The Christian centurians observations, advices, and resolutions containing matters divine and morall / collected according to his owne experience by Philip Skippon ...

Eight and thirty unde∣mable Proofs that the Scrip∣tures are the infallible truth of God, against the suggestions of Satan, the disputations of vaine men, and the fantasies of our owne braine to the contrary, for our comfort and set∣ling in this case, not un∣fit to be well obser∣ved, and power∣fully applied.

• 1 THere being a God, and this God being abso∣lutely good, requiring to be worshipped, could not be so cru∣ell as not to leave us a rule to worship him by; which the

• Scriptures must of necessity be, for then this there could be none more perfect, containing in them every sufficient directi∣on, for piety, righteousnesse and divine worship.
• 2 They teach us a doctrine beyond the doctrine of all hu∣mane Writers, that is, to love cur enemies.
• 3 That the doctrine of the Scriptures, powerfully pressed, oftentimes terrifieth the consci∣ences of the wicked, though otherwise without controle in the world.
• 4 That this doctrine hath made of Wolves Lambs, of god∣lesse, godly men.
• 5 That none whoever made his recourse to the Word of God aright, but found God as good as his Word.
• 6 That many wicked men who have despised, opposed, persecuted the same, have been

• most remarkably and dreadful∣ly plagued in this life.
• 7 That seeing the doctrine of affliction is found effectuall in Gods children, it must needs be the truth.
• 8 That the right study there∣of teacheth true wisdome and consolation, so that a man may find (therein) direction and comfort in any condition that can befall him, which no other Author not grounded thereon can doe.
• 9 That by the same Gods children have silenced here∣ticks, and convinces the consci∣ences of wicked men, that they have acknowledged the truth thereof.
• 10 That the right study here∣of bringeth such inward peace, delight, contentment and secu∣rity, that all the world besides cannot procure.
• 11 That wicked men have

• oftentimes a kind of secret de∣sire to be holy and happy accor∣ding to the same, confessing in their hearts, those men to be in a blessed estate that walk ac∣cording to that rule.
• 12 That this Word quieteth the mind in greatest troubles, when nothing else can doe it.
• 13 That it hath an absolute consent in all poynts in it selfe without contradiction, though written by diverse persons in di∣vers ages.
• 14 That it setteth, downe the infirmities of men with∣out all respect of persons, feare or flattery, as well as it commendeth them for their vertues.
• 15 And telleth every one that readeth them to their faces their manifold failings, of what degree soever they be.
• 16 The matter contained therein is altogether heavenly,

• and nothing, nor any part ther∣of favoureth earthly, it yeeldeth to no one affection nor other, but opposeth it selfe to all.
• 17 The forme and dignity of the strle and Majesty therein is such, as it cannot be fully and wholly conceived, or utter∣ed by any man, and it is alwaies more powerfull in the matter then in words.
• 18 The Apocripha going a∣bout to expresse the excellency of it in the Greek, is a very cold and barbarous thing in comparison of it.
• 19 Of all things, it moveth the affection of the readers, and pierceth into the secrets of the hearts, and layeth open the most hidden things which we knew not.
• 20 It is of most ancient and admirable antiquity, before all other Histories, and many good things in Philosophers and Po∣ets

• are fetched from this.
• 21 The dreadfull miracle; by which it was confirmed.
• 22 The certaine event of the prophesies with one consent, set downe by divers Writers are accomplished, and so are none of the Devils Oracles.
• 23 Experience teacheth the truth of divers particulars ther∣in, as particular judgements threatned for, executed upon particular sinnes, and particu∣lar promises performed to par∣ticular vertues, &c.
• 24 That the want of know∣ledge hereof, or obedience here∣to, make men as ignorant and filthy as bruit Beasts, in respect of heavenly things.
• 25 See we not this excellen∣cy thereof, beyond the power of Angels, men and devils, how wise and subtill soever in their owne kinds, that it speaketh of things to come many hundred

• yeers before as certainly, as if they were present.
• 26 See we not that Almighty God maintaines their authority by effecting what he hath fore∣spoken, spite of whatsoever the devill and all the wicked men of the world labour to the con∣trary.
• 27 That Sathan useth all meanes he can to make us doubt of the truth of them; this argu∣eth they are the truth of God, otherwise he would suffer us to give credite to them as to other Authors.
• 28 That they have been pre∣served from time to time, so that they have not perished, where∣as other books of great price and estemation have been ut∣terly lost.
• 29 Whereas persecuting Ty∣rants have sought to suppresse the doctrine thereof, they have still more and more flourish∣ed

• and been spread abroad.
• 30 It is an undoubted argu∣ment, that they are his most fa∣cred Truths, because God by such weak instruments and silly meanes doth spread abroad the doctrine thereof, spite of all oppositions, for none but a greater power could subdue a lesser.
• 31 That it is true whatsoever doctrine it revealeth, though it make never so much against our pleasures, profits and lusts, yet till a man be brought to it, it never worketh soundly.
• 32 There is an especiall glo∣ry in the Truth, in the Pro∣mises, and the conditions of them.
• 33 They teach us to know God in Christ.
• 34 And the Trinity in Uni∣ty.
• 35 And the doctrine of rege∣neration, all which are foolish∣nesse

• to the flesh, yet the power of God to salvation to all that believe.
• 36 The constant deaths of so many wise, sober and meeke Martyrs (who ever in their suf∣ferings for this truth, which no torments could extort from them, have had a plain distincti∣on from the death of frantick and witlesse persons) declareth the same.
• 37 That the Spirit of God inclineth our hearts to beleeve this, and to receive the same as his infallible truth.
• 38 The universall and con∣tinuall consent of this Booke from time to time by so many holy, humble learned men of divers Nations, in all Ages, giveth testimony to the same.

I beleeve, Lord help my unbe∣liefe.

These for this.