writer_n that_o i_o know_v as_o our_o author_n himself_o observe_v sup_n observe_v ubi_fw-la sup_n so_o that_o as_o he_o true_o add_v a_o man_n must_v fetch_v all_o out_o of_o his_o own_o stock_n that_o intend_v to_o answer_v he_o however_o if_o this_o discourse_n do_v not_o prove_v satisfactory_a i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o engage_v some_o able_a pen_n in_o this_o cause_n and_o if_o that_o be_v the_o only_a good_a it_o do_v it_o will_v not_o be_v altogether_o vnserviceable_a in_o the_o last_o place_n i_o must_v desire_v of_o those_o who_o think_v i_o have_v not_o carry_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o scripture_n so_o high_a as_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v angry_a with_o i_o or_o uncharitable_o censure_v i_o as_o if_o i_o design_v to_o betray_v the_o cause_n which_o i_o pretend_v to_o maintain_v but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o my_o performance_n to_o undertake_v the_o argument_n themselves_o and_o do_v justice_n to_o so_o good_a a_o causa_fw-la i_o assure_v they_o i_o shall_v hearty_o wish_v they_o success_n in_o their_o undertake_n and_o shall_v be_v glad_a if_o my_o argument_n appear_v weak_a because_o they_o be_v strong_a for_o i_o can_v do_v nothing_o against_o the_o truth_n but_o for_o the_o truth_n the_o content_n chap_n i._o general_n consideration_n concern_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o new-testament_n the_o method_n of_o the_o whole_a treatise_n propose_v pag._n 1_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o new-testament_n write_n contain_v in_o six_o proposition_n p._n 3_o i._o proposition_n god_n design_v to_o provide_v a_o mean_n for_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 5_o ii_o prop._n the_o best_a mean_n of_o preserve_a christianity_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n be_v by_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o to_o after_o age_n by_o write_v p._n 6_o iii_o prop._n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o god_n will_v deliver_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n in_o write_v because_o he_o use_v the_o same_o mean_n former_o for_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n p._n 10_o the_o reason_n which_o enduce_v st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_v to_o write_v their_o gospel_n as_o they_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o ancient_a church-writer_n p._n 12_o iu._n prop._n god_n have_v actual_o make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o way_n for_o the_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n but_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 13_o v._n prop._n the_o apostle_n themselves_o design_v their_o write_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n of_o the_o church_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o divine_a write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n p._n 15_o the_o reason_n which_o move_v st._n luke_n and_o st._n john_n to_o write_v their_o gospel_n p._n 16_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n be_v design_v for_o general_n use_v though_o many_o of_o they_o write_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n p._n 17_o reflection_n upon_o the_o style_n and_o way_n of_o write_v use_v by_o st._n paul_n p._n 18_o concern_v the_o general_a epistle_n p._n 21_o vi_o prop._n the_o age_n immediate_o follow_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n look_v upon_o their_o write_n as_o the_o stand_a rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n p._n 22_o reflection_n upon_o a_o passage_n in_o mr._n hobs_n leviathan_n concern_v the_o date_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n canon_n p._n 26_o a_o answer_n to_o mr._n n.'s_n objection_n that_o some_o book_n be_v receive_v into_o the_o new_a testament_n canon_n who_o author_n be_v not_o know_v p._n 28_o four_o corollary_n or_o inference_n draw_v from_o the_o whole_a 1_o inference_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n assist_v the_o apostle_n as_o full_o when_o they_o write_v as_o when_o they_o preach_v p._n 29_o 2_o inference_n the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o several_a case_n dictate_v to_o the_o apostle_n the_o word_n and_o style_n they_o shall_v use_v and_o in_o all_o case_n preserve_v they_o from_o use_v such_o expression_n as_o will_v natural_o lead_v man_n into_o error_n p._n 31_o what_o caution_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o interpret_n the_o style_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o argue_v from_o the_o term_n they_o use_v p._n 35_o 3_o inference_n since_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v owe_v to_o god_n providence_n and_o care_n of_o his_o church_n the_o compose_v the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o natural_a mean_n no_o more_o than_o other_o act_n of_o providence_n do_v p._n 37_o 4_o inference_n it_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o a_o book_n be_v be_v design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v at_o first_o write_v upon_o a_o particular_a exigency_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o circumstance_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o that_o time_n p._n 40_o chap._n ii_o a_o more_o particular_a enquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o apostolical_a gift_n and_o inspiration_n p._n 42_o the_o general_a head_n treat_v of_o in_o this_o chapter_n p._n 44_o in_o what_o case_n the_o apostle_n deliver_v their_o judgement_n as_o man_n and_o do_v not_o speak_v by_o inspiration_n three_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n propose_v p._n 45_o 1_o cor._n 7.12_o at_o large_a explain_v p._n 46_o to_o grant_n that_o the_o apostle_n speak_v some_o thing_n without_o inspiration_n do_v not_o prejudice_v their_o authority_n as_o to_o other_o p._n 53_o in_o all_o other_o case_n beside_o those_o before_o except_v the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o write_v by_o the_o particular_a direction_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n p._n 55_o the_o scripture_n notion_n of_o a_o apostle_n p._n 57_o 1_o cor._n 2.10_o etc._n etc._n and_o 1_o thes_n 4.8_o consider_v p._n 58_o the_o assistance_n which_o the_o spirit_n give_v the_o apostle_n do_v not_o consist_v only_o in_o bring_v to_o their_o remembrance_n what_o christ_n have_v say_v to_o they_o p._n 62_o this_o prove_v 1._o from_o those_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n where_o he_o represent_v it_o as_o a_o temporal_a state_n in_o compliance_n with_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o his_o disciple_n p._n 63_o 2_o from_o his_o parable_n concern_v the_o future_a state_n of_o the_o gospel_n p._n 65_o 3_o from_o the_o gift_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v of_o explain_v the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n p._n 68_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o extraordinary_a assistance_n when_o they_o be_v summon_v to_o appear_v before_o magistrate_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o religion_n p._n 73_o s._n matt._n 10.20_o vindicated_n from_o the_o gloss_n of_o mr._n n._n p._n 74_o several_a instance_n give_v of_o his_o and_o other_o modern_a writer_n art_n to_o evade_v the_o true_a force_n of_o scripture_n expression_n ibid._n mr._n n.'s_n unsincerity_n in_o pass_v by_o the_o plain_a instance_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o boldness_n and_o courage_n of_o the_o apostle_n p._n 78_o st._n paul_n behaviour_n before_o the_o council_n act_v 23._o clear_v from_o mr._n n.'s_n aspersion_n p._n 80_o st._n stephen_n behaviour_n act_v 7._o vindicated_n p._n 84_o mr._n n.'s_n objection_n against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n particular_o answer_v 1_o objection_n that_o the_o apostle_n dispute_v and_o confer_v with_o each_o other_o answer_v p._n 88_o 2_o objection_n that_o st._n peter_n after_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v need_n of_o a_o vision_n to_o instruct_v he_o answer_v p_o 95_o 3_o objection_n that_o st._n paul_n and_o st._n barnabas_n be_v force_v to_o go_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o have_v that_o controversy_n decide_v whether_o the_o gentile_a convert_v be_v bind_v to_o observe_v the_o law_n answer_v p._n 97_o 4_o objection_n st._n peter_n dissimulation_n at_o antioch_n answer_v p._n 104_o 5_o objection_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v only_o a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o make_v man_n fit_a to_o instruct_v answer_v p._n 104_o 1_o tim._n 4.13_o 14._o clear_v p._n 106_o why_o st._n paul_n give_v direction_n to_o the_o prophet_n and_o inspire_a person_n at_o corinth_n p._n 110_o a_o brief_a answer_n to_o some_o lesser_a cavil_n p._n 112_o chap._n iii_o concern_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o prophet_n p._n 115_o the_o personal_a qualification_n of_o the_o prophet_n consider_v both_o as_o to_o their_o intellectual_a accomplishment_n p._n 116_o and_o their_o moral_a one_o p._n 121_o the_o original_a design_n of_o god_n send_v prophet_n to_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o hinder_v they_o from_o have_v recourse_n to_o heathen_a oracle_n and_o divination_n p._n 126_o the_o prophetical_a office_n design_v for_o great_a purpose_n p._n 129_o 1_o to_o admonish_v the_o people_n of_o their_o duty_n p._n 130_o 2_o to_o keep_v up_o a_o sense_n of_o
and_o from_o thence_o proceed_v to_o explain_v what_o be_v more_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a and_o if_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v once_o prove_v that_o of_o the_o old_a must_v follow_v as_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n because_o the_o former_a give_v testimony_n to_o the_o latter_a and_o most_o of_o the_o argument_n which_o prove_v the_o one_o may_v be_v easy_o apply_v to_o the_o other_o mr._n n._n allow_v the_o history_n of_o the_o n._n testament_n to_o be_v exact_a and_o true_a relation_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o suppose_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o inspiration_n to_o write_v a_o true_a history_n etc._n history_n fr._n p._n 231_o etc._n etc._n engl._n p._n 28._o etc._n etc._n he_o grant_v likewise_o that_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o yet_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v no_o need_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n for_o write_v their_o epistle_n 113._o epistle_n fr._n p._n 282_o 283._o eng._n p._n 112_o 113._o but_o all_o this_o while_n he_o take_v no_o notice_n that_o these_o write_n be_v design_v by_o god_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n and_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n to_o all_o age_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o it_o be_v make_v out_o will_v prove_v their_o divine_a original_a and_o sufficient_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o write_n pure_o humane_a where_o providence_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v such_o a_o extraordinary_a hand_n in_o the_o composure_n since_o it_o neither_o can_v be_v pretend_v that_o the_o author_n be_v the_o immediate_a instrument_n of_o god_n in_o publish_v his_o will_n nor_o that_o their_o work_n be_v design_v for_o so_o general_a a_o use_n as_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n give_v a_o definition_n of_o a_o inspire_a write_n and_o then_o prove_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_o such_o a_o inspire_a write_v i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o book_n that_o be_v write_v by_o the_o incitation_n direction_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n and_o design_v by_o he_o for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n of_o the_o church_n the_o proof_n of_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o new-testament-writing_n i_o shall_v comprise_v in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n i._o god_n design_v to_o provide_v a_o mean_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n ii_o this_n can_v not_o be_v do_v so_o well_o in_o any_o ordinary_a way_n or_o humane_a mean_n as_o by_o commit_v this_o doctrine_n to_o write_v iii_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v make_v use_n of_o this_o way_n than_o any_o other_o because_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o mean_n before_o for_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n iv_o he_o have_v actual_o make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o way_n for_o the_o convey_n down_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v v._o the_o apostle_n themselves_o design_v their_o write_n for_o the_o perpetual_a use_n of_o the_o church_n and_o look_v upon_o they_o of_o equal_a authority_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v in_o the_o jewish_a vi_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n look_v upon_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o the_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o think_v the_o make_v out_o these_o proposition_n some_o of_o which_o need_v very_o little_a proof_n will_v full_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o book_n contain_v in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o when_o they_o be_v make_v out_o such_o consequence_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o they_o as_o will_v silence_v most_o of_o the_o cavil_n and_o objection_n which_o the_o author_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o some_o other_o have_v raise_v against_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o scripture_n i._o the_o first_o proposition_n to_o be_v prove_v be_v this_o god_n design_v to_o provide_v a_o mean_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n this_o proposition_n i_o think_v any_o christian_n will_v take_v for_o grant_v and_o my_o design_n at_o present_a be_v not_o to_o dispute_v with_o infidel_n but_o to_o lay_v down_o those_o principle_n upon_o which_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v build_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v presuppose_v because_o the_o author_n i_o be_o to_o deal_v with_o profess_v the_o belief_n of_o christianity_n and_o yet_o have_v raise_v objection_n against_o a_o great_a many_o of_o those_o write_n which_o christian_n have_v all_o along_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n i_o say_v therefore_o that_o no_o christian_n can_v doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n for_o every_o christian_a believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o last_o and_o most_o perfect_a revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o afford_v to_o the_o world_n he_o believe_v that_o christ_n will_v be_v with_o his_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n 16.18_o mat._n 28.20_o 16.18_o and_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o i._n e._n it_o shall_v never_o be_v so_o far_o weaken_v as_o that_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n shall_v cease_v or_o the_o church_n be_v perfect_o deprive_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o save_a truth_n nothing_o further_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o illustrate_v this_o proposition_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o ii_o proposition_n god_n can_v not_o preserve_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christianity_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n or_o by_o any_o humane_a mean_n so_o well_o as_o by_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o to_o after_o age_n by_o write_v i_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o prescribe_v to_o god_n almighty_a what_o method_n he_o shall_v use_v to_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n or_o confine_v he_o to_o any_o one_o way_n of_o do_v it_o but_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o a_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n commit_v to_o write_v be_v liable_a to_o less_o inconvenience_n and_o difficulty_n than_o any_o other_o way_n of_o convey_v down_o divine_a truth_n whereas_o all_o other_o way_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v of_o transmit_v divine_a revelation_n be_v encumber_v with_o so_o many_o difficulty_n that_o without_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n they_o can_v never_o attain_v their_o end_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v make_v choice_n of_o any_o such_o method_n to_o reveal_v his_o will_n by_o for_o this_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v down_o for_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o god_n never_o work_v more_o miracle_n than_o needs_o must_v nor_o ever_o suspend_v or_o overbear_v the_o force_n of_o natural_a agent_n without_o evident_a necessity_n but_o always_o use_v second_o cause_n and_o humane_a mean_n as_o far_o as_o they_o will_v go_v and_o therefore_o that_o method_n which_o offer_v least_o violence_n to_o nature_n be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v make_v choice_n of_o by_o god_n some_o man_n indeed_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n can_v show_v itself_o without_o a_o constant_a series_n of_o miracle_n but_o they_o that_o consider_v thing_n more_o exact_o rather_o judge_v that_o a_o continue_a succession_n of_o miracle_n will_v real_o be_v a_o reproach_n to_o god_n ordinary_a providence_n for_o often_o to_o interrupt_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n that_o first_o contrive_v it_o we_o can_v imagine_v but_o two_o way_n of_o god_n communicate_v his_o will_n to_o several_a successive_a age_n without_o the_o help_n of_o write_v either_o oral_a tradition_n or_o make_v a_o particular_a revelation_n to_o every_o single_a person_n or_o at_o least_o to_o all_o those_o who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v other_o in_o their_o duty_n now_o both_o these_o way_n be_v liable_a to_o such_o difficulty_n and_o do_v suppose_v so_o many_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o god_n power_n to_o prevent_v those_o error_n which_o must_v of_o necessity_n attend_v they_o consider_v the_o present_a state_n of_o humane_a nature_n as_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o method_n which_o god_n use_v in_o govern_v the_o world_n i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v this_o matter_n any_o further_a nor_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n to_o which_o both_o these_o method_n be_v obnoxious_a and_o to_o correct_v which_o a_o constant_a interposition_n of_o miracle_n will_v be_v necessary_a the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o former_a have_v be_v abundant_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o faith_n the_o dr._n tillotson_n
wonder_n or_o foretell_v one_o event_n which_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o mere_a chance_n shall_v overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o so_o many_o more_o and_o great_a work_n for_o though_o god_n do_v suffer_v impostor_n to_o work_v strange_a feat_n sometime_o for_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o people_n 24.24_o people_n deut._n 13.3_o matth_n 24.24_o yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o always_o take_v care_n that_o his_o own_o work_n shall_v visible_o exceed_v they_o both_o in_o power_n in_o gravity_n and_o in_o vsefulness_n so_o that_o their_o trick_n shall_v appear_v as_o just_a nothing_o when_v compare_v with_o his_o miracle_n as_o aaron_n rod_n swallow_v up_o those_o of_o the_o magician_n 8.12_o magician_n exod._n 8.12_o or_o else_o god_n will_v allow_v too_o great_a a_o authority_n to_o impostor_n and_o make_v miracle_n by_o themselves_o no_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a mission_n since_o it_o will_v be_v in_o some_o case_n impossible_a to_o distinguish_v true_a one_o from_o counterfeit_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o that_o question_n whether_o god_n permit_v evil_a spirit_n and_o seducer_n to_o show_v sign_n and_o wonder_n do_v not_o evacuate_v the_o authority_n of_o miracle_n in_o general_a though_o i_o grant_v there_o be_v other_o mark_v 10._o mark_v v._o orig._n c._n cell_n l._n 1._o p._n 53._o l._n 2._o p._n 90_o 91._o ed._n cant._n bp._n stillingfl_fw-mi orig._n sacr_n l._n 2._o c._n 10._o whereby_o to_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a which_o it_o be_v not_o my_o business_n at_o present_a to_o discourse_v of_o 2._o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o prophet_n when_o they_o first_o enter_v upon_o their_o prophetic_a office_n give_v some_o sign_n of_o their_o mission_n either_o by_o work_v a_o miracle_n or_o by_o reveal_v some_o secret_n remote_a or_o future_a thing_n which_o be_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o which_o be_v such_o that_o a_o little_a time_n will_v quick_o discover_v whether_o the_o prophet_n speak_v true_a or_o not_o we_o may_v find_v footstep_n in_o scripture_n of_o these_o several_a way_n be_v account_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o prophet_n we_o find_v the_o pharisee_n demand_v a_o sign_n from_o heaven_n 12.38_o heaven_n matth._n 16.1_o joh._n 6.30_o matth._n 12.38_o of_o our_o saviour_n such_o as_o joshua_n 10.12_o joshua_n jos_n 10.12_o samuel_n 12.18_o samuel_n 1_o sam._n 12.18_o isaiah_n 38.8_o isaiah_n be_v 38.8_o and_o elias_n 1.10_o elias_n 2_o king_n 1.10_o have_v wrought_v and_o the_o samaritan_n woman_n judge_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v the_o christ_n because_o he_o tell_v she_o all_o thing_n that_o ever_o she_o do_v 4.29_o do_v john_n 4.29_o this_o show_v that_o in_o the_o common_a opinion_n the_o discover_v of_o some_o hide_a thing_n and_o out_o of_o the_o ordinary_a reach_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n be_v esteem_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o the_o messiah_n be_v the_o prophet_n the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n expect_v the_o woman_n conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o who_o know_v such_o secret_n must_v be_v the_o messiah_n and_o perhaps_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o jew_n who_o look_v upon_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o pretender_n only_o to_o prophecy_n demand_v of_o he_o the_o discovery_n of_o a_o mock-secret_a 26.68_o mock-secret_a matth._n 26.68_o viz._n who_o it_o be_v that_o smite_v he_o when_o he_o be_v blindfolded_a it_o appear_v from_o other_o place_n that_o the_o prophet_n do_v common_o foretell_v something_o which_o shall_v short_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o this_o their_o predidiction_n do_v establish_v their_o authority_n for_o the_o future_a and_o give_v credibility_n to_o those_o prophecy_n of_o they_o who_o accomplishment_n be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n so_o the_o man_n of_o god_n that_o prophesy_v against_o the_o altar_n of_o bethel_n 2._o bethel_n 1_o king_n 13.1_o 2._o beside_o his_o foretell_v above_o 300._o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o that_o prince_n that_o one_o of_o david_n family_n josiah_n by_o name_n shall_v defile_v that_o altar_n at_o the_o same_o time_n give_v another_o sign_n of_o his_o mission_n that_o be_v present_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v viz._n that_o the_o altar_n shall_v be_v rend_v and_o the_o ash_n of_o it_o pour_v out_o 3._o out_o ib._n v._n 3._o the_o fulfil_n of_o which_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o his_o veracity_n as_o to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o his_o prophecy_n where_o the_o event_n be_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n that_o though_o it_o shall_v not_o correspond_v with_o the_o prophecy_n it_o can_v not_o at_o present_a be_v disprove_v and_o therefore_o the_o bare_a foretell_v it_o do_v not_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o sufficient_a evidence_n that_o the_o prophet_n who_o speak_v it_o be_v real_o send_v from_o god_n in_o like_a manner_n it_o be_v say_v of_o samuel_n 9.6_o samuel_n 1_o sam._n 3.19_o 20._o c._n 9.6_o that_o all_o israel_n know_v he_o to_o be_v a_o establish_v prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n when_o they_o see_v that_o none_o of_o his_o prophetic_a word_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n so_o ezekiel_n have_v deliver_v a_o prediction_n add_v 33.33_o add_v ezek._n 33.33_o when_o this_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v than_o they_o shall_v know_v that_o a_o prophet_n have_v be_v among_o they_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v however_o man_n may_v slight_v my_o word_n now_o and_o value_v they_o no_o more_o than_o a_o song_n 32._o song_n ver_fw-la 32._o which_o man_n harken_v to_o only_o to_o pass_v away_o the_o time_n yet_o the_o fulfil_n of_o what_o i_o say_v will_v establish_v my_o authority_n beyond_o contradiction_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o man_n common_o suspend_v their_o judgement_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o prophet_n till_o they_o have_v try_v his_o veracity_n by_o see_v whether_o some_o one_o prophecy_n of_o he_o which_o he_o deliver_v as_o a_o test_n of_o his_o mission_n come_v to_o pass_v or_o no._n 3._o though_o prophet_n usual_o give_v a_o sign_n in_o testimony_n of_o their_o mission_n yet_o some_o prophet_n do_v not_o who_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v try_v by_o other_o rule_n it_o be_v record_v particular_o of_o john_n baptist_n that_o he_o do_v no_o miracle_n 10.41_o miracle_n john_n 10.41_o and_o yet_o the_o people_n count_v he_o a_o prophet_n 21.26_o prophet_n matth._n 21.26_o which_o they_o will_v not_o have_v do_v if_o a_o prophet_n have_v always_o give_v a_o sign_n before_o he_o be_v account_v so_o and_o we_o see_v that_o even_o the_o priest_n and_o elder_n can_v not_o find_v any_o thing_n to_o object_n against_o his_o authority_n 25._o authority_n ibid_fw-la ver_fw-la 25._o now_o in_o such_o a_o case_n i_o suppose_v they_o judge_v of_o a_o prophet_n pretence_n by_o some_o of_o these_o follow_a token_n by_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n and_o doctrine_n by_o the_o agreement_n of_o what_o he_o say_v with_o the_o prediction_n or_o discourse_n of_o other_o prophet_n and_o especial_o if_o another_o prophet_n of_o undoubted_a authority_n bare_a witness_n to_o he_o according_a to_o that_o maxim_n of_o the_o jewish_a master_n 9_o master_n maimonid_n fundam_fw-la legis_fw-la c._n 10._o sect._n 9_o the_o prophet_n of_o who_o some_o other_o undoubted_a prophet_n witness_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n be_v assure_o such_o all_o these_o mark_v concur_v in_o john_n baptist_n his_o office_n be_v plain_o describe_v by_o isaiah_n 40.3_o isaiah_n be_v 40.3_o and_o both_o that_o and_o his_o person_n by_o malachi_n 4.5_o malachi_n mal._n 3.1_o 4.5_o his_o doctrine_n be_v holy_a and_o his_o life_n a_o exact_a copy_n of_o what_o he_o teach_v so_o here_o be_v no_o room_n to_o suspect_v he_o a_o counterfeit_n though_o he_o give_v no_o sign_n to_o attest_v his_o mission_n we_o may_v far_o observe_v that_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n insist_v upon_o these_o three_o thing_n viz._n purity_n of_o doctrine_n holiness_n of_o life_n and_o agreement_n with_o other_o prophet_n as_o the_o token_n whereby_o they_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o the_o false_a prophet_n they_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v as_o plain_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o vision_n of_o true_a prophet_n and_o the_o dream_n of_o false_a one_o as_o betwixt_o chaff_n and_o wheat_n 23.28_o wheat_n jer._n 23.28_o which_o must_v be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o one_o sort_n tend_v to_o discourage_v sin_n and_o set_v forth_o the_o terrible_a consequence_n of_o it_o 29._o it_o ibid._n ver_fw-la 29._o whereas_o the_o other_o design_n to_o sooth_n man_n up_o in_o their_o vice_n by_o heal_v the_o wound_n of_o the_o conscience_n slight_o say_v peace_n peace_n 6.14_o peace_n jer._n 6.14_o and_o promise_a man_n prosperity_n without_o their_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o life_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n ezekiel_n say_v of_o the_o false_a prophet_n that_o they_o sow_v pillow_n to_o man_n elbow_n 13.18_o