the_o copy_n thereof_o that_o â—ere_z general_o in_o man_n hand_n in_o which_o there_o be_v â—en_o to_o this_o day_n a_o admirable_a agreement_n in_o all_o matâ—â—rs_n of_o moment_n and_o from_o that_o general_a agreement_n â—â—at_v always_o be_v in_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o this_o book_n exâ—â—pt_v those_o few_o that_o be_v sometime_o corrupt_v by_o heretic_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n their_o attempt_n of_o this_o kind_n â—â—ve_v be_v always_o render_v successless_a and_o those_o false_a doctrine_n that_o be_v justify_v only_o by_o their_o own_o false_a copy_n of_o this_o book_n solid_o confute_v 3._o it_o be_v further_a answer_v that_o not_o only_o there_o be_v no_o â—â—idence_n that_o there_o have_v be_v but_o that_o it_o be_v moral_o â—â—possible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o general_a depravation_n 〈◊〉_d the_o copy_n of_o this_o book_n either_o design_o or_o by_o â—ance_n in_o any_o place_n of_o great_a consequence_n either_o point_n of_o history_n or_o doctrine_n for_o when_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o this_o corruption_n shall_v be_v be_v it_o in_o the_o copy_n that_o be_v give_v out_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o while_o they_o be_v live_v this_o can_v well_o be_v suppose_v or_o if_o it_o have_v be_v do_v then_o it_o can_v be_v think_v but_o that_o the_o author_n of_o these_o book_n be_v live_v will_v have_v take_v care_n to_o have_v have_v such_o false_a copy_n of_o their_o book_n suppress_v or_o well_o correct_v or_o at_o least_o have_v give_v public_a notice_n in_o order_n to_o their_o correction_n of_o those_o fault_n that_o have_v be_v commit_v in_o the_o transcribe_v which_o do_v either_o obscure_a or_o spoil_v their_o sense_n be_v it_o then_o in_o the_o time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a but_o neither_o can_v this_o be_v for_o by_o this_o time_n a_o infinite_a number_n of_o true_a copy_n have_v be_v make_v and_o disperse_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o beside_o the_o autograph_n of_o the_o book_n themselves_o be_v then_o probable_o all_o in_o be_v for_o tertullian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o three_o century_n witness_n that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v extant_a and_o to_o be_v see_v even_o in_o his_o time_n so_o that_o by_o compare_v of_o the_o new_a false_a copy_n with_o the_o ancient_a true_a one_o or_o with_o the_o original_n themselves_o then_o extant_a the_o fraud_n will_v have_v be_v quick_o discover_v or_o the_o mistake_v easy_o rectify_v be_v it_o then_o in_o the_o time_n after_o this_o when_o the_o original_n be_v lose_v or_o wear_v out_o this_o be_v still_o less_o possible_a for_o by_o this_o time_n not_o only_o a_o great_a number_n of_o true_a copy_n thereof_o in_o the_o original_a greek_a be_v disperse_v and_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o christian_n but_o several_a translation_n thereof_o have_v be_v likewise_o make_v into_o other_o language_n several_a commentary_n have_v be_v write_v thereupon_o and_o the_o most_o material_a passage_n thereof_o have_v be_v occasional_o cite_v by_o the_o christian_a writer_n of_o those_o or_o the_o forego_n time_n and_o the_o further_o we_o go_v on_o downward_o it_o be_v still_o for_o such_o reason_n as_o have_v be_v give_v already_o more_o impossible_a that_o the_o copy_n of_o this_o book_n shall_v be_v general_o corrupt_v in_o any_o place_n or_o matter_n of_o moment_n as_o well_o as_o more_o likely_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v every_o day_n a_o increase_n of_o such_o small_a and_o literal_a mistake_v as_o can_v hardly_o be_v avoid_v by_o the_o great_a care_n and_o faithfulness_n and_o these_o be_v the_o various_a readins_n before_o speak_v of_o concern_v which_o and_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o beforementioned_a objection_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o they_o it_o be_v far_o say_v 4._o in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o compare_v the_o manuscript_n of_o all_o other_o book_n that_o these_o various_a readins_n 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read_n whereof_o all_o copy_n do_v agree_v 5._o and_o last_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n that_o the_o text_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v deprave_v and_o corrupt_v and_o consequent_o of_o uncertain_a authority_n it_o be_v further_o say_v that_o suppose_v these_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o divine_a direction_n and_o inspiration_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v or_o at_o least_o for_o argument_n sake_n be_v allow_v by_o those_o that_o make_v this_o objection_n or_o else_o the_o objection_n be_v trifle_v it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n credible_a that_o the_o same_o goodness_n of_o god_n which_o take_v care_n for_o the_o write_n have_v not_o likewise_o take_v care_n for_o the_o preserve_n of_o these_o book_n so_o free_a at_o least_o from_o corruption_n that_o they_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o answer_v the_o end_v for_o which_o they_o be_v write_v that_o be_v full_o to_o instruct_v man_n in_o all_o point_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o practice_n to_o make_v they_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n and_o thorough_o to_o furnish_v they_o unto_o all_o good_a work_n and_o now_o from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o hope_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v or_o to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v viz._n by_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n which_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n i_o be_v to_o make_v good_a whether_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v they_o credit_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v relate_v and_o whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v well_o prove_v by_o the_o history_n of_o it_o shall_v god_n will_v be_v hereafter_o inquire_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n suppose_v their_o testimony_n to_o be_v credible_a what_o have_v be_v say_v upon_o this_o first_o head_n may_v serve_v to_o show_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o those_o man_n who_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o the_o scripture_n revelation_n for_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v few_o that_o have_v hear_v anything_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n but_o who_o think_v that_o they_o that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n and_o hear_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o receive_v their_o testimony_n and_o this_o perhaps_o they_o will_v say_v be_v what_o they_o can_v with_o for_o themselves_o viz._n that_o they_o may_v have_v hear_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o that_o they_o may_v now_o have_v as_o good_a and_o sure_a ground_n of_o faith_n as_o those_o have_v who_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n by_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o apostle_n which_o if_o they_o have_v they_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o they_o shall_v be_v not_o only_o almost_o but_o altogether_o such_o as_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v both_o in_o belief_n and_o practice_n but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o such_o now_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v doubt_v whether_o they_o will_v have_v be_v such_o if_o they_o have_v live_v then_o for_o by_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v as_o we_o have_v very_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v their_o word_n their_o sermon_n that_o therein_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v dead_a do_v yet_o true_o speak_v to_o we_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n though_o not_o just_a in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o speak_v before_o while_o they_o be_v live_v and_o that_o their_o testimony_n write_v if_o indeed_o it_o be_v they_o which_o i_o have_v show_v there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o be_v as_o credible_a as_o their_o live_a testimony_n
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to_o be_v it_o may_v be_v the_o atheist_n or_o infidel_n will_v say_v that_o these_o book_n be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o person_n under_o who_o name_n we_o receive_v they_o but_o by_o some_o other_o it_o may_v be_v he_o will_v say_v for_o instance_n that_o there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o matthew_n the_o publican_n afterward_o a_o apostle_n of_o christ_n or_o if_o there_o be_v yet_o it_o may_v be_v that_o the_o gospel_n that_o go_v under_o his_o name_n be_v not_o of_o his_o write_n but_o be_v a_o book_n of_o a_o much_o late_a date_n it_o may_v be_v that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o crafty_a priest_n no_o long_o ago_o than_o the_o last_o age_n and_o that_o he_o and_o some_o other_o in_o confederacy_n with_o he_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o forge_v this_o gospel_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n do_v likewise_o make_v and_o contrive_v all_o those_o translation_n of_o it_o into_o several_a language_n that_o be_v now_o extant_a some_o of_o which_o pretend_v to_o very_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 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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 author_n be_v not_o know_v of_o other_o they_o be_v doubt_v some_o part_n of_o this_o book_n that_o be_v now_o receive_v have_v be_v reject_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o uther'_v not_o universal_o receive_v and_o beside_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o the_o early_a time_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v several_a counterfeit_n gospel_n and_o epistle_n some_o of_o which_o may_v possible_o have_v slip_v into_o the_o canon_n unaware_o and_o last_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v original_o write_v â—y_a the_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n yet_o however_o the_o book_n that_o we_o now_o have_v be_v but_o copy_n in_o which_o many_o alteration_n may_v have_v be_v make_v by_o design_v man_n or_o careless_a transcriber_n these_o objection_n or_o cavil_v rather_o for_o such_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o will_v be_v account_v in_o any_o other_o case_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o sacred_a book_n have_v be_v urge_v by_o some_o 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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 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less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v at_o once_o so_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v for_o ever_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v man_n in_o all_o point_n of_o practice_n because_o although_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o every_o age_n may_v afford_v new_a instance_n of_o wickedness_n yet_o the_o law_n that_o they_o be_v all_o transgression_n of_o may_v be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o rule_n once_o give_v be_v a_o perpetual_a direction_n not_o only_o what_o to_o do_v but_o likewise_o what_o to_o avoid_v and_o this_o as_o well_o in_o those_o instance_n of_o wickedness_n which_o may_v be_v invent_v afterward_o as_o in_o those_o which_o be_v in_o practice_n before_o the_o rule_n be_v make_v for_o he_o that_o give_v direction_n to_o a_o traveller_n in_o his_o way_n bid_v he_o keep_v straight_o forward_o shall_v not_o need_v if_o he_o speak_v to_o a_o man_n of_o reason_n to_o tell_v he_o over_z and_o above_o that_o he_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v all_o turn_n 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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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that_o upon_o such_o a_o search_n into_o antiquity_n he_o find_v that_o he_o be_v so_o very_o well_o provide_v to_o make_v out_o his_o title_n if_o there_o shall_v ever_o be_v any_o occasion_n for_o it_o although_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o long_a and_o quiet_a possession_n that_o he_o and_o his_o ancestor_n before_o he_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n have_v have_v of_o it_o he_o have_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o fear_n he_o shall_v ever_o meet_v â—ith_o any_o disturbance_n and_o so_o it_o be_v here_o these_o write_n the_o book_n of_o â—he_n new_a testament_n be_v general_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v â—ritten_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n and_o their_o authority_n be_v at_o present_a uncontested_a it_o may_v therefore_o reasonable_o be_v presume_v especial_o by_o those_o who_o have_v â—ot_n part_n or_o learning_n or_o leisure_n to_o examine_v into_o the_o â—easons_n of_o such_o thing_n that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v â—â—en_o so_o universal_o acknowledge_v and_o reverence_v as_o â—â—ey_n 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 better_a than_o i_o believe_v can_v be_v produce_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o book_n of_o the_o like_a antiquity_n and_o it_o give_v we_o some_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o belief_n wâ—_n have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o that_o these_o be_v the_o genuiâ—â—_n book_n of_o the_o author_n to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v tâ—_n find_v that_o they_o be_v receive_v as_o such_o not_o by_o a_o smaâ—â—_n party_n of_o man_n not_o by_o that_o church_n and_o nation_n only_o to_o which_o we_o belong_v but_o by_o all_o christian_n disperseâ—_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o likewise_o that_o they_o aâ—_n agree_v with_o we_o in_o the_o same_o testimony_n viz._n that_o theâ—_n receive_v then_o as_o such_o from_o their_o father_n for_o thâ—â—_n these_o book_n shall_v be_v thus_o general_o receive_v anâ—_n acknowledge_v
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 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 and_o i_o hope_v enough_o be_v say_v the_o last_o time_n to_o show_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_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 what_o i_o be_o next_o to_o do_v be_v 2._o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o these_o author_n 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 i_o hope_v none_o of_o you_o that_o hear_v i_o who_o i_o presume_v to_o be_v all_o christian_n will_v take_v offence_n at_o it_o if_o now_o while_o i_o be_o argue_v this_o point_n i_o sometime_o speak_v of_o the_o holy_a evangelist_n with_o the_o same_o freedom_n that_o may_v be_v use_v in_o speak_v concern_v any_o other_o author_n and_o if_o i_o sometime_o plead_v for_o no_o more_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o they_o in_o their_o relation_n than_o be_v fit_a and_o reasonable_a to_o be_v give_v to_o any_o other_o historian_n that_o be_v natural_o as_o well_o furnish_v and_o qualify_v to_o write_v a_o true_a history_n as_o they_o be_v and_o who_o fidelity_n and_o veracity_n be_v as_o well_o attest_v and_o confirm_v other_o way_n as_o they_o be_v for_o you_o will_v consider_v i_o hope_v that_o my_o business_n be_v now_o with_o infidel_n with_o who_o we_o can_v argue_v only_o upon_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a reason_n and_o though_o we_o who_o be_v christian_n already_o do_v believe_v as_o one_o of_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n that_o these_o sacred_a writer_n be_v divine_o and_o supernatural_o assist_v in_o their_o work_n and_o that_o upon_o that_o account_n they_o 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reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o these_o write_n if_o these_o follow_a thing_n be_v consider_v 1._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n condition_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o matter_n that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o of_o the_o history_n its_o self_n 2._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o good_a capacity_n that_o the_o author_n thereof_o be_v in_o to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v relate_v 3._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o strong_a obligation_n they_o be_v under_o to_o write_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o knowledge_n or_o information_n 4._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o good_a evidence_n that_o we_o have_v of_o their_o honesty_n and_o faithfulness_n and_o 5._o last_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o confirmation_n that_o be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o history_n by_o god_n himself_o 1._o i_o say_v the_o evangelical_n history_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v high_o credible_a if_o without_o any_o regard_n as_o yet_o have_v to_o the_o ability_n and_o integrity_n of_o its_o author_n we_o only_o consider_v the_o nature_n condition_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o matter_n therein_o record_v and_o of_o the_o history_n its_o self_n concern_v which_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n especial_o that_o may_v be_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o matter_n record_v by_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v certain_o know_v and_o 2._o that_o they_o be_v such_o and_o in_o such_o manner_n relate_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o if_o their_o history_n of_o they_o have_v be_v false_a it_o can_v never_o have_v gain_v credit_n in_o the_o world_n 1._o first_o i_o say_v the_o matter_n record_v by_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v certain_o know_v i_o mean_v either_o by_o the_o historian_n themselves_o or_o by_o those_o from_o who_o they_o have_v their_o information_n for_o 1._o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n plain_a matter_n of_o sense_n which_o those_o who_o be_v present_a at_o they_o can_v have_v no_o doubt_n of_o without_o distrust_v their_o own_o faculty_n of_o hear_v or_o see_v and_o which_o those_o who_o testify_v they_o may_v be_v as_o certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o as_o we_o can_v be_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o we_o hear_v with_o our_o own_o ear_n or_o see_v with_o our_o own_o eye_n for_o thus_o whether_o our_o saviour_n give_v out_o himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n whether_o he_o say_v that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o whether_o he_o utter_v those_o other_o speech_n which_o the_o evangelist_n have_v record_v as_o speak_v by_o he_o can_v not_o but_o be_v certain_o know_v by_o the_o people_n who_o often_o hear_v he_o and_o especial_o by_o his_o apostle_n who_o constant_o attend_v he_o and_o so_o likewise_o whether_o he_o do_v those_o many_o wonderful_a work_n which_o the_o evangelist_n have_v record_v of_o he_o can_v not_o but_o be_v know_v by_o those_o that_o be_v present_a with_o he_o they_o may_v be_v certain_a either_o that_o he_o do_v they_o or_o that_o he_o do_v not_o do_v they_o thus_o for_o instance_n it_o may_v be_v certain_o know_v to_o those_o that_o first_o affirm_v that_o he_o give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a whether_o those_o person_n have_v be_v once_o blind_a and_o whether_o afterward_o they_o â—aw_v and_o to_o those_o that_o witness_v that_o he_o give_v strength_n â—o_o the_o cripple_n whether_o the_o man_n who_o they_o say_v he_o wrought_v this_o cure_n upon_o have_v be_v lame_a or_o disable_v â—n_o their_o foot_n hand_n or_o body_n before_o and_o whether_o â—fterwards_o they_o walk_v and_o have_v strength_n like_o other_o man_n and_o to_o those_o that_o testify_v that_o he_o raise_v the_o dead_a whether_o the_o person_n say_v to_o have_v be_v raise_v by_o â—im_n have_v be_v true_o dead_a and_o whether_o afterward_o â—hey_n live_v but_o above_o all_o his_o own_o resurrection_n which_o the_o preâ—ent_a season_n as_o well_o as_o the_o wonderfulness_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n oblige_v we_o to_o have_v a_o special_a â—egard_n to_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v most_o certain_o know_v to_o those_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v witness_n of_o it_o week_n this_o sermon_n be_v preach_v on_o the_o monday_n in_o easter_n week_n â—hey_n may_v be_v certain_a whether_o he_o have_v be_v once_o dead_a â—nd_v whether_o he_o show_v himself_o alive_a after_o his_o passion_n â—y_a many_o infallible_a proof_n and_o be_v see_v of_o they_o forty_o day_n of_o this_o they_o may_v be_v rather_o more_o certain_a than_o â—f_a any_o other_o of_o his_o miracle_n because_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n â—ot_n to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o one_o sense_n only_o as_o some_o of_o the_o â—est_n be_v