I. Assert, That the Bible is the Word of God.

I. Assert, That the Bible is the Word of God.

Tell them, That by [the Bible] you don't mean the Paper, or the Letter, but the Heavenly Matter contained in it. If they make that Irreverent Irrational Cavil, That there are the words of Sinners, yea, and of Devils in the Bible; ask them, Who made the History which relates those words? Whether that History were not written by Inspiration of God? If they Cavil, That Christ is the Word of God; own it, and give the cause why He is called so; namely, because He is the chief Subject which the Word insisteth on; and because He does, as a Word, signify and manifest the glorious Attributes of God; yea, because, as a Word, is the Offspring of the Mind, so our Lord Redeemer is by an Eternal Generation the Son of God. But then turn them, to Jer. 23.30. I am against the Prophets that steal my Word, every one from his Neighbour. Ask them, whether Christ can be Stolen? Turn them, to Eph. 6.17. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ask them, whether Christ be an Instrument for the Spirit or no? Enquire of them, Whether the ⟨p. 60⟩Devil himself did not own the Bible to be the Word of God. When our Lord made him to Fly, by fetching three Texts out of Deuteronomy to him? Let them see, That you'll try that Method upon Them; and do you see, whether they will be worse than He.

Tell them, That by [the Bible] you don't mean the Paper, or the Letter, but the Heavenly Matter contained in it. If they make that Irreverent Irrational Cavil, That there are the words of Sinners, yea, and of Devils in the Bible; ask them, Who made the History which relates those words? Whether that History were not written by Inspiration of God? If they Cavil, That Christ is the Word of God; own it, and give the cause why He is called so; namely, because He is the chief Subject which the Word insisteth on; and because He does, as a Word, signifie and manifest the glorious Attributes of God; yea, because, as a Word, is the Offspring of the Mind, so our Lord Redeemer is by an Eternal Generation the Son of God. But then turn them, to