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 fifth is, the holiness and purity of the law of Moses, in that it accuseth and condemneth all men of sin, and prescribeth perfect righteousness. Herein it surpasseth the laws of all countries, common-wealths, kingdoms, whatsoever. The sixth is the wisdom that appears in the policy or government of the common-wealth of the Jews set down by Moses. The seventh is a reconciliation of justice and mercy propounded in the Gospel. For in Christ justice and mercy meet, and justice after a sort gives place to mercy. The ⟨p. 75⟩eight thing wherein this evidence of trueth appears, is the consent of Scripture with it self: for doctrine agrees with history, and every part with every part. This manifold evidence of truth shows that scripture is from the god of truth. If any say, that they find no such evidence in Scripture, I answer it is their own fault: for if they would seriously read the Scriptures with prayer to God, it would appear. The third argument is the Efficacy of the word: which appears on this manner.¹ Gods word is flat contrary to the nature and corrupt disposition of man: and yet for all this, when, being preached, it convinceth and condemneth men of sin; it turneth ⟨p. 76⟩and converteth them to it self, and causeth them to live and die in the love and obedience thereof. This could it never do, unless it were of divine operation. The fourth argument is, that the Prophets and Apostles wrought miracles for the ratifying and confirming of their doctrine. Now these miracles surpass the strength of nature, and were immediately from God: and therefore the doctrine thereby confirmed, was also of God. The fifth and last is, that the writings of the prophets and² Apostles contain many prophecies or predictions of things to come, that none could foresee or foretell, but God.³ The name of Josiah & ⟨p. 77⟩his doings are foretold 330. years before he was borne. Cyrus & his doings are mentioned more▪ then an 100. years before his birth: now these and the like prophecies argue that the whole doctrine is of God. By these and like arguments, are all that inwardly doubt of the word of God, to settle and stablish their consciences.