The Christian warfare wherein is first generally showed the malice, power and politic stratagems…The Christian warfare wherein is first generally shewed the malice, power and politike stratagems…

§. Sect. 6 But here Satan will be ready to object,¹ that we are not able to prove that these prophecies were written by any such Prophets and holy men as are mentioned in the Scriptures, so long before the things contained in them were done, and that for ought we know they might be forged and foisted in by some cunning fellow after the things were come to pass. The like objections also he maketh against the rest of the Scriptures, as that either there was not any such Moses, or if he were, that he was but some cunning fellow who writ of miracles and wonders never done, to gain credit to his law which he had published; or if he wrote nothing but truth in his time, yet we know not whether these books which go under his name are perfect as he left them, or depraved and corrupted, having many things altered, added, & detracted, according to the pleasure of those who have had the keeping of them. And so also he objecteth against the other parts of holy Scriptures. To this I answer, that as it were great absurdity to call in question the writings of Cicero, Seneca, Plutarch and other Heathen men whether they were penned by any such men or no, because the next age received them from the authors themselves, and delivered them to the next ensuing, and so by tradition from hand to hand they are come unto us; so it is no less absurdity to call into question whether the scriptures were written by the Prophets and Apostles who lived in their several times, seeing the Church hath received them from time to time, and delivered them to their successors to this day. Moreover, the law published by Moses was not in secret or in a corner before some few witnesses, but in the presence of six hundred thousand men, besides women and children, and the strange miracles and works of God full of wonder, which he wrought for the better confirmation of his law given, were done and performed in the presence of many thousands, who made relation of them to their posterity, and they to theirs to this day. Neither was it easy to be corrupted, altered or changed, seeing the lawgiver did straightly charge all men that they should not add, detract, or alter any thing upon pain of present death in this world, and everlasting death in the life to come; who therefore would incur the danger of such fearful punishment for the satisfying of his fruitless fantasy?

§. Sect. 6 But here Sathan will be readie to obiect,¹ that we are not able to prooue that these prophecies were written by any such Prophets and holy men as are mentioned in the Scriptures, so long before the things contained in them were done, and that for ought wee know they might be forged and foysted in by some cunning fellow after the things were come to passe. The like obiections also he maketh against the rest of the Scriptures, as that either there was not any such Moses, or if he were, that he was but some cunning fellow who writ of miracles and wonders neuer done, to gaine credit to his law which he had published; or if he wrote nothing but truth in his time, yet we know not whether these books which goe vnder his name are perfect as he left them, or depraued and corrupted, hauing many things altred, added, & detracted, according to the pleasure of those who haue had the keeping of them. And so also hee obiecteth against the other parts of holy Scriptures. To this I answere, that as it were great absurditie to call in question the writings of Cicero, Seneca, Plutarch and other Heathen men whether they were penned by any such men or no, because the next age receiued them from the authors themselues, and deliuered them to the next insuing, and so by tradition from hand to hand they are come vnto vs; so it is no lesse absurditie to call into question whether the scriptures were written by the Prophets and Apostles who liued in their seuerall times, seeing the Church hath receiued them from time to time, and deliuered them to their successors to this day. Moreouer, the law published by Moses was not in secret or in a corner before some few witnesses, but in the presence of sixe hundred thousand men, besides women and children, and the strange miracles and workes of God full of wonder, which hee wrought for the better confirmation of his law giuen, were done and perfourmed in the presence of many thousands, who made relation of them to their posteritie, and they to theirs to this day. Neither was it easie to be corrupted, altred or changed, seeing the lawgiuer did straightly charge all men that they should not adde, detract, or alter any thing vpon paine of present death in this world, and euerlasting death in the life to come; who therefore would incurre the danger of such fearfull punishment for the satisfying of his fruitlesse phantasie?