that_o the_o same_o good_a providence_n which_o as_o be_v now_o suppose_v take_v care_n for_o the_o write_n of_o more_o book_n when_o more_o may_v be_v necessary_a have_v likewise_o take_v care_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o so_o many_o of_o these_o book_n as_o be_v now_o sufficient_a or_o if_o the_o man_n we_o be_v now_o argue_v with_o will_v not_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o particular_a providence_n of_o god_n yet_o if_o they_o will_v but_o allow_v that_o god_n be_v just_a that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o hard_a master_n expect_v to_o reap_v where_o he_o have_v not_o sow_o i_o think_v they_o must_v allow_v that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o salvation_n not_o knowable_a by_o reason_n be_v teach_v in_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o we_o now_o have_v because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n extant_a which_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o receive_v and_o accept_v as_o divine_a revelation_n or_o if_o they_o deny_v this_o it_o will_v lie_v upon_o they_o to_o produce_v those_o other_o book_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v beside_o these_o and_o to_o give_v good_a evidence_n to_o the_o world_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n which_o when_o they_o have_v do_v or_o if_o they_o shall_v but_o only_o show_v that_o there_o be_v as_o good_a reason_n to_o receive_v they_o as_o these_o we_o must_v own_v ourselves_o to_o blame_v if_o we_o shall_v not_o then_o take_v they_o also_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n but_o till_o that_o shall_v be_v do_v what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o complete_a rule_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o manner_n especial_o consider_v as_o be_v note_v before_o that_o whenever_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o scripture_n in_o this_o respect_n be_v urge_v by_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o person_n i_o have_v now_o to_o deal_v with_o it_o can_v be_v only_o for_o cavil_v sake_n the_o true_a reason_n of_o their_o backwardness_n to_o receive_v it_o as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v not_o because_o it_o teach_v not_o enough_o but_o because_o it_o teach_v more_o than_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v and_o command_v more_o than_o they_o be_v dispose_v to_o practice_v for_o i_o can_v imagine_v that_o these_o man_n do_v true_o desire_v more_o duty_n than_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o in_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n now_o receive_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o what_o they_o may_v most_o reasonable_o be_v think_v to_o desire_v be_v either_o some_o better_a encouragement_n to_o undertake_v that_o difficult_a task_n which_o the_o scripture_n lay_v upon_o they_o or_o some_o better_a evidence_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n i_o proceed_v now_o therefore_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n propound_v which_o be_v 2._o to_o show_v that_o the_o motive_n which_o the_o scripture_n propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v now_o hope_n and_o fear_n be_v the_o great_a spring_n of_o action_n and_o the_o great_a the_o good_a be_v we_o hope_v for_o or_o the_o evil_n we_o fear_v the_o strongly_a do_v they_o move_v and_o incline_v we_o to_o action_n and_o therefore_o how_o difficult_a soever_o the_o undertake_n be_v so_o it_o be_v but_o possible_a if_o the_o motive_n be_v proportion_v to_o the_o difficulty_n they_o must_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v sufficient_a inducement_n to_o undertake_v it_o but_o that_o the_o task_n or_o business_n require_v of_o we_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v need_v not_o to_o be_v prove_v now_o because_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v by_o those_o who_o say_v they_o believe_v they_o shall_v be_v persuade_v to_o do_v what_o 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of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n thereof_o 2._o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o they_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v record_v and_o 3._o that_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a they_o be_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v therein_o teach_v these_o thing_n therefore_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a but_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v for_o brevity_n sake_n confine_v my_o discourse_n only_o to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n partly_o because_o these_o be_v the_o book_n wherein_o our_o christian_a religion_n be_v chief_o teach_v and_o especial_o because_o i_o think_v there_o be_v none_o who_o receive_v the_o new_a testament_n as_o of_o divine_a authority_n that_o do_v 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be_v upon_o this_o account_n but_o upon_o very_o good_a ground_n though_o what_o the_o ground_n thereof_o be_v they_o â—â—ve_v not_o yet_o inquire_v their_o be_v in_o possession_n be_v â—one_n reason_n enough_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o assert_v their_o â—â—tle_n it_o lie_v upon_o they_o that_o deny_v these_o book_n to_o 〈◊〉_d they_o to_o produce_v satisfactory_a evidence_n of_o their_o â—ing_n forge_v or_o counterfeit_a and_o till_o they_o shall_v proâ—â—ce_v some_o evidence_n thereof_o that_o have_v a_o show_n and_o appearance_n of_o truth_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v stagger_v in_o our_o belief_n by_o their_o bare_a however_o bold_a and_o confident_a denial_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o much_o â—s_n shall_v we_o need_v to_o give_v our_o reason_n for_o our_o reâ—â—ving_v they_o as_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n till_o our_o adversary_n shall_v offer_v some_o reason_n why_o we_o ought_v not_o 〈◊〉_d receive_v they_o as_o such_o but_o nevertheless_o because_o we_o see_v there_o be_v some_o in_o â—s_n incredulous_a age_n that_o show_v a_o good_a will_n to_o deny_v 〈◊〉_d authority_n of_o these_o sacred_a book_n and_o who_o inâ—est_n it_o will_v be_v to_o prove_v they_o spurious_a and_o beâ—se_o we_o can_v tell_v what_o unwarrantable_a practice_n â—ir_a inclination_n and_o interest_n may_v put_v they_o upon_o 〈◊〉_d what_o write_n or_o evidence_n plausible_o forge_a 〈◊〉_d counterfeit_v they_o may_v hereafter_o produce_v it_o can_v be_v amiss_o for_o we_o to_o inquire_v and_o see_v and_o it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o we_o who_o hold_v our_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n chief_o by_o these_o write_n to_o find_v and_o consider_v how_o well_o provide_v we_o be_v to_o detect_v and_o disprove_v any_o such_o forgery_n if_o they_o shall_v be_v offer_v by_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o opposition_n thereto_o as_o good_a positive_a proof_n that_o these_o book_n be_v genuine_a as_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o much_o 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part_n of_o my_o discourse_n and_o therefore_o shall_v lengthen_v it_o no_o further_o 6.9_o heb._n 6.9_o i_o be_o persuade_v better_a thing_n of_o you_o and_o thing_n that_o accompany_v salvation_n for_o your_o presence_n here_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n make_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o you_o be_v already_o convince_v not_o only_o of_o the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o god_n but_o likewise_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n 2._o to_o you_o therefore_o who_o be_v christian_n i_o shall_v now_o turn_v my_o discourse_n 13.22_o heb._n 13.22_o and_o i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n suffer_v the_o word_n of_o exhortation_n it_o be_v only_o this_o since_o you_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v messenger_n to_o you_o from_o god_n to_o instruct_v you_o in_o his_o will_n receive_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o law_n at_o their_o mouth_n mind_n what_o they_o say_v and_o be_v careful_a to_o follow_v their_o direction_n in_o all_o thing_n for_o even_o we_o who_o have_v the_o scripture_n the_o lively_a oracle_n of_o god_n may_v perish_v for_o want_n of_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o they_o that_o have_v they_o not_o unless_o we_o make_v that_o use_v of_o they_o which_o they_o be_v give_v for_o unless_o we_o be_v diligent_a in_o read_v they_o and_o careful_a to_o practice_v what_o they_o teach_v for_o the_o rich_a man_n speak_v of_o in_o this_o parable_n have_v the_o scripture_n but_o his_o mere_a have_v they_o do_v not_o keep_v he_o from_o hell_n and_o his_o five_o survive_a brethren_n have_v likewise_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o be_v then_o in_o a_o fair_a way_n of_o follow_v their_o brother_n to_o that_o place_n of_o torment_n they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o they_o do_v not_o hear_v they_o and_o this_o also_o may_v be_v our_o case_n who_o have_v not_o only_o these_o but_o also_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v to_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o hear_v they_o for_o what_o advantage_n can_v it_o be_v to_o we_o to_o have_v good_a instructor_n if_o we_o will_v not_o mind_v what_o they_o say_v if_o we_o stop_v our_o ear_n to_o all_o their_o counsel_n and_o reproof_n no_o man_n be_v ever_o make_v a_o scholar_n only_o by_o have_v a_o good_a library_n in_o his_o possession_n no_o man_n ever_o learn_v any_o art_n or_o science_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o well_o teach_v in_o any_o book_n only_o by_o keep_v the_o book_n in_o his_o chamber_n or_o carry_v it_o about_o in_o his_o pocket_n and_o as_o little_o shall_v we_o be_v the_o wise_a only_o by_o have_v the_o holy_a scripture_n though_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n 3.15_o 2_o tim._n 3.15_o if_o we_o do_v not_o read_v and_o study_v they_o with_o a_o honest_a design_n to_o furnish_v ourselves_o from_o thence_o with_o a_o stock_n of_o useful_a knowledge_n and_o with_o a_o firm_a resolution_n to_o lead_v our_o life_n according_a to_o the_o direction_n which_o they_o give_v we_o nay_o so_o far_o shall_v be_v from_o receive_v any_o advantage_n only_o by_o our_o have_v the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o and_o free_a liberty_n allow_v we_o to_o look_v into_o they_o a_o privilege_n we_o of_o this_o nation_n have_v above_o most_o of_o our_o neighbour_n that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o read_v and_o study_v they_o it_o will_v be_v much_o the_o worse_o for_o we_o our_o condemnation_n will_v be_v the_o great_a and_o our_o destruction_n so_o much_o the_o more_o certain_a for_o the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o offend_v through_o ignorance_n when_o their_o ignorance_n be_v unaffected_a be_v very_o pitiable_a and_o though_o we_o can_v certain_o say_v how_o god_n will_v deal_v with_o those_o who_o have_v no_o clear_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n make_v to_o they_o this_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a of_o that_o god_n who_o be_v a_o merciful_a god_n will_v deal_v merciful_o with_o they_o 15.22_o john_n 15.22_o if_o i_o have_v not_o come_v and_o speak_v unto_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n they_o have_v not_o have_v sin_n but_o the_o case_n will_v be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o those_o 12.47_o luke_n 12.47_o who_o know_v their_o master_n will_n and_o do_v not_o do_v it_o they_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v shall_v be_v beat_v with_o many_o stripe_n and_o it_o will_v be_v all_o one_o if_o they_o do_v not_o know_v it_o if_o their_o ignorance_n of_o it_o be_v occasion_v by_o their_o own_o fault_n in_o neglect_v those_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n which_o god_n have_v afford_v they_o and_o much_o rather_o if_o their_o ignorance_n of_o their_o duty_n be_v affect_v and_o choose_v that_o they_o may_v sin_n with_o less_o disturbance_n of_o mind_n for_o our_o saviour_n judgement_n in_o this_o case_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o and_o it_o be_v his_o judgement_n by_o which_o we_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v to_o all_o eternity_n joh._n iii._o 19_o this_o be_v the_o condemnation_n that_o light_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o man_n love_v darkness_n rather_o than_o light_n because_o their_o deed_n be_v evil._n have_v therefore_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o also_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n continual_o preach_v to_o we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n let_v we_o hear_v they_o this_o be_v both_o our_o duty_n and_o our_o interest_n and_o that_o our_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v with_o good_a success_n and_o we_o may_v thereby_o be_v thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n let_v we_o pray_v as_o we_o be_v teach_v by_o our_o church_n in_o a_o most_o excellent_a collect_v suit_v to_o the_o subject_a i_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o advent_n collect_v for_o 2d_o sunday_n in_o advent_n bless_a lord_n who_o have_v cause_v all_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n grant_v that_o we_o may_v in_o such_o wise_a hear_v they_o read_z mark_v learn_v and_o inward_o digest_v they_o that_o by_o patience_n and_o comfort_n of_o thy_o holy_a word_n we_o may_v embrace_v and_o ever_o hold_v 〈◊〉_d â—he_v bless_v hope_n of_o everlasting_a life_n which_o thou_o have_v give_v we_o 〈…〉_o â—ur_n jesus_n christ_n amen_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la page_n 55._o line_n 10._o for_o some_o read_v same_o
of_o book_n as_o write_v by_o such_o and_o such_o author_n without_o sufficient_a assurance_n thereof_o but_o i_o believe_v the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v some_o man_n who_o for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o themselves_o but_o which_o may_v some_o of_o they_o be_v easy_o enough_o guess_v at_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o to_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n that_o a_o book_n be_v write_v by_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o apostle_n which_o they_o must_v and_o do_v allow_v to_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n in_o any_o other_o case_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n for_o in_o other_o case_n we_o make_v no_o doubt_n to_o receive_v a_o book_n as_o write_v by_o such_o a_o author_n if_o he_o own_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o or_o if_o it_o be_v show_v write_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n or_o if_o they_o that_o be_v the_o publisher_n of_o it_o declare_v that_o they_o have_v it_o from_o he_o as_o his_o own_o or_o that_o they_o transcribe_v or_o print_v it_o from_o a_o copy_n which_o they_o 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no_o suspicion_n of_o what_o be_v do_v nor_o any_o sense_n of_o that_o great_a alteration_n that_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o world_n by_o these_o book_n nor_o any_o remembrance_n afterward_o when_o they_o awake_v and_o find_v themselves_o christian_n that_o they_o have_v be_v of_o some_o other_o religion_n before_o when_o they_o be_v first_o take_v with_o that_o lethargic_a fit_n but_o if_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v what_o be_v there_o of_o this_o kind_n that_o may_v not_o be_v if_o the_o world_n be_v so_o much_o mistake_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v as_o much_o mistake_v in_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o then_o it_o may_v be_v that_o there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o homer_n or_o virgil_n or_o caesar_n or_o cicero_n or_o plutarch_n or_o any_o other_o of_o those_o person_n as_o who_o write_n we_o now_o receive_v the_o book_n that_o go_v under_o their_o name_n but_o that_o all_o the_o book_n pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o those_o author_n and_o likewise_o all_o the_o book_n of_o late_a date_n whereby_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o former_a book_n be_v attest_v be_v in_o like_a manner_n contrive_v and_o make_v and_o disperse_v by_o such_o another_o gang_n of_o crafty_a and_o design_v knave_n who_o take_v a_o pleasure_n in_o abuse_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n or_o hope_v to_o make_v a_o gain_n to_o themselves_o â—hereby_o nay_o then_o for_o why_o shall_v we_o stop_v here_o it_o may_v be_v that_o not_o only_o the_o law_n of_o our_o religion_n but_o the_o law_n of_o our_o civil_a state_n too_o be_v all_o forge_a and_o counterfeit_a it_o may_v be_v that_o once_o upon_o a_o time_n the_o keeper_n of_o the_o public_a record_n have_v by_o much_o and_o long_a observation_n attain_v to_o good_a skill_n â—n_o the_o ancient_a way_n of_o write_v for_o many_o age_n backward_o and_o be_v a_o complete_a master_n of_o his_o pen_n and_o have_v also_o get_v a_o art_n to_o make_v a_o fresh_a write_n seem_v just_a as_o old_a 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and_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o history_n or_o else_o let_v they_o fair_o own_o that_o the_o true_a reason_n of_o their_o make_v a_o doubt_n concern_v these_o book_n rather_o than_o concern_v other_o be_v because_o they_o do_v not_o relish_v the_o matter_n of_o they_o because_o they_o find_v it_o easy_a to_o resist_v that_o strong_a evidence_n that_o be_v give_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n than_o they_o do_v to_o govern_v their_o life_n according_a to_o those_o strict_a rule_n of_o holiness_n and_o purity_n that_o be_v therein_o prescribe_v and_o to_o bring_v their_o will_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n and_o if_o they_o will_v but_o own_o this_o which_o i_o believe_v be_v the_o truth_n their_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n will_v be_v so_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o it_o may_v be_v reasonable_o hope_v their_o impious_a suggestion_n will_v do_v but_o little_a harm_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o few_o man_n of_o any_o sense_n or_o reason_n will_v be_v so_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o venture_v their_o soul_n and_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o a_o miserable_a eternity_n upon_o so_o many_o and_o such_o very_a improbable_a i_o have_v almost_o say_v such_o impossible_a may_v be_v his_o as_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v if_o indeed_o these_o book_n be_v forge_v and_o counterfeit_a if_o indeed_o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o they_o be_v common_o ascribe_v to_o but_o yield_v this_o point_n may_n the_o atheist_n or_o infidel_n far_o say_v viz._n that_o the_o gospel_n call_v st._n matthew'_v be_v write_v by_o st._n matthew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n mark_v by_o st._n mark_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n which_o be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o other_o certain_a author_n by_o those_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v several_o ascribe_v yet_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n will_v not_o by_o this_o concession_n be_v sufficient_o establish_v for_o of_o some_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o 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man_n both_o ancient_o and_o late_o but_o they_o have_v be_v also_o so_o well_o and_o full_o answer_v by_o those_o learned_a person_n that_o have_v write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o canon_n that_o i_o once_o think_v to_o have_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o they_o and_o i_o believe_v have_v not_o do_v it_o but_o that_o i_o consider_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o when_o a_o old_a objection_n that_o have_v be_v answer_v a_o hundred_o time_n be_v urge_v afresh_o a_o great_a many_o may_v take_v it_o for_o a_o new_a one_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o quick_o answer_v may_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v it_o unanswerable_a so_o that_o in_o this_o case_n it_o may_v be_v better_a to_o repeat_v the_o same_o answer_n if_o it_o be_v a_o good_a one_o that_o have_v be_v often_o former_o make_v to_o it_o than_o to_o say_v nothing_o and_o beside_o in_o this_o degenerate_a age_n in_o which_o any_o wild_a or_o atheistical_a discourse_n pass_v for_o wit_n it_o may_v be_v the_o hap_v of_o some_o person_n who_o have_v not_o much_o mind_n or_o leisure_n or_o opportunity_n to_o read_v book_n to_o hear_v these_o thing_n in_o conversation_n and_o not_o know_v ready_o what_o answer_v to_o make_v to_o they_o to_o be_v somewhat_o stagger_v in_o their_o belief_n thereby_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v such_o who_o loose_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o live_v make_v they_o easy_a to_o receive_v without_o examination_n any_o notion_n that_o may_v give_v they_o ease_n or_o encouragement_n in_o sin_n for_o these_o reason_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o especial_o because_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o subject_a i_o be_o now_o upon_o and_o because_o i_o have_v some_o time_n leave_v for_o it_o to_o
mention_v as_o brief_o as_o may_v be_v the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v usual_o give_v to_o these_o objection_n and_o 1._o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o of_o some_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o author_n name_n be_v not_o certain_o know_v as_o namely_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o of_o other_o the_o author_n have_v be_v doubt_v particular_o of_o the_o second_o and_o three_o epiâ—tles_n of_o st._n john_n to_o this_o it_o have_v be_v answer_v 1._o that_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n depend_v many_o time_n much_o more_o upon_o the_o good_a assurance_n that_o we_o have_v of_o the_o time_n when_o it_o be_v write_v and_o of_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n that_o write_v it_o than_o upon_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o his_o name_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n whether_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v writâ—en_v by_o st._n paul_n himself_o as_o be_v common_o and_o upon_o â—ery_o probable_a ground_n believe_v or_o as_o some_o have_v conjecture_v by_o st._n luke_n his_o constant_a companion_n or_o as_o other_o by_o st._n clemens_n his_o fellow-labourer_n â—hose_v name_n be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n 4.3_o phil._n 4.3_o or_o as_o other_o â—y_a st._n barnabas_n his_o assistant_n in_o preach_v the_o goâ—pel_n 14.14_o act_n 14.14_o and_o who_o be_v dignify_v by_o st._n luke_n with_o the_o tiâ—e_n of_o a_o apostle_n and_o so_o neither_o be_v it_o very_o maâ—erial_a whether_o the_o epistle_n call_v the_o second_o and_o three_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n and_o common_o believe_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n that_o write_v the_o first_o be_v indeed_o write_v by_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n or_o as_o some_o have_v think_v by_o another_o â—ohn_n who_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o the_o jewish_a christiansâ—t_n â—t_z ephesus_n by_o he_o for_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n which_o soever_o they_o be_v of_o the_o person_n beforementioned_a be_v of_o good_a ability_n and_o integrity_n and_o well_o instruct_v in_o that_o doctrine_n and_o religion_n which_o they_o write_v about_o and_o of_o this_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n there_o be_v good_a evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o write_n themselves_o 2._o in_o answer_n to_o this_o and_o to_o all_o other_o objection_n of_o this_o sort_n against_o these_o or_o any_o other_o book_n or_o chapter_n or_o paragraph_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o have_v be_v far_o true_o say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o singular_a in_o these_o book_n that_o there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n teach_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o the_o author_n or_o authority_n of_o which_o there_o have_v ever_o be_v any_o doubt_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o teach_v in_o some_o other_o undoubted_a and_o uncontroverted_a part_n of_o the_o same_o book_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o those_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o which_o there_o have_v be_v former_o any_o doubt_n be_v still_o of_o uncertain_a authority_n our_o christianity_n will_v suffer_v no_o real_a loss_n thereby_o only_o give_v up_o these_o controvert_v place_n we_o shall_v sometime_o want_v a_o good_a help_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o understand_v ready_o those_o other_o uncontroverted_a place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o the_o same_o doctrine_n be_v but_o perhaps_o more_o brief_o or_o obscure_o deliver_v 2._o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o some_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v reject_v in_o ancient_a time_n this_o be_v grant_v but_o than_o it_o have_v be_v show_v that_o consider_v by_o who_o they_o have_v be_v reject_v and_o under_o what_o notion_n and_o for_o what_o reason_n they_o be_v reject_v this_o objection_n be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n even_o of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v be_v so_o reject_v and_o much_o less_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n which_o have_v be_v allow_v by_o all_o thus_o some_o portion_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v reject_v by_o heretic_n because_o they_o contradict_v their_o private_a and_o singular_a notion_n some_o by_o judaize_v christian_n as_o the_o two_o first_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n because_o they_o be_v not_o find_v in_o that_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o that_o gospel_n which_o they_o use_v and_o all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v likewise_o reject_v by_o the_o same_o person_n but_o not_o as_o not_o write_v by_o st._n paul_n but_o only_o because_o they_o be_v write_v by_o he_o who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o enemy_n to_o their_o nation_n because_o he_o level_v they_o with_o other_o nation_n and_o as_o too_o averse_a to_o that_o religion_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v by_o moses_n which_o they_o continue_v so_o wed_v to_o even_o after_o their_o embrace_a christianity_n that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o suspect_v he_o to_o be_v a_o false_a apostle_n who_o have_v so_o plain_o teach_v the_o abrogation_n thereof_o and_o for_o the_o like_a reason_n some_o other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v likewise_o reject_v by_o some_o few_o man_n that_o be_v not_o because_o they_o want_v the_o same_o attestation_n which_o the_o other_o part_n of_o it_o have_v or_o because_o it_o appear_v by_o credible_a history_n that_o they_o be_v spurious_a but_o only_o because_o they_o contradict_v too_o plain_o some_o notion_n which_o their_o former_a prejudices_fw-la or_o education_n have_v make_v they_o fond_a of_o so_o that_o this_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n take_v from_o the_o rejection_n of_o some_o part_n of_o it_o by_o some_o particular_a man_n or_o sect_n be_v manifest_o of_o no_o strength_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o good_a reason_n for_o their_o reject_v they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o be_v show_v but_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v show_v very_o plain_o by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n in_o several_a book_n write_v by_o they_o in_o confutation_n of_o those_o sect_n and_o heresy_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a and_o 3._o whereas_o it_o be_v further_o say_v that_o some_o book_n which_o be_v now_o receive_v as_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o universal_o receive_v in_o the_o most_o early_a time_n when_o their_o authority_n if_o they_o be_v authentic_a may_v have_v be_v assert_v upon_o more_o certain_a ground_n than_o it_o can_v be_v now_o viz._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 of_o st._n peter_n the_o second_o and_o 3d._n of_o st._n john_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n judas_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n this_o be_v likewise_o grant_v but_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o it_o be_v say_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v good_a evidence_n from_o antiquity_n that_o these_o controvert_v book_n be_v receive_v in_o the_o most_o early_a time_n by_o those_o who_o have_v the_o best_a opportunity_n of_o satisfy_v themselves_o of_o the_o author_n and_o authority_n thereof_o viz._n by_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v send_v and_o in_o general_a by_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v either_o to_o christian_n disperse_v and_o consequent_o only_o publish_v by_o give_v out_o copy_n thereof_o to_o some_o to_o be_v communicate_v as_o there_o be_v opportunity_n to_o other_o or_o else_o to_o private_a person_n live_v perhaps_o at_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o place_n from_o which_o they_o be_v send_v be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v attest_v and_o upon_o that_o account_n be_v not_o at_o first_o so_o general_o receive_v as_o the_o other_o be_v which_o be_v either_o write_v to_o particular_a church_n to_o which_o the_o author_n hand_n and_o the_o messenger_n that_o bring_v they_o be_v well_o know_v or_o which_o be_v first_o publish_v and_o receive_v in_o the_o same_o place_n where_o they_o be_v write_v and_o 3._o that_o even_o those_o church_n which_o do_v for_o some_o time_n doubt_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n be_v persuade_v at_o last_o to_o receive_v they_o as_o the_o authentic_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a men._n if_o therefore_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o while_o they_o doubt_v of_o these_o book_n they_o have_v reason_n for_o their_o doubt_n that_o be_v that_o they_o do_v it_o because_o they_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o full_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v apostolical_a write_n which_o the_o objector_n i_o believe_v will_v ready_o enough_o grant_v it_o may_v be_v very_o reasonable_o presume_v that_o they_o have_v afterward_o great_a reason_n to_o lay_v aside_o their_o doubt_n and_o that_o when_o they_o do_v receive_v
they_o it_o be_v because_o there_o have_v be_v then_o late_o such_o evidence_n and_o attestation_n give_v of_o their_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n as_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v of_o before_o such_o as_o they_o can_v not_o then_o with_o any_o reason_n contradict_v or_o gainsay_v for_o ordinary_o a_o less_o reason_n will_v persuade_v a_o man_n to_o take_v up_o a_o opinion_n at_o first_o than_o will_v persuade_v he_o to_o go_v back_o from_o a_o opinion_n how_o weak_o soever_o ground_v which_o he_o have_v before_o embrace_v and_o defend_v so_o that_o this_o objection_n be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v that_o it_o rather_o strengthen_v the_o proof_n we_o have_v of_o the_o authority_n even_o of_o these_o once_o controvert_v book_n and_o it_o be_v beside_o a_o very_a good_a corroborate_n evidence_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o the_o backwardness_n of_o some_o church_n to_o receive_v these_o controvert_v book_n at_o first_o when_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v not_o so_o very_o easy_a and_o credulous_a as_o some_o have_v represent_v they_o that_o they_o do_v not_o so_o very_o greedy_o swallow_v any_o book_n for_o divine_a revelation_n that_o contain_v a_o great_a many_o miracle_n mix_v with_o a_o few_o good_a moral_n without_o make_v due_a enquiry_n concern_v the_o author_n and_o authority_n thereof_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a their_o be_v so_o hard_o to_o be_v persuade_v to_o receive_v these_o controvert_v book_n for_o some_o time_n while_o they_o want_v as_o they_o think_v sufficient_a attestation_n although_o the_o doctrine_n of_o they_o be_v in_o all_o point_n agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o other_o book_n which_o they_o have_v before_o receive_v their_o be_v so_o hard_o i_o say_v to_o receive_v these_o book_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o 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there_o be_v several_a counterfeit_n gospel_n and_o epistle_n which_o pass_v among_o some_o for_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a some_o of_o they_o may_v have_v slip_v into_o the_o canon_n unaware_o to_o the_o first_o christian_n who_o by_o all_o the_o account_n of_o those_o time_n be_v more_o remarkable_a for_o their_o honesty_n and_o simplicity_n and_o zeal_n than_o for_o their_o extraordinary_a part_n and_o learning_n but_o this_o objection_n grant_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n allege_v in_o it_o to_o be_v true_a be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v that_o it_o rather_o add_v to_o that_o reasonable_a assurance_n that_o we_o have_v that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o canon_n be_v true_a and_o genuine_a for_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o apt_a to_o put_v man_n upon_o use_v caution_n as_o a_o great_a probability_n of_o be_v cheat_v if_o they_o be_v not_o cautious_a thus_o when_o the_o coin_n be_v general_o good_a and_o there_o be_v very_o little_a base_a or_o counterfeit_a money_n stir_v man_n common_o take_v it_o by_o tale_n without_o examine_v the_o weight_n and_o purity_n of_o every_o piece_n and_o so_o may_v more_o easy_o have_v a_o single_a piece_n of_o light_a weight_n or_o base_a metal_n put_v upon_o they_o without_o discern_v it_o but_o if_o the_o coin_n be_v much_o corrupt_v they_o look_v more_o narrow_o upon_o every_o single_a piece_n of_o money_n that_o they_o take_v and_o if_o there_o be_v the_o least_o cause_n to_o suspect_v it_o make_v trial_n of_o it_o by_o the_o scale_n or_o touchstone_n before_o they_o accept_v it_o as_o good_a if_o therefore_o there_o be_v in_o the_o early_a time_n of_o christianity_n many_o counterfeit_a piece_n give_v out_o and_o perhaps_o receive_v by_o some_o as_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o which_o be_v some_o of_o they_o discover_v to_o be_v spurious_a and_o there_o be_v not_o great_a evidence_n from_o antiquity_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o spurious_a write_n than_o there_o be_v that_o the_o spuriousness_n of_o some_o of_o they_o be_v soon_o discern_v this_o can_v not_o but_o put_v the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n upon_o examine_v more_o strict_o what_o evidence_n and_o attestation_n there_o be_v that_o those_o other_o book_n be_v true_a and_o genuine_a which_o have_v be_v general_o receive_v as_o such_o so_o that_o the_o more_o there_o be_v of_o these_o spurious_a and_o counterfeit_a book_n so_o much_o the_o more_o assure_v and_o confident_a we_o may_v reasonable_o be_v that_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v undoubted_o true_a and_o authentic_a and_o very_a well_o attest_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o canon_n and_o of_o the_o two_o it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o they_o do_v for_o want_v of_o clear_a attestation_n refuse_v to_o admit_v some_o that_o have_v be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n than_o that_o they_o do_v without_o sufficient_a attestation_n admit_v any_o that_o be_v not_o and_o that_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o early_a time_n who_o 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disprove_v but_o that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o history_n can_v with_o certainty_n be_v affirm_v this_o therefore_o say_v they_o be_v our_o unhappiness_n that_o though_o we_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n we_o be_v destitute_a of_o mean_n to_o support_v it_o and_o be_v in_o the_o condition_n that_o the_o israelite_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v in_o in_o the_o day_n of_o saul_n 13.22_o 1_o sam._n 13.22_o when_o they_o have_v war_n with_o the_o philistine_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n of_o battle_n there_o be_v neither_o sword_n nor_o spear_n find_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o of_o the_o people_n but_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o why_o the_o philistine_n have_v disarm_v they_o 19_o ver._n 19_o they_o have_v take_v away_o the_o weapon_n they_o have_v before_o and_o will_v not_o permit_v more_o to_o be_v make_v and_o this_o say_v the_o infidel_n be_v exact_o our_o case_n in_o the_o war_n we_o have_v now_o with_o the_o christian_n we_o be_v force_v to_o fight_v 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be_v enough_o in_o all_o reason_n and_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v expect_v in_o this_o case_n suppose_v there_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a that_o they_o be_v not_o by_o any_o historian_n that_o be_v of_o another_o religion_n contradict_v or_o attempt_v to_o be_v disprove_v more_o than_o this_o will_v have_v be_v too_o much_o and_o shall_v we_o now_o in_o some_o ancient_a manuscript_n history_n new_o bring_v 〈◊〉_d light_n and_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o some_o jewish_a or_o heathen_a author_n find_v a_o large_a and_o formal_a account_n of_o any_o of_o those_o fact_n relate_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o gospel_n this_o will_v give_v very_o just_a ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o the_o whole_a history_n whatever_o other_o appearance_n it_o have_v of_o truth_n be_v forge_v and_o counterfeit_n or_o at_o least_o that_o those_o passage_n speak_v honourable_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v knavish_o foist_v into_o the_o 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be_v relate_v in_o the_o sacred_a history_n be_v only_a difficulty_n they_o be_v indeed_o event_n above_o and_o beyond_o the_o know_a power_n and_o common_a course_n of_o nature_n but_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v easy_o credible_a when_o they_o be_v ascribe_v as_o they_o must_v be_v to_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n 2._o that_o the_o difference_n that_o may_v sometime_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o several_a relation_n of_o the_o same_o story_n by_o the_o several_a evangelist_n be_v very_o inconsiderable_a consist_v only_o in_o this_o that_o one_o perhaps_o relate_v the_o story_n in_o a_o different_a order_n of_o thing_n than_o another_o do_v or_o that_o one_o tell_v it_o brief_o another_o more_o at_o large_a or_o one_o with_o a_o few_o another_o with_o more_o circumstance_n or_o that_o some_o circumstance_n be_v mention_v by_o each_o of_o they_o which_o the_o other_o have_v omit_v so_o that_o this_o observation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o just_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n that_o it_o be_v rather_o a_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o evangelist_n do_v not_o confer_v together_o in_o the_o write_n of_o their_o history_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o copy_n or_o transcribe_v from_o one_o another_o but_o that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o report_v the_o story_n he_o write_v in_o such_o manner_n as_o he_o himself_o remember_v it_o to_o have_v be_v and_o with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o he_o himself_o take_v most_o notice_n of_o and_o 3._o as_o to_o the_o repugnancy_n and_o inconsistence_n that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o the_o evangelical_n history_n these_o we_o absolute_o deny_v i_o have_v not_o time_n now_o to_o consider_v or_o attempt_v to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o place_n that_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v contradictory_n to_o each_o other_o but_o those_o passage_n which_o seem_v most_o liable_a to_o this_o exception_n be_v i_o think_v the_o relation_n of_o judas_n death_n and_o the_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n genealogy_n but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o there_o be_v plain_o no_o impossibility_n no_o contradiction_n in_o it_o if_o we_o shall_v say_v that_o after_o he_o have_v hang_v himself_o as_o st._n matthew_n 1.18_o mat._n 27.5_o act_n 1.18_o say_v he_o do_v fall_v down_o and_o his_o bowel_n gush_v out_o as_o st._n luke_n affirm_v or_o it_o may_v be_v that_o he_o do_v not_o hang_v himself_o but_o only_o be_v 〈◊〉_d be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d choke_v or_o suffocate_v by_o the_o violence_n of_o his_o grief_n and_o that_o the_o same_o passion_n by_o which_o he_o be_v strangle_v make_v he_o also_o fall_v down_o headlong_o and_o burst_v asunder_o in_o the_o midst_n so_o that_o all_o his_o bowel_n gush_v out_o and_o as_o to_o the_o other_o when_o it_o be_v remember_v that_o by_o the_o jewish_a law_n the_o next_o of_o kin_n be_v to_o raise_v up_o seed_n to_o his_o near_a relation_n that_o die_v without_o issue_n 25.5_o deut._n 25.5_o by_o marry_v his_o widow_n and_o that_o the_o first-born_a of_o the_o woman_n after_o such_o second_o marriage_n be_v repute_v in_o law_n the_o son_n as_o well_o as_o he_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o decease_a so_o that_o consequent_o the_o same_o person_n may_v be_v the_o legal_a son_n of_o one_o man_n and_o the_o natural_a son_n of_o another_o man_n though_o it_o may_v be_v difficult_a perhaps_o impossible_a for_o we_o at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n to_o say_v with_o certainty_n which_o of_o the_o two_o different_a line_n by_o which_o our_o saviour_n pedigree_n be_v deduce_v from_o david_n be_v the_o legal_a and_o which_o the_o natural_a line_n it_o be_v very_o easy_a nevertheless_o to_o believe_v that_o one_o be_v the_o legal_a and_o that_o the_o other_o be_v the_o natural_a line_n and_o if_o so_o there_o be_v plain_o no_o contradiction_n between_o the_o two_o evangelist_n although_o st._n matthew_n 1.16_o mat._n 1.16_o make_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v descend_v from_o solomon_n and_o st._n luke_n from_o nathan_n although_o st._n matthew_n say_v that_o joseph_n the_o husband_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v the_o son_n of_o jacob_n and_o st._n luke_n 3.23_o luâ—e_n 3.23_o that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o heli._n and_o now_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n history_n be_v as_o i_o hope_v by_o what_o have_v bâ—en_o say_v sufficient_o establish_v i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o show_v that_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a they_o be_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v therein_o teach_v but_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o i_o have_v trespass_v too_o much_o upon_o your_o patience_n already_o and_o so_o shall_v reserve_v this_o for_o the_o subject_a of_o my_o next_o discourse_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la in_o
and_o we_o do_v not_o take_v care_n to_o avoid_v it_o our_o lot_n will_v be_v extreme_o miserable_a and_o we_o shall_v be_v torment_v day_n and_o night_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o in_o the_o lake_n that_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n and_o when_o we_o consider_v withal_o the_o very_a little_a trouble_n in_o comparison_n that_o it_o will_v cost_v we_o to_o attain_v that_o and_o to_o avoid_v this_o that_o it_o be_v but_o the_o labour_n of_o a_o few_o year_n and_o that_o the_o most_o we_o can_v suffer_v by_o it_o be_v the_o loss_n of_o a_o little_a sensual_a pleasure_n for_o which_o after_o this_o life_n be_v over_o we_o shall_v be_v never_o the_o better_a or_o the_o endure_a of_o some_o little_a pain_n or_o hardship_n which_o will_v be_v soon_o over_o and_o for_o which_o if_o no_o good_a shall_v ever_o come_v of_o it_o after_o this_o life_n we_o shall_v however_o be_v then_o never_o the_o worse_o consider_v i_o say_v thus_o the_o infinite_o vast_a and_o wide_a difference_n that_o there_o be_v between_o be_v eternal_o happy_a and_o eternal_o miserable_a it_o be_v enough_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o there_o will_v be_v such_o a_o state_n and_o if_o we_o neglect_v to_o make_v provision_n for_o it_o because_o we_o be_v not_o absolute_o certain_a that_o it_o will_v be_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o do_v not_o act_v so_o prudent_o in_o this_o as_o we_o do_v in_o other_o case_n that_o be_v of_o infinite_o less_o moment_n and_o concern_v to_o we_o and_o that_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v the_o child_n of_o tâ—â—_n world_n be_v in_o their_o generation_n wise_a than_o the_o child_n of_o light_n now_o this_o be_v the_o most_o that_o the_o profess_a atheist_n or_o infidel_n can_v pretend_v they_o will_v say_v perhaps_o that_o for_o their_o own_o part_n they_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n or_o a_o judgement_n or_o a_o life_n to_o come_v and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o see_v any_o 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side_n they_o be_v not_o sure_a they_o say_v that_o there_o will_v be_v another_o life_n or_o that_o it_o will_v be_v everlasting_a well_o but_o be_v they_o sure_a that_o there_o will_v not_o be_v such_o a_o life_n be_v it_o absurd_a or_o impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o life_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o can_v say_v and_o all_o that_o they_o have_v yet_o dare_v to_o say_v be_v only_o that_o those_o proof_n thereof_o that_o we_o rely_v upon_o be_v not_o in_o their_o opinion_n sufficient_a but_o suppose_v they_o as_o insufficient_a as_o they_o can_v think_v they_o yet_o still_o if_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n they_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o probability_n of_o what_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v or_o if_o not_o so_o yet_o still_o a_o future_a life_n if_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a nay_o if_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a however_o may_v be_v possible_a and_o if_o it_o be_v only_o possible_a that_o we_o may_v live_v for_o ever_o and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v eternal_o happy_a or_o eternal_o miserable_a this_o possibility_n alone_o consider_v what_o a_o infinite_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o these_o two_o state_n ought_v in_o reason_n to_o put_v we_o upon_o take_v the_o best_a care_n we_o can_v that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o eternal_a life_n we_o may_v be_v eternal_o happy_a in_o it_o but_o after_o all_o our_o proof_n of_o this_o and_o other_o great_a truth_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v not_o so_o very_o weak_a and_o slender_a as_o these_o man_n will_v represent_v it_o it_o be_v indeed_o as_o good_a as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v and_o he_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a man_n that_o require_v a_o better_a proof_n of_o any_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o this_o therefore_o be_v what_o i_o shall_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n proceed_v to_o do_v viz._n 3._o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o these_o truth_n be_v plain_o teach_v but_o this_o be_v too_o large_a a_o subject_a to_o be_v handle_v now_o i_o have_v already_o say_v i_o will_v defer_v it_o to_o the_o next_o opportunity_n finis_fw-la the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture-revelation_n as_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o part_n i._n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n march_v the_o 4_o the_o 1699_o 700._o be_v the_o three_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a have_v in_o my_o first_o discourse_n on_o these_o word_n endeavour_v to_o show_v in_o general_n that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n may_v be_v so_o well_o contrive_v and_o so_o well_o attest_v as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a i_o come_v the_o last_o time_n to_o consider_v whether_o that_o stand_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v such_o a_o revelation_n or_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o some_o particular_a defect_n in_o it_o which_o render_v it_o not_o so_o sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o defect_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o must_v be_v as_o i_o say_v either_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o or_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o if_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o must_v be_v either_o that_o it_o do_v not_o give_v sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o therefore_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o head_n i_o propound_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v 2._o that_o the_o motive_n which_o it_o propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o and_o the_o two_o first_o of_o these_o i_o have_v already_o do_v i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o three_o viz._n 3._o to_o show_v that_o 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