More reasons for the Christian religion and no reason against it, or, A second…

Thirteenthly, It is certain that the Attestation which I described in the Reasons of Christian Religion was such (supposing that such were given, viz. In the Antecedent Testimony of fulfilled Prophecy, the Constitutive Testimony of Gods Spirit apparent in the effects on Christ; person and on his Gospel, And the Concomitant Testimony of all his Miracles and Resurrection and Ascension. And the subsequent Testimony of the Spirit, on the Apostles, their Miracles and doctrine, and on the souls of all serious Christians to the worlds end) These are things (set all together) First, Which none but God could do. Secondly, And which God would not do to deceive the world; Thirdly, Yea, which God would not permit to be done to deceive them in so high a matter; Because he is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Gracious Governor of the world; And if these Testimonies were not of God, it were impossible to know any Testimony to be of God; And seeing w• •• have no surer, it would ⟨p. 150⟩be mans Duty to Believe and Obey and be Ruled by a Lie. And if it be our Duty to Believe God to be so defective either in Power, Wisdom or Goodness, Holiness, Truth, Justice or Mercy as to rule the World, and the best of the World in the greatest matters, by lying and deceit, as if he wanted better means: What Wit can devise any remedy against such deceit as shall be so attested as aforesaid? Or if deceit can be perceived, how can it be mans Duty to Believe it, seeing mans Intellect is naturally made for Truth, and abhorreth falsehood? And how can it be Good to Obey Deceit and Lies? And when the Devil is the Father of Lies, what blasphemy is it to charge them on God? By this it will be apparent, that the Question must be in the upshot, whether there be a God or no God? and so whether there be any thing or nothing?

Thirteenthly, It is certain that the Attestation which I described in the Reasons of Christian Religion was such (supposing that such were given, viz. In the Antecedent Testimony of fulfilled Prophesie, the Constitutive Testimony of Gods Spirit apparent in the effects on Christ; person and on his Gospel, And the Concomitant Testimony of all his Miracles and Resurrection and Ascension. And the subsequent Testimony of the Spirit, on the Apostles, their Miracles and doctrine, and on the souls of all serious Christians to the worlds end) These are things (set all together) First, Which none but God could do. Secondly, And which God would not do to deceive the world; Thirdly, Yea, which God would not permit to be done to deceive them in so high a matter; Because he is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Gracious Governour of the world; And if these Testimonies were not of God, it were impossible to know any Testimony to be of God; And seeing w have no surer, it would