stand_v revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v persuade_v by_o this_o mean_n if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n i_o add_v nor_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o will_n i_o suppose_v sufficient_o appear_v if_o these_o follow_a thing_n be_v consider_v 1._o that_o we_o can_v have_v better_a or_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n than_o be_v already_o offer_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o persuade_v we_o 2._o that_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n already_o give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v fair_o except_v against_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n thereof_o that_o can_v be_v offer_v but_o what_o be_v liable_a to_o cavil_n and_o unreasonable_a exception_n 3._o that_o if_o god_n shall_v gratify_v all_o man_n in_o this_o request_n the_o abundance_n and_o commonness_n of_o the_o miracle_n that_o must_v then_o be_v wrought_v will_v go_v near_o to_o destroy_v the_o efficacy_n and_o persuasiveness_n thereof_o and_o last_o that_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o experience_n that_o new_a miracle_n have_v be_v general_o unsuccessful_a upon_o those_o who_o have_v not_o hearken_v to_o nor_o be_v convince_v by_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will._n 1._o i_o say_v we_o can_v possible_o have_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n than_o those_o which_o be_v already_o offer_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o persuade_v we_o for_o there_o we_o have_v life_n and_o death_n set_v before_o we_o blessing_n and_o curse_v on_o one_o hand_n the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n all_o the_o evil_n that_o we_o can_v just_o dread_a the_o wrath_n of_o he_o who_o be_v a_o consume_a fire_n who_o often_o punish_v transgressor_n with_a 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world_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o scripture_n there_o will_v be_v by_o his_o righteous_a judgement_n in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o a_o good_a assurance_n give_v we_o of_o this_o by_o some_o new_a revelation_n confirm_v by_o our_o own_o constant_a observation_n that_o it_o be_v always_o well_o with_o the_o righteous_a and_o ill_a with_o the_o wicked_a in_o this_o world_n we_o may_v think_v perhaps_o will_v do_v much_o more_o towards_o the_o reformation_n of_o mankind_n than_o only_o those_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o future_a happiness_n or_o misery_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o scripture_n have_v do_v or_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o do_v and_o this_o indeed_o may_v be_v but_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o a_o new_a revelation_n to_o this_o effect_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n and_o will_v frustrate_v the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o send_v we_o into_o this_o world_n which_o be_v to_o prove_v and_o try_v we_o to_o see_v whether_o we_o love_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n whether_o we_o can_v believe_v he_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o see_v and_o whether_o we_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o prefer_v a_o great_a future_a good_n before_o a_o less_o that_o be_v present_a a_o bless_a and_o glorious_a immortality_n after_o this_o life_n before_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v but_o for_o a_o season_n for_o if_o the_o reward_n of_o virtue_n and_o the_o punishment_n of_o vice_n be_v always_o visible_a and_o present_a there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o faith_n in_o god_n which_o be_v a_o firm_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o promise_n and_o threaten_n though_o we_o do_v not_o see_v a_o present_a performance_n of_o they_o 11.1_o heb._n 11.1_o faith_n as_o the_o apostle_n define_v it_o be_v the_o substance_n or_o loc._n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hom._n in_o loc._n confident_a expectation_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o the_o evidence_n or_o 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d conviction_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v and_o if_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n both_o of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o the_o next_o be_v the_o certain_a portion_n of_o virtue_n and_o all_o the_o evil_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v suffer_v both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o in_o the_o other_o be_v the_o certain_a and_o never-failing_a consequence_n of_o sin_n there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o a_o virtuous_a and_o wise_a choice_n nay_o indeed_o there_o will_v be_v hardly_o matter_n for_o choice_n at_o all_o for_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o a_o creature_n that_o have_v understanding_n and_o a_o power_n of_o choose_v and_o refuse_v shall_v know_o choose_v all_o misery_n rather_o than_o all_o happiness_n such_o a_o revelation_n as_o this_o be_v therefore_o so_o evident_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o with_o the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o send_v we_o into_o this_o world_n can_v be_v expect_v and_o i_o say_v that_o bate_v this_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o add_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n revelation_n from_o whence_o therefore_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o persuade_v by_o the_o gospel_n motive_n to_o repentance_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v persuade_v by_o any_o such_o motive_n as_o consistent_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o virtue_n can_v be_v offer_v to_o they_o and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o true_a divine_a revelation_n shall_v ever_o offer_v any_o motive_n to_o persuade_v we_o that_o be_v not_o such_o but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o though_o better_a or_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n can_v be_v offer_v by_o any_o new_a revelation_n than_o be_v offer_v already_o in_o holy_a scripture_n yet_o we_o may_v by_o a_o new_a revelation_n have_v better_a assurance_n give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n motive_n and_o that_o if_o we_o have_v it_o be_v very_o like_a they_o will_v be_v then_o more_o prevail_a than_o they_o now_o be_v and_o this_o likewise_o i_o believe_v must_v be_v grant_v but_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o of_o that_o state_n of_o trial_n which_o we_o be_v now_o in_o require_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o reasonable_a boundary_a set_v to_o the_o clearness_n of_o that_o evidence_n that_o be_v give_v to_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o motive_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o be_v persuade_v as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o force_n and_o strength_n of_o the_o motive_n themselves_o because_o as_o i_o note_v in_o my_o last_o discourse_n such_o very_a clear_a and_o strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n as_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o a_o possibility_n of_o doubt_v will_v destroy_v
he_o think_v he_o himself_o have_v write_v enough_o in_o his_o gospel_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o eternal_a life_n there_o be_v therefore_o in_o those_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o have_v several_a abridgement_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a doctrine_n it_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v pretend_v that_o all_o these_o book_n together_o be_v not_o sufficient_a full_o to_o instruct_v we_o therein_o beside_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v preach_v suppose_v by_o st._n thomas_n in_o india_n or_o by_o st._n simon_n in_o africa_n or_o by_o any_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o country_n remote_a from_o judea_n or_o without_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v undoubted_o the_o very_a same_o gospel_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n or_o those_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o book_n be_v now_o extant_a and_o receive_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o they_o be_v all_o teach_v by_o the_o same_o master_n christ_n and_o be_v all_o enlighten_v by_o the_o same_o holy_a ghost_n so_o that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o do_v as_o it_o be_v report_v they_o do_v write_v any_o gospel_n for_o the_o present_a use_n of_o those_o particular_a church_n which_o they_o have_v plant_v though_o they_o may_v be_v somewhat_o different_a from_o any_o of_o the_o four_o gospel_n which_o we_o now_o have_v in_o the_o expression_n or_o perhaps_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o some_o particular_a passage_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n which_o our_o evangelist_n have_v omit_v just_a as_o the_o four_o gospel_n which_o we_o now_o have_v do_v differ_v from_o one_o another_o yet_o for_o substance_n they_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o same_o with_o these_o and_o with_o one_o another_o if_o indeed_o they_o be_v all_o true_a relation_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o author_n thereof_o have_v be_v witness_n so_o that_o if_o we_o have_v they_o 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that_o it_o may_v cost_v we_o some_o pain_n and_o study_n to_o understand_v our_o religion_n that_o so_o our_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o our_o practice_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o fruit_n of_o our_o own_o industry_n may_v be_v a_o proper_a subject_n of_o reward_n in_o short_a that_o there_o be_v more_o book_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n write_v by_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a man_n than_o be_v now_o extant_a or_o than_o if_o extant_a can_v be_v well_o prove_v to_o be_v of_o their_o write_n be_v a_o point_n which_o i_o believe_v can_v be_v now_o upon_o any_o certain_a evidence_n either_o affirm_v or_o deny_v but_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v i_o say_v however_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o those_o which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o the_o scripture_n declaration_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n and_o that_o he_o will_v have_v all_o man_n to_o be_v save_v and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n most_o certain_o the_o necessary_a mean_n of_o man_n salvation_n be_v a_o proper_a subject_n of_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o if_o so_o it_o can_v be_v think_v but_o that_o the_o same_o good_a providence_n which_o as_o be_v now_o suppose_v take_v care_n for_o the_o write_n of_o more_o book_n when_o more_o may_v be_v necessary_a have_v likewise_o take_v care_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o so_o many_o of_o these_o book_n as_o be_v now_o sufficient_a or_o if_o the_o man_n we_o be_v now_o argue_v with_o will_v not_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o particular_a providence_n of_o god_n yet_o if_o they_o will_v but_o allow_v that_o god_n be_v just_a that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o hard_a master_n expect_v to_o reap_v where_o he_o have_v not_o sow_o i_o think_v they_o must_v allow_v that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o salvation_n not_o knowable_a by_o reason_n be_v teach_v in_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o we_o now_o have_v because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n extant_a which_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o receive_v and_o accept_v as_o divine_a revelation_n or_o if_o they_o deny_v this_o it_o will_v lie_v upon_o they_o to_o produce_v those_o other_o book_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v beside_o these_o and_o to_o give_v good_a evidence_n to_o the_o world_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n which_o when_o they_o have_v do_v or_o if_o they_o shall_v but_o only_o show_v that_o there_o be_v as_o good_a reason_n to_o receive_v they_o as_o these_o we_o must_v own_v ourselves_o to_o blame_v if_o we_o shall_v not_o then_o take_v they_o also_o into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n but_o till_o that_o shall_v be_v do_v what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o complete_a rule_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o manner_n especial_o consider_v as_o be_v note_v before_o that_o whenever_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o scripture_n in_o this_o respect_n be_v urge_v by_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o person_n i_o have_v now_o to_o deal_v with_o it_o can_v be_v only_o for_o cavil_v sake_n the_o true_a reason_n of_o their_o backwardness_n to_o receive_v it_o as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v not_o because_o it_o teach_v not_o enough_o but_o because_o it_o teach_v more_o than_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v and_o command_v more_o than_o they_o be_v dispose_v to_o practice_v for_o i_o can_v imagine_v that_o these_o man_n do_v true_o desire_v more_o duty_n than_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o in_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n now_o receive_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o what_o they_o may_v most_o reasonable_o be_v think_v to_o desire_v be_v either_o some_o better_a encouragement_n to_o undertake_v that_o difficult_a task_n which_o the_o scripture_n lay_v upon_o they_o or_o some_o better_a evidence_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n i_o proceed_v now_o therefore_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n propound_v which_o be_v 2._o to_o show_v that_o the_o motive_n which_o the_o scripture_n propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v now_o hope_n and_o fear_n be_v the_o great_a spring_n of_o action_n and_o the_o great_a the_o good_a be_v we_o hope_v for_o or_o the_o evil_n we_o fear_v the_o strongly_a do_v they_o move_v and_o incline_v we_o to_o action_n and_o therefore_o how_o difficult_a soever_o the_o undertake_n be_v so_o it_o be_v but_o possible_a if_o the_o motive_n be_v proportion_v to_o the_o difficulty_n they_o must_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v sufficient_a inducement_n to_o undertake_v it_o but_o that_o the_o task_n or_o business_n require_v of_o we_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v need_v not_o to_o be_v prove_v now_o because_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v by_o those_o who_o say_v they_o believe_v they_o shall_v be_v persuade_v to_o do_v what_o 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in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o must_v be_v either_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o or_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o must_v be_v either_o that_o it_o do_v not_o give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o therefore_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v 2._o that_o the_o motive_n which_o the_o scripture_n propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o 1._o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a 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open_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v in_o a_o great_a many_o a_o spice_n and_o tincture_n of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n and_o though_o they_o do_v not_o actual_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n truth_n yet_o they_o believe_v they_o so_o cold_o and_o faint_o that_o their_o faith_n may_v rather_o be_v call_v a_o inclination_n to_o believe_v than_o a_o full_a persuasion_n i_o say_v even_o in_o this_o incredulous_a and_o unbelieving_a age_n i_o be_o nevertheless_o very_o persuade_v that_o for_o one_o man_n that_o be_v ruin_v by_o infidelity_n many_o hundred_o be_v ruin_v by_o thoughtlesness_n and_o inconsideration_n that_o where_o there_o be_v one_o that_o be_v wicked_a because_o he_o believe_v nothing_o of_o the_o gospel-motive_n nor_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o place_n or_o state_n as_o heaven_n or_o hell_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o that_o do_v believe_v these_o thing_n and_o yet_o continue_v in_o their_o wicked_a course_n because_o they_o never_o take_v 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and_o we_o do_v not_o take_v care_n to_o avoid_v it_o our_o lot_n will_v be_v extreme_o miserable_a and_o we_o shall_v be_v torment_v day_n and_o night_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o in_o the_o lake_n that_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n and_o when_o we_o consider_v withal_o the_o very_a little_a trouble_n in_o comparison_n that_o it_o will_v cost_v we_o to_o attain_v that_o and_o to_o avoid_v this_o that_o it_o be_v but_o the_o labour_n of_o a_o few_o year_n and_o that_o the_o most_o we_o can_v suffer_v by_o it_o be_v the_o loss_n of_o a_o little_a sensual_a pleasure_n for_o which_o after_o this_o life_n be_v over_o we_o shall_v be_v never_o the_o better_a or_o the_o endure_a of_o some_o little_a pain_n or_o hardship_n which_o will_v be_v soon_o over_o and_o for_o which_o if_o no_o good_a shall_v ever_o come_v of_o it_o after_o this_o life_n we_o shall_v however_o be_v then_o never_o the_o worse_o consider_v i_o say_v thus_o the_o infinite_o vast_a and_o wide_a difference_n that_o there_o be_v between_o be_v eternal_o happy_a and_o eternal_o miserable_a it_o be_v enough_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o there_o will_v be_v such_o a_o state_n and_o if_o we_o neglect_v to_o make_v provision_n for_o it_o because_o we_o be_v not_o absolute_o certain_a that_o it_o will_v be_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o do_v not_o act_v so_o prudent_o in_o this_o as_o we_o do_v in_o other_o case_n that_o be_v of_o infinite_o less_o moment_n and_o concern_v to_o we_o and_o that_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v the_o child_n of_o tâ—â—_n world_n be_v in_o their_o generation_n wise_a than_o the_o child_n of_o light_n now_o this_o be_v the_o most_o that_o the_o profess_a atheist_n or_o infidel_n can_v pretend_v they_o will_v say_v perhaps_o that_o for_o their_o own_o part_n they_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n or_o a_o judgement_n or_o a_o life_n to_o come_v and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o see_v any_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v these_o thing_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o the_o proof_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o they_o do_v in_o their_o judgement_n fall_v short_a of_o demonstration_n and_o they_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o believe_v they_o till_o such_o proof_n thereof_o shall_v be_v offer_v as_o they_o can_v make_v no_o exception_n against_o not_o till_o they_o shall_v see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o there_o be_v a_o heaven_n and_o a_o hell_n or_o till_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o messenger_n send_v to_o they_o from_o thence_o on_o purpose_n to_o assure_v they_o thereof_o and_o be_v it_o so_o as_o they_o say_v that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o such_o a_o sure_a proof_n of_o they_o as_o ocular_a or_o mathematical_a demonstration_n will_v be_v yet_o this_o be_v the_o most_o they_o can_v say_v they_o themselves_o can_v pretend_v that_o there_o be_v any_o demonstration_n on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o be_v not_o sure_a they_o say_v that_o there_o will_v be_v another_o life_n or_o that_o it_o will_v be_v everlasting_a well_o but_o be_v they_o sure_a that_o there_o will_v not_o be_v such_o a_o life_n be_v it_o absurd_a or_o impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o life_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o can_v say_v and_o all_o that_o they_o have_v yet_o dare_v to_o say_v be_v only_o that_o those_o proof_n thereof_o that_o we_o rely_v upon_o be_v not_o in_o their_o opinion_n sufficient_a but_o suppose_v they_o as_o insufficient_a as_o they_o can_v think_v they_o yet_o still_o if_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n they_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o probability_n of_o what_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v or_o if_o not_o so_o yet_o still_o a_o future_a life_n if_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a nay_o if_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a however_o may_v be_v possible_a and_o if_o it_o be_v only_o possible_a that_o we_o may_v live_v for_o ever_o and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v eternal_o happy_a or_o eternal_o miserable_a this_o possibility_n alone_o consider_v what_o a_o infinite_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o these_o two_o state_n ought_v in_o reason_n to_o put_v we_o upon_o take_v the_o best_a care_n we_o can_v that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o eternal_a life_n we_o may_v be_v eternal_o happy_a in_o it_o but_o after_o all_o our_o proof_n of_o this_o and_o other_o great_a truth_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v not_o so_o very_o weak_a and_o slender_a as_o these_o man_n will_v represent_v it_o it_o be_v indeed_o as_o good_a as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v and_o he_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a man_n that_o require_v a_o better_a proof_n of_o any_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o this_o therefore_o be_v what_o i_o shall_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n proceed_v to_o do_v viz._n 3._o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o these_o truth_n be_v plain_o teach_v but_o this_o be_v too_o large_a a_o subject_a to_o be_v handle_v now_o i_o have_v already_o say_v i_o will_v defer_v it_o to_o the_o next_o opportunity_n finis_fw-la the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture-revelation_n as_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o part_n i._n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n march_v the_o 4_o the_o 1699_o 700._o be_v the_o three_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a have_v in_o my_o first_o discourse_n on_o these_o word_n endeavour_v to_o show_v in_o general_n that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n may_v be_v so_o well_o contrive_v and_o so_o well_o attest_v as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a i_o come_v the_o last_o time_n to_o consider_v whether_o that_o stand_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v such_o a_o revelation_n or_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o some_o particular_a defect_n in_o it_o which_o render_v it_o not_o so_o sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o defect_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o must_v be_v as_o i_o say_v either_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o or_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o if_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o it_o must_v be_v either_o that_o it_o do_v not_o give_v sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v or_o that_o it_o do_v not_o propose_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o therefore_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o head_n i_o propound_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o sufficient_a direction_n what_o to_o do_v 2._o that_o the_o motive_n which_o it_o propose_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o do_v what_o it_o require_v and_o 3._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o and_o the_o two_o first_o of_o these_o i_o have_v already_o do_v i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o three_o viz._n 3._o to_o show_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o and_o that_o i_o shall_v presume_v to_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n in_o this_o case_n which_o we_o ready_o accept_v and_o allow_v of_o as_o sufficient_a in_o all_o other_o case_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a proof_n give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o it_o if_o it_o can_v be_v show_v 1._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n
mention_v as_o brief_o as_o may_v be_v the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v usual_o give_v to_o these_o objection_n and_o 1._o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o of_o some_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o author_n name_n be_v not_o certain_o know_v as_o namely_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o that_o of_o other_o the_o author_n have_v be_v doubt_v particular_o of_o the_o second_o and_o three_o epiâ—tles_n of_o st._n john_n to_o this_o it_o have_v be_v answer_v 1._o that_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n depend_v many_o time_n much_o more_o upon_o the_o good_a assurance_n that_o we_o have_v of_o the_o time_n when_o it_o be_v write_v and_o of_o the_o character_n of_o the_o person_n that_o write_v it_o than_o upon_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o his_o name_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n whether_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v writâ—en_v by_o st._n paul_n himself_o as_o be_v common_o and_o upon_o â—ery_o probable_a ground_n believe_v or_o as_o some_o have_v conjecture_v by_o st._n luke_n his_o constant_a companion_n or_o as_o other_o by_o st._n clemens_n his_o fellow-labourer_n â—hose_v name_n be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n 4.3_o phil._n 4.3_o or_o as_o other_o â—y_a st._n barnabas_n his_o assistant_n in_o preach_v the_o goâ—pel_n 14.14_o act_n 14.14_o and_o who_o be_v dignify_v by_o st._n luke_n with_o the_o tiâ—e_n of_o a_o apostle_n and_o so_o neither_o be_v it_o very_o maâ—erial_a whether_o the_o epistle_n call_v the_o second_o and_o three_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n and_o common_o believe_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n that_o write_v the_o first_o be_v indeed_o write_v by_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n or_o as_o some_o have_v think_v by_o another_o â—ohn_n who_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o the_o jewish_a christiansâ—t_n â—t_z ephesus_n by_o he_o for_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n which_o soever_o they_o be_v of_o the_o person_n beforementioned_a be_v of_o good_a ability_n and_o integrity_n and_o well_o instruct_v in_o that_o doctrine_n and_o religion_n which_o they_o write_v about_o and_o of_o this_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n there_o be_v good_a evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o write_n themselves_o 2._o in_o answer_n to_o this_o and_o to_o all_o other_o objection_n of_o this_o sort_n against_o these_o or_o any_o other_o book_n or_o chapter_n or_o paragraph_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o have_v be_v far_o true_o say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o singular_a in_o these_o book_n that_o there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n teach_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o the_o author_n or_o authority_n of_o which_o there_o have_v ever_o be_v any_o doubt_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o teach_v in_o some_o other_o undoubted_a and_o uncontroverted_a part_n of_o the_o same_o book_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o those_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o which_o there_o have_v be_v former_o any_o doubt_n be_v still_o of_o uncertain_a authority_n our_o christianity_n will_v suffer_v no_o real_a loss_n thereby_o only_o give_v up_o these_o controvert_v place_n we_o shall_v sometime_o want_v a_o good_a help_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o understand_v ready_o those_o other_o uncontroverted_a place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o the_o same_o doctrine_n be_v but_o perhaps_o more_o brief_o or_o obscure_o deliver_v 2._o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o some_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v reject_v in_o ancient_a time_n this_o be_v grant_v but_o than_o it_o have_v be_v show_v that_o consider_v by_o who_o they_o have_v be_v reject_v and_o under_o what_o notion_n and_o for_o what_o reason_n they_o be_v reject_v this_o objection_n be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o invalidate_v the_o authority_n even_o of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v be_v so_o reject_v and_o much_o less_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n which_o have_v be_v allow_v by_o all_o thus_o some_o portion_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v reject_v by_o heretic_n because_o they_o contradict_v their_o private_a and_o singular_a notion_n some_o by_o judaize_v christian_n as_o the_o two_o first_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n because_o they_o be_v not_o find_v in_o that_o hebrew_n copy_n of_o that_o gospel_n which_o they_o use_v and_o all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v likewise_o reject_v by_o the_o same_o person_n but_o not_o as_o not_o write_v by_o st._n paul_n but_o only_o because_o they_o be_v write_v by_o he_o who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o enemy_n to_o their_o nation_n because_o he_o level_v they_o with_o other_o nation_n and_o as_o too_o averse_a to_o that_o religion_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v by_o moses_n which_o they_o continue_v so_o wed_v to_o even_o after_o their_o embrace_a christianity_n that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o suspect_v he_o to_o be_v a_o false_a apostle_n who_o have_v so_o plain_o teach_v the_o abrogation_n thereof_o and_o for_o the_o like_a reason_n some_o other_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v likewise_o reject_v by_o some_o few_o man_n that_o be_v not_o because_o they_o want_v the_o same_o attestation_n which_o the_o other_o part_n of_o it_o have_v or_o because_o it_o appear_v by_o credible_a history_n that_o they_o be_v spurious_a but_o only_o because_o they_o contradict_v too_o plain_o some_o notion_n which_o their_o former_a prejudices_fw-la or_o education_n have_v make_v they_o fond_a of_o so_o that_o this_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n take_v from_o the_o rejection_n of_o some_o part_n of_o it_o by_o some_o particular_a man_n or_o sect_n be_v manifest_o of_o no_o strength_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o good_a reason_n for_o their_o reject_v they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o be_v show_v but_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v show_v very_o plain_o by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n in_o several_a book_n write_v by_o they_o in_o confutation_n of_o those_o sect_n and_o heresy_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a and_o 3._o whereas_o it_o be_v further_o say_v that_o some_o book_n which_o be_v now_o receive_v as_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o universal_o receive_v in_o the_o most_o early_a time_n when_o their_o authority_n if_o they_o be_v authentic_a may_v have_v be_v assert_v upon_o more_o certain_a ground_n than_o it_o can_v be_v now_o viz._n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o of_o st._n peter_n the_o second_o and_o 3d._n of_o st._n john_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n judas_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n this_o be_v likewise_o grant_v but_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o it_o be_v say_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v good_a evidence_n from_o antiquity_n that_o these_o controvert_v book_n be_v receive_v in_o the_o most_o early_a time_n by_o those_o who_o have_v the_o best_a opportunity_n of_o satisfy_v themselves_o of_o the_o author_n and_o authority_n thereof_o viz._n by_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v send_v and_o in_o general_a by_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v either_o to_o christian_n disperse_v and_o consequent_o only_o publish_v by_o give_v out_o copy_n thereof_o to_o some_o to_o be_v communicate_v as_o there_o be_v opportunity_n to_o other_o or_o else_o to_o private_a person_n live_v perhaps_o at_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o place_n from_o which_o they_o be_v send_v be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v attest_v and_o upon_o that_o account_n be_v not_o at_o first_o so_o general_o receive_v as_o the_o other_o be_v which_o be_v either_o write_v to_o particular_a church_n to_o which_o the_o author_n hand_n and_o the_o messenger_n that_o bring_v they_o be_v well_o know_v or_o which_o be_v first_o publish_v and_o receive_v in_o the_o same_o place_n where_o they_o be_v write_v and_o 3._o that_o even_o those_o church_n which_o do_v for_o some_o time_n doubt_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o book_n be_v persuade_v at_o last_o to_o receive_v they_o as_o the_o authentic_a write_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o other_o inspire_a men._n if_o therefore_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o while_o they_o doubt_v of_o these_o book_n they_o have_v reason_n for_o their_o doubt_n that_o be_v that_o they_o do_v it_o because_o they_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o full_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v apostolical_a write_n which_o the_o objector_n i_o believe_v will_v ready_o enough_o grant_v it_o may_v be_v very_o reasonable_o presume_v that_o they_o have_v afterward_o great_a reason_n to_o lay_v aside_o their_o doubt_n and_o that_o when_o they_o do_v receive_v
body_n into_o some_o one_o country_n remote_a from_o judea_n and_o there_o with_o concurrent_a testimony_n bear_v witness_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v yet_o who_o will_v have_v believe_v their_o report_n the_o report_n of_o stranger_n come_v from_o a_o far_a country_n and_o of_o who_o honesty_n and_o truth_n they_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n but_o only_o from_o themselves_o vouch_v for_o one_o another_o who_o will_v have_v give_v credit_n to_o a_o relation_n of_o such_o incredible_a story_n tell_v with_o a_o design_n to_o introduce_v a_o religion_n that_o be_v unknown_a to_o their_o father_n and_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a religion_n too_o as_o this_o at_o the_o first_o proposal_n will_v probable_o appear_v viz._n the_o worship_v as_o god_n a_o man_n who_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n be_v reject_v and_o set_v at_o naught_o and_o at_o last_o crucify_a as_o a_o wicked_a malefactor_n by_o his_o own_o countryman_n or_o if_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o boldness_n of_o their_o speech_n and_o the_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n may_v after_o some_o time_n have_v prevail_v upon_o some_o few_o to_o become_v proselyte_n to_o their_o religion_n yet_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o disciple_n can_v not_o have_v be_v very_o great_a before_o the_o government_n of_o the_o country_n will_v have_v take_v the_o alarm_n and_o have_v call_v in_o question_n these_o setter_n forth_o of_o new_a god_n these_o mover_n of_o sedition_n among_o the_o people_n as_o they_o will_v certain_o have_v be_v account_v and_o as_o in_o fact_n the_o apostle_n be_v account_v in_o every_o place_n where_o they_o come_v and_o this_o will_v quick_o have_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o a_o grow_a sect_n they_o that_o like_v the_o religion_n well_o enough_o before_o because_o it_o be_v new_a will_v quick_o have_v leave_v off_o to_o like_v it_o when_o they_o see_v it_o will_v be_v dangerous_a to_o profess_v it_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a their_o follower_n will_v have_v continue_v to_o stick_v to_o they_o when_o they_o perceive_v the_o government_n and_o the_o whole_a nation_n in_o general_n engage_v on_o the_o other_o side_n and_o resolve_v by_o all_o mean_v possible_a to_o extirpate_v the_o belief_n they_o have_v entertain_v and_o when_o they_o see_v their_o preacher_n imprison_v and_o scourge_v torture_v and_o put_v to_o death_n they_o will_v quick_o have_v desert_v the_o service_n of_o a_o master_n who_o they_o will_v then_o ready_o think_v be_v not_o of_o power_n to_o save_v either_o himself_o from_o the_o cross_n or_o his_o disciple_n from_o suffer_v and_o after_o this_o have_v the_o residue_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o may_v possible_o have_v escape_v martyrdom_n in_o this_o country_n go_v into_o another_o there_o they_o must_v have_v expect_v the_o like_a reception_n and_o usage_n and_o not_o better_o in_o a_o three_o and_o so_o in_o a_o few_o year_n their_o life_n will_v have_v spin_v out_o in_o do_v nothing_o and_o their_o religion_n will_v have_v perish_v with_o themselves_o and_o if_o their_o unite_a testimony_n will_v have_v have_v so_o little_a credit_n much_o less_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o single_a witness_n of_o one_o apostle_n only_o can_v ever_o have_v gain_v any_o credit_n at_o all_o and_o yet_o unless_o the_o testimony_n of_o some_o single_a witness_n have_v be_v believe_v it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v have_v be_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n so_o great_a a_o conversion_n of_o man_n to_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o preach_a of_o so_o few_o men._n so_o that_o whoever_o believe_v that_o christianity_n can_v make_v so_o swift_a and_o so_o great_a a_o progress_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a by_o all_o history_n it_o do_v only_o by_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o apostle_n without_o any_o miraculous_a gift_n or_o supernatural_a assistance_n want_v not_o faith_n enough_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n if_o he_o have_v but_o a_o will_v to_o it_o for_o he_o believe_v already_o a_o much_o great_a miracle_n than_o any_o that_o be_v record_v in_o the_o evangelical_n story_n and_o now_o by_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v in_o this_o and_o the_o last_o discourse_n i_o hope_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o their_o relation_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v record_v this_n i_o be_o sure_a i_o may_v say_v that_o there_o be_v not_o so_o good_a reason_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o any_o history_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o of_o the_o same_o antiquity_n and_o that_o a_o history_n so_o well_o confirm_v as_o this_o be_v can_v reasonable_o be_v reject_v nor_o indeed_o any_o way_n be_v discredit_v but_o either_o by_o some_o other_o more_o credible_a history_n contradict_v it_o or_o by_o some_o intrinsic_a evidence_n of_o falsehood_n but_o better_a or_o more_o credible_a history_n contradict_v it_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v there_o be_v not_o nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o history_n contradict_v it_o that_o be_v of_o sufficient_a antiquity_n to_o disprove_v it_o nay_o there_o be_v many_o very_a considerable_a thing_n of_o those_o record_v in_o the_o gospel-history_n that_o be_v occasional_o mention_v by_o other_o historian_n of_o those_o or_o the_o succeed_a time_n who_o have_v no_o design_n thereby_o to_o do_v any_o service_n to_o christianity_n as_o namely_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o john_n the_o baptist_n that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o great_a piety_n and_o austerity_n and_o a_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n and_o that_o he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o herod_n that_o there_o be_v also_o a_o man_n name_v jesus_n who_o call_v himself_o and_o be_v own_v by_o many_o to_o be_v the_o christ_n that_o he_o do_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n and_o be_v at_o last_o crucify_a by_o the_o jew_n the_o name_n of_o some_o other_o person_n likewise_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o gospel-history_n be_v mention_v under_o the_o same_o character_n in_o some_o other_o history_n as_o pilate_n felix_n festus_n caiphas_n agrippa_n etc._n etc._n in_o other_o history_n also_o we_o find_v notice_n take_v of_o the_o cruelty_n of_o herod_n in_o slay_v the_o infant_n at_o bethlehem_n and_o among_o they_o as_o it_o be_v think_v his_o own_o son_n which_o make_v augustus_n when_o the_o story_n be_v tell_v he_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v herod_n be_v swine_n than_o his_o son_n and_o likewise_o of_o that_o remarkable_a eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n when_o the_o moon_n be_v at_o the_o full_a which_o the_o evangelist_n say_v happen_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n passion_n and_o of_o that_o violent_a earthquake_n that_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o last_o of_o the_o prodigious_a increase_n of_o christianity_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n soon_o after_o its_o first_o publication_n and_o if_o upon_o this_o occasion_n it_o shall_v be_v say_v that_o the_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o evangelical_n history_n and_o the_o event_n that_o follow_v thereupon_o be_v so_o very_o wonderful_a and_o remarkable_a that_o if_o they_o have_v be_v true_a they_o must_v in_o all_o probability_n have_v be_v more_o take_v notice_n of_o than_o they_o be_v in_o other_o history_n i_o answer_v that_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v true_a it_o can_v not_o be_v reasonable_o expect_v that_o more_o mention_n shall_v have_v be_v make_v of_o they_o by_o other_o historian_n than_o there_o real_o be_v because_o they_o be_v plain_o foreign_a to_o their_o purpose_n or_o else_o such_o story_n as_o though_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o they_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v have_v perhaps_o never_o take_v any_o pain_n to_o examine_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o for_o what_o be_v it_o to_o the_o purpose_n of_o a_o author_n that_o be_v write_v the_o life_n of_o one_o of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n or_o the_o history_n of_o some_o famous_a war_n or_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n to_o make_v a_o large_a digression_n concern_v a_o religious_a sect_n begin_v in_o judea_n by_o a_o person_n that_o be_v despise_v in_o his_o own_o country_n and_o carry_v on_o and_o continue_v by_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a person_n who_o make_v no_o figure_n in_o the_o world_n or_o how_o can_v it_o be_v expect_v that_o a_o historian_n who_o be_v not_o himself_o a_o christian_n shall_v yet_o give_v a_o large_a account_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o other_o fact_n upon_o which_o our_o religion_n be_v ground_v which_o have_v he_o believe_v as_o he_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v do_v if_o he_o have_v deliver_v they_o to_o posterity_n as_o truth_n he_o must_v have_v be_v a_o christian_a it_o
sermon_n iii_o page_n 25._o line_n 1._o for_o once_o read_v now_o for_o those_o read_v these_o advertisement_n the_o three_o remain_a lecture_n for_o this_o year_n be_v to_o be_v at_o st._n paul_n on_o the_o first_o mondays_n in_o september_n october_n and_o november_n but_o the_o first_o monday_n in_o september_n be_v the_o fast-day_n for_o the_o fire_n of_o london_n when_o there_o will_v be_v in_o the_o morning_n a_o sermon_n suitable_a to_o that_o occasion_n preach_v before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n aldermen_z and_o company_n of_o the_o city_n mr._n boyle_n lecture_n on_o that_o day_n be_v order_v to_o be_v preach_v in_o the_o afternoon_n the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture-revelation_n as_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o part_n iii_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n september_n 2d_o 1700._o be_v the_o six_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o thâ—_n lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n d._n d._n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a in_o order_n to_o show_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n give_v we_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o new-testament_n and_o of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o it_o i_o have_v former_o propound_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new-testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n thereof_o 2._o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o they_o in_o their_o relation_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o have_v record_v and_o 3._o that_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n therein_o record_v be_v true_a they_o be_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v therein_o teach_v and_o the_o two_o first_o of_o these_o point_n i_o have_v i_o hope_v already_o make_v good_a i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o three_o viz._n 3._o to_o show_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v well_o ground_v upon_o the_o history_n of_o it_o that_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o new-testament_n be_v true_a they_o be_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v therein_o teach_v and_o here_o by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o understand_v both_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o it_o propose_v to_o our_o belief_n and_o the_o rule_n which_o it_o prescribe_v to_o our_o practice_n many_o of_o the_o former_a of_o which_o be_v themselves_o part_v of_o the_o gospel_n history_n as_o the_o incarnation_n life_n suffering_n death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o both_o sort_n be_v teach_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n either_o by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o or_o by_o his_o apostle_n and_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v ready_o grant_v that_o all_o their_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o also_o of_o divine_a authority_n if_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o they_o be_v commission_v and_o send_v by_o god_n to_o instruct_v the_o world_n for_o he_o who_o god_n have_v send_v speak_v the_o word_n of_o god_n joh._n iii._o 34._o the_o single_a point_n therefore_o to_o be_v consider_v at_o this_o time_n be_v whether_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n record_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v commission_v and_o send_v by_o god_n to_o instruct_v the_o world_n and_o first_o whether_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n from_o thence_o that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o be_v a_o teacher_n send_v from_o god_n now_o that_o he_o say_v he_o be_v send_v from_o god_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o a_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n history_n joh._n twelve_o 49._o 24._o see_v joh._n 5.37_o 38.8.38.14.10_o 24._o i_o have_v not_o speak_v of_o myself_o but_o the_o father_n which_o send_v i_o he_o give_v i_o a_o commandment_n what_o i_o shall_v say_v and_o what_o i_o shall_v speak_v and_o that_o he_o say_v that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n which_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v likewise_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o a_o part_n of_o the_o same_o history_n joh._n four_o 25_o 26._o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n say_v unto_o he_o i_o know_v that_o messiah_n come_v which_o be_v call_v christ_n 9.47_o mat._n 16.16_o 17._o mar._n 9.41_o luke_n 24.46_o joh._n 9.47_o when_o he_o be_v come_v he_o will_v tell_v we_o all_o thing_n jesus_n say_v unto_o he_o i_o that_o speak_v unto_o thou_o am_z he._n the_o question_n therefore_o be_v whether_o from_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v record_v of_o he_o by_o the_o evangelist_n there_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o either_o or_o both_o these_o pretence_n i_o say_v of_o either_o or_o both_o of_o they_o because_o either_o of_o they_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o receive_v his_o doctrine_n as_o true_a and_o divine_a for_o which_o cause_n therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o subject_a distinguish_v between_o the_o evidence_n which_o the_o gospel-history_n afford_v of_o his_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o those_o which_o it_o afford_v of_o his_o be_v the_o messiah_n but_o shall_v propose_v they_o promiscuous_o as_o they_o come_v to_o mind_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v consider_v first_o the_o credibility_n of_o our_o saviour_n own_o testimony_n concern_v himself_o and_o second_o the_o confirmation_n that_o be_v give_v to_o this_o testimony_n by_o god_n ground_v all_o that_o shall_v be_v say_v on_o both_o these_o head_n upon_o the_o gospel-history_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o i_o now_o take_v for_o grant_v as_o be_v i_o hope_v already_o sufficient_o prove_v first_o then_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o credibility_n of_o our_o saviour_n own_o testimony_n concern_v himself_o when_o he_o say_v that_o he_o be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o i_o know_v it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o a_o man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o his_o own_o case_n and_o this_o very_a thing_n be_v object_v to_o our_o saviour_n by_o the_o jew_n joh._n viij_o 13._o thou_o bear_v record_n of_o thyself_o thy_o record_n be_v not_o true_a but_o this_o say_v be_v not_o without_o exception_n when_o indeed_o what_o a_o man_n witness_n be_v for_o his_o own_o benefit_n his_o testimony_n if_o it_o be_v single_a may_v reasonable_o be_v reject_v especial_o if_o any_o proof_n be_v make_v that_o at_o other_o time_n he_o have_v tell_v a_o lie_n or_o do_v any_o other_o ill_a thing_n for_o his_o advantage_n but_o otherwise_o a_o man_n testimony_n concern_v himself_n may_v be_v credible_a nay_o in_o some_o case_n it_o may_v be_v more_o credible_a than_o another_o man_n because_o he_o may_v sometime_o be_v sure_a of_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v himself_o than_o another_o man_n can_v be_v and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n who_o in_o joh._n v._n 31._o allow_v of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o that_o say_v if_o i_o bear_v witness_n of_o myself_o my_o witness_n be_v not_o true_a yet_o when_o this_o very_a thing_n be_v afterward_o object_v to_o he_o by_o the_o pharisee_n in_o the_o place_n before-cited_n make_v answer_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n though_o i_o bear_v record_n of_o myself_o 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and_o this_o he_o himself_o urge_v as_o a_o reason_n why_o his_o testimony_n ought_v to_o be_v credit_v joh._n viij_o 46._o which_o of_o you_o convince_v i_o of_o sin_n and_o if_o i_o say_v the_o truth_n why_o do_v you_o not_o believe_v i_o and_o a_o very_a good_a reason_n it_o be_v for_o it_o can_v not_o just_o be_v suspect_v that_o a_o person_n of_o who_o no_o other_o ill_a thing_n can_v be_v say_v be_v yet_o indeed_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n guilty_a of_o a_o crime_n of_o the_o great_a magnitude_n viz._n of_o lie_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n of_o say_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v send_v he_o when_o indeed_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o send_v he_o nor_o speak_v by_o he_o 2._o it_o may_v be_v also_o consider_v that_o this_o testimony_n of_o our_o lord_n though_o it_o be_v concern_v himself_o yet_o be_v not_o for_o himself_o i_o mean_v it_o be_v not_o for_o his_o own_o worldly_a advantage_n and_o this_o consideration_n he_o himself_o likewise_o offer_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o testimony_n joh._n seven_o 18._o he_o that_o speak_v of_o himself_o seek_v his_o own_o glory_n but_o he_o that_o seek_v his_o glory_n that_o send_v he_o the_o same_o be_v true_a and_o no_o unrighteousness_n be_v in_o he_o have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o lord_n which_o he_o pretend_v be_v what_o god_n have_v command_v he_o to_o teach_v be_v contrive_v to_o advance_v the_o worldly_a honour_n and_o greatness_n of_o himself_o or_o his_o follower_n this_o will_v have_v be_v a_o just_a prejudice_n against_o it_o and_o a_o reasonable_a ground_n of_o suspect_v that_o he_o speak_v of_o himself_o but_o when_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o that_o hear_v his_o discourse_n and_o be_v no_o less_o so_o to_o we_o that_o read_v they_o that_o he_o seek_v not_o his_o own_o glory_n in_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o glory_n of_o he_o that_o send_v he_o and_o that_o his_o whole_a doctrine_n tend_v to_o advance_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o to_o 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against_o his_o own_o interest_n if_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o great_a loser_n or_o sufferer_n by_o what_o he_o testify_v for_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v what_o else_o but_o only_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n and_o a_o obligation_n to_o declare_v it_o shall_v ever_o induce_v a_o man_n to_o say_v such_o thing_n concern_v himself_o as_o will_v procure_v his_o own_o mischief_n and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o can_v be_v say_v to_o avoid_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n testimony_n that_o he_o be_v send_v from_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n unless_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v disappoint_v in_o his_o expectation_n and_o that_o he_o hope_v to_o make_v himself_o rich_a and_o great_a in_o the_o world_n by_o these_o glorious_a pretence_n though_o in_o the_o event_n it_o prove_v otherwise_o but_o the_o gospel-history_n furnish_v we_o with_o a_o very_a clear_a and_o full_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n in_o those_o many_o prediction_n of_o our_o lord_n therein_o record_v concern_v his_o own_o suffering_n 16.31.20.17_o mat._n 16.31.20.17_o whereby_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o the_o suffering_n which_o befall_v he_o for_o give_v this_o testimony_n concern_v himself_o do_v not_o happen_v to_o he_o unexpected_o but_o that_o he_o know_v long_o before_o all_o that_o afterward_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o therefore_o i_o say_v again_o that_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o he_o shall_v say_v that_o he_o be_v send_v from_o god_n but_o only_o because_o he_o know_v it_o be_v true_a and_o have_v receive_v a_o command_n from_o his_o father_n to_o declare_v this_o truth_n to_o the_o world_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v further_o 4._o last_o that_o he_o continue_v to_o testify_v the_o same_o at_o his_o death_n which_o he_o have_v do_v before_o in_o his_o life_n give_v thereby_o the_o best_a assurance_n that_o a_o man_n can_v give_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o testimony_n for_o the_o main_a matter_n of_o his_o accusation_n to_o pilate_n be_v that_o he_o have_v give_v out_o himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o the_o messiah_n be_v according_a to_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v a_o great_a temporal_a king_n have_v our_o lord_n therefore_o but_o deny_v this_o charge_n have_v he_o but_o grant_v that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o messiah_n he_o may_v have_v save_v his_o life_n but_o this_o he_o will_v not_o do_v he_o disown_v indeed_o the_o false_a notion_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v of_o the_o messiah_n my_o kingdom_n 62._o john_n 18.26_o mat._n 27.11_o joh._n 18.37_o mat._n 26.63_o 64._o mar._n 14.61_o 62._o say_v he_o be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n but_o that_o he_o be_v a_o king_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n he_o bold_o own_v as_o well_o when_o the_o question_n be_v put_v to_o he_o by_o the_o roman_a governor_n who_o have_v power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n as_o when_o it_o have_v be_v put_v to_o he_o before_o by_o the_o highpriest_n this_o therefore_o 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happy_a number_n they_o be_v sure_o they_o shall_v not_o only_o have_v believe_v but_o also_o willing_o have_v suffer_v as_o much_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v for_o bear_v their_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o what_o now_o must_v be_v do_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o these_o man_n for_o these_o have_v as_o much_o right_n to_o a_o full_a satisfaction_n as_o any_o other_o and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o other_o do_v expect_v to_o be_v gratify_v in_o what_o they_o desire_v these_o may_v do_v so_o too_o and_o therefore_o in_o order_n to_o their_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n in_o every_o age_n of_o it_o or_o indeed_o much_o often_o and_o that_o in_o every_o country_n at_o least_o if_o not_o in_o every_o town_n and_o village_n he_o shall_v live_v and_o preach_v and_o do_v miracle_n and_o be_v crucify_a and_o rise_v again_o for_o that_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v once_o do_v they_o can_v they_o say_v believe_v only_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o man_n who_o say_v they_o do_v see_v they_o and_o therefore_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n if_o they_o themselves_o shall_v see_v they_o other_o man_n that_o shall_v come_v after_o or_o live_v in_o other_o country_n will_v have_v as_o little_a cause_n to_o believe_v their_o testimony_n so_o that_o for_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o all_o such_o doubt_v man_n as_o these_o our_o saviour_n must_v have_v suffer_v often_o since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o must_v continue_v to_o do_v so_o very_o frequent_o as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v because_o with_o some_o man_n nothing_o but_o see_v be_v believe_v but_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v be_v what_o i_o presume_v none_o beside_o themselves_o can_v think_v it_o reasonable_a either_o for_o man_n to_o ask_v or_o for_o god_n to_o grant_v 4._o last_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o desire_v 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