Ans. We say, 1. The Scriptures may be full in the articles of faith, even though some portions thereof, which once were extant, were now a-missing; except it could be made out, that some points of faith were in these Books, which are not to be found in other Scriptures. 2. Yet, seeing it is not safe, and it wants not many inconveniences, to assert that any Book once designed of God to his Church, as a canon or rule of faith and manners, should be lost. And seeing, it is not consistent with that wise Providence of his, whereby he hath still carefully preserved the treasure of his Oracles in his Church, We rather incline to say, that though these Songs were possibly useful, and might be written by the Spirit's direction; yet, that they were not intended for the universal edification of the Church, nor enrolled as a part of his Word, appointed for that end. Neither can it be thought strange, that it should so be; for, that a thing be Scripture, it's not only needful, that it be inspired, but also that it be appointed of God for public use. It's not improbable, but Isaiah, Moses, David, Paul, and others might have written many moe writings, upon particular occasions, or to particular persons, which were useful in themselves for edification; and yet were never appointed of God to be looked upon, or received as Scriptures for public use in his Church: So do we account of these Songs mentioned in the objection, and other writings of Solomon, now not extant: And it may be the Spirit hath pitched on this Song, to be recorded, as the sum and chief of all the rest; as he did pitch upon some particular Prayers of David and Moses, &c. passing by others.
Ans. We say, 1. The Scriptures may be full in the articles of faith, even though some portions thereof, which once were extant, were now a-missing; except it could be made out, that some points of faith were in these Books, which are not to be found in other Scriptures. 2. Yet, seing it is not safe, and it wants not many inconveniences, to assert that any Book once designed of God to his Church, as a canon or rule of faith and manners, should be lost. And seing, it is not consistent with that wise Providence of his, whereby he hath still carefully preserved the treasure of his Oracles in his Church, We rather incline to say, that though these Songs were possibly useful, and might be written by the Spirit's direction; yet, that they were not intended for the universal edification of the Church, nor inrolled as a part of his Word, appointed for that end. Neither can it be thought strange, that it should so be; for, that a thing be Scripture, it's not only needful, that it be inspired, but also that it be appointed of God for publike use. It's not improbable, but Isaiah, Moses, David, Paul, and others might have written many moe writtings, upon particular occasions, or to particular persons, which were useful in themselves for edification; and yet were never appointed of God to be looked upon, or received as Scriptures for publike use in his Church: So do we account of these Songs mentioned in the objection, and other writings of Solomon, now not extant: And it may be the Spirit hath pitched on this Song, to be recorded, as the sum and chief of all the rest; as he did pitch upon some particular Prayers of David and Moses, &c. passing by others.
