8. But if _inspiration_ be discerned by _this_ point, and _this_ point be acknowledged and believed upon the _authority_ of the _Scriptures_; _how_ (may some men ask) know we that the _Scripture deserveth_ so great _authority_, which must be no less than that of the lively voice of God; that is, how do we know the _Scriptures_ to be the _word of God_? And first, it is manifest, that if by knowledge we understand science infallible and natural, as is defined, chap. VI. sect. 4, proceeding from sense, we cannot be said to know it, because it proceedeth not from the conceptions engendered by sense. And if we understand knowledge as supernatural, we cannot have it but by inspiration: and of that _inspiration_ we cannot judge, but by the _doctrine_: it followeth, that we have not any way, natural or supernatural, of the _knowledge_ thereof, which can properly be called _infallible science_ and _evidence_. It remaineth, that the knowledge that we have that the Scriptures are the word of God, is only _faith_, which faith therefore is also by Saint Paul (_Heb._ xi. 1) defined to be _the evidence of things not seen_; that is to say, not otherwise evident but by faith: for, whatsoever either is evident by natural reason, or revelation supernatural, is not called faith; else should not faith cease, no more than charity, when we are in heaven; which is contrary to the doctrine of the Scripture. And, we are _not_ said to _believe_, _but_ to _know_ those things that be _evident_. 9. Seeing then the acknowledgment of Scriptures to be the word of God, is not evidence, but faith, and faith (chapter VI. sect. 7) consisteth in the trust we have of other men, it appeareth plain, that the men so trusted, are the holy men of God’s church succeeding one another from the time of those that saw the wondrous works of God Almighty in the flesh. Nor doth this imply that God is not the worker or efficient cause of faith, or that faith is begotten in man without the spirit of God: for, all those good opinions which we admit and believe, though they proceed from hearing, and hearing from teaching, both which are natural, yet they are the work of God: for, all the works of nature are his, and they are attributed to the Spirit of God: as for example, _Exod._ xxviii. 3: _Thou shalt speak unto all cunning men, whom I have filled with the_ SPIRIT _of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments for his consecration, that he may serve me in the priest’s office_. Faith therefore, wherewith we believe, is the work of the Spirit of God in that sense, by which the Spirit of God giveth to one man wisdom and cunning in workmanship more than another; and by which he effecteth also in other points pertaining to our ordinary life, that one man believeth that, which, upon the same grounds, another doth not; and one man reverenceth the opinion, and obeyeth the commands of his superior, and others not.