If this were sufficient to prove this Epistle not authentical,1 then the whole books of Samuel, the Kings, and Chronicles should be cast out of the Canon by the same reason: which take the matter from Civill Chronicles: Now if it be lawful to take matter out of Civill Chronicles, why may not one Scripture be taken out of another? we must therefore (notwithstanding ⟨p. 2⟩these weak allegations) esteem this Epistle to be the Canonical Scripture, and the eternal word of God, as our Church, and the Church in all ages hath received it. And now in the second place see how we may come to be resolved that it is so to be allowed:2 which we may in this resemblance. An Indenture between man and man is known to be sufficient two ways. First by the matter and contents therein, which plainly shows an act passed, and done: secondly, by adding and annexing thereunto certain outward signs and testimonies, as the hands and seals of the parties, the hands and names of the witnesses corroborating and strengthening the same: the first is good in it self (though not so confirmed to the parties) without the second: but the second is nothing without the first: but if both th•se shall concur and be specified in the Indenture, then it is absolutely authentical, both in it self, and unto the parties. If this be applied to the scripture, it shall be apparent to be no less ratified then such an Indenture. For first consider but the Contents and matter it self of it, it will speak the certainty and truth of it: read over the Epistle, you shall find the whole matter agreed upon by the Prophets and Apostles: and for the testimony, the Catholic and common consent of the Church, or greatest part since the Apostles days, hath set to her hand and seal that it is the truth of God, no less assured then other books of the Canon: which assent of the church, though it cannot make us, yet may move us accordingly to entertain it. Besides, if we consider the ends, as also the effects of this scripture (which are the same with any part of the Canonical) we cannot but confess that it is the holy and sacred truth of God, all of it conspiring with all the other to the advancing of Gods glory, and furthering of mans salvation. So much of the authority of this Epistle.
If this were sufficient to proue this Epistle not authenticall,1 then the whole bookes of Samuel, the Kinges, and Chronicles should be cast out of the Canon by the same reason: which take the matter from Ciuill Chronicles: Now if it be lawfull to take matter out of Ciuill Chronicles, why may not one Scripture be taken out of another? wee must therefore (notwithstanding ⟨p. 2⟩these weake allegations) esteeme this Epistle to bee the Canonicall Scripture, and the eternall word of God, as our Church, and the Church in all ages hath receiued it. And now in the second place see how wee may come to be resolued that it is so to be allowed:2 which wee may in this resemblance. An Indenture betweene man and man is knowne to bee sufficient two waies. First by the matter and contentes therin, which plainly shewes an acte passed, and done: secondly, by adding and annexing thereunto certaine outward signes and testimonies, as the handes and seales of the parties, the handes and names of the witnesses corroborating and strengthening the same: the first is good in it selfe (though not so confirmed to the parties) without the second: but the second is nothing without the first: but if both th•se shall concurre and bee specified in the Indenture, then it is absolutely authenticall, both in it selfe, and vnto the parties. If this be applied to the scripture, it shall be apparant to bee no lesse ratified then such an Indenture. For first consider but the Contentes and matter it selfe of it, it will speake the certeinty and truth of it: read ouer the Epistle, you shall finde the whole matter agreed vpon by the Prophets and Apostles: and for the testimonie, the Catholike and common consent of the Church, or greatest part since the Apostles dayes, hath set to her hand and seale that it is the truth of God, no lesse assured then other bookes of the Canon: which assent of the church, though it cannot make vs, yet may moue vs accordinglie to entertayne it. Besides, if we consider the endes, as also the effects of this scripture (which are the same with any part of the Canonicall) wee cannot but confesse that it is the holy and sacred truth of God, all of it conspiring with all the other to the aduancing of Gods glorie, and furthering of mans saluation. So much of the authoritie of this Epistle.
- 1Answer.Answere.
- 2Quest. 2.
