had been made in many ages and did not coin a new faith never before heard of We are not Calvinists or Lutherans though so miscalled by some but Christians as Luther Calvin and others were in the last age And they and all others of the same profession stood to maintain their doctrine as the faith of Forefathers all along from the beginning of the Gospel And our Adversaries are not ignorant that this hath been held and sufficiently made good by the vote and testimony of the most antient Fathers unto whom our Learned have appealed as unto Judges in this Cause But our faith is not in the Fathers never so antient or learned but in our Lord Jesus Christ whom we have learnt to count and call our Father and Master as being the only Lawgiver Only we appeal to the Fathers thus far as to produce them for our witnesses and know we have reason to alledge their testimony because they owned the same doctrine of Christ which we now do And though the appellation of Protestants was occasioned in the last age by the Protestation made against the Interim yet these were but successors to those who had for many ages before protested against the additions and inventions of men besides the Rule of faith We can therefore plead Antiquity and Succession as well as others and better too unless they could prove better then they have done yet that their Faith is the same that was delivered by the Apostles For this is it which we build our faith upon and by this are we confirmed in it viz. That we profess the same truths which the Apostles received from Christ and delivered unto the first Christian Churches Hence we say when we are told that the Tenets of our Adversaries wherein they differ from us have been received for many ages that they are not so old as the Apostles Besides we know that custome besides or against truth is but an old errour And whatsoâ—…ver is against truth is an Heresie though never so old Truth is older then errour and good was before any evil And so we consent that what was first was best But that our Adversaries Tenets are such we deny and say they were not from the beginning though some of them were taken up early enough and too soon as we know it was not long ere sin got into the world and yet it was after God had made men righteous Our Saviour Matth. 5. corrects many things that had been long received and went for currant by opposing his Word against them But I say unto you It is abundantly enough to justifie us in what we hold that we find our faith in Scripture and this our Adversaries know very well and therefore we need not marvel that they are so busie in raising doubts and questions about its Divine authority For let us once let Scripture go as some would have us our faith is gone also Were it not for Scripture I know nothing to hinder why every man may not coine a faith to himself and say it is the doctrine of Christ. Yea deny Christ and all Christianity For what have we to prove it besides the Scripture or how can we disprove any damnable doctrines and devices of men without it O! let us never think of turning from the good old way wherein we follow all those Champions whom nothing could perswade to part with it 3. Consider what and how much we loose if we hold not fast this ground of our confidence stedfast unto the end It is not for nothing that our adversaries press and urge us so much this way They tell us plainly that let go this and all is gone And they say truly in it For our faith hath no Sure footing if Scriptures authority be such as they would make it We have separated from them for many years past and the true reason and ground of our separation was that they held and practised so many things contrary to Scripture and would not yield to lay them aside Hereupon we resolved to communicate no longer with them because we could not admit what we judged sinfull as being against or beside that which we count the only Rule This I say hath been and still is the quarrel between us For if it be observed in our differences with them we still are on the negative part And why so Surely because our differences are about such things as they hold besides and against Scripture For in these we are bound to deny what they affirm I say again bound sub poenâ of loosing all our profession so far as we are Protestants in opposition to Papists And this let any man that is sober and intelligent judge of For let Oral and Practical Tradition as they call it be the only Rule of faith what is become of Scripture may I not justly ask whether it be something or a meer empty nothing what can it be at best more then a Cipher which we know in numbering stands for nothing unless a figure be put to it Tradition say they is that and that only which can ascertain us that this is the very doctrine of Christ which we believe And then what is Scripture more then a dead letter and Tradition is it which gives Spirit and life to it And where are we then even where our adversaries would have us to be Then we must go to the Church for our faith and take that for the truth which hath been delivered down for many ages whatever it be right or wrong The Church say they cannot erre And so say we But they and we are not agreed for all this For they mean no other Church then their own and this say they hath the true faith which from the Apostles was delivered at first and hath been conveighed down succesfively in all ages and it now rests only among Roman Catholicks God hath and ever had say we a Church or society of men on earth who did not indeed could not because of Gods promise erre in any thing necessary to to be known and believed in order to salvation But we cannot admit their Church and this to be all one God hath made a promise to his Church that he will be with it to the end of the world and this Church shall be led into all necessary saving truths But let our adversaries shew us if they can one promise of God made to any generation of men after the flesh such as was made to Abrahams seed and was made good to them untill the promised seed came Israel so long continued to be Gods people because of his promise But God hath no one people of one stock and kindred ever since unto which he hath made any such promise For many who were once a people to God afterwards became none and they who yet are none are in a capacity to be Gods people and shall be such when he pleases to call them Hence we count nothing of any arguments drawn from personal and
it was in the Apostles time We have said enough to shew how Tradition which they so much commend and magnifie may fail and so prove no infallible Testimony And who were our Forefathers from whom we learnt our faith we have shewed already and now shall name some of them viz. The Reformers in the last ages and Jo. Hu and Hiâ—…rome of Prague and before them Wickliff and before him the Waldenses and all that protested against the Churches corruptions in all ages upward as might be shewed if it were pertinent Jo. Whites Way p. 336. § 45. 337. Digress 48. 2. Tradition being the Testimony of the Church let Papists first ascertain us which is the true Church whose Testimony we must believe For our parts we know none upon earth that pretend to Christianity that do not account themselves the true Church and that avow not themselves to have the true faith which the Apostles delivered Now there being so many pretenders we are at as great a loss wich Tradition as without it since all say they hold the Apostolick faith and yet extreamly differ one from another not in few matters or small at least some of them And it is said and granted on all hands that there are dissenters and of these some are ignorant and some obstinate and some Scepticks and we know too many professing Christians who are in their wayes and doings no better then Infidels Now may not any or all of these question Tradition as well as Scripture upon this pretence that they know not which is the Church whose Testimony they are obliged to believe If it be said as it hath been by some that there is no Christian but knows the Church It may be justly replyed that there is no Christian but knows the Scripture as well For all that own not Scripture we may justly disown them as being no Christians A man may be a Christian it is confessed though he never saw a Bible if he have heard the doctrine of Christ as many Gentiles yea all for ought I know did in the first times of the Church when the Gospel was first preached to them by the Apostles But to be a Christian and not know the doctrine of Christ is a pure contradiction Now how we shall know which Church gives the truest testimony to the doctrine of Christ if not by Scripture let Papists resolve us for we know not what to answer We think among so many pretenders there will be differences such as â—â—â—â—adition will no better reconcile then Scripture and that as Protestants cannot agree about the sense of Scripture but some interpret it one way and some another so they and others will agree no better about the Church and its Tradition For as I have said there are many Churches and those hugely differing in some things and yet all pretend to the Apostolick faith Therefore we have need of somewhat to ascertain us of that Church which hath preserved and delivered down all along the same faith which the Apostles taught For the true Catholick Church we believe it hath been faithfull in its testimony to the truth in all ages But we Protestants cannot own the Church of Rome as such though we know there was there one sound part of the Catholick Church in the Apostles times Papists indeed pretend and boast great things of their Church but what is that to us who can well distinguish between a Roman-Catholick and a Catholick Christian. Here then we Protestants resolve to believe the Church for the Scripture and not the Scripture for the Church And yet we allow what that ancient Father saith of himself That he had not believed Scripture but for the Church For we know that after he came once to learn the Scriptures he then believed it not upon account of the Churches authority but it s own only The Church we grant may at first perswade Infidels to attend and heed the Scripture as the Word of God even as the woman perswaded her neighbours to come and see Christ. But as they when they had heard him themselves believed not because of her saying but because of his own word even so is â—…in the case that now is in question The Church of Christ hath the office of ministry to hold out the light that others who are in darkeness may see it But this will never prove the Church to have such an authority as Papists plead for and much less that their Church is the Catholick Church which only holds the Apostolick faith And when they have said all they can they say no more then any Church never so corrupt will say for it self viz. That it hath the doctrine of Christ which the Apostles taught Hence we say again that Tradition leaves us at an irrecoverable loss and that we must have somewhat more certain then the Churches testimony which any company of never so corrupt principles may pretend unto as well as the Church of Rome 3. We desire to be satisfied whether the doctrine delivered down be true because the Church hath delivered it or that the Church hath delivered it because it is the truth For we think the Church ought to receive and believe the truth only and to deliver that and nothing else to be believed by others and if it received other then the truth it was deceived and if it delivered other it was not only deceived but deceived others also The Church can make nothing to be true but what is such before of it self and all it can do is to declare the truth which it hath received and perswade others to believe it Therefore when Papists press us as they do about our being assured of Scripture we say that we believe it upon account of its own authority because it speaks it self the Word of God For as when a place of trust and honor is conferred upon a person by his Prince and assured to him under the Great Seal though the messenger that brings the Patent may avow it to be the Princes act yet that which gives assurance to the person of his interest in that office and honour is the Patent it self and the Seal annext So we know the voice of God speaking to us in his Word and even so hath the true Church in all ages received Scripture as the true Word of God and commended it to others for such as a Patent sealed from Heaven 4. We desire to know when the Church first resolved the Case in Question and determined what is the doctrine of Christ. For the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Councils we count them of a latter date and but of yesterday in comparison For our part we think under correction of better judgments that the Canon was agreed upon very early because two eminent ones among the Ancients â—…counted upon the same number of Canonical Books which we now do and one of them saith that the Canonicall authority of the old and new Testament was confirmed in the Apostles times And that
earth Yea worshipping God in an Image is against the light of nature if the Apostle speaks truth Rom. 1. 19 20 21 c. And particularly ver 25. it is plain that the Heathens Idolatry was serving the creature with the Crea or To return where we were before we call Scriâ—…ture a Rule of Faith as it reveals the Truths of God and commands our belief For if we had not such a Revelation of Gods will in Scripture we know not where to look for it And they who question us about this should do well to shew us another Revelation of Gods mind then what we have in Scripture For as we believe in God only so we acknowledge no other to have dominion over our Faith and hence we can acknowledge no Rule of Faith but what God himself hath made For certain what is the Rule must be the Law of our belief and who can make a Law of this nature but God only And this I leave to be tryed by the Law of Reason whether any thing can be the Law of Faith that is not a Law of God What! shall men or any creatures prescribe us what we are to believe concerning God It is unreasonable to imagine it And then let it be further considered if the Rule of Faith and the Law of Faith be not all one For it is not possible to prove that to be the Rule of Faith which doth not command us to believe prescribe what is to be believed and secuâ—…e â—…s of the promised good viz. eternal life upon our believing as we are commanded And this leads us to our second Argument from the Office and work of faith which is such a believing God in revealed Truths as leads us to our bliss There is a faith that saves not as all grant and I need not shew what it is But we mean a true faith or a sincere and saving faith and this being undeniable let it be considered How any thing can be the Rule of this faith besides Divine and supernatural Revelation But of this we may take more notice hereafter In the Interim we appeal to the consciences of all sober men whether we are not rational in making Divine Revelation to be the Rule of Divine Faith For sure footing to our faith we hope we have it where alone it is to be had And this will appear more plainly in the discourse of the Question Whether Tradition the Churches Testimony or any thing of that nature is or can bâ—… the Rule of Faâ—…th The second Part. Wherein is debated this Question viz. Whether Tradition the Churches Testimony or any thing besides Scripture is or can be a Rule of Faith IN this Question Protestants hold the Negative and say That Scripture alone is and Tradition cannot be a Rule of Faith And now I must first shew what Papists mean by Tradition Not as they say the Doctrine delivered But a delivery down from hand to hand bâ—… words and a constâ—…t course of frequent and visible actions conformable to those words of the sense and faith oâ—… Fâ—…re-fathers This they call Oral or Practical Tradition and this they would have to be the only Rule of Faith For they charge Scripture with imperfection and obscurity and affirm it to be no competent Rule as being not evident or certain in it self and therefore not sufficient to ascertain others Hence they speak of Scripture as a Rule regulated by Tradition which is indeed to say it is none at all and this they avouch some of them in express terms before all the world Now if we Protestants are once compeâ—…l'd to let go all Scripture authority in matters of Faith I know nothing we have to do more then burn our Bibles and as fast as we can turn Roman Catholicks Papists do not indeed say as far as I know that Scripture is not of Divine Inspiration But they say plainly that the doctrine of Scripture cannot be ascertained to us without Tradition and so Tradition is the Rule ruling as iâ—… aâ—…lures us what is Canonical Scripture and what not Yea they say expresly Tradition is a competent Rule and Scripture is not Now in this we cannot yield to them and we have this argument for our dissent Tradition by their own concession is but a certain way of delivering down the Faith and can be no other at most and that it is so much we cannot yield But supposing it only we say therefore it cannot be the Rule of Faith for it only delivers down to us the Rule And if any think this reason weak let him take notice of this also to back it that Tradition is but an humane Testimony and cannot therefore be a Rule of Divine Faith What! The Faith Divine and the Testimony received by it humane What reason is in this let any reasonable man judge I need say no more Nor will it help in this case to alledge the supernatural assistances of the Holy Ghost For our argument is That our Faith is as the Testimony received by it If therefore the Testimony be humane the Faith is such and where are we then Is our Faith in God that must save our souls only an humane and not a Divine Faith who ever heard such things as these If it be said again That this humane Testimony serves to ascertain us of the doctrine of Christ even so it cannot be the Rule for it is of men and it must be somewhat of God whatever it be that is the Rule of Faith in God Fâ—…r I may justly question in this Case In whom do we believe to the saving of our souls Surely no man will say other then that we believe in God Well and if we believe in God it must be because of some Revelation he hath made of himself and this can be no other then his promise in Christ of grace and pardon to poor sinners This is the Testimony or Record That God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son And this is the Testimony we receive by Faith and so our Faith is Divine If we receive the Testimony of men our Faith is only humane This I say again is our argument That our Faith being Divine the Testimony received by it is so also And therefore we receiving only the Testimony of God by Faith it cannot be reasonably imagined that our Faith should have its foundation and sure footing in any thing of man But here they ferch in the assistances of the Holy Ghost but to little purpose seeing those assistances are yielded us most likely to help us in believing the Word of God and not the Testimony of men And may not Protestants more rationally by far say they believe the Scripture by the perswasions of the holy Ghost then Papists say that Tradition receives incomparable strength by the supernatural assistances of the same holy Ghost surely if God have made any Revelation of his minde and will his Spiâ—…it most likely will help us to believe
them And this light is so glorious as those Atocryphals dare not pretend to it but rather seem willing to be in a lower form For this I instance in 2 Mac. 2. 24. where the Author whoever he was consesses that he had taken what he wrote out of Jason of Cyrene and contracted five Books of his into one Volume and whoever pleases to read on in that Chapter may easily perceive that the Spirit of God which spake by the holy Prophets could never frame to speak in such a manner God in Scripture as hath been already said speaks pro imperio as the only most soveraign Lord and never makes Apologies for himself to be excused with those to whom he speaks For why should he seeing they are all his vassals his creatures The distance is so infinitely great between him and them as it cannot be reasonably imagined that he should court them as that Authour doth For the many fictions and tales told in some of those Apocryphals I â—…all not mention them because they are so well known to such as have perused them and may be to others who have a mind to be satisfied What need have we then of Tradition to determine in this Case And whoever hath a mind to be further satisfied may find enough in all our Divines who have maintained Scriptures authority against our adversaries But the great question is about the Scriptures translâ—…ted For our adversaries think we can never prove them to be the Rule of faith The Rule say they must be certain and infallible But Translations are many and various and much different if not in many things contrary to one another And then how shall the vulgar understand which of them doth indeed declare the mind of God Or how shall the unlearned be infallibly sure that this or that Translation doth not erre Now to clear our selves in this puzzling question I say what Papists cannot deny that the whole Canon was at first written in two Languages which very few in comparison for these many Ages have understood better then our common people do But when the Scripture was pen'd these Languages viz. Hebrew and Greek were best known to the Church of any other Hebrew was the Mother tongue of the Jews and Greek was a language very familiar to such of them as were scattered abroad before our Saviours time and then seeing they were called Hellenists or Grecists for using the Greek Translation of the old Testament by the Seventy For the Gentiles unto whom the Gospel came as well as to the Jews many of them had it for their Mother-Tongue and others familiarly used it because the Grecian Monarchy had not long before swayed in all those parts of the World This I thought good to mention that it might appear the more probable that Gods mind was to have his Word understood by all But there were other people who understood neither of those Languages There were and are still such and we do not deny it But this is evident that God was not pleased to cause his Word to be written at first in the Vulgar languages of all Nations For if he had we should not be pozed as now we are with this Question However what I have said and cannot be denied serves to hint this That Gods mind was to have his Word understood by those to whom it came seeing he wrote to the Jews in Hebrew and to the Grecians in Greek True other people could not understand it without a Translation And what shall we say in this Case God did not cause the Scripture to be penned at first in the several Languages of all people and Nations We must here leave out adversaries to question God for it for we cannot deny That the Scripture was penned at first only in two Laguages which many could not possibly understand without a miracle unless it had been translated Only since it was thus we hope our adversaries will not say it ought not to be translated seeing there was a necessity for it in order to the understanding of it which else could never have been without a miracle But how shall the vulgar know whether Translations be according to the Originals And then how can the Scripture translated be a Rule of faith which must be such as a man may be sure that there is no errour in it This is indeed the Question where with they go about to puzzle us For the Scripture say they as translated into the English tongue cannot be the Rule of faith because not infallible And to this we intend to answer though others have answered it long ago* And our answer is that 1. We know of no infallible Spiâ—…it promised or given of God for translating Scripture And this is that which our adversaties think will give the cause wholly on their side For seeing all Translations are liable to mistakes the vulgar and unlearned can never have a Rule of faith in Scripture say they But we shall not quit ouâ—… claime to Scripture for all this For we can distinguish as that learned Divine hath between the doctrine taught in the Scriptu e and the means whereby the doctrine is 〈◊〉 to our capacity as between things and words The Divine truth which is the infallible Word of God is say we the Rule of faith The Translations are only means to shew it us and the vessels wherein it is presented to us And thus in rigour of speech we do not count the English or any other Translation no nor the Greek or Hebrew the Rule because all Language is but a certain form or manner or means whereby it cometh to us But because the doctrine is not made known but by words and languages Therefore the Scripture translated into English is a Divine authority for faith So men believe a Divine truth although delivered by humane voice in pâ—…eaching and just so we have the infallible Doctrine of the Scriptute immediately inspired by the holy Ghost though by an humane Translation it be manifested to us 2. But how do we know that our Translation is right and according to the Originals Or how can our unlearned people be sure of it And if they cannot how can the English Bibles be to them a Rule of Faith Sol. Our English Bible saith our learned White contains in it two things viz. The Doctrine and the Translation The Doctrine was inspired by God and written by men infallibly assisted by the Holy Ghost The Translation was done by the ministry of the Church and industry of certain men who thâ—…ugh they haâ—… no supernatural inspiration yet we know infallibly they have not erred in the mattâ—…r by the same means whereby we know other Truths and discern other Articles of Chriâ—…ian Faith viz. The light of the Doctrine Transl. .ted the testimony of the Spirit the ministry of the Word the rulâ—…s of Art the knowledge of the Tongues c. Obj. Some Translations have erred and how
For this is confessed and cannot be reasonably denied that Scripture was penned by the Holy Ghost not in the several languages of all people but in two only which few now adayes in compâ—…on do understand Hence there is a necessity of translating and inâ—…erpreting Scripture and for this purpose God hath given gifts to men and these gifts we use as we ought to do What need our Adversaries quarrel us about what we cannot help but we know what lies at bottom They would fain have us go down to them to sharpen our shares and our coulters c. which we are not willing to do so long as we have Smiths enough at home to make us Swords and Spears I shall now conclude our answers with that which we count the Pillar of our hopes and as I may say the Sure-footing of our faith in Scripture We do indeed make the Scriptures our only Rule and believe that in them alone is prescribed to us whatever God would have us to know and do in order to our salvation And in this our faith we own the Divine authority whereof we see so many evident tokens in the Scriptures themselves But yet we say that as God only is a competent witness of himself speaking to us in his Word so his Word is never well rooted in our hearts till it be sealed to us by the inward Testimony of his Spirit that Spirit which spake by the Prophets pierâ—…ing our hearts and perswading us that what God commanded hath been faithfully delivered to us accordingly And this promise we have Isa. 59. 21. not his Word only but his Spirit also to seal it upon the soul of every true believer To this seal of the Spirit we owe all that acquiescency we have in Scripture For when we are therewith enlightned and enlivened we do no more trust our own or others judgement but are carried up above whatever is of man and so we resolve beyond all doubtings and fears that Scripture is of God alone Then we look no more after proofs or probabilities but submit our reason and all we have to that authority which we dare not any longer to deny or dispute For then we have an inward lively sense of God speaking in Scripture and are effectually drawn wittingly and willingly to submit to our Master in Heaven So we account as we have reason that only to be faith unfeigned which God by his Spirit seals upon our hearts in our hearing and reading the Scriptures But this may seem strange doctrine to such as know nothing of these matters by experience Therefore I shall discourse it a little that I may if possible make it manifest even to reason The question between us and our Adversaries is about the Rule of faith This faith iâ—… is granted is such as leads us to our bliss Hence we Protestants conclude that this faith cannot be wrought in us but by the Spirit of God which alone worketh all spiriâ—…ual good And this alâ—…o that the Spirit of God works it ordinarily at least by the Word as its most proper instrument Will any put us to prove this surely they must have too much of the Aâ—…heist that question it For how was all the world converted to the faith of Christ was it not by the preaching of Christs Word and his Spirit opening their hearts to receive it in the power of it did not Christ and his Apostles open and expound the Old Teslament to confirm the truths of the Gospel Luke 24. 27. Acts 26. 22. and did not the Spirit work that faith whereby thousands believed that truth But this is Scâ—…ipture and it must not be allowed if our Adversaries be judges to give evidence for us in this Case We shall therefore require them to shew what service Tradition did when Christ and his Apostles pâ—…eached the Gospel We hope they viz. Christ and his Apostles were assured some other way that the Old Testament was the Word of God And if they made use of it to open the blind eyes we may be excused for saying that God works faith in man by his Word as the most usual Instrument And if this also be questioned let Papists shew how faith which saves our souls is or can be wrought by their Oâ—…al or Practical Tradition We know well that children are apt enough to take up what they see or hear their Progenâ—…tors do or say before them And so they commonly p ofess the Religion whatever it be which they find ready to their hands Yea it is with many the great argument for their Religion that their Forefathers were so minded But what is all this to the bringing us unto a sound believing on our Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of our souls we believe Scripture to be the Word of God because it is the witness which God hath given of himself Nor do we know any other way of receiving any Testimony nor our Adversaries neither as we think We know too that a man may believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God and yet be far enough from that faith which will bring him to his happiness The Devil it is said cited and urged Scripture as Gods Word though to a very bad purpose Certainly that faith which brings men to their happiness is somewhat more then a bare belief of Scripture-Truth It is indeed a receiving of Christ offered in the Promises such as causes us to account all but loss and dung for Christ. And for this purpose God shines in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Now it almost amazeth us to hear of such a faith wrought by Tradition What! hath God no Word at all or hath he given no testimony nor witness of himself and his will beside the testimony of men what need is there of Scripture if this strange doctrine take place For say our Adversaries Tradition is the only Rule of faith and it hath admirable strength by the supernatural assistances of the Holy Ghost Nay further we must be all Fanaticks if we hold to Scripture and let go Tradition But this needs no answer with those who believe that God hath a Word of his own to be a witness of his will And shall we be perswaded that the Testimony of men is greater then that of God there may be we grant and question nor some force of Tradition for the descent of the main body of Christs doctrine But what is this to the purpose unless it be proved that the Testimony of men is the power of God to salvation whiles by it and not by his Word he brings men to believe Alas what faith do our Adversaries count upon Do they dream of being saved only by a certain perswasion that the doctrine of Christ is a truth and no lye If they do let them keep their faith to themselves We count upon somewhat else which we are sure can never be effectually
2. Cor. 5. 14. That the love of Christ constraineth us Such and so great are the manifestations which he hath made of himself and his love to our Souls as we can never be thankfull as we ought but in a full and absolute resignation of our selves and all we have to his service and glory 2. I advise yet farâ—…her that in our greatest inlargements we walk humbly with God as knowing that his power alone is all the strength whereby we are enabled to stand Peters preâ—…umptuous confidence in his own strength wrought nothing but repentance for his sainting in an evil day By his own strength shall no man prevail And therefore the Apostle exhorts to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6. 10. and to put on the whole armour of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil v II. It is God alone that keeps the feet of his Saints 1 Sam. 2. 9. There need no motives I hope to perswade However consider 1. What we have believed Not cunningly devised fables but a sure Word of Prophecy such as the Apostle seems to prefer if the comparative be senc'd according to the letter before visions and immediate Revelations Or he might so call them because the Prophecies might be more sure to the godly Jews through long use and acquaintance We know the Jews at Berea examined Pauls doctrine by the Scriptures and are not taxed but commended for it And if an Angel from heaven should preach any other doctrine then what we have in Scripture we have no reason to believe it Those blessed Spirits indeed never did it nor ever will But we make the supposition which the Apostle doth Gal. 1. for the more Emphasis For scripture-Scripture-truths they are of long standing and approved by their abiding the test and triall of so many ages Christ and his Apostles made the old Testament the Standard of their doctrine and appealed to it for the proof of all they preacht to the people Moses and the Prophets are more to be heeded then if a man rose from the dead Luk. 16. 31. And they who hear not the one will never regard the other if our Saviour said true Was it ever heard that any doctrine so much as pretended to Scriptures antiquity Or is it possible that any thing but certain truth should outstand the siftings and winnowings of so many ages specially when it hath had so many professed enemies Shall we now call in question what was never questioned before Have not all Christians who deserved that name unanimously agreed in believing the faith and truth delivered in Scripture or do Protestants now believe any thing that was not believed by all Saints ever since any part of Scripture was penned we believe on the Son of God who gave himself a ransome for all And this Doctrine we have in Mosâ—…s who was the first penman of Scripture and as our Saviour saith wrote of him Must we now call in question all that Moses and the Prophets and the Apostles have written yea and cry it down as no Rule of faith then farewell all our Christianity and the Christian Religion at once For where have we learnt all the mystery of godliness God manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit c. 1 Tim. 3. fin Who or what hath given us to know what have been all the Transactions of God with the sons of men in order to eternal life from the beginning Will our Adversaries say roundly once for all that the doctrine of Scripture is not the doctrine of Christ Let them speak out if they have a mind to say so and then we know what to answer them But if they will not avow this as indeed they have not yet in plain terms we have this to say for our selves that we believe what they deny not to be the truth of God and the doctrine of Christ. That we cannot be assured of this otherwise then by Tradition hath been already answered and no more needs to be said about it For mens Tradition we know it will serve nothing better to usher in and establish mens Inventions But shall we renounce our own Reason so far as to appeal to men who are all lyars for the truth of what is spoken by him that cannot lye Oh! consider and remember that in believing Scripture we believe not Prophecies or Prodigies not heard of till yesterday No we believe the everlasting Gospel and the good old way to rest and peace The very doctrine of practical godliness and moral righteousness taught us in Scripture is such as we cannot but assent unto it as agreeing with and approved by our natural light so as we must forfeit out Reason ere we can be perswaded to question Scriptures authority Read but the Prophets and the Psalms and the Proverbs and Pauls Epistles or other parts of Scripture and consider the precepts of sobriety temperance righteousness justice and truth which are there so many and will not our consciences say these are all of God and we know they are Divine by the natural light which is in us Who could have cleared up the inbred notions and impressions that are upon all mens hearts so as they are cleared in Scripture but that light in which alone we see light for the mysterie of Godliness we know it is altogether of supernatural Divine Revelation and being such what need is there or can there be of any mens or Churches authority to confirm it To say no more let Reason judge and determine whether the faith of men can authoritatively confirm the faith of God And yet it must if we cannot be ascertained of the one without the other yea and our faith in Gods testimony must be resolved into the testimony of men as yielding to us the greatest certainty beyond all doubt or question Consider I say what we have believed viz. the antient yea eternal Word of the everliving God and this Word alwayes one and the same as God is only at sundry times and in divers manners it was spoken to the Fathers by the Prophets and in these last times to us by the Son himself and such as he hath sent 2. Consider that in believing the testimony of God in his written Word we believe and receive the faith of our Forefathers who suffered for their close adhering to Scriptures doctrine and could not be parted from it but rather chose to part with their lives for it And herein they approved themselves the genuine and kindly issue of all the antient Martyrs who loved not their lives unto the death for the testimony of Jesus We should too much wrong our selves and the cause of Christian Religion to yield that which our Adversaries will never be able by dint of argument to force from us viz. That we are upstarts newly sâ—…rung out of the ashes of our late Reformers They were as we call them Reformers that repaired the desolations which