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and_o sanctity_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o many_o of_o they_o give_v the_o high_a testimony_n to_o their_o integrity_n in_o become_a martyr_n in_o justification_n of_o what_o themselves_o write_v for_o the_o second_o the_o various_a quality_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o writer_n seem_v much_o to_o secure_v we_o against_o so_o vile_a a_o design_n as_o this_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v compose_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n some_o of_o they_o be_v king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a quality_n before_o they_o write_v and_o not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o baseness_n and_o meanness_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o work_n and_o also_o man_n of_o deep_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o they_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o most_o of_o the_o
at_o large_a in_o the_o 12_o book_n of_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n some_o will_v needs_o imagine_v that_o antiochus_n so_o far_o prevail_v in_o this_o undertake_n that_o the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a be_v whole_o destroy_v but_o the_o contrary_n be_v most_o evident_a and_o a_o special_a providence_n in_o their_o preservation_n sufficient_o visible_a for_o no_o soon_o be_v that_o storm_n over_o but_o the_o bible_n be_v every_o where_o public_o extant_a have_v be_v particular_o preserve_v by_o mathias_n the_o son_n of_o asmonaeus_fw-la and_o his_o son_n who_o as_o josephus_n say_v resolute_o venture_v their_o life_n in_o the_o do_v it_o and_o also_o by_o other_o good_a man_n and_o be_v universal_o know_v in_o that_o age_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v so_o calvin_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o institutes_n observe_v that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v undergo_v the_o malice_n of_o manifold_a enemy_n on_o all_o hand_n yet_o neither_o the_o loss_n nor_o the_o change_n nor_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o law_n be_v ever_o by_o their_o worst_a enemy_n object_v against_o they_o and_o indeed_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o enmity_n be_v against_o their_o religion_n yet_o they_o never_o deny_v but_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o law_n they_o have_v be_v the_o same_o he_o deliâ—cred_a at_o first_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n since_o the_o closure_n and_o completion_n of_o the_o whole_a what_o a_o fâ—â—ious_a persecution_n do_v the_o bible_n escape_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n who_o after_o the_o grievous_a suffering_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o i_o before_o persecution_n assault_v they_o about_o the_o year_n 302_o with_o the_o sore_a and_o most_o cruel_a of_o all_o and_o with_o a_o full_a purpose_n to_o root_n christianity_n utter_o out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o destroy_v its_o very_a name_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n euselius_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o nineteenth_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o publish_v a_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o christianity_n itself_o in_o which_o he_o so_o much_o glory_v that_o he_o cause_v a_o pillar_n to_o be_v erect_v as_o his_o memorial_n to_o all_o posterity_n with_o this_o inscription_n dioclesiano_n casari_fw-la augusto_fw-la superstitione_n christi_fw-la ubique_fw-la deleta_fw-la to_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n have_v abolish_v the_o superstition_n of_o christ_n all_o the_o world_n over_o by_o that_o edict_n he_o command_v that_o the_o christian-churche_n shall_v every_v where_o be_v demolish_v the_o christian_n all_o seize_v and_o imprison_v et_fw-la quibuâ—cunque_fw-la adhiâ—itis_fw-la machinis_fw-la victimas_fw-la idolis_fw-la immolare_fw-la cogerentur_fw-la that_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o mean_n fair_a and_o foul_a they_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o sacrifice_v unto_o his_o idol_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v every_o where_o seek_v for_o burn_v and_o destroy_v and_o whoever_o retain_v they_o shall_v be_v most_o sharp_o torment_v dioclesian_n at_o this_o time_n have_v the_o command_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o habitable_a world_n for_o as_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a writer_n say_v romanâ—_n spatium_fw-la est_fw-la vrbis_fw-la &_o orbis_n idem_fw-la the_o scripture_n be_v then_o but_o in_o write_a hand_n man_n general_o quake_v with_o the_o fear_n of_o that_o rage_a tyrant_n very_o many_o apostatise_v and_o deliver_v up_o the_o bible_n to_o his_o wrath_n and_o be_v thereupon_o brand_v with_o the_o name_n of_o traditores_fw-la of_o which_o and_o of_o the_o whole_a business_n we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v have_v a_o large_a account_n have_v not_o the_o life_n of_o deoclesian_n write_v by_o eusthenius_n his_o secretary_n be_v since_o lose_v for_o as_o baronius_n have_v right_o observe_v in_o his_o annal_n we_o have_v now_o no_o writer_n who_o do_v at_o that_o time_n historical_o set_v down_o the_o action_n of_o that_o emperor_n yet_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n deliver_v this_o book_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n disappoint_v his_o fury_n and_o suffer_v he_o not_o to_o quench_v the_o light_n of_o these_o divine_a law_n the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n tire_v out_o the_o invention_n of_o their_o enemy_n in_o find_v out_o way_n to_o torment_v they_o and_o by_o their_o constant_a and_o patient_a suffer_v the_o utmost_a of_o humane_a misery_n even_o weary_v out_o their_o executioner_n one_o remarkable_a passage_n we_o have_v in_o euseblus_fw-la that_o happen_v upon_o this_o occasion_n a_o noble_a man_n in_o nicomedia_n of_o eminent_a quality_n hear_v this_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o bible_n publish_v at_o nicemedâ—a_n after_o it_o be_v read_v and_o open_o fix_v to_o a_o public_a pillar_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o dioclesian_n himself_o maximinius_n galerius_n constantius_n and_o other_o the_o chief_a person_n in_o the_o empire_n for_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o emperor_n to_o come_v themselves_o in_o person_n with_o their_o chief_a attendants_n to_o hear_v their_o own_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n proclaim_v to_o see_v the_o christian_n torment_v and_o to_o make_v themselves_o sport_n with_o their_o misery_n this_o noble_a man_n have_v such_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o before_o the_o emperor_n face_n he_o take_v down_o that_o profane_a and_o impious_a edict_n and_o with_o a_o holy_a indignation_n open_o tear_v it_o to_o piece_n and_z and_o thereby_o willing_o expose_v himself_o to_o the_o utmost_a suffering_n the_o fury_n and_o rage_n of_o the_o emperor_n can_v any_o way_n make_v he_o the_o subject_n of_o two_o thing_n be_v usual_o urge_v in_o diminution_n of_o the_o â—â—ble_a and_o its_o authority_n upon_o a_o quite_o contrary_a account_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v preserve_v entire_a in_o the_o whole_a or_o in_o its_o part_n that_o first_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v carry_v into_o babylon_n periâ—â—ed_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n and_o that_o esdras_n write_v it_o himself_o all_o over_o again_o upon_o their_o return_n and_o that_o we_o have_v now_o so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n only_o from_o he_o and_o as_o he_o re-pâ—â—ned_n it_o in_o this_o mr._n hobbs_n in_o the_o 33_o chapter_n of_o his_o leviathan_n where_o he_o have_v not_o fail_v to_o insinuate_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v gratify_v man_n of_o sceptical_a notion_n about_o the_o bible_n be_v very_o positive_a and_o tell_v we_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v derive_v to_o we_o from_o no_o other_o time_n then_o that_o of_o esdras_n and_o be_v retrive_v by_o he_o when_o they_o be_v lose_v and_o second_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o many_o particular_a book_n and_o write_n pen_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o once_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v since_o consume_v by_o time_n and_o be_v now_o whole_o lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n the_o first_o that_o so_o much_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o be_v then_o extant_a which_o be_v the_o whole_a as_o we_o have_v it_o save_o some_o part_n of_o the_o psalm_n the_o prophecy_n of_o ezeâ—iel_n daniel_n haggai_n zachary_n and_o masachai_n and_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n be_v total_o lose_v and_o all_o the_o copy_n destroy_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v a_o assertion_n very_o weak_o ground_v and_o there_o be_v very_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o persuade_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n first_o weak_o ground_v for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o ground_n for_o it_o but_o that_o in_o a_o apocryphal_a book_n that_o go_v under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o four_o book_n of_o esdras_n a_o book_n every_o where_o stuff_v with_o childish_a and_o fabulous_a stoties_fw-la there_o we_o find_v this_o absurd_a fiction_n that_o esdras_n shall_v speak_v unto_o god_n and_o tell_v he_o thy_o law_n be_v burn_v and_o no_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n that_o thou_o have_v do_v and_o therefore_o desire_v to_o be_v inspire_v to_o write_v it_o all_o over_o again_o and_o to_o wrire_fw-fr all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o after_o he_o have_v be_v forty_o day_n and_o night_n with_o god_n in_o a_o apish_a foolish_a imitation_n of_o moses_n and_o have_v take_v a_o potion_n god_n have_v prepare_v for_o he_o he_o dictate_v all_o the_o bible_n over_o again_o to_o five_o man_n now_o of_o how_o little_a credit_n this_o relation_n be_v no_o where_n find_v but_o in_o this_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v with_o any_o consider_a man_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o book_n be_v not_o only_o constant_o reject_v as_o apocryphal_a by_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o a_o counterfeit_n under_o esdras_n his_o name_n and_o none_o of_o he_o but_o have_v be_v so_o by_o all_o
they_o foretell_v thing_n that_o come_v not_o to_o pass_v they_o be_v no_o way_n to_o credit_v they_o so_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o eighteen_o of_o deuteronomy_n when_o a_o prophet_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o thing_n follow_v not_o nor_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v but_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v it_o presumptuous_o thou_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a of_o he_o the_o certain_a predict_v of_o future_a event_n be_v a_o unquestionable_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n and_o this_o way_n many_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v justify_v in_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v as_o particular_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n who_o with_o the_o prophet_n amos_n be_v send_v to_o the_o ten_o tribe_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o isaiah_n and_o micah_n be_v to_o judah_n and_o in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o hezekiah_n to_o which_o time_n it_o appear_v hosea_n himself_o survive_v his_o prophecy_n long_o before_o against_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v actual_o fulfil_v and_o the_o destruction_n he_o prophesy_v of_o come_v actual_o and_o visible_o upon_o the_o ten_o tribe_n at_o that_o time_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n of_o assyâ—â—a_n and_o other_o of_o they_o have_v the_o like_a justification_n though_o sometime_o it_o fall_v out_o to_o be_v late_a and_o the_o event_n of_o their_o prophecy_n can_v not_o be_v know_v till_o after-age_n nor_o do_v any_o one_o penman_n of_o the_o scripture_n or_o any_o prophet_n of_o god_n ever_o mistake_v in_o a_o tittle_n in_o this_o kind_n for_o although_o sometime_o the_o judgement_n they_o prophetical_o threaten_v be_v not_o actual_o inflict_v at_o those_o time_n they_o be_v threaten_v so_o to_o be_v yet_o that_o can_v not_o be_v the_o least_o derogation_n from_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o prophecy_n because_o god_n still_o reserve_v a_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a power_n of_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n to_o himself_o in_o such_o case_n and_o all_o such_o prophetical_a threaten_n be_v still_o denounce_v with_o a_o reserve_n in_o case_n of_o repentance_n and_o god_n himself_o to_o justify_v his_o own_o prophet_n do_v public_o declare_v thus_o much_o at_o what_o instant_a i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o nation_n or_o concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o plâ—ck_v up_o and_o to_o pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v it_o if_o that_o nation_n against_o who_o i_o have_v pronounce_v turn_v from_o the_o evil_a i_o will_v repent_v of_o the_o evil_a that_o i_o think_v to_o do_v unto_o they_o etc._n etc._n but_o the_o total_a and_o final_a decision_n of_o all_o question_n that_o can_v arise_v among_o the_o jew_n touch_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o ezra_n and_o that_o famous_a synagogue_n that_o after_o so_o long_a and_o sad_a a_o captivity_n assemble_v to_o reform_v what_o be_v amiss_o and_o to_o revive_v the_o glory_n of_o that_o decay_a church_n and_o state_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o restore_v and_o continue_v among_o those_o two_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n until_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v several_a of_o the_o last_o prophet_n be_v personal_o present_a they_o by_o a_o divine_a direction_n collect_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n together_o some_o of_o which_o as_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n and_o amos_n and_o other_o prophecy_n send_v from_o god_n and_o which_o come_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v whole_o reject_v by_o the_o corrupt_a roll_a part_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o utter_v make_v a_o perfect_a separation_n not_o only_o between_o the_o work_v of_o true_a prophet_n and_o false_a and_o such_o write_n as_o come_n by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o such_o as_o be_v only_o of_o humane_a extraction_n but_o between_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v of_o a_o perpetual_a continuance_n and_o a_o stand_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o such_o as_o relate_v only_o to_o particular_a case_n and_o be_v not_o so_o they_o by_o god_n direction_n punctual_o settle_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n put_v a_o perfect_a period_n to_o all_o doubt_n in_o those_o time_n about_o this_o whole_a business_n and_o in_o that_o settlement_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o make_v the_o jewish_a church_n full_o acquiesce_v and_o to_o it_o firm_o adhere_v till_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n from_o who_o divine_a authority_n we_o have_v aâ—_n re-establishment_n of_o all_o that_o be_v then_o do_v for_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o god_n be_v please_v to_o establish_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o all_o write_a revelation_n in_o moses_n his_o time_n upon_o evidence_n from_o heaven_n beyond_o all_o compass_n of_o question_n so_o the_o complete_n and_o finish_v what_o god_n intend_v that_o way_n the_o lay_v the_o top-stone_n of_o that_o fabric_n which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v accompany_v with_o such_o manifest_a effect_n of_o a_o divine_a and_o almighty_a power_n that_o no_o man_n that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n can_v make_v any_o reasonable_a doubt_n about_o it_o there_o be_v in_o this_o case_n the_o great_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o most_o excellent_a doctrine_n and_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v upon_o sure_a ground_n in_o point_n of_o revelation_n the_o miracle_n be_v then_o apparent_a and_o visible_a and_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n appear_v these_o two_o way_n first_o that_o in_o itself_o simple_o consider_v it_o introduce_v a_o religion_n wherein_o all_o the_o great_a and_o desirable_a end_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n be_v to_o the_o utmost_a attain_v and_o wherein_o all_o that_o the_o world_n have_v in_o that_o kind_n at_o any_o time_n before_o arrive_v at_o be_v far_o outdo_v and_o exceed_v and_o second_o in_o a_o relative_a way_n in_o that_o it_o evident_o appear_v and_o that_o in_o a_o very_a singular_a and_o extraordinary_a manner_n to_o be_v the_o great_a accomplishment_n of_o all_o that_o god_n have_v before_o promise_v and_o foretell_v the_o natural_a offspring_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o which_o the_o scripture_n before_o write_v throughout_o travel_v withal_o indeed_o the_o genuine_a issue_n of_o all_o former_a revelation_n and_o so_o be_v incirele_v with_o all_o that_o divine_a justification_n that_o any_o former_a revelation_n have_v be_v at_o any_o time_n accompany_v with_o and_o in_o the_o distinct_a publication_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n man_n have_v these_o two_o ground_n of_o satisfaction_n in_o those_o time_n first_o if_o we_o admit_v that_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n to_o come_v either_o from_o st._n paul_n or_o some_o other_o apostolical_a hand_n of_o the_o latter_a of_o which_o the_o epistle_n itself_o sufficient_o assure_v we_o and_o for_o the_o former_a there_o seem_v to_o be_v good_a evidence_n from_o some_o passage_n in_o st._n peter_n and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o reasonable_o suppose_v to_o write_v a_o determination_n of_o that_o grand_a question_n then_o on_o foot_n about_o the_o abolition_n of_o the_o whole_a judaical_a policy_n as_o the_o great_a apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n i_o say_v if_o we_o admit_v this_o epistle_n to_o come_v from_o a_o apostolical_a hand_n every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v then_o write_v by_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n man_n not_o only_o perfect_o know_v in_o all_o the_o transaction_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o every_o one_o of_o they_o then_o know_v to_o be_v man_n of_o extraordinary_a endowment_n in_o office_n under_o he_o and_o with_o the_o high_a delegation_n of_o his_o own_o power_n entrust_v by_o he_o and_o as_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n end_v with_o the_o prophet_n so_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o new_a have_v its_o period_n in_o the_o apostle_n second_o all_o the_o several_a part_n at_o several_a time_n and_o by_o several_a hand_n write_v appear_v so_o to_o promote_v one_o and_o the_o same_o design_n be_v so_o much_o the_o same_o in_o doctrine_n do_v so_o harmonise_v in_o the_o same_o tendency_n and_o end_n and_o have_v such_o a_o relation_n each_o to_o other_o that_o whatever_o reason_n there_o be_v in_o the_o general_a to_o satisfy_v man_n in_o those_o time_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o religion_n by_o he_o establish_v and_o there_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o heaven_n in_o that_o case_n the_o same_o will_v go_v very_o far_o to_o resolve_v all_o such_o doubt_n as_o can_v be_v make_v about_o any_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n then_o write_v second_o how_o can_v we_o now_o come_v 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
we_o have_v now_o contain_v in_o our_o babble_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 rule_n to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o more_o that_o be_v how_o can_v we_o now_o be_v 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 it_o be_v too_o apparent_a a_o truth_n that_o nothing_o by_o the_o power_n of_o its_o own_o worth_a and_o excellency_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o escape_v contempt_n and_o reproach_n from_o the_o unruly_a will_n and_o debauch_a mind_n of_o corrupt_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n the_o bible_n have_v meet_v with_o its_o share_n in_o this_o kind_n some_o upon_o fanatical_a pretence_n have_v despise_v and_o reject_v the_o whole_a other_o have_v mangle_v and_o sever_v it_o as_o themselves_o think_v good_a receive_v some_o part_n only_o as_o divine_a and_o reject_v the_o rest_n as_o they_o please_v of_o this_o iraeneus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n st._n austin_n and_o many_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n the_o manichee_n reject_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o come_v from_o a_o evil_a god_n the_o ptolemaite_v as_o epiphamus_n tell_v we_o reject_v all_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o gnostic_n with_o some_o other_o heretic_n reject_v the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n cerdon_n and_o after_o he_o martion_n reject_v all_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o divers_a other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o find_v by_o tertullian_n the_o valentimans_fw-la reject_v all_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n john_n as_o we_o see_v in_o irenaeus_n other_o reject_v all_o that_o st._n john_n write_v the_o ebionite_n receive_v no_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n matthen_n and_o reject_v in_o gross_a all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v not_o one_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o that_o have_v escape_v the_o reprobation_n of_o some_o bad_a men._n but_o all_o such_o attempt_n be_v soon_o blow_v away_o expire_v in_o the_o birth_n bear_v about_o they_o their_o own_o shame_n and_o reproach_n make_v no_o considerable_a battery_n upon_o the_o truth_n in_o any_o age_n nor_o do_v they_o reach_v further_o than_o the_o vitiate_a mind_n and_o corrupt_a breast_n of_o such_o profligate_v heretic_n as_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o in_o answer_v to_o this_o question_n how_o we_o come_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v about_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o that_o those_o book_n now_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o protestant_a church_n as_o such_o be_v all_o canonical_a and_o no_o other_o two_o thing_n only_o will_v occur_v that_o be_v of_o any_o seem_a moment_n in_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o which_o all_o will_v be_v say_v that_o be_v needful_a about_o this_o matter_n first_o how_o we_o come_v to_o reject_v out_o of_o our_o canon_n those_o book_n common_o call_v apocryphal_a which_o be_v write_v at_o least_o all_o but_o one_o of_o they_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o second_o upon_o what_o ground_n we_o now_o receive_v some_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v sometime_o lie_v under_o question_n if_o we_o mistake_v in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v less_o in_o our_o bibles_n than_o we_o ought_v if_o in_o the_o latter_a we_o have_v much_o more_o than_o we_o shall_v about_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n there_o be_v among_o christian_n themselves_o a_o present_a disagreement_n but_o concern_v the_o other_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n be_v at_o this_o day_n of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o reject_v those_o book_n common_o call_v the_o apocrypha_fw-la that_o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n nor_o send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o any_o part_n of_o those_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o so_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v within_o the_o canon_n will_v be_v make_v very_o evident_a to_o any_o reasonable_a judge_n upon_o these_o consideration_n follow_v first_o after_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n and_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n it_o be_v universal_o agree_v by_o all_o the_o most_o ancient_a jew_n and_o christian_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n among_o they_o nor_o do_v god_n raise_v up_o any_o man_n with_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n from_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n who_o be_v agree_v to_o be_v the_o last_o prophet_n till_o john_n the_o baptist_n which_o be_v for_o the_o space_n of_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a year_n now_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o these_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v all_o write_v after_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n and_o so_o can_v be_v of_o no_o extraordinary_a mission_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v write_v before_o and_o have_v be_v extant_a in_o ezra_n time_n which_o they_o be_v not_o it_o have_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a reason_n for_o their_o rejection_n now_o because_o they_o be_v not_o receive_v then_o for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o none_o of_o these_o book_n now_o in_o question_n be_v by_o he_o incorporate_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bible_n nor_o be_v within_o the_o canon_n at_o that_o time_n settle_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n by_o who_o all_o part_n of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v write_v for_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v call_v prophecy_n nor_o any_o man_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n among_o they_o after_o the_o captivity_n both_o jew_n and_o christian_n general_o agree_v josephus_n be_v express_v in_o it_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o artaxerxes_n though_o certain_a book_n have_v be_v write_v yet_o they_o deserve_v not_o the_o same_o credit_n and_o belief_n that_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n do_v because_o there_o be_v no_o succession_n of_o propher_n among_o they_o saint_n austin_n in_o the_o 45th_o chapter_n of_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophecy_n after_o ezra_n time_n and_o the_o same_o eusebius_n affirm_v in_o his_o demonstrationes_fw-la evangelicae_fw-la post_fw-la zachartam_fw-la &_o malachiam_fw-la non_fw-la fuâ—sse_fw-la amplius_fw-la apud_fw-la judaeos_fw-la prophetam_fw-la et_fw-la a_fw-la reditu_fw-la ex_fw-la captivitate_fw-la ad_fw-la tempora_fw-la servatoris_fw-la nullum_fw-la babucrint_fw-la judaei_n sacrum_fw-la volumen_fw-la the_o jew_n have_v no_o prophet_n after_o zachary_n and_o malachi_n nor_o any_o sacred_a write_n after_o the_o captivity_n till_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o some_o of_o these_o very_a book_n tell_v we_o as_o much_o themselves_o for_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n chap._n 9_o it_o be_v there_o say_v that_o there_o be_v then_o great_a tribulation_n in_o israel_n such_o as_o have_v not_o be_v since_o the_o day_n that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o prophet_n in_o israel_n relate_v to_o ezra_n time_n and_o indeed_o it_o appear_v very_o plain_a from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o divine_a write_n publish_v between_o the_o prophecy_n of_o malachi_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o evangelist_n take_v thing_n up_o just_a where_o he_o leave_v they_o and_o begin_v the_o gospel_n from_o the_o end_n of_o malachi_n prophecy_n for_o he_o end_v his_o prophecy_n at_o john_n the_o baptist_n under_o the_o type_n and_o title_n of_o elias_n and_o the_o evangelist_n begin_v the_o gospel_n with_o he_o for_o st._n mark_v express_o declare_v the_o end_n of_o that_o prophecy_n to_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a combination_n from_o thence_o from_o that_o period_n of_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n together_o second_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v prophet_n to_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o write_n and_o prophecy_n be_v direct_v chief_o to_o they_o and_o so_o they_o be_v all_o writ_n except_o some_o passage_n in_o daniel_n and_o ezra_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o chaldee_n dialect_n to_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v in_o their_o captivity_n be_v much_o accustom_v in_o their_o own_o native_a language_n the_o language_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v the_o hebrew_n but_o these_o book_n be_v confess_o most_o of_o they_o first_o write_v in_o greek_a and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o the_o jew_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o