The reason of faith, or, An answer unto that enquiry, wherefore we believe the…

3. The Design of the whole and all the parts of it hath an impress on it of divine Wisdom and Authority. And hereof there are two parts, First, to reveal God unto men, and Secondly, to direct men to come unto the enjoyment of God. That these are the only two great Concerns of our nature, of any rational Being, were easy to prove, but that it is acknowledged by all those with whom I treat. Now never did any Book or Writing in the World, any single or joint endeavours of mankind, or invisible Spirits, in the way of Authority, give out a Law, Rule, Guide, and Light for all mankind universally in both these, namely, the Knowledge of God, ⟨p. 34⟩and our selves, but this Book only; and if any other, it may be, like the Alcoran, did pretend in the least thereunto, it quickly discovered its own folly, and exposed it self to the contempt of all wise and considerate men. The only Question is, how it hath discharged it self in this Design? for if it hath completely and perfectly accomplished it, it is not only evident that it must be from God, but also that it is the greatest Benefit and Kindness, that divine Benignity and Goodness ever granted unto Mankind; for without it all men universally must necessarily wander in an endless Maze of uncertainties, without ever attaining Light, Rest, or Blessedness, here or hereafter. Wherefore,

3. The Design of the whole and all the parts of it hath an impress on it of divine Wisdom and Authority. And hereof there are two parts, First, to reveal God unto men, and Secondly, to direct men to come unto the enjoyment of God. That these are the only two great Concerns of our nature, of any rational Being, were easy to prove, but that it is acknowledged by all those with whom I treat. Now never did any Book or Writing in the World, any single or joynt endeavours of mankind, or invisible Spirits, in the way of Authority, give out a Law, Rule, Guide, and Light for all mankind universally in both these, namely, the Knowledge of God, ⟨p. 34⟩and our selves, but this Book only; and if any other, it may be, like the Alcoran, did pretend in the least thereunto, it quickly discovered its own folly, and exposed it self to the contempt of all wise and considerate men. The only Question is, how it hath discharged it self in this Design? for if it hath compleatly and perfectly accomplished it, it is not only evident that it must be from God, but also that it is the greatest Benefit and Kindness, that divine Benignity and Goodness ever granted unto Mankind; for without it all men universally must necessarily wander in an endless Maze of uncertainties, without ever attaining Light, Rest, or Blessedness, here or hereafter. Wherefore,