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the death." Surely had not their 1 guided by God's own hand, they wou ever have written that which did reflect dishonour upon themselves! Men do usually rather hide their blemishes than publish them to the world: but these penmen of holy scripture eclipse their own name,-they take away all the glory from themselves, and give the glory to God.

tion; for thy word hath quickened me." As the spirits are conveyed through the arteries of the body; so divine comforts are conveyed through the promises of the word. Now the scriptures having such an exhilarating, heart-comforting power in them, it shows clearly that they are of God, and it is he that hath put this milk of consolation into these breasts.

7. The great miracles wherewith the Lord hath confirmed scripture. Miracles were used by Moses, Elijah, Christ, and continued many years after by the apostles, to confirm the verity of the holy scriptures. As props are set under weak vines, so these miracles were set under the weak faith of men, that if they would not believe the writings of the word, yet they might believe the miracles. We read of God's dividing the waters,— making a causeway in the sea for his people to go over,-the iron swimming,—the oil increasing by pouring out,-Christ's making wine of water,—his curing the blind,—and raising the dead: thus God hath set a seal to the truth and divinity of the scriptures by miracles.

6. The mighty power and efficacy the word hath had upon the souls and consciences of men.-1. It hath changed their hearts. Some by reading of scripture have been turned into other men, they have been made holy and gracious. By reading other books the heart may be warmed, but by reading this book it is transformed, 2 Cor. iii. 3, "Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God." The word was copied out into their hearts, and they were become Christ's epistle, so that others might read Christ in them. If you should set a seal upon marble, and it should make an impression upon the marble, and leave a print behind, there were a strange virtue in that seal so, when the seal of the word leaves a OBJECT. The papists indeed cannot deny heavenly print of grace upon the heart, but that the scripture is divine and sacred; there must needs be a power going along but they affirm that quoad nos, 'with respect with that word no less than divine.-2. It to us,' it receives its divine authority from hath comforted their hearts. When Chris- the church; and they bring that scripture, tians have sitten by the rivers weeping, the 1 Tim. iii. 15, where the church is said to word hath dropped as honey and sweetly re- be the ground and pillar of truth.' vived them. A Christian's chief comfort is Ans. It is true, the church is the pillar of drawn out of these wells of salvation: Rom.truth; but it does not therefore follow, that xv. 4, “That we through comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." When a poor soul hath been ready to faint, he hath had nothing to comfort him but a scripture-cordial. When he hath been sick, the word hath revived him: 2 Cor. iv. 17, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.". When he hath been deserted, the word hath dropped in the golden oil of joy into his heart: Lam. iii. 31, "The Lord will not cast off for ever." He may change his providence, not his purpose; he may have the look of an enemy, but the heart of a father. Thus the word hath a power in it to comfort the heart: Ps. Q. Are all the books in the Bible of the cxix. 50, "This is my comfort in mine afflic-same divine authority?

the scripture hath its authority from the church. The king's proclamation is fixed on the pillar, the pillar holds it out, that all may read, but the proclamation doth not receive its authority from the pillar, but from the king; so the church holds forth the scriptures, but they do not receive their authority from the church, but from God. If the word of God be divine, merely because the church holds it forth, then it will follow, that our faith is to be built upon the church and not upon the word; contrary to that, Eph. ii. 20, “Built upon the foundation (that is the doctrine) of the apostles, and prophets.”

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A. Those which we call canonical.
Q. Why are the scriptures called canoni-
cal?

A. Because the word is a rule of faith,-a
canon to direct our lives. The word is the
judge of controversies, the rock of infalli-
bility; that only is to be received for truth,
which is consonant to, and agrees with scrip-
ture, as the transcript with the original. All
maxims in divinity are to be brought to the
touchstone of scripture, as all measures are
brought to the standard.

is head of it, and he is infallible; so Bellarmine. But that assertion is false, because many of the Popes have been ignorant and vicious, as Platina affirms, who writes of the lives of Popes. Pope Liberius was an Arian; and Pope John XII. denied the immortality of the soul; therefore Popes are not fit interpreters of scripture. Who then?

A. The scripture is to be its own interpreter, or rather the Spirit speaking in it; nothing can cut the diamond but the diamond; nothing can interpret scripture but scripture; the sun best discovers itself by its own beams; the scripture interprets itself in easy places to the understanding. But the question is concerning hard places of scripture where the weak Christian is ready to wade beyond his depth. Who shall interpret here?

Q. Are the scriptures a complete rule? A. The scripture is a full and perfect canon, containing in it all things necessary to salvation: 2 Tim. iii. 15, "From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." It shows the credenda,-what we are to believe; and agenda,—what we are to practise. It gives us an exact model of religion, and A. In the church, God hath appointed perfectly instructs us in the deep things of some to expound and interpret scripture; God. The papists therefore make themselves therefore he hath given gifts to men; the guilty, who go to eke out scripture with their several pastors of churches, like bright contraditions, to which they equalize it. The stellations, give light to dark scriptures: council of Trent saith, that the traditions of Mal. ii. 7, "The priest's lips should keep the church of Rome are to be received pari | knowledge, and they should seek the law at pietatis affectu,-with the same devotion his mouth." that scripture is to be received with; so bringing themselves under the curse, Rev. xxii. 18, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book."

Q. But this is to pin our faith upon men? A. We are to receive nothing for current but what is agreeable to the word. As God hath given to his ministers gifts for the interpreting obscure places, so he hath given Q. What is the main scope and end of to his people so much of the spirit of disscripture?

cerning, that they can tell (at least in things A. To chalk out a way to salvation. It necessary to salvation) what is consonant to makes a clear discovery of Christ: John xx. scripture, and what is not: 1 Cor. xii. 10, 31, "These things are written, that ye might "To one is given a spirit of prophecy, to believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that be- another discerning of spirits." God hath lieving ye might have life through his name." endued his people with such a measure of The design of the word is to be an examen wisdom and discretion, that they can discern whereby our grace is to be tried ; a sea-mark between truth and error, and judge what is to show us what rocks we are to avoid. The sound and what is spurious: Acts xvii. 11, word is to sublimate and quicken our affec-"The Bereans searched the scriptures daily, tions; it is to be our directory and conso- whether those things were so." They weighlatory; it is to waft us over to the land of ed the doctrine they heard, whether it was promise. agreeable to scripture, though Paul and Silas Q. Who shall have the power of inter- were their teachers, 2 Tim. iii. 16. preting scriptures?

The Papists do assert that it is in the power of the church. If you ask who they mean by the church, they say, the Pope who D

Use 1. See the wonderful goodness of God, who, besides the light of nature, hath committed to us the sacred scriptures. The heathens are enveloped with ignorance, Ps.

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tians. God hath stamped a divine majesty upon both Testaments; and til they can show me where God hath given a repeal to the Old, it stands in force. The two Testaments are the two wells of salvation: the Antinomians would stop up one of these wells, they would dry up one of the breasts of scripture. There is much gospel in the Old Testament; the comforts of the gospel in the New Testament have their rise from the Old. The great promise of the Messiah is in the Old Testament, A virgin shall conceive and bear a son." Nay, I say more, the moral law, in some parts of it, speaks gospel, I am the Lord thy God:" here is the pure wine of the gospel. The saat's great charter, where God promiseth to

cxlvii. 20, “As for his judgments they have not known them." They have the oracies of the sybils, but not the writings of Moses and the apostles. How many live in the region of death where this bright star of scripture never appeared? We have this blessed book of God to resolve all our cases, to chalk out a way of life to us. John xiv. 22, "Lord, how is it thou wit manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world!" Seeing God hath given us his written word to be our directory, this takes away all excuses from men. No man can say, "I went wrong for want of light." No, God hath given thee his word, as a lamp to thy feet; therefore now, if thou goest wrong, thou dost it wil fully. No man can say, “If I had known the will of God, I would have obeyed." No," thou art inexcusabie, O man! God hath given thee a rule to go by, he hath written his law with his own finger, therefore now, if thou obeyest not, thou hast no apology left. If a master leaves his mind in writing with his servant, and tells him what work he will have done, yet the servant neglects the work, that servant is left without excuse, John xv. 22, Now you have no cloak for your sins."

his Spirit within them," is to be found pri sprinkle clean water upon them, and put marily in the Old Testament, Ezek. xxvi. 25, 26. So that they who take away the Old Testament, do, as Samson, pull down the pillars, they would take away the pillars of a Christian's comfort.-3. It condemns the enthusiast, who, pretending the Spint, ay aside the whole Bible: they say the scripture is a dead letter, and they live above it. What imprudence is this! Till we are above

men not talk of a revelation from the Spirit; suspect it to be an imposture. The Spirit of God acts regularly, it works in and by the

Use 2. Is all scripture of divine inspira-sin, we shall not be above scripture. Let tion? Is it a book made by God himself! Then this reproves: 1. The Papists, who take away part of scripture, and so clip the king of heaven's coin; they expunge the se-word; and he that pretends to a new light, cond commandment out of their catechisms, which is either above the word, or contrary because it makes against images; it is usual to it, abuseth both himself and the Spirit,with them, if they meet with any thing in his light is borrowed from him who transforms scripture which they dislike, either they put himself into an angel of light.—4. It cona false gloss upon it, or, if that will not do, demns the slighters of scripture: such are pretend it is corrupted. These are like they, who can go whole weeks and months Ananias, who kept back part of the money, and never read the word. They lay it aside Acta v. 2. So they keep back part of the as rusty armour; they prefer a play or roscripture from the people. This is an high mance before scripture, the magnalia legis affront to God, to deface and obliterate any are to them minulta. O how many can be part of his word; by this they bring them-looking their faces in a glass all the morning, selves under that premunire, Rev. xxii. 19, but their eyes begin to be sore, when they "If any man shall take away from the words look upon a Bible! Heathens die in the want of the book of this prophecy, God shall take of scripture, and these in the contempt of away his part out of the book of life."-Is it. They surely must needs go wrong who all scripture of divine inspiration?-2. It slight their guide; such as lay the reins upon condemns the Antimonians, that lay aside the neck of their lusts, and never use the the Old Testament as useless, and out of curbing bit of scripture to check them, are date; they call them Old Testament Chris-carried to hell, and never stop.-5. It con

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demns the abusers of scripture: (1.) Who John v. 39, "Search the scriptures,"do mud and poison this pure crystal fountain search as for a vein of silver: this blessed with their corrupt glosses; who wrest scrip- book will fill your head with knowledge, ture, 2 Pet. iii. 16. The Greek word is, they and your heart with grace. God wrote the set it upon the rack; they give wrong in- two tables with his own fingers; and if God terpretations of it, not comparing scripture took pains to write, well may we take pains with scripture as the Antinomians pervert to read. Apollos was mighty in the scripthat scripture, Num. xxiii. 21, "He hath tures, Acts. xviii. 24. The word is our not beheld iniquity in Jacob,"-hence they magna charta for heaven; shall we be iginfer, God's people may take liberty in sin, norant of our charter? Col. iii. 16, “Let because God sees no sin in them. It is true, the word of God dwell in you richly." The God sees no sin in his people with an eye of memory must be a table-book where the revenge, but he sees it with an eye of ob- word is written. To make us read the word, servation. He sees not sin in them, so as consider, 1. There is majesty sparkling in to damn them; but he sees it, so as to be every line of scripture. Take but one inangry, and severely to punish them. Did stance, Isa. lxiii. 1, "Who is this that not David find it so, when he cried out of cometh from Edom, with dyed garments his broken bones? In like manner the Ar- from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his minians wrest scripture, John v. 40, "Ye apparel, travelling in the greatness of his will not come to me;" here they bring in strength? I that speak in righteousness, free-will. This text shows, 1. How willing mighty to save." Behold here a lofty magGod is that we should have life; 2. That nificent style! What angel could speak sinners may do more than they do,-they after this manner? Junius was converted may improve the talents God hath given by reading one verse of John; he beheld a them but it doth not prove the power of majesty in it beyond all human rhetoric.— free-will, for it is contrary to that scripture, 2. There is a melody in scripture. This is John vi. 44, "No man can come to me, ex- that blessed harp, which drives away sadcept the Father which hath sent me drawness of spirit: hear the sounding of this him." These therefore wring the text so harp a little, 1 Tim. i. 15, "This is a faithhard, as they make the blood come; they do ful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, not compare scripture with scripture. (2.) that Christ Jesus came into the world to Who do jest with scripture; when they are save sinners;" he took not only our flesh sad, they take the scripture as their lute or upon him, but our sins. And Matt. xi. 28, minstrel, to play with, and to drive away" Come unto me, all ye that are heavy lathe sad spirit, as that drunkard I have read den, and I will give you rest." How sweetof, who having drunk off his cups, called to ly doth this harp of scripture sound, what some of his fellows, "Give us of your oil, heavenly music doth it make in the ears of for our lamps are gone out." In the fear of a distressed sinner, especially when the finGod, take heed of this. 4 Eusebius tells us of ger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this inone, who took a piece of scripture to make strument !-3. There is divinity in scripa jest of, but was presently struck with a ture. It contains the marrow and quintesfrenzy and ran mad. And, it is a saying sence of religion. The scripture is a rock of Luther, Quos Deus vult perdere, &c. of diamonds, a mystery of piety; the lips "Whom God intends to destroy, he gives of scripture have grace poured into them. them leave to play with scripture." The scripture speaks of faith, self-denial, Use 3. Of exhortation. If the scripture and all the graces which, as a chain of pearl be of divine inspiration, then be exorted, adorn a Christian. The scripture excites to 1. To study the scripture. It is a copy of holiness; it treats of another world, it gives God's will; be scripture men, bible Chris- a prospect of eternity. Oh then search tians. "I adore the fulness of scripture," the scripture; make the word familiar to saith Tertullian. In the book of God are you! Had I the tongue of angels, I could scattered many truths as so many pearls: not sufficiently set forth the excellency of

same Spirit that wrote the word, may assist you in the reading of it; that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful things of his law. “Go near, saith God to Philip, join thyself to this chariot," Acts viii. 29. So when God's Spirit joins himself with his chariot of the word, then it becomes effectual.

scripture; it is a spiritual optic-glass, in which we behold God's glory; it is the tree of life,-the oracle of wisdom,-the rule of manners,—the heavenly seed of which the new creature is formed, James i. 18. "The two Testaments (saith Austin) are the two breasts which every Christian must suck, that he may get spiritual nourishment." The A. 2. Be exhorted to prize the word leaves of the tree of life were for healing, written, Job xxiii. 12. David valued the Rev. xxii. 2: so these holy leaves of scrip- word more precious than gold. What ture, like those leaves, are for the healing would the Martyrs have given for a leaf of of our souls. The scripture is profitable the Bible! The word is the field where for all things if we are deserted, here is Christ the pearl of price is hid. In this spiced wine that cheers the heavy heart; sacred mine we dig, not for a wedge of if we are pursued by Satan, here is the gold, but a weight of glory.-1. The scripsword of the Spirit to resist him; if we are ture is a sacred collyrium, or eye-salve, to diseased with sin's leprosy, here are the wa-illuminate us: Prov. vi. 23, "The comters of the sanctuary, both to cleanse and mandment is a lamp, and the law is light." cure. Oh, then, search the scriptures! The scripture is the chart and compass by There's no danger in tasting this tree of which we sail to the new Jerusalem.-2. knowledge; there was a penalty laid at first, The scripture is a sovereign cordial in all that we might not taste of the tree of know-distresses. What are the promises but the ledge, Gen. ii. 17, "In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die;" but there is no danger of plucking this tree of holy scriptures; if we do not eat of this tree of knowledge, we shall surely die. Oh, then, read the scriptures Time may come, when the scriptures may be kept from

us.

Q. How should we so search the scriptures as to find life?

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water of life to renew fainting spirits? Is it sin troubles? There is a scripture-cordial, Ps. lxv. 3, "Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away;" or as it is in the Hebrew, Thou shalt cover them.' Is it outward afflictions disquiet thee? There is a with him in trouble,”—not only to behold, scripture-cordial, Ps. xci. 15, "I will be A. 1. Read the Bible with reverence. laid up manna, promises are laid up as manbut to uphold. Thus, as in the ark was Think, every line you read, God is speaking na in the ark of scripture.-3. The scripto you. The ark wherein the law was put ture will make us wise: wisdom is above was overlaid with pure gold, and was car- rubies; Ps. cxix. 104, ried on bars, that the Levites might not get understanding." What made Eve so "By thy precepts touch it, Exod. xxv. 14. And why was desire the tree of knowledge? Gen. iii. 6, this, but to breed in the people reverence to the law?-2. Read with seriousness. It scriptures teach a man to know himself; "It was a tree to make one wise." The is matter of life and death; by this word they discover Satan's snares and stratagems, you must be tried; conscience and scrip- 2 Cor. ii. 11, ture are the jury God will proceed by, in salvation," 2 Tim. iii. 15. O then highly "They make one wise to judging of you.-3. Read the word with prize the scriptures! I read of Queen Eliaffection. Get your hearts quickened with zabeth, that at her coronation, she received the word; go to it to fetch fire, Luke xxiv. the Bible presented to her, with both her 32, “Did not our hearts burn within us?" hands, and kissing it, laid it to her breast, Labour that the word may not only be a saying, that that book had ever been her lamp to direct, but a fire to warm. the scripture, not only as an history, but as Read chiefest delight. a love-letter sent to you from God which may affect your hearts.-4. Pray that the

ration, believe the word. The Romans, A. 3. If the scripture is of divine inspithat they might gain credit to their laws,

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