An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

First, That we have as great a testimony to believe that the Books of the Scripture were written by those holy men to whom they are ascribed, as we have to believe any works were made by humane Authors. That Plato's works were made by Plato, that Tully's works were made by Tully; thus that Paul's Epistles were made by him: Yea, we have far greater reason, for there were miracles wrought by most of those, who wrote those Books, which could not but confirm their Authority in writing; whereas Plato and Aristotle, these never wrought any miracles. Now then, if there were no more, this is something, That there is not so much reason to doubt of these Books as made by such men, then of any humane Author that ever wrote. And as thou hast no doubts there, so neither may any be made here. But

First, That we have as great a testimony to believe that the Books of the Scripture were written by those holy men to whom they are ascribed, as we have to believe any works were made by humane Authours. That Plato's works were made by Plato, that Tully's works were made by Tully; thus that Paul's Epistles were made by him: Yea, we have farre greater reason, for there were miracles wrought by most of those, who wrote those Books, which could not but confirm their Authority in writing; whereas Plato and Aristotle, these never wrought any miracles. Now then, if there were no more, this is something, That there is not so much reason to doubt of these Books as made by such men, then of any humane Authour that ever wrote. And as thou hast no doubts there, so neither may any be made here. But

In the second place, We must go higher, for this is but an Humane testimony, and so only begets an Humane Faith. They introduce Humanity ¹in stead of Christianity, who affirm, We believe that there was such an one as Jesus of Nazareth, upon no higher motives, then that there was such an one, as King Henry the Eighth. Therefore this principle once granted, as it must be, then it will necessarily follow, That we must receive the matter therein, as the word of God, and not of man. For this being their Writings, and they therein declaring, that they are sent of God, and that their Doctrine is of Heaven, it must necessarily follow, That the ultimate motive of our Faith, is that Divine Revelation, and Authority appearing therein. So that if this be cleared in an humane way, that such men there were once, and they wrote those things; as the malicious adversaries who wrote against them do confess, then they therein declaring of whom they come, and from whence enabled, we do no longer receive their works, as we do humane works, but as the word of God. Humane Faith may make way for a Divine Faith; but this Divine Faith cannot be ultimately resolved into it. And if to this