Copyright©MonergismBooks

ABodyofDoctrinalDivinity

byJohnGill

TableofContents

BOOKI:OfGod,HisWords,Names,Nature,Perfections,andPersons.

1.OftheBeingofGod.2.OftheHolyScriptures.3.OftheNamesofGod.4.OftheNatureofGod.5. Of the Attributes of God in General and of His Immutability inParticular.6.OftheInfinityofGod,HisOmnipresenceandEternity.7.OftheLifeofGod.8.OftheOmnipotenceofGod.9.OftheOmniscienceofGod.10.OftheWisdomofGod.11.OftheWillofGod,andtheSovereigntyofIt.12.OftheLoveofGod.13.OftheGraceofGod.14.OftheMercyofGod.15.OftheLong-SufferingofGod.16.OftheGoodnessofGod.17.OftheAngerandWrathofGod.18.OftheHatredofGod.19.OftheJoyofGod.20.OftheHolinessofGod.21.OftheJusticeorRighteousnessofGod.22.OftheVeracityofGod.

23.OftheFaithfulnessofGod.24.OftheSufficiencyandPerfectionofGod.25.OftheBlessednessofGod.26.OftheUnityofGod.27.OfaPluralityontheGodhead;or,ATrinityofPersonsintheUnityoftheDivineEssence.28.OfthePersonalRelations;or,RelativePropertiesWhichDistinguishtheThreeDivinePersonsintheDeity.29.OftheDistinctPersonality,andDeityoftheFather.30.OftheDistinctPersonality,andDeityoftheSon.31.OftheDistinctPersonality,andDeityoftheHolySpirit.

BOOKII:OftheActsandWorksofGod.

1.OftheInternalActsandWorksofGod;andofHisDecreesinGeneral.2.OftheSpecialDecreesofGod,RelatingtoRationalCreatures,Angels,andMen;andParticularlyofElection.3.OftheDecreesofRejection,ofSomeAngels,andofSomeMen.4.OftheEternalUnionoftheElectofGodUntoHim.5. Of Other Eternal and Immanent Acts in God, Particularly AdoptionandJustification.6. Of the Everlasting Council Between the Three Divine Persons,ConcerningtheSalvationofMen.7.OftheEverlastingCovenantofGrace,BetweentheFather,andtheSon,andtheHolySpirit.8.OfthePartWhichtheFatherTakesintheCovenant.9. Of the Part the Son of God, the Second Person, Has Taken in theCovenant.10.OfChrist,astheCovenant-HeadoftheElect.11.OfChrist,theMediatoroftheCovenant.12.OfChrist,theSuretyoftheCovenant.13.OfChrist,theTestatoroftheCovenant.14.OftheConcerntheSpiritofGodHasintheCovenantofGrace.15.OfthePropertiesoftheCovenantofGrace.16.OftheComplacencyandDelightGodHadinHimself,andtheDivinePersonsinEachOther...

BOOKIII:OftheEternalWorksofGod.

1.OfCreationinGeneral.2.OftheCreationofAngels.3.OftheCreationofMan.4.OftheProvidenceofGod.5.OftheConfirmationoftheElectAngels,andtheFalloftheNon-Elect.6.OftheHonourandHappinessofManinaStateofInnocence.7.Of theLawGiven toAdam,and theCovenantmadewithHim in theStateofInnocence...8.OftheSinandFallofourFirstParents.9.OftheNature,Aggravations,andSadEffectsoftheSinofMan.10.OftheImputationofAdam'sSintoallHisPosterity.11.OftheCorruptionofHumanNature.12.OfActualSinsandTransgressions.13.OfthePunishmentofSin.

BOOKIV:OftheActsoftheGraceofGod,Towards,andUponHisElectinTime.

1.OftheManifestationandAdministrationoftheCovenantofGrace.2.OftheExhibitionsoftheCovenantofGraceinthePatriarchalState.3. Of the Exhibition of the Covenant of Grace Under the MosaicDispensation.4.OftheCovenantofGrace,asExhibitedintheTimesofDavid,andtheSucceedingProphets,totheComingofChrist.5.Of theAbrogationof theOldCovenant,orFirstAdministrationof it,andtheIntroductionoftheNew,orSecondAdministrationofit.6.OftheLawofGod.7.OftheGospel.

BOOKV:Of theGrace of Christ inHis States ofHumiliationandExaltation,andintheOfficesExercisedbyHiminThem.

1.OftheIncarnationofChrist.2.OfChrist'sStateofHumiliation.3.OftheActiveObedienceofChristinHisStateofHumiliation.4.OfthePassiveObedienceofChrist,orofHisSufferingsandDeath.5.OftheBurialofChrist.

6.OftheResurrectionofChristfromtheDead.7.OftheAscensionofChristtoHeaven.8.OftheSessionofChristattheRight-HandofGod.9.OfthePropheticOfficeofChrist.10.OfthePriestlyOfficeofChrist.11.OftheIntercessionofChrist.12.OfChrist'sBlessingHisPeopleasaPriest.13.OftheKinglyOfficeofChrist.14.OftheSpiritualReignofChrist.

BOOKVI:OftheBlessingsofGrace,andtheDoctrinesofIt.

1.OfRedemptionbyChrist2.OftheCausesofRedemptionbyChrist.3.OftheObjectsofRedemptionbyChrist.4. Of those Text of Scripture Which Seem to Favour UniversalRedemption.5.OftheSatisfactionofChrist6.OfPropitiation,Atonement,andReconciliation,asAscribedtoChrist.7.OfthePardonofSin.8.OfJustification.9.OfAdoption.10.OftheLibertyoftheSonsofGod.11.OfRegeneration.12.OfEffectualCalling.13.OfConversion.14.OfSanctification.15.OfthePerseveranceoftheSaints.

BOOKVII:OftheFinalStateofMan.

1.OftheDeathoftheBody.2.OftheImmortalityoftheSoul.3. Of the Separate State of the Soul Until the Resurrection, and ItsEmploymentinthatState.4.OftheResurrectionoftheBody.5.OftheSecondComingofChrist,andHisPersonalAppearance.6.OftheConflagrationoftheUniverse.

7.OftheNewHeavensandEarth,andtheInhabitantsofThem.8.OftheMillennium,orPersonalReignofChristwiththeSaintsontheNewEarthaThousandYears.9.OftheLastandGeneralJudgment.10.OftheFinalStateoftheWickedinHell.11.OftheFinalStateoftheSaintsinHeaven.

BOOKI:OfGod,HisWords,Names,Nature,Perfections,andPersons.

OFTHEBEINGOFGOD

HavingundertakentowriteaSystemofTheology,oraBodyofDoctrinalDivinity; andTheologybeingnothing else than a speakingofGod, or adiscoursingconcerninghim;hisnature,names,perfections,andpersons;hispurposes,providences,ways,works,andword:IshallbeginwiththeBeingofGod,andtheproofandevidenceofit;whichisthefoundationofallreligion;forifthereisnoGod,religionisavainthing;anditmattersnotneitherwhatwebelieve,norwhatwedo;since there isno superiorBeingtowhomweareaccountableforeitherfaithorpractice.

Some, because the being of God is a first principle, which is not to bedisputed;andbecausethatthereisoneisaself-evidentproposition,nottobedisproved;have thought it shouldnot be admitted as amatter ofdebate:butsincesuchisthemaliceofSatan,astosuggestthecontrarytothemindsofmen;andsuchthebadnessofsomewickedmenastolistento it, and imbibe it; and such theweaknessof somegoodmenas tobeharassed and distressed with doubts about it at times; it cannot beimproper to endeavor to fortifyourmindswith reasonsand argumentsagainstsuchsuggestionsandinsinuations.Andmy

1. First argument to prove theBeing of aGod, shall be taken from thegeneral consent ofmen of all nations, in all ages of the world; amongwhomthebeliefofithasuniversallyobtained;whichitisnotreasonableto suppose would have obtained, if it was not true. This has beenobserved bymany heathen writers themselves. Aristotle says, "all men

have a persuasion of Deity, or that there is a God." Cicero observes,"Thereisnonationsowildandsavage,whosemindsarenotimbuedwiththeopinionof thegods;manyentertainwrongnotionsof them;butallsupposeandownthedivinepowerandnature."

Andinanotherplacehesays,"ThereisnoanimalbesidesmanthathasanyknowledgeofGod;andofmenthereisnonationsointractableandfierce,althoughitmaybeignorantwhataGoditshouldhave,yetisnotignorant that one should be had." And again, "It is the sense of allmankind, that it is "innate" in all, and is, as it were, engraved on themind,thatthereisaGod;butwhataoneheis,inthattheyvary;butthathe is, none denies." And to the same sense are the words of Seneca,"There neverwas a nation so dissolute and abandoned, so lawless andimmoral,astobelievethereisnoGod."SoAelianusrelates,"Noneofthebarbarousnationseverfellintoatheism,ordoubtedofthegodswhethertheywereornot,orwhethertheytookcareofhumanaffairsornot;nottheIndians,northeGauls,northeEgyptians."

AndPlutarchhastheseremarkablewords,"Ifyougoovertheearth,sayshe,youmayfindcitieswithoutwalls, letters,kings,houses,wealth,andmoney, devoid of theaters and schools; but a city without temples andgods,andwhereisnouseofprayers,oaths,andoracles,norsacrificestoobtaingoodoravertevil,nomaneversaw."Thesethingswereobservedandsaid,when the trueknowledgeofGodwas inagreatmeasure lost,and idolatryprevailed;andyeteven then, thiswas thegeneral senseofmankind. In the firstagesof theworld,menuniversallybelieved in thetrueGod,andworshipedhim,asAdamandhissons,andtheirposterity,untiltheflood;nordoesthereappearanytraceofidolatrybeforeit,norforsometimeafter.Thesinswhichcausedthat,andwithwhichtheworldwasfilled,seemtobelewdnessandimpurity,rapineandviolence.

SomethinkthetowerofBabelwasbuiltforanidolatroususe;anditmaybe that about that time idolatry was set up; as it is thought to haveprevailed in the days of Serug: and it is very probable that when thegreaterpartoftheposterityofNoah'ssonsweredispersedthroughouttheearth,andsettledinthedistantpartsofit;thatastheywereremotefromthose among whom the true worship of God was preserved; they, bydegrees, lost sight of the true God, and forsook his worship; and this

beingthecase,theybegantoworshipthesuninhisstead,andwhichledontotheworshipofthemoon,andthehostofHeaven;whichseemtobethe first objects of idolatry. This was as early as the times Job, whoplainlyrefersto it, (Job31:26,27).And, indeed,whenmenhadcastoffthe trueobjectofworship,whatmorenatural to substitute inhis roomthanthesun,moon,andstars,whichwereabovethem,visiblebythem,andsogloriousinthemselves,andsobeneficialtotheearthandmenonit?HencethepeopleofIsraelwereexhortedtotakecarethattheireyeswerenotensnaredat thesightof them,tofalldownandworshipthem;andwhichinlatertimestheydid(Deuteronomy4:19;2King21:3).

It appears also thatmen took very early to the deifying of their heroesafterdeath,theirkings,andgreatpersonages,eitherfortheirwisdomandknowledge,orfortheircourageandvalor,andmartialexploits,andotherthings; suchwere theBel,orBelus,of theBabylonians; theBaalpeorofthe Moabites. ;and the Molech of the Phoenicians, and other Baalimlords, or kings, mentioned in the Scriptures: and such were Saturn,Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Hercules; and the rest of the rabble of theheathendeities;andindeedtheirLares,andPenates,orhouseholdgods,werenootherthantheimagesoftheirdeceasedparents,ormoreremoteancestors, whose memory they revered; and in process of time theirdeitiesbecameverynumerous;theyhadgodsmanyandlordsmany:evenwiththeJews,whenfallenintoidolatry,theirgodswereaccordingtothenumberoftheircities(Jeremiah2:28).

Andas for theGentiles, theyworshipedalmosteverything;notonlythesun,moon,andstars;buttheearth,fire,andwater;andvarioussortsofanimals,asoxen,goats,andswine,catsanddogs,thefishesoftherivers,theriverhorse,andthecrocodile,thoseamphibiouscreatures;thebirdsof the air, as the hawk, stork, and ibis; and even insects, the fly; yes,creeping things, as serpents, thebeetle, etc.; as also vegetables, onions,and garlic; which occasioned the satirical poet to say, "O holy nations,whose gods are born in their gardens!"Nay, some haveworshiped thedevil himself, as both in the East and West Indies; and that for thisreason, that hemight not harm them.Now though all this betrays thedreadfuldepravityofhumannature;thewretchedignoranceofmankind;and the sad stupidity men were sunk into; yet at the same time such

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shockingidolatry,inallthebranchesofit,isafullproofofthetruthandforceofmyargument,thatallmen,inallagesandcountries,havebeenpossessedofthenotionofaGod;since,ratherthantohavenoGod,theyhavechosenfalseones;sodeeplyrootedisasenseofDeityinthemindsofallmen.

Iamsensiblethattothisitisobjected,thattherehavebeen,atdifferenttimes,andindifferentcountries,someparticularpersonswhohavebeenreckonedatheists,deniersoftheBeingofaGod.Butsomeofthesemenwereonlyderidersofthegodsoftheircountry;theymockedatthemasunworthy of the name, as weak and insufficient to help them; as theyreasonablymight;justasElijahmockedatBaalandhisworshipers.Nowthecommonpeople,becausetheysobehavedtowardstheirgods,lookedupon themasatheists, as suchwhodidnotbelieve therewasanyGod.Others were so accounted, because they excluded the gods from anyconcern with human affairs; they thought they were other waysemployed, and that such things were below their notice, and notbecomingtheirgrandeuranddignitytoregard;andhadmuchthesamesentimentsassomeoftheJewshad(Ezekiel9:9;Zep.1:12).

But these men were not deniers of the existence of God, only of hisprovidence as to the affairs of the world: and others have been ratherpracticalthanspeculativeatheists,asthefoolinPsalm14:1,whonotonlyliveasiftherewasnoGod;butwishintheirheartstherewasnone,ratherthanbelievethereisnone;thatsotheymighttaketheirfillofsin,withoutbeing accountable to a superior Being. The number of real speculativeatheists have been very few, if any; some have boldly asserted theirdisbeliefofaGod;but it isaquestionwhether theirheartsandmouthshaveagreed;at least theyhavenotbeenable tomaintain theirunbelieflongwithout some doubts and fears. And atmost this only shows howmuchthereasonofmanmaybedebased,andhowlowitmaysinkwhenleft to itself: these few instances are only particular exceptions to ageneral rule; which is not destroyed thereby, being contrary to thecommon sense of mankind; even as it is no sufficient objection to thedefinitionofman, as a rational creature, that there isnowand thenanidiotbornofhis race, sonot to thegeneralbeliefofDeity, that there isnowandthenanatheistintheworld.

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It is further objected, that therehavebeenwholenations inAfrica andAmerica, who have no notion of Deity. But this is what has not beensufficiently proved; it depends upon the testimonies of travelers, andwhatoneaffirms,anotherdenies; so thatnothing canwith certaintybeconcluded from them. "I should rather question, says Herbert, LordCherbury,whetherthelightofthesunhasshoneontheremotestregions,thanthattheknowledgeoftheSupremeBeingishiddenfromthem;sincethesunisonlyconspicuousinitsownsphere;buttheSupremeBeingisseenineverything."DiodorusSiculussays,afewoftheEthiopianswereofopiniontherewasnoGod;thoughbeforehehadrepresentedthemasthefirstandmostreligiousofallnations,asattestedbyallantiquity.

TheHottentotsabouttheCapeofGoodHopehavebeeninstancedin,aswithoutanyknowledgeofDeity:andcertainlytheyareamostbeastlyandbrutishpeoplethatcanbenamed,andthemostdegenerateofthehumanspecies, and have survived the common instincts of humanity; yet,according toMr. Kolben's account of them, published some years ago,they appear to have some sense of a Supreme Being, and of inferiordeities.Theyexpressasuperstitiousjoyatnewandfullmoons;anditissaidtheypraytoaBeingthatdwellsabove;andoffersacrificeofthebestthingstheyhave,witheyeslifteduptoHeaven.Andlaterdiscoveriesofother nations, show the contrary to what has been asserted of them;which assertionshave arose either fromwant of intimate knowledge ofthem, and familiar acquaintance with them, or from their dissolute,wicked,and irreligious lives;when,byconversingwith them, itappearsthattheyhaveanotionofthesun,orsky,orsomethingoranotherbeingasortofdeity.

Thus ithasbeenobservedof theGreenlanders, that"theyhadneitherareligion nor idolatrous worship; nor somuch as any ceremonies to beperceived tending to it: hence the first missionaries entertained asupposition,thattherewasnottheleasttracetobefoundamongthemofany conception of a divine Being, especially as they had no word toexpresshimby.Butwhentheycametounderstandtheirlanguagebetter,theyfoundquitethereversetobetrue,fromthenotionstheyhad,thoughveryvagueandvarious,concerningthesoul,andconcerningspirits;andalso from their anxious solicitude about the state after death. And not

onlyso,buttheycouldplainlygatherfromafreedialoguetheyhadwithsome perfectly wild Greenlanders, that their ancestors must havebelievedasupremeBeing,anddidrenderhimsomeservice;whichtheirposterityneglectedbylittleandlittle,thefurthertheywereremovedfrommore wise and civilized nations; until at last they lost every justconceptionoftheDeity;yet,afterall,itismanifest,thatafaintideaofadivineBeingliesconcealedinthemindsevenofthispeople,becausetheydirectlyassent,withoutanyobjection, to thedoctrineofaGod,andhisattributes."

Andastowhatisconcludedfromtheirreligiouslivesoftheinhabitantsofsomenations,weneednotbesenttoAfricaandAmericaforsuchatheistsasthese;wehaveenoughoftheminourownnation;andIwasjustreadytosay,weareanationofatheistsinthissense:and,indeed,allmeninanunregeneratestate,betheyJewsorGentiles,orlivewheretheymay,theyare"atheists";astheapostlecallsthem,(Eph2:12)theyare"withoutGodintheworld,beingalienatedfromthelifeofGod",(Eph4:18)otherwisethere is such a general sense of Deity inmankind; and such a naturalinclinationtoreligion,ofsomesortoranother,thougheversobad,thatsomehavethoughtthatmanshouldratherbedefinedasareligiousthanarationalanimal. I takenonoticeof theholyangels,whoworshipGodcontinually;norofthedevils,whobelievethereisoneGodandtremble;myargumentbeingonlyconcernedwithmen.

2.Thesecondargumentshallbetakenfromthelawandlightofnature;orfromthegeneral instinct inmen,or impressofDeityonthemindofeveryman;thatis,assoonashebeginstohavetheexerciseofhisrationalpowers,hethinksandspeaksofGod,andassentstotheBeingofaGod.Thisfollowsupontheformer,andistobeprovedbyit;forasCicerosays,"The consent of all nations in anything, is to be reckoned the law ofnature."AndsinceallnationsagreeinthebeliefofaDeity,thatmustbeapart of the law of nature, inscribed on the heart of everyman. SenecamakesuseofthistoprovethereisaGod;hesays:"becauseanopinionorsenseofDeity, is"implanted" inthemindsofallmen."Andso likewiseCicero, as observed before; and who calls them the notions of Deityimplanted and innate.Andwhoever believes theMosaic account of thecreationofman,cannotdoubtofthisbeinghiscase,whenfirstcreated;

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sinceheissaidtobemadeintheimage,andafterthelikenessofGod;forthe image of God surely could not be impressed upon him, withouthaving the knowledge of him implanted in him; and though man bysinninghas greatly come short of this image and glory ofGod, yet thislight of nature is not wholly obscured, nor the law of nature entirelyobliteratedinhim;therearesomeremainsofit.

Therearesomeindeedamongus,whodenythereareanyinnateideasinthemindsofmen,andparticularlyconcerningGod:but tosuchwritersandreasoners Ipaybut little regard;when the inspiredapostleassuresus,thateventheGentiles,destituteofthelawofMoses,have"theworkofthelawwrittenintheirhearts",(Romans2:15)which,asitregardsdutytoGod, aswell asman, necessarily supposes the knowledge of him; aswell as of the difference between good and evil, as founded upon hisnatureandwill: and though this lightofnature isnot sufficient to leadmen, in their present state, to a true spiritual and saving knowledge ofGod;yet it furnishesthemwithsuchasenseofhim,asputsthemuponseekinghim;"ifhaplytheymayfeelandgropeafterhim,andfindhim",(Acts17:27).

ThesenoticesofadivineBeingdonotflowfromthepreviousinstructionsofparentsandothers;butfromanaturalinstinct;atmost,theyareonlydrawn forth by instruction and teaching; Velleius, the Epicurean, says,"that there is a Deity nature itself has impressed the notion of on themindsofallmen;forwhatnation,orsortofmen,"headds,"thathasnotacertainanticipationofitwithoutbeingtaughtit,"orbeforetaughtit,asJulianexpressesit:nordothesenoticestaketheirrisefromstatepolicy;or are the effects of that originally: if this was the case, if it was thecontrivance of politicians to keepmen in awe, and under subjection, itmustbethecontrivanceofoneman,ormoreunitedtogether.Ifofone,say,who is theman? inwhat agehe lived, andwhere? andwhat ishisname,orhisson'sname?Ifofmore,say,whenandwheretheyexisted?and who they were that met together? and where they formed thisscheme?Andletitbeaccountedfor;ifitcan,thatsuchanumberofsageandwisemen,whohavebeenintheworld;thatnomanshouldbeabletoget into the secret, anddetect the fallacy anddiscover it, and freemenfromtheimposition.

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Besides, these notices appeared before any scheme of politics wasformed;orkingsorcivilmagistrateswereinbeing.Platohasrefutedthisnotion;and represents it asaverypestilentone,both inprivateand inpublic. Nor are these notices by tradition from one to another; sincetraditionsarepeculiartocertainpeople:theJewshadtheirs,andsohadtheGentiles;andparticularnationsamongthemhadseparateonesfromeach other; but these are common to all mankind: nor do they springfromaslavishfearanddreadofpunishment;forthoughithasbeensaid,thatfearmakesgods,orproducesanotionofDeity;thecontraryistrue,thatDeityproducesfear,aswillbeseeninafollowingargument.

Under this head may be observed the innate desires of men afterhappiness,whicharesoboundlessasnottobesatisfied.Letamanhaveeversogreatacompassofknowledgeandunderstanding;orpossesseverso large a portion of wealth and riches; or be indulged with thegratificationofhissensestothehighestdegree;orenjoyallthepleasurethe whole creation can afford him; yet after all, according to the wiseman,theconclusionofthewholeis,"allisvanityandvexationofspirit"(Ecclesiastes 2:17). Now these desires are not in vain implanted, theremust be an object answerable unto them; a perfect Being, which is nootherthanGod;whoisthefirstcauseandlastendofallthings,ofwhomthePsalmistsays,"WhomhaveIinHeavenbutyou?andthereisnoneonearthmysouldesiresbesidesyou"(Psalm73:25).

3.Thethirdargument,provingtheBeingofGod,shallbetakenfromtheworksofcreation;concerningwhichtheapostlesays,"theinvisiblethingsofGod,fromthecreationoftheworld,areclearlyseen;beingunderstoodby the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead"(Romans1:20).Plutarch,inanswertoaquestion,WhencehavementheknowledgeofGod?replies,"Theyfirstreceivetheknowledgeofhimfromthebeautyof things that appear; fornothingbeautiful ismade in vain,norbychance,butwroughtwithsomeare:thattheworldisbeautiful,ismanifest from the figure, the color, andmagnitude of it; and from thevarietyofstarsabout theworld."Andthesesoclearlydisplay theBeingandpowerofGod,astoleavetheheathenwithoutexcuse,astheapostleobserves;andasthis,andotherinstances,show.

Most admirable was the reasoning of a wild Greenlander, which he

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declared to a missionary to be the reasoning of his mind before hisconversion; he said to him, "It is truewewere ignorant heathens, andknewnothingofGod,oraSavior;and,indeed,whoshouldtellusofhimuntil you come? but youmust not imagine that noGreenlander thinksaboutthesethings.Imyselfhaveoftenthought:aaboatwithallitstackleandimplements,doesnotgrowintoexistenceofitself;butmustbemadebythe laborandingenuityofman;andonethatdoesnotunderstanditwoulddirectlyspoilit.

Nowthemeanestbirdhasfarmoreskilldisplayedin itsstructure, thanthebestboat;andnomancanmakeabird:butthereisstillafargreaterare shown in the formation of aman, than of any other creature.Whowas it that made him? I thought myself that he proceeded from hisparents,andtheyfromtheirparents;butsomemusthavebeenthefirstparents;whencedid theycome?commonreport informsme, they grewoutoftheearth:butifso,whydoesitnotstillhappenthatmengrowoutoftheearth?andfromwhencedidthissameearthitself,thesea,thesun,themoon,andstars,arise intoexistence?Certainly theremustbesomeBeingwhomadeallthesethings;aBeingthatalwayswas,andcanneverceasetobe.

He must be inexpressibly more mighty, knowing, and wise, than thewisestman.Hemustbeverygood too,because that everything that hehasmadeisgood,useful,andnecessaryforus.Ah,didIbutknowhim,howwouldI lovehimandhonorhim!Butwhohasseenhim?whohaseverconversedwithhim?Noneofuspoormen.Yettheremaybementoothat know something of him. O that I could but speak with such!therefore,"hesaid,"assoonaseverIheardyouspeakofthisgreatBeing,Ibelieveditdirectly,withallmyheart;becauseIhadsolongdesiredtohearit."Aglaringproofthis,thatasupremeBeing,thefirstcauseofallthings, is tobeconcludedfromtheworksofcreation.Thenotionof theeternityoftheworldhasbeenimbibedbysomeheathens,butsufficientlyconfuted by others.And evenAristotle, towhom it is ascribed, asserts,that "it was an ancient doctrine, andwhat allmen received from theirancestors;thatallthingsareofGod,andconsistbyhim."

And thosewhobelieve thedivine revelation, cannot admitof anyotherdoctrine;butmustexplodethenotionoftheeternityoftheworld,andof

its being of itself; since that assures us, that "in the beginning Godcreatedtheheavensandtheearth":alsothatallthingsweremade,"notofthingswhichdoappear",butoutofnothing,(Genesis1:1;Hebrews11:3)for,beit,thattheheavensandtheearthweremadeoutofachaos,oroutofpre-existentmatter;itmaybereasonablyasked,outofwhatwasthatpre-existentmattermade? the answermust be, out of nothing; since itwasbycreation,whichistheproductionofsomethingoutofnothing:andwhichcanneverbeperformedbythecreature;foroutofnothing,nothingcanbemadebythat.Ifthereforeallthingsareoriginallyproducedoutofnothing,itmustbebyonethatisalmighty,whomwerightlycallGod.

No creature canproduce itself; this involves suchcontradictionsas cannever be admitted; for then a creature must be before it was; as thatwhichmakesmustbebeforethatwhichismade:itmustactandoperatebefore itexists;andbeandnotbeatoneandthesametime;whicharesuchglaringcontradictions,assufficientlyconfutethecreature'smakingitself; and therefore its beingmust be owing to another cause; even toGod, theCreator; forbetweenacreatureandGod, there isnomedium:andifitcouldbethoughtorsaid,thatthemostexcellentcreatures,men,made themselves; besides the above contradictions, which would beimplied,itmightbeasked,whydidnottheymakethemselveswiserandbetter; since it is certain, they have knowledge of beings superior tothem?andhowisitthattheyknowsolittleofthemselves,eitheroftheirbodiesortheirsouls, ifbothweremadebythem?andwhyaretheynotable to preserve themselves from a dissolution to which they are allsubject? It may be further observed; that effects, which depend uponcauses in subordination to one another, cannot be traced up "adinfinitum";butmust be reduced to some first cause,where the inquirymustrest;andthatfirstcauseisGod.

Now here is an ample field to survey; which furnishes out a variety ofobjects,andallproofsofDeity.Thereisnothinginthewholecreationthemindcancontemplate, theeye lookupon, or thehand layholdon,butwhatproclaimstheBeingofGod.Whenwelookuptotheheavensaboveus; the surrounding atmosphere; the air in which we breathe, whichcompresses our earth, and keeps it together; the stellar space, andspreadingsky,bespangledwithstarsof light,andadornedwith the two

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great luminaries, the sun and moon, especially the former, thatinexhaustible fountain of light and heat; and under whose benigninfluences, somany things are brought forth on earth;whose circuit isfromoneendoftheHeaventotheother;andthereisnothinghidfromtheheat thereof:whenwe consider its form,magnitude, andvirtue; itsproper distance from us, being not so near us as to scorch us; nor soremoteastobeofnousetous;themotiongivenitatfirst,inwhichithasproceeded without stopping, but once as is supposed, in the days ofJoshua;amotionithashadnowalmostsixthousandyears;thecourseithas steered, and steers, so that all parts of the earth, at one season oranother,receivebenefitbyit;andthewayithasbeenguidedin,withoutvaryingorerringfromitallthiswhile.Whoeverreflectsonthesethings,mustacknowledgeittobetheworkofanallwiseandalmightyagent,wecallGod; and that itmust beupheld, guided, anddirectedbyhis handalone.

When we take a view of the earth, of the whole terraqueous globe,hangingonnothing,likeaballintheair,poisedwithitsownweight;thedifferent parts of it, and all disposed for the use of man; stored withimmenseriches in theheartof it,andstockedwith inhabitantsuponit;thevarioussortsofanimals,ofdifferent formsandshapes,made, someforstrength,someforswiftness,someforbearingburdens,andothersfordrawingcarriages,someforfoodandothersforclothing:thevastvarietyof the feathered birds that cut the air; and the innumerable kinds offishesthatswimtheocean.Theconsiderationofallthiswillobligeustosay, "Lord, you areGod,which havemade theHeaven, earth, and sea;andallthatinthemis"(Acts4:25).

Inshort,thereisnotashellintheocean,norasandontheshore,noraspireofgrassinthefield,noranyflowerofdifferenthueandsmellinthegarden, but what declare the Being of God: but especially our owncomposition is deserving of our notice; the fabric of the body, and thefacultiesofoursouls.Thebody,itsformandshape;whileotheranimalslookdownwardstotheearth,"oshominisublimededitDeus",asthepoetsays,manhasa loftycountenancegivenhim, tobehold theheavens, toliftuphisfacetothestars;andforwhatisthiserectposturegivenhim,but to adore his Creator? And it is remarkable that there is a natural

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instinct inmen to lift up their hands and eyes toHeaven, when eithertheyhavereceivedanyunexpectedmercy,bywayofthankfulnessforit;or are in any great distress, as supplicating deliverance from it; whichsupposesadivineBeing,towhomtheyowetheone,andfromwhomtheyexpecttheother.

Eachofthepartsandmembersofthebodyaresoframedanddisposed,as to be subservient to one another; so that "the eye cannot say to thehand,Ihavenoneedofyou;northeheadtothefeet,Ihavenoneedofyou".Thesamemaybeobservedoftheothermembers.Theinwardparts,whichareweakandtender,andonwhichlifemuchdepends,weretheyexposed,wouldbeliabletomuchdangerandhurt;buttheseare"clothedwithskinandflesh,andfencedwithbonesandsinews";andeverybone,andeverynerve,andeverymuscle,areputintheirproperplaces.Alltheorgansofthesenses,ofsight,hearing,smelling,tasting,andfeeling,aremostwonderfullyfittedforthepurposesforwhichtheyaremade.

Galen, an ancient noted physician, being atheistically inclined, wasconvincedofhisimpietybybarelyconsideringtheadmirablestructureofthe eye; its various humours, tunics, and provision for its defense andsafety.Thevariousoperationsperformed in our bodies,many ofwhicharedonewithoutourknowledgeorwill,areenoughtoraisethehighestadmirationinus:asthecirculationofthebloodthroughallpartsofthebody, in a very small space of time; the respiration of the lungs; thedigestionofthefood;thechylificationofit;themixingofthechylewiththeblood;thenourishmenttherebycommunicated;andwhichissensiblyperceivedintheseveralpartsofthebody,andeveninthemoreremote;whichhavingbeenweakenedandenfeebledbyhunger,thirst,andlabor,areinaninstantrevivedandstrengthened;andtheaccretionandgrowthofpartsbyallthis.

To which may be added other things worthy of notice; the faculty ofspeech,peculiartoman,andtheorgansofit;thefeaturesoftheirfaces;and the shape of their bodies, which all differ from one another; theconstantsupplyofanimalspirits;thecontinuanceofthevitalheat,whichoutlastsfireitself;theslenderthreadsandsmallfibersspreadthroughoutthe body, which hold and perform their office seventy or eighty yearsrunning: all which, when considered, will oblige us to say, with the

inspiredPsalmist, "Iamfearfullyandwonderfullymade;marvelousareyour works; and that my soul knows right well": and will lead us toascribethiscuriouspieceofworkmanshiptonootherthantothedivineBeing,theGodofallfleshliving.

Butthesoulofman,themorenoblepartofhim,morefullydiscoverstheoriginalauthorofhim;beingpossessedofsuchpowersandfacultiesthatnonebutGodcouldgive:itisendowedwithanunderstanding,capableofreceiving and framing ideas of all things knowable, inmatters natural,civil,andreligious;andwithreason,toputthesetogether,andcomparethemwith each other, and discourse concerning them; infer one thingfromanother,anddrawconclusions fromthem:andwith judgment,bywhich it passes sentence on things it takes cognizance of, and reasonsupon; and determines for itself what is right or wrong; and so eitherapprovesordisapproves:ithasa"mind"susceptiveofwhat isproposeduntoit; itcan,byinstructionorstudy,learnanylanguage;cultivateanyare or science; and,with the help of some geographical principles, cantravelovertheglobe,canbehereandthereatpleasure,inthefourpartsof the world; and in a short time, visit every city of note therein, anddescribe the situation of every country, with their religion, manners,customs,etc.itcanreflectonthingspast,andhasaforesightof,andcanforecastandprovideforthingstocome:ithasa"will",toacceptorreject,toembraceorrefuse,whatisproposeduntoit;withthegreatestfreedomof choice, and with the most absolute power and sovereignty: it hasaffections,ofloveandhatred,joyandgrief,hopeandfear,etc.accordingtothedifferentobjectsitisconversantwith.

Thereisalsotheconscience,whichistoamanasathousandwitnesses,forhimoragainsthim;which,ifitperformsitsofficeasitshoulddo,willaccusehimwhenhedoesill,andcommend,orexcusehim,whenhedoeswell;andfromhenceariseeitherpeaceofmind,ordreadofpunishment,in some shape or another, either here or hereafter: to which may beaddedthememory,whichisastorehouseofcollectionsofthingsthoughttobemostvaluableanduseful;wheretheyarelaidup,notinaconfused,butorderlymanner;soastobecalledforandtakenoutuponoccasion:heremenofeverycharacterandprofessionlayuptheirseveralstores,tohaverecourseunto,and fetchout,as their caseandcircumstancesmay

require.

Andbesidesthis,thereisthe"fancyorimagination",whichcanpaintanddescribe to itself, in a livelymanner, objects presented to it, and it hasentertained a conception of; yes, it can fancy and imagine things thatneverwere,norneverwillbe:and,toobservenomore,thereisthepowerof invention;which in some ismore, in others less fertile; which, on asudden,supplieswithwhatisusefulincaseofanemergency.Butaboveall,the"soul"ofmanisthatwhereinchieflylaytheimageandlikenessofGod,whenmanwasinhispureandinnocentstate;andthoughitisnowsadlydepravedbysin,yet it iscapableofbeingrenewedbythespiritofGod,andofhavingthegraceofGodimplantedinit,andisendowedwithimmortality,andcannotdie:nowtowhomcansuchanobleandexcellentcreatureasthisoweitsoriginal?buttothedivineBeing,whomay,withgreat propriety, be called, the Father of spirits, the Lord, the Jehovah,who"formsthespiritofmanwithinhim".

4.Thefourthargumentwillbetakenfromthesustainingandgovernmentof the world; the provision made for the supply of creatures, andespecially ofman, and for his safety. As theworld, aswe have seen, ismade by a divine Being, so by him it consists.Was there not such analmightyBeing,"whoupholdsallthingsbythewordofhispower", theywouldsinkandfall.Didhenotbearupthepillarsoftheearth,theywouldtrembleandshake,andnotbeable tobear itsweight: themost stately,firm, andwell built palace, unless repaired andmaintained,will fall todecayandruin;andsothegrandandmagnificentbuildingofthisworldwouldsoonbedissolved,didnotthedivineagentthatmadeit,keepitup:as hewho built all things isGod, so hewho supports the fabric of theuniversemustbesotoo;nolessthananalmightyhandcanpreserveandcontinueit;andwhichhasdoneit,withoutanyvisibleappearanceofageordecay,foralmostsixthousandyears;andthoughthereissuchavastnumber of creatures in theworld, besidesmen, the beasts of the field,and"thecattleonathousandhills",thebirdsoftheair,andthefishesofthesea;thereisfoodprovidedforthemall,andtheyhave"everyonetheirportionofmeatindueseason":andasforman,heisrichlyprovidedfor,withaplentyandvarietyofallgoodthings;notonlyfornecessity,butfordelight;everymanhasatrade,business,andemploymentoflife;orisput

into such a situation and circumstances, that, with care, diligence, andindustry,hemayhaveenough forhimselfand family,and tospare: theearth produces a variety of things for food and drink for him; and ofothersformedicine,forthecontinuanceofhealth,andrestorationofit.

Andcanall thisbewithout the care,providence, and interpositionof awiseandalmightyBeing?Cantheseeverbe thought tobe theeffectsofblindchanceandfortune?Isitnotplainandclear,thatGodhereby"hasnotlefthimselfwithoutawitnessofhisexistenceandprovidence,inthathedoesgoodtoallhiscreatures,andgivesrainfromHeaven,andfruitfulseasons;fillingmen'sheartswithfoodandgladness";andcontinuingthecertain and constant revolutions of "summer andwinter, seedtime andharvest"; as well as night and day, cold and heat; all which have theirpeculiar usefulness and advantages to human life; and cannot beattributedtoanythingelsethanthesuperintendencyofthedivineBeing.

Andasthereisaprovisionmadeforthewantsofmen,sofortheirsafety:wereitnotthatGodhadputthefearofmanuponthewildbeastsofthefield, and the dread of him in them, therewould be no safety for him,especially in some parts of the world; and had he not put a naturalinstinctintothemtoavoidthehabitationsofmen,andtoresorttowoodsand deserts, and dwell in uninhabited places; to prowl about for theirpreyinthenight,andinthemorningreturntotheircavesanddens,andlurking places; whenmen go forth to their work, theywould be in theutmostdangeroftheirlives:yes,wereitnotfortheoverrulingprovidenceof God, which governs the world, and restrains the lusts of men, "oneman would be a wolf to another"; neither life nor property would besecure; but must fall a prey to the rapine and violence of powerfuloppressors.

Humanlaws,andcivilmagistracy,dosomethingtorestrainmen,butnoteverything;notwithstandingthese,weseewhatoutragesarecommitted:and how greater still would be their number, was it not for theinterpositionofdivineprovidence:andevenitisowingtoadivineBeingthattherearehumanformsofgovernment,andpoliticalschemesframed,andlawsmadeforthebetterregulationofmankind,andthesecontinued;foritisbyhim"kingsreign,andprincesdecreejustice":andparticularly,wasitnotforadivineagency,suchistherageandmaliceofSatan,and

his principalities and powers, whose numbers fill the surrounding air;andwhogoaboutour earth like roaring lions, seekingwhom theymaydevour; were they not chained by almighty power, and limited by theprovidenceofGod,thewholeraceofmenwouldbedestroyedbythem,atleastthegodlyamongthem.

5.Thefifthargumentmaybetakenfromtheuncommonheroicactions,prodigies, wonders, and miraculous things done in the world; whichcannot be thought to be donewithout a superior and divine influence.Heroic actions, such as that of Abraham, who, with three hundredhouseholdservants,pursuedafter,andengagedwithfourkingswhohadbeaten five before, and recovered the goods they had taken away: ofShamgar,whofoughtwithandkilledsixhundredPhilistineswithanoxgoad:andofSamson,whoslewathousandofthemwiththejawboneofandonkey:ofJonathan,andhisarmorbearer,whoattackedandtookagarrison of the same people, and threw a whole army of theirs into apanicandconfusion;whohadbeenforsometimea terror to thewholeland of Israel: and of David, a stripling, fighting with and conqueringGoliath,amonstrousgiant.

These are scripture instances; and if scripture is only regarded as acommonhistory;thesemeritournoticeandcredit,asanyoftherelationsin profane history; in which are recorded the magnanimous actions ofheroes, kings, and generals of armies; their wonderful successes, andamazing conquests; as of the Babylonians, Persians, Grecians, andRomans;whichmadesuchstrangerevolutionsandchangesinkingdomsandstates;allwhichcanneverbesupposedtobedonewithoutsuperiorpower, and the overruling, influencing providence of the divine Being;who inspiredmen to do things beyond their natural skill and courage;prodigies,strangeandwonderfulevents;forwhichnonaturalcausecanbeassigned;suchasthestrangesightsseenintheair,andvoicesheardinthe temple, before the destruction of Jerusalem; with other things,relatedbyJosephus,andconfirmedbyTacitus,anheathenhistorian;towhich might be added many others, which histories abound with: butbesides these, things reallymiraculous have beenwrought, such as arenotonlyoutof,andbeyondthecourseofnature,butcontrarytoit,andtothesettledlawsofit;suchasthemiraclesofMosesandtheprophets,and

of Christ and his apostles; which are recorded in the scriptures; andothersinhumanwritings;whicharesowellattestedasobligeustogivecredittothem:now,thoughthesewerenotdonetoproveadivineBeing;whichneedsthemnot;yettheynecessarilysupposeone,bywhosepoweralonetheyareperformed.

6.Thesixthargumentmaybeformedfromtheprophesiesofcontingentfutureevents,andtheexactfulfillmentofthem.Thisiswhatischallengedand required from heathen deities, to prove their right to such acharacter;asbeingwhatnonebutGodcando:"Letthembringforthandshowuswhat shall happen: ordeclareus things for to come: show thethings thatare tocomehereafter; thatwemayknowthatyouaregods:which iswhatnonebut the trueGod cando, andhasdone; andwhichbeingdone,proves there isaGod,andonethat is trulyso; instancesofwhich there are many in the sacred writings; prophesies which relatebothtoparticularpersonsandtowholekingdomsandstates;whichhavehad their exact accomplishment: but not to insist on these, since thosewho are atheistically inclined, disbelieve the divine revelation; let it beobserved, that the heathens have had their auguries, sooth-sayings,divinations,andoracles;bywhichpretensionshavebeenmadetoforetellfuture events. That there is such a thing as divination, is said to beconfirmedbytheconsentofallnations;andisexplainedofapresensionand knowledge of future things: now this being granted, it may bereasoned upon, that if there is a foretelling of future things, whichcertainly come to pass, there must be a God; since none but anomniscient Being can, with certainty, foretell what shall come to pass,whichdoesnotdependonnecessarycauses;andcannotbe foreseenbythequickestsight,andsharpestwit,andsagacityofacreature.

7. The seventh argumentmay be urged from the fears ofmen, and thetorturesofaguiltyconscience,andthedreadofafuturestate.Someareterribly frightened at thunder and lightning, as Caligula, the RomanEmperor,usedtobe;who,atsuchtimes,wouldhidehimselfin,orunderhisbed;andyetthismansethimselfupforaGod.Nowthesefearsandfrightsarenotmerelyonaccountoftheawfulsoundofthethunder,andthe dreadful flashes of lightning; but because of the divine andtremendous Being who is supposed to send them: the Heathens were

sensible that thunder is thevoiceofGod,as the scriptures represent it,and therefore called their Jove, "Jupiter tonans"; "the thunderingJupiter".Manyhavebeensoterrifiedintheirconsciencesonaccountofsin, that they could get no rest, nor enjoy peace any where, or by anymeans: as Cain, under the terrors of an evil conscience, imagined that"everyone that found him would slay him": and those wicked traitors,Catiline and Jugurtha: and those wicked emperors, those monsters inimpiety,TiberiusandNero,andespeciallythelatter,whowassotorturedinhisconscience,asifhewascontinuallyhauntedbyhismother'sSpirit,andbyfurieswithburningtorches:andHobbes,ourEnglishatheist,ashewas reckoned,was accustomed to be very uneasywhen alone in thedark: andEpicurus, the philosopher, though he taughtmen to despisedeath,andoutbraveit;yet,whenheperceivedthathehimselfwasabouttodie,wasmostterribly frightened;andthishasbeenthecaseofmanyothers:boldand"strongspirits",asatheisticalpersonslovetobecalled,havebeensometimesfoundtobeverytimorousandfearful.

And, indeed,this isnatural toallmen,andwhich isproofofasuperiorBeing.ThusawildGreenlanderargued,beforehehadknowledgeof thetrueGod: "Manhas an intelligent soul, is subject to no creature in theworld;andyetmanisafraidofthefuturestate:whoisitthatheisafraidofthere?ThatmustbeagreatSpiritthathasdominionoverus,Odidwebutknowhim!Ohadwebuthimforourfriend!"Nowwhatdoallthesefearsandtorturesofconsciencearisefrom,butfromtheguiltofsin,anda sense of a divine Being; who is abovemen, and will call them to anaccount for their sins, and take vengeance on them? And, indeed, theeternalpunishment thatwillbe inflictedon them,willgreatly lie in thetorturesoftheirconscience,whichisthewormthatwillneverdie;and,inasenseofdivinewrath,whichisthatfirethatwillneverbequenched.

8.Theeighthandlastargumentshallbetakenfromthejudgmentsintheworld;notonlyfamine,sword,pestilence,earthquakes,etc,butsuchthathave been inflicted on wicked men, atheistical persons, perjured ones,blasphemers,andthelike.Nottotakenoticeoftheuniversalflood,whichswept awayaworldofungodlymen; andof theburningof SodomandGomorrah, with other cities of the plain, by fire and brimstone fromHeaven; which yet are abundantly confirmed by the testimonies of

heathen writers; nor of the awful instances in the New Testament, ofHerodbeingsmittenbyanangel,andeatenofworms,anddied,whilethepeoplewasshoutinghimasaGod,andheassentedtotheirflattery;andofAnaniasandSapphira,beingstruckdead for lyinguntoGod:besidesthese,thereareinnumerableinstancesofjudgments,ofthesameoralikekind,inallagesandcountries,recordedinthehistoriesofthem;andinournation,andinourage,andwithinourknowledge;andwhonowcanhearorreadsuchawfuljudgments,anddisbelievetheBeingofGod?

OFTHEHOLYSCRIPTURES

Aswhat I shall say hereafter concerning God, his essence, perfections,persons,works,andworship,andeverythingrelativetohim,willbetakenout of the sacred scriptures, and proved by them; it will be necessary,before I proceed any further, to secure the ground I go upon; andestablishthedivineauthorityofthem;andshowthattheyareaperfect,plain,andsureruletogoby;andarethestandardoffaithandpractice;and to be read constantly, studieddiligently, and consultedwith on alloccasions.

By the Scriptures, I understand the books of the Old and of the NewTestament.ThebooksoftheOldTestament,arethefivebooksofMoses:Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, sometimescalled the Pentateuch. The historical books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, thetwo books of Samuel, the two of Kings, the two of Chronicles, Ezra,Nehemiah, and Esther; the poetical books, Job, the Psalms, Proverbs,Ecclesiastes, and Solomon's Song. The prophetic books, the largerProphets:Isaiah,Jeremiah,withtheLamentations,Ezekiel,andDaniel;thelesserProphets:Hosea,Joel,Amos,Obadiah,Jonah,Micah,Nahum,Zephaniah,Haggai,Zechariah,andMalachi.

The books of theNewTestament the fourEvangelists,Matthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn,andtheActsoftheApostles;thefourteenEpistlesofthe

ApostlePaul;oneofJames;twoofPeter;threeofJohn;oneofJude,andthe Revelation. These books are commonly called Canonical Scripture,becausetheyhavebeenalwaysreceivedbythechurchintothecanon,orruleoffaith.ThebooksoftheOldTestament,bytheJewishchurch;withwhich entirely agree Josephus's account of them, and the catalogue ofthembroughtfromtheEastbyMelito;andthebooksofbothTestamentsagreewiththeaccountwhichOrigengivesoftheminhistime,andwhichhave always been acknowledged by the Christian church; and whichtestimony of both churches, respecting them, deserves our regard, andtends to corroborate their divine authority. Now these are the bookswhichtheapostlecalls,"allScripture",orthewholeofScripture,saidbyhimtobe"givenbyinspirationofGod":whichincludenotonlythebooksoftheOldTestament,whichhadbeenlonginbeinginhistime;butthebooks of the New Testament, which were all of them then written,exceptingthebookoftheRevelation;sincethesewordsofhisstandinanepistlesupposedtobethelastthatwaswrittenbyhim;andhoweverwhatissaidbyhimistrueofwhatmightbewrittenafterwards,fortheuseshementions,aswellasbefore.

From thesemustbe excluded, asun-canonical, the books that bear thenameofApocrypha;whicharesometimesboundupwiththeBible,tothegreatscandalanddisgraceofit;forthoughtheremaybesomethingsinthemworthy to be read, as humanwritings; there is such amixture offalsehoodand impiety, that theycannotbyanymeansbeallowedtobeplaced upon an equality with the sacred scriptures. Likewise all suchspurious books falsely ascribed to the apostles, or to some of the firstChristians;as,TheGospelof the InfancyofJesus;TheConstitutionsoftheApostles;Hermes'sPastor,etc.whichcarry in themmanifestmarksof imposture. To which may be added, all human and unwrittentraditions, pleaded for by the papists; and all dreams and visions, andpretended revelations and prophecies, delivered out in later ages, byenthusiastic persons. Blessed be God, we have a more sure word ofprophecytoattendunto;concerningwhich,Ishall,

1.Observe thedivineauthorityof theScriptures,or show, that theyarefromGod,orinspiredbyhim;theylayinaclaimtoadivineoriginal;andtheclaimisjust,aswillbeseen.Theyarecalledthelaw,ordoctrineofthe

Lord; the testimony of the Lord; the statutes of the Lord; thecommandmentoftheLord;thefearoftheLord;andthejudgmentsoftheLord;bythePsalmistDavid,(Psalm19:7-9).Andtheprophetsfrequentlyintroduce their prophecies and discourses, by saying, "the word of theLord came" to them; and with a, "thus says the Lord", (Isa 1:10; Jer2:1,2).AndourLordexpresslycallsthescripturethewordofGod,(John10:35)as it isalsocalled, (Heb4:12).AndwhichGod"at sundry times,andindiversmanners,spokebytheprophets";andbyhisSon,andhisapostles,inlatertimes,(Heb1:1,2).AndisrepresentedastheoraclesofGod, andmay be safely consulted and depended on; and according towhichmenaretospeak,(Romans3:2,1Peter1:11).ButbeforeIproceedany further, in theproofof thedivinityof the sacredScriptures, I shallpremisethefollowingthings.

1a.First,Thatwhenwe say that theScripturesare thewordofGod,orthat this word is of God; we do not mean that it was spoken with anarticulatevoicebyhim;orwrittenimmediatelybythefingerofGod:thelaw of the Decalogue, or the Ten Commands, indeed, were articulatelyspokenbyhim,andthewritingofthemwasthewritingofGod,(Exodus20:1,31:18,32:15) inwhichhemight setanexample tohis servants, inlater times, to write what might be suggested to them by him; that itmightremaintoberead:itisenough,thattheywerebidtowritewhathedelivered to them, as Moses and others were ordered to do,(Deuteronomy31:19;Jeremiah30:2;Habakkuk2:2;Revelation1:11,19)andwhatwasorderedbytheLordtobewritten,itisthesameasifitwaswrittenbyhimself;andespecially since thepenmenwroteas theyweredirected,dictatedandinspiredbyhim,and"spokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit";fortheydidnotspeakandwriteoftheirownhead,andoutof theirownbrains,noraccordingto theirwill,andwhenandwhattheypleased;butaccordingtothewillofGod,andwhathesuggestedtothem,andwhenheinspiredthem,(2Peter1:21).

1b.Secondly,Notall that iscontained in thescriptures isofGod.Somearethewordsofothers;yes,somearethespeechesofSatan,andverybadonestoo;aswhenhesuggestedthatJobwasnotasincereworshiperofGod; and requested he might have leave to do an injury both to hispropertyandtohisperson,(Job1:9-11;2:4-6).Sowhenhetemptedour

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Lord, and moved him to cast himself down from the pinnacle of thetemple,anddestroyhimself;andnotsucceedinginthat,urgedhimtofalldownandworshiphim,(Matthew4:5,9).Butnowthepenmenofthesebooks,inwhichthesespeechesare,weremovedanddirectedbytheLordto commit them towriting; so that though they themselves are not thewordofGod;yetthattheyarewritten,andareonrecord,isofGod;andwhichwasdirected to,anddone, toshowthemalice,pride,blasphemy,andimpiety,ofthatwickedspirit.Therearealsospeechesofbadmen,asofCain,Pharaoh,andothers,orderedtobewritten,todiscoverthemorethe corruption of human nature: and even of good men, as of Moses,David, Jonah, and particularly the friends of Job, and their longdiscourses,inwhichtheysaidnotthatwhichwasrightofGod,asJobdid;andhehimselfdidnotsayineveryspeechofhiswhatwasrightofGod;thoughhesaidmore,andwhatwasmorecorrect,thantheydid;andyetthesespeechesareonrecord,bydivineorder,toprovemattersoffact,toshowtheweaknessesandfrailtiesofthebestofmen.

Someofthewritersofyouscriptures,asMoses,andthehistoricalones,being eye and ear witnesses of many things they wrote, could havewritten them of their own knowledge, and out of their ownmemories;andothers theymight takeoutofdiaries,annals, and journals,of theirownandformertimes;yetinalltheywrote,theywereundertheimpulseanddirectionofGod;whattoleave,andwhattotakeandinsertintotheirwritings, and transmit to posterity. So that all theywrotemay be trulysaid to be by divine authority. In the writings and discourses of theapostle Paul, are several quotations out of heathen authors; one out ofAratus, when he was discoursing before the wise men at Athens; "ascertain, says he, of your own poets have said, for we are also hisoffspring",(Acts17:28).AnotheroutofMenander;"Evilcommunicationscorrupt good manners", (1 Corinthians 15:33). And another out ofEpimenides,apoetofCrete,atestimonyofhisagainsttheCretians,whosaid they were, "always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies"; which wereproduced "ad hominum", for greater conviction; and which he wasdirectedtoquoteandwriteinhisepistlesanddiscourses,forthatreason.SothatthoughthewordsarenotofGod,yetthattheywerequotedandwritten,wasofGod.

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1c.Thirdly,Letitbeobserved,thatnotthematteroftheScripturesonly,but theverywords inwhichtheyarewrittenareofGod.Somewhoarenot for organic inspiration, as they call it, think that the sacredwriterswereonlyfurnishedofGodwithmatter,andhadgeneralideasofthingsgiventhem,andwerelefttoclothethemwiththeirownwords,andtousetheirownstyle;whichtheysupposeaccountsforthedifferenceofstyletobeobservedinthem:butifthiswasthecase,asitsometimesiswithmen,thattheyhaveclearandsatisfactoryideasof things intheirownminds,andyetareatalossforproperwordstoexpressandconveythesenseofthemtoothers;soitmightbewiththesacredwriters,ifwordswerenotsuggested to them, aswell asmatter; and thenwe should be left at anuncertaintyabouttherealsenseoftheHolySpirit,ifnotledintoawrongone; it seems, therefore, most agreeable, that words also, as well asmatter,weregivenbydivineinspiration:andasfordifferenceofstyle,asitwas easywithGod to direct to the use of properwords, so he couldaccommodatehimselftothestylesuchpersonswereaccustomedtouse,and which was natural to them, and agreeable to their genius andcircumstances; and thismay be confirmed from the testimonies of thewritersthemselves:saysDavid,oneofthewritersoftheOldTestament,"TheSpiritoftheLordspokebyme,andhiswordwasinmytongue",(2Samuel23:2).

AndtheapostlePaulspeaksofhimself,andotherinspiredapostlesoftheNewTestament,hesays,"Whichthingswespeak,notinthewordswhichman'swisdomteaches,butwhichtheHolySpiritteaches",(1Corinthians2:13) and it is "thewriting", or thewordofGodaswritten, that is, "byinspirationofGod",(2Timothy3:16).Butthen,1d.Fourthly,Thisistobeunderstoodof theScriptures,as in theoriginal languages inwhich theywerewritten,andnotoftranslations;unlessitcouldbethought,thatthetranslators of the Bible into each of the languages of the nations intowhich it has been translated,were under the divine inspiration also intranslating, and were directed of God to the use of words they haverenderedtheoriginalby;butthisisnotreasonabletosuppose.ThebooksoftheOldTestamentwerewrittenchieflyintheHebrewlanguage,unlesssomefewpassagesinJeremiah,Daniel,Ezra,andEsther,intheChaldeelanguage;andtheNewTestamentinGreek:inwhichlanguagestheycanonlybereckonedcanonicalandauthentic;forthisislikethechartersand

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diplomasofprinces; thewillsortestamentsofmen;oranydeedsmadeby them; only the original exemplar is authentic; and not translations,andtranscriptions,andcopiesofthem,thougheversoperfect:andtotheBible,initsoriginallanguages,iseverytranslationtobebrought,andbyit tobe examined, triedand judged, and tobe corrected and amended:andifthiswasnotthecase,weshouldhavenocertainandinfallibleruletogoby;foritmustbeeitherallthetranslationstogether,orsomeoneofthem;notallof them,because theyagreenot inall things:notone; forthen the contest would be between one nation and another which itshouldbe,whetherEnglish,Dutch,French,etc.andcouldonebeagreedupon, it could not be read and understood by all: so the papists, theyplead for theirVulgateLatinversion;whichhasbeendecreedauthenticbythecouncilofTrent;thoughitaboundswithinnumerableerrorsandmistakes;nay,so fardotheycarry thisaffair, that theyevenassert thattheScriptures,intheiroriginals,oughttosubmitto,andbecorrectedbytheirversion;whichisabsurdandridiculous.

Let not now any be uneasy in their minds about translations on thisaccount,becausetheyarenotuponanequalitywiththeoriginaltext,andespeciallyaboutourown;forasithasbeenthewillofGod,andappearsabsolutely necessary that so it should be, that the Bible should betranslated into different languages, that all may read it, and someparticularly may receive benefit by it; he has taken care, in hisprovidence, to raise upmen capable of such a performance, in variousnations, and particularly in ours; forwhenever a set ofmen have beenengaged in this work, as were in our nation, men well skilled in thelanguages,andpartakersofthegraceofGod;ofsoundprinciples,andofintegrityandfaithfulness,havingthe fearofGodbeforetheireyes; theyhaveneverfailedofproducingatranslationworthyofacceptance;andinwhich,thoughtheyhavemistooksomewordsandphrases,anderredinsomelesser and lightermatters; yetnot so as to affect anymomentousarticleoffaithorpractice;andthereforesuchtranslationsasoursmayberegarded as the rule of faith. And if any scruple should remain on themindsofanyonthisaccount,itwillbesufficienttoremoveit,whenitisobserved, that the Scriptures, in our English translation, have beenblessed of God, either by reading them in it, or by explaining themaccordingtoit,fortheconversion,comfort,andedificationofthousands

and thousands. And the samemay be said of all others, so far as theyagreewith theoriginal, that they are the ruleof faith andpractice, andalikeuseful.

HereIcannotbutobservetheamazingignoranceandstupidityofsomepersons,whotakeitintotheirheadstodecrylearningandlearnedmen;forwhatwould theyhavedone foraBible,had itnotbeen for themasinstruments?andiftheyhadit,soastohavebeencapableofreadingit,Godmusthavewroughtamiracleforthem;andcontinuedthatmiracleinevery nation, in every age, and to every individual; I mean the gift oftongues,inasupernaturalway,aswasbestowedupontheapostlesontheday of Pentecost; which there is no reason in the world ever to haveexpected. Bless God, therefore, and be thankful that God has, in hisprovidence, raised up suchmen to translate the Bible into themothertongue of every nation, and particularly into ours; and that he stillcontinuestoraiseupsuchwhoareabletodefendthetranslationmade,againsterroneouspersons,andenemiesofthetruth;andtocorrectandamend it in lessermatters, in which it may have failed, and clear andillustrateitbytheirlearnednotesuponit.Havingpremisedthesethings,InowproceedtoprovetheclaimoftheScripturestoadivineauthority,whichmaybeevincedfromthefollowingthings.

1.First,Fromthesubjectmatterofthem.

1a.IngeneralthereisnothinginthemunworthyofGod;nothingcontrarytohistruthandfaithfulness,tohispurityandholiness,tohiswisdomandgoodness,ortoanyoftheperfectionsofhisnature;thereisnofalsehoodnor contradiction in them; theymay with great propriety be called, asthey are, "The Scriptures of truth", and the "Word of truth", (Daniel10:21; Eph 1:13). There is nothing impious or impure, absurd orridiculousinthem;asintheAl-koranofMahomet;whichisstuffedwithimpuritiesandimpieties,aswellaswiththingsfoolishandabsurd:orasin the Pagan treatises of their gods; which abound with tales of theirmurders,adulteries,andthefts;andtheimpureritesandceremonies,andinhuman sacrifices used in the worship of them. But, 1b. The thingscontained in the Scriptures are pure and holy; theHoly Spirit dictatedthem,holymen spokeandwrote them, and they are justly called "holyScriptures",(Romans1:2)andplainlyshowtheycamefromtheholyGod.

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Thedoctrinesofthemareholy;theyaredoctrinesaccordingtogodliness,andtendtopromoteit;theyteachandinfluencementodenyungodlinessand worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly: they areindeed, by some ignorant persons, chargedwith licentiousness; but thecharge,as it is false, it iseasilyremoved,byobservingthenatureof thedoctrines,andtheeffectsofthem;thepreceptstheScripturesenjoin,andtheworshiptheyrequire,arestrictlyholy;thelegalpartofthemis"holy,just,andgood",(Romans7:12).Itisholyinitsownnature,andrequiresnothingbutwhatisforthegoodofmen,whatisbutareasonableservicetoGod, andwhat is just betweenman andman; it forbidswhatever isevil,strikesatallsortsofsins,andsetstheminajustlight,exposesandcondemns them. And hence it is that there is in natural men, whosecarnalmindsareenmitytoGod,suchabackwardness,yes,anaversiontoreadingtheScriptures;becausethedoctrinesandpreceptsofthemaresopureandholy;theychoosetoreadanidleromance,animpurenovel,orany profane writings and histories, rather than the Bible; and fromwhencemaybedrawnnoinconsiderableargumentinfavoroftheirbeingofGod.ThestyleoftheScripturesispureandholy,chasteandclean,freefromalllevityandobscenity,andfromeverythingthatmightbeoffensivetotheearofthechasteandpious.Andthereareremarkableinstancesinthemarginal readings of somepassages in theHebrew text, to preventthis;andcareshouldbetakeninalltranslations,tomakeuseoflanguageneatandclean;andkeepup,asmuchasmaybe,totheoriginalpurityoftheScriptures.

1c.TherearesomethingsrecordedintheScriptures,whichcouldneverhave been known but by revelation from God himself; as particularly,with respect to the creation of theworld, and the original ofmankind;that theworldwasmadeoutofnothing;whenmade,how,and inwhatform and order, and how long it was in making; who were the firstparentsofmankind,when,how,andofwhatmade;hence,without thisrevelation,menhave run into strange, absurd, and extravagantnotionsabout these things. Yes, the Scriptures inform us what was done ineternity,whichnonebutGodhimself could reveal, andmakeknown tomen;as thechoiceofmen inChrist to everlasting salvation,whichwasfrom the beginning; not of their being, nor of their conversion, nor of

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time; but before time, or they or the earth were, even "before thefoundationof theworld", (Eph1:4).Andalso the council held betweenthedivinePersons, concerning the salvationofman; for as therewas aconsultationheldaboutmakinghim,soaboutsavinghim;whichmayhecalledthe"councilofpeace",(Zechariah6:13).When"GodwasinChristreconciling the world unto himself", and the scheme of peace andreconciliation, and plan of salvation,were formed and agreed upon: sothecovenantofgracemadewithChristfrometernity,onthebehalfofthechosen ones; whose "goings forth in it were of old, from everlasting";covenantingwithhisFatherforthem,andagreeingtobetheirSuretyandSavior;tobecomeincarnate,andobeyandsufferforthem,andsoworkout the salvation of them; representing their persons and taking thechargeandcareofthem,andofallblessingsofgracegiventhem,andofall promises made to them, in him, before the world began; in whichcovenanthewassetupasMediator,"fromeverlasting,orevertheearthwas",(Proverbs8:22,23;Micah5:2;2Timothy1:9;Ephesians1:3,4).Allwhich could never have been known unless God himself had revealedthem.

1d. There are some things recorded in the Scriptures as to the future,whichGodonlycouldforeknowwouldbe,andforetellwithcertaintythattheyshouldbe;andwhichhaveaccordinglycometopass,andprovestherevelation tobeofGod.Someof themrelate toparticularpersons, andcontingent events; as Josiah,whowasprophesied of byname, as to beborntothehouseofDavid,threeorfourhundredyearsbeforehisbirth,andwhat he should do; "offer up the idolatrous priests on Jeroboam'saltar,andburnmen'sbonesonit";allwhichexactlycametopass,see(1King13:2)comparedwith(2King23:17,20).Cyrus,kingofPersia,alsowas prophesied of by name, more than two hundred years before hisbirth, and what he should do; what conquests he should make, whatimmense riches he should possess; and that he should let the captiveJewsgofree,withoutpriceorreward,andgiveordersfortherebuildingtheirtemple;allwhichwaspunctuallyfulfilled,(Isaiah44:28,45:1-3,13;seeEzra 1:1-4).Others relate to kingdoms and states, andwhat shouldbefall them; as the Egyptians, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites,Assyrians, Babylonians, and others; of whose destruction Isaiah andJeremiahprophesied,andwhonowarenomore,havenotsomuchasa

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nameonearth:andparticularlymanythingsareforetoldconcerningtheJews;astheirdescentintoEgypt,abodeandbondagethere,andcomingfrom thence with great riches; which was made known to their greatancestorAbraham, before theywere, (Genesis 15:14; seeExodus 12:35,40,41) their captivity inBabylon, and return from thenceafter seventyyears, (Jeremiah 29:10, 11; see Daniel 9:2) and all their miseries andafflictions in their last destruction, and present state, are propheticallydescribed in Deuteronomy 28:1-68 and their exact case, for aboutnineteen hundred years, is expressed in a few words; as well as theirfutureconversionisprophesiedof(Hosea3:4,5).

ButespeciallythepropheciesconcerningChrist,areworthyofnotice;hisincarnationandbirthofavirgin; theplacewhereheshouldbeborn;ofwhat nation, tribe, and family; his sufferings and death, his burial,resurrection,ascensiontoHeaven,andsessionattherighthandofGod:all which are plainly pointed out in prophecy; and which, with manyotherthingsrelatingtohim,havehadtheirexactaccomplishmentinhim.Towhichmight be added, predictions of the calling of theGentiles, bymany of the prophets; and the abolition of paganism in the Romanempire; the rise, power, and ruin of antichrist; which are particularlyspoken of in the book of the Revelation; great part of which propheticbookhasbeenalreadyfulfilled.

1e.TherearesomethingsintheScriptures,which,thoughnotcontrarytoreason,yetareabovethecapacityofmenevertohavemadeadiscoveryof; as the Trinity of persons in the Godhead; whose distinct mode ofsubsistingismysterioustous;theeternal,generationoftheSonofGod,whichis ineffablebyus;his incarnationandbirthofavirgin,underthepowerof theHolySpirit,whichiswonderfulandamazing; theunionofthe humannature to his divine person;which is, "without controversy,thegreatmysteryofgodliness":theregenerationofmenbytheSpiritofGod, and themanner of his operation on the souls ofmen; which, onhearingof,madeamasterofIsraelsay,"Howcanthesethingsbe?"andthe resurrection of the same body at the last day, reckoned by theGentiles incredible; and which things, though revealed, are not to beaccountedforupontheprinciplesofnatureandreason.

1f.ThethingscontainedintheScriptures,whetherdoctrinesorfacts,are

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harmonious; the doctrines, though delivered at sundry times, and indivers manners, are all of a piece; no yes and nay, no discord anddisagreementamongthem;thetwoTestaments"areliketwoyoungroesthat are twins"; to which some think they are compared in Song ofSolomon4:5,7:3andtotheCherubimoverthemercyseat,whichwereofonebeatenpiece,wereexactlyalike,andlookedtooneanother,andbothtothemercyseat;atypeofChrist,whoisthefoundationoftheapostlesandprophets,inwhichtheyunite,andbothagreetolay;theapostlePaulsaidnoneotherthingsthanwhatMosesandtheprophetsdidsayshouldbe. And as to historical facts, what seeming contradictions may beobservedinanyofthem,areeasilyreconciled,withalittlecare,diligence,andstudy;andsomeofthesearisefromthecarelessnessoftranscribersputtingonewordorletterforanother;andeventheseinstancesarebutfew,andnotverymaterial;andwhichneveraffectanyarticleoffaithorpractice: such care has divine providence taken of these peculiar andimportantwritings,whichwiththeharmonyofthemshowthemtobeofGod.

2.Secondly,ThestyleandmannerinwhichtheScripturesarewritten,isa further evidence of their divine original; the majesty in which theyappear,theauthoritativemannerinwhichtheyaredelivered;notasking,but demanding, attention and assent unto them; andwhich commandsreverence and acceptance of them; the figuresused to engagehereuntoare inimitable by creatures; and such as would be daring andpresumptuous for any but God to use, with whom is terrible majesty;suchas,"Hear,Oheavens",and"Iwillspeak",(Deuteronomy32:1;Isaiah1:2) the sublimity of the style is such as exceeds all other writings:Longinus, an heathen orator, who wrote "upon the Sublime", admiredsomepassages in thewritingsofMoses,particularly(Genesis1:3). Thatearlycomposition, thebookofJob,aboundswithsuchstrongand loftyexpressions as are not to be found in human writings, especially thespeeches Jehovah himself delivered out of the whirlwind, (Job 38:1-41:34)thebookofPsalmsisfullofbrightfiguresandinimitablelanguage,particularly see (Psalm 18:715, 29:3-10, 113:3-8, 139:7-12). ThepropheciesofIsaiaharefraughtwitharichtreasureofdivineelocution,whichsurpassesallthatistobemetwithinthewritingsofmen;anditisremarkable,thatinsomeoftheinspiredwriters,whohavebeenbredup

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inarusticmanner,arefoundsomeofthemostgrandimages,andlivelypicturesque, andhighest flights of language, as inAmos theherdsman,(Amos4:13,9:2,6).

3. Thirdly, Another argument for the divine authority of the Scripturesmaybetakenfromthepenmenandwritersofthem.

3a.Manyoftheseweremenofnoeducation,inalowstationoflife,andweretakenfromtheflock,orfromtheherd,orfromtheirnets,orothermeanemployments;andwhattheywrote,bothastomatterandmanner,wereaboveandbeyondtheirordinarycapacities,andthereforemustbeofGod;whattheywrotecouldnotbeofthemselves;butthey"spokeandwroteastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit".

3b. They lived in different times and places, and were of differentinterests and capacities, and in different conditions and circumstances;and yet they were all of the same sentiment, they speak andwrite thesame things, deliver out the same truths and doctrines, and enjoin thesamemoraldutiesofreligion,andthesamepositiveprecepts,accordingtothedifferentdispensationsunderwhichtheywere;andthisshowsthattheyweredictated,andinfluencedinall,bythesameSpiritofGod.

3c. They were holy and goodmen, partakers of the grace of God; andthereforecouldnevergiveintoanimposture,nordeliveroutaknownlie,norobtrudeafalsehoodupontheworld.

3d.Theyappear tobeplain,honest, and faithfulmen; theyconcealnottheir own failings and infirmities; so Moses published his ownweaknessesandmistakes,andsparednottheblemishesofhisfamily;notofhismoreremoteancestorLevi,inthecaseoftheShechemites;norofhis immediateparents, their illegalmarriage;norofhis favoritepeoplethe Israelites, their rebellion andobstinacy, and idolatry: and the samemaybeobservedofotherinspiredwriters.

3e. They were unselfish men; they sought not popular applause, norworldlywealth,nor toaggrandize themselvesand their families.Moses,whenitwasofferedtohim,bytheLord, tomakeofhimagreatnation,andcutoffthepeopleofIsraelfortheirsins,refuseditmorethanonce;

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preferring the public good of that people to his own advantage; andthoughhewas king in Jeshurun, hewas not careful to have any of hisposterity to succeed him in his office; and though the priesthood wasconferredonAaronhisbrother,andhissons,yetnootherprovisionwasmade for his own family, than to attend the lower services of thetabernacle in commonwith the restofhis tribe: andof thisdispositionweretheapostlesofChrist,wholeftall,andfollowedhim;andsoughtnotthewealthofmen,norhonor fromthem;but,on thecontrary,exposedthemselves to reproach, poverty, vexation, and trouble; yes, topersecution, and death itself; which they would never have done, hadtheynotbeenfullysatisfiedoftheirmissionofGod,andoftheirmessagefromhim;andthereforecouldnotbedeterredfromspeakingandwritinginhisname,bytheterrorsandmenacesofmen,andbyalltheafflictions,bonds,andpersecution,anddeath ineveryshape,whichawaited them.Inshort,thewritersoftheScripturesseemtobementhatneithercouldbeimposeduponthemselves,norsoughttoimposeonothers;norwouldithavebeeneasy,had theybeenbadmen, tohavesucceeded,had theyattemptedit.

4.Fourthly,Anotherargumentmaybedrawnfromthemanywonderfuleffects the sacredwritings,attendedwithadivinepower and influence,havehadupon thehearts and lives ofmen.Manyhavebeenconvertedfromerror,superstition,andidolatry,andfromaviciouscourseoflife,toembraceandprofess the truth, and to liveaholy life andconversation,uponreadingtheScriptures,orhearingthemexplained;andevensomeof great natural parts and learning, who could not easily be prevailedupontorelinquishformertenetsandpractices,hadtheynothadfullandclearconvictionofthem.This"WordofGodhasbeenquickandpowerful,sharperthanatwo-edgedsword";ithaspiercedandpenetratedintotherecessesoftheheart,andlaidopenthesecretsofit;ithasbeenthemeansof enlightening the mind, quickening the soul, regenerating andsanctifyingtheheart,andofproducingfaith,andeveryother,graceinit,andofstrengthening,comforting,andrevivingthespiritsofthepeopleofGodwhenindistress,byafflictions,orSatan'stemptations;sothateverygoodmanhas a testimonywithinhimself of its divine authority; see (1John5:9,10).

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5.Fifthly,The testimonybore to theScripturesbymiracles,abundantlyconfirmthegenuinenessofthem,andthattheyareofGod;suchasweredone by Moses, and the prophets of the Old Testament, and by theapostlesoftheNew;evensuchasareabove,andcontrarytothelawsofnature, and are beyond the power of a creature to perform, andwhichonlyOmnipotence itself couldwork: now theseGodwould never do toestablishthecharacterofimpostors,ortoconfirmalie;whichyethehasdonetowitnessthetruthofdivinerevelation;see(Mark16:20;Hebrews2:3,4).

6.Sixthly,Thehatredandoppositionofmen,andtheenmityofdevils,tothem,affordnoinconsiderableargumentinfavorofthedivinityofthem;forwere theyofmen, theywouldnothave suchadisgust at them, anddisapprobationofthem,andmakesuchoppositiontothem:bythisaretobeknowntheSpiritoftruth,andthespiritoferror;whatisoftheworld,andmerelyhuman,isapprovedbythemenoftheworld;butwhat isofGodisrejected,(1John4:5,6)and if thesewritingswereofSatan,andtheworkofforgery,imposture,anddeceit,thatwickedspiritwouldneverhaveshownsuchdespiteuntothem,norhavetakensuchpainstotemptmen,andprevailuponthemnottoreadthem;andtopersuadeotherstousetheirutmosteffortstocorruptordestroythem,androotthemoutoftheworld.

7. Seventhly, The awful judgments of God on such who have despisedthem,andhaveendeavoredtodestroythem,arenomeanevidencethattheyareofGod;whoherebyhasshownhisresentmentofsuchconductand behavior;whichmight be illustrated by the instances ofAntiochusEpiphanes,kingofSyria,whocuttopiecesthecopiesofthebookof thelawwhereverhefoundthem,andburntthem,andputtodeathallwithwhomtheywere, "59Now the fiveand twentiethdayof themonth theydidsacrificeuponthe idolaltar,whichwasuponthealtarofGod.60Atwhich time according to the commandment they put to death certainwomen,thathadcausedtheirchildrentobecircumcised."(1Maccabees1) this man died of a violent disorder in his affections, his body wascovered with worms, his flesh flaked off, and was attended with anintolerablestench,"ButtheLordAlmighty,theGodofIsrael,smotehimwithanincurableandinvisibleplague:orassoonashehadspokenthese

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words,apainoftheaffectionsthatwasremedilesscameuponhim,andsoretormentsoftheinnerparts;"(2Maccabees9:5)"Sothatthewormsroseupoutofthebodyofthiswickedman,andwhileshelivedinsorrowandpain,hisfleshfellaway,andthefilthinessofhissmellwasnoisometo all his army." (2 Maccabees 9:9) and of Diocletian, the Romanemperor,whobyanedictorderedallthesacredbookstobeburnt,that,ifpossible,hemightrootChristianityoutoftheworld;andonceimaginedthat he had done it; but when he found he had not accomplished hisdesign,throughmadnessanddespair,intheheightofhisimperialglory,abdicated the empire, and retired to aprivate life, andat last poisonedhimself:theoneshowedadespitetothebooksoftheOldTestament,theothermoreespeciallytothebooksoftheNewTestament;andbothwerehighly resented by the divine Being, who hereby showed himself theauthorofboth.Manymoreinstancesmightbeproduced,butthesemaysuffice.

8. Eighthly, The antiquity and continuance of these writings may beimprovedintoanargumentinfavorofthem:Tertulliansays,"Thatwhichismostancientismosttrue."MenfromthebeginninghadknowledgeofGod, and of the way of salvation, and in what manner God was to beworshiped; which could not be without a revelation; though for sometime itwasnotdelivered inwriting.Theantediluvianpatriarchshad it,andsothepost-diluvianones,tothetimesofMoses;whosewritingsarethe first, and are more ancient than any profane writings, by manyhundreds of years; themost early of that sort extant, are thepoemsofHomer andHesiod, who flourished about the times of Isaiah; and thedivinewritingshavebeenpreservednotwithstanding themaliceofmenanddevils,someofthemsomethousandsofyears,whenotherwritingsarelostandperished.

Towhichmaybeadded,thattheScripturesreceivenosmallevidenceofthe authority of them, from the testimonies of many heathen writersagreeing with them, with respect to the chronology, geography, andhistoryofthem;asconcerningthecreationoftheworld,Noah'sflood,thetowerofBabel,theconfusionoflanguages,thepeoplingtheearthbythesons of Noah, the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah; withmany otherthings respecting the people of Israel, their origin, laws,&c. I go on to

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consider, 2. The "Perfection" of the Scriptures. When we assert theperfectionofthem,wedonotmeanthattheycontainaperfectaccountofallthatGodhasdonefromthebeginningoftime,inthedispensationsofhisprovidence in theworld,and in thedistributionsofhis grace to thesonsofmen; though they relatemuchof the state and conditionof thechurchofGod inall ages,andas itwillbe to theendof time.Northattheycontainallthediscourses,exhortations,admonitions,cautions,andcounselsoftheprophets,deliveredtothepeopleofIsrael,ineachoftheagesoftime:norallthesermonsoftheapostles,whichtheypreachedtotheJews,andamongtheGentiles:norareallthatweresaidanddonebyourLordJesusChristrecordedinthem;thereweremanysignsdonebyhim which are not written, which if they should be written, as theevangelist observes, "even the world itself could not contain the booksthat should be written", (John 20:30, 21:25). But then they relate allthings necessary to salvation, everything that ought to be believed anddone;andarea complete,perfect standardof faithandpractice:whichmaybeproved,2a.First,FromtheAuthorofthem,whoisGod;theyarethewordofGod,andare"givenbyinspirationofGod;"asisassertedinthem,andhasbeenclearlyshown.NowsinceGodistheauthorofthem,whoisaperfectBeing,inwhomis"nodarknessatall";notofignorance,error, and imperfection; they coming from him, must be free fromeverythingof thatkind; "he is a rock", and "hiswork isperfect"; ashisworks of creation, providence, and redemption; so this work of theScriptures.

2b.Secondly,From thename theygoby, a "Testament":we commonlydividetheScripturesintotheBooksoftheOldTestament,andtheBooksof the New Testament; and that there was a First and a SecondTestament,anOldandaNewone, isplainly intimated,(Hebrews9:15).Now a man's testament, or will, contains the whole of his will andpleasure,concerningthedispositionofhisestatetowhoeverhepleases,or it isnotproperlyhiswill and testament; aman's testament, "if itbeconfirmed",astheapostleobserves,"nomandisannulsoraddsthereto",(Galatians3:15).Such theScripturesare; theycontain thewholewillofGod,aboutthedispositionoftheblessingsofgrace,andoftheheavenlyinheritance,tothosewhoareappointedbyhimheirs;andbeingratifiedandconfirmedby thebloodofChrist,aresosureand firmasnot to be

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disannulled,andsoperfectthatnothingcanbeaddedthereunto.

2c. Thirdly, From the epithet of "perfect" being expressly given untothem; "the law of the Lord is perfect", (Psalm 19:7) which is to beunderstood,notoftheDecalogue,orTenCommands,butofthedoctrineoftheLord,asthephrasesignifies;evenwhatwasdeliveredinthesacredwritingsextantinthetimesofDavid;andifitwasperfectthenastothesubstanceofit,thenmuchmoremustitappearsobytheaccessionoftheprophets,andthebooksoftheNewTestamentsince,inwhichthereareplainerandclearerdiscoveriesofthemindandwillofGod.

2d.Fourthly,From the essentialpartsof them, theLawandGospel; towhich two heads the substance of themmay be reduced: the Law is aperfectruleofduty;itcontainswhatisthe"good,acceptable,andperfectwillofGod"(Romans12:2).Whathewouldhavedone,ornotdone;thewholedutyofman,bothtowardsGodandman;all iscomprehendedinthese two commands, "You shall love the Lord your Godwith all yourheart,etc.andyoushallloveyourneighborasyourself"(Matthew22:37-40).TheGospel is the"perfect law",ordoctrine"of liberty", theapostleJamesspeaksof,(James1:25)whichproclaimsthegloriouslibertyofthechildrenofGodbyChrist;andit isperfect, ittreatsofperfect things;ofperfectjustificationbyChrist;offullpardonofsinthroughhisblood,andcomplete salvation in him; and contains a perfect plan of truth; everytruth,"asitisinJesus";allthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge:itisthewhole,orallthecounselofGod,concerningthespiritualandeternalsalvationofmen(Acts20:27).

2e.Fifthly,Fromtheintegralpartsofthem;theScriptures,containingallthebooks thatwerewrittenbydivine inspiration.Thebooksof theOldTestamentwerecompleteandperfectinthetimesofChrist;notonewaswanting, nor any mutilated and corrupted. The Jews, he says, "haveMosesandtheprophets";andhehimself,"beginningatMosesandalltheprophets,expoundedinallthescriptures,thethingsconcerninghimself"(Luke16:31,24:27).SothattheyhadnotonlythefivebooksofMoses,but"all"theprophets,and"all"thescripturesoftheOldTestament:nay,heaffirms,that"untilHeavenandearthpass,onejot,oronetittle,shallinnowisepassfromthelawuntilallbefulfilled",(Matthew5:18).TheJewshad theoraclesofGodcommitted to their care, (Romans3:2)and they

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have been faithful keepers of them, even some of them to superstitionand scrupulousnicety,numberingnot only thebooks and sections, butalsotheverses,andeventhewordsandletters:andthereneverwasnornowis,anyreasontobegivenwhytheyhadcorrupted,orwouldcorrupt,anypartof theOldTestament;on thecomingofChrist itwasnot theirinterest to do it; and even before that it was translated into the Greektongue,bywhichtheywouldhavebeendetected;andafterthecomingofChristtheycouldnotdoitiftheywould,copiesofitbeinginthehandsofChristians;whowereabletocorrectwhattheyshouldcorrupt,hadtheydone it: andwhatever attemptsmayhavebeenmadeby anyunder theChristianname,tocorruptsomecopiesofeitherTestament,theymaybe,andhavebeendetected;orwhatevermistakesmaybemade,throughthecarelessness of transcribers of copies, they are to be corrected by othercopies,whichGod,inhisprovidence,haspreserved;and,asitseems,forsuch purposes: so that we have a perfect canon, or rule of faith andpractice. It is objected to the perfection of the books of the OldTestament, that the books of Nathan, Gad, and Iddo, the prophetsmentionedtherein,arelost;butthenitshouldbeprovedthatthesewereinspiredwritings,and,indeed,thattheyarelost;theymaybethesame,assomethink,withthebooksofSamuel,Kings,andChronicles.

AnditisalsoobjectedtothoseoftheNewTestament,thattherewasanepistlefromLaodicea,(Colossians4:16)andanothertotheCorinthians,distinct from those we have (1 Corinthians 5:9) neither of them nowextant:astothefirst, that isnotanepistle"to"Laodicea,but"from" it;andmayrefertooneoftheepistles,wehave,writtenbytheapostlePaul,whenatthatplace:andastothattotheCorinthians,itdoesnotappeartobeanotheranddistinct,butthesamehewasthenwriting:butadmitting,forargumentsake,thoughitisnottobegranted,thatsomebook,orpartoftheinspiredwritingsislost;letitbeproved,ifitcan,thatanyessentialarticle of faith is lost with it; or that there is any such article of faithwanting in the books we have: if this cannot be proved, then,notwithstandingthepretendeddefect,wehavestillaperfectruleoffaith;whichiswhatiscontendedfor.

2f.Sixthly,Thismaybefurtherevincedfromthechargethatisgiven,"nottoaddunto,nordiminish from,anypart of the sacredwritings, lawor

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gospel":thisisstrictlyenjoinedtheIsraelitestoobserve,withrespecttothe law, and the commandments of it, given them by Moses(Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). And with respect to the Gospel, the apostlePaulsays,"Thoughwe,oranangelfromHeaven,preachanyothergospelunto you, than that which we have preached unto you—and you havereceived, let himbe accursed" (Galatians1:8, 9). And thewiseman, orAgur,saysoftheScripturesinhistime,"EverywordofGodispure—addyounotuntohiswords".AndtheapostleandevangelistJohn,closesthecanon of the Scripturewith these remarkablewords, "If anyman shalladd unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that arewritteninthisbook;andifanymanshalltakeawayfromthewordsofthebook of this prophecy,God shall take away his part out of the book oflife", etc. (Revelation22:18, 19).Now if there is nothing superfluous inthe Scriptures, to be taken from them; and nothing defective in them,whichrequiresanyadditiontothem;thentheymustbeperfect.

2g.Seventhly,Thismaybearguedfromthesufficiencyofthemtoanswerthe endsandpurposes forwhich theyarewritten; as, "fordoctrine, forreproof,forcorrection,andforinstructioninrighteousness",(2Timothy3:16)theyaresufficientlyprofitableanduseful"fordoctrine";thereisnospiritual truth,norevangelicaldoctrine,butwhattheycontain;theyarecalled"theScripturesoftruth";notonlybecausetheycomefromtheGodof truth, andwhatever is in them is truth; but they contain "all truth";which the Spirit of God, the dictator of them, guides into, and that bymeans of them; (see Daniel 10:21; John 16:13) every doctrine is to beconfirmed and established by them: our Lord proved the thingsconcerning himself, his person, office, sufferings, and death, by them,(Luke 24:25-27) the apostle Paul "reasoned out of the Scriptures", inconfirmation and defense of the doctrines he taught; "opening andalleging", that is, from the Scriptures, "that Christ must needs havesuffered and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus is Christ",whomhe preached; and, indeed, he said "none other things thanwhatMoses and the prophets did say" should be, andwhich he was able toprovefromthence(Acts17:2,3,26:22,23).

Every doctrine proposed by men, to the assent of others, is notimmediatelytobecredited;buttobetriedandproved,andjudgedofby

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the holy Scriptures, which are to be searched, as they were by theBereans, to see whether those th