old_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o and_o no_o other_o than_o those_o we_o now_o receive_v nor_o be_v these_o apocryphal_a book_n ever_o otherwise_o reckon_v either_o in_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a church_n than_o as_o humane_a and_o fallible_a write_n till_o the_o late_a assembly_n at_o trent_n be_v please_v to_o declare_v they_o otherwise_o these_o thing_n must_v needs_o seem_v sufficient_a to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n to_o clear_v up_o that_o doubt_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n whether_o we_o have_v not_o less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o indeed_o ought_v to_o have_v because_o that_o beside_o what_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v of_o late_o do_v to_o canonize_v these_o apocryphal_a write_n no_o other_o addition_n to_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n attempt_v that_o merit_v the_o least_o consideration_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o doubt_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o that_o be_v how_o we_o may_v be_v reasonable_o secure_v that_o our_o bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o no_o more_o than_o they_o shall_v that_o be_v upon_o what_o ground_n we_o receive_v some_o book_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n the_o epistle_n of_o judas_n the_o 2_o and_o 3_o epistle_n of_o john_n and_o the_o apocalypse_v of_o all_o which_o there_o have_v former_o be_v some_o doubt_n make_v in_o the_o solution_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o show_v what_o be_v most_o probable_o the_o first_o and_o original_a ground_n of_o such_o doubt_n and_o second_o to_o show_v that_o those_o doubt_n than_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o no_o prevalency_n with_o we_o now_o and_o that_o there_o be_v at_o this_o time_n no_o good_a reason_n to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o be_v now_o in_o possession_n of_o it_o all_o the_o doubt_n that_o have_v arisen_a about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v most_o probable_o these_o two_o way_n occasion_v first_o it_o be_v obvious_a that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v in_o several_a part_n at_o several_a time_n and_o not_o all_o compose_v together_o the_o whole_a become_v not_o public_a but_o by_o many_o step_n and_o degree_n have_v several_a former_a and_o latter_a edition_n that_o be_v some_o part_n that_o be_v first_o write_v be_v copy_v out_o by_o those_o that_o have_v the_o original_n and_o conjoined_a and_o so_o disperse_v and_o other_o part_n still_o add_v as_o they_o be_v write_v and_o become_v public_a now_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o some_o part_n that_o be_v after_o add_v to_o such_o bibles_n as_o first_o come_v out_o may_v be_v at_o first_o question_v and_o doubt_v of_o by_o such_o who_o have_v the_o former_a edition_n and_o be_v not_o full_o inform_v about_o the_o after_o addition_n of_o other_o part_n and_o so_o it_o have_v fall_v out_o in_o the_o publication_n of_o 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reason_n why_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n and_o we_o know_v it_o be_v about_o the_o epistle_n that_o the_o doubt_n chief_o be_v be_v at_o any_o time_n question_v especial_o such_o as_o be_v more_o remote_o and_o uncertain_o direct_v to_o the_o scatter_a jew_n as_o that_o of_o st._n james_n that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n peter_n which_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a to_o be_v so_o soon_o or_o so_o common_o know_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o come_v by_o as_o those_o epistle_n send_v to_o rome_n corinth_n and_o ephesus_n and_o those_o great_a and_o public_a city_n from_o whence_o the_o fame_n of_o they_o will_v soon_o spread_v and_o copy_n be_v upon_o much_o easy_a term_n to_o be_v have_v because_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v where_o the_o original_n be_v second_o there_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n from_o any_o question_n that_o be_v make_v heretofore_o to_o raise_v any_o doubt_n now_o about_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new-testament_n and_o that_o for_o these_o three_o reason_n first_o because_o these_o book_n in_o question_n be_v most_o general_o receive_v at_o first_o and_o doubt_v of_o only_a by_o some_o and_o those_o such_o who_o have_v least_o information_n about_o they_o and_o this_o be_v very_o evident_a because_o we_o find_v they_o frequent_o quote_v as_o canonical_a scripture_n by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a christian-writer_n in_o those_o age_n next_o the_o apostle_n tertullian_n except_o the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n have_v in_o his_o work_n quote_v as_o canonical_a scripture_n every_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n we_o now_o receive_v and_o st._n jerome_n speak_v in_o his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la dardanâ—m_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrews_n and_o some_o other_o of_o those_o book_n about_o which_o we_o now_o discourse_v say_v we_o receive_v they_o not_o from_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o time_n but_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a writer_n second_o they_o contain_v nothing_o in_o they_o but_o what_o do_v plain_o harmonise_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o be_v general_o witness_v unto_o by_o other_o book_n about_o which_o no_o question_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v and_o of_o this_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n unless_o it_o be_v concern_v the_o revelation_n which_o yet_o contain_v a_o most_o admirable_a though_o mysterious_a agreement_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezekiel_n and_o daniel_n and_o divers_a other_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o to_o this_o book_n beside_o that_o the_o suitableness_n of_o event_n thereunto_o and_o the_o notorious_a fulfil_n of_o many_o prophetical_a passage_n in_o it_o have_v put_v its_o divine_a authority_n out_o of_o all_o question_n we_o have_v as_o great_a a_o testimony_n from_o antiquity_n as_o can_v in_o such_o a_o case_n well_o be_v expect_v justin_n martyr_n who_o live_v very_o near_o the_o apostle_n john_n himself_o in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o tryphon_n cite_v it_o as_o the_o write_n of_o st._n john_n and_o without_o the_o least_o question_n ascribe_v it_o to_o he_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v some_o small_a time_n after_o justin_n and_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o polycarp_n who_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o st._n john_n say_v positive_o it_o be_v write_v by_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o that_o he_o be_v well_o assure_v thereof_o from_o some_o most_o probable_o polycarp_n that_o have_v see_v the_o apostle_n john_n himself_o and_o personal_o converse_v with_o he_o lib._n 4._o cap._n 37._o and_o lib._n 5._o and_o â—ertullian_n in_o his_o four_o book_n against_o martion_n say_v though_o martion_n do_v reject_v the_o apocalypse_v as_o none_o of_o st._n john_n be_v yet_o say_v he_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n tracod_n to_o the_o beginning_n will_v establish_v he_o as_o the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a author_n of_o it_o three_o god_n have_v in_o a_o providential_a way_n determine_v this_o matter_n for_o those_o that_o at_o first_o question_v those_o book_n when_o the_o heat_n of_o primitive_a persecution_n be_v somewhat_o abate_v the_o church_n have_v free_a intercourse_n and_o communication_n together_o and_o come_v to_o be_v better_o inform_v receive_v they_o all_o doubt_n about_o they_o be_v now_o vanish_v luthur_n and_o some_o with_o he_o in_o germany_n who_o be_v the_o last_o that_o revive_v any_o doubt_n of_o that_o kind_a upon_o second_o and_o more_o deliberate_a thought_n recant_v their_o error_n all_o christian_n be_v now_o at_o a_o agreement_n about_o they_o the_o supreme_a establishment_n that_o can_v be_v of_o canonical-authority_n even_o the_o roman_a church_n themselves_o receive_v the_o apocalypse_v into_o their_o canon_n although_o many_o passage_n in_o it_o seem_v very_o particular_o direct_v against_o they_o indeed_o the_o heavenly_a lustre_n of_o these_o book_n be_v
of_o the_o stoic_n think_v shall_v be_v burn_v to_o ash_n and_o then_o will_v follow_v a_o immediate_a restoration_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o these_o be_v but_o wild_a and_o move_a guess_n in_o general_a no_o certain_a determination_n be_v mankind_n able_a to_o make_v about_o this_o matter_n in_o particular_a and_o yet_o of_o how_o great_a use_n be_v the_o assurance_n of_o it_o to_o all_o the_o end_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n and_o how_o sovereign_a a_o remedy_n be_v it_o against_o the_o terror_n of_o death_n which_o aristotle_n call_v the_o terrible_a of_o all_o terror_n to_o be_v assure_v upon_o safe_a ground_n our_o body_n shall_v be_v raise_v again_o and_o all_o the_o friend_n we_o part_v with_o here_o shall_v in_o their_o soul_n and_o body_n reunited_n exist_v for_o ever_o but_o wave_a the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n in_o themselves_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o the_o be_v of_o all_o religion_n and_o beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o a_o natural_a discovery_n from_o whence_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o revelation_n in_o order_n to_o the_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n of_o mankind_n first_o a_o certain_a distinct_a knowledge_n how_o that_o evil_a we_o find_v in_o mankind_n come_v first_o to_o exist_v whence_o the_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n come_v in_o short_a how_o there_o come_v to_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o evil_a and_o sin_n in_o the_o world_n second_o how_o sin_n and_o gild_n arise_v from_o the_o conscience_n of_o it_o may_v be_v remove_v and_o man_n bring_v to_o a_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n and_o a_o inward_a acquescency_n about_o it_o for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o evil_a and_o sin_n in_o man_n and_o gild_n result_v from_o it_o need_v no_o proof_n every_o man_n own_o reason_n determine_v the_o case_n and_o the_o whole_a transaction_n of_o the_o world_n be_v too_o sad_a a_o evidence_n of_o we_o find_v in_o the_o prayer_n of_o all_o nation_n a_o confession_n of_o sin_n and_o no_o worship_n but_o some_o way_n or_o other_o tend_v to_o the_o removal_n of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o public_a protest_n in_o the_o case_n enter_v by_o the_o whole_a world_n against_o themselves_o it_o be_v visible_a our_o inferior_a faculty_n do_v combat_v our_o superior_a and_o our_o will_n over_o rule_n we_o to_o that_o which_o our_o own_o reason_n determine_v against_o aristotle_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o his_o first_o book_n of_o ethic_n confess_v there_o be_v somewhat_o in_o our_o nature_n that_o oppose_v right_a reason_n whatever_o direction_n the_o philesopher_n and_o moralist_n give_v to_o conquer_v our_o passion_n and_o subdue_v our_o sensual_a appetite_n and_o to_o conduct_v we_o to_o virtue_n they_o be_v all_o ground_a upon_o this_o supposal_n hierocles_n a_o stoical_a philosopher_n in_o his_o discourse_n upon_o the_o golden_a say_n of_o pythagoras_n speak_v full_o and_o excellent_o to_o this_o point_n his_o word_n be_v these_o man_n say_v he_o be_v of_o his_o own_o motion_n incline_v to_o follow_v the_o evil_a and_o leave_v the_o good_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a strife_n breed_v in_o his_o affection_n he_o have_v a_o free_a will_n which_o he_o abuse_v bindang_v himself_o whole_o to_o encounter_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o this_o freedom_n itself_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o willingness_n to_o admit_v that_o which_o be_v not_o good_a rather_o than_o otherwise_o that_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o this_o we_o call_v evil_a and_o a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o first_o rise_v and_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o the_o be_v of_o all_o religion_n and_o that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v religious_a as_o he_o ought_v without_o it_o be_v easy_o prove_v and_o will_v be_v sufficient_o so_o by_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o these_o four_o thing_n first_o how_o can_v we_o acknowledge_v god_n justice_n in_o punish_v mankind_n and_o without_o repine_v submit_v to_o it_o as_o we_o ought_v unless_o we_o know_v whence_o this_o evil_a first_o come_v what_o author_n it_o have_v and_o how_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n man_n come_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o that_o for_o which_o he_o be_v punish_v second_o how_o can_v we_o be_v as_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v sensible_a of_o god_n general_a or_o particular_a favour_n and_o adore_v his_o goodness_n in_o preserve_v we_o and_o provide_v for_o we_o unless_o we_o be_v right_o inform_v of_o our_o own_o demerit_n and_o rebellion_n again_o he_o and_o that_o mankind_n have_v deserve_v a_o total_a ruin_n and_o subversion_n which_o we_o can_v never_o be_v unless_o we_o know_v the_o first_o entrance_n of_o evil_n and_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o it_o three_o how_o can_v we_o proper_o address_v ourselves_o to_o god_n to_o repair_v our_o ruin_n unless_o we_o perfect_o know_v how_o the_o first_o breach_n come_v to_o be_v make_v last_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a upon_o reasonable_a ground_n to_o restrain_v mankind_n from_o impeach_v the_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o make_v and_o govern_v the_o world_n unless_o we_o know_v the_o first_o rise_v and_o primary_n cause_v of_o all_o the_o disorder_n we_o see_v which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v know_v till_o we_o come_v to_o the_o springhead_n of_o evil_n and_o sin_n with_o what_o impatience_n do_v man_n use_v to_o reproach_n god_n and_o nature_n about_o it_o as_o if_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o malevolens_n and_o ill_a will_n in_o the_o deity_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o man_n one_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d another_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o a_o three_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o well_o blame_v the_o disorder_n of_o man_n mind_n that_o contemplate_v the_o present_a posture_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v able_a to_o give_v no_o satisfy_a account_n to_o themselves_o how_o thing_n come_v at_o first_o so_o to_o be_v and_o that_o a_o certain_a account_n of_o evil_n in_o its_o original_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v have_v without_o revelation_n will_v appear_v very_o evident_a how_o shall_v any_o man_n ever_o come_v to_o discover_v whence_o that_o internal_a conflict_n first_o arise_v between_o the_o will_n and_o the_o judgement_n how_o a_o man_n come_v to_o be_v first_o so_o divide_v against_o himself_o one_o condemn_v the_o other_o no_o man_n natural_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o its_o causality_n nor_o more_o of_o it_o then_o that_o it_o be_v so_o how_o shall_v any_o man_n ever_o find_v out_o from_o whence_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v those_o unrn_o lust_n and_o passion_n those_o evil_a and_o crooked_a inclination_n that_o natural_o infest_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o be_v a_o part_n of_o themselves_o that_o create_v a_o guilt_n in_o man_n own_o breast_n and_o prove_v so_o ruinous_a to_o other_o come_v first_o to_o exist_v what_o footstep_n be_v there_o in_o nature_n to_o conduct_v we_o to_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o the_o misery_n that_o attend_v they_o something_o indeed_o we_o may_v say_v negative_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a but_o we_o can_v affirm_v positive_o the_o least_o thing_n about_o it_o we_o can_v much_o less_o tell_v how_o mankind_n come_v to_o be_v wicked_a than_o we_o can_v tell_v how_o they_o come_v first_o to_o be_v and_o yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v that_o but_o by_o revelation_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o derive_v the_o being_n of_o man_n in_o general_a from_o some_o supreme_a maker_n though_o we_o can_v never_o find_v out_o the_o time_n when_o nor_o the_o manner_n how_o they_o come_v first_o to_o be_v make_v but_o we_o can_v no_o way_n at_o all_o imagine_v from_o whence_o to_o derive_v the_o evil_n of_o their_o being_n or_o upon_o what_o to_o father_n the_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n nor_o what_o date_n to_o give_v it_o from_o a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a and_o good_a evil_a itself_o can_v not_o original_o come_v that_o be_v man_n can_v not_o at_o the_o first_o be_v make_v so_o that_o we_o may_v safe_o say_v in_o the_o negative_a to_o assert_v man_n apostasy_n however_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n may_v dream_v otherwise_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o man_n be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o degenerate_v from_o his_o primitive_a state_n from_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o which_o if_o we_o due_o consider_v it_o result_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o a_o revelation_n it_o be_v impossible_a evil_a itself_o shall_v be_v concreated_n with_o he_o and_o be_v original_o appertinent_a to_o he_o as_o part_v of_o he_o and_o it_o be_v thus_o demonstrable_a if_o man_n have_v be_v at_o the_o first_o make_v as_o now_o he_o be_v natural_o incline_v to_o evil_a and_o
the_o great_a ruin_n to_o mankind_n delude_v they_o with_o false_a information_n about_o their_o chief_a concern_v shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o their_o justification_n the_o most_o eminent_a miracle_n and_o all_o the_o great_a evidence_n that_o rational_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o ascertain_v the_o world_n in_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o high_a supernatural_a truth_n in_o a_o word_n who_o can_v believe_v a_o book_n so_o circumstance_v as_o we_o find_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a instrument_n and_o with_o the_o worst_a of_o design_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v ever_o be_v credit_v while_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o god_n rule_v above_o and_o man_n live_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o reason_n below_o it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o any_o book_n false_o pretend_v to_o god_n name_n and_o authority_n design_v his_o dishonour_n and_o man_n destruction_n shall_v be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o have_v be_v bring_v 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from_o all_o other_o write_n ii_o second_o how_o come_v we_o certain_o to_o know_v the_o true_a compass_n and_o extent_n of_o holy_a writ_n how_o can_v we_o know_v that_o we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o bible_n all_o that_o be_v write_v by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o intend_v as_o a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o be_v now_o safe_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v able_a upon_o good_a ground_n to_o say_v what_o be_v canonical_a and_o what_o be_v not_o iii_o three_o how_o can_v we_o that_o have_v not_o the_o original_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o the_o autographa_n of_o those_o that_o write_v it_o but_o only_o the_o copy_n of_o they_o and_o most_o but_o the_o translation_n of_o those_o copy_n rest_v assure_v we_o have_v god_n mind_n as_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v iu._n four_o how_o can_v we_o believe_v this_o book_n say_v some_o to_o be_v from_o god_n when_o we_o find_v contain_v in_o it_o divers_a contradiction_n several_a strange_a and_o incredible_a story_n and_o other_o thing_n great_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o answer_v the_o first_o question_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v previous_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v advantage_n peculiar_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o who_o first_o receive_v the_o bible_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o live_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v that_o we_o have_v not_o and_o we_o have_v likewise_o some_o advantage_n and_o those_o very_a considerable_a to_o our_o belief_n which_o they_o have_v not_o they_o converse_v with_o the_o penman_n themselves_o the_o name_n of_o many_o of_o who_o be_v to_o we_o whole_o unknown_a the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o record_v they_o foresee_v the_o scripture_n will_v descend_v to_o we_o upon_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n they_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o personal_a integrity_n and_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n see_v the_o original_a write_n and_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n many_o know_v some_o of_o their_o hand_n these_o we_o have_v not_o but_o we_o see_v the_o progress_n and_o success_n of_o this_o book_n which_o they_o see_v not_o we_o see_v this_o book_n translate_v into_o all_o language_n whole_a nation_n convert_v by_o it_o the_o gospel_n spread_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o many_o prediction_n since_o which_o they_o can_v not_o then_o be_v witness_n of_o with_o many_o other_o great_a effect_n of_o it_o we_o see_v the_o whole_a conjoin_v and_o the_o excellent_a harmony_n of_o it_o and_o the_o relation_n each_o part_n have_v to_o complete_a the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v in_o divers_a respect_n upon_o different_a term_n of_o judge_v now_o upon_o the_o whole_a from_o what_o man_n be_v in_o judge_v at_o first_o upon_o any_o particular_a part_n but_o to_o come_v to_o a_o direct_a answer_n to_o this_o question_n there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o ascertain_v man_n in_o their_o reception_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n when_o it_o first_o become_v public_a first_o by_o some_o outward_a visible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o that_o service_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o commissionated_a from_o god_n or_o second_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o write_n themselves_o and_o herein_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o those_o time_n and_o season_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o the_o then_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o order_n of_o write_v it_o will_v much_o inform_v we_o moses_n who_o lay_v the_o first_o and_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a fabric_n in_o the_o five_o book_n that_o he_o write_v he_o have_v a_o justification_n personal_n beyond_o all_o question_n his_o commission_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o he_o there_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o assure_v those_o that_o then_o live_v that_o god_n have_v employ_v he_o for_o god_n admit_v he_o open_o to_o a_o personal_a converse_n with_o himself_o we_o read_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o of_o exodus_fw-la that_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n loe_o i_o come_v to_o thou_o in_o a_o thick_a cloud_n that_o the_o people_n may_v bear_v when_o i_o speak_v with_o thou_o and_o believe_v thou_o for_o ever_o etc._n etc._n he_o impower_v he_o upon_o many_o occasion_n to_o work_v the_o great_a miracle_n that_o since_o the_o world_n have_v a_o be_v have_v ever_o be_v wrought_v and_o open_o to_o shame_n and_o outdo_v all_o his_o opposer_n and_o all_o pretender_n that_o way_n and_o whensoever_o there_o be_v a_o doubt_n make_v about_o this_o divine_a authority_n or_o any_o contest_v with_o he_o upon_o that_o account_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o korah_n and_o at_o other_o time_n god_n plain_o and_o open_o from_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n decide_v the_o matter_n to_o assure_v they_o and_o all_o generation_n to_o come_v that_o moses_n be_v no_o impostor_n but_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a commission_n in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o first_o time_n that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n in_o a_o write_a way_n and_o publish_v those_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o standard_n to_o all_o that_o succeed_v and_o the_o great_a cornerstone_n of_o all_o that_o revelation_n that_o he_o will_v at_o any_o time_n after_o make_v to_o mankind_n it_o be_v but_o necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v fix_v and_o establish_v upon_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a ground_n so_o that_o such_o who_o live_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n can_v have_v no_o good_a reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v in_o the_o least_o of_o his_o sincerity_n for_o all_o be_v do_v that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o put_v that_o matter_n out_o of_o question_n and_o god_n visible_o show_v himself_o as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o of_o exodus_fw-la and_o his_o own_o glory_n among_o they_o for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o see_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n and_o there_o be_v under_o his_o foot_n as_o it_o be_v a_o pave_a work_n of_o a_o saphire-stone_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o body_n of_o heaven_n in_o its_o clearness_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o doubt_n raise_v whether_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o moses_n be_v right_o record_v and_o as_o he_o intend_v they_o shall_v for_o before_o his_o death_n he_o himself_o by_o god_n special_a command_n in_o a_o public_a assembly_n deliver_v over_o his_o five_o book_n to_o the_o levite_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark._n after_o moses_n his_o time_n