satan_n and_o the_o prevalent_a power_n and_o rage_n of_o mankind_n have_v combine_v and_o be_v set_v at_o work_n to_o the_o ruin_n and_o utter_v suppression_n of_o this_o book_n proceed_v sometime_o so_o far_o as_o that_o there_o be_v no_o appear_v way_n for_o its_o escape_n yet_o through_o the_o watchful_a care_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n sometime_o put_v itself_o forth_o in_o miraculous_a instance_n it_o have_v be_v preserve_v unto_o this_o day_n and_o shall_v be_v so_o to_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o event_n of_o that_o which_o be_v speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n matth._n 5._o 18._o do_v invincible_o prove_v the_o divine_a approbation_n of_o this_o book_n as_o that_o do_v its_o divine_a original_a till_o heaven_n and_o earth_n pass_v away_o one_o jot_n or_o one_o tittle_n shall_v in_o no_o wise_a pass_n from_o the_o law_n god_n perpetual_a care_n over_o the_o scripture_n for_o so_o many_o age_n that_o not_o a_o letter_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v utter_o lose_v nothing_o that_o have_v the_o least_o tendency_n towards_o its_o end_n shall_v perish_v be_v evidence_n sufficient_a of_o his_o regard_n unto_o it_o especial_o will_v it_o be_v so_o if_o we_o shall_v consider_v with_o what_o remarkable_a judgement_n and_o severe_a reflection_n of_o vengeance_n on_o its_o opposer_n this_o care_n have_v be_v manage_v instance_n whereof_o may_v be_v easy_o multiply_v and_o if_o any_o will_v not_o ascribe_v this_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o bible_n not_o only_o in_o their_o be_v but_o in_o their_o purity_n and_o integrity_n free_a from_o the_o least_o just_a suspicion_n of_o corruption_n or_o the_o intermixture_n of_o any_o thing_n humane_a or_o heterogeneous_a unto_o the_o care_n of_o god_n it_o be_v incumbent_n on_o he_o to_o assign_v some_o other_o cause_n proportionate_a to_o such_o a_o effect_n whilst_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o endeavour_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o hell_n to_o have_v it_o corrupt_v and_o destroy_v for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v but_o judge_v that_o he_o that_o see_v not_o a_o hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n stretch_v out_o in_o the_o preservation_n of_o this_o book_n and_o all_o that_o be_v in_o it_o its_o word_n and_o syllable_n for_o thousand_o of_o year_n through_o all_o the_o overthrow_n and_o deluge_n of_o calamity_n that_o have_v befall_v the_o world_n with_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o mean_n whereby_o it_o have_v be_v preserve_v and_o the_o interest_n in_o some_o age_n of_o all_o those_o in_o who_o power_n it_o be_v to_o have_v it_o corrupt_v as_o it_o be_v of_o the_o apostate_n church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n with_o the_o open_a opposition_n that_o have_v be_v make_v unto_o it_o do_v not_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o divine_a providence_n at_o all_o it_o be_v first_o write_v in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o babylonian_a empire_n with_o which_o it_o afterward_o contemporize_v about_o 900_o year_n by_o this_o monarchy_n that_o people_n which_o alone_o have_v these_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v unto_o they_o be_v oppress_v destroy_v and_o carry_v into_o captivity_n but_o this_o book_n be_v then_o preserve_v among_o they_o whilst_o they_o be_v absolute_o under_o the_o power_n of_o their_o enemy_n although_o it_o condemn_v they_o and_o all_o their_o god_n and_o religious_a worship_n wherewith_o we_o know_v how_o horrible_o mankind_n be_v enrage_v satan_n have_v enthrone_v himself_o as_o the_o object_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o the_o author_n of_o all_o way_n of_o divine_a veneration_n among_o they_o these_o they_o adhere_v unto_o as_o their_o principal_a interest_n as_o all_o people_n do_v unto_o that_o they_o esteem_v their_o religion_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o judge_v condemn_v oppose_v he_o or_o they_o but_o this_o book_n only_o which_o be_v now_o absolute_o in_o their_o power_n if_o that_o by_o any_o mean_n can_v have_v be_v destroy_v then_o when_o it_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n but_o of_o a_o few_o and_o those_o for_o the_o most_o part_n flagitious_a in_o their_o life_n hate_v the_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o whole_o under_o the_o power_n of_o their_o adversary_n the_o interest_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o idolatry_n have_v be_v secure_v but_o through_o the_o mere_a provision_n of_o divine_a care_n it_o outlive_v that_o monarchy_n and_o see_v the_o ruin_n of_o its_o great_a adversary_n so_o it_o do_v also_o during_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n which_o succeed_v whilst_o the_o people_n be_v still_o under_o the_o power_n of_o idolater_n against_o who_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n in_o the_o world_n by_o some_o branch_n of_o the_o grecian_a monarchy_n a_o most_o fierce_a and_o diligent_a attempt_n be_v make_v to_o have_v utter_o destroy_v it_o but_o still_o it_o be_v snatch_v by_o divine_a power_n out_o of_o the_o furnace_n not_o one_o hair_n of_o it_o be_v singe_v or_o the_o least_o detriment_n bring_v unto_o its_o perfection_n the_o roman_n destroy_v both_o the_o people_n and_o place_n design_v until_o then_o for_o its_o preservation_n carry_v the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o the_o law_n in_o triumph_n to_o rome_n on_o the_o conquest_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o whilst_o all_o absolute_a power_n and_o dominion_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n where_o this_o book_n be_v know_v or_o hear_v of_o be_v in_o their_o hand_n they_o exercise_v a_o rage_n against_o it_o for_o sundry_a age_n with_o the_o same_o success_n that_o former_a enemy_n have_v from_o the_o very_a first_o all_o the_o endeavour_n of_o mankind_n that_o profess_v a_o open_a enmity_n against_o it_o have_v be_v utter_o frustrate_a and_o whereas_o also_o those_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v outward_o commit_v as_o the_o jew_n first_o and_o the_o antichristian_a church_n of_o apostatise_v christian_n afterward_o not_o only_o fall_v into_o opinion_n and_o practice_n absolute_o inconsistent_a with_o it_o but_o also_o build_v all_o their_o present_a and_o future_a interest_n on_o those_o opinion_n and_o practice_n yet_o none_o of_o they_o dare_v ever_o attempt_v the_o corrupt_a of_o one_o line_n in_o it_o but_o be_v force_v to_o attempt_v their_o own_o security_n by_o a_o pretence_n of_o additional_a tradition_n and_o keep_v the_o book_n itself_o as_o much_o as_o they_o dare_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n and_o knowledge_n of_o all_o not_o engage_v in_o the_o same_o interest_n with_o themselves_o whence_o can_v all_o this_o proceed_v but_o from_o the_o watchful_a care_n and_o power_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o it_o be_v brutish_a folly_n not_o to_o believe_v that_o what_o god_n do_v so_o protect_v do_v original_o proceed_v from_o himself_o see_v it_o plead_v and_o pretend_v so_o to_o do_v for_o every_o wise_a man_n will_v take_v more_o care_n of_o a_o stranger_n than_o a_o bastard_n false_o impose_v on_o he_o unto_o his_o dishonour_n 3._o the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o have_v a_o impress_n on_o it_o of_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o authority_n and_o hereof_o there_o be_v two_o part_n first_o to_o reveal_v god_n unto_o man_n and_o second_o to_o direct_v man_n to_o come_v unto_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n that_o these_o be_v the_o only_a two_o great_a concern_v of_o our_o nature_n of_o any_o rational_a be_v be_v easy_a to_o prove_v but_o that_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o those_o with_o who_o i_o treat_v now_o never_o do_v any_o book_n or_o write_v in_o the_o world_n any_o single_a or_o joint_a endeavour_n of_o mankind_n or_o invisible_a spirit_n in_o the_o way_n of_o authority_n give_v out_o a_o law_n rule_n guide_n and_o light_n for_o all_o mankind_n universal_o in_o both_o these_o namely_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o ourselves_o but_o this_o book_n only_o and_o if_o any_o other_o it_o may_v be_v like_o the_o alcoran_n do_v pretend_v in_o the_o least_o thereunto_o it_o quick_o discover_v its_o own_o folly_n and_o expose_v itself_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o all_o wise_a and_o considerate_a man_n the_o only_a question_n be_v how_o it_o have_v discharge_v itself_o in_o this_o design_n for_o if_o it_o have_v complete_o and_o perfect_o accomplish_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a that_o it_o must_v be_v from_o god_n but_o also_o that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a benefit_n and_o kindness_n that_o divine_a benignity_n and_o goodness_n ever_o grant_v unto_o mankind_n for_o without_o it_o all_o man_n universal_o must_v necessary_o wander_v in_o a_o endless_a maze_n of_o uncertainty_n without_o ever_o attain_v light_n rest_v or_o blessedness_n here_o or_o hereafter_o wherefore_o 1._o as_o it_o take_v on_o itself_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o deliver_v nothing_o command_v nothing_o but_o what_o become_v his_o infinite_a holiness_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n so_o it_o make_v that_o
upon_o they_o that_o they_o can_v see_v nor_o discern_v spiritual_a thing_n no_o not_o when_o they_o be_v external_o propose_v unto_o they_o as_o i_o have_v at_o large_a evince_v elsewhere_o and_o no_o man_n can_v give_v a_o great_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v so_o than_o he_o who_o deny_v it_o so_o to_o be_v with_o respect_n unto_o both_o these_o kind_n of_o darkness_n the_o scripture_n be_v a_o light_n and_o accompany_v with_o a_o spiritual_a illuminate_a efficacy_n thereby_o evidence_v itself_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n for_o what_o but_o divine_a truth_n can_v recall_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n from_o all_o their_o wander_n in_o error_n superstition_n and_o other_o effect_n of_o darkness_n which_o of_o themselves_o they_o love_v more_o than_o truth_n all_o thing_n be_v fill_v with_o vanity_n error_n confusion_n misapprehension_n about_o god_n and_o ourselves_o our_o duty_n and_o end_n our_o misery_n and_o blessedness_n the_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v communicate_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n come_v in_o as_o a_o light_n into_o a_o dark_a place_n discover_v all_o thing_n clear_o and_o steady_o that_o concern_v either_o god_n or_o ourselves_o our_o present_a or_o future_a condition_n cause_v all_o the_o ghost_n and_o false_a image_n of_o thing_n which_o man_n have_v frame_v and_o fancy_v unto_o themselves_o in_o the_o dark_a to_o vanish_v and_o disappear_v digitus_fw-la dei_fw-la this_o be_v none_o other_o but_o the_o power_n of_o god_n but_o principal_o it_o evidence_v this_o its_o divine_a efficacy_n by_o that_o spiritual_a save_v light_n which_o it_o convey_v into_o and_o implant_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o believer_n hence_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o who_o have_v gain_v any_o experience_n by_o the_o observation_n of_o god_n deal_n with_o they_o but_o shall_v although_o they_o know_v not_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o the_o spirit_n operation_n by_o the_o word_n yea_o can_v say_v with_o the_o man_n unto_o who_o the_o lord_n jesus_n restore_v his_o sight_n one_o thing_n i_o know_v that_o whereas_o i_o be_v bear_v blind_a now_o i_o see_v this_o power_n of_o the_o word_n as_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o the_o communication_n of_o save_v light_n and_o knowledge_n unto_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n the_o apostle_n declare_v 2_o cor._n 3._o 18._o chap._n 4._o 4_o 6._o by_o the_o efficacy_n of_o this_o power_n do_v he_o evidence_n the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n those_o who_o believe_v find_v by_o it_o a_o glorious_a supernatural_a light_n introduce_v into_o their_o mind_n whereby_o they_o who_o before_o see_v nothing_o in_o a_o distinct_a affect_a manner_n in_o spiritual_n do_v now_o clear_o discern_v the_o truth_n the_o glory_n the_o beauty_n and_o excellency_n of_o heavenly_a mystery_n and_o have_v their_o mind_n transform_v into_o their_o image_n and_o likelineness_n and_o there_o be_v no_o person_n who_o have_v the_o witness_n in_o himself_o of_o the_o kindle_v of_o this_o heavenly_a light_n in_o his_o mind_n by_o the_o word_n but_o have_v also_o the_o evidence_n in_o himself_o of_o its_o divine_a original_a 3._o it_o do_v in_o like_a manner_n evidence_n its_o divine_a authority_n by_o the_o awe_n which_o it_o put_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n unto_o who_o it_o be_v make_v know_v that_o they_o dare_v not_o absolute_o reject_v it_o multitude_n there_o be_v unto_o who_o the_o word_n be_v declare_v who_o hate_v all_o its_o precept_n despise_v all_o its_o promise_n abhor_v all_o its_o threaten_n like_v nothing_o approve_v of_o nothing_o of_o what_o it_o declare_v or_o propose_v and_o yet_o dare_v not_o absolute_o refuse_v or_o reject_v it_o they_o deal_v with_o it_o as_o they_o do_v with_o god_n himself_o who_o they_o hate_v also_o according_a to_o the_o revelation_n which_o he_o have_v make_v of_o himself_o in_o his_o word_n they_o wish_v he_o be_v not_o sometime_o they_o hope_v he_o be_v not_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o be_v free_a of_o his_o rule_n but_o yet_o dare_v not_o can_v absolute_o deny_v and_o disow_v he_o because_o of_o that_o testimony_n for_o himself_o which_o he_o keep_v alive_a in_o they_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no._n the_o same_o be_v the_o frame_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o mind_n towards_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o manifest_v it_o selfsso_n to_o be_v they_o hate_v it_o wish_v it_o be_v not_o hope_v it_o be_v not_o true_a but_o be_v not_o by_o any_o mean_v able_a to_o shake_v off_o a_o disquiet_a in_o the_o sense_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n this_o testimony_n it_o have_v fix_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o multitude_n of_o its_o enemy_n psal._n 45._o 5._o 4._o it_o evidence_n its_o divine_a power_n in_o administer_a strong_a consolation_n in_o the_o deep_a and_o most_o unrelievable_a distress_n some_o such_o there_o be_v and_o such_o many_o man_n fall_v into_o wherein_o all_o mean_n and_o hope_n of_o relief_n may_v be_v utter_o remove_v and_o take_v away_o so_o be_v it_o when_o the_o misery_n of_o man_n be_v not_o know_v unto_o any_o that_o will_v so_o much_o as_o pity_v they_o or_o wish_v they_o relief_n or_o if_o they_o have_v be_v know_v and_o there_o have_v be_v a_o eye_n to_o pity_v they_o yet_o there_o have_v be_v no_o hand_n to_o help_v they_o such_o have_v be_v the_o condition_n of_o innumerable_a soul_n as_o on_o other_o account_n so_o in_o particular_a under_o the_o power_n of_o persecutor_n when_o they_o have_v be_v shut_v up_o in_o filthy_a and_o nasty_a dungeon_n not_o to_o be_v bring_v out_o but_o unto_o death_n by_o the_o most_o exquisite_a torture_n that_o the_o malice_n of_o hell_n can_v invent_v or_o the_o bloody_a cruelty_n of_o man_n inflict_v yet_o in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a distress_n do_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o its_o divine_a power_n and_o efficacy_n break_v through_o all_o interpose_v difficulty_n all_o dark_a and_o discourage_a circumstance_n support_v refresh_a and_o comfort_v such_o poor_a distress_a sufferer_n yea_o common_o fill_v they_o under_o overwhelm_a calamity_n with_o joy_n unspeakable_a and_o full_a of_o glory_n though_o they_o be_v in_o bond_n yet_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n not_o bind_v neither_o can_v all_o the_o power_n of_o hell_n nor_o all_o the_o diligence_n or_o fury_n of_o man_n keep_v out_o the_o word_n from_o enter_v into_o prison_n dungeon_n flame_n and_o to_o administer_v strong_a consolation_n against_o all_o fear_n pain_n want_n danger_n death_n or_o whatever_o we_o may_v in_o this_o mortal_a life_n be_v expose_v unto_o and_o sundry_a other_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n may_v be_v plead_v wherein_o the_o word_n give_v evident_a demonstration_n unto_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n of_o its_o own_o divine_a power_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v the_o second_o way_n whereby_o the_o holy_a ghost_n its_o author_n give_v testimony_n unto_o its_o original_a but_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n whereon_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o we_o design_v to_o declare_v the_o whole_a work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n enable_v we_o to_o believe_v they_o so_o to_o be_v be_v propose_v unto_o consideration_n and_o beyond_o what_o we_o have_v insist_v on_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o further_a peculiar_a work_n of_o he_o whereby_o he_o effectual_o ascertain_v our_o mind_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n whereby_o we_o be_v ultimate_o establish_v in_o the_o faith_n thereof_o and_o i_o can_v but_o both_o admire_v and_o bewail_v that_o this_o shall_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o that_o will_v be_v esteem_v christian_n wherefore_o if_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n thereof_o i_o shall_v take_v occasion_n in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n further_o to_o confirm_v this_o part_n of_o the_o truth_n thus_o far_o debate_v namely_o that_o god_n by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n do_v secret_o and_o effectual_o persuade_v and_o satisfy_v the_o mind_n and_o soul_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o divine_a truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n whereby_o he_o infallible_o secure_v their_o faith_n against_o all_o objection_n and_o temptation_n whatsoever_o so_o that_o they_o can_v safe_o and_o comfortable_o dispose_v of_o their_o soul_n in_o all_o their_o concernment_n with_o respect_n unto_o this_o life_n and_o eternity_n according_a unto_o the_o undeceivable_a truth_n and_o guidance_n of_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v no_o further_o insist_v on_o these_o thing_n at_o present_a three_o thing_n do_v offer_v themselves_o unto_o consideration_n from_o what_o have_v be_v discourse_v 1._o what_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n why_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o unlearned_a sort_n of_o believer_n do_v assent_v unto_o this_o truth_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v
nor_o by_o miracle_n nor_o by_o immediate_a revelation_n or_o private_a subjective_n testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n nor_o be_v their_o faith_n a_o persuasion_n of_o mind_n that_o they_o can_v give_v no_o reason_n of_o but_o only_o that_o they_o be_v so_o persuade_v but_o it_o will_v be_v yet_o further_o object_v that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o be_v in_o the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o none_o who_o free_o use_v their_o reason_n can_v deny_v it_o than_o it_o lie_v either_o in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n of_o the_o thing_n unto_o the_o understanding_n and_o if_o so_o than_o every_o one_o that_o assent_v unto_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n must_v likewise_o assent_v unto_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o the_o evidence_n must_v not_o lie_v in_o the_o naked_a proposal_n but_o in_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o they_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v propose_v answ._n 1._o i_o know_v no_o divine_a ancient_a or_o modern_a popish_a or_o protestant_n who_o do_v not_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v a_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n necessary_a unto_o a_o due_a belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o consideration_n hereof_o ought_v not_o by_o any_o christian_n to_o be_v exclude_v but_o they_o say_v not_o that_o this_o be_v the_o objective_a testimony_n or_o evidence_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n concern_v which_o alone_a be_v our_o enquiry_n 2._o we_o do_v not_o dispute_v how_o far_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v this_o proposition_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v be_v evidence_v mere_o unto_o our_o reason_n but_o unto_o our_o understanding_n as_o capable_a of_o give_v a_o assent_n upon_o testimony_n it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o this_o be_v a_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n though_o it_o be_v of_o faith_n nor_o that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n be_v self-evident_a unto_o our_o reason_n upon_o its_o first_o proposal_n but_o such_o none_o pretend_v to_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v a_o subject_n not_o capable_a of_o it_o nor_o do_v those_o who_o deny_v the_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n pretend_v by_o their_o argument_n for_o its_o divine_a authority_n to_o give_v such_o a_o evidence_n of_o it_o unto_o reason_n as_o be_v in_o first_o principles_n or_o mathematical_a demonstration_n but_o content_v themselves_o with_o that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o moral_a certainty_n but_o it_o be_v by_o faith_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n which_o respect_v the_o power_n of_o our_o mind_n of_o assent_n unto_o truth_n upon_o testimony_n infallible_o on_o that_o which_o be_v infallible_a and_o hereunto_o it_o evidence_v its_o own_o truth_n not_o with_o the_o same_o but_o with_o a_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n and_o noble_a kind_n than_o that_o of_o the_o strict_a demonstration_n in_o thing_n natural_a or_o the_o most_o forcible_a arguman_n in_o thing_n moral_a 3._o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o none_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n who_o have_v not_o faith_n and_o none_o have_v faith_n but_o those_o in_o who_o it_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o thereinto_o all_o will_v be_v resolve_v at_o last_o answ._n 1._o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o this_o objection_n for_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v plead_v only_o as_o he_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o believe_v and_o not_o the_o objective_n or_o reason_n why_o we_o do_v believe_v but_o 2._o we_o must_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o resolve_v all_o we_o do_v well_o spiritual_o and_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_n of_o god_n unto_o the_o efficacious_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o we_o unless_o we_o intend_v to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n but_o this_o still_o make_v his_o internal_a operation_n to_o be_v the_o efficient_a and_o not_o his_o internal_a testimony_n to_o be_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o our_o faith_n 3._o it_o be_v another_o question_n whether_o all_o obligation_n unto_o duty_n be_v and_o must_v be_v proportionate_a unto_o our_o own_o strength_n without_o divine_a assistance_n which_o we_o deny_v and_o affirm_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v unto_o many_o thing_n by_o virtue_n of_o god_n command_n which_o we_o have_v no_o power_n to_o answer_v but_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o grace_n 4._o where_o the_o proposal_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v make_v in_o the_o way_n before_o describe_v those_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v propose_v be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v it_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o evidence_n which_o it_o give_v of_o itself_o so_o to_o be_v yea_o every_o real_a true_a divine_a revelation_n make_v unto_o man_n or_o every_o proposal_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o divine_a providence_n have_v that_o evidence_n of_o its_o be_v from_o god_n accompany_v of_o it_o as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v they_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v make_v to_o believe_v it_o on_o pain_n of_o his_o displeasure_n if_o this_o be_v otherwise_o then_o either_o be_v god_n oblige_v to_o confirm_v every_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n with_o a_o miracle_n which_o as_o to_o its_o obligation_n unto_o believe_v want_v not_o its_o difficulty_n which_o he_o do_v not_o as_o in_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n nor_o do_v at_o this_o day_n at_o the_o first_o proposal_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o heathen_a or_o else_o when_o he_o require_v faith_n and_o obedience_n in_o such_o way_n as_o in_o his_o wisdom_n he_o judge_v meet_v that_o be_v in_o the_o ordinary_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n they_o be_v not_o oblige_v thereby_o nor_o be_v it_o their_o sin_n to_o refuse_v a_o compliance_n with_o his_o will._n 5._o if_o this_o difficulty_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o avoid_v but_o by_o affirm_v that_o the_o faith_n which_o god_n require_v of_o we_o with_o respect_n unto_o his_o word_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o natural_a assent_n unto_o it_o upon_o rational_a argument_n and_o consideration_n which_o we_o have_v a_o ability_n for_o without_o any_o spiritual_a aid_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o respect_n unto_o his_o testimony_n as_o before_o describe_v which_o overthrow_v all_o faith_n especial_o that_o which_o be_v divine_a i_o shall_v rather_o ten_o thousand_o time_n allow_v of_o all_o the_o just_a consequence_n that_o can_v follow_v on_o the_o supposition_n mention_v than_o admit_v of_o this_o relief_n but_o of_o those_o consequence_n this_o be_v none_o that_o any_o unto_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v propose_v be_v except_v from_o a_o obligation_n unto_o believe_v in_o like_a manner_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o usual_a objection_n which_o respect_v particular_a book_n of_o the_o scripture_n why_o we_o receive_v they_o as_o canonical_a and_o reject_v other_o as_o namely_o the_o book_n of_o proverb_n and_o not_o of_o wisdom_n of_o ecclesiaste_n and_o not_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la for_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v the_o canon_n of_o they_o give_v we_o in_o the_o new_a where_o it_o be_v affirm_v that_o unto_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n which_o both_o confirm_v all_o that_o we_o receive_v and_o exclude_v all_o that_o we_o exclude_v and_o unto_o the_o new_a there_o be_v no_o pretender_n nor_o ever_o be_v to_o the_o least_o exercise_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o any_o 2._o all_o book_n whatever_o that_o have_v either_o themselves_o pretend_a unto_o a_o divine_a original_a or_o have_v be_v plead_v by_o other_o to_o be_v of_o that_o extract_v have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v from_o themselves_o without_o further_a help_n evict_v of_o falsehood_n in_o that_o pretence_n they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o hitherto_o in_o matter_n or_o manner_n in_o plain_a confession_n or_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n manifest_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o a_o human_a original_a and_o much_o danger_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fear_v from_o any_o that_o for_o the_o future_a shall_v set_v forth_o with_o the_o same_o pretence_n 3._o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o refuse_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o advantage_n of_o providence_n whereby_o the_o scripture_n be_v bring_v unto_o we_o with_o the_o testimony_n which_o either_o direct_o or_o collateral_o any_o one_o part_n of_o it_o give_v unto_o another_o although_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o believe_v for_o itself_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o ordinary_o to_o be_v believe_v by_o itself_o without_o