to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Apostles, vpon the voyce of vnwritten Tradition, [ A] 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, then the assumption is false: for they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to come from the Apostles by written Tradition, as well as by vnwritten, and more principally vpon the voyce of the A∣postles, speaking in and by their Scriptures, than vpon the onely testimony of vnwritten Tradition.
It is vsuall and common for one man to certifie another, of such matters as he desireth he should know, by an Epistle or wri∣ting: So likewise the holy Apostles desiring that all the world, for whose instruction they wrote, should know that these Scrip∣tures are their worke, haue declared the same by their owne testi∣monie, [ B] recorded in those bookes. St. Iohn affirmes, that hee is the Author of his Gospell, and of the Reuelation, Iohn 21, 24. Reuel. 1, 4. St. Paul and other Apostles doe the like concerning the Epistles, Rom. 1, 1. 2. Cor. 10, 10. Collos. 4. 18. 1. Pet. 1, 1. Iam. 1, 1. Iude v. 1. And that the holy Apostles and Euangelists doe speake vnto people of all ages by their bookes and writings, is affirmed by the Fathers: St. August. saith, Ipsum Paulum audi, &c. Heare thou, euen Paul himselfe. St. Chrysost. If thou desirest, thou mayest heare Paul, Peter, Iohn, and the whole company of the Prophets speaking vnto thee, take the bookes of these blessed ones into thine hands, reade their [ C] Scriptures, and thou mayest heare, not Paul onely, but euen Pauls Lord speaking vnto thee by Pauls mouth.
But it is obiected against this, by Bellarmine and others, that counterfeit Authours may speake in the name and person of the Apostles; to wit, a Bastard Hereticke, in the name of St. Bartho∣lomew, or St. Peter, &c.
I answere with St. Augustine, the same may be done in all hu∣mane, and ecclesiasticall writings, and yet sufficient meanes are found, partly in the History of times, partly in the writings of euery Authour, to confute Impostors. And concerning the holy [ D] Scriptures, wee haue two meanes to know their Authours: the one Ecclesiasticall, to wit, the perpetuall History of the Church, since the Apostles departure, whereby is produced a morall persuasion and credibilitie, than which none can bee greater in that kinde, by reason of the antiquity, number, consent, and sanctitie of the witnesses which testifie this: the other totally di∣uine, to wit, the matter, and forme of Doctrine contained in the