How to live, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps…How to liue, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps…

The second thing to be done, is to make examination whether we be in conscience convicted of the certainty of the word or no. If we be not, we must labour to be convinced. ⟨p. 71⟩Because that natural atheism, whereby we doubt whether the books of the Prophets and Apostles be the word of God or no, hinders the certainty of faith. For the settling of the conscience in this point, these arguments may be used. The first: it is a principle in nature that there is a God: if there be a God, nature can say he is to be worshipped: if he be to be worshipped, he hath revealed himself and his will to man, for otherwise he cannot be worshipped. And this revelation is to be found in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles, and in no other writings of men: because we find the doctrine of Scriptures to be agreeable to the ⟨p. 72⟩very nature and majesty of God, and so is no other doctrine or learning whatsoever. For it is the most ancient, and all other religions come far short of it. It is one and the same, evermore consenting with it self, without change or alteration. The Apostles agree with the prophets: the Prophets with Moses: and all with the first revelation made at the creation Again ^ait discovers and reveals the secret thoughts of men, that no art or learning can discover: and this argues that it was penned by him who is the searcher of all hearts. The second argument is a wonderful Evidence of the truth, not to be found in any other writings in the ⟨p. 73⟩world. This evidence stands specially in eight things The first is, that the writers of Scriptures fully and plainly set down their own faults,² yea their chiefest faults, not sparing to shame themselves in mans reason: and this argues, that in writing they were guided by the spirit of trueth. The second is, that the books of Scriptures contain many mysteries above the reach of mans reason, yet not against reason: because we may discern a truth in them, and that by grounds & principles of reason. The third, that the speeches of Scripture aim not at by-respects, but simply and absolutely give and ascribe all glory to God alone. The fourth is, that the