Man's Chief End TO GLORIFIE GOD. (4) to Of the SCRIPTVRES. (2)

Man's Chief End TO GLORIFIE GOD. (4)

Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here, which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance. Enjoying spiritual Communion with God, is a Riddle and Mystery to most People: every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King. We may approach to God in Ordinances, and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven, yet not enjoy Communion with God; we may have the Letter without Spirit, the visible Sign without the invisible Grace: it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at, Psal. 42.2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God. Alas, what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God? What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health, a brave Estate, and not to enjoy God: Job 30.28. I went mourning without the sun. So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God, I went mourning without the sun; I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments, but I cannot enjoy God, I want the Sun of Righteousness, I went mourning without the sun. This should be our great Design, not only to have the Ordinances of God, but the God of the Ordinances. The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here, is the most contented Life: he is an Hive of Sweetness, a Magazine of Riches, a Fountain of Delight, Psal. 36.8, 9. The higher the Lark flies the sweeter it sings: and the higher we flie by the Wing of Faith, the more of God we enjoy, the sweeter Delight we feel in our Souls: How is the Heart inflamed in Prayer and Meditation, what Joy and Peace in believing? Is it not comfortable being in Heaven? He that enjoys much of God in this Life, carries Heaven about him: O let this be the thing we are chiefly ambitious of, the enjoying of God in his Ordinances: remember, the enjoying God's sweet Presence here, is an Earnest of our enjoying him in Heaven:—and that brings me to the second thing, which is,

2d, The enjoying God in the Life to come: Man's chief end is to enjoy God for ever; before this plenary Fruition of God in Heaven, there must be something previous and antecedent, and that is, our being in a State of Grace: We must have Conformity to him in Grace, before we can have Communion with him in Glory. Grace and Glory are inter se connexae, link'd and chain'd together; Grace precedes Glory, as the Morning-star ushers in the Sun. God will have us qualified and fitted for a state of Blessedness: Drunkards and Swearers are not fit to enjoy God in Glory, the Lord will not lay such Vipers in his Bosom; only the pure in heart shall see God: We must first be as the King's Daughter, glorious within, before we are cloathed with the Robes of Glory: as King Ahashuerus first caus'd the Virgins to be purified and anointed, and they had their sweet Odours to perfume them, and then they were to stand before the King, Esth. 2.12. so must we, we must have the anointing of God,

and be perfum'd with the Graces of Spirit, those sweet Odours, and then we shall stand before the King of Heaven: now, being thus divinely qualified by Grace, we shall be taken up into the Mount of Vision, and enjoy God for ever. This enjoying God for ever, is nothing else but to be put into a State of Happiness. As the Body cannot have Life, but by having Communion with the Soul, so the Soul cannot have Blessedness, but by having immediate Communion with God. God is the Summum Bonum, the Chief Good; therefore the enjoying of him is the highest Felicity. He is, I say, the Chief Good.

1. He is an Universal Good; Bonum in quo omnia Bona. The Excellencies of the Creature are limited. A Man may have Health, not Beauty; Learning, not Parentage; Riches, not Wisdom: But in God are eminently contained all Excellencies: He is a Good commensurate fully to the Soul; he is a Sun, a Portion, an Horn of Salvation; in him dwells [gap] all Fulness, Col. 1.19. 2. God is an Unmixed Good: No Condition in this Life but hath its mixture; for every drop of Honey, there is a drop of Gall. Solomon, who gave himself to find out this Philosopher's Stone▪ to search out for an Happiness here below, he found Vanity and Vexation, Eccles. 1.2. but God is a perfect, quintessential Good. He is sweetness in the Flower. 3. God is a Satisfying Good. The Soul cries out, I have enough. Psal. 17.15. I shall be satisfied with thy likeness; A Man that is thirsty, bring him to the Ocean, and he hath enough. If there be enough in God to satisfie the Angels, then sure enough to satisfie us. The Soul is but Finite, but God is an increase Infinite Good. And yet though God be such a Good as doth satisfie, yet not surfeit. Fresh Joys spring continually from God's Face; and God is as much desired after Millions of Years by Glorified Souls, as at the first moment. There is so much Fulness in God as satisfies, yet so much Sweetness that the Soul still desires; it is Satisfaction without Surfeit. 4. God is a delicious Good. That which is the chief Good must ravish the Soul with pleasure; there must be in it Spirits of Delight, and Quintessence of Joy; and this is to be enjoyed only in God. In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima immo rapitur; the Love of God drops such infinite suavity into the Soul as is unspeakable and full of glory. If there be so much delight in God, when we see him only by Faith, 1 Pet. 1.8. what will the joy of Vision be when we shall see him face to face? If the Saints have found so much delight in God while they were Suffering, O then what Joy and Delight will they have when they are Crowning? If Flames are Beds of Roses, O then what will it be to lean on the Bosom of Jesus, what a Bed of Roses will that be? 5. God is a Superlative Good. He is better then any thing you can put in competition with him; he is better then Health, Riches, Honour. Other things maintain Life, he gives Life. But who would go to put any thing in Ballance with the Deity? who would weigh a Feather with a Mountain of Gold? God excels all other things more infinitely then the Sun the light of a Taper. 6. God is an Eternal Good. He is the ancient of Days, Dan. 7.9. yet never decays, or waxes old. The Joy he gives is eternal, the Crown he gives fadeth not away, 1 Pet. 5.4. The glorified Soul shall be ever solacing it self in God; it shall be feasting on his Love, and sunning it self in the light of his Countenance. We read of the River of Pleasure at God's right hand, but will not this in time be dried up? No, there's a Fountain at the bottom which feeds it, Psal. 36.9. With the Lord is the fountain of life. Thus God is the Chief Good, and the enjoying God for ever is the Supream Felicity the Soul is capable of.

1. Use of Exhortation. Let it be the chief end of our living to enjoy this Chief Good hereafter; this is that will crown us with Happiness. Austin reckons up two hundred eighty eight Opinions among the Philosophers about Happiness, but all did shoot short of the Mark. The highest Elevation of a reasonable Soul, is to enjoy God for ever. It is the enjoying God, makes Heaven, 1 Thess. 4.17. Then shall we ever be with the Lord. The Soul trembles, as the Needle in the Compass, and is never at rest till it comes to God. To set out this excellent State of a Glorified Soul's enjoying God; 1. This enjoying of God must not be understood in a Sensual Manner; we must not conceive any Carnal Pleasures in Heaven. The Turks in their Alcoran speak of a Paradise of Pleasure, where they have Riches in abundance, and red Wine served in Golden Chalices. Here is an Heaven consisting of Pleasures for the Body; the Epicures of this Age would like such an Heaven when they die. Though indeed the State of Glory be compared to a Feast, and is set out by Pearls and precious Stones, yet these Metaphors are only to be Helps to our Faith, and to show us that there is Superabundant Joy and Felicity in the Empyraean Heaven; but those are not carnal, but sacred Delights. As our Employments shall be spiritual, it will consist in Adoring and Praising of God: so our Enjoyment shall be spiritual,

it shall consist in the having the Perfection of Holiness, in seeing the pure Face of Christ, in feeling the Love of God, in conversing with Heavenly Spirits; these Delights will be more adequate and proper for the Soul, and infinitely exceed all carnal voluptuous Delights. 2. We shall have a Lively Sence of this glorious Estate. A Man in a Lethargy, though he be alive, yet he is as good as dead, because he is not sensible, nor doth he take any pleasure in his Life; we shall have a quick and lively sence of the infinite Pleasure which ariseth from Enjoyment of God; we shall know our selves to be happy; we shall reflect with joy upon our Dignity and Felicity; we shall taste every Crumb of that Sweetness, every Drop of that Pleasure which flows from God. We shall be made able to bear a sight of that Glory. We could not now bear that Glory, it would overwhelm us; sensibile fortè destruit sensum, as a weak Eye cannot behold the Sun; but God will capacitate us for Glory; our Souls shall be so heavenly, and perfected with holiness, that they may be able to enjoy the blessed Vision of God. Moses in a Clift of the Rock saw the Glory of God passing by, Exod. 33.22. Through that blessed Rock Christ, we shall behold the Beatifical sight of God. 4. This Enjoyment of God shall be more then a bare Contemplation of him. Some of the Learned move the Question, Whether the Enjoyment of God shall be only by way of Contemplation? Answ. That is something, but it is but one half of Heaven; there shall be a Loving of God, an Acquiescence in him, a Tasting his Sweetness; not only Inspection, but Possession, Joh. 17.24. That they may behold my Glory; there is Inspection: Vers. 22. And the Glory thou hast given me, I have given them; there's Possession. Glory shall be revealed in us, Rom. 8.18. not only revealed to us, but in us. To behold God's Glory, there is Glory revealed to us; but to partake of his Glory, there is Glory revealed in us. As the Spunge sucks in the Wine, so we shall suck in Glory. 5. There's no Intermission in this State of Glory. We shall not only have God's glorious Presence at certain special Seasons, but we shall be continually in his Presence; continually under Divine Raptures of Joy. There shall not be one Minute in Heaven, wherein a glorified Soul may say, I do not enjoy Happiness. The Streams of Glory are not like the Water of a Conduit, often stopped, that we cannot have one drop of Water; but those heavenly Streams of Joy are continually running. O how should we despise this Valley of Tears where we now are, for the Mount of Transfiguration! How should we long for the full Enjoyment of God in Paradise! Had we a sight of that Land of Promise, we should need Patience to be content to live here any longer.

2. Let this be a Spur to Duty. How diligent and zealous should we be in glorifying God, that we come at last to enjoy him. If Tully, Demosthenes, Plato, who had but the dim Watch-light of Reason to see by, and did but fancy an Elizium and Happiness after this Life, did take such Herculean Pains to enjoy it, O then, how should Christians, who have the Light of Scripture to see by, bestir themselves, that they may arrive at the Eternal Fruition of God and Glory. If any thing may make us rise off our Bed of Sloth, and serve God with all our might, it should be this, the hope of our full Enjoyment of God for ever. What made Paul so active in the Sphere of Religion, 1 Cor. 15.10. I laboured [gap] more abdundantly then they all. His Obedience did not move slow, as the Sun on the Dial, but swift as the Sun in the Firmament. Why was he so zealous in glorifying God, but that he might at last center and terminate in him? 1 Thess. 4.17. Then shall we be ever with the Lord.

3. Use of Consolation. Let this comfort the Godly in all the present Miseries they feel. Thou complainest (Christian) thou dost not enjoy thy self, Fears disquiet thee, Wants perplex thee; in the Day thou canst not enjoy Ease, in the Night thou canst not enjoy Sleep. Thou dost not enjoy the Comforts of thy Life, let this revive thee, that shortly thou shalt enjoy God, and then thou shalt have more then thou canst ask or think; Thou shalt have Angels Joy, Glory without Intermission and Expiration. We shall never enjoy our selves fully, till we enjoy God Eternally.

Of the SCRIPTVRES. (1)

Quest. II. WHat Rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enioy him?

Answ. The Word of God (which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament) is the only Rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him.

2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, &c. By Scripture is understood the Sacred Book of God.—It is given by Divine Inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the Contrivance of Man's Brain, but of a Divine Original. The Image of Diana was had in Veneration by the Ephesians, because they did suppose it fell from Iupiter, Acts 19.35. This Book then of the Holy Scripture is to be highly reverenced and esteemed, because we are sure it came from Heaven, 2 Pet. 1.21. The two Testaments are the two Lips by which God hath spoken to us.

Quest. How doth it appear that the Scriptures have a Jus Divinum, a Divine Authority stamped upon them?

Answ. Because the Old and New Testament are the Foundation of all Religion. If their Divinity cannot be proved, the Foundation is gone on which we build our Faith. I shall therefore endeavour to evince this great Truth, That the Scriptures are the very Word of God. I wonder whence the Scripture should come, if not from God. 1. Bad Men could not be the Authors of Scripture: would their Minds be imployed in indighting such holy Lines? would they declare so fiercely against Sin? 2. Good Men could not be the Authors of Scripture. Could they write in such a strain? or could it stand with their Grace to Counterfeit God's Name, and put, Thus saith the Lord, to a Book of their own devising? 3. Nor could any Angel in Heaven be the Author of Scripture. Because 1. the Angels pry and search into the Abyss of Gospel Mysteries, 1 Pet. 1.12. which implies their nescience of some parts of Scripture; and sure they cannot be Authors of that Book which themselves do not fully understand▪ besides 2. what Angel in Heaven durst be so Arrogant as to Personate God, and say, I create, Isa. 65.17. and I the Lord have said it, Numb. 14.35. So that it is evident, The Pedigree of Scripture is Sacred, and it could come from none but God himself.

Not to speak of the Harmonious Consent of all the Parts of Scripture, there are Seven cogent Arguments may Evince it to be the Word of God.

1. By its Antiquity: It is of ancient standing. The gray Hairs of Scripture make it Venerable. No Humane Histories extant reach further then since Noah's Flood; but the Holy Scripture relates Matters of Fact that have been from the beginning of the World; it writes of things before Time. Now that is a sure Rule of Tertullian, That which is of the greatest Antiquity , is to be received as most Sacred and Authentick.

2. We may know the Scripture to be the Word of God by the Miraculous Preservation of it in all Ages. The Holy Scriptures are the richest Jewel that Christ hath left; and the Church of God hath kept these Publick Records of Heaven that they have not been lost. The Word of God hath never wanted Enemies to oppose, and if possible to extirpate it. They have given out a Law concerning Scripture, as Pharaoh did the Midwives concerning the Hebrew Womens Children, to strangle it in the Birth, yet God hath preserved this blessed Book inviolable to this Day. The Devil and his Agents have been blowing at Scripture-Light, but could never prevail to blow it out; a clear sign that it was lighted from Heaven .—Nor hath the Church of God in all Revolutions and Changes only kept the Scripture that it should not be lost, but that it should not be depraved. The Letter of Scripture hath been preserved without any Corruption in the Original Tongue. The Scriptures were not corrupted before Christ's Time, for then Christ would never have sent the Jews to the Scriptures; but he sends them to the Scriptures, Iohn 5.39. Search the Scriptures. Christ knew these Sacred Springs were not muddied with Humane Fancies.

3. The Scripture appears to be the Word of God, by the Matter contained in it. 1. By its Profundity. The Mystery of Scripture is so abstruse and profound, that no Man or Angel could have known it, had it not been Divinely revealed. That Eternity should be born, that he who Thunders in the Heavens, should cry in the

Cradle, that he who Rules the Stars should Suck the Breasts ; That the Prince of Life should die, that the Lord of Glory should be put to shame, that Sin should be punished to the full, yet pardoned to the full, who could ever have conceived of such a Mystery, had not the Scripture been the Oracle to reveal it to us? So for the Doctrine of the Resurrection, That the same Body which is crumbled into a thousand pieces, should rise idem numero, the same individual Body (for else it were a Creation, not a Resurrection) how could such a Sacred Riddle, above all Humane disquisition, be known, had not the Scripture made a Discovery of it? 2. By its Purity. It is for the Matter of it so full of Goodness, Justice, and Sanctity, that it could be breathed from none but God: The Holiness of it shows it to be of God, it bears his very Image. The Scripture is compared to Silver refined seven times, Psal. 12.6. This Book of God hath no Errata's in it: It is a Beam of the Sun of Righteousness, a Chrystal Stream flowing from the Fountain of Life. All Laws and Edicts of Men have had their Corruptions, but the Word of God hath not the least Tincture, it is of a Meridian Splendour. Psal. 119.140. Thy Word is very pure, like wine that comes from the grape, which is not mixed or adulterated. It is so pure, that it purifies every thing else. Iohn 17.17. Sanctifie them through thy truth. The Scripture presseth Holiness so as never any Book did: It bids us live soberly, righteously, godly, Titus 2.12. Soberly, in Acts of Temperance; Righteously, in Acts of Justice; Godly, in Acts of Zeal and Devotion. It commends to us whatever is just, lovely, of good report, Phil. 4.8. This Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6.17.) cuts down Vice. Out of this Tower of Scripture is thrown down a Milstone upon the Head of Sin. The Scripture is the Royal Law, which commands not only the Actions, but Affections; it binds the Heart to its good Behaviour. Where is there such Holiness to be found, as is dig'd out of this Sacred Mine? Who could be the Author of such a Book, but God himself?

4. That the Scripture is the Word of God, is evident by its Predictions; it Prophesieth of things to come. This shows the Voice of God speaking in it; it was foretold by the Prophet, A Virgin shall conceive, Isa. 7.14. and the Messiah shall be cut off, Dan. 9.26. The Scripture foretels things that should fall out many Ages and Centuries after; as how long Israel should serve in the Iron Furnace, and the very day of their Deliverance: Exod. 12.41. At the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self same day, it came to pass, the Hoasts of the Lord went out of Egypt. This Prediction of Future Things, meerly contingent, and not depending upon Natural Causes, is a clear Demonstration of its Divine Original.

5. The Impartiality of those Men of God who wrote the Scriptures; they do not spare to set down their own Failings. What Man that writes an History would black his own face, viz. record those things of himself that might stain his Reputation? Moses records his own Impatience when he struck the Rock, and tells us therefore he could not enter into the Land of Promise. David writes of his own Adultery and Bloodshed, which stands as a Blot in his Scutchion to succeeding Ages. Peter relates his own Pusillanimity in denying Christ. Ionah sets down his own Passions, I do well to be angry to the death. Surely had not their Pen been guided by God's own Hand, they would never have written that which did reflect dishonour upon themselves. Men do usually rather hide their Blemishes, then publish them to the World: But these Pen-men of Holy Scripture eclipse their own Name; they take away all the Glory from themselves, and give the Glory, to God.

6 Arg. The mighty power and efficacy the Word hath had upon the Souls and Consciences of Men. 1. It hath changed their heart. 1. 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. 3.3. Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of 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 an heavenly print of Grace upon the Heart, there must needs be a Power going along with that Word no less than Divine. 2. It hath comforted their Heart. When Christians have sat by the Rivers weeping, the Word hath dropped as Honey, and sweetly revived them. A Christians chief Comfort is drawn out of these Wells of Salvation; Rom. 15.4. 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. 4.17. 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 drop'd in the golden Oil of Joy into his Heart; Cant. 3.31. 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; Psal. 119.50. This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy Word hath quickned 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 Cawsey 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 Seal to the Truth and Divinity of Scripture by Miracles.

Object. The Papists indeed cannot deny but that the Scripture is Divine and Sacred, but they affirm that quoad nos, with respect to us, it receives its Divine Authority from the Church; and they bring that Scripture 1 Tim. 3.15. where the Church is said to be the Ground and Pillar of Truth.

Answ. It is true the Church is the Pillar of Truth, but it doth not therefore follow that 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 should be Divine 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. 2.20. Built upon the Foundation (that is, the Doctrine) of the Apostles and Prophets.

Quest. Are all the Books in the Bible of the same Divine Authority?

Answ. Those which we call Canonical.

Quest. Why are the Scriptures called Canonical?

Answ. Because the Word is a Rule of Faith, a Canon to direct our Lives. The Word is the Judge of Controversies, the Rock of Infallibility; that only is to be received for Truth, which is consonant to, and agrees with Scripture, as the Transcript with the Original. All Maximes in Divinity are to be brought to the Touchstone of Scripture, as all Measures are brought to the Standard.

Quest. Are the Scriptures a compleat Rule?

Answ. The Scripture is a full and perfect Canon, containing in it all things necessary to Salvation: 2 Tim. 3.15. Thou hast from a Child known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation. It shews the credenda, what we are to believe, and agenda, what we are to practise. It gives us an exact Model of Religion, and perfectly Instructs us in the deep Things of God. The Papists therefore make themselves guilty, who go to seek out Scripture with their Traditions, which they equalize it: The Council of Trent saith, That the Traditions of the Church of Rome are to be received pari pietatis affectu, with the same Devotion that Scripture is to be received with: So bring themselves under that Curse Rev. 22.18. If any Man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book.

Quest. What is the main Scope and End of Scripture?

Answ. To Chalk out a Way to Salvation: It makes a clear Discovery of Christ. Iohn 20.31. These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ, and that believing ye might have Life through his Name. The Design of the Word is to be an Examen whereby our Grace is to be tried; a Sea-mark to show us what Rocks we are to avoid. The Word is to sublimate and quicken our Affections; it is to be our Directory and Consolatory; it is to waft us over to the Land of Promise.

Quest. Who shall have the Power of interpreting 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 is Head of it, and he is Infallible; so Bellarmine. But that Assertion is false, because many of the Popes have

been ignorant and vitious, as Platina affirms, who writes of the Lives of the Popes: Pope Liberius was an Arian, and Pope Iohn XXII. denied the Immortality of the Soul; therefore Popes are no fit Interpreters of Scripture: Who then?

Ans. 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 its self by its own Beams; the Scripture interprets itself in easie 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?

Resp. In the Church God hath appointed, Ordo docentium & discentium, some to Expound and Interpret Scripture; therefore he hath given Gifts to Men; the several Pastors of Churches like bright Constellations give light to dark Scriptures, Mal. 2.7. The priests lips should preserve knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth.

Quest. But this is to pin our Faith upon Men?

Resp. We are to receive nothing for currant but what is agreeable to the Word; as God hath given to his Ministers Gifts for the interpreting obscure places, so he hath given to his People so much of the Spirit of Discerning, that they can tell (at least in things necessary to Salvation) what is consonant to Scripture, and what is not, 1 Cor. 12.10. To one is given a spirit of prophesie, to another discerning of spirits: God hath endued his People▪ with such a measure of Wisdom and Discretion that they can discern between Truth and Errour, and judge what is sound and what spurious, Acts 17.11. The Bereans search'd the scriptures daily, whether those things were so: They weighed the Doctrine they heard, whether it was agreeable to Scripture, tho' Paul and Silas were their Teachers, 2 Tim. 3.16.

Of the SCRIPTVRES. (2)

Use 1. See the wonderful goodness of God, who besides the Light of Nature, hath committed to us the Sacred Scriptures. The Heathens are inveloped with Ignorance; Psal. 147.20. As for his judgments, they have not known them. They have the Oracles 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. Iohn 14.22. Lord! How is it thou wilt show thy self to us, and not unto the World?

2. 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 a Light; no, God hath given thee his Word, as a Lamp to thy feet; therefore now if thou goest wrong, thou dost it wilfully. No Man can say, If I had known the Will of God, I would have obeyed; no, thou art inexcusable, 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. Iohn 15.22. Now ye have no Cloak for your sin.

Use 2. Is all Scripture of Divine Inspiration, 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 second Commandment out of their Catechisms, because it makes against Images; 'tis usual with them if they meet with any thing in Scripture which they dislike, either they put a false Gloss upon it, or if that will not do, pretend it is corrupted; these are like Ananias who kept back part of the Money, Acts 5.2. so they keep back part of Scripture from the People. This is an high Affront to God, to deface and obliterate any part of his Word: by this they bring themselves under that Premunire, Rev. 22.19. If any man shall take away from the words of the book this prophesie, God shall take away his part out of the book of life. Is all Scripture of Divine Inspiration? 2. It condemns the Antinomians that lay aside the Old Testament as useless and out of date; they call them Old Testament Christians: God hath stamp'd a Divine Majesty upon both Testaments, and till they can shew 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 Brests 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 part of it speaks Gospel, I am the Lord thy God; here is the pure Wine of the Gospel. The Saints great Charter where God promiseth to

pour clean water on them, and put his spirit within them, is to be found primarily in the Old Testament, Ezek. 36.26. So that they who go to take away the Old Testament, do as Sampson, Pull down the pillars; they would take away the Pillars of a Christian's Comfort. 3. It condemns the Enthusiasts who pretending the Spirit, lay aside the whole Bible, they say the Scripture is a Dead Letter, and they live above it. What Impudency is this? till we are above Sin we shall not be above Scripture; let not Men 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 Word; and he that pretends a new Light, which is either above the Word, or contrary to it, abuseth both himself and the Spirit; his Light is borrowed from him who transforms himself into an Angel of Light. 4. It condemns the Slighters of Scripture; such are they who can go whole Weeks and Months and never read the Word; they lay it aside as rusty Armour; they prefer a Play or Romance before Scripture, the Magnalia legis are to them Minutula. O how many can be looking their Faces in a Glass all the Morning, but their Eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible: Heathens die in the want of Scripture, and these in the contempt of it. They surely must needs go wrong who slite their Guide; such as lay the reins upon the neck of their Lusts, and never use the curbing Bit of Scripture to check them, are carried to Hell and never stop. 5. It condemns the Abusers of Scripture: 1. Who do mud and poison this pure Chrystal Fountain with their corrupt Glosses, who rest Scripture, 2 Pet. 3.16. The Greek word is [gap], they set it upon the Rack; they give wrong Interpretations of it, not comparing Scripture with Scripture; as the Antinomians pervert that Scripture, Numb. 23.21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob. Hence they infer, God's People may take liberty in sin, because God sees no sin in them. 'Tis true, God sees not sin in his People with an Eye of Revenge, but he sees it with an Eye of Observation. He sees not sin in them, so as to damn them, but he sees it so as to be angry, and severely to punish them. Did not David find it so when he cried out of his broken bones? In like manner the Arminians wrest Scripture: Iohn 5.40. Ye will not come to me: here they bring in Free-will. This Text shows 1. how willing God is that we should have Life; 2. that sinners may do more than they do; they may improve the Talents God hath given them: but it doth not prove the Power of Free-will, for it is contrary to that Scripture, Iohn 6.44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. These therefore wring the Text so hard as they make the Blood come; they do not compare Scripture with Scripture. 2. Who do jest with Scripture. When they are sad they take the Scripture as their Lute or Minstrel to play with, and so drive away the sad Spirit; as that Drunkard I have read of, who having drunk off his Cups, called to some of his Fellows, Give us of your Oil for our Lamps are gone out. In the fear of God take heed of this. Eusebius tells us of one who took a piece of Scripture to make a Jest of, who was presently struck with Frenzy, and run mad. And 'tis a saying of Luther, Quos Deus vult perdere, &c. whom God intends to destroy, he gives them leave to play with Scripturre.

Use 3. of Exhortation. If the Scripture be of Divine Inspiration, then be exhorted 1. to study the Scripture; it is a Copy of God's Will: be Scripture Men, Bible Christians. I adore the fulness of Scripture, saith Tertullian. In the Book of God are scattered many Truths as so many Pearls. Iohn 5.39. Search the Scriptures: Search as for a Vein of Silver. This blessed Book will fill your Head with Knowledge, and your Heart with Grace. God wrote the two Tables with his own Fingers, and if God took pains to write, well may we take pains [gap]o read. Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures, Acts 18.24. The Word is our Magna Charta for Heaven, shall we be ignorant of our Charter? Col. 3.16. Let the word of God dwell in you richly. The Memory must be a Table-Book where the Word is written. To make us read the Word, consider 1. There is Majesty sparkling in every Line of Scripture. Take but one Instance, Isa. 63.1. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with died garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Behold here a lofty magnificent stile! what Angel could speak after this manner. Iunius was converted by reading one Verse of Iohn; he beheld a Majesty in it beyond all Humane Rhetorick. 2. There is Melody in Scripture. This is that blessed Harp which drives away sadness of Spirit. Hear the sounding of this Harp a little, 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners; he took not only our Flesh upon him, but our Sins. And Matth. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

How sweetly doth this Harp of Scripture sound? what heavenly Musick doth it make in the Ears of a distressed sinner, especially when the Finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this Instrument. 3. There is Divinity in Scripture. It contains the Marrow and Quintessence of Religion. The Scripture is a Rock of Diamonds, a Mystery of Piety; the Lips of Scripture have Grace poured into them. The Scripture speaks of Faith, Self-denial, and all the Graces, which as a Chain of Pearl adore a Christian. The Scripture excites to Holiness, it treats of another World, it gives a prospect of Eternity. Oh then search the Scriptures! Make the Word familiar to you. Had I the Tongue of Angels, I could not sufficiently set forth the Excellency of Scripture. It is a spiritual Optick 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, Iames 1.18. The two Testaments (saith Austin) are the two Breasts which every Christian must suck, that he may get spiritual Nourishment. The Leaves of the Tree of Life were for Healing, Rev. 22.2. so these Holy Leaves of Scripture, like those Leaves, are for the healing of our Souls. The Scripture is profitable for all things: If we are deserted, here is the spiced Wine that cheers the heavy heart: If we are pursued by Satan, here is the Sword of the Spirit to resist him: If we are diseased with Sins leprosy, here are the Waters of the Sanctuary, both to Cleanse and Cure. Oh, then search the Scriptures! There is no danger in tasting this Tree of Knowledge. There was a Penalty laid at first, that we might not taste of the Tree of Knowledge, Gen. 3.17. In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. But there is no danger of plucking this Tree of Holy Scripture; 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.

Quest. How should we so search the Scriptures as to find Life?

Answ. 1. Read the Bible with Reverence; think every Line you read God is speaking to you. The Ark wherein the Law was put was over-laid with pure Gold, and was carried on Barrs that the Levites might not touch it, Exod. 25.14. And why was this? but to breed in the People Reverence to the Law. 2. Read with Seriousness. 'Tis Matter of Life and Death: By this Word you must be tried; Conscience and Scripture are the Jury God will proceed by in Judging of you. 3. Read the Word with Affection. Get your Hearts quickned with the Word; go to it to fetch fire. Luke 24.31. Did not our hearts burn within us. Labour that the Word may not only be a Lamp to direct, but a Fire to warm. Read the Scripture not only as an History, but as a Love-Letter sent to you from God, which may affect your Hearts. 4. Pray that the 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, joyn thy self to this Chariot, Acts 8.29. So when God's Spirit joyns himself with this Chariot of the Word, then it becomes effectual.

2. Be exhorted to prize the Word written, Iob 23.12. David valued the Word more precious than Gold. What would the Martyrs have given for a Leaf of the Bible.! The Word is the Field where Christ the Pearl of price is hid. In this Sacred Mine we dig, not for a Wedge of Gold, but a Weight of Glory. 1. The Scripture is a Sacred Collyrium, or Eye-salve to illuminate us. Prov. 6.23. The Commandment is a Lamp, and the Law is Light. [gap], Clem Alexandrinus. The Scripture is the Card and Compass by which we Sail to the New Ierusalem. 2. The Scripture is a Soveraign Cordial in all Distresses. What are the Promises but the Water of Life to renew fainting Spirits? Is it sin troubles? there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 65.3. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our Transgressions thou shalt purge them away; or as it is in Hebrew Te eapperem, Thou shalt cover them. Is it outward Affliction disquiets? there is a Scripture Cordial Psal. 91.15. I will be with him in trouble; not only to behold, but to uphold. Thus, as in the Ark was laid up Manna, Promises are laid up as Manna in the Ark of Scripture. 3. The Scripture will make us wise: Wisdom is above Troubles. Psal. 119.104. By thy Precepts I get understanding. What made Eve so desire the Tree of Knowledge, Gen. 3.6. It was a Tree to make one wise. The Scriptures teach a Man to know himself; they discover Satan's [gap] snares and stratagems, 2 Cor. 2.11. They make one wise to Salvation, 2 Tim. 3.15. O then highly prize the Scriptures! I read of Queen Elizabeth, at her Coronation she received the Bible presented to her, with both her Hands, and kissing it, laid it to her Breast, saying, That that Book had ever been her chiefest delight.

3. If the Scripture is of Divine Inspiration, Believe the Word. The Romans, that

they might gain Credit to their Laws, reported that they were inspired by the Gods at Rome. O give credence to the Word! it is breathed from God's own Mouth. Hence ariseth all the prophaneness of Men, they do not believe Scripture. Isa. 53.1. Who hath believed our Report? Did you believe the glorious Rewards the Scripture speaks of, would you not give diligence to make your Elections sure? Did you believe the Infernal Torments the Scripture speaks of, would not this put you into a cold sweat, and cause a trembling at heart for sin? But People are in part Atheists, they give but little credit to the Word, therefore they are so impious, and draw such dark shadows in their Lives. Learn to realize Scripture, get your hearts wrought to a firm belief of it. Some think, if God should send an Angel from Heaven, and declare his Mind, then they should rather believe him; or if he should send one from the damned, and preach the Torments of Hell all in Flames, then they would believe. But Luke 16.31. If they believe not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be perswaded though one arose from the dead. God is wise, and he thinks this way fittest to make his Mind known to us by writing; and such as will not be Convinced by the Word, shall be Judged by the Word. The belief of the Scripture is of high importance: It is the belief of Scripture that will inable us to resist Temptation: 1 Iohn 2.14. The Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Tis the belief of Scripture conduceth much to our Sanctification; therefore these two are put together, Sanctification of the Spirit, and Belief of the Truth. [gap] Thess. [gap].13. If the Word written be not believed, it is like writing on the Wate[gap], which takes no impression.

4. Love the Word written. Psal. 119.97. O how love I thy Law. Sint [gap] deliciae meae Scripturae sanctae: Lord (saith Augustine) let the holy Scriptures be my chast delight. Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a Garden, every Truth is a fragrant Flower, which we should wear, not in our Bosom, but our Heart. David tasted the Word sweeter than the Honey and the Honey-comb, Psal. 19.10. There is that in Scripture may breed delight: It shows us the way to Riches, Deut. 28.5. Prov. 3.16. to long Life, Psal. 34.12. to a Kingdom, Hebr. 12.28. Well then may we count those the sweetest hours which are spent in reading the holy Scriptures: Well may we say with the Prophet, Ier. 15.16. Thy words were sound, and I did eat them, and they were the joy and rejoycing of my heart.