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The Truth of the Writings confirmed from hence, that many things are found there which the event hath proved to be divinely

revealed.

THE HESE things ought to fuffice, but there are other Arguments which we may heap upon thefe, to prove the truth and fidelity of thefe Authors Writings. For many things are therein foretold, which were impoffible for Men by their own power to know or bring to pass: yet we fee the truth thereof wonderfully confirmed by the event.

Thus it was foretold that this Religion fhould upon a fudden have a large and ample increafe; that it fhould continue for ever; and though it were rejected by moft of the Jews, yet fhould it be imbraced by the Gentiles. Thus likewife was foretold what hatred and fpight the Jews would bear against them that profefled this Religion, and what grievous Perfecutions they hould undergo: The Siege alfo and deftruction both of Hierufalem, and of the Temple, together with the miferable Calamities of the Jewish Nation.

SECT.

SECT. IX.

As alfo from God's Care in preferving his People from falfe Writings.

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ESIDES this, if it be granted that God out of his providence takes care of humane affairs, fpecially fuch as belong to his honour and worship; then it cannot be that he should fuffer fo great a multitude of Men, who had no other defign but to worship God after a holy manner, to be cheated with lying Books. And forafinuch as fince the time that fo many Sects have sprung up in Christianity, there hath not been one that received not either all or the most of thofe Books, (excepting fome few that contain no fingular matter differing from the reft) it is a great argument that no material thing could be objected against these writings; fpecially fince the faid Sects were fo partial and spitefully bent against each other, that what one approved, others rejected, even for this reafon, because it was there approved.

SECT. X.

Anfwer to the Objection, That divers Books were not received by all.

TH

HERE were fome indeed, though very few, among thofe that would be called Christians, who rejected all thofe Books, which

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they faw contradicted their peculiar Opinions. Such, for inftance, as out of hatred of the Jews reviled their God, the Maker of the World; and the Law which he had given them: or on the other fide, fuch as for fear of the evils which Chriftians were to undergo, chofe to lurk and lie hid under the name of Jews; who had liberty, without any danger, to profefs their Religion. But thefe very Men were renounced, in those times, by all other Chriftians throughout the World: when as yet all that differed in their opinions, with the fafety of piety, were tole rated, by the order of the Apoftles, with great patience. As for the former kind of these adulterate Chriftians, I think they have been fufficiently confuted, both by that which we have faid before, when we proved that there was but one only true God, the fole framer of the whole World; as alfo by thofe very Books, which that they might have fome femblance of Chriftians, they did admit of, fpecially the Goffel of Luke: wherein is evidently fhewn that the fame God whom fes and the Hebrews worshipped, was preached by Christ. And the other fort we shall more fitly confute, when we come to oppugn thofe that both are and would be called Jews. For the prefent only this I fay, that their impudence is wonderful great, who flight and extenuate the authority of Paul; feeing there was not one of all the Apostles, that founded and taught more Churches than he did: and his Miracles were at that time reported to be exceeding numerous, when (as e'rewhile we faid) there might eafily have been trial, and enquiry made of the truth of the matter. If then it be true that he wrought won lers, why may we not believe him concern

ing his heavenly Visions, and inftruction received from Christ himself? to whom if he was so dear, it cannot be that he should teach any thing inglorious or ingrateful unto Christ, as falfities or untruths would have been. And as touching that particular, which is the only thing whereof they accufe him, namely his doctrine of the liberty and freedom which was purchased for the Hebrews from thofe Rites and Ceremonies that were. formerly commanded them by MOSES; He had no reafon at all to teach it, but only the truth of the thing which he afferted. For he himfelf was both circumcifed, and did also of his own ⚫ accord obferve very many things which the Law enjoined. And then for the fake of the Chriftian Religion, he both did more difficult and fuffered harder things than the Law required, or could be expected upon the account of the Law; and taught alfo his Difciples to do and fuffer the like. Whence it appears that he uttered no flattering or enticing fpeeches unto his auditors; who were taught instead of the Sabbath, to keep every day holy for divine worship, and inftead of the little expences which the Law required, to suffer the lofs of all their goods; and inftead of the bloud of Beafts, to confecrate their own bloud unto God. And farther, Paul himfelf plainly affirms, that Peter, John, and James, in token of their confent with him, gave him the right hands of fellowship which he never durft have spoken, if it had not been true, becaufe the fame Men being then alive might have conviƐted himn for a lyar.

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These therefore (of whom I have now spoken) being excluded, as fcarce deferving the name of Chriftians; the moft manifeft confent of fo

many

many Congregations of Chriftians, who received thefe Books, added to what hath been fpoken of the Miracles which the Writers of them wrought, and the fingular care which God takes about matters of this kind, ought to be fufficient to induce any indifferent Men to give credit there+ unto: fpecially confidering that they are wont commonly to credit any other Books of Hiftory, which have no fuch teftimonies; unless they fee fome plain reafon to the contrary, which cannot be faid of any of those Books whereof we have fpoken.

SECT. XI.

Anfwer to an Objection, that these Books feem to contain things impoffible.

OR if any body fay, that fome things are related in thefe Books, which are impoffible to be done; the Objection vanishes, when we confider what hath been before difcourfed; that there are things which cannot indeed be done by Men, but are poffible with God (fuch, that is, as include in themselves no repugnancy or contradiction, as we speak) and that in the number of fuch things, are even thofe miraculous powers which we moft of all admire, and the recalling of the Dead to Life again.

SECT

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