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
mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n with_o its_o operation_n of_o divine_a effect_n thereon_o this_o the_o apostle_n express_o affirm_v to_o be_v the_o reason_n and_o cause_n of_o faith_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 24_o 25._o if_o all_o prophesy_n and_o there_o come_v in_o one_o that_o believe_v not_o or_o one_o unlearned_a he_o be_v convince_v of_o all_o he_o be_v judge_v of_o all_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o secret_n of_o his_o heart_n make_v manifest_a and_o so_o fall_v down_o on_o his_o face_n he_o will_v worship_v god_n and_o report_n that_o god_n be_v in_o you_o of_o a_o truth_n the_o acknowledgement_n and_o confession_n of_o god_n to_o be_v in_o they_o or_o among_o they_o be_v a_o profession_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n administer_v by_o they_o such_o person_n assent_v unto_o its_o divine_a authority_n or_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o on_o what_o evidence_n or_o ground_n of_o credibility_n they_o do_v so_o be_v express_o declare_v it_o be_v not_o upon_o the_o force_n of_o any_o external_a argument_n produce_v and_o plead_v unto_o that_o purpose_n it_o be_v not_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o this_o or_o that_o or_o any_o church_n whatever_o nor_o be_v it_o upon_o a_o conviction_n of_o any_o miracle_n which_o they_o see_v wrought_v in_o its_o confirmation_n yea_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o confession_n declare_v be_v oppose_v unto_o the_o efficacy_n and_o use_v of_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o tongue_n v_o 23_o 24._o wherefore_o the_o only_a evidence_n whereon_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n and_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o be_v of_o god_n be_v that_o divine_a power_n and_o efficacy_n whereof_o they_o find_v and_o feel_v the_o experience_n in_o themselves_o he_o be_v convince_v of_o all_o judge_v of_o all_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o secret_n of_o his_o heart_n make_v manifest_a whereon_o he_o fall_v down_o before_o it_o with_o a_o acknowledgement_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n find_v the_o word_n to_o come_v upon_o his_o conscience_n with_o a_o irresistible_a power_n of_o conviction_n and_o judgement_n thereon_o he_o be_v convince_v of_o all_o judge_v of_o all_o he_o can_v but_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o divine_a efficacy_n in_o it_o or_o accompany_v of_o it_o especial_o his_o mind_n be_v influence_v by_o this_o that_o the_o secret_n of_o his_o heart_n be_v make_v manifest_a by_o it_o for_o all_o man_n must_v acknowledge_v this_o to_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o divine_a power_n see_v god_n alone_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o who_o search_v know_v and_o judge_v the_o heart_n and_o if_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n believe_v that_o jesus_n 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 john_n 4._o 29._o there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o word_n to_o be_v from_o god_n which_o make_v manifest_a even_o the_o secret_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o although_o i_o do_v conceive_v that_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n heb._n 4._o 12._o the_o live_n and_o eternal_a word_n be_v principal_o intend_v yet_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n there_o ascribe_v to_o he_o be_v that_o which_o he_o put_v forth_o by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o so_o that_o word_n also_o in_o its_o place_n and_o use_v pierce_v to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o soul_n and_o spirit_n of_o the_o joint_n and_o marrew_n and_o be_v a_o discerner_n or_o pass_v a_o critical_a judgement_n on_o the_o thought_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o heart_n or_o make_v manifest_v the_o secret_n of_o man_n heart_n as_o it_o be_v here_o express_v hereby_o then_o do_v the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o evidence_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o word_n namely_o by_o that_o divine_a power_n which_o it_o have_v upon_o our_o soul_n and_o conscience_n that_o we_o do_v assure_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o to_o be_v from_o god_n so_o the_o thessalonian_n be_v commend_v that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n not_o as_o the_o word_n of_o man_n but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o effectual_o work_v in_o they_o that_o believe_v 1_o thess._n 2._o 15._o it_o distinguish_v itself_o from_o the_o word_n of_o man_n and_o evidence_n itself_o to_o be_v indeed_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o its_o effectual_a operation_n in_o they_o that_o believe_v and_o he_o who_o have_v this_o testimony_n in_o himself_o have_v a_o high_a and_o more_o firm_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n than_o what_o can_v be_v attain_v by_o the_o force_n of_o external_a argument_n or_o the_o credit_n of_o humane_a testimony_n wherefore_o i_o say_v in_o general_a that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n give_v testimony_n unto_o and_o evince_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o word_n by_o its_o powerful_a operation_n and_o divine_a effect_n on_o the_o soul_n of_o they_o that_o do_v believe_v so_o that_o although_o it_o be_v weakness_n and_o foolishness_n unto_o other_o yet_o as_o be_v christ_n himself_o unto_o they_o that_o be_v call_v it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o i_o must_v say_v that_o although_o a_o man_n be_v furnish_v with_o external_a argument_n of_o all_o sort_n concern_v the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n although_o he_o esteem_v his_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o be_v effectual_o persuasive_a and_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o or_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o confirm_v his_o persuasion_n yet_o if_o he_o have_v no_o experience_n in_o himself_o of_o its_o divine_a power_n authority_n and_o efficacy_n he_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o a_o due_a manner_n with_o faith_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a but_o he_o that_o have_v this_o experience_n have_v that_o testimony_n in_o himself_o which_o will_v never_o fail_v this_o will_v be_v the_o more_o manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v some_o few_o of_o those_o many_o instance_n wherein_o it_o exert_v its_o power_n or_o the_o effect_n which_o be_v produce_v thereby_o the_o principal_a divine_a effect_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o sinner_n unto_o god_n the_o greatness_n and_o glory_n of_o this_o work_n we_o have_v elsewhere_o declare_v at_o large_a and_o all_o those_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o it_o as_o it_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v any_o experience_n of_o it_o in_o their_o own_o heart_n do_v constant_o give_v it_o as_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o exceed_a greatness_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n it_o may_v be_v they_o speak_v not_o improper_o who_o prefer_v the_o work_n of_o the_o new_a creation_n before_o the_o work_n of_o the_o old_a for_o the_o express_a evidence_n of_o almighty_a power_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n do_v now_o of_o this_o great_a and_o glorious_a effect_v the_o word_n be_v the_o only_a instrumental_a cause_n whereby_o the_o divine_a power_n operate_v and_o be_v expressive_a of_o itself_o for_o we_o be_v bear_v again_o bear_v of_o god_n not_o of_o corruptible_a seed_n but_o of_o incorruptible_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o abide_v for_o ever_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 21._o for_o of_o his_o own_o will_n do_v god_n beget_v we_o with_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n jam._n 1._o 18._o the_o word_n be_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n in_o we_o that_o whereby_o our_o whole_a nature_n our_o soul_n and_o all_o their_o faculty_n be_v change_v and_o renew_v into_o the_o image_n and_o likeness_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o same_o word_n be_v this_o new_a nature_n keep_v and_o preserve_v 1_o pet._n 2._o 2._o and_o the_o whole_a soul_n carry_v on_o unto_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n it_o be_v unto_o believer_n a_o engraft_a word_n which_o be_v able_a to_o save_v their_o soul_n james_n 1._o 21._o the_o word_n of_o god_n grace_n which_o be_v able_a to_o build_v we_o up_o and_o give_v we_o a_o inheritance_n among_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v act_v 20._o 32._o and_o that_o because_o it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n unto_o they_o that_o do_v believe_v rom._n 1._o 16._o all_o the_o power_n which_o god_n put_v forth_o and_o exert_n in_o the_o communication_n of_o that_o grace_n and_o mercy_n unto_o believer_n whereby_o they_o be_v gradual_o carry_v on_o and_o prepare_v unto_o salvation_n he_o do_v it_o by_o the_o word_n therein_o in_o a_o especial_a manner_n be_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o word_n evidence_v by_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o efficacy_n give_v unto_o it_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o work_n which_o be_v effect_v by_o it_o in_o the_o regeneration_n conversion_n and_o sanctification_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n do_v evidence_n it_o infallible_o unto_o their_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o word_n
their_o pretence_n 2._o they_o differ_v likewise_o in_o their_o nature_n or_o kind_a for_o immediate_a divine_a prophetical_a revelation_n consist_v in_o a_o immediate_a inspiration_n or_o afflatus_fw-la or_o in_o vision_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n with_o a_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n transient_o affect_v their_o mind_n guide_v their_o tongue_n and_o hand_n to_o who_o they_o be_v grant_v whereby_o they_o receive_v and_o represent_v divine_a impression_n as_o a_o instrument_n of_o music_n do_v the_o skill_n of_o the_o hand_n whereby_o it_o be_v move_v the_o nature_n of_o which_o revelation_n i_o have_v more_o full_o discourse_v elsewhere_o but_o this_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n consist_v in_o his_o effectual_a operation_n free_v our_o mind_n from_o darkness_n ignorance_n and_o prejudice_n enable_v they_o to_o discern_v spiritual_a thing_n in_o a_o due_a manner_n and_o such_o a_o spirit_n of_o revelation_n be_v necessary_a unto_o they_o who_o will_v believe_v aright_o the_o scripture_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v divine_a and_o supernatural_a contain_v therein_o and_o if_o man_n who_o through_o the_o power_n of_o temptation_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v in_o the_o dark_a or_o at_o a_o loss_n as_o to_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o all_o religion_n namely_o the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n will_v absolute_o lean_v unto_o their_o own_o understanding_n and_o have_v the_o whole_a difference_n determine_v by_o the_o natural_a power_n and_o faculty_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n without_o seek_v after_o divine_a aid_n and_o assistance_n or_o earnest_a prayer_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o revelation_n to_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o their_o understanding_n they_o must_v be_v content_a to_o abide_v in_o their_o uncertainty_n or_o to_o come_v off_o from_o they_o without_o any_o advantage_n to_o their_o soul_n not_o that_o i_o will_v deny_v unto_o man_n or_o take_v they_o off_o from_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o what_o be_v their_o reason_n give_v unto_o they_o for_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o use_v it_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v of_o the_o great_a importance_n unto_o they_o only_o i_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n without_o the_o immediate_a aid_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n if_o any_o one_o upon_o these_o principle_n shall_v now_o ask_v we_o wherefore_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o do_v not_o answer_v it_o be_v because_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n wrought_v faith_n in_o we_o and_o enable_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o without_o this_o we_o say_v indeed_o do_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n so_o work_v in_o we_o and_o upon_o we_o we_o neither_o shall_v nor_o can_v believe_v with_o faith_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a if_o god_n have_v not_o open_v the_o heart_n of_o lydia_n she_o will_v not_o have_v attend_v unto_o the_o thing_n preach_v by_o paul_n so_o as_o to_o have_v receive_v they_o and_o without_o it_o the_o light_n oftentimes_o shine_v into_o darkness_n but_o the_o darkness_n comprehend_v it_o not_o but_o this_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v the_o formal_a object_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o god_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o neither_o do_v we_o nor_o can_v we_o rational_o answer_v by_o it_o unto_o this_o question_n why_o we_o do_v believe_v this_o reason_n must_v be_v something_o external_a and_o evident_o propose_v unto_o we_o for_o whatever_o ability_n of_o spiritual_a assent_n there_o be_v in_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v thus_o wrought_v in_o it_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o the_o understanding_n can_v assent_v unto_o any_o thing_n with_o any_o kind_a of_o assent_n natural_a or_o supernatural_a but_o what_o be_v outward_o propose_v unto_o it_o as_o true_a and_o that_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v so_o that_o therefore_o which_o propose_v any_o thing_n unto_o we_o as_o true_a with_o evidence_n of_o that_o truth_n be_v the_o formal_a object_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o do_v believe_v and_o what_o be_v so_o propose_v must_v be_v true_a and_o must_v be_v evidence_v to_o be_v true_a or_o we_o can_v believe_v it_o and_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o evidence_n such_o be_v our_o faith_n humane_a if_o that_o be_v humane_a and_o divine_a if_o that_o be_v so_o now_o nothing_o of_o this_o be_v do_v by_o that_o save_a light_n which_o be_v infuse_v into_o our_o mind_n and_o be_v therefore_o not_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v so_o whereas_o therefore_o some_o who_o seem_v to_o conceive_v that_o the_o only_a general_a ground_n of_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v consist_v in_o rational_a argument_n and_o motive_n of_o credibility_n do_v grant_v that_o private_a person_n may_v have_v their_o assurance_n hereof_o from_o the_o illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n though_o it_o be_v not_o pleadable_a to_o other_o they_o grant_v what_o be_v not_o that_o i_o know_v of_o desire_v by_o any_o and_o which_o in_o itself_o be_v not_o true_a for_o this_o work_n consist_v sole_o in_o enable_v the_o mind_n unto_o that_o kind_a of_o assent_n which_o be_v faith_n divine_a and_o supernatural_a on_o supposition_n of_o a_o external_a formal_a reason_n of_o it_o due_o propose_v be_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o any_o do_v believe_v nor_o the_o ground_n whereunto_o their_o faith_n be_v resolve_v it_o remain_v only_o that_o we_o inquire_v whether_o our_o faith_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v not_o resolve_v into_o a_o immediate_a internal_a testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n assure_v we_o of_o the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n distinct_a from_o the_o work_n of_o spiritual_a illumination_n before_o describe_v for_o it_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o protestant_a divine_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o ground_n whereon_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o what_o sense_n it_o be_v so_o shall_v be_v immediate_o declare_v but_o hereon_o be_v they_o general_o charge_v by_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o other_o that_o they_o resolve_v all_o the_o ground_n and_o assurance_n of_o faith_n into_o their_o own_o particular_a spirit_n or_o the_o spirit_n of_o every_o one_o that_o will_v pretend_v thereunto_o and_o this_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o sufficient_a warranty_n to_o reproach_v they_o with_o give_v countenance_n unto_o enthusiasm_n and_o expose_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o endless_a delusion_n wherefore_o this_o matter_n must_v be_v a_o little_a further_o inquire_v into_o and_o by_o a_o internal_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n a_o extraordinary_a afflatus_fw-la or_o new_a immediate_a revelation_n may_v be_v intend_v man_n may_v suppose_v they_o have_v or_o aught_o to_o have_v a_o internal_a particular_a testimony_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n whereby_o and_o whereby_o alone_o they_o may_v be_v infallible_o assure_v that_o so_o it_o be_v and_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o revelation_n make_v unto_o the_o prophet_n and_o penman_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o it_o be_v neither_o a_o external_a proposition_n of_o truth_n nor_o a_o internal_a ability_n to_o assent_v unto_o such_o a_o proposition_n and_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v no_o divine_a operation_n in_o this_o kind_n but_o a_o immediate_a prophetical_a inspiration_n or_o revelation_n wherefore_o as_o such_o a_o revelation_n or_o immediate_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o only_a reason_n why_o we_o do_v believe_v so_o it_o be_v that_o alone_a which_o our_o faith_n rest_v on_o and_o be_v resolve_v into_o this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v common_o impute_v unto_o those_o who_o deny_v either_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o other_o external_a argument_n or_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o be_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o our_o faith_n howbeit_o there_o be_v no_o one_o of_o they_o that_o i_o know_v of_o who_o ever_o assert_v any_o such_o thing_n and_o i_o do_v therefore_o deny_v that_o our_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o any_o such_o private_a testimony_n immediate_a revelation_n or_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o for_o the_o ensue_a reason_n 1._o since_o the_o finish_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o church_n be_v not_o under_o that_o conduct_n as_o to_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o such_o new_a extraordinary_a revelation_n it_o do_v indeed_o live_v upon_o the_o internal_a gracious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n enable_v we_o to_o understand_v believe_v and_o obey_v the_o perfect_a