2. That this Tradition is written, and put into a stated course in those Books which we call Scriptures. If the Revelation of Gods Will had been left to the tradition of men of such a rank or order, what a liberty might they take of coining Oracles, and obtruding their fancies upon the world: 'Tis a great mercy that our faith doth not depend upon uncertain suggestions, but some main public Records, to which all may appeal and find satisfaction. Heretofore the Lord revealed himself by Visions, Oracles, and Dreams, to persons of ancient holiness and sanctity, that they might instruct others; which course was sure enough, while the people of ⟨p. 149⟩the world were but a few families, and the persons entrusted with Gods message had authority and credit sufficient with the present age, and lived long to continue the tradition with the more certainty to future ages. But afterwards the Lord was pleased to speak to his Church both by Word and writing: His Word was necessary for further revealing and clearing up the doctrine of Salvation; and writing was necessary, because when Precepts were multiplied, it was needful for mens memories that they should be written; the long life of Gods Witnesses was lessened, corruptions began to increase, Satan giving out lying oracles and visions, idolatrous Rites and customs crept into the *best families, the people of God were grown numerous enough to make a Commonwealth and Politic Body; therefore to avoid mans corruptions and Satan's deceits, the Lord thought fit that we should have a written Rule at hand, as a public Standard for the trial of all Doctrines: *God himself wrote the first Scripture with his own Finger upon tables of stone, and he commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same, Exod. 17. 14. and 34. 17. which dispensation of Word and Writing continued till Christs time, who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith, and by the Apostles as so many public Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church in all Ages: When the Canon began to be complete, the latter Apostles pressed the receiving of it; and John as the last, and as one who outlived all the rest, closeth up his Prophecy thus, Rev. 22. 18, 19. If any man add, &c. and if any man take away, &c. which doth not only seal up the Book of the Revelations, but the whole Canon and Rule of Faith; which indeed▪ was a great mercy to the world;
2. That this Tradition is written, and put into a stated course in those Books which we call Scriptures. If the Revelation of Gods Will had been left to the tradition of men of such a rank or order, what a liberty might they take of coyning Oracles, and obtruding their fancies upon the world: 'Tis a great mercy that our faith doth not depend upon uncertain suggestions, but some main publique Records, to which all may appeal and find satisfaction. Heretofore the Lord revealed himself by Visions, Oracles, and Dreams, to persons of ancient holiness and sanctity, that they might instruct others; which course was sure enough, while the people of ⟨p. 149⟩the world were but a few families, and the persons intrusted with Gods message had authority and credit sufficient with the present age, and lived long to continue the tradition with the more certainty to future ages. But afterwards the Lord was pleased to speak to his Church both by Word and writing: His Word was necessary for further revealing and clearing up the doctrine of Salvation; and writing was necessary, because when Precepts were multiplyed, it was needful for mens memories that they should be written; the long life of Gods Witnesses was lessened, corruptions began to increase, Satan giving out lying oracles and visions, idolatrous Rites and customs crept into the *best families, the people of God were grown numerous enough to make a Comm•nwealth and Politick Body; therefore to avoyd mans corruptions and Satans deceits, the Lord thought fit that we should have a written Rule at hand, as a publique Standard for the tryal of all Doctrines: *God himself wrote the first Scripture with his own Finger upon tables of stone, and he commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same, Exod. 17. 14. and 34. 17. which dispensation of Word and Writing continued till Christs time, who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith, and by the Apostles as so many publique Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church in all Ages: When the Canon began to be compleat, the latter Apostles pressed the receiving of it; and John as the last, and as one who outlived all the rest, closeth up his Prophecy thus, Rev. 22. 18, 19. If any man add, &c. and if any man take away, &c. which doth not only seal up the Book of the Revelations, but the whole Canon and Rule of Faith; which indeed was a great mercy to the world;
- *Josh. 24. 3▪ Gen. 39. 2.
- *Exo. 24. 12▪
