Page 3
SECT. II.
I am sorry to see Learned Men quarrelling as they do, about the Ori∣ginal Scriptures, (or those at least which pass under that Name) Papist against Protestant, and sometimes Papist against Papist. * 1.1 Thus Greg. Martin, a Rhemist, * 1.2 against Dr. Fulk, who yet learnedly defends both the Copies, and the English Bible which was taken our of them. How stoutly Arrias Montanus, and others with him (though of the Papacy) have defended those Copies, which agree with those that were Translated into English, * 1.3 against Lindanus and his Complices is well known, so that we need not concern our selves in the Quarrel, whilest the Truth finds Defenders even among its Opposers. Nor are the Baptized Churches without Learned Men, and such as have concern'd themselves in this Con∣troversie; yet shall we not build upon their Authority, neither contemn it, knowing no Reason why their Judgment may not pass among other Learned Men. * 1.4 But this I declare to all the World, that I conceive it abundantly satisfactory, that the Copies of the Sacred Oracles, com∣monly called the Originals, have no corrupt Doctrine in them, because, after all that Envy can do, after the greatest sifting, the Objections are of small moment; as all may observe, who shall diligently read the Con∣troversies depending in that Case, between the Learned Papists and Pro∣testants. And besides, it is certainly impossible (in these days) for any Man whatsoever to corrupt the Greek Copies, there are so many Copies extant to discover the Cheat, and watchful Instruments on all sides, that he that should attempt it, would be sure to meet with no small correction for such bold folly; and we have no reason to doubt but there was as care∣ful Watchmen in the Christian Profession in this behalf, in the first Ages of the Church, as can now be found: And the Apostles themselves li∣ved till there were innumerable Copies of the Sacred Scripture, * 1.5 so that all Churches were furnished with helps that way (in all probability) to dis∣cover any Falsifications, if any were made in the Holy Writings: But it should seem that none were so hardy to attempt it in the Apostles Times, only some there were, that by wresting those Epistles of Holy Paul, endeavoured thereby the destruction of themselves. This Peter gives no∣tice of. And had any denied or corrupted the Writings themselves, we should as well have heard of it as of the other. We therefore conclude, that such hath been the Providence of God, that Men could not corrupt those Holy Writings which he had ordained for the Generations to come; neither can all the Art of Evil Men rase out, or foist into the Greek Copies, so much as one Sentence, but either Friend or Foe would soon detect them. Of the same consideration is the Hebrew Text; and beside that, the Jews have such a jealous Eye in that case, as some have observed, that it's impossible to corrupt the Sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament, sith it became God's Providence so wisely to provide for the contrary; so that we have ground to believe, that no material change hath befallen the Scripture since the Writing thereof to this day.