(A continue from post #68)
8. They are from God, because God hath wonderfully continued them, preserved them strangely; first, in making the Jews, who were enemies unto Christ, and the Scriptures, great preservers of them; also preserving them when the greatest power hath sought their destruction, by searching for them, and burning them, etc., the like preservation cannot be declared of any writings of men, which have had so great opposition.
9. The miracles that were wrought at the first publishing of them, (shows them to be immediately from God,) and for the proof of this we have the testimony of them who lived in Christ’s time, the Jews, who would not own Christ, or his doctrine, yet in their writings they confess, there was one Jesus who did such miracles as the Scriptures declare, as many have testify.
10. We know the Scriptures to be from God because we see some of the prophesies accomplished in our days, according to the saying of Christ, that there shall arise false Christs, and false Prophets, that shall say, I am Christ~and shall deceive many. Noah's days repeating themselves right before our own eyes, just as Christ said it would happen.
Also the division foretold, “for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter,” etc.,, which is now accomplished in these days, for when there hath been but five persons in one family, every one of them of a several opinion concerning religion.
The Spirit speaks expressly, “that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,” and how many lies are now held and received for truths, so that men dare speak against the Scriptures, deny the resurrection of the body; others teach that men and devils shall be saved; and that the soul is mortal; and that there is neither heaven nor hell; with divers other opinions, that I am ashamed to name some of them which are held for truths.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,” which things our eyes have seen come to pass, more than ever hath been heard of by any that have been before us, and are like to increase more and more.
And thus it must be that the Scriptures maybe fulfilled; and if men must have a reason for everything in Religion; for one ask: how can the dead body eaten by another creature be raised again? To whom I reply, God is said to be without beginning, (and so he is, else he could not be God,) but what reason can be given, that God never had a beginning, or that God is ever present in all places, and knows, and ordered all things; yet he is so, yet I see not how reason can reach these things, etc. To believe the Scriptures is a work of faith, and unless the Holy Spirit of God persuades the truth of them, there will be doubting; the Lord persuade his of the truth of the Scriptures, and of their interest in the same.
A truth you reject. The very reason why you are having so much trouble, because you think you can find the truth on your own power, and ability~that will never happen.
