The Institution of Christian Religion

Doth he not write continuing prophecies of things to come for the space of six hundred years after, in such sort as if he had compiled an history of things already done and commonly known? These things if godly men have well considered, they shall be sufficiently well furnished, to appease the barkynges of the wicked. For the plain proof hereof is to clear to be subject to any cavillations at all.

Doothe he not write continuynge prophecies of thynges to come for the space of sixe hundred yeares after, in suche sorte as if he hadde compyled an hystory of thynges already doon and commonly knowen? These thynges if godly men haue well consydered, they shall bee sufficiently well furnished, to appease the barkynges of the wycked. For the playne proofe hereof is to cleare to be subiect to any cauillations at all.

I know what some learned men do prate in corners, to show the §9quickness of their wit in assaulting the truth of God. For they demand, who hath assured us that these things which are read under title of their names, were ever written by Moses & the prophets. Yea, they are so hardy to move this question, whether ever there were ⟨image 27⟩any such Moses or […]. But if a man should call in doubt whether ever there were any Plato, or Aristotle, or Cicero, who would not say, that such madness were worthy to be corrected with strokes and stripes? The law of Moses hath been marvellously preserved rather by heavenly providence then by diligence of men. And though by the negligence of the Priests it lay buried a little while: yet since the time that: the godly king Josiah found it, it hath still by continual succession from age to age ben used in the hands of men. Neither did Josiah bring it forth as an unknown or new thing, but such a thing as had ben ever commonly published, and whereof the remembrance was at that time famous. The original book it self was appointed to be sacredly kept in the temple, and a copy written out thereof, to remain with the keepers of the kings Records. Only this had happened, that the priests had ceased to publish the law according to the old accustomed manner, and the people them selves had neglected their wonted reading of it. Yea there in manner passed no age wherein the establishment thereof was not confirmed and renewed? They that had David in their hands, knew they not of Moses? But to speak of them all at ones, it is most certain that their writings came to posterity none otherwise but from hand to hand (as I may term it) by continual orderly course of years delivered from their fathers, which had partly heard them speak, and partly while the remembrance was fresh of it, did learn of them which herd them that they had so spoken.