After God had spoken by severall parcels, and after divers manners by the Prophets, at last he sent his Son to perfect the book, write it full, and seal it up: and this is so well done, that whosoever shall adde any thing, instead of mending the work, and doing the world a curtesie, he shall but bring a curse upon himselfe: for Christ hath made it, (i.e.) a perfect Canon.
Now that appears thus. God hath declared Christ to be our Prophet,[i] commanded us to hear him,[ii] told him all his mind concerning us,[iii] laid up in him all the treasures of divine wisdom.[iv] He told his Disciples, all that he heard of his Father,[v] bad them go and preach it,[vi] and promised salvation to all that should believe it. Paul professed that he had declared the whole Councell of God in his preaching,[vii] and pronounced a curse upon any Angel, that should bring another Gospel.[viii] The Evangelist Luke wrote all that Christ taught till his Ascension,[ix] and Saint Iohn added as much concerning the miracles of Christ, as was enough for motive to faith.[x]
From all which we argue, Christ was in the bosome of the Father, and knew all; he came from thence and told all, his Scholars at his command preached; and, for the benefit of future times, wrote all. We acknowledge they did, received their books, and are satisfied; only the Papists and some other Hereticks, that they might have the honour and profit to make the supply, say they did not; but who will believe them? when Christ sayes, Go and preach what I have taught you, and promiseth salvation to those which believe that and no more. They will make pretty work, that after this appoint other necessaries to be believed, (i e.) such necessaries to salvation, as one may be saved, and not believe them.
Nathaniel Ingelo, The Perfection, Authority, and Credibility of the Holy Scriptures, London: Printed by E.T. for Luke Fawn, 1659, pages 22-25.
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